Four teams, including Woodbridge, are in the running to advance to the championship game of the 32nd annual Irvine World News Boys Basketball Classic.
Woodbridge improved to 2-0 in pool play with a 63-34 victory over Palm Springs Thursday night.
The Warriors (6-2 overall) were led by Michael Scarlett, who had 20 points and Jason Gregson, who scored 16 points.
Woodbridge meets Tustin Friday night at 7 at Woodbridge.
Dana Hills is 2-0 in the Blue Division, the same one Woodbridge is in. Dana Hills plays at University on Friday night.
In the Red Division, Laguna Beach, El Toro and Esperanza are all 2-0 going into Friday’s pool play games.
The winners of the two pools meet in the championship game Saturday at 6 p.m. at Tustin High.
If teams have identical records, there are four tie-breakers, including head to head competition and point differential with a maximum of 15 points per game is used.
Woodbridge, which has won the tournament title six times, was impressive from the start against Palm Springs, racing to a 20-6 lead after one quarter and a 29-20 advantage at halftime.
“We really wanted our guys to lock in and focus,” said Woodbridge Coach John Halagan. “Last night against Valencia, they got into us before we got into them and the starters were a little lethargic.
“Tonight, we made it a priority and told them, ‘you’re starters for a reason, you’re supposed to set the tone and bring a lot of energy,’ and I was really pleased with the whole group. The starters were very solid in the first and third quarter and then into the fourth. Jason Gregson and Michael Scarlett are really playing well off of each other and it’s setting other guys up too.
“Truman Brown and Tyler Branin, as a combo, were very active at the front of our zone. They brought a lot of energy.”
Woodbridge now gears up for a talented Tustin team, which suffered its first loss on Wednesday, losing to No. 2 Dana Hills, 56-46. The Tillers, whop were off on Thursday, enter the game 5-1 overall.
“Tustin is very well coached and they play incredibly hard,” Halagan said.
The only other game in the tournament on Thursday was at University, where the Trojans suffered their second straight loss, falling to Valencia, 68-64.
Brennon Palmer led Valencia with 20 points. Justin Wu led University (3-5) with 14 points. Kiron Dey had 12 points and Jake Terpening 10 points.
Mission Viejo won last year’s tournament, defeating Tesoro, 85-72.
There will be four games starting at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday at Beckman and three games beginning at 3 p.m. at Tustin.
The pairings will be posted on this site Friday night and on OC Varsity.
Mission Viejo won last year’s tournament, defeating Tesoro, 85-72.
Friday’s schedule:
Palm Springs vs. Tesoro, 5:30 p.m. at Woodbridge
Tustin at Woodbridge, 7 p.m.
Dana Hills at University, 7 p.m.
Beckman at El Dorado, 7 p.m.
El Toro at Irvine, 7 p.m.
Laguna Beach vs. San Clemente, 5:30 p.m. at Northwood
Esperanza at Northwood, 7 p.m.
Tuesday’s scores:
Dana Hills 41, Valencia 27
Tustin 57, Tesoro 37
University 60, Palm Springs 58
Laguna Beach 64, Beckman 48
El Toro 69, El Dorado 62
Esperanza 76, Irvine 50
San Clemente 71, Northwood 40
Wednesday’s scores:
Tesoro 71, University 61
Dana Hills 56, Tustin 46
Woodbridge 64, Valencia 51
El Toro 66, Beckman 43
El Dorado 61, Irvine 40
Laguna Beach 55, Northwood 53 (OT)
Esperanza 70, San Clemente 55
Thursday’s scores:
Woodbridge 63, Palm Springs 34
Valencia 68, University 64
The tournament is sponsored by the Orange County Register, Wahoo’s Fish Tacos and Kenny the Printer.
More information is available by calling the Irvine World News at &714) 796-7948.
