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Boys’ Basketball Dream Team: Ctvrtlik elevated CdM

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Matt Ctvrtlik was the top player on the Corona del Mar High boys’ basketball team this past season, and not once did he start.

Not once did the junior complain to anyone about his role on one of the premier programs in Orange County. He was patient and unselfish.

The first player off CdM’s bench was always Ctvrtlik. When Coach Ryan Schachter called his number, usually with about five minutes left in the first quarter, Ctvrtlik answered. He didn’t just give someone a breather or replace someone who was in foul trouble or struggling.

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Ctvrtlik came in to elevate CdM’s play. He created problems for the opposition with his 6-foot-5 size, his high basketball IQ, his aggressive play, his high-percentage shots and his stellar all-around play.

The sixth-man added a different dimension when he entered. The Sea Kings got better with Ctvrtlik in the game, and it resulted in their longest season in 15 years.

Schachter likes to call Ctvrtlik one of the best reserves in the county. He can now say Ctvrtlik is the best player in the area, as Ctvrtlik is the Daily Pilot Newport-Mesa Dream Team Player of the Year in boys’ basketball.

Ctvrtlik sparked the Sea Kings to Schachter’s most enjoyable season during his nine years with the school. They claimed an undefeated Pacific Coast League title, finished as the CIF Southern Section Division 3A runner-up, and reached the CIF State Southern California Regional Division III quarterfinals.

“I’m just sad it’s over,” Schachter said after the Sea Kings lost at La Verne Damien, 61-56, in the state tournament last month. “I just wanted to keep coaching these guys.”

The number of games CdM played matched Ctvrtlik’s No. 33 jersey, and the season interfered with the start of his No. 1 sport, volleyball. He starts on the CdM volleyball team, which won the CIF Southern California Regional Division II crown last season. At his position, he’s one of the most coveted setters in the nation.

While the volleyball team began its first week of matches in the second week of March, Ctvrtlik wanted to keep playing basketball. The Sea Kings (25-8, 10-0 in league) helped his cause by qualifying for state and taking part in two tournament games.

While he never heard his name called by the PA announcer introducing the starters, Ctvrtlik made his own noise with his play. He averaged around 25 minutes per game, showing he could play at a high level.

Ctvrtlik earned All-CIF Southern Section Division 3A accolades after averaging a team-best 12.9 points per game in the postseason. In the Division 3A semifinals at home, he finished with a career-high 24 points and converted 10 of 12 free throws in a 57-50 win against Hemet Tahquitz, lifting CdM to its first section finals appearance since the 2006-07 season.

The next two games, the section final against Beverly Hills at Azusa Pacific University and the state opener at El Cajon Valley, turned out not to be his most productive. The 41% three-point shooter hit the back of the backboard while taking a three in each of those contests.

“I was surprised that happened,” said Ctvrtlik, who wound up a combined two of 17 from the field and one of nine from behind the arc in the two games. “It never helps to dwell on things, and my dad [Bob Ctvrtlik, a U.S. men’s volleyball icon] was telling me, ‘Your outside shot is not going down right now. Make it easier on yourself and take the ball to the hoop.’”

Ctvrtlik heeded his father’s advice, allowing him to bounce back against Damien, ranked No. 17 in California at the time by CalHiSports.com.

The Sea Kings fell behind by 18 points midway through the fourth quarter, but as he had all season, Ctvrtlik ignited CdM. The Sea Kings went on a 16-3 run in the fourth. He attacked the basket, making four consecutive shots and CdM cut Damien’s lead to five late.

That is the closest CdM got to pulling off the upset. Ctvrtlik, who recorded eight of his 21 points in the fourth quarter, put a scare into Damien, which went on to win its first state championship. Ctvrtlik closed out his final game in his debut varsity season making nine of 14 shots, including two threes.

Next season only three key players plan to return to CdM, Ctvrtlik, starting junior shooting guard Sam Kobrine and forward Taeveon Le, who came off the bench and contributed as a freshman. Ctvrtlik said he would miss playing with point guard Bo St. Geme, power forward Kevin Fults, small forward Ryan Stone and center Ryan Moss, seniors who started, and Austin Ridge and Ryan Kleinman, seniors who came off the bench.

“I don’t think there are words to describe what it was like playing with these guys and at that level,” said Ctvrtlik, who made the All-Pacific Coast League second team, averaged 9.5 points and 3.8 rebounds per game, and shot 76.2 from the free-throw line, tops on the team.

Schachter, who led CdM to its first win in the state playoffs since 1999-2000, isn’t sure what role Ctvrtlik will play next season. He said he could play center or the two-guard position because of his versatility.

There is one thing he’s certain about when it comes to Ctvrtlik.

“Next year I’ll start him,” Schachter said with a laugh.

Below are the rest of the players on this year’s Dream Team:

Ryan Stone

SF | Corona del Mar

The senior small forward locked up the opponent’s best scorer, usually holding the player to below his season average. Stone played a vital role to the Sea Kings’ undefeated Pacific Coast League title, CIF Southern Section Division 3A runner-up finish and CIF State Southern California Regional Division III quarterfinals appearance. Stone’s best all-around performance came in the second round of the Division 3A playoffs, recording two three-point plays, making two free throws and blocking a shot in a tight fourth quarter to finish with 13 points and propel CdM to a 65-58 win at Ocean View. Stone, who averaged 5.6 points and 1.6 steals per game and shot 51%, earned first-team All-Pacific Coast League honors.

Kevin Fults

PF | Corona del Mar

The senior power forward showed his resiliency, playing through knee issues to lift the Sea Kings to their longest season since 1999-2000. Fults helped CdM to its third perfect Pacific Coast League crown, its second CIF Southern Section Division 3A finals appearance, its second CIF State Southern California Regional Division III postseason appearance and its most wins (25) during Coach Ryan Schachter’s nine seasons. Fults, the Pacific Coast League MVP, averaged 8.5 points, 5.2 rebounds and 2.5 assists per game. In the Division 3A quarterfinals, the 6-foot-3 Fults recorded a game-high 14 points in a 52-44 win at La Cañada, his parents’ alma mater. Fults, who is heading to UC Santa Barbara to play volleyball, is a two-time Dream Team selection.

Sam Kobrine

SG | Corona del Mar

The junior shooting guard was the leading scorer on one of the most balanced attacks in Orange County. Kobrine averaged 10.2 points per game and made an area-best 53 three-pointers during a breakout season with the Sea Kings. Kobrine, who’s 6-foot-2, also averaged 2.6 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 1.2 steals per game. In December, he sparked CdM’s trip to the finals of the Don Bambauer Memorial Holiday Classic in Kentfield Marin Catholic, where he made the all-tournament team after averaging 12.3 points, 2.3 threes and 2.3 steals per game. Kobrine, a second-team All-Pacific Coast League member, hit four three-pointers in a game four times, including in the opening round of the CIF Southern Section Division 3A playoffs.

Bo St. Geme

PG | Corona del Mar

The senior point guard brought the championship pedigree to the Sea Kings. St. Geme, who won three CIF Southern Section Southern Division titles and one CIF State Division III title in football, guided the basketball team to the CIF Southern Section Division 3A finals for the first time since 2006-07. A left elbow injury St. Geme suffered in late December slowed the lefty down during Pacific Coast League play, but in the final four games of the Division 3A playoffs, he averaged 10.3 points. St. Geme, who averaged 7.9 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.1 threes per game, garnered second-team All-Pacific Coast League and sixth-team All-Orange County laurels. St. Geme is a two-time Dream Team selection.

Mason Tufuga

C | Costa Mesa

The junior center proved to be a force when the Mustangs went to the 6-foot-5 lefty in the paint. Tufuga began the season on a tear, posting a double-double almost every time out. His best outing came on the last day of the Four City Classic, finishing with a career-high 34 points on 14-for-22 shooting, to go along with 14 rebounds and five blocks, allowing Costa Mesa to go 3-1 in the tournament. Tufuga, a first-team All-Orange Coast League pick, averaged 10 points, eight rebounds and two blocks per game. Tufuga helped Costa Mesa qualify for the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs for the second time in as many seasons under Coach Mike Molina.

Joey Faris

U | Newport Harbor

The senior contributed in many facets for the Sailors, and it was his all-around play that secured his team’s third-place finish in the Sunset League. Faris delivered in Newport Harbor’s regular-season finale, clinching third and a trip to the CIF Southern Section Division 2AA playoffs by producing 15 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and five steals in a 65-48 win at Fountain Valley. Faris, who made the All-Sunset League second team, averaged 10 points, four rebounds and three steals per game. Coach Bob Torribio called Faris the team’s best defender, and without Faris, the Sailors don’t reach the postseason for a third straight time. The program’s last three-year playoff run was from 2005-06 to 2007-08.

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