CdM maintains reign

LAGUNA HILLS — Around the time Coach Ryan Schachter arrived at Corona del Mar High, he knew his players were ready for their first test on Wednesday, school finals.

But before he settled in, Schachter received a text message just past 8 a.m. One of his star players, Joe Eberhard, alerted him to some bad news.

It was the kind of news to Schachter that could hinder the boys’ basketball team’s last exam of the day, a Pacific Coast League showdown at Laguna Hills, a chance to clinch at least a share of the league title.

“Joe’s got a 103-degree fever, and just [his] throat’s really bad. He’s just not feeling well,” Schachter said of the message. “I was definitely worried.”

With good reason as Eberhard carried the Sea Kings, scoring 35 points in the first meeting against the team they shared the league title with last year.

Once Laguna Hills Coach Joe Brick saw the senior small forward nowhere in the Hawks’ gym, he didn’t breathe a sigh of relief.

“You take one away,” he said. “It’s not going to flatten them.”

He was right. The Sea Kings showcased their depth, with center Stefan Kaluz leading the way with 20 points and 10 rebounds in a 59-37 victory that earned them the outright league crown.

The Sea Kings (18-6, 6-0 in league) made sure this title was theirs. Second-place Irvine (3-3 in league) lost Wednesday night to Beckman, allowing CdM to claim the championship with two league games left in the regular season before the playoffs.

The Sea Kings didn’t celebrate after beating Laguna Hills (7-18, 2-4). Their goal is to repeat as CIF Southern Section Division III-A champs.

Still, Kaluz did his best to pick up the offense with Eberhard out. He scored 13 of his team’s 21 points in the first quarter. He stayed cool throughout, unlike last year’s visit at Laguna Hills, where he picked up two technical fouls and was ejected, which was a reason CdM did not have sole possession of league supremacy as the Hawks won, 64-63.

“I didn’t want to have a repeat of last year,” Kaluz said. “I think I’ve learned from that [game last year]. We wanted to win this straight up. It was hard because we rely on Joe a lot.”

With Eberhard out, the Sea Kings lost their best shooter, and a solid defender, rebounder and distributor. The bench made up for some of Eberhard’s game.

Guard Joey Jones attacked the basket a couple of times, helping him finish with seven points. Forward Steven Gallian grabbed crucial rebounds whenever Kaluz rested on the bench. Guard Kevin Rask played solid defense, a big reason why CdM built a 31-17 lead at halftime.

Laguna Hills managed to score two points in the second quarter, a disastrous eight minutes in which it missed 13 shots and committed five turnovers. The Hawks were down a couple of players. Brick said starting point guard Ricky Martinez was out with a knee injury and shooting guard Ryan Arbues with tonsillitis.

“We’re not really deep to begin with,” he said.

The Sea Kings took advantage of Laguna Hills’ weakness in the fourth quarter. Point guard Erik Rask breezed past defenders, showcasing a clinic of sorts of how to break a trap. The senior scored nine of his 13 points in the last quarter, dashing the Hawks’ hopes of derailing the No. 4-ranked Sea Kings opportunity to wrap up league.

“It sucks to play without him,” said Rask of Eberhard, whom he expects to be back for Friday’s league game at home against Irvine and Saturday’s nonleague game against Gahr at the Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei. “[It] just means more guys have to step up. We have so many guys [that can play].”

Pacific Coast League

Corona del Mar 59, Laguna Hills 37

SCORE BY QUARTERS

CdM – Kaluz 20, E. Rask 13, Jones 7, Donovan 6, Ragsdale 5, Brakeville 4, K. Rask 2, Gallian 2.

3-pt. goals – Jones 1, Kaluz 1, Ragsdale 1, E. Rask 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

LH – Sargeant 8, Cymerint 7, Young 6, Pfingst 6, Roper 6, Salinas 2, Tucker 2.

3-pt. goals – Cymerint 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

DAVID CARRILLO PEÑALOZA may be reached at (714) 966-4612 or at [email protected].