St. Monica Loses, But it Was a Showcase game

By Mitch Chortkoff

What happened Tuesday at Loyola Marymount University was very good for high school basketball, although St. Monica High lost to Loyola High 77 to 66.

The two schools rented Gersten Pavilion and played in a showcase non-league game that was witnessed by a large crowd. Bringing the sport to a first-class college facility makes it more important, upgrades it and tells everyone adults are trying their best to give youngsters a nice platform.

The game was the idea of St. Monica coach Scott McDowell and a former assistant, Jim Williamson. You might remember Williamson as a one-time star at LMU. You might not know he spent a season as McDowell's Mariner assistant.

When Williamson became head coach at Loyola High the coaches didn't end their friendship. St. Monica even gave up its own tournament that had been held for 40 years and played in the Loyola Tournament as a favor to Williamson.

This game was sandwiched in between holiday tournaments. St. Monica had finished second in the El Segundo event and Loyola had played some of the top teams in Northern California.

On this occasion Loyola was the superior team. The Cubs took a 20-8 first quarter lead and increased it to 37-19 at halftime. Some sharpshooting and the effective inside play of 6-6 Sean Cole brought St. Monica within seven in the third quarter. But when the deficit was reduced to 41-37 on a three-point shot by guard Robert Rakestraw, Loyola went back to work. The Cubs scored the next five points.

Cole led St. Monica with 21 points. Rakestraw and guard Lance Washington each had 11.

St. Monica had lost its previous game to Murphy, 55-52, after starting the fourth quarter with an 11-point lead. McDowell is not happy about his team's many turnovers.

``We could have won both games if we didn't turn the ball over so much,'' he said. ``We'll have to work hard on that in practice.''

St. Monica will be better when 6-5 Marcus Shelby gets into basketball shape. After starring in football and suffering a stress fracture Shelby had only one day of practice prior to the Loyola game.

He will be one of the Mariners' main players but could score only three points.

``I'm not disappointed,'' said McDowell. ``Considering that he hasn't been practicing with us I was pleased with his play. There are three weeks before Camino Real League play begins and he should be ready.''