CdM tourney tests endurance

You can never go home again.

That phrase was in a Moody Blues song, but it rings true to the

participants of the Corona del Mar High alumni basketball game.

The stomping grounds may have looked the same, but none of the

alumni were back home because none are the same players as when they

were in school.

“I talked to some of the younger guys from ’02 and ‘03, and they

were tired after two games,” said CdM girls basketball coach Scott

Kahawai. “It’s pretty funny how quickly they get out of shape.”

In the end, the team comprised of graduates from 1993 and ’95

defeated the ’99 squad, 32-27, in the championship game.

“It’s exhilarating to come back to my old stomping grounds and

dominate,” said Adam Cole, Class of ’95.

The game featured two timeouts due to cramps, but the game was

slowed down mostly by the players, not because of injuries.

“Everyone was tired from playing six games,” said Andrew Gabriel,

Class of ’95.

Gabriel opened up the game with a strong inside presence, scoring

the first four points for ‘93-’95 from inside the key.

Dennis Alshuler and Ben Mackovjak countered for ’99 with free

throws and a jumper to tie the game.

Eli Wendell gave the ‘93-’95 team the lead with a nifty spin move

and layup and Gabriel extended the lead to four points with a strong

move from the post position.

Gabriel, Wendell and Randy Thomason gave the ‘93-’95 team a strong

inside force and plenty of opportunities to keep fresh legs on the

court. The ‘93-’95 team also featured Brian Fracalosy, Dominic

DeGazier, Andrew Stellar and the Quinn brothers -- Chris and Tim.

The 10-deep squad was able to use its deep bench with constant

substitutions, whereas the ’99 team was limited to Alshuler,

Mackovjak, Jim Davenport, Geoff Hunt, Mike Jackson and Chris Ankley.

“They had 10 guys and we had six, plus they were two years

together and we were just one,” said Mackovjak. “We were pretty

tired. We played six games, and the last three were without a break.”

Mackovjak cut into the ‘93-’95 lead with an inside layup and a

free throw by Hunt brought ’99 within one point at 8-7.

DeGazier, who was a member of the CIF Southern Section Division

IV-AA championship team with Wendell and Fracalosy, drove the lane

and extended the lead to 10-7, but an offensive rebound and putback

by Alshuler cut the lead to 10-9 and a basket by Hunt gave the ’99

team its first lead of the game at 11-10.

Gabriel hit a jumper from the corner and finished an alley-oop

pass from Chris Quinn to extend the lead to 14-11. Jackson hit a three-pointer for the ’99 team to tie the game at 14-14, but Stellar

answered with a three of his own to give the ‘93-’95 team an 18-15

advantage after the first half.

Thomason extended the ‘93-’95 lead to five points when he opened

the second half with an offensive rebound and putback, but

Davenport’s three-pointer for the ’99 squad made the game, 20-18, and

Alshuler -- a former Newport-Mesa Athlete of the Year -- scored from

the baseline to tie the contest.

A jumper by DeGazier gave the lead back to the ‘93-’95 team, but

free throws by Davenport, Jackson and Alshuler gave the ’99 team a

25-22 lead.

Chris Quinn tied the game with a three, followed by a jumper from

the wing by DeGazier that gave the ‘93-’95 team the lead for good.

Jackson fed a nice entry pass to Alshuler to tie the game, but

free throws by Chris Quinn, Fracalosy, Gabriel and DeGazier finalized

the scoring.

“[The tournament] is a lot of fun and it helps out the school,”

Gabriel said. “I like to come for the competition and the camaraderie

with the guys.”

Even the runners-up had enjoyed themselves.

“It’s good to come back and see everyone,” Mackovjak said. “It’s a

healthy way for us to all get together.”

Tournament director Robert Hess said the tournament was

hassle-free.

“No one broke a leg or got seriously hurt,” he said. “The

tournament ran very smoothly and all the teams that were supposed to

show up showed up. I think everyone had a great time.”

The tournament is in its 17th year and was started as a memorial

to former CdM basketball coach Jack Errion.