GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PREVIEW:Estancia expecting big things

One of the first things Estancia High’s new girls’ basketball coach Tommy Rausch told his players surprised them.

“I told these girls that they’ve all won games before, and they all know how to win,” Rausch said. “They are going to win a lot this year.”

Huge expectations Rausch has in store for the Eagles, who went 3-20 last year.

So far Estancia has only one win in four games, but players have bought into Rausch’s positive mindset. Last year’s start appeared more promising, with the Eagles’ winning their first two games.

That almost happened again.

Estancia dropped a close one at home to Corona del Mar, 35-32, leading the way for most of the 30 minutes. It hung with Newport Harbor at halftime, 17-17, before losing.

Hurting the Eagles so far has been turnovers. Some have been unavoidable as they are trying to play an up-tempo style, which is prone to mistakes because of the pace.

The flow is new for the Eagles, who the previous two years under Ernie Wright played more of a motion game — an offense three of Estancia’s returning senior starters, center Michelle Hallock, guard Yasmin Arroyo and guard Alondra Barrera, are more familiar with than running up and down.

“We’re trying to press and work on a lot of man-to-man defense,” said Rausch, a former assistant with the boys’ team. “We’re trying to be strictly man. It’s all about effort.”

So far, Rausch said he’s seen the desire from his 13 players, seven who are seniors.

He trusts his players, allowing them to learn from their mistakes. Building confidence in athletes who play for a team that didn’t win a league game last year in the Golden West League is key.

The Eagles this year moved to the new Orange Coast League, which features rival Costa Mesa and also Calvary Chapel and Laguna Beach.

Now the Battle of the Bell game against Costa Mesa will come down to a best-of-three series. The Mustangs swept Estancia last year, handing the Eagles two losses during their season-ending 16-game losing streak.

It’s highly unlikely that Estancia endures another lengthy slide. With Arroyo and Barrera in the backcourt, the duo gives the offense a slasher and sharp shooter. They’ll need to elevate their game because Estancia’s best player, Be Diep, graduated last year.

Diep, who made the Daily Pilot Dream Team, led the team in scoring (10 points), assists (4.6) and steals (2.6) per game.

Down low is Hallock, who’s 5-foot-10, and uses her body well. Courtney Ulrich, a 6-foot center, adds depth, and senior forward Tamisha Williams might be Estancia’s most athletic player at 5-9.

“We’ve been together for 2 1/2 weeks and we’ve made a lot of progress,” Rausch said. “We’re going to be a tough team come [Orange Coast] league [play].”

Maybe by then the idea of winning won’t stun Rausch’s players.