Boys basketball: CdM seniors lead to victory

Steve Virgen

LAGUNA BEACH - Behind the hot shooting of Idean Shahangian and the

desire of Eric Snell, the Corona del Mar boys basketball team ran through

host Laguna Beach, 81-58, in a Pacific Coast League opener Wednesday.

Despite a deep cut just above his left eyelid, Snell, a senior,

finished with 25 points, eight coming after the cut. Shahangian scored 21

points, 13 in a pivotal third quarter when the Sea Kings (7-11, 1-0 PCL)

outscored the Artists, 23-9. Shahangian, a senior guard, shot 5 for 5

from the field in the third quarter, including a three-pointer. He also

sank 4 of 5 from the free throw line. CdM led just, 33-29, at halftime,

but then, 56-38, to begin the fourth quarter.

“(Snell is) a tough kid,” CdM Coach Paul Orris said. “He’s a warrior.

He’s Corona del Mar basketball -- You don’t play with your mouth, you

play with your mind, with effort. And, if the other team is better, then

so be it. But, they’ll leave the floor knowing who we are.”

Laguna Beach (4-12, 0-1) is now quite familiar with CdM. The Sea Kings

built a 15-4 lead in the first seven minutes. But, the Artists took

advantage of CdM mistakes in the second quarter and pulled within four

before halftime.

“We fouled too much in the second quarter,” Orris said. “But, we

stepped it up in the third quarter. I didn’t talk too much to them at

halftime. We knew what was needed.”

The Sea Kings began the third quarter with a 7-0 run as Shahangian

accounted for the points. He displayed enthusiasm after each shot with

applause and nodding his head as if music was playing in his head.

“We were smart enough to get him the ball,” Orris said.

With three minutes left in the third quarter, Snell received the cut

that put him out of the game. A Laguna Beach player scratched at his eye

when going for the ball which led to blood dripping from Snell’s eye. An

athletic trainer advised Snell to receive stitches after the game.

As soon as Snell re-entered, he drove the lane, planted his feet on a

jump-shot and converted on a smooth jump shot to give the Sea Kings a

49-33 lead. He also hit a three-pointer with three seconds remaining in

the third.

CdM’s biggest lead of the night came after sophomore Kevin Mancillas,

who chipped in with 11 points, delivered a three-point shot for a

26-point lead (73-47).

CdM senior Charlie Alshuler added nine points. Sea Kings seniors

Taumata Grey and Dave Richardson came off the bench to key a strong

defensive effort in the third quarter.

CdM will continue PCL action as the Sea Kings host Northwood Friday at

7 p.m.

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Corona del Mar 81, Laguna Beach 58

Corona del Mar 15 18 23 25 - 81

Laguna Beach 6 23 9 20 - 58

Corona del Mar - Snell 25, Shahangian 21, K. Mancillas 11, Alshuler 9,

Reynolds 4, Taumata Grey 4, B. Mancillas 3, Brewster 3, Glass 1, Najar 0,

Richardson 0.

3-pt. goals - Mancillas 3, Snell 2, Shahangian 1, Brewster 1.

Fouled out - Snell.

Technicals - none.

Laguna Beach - Blodgett 20, Brown 12, Chatrath 7, Foes 7, Norfleet 6,

Leahy 2, Gabbar 2, Ridet 2.

3-pt. goals - Brown 2, Blodgett 1.

Fouled out - Foes.

Technicals - Blodgett.