Sea Kings take it on the road

Corona del Mar overcomes a boisterous Tesoro crowd to top the two-time defending Pacific Coast League champs in boys’ basketball.LAS FLORES -- The Corona del Mar boys’ basketball team remained atop the Pacific Coast League after a 58-53 victory over host Tesoro on Wednesday.

The Sea Kings (11-7, 4-0) defeated the two-time defending Pacific Coast League champions after heading into the fourth quarter with a nine-point deficit. Corona del Mar’s weapons of choice were Ryan Lance and Stefan Kaluz, who combined for 17 of the Sea Kings’ 22 points in the fourth quarter.

With a loud band and home crowd -- including a handful of Tesoro football players chanting Matt Loyd and Shaun Mohler’s name -- the Sea Kings went straight to work, staying close to the Titans in the first and second quarters.

But the Sea Kings defense got sloppy in the third quarter, amassing 10 fouls, and Tesoro capitalized with a 6-0 run for a 45-36 lead going into the fourth.

“After only scoring seven in the third quarter, we just told the kids, ‘We have to get the ball to our best offensive players,’ and our best offensive players are Ryan and Stefan,” said Corona del Mar Coach Ryan Curry. “Ryan scored and Stefan scored, and we got right back into the basketball game.”

Also helpful in the second half effort was the Sea Kings defense. Tom Rafael -- Tesoro’s leading scorer in the first half with three three-pointers -- was held scoreless in the second half. Steals by Mohler, Lance and Slaughter also enabled the offense to produce.

Kaluz, on the other hand, was in a world of his own. With three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, he scored eight points, including a hook shot from the right corner, just below Tesoro’s league championship banner with ’04 and ’05 etched on it.

Within minutes, Kaluz had eliminated Tesoro’s lead and tied the score at 51-51.

“I tried to step it up,” said Kaluz, who scored all 10 of his points in the second half. “It was a great game, and it feels great to win it here.”

His energy caught on with the defense too. After breaking the tie, Corona del Mar stole the ball two more times to pad the victory.

Scott Slaughter’s basket off an assist by Mohler sparked a 4-0 run by the Sea Kings in the final minute of the game.

Tesoro, down by four with 34 seconds remaining, had chances to cut into the deficit after two turnovers by the Sea Kings, but were unable to take advantage.

Curry said the past four wins are forgotten now, particularly since it’s early in league.

“So far, we’ve gotten three key road wins,” Curry said. “We’re going to enjoy it until tomorrow.”

Then it’s back to work for the Sea Kings, who have a date with Laguna Beach on Wednesday.

“Win or lose, tomorrow’s a new day,” Curry said. “Anyone can come back after a loss, but good teams come back after a win.”

Lance was the leading scorer for Corona del Mar with 27. Kaluz added 11 points.

Mark Baldwin scored 15 points for Tesoro (10-7, 1-2), followed by Rafael with 13 points.

Pacific Coast League

Corona del Mar 58,

Tesoro 53

Score by Quarters