Boys basketball: Eagles soar past Sea Kings

Tony Altobelli

COSTA MESA - The playoffs are now for the Estancia High boys

basketball team.

“We’re halfway there,” Estancia Coach Chris Sorce said following his

team’s 64-48 Pacific Coast League win over visiting Corona del Mar.

“Coming into this week, we realized we had to win our last four games to

even think about the playoffs. We took care of the first two games this

week and hopefully we can keep our ‘playoff’ run going next week.”

Eagles’ junior Micah Young turned another veteran-like performance

with 28 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Eagles’ attack.

“He’s no longer playing like a junior,” Sorce said. “It’s hard to

believe he’s still only about 80% healthy from his ankle injury. It’s

scary to think about what he would be like at 100%.”

Senior Eliasar Maldonado added 15 points for Estancia (9-14, 4-4 in

league), while Kenny Valbuena chipped in nine points and 12 rebounds.

“We’re playing our best basketball of the season at just the right

time,” Sorce said. “I’ve said all year long that it’s going to take some

time and patience. I think it’s finally coming together.”

The Sea Kings (10-15, 4-4) were led by Zach Brewster, who scored a

career-high 21 points and eight rebounds. Idean Shahangian chipped in 18.

After a fairly even first quarter, Estancia took the momentum with a

9-2 run, pushing the Eagles’ lead to nine.

Strong defense, combined with eight second-quarter points from

Maldonado, gave Estancia an 11-point halftime advantage.

The lead grew to 13 before CdM mounted a comeback. The Sea Kings

closed out the third quarter with an 11-2 run and trailed by only four.

“CdM put a nice run on us,” Sorce said. “But we managed to keep our

composure and overcame it.”

CdM opened the fourth quarter with a Shahangian basket to get to

within two, but Young helped stop the Eagles’ bleeding.

The 6-foot-2 center hit two free throws and two baskets to help spark

an 11-2 run and the Eagles never looked back. Estancia outscored the Sea

Kings, 21-9, in the fourth to finish strong.

The Eagles wrap up their week at home against Northwood on Tuesday,

before concluding their PCL schedule at University. The Sea Kings play at

Uni on Tuesday before wrapping up their season at home against Costa

Mesa. All games are set for 7 p.m. and all are must-win games for both

local schools.

“We played Northwood hard on their floor last time and we were able to

beat Uni at home, so it’s possible,” Sorce said. “If we stay poised and

patient with our offense and play defense the way we’re capable of, we

can hold our own against anyone in our league.”

PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

Estancia 64, Corona del Mar 48

Score by Quarters

Corona del Mar 13 6 20 9 - 48

Estancia 15 15 13 21 - 64 Corona del Mar - Brewster 21, Shahangian 18, Alshuler 5, K, Mancillas

2, Marston 2, Richardson 0, Snell 0, B. Mancillas 0, Glass 0.

3-pt. goals - Shahangian 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.

Estancia - Young 28, Maldonado 15, K. Valbuena 9, Cachola 4, D.

Valbuena 4, Berame 2, Rodriguez 1, Prado 1, Niles 0.

3-pt. goals - Maldonado 2, Cachola 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.