Bombs away

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Estancia High boys basketball coach Rich Boyce

provides the following public service announcement to Eagle opponents

this season:

“I wouldn’t zone us.”

With at least four guards on the court at all times, each one

green-lighted to bomb away from three-point range, any rival with more

than one defender in the paint may be asking for it.

“There’s no substitute for shooting the ball, which is something we do

very well,” Boyce said. “We can shoot the ball with anyone in Orange

County. We have six kids who, at any time, can knock that three down. So

you better guard us.”

Boyce’s bravado is now without humility, however, as he realizes teams

who walk the high wire 19 feet, 9 inches from the basket often generate

the kind of stat sheet not suitable for public viewing.

“If you live by the three, you’re going to die by it at times,” Boyce

said.

A lack of height -- 6-foot-4 senior Darshaun Garner towers over most of

the 11-man roster -- will also force the Eagles to gamble defensively.

“We have to do some different things, so people won’t just walk the ball

up and throw it inside,” Boyce said. “We’ll need to pressure teams and

get up in their faces to keep them from trying to muscle us. We can be

muscled.”

Having made the CIF Southern Section playoffs 12 straight seasons,

including last year’s 11-16 campaign, the Eagles have wielded plenty of

muscle as a traditionally strong program.

And, Boyce believes, this group can keep the postseason streak alive.

“I honestly believe we can play with anyone,” Boyce said. “Coaches will

tell you if you can shoot and get back on defense, you can negate a lot

of deficiencies.”

With six varsity returners, including team Co-MVP Jason Simco, experience

is not among those deficiencies.

Simco, a 5-foot-10 guard, averaged 7.5 points as a junior, third-best on

the team.

Brett Valbuena, a second-team All-CIF performer, led the team with 17.4

points per game, before graduating.

Senior Jon Cantrell, entering his third varsity season, averaged 11.8 en

route to second-team all-league recognition. Eagle fans already recognize

him as a member of the three-point brigade.

Travis Chandler, a 6-1 senior, returns at point guard, where he has

improved his outside shot and his defensive skills. He could, Boyce

believes, give Garner much-needed rebounding support. He averaged 4.6

points as a junior.

Garner, a tireless worker whose determination enables him to hold his own

against taller opponents, has also improved his offensive repertoire,

according to his coach. He averaged 2.7 points as a part-time starter

last season.

Steve Rodriguez, a hard-nosed 6-1 senior, rounds out the starting lineup,

while Boyce lists Bryan Jiminez, a 5-10 senior returner, as “starter

five-B.”

Elisar Maldonado, the team’s only nonsenior, averaged 3.4 points as a

sophomore. Maldonado, as well as Lexus Concepcion, up from the junior

varsity, could provide a spark off the bench.

Boyce terms senior Maurice Aguilar, also up from the JV, as the team’s X

factor.

“He’s 6-3, he can shoot and he can rebound,” Boyce said. “He’s a very

smooth player who is very fun to watch. If he stays committed, he could

be a big contributor.”

Peter Hernandez and Danny Larin round out a group Boyce said is extremely

enjoyable to be around.

“I told the kids if we don’t win a game, we’ll have fun, because they

enjoy being around each other and there’s a lot of camaraderie and

laughter,” Boyce said.

But Boyce, entering his fourth season at the helm, doesn’t plan to test

this premise in the revamped PCL, where University looms as the early

favorite.

Boyce said an off-season emphasis on weight training may also pay off.

The Eagles open in the Matador-Mariner Tournament Tuesday with a game

against Los Alamitos, starting at 7:45 p.m.

ESTANCIA ROSTER

4 Elisar Maldonado Jr.

5 Travis Chandler Sr.

11 Danny Larin Sr.

12 Steve Rodriguez Sr.

13 Darshaun Garner Sr.

20 Jason Simco Sr.

21 Alexis Concepcion Sr.

23 Jon Cantrell Sr.

31 Maurice Aguilar Sr.

33 Bryan Jiminez Sr.

34 Peter Hernandez Sr.