CONGRATULATIONS TO MATER DEI HIGH SCHOOL- CHAMPIONS OF THE 2012 JIM HARRIS MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS

One team leaves the 2012 Jim Harris Memorial Tournament of Champions undefeated. That team is Mater Dei. They were the superior team throughout, dominating each game. The championship match-up on paper looked like it would be a great game. Both teams have great guard play and dominant post players. The game itself started off close with each team exchanging baskets. JSerra was able to get Junior sensation Stanley Johnson in foul trouble early, forcing him to sit a considerable amount during the first half. Elijah Brown’s scoring repertoire was unbelievable. He can score off the dribble, shoot the three, set up his teammates and hit the set shot as well. JSerra’s post player, Jamal Aytes, was big for them all game unfortunately he didn’t get much offensive help as their guards, Johnnie Vassar and Rex Pflueger (who have had magnificent games all tournament) struggled hitting shots from the field. Vassar also had to sit some of the game after picking up his 4th foul early in the 3rd quarter.  For the tournament, Stanley Johnson averaged 21 points a game while Elijah Brown (both of Mater Dei) averaged 22.5 points, putting them both on our All-Tournament Team. For JSerra, Jamal Aytes averaged 17.5 points per game in the tournament for giving him a spot as well on our All-Tournament Team. The other selection from JSerra was Johnnie Vassar. The overall MVP of our tournament this year was Mater Dei’s Jordan Strawberry who was a team leader on the court and was a scoring threat as well. The scoreboard is off, the teams are heading home, the trophies are all distributed, the fans have exited, the lights are dim, and the gymnasium is now empty and clear. What was the 2012 Jim Harris Memorial Tournament of Champions is but a memory now. We consider this tournament a success and hope that you found it to be as well. Thank you to everyone who entered our gymnasium to either coach, play or watch the 32 games we had. We would like to wish every team who played in our tournament this year the best of luck during the rest of their seasons! Until next year…

Our final game of the tournament, the championship, has reached the halfway mark with Mater Dei outscoring JSerra, 38-22. League supremacy is on the line for both these teams so expect JSerra to come out from haftime making necessary adjustments to get back into the game. Stanley Johnson has been in foul trouble most of the 1st half for Mater Dei. JSerra’s Jamal Aytes leads his team in scoring with 7 points. Elijah Brown leads Mater Dei with 14 points.

Ocean View controlled the pace of the game and it benefited them throughout. Compton’s big scoring threats were unable to hit the outside shot as consistently as they have in previous games. The hustle on loose balls displayed by Ocean View also was a factor in the game. Compton was able to keep it close down the stretch as Ocean View was committing fouls and sending Compton to the free throw stripe. However, with 1:34 remaining in the game, Compton’s Lewis tied the ball game up at 68 apiece with his 2 made free throws.  The Tarbabes pressure defense in the last few minutes stifled the Seahawks slightly as well.  At the buzzer, Isaiah Bailey scored the tying bucket to send the game into overtime. With 4 seconds left in overtime, Kendall Small stole the ball and was fouled with 0.4 left in the game, and hit 1 free throw to win the game for the Seahawks. The play of Isaiah Bailey and Iziahiah Sweeney (Compton) throughout the tournament helped earn them a spot on our All-Tournament Team. Outstanding Sophomore Kendall Small and Dilion Reise for Ocean View made the All-Tournament Team.

Going into the half of our 3rd place match-up pitting the Compton Tarbabes against the host school, Ocean View Seahawks, Ocean View leads 38-36. The first 2 quarters have been a battle between two teams who are looking to avenge their losses in the semi-finals last night. The second half should be interesting.

The Clovis West Eagles have captured the 5th place trophy over the Celts of Crespi. It was a game that was a 3 point shootout for the first half, and Clovis West was able to extend the lead in the second half with stellar defense and fundamental offense. Marcus Junior, Ramiro Sanchez and Michael Orlich led Clovis West with double-digit scoring sending them back North with 5th place. London Perrantes led the Celts of Crespi with 17 points but they weren’t enough to overcome the performance of the Eagles. Selected to the All-Tournament Team for Crespi was Senior London Perrantes. Leading their team, and also making the All-Tournament Team were both Michael Orlich and Ramiro Sanchez.

They should call this the battle of the three point shots because the first half included a lot of them. The Celts of Crespi currently hold the lead of 3 points over the Clovis West Eagles 36-33.

We have a winner. In a game that saw Dominguez up in the first half, ended with Warren coming back to claim 7th place. Dominguez was down by 2 with a minute left in the game but a costly turnover gave Warren the 4 point cushion. Warren went to the free throw line to try and create a 6 point lead, but the shooter missed the front end of a one-and-one. Unfortunately Dominguez couldn’t secure the rebound, and a Warren player did, thus helping send Warren home with the win. The all-tournament selection from Dominguez was EJ Johnson. For the 7th place team, Joseph Campos and Michael Onyehalu. Earl Morgan led Dominguez in the scoring column with 14 points. All-Tournament selection, Michael Onyehalu led Warren with 15 points.

In what has been a close game in the first half, this 7th place game is anyone’s to take in the second half and both coaches are taking their time to coach their teams whether it be during a timeout or during actual play. After 16 minutes of play, 2 quarters left to go, Dominguez leads Warren 28-24.

Winning the Consolation Champions was Lynwood over LACES. Both teams came back from a loss their first game to reach this game, and while on team ended the same way they started (with a loss) it doesn’t take away from their accomplishments this tournament to get to this point. LACES was down by 3 points with 24 seconds left, but couldn’t convert their three point shot to tie the game up in hopes of sending the game into overtime. Making the All-Tournament Team for the Consolation Champions was Joseph Rodriguez  and Chris Flores. For the runner-ups, LACES had Caleb Benton on the All-Tournament Team.