IRVINE WORLD NEWS TOURNAMENT : Trabuco Hills, Santa Ana Valley Advance to the Final

IRVINE — Perfect no, but practice has been going exceedingly well for Trabuco Hills.

“There’s an old adage that says limit your game slippage . . . and be as precise as possible,” said Trabuco Hills Coach Rainer Wulf.

The Mustangs delivered on both counts as they advanced to the championship of the Irvine World News boys’ basketball tournament with a 69-59 victory over Marina at Woodbridge High Friday night.

Trabuco Hills moved into its first final in this tournament and will meet Santa Ana Valley, another first-time finalist, at 6 tonight at University High.

Despite the occasional turnover, bad pass, or poor shot choice, the Mustangs looked in fine early-season form.

“Everyone’s playing well,” said Ryan Karnoff, who entered the game averaging 25 points and equaled that with his game-high 25 against Marina (4-3). “We’re really starting to blend.”

With more mixing to come. Trabuco Hills (7-2) was without Derrek Uhl, the 6-foot-5 starting center who is letting a football injury mend.

“We have to make the most of our inside-outside game without Derrek. He’s a good player,” Karnoff said.

The Mustangs, who were bigger, quicker and faster, did. Trabuco Hills jumped to an 18-14 first quarter lead and held it, 33-27 at the half.

Trabuco Hills scored on two quick baskets to open the third, but a short jump shot by Eric Chase pulled Marina back to 37-31.

That’s as close as the Vikings got the rest of the night. Trabuco Hills scored eight unanswered points and led, 52-38, after three quarters.

Rob Warnick added 23 points for the Mustangs. Guard Andy Nieto paced Marina with 20 points.

In the other semifinal:

Santa Ana Valley 65, Chadwick 52--Olujimi Mann scored 23 points to lead Santa Ana Valley.

In consolation games:

Long Beach Jordan 61, Woodbridge 59--Robert Masing led Long Beach with 20 points. Chris Talbott had 17 points for Woodbridge (4-3).

La Habra 48, Irvine 41--Andrija Kristich and Ken Cauley scored 14 points apiece for La Habra (7-2). The Highlanders had only six field goals, but made 26 of 39 field goals.