TORREY ROLLS INTO OPEN TITLE GAME

No San Diego Section team had ever been seeded No. 1 in the Southern California Regional Open Division.

The worry was that Torrey Pines wouldn’t live up to its lofty billing.

There was no need for concern as the Falcons — ranked No. 1 in the state — beat La Verne Damien 63-42 to advance to Saturday’s Open Division championship game against No. 3Etiwanda, which upset No. 2 Sierra Canyon 82-76.

“We we’re No. 1, and we believe we’re No. 1,” said Torrey Pines guard Nick Herrmann, who finished with 15 points and a gamehigh 15 rebounds. “We’re No. 1 for a reason. We earned it with hard work and teamwork. Teams from L.A. think they can come down to San Diego and run all over us. No way.”

The Falcons, who remained perfect at 30-0, led by as many as 25 in the fourth quarter before the game got sloppy.

“We prepared all year for this,” said Saint Mary’sbound point guard Chris Howell. “We have a fabulous coaching staff. We are so well prepared. That’s a good team we beat. I mean a real good team.”

Howell finished with nine points and four rebounds, but took five charges.

Trailing 10-9 midway through the first quarter, Torrey Pines went on a 25-6 run to end the half.

Damien, which made 13 3-point shots in a quarterfinal win over Santa Maria St. Joseph, had just five first-half field goals.

Damien’s Malik Thomas, who has signed with USC, got his third foul midway through the second quarter and was forced to the bench.

He fouled out early in the fourth quarter, finishing with 10 points.

Junior big man Otto Landrum led Torrey Pines with 16 points, and he grabbed 10 rebounds.

Cameron Klein added 11 and Logan Houston played extended minutes as Damien applied full-court pressure.

RJ Smith paced Damien (29-4) with 16 points. Big man Jimmy Oladokum, who has committed to New Mexico, had five points and nine rebounds.

Torrey Pines outrebounded Damien 39-28.

Damien made just 4 of 20 3-point shots while Torrey Pines was 5 of 15.

“This wasn’t our best offensive effort,” Herrmann said. “I was a little off. They were hounding me, but as long as I have a point guard like Chris, I know we’ll be fine.”