pmk3310

SoCal High School & Prep Report

Pat McKinney: USDHS Wins
First Round in State Tourney--(March 10, 1998)

Here's Pat's report from USDHS's win tonight, March 10, in the Southern Regional Division III opening game, played tonight at USDHS. And with the win, USDHS will either see Chaminade on Thursday at USDHS, or they will play Barstow. Barring a major upset, we're betting that it was Chaminade, but we won't know until later because we weren't at the game and we're still waiting for a report. In the meantime, visit the USDHS Dons Basketball Website to stay in touch with the Dons and the rest of San Diego Hoops, and enjoy Pat's take on tonight's game:

Dons Advance Convincingly

Yosemite Falls Victim to Big Three

By Pat McKinney
USDHS Dons Basketball Website

For most of the second half of this season, the offensive focus for the University of San Diego High School Dons has been on Arizona-bound forward Luke Walton. Tonight, the Dons showed the damage they can do as a team in an outstanding display on both ends of the court. Luke Walton did have a monster game: 23 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists, 6 steals, and 0 fouls, but it was the play of the Dons other two stars that will let them destroy teams if this trend continues.

Point guard David Abramowitz, headed for SDSU, was coming off a subpar performance in the Section final against St. Augustine at Cox Arena. He made up for it tonight in USD's gym with 23 points, 5 assists, and 4 steals. He ran the offense and was extremely hungry for the shot.

The third part of this trifecta is 6'6 swingman Ronnie McMillan, who has the ability to take the heart out of the opposition (anyone who saw the game at Lincoln knows what I'm talking about). He was at it tonight, scoring nine in the first quarter and opening up the outside for Abramowitz and Walton. He would finish with 21 points on 10 of 12 from the field, 6 boards, 4 steals, and 2 blocks.

As a team, the Dons shot 62% and allowed themselves the luxury of not working too hard in the blowout.

The Dons started the following five:

Luke Walton 6'8 Sr. F
David Abramowitz, 6' Sr. G
Ron McMillan, 6'6 Sr. F
Carlos Cong, 5'5 Sr. G
Chris Walton, 6'6 So. F

The Dons had an excuse if they wanted it: 6'8 So. F Kam Walton did not suit up tonight, due to a foot injury suffered since last Friday's win. Instead, it seemed to spur them on and they came out on fire

Yosemite countered with this lineup:

Andrew Pence, 6' Sr. G
Mike Beal, 5'10 Sr. G
Tyler Clevenger, 6' Sr. F
Charlie Medley, 6' Sr. F
Kendall West, 6'4 Sr. F.

Yosemite, the runner-up in the Central Section to Easton Washington Union, is an experienced club that goes eight deep. It was clear they lacked the size to match up with the Dons, and it would soon prove they also lacked the necessary quickness.

The Dons went to work with a pressing defense, which rattled Yosemite. McMillan scored first and was answered by West. David nailed a 3 to launch a 12-0 run that made it 14-2. West came back with two more buckets, before McMillan scored again. Medley nailed a 3, but Luke matched it to end the first with the Dons up 23-10. Uni forced 6 turnovers in the first and was running and converting on easy layups.

The second opened with Conor Hulburtfinding McMillan inside. Abramowitz took it over, scoring six straight from deep, turning on the defense, and hitting another three to make it 38-21. Chris Walton went down with 2:22 in the half, but it turned out to be a cramp and he would return. Yosemite kept it close as West and Pence hit some threes to keep them in it. The half ended with USDHS up 43-28. Abramowitz led all scorers at the half with 17 while McMillan scored 13 on a perfect 6 for 6 and Walton added 9. Uni finished the half shooting a sizzling 68% to a pretty good 44% for Yosemite.

In the third quarter, the Dons showed some of their best defense this season. Forcing turnover after turnover, they kept Yosemite away from the hoop and converted on easy buckets. They outscored Yosemite 18-8 to put the game away at 61-36.

Luke opened the fourth with a pair of threes to ice it a 67-36 with 6:21 to play. A few minutes later, Luke found Ronnie on a house rocking alley oop dunk to give Uni its biggest lead at 75-41. Coach Tomey called off the dogs and even let JV call up Nate Staggs and Matt Morrison into the action. West converted on a sweet lob play for Yosemite and they added some make-up baskets for cosmetic purposes.

Pending the outcome of tonight's Chaminade/Barstow match, the win sets up one of this season's most anticipated match-ups for the State of California. We, of course, are assuming Chaminade won and will travel to San Diego on Thursday to play the Dons. Chaminade is riding a 26 game winning streak and has played in the tough Southern Section. Experience is on the Dons side: they have played in the Regional Final the last two years as well as some of this country's toughest preseason tournaments. In each of the last two years, it was Morningside who represented the Southern Section in the semifinal. Each time, USDHS advanced to the Final to play Harvard-Westlake. Harvard and Morningside are out this year...is it finally the Dons' turn? Our outlook: a defensive masterpiece consisting of smash mouth hoop action. I see the score in the 40s or maybe even the 30s. It is sure to be a great game and we hope to see you at USD Thursday night