Nicole Fischer/ La Vista
By Zane Franklin
Sports Editor
Minutes from closing out the game, the Mira Costa boys basketball team was taken by surprise by the explosive Leuzinger offense. Despite a diligent effort from the Mustangs, the Leuzinger Olympians defeated Costa.
The game took place at Leuzinger on Jan. 17. The Mustangs maintained a strong lead but were hurt by Leuzinger three-pointers late in the fourth quarter. The Mustangs were unable to hit a three-pointer to tie the game and send it into overtime, ending the match at 70-66.
“The first half was good but in the second we weren’t all there,” senior point guard Cole Feaster said. “We need to work on our defense.”
Sophomore forward Justin Strings led the Mustangs with 22 points and Feaster followed with 16. Senior guard Max Watson added 12 points and grabbed multiple steals.
“I thought we played great throughout most of the game,” head coach Jeff Amaral said. “Towards the end of the game, Leuzinger came up and their pressure just overwhelmed us.”
The Mustangs, now with an overall record of 14-5 for the season and 1-2 in Bay League, will host Peninsula High School today at home in the Fisher Gym for another Bay League game.
“We’re taking this game only as a positive,” Amaral said. “I feel really good looking forward and right now our focus is on Peninsula on Friday.”
Costa had an explosive start to the first quarter after a quick three-pointer by Watson. In the final play of the quarter, Watson grabbed a steal and pitched it to junior point guard Cole Feaster, who assisted sophomore forward Justin Strings for a layup. Strings drove to the paint and ended the first at a score of 19-11.
“Even though it was a tough loss, I still think it was a really good effort by everyone on the team,” Watson said.
Leuzinger started to come back in the beginning of the second, but quick bucket by senior center Keith Waddell stopped the Olympians’ momentum. Senior forward Karl Acres assisted Watson for a pivotal layup to give Mira Costa confidence and a 34-26 lead going into the half.
“I think we crumbled under the pressure but we started strong,” Acres said.
Costa’s lead started to dwindle in the beginning of the third, but senior guard Cooper Pugnale grabbed a rebound in traffic and put it in for a basket. Strings got fired up after hitting a three assisted by Acres. Strings hit two free throws and the quarter ended with a 54-43 Costa lead.
“We almost had it but turnovers hurt us,” Pugnale said. “But Justin Strings had a great game.”
The fourth quarter started off slow, but Leuzinger started to climb back into the game. Strings managed to break the Olympians’ post defense and drain a basket, momentarily stalling Leuzinger’s momentum.
Costa was hurt by a run of Leuzinger three-pointers which gave the Olympians the lead at 63-62. Costa was unable to make a stop Leuzinger and extended its lead to 67-62. Feaster hit a jumper and junior guard Oliver Mausner made two free throws to put Costa within three points of a tie, but Costa could not pull off the comeback and lost 70-66.
“It hurts; I really thought we were going to win this one,” Watson said. “We’ll do well in the future and we’re going to beat these guys the next time we see them.”
