ON THE PREP PATH : High School Basketball Fans Willing to Go Out on a Limb for Teams

LOS ANGELES â€”  We posed the question and the experts rushed forth, spewing facts and stats and gobbledygook galore.

“Who will win this game and why?� we asked those watching the Southern Section boys’ basketball championships Saturday in the Los Angeles Sports Arena..

While fans’ predictions can be pretty predictable, a few are worth repeating.

Our game-by-game guessing game:

Servite vs. Morningside:

“Servite will win ‘cause we have the four Ds--determination, discipline, dedication and desire,� said Servite freshman Jason Traut. “We got ‘em all. We want it so bad, we’re gonna live on forever!�

Sorry, Jason, no one lives forever. But this Servite team, who knows?

Servite Coach Richard Smith celebrated his 30th birthday Friday night and his team gave him a 49-46 victory over Morningside.

Those who stayed home to watch “Muppet Babies,� or other Saturday morning cartoons chose the wrong entertainment. Servite’s offense has been branded as slow, plodding and methodical, but Morningside revved things up and Servite responded.

But back to Jason’s analysis.

The four Ds? They were apparent, but credit the ready, steady Adam Anderson for the clutch free throws down the stretch.

Smith, a former soccer player, deserves plenty of praise, too. In only his second year, he’s already won a state and now section title. But feelings toward him weren’t always so rosy.

“When he first became head coach, we’re like, ‘This blond guy?’ � Anderson said. “We couldn’t stand him. But he taught us how to win.�

Something to do with those four Ds.

Estancia vs. Pomona:

“We’re gonna win ‘cause we got good karma!� --Sharla Camp, Estancia cheerleader.

Thanks, Sharla, and good vibes to you, too, babe. But karma? Estancia had none of that, losing 48-45.

The Eagles opened with an 0-for-15 field-goal performance. Their three hotshot guards went Ice Cube City, combining for 8 for 32 from the field. The team finished 16 for 56.

The exception in their ill-fated cosmic equation was Matt Fuerbringer (21 points, 21 rebounds).

“He had a monster game,� Estancia Coach Tim O’Brien said.

Just not monster karma.

Woodbridge vs. Artesia:

“Woodbridge will win this game because, because, because I’m in here cheering!� --voice from within the Woodbridge Warrior mascot costume.

“Woodbridge will win,� junior Reid Harrell said. “We’ve got heart. We want it real bad. Even though we’re outsized a bit, we’re a hard-working team. . . . Shoot. I don’t know.�

Shoot, who does?

The Warriors faced an uphill battle against Artesia and lost, 58-40.

The Warrior fans, though enthusiastic at times, spent most of the game in a mellow mood. Maybe they believed all the stuff they’ve heard about Artesia being unstoppable.

Funny thing was, Woodbridge played very well--in the first half. Then it was a matter of Artesia just doing its thing--score, score, score--while the Warriors efforts seemed to peter out.

Woodbridge center Mike Fenton had a great game--his four slams were an Orange County high Saturday--but his teammates couldn’t keep up.

Tustin vs. Riverside North:

“I don’t know North, but I’d pick (Tustin Coach Tom) McCluskey because he does a great job firing up his kids, getting them to play better at each level. We know from playing them in league, you have to be very good to beat Tustin.’ ‘

--Paul Orris, Corona del Mar coach.

You hit it on the dot, coach. No one fires up a team like the firey McCluskey.

Tustin punished North on all sides, winning 70-42.

McCluskey is probably the most entertaining coach in the county. Off the court, he is calm and quiet, like a department store employee hoping to sell you some expensive shoes.

But give him a minute or two in a game, and he’s gone to the outer limits of Scream City, his voice quickly listed as missing in action.

Once again, the sure and steady David Beilstein was the leader of the Tiller pack, packing in 20 points. Lucky for McCluskey, Beilstein is always calm and poised. If the Tillers resembled their coach on the court, they’d be a bunch of breathless screaming meemies.

But keep it up, Tom. We like it. Reminds us how fun this game’s supposed to be.

Marina vs. Santa Barbara:

“I haven’t been following Marina much, but they have a pretty good team. I think they’ll win. “--Jeff Nazarian, tuba player from Golden West College honking along with the Marina band.

Haven’t been following Marina?

Jeff, you’ve got to come out from those song sheets more often. You’ve been missing out in a big Cherokee way.

Speaking of Cherokee Parks . . .

Santa Barbara held the Chief to 19 points, and put a cramp in his ability to slam. Every time Cherokee went for the big move, Santa Barbara was there to take it away, bumping and bruising his every move.

You’ve heard of sacrifice flies? The Dons were going for sacrifice fouls. Santa Barbara’s Erwin Roelofs fouled out in the fourth quarter after keeping Cherokee at bay. Dave Palmer took over from there.

It worked. The Floppy-Haired One was frustrated, and unlike magical moments past, he could do little to save himself or his team.

Now we wait to see if Marina gets a berth in the regional playoffs so Cherokee can do the high school jam at least once more.

We wouldn’t want the tuba player to miss a note.