Mustangs dominate fourth quarter for win

COSTA MESA — The Costa Mesa High girls’ basketball team proved it was hungry, holding visiting Ocean View to five fourth-quarter points in a 35-31 nonleague win Thursday at Costa Mesa.

After the postgame meeting with Coach Jim Weeks, the Mustangs emphasized again just how hungry they were.

“Dinner on Weeks,” they shouted with grins on their faces.

Weeks shrugged it off, telling the team that they were “about halfway there.” But Costa Mesa (6-8) looked further along than that, avenging a 47-37 loss to their former Golden West League foes (6-6) on Dec. 23.

It was partly because the Mustangs are getting healthy. Starting forward Nikki Brannon had missed that previous game, as had center Ana Gutierrez. Both players are seniors and helped limit Ocean View’s 6-foot-2 center D.J. Butler, as did the Mustangs’ 6-foot center Jasmine Werdel.

Butler, the Golden West League MVP last year, scored 10 points after producing 22 in the teams’ first meeting.

“Ana gave us some inside help tonight and let Jasmine and Jennifer [Courtney] have some rest,” Weeks said. “Jasmine’s really starting to play physically, and that’s big for us. Now we’ve got a girl who’s 6-foot who can go against the other tall girls.”

Sophomore Amy Gentling led Costa Mesa in scoring with 13 points. Seven of those came in the fourth quarter, when the Mustangs outscored the Seahawks, 10-5.

“For a sophomore, Amy really plays some good basketball,” Weeks said. “She’s always in the right place and doing the right things. She really hit some big shots for us tonight.”

Gentling hit a three-pointer from the corner, tying the game at 28-all less than a minute into the fourth quarter. Then, after Miriah Malapira’s steal, Gentling nailed a jumper to put the Mustangs up by three with 5:50 to go.

After Michelle Figueroa’s driving layup, Costa Mesa was up five. With 3:35 left, Butler grabbed a rebound but swung her elbows, one of which caught Courtney square in the face.

Butler was charged for an offensive foul, said something and was also charged a technical foul — her fourth personal of the game.

Gentling nailed both technical free throws, giving the Mustangs a seven-point lead they wouldn’t give up.

Courtney finished with five points, 12 rebounds and four steals. She also helped inside on Butler, despite the fact that, at 5-6, she gives up eight inches to the Ocean View standout.

“She’s a giant,” Courtney said. “It’s just getting in her face and trying to shut her out. It’s whoever wants it more.”

The Mustangs will try to stay hungry when they play at Corona del Mar tonight, then open Orange Coast League play at home against Laguna Beach on Jan. 12.

“We’re hoping to win league this year,” Courtney said. “We’re getting there. We’re coming along pretty good.”

For statistical results on Costa Mesa’s victory, see High School Roundup.