Mustangs still in search of first victory

LAGUNA BEACH — Any chance Coach Kevin Palmer has to instruct his Costa Mesa High boys’ basketball team on the court, he does.

Mikey Molina, go here!

C’mon Ryan Thompson!

Pressure, pressure!

For a team on the skids, the Mustangs need direction.

Palmer figured he had to make himself heard, loud and clear, during his first season.

On a Wednesday night in which the Mustangs entered the game at Laguna Beach on a 19-game losing streak dating back to last season, Palmer ordered more people around than a movie director on a set.

It worked for three quarters, pushing the Mustangs to work. Every loose ball was theirs for the taking, keeping the deficit to single digits and agitating the defending league champs heading into the final quarter.

Then what has hurt Costa Mesa most of the season surfaced, allowing Laguna Beach to break the game open and win the Orange Coast League game, 64-48, Wednesday night.

When it was over, someone asked Palmer if he wanted to stick around, so his team could change in the locker room before departing. He said no.

The only thing he wants seen changed is the losing.

“They want to win so bad that they’re not focusing on executing,” said Palmer, whose team made three of 14 field goals in the fourth. “We have been improving. They’re young and they need to learn fundamental basketball. Bottom line is we’re learning the tough way.”

It’s a frustrating time to be a Mustang. As for when Costa Mesa (0-19, 0-2 in league) will win again, that remains to be seen. The Mustangs are in rebuilding mode with only four returning players from last year’s winning season.

Right now the Mustangs are headed for their worst season since 1997-98, when they finished 4-22.

“It’s going to take all the way until next year for us to really understand what we need to do on the court,” Palmer said. “I knew what I was getting into.”

If you ask Molina, the only returnee actually playing quality minutes last year, it was a precarious situation.

The junior guard did his best in disallowing Laguna Beach (14-4, 2-0), ranked No. 8 in CIF Southern Section Division III-A, from running away with this one after leading 31-18 at halftime. Molina recorded two three-point plays in the third quarter, where he finished with eight points and three steals to cut the lead to 45-36 heading into the final quarter.

But that’s as close Costa Mesa ever got. Molina led all scorers with 18 points, but he wanted to lead the Mustangs to that first victory. Turnovers and Laguna Beach guard Kevin Buck foiled that opportunity.

Costa Mesa committed eight turnovers in the fourth. Buck was on fire, draining his first four attempts, a three-pointer, a jumper, another three-pointer, and then another two, giving the senior 17 points and accounting for 10 of the Breakers points during a 14-3 run to start the quarter.

“[This is] a lot different from the last teams [I’ve been on],” said Molina, referring to the winning seasons in which Costa Mesa combined for 21 losses. “It’s a different season, a whole different group of guys, not a lot of talent, not a lot of varsity experience. It’s hard to get JV players up to varsity in one year.

“I didn’t want it to be this way.”

Neither did Palmer and he’s doing his best to win his first game at Costa Mesa.

Orange Coast League

Laguna Beach 64, Costa Mesa 48

SCORE BY QUARTERS

CM – Molina 18, Gardner 8, Dye 7, Lefebvre 4, Millian 4, Astorino 3, Hernandez 2, Thompson 2.

3-pt. goals – Molina 2, Gardner 2, Astorino 1.

Fouled out – None.

LB – Buck 17, Hairston 14, Sullivan 14, Lawler 9, Roley 6, Ininns 2, Bowman 2.

3-pt. goals – Buck 3, Hairston 1.

Fouled out – None.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at david.carrillo@latimes.com.