Boys basketball: Eagles fall at buzzer

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - In January, it’s called a heartbreaking

buzzer-beater. In July, it’s called a valuable learning experience.

That’s what Estancia High boys basketball coach Chris Sorce called

Friday’s 69-68 loss to Rancho Verde in the first round of the George

Yardley Summer Cage Classic, played at Ensign Junior High.

Rancho Verde guard Roger Nogueira drained a long three-pointer at the

buzzer to pull out the victory for the Mustangs, spoiling a solid effort

from the Eagles.

“Better now than in January or February, right?” Sorce said. “You’ve

got to tip your hat to the Rancho Verde kid. He hit a 26-footer at the

buzzer with a hand in his face. Not much you can do about that.”

Despite losing senior standout Micah Young late in the first quarter

with a twisted left ankle, the Eagles put together a solid team effort,

led by senior Fernando Maldonado, who had 16 points. Jorge Prado added 11

points, while Jermaine Young and Joey Lindquist each chipped in 10.

“I was very proud of how the other guys stepped up and contributed,”

Sorce said. “It was an admirable effort. Rancho Verde put a tough trap on

us and we were able to break it, which was nice to see. It’s good to play

tough teams like that.”

Estancia led 68-64 with 59 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter,

thanks to some strong Maldonado’s strong play on both sides of the floor.

He sparked a 7-0 run with a clutch basket, a key steal and a nice assist

to Matt Cachola (eight points).

“He’s really worked hard this summer on both ends of the court,” Sorce

said. “He’s really come a long way and we’re going to look to him more

for offensive support.”

Two successful Rancho Verde free throws cut the lead to two with 38

seconds left, but Estancia missed the front end of a one-and-one

free-throw opportunity, giving the Mustangs one final chance.

After a Mustangs’ timeout with nine seconds remaining, Nogueira fired

up a long-range bomb from well beyond the three-point arc. The ball went

through the net just as the buzzer went off.

Anthony Winston led the Mustangs with 23 points, while Ian Knight

added 12.

Sorce was also pleased with the effort from Lindquist, a 6-foot-4

junior. “He’s come a million miles in terms of his development,” Sorce

said. “If we can get him and Micah working hard down low, that will free

up some things in the perimeter. He can be a double-double type of player

if he keeps working hard.”

With the loss, Estancia will take on Corona del Mar today at 11:30

a.m. at Newport Harbor High.

GEORGE YARDLEY SUMMER CAGE CLASSIC

First round

Rancho Verde 69, Estancia 68

Estancia 17 18 20 13 - 68

Rancho Verde 14 20 15 20 - 69

Estancia - Maldonado 16, Prado 11, J. Young 10, Lindquist 10, Cachola

8, Novak 7, M. Young 6, T. Young 0, Valdez 0.

3-pt. goals - Prado 2, Novak 1, Maldonado 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.

Rancho Verde - Winston 23, Knight 12, Brown 10, Singfield 7, Nogueira

6, Tillman 5, Sims 2, Pittman 2, Goodwin 2.

3-pt. goals - Knight 2, Nogueira 2, Singfield 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.