Crean Lutheran boys basketball team opens CIF State regionals against Mira Costa

Crean Lutheran Coach Nate Klitzing talks to his team during a CIF playoff game. (Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano).

Crean Lutheran High School’s boys basketball team is back in action Tuesday night to face CIF Division 1 runner-up Mira Costa on the road Tuesday night in the opening round of the CIF State Division I Regionals.

Crean Lutheran (18-12) is seeded 10th and Mira Costa (29-4) seventh. Crean Lutheran reached the semifinals of the CIF Southern Section playoffs losing to eventual champion Los Alamitos 82-57. Los Alamitos defeated Mira Costa 63-60 in the CIF final.

“We are blessed to be back in the state playoffs,” said Crean Lutheran Coach Nate Klitzing. “This is the fifth time in eight years that Crean Lutheran has played in the state tournament.”

The Saints have reached the CIF Southern Section semifinals or further in five of the eight years.

“Making it to the Division 1 semifinals has been a great accomplishment and experience for our young team,” he said. “Now we aim to compete for a state championship.”

Mira Costa will be a challenging opponent, Klitzing said.  

“Mira Costa is going to be another tough matchup,” he said. “They have been one of the top teams in California all season. They pressure and fly around every possession. We will need to protect the basketball, be smart on our shot selection and compete at the highest level to win. We feel that we are ready for the challenge because we have been playing top teams all season that have prepared us for this.  

“Each game in D1 state (include) some of the top programs in California.”

The Saints are lead by Jacob Majok, who is averaging 14 points and 11 rebounds and Hunter Caplan, who is averaging 15 points and three assists.

The Crean Lutheran-Mira Costa winner advances to face the winner of the game between No. 2 Santa Margarita and No. 15 Torrey Pines in the second round Thursday.

—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com