Win doesn’t cramp Mustangs

COSTA MESA — One of Costa Mesa High senior Moses Titus’ legs cramped up. Chasing around a legit shooter all over the court for the first 21 1/2 minutes caused it to more than once.

But having to watch Laguna Beach’s Cheyne Martin smile every time he scored hurt Titus even more.

Titus figured the only way to take that grin off Martin’s face was to return and score. He did, keeping up with the gunslinger and finding a way to transform that smile to a frown.

Titus made the biggest shot Friday night, as his fifth three-pointer with 2:16 left proved to be the game-winner and lifted the Mustangs to a 59-58 boys’ basketball victory in an Orange Coast League opener.

When teammates tried to mob the guard after both teams failed to score after his three-pointer, he couldn’t stand up. The other leg, his right, cramped up. Titus struggled talking, too.

“He’s kind of tough to guard,” said a grimacing Titus of Martin, who finished with a game-high 31 points, one point above his season average. “Coach told us he’s going to make it, so it doesn’t matter, just don’t get frustrated.”

Holding his cool is something Titus does well, and it allowed Costa Mesa (12-6) to prevail. Not only did Titus see Martin smirk throughout, Titus also said Martin taunted him.

“That’s what fired me up,” said Titus, who went eight-for-13 shooting. “He would just yell out [stuff], like he’s a good player.”

Martin could get away with the talk, with nothing lacking from his stellar game. Laguna Beach (15-4) allowed the 6-foot-1 senior guard to do whatever he wanted. So he toyed with Titus, and whatever double team he saw.

Already getting torched by Martin for 29 points through three quarters, Costa Mesa made the defensive switch. Seeing Titus unable to stay with Martin because of cramps, Coach Jeff McDaniel called on 6-4 Larry Puente to take over the assignment.

Titus returned in the fourth after missing the final 2:30 in the third, where the trainer worked on his cramp, massaging it, doing whatever to allow Titus to recover.

When it appeared Titus did, he found himself 2 1/2 minutes later back again behind Costa Mesa’s bench, on his back and in pain.

“I kept forcing him to come back in because we needed him,” McDaniel said. “He’s gutsy.”

With Titus out, Martin went to the line. He hit two free throws to give Laguna Beach a 55-53 lead, but that would be the last of Martin, who made 11 of 22 shots.

Puente stopped his former club-team buddy, using his three-inch height advantage and long arms to deny Martin a field goal in the fourth, the only quarter he didn’t hit a shot. Still, the Breakers increased the lead to four points, and then Puente decided to get involved offensively.

“I try to play every aspect of the game,” said Puente, who finished with 14 points, eight rebounds, seven assists, seven steals and three blocks.

Seeing Titus wobble back in, Puente threw up a three-pointer. He swished it, cutting the deficit to 57-56 with 3:02 to play. One free throw later by Laguna Beach, and the lead went back to two, setting things up for Titus.

Titus dribbled behind the three-point line, and stepped back a couple of steps before burying the game-winner.

“I knew coming into the game that [Titus] could shoot,” Martin said. “That’s probably the best team [in league] right there.”

Orange Coast League

Costa Mesa 59,

Laguna Beach 58

Score by Quarters

Laguna

20

18

13

7

—

58

Costa Mesa

14

19

20

6

—

59

Laguna -- Martin 31, Lawler 11, Delino 8, Hairston 4, Pickett 2, Monroe 2.

3-pt. goals -- Martin 3, Delino 1.

Fouled out -- Lawler.

Technicals -- Martin.

Costa Mesa -- Titus 21, Duong 14, Puente 14, Nguyen 6, Molina 4.

3-pt. goals -- Titus 5, Nguyen 2, Duong 2, Molina 1, Puente 1.

Fouled out -- Duong.