PREP ROUNDUP : Lynwood to Play Mater Dei for Title at Trabuco Hills

An inability to convert free throws led to Capistrano Valley’s 57-52 loss in overtime to Lynwood in the semifinals of the Coca-Cola Classic boys’ basketball tournament Friday night at Trabuco Hills High School.

Lynwood (3-0) meets Mater Dei for the title at 4:30 p.m. today. Mater Dei defeated Trabuco Hills, 67-48, in the other semifinal.

The Cougars (2-1), who had a 29-22 halftime lead, made only six of 21 from the foul line, including five of 13 in the fourth quarter.

“Free throws killed us,� Coach Mark Thornton said. “I knew we weren’t a good free-throw shooting team, but I didn’t think we were that bad, either.�

Lynwood made six of seven free throws in overtime. The Knights rallied from a 29-22 halftime deficit to tie the score at 49-49 with 2 minutes 30 seconds remaining on Joe Austin’s three-pointer.

Neither team scored again in regulation. The Cougars took a 51-49 lead in overtime on Steve Ransom’s inside basket, but Lywood went ahead, 52-51, on Austin’s two free throws with 1:02 left.

A basket and free throw by Derrick Smith with 20 seconds left increased Lynwood’s lead to 55-52. Tom Airey, who made four three-pointers and led Capistrano Valley with 16 points, missed on 22-footer with five seconds left in the Cougars’ final possession.

In the other Coca-Cola semifinal:

Mater Dei 67, Trabuco Hills 48--Reggie Geary scored 22 points and Terence Wilborn added 16 to lead the Monarchs. Gavin Vanderputten scored 19 for Trabuco Hills.