GIRLS’ BASKETBALL PLAYOFF ROUNDUP : Costa Mesa’s Victory Isn’t Pretty

The Costa Mesa girls’ basketball team gave new meaning to “winning ugly” in its 58-43 victory over visiting San Marino in a first-round game of the Division III-A playoffs Saturday night.

Third-seeded Costa Mesa (18-8), the defending Southern Section champion in the division, advances to the quarterfinals next Saturday despite an unimpressive performance in which it committed 26 fouls and 19 turnovers.

“Nine days is kind of hard to come back and play real smooth,” Costa Mesa Coach Jim Weeks said.

The Mustangs had been off since their last Pacific Coast League game against league champion Estancia on Feb. 7. Now they’ll have another week to prepare. They can use the time.

Even with its mistake-marred display, Costa Mesa was never seriously threatened by San Marino (13-10), the third-place team in the Rio Hondo League and a beneficiary of the new all-inclusive playoff format. The Titans advanced to Saturday’s game after defeating St. Paul in a qualifier Wednesday.

The Mustangs outscored San Marino, 15-6, in the first period and 16-11 in the second quarter to take a comfortable 31-17 lead at the half.

San Marino managed only two field goals in the first quarter and did not hit one in six attempts in the second period. The Titans shot 27% from the field and 62% from the free-throw line. Costa Mesa, however, wasn’t much better, shooting 35% and 55%, respectively.

The taller Mustangs tried to exploit their size by working the ball in the low post to 6-foot-2 center April VanSweden, but that plan wasn’t too successful. VanSweden scored only seven points and committed seven fouls, mostly in frustration after having the ball stolen from her several times.

“Olivia (DiCamilli) and Rachel (Ward) pretty much can get points whenever they want, so it’s nice to see them (the team) working the ball around,” Weeks said.

In Division III-AA games:

Newport Harbor 63, Alemany 60 (OT)--Val Ornelas hit a jumper with 10 seconds left to tie the score at 58-58 and send the game into overtime. Ornelas, who had five points for the game, also scored a basket in the extra period for visiting Newport Harbor (13-12). Newport Harbor’s Maureen McLaren led all scorers with 25 points.

Estancia 62, La Quinta 21--Melody Earle scored 15 points, Patrice Lumpkin scored 12 and had eight rebounds, and Monique Sweet scored 16 points for host Estancia (24-1). Robin Cordrey had eight rebounds and nine points for Estancia.

Magnolia 60, Brawley 32--In a III-AA opener at home, Joyce Pe-a had 14 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds for Magnolia (15-7). Teammates Diana Cervantes had 14 points, Joya Walach chad 13 points and Yolanda Harvey had 10 points. Brawley fell to 12-12.

In Division III-A games:

Rosary 47, Bellflower 44--Rosary held off Bellflower at Servite. Carolyn Chey scored 11 points and grabbed nine rebounds and Laura Morris scored 11 points for Rosary (13-7). Amie Stewart scored 27 points and nearly brought Bellflower (9-15) back by herself.

Rancho Alamitos 71, Northview 56--Shannon James scored 21 points for undefeated Rancho Alamitos, the No. 1 seeded team in Division III-A.

In a Division IV-A game:

Orange Lutheran 39, Kern Valley 36--Becky Pearson scored 10 points for Orange Lutheran (11-9). Renee Wright and Tara Stephens each scored eight points for Orange Lutheran.