HOLIDAY CLASSIC AT CENTURY : Westminster Now in Rare Spot After Semifinal Victory

SANTA ANA —  It has been a long time since Westminster has played for a tournament championship.

But that’s where the Lions are after their 53-49 victory over Brethren Christian Wednesday in the semifinals of the Carl’s Jr. Holiday Classic at Century High.

“It’s the biggest win since I’ve been here,” Westminster Coach Brian Underwood said. “But our guys have enough savvy to get us here. They work together well and they are a coach’s dream.”

Westminster will play Trabuco Hills for the tournament title Saturday at 8:40 p.m.

The Lions (6-4), winners of five consecutive, used a stifling full-court press and a swarming man-to-man defense to overcome the bigger Warriors. Westminster’s three-guard rotation of Robert Ishii, Brady Okura and Robert Schopen combined for 31 of the Lions’ 53 points.

Ishii and Schopen each hit two free throws in the last 30 seconds to keep Westminster in the lead.

“It really doesn’t matter who we have at the line, but since Ishii is our point guard, he’s the guy we look to,” Underwood said. “We’ve been shooting the ball well from the line all year.”

Brethren jumped out to a 10-2 lead in the first six minutes, but the Lions battled back to a 17-16 lead with 3:07 left in the half. Neither team had a lead greater than three points until Westminster went ahead 49-45 with 33 seconds left after Ishii’s free throw.

Brethren got a 12-footer from Paul Diniados with 21 seconds left to pull within two, but Westminster broke the press on a long pass to Lac Tan, who scored on an easy layup. Thomas made a six-foot bank and was fouled with 10 seconds left, but Westminster controlled the rebound after Thomas intentionally missed his free throw. Scott Thomas scored 15 points for Brethren.

In other games:

Trabuco Hills 65, Sonora 48--Brett Poulos scored 15 points and hit four three-pointers for Trabuco Hills (10-3). Patrick Barnes and Jason Uhl both had 10 points for the visitors. Chris St. Clair and Chris Campbell scored 18 and 17 points, respectively, for Sonora.

St. Paul 66, Santa Ana 49--Alex Mungia scored 21 points and Jesse Alcarez added 20 as the Swordsmen (6-4) won in a fifth-place semifinal. Gus Garcia scored 21 for Santa Ana (4-5).