COAST CHRISTMAS CLASSIC : Fuerbringer’s Versatility Leads Estancia Past Tustin
It didn’t matter much what Matt Fuerbringer did Monday night, everything seemed to work out. With a versatile performance, the 6-foot-7 center carried Estancia to a 57-52 overtime victory over Tustin in the final of the Coast Christmas Classic in Costa Mesa.
It was the first time the Eagles have won their own tournament since it began in 1985. And they have Fuerbringer to thank.
Fuerbringer scored 28 points, including four free throws in the final minute to send the game into overtime. He also scored the first basket in overtime, a two-handed slam off a fast break.
He also had 10 rebounds and four blocked shots.
Fuerbringer also shut down Tustin guard Maurice Fletcher after three quarters. Fletcher, who scored 21 points, had made six consecutive shots--five of which were three-pointers--but he missed his four shots in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Estancia (10-3) led most of the way, including by eight at the end of the third quarter. However, Tustin, shooting poorly, managed to rally behind its defense.
The Tillers (8-6) took a 50-46 lead with 50 seconds left, but turned the ball over twice to allow Estancia to tie the score.
Tustin made only only 18 of 53 shots from the field. Guard Derek Roche was two of 17.
In the third-place game:
Long Beach Jordan 68, Huntington Beach 57--Everett Ratleff scored 21 points to lead Jordan.
