Estancia routed

COSTA MESA — Some might suggest the Estancia High girls’ basketball players purge the memory of Thursday’s 56-13 loss to visiting Rosary from their collective consciousness.

Eagles Co-Coach Xavier Castellano, however, would suggest otherwise.

“I wish I had,” said Castellano when asked if he had videotaped the CIF Southern Section IV-AA first-round playoff game.

Castellano implied he would have used video evidence of the Royals’ relentless play as an example for the four Estancia starters and another handful of reserves who will return next season.

“That’s a different level of basketball,” said Castellano, whose squad trailed, 17-0, after one quarter and 36-2 at halftime. “We haven’t played anyone like that all season. We made our schedule a little tougher because of what happened last year with JSerra [a 62-20 first-round playoff loss]. But I don’t think our girls expected this.”

What the Royals presented was a swarming full-court press that forced 19 first-quarter turnovers.

Estancia missed its first seven field-goal attempts, was one for 13 at halftime and wound up six for 31 for the game (19.4%).

Rosary Coach Richard Yoon called off the press at halftime and the fourth quarter featured a running clock.

Junior Kassie Stratton had nine points and 14 rebounds for the hosts (14-13), who finished with 35 turnovers.

The 13 points were the fewest this season and the fewest in recent memory.

“I’m impressed,” Castellano said of Rosary (16-11), an at-large entry from the rugged Trinity League. “I love the way those girls play. They’re small, their feisty and they get after it. That’s what I’m hoping one day to build [along with Co-Coach Judd Fryslie] here at Estancia. It’s going to take work.”

Eleven of Rosary’s first 18 field goals were three-pointers.

Estancia made only three turnovers in the each of the final two quarters and Stratton sank four of her final five shots from the field, including a three-pointer.

“I’m proud of my girls because they didn’t give up,” Castellano said. “They play hard and it’s a reflection of who they are. We get them as freshmen and most of them don’t play club ball. Most of them don’t have the experience these [Rosary] girls do. But they persevere and they go at it. We had a good season.”

CIF Division IV-AA

First round

Rosary 56, Estancia 13

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Ros – Cole 15, McGovern 14, Campbell 5, Grenier 5, Supan 4, Nielesky 4, Kaller 4, Arrellano 2, Hernandez 2, Wong 1.

3-pt. goals – Cole 5, McGovern 4, Grenier 1, Campbell 1.

Fouled out – None.

Est – Stratton 9, Flores 2, Boldizar 2.

3-pt. goals – Stratton 1.