SoCalHoops Showcase News

Nike Extravaganza VI: Westchester Handles Villa ParkMater Dei Beats
Miami Christian--(Jan. 28, 2001)

Westchester 74, Villa Park 60

Since we only caught the last few minutes of this game, we're thankful that there were other accounts of the game in both the LA Times and the Orange County Register. 

Ben Bolch, writing for the LA Times wrote:  " Westchester survived a cold-shooting first half and Villa Park's tandem of Matt MacGinnis and Sean Phaler to record a 74-60 victory over the Spartans Saturday in the Nike Extravaganza at the Pyramid in Long Beach.  Guard Brandon Heath scored 15 points for the Comets, The Times' top-ranked team in the Southland. But Westchester looked decidedly average in the first half, shooting only 33.3% from the field and taking a three-point lead into intermission.   A big reason for the Comets' early troubles was the play of MacGinnis and Phaler. MacGinnis scored nine of his game-high 25 points by halftime and Phaler had 14 of his 22.   But Westchester came out hot in the third quarter and extended its lead to 12 points entering the fourth.  Ashanti Cook and Chad Bell finished with 10 points each for the Comets."

And the Orange County Register's Dan Albano had the following account (online too):" Villa Park's boys basketball team and 6-foot-9 sophomore Sean Phaler opened some eyes Saturday night by sticking with highly regarded Westchester at the Nike Extravaganza at The Pyramid. Westchester's tough full-court press and depth had the final word, however. The Comets, ranked sixth in the nation in the Fox Fab 50, pulled away in the third quarter for a 74-60 victory. It wasn't a comfortable victory for Westchester (20-1). Villa Park (17-5) and Phaler made plenty of plays, especially behind the three-point line, to hang close most of the way. Phaler had 22 points and Matt MacGinnis had 25, including five three-pointers.  But Westchester's press helped force 17 turnovers and account for the Comets' 14 steals. Villa Park might have done a better job against the press, but guard Corey Miller was plagued by foul trouble and eventually fouled out. Villa Park also lost another key player on its press-break, Kyle Egkan, to a broken nose. Phaler made 8 of 15 shots from the field, including a two-handed dunk over 7-foot Chad Bell with 3:50 left in the fourth quarter. Phaler had two blocks, two three-pointers and five rebounds. "It's kind of a breakout game," Phaler said. "I've had good games in the past, but I'd have to say this is my best."

But the best account of the game was from the Torrance Daily Breeze, which at times considers the Comets to be within their coverage area, and we're thankful for this account from Bob Holtzman.  The story appeared today in the paper, and and it should remain available online at the Daily Breeze for at least a day or two):

The Westchester boys basketball team has seen the look all season.

The look comes from every opponent who cracks under the pressure of Westchester's lethal combination — a full-court defense and a 10-man rotation.

In Westchester's 74-60 win over Villa Park in the Mater Dei/Nike Extravaganza at the Pyramid on Saturday, the Comets wasted little time pulling the trigger once Villa Park was in the crosshairs.

“Yeah, right near the third quarter at the end, we saw they were tired,” Westchester guard Ashanti Cook said. “We could see it on their faces; they were dog-tired and we attacked them until they couldn't handle it anymore. The coaches were even telling us — so we just jumped on them.”

Brice Prather cut Westchester's lead to 40-37 on a basket with 3:40 left in the third quarter. From there, Westchester's depth and defense wore down Villa Park (18-5) in an 18-4 run that ended when Villa Park called a timeout with 6:45 left in the game and Westchester ahead 58-41.

“Their depth and press got to us,” said Villa Park forward Sean Phaler, who scored 22 points. “We really weren't that tired, but they kept pounding it and pounding it and it finally got to us.”

Nine players scored for the Comets (20-1, 8-0) and their bench outscored Villa Park's 25-11. Six Westchester players combined for 14 steals compared to only three for Villa Park.

“We're subbing and just getting started when they're getting tired,” Westchester guard Brandon Heath said.

Westchester also outrebounded Villa Park 39-27 and forced 19 turnovers compared to 10 of its own. Heath led the way with 15 points, five rebounds, four steals and three assists. Cook and center Chad Bell both scored 10 points.

Westchester coach Ed Azzam said an adjustment in the Comets' press at halftime helped them turn the corner.

“We backed off the press a little bit and it helped,” Azzam said. “We matched up better once the press was broken.”

Azzam went from a full-court trap to a 2-2-1 zone press. Westchester was able to cover more of the court and intercept passes with the changes.

“The 2-2-1 forced more turnovers,” Cook said. “It got more points on the board.”

Villa Park, ranked No. 4 in CIF Division I-A, was led by Matt MacGinnis with 25 points, including 14 in the fourth quarter and five 3-pointers.

Villa Park 60

Westchester 74

Villa Park    --15  16  10   19--60
Westchester--15  19  19  21--74

 
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