Mesa can’t get gift for Nguyen

LAGUNA BEACH — A couple of fans with Costa Mesa High placed a banner above the visiting bleachers at Laguna Beach.

The only hand-made banner in the gym belonged to the Mustangs Tuesday. In huge block letters it read, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAO,” with a cartoon drawing of Hao Nguyen in his basketball gear.

The Mustangs appeared to celebrate Nguyen’s 18th birthday a tad early. They had good reason to, with Laguna Beach star guard Cheyne Martin out with a broken right wrist.

But after halftime and up by six points, they forgot about the rest of the Breakers, especially forward Brian Delino.

Delino filled in for Martin, taking charge in the second half, where he scored 21 of his game-high 26 points to lift Laguna Beach to a 57-42 Orange Coast League victory.

“They aren’t 19-4 because of one guy,” said Costa Mesa Coach Jeff McDaniel of the Breakers, who have won three straight league games without Martin (29.2 points per game) to improve to 3-1 in league. “[We] got too content, and they got us. We didn’t have any energy. We didn’t come to play. I’m not going to talk to [my team]. If they can’t respond to that [loss], then they are not the team that will win league.

“The loss isn’t disappointing, it’s the effort level that’s disappointing.”

Each of the Mustangs appeared frustrated well after the game. Some sat on the bench, others on the bleachers behind the bench. McDaniel stood on the court disgruntled.

The banner honoring Nguyen’s special day still hung on the wall, but hardly anyone cared if they’d get to watch the senior blow candles later that night. They knew Costa Mesa (14-8, 2-2 in league) had already blown an opportunity to remain atop the league.

The player responsible for keeping Laguna Beach in the first meeting against Costa Mesa, before losing, 59-58, was in street clothes and sporting a cast. Martin torched the Mustangs for 31 points on Jan. 12, and the Costa Mesa guard matching Martin back then couldn’t Tuesday.

At least Moses Titus could suit up. The usually consistent shooter missed his first 11 shots, five behind the three-point line.

By the time Titus hit his first shot, a three-pointer with 6:03 left in the fourth quarter, Delino put Laguna Beach in position to win again without Martin.

Three times in the third Delino converted three-point plays. The first two were three-pointers and the last one was delivered from the free-throw line, where he made three free throws after being fouled while shooting a three-pointer.

Just like that and Laguna Beach jumped ahead, 41-31, by outscoring Costa Mesa, 19-3, in the quarter.

“We needed that,” said Delino, who scored 13 points in the third. “It’s just hard because we depended on [Martin] so much. He gave us a lot of confidence.”

Now it’s Delino’s time to deliver as a senior, something Titus is accustomed to doing for Costa Mesa.

Titus tried, cutting the Mustangs’ deficit, 45-40, with his second three-pointer with less than five minutes remaining. But Titus couldn’t find the stroke, the one that nailed the game-winner against the Breakers the last time to finish with his fifth three-pointer and 21 points.

Titus finished with six points on two-for-16 shooting. Neither could Larry Puente bring back Costa Mesa. He missed his four shots in the fourth and finished with 14 points.

“We came in thinking they are the same team that they’ve been all year,” said Puente, who added 12 rebounds, two blocks and two steals. “After halftime we came out really flat. We kind of slowed the game down, but that’s not really our game. Our game is [fast] pace.”

Slowed down at the end, the Mustangs were in no hurry to leave Laguna Beach.

As for Nguyen’s birthday party afterward, Puente looked at his distraught teammates and shook his head.

“I don’t think so,” said Puente of celebrating late. “Probably [eat] some little cake and get home.”

Orange Coast League

Laguna Beach 57,

Costa Mesa 42

Score by Quarters

Costa Mesa

12

16

3

11

—

42

Laguna Beach

9

13

19

16

—

57

Costa Mesa -- Puente 14, Duong 7, Titus 6, Molina 5, Weber 4, Nguyen 3, Waldron 3 .

3-pt. goals -- Titus 2, Duong 1.

Fouled out -- Duong.

Technicals -- None.

Laguna Beach -- Delino 26, Lawler 15, Monroe 6, Pickett 4, Hairston 4, Butters 2.

3-pt. goals -- Delino 3.

Fouled out -- None.

Technicals -- None.