Boys basketball: Eagles suffer setback

HUNTINGTON BEACH - The Estancia High boys basketball team suffered

more than a nonleague loss Saturday night as senior captain and scoring

leader Eliasar Maldonado was ejected at Huntington Beach High.

The ejection will render him ineligible for Wednesday’s Pacific Coast

League opener against crosstown rival Estancia.

Maldonado was thrown out immediately by one official, with whom the

guard made contact as the player’s momentum carried him past the

completion of a play near the official in the closing minutes of a 59-48

loss, according to Estancia Coach Chris Sorce.

Sorce acknowledged contact was made, but said Maldonado stumbled away

from the play before colliding with the referee.

CIF Southern Section rules require any player or coach ejected to sit

out the next game.

The play typified a frustrating finish for the Eagles (5-9), who

overcame a 26-21 halftime deficit with a 9-0 run to start the third

quarter.

Estancia took a 36-34 lead into the final quarter, but the Oilers

(8-7), who topped the Eagles, 67-51, in a Dec. 20 tournament clash,

rallied.

Huntington hit 10 of 11 foul shots down the stretch, outscoring

Estancia, 14-4, the final 2:45.

Junior Micah Young led the Eagles with 22 points, while Maldonado

finished with 10. Freddy Rodriguez added nine points for the Eagles.