San Clemente boys basketball team tops Tustin 67-52 and advances into tournament semifinals

Tustin’s Ryan Stading guards Mario Medrano of San Clemente during Thursday’s second round game.

San Clemente’s boys basketball team was missing one of its key players, senior guard Anthony Smetona for a second round of the Tustin Classic against Tustin Thursday night.

But the rest of team picked up the slack and the Tritons went on to capture a 67-52 victory over the host Tillers.

San Clemente will face Compton in the semifinals Friday night at 7:30 p.m.

Smetona is out indefinitely with a sprained wrist, according to San Clemente Coach Marc Popovich.

“I thought we played really well, we made extra passes on offense and we really stuck to the game plan,” Popovich said. “I thought our defense was phenomenal in the first half, we made them take tough shots and we out-rebounded them really well. We did a good job on the glass.”

Popovich was pleased with the play of Anthony Herbert (nine points) and Jack Carroll, who came off the bench to score 16 points while sinking four 3-pointers.

“Other guys who wouldn’t normally have as big a role, getting them to have that role is huge for us,” Popovich said.

Mario Medrano scored 14 points and Matthew Herrod added 10 points for San Clemente (7-8).

San Clemente broke the game open by outscoring San Clemente 26-9 in the second quarter to take a 40-17 halftime lead and the Titans were in control after that.

Tustin (9-5) was led by Jason Naranjo (13 points) and Kyan Patel (12 points).

The Tillers outscored San Clemente 19-14 in the third quarter but were never able to make a serious charge in the final stanza.

“We were thoroughly outplayed tonight in every conceivable way,” said Tustin Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer. “San Clemente is a talented, well coached team. We did not match them whatsoever in terms of effort, execution or energy.

“We responded and showed some life in the second half. Hopefully we can build on that tomorrow.”

Tustin will play St. Mary’s at noon on Friday.