Eagles pull out clutch 46-44 victory

Steve Virgen

Estancia High boys basketball coach Chris Sorce hugged his point

guard Matt Cachola. In the stands the Eagles’ supporters reveled in

the moment seconds after Corona del Mar fans gasped because of a

thrilling finish.

Truth be told, this was a dramatic game, an emotional contest

between Newport-Mesa District schools Estancia and CdM. If there was

ever a classic, that label could be put on Estancia’s 46-44

come-from-behind victory over the Sea Kings in the fifth-place final

of the La Quinta Aztec Classic Saturday.

Estancia senior Joey Lindquist scored inside the paint, after an

assist by Cachola, with 12 seconds left, giving the Eagles the 46-44

advantage, their first lead since late in the first quarter. CdM

quickly came back in transition and set up one of its players for a

good look on a three-point shot, a shot that appeared straight, but

hit the back of the rim as time expired.

Lindquist scored eight of his 10 points in the final quarter. His

last two points came courtesy of Cachola’s wild pass. Cachola, who

went 3 for 4 on three-point attempts in the second half, drove the

baseline and as he was gliding out of bounds he lobbed a pass to

Lindquist, who slightly fumbled it before gathering himself and

putting in the easy basket.

“This was a battle royal,” Sorce said afterward. “Two teams that

showed a lot of class.”

Said CdM Coach Ryan Curry: “This was a really well-played high

school basketball game. My kids did everything I asked them to. I

liked what I saw out there. But what I don’t like is the result.”

Estancia was led by sophomore Carlos Pinto, who scored a game-high

16 points, grabbed 14 rebounds and earned all-tournament team honors.

Estancia junior Scott Sankey contributed eight points (six in the

second half) and 10 rebounds, including two key defensive boards down

the stretch. Cachola scored all nine of his points in the second

half. His three-pointers, along with Pinto and Zack Novak adding one

trey each, softened up CdM’s defense, which had been clogging the

middle in an attempt to stop Lindquist (6-foot-7) and Sankey (6-5).

The Eagles (2-1) did not connect on a three-pointer in the first

half. CdM (2-3) broke away from a 9-9 first-quarter tie and led,

18-13 at the half, mainly because of its perimeter shooting. CdM

senior Kevin Mancillas, who led the Sea Kings with 14 points, hit two

three-pointers in the first half, while Jay Northridge, who scored

12, nailed one trey.

Northridge got hot in the second half, as he knocked down three

more three-pointers. He finished 4 of 4 from three-point range.

Late in the third quarter, Estancia joined in on the three-point

party. With 1:10 left in the third, Northridge drained a

three-pointer for a 31-22 lead, but 21 seconds later Cachola answered

with a three-pointer. Then, 29 seconds after Cachola’s three, the Sea

Kings responded with senior Pancho Seaborn, also an all-tournament

team selection, who hit a three-pointer. Finally, with seven seconds

left in the third and 13 ticks after Seaborn’s shot, Cachola swished

another three-pointer, this time holding up his right hand to

emphasize his shooting form.

However, CdM led, 34-28, and Northridge opened the fourth quarter

with yet another three-pointer for a 37-28 lead. That’s when Estancia

started its comeback and outscored CdM 18-7in the final 6:37. Cachola

and Pinto knocked down a three-pointer each down the stretch.

“The end result was that we got a really terrific win,” Sorce

said. “(The Eagles) could have folded their tents. But they didn’t.

They showed a lot of heart and character, and kept battling.”