CdM girls win tourney

COSTA MESA — There was no confetti dropping or champagne flowing, but the Corona del Mar High’s championship still proved to be special for its girls’ basketball team Saturday night at Estancia.

CdM Coach Mark Decker smiled when he thought about the last time the Sea Kings won a title after his team beat Estancia, 58-47, for the Estancia-CdM tournament championship.

“It’s the first championship for CdM girls in I don’t know how long,” Decker said. “It’s my third year and I know it goes farther back than that.

“It means a lot to these girls. It’s their first championship and they’re starting out the season 4-0. We’re a young team so this is going to help us build our confidence. We’re going to get better and better.”

The Sea Kings showed glimpses of just how good they can be. They actually showed that in the beginning, opening the game with a 9-0 run in the first 2:09.

CdM built its lead to 13-2 until Estancia answered with a 7-0 run, but the Eagles never could grab complete control.

The Sea Kings’ 9-0 run definitely threw off the Eagles, said Xavier Castellano, who is in his first year as co-coach with Judd Fryslie. But CdM’s fast start wasn’t the only thing hurting Estancia. The Eagles (3-1) were also without starters Erika Soto and Brenda Soto, who were attending a confirmation camp for Catholicism, Castellano said.

“We had two girls who started and normally don’t start,” Castellano said. “They stepped up. I think it’s a good thing [Estancia was without the Sotos] because it shows that we hit some adversity, we came back and played hard.”

Sophomore Kassie definitely played hard for the Eagles. She scored a game-high 26 points. She hit all 12 of her free-throw attempts. Sophomore Yesenia Maldonado finished with 11 points for Estancia.

Corona del Mar countered with junior Katie Bergsma, who was a force in the paint, scoring 22 points to lead the Sea Kings. CdM senior Sami Stern added 11 points.

“Our girls were all over the place, forcing the tempo and putting the pressure on the other team and it pays off,” Decker said. “I don’t think we played very well. We played hard. We played hard enough and well enough to win.”

Estancia-CdM tournament

Championship

Corona del Mar 58, Estancia 47

SCORE BY QUARTERS

CdM – Bergsma 22, Stern 11, Marolt 8, Rhyme 7, Nadal 4, Sharp 4, Brahs 2.

3-pt. goals – None.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

Est – Stratton 26, Maldonado 11, Boldizar 3, Stafford 3, Martinez 3, Flores 1.

3-pt. goals – Stratton 2, Maldonado 1, Boldizar 1, Martinez 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

STEVE VIRGEN may be reached at (714) 966-4616 or by e-mail at [email protected].