Breakers face big showdown

The third and final round of Orange Coast League boys’ and girls’ basketball play gets underway tonight, when both Laguna Beach High varsity teams travel to play at Costa Mesa.

Tipoff of the girls’ game is 6 p.m., followed at 7:30 by the boys’ game.

In boys’ basketball

It’s a crucial week in the league race, where the final round of play will determine the eventual champion.

Entering tonight’s action, Laguna, Costa Mesa and Calvary Chapel all are 4-2, with each team owning a win against the other.

“We need to win the next three to be league champion,” Laguna Coach Bret Fleming said. “There are some other scenarios, but our focus is on winning these next three games. The key game is Friday at Costa Mesa.

“But at this point in the season, we have a chance to win the league championship, and that’s all we could have asked for.”

Laguna was atop the league standings as of Tuesday, but Calvary Chapel — which trailed throughout the game — rallied late to pull out a 48-45 home win.

The Breakers held an eight-point lead in the fourth quarter but poor free-throw shooting down the stretch was their demise. Laguna missed seven of its last eight free throws, including six in a row and four in the final minute of play.

The Eagles, on the other hand, were 10 of 10 from the stripe and — bolstered by a loud, enthusiastic home crowd — stormed back for the win.

Laguna was down three in the final 15 seconds and had two good looks at potential game-tying three-pointers.

First, Brian Delino gave a pump fake, then a quick dribble before launching a shot that hit the back of the rim and bounced away. Teammate Charley Bowman hustled after the loose ball and tipped it back out to Delino who, with three seconds left, shot again from behind the arc.

This time, the ball went in-and-out, and Calvary Chapel held on for the win.

The loss snapped a five-game winning streak by the Breakers.

Delino, a senior forward, led all scorers with 18 points and added seven rebounds. Bowman, a junior guard, had one of his most productive offensive outings of the year with 15 points.

“We basically needed to knock down our free throws in the fourth quarter to get the win, and we didn’t do that,” Fleming said.

“It was a tough loss and we’re disappointed, but I’m real proud of the way the kids played. It was an unbelievable crowd but I didn’t see a single Laguna Beach student at the game. We had our usual parents in the stands and our cheerleaders made the trip, which was great to see. I think their crowd noise was a difference in this game.”

In its previous league outing Jan. 26, Laguna recorded a 66-53 road victory at Estancia. The win was the 20th of the year for the Breakers (20-5) and marked the first time since the 1998-99 season — and only fourth time in school history — that a Laguna team has reached the 20-victory plateau.

Delino poured in a game-high 24 points and Lawler scored 18.

Following tonight’s big game at Costa Mesa, Laguna concludes league play on Monday and Wednesday by hosting Estancia and Calvary Chapel, respectively. Both games also are at 7:30 p.m.

Laguna last won a league championship in 1999, when that ‘98-99 squad — also coached by Fleming — won the Pacific Coast League title en route to a 20-7 season.

In girls’ basketball

Laguna dropped its sixth league game Tuesday, 62-41, at Calvary Chapel.

Emily LaRose scored 17 points, Katie Daff added 13 and Brittany Clark had nine to lead the Breakers.

Laguna (0-21) nearly picked up its first win of the season at Estancia, but instead was handed a 28-23 defeat.

After tonight’s game at Costa Mesa, the Breakers will close out their season with 6 p.m. home games against Estancia and Calvary Chapel on Monday and Wednesday, respectively.