CdM stays cool to beat Laguna Hills

CORONA DEL MAR — Already knowing it would be a battle against Laguna Hills High, Stefan Kaluz hobbled through warm-ups.

While the rest of his Corona del Mar teammates were in full stride, the 6-foot-9 center was figuring out if he’d be able to play.

He couldn’t miss this one, not after allowing the Hawks to frustrate him the last time. Kaluz received two technical fouls, finding himself out of the boys’ basketball game lost by the Sea Kings on Jan. 12.

Kaluz watched from the start of Wednesday’s Pacific Coast League game at CdM, but that’s because the program honored its seniors. When his turn came, he stayed cool and finished in dominating fashion.

The junior scored 23 points, grabbed 15 rebounds and blocked two shots to lead the Sea Kings to a 56-51 victory and into first place in league with a half-game lead over Laguna Hills.

“Our league championship is on the line, and I can’t [afford to not] play,” Kaluz said. “I have to help my team out.”

Kaluz did just that and CdM (16-7, 5-1 in league), ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern Section Division III-A, reaped the benefits.

In a physical game in which referees called 38 fouls and one technical, the Sea Kings went right at the smaller, scrappy Hawks (10-14, 4-1).

Players tossed the ball into Kaluz practically every chance they could in the second and third quarters. Garrett Fritz tried holding down Kaluz, swiping at him in an attempt to irritate to him.

Nothing happened. Kaluz wasn’t buying it from the 6-8 center responsible for getting under Kaluz’s skin in Laguna Hills’ 64-63 victory against CdM on Jan. 12

Kaluz scored eight points in the second quarter and then the third, as CdM took a 37-28 lead into the fourth.

“He was pretty frustrated last game. I think he learned, so he didn’t get as frazzled this time,” said Fritz, who led the Hawks with 21 points, 10 rebounds and three blocks. “It’s nice to go up against someone as big as you.”

When the two big men weren’t backing each other down, the guards stepped in.

For Laguna Hills it was Ryan Arbues hitting four three-pointers.

But the biggest shot came from CdM senior Eddie Lane’s two hands. Lane leaped from the baseline and caught Joe Eberhard’s alley-oop pass from behind the three-point line, finishing the play with a thundering dunk.

The play changed any momentum the Hawks had picked up, as CdM extended its lead, 49-42.

“It was a design play that Coach thought was necessary,” said Lane, who scored seven of his 12 points in the fourth, and added five steals. “When we call that play, they have their momentum, and they give me that dunk, it just drains their team.

“I believe somebody will knock [Laguna Hills] off after that loss.”

If that happens and CdM wins its final two league games, the Sea Kings will be outright league champs.

Pacific Coast League

Corona del Mar 56,

Laguna Hills 51

Laguna Hills -- Fritz 21, Arbues 15, Salinas 11, Sargent 2, Parsons 2.

3-pt. goals -- Arbues 4.

Technicals -- Salinas.

Corona del Mar -- Kaluz 23, Lane 12, Eberhard 7, Evett 6, Joyce 5, Donovan 3.

3-pt. goals -- Donovan.

Fouled out -- None.

Technicals -- None.