PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Coach’s Reminder Helps Estancia Stop Laguna Hills for Title

Estancia High School hadn’t won a league title in boys’ basketball since 1984, and Coach Tim O’Brien didn’t hesitate reminding his players of that Friday night against Laguna Hills.

“I kept telling them that those league championships don’t come very easily,” he said.

The Eagles proved that true while clinching the Pacific Coast League title with a 64-59 victory at Laguna Hills.

The Eagles (19-4, 8-0 in league) committed 17 turnovers and let a 14-point lead slip to six early in the fourth quarter, but held on to win their first championship since winning the Sea View League in the 1983-84 season.

The Eagles shot 50% from the field, but were only three of 13 from three-point range.

O’Brien figured he had to find some inspiration for his sluggish players. Reminding them that a league title was on the line did some good.

“I’ve had this game circled on my calendar since October,” O’Brien said. “Our winter formal dance was last night, and 13 of our 15 seniors on the team went. Maybe that had something to do with it.

“We really struggled. I guess we’re just not as hungry as I thought.”

Mike Haas scored nine of his 19 points on consecutive three-pointers in the third quarter as Estancia turned a 27-26 halftime lead into a 48-38 advantage.

Haas shot three of nine from three-point range for the game.

“Mike played well, but he keeps throwing those threes up,” O’Brien said. “What can I tell him?”

Estancia pushed the lead to 54-40 on Jeff Hokanson’s follow shot with 5 minutes 28 seconds left in the game.

But Laguna Hills, the only team that had a chance to catch Estancia in the league race, wouldn’t go away.

Justin Ross and Brian Matsen each scored four points to key a 10-2 run by the Hawks. Estancia led, 56-50, with 3:48 left.

Matsen’s free throws came after Estancia’s Paul McDaniels was whistled for a technical foul. McDaniels argued with officials after he was called for a foul on Ross.

In the final three minutes, the Eagles made up for their earlier mistakes.

Haas hit a layup, Hokanson made two free throws and Matt Fuerbringer hit a short jumper as Estancia pushed the lead to 62-52 with 1:57 left.

Haas added two free throws in the final 55 seconds for Estancia.

Fuerbringer finished with 18 points and 10 rebounds and battled Laguna Hills center Paul La Mott inside.

La Mott led Laguna Hills (12-9, 5-3) with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

In other league games:

Century 55, Costa Mesa 53--Costa Mesa missed a three-pointer as time ran out at home. Jason Welty scored 19 and Damien Hamler 15 for Century (10-10, 2-6). Jeff Pickens scored 20 points and Mike DeGrazio had 15 for Costa Mesa (3-18, 0-8).

Laguna Beach 98, Trabuco Hills 73--Josh Borella, the county’s second leading scorer behind Loara’s Tes Whitlock, scored a season-high 45 points for host Laguna Beach (14-9, 5-3). Borella, a 6-foot guard, entered the game averaging 30 points a game. Darrin Gravely added 23 points for the Artists.