Boys’ Basketball: Mustangs take second in OCL

When Costa Mesa High senior Mason Tufuga took the microphone to sing the national anthem, he surprised everyone with an excellent performance that was emotional for those who know him. It was a perfect way to begin the final home regular-season game for the Mustangs.

Costa Mesa’s boys’ basketball team actually didn’t perform as well as Tufuga sang on Thursday, but the Mustangs did beat Saddleback, 68-55, to finish second place in the Orange Coast League on senior night at Costa Mesa.

“It’s something I’ve always wanted to do,” said Tufuga, who scored nine points. “First time doing it. It was fun.”

Mustangs Coach Phil Weber certainly enjoyed Tufuga’s rendition.

“I was shocked,” Weber said. “I hear him sing coming into the locker room every day, but I didn’t know he was that good. I mean, I was surprised he wasn’t over at solos tonight [the solo event at Costa Mesa] with choir singing. He did a good job. It was kind of emotional to hear him sing that.”

Tufuga likes to sing. His favorite song to sing is, “Rude,” by Magic, he said. He and his senior teammates were nice against the Roadrunners.

Calvin Ko led Costa Mesa with 19 points and Nabeel Salameh added 11 points. Freshman Nico Dasca matched Tufuga with nine points and senior Dino Pepic added eight points.

Will Velazquez (two points), CJ Mino (two points), Dion Taylor (one point), Alex Petrecca (three points), Ryan Petrecca, Chris Calderon (four points) and Simon Daniel were also honored before the game on senior night.

Last year, the Mustangs had just one senior, Wase. The 11 seniors were a part of Costa Mesa’s remarkable turnaround, as the Mustangs finished tied for last in the league, but moved up to second place this year. They were also the only team in the OCL to beat Laguna Beach, which finished in first after beating Calvary Chapel, 65-42, on Thursday night.

Had Costa Mesa beaten Godinez on Tuesday, the Mustangs would’ve shared the title with the Breakers. Costa Mesa lost to Godinez, 52-48.

Last year Costa Mesa went 9-18, 2-8 in the Orange Coast League. This year, the Mustangs are 16-12, 8-2 in league.

The Mustangs appeared to be happy with their win on Thursday and their momentum as they prepare for the CIF playoffs.

“It’s a huge difference,” Weber said, comparing this season to last year’s when he was an assistant. “It’s been a battle early on, but we’ve gotten to the point that everyone plays for each other and we started as individuals but finished as a team and a family. That’s what we’ve preached all year long: finding that unity and that family bond. We have it and our level of play has stepped up huge just in time for CIF.”

Things started out rough for Costa Mesa, which didn’t score until nearly three minutes into the game, when Ko knocked down a three-pointer. The teams finished tied, 12-12, at the end of the first period.

But, Costa Mesa opened the second period with an 8-0 run that included another three by Ko and one from distance by Salameh. The Mustangs were also aided by a couple technical fouls from Saddleback (9-16, 3-6) later in the quarter and gained control before the half to lead, 36-19.

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Orange Coast League

Costa Mesa 68, Saddleback 55

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Saddleback 12 7 25 11 – 55

Costa Mesa 12 24 13 19 – 68

Sad – Tidwell 6, Torres 14, De Leon 11, Castillo 10, Ariza six, Toro 2, Le 6.

3-pt. goals – De Leon 3, Tidwell 2, Ariza 2, Torres 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – Coach, assistant coach, Toro.

CM – Ko 19, Calderon 4, Dasca 9, Salameh 11, Velazquez 2, Tufuga 9, Mino 2, Pepic 8, Taylor 1, A. Petrecca 3.

3-pt. goals – Ko 3, Pepic 2, A. Petrecca 1, Dasca 1, Salameh 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.