The Irvine Valley men's basketball team is one game and win away from making its first appearance in the state tournament.
That game will be a tough one.
IVC, which is seeded sixth in the Southern California Regional Playoffs, takes on one of the three teams that has already defeated it this season. The Lasers face third-seeded Los Angeles Trade Tech in a regional final Saturday night at Trade Tech.
Trade Tech has an overall record of 26-4, while Irvine Valley is 27-4. The Lasers defeated College of the Desert last week in the playoff semifinals, 90-75, while Tech held on to beat Cerritos, 83-81.
Trade Tech defeated Irvine Valley, 77-68, in the first round of the Saddleback Tournament last December. IVC shot just 38.8 percent from the field and committed 22 turnovers. The Lasers had only two players score in double figures. They were led by sophomore wing Kashif Watson's 12 points.
Meanwhile, Trade Tech shot 45.7 percent from the field. The Beavers also out-rebounded IVC, 49-41. Joseph Morgan led Trade Tech with 17 points and Jamal Clay chipped in 11 points and eight rebounds.
On the season, Trade Tech is led by Morgan, who is averaging 15.4 points. James Lewis averages 11.9 points and Brian Tollete is averaging 10.7 points.
Trade Tech is averaging 94.5 points per game this season. The Beavers have scored 100 points or more in 10 games this season with a high of 131 in a 131-99 win over San Bernardino Valley last November.
The 77 points Irvine Valley held Trade Tech to in the teams' first meeting, was the Beavers' third lowest output of the year.
Irvine Valley is led by Watson, who is averaging 13.5 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists, sophomore forward Blake Wallace, who is averaging 12.6 points and 7.1 rebounds and sophomore center Bryce Webster, who is averaging 11.4 points, 6.1 rebounds and 1.6 blocks. Webster is also shooting 64.8 percent from the field.
Freshman point guard La'Shard Anderson and freshman guard Jeff Ledbetter are each averaging 9.7 points. Anderson is also averaging 3.5 assists and 2.2 steals per game.
Irvine Valley averages 81.1 points per game on the year.
Irvine Valley has reached a regional final just once before - that was in 2001 when IVC lost at Cerritos by four points.
The state tournament will feature four teams from Southern California and four teams from Northern California and will be held March 13-16 in Stockton.
Directions to Trade Tech
Men’s Basketball Regional Final
IVC @ LA Trade Tech, March 8, 2008
LA Trade Tech College from IRVINE
5/Santa Ana Freeway North (travel 35 miles)
10/Santa Monica Freeway West (travel 3 miles)
Exit on Los Angeles Street (14A) towards the Convention Center
Right turn at the end of the ramp onto S. Los Angeles St. (heading north)
Turn left on E. 16th St. (E. 16th becomes Venice Blvd.; heading west)
Left on S. Flower St. (heading south)
Travel under the 10
Turn left into Roof Parking entrance on Building F
Parking may require a fee
Gym is Building G
Adult admission will be $9, kids $5