Boys’ Basketball: JSerra too much for Costa Mesa
Even with 6-foot-7 junior Sebastian Much out for the JSerra High boys’ basketball team, Costa Mesa Coach Phil Weber knew his Mustangs needed to execute at a high level to win their first-round game of the CIF Southern Section Division 4AA playoffs.
The Mustangs just couldn’t keep up with Lions, who jumped out to a 20-9 lead after one quarter and remained in control to earn a 77-62 win on Tuesday night at Costa Mesa.
Alec Hickman, a 6-4 senior guard, led JSerra with 23 points.
“They were good,” Weber said. “Trinity League team. We knew they were not going to be someone who would just lay down for you. We knew it was going to be a battle. They had their best player out. We were prepared for it, but we just didn’t execute like I thought we were going to.”
Weber said he heard Much, who averages 18.4 points per game, was out with a concussion, but will play in the second round on Friday, when JSerra plays host to Banning.
Senior Calvin Ko had a big game in his final one for the Mustangs (14-11) with 24 points to lead all players. He knocked down five three pointers. He nailed a three-pointer while being fouled with 1:45 left in the first half. He hit the free throw for a four-point play to put Costa Mesa within, 35-24.
But the Lions (17-10) closed the half with a 7-0 run.
JSerra, an at-large team that was on the watch list for the Open Division early in the season, opened the second half with a 7-3 run to lead 49-27.
But Costa Mesa, which finished second in the Orange Coast League, scored six unanswered points, two each from seniors Chris Calderon, Nabeel Salameh and Ko. JSerra, leading, 49-33, called a timeout to try to restore order.
The Lions followed with a 9-0 run. It was just too much for the Mustangs, who also got 12 points from Calderon. He hit three three-pointers. Salameh added 11 points. Senior Mason Tufuga, sure to be an All-OCL first-team selection, finished with four points.
Freshman point guard Nico Dasca, a steady ball-handler all season long, scored seven points.
“It was a great season,” Weber said. “To be able to accomplish what we were able to was great. We got off to a slow start, but it’s how we finished. We competed for a league title, almost pulled it out. Getting that win at Laguna Beach was huge for these guys. Battle for the Bell was always fun. Our trip to Santa Barbara was huge. I think it got us to where we ended. There are so many positives in this that this just hurts right now.”
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CIF Southern Section Division 4AA
First round
JSerra 77, Costa Mesa 62
SCORE BY QUARTERS
JSerra 20 22 16 19 – 77
Costa Mesa 9 15 14 24 – 62
JSerra – Hickman 23, Trimino 7, Johnson 8, Donovan 2, Brenner 10, Gasmi 14, Gross 2, Ursetta 5, Merrell 3, Willett 3
3-pt. goals – Johnson 2, Hickman 1, Ursetta 1, Merrell 1, Willett 1.
Fouled out – None.
Technicals – None.
CM – Ko 24, Tufuga 4, Calderon 12, Daniel 1, Pepic 3, Dasca 7, Salameh 11.
3-pt. goals – Ko 5, Calderon 3, Pepic 1, Dasca 1, Salameh 1.
Fouled out – None.
Technicals – None.
