Corona del Mar gets a scare

IRVINE ? The Corona del Mar High boys’ tennis team remains one win away from at least a share of the Pacific Coast League title after defeating Northwood on games, 88-76, in a league match that was tied, 9-9, on Monday.

“We played like it was Monday and we hadn’t practiced,” Corona del Mar Coach Tim Mang said. “We didn’t have very many guys show up to practice last week because of [the Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament] and it showed today.”

The Sea Kings (12-4, 8-1 in league), ranked No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division I, were led by Fabian Matthews, who dominated at No. 1 singles, winning 18 of 20 games against a strong Northwood lineup.

Northwood (6-3 in league), ranked No. 10 in CIF Division I, would have moved into a tie for second with CdM had it won. The two teams complete their regular-season today at 3 p.m. on the Sea Kings’ courts.

A victory would allow CdM to finish no worse than first. University, which split with the Sea Kings, also has only one league loss.

Mang said a 7-6 win by freshman Parker Rhodes over the Timberwolves’ No. 2 singles player was one of the keys to the victory. Rhodes plays No. 3 singles for CdM.

The seedings for the Pacific Coast League individual tournament, scheduled Wednesday and Thursday at Beckman High, were completed Monday night, Mang said.

In a move that might surprise some, Matthews will team with Dustin Hladek as a doubles tandem for the postseason. They are the No. 1 seed.

“I think they can be a very good team that could possibly win CIF,” Mang said.

Matthews finished third in the league in singles last year.