Classic Win Could Have Costa Turning a Corner

Getting great play from their one-two punch and improvement from their young guards, the Mira Costa High Mustangs earned a significant victory on Monday in the first round of the 17th annual Sea Hawk Beach Classic.

Trailing Anaheim Servite by as many as nine points in the second quarter, Mira Costa found its composure, established its game plan and went on to a 72-63 victory that is their most promising of the young season.

Senior forward Elliott Ozer scored 26 points and grabbed 12 rebounds, while Thomas Johnson had 20 points, 16 rebounds and five blocks to lead Mira Costa, which improved to 5-5.

Less important, but still vital to the Mustangs' future hopes, sophomore guard Cole Feaster and junior guard Cooper Pugnale picked up their games after a shaky start, combining for 16 points and a half-dozen assists.    

"It's a pretty big win for us," Ozer said. "We've had some tough losses, but tonight we overcame a tough situation when we slowed it down and executed our game plan against a pretty good team."    

The victory puts the Mustangs in the second round on Tuesday against Bishop Montgomery, which looked like it will be an even tougher test after its rout of Beverly Hills.   

"It's early, but this was our best win so far," Coach Henry Myar said. "We were really struggling against their pressure defense (10 first-quarter turnovers).  Then we started to slow it down and take better care of the ball. That made the difference."    

For Feaster, the game was a breakthrough of sorts.    

"It's definitely a big win for the team and a nice game for the guards," he said. "We were out of control early against their pressure, but we settled down. They kept coming at me. It seemed like they had four different guys pressuring me at different times. But we made the adjustment."   

Once they did, the talent and maturity of the 6-foot-3 Ozer and 6-6 Johnson began to wear down Servite, which fell to 5-6 despite 22 points by sophomore point guard Xavier Velasco.   

The dynamic duo combined for the team's first 18 points, but Servite still led, 27-18. Then Feaster scored on a layup, Karl Acres came up with a steal and basket and Johnson scored on a layup to make it 27-24.

A three-point play by Feaster tied the score at 27. Mira Costa took a 34-32 halftime lead when Pugnale banked in a 55-foot 3-point shot at the buzzer.   

Still, the Mustangs did not immediately seize control in the second half. A three-point play by Madison Hayden, who had 16 points, put Servite ahead 47-42 halfway through the third quarter.   

At that point, however, Mira Costa seemed to truly take control.

A jumper by Ozer, a basket by forward Tom Farrell and a three-point play by Ozer made it 50-50.   

Farrell scored two more times, both off nice passes from Feaster, to put Mira Costa ahead, 54-50. Despite a basket by 6-5 junior Sam Hunt at the buzzer, Mira Costa kept right on going to open the fourth quarter.   

A 3-point shot by Pugnale put Mira Costa up, 57-52, then Ozer scored on a drive and Feaster hit a 3-point shot to put Mira Costa up, 62-52.  

In the final minutes, Johnson scored on his second dunk of the game and came up with his fifth block. Ozer added six points to keep the Mustangs safely ahead.

"This is definitely a good win for us," Johnson said. "We took control against a good team. They were more of a running team. We did what we do best against them."