Boys’ Basketball: Mesa sweeps Estancia

Archrivals Costa Mesa High and Estancia shared last place in the Orange Coast League last season.

This late in the season, one boys’ basketball team finds itself in dead last again, while the other is in a first-place tie.

Costa Mesa is the program that has a chance to go from worst to first.

The Mustangs kept pace atop the league with a 57-40 win at Estancia on Friday. They swept the Battle for the Bell two-game series, claiming the rivalry for the fourth time in five seasons.

More importantly, Costa Mesa goes into next week, the final one in the regular season, tied with Laguna Beach at 7-1. Two games remain, and the Mustangs are looking to capture their first league title since the 2005-06 season.

Costa Mesa (15-11 overall) has only won two league crowns in its program’s history, and wins at home next week against Godinez and Saddleback will secure a third league championship.

All of the Mustangs’ success this season has come in Coach Phil Weber’s debut season. This has been a huge week for the 26-year-old and the Mustangs. They pulled off a dramatic 55-54 comeback win at Laguna Beach on Wednesday, marking their first victory at Laguna Beach in 14 years, and now the Mustangs have downed Estancia.

“We still haven’t accomplished what we’re after,” said Weber, referring to finishing first. “Our goal is to get the [league championship] banner to put 2016 up there. We’re still two games away.”

The Mustangs’ third triumph in a row against the Eagles helped them move a step closer to reaching their goal.

The last time the Mustangs topped Estancia three straight times was during the 2006-07 season, when Weber was a senior at Costa Mesa. During that season, the Eagles went 0-9 in league and placed last.

Estancia is at the bottom again. At least the Eagles have one win in league this season.

“That’s the same team we played last year. It just shows what a year can do for you,” said Estancia Coach Xavier Castellano, whose team shot 28.6% from the field, 18.2% from the three-point line and 44.4% from the free-throw line. “Those guys play well. They’re a good team. We need to work on some things. It’s a learning process and we have to go through this stuff. I told my guys, ‘Hey! They were in the same spot we were in last year.’ It just goes to show, they kept going with it, they kept doing it, and right now they’re tied for first.

“I want them to see [the Mustangs ring the Bell trophy]. You got to grow. As much as I wish it [were] a one-year fix, you know, they got to go through this. If they can go through this and come back hungry next year, it shows a lot who we are.”

With two games left, Estancia (11-15, 1-7 in league) will try to avoid another last-place finish. Saddleback and Calvary Chapel are both in fourth place in league at 2-5.

Costa Mesa’s Calvin Ko finished with 19 points and five three-pointers, handing Estancia its sixth straight setback in league.

All of the losing by the Eagles in league began on Jan. 15, when the Mustangs knocked them off, 61-46. Back then, Costa Mesa didn’t have the services of Ko. The senior missed the first meeting at home game because of disciplinary reasons.

Ko is back on track, and the guard is the one who ignited the Mustangs. He hit his first three three-pointers, allowing Costa Mesa to take an 11-0 lead.

The visitors actually had an opportunity for four three-point plays in the first three minutes. Mason Tufuga, who finished with 12 points, six rebounds and four blocks, converted a layup while the Eagles fouled the center, but Tufuga was unable to make the free throw.

Estancia, which misfired on its first five shots, finally scored with 4:54 left in the first. Cameron Jones nailed a jumper. The sophomore had another basket just before the quarter expired. He intercepted a pass and went in for a fastbreak layup, cutting the deficit to 14-7.

Thirty-one seconds into the second quarter, Jones, who led the Eagles with 17 points, got Estancia within five points. Connor Brown came up with a steal and quickly passed the ball up to Jones for a layup.

Costa Mesa, which went into halftime with a 26-15 lead, blew the game open at the beginning of the fourth.

Freshman Nico Dasca, who was more of a distributor and rebounder through the first three quarters, knocked down two three-pointers during an 8-0 run, extending the Mustangs’ lead to 49-29 with 5:29 left to play. The advantage was Costa Mesa’s largest.

Dasca, who had nine points, six rebounds and five assists, and the rest of the starters, including Nabeel Salameh (seven points and 10 rebounds), took a seat late. They couldn’t wait to celebrate afterward and eat ribs later that night.

“This game just really brings the best out of everyone,” said Ko, who made four of five threes in the first quarter, before going seven of 13 from the field. “It’s a really fun game. I play especially well in front of huge crowds because it gets my adrenaline going.

“Hopefully [Estancia or Calvary Chapel can upset the Breakers next week], but they’re a solid team. All we can do is hope. I’m fine with getting co-champions.”

—

Orange Coast League

Costa Mesa 57, Estancia 40

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Costa Mesa 14 – 12 – 15 – 16 — 57

Estancia 7 – 8 – 14 – 11 — 40

CM – Ko, 19, Tufuga 12, Dasca 9, Salameh 7, Calderon 3, Pepic 3, Daniel 2, Taylor 2.

3-pt. goals – Ko 5, Dasca 2, Pepic 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

E – Jones 17, Pettingill 9, C. Brown 7, Van Dyke 3, Carrasco 3, Alama 1.

3-pt. goals – Jones 1, Pettingill 1, Carrasco 1, Van Dyke 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.