BOY’S BASKETBALL TOURNAMENTS : CANYON TOURNAMENT : Santa Margarita’s Depth Is Too Much for Cerritos

ANAHEIM â€”  Santa Margarita defeated Cerritos, 80-73, in the championship game of the Canyon Classic Monday at Canyon High School.

Santa Margarita won its second tournament title this season with superior depth and by scoring 50 points in the second half. Earlier, Santa Margarita (13-1) won the Arroyo Grande tournament.

Guard Dan Bathey made a three-point shot with 5 minutes 30 seconds remaining to push Santa Margarita ahead, 63-53, and Cerritos (6-6) couldn’t catch up despite a 16-point, fourth-quarter effort by Scott Williams.

Williams, a 6-foot-6 center, finished with 33 points and 13 rebounds. He made 14 of 24 shots against Santa Margarita’s soft matchup zone.

Bathey, a four-year starter, finished with 25 points before fouling out with two minutes remaining. He came into the game averaging 24.5 points per game. Teammates Kevin Lewis added 18 points and Mike Carpenter had 16.

Santa Margarita’s only loss this season came against Gahr in the first week of the season. The Eagles’ defense had played a big role in their early success but Coach Roger Holmes said defensive breakdowns nearly cost Santa Margarita in victories over Ridgecrest Burroughs and Cerritos in the tournament.

“Defense has been our key until this week,� Holmes said.

Cerritos Coach Jim Chapel said late turnovers were the difference. “My guards made some key mistakes down the stretch that cost us the game,� he said.