Marcus Winters lifts Estancia boys’ basketball

The record will show that the Estancia High boys’ basketball team on Wednesday night rolled to a 36-point victory over Rancho Alamitos behind staunch high-pressure defense, superb shooting from beyond the arc, and double-digit performances from four players.

That’s not what those gathered in the Eagles’ gymnasium will remember. This was Marcus Winters’ night, and his basket to start the 69-33 rout is all that really mattered.

The sophomore with Down syndrome, who serves as Estancia’s team manager and who coach Xavier Castellano says is “the heart” of the program, was part of the starting five. Winters started alongside his older brother, senior Jackson Winters, and Marcus Winters’ 29 seconds on the court drew ecstatic cheers and more than a few tears.

All went to plan. Jake Covey won an uncontested tip-off, Jackson dribbled toward the net before feeding his brother the ball, and Marcus took his shots. The first three bounced around the rim before falling off, but the fourth went in, and the crowd went wild.

“It means the world to us,” said Jack Winters, Jackson and Marcus’ father. “Both of my sons are so close, and the opportunity [to do this], it’s hard to explain what this means to our family.”

“It was wonderful,” said Dana Winters, Jackson and Marcus’ mother.

Castellano had been thinking about giving Marcus his shot for some time, probably during his senior year, but here was an opportunity to honor both Winters brothers, and Rancho Alamitos coach Andrew Scimeca was on board.

“Just seeing the interaction between those two, the way they take care of each other, is just great,” Castellano said. “Sometimes as a coach, you get so involved in the X’s and O’s, but this is something I’ll never forget. I’ve been part of Estancia basketball since 1994, as a player [before becoming a coach], and that’s one of the best things I’ve been part of here.”

The Vaqueros (3-7) were given a free shot afterward to tie the score, then went ahead on a three-pointer, but it was all Estancia (8-3) the rest of the way. The Eagles made 10 three-pointers — top scorer Cameron Jones (16 points) made all four of his attempts — as they extended their lead to 21 points by halftime, 32 by the end of the third quarter and as many as 41 near the finish.

Covey scored 14 points, Alex Hendricks scored 13, and Mason Richards added 12. Jackson Winters matched his brother’s two points.

Marcus had been practicing his shooting motion in his bedroom and was ready when he got the ball.

“This is good, and I like it,” said Marcus, a special education student. “And the team won.”

Said Jackson Winters: “Since he has Down syndrome, he can’t usually do all the stuff that everybody else can, and I think it means a lot to be a part of the school and what we do. Marcus brings us all together. Everybody loves him. On campus, everybody knows him. He’s everybody’s friend.”

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Estancia 69, Rancho Alamitos 33

SCORE BY QUARTERS

Rancho Alamitos 11 – 3 – 10 – 9 — 33

Estancia 18 – 17 – 21 – 13 — 69

RA – Faletoi 12, T. Nguyen 5, Ibarra 4, Valenzuela 3, Zepeda 3, Bard 2, Munguia 2, Calderon 2.

3-pt. goals – Faletoi 2, T. Nguyen 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

E – Jones 16, Covey 14, Hendricks 13, Richards 12, Harry 4, Hall 3, Sullivan 3, M. Winters 2, J. Winters 2.

3-pt. goals – Jones 4, Hendricks 2, Richards 2, Hall 1, Sullivan 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.