Sea Kings cut it close

IRVINE — The scar tissue that Corona del Mar High collected in Friday's Pacific Coast League overtime win against boys' basketball host Woodbridge, had only marginally to do with the cut near the left eye of Sea Kings senior center Marcus Bradley.

The Warriors, in fact, nearly inflicted more than a flesh wound, before CdM was able to prevail and clinch at least a share of its second straight league crown. The Sea Kings (17-7, 8-0 in league), ranked No. 3 in CIF Southern Section Division III-AA, need only one more win, or a loss by second-place University to claim the outright league championship. Friday was the Sea Kings' 19th straight league victory, dating back to 2009. CdM plays at University on Monday at 7 p.m.

But none of the wins during that league winning streak had come at Woodbridge, where the student section was packed and pumped on senior night.

"It's a very tough place to play," said CdM Coach Ryan Schachter, who was also challenged by the flu. "I have a headache like you wouldn't believe here. And the [crowd] noise doesn't help."

The Warriors (16-10, 5-3), ranked No. 9 in CIF Division III-A, made some noise throughout. They seized a 13-3 advantage, held a lead in each of the next three quarters, and had two three-point attempts in the final minute of regulation that could have won the game.

After Bradley scored 11 of the Sea Kings' 12 points in overtime to create the final cushion, Woodbridge senior guard Jimmy Harrington sank an eight-foot jump hook with 11 seconds left, then intercepted a pass near midcourt and launched a three-point attempt from roughly 28 feet. The ball bounced off the heel as the buzzer sounded, allowing CdM to avert another overtime and, perhaps, an upset loss.

"I give [the Warriors] credit," Schachter said. "They played a heck of a game. We needed one of these in league to get us going. It was a good game."

Bradley, who finished with 25 points and 11 rebounds, also said the scare will do the Sea Kings good.

"Sometimes we get too relaxed playing league games," said Bradley, who made three layups, twice while being fouled by Warriors who fouled out, to account for all three CdM field goals after regulation. CdM had won its seven previous league contests by an average of 20 points, with a 60-50 home win over Woodbridge the closest call before Friday.

Bradley was held scoreless in the fourth quarter, three minutes of which he missed while having the aforementioned cut tended to in the locker room.