Mesa slump extended

Mustangs’ shooting woes continue as they make just 19.7% from the field in nonleague setback to JSerra.ALISO VIEJO -- For much of its recent 2-7 stretch, the Costa Mesa High girls’ basketball team has found playing the percentages as difficult as battling its opponents.

The Mustangs, who fell to 6-11 with a 54-29 nonleague loss to JSerra Saturday night at Saint Mary and All Angels School, continued to experience the shooting woes that have plagued them, Coach Jim Weeks said.

Costa Mesa was 12 of 61 from the field (19.7%) against the Lions, including a mere 10.7% from three-point range (3 of 28).

Weeks said the overall shooting percentages are consistent with the previous three games, all against Golden West League foes. Weeks said the Mustangs shot 21% in a 47-44 loss to Westminster on Jan. 6, 23% in a 41-39 win over Santa Ana on Jan. 10, and 19% in a 39-33 loss to Saddleback on Thursday.

“We’re running our offense, moving the ball around and getting good shots, but we’re just in a shooting slump,” Weeks said.

The Mustangs were not lacking effort or intensity at either end of the floor Saturday. They forced 18 JSerra turnovers -- three more than the Mustangs committed, despite a consistent half-court trap utilized by the taller, quicker Lions.

JSerra (16-3) won the rebounding battle, 46-30, but most of that was due to an extreme height advantage.

The Lions’ frontcourt included 6-foot-3 Jourdan Banks and 6-2 Jasmyn Reed. Costa Mesa played no one taller than 5-8. Banks dominated inside, collecting 19 points and 16 rebounds, while Reed contributed seven points and six rebounds.

JSerra guard Nani Keneipp had 10 rebounds.

“I still think we can screen out a little better,” said Weeks, who watched his post players -- 5-6 junior Jennifer Courtney and 5-8 junior Nikki Brown -- both foul out battling in the timber.

Weeks said playing against JSerra’s tall lineup helped prepare the Mustangs for Monday’s Golden West League clash with Ocean View.

Ocean View (12-3, 3-0 in league), which sits atop the Golden West League standings, is led by 6-2 junior D.J. Butler. Butler, the daughter of former Ocean View and UC Irvine men’s standout Ricky Butler, is averaging 13.5 points and 9.3 rebounds per game.

“This should help us against Ocean View,” Weeks said. “Ocean View has size, but it is not as athletic as JSerra.”

Despite the physical mismatches facing the Mustangs, they stayed close until late in the opening half.

JSerra led, 14-10, after one period and were up, 21-18, after Costa Mesa’s Deanna Sanchez made a 16-footer with 2:57 left before halftime.

But the Lions, who have won 11 straight, extended a 4-0 run to close the half into an 11-2 spurt that created a 32-20 edge midway through the third quarter.

The Lions, who when not trapping were very active in their 2-1-2 zone defense, continued to build on the lead while holding the Mustangs to 11 second-half points.

Senior Tracy Bjelland led the Mustangs with nine points and added five rebounds.

Brown and Courtney had seven rebounds apiece to share team-high honors.

The Mustangs were so content to fire away from distance, they did not shoot a free throw until their were 31 seconds left in the game.

Mesa missed both of its foul shots, while JSerra was 20 of 27 from the line.

The Mustangs had seven turnovers in the third quarter.

Nonleague

JSerra 54,

Costa Mesa 29

Score by Quarters