First-round fever hits the Eagles

Barry Faulkner

Still one season away from its 10th birthday, the Gabrielino High

boys basketball program, with three league titles in its last four

seasons, appears headed to where Estancia High used to be.

Estancia, which beginning in 1989 made 12 straight trips to the

postseason, including a stretch in which it won 9 of 10 first-round

contests, is trying to find its way back to the lofty status it held

throughout the CIF Southern Section for most of the 1990s.

The two programs cross paths tonight at 7 in a CIF Division III-A

first-round game at Gabrielino’s new $4 million gymnasium.

Estancia (16-10), the fourth-place team from the Golden West

League, is looking for its first playoff win since reaching the III-A

semifinals in 1998. The Eagles lost in the first round in 1999 and

2000, missed the playoffs in 2001 and were eliminated in the

wild-card round last season.

There remains, however, a proud history, including a Division III

state championship in 1991 and a III-A section crown in 1990. The

Eagles made their third straight trip to a section title game in

1992, but have struggled to find the postseason magic since.

“(Assistant coach Larry Sunderman) points to the banners in the

gym and talks to the kids about the hard work that goes into winning

them,” Estancia Coach Chris Sorce said. “I think our school has as

much history as any basketball program in the (Newport-Mesa Unified)

district and I think we’ve got things going back in the right

direction.”

Gabrielino (14-11), which shared the Mission Valley League title

this year, has just one playoff win in its brief history, all of

which has occurred under the tutelage of Coach Scott Brummett. Making

its sixth straight playoff appearance, Gabrielino, which shares the

nickname Eagles, was eliminated in the first round two years ago by

visiting Corona del Mar. These Eagles will attempt to overcome a

height disadvantage tonight.

Gabrielino’s starting lineup averages just less than 6-foot, while

Estancia’s starters include 6-8 senior center Joey Lindquist and 6-4

sophomore Carlos Pinto.

“They pose some matchup problems,” said Brummett, whose leading

scorer is 5-10 senior Jeff Lim (13.5 points per game). Danny

Carrasco, a 6-2 senior, chips in 11 ppg for a team averaging 48.8

points its last eight games.

Estancia, meanwhile, has averaged 58.8 this season, led by Pinto

(13.8 ppg) and Lindquist (12.1 ppg). Seniors Zack Novak (8.4) and

Matt Cachola (7.4) have been consistent backcourt contributors for

the Eagles, who boast an 81-29 December tournament win over an El

Monte squad that competes in Gabrielino’s league.

Gabrielino defeated El Monte, 55-44 and 53-42, in their two league

meetings.

Tonight’s winner advances to Friday’s second round at top-seeded

Bishop Montgomery. The Knights (25-1), champions of the Del Rey

League and bidding for a fourth straight section championship, have a

first-round bye.