BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Huge First Half Key to Victory for Ocean View

Faced with the possibility of meeting highly touted Mater Dei in the semifinals, an inspired Ocean View scored 51 points in the first half of a 78-44 drubbing of Newport Harbor in a quarterfinal game in the Tournament of Champions Wednesday at Ocean View High.

“Everything went our way,” Ocean View Coach Jim Harris said. “A game like this was out of (Newport Harbor Coach) Richard Smith’s hands.”

The Seahawks (6-3) forced 31 turnovers with their pressure defense, then carved up the Sailors by making 28 layups. Ocean View shot 72% from the field in the first half.

Dan McDonald, a 6-foot-1 senior forward, scored most of his 23 points inside. Mike Seguin added 18 points and Alejandro Enriquez 14.

But Ocean View will get the toughest of tests in Friday’s semifinal against Mater Dei, a 58-50 winner over Los Angeles Fairfax.

“We talked about the winner getting to play Mater Dei in the next round and the kids responded,” Harris said. “Man-for-man, Mater Dei is awesome. I don’t know if anyone matches up with them on paper.

“But if we go out and play good team basketball, anything can happen on the court. Hey, if we had a chance to play Dream Team 2, we’d do it.”

Will Rankin scored 17 points for Newport Harbor (4-4).