Seventh-grade girls basketball: Mesa’s desire too much for Dwyer

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - There was just too much at stake for Costa Mesa’s

seventh grade girls basketball team Wednesday. The Mustangs wanted to

complete an undefeated season and more importantly they wanted to win the

Newport-Mesa District Championship.

It was those two motivating factors that would not keep Mesa’s Bethany

Vergara out of the game even though she tweaked her ankle in the first

quarter. And it was Vergara who sunk two free throws with 45 seconds

remaining to ensure a 20-16 victory over Dwyer at Costa Mesa High School.

The Mustangs finish the season 7-0 and with the Newport Mesa District

championship. Vergara made the front end of the one-and-one and could

hardly contain herself as she jumped in the air and pumped her fist with

a loud scream. She calmed herself and nailed the second shot.

“I was just so happy,” said Vergara who scored four points despite

sitting out most of the first half. When she reentered for good she was

seen dribbling through Dwyer defenders, then dishing to teammate Jazzy

Day or finishing off a play herself. Day finished with a game-high 6

points.

“I try to find the open people and pass it to them,” Vergara explained

the simplicity of her game.

Mesa’s first quarter play was hardly simple. The Mustangs began a bit

off rhythm, but opened up in the second quarter sparked by the outside

shooting of Denise Mino and Kayla Fleming.

Mino hit two three-pointers in the quarter and Fleming hit one as the

Mustangs outscored Dwyer, 11-5, to grab control of the game.

“They’re very competitive,” said Mesa Coach Shannen Huber. Then she

pointed at Vergara and said, “Hopefully that’s (Costa Mesa) high school’s

future.”

Vergara plans to attend Costa Mesa High when she is done with

intermediate school. She will get to play with her undefeated team again

next year. That team includes: Iltze Guerra, Denise Mino, Janai Craven,

Andrea Obregon, Likkien Ralpho, Rachel Torres and Judie Akansel, who

scored two points.

NEWPORT-MESA DISTRICT CHAMPIONSHIP

JUNIOR HIGH GIRLS BASKETBALL

7th Grade

Costa Mesa 20, Dwyer 16

Dwyer 5 5 2 6 - 16

Costa Mesa 3 11 2 4 - 20

Dwyer - Vanoorhis 5, Kenny 4, Plotnik 4, Ginn 2.

Costa Mesa - Mino 6, Day 5, Vergara 4, Fleming 3, Akansel 2.