Boys basketball: Eagles’ revenge

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - They don’t play above the rim, but they play over

their heads.

That’s what Estancia High boys basketball coach Chris Sorce said about

his team, which continued its overachieving play and defeated Pacific

Coast League visitor Laguna Beach, 63-52, Tuesday.

The Eagles (13-12, 4-5 in the PCL) used a 13-0 run in the second half

to grab the momentum and consistently broke the Artists’ full-court

pressure defense to sustain the advantage.

“They’re getting a lot out of what they have,” Sorce said of his team.

“These guys are overachieving and that’s what you want to do in the game

and in life.”

Senior Fernando Maldonado led the Eagles with 22 points, helping

Estancia avenge two losses (65-48 and 40-37) to Laguna Beach (2-7 in the

PCL) earlier this season.

Estancia senior Mitch Valdes broke down the Artists’ defense, dishing

out seven assists, while junior forward Lewis Bradshaw worked the boards,

grabbing a game-high 11 rebounds. Estancia freshman Carlos Pinto brought

down eight rebounds, all in the second half, to go with his 10 points.

Zack Novak, a junior who came off the bench, added intensity and

contributed 11 points.

The Eagles made 22 of 38 free throws (58%), as junior Joey Lindquist

shot 5 of 6 (83%), including five in a row, and Maldonado converted 7 of

10 (70%).

Estancia hosts University Thursday at 7 p.m. Sorce said the Eagles

will try to end on a high note to hopefully tie for third place in the

PCL or gain an at-large berth for the playoffs.