CdM takes first step with Curry

Tony Altobelli

NEWPORT BEACH - The training wheels are off and the Corona del Mar

High boys basketball team took its first wobbly ride into traffic Friday

at the George Yardley Summer Cage Classic.

The Sea Kings, under new coach Ryan Curry, took some positive steps

forward, despite the 66-39 loss to Katella in the opening round, played

at Ensign Junior High.

“We’re still at a disadvantage because of me,” Curry said. “I’m still

trying to catch up for some lost time with these guys. We’re getting

better.”

Junior Kevin Mancillas led the Sea Kings with 16 points, while Brett

Matsen chipped in seven.

“We’ve got some guys who can shoot the ball, which is nice to see,”

Curry said. “Now we have to establish a low-post game. That will not only

allow us easier baskets, but it will also free up our shooters better.

That job is still up in the air.”

Katella was led by Keith Smith’s 18 points, including four

three-pointers. Chris Alva had 11 points, while Robert Alvarez added

nine.

Mancillas was 3 for 3 from beyond the arc in the first quarter as the

Sea Kings hung tough, trailing by only three.

But it was the second and third quarters where the Sea Kings took

their lumps. They were outscored, 31-9, in that period.

“Teams are already zoning us and we haven’t spent much time working

our zone offense,” Curry said. “That’s where we are behind other teams in

terms of progress.”

CdM managed to end the game with a nice 15-point fourth quarter.

Matsen had seven of his nine points in the final eight minutes, while

Luis Najar chipped in four.

Curry joined the Sea Kings June 7 after he replaced longtime skipper

Paul Orris, who resigned Feb. 26 after 15 seasons at CdM.

“So far, it’s been wonderful,” Curry said. “The players have been

great and they’ve adjusted well to everything that’s been going on. The

teachers and parents have all stopped by to introduce themselves to me

and I’m very appreciative of that.”

CdM will take on Estancia today at 11:30 at Newport Harbor High in the

loser’s bracket.

GEORGE YARDLEY SUMMER CAGE CLASSIC

First round

Katella 66, Corona del Mar 39

Corona del Mar 15 6 3 15 - 39

Katella 18 16 15 17 - 66 Corona del Mar - Mancillas 16, Matsen 7, Najar 6, Wald 3, Northridge

3, Jones 2, Glass 2, Hidebrandt 0, Luce 0, Fox 0.

3-pt. goals - Mancillas 4, Najar 1, Northridge 1, Matsen 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.

Katella - Smith 18, Alva 11, Alvarez 9, Clement 6, Williams 6, Ruiz 6,

Parker 5, Weldon 2, Arira 2, Tucker 1.

3-pt. goals - Smith 4, Clement 2, Alva 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.