COAST CHRISTMAS CLASSIC : Irvine Takes Control Early, Coasts Past Tustin in Final

With league play opening next week, Irvine showed Wednesday night why it’s expected to be one of the top contenders for the Sea View title.

The Vaqueros (10-2), ranked No. 7 in Orange County, won the championship of the Coast Classic boys’ basketball tournament with a 63-49 victory over Tustin at Estancia High.

Forward Greg Wakeham scored 16 points and grabbed nine rebounds to lead the Vaqueros. Center Eric Ambrozich and guard Jim French each scored 14 points.

Ambrozich, who finished with a game-high 13 rebounds, was named the tournament MVP. French and Wakeham were all-tournament selections. Irvine controlled the Tillers (9-3) from the outset, jumping to an early lead and keeping the Tillers at bay.

Tustin had difficulty getting untracked on offensive as Irvine coasted to a 28-16 halftime lead. Tustin managed only six of 22 field-goal attempts in the first half, while the Vaqueros hit 13 of 22.

In the second half, Tustin made several attempts to rally, but each time Irvine was able to thwart it. The Tillers got no closer than seven points. Wakeham was instrumental in providing Irvine a comfortable cushion, scoring 12 of his points in the second half, eight of them in the third quarter.

Forward Dejuan Matthews led Tustin with 16 points. Guard Doug Gottlieb added 11. Both were named to the all-tournament team.

In other tournament games:

Corona del Mar 74, Newport Harbor 54--In another matchup of Sea View teams, the Sea Kings rolled behind Todd Merrimen’s 31-point performance to their third-place victory. Merrimen, an all-tournament selection, scored 21 in the first half as Corona del Mar took a 41-22 lead at intermission and was never threatened. Guard Rami Basani chipped in 15 points.

Edison 70, Estancia 56--Matt Allen scored 21 points to lead Edison (8-3) to a fifth-place victory over Estancia, which got 22 points from Jim Faulkner.

Dana Hills 68, El Modena 51--Tom Iandiorio scored 15 points for Dana Hills (6-7). Justin Hinsey (13 points), Bob Hefty (12) and Adam Lasnier (11) also scored in double figures for the Dolphins.

Savanna 50, Parkrose (Ore.) 33--Todd Wilson scored 12 points in the 13th-place game for Savanna (5-9). C.J. Coffey scored 20 for Parkrose (5-3).

Long Beach Jordan 65, Esperanza 55--Evertt Ratliff scored 28 points for Long Beach Jordan. Mike Oliver scored 16 points to lead Esperanza.

Santa Ana Valley 71, Glendale Hoover 60--Jeff Serrano scored 28 points as Santa Ana Valley (7-7) defeated Glendale Hoover, which got 35 points from Chad Reese.