Estancia’s Marvin Harry controls the ball late in the game as Santa Ana’s Saay Silva defends. (Photos Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)
Estancia’s boys basketball team showed Wednesday night why it is the favorite to win the Orange Coast League title.
The Eagles dominated from the start and went on to defeat Santa Ana 46-32 at Santa Ana in the league opener.
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Estancia, 16-3 overall, was led by Marvin Harry (12 points), Larry Andres (11 points) and Jake Covey (10 points). The Eagles moved out to a 22-6 halftime lead and were pretty much in control the rest of the game.
“They (Santa Ana) play really, really hard, they got us here last year by one and it hurt so our guys were looking forward to this game,” said Estancia Coach Xavier Castellano. “They play great defense and we played good defense as well.”
Santa Ana regrouped in the third quarter with a 7-0 run at the start to close the lead to 22-13 and at the same time, one of the Eagles top players Brandon Pearson left with what appeared to be an ankle injury. Castellano said he will get an X-Ray but seemed to be doing better after the game.
However, Estancia regained control and led 31-19 after three quarters. The Eagles eventually extended the lead to 39-24 on a 3-point basket by Arthur Bishop with 4:32 left in the game.
“We kind of picked it up at the end of the third,” Castellano said. “Our defensive game plan was what we wanted it to be. It was a good effort, we have a couple guys injured …. so we were hoping those guys get better quick and we can get our whole team together.”
Santa Ana (8-9) was led by Sebastian Olvera who had 12 points and 18 rebounds. Daniel Cruz added nine points for the Saints.
“Six points in the first half was quite difficult to overcome,” said Santa Ana Coach Fareed Elmasry. “I think we were young and nervous and I think our first league game might have gotten us some jitters and then we finally got rid of them in the second half but it was too little, too late.
“Credit to (Castellano) at Estancia. He came in with a game plan and they executed it well. I think we got it within nine and I thought we had some momentum, but their role players really came out to play tonight.”
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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