Let’s get physical

Steve Virgen

Estancia High needs to be more physical.

That’s what Eagles boys basketball coach Russell King said his

team learned after losing, 72-54, to Dana Hills in the consolation

final of the Orange Coast Optimist Holiday Shootout, a 12-team

tournament hosted by Garden Grove, Saturday.

The Eagles (5-4) nearly climbed back from a 10-point deficit midway through the second quarter, but Dana Hills (7-5) turned on its

aggressive style again and held off Estancia.

“They used their size to their advantage,” King said. “We need to

do a better job of playing physical.”

The Dolphins built a 21-8 lead in the first quarter, but Estancia

scored eight points in the final 87 seconds of the period. The spurt

included three-pointers by sophomore Shaun Markley and junior Carlos

Pinto, who nailed a deep three with two seconds left, as the Eagles

trailed 24-16.

Pinto, who earned all-tournament honors, led the Eagles with a

game-high 23 points.

Dana Hills went up by 10, early in the second quarter when Dillon

Halesworth converted a steal into a layup. The Eagles came as close

as 28-25, but the Dolphins closed out the first half with a 12-2 run

and never looked back. They scored four points on put-backs from

missed free throws in the final 43 seconds, including a buzzer-beater

by Blaine Templeton, who led Dana Hills with 19 points.

King said his players were not surprised of their ability to rally

and he saw a constant effort from the Eagles throughout the contest.

“That just shows that our kids never quit,” King said. “They will

keep playing. No matter what happens in [the Golden West League]

we’ll continue to battle and compete.”

King made reference to the Golden West League because he was

explaining that all of the tournament games for Estancia will be used

for preparation for league play.

“In the tournaments we play in, it would be nice to win, but

that’s not the most important thing,” King said. “The important thing

is that we are learning.”

Pinto taught the Dolphins a few lessons. He continually found ways

to the basket and was clearly Estancia’s main threat. At one point,

Dana Hills Coach Tom Desiano yelled to his players, “Can’t anyone

stop him?”

Pinto scored 12 points in the first half, and 11 in the second. He

was 2 of 5 from beyond the three-point line, and 6 of 15 from the

field.

The Eagles will resume play Friday at 6:25 p.m. in its own

tournament, the Coast Classic, facing Antioch.

*--*

Orange Coast Optimist Holiday Shootout

Consolation final

Dana Hills 72, Estancia 54

Score by Quarters

Dana Hills 24 16 13 19 -- 72

Estancia 16 11 10 17 -- 54 Dana Hills -- Templeton 19, Bari 7, Lorin 11,

Engle 15, Nerney 8, Schumacher 5, Halesworth

3, Blackburn 2, Maddocks 2.

3-pt. goals -- Schumacher 1, Bari 1, Lorin 1.

Fouled out -- Lorin.

Estancia -- Pinto 23, Sankey 4, Escobedo 5,

Viramontes 2, McDaniels 7, Markley 7, Kopp 6,

Meissner 0.

3-pt. goals -- Pinto 2, Markley 2, McDaniels 1.

Fouled out -- Sankey.

*--*