Sea Kings deny Palm Springs

"Who knows? Maybe a month or two ago we would've been fighting back and John might have been suspended," said Schachter, who saw Kaluz get ejected from a game in January after receiving two technical fouls in a game that forced him to sit out the next game. "That just speaks volumes for how we've progressed. The guys have really … matured.

"It was by far [John's] best game of the year, and what a better time to have it."

Joyce came out fired up, no rust after CdM received a first-round bye.

He scored six points, lifting his team to a 17-4 lead. He took advantage of single coverage early as Palm Springs double-teamed Kaluz any chance he touched the ball near the paint.

Then the defense collapsed on both big men, forcing others to beat Palm Springs. It worked, as CdM only took a 30-26 advantage into halftime.

When the opportunities came up for others to contribute in the second half, guard Eddie Lane and forward Joe Eberhard attacked. The two finished with 13 and nine points, respectively, with Eberhard adding nine rebounds.

Kaluz waited for teammates to step up, but he understood why it took time. By then Palm Springs Coach Dennis Zink said his team was worn out by having to defend Kaluz and Joyce.

"Not a lot of guys have playoff experience," said Kaluz, who made 12 of 18 field goals. "John played a great game. We wouldn't have been able to do what we did without him.

"He did a great job controlling himself. I've been there. I've made the mistake before. I'm happy that he held his composure. Anytime you have a situation like that anything can happen."

CIF Southern Section

Division III-A Playoffs

Second Round

Corona del Mar 70,

Palm Springs 52

Score by Quarters

Palm Springs 9 17 15 11 — 52

CdM 17 13 18 22 — 70

Palm Springs -- Brown 18, Wilder 9, Helton 8, Goree 6, Anderson 5, Avrette 4, Murrell 2 .

3-pt. goals -- Brown 2, Anderson 1, Helton 1.

Fouled out -- Goree.

Technicals -- Goree.

Corona del Mar -- Kaluz 25, Lane 13, Joyce 12, Eberhard 9, Evett 5, Donovan 4, Anderson 2.

3-pt. goals -- Donovan 1, Lane 1.