Pacifica Takes a Big Step Toward Another Garden Grove League Title

If ever a team was molded in the image of its coach, it’s Pacifica.

Like Coach Bob Becker (who stands 5 feet 4), the Mariners are vertically challenged--no starter is taller than 6-1. And also like Becker, the Mariners are scrappy, intense and will do whatever is needed to win.

That’s one reason Pacifica has won the last three Garden Grove League boys’ basketball titles. And the Mariners could be on their way to a fourth championship after Wednesday’s 52-45 victory over Los Amigos.

It was the 15th straight victory for Pacifica (16-1, 3-0), and moved the Mariners past the Lobos (12-6, 3-1) into first place in league. The loss ended a six-game Los Amigos winning streak.

But Pacifica’s victory did not come easily. Although the Mariners never trailed after going ahead 10-6 in the first quarter, and led by as many as 13, Los Amigos--despite shooting 36% (13 of 36)--stayed in the game by slowing the pace and equaling Pacifica’s defensive intensity. The Mariners only shot 32% (15 of 47).

“It wasn’t pretty but we’ll take it,” Becker said. “A win is a win even if it’s a UW--an ugly win.

“We were out of sync, but a lot of that was because of Los Amigos and [the execution of] their game plan.”

“We gave them a good run,” said Los Amigos Coach Don Grable, noting his team trailed only 51-45 with a minute to play but could not score again. “They are very tough, especially at home. We played well, just not well enough.”

Adam Rachlin, who turned 18 Wednesday, and Kenny Waldecker each had 11 for Pacifica.

Los Amigos’ Carlos Sanchez led all scorers with 12 points and added eight rebounds.