Boys basketball: Eagles pull one out, 76-68

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Though there’s still more than a dozen games left, the

numbers were already beginning to crunch down upon the Estancia High boys

basketball team. But, needing nine more wins to reach the minimum 11

required to extend their string of CIF playoff appearances to 14 years --

and on a four-game losing streak -- the Eagles certainly came through at

crunch time Wednesday in the pool-play opener of their own Coast

Christmas Classic.

“We’ve been knocking at the door and knocking at the door, but I told

them it was time to kick it open,” Estancia Coach Chris Sorce said. “Our

guys responded to the challenge and did what they had to do in the fourth

quarter. They showed a lot of courage tonight and I couldn’t be more

proud.”

The Eagles (3-6) were down, 53-48, heading into the final period. But,

with the benefit of hustle, determination, a few kind bounces and some

timely shooting, the hosts rallied for a 74-68 triumph Sorce said could

be a turning point.

“It’s only our third win, but it came in our home opener, which makes

it even more special,” Sorce said. “This could be a real positive for

us.”

There were only sporadic positives for the Eagles in the first 24

minutes, as Bellvue junior guard Scott Regener kept the Wolverines on

top, en route to a game-high 40 points.

“We tried a zone and a man against (Regener), even putting a spy on

him,” Sorce said.

But, ultimately, the Eagles’ ability to triple up on the Wolverines at

Estancia’s offensive end, proved to be the difference.

Senior Danny Valbuena and juniors Micah Young and George Prado,

combined to produce all 26 fourth-quarter points for the Eagles, who host

La Quinta tonight at 7:30 to close out pool play.

Valbuena, who watched most of the second and third quarters from the

bench, erupted for nine points and eight rebounds in the final eight

minutes, including a rebound and two foul shots to ice things in the

final seconds.

Young, who, like Valbuena, did not start, also chipped in nine

fourth-quarter points, including the decisive bucket on a second-shot

opportunity with 11 seconds left to put the Eagles up, 72-68.

Young’s final field goal began with an errant three-point attempt by

an Eagle from the corner. The ball caromed off the side of the board and

bounded beyond four Wolverine rebounders out to Prado at the foul line.

Prado, who scored eight points in the final quarter, including a crucial

three-pointer with 2:04 left that made it 68-63, quickly flipped the ball

inside to Young, who converted the layin.

Young finished with 21 points to match senior guard Eliasar Maldonado

(four three-pointers) for team scoring honors. Prado matched his

career-high with 13 points.

“We have eight kids who could all start,” Sorce said. “So, someone can

always come off the bench to help us.”

Senior starter Kenny Valbuena provided help early for the Eagles, who

fell behind, 12-5, as Regener produced 10 points in just more than three

minutes. Kenny Valbuena produced half of Estancia’s 14-8 run to end the

first quarter, pulling the Eagles to within 20-19.

After 11 subsequent seesaw minutes, things were deadlocked at 41,

before one of Regener’s five three-pointers triggered a 12-7 Bellvue run to end the third quarter.

Regener finished 14 of 24 from the field, including 5 of 9 on

three-pointers, and also hit 7 of 10 foul shots. His 40 points missed

tying Justin McIntee’s single-game tournament record by three.

COAST CHRISTMAS CLASSIC

Pool play

Estancia 74, Bellvue 68

Score by Quarters

Bellvue 20 15 18 15 - 68

Estancia 19 16 13 26 - 74

Bellvue - Regener 40, Lyle 6, Englund 5, Katsuhisa 5, Kanyika 4,

Coombs 4, Wilkerson 2, Johanson 2.

3-pt. goals - Regener 5.

Fouled out - Wilkerson.

Technicals - none.

Estancia - Maldonado 21, Young 21, Prado 13, D. Valbuena 9, K.

Valbuena 7, Cachola 2, Romero 1.

3-pt. goals - Maldonado 4, Prado 2, K. Valbuena 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.