Boys basketball: Uni shoots down Mesa

Joseph Boo

IRVINE - The way University High’s boys basketball team shot on

Wednesday, it was enough to make Costa Mesa’s Mustangs throw their arms

in the air in exasperation.

The referees also threw up their arms, one to signify a three-point shot

and another when it went in. They did that 16 times for Uni, and that

symbolized the Trojans’ 94-67 victory over the visiting Mustangs in a

Pacific Coast League game.

The Trojans, 15-8, 4-1 in league, whose only league loss this season was

to Mesa, now moves 1 1/2 games ahead of Corona del Mar for first place in

the PCL. The Mustangs (17-7, 3-3) fall to third place, a half game behind

CdM.

The Trojans’ performance on Wednesday was amazing on all accounts.

Besides the 16-for-29 three-point shooting, Uni shot 54% from the floor.

Even Uni Coach Mike Dinneen, whose team averages 74 points and 10

three-point field goals a game, was taken aback.

“We were on fire tonight,” he said. “I think that was the most threes

we’ve ever made.”

Costa Mesa also came out firing, hitting its first three shots and

scoring 21 points in the first quarter. Mesa’s Ryan Naff, who was a

problem for Uni in the first game, scored 11 points in the first quarter,

hitting three three-pointers.

Unfortunately for the Mustangs, the Trojans scored 26 points in the same

span. Uni marksman Andy Lawrence hit three three-pointers in the quarter.

“We cannot beat Uni trying to match them shot for shot,” Costa Mesa Coach

Bob Serven said. “Our boys learned that tonight.”

While Mesa cooled off in the second quarter, Uni stayed hot. This time,

Jason Gavey was the Uni player nailing three three-pointers in a quarter.

And just when it seemed Uni couldn’t be any better, it shot 9-for-13 from

the floor, 4-of-6 in threes, for a 75-48 lead.

Naff was the only Mesa player in double-digit scoring. He had 19. On the

other side, six Uni players reached double digits. Mesa shot 37% from the

floor, and could not keep up with the Trojans.

“They were shooting the lights out of the building,” Serven said. “And we

were taking shots too quickly.”

In the first game, a 75-68 Mesa win, the Mustangs exposed Uni’s weakness.

An aggressive zone defense will hurt the Trojans.

“We didn’t do a good job of getting in the gap and attacking the press

last time (a 75-68 Mesa win),” Dinneen said. “This time, we got guys wide

open. They did a nice job attacking.”

Now, the Mustangs are scrambling for answers.

“We have to make adjustments before next week,” Serven said. “We still

have two games left.”

Nate Jones, Mike Payne and Steve Whittaker each scored eight for the

Mustangs. Payne, who scored six points at then end of the game, also had

seven rebounds and two blocked shots. Shaun Ferryman tied Payne for the

team lead with seven rebounds.

Ryan Zinchefsky, who Mesa shut out in the first half, hit four threes and

scored 18 points in the second half. He was the Trojans’ leading scorer.

Gavey’s five three-pointer was Uni’s high.PACIFIC COAST LEAGUE

University 94, Costa Mesa 67

Score by Quarters

Costa Mesa 21 11 16 13 - 67 University 26 23 26 19 - 94

Costa Mesa - Naff 19, Jones 8, Ferryman 6, Weir 5, Hatsushi 3, Payne 8,

Whittaker 8, Conte 7, Knox 0, Krikorian 3, Hurley 0, Abedrabo 0.

3-pt. goals - Naff 3, Whittaker 1, Weir 1, Krikorian 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.

University - Zinchefsky 18, Gavey 17, Elsherbiay 15, Lawrence 12, Dale

10, Christoph 10, Tran 5, Newsome 0, Feistel 2, Ebadolahi 3, Haghighi 2.

3-pt. goals - Gavey 5, Lawrence 4, Zinchefsky 4, Christoph 2, Ebadolahi

1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.