Laguna opens league tonight

It has been a trying preseason for the Laguna Beach High boys’ basketball team.

The Breakers have just one senior, Adam Selevan, and he’s been in and out of the lineup with a back injury. Now comes the Orange Coast League portion of the schedule, where the defending-champion Breakers travel to Costa Mesa at 7 tonight.

“It’s been a real slow process getting him back where he could play,” Coach Bret Fleming said. “He’s been a really good leader for us, both vocally and by example. We look a little lost without him, but I take full responsibility for that.”

Laguna, which finished undefeated in league last year, is not favored to repeat. The Breakers have lost six in a row after Monday night’s 47-16 nonleague loss at Irvine, which found Laguna down, 14-0, after a quarter.

Jake Dalke and Derek Reigel scored four points each in that contest. Tyler Masukawa and Alex Masukawa each had three.

Tyler Masukawa, a sophomore point guard, has been coming on well. He has reached double figures in a game four times.

“He’s growing into the position and he’s doing a good job,” Fleming said. “He’s had his ups and downs, but mostly ups.”

After tonight’s game, the Breakers (4-9) play host to Calvary Chapel on Wednesday night. Calvary is considered one of the league favorites.

“Right now, it’s more about us than who we’re playing,” Fleming said. “We’re not cutting hard and showing the ball, just kind of playing at a slow pace. But we’re addressing that in practice. Hopefully we’ll start to gel.”

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GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

The Breakers (4-11) opened league Thursday at Costa Mesa, after press time. Laguna fell to Beckman, 58-41, in its most recent game Tuesday, despite a game-high 31 points from Emily Writer. Laguna also got two points each from Holly Battle, Sam Garner, Grace Komoroczy, Sandra Lopez and Karly Mac.

Writer, a junior, is averaging nearly 22 points a game for the Breakers. For the season, she has scored 54% of the Breakers’ points.

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BOYS’ SOCCER

Laguna had a tough go at the Mission Viejo Tournament last week, outscored 16-0 in losses to El Toro, Mission Viejo and Lakeside. But the Breakers rebounded for a 2-0 victory over Sage Hill on Monday.

Laguna (4-8-1) opens league at 6:15 tonight against visiting Costa Mesa.

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GIRLS’ SOCCER

The Breakers gave up a late goal and suffered a tough 1-0 loss at San Juan Hills on Monday, but they were ready for their Orange Coast League opener Thursday against Costa Mesa, which ended after press time. Laguna (3-8-3) had a successful trip to the desert last week for games against Xavier (a 2-0 win), Indio (a 3-1 win) and Palm Desert (a scoreless tie). The Breakers are also dealing with the loss of junior midfielder Kelsey Rustigan, a co-captain who Coach Bill Rolfing said is out for the year with a knee injury.

Senior Kelsey Peterson is the Breakers’ other captain.

“I think all the teams in our league will be pretty evenly matched,” said Rolfing, whose squad finished a single point behind co-champs Costa Mesa and Estancia last year. “But, I’m happy with the passing game that we play. We’ve had a tough preseason schedule, and our win/loss record is not that strong, but we really kept every game close. We’ve got a little confidence going into league.”