Costa boys takes third in Hilltop Classic basketball tournament
Cole Feaster and the Mira Costa Mustangs are making the most of tournament and non-league games in preparation for the Bay League season that begins Jan. 10. Photo
Under the leadership of first-year head coach Jeff Amaral, Mira Costa’s boys basketball team is off to an impressive start taking third place in the Hilltop Classic tournament at Palos Verdes.
The Mustangs went 3-1 in the prestigious tournament, losing only to eventual champion Harvard-Westlake 86-59. Harvard-Westlake defeated a tough Lawndale team 65-63 on Saturday to win the championship.
Mira Costa rebounded from its opening-round loss and defeated Abbotsford Collegiate (British Columbia) 63-43. Cooper Pugnale scored 14 points, Cole Feaster tallied 13 points and Max Watson and Oliver Mausner each scored nine points.
The Mustangs advanced with a 63-50 win over South Torrance sparked by Keith Waddell’s 16-point, seven-rebound performance. Pugnale recorded 14 points and seven rebounds, Feaster added 10 points and Kevin Kim had eight points in the win.
In the third-place game, Mira Costa routed Venice 72-42. Mausner scored a team-high 14 points, including four 3-pointers, to lead the Mustangs. Feaster added 12 points and six assists, Kim recorded nine points and Justin Strings had eight points and eight rebounds in the win.
Mira Costa is ranked No. 12 in the CIF Southern Section Division 2A poll behind Bay League foes Peninsula (No. 9) and Leuzinger (No. 10). The Mustangs are spending their first week of winter break playing in the Palm Springs Winter Classic tournament.
Pugnale recorded 27 points, seven rebounds and three steals to lead Mira Costa to a 68-62 win over Legacy (Nev.) on Tuesday. Strings added 10 points and seven rebounds and Kim had 10 points and three steals.
The Mustangs advance to play host Palm Springs which routed Patriot 64-19 in its opener.
Derek Biale plays a key role for Redondo in its bid to win the Lahainaluna Invitational in Maui, HI
Sea Hawks in Paradise
Coach Tom Maier’s Redondo squad is ranked No. 13 in Division 2AA and is competing in the 18-team Lahainaluna Invitational in Maui this week.
The Sea Hawks opened pool play Monday with a 40-36 win over Mount Si (Wash.) behind Derek Biale’s 21-point performance. On Tuesday, Redondo throttled San Pedro 65-36 with Biale leading the team in scoring with 20 points. Brian Frew added 18 points and David Passmore recorded eight points and 10 rebounds.
Redondo concludes play in the Mauka Division Wednesday when the Sea Hawks face Oaks Christian.
Redondo returns home to host the Sea Hawk Classic tournament Tuesday through Friday.
First-round match ups on Tuesday include Price-View Park (10 a.m.), Washington Prep-Canyon Springs (11:30 a.m.), West Ranch-Diamond Ranch (1 p.m.), Crespi-Newbury Park (2:30 p.m.), Palmdale-Narbonne (4 p.m.), Bullard-North Torrance (5:30 p.m.), Millikan-Bishop (7 p.m.) and San Bernardino-Redondo (8:30 p.m.).
The championship game is slated for 8:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 30. For more information, visit www.redondounion.org.