Costa’s basketball team begins title defense with win
Mira Costa’s boys basketball team opened its season with a resounding 73-47 victory over Banning Monday, the Mustang’s first step in defending its title in the Pacific Shores Tournament.
Mira Costa center Thomas Johnson grabbed 12 rebounds and scored nine points against Banning as the Mustangs attempt to defend their Pacific Shores Tournament title. File photo
Elliott Ozer led Mira Costa’s offense scoring 20 points, followed by Cooper Pugnale with 13, Karl Acres with 11 and center Thomas Johnson who tallied nine points while gathering 12 rebounds for the Mustangs.
Coach Henry Myar’s squad played Culver City Wednesday and will host Torrance Thursday at 7:30 p.m. in the final game of pool play. Torrance defeated Culver City 60-56 in the first round of Pool A action. Competing in Pool B are Brentwood, Lawndale, Narbonne and Palos Verdes.
Playoffs begin Saturday at 3 p.m. at Mira Costa with the championship game scheduled to tip off at 7:30 p.m.
Redondo could not hold onto a 25-21 halftime lead, losing its season opener to Mayfair 60-47. The Monsoons went on a 17-4 run in the final 5 ? minutes to run away from the Sea Hawks.
Jacquise Bates scored a team-high 14 points, including three of Redondo’s eight trifectas. Martyre Demarco added 10 points and five rebounds while David McMillan scored eight points including two three-pointers, Chris Fernandez scored seven points and Derek Biale was successful on two three-point attempts.
In a consolation game Tuesday, Redondo was outscored by Gardena 25-7 in the third quarter and lost 72-56. Biale scored 21 points and gathered six rebounds and Demarco had 17 points and seven assists for the Sea Hawks.
The girls from Mira Costa and Redondo also began their basketball seasons competing in the Inglewood City of Champions.
Mira Costa defeated Chadwick 47-31 Tuesday after enjoying a 72-23 romp over L.A. Poly in its season opener. Kylie Nakamine scored 15 points and had seven steals, Ashley Reese added 10 points and seven rebounds and Jenna Stephanoff had eight points for the Mustangs.
In Mira Costa’s win over Poly, Joelle Herron led the Mustangs with 22 points and Stephanoff added nine points and 10 rebounds.
Competing in the Elite bracket, Redondo played Chatsworth Wednesday. The Sea Hawks lost to Bellarmine-Jefferson 56-34 in the opening round. Michelle Lowery scored a team-high 13 points, Rachel Scarlett had nine points and Annie Park added nine points for the Sea Hawks. ER