Boys basketball: Conte to Cal State LA

Barry Faulkner

COSTA MESA - Costa Mesa High senior David Conte, who earned

first-team All-Pacific Coast League and All-Newport-Mesa District boys

basketball honors last season, has verbally committed to accept a full

scholarship from Cal State Los Angeles, Mesa Coach Bob Serven said

Tuesday.

Conte, a 5-foot-10 point guard, averaged 12.2 points, 5.8 assists,

made 49 three-pointers, and sank 36 of 42 free throws (85.7%) to help

lead the Mustangs to a share of the Pacific Coast League crown last

season. It was the school’s first league title in 41 varsity seasons.

“I think Cal State LA found a diamond in the rough,” said Serven, who

believes Conte’s offseason improvement has made him quicker, a better

passer and a better floor leader.

“It’s a great accomplishment for him and for our program,” said

Serven, who could not recall the last Costa Mesa boys basketball player

to earn a collegiate scholarship.

Costa Mesa product Chris Beasley received a dual baseball-basketball

scholarship to Arizona State in the early 1980s after a stopover at

Orange Coast College.

“I’m way stoked,” Conte said. “Coach always told me I was going to

play basketball after high school, but I wasn’t sure. He really made me

believe and gave me confidence.”

Conte said he chose Cal State LA, a member of the Division II

California Collegiate Athletic Association, over Cal State Dominguez

Hills, Chico State, UC Davis and Cal State San Bernardino.

“Cal State LA coaches have been recruiting him ever since they saw him

play in the Mater Dei Tournament last summer,” Serven said. “It’s nice to

go where you’re wanted.”

Said Conte, “I think they came to see another player that day, but I

scored 32 against Mater Dei and they were on me after that. The minute I

saw them practice, I knew that was the place for me.”

Conte said he could see playing time right away at point guard for

Coach Dave Yanai’s Golden Eagles.

“Their point guard this year is a senior and the backup is a junior. I

think I have a chance to beat him out next year,” said Conte, who plans

to major in business and marketing.

Conte averaged 13.7 points the final 12 games last season, including a

team-high 16 in a second-round CIF Southern Section Division III-AA

playoff loss to La Canada, which finalized the Mustangs’ record at 17-10.

Conte scored a career-high 24 in the Mustangs’ PCL-opening win at

Estancia. Mesa finished 7-3 in league, tying University for the top spot.