Estancia now rules

COSTA MESA — Jay Supple is in his first year coaching girls’ basketball at Costa Mesa High.

On campus, Supple has run into the program’s former successful coach, Jim Weeks.

“We don’t talk basketball,” said Supple since taking over for Weeks, who retired after 16 seasons. “He’s in a different department.”

Weeks might want to tell the newbie the Mustangs aren’t used to losing to cross-town rival Estancia.

Under Weeks, Costa Mesa beat the Eagles 11 straight times.

Weeks is gone and so is the Mustangs’ winning streak.

A relentless defensive effort led by point guard Erika Soto jolted Costa Mesa, as Estancia opened Orange Coast League play with a 58-35 victory Thursday night.

The Eagles (10-6, 1-0 in league) made a statement on Costa Mesa’s court. The first of two games for Battle for the Bell was not much of a battle for Estancia.

“We’re trying to set a new tradition of not losing to Mesa,” said Soto, who by herself created havoc on both ends of the floor.

The junior finished with a game-high 15 points and 13 steals.

When told of Soto’s steals, first-year coach Xavier Castellano believed the total, even though it was high.

“We don’t even keep track of steals,” said Castellano, knowing at times co-coach Judd Fryslie tries to keep stats in his head.

Fryslie and Castellano have no reason to when it comes to steals. Whenever Soto defends, the ball tends to end up in her hands.

By halftime, Soto ripped the ball away or came up with a loose ball as many times as Costa Mesa (5-11, 0-1) managed points.

The Eagles forced 21 turnovers and jumped out to a 34-10 halftime lead, an uphill climb for the already-down Mustangs.

Supple went into the game without starting point guard Amy Gentling (ankle) and center Julianne Judkins (knee), two members off last season’s league championship team.

Claiming the league crown for a third straight season seems unlikely for Costa Mesa if these two players can’t return.

Supple said Gentling and Judkins might not and he’s concerned.

On Thursday, Estancia gave him enough problems to distract him.

“Just picking up the defensive intensity,” Supple said he told his team at halftime. “The first half wasn’t Costa Mesa basketball.”

The way the Mustangs in the first half shot, going four for 22 from the floor and two for 11 from the free-throw line, it was far from successful basketball.

Still, Castellano warned his Eagles that they were competing against their rivals.

How Costa Mesa had dominated the series during his previous years as an assistant, it is understandable why Castellano felt this one was far from being over.

Forward Itzel Barcenas and guard Taylor Hobberlin sparked the Mustangs at the start of the second half.

Barcenas scored six of her team-high 10 points in the third quarter and Hobberlin had five of her nine points. Hobberlin capped a 9-0 run with a jumper, closing the quarter with Costa Mesa down, 40-27.

Once the Mustangs inched closer, Soto turned it on offensively.

In the fourth, Soto nailed two three-pointers and poured in 11 points. Teammate Kassie Stratton scored four of her 14 points in the quarter, ending Costa Mesa’s hope of keeping its streak against Estancia alive.

“Losing those games those last three years, they were rough,” said Castellano before being congratulated by his friend and Estancia’s former coach, Tommy Rausch, who never managed to beat Costa Mesa in girls’ basketball during his two seasons.

“I came into a good situation. Tommy created a good culture. We’re trying to be more up-tempo this year. They’re buying into it. It starts with our defense.”

It ended with Estancia finally beating Costa Mesa.

Orange Coast League

Estancia 58, Costa Mesa 35

SCORE BY QUARTERS

E – E. Soto 15, Stratton 14, Maldonado 11, B. Soto 9, Stafford 3, Boldizar 2, Asher 2.

3-pt. goals – Stratton 2, Soto 2, B. Soto 1, Maldonado 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

CM – Barcenas 10, Hobberlin 9, Hayes 4, Gordon 4, Bauermeister 2, Bjelland 1, Quebedeaux 1.

3-pt. goals – Hobberlin 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

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