Sea Kings learning with a new coach

Mark Decker figured when taking over as coach at Corona del Mar High that his players knew how to perform in close games.

Ten times the girls’ basketball team played in games decided by five or fewer points, winning six times.

So, how did CdM pull them off? Well, last year, six seniors suited up.

The new-look Sea Kings introduced their form to Decker, closing the first two games in crazy fashion.

After shooting 16% from the field in the first three quarters of its season opener, CdM forced a fury of turnovers to beat host Estancia, 35-33, on Nov. 28.

Decker left shaking his head and asking himself how CdM won when it “could barely find the rim.”

Then, two days later, came the Battle of the Bay game against visiting Newport Harbor, and with 13 seconds left and up by three points, Decker told his team not to foul anyone.

What happened next? A Sea King fouled a shooter attempting a three-pointer. No damage done as two of the three free throws didn’t go in, allowing CdM to escape with a 44-42 victory.

Decker, taking over for Scott Kahawai, couldn’t help but laugh afterward.

“You would think, wouldn’t you?” said Decker of his players understanding not to commit a foul under any circumstance. “We haven’t tapped into our potential, but we’re winning games.”

That’s all that matters when you have eight new players and a new coach.

Under Decker, a former Orange Coast College men’s basketball assistant and five-year Irvine High boys’ coach, the Sea Kings are poised to be more competitive than last year.

In Kahawai’s last year before taking the Estancia boys’ coaching job, CdM finished 13-12 overall, 7-6 in the Pacific Coast League, and lost in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division III-AA playoffs.

CdM’s games might all come down to the wire until the offense finds its groove. So far, Ashley Kirby, a 5-foot-10 junior guard is doing her part, averaging 14 points. Katie Schulte and Megan Benbow led the way last year as seniors, when they averaged 12 points per game and 10.3, respectively, and earned Daily Pilot Dream Team honors.

The opportunities are there for others to contribute as the defense is creating problems for offenses. Much of the success for causing turnovers has been the quick hands of senior guards Allie Duernberger and Shannon Johnson.

Once Johnson and two other players, junior guard Hayley Alder and 6-4 sophomore center Conley Kipp, get back into basketball form after joining the team two days before the season opener, CdM should be tough come league play.

Johnson, Alder and Kipp were members of CdM’s volleyball team, which reached the CIF State regional semifinals.

“We haven’t had much time to work together,” Decker said. “Conley has a little bit of a hurt shoulder from volleyball, so we’re being a little cautious.”

That’s probably the only thing CdM’s been careful about late in games.