HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL / SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

Serra 77, Santa Clara 57--The Saints’ bid for a fifth consecutive Southern Section championship ended in a Division IV-A semifinal at Agoura High.

Serra’s front line of 6-foot-5 Michael Boyd (20 points), 6-6 Arthur Tate (22 points) and 6-8 Akeli Jackson (14 points and 10 rebounds) dominated the game.

Santa Clara (20-6) never led and could come no closer than 27-25 early in the second quarter on a three-point basket by Scott Carranza. Serra (21-7) increased its lead to 45-35 at halftime and continued to pull away in the second half.

The victory was the first ever for Serra over Santa Clara, which beat the Cavaliers last year in the Southern California regionals.

“Santa Clara beat us in state last year, so we had a big revenge factor going for us,” Serra Coach Dwan Hurt said. “Our size along with our jumping ability made it hard for them to challenge us.”

David Varela had a team-high 17 points and Brian Clark added 15 for Santa Clara.