Woodbridge takes control early and rolls to non-league victory over Costa Mesa

Jaiden Sabino of Woodbridge is defended by Costa Mesa’s Lajay Flowers Thursday night. (Photos: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone).

Woodbridge High’s boys basketball team took control in the first quarter Thursday night and rolled to an 88-39 non-league victory over Costa Mesa at Costa Mesa.

The Warriors defense forced four turnovers in the first quarter which were converted into baskets and moved out to a 29-10 lead after the opening stanza.

“The kids came out and played hard, they played as a group, they played together,” said Woodbridge Coach Steve Scoggin. “That’s been our thing, the defensive end. Last week was a tough week playing the teams that we played. We needed to get back to Woodbridge basketball and tonight was a good night for that.”

Woodbridge (6-4) had a balanced scoring effort led by Jaiden Sabino, who had 28 points and four 3-pointers. JC Schindler had 22 points, Stephen Lamp 18 points and Jason Briggs 11 points.

To see additional photos, click on the first picture:

Costa Mesa players warm up before Thursday's game.

Woodbridge players including JC Schindler, Ezra Kima and Jason Briggs get congratulations from Coach Steve Scoggin during a timeout.

Costa Mesa (4-8) has played a tough schedule with non-league losses to Mater Dei, JSerra and Newport Harbor trying to prepare for the start of Orange Coast League play. The Mustangs were led by Garry Slone, who had 10 points and Kembe Howerton with nine points and Marcos Rosas, who had eight points.

Woodbridge caused plenty of problems for Costa Mesa early and moved out to a 51-22 lead at halftime and a 75-30 advantage after three quarters.

“We want to go up and down, our biggest thing is just getting deflections and getting hands on balls on the defensive end and being active and we got to finish on the run-out,” Scoggin said. “When we’re playing like that and we have four guys, five guys all going, we’re hard to guard and that’s how this team, since last year, has been. The scoring is all-around and it’s beautiful to watch.

“It’s the kids, they really, really like each other on and off the court and you can see it on the court, how close they are and how much they like each other and how much time they spend off the court and how much joy they have for one another.”

Schindler, the senior guard, the Warriors were hoping to get a win after losing to San Juan Hills in their final game of the Portola-Woodbridge Classic Saturday.

“I feel like it was a good team win, we needed this one coming off a loss, I feel like it gives us confidence and going into our Christmas tournament, I feel like it gets us back on the right track,” Schindler said. “We just wanted to keep our hands up on defense and play in the zone and we executed our game plan.

“We all played together and moved the ball so once everyone gets going, they can’t focus in on one player, so when we’re all hitting shots, it helps out.”

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