Puente provides power

Junior forward scores 18 points and helps lead Costa Mesa to Golden West League victory over Santa Ana on Tuesday.SANTA ANA -- With his shoulder-length hair, tan frame and surfer mentality, Larry Puente could be perceived as a laid-back type of dude.

But when he dons his green headband and steps onto the floor for the Costa Mesa High boys’ basketball team, the junior is anything but passive.

The sixth man on last year’s Mustangs squad, as he describes it, Puente has found his mental edge, and therefore found a starting role for this season’s team.

The 6-foot-3 1/2 forward scored 18 points and grabbed seven rebounds in a little more than three quarters of work in Costa Mesa’s 49-35 Golden West League victory over host Santa Ana on Tuesday night.

“Last year he was just as talented, but he wasn’t mentally ready to start every single game,” Costa Mesa coach Ryan Schachter said. “This year, he’s more mature, older and he’s hands down the best scorer on the team.”

For the Mustangs (14-8, 8-1 in league), who rely mainly on quick footwork and outside shooting, Puente has provided an inside option that meshes with the team’s needs.

His ability this year to harness his mental game comes from his pre-game ritual of listening to rock music through his headphones. His long hair stems from his surfer mentality, which allows him to stay calm before games, he said.

“Last year, I felt like I was there just to be there,” Puente said. “This year, we lost a lot of big seniors, so I feel like I might as well be a big guy.”

Puente scored his efficient 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting against the Saints (9-11, 3-6) on Tuesday, helping the Mustangs retain sole possession of first in the league.

And while Puente handled the bulk of the scoring duties, seniors Brian Molina and Scott Knox -- along with junior Moses Titus -- stepped in and added eight points apiece. Molina was 3 for 5 from the field with two three-pointers and Titus, coming off the bench, was also 3 for 5 with two threes.

Tony Krikorian chipped in with three points, while Ryan French and Tommy Duong each scored two points for the Mustangs, whose only league loss this season came at the hands of Estancia last Wednesday.

Frank Granados led the Saints with 11 points, while Brandon Stephensen added nine points.

Costa Mesa, which had a 51-50 victory over Santa Ana on Jan. 11, plays host to Saddleback in another league matchup at 7 p.m. on Thursday.

Golden West League

Costa Mesa 49, Santa Ana 35

Score by Quarters