ROUNDUP : Estancia Victory Over Costa Mesa Calms the Coach

Before her team’s Pacific Coast League showdown Tuesday night against Costa Mesa, Estancia High School girls’ basketball Coach Lisa McNamee said she had the jitters.

She felt considerably calmer after Estancia (18-1, 5-0 in league), the No. 2-ranked team in Orange County, defeated the Mustangs, 59-56, at Costa Mesa. With the victory, Estancia took a one-game lead over No. 9 Costa Mesa (13-7, 4-1) in the league standings.

“I feel a little better,” McNamee said after the game.

A few moments earlier, things were still a bit tense for Estancia. The Eagles held a 57-55 lead with nine seconds left when Costa Mesa guard Rachel Thomas missed the first of two free throws. But Estancia worked the ball downcourt on the inbound play, scoring on a Leah Braatz basket with two seconds remaining for the final points.

Estancia guard Melody Earle had 21 points and forward Monique Sweet had 15. Costa Mesa guard Olivia DiCamilli led all scorers with 30 points.