Corona del Mar’s Jack Stone is guarded by Edison’s Jack Horton (No. 4) and Sean Fajado Friday night in the Gary Raya semifinals.
Jack Garza, Jack Stone and Matt Olson each scored 11 points as Corona del Mar defeated Edison 48-43 in a semifinal game at the So Cal Elite/Gary Raya boys basketball Classic Friday evening at El Dorado High.
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The Sea Kings (7-3) won their third consecutive game and advance to the finals against Tesoro Saturday night at Woodbridge High.
In a tightly contested game, CdM took a 35-32 lead after three quarters, but Olson nailed a 3-point play and Stone drilled a 3-pointer to start the fourth quarter and propel the Sea Kings to a 41-32 lead with 6:27 to play.
However, the Chargers bounced back and cut the lead to 46-43 on a 3-pointer by Bradley Luna with 1:34 to play. But Edison was unable to score the reminder of the way and came up short.
“We executed on offense and we ran the clock well and we made some good passes,” said CdM coach Ryan Schachter. “We worked hard on those things in practice because we haven’t been doing those things well at the end of games. Tesoro is going to be a challenge for us; they’re big and physical but we’re glad to be 3-0 in the tournament.”
With the Chargers pressing hard late in the game, Jake Hamilton made two clutch baskets in the final two minutes to hold off the Edison surge.
“It was a neat feeling to make a few baskets and push thelead down the stretch,” said Hamilton, a senior guard who scored seven points. “We showed defensive energy in the final minutes and it’s great to win a game like this.”
CdM played without starting forward John Humphreys and reserve forward Ethan Garbers. Humphreys was on a college visit to Notre Dame (who has offered him a football scholarship) and Garbers was unable to play due to sickness.
Edison also had several key players out with injuries but they led 12-11 after one period. Luna nailed three 3-pointers in the first quarter but the Chargers shooting went cold in the second quarter and they trailed 25-18 at the break.
The game remained close and Logan Sherouse’s bucket cut the Sea Kings lead to 35-32 after three periods.
“This win gives us confidence, especially since we played out last four games at home,” Olson said. “To come on the road and win in a different environment like this is huge for us.”
Edison forward Connor Collins led all scorers with 16 points. Aiden Garnett also added 10 points for the Chargers (8-5).
“They played with more energy than us,” said Edison coach Rich Boyce. “We battled back but we missed too many free throws and committed too many turnovers. We need a couple of really good days of practice with everyone back and we’ll be OK.”
In pool games earlier on Friday at El Dorado High, Kody Uyesugi scored 18 points and Will Stenta added 17 points as University used a big third quarter to break open a close game and beat El Dorado 79-66.
Brandon Liu scored 15 points and Andrea Roy also scored 12 points for the Trojans. John Bakke and Jake Poling each scored 21 points for the Golden Hawks.
San Clemente defeated Woodbridge 76-75 in OT. Tritons senior guard Anthony Smetona led all scorers with 21 points. Andrew Herbert scored 14 points and Max Rumph added 12 and points and Caleb Carlin scored 11 points for San Clemente.
Woodbridge was led by senior guard Jackson Rain and senior forward Brandon Clarke-Hosler who each scored 17 points apiece for the Warriors (3-7).
–Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone
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