Lance emerges as go-to guy for Sea Kings

athleteofweek-ryanlanceThe Corona del Mar senior has become a consistent and deadly weapon in the team’s offense this season.The evolution of Ryan Lance into one of the main offensive threats on the Corona del Mar High boys’ basketball team was a steady one.

Lance, a 6-foot shooting guard/small forward, went from being a role player his sophomore year to being one of the Sea Kings’ secondary scorers on last year’s team.

Now in his senior year, Lance (14.2 points per game) has emerged, along with 6-foot-7 forward Stefan Kaluz (14.1 points per game), as a go-to guy in Coach Ryan Curry’s offense.

“He’s settling into being a go-to guy,” Curry said. “He hasn’t always wanted to be, but it’s just now starting to grow on him.”

Lance had 24 points in Corona del Mar’s Pacific Coast League opening 71-65 win over University on Wednesday. He came back on Friday and scored 20 points, including the tying free throw and the game-winning three-pointer, in CdM’s 66-63 win over Santa Ana Calvary Chapel.

Against University, Lance scored 11 in the fourth quarter when the Sea Kings came storming back for the victory. He scored 12 of his points against Calvary Chapel in the fourth quarter.

“He’s definitely a clutch performer,” Curry said.

In the Calvary Chapel game, the score was tied, 63-63, with 11 seconds left in the fourth quarter when Lance and point guard Eric Rask had a short conversation.

“Eric asked me if I wanted the ball. I said yes and he gave it to me with about seven seconds left,” Lance said. “The defense got confused or something and stood back. I just took two dribbles and shot, and I hit it with two seconds left. It was an awesome feeling. I’ve never had that feeling before.”

Curry said he has the feeling that whenever Lance is contributing to the team’s offense the way he can, the Sea Kings have a good chance to win.

“When he’s involved in the offense, good things are going to happen,” Curry said.

Lance said he is starting to like the idea of being relied upon to knock down big shots for his team.

“It’s great to know my teammates have confidence in me with the game on the line,” Lance said. “I guess you just have to have confidence in what you can do.”

His success late in games has added to his confidence and his teammates are looking for him.

“Last year, we had Brett [Hirata], who scored a lot. This year, it’s me and Stefan with Eric Rask and Matt Doran doing a good job distributing the ball,” Lance said. “They are giving me the ball with good opportunities to score.”

Lance has put together a stellar season so far despite the fact that he’s coming off two shoulder surgeries last summer. He said he hasn’t had any shoulder issues on the basketball court.

“I missed baseball season last year, and I’m not sure about this year, but my shoulders don’t hurt me when I play basketball,” he said.

That’s good news for the Sea Kings, because a big part of the offensive load has been placed on those shoulders.

The Ryan Lance File

Hometown: Newport Beach

Height: 6-feet

Weight: 185

Sport: Basketball

Position: Shooting guard/Small forward

Coach: Ryan Curry

Favorite food: Tacos

Favorite movie: “Wedding Crashers.”

Favorite athletic moment: “My sophomore year when we won CIF in baseball, but making the game-winning basket against Calvary Chapel was pretty cool too.”

Week in review: Lance had 24 points in Corona del Mar’s Pacific Coast League opening 71-65 win over University on Wednesday. He came back Friday and scored 20 points, including the tying free throw and the game-winning three-pointer, in the Sea Kings’ 66-63 win over Santa Ana Calvary Chapel.20060113Q61MTDR5No Caption20060113it0dtzncDON LEACH / DAILY PILOT(LA)