Boys basketball: CdM stuns Northwood, 56-50

CORONA DEL MAR - The Corona del Mar High boys basketball team might

be tougher to dethrone than expected in the Pacific Coast League.

Coach Paul Orris’ defending champions surprised expected favorite

Northwood, 56-50, at home Friday to complete the first week of play tied

atop the standings with University.

Senior guard Idean Shahangian scored 20 points and senior forward Zach

Brewster added a career-high 19, while senior Charlie Alshuler keyed a

strong defensive performance for the Sea Kings (8-11, 2-0 in league).

“We invoked the ghosts of Sea Kings’ past tonight,” Orris said.

CdM led, 30-29, at halftime, but Brewster scored eight and Shahangian

seven to help the hosts outscore the Timberwolves, 18-12, in the third period.

Northwood cut the deficit to two with a three-pointer late in the

third quarter, but a basket by Eric Snell and two Brewster free throws

iced the victory.

Northwood, in its debut varsity campaign and without seniors, fell to

13-5, 0-2.

Snell and Alshuler scored seven points apiece and Orris credited

Alshuler’s strong defensive rotation as the key to CdM’s matchup

man-to-man (zone).