Winter Sports Southern Section CIF playoff pairings post on Sunday, Feb. 10 for basketball and water polo; soccer playoffs on Monday, Feb. 11, all at www.cifss.org
Girls Basketball (17-3, 5-2)
Laguna 43, Estancia 37
A history-changing ball game was witnessed by local fans Thursday, Jan. 24 at Dugger Gym as the girls basketball squad outscored first place Estancia 17-8 in the fourth period to pull off the upset victory and in the process set a new school record for season wins in the 39 years of CIF sponsored play at Laguna. The 6-2 junior center Jane Wallin was the spark, scoring nine points in the final eight minutes to seal the victory over the Eagles (16-7, 6-1).
Laguna 62, Saddleback 29
Jackie Cenan’s scored 14 points , Alexandra Lewis added four three-point baskets, and Jane Wallin added 10 as Laguna continued to roll this past Tuesday, Jan. 29 at the Roadrunner Gym. Laguna led 27-0 after the first quarter in the victory over Saddleback (3-17, 1-6)
Boys Basketball (17-6, 6-0)
Laguna 52, Costa Mesa 51
Breakers kept the league season sweep alive by holding off an upset-minded Mustang squad on Wednesday, Jan. 23 at the Mesa gym. Laguna led wire-to-wire in the game opening 11-0 to eventually leading 17-5 after one period. For the rest of the game, the Mustang shooters were nearly unstoppable from outside the arc, hitting 11 three-point shots to pull within one with 17 seconds remaining in the game. Breakers blew two free throws with the Mustangs gaining their final possession. Solid Laguna defense kept Mesa in-check and the hosts were never able to launch a final shot. Laguna has now won 16 consecutive games over the Mustangs and lead the all-time series 48-21.
Laguna 63, Estancia 34
Cole Kesler scored 21 points to lead Laguna to the easy win at Dugger Gym on Friday, Jan. 25. Josh Adams added 12 and Noah Blanton 11 in the win over the Eagles (6-16, 2-4). Laguna trails in the all-time series 25-33 but has won 13 of 16 Orange Coast League contests with Estancia.
Boys Soccer (7-2-4, 2-2-2)
Laguna 2, Costa Mesa 2
Breakers and the fourth place Mustangs (3-4-3. 2-1-3) tied in a match played on Jan. 23 at Scott Field in Costa Mesa.
Laguna 3, Estancia 3
Estancia (8-5-4, 3-2-1) came back in the second half from a 3-0 deficit to tie Laguna in a match played last Friday, Jan 25 at Guyer Field. Breakers are in fifth place with four matches remaining and need at least two wins to get back in the playoff picture. Breakers must finish fourth to earn a wild card spot.
Girls Soccer (4-8-5, 1-3-3)
Laguna 1, Costa Mesa 0
Tessa Hopper scored as Laguna edged the Mustangs (3-13-0, 0-7-0) in a match played at Scott Field in Costa Mesa.
Laguna 1, Estancia 1
Katelyn Carballo’s header off a Sarah Hewlett free kick in the final minutes gave the Breakers a tie with the Eagles (2-0-5 in OCL play)
Laguna 2, Saddleback 2
Breakers rallied to tie the Roadrunners (9-4-4, 3-2-2) this past Tuesday, Jan 29 at Saddleback as Bill Rolfing’s squad continues to climb back into the playoff picture. Laguna needs at least two wins in their final three matches for a post-season spot.
Girls Water Polo (13-7, 3-0)
Laguna 23, Saddleback 1
Thirteen different Laguna players scored in another Orange Coast League romp. Makenzie Fischer led all players with five goals.
Newport Harbor 10, Laguna 4
Breakers were no match for the Tars (14-4) and were easily defeated last Friday at the local pool. Newport played a solid defensive game that has earned them the third-place ranking in Southern California.
Fischer again led the team with two goals and three steals.
Breakers are seeded seventh in the 32-team Southern California Championships this week at Irvine, the regular season’s final major tournament. Laguna opened play on Thursday facing Esperanza and if the seedings held would meet top-ranked Santa Barbara on Friday, Feb. 1 in the quarterfinal match.
The regular season concludes next week with Southern Section D-I playoff beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 13.
Photos by Robert Campbell
