Estancia takes over city

COSTA MESA — Before the biggest game of the season, Jenny Boldizar received the news that she wasn’t going to start.

She did nothing wrong to lose her job in the Estancia High basketball team’s home game against rival Costa Mesa on Thursday. Coach Xavier Castellano pulled her aside and explained why.

“You know, Jenny, I’m going to start Erika [Soto]. It’s her senior year and last [Mesa game at home],” Castellano told Boldizar.

“OK, coach,” Boldizar responded. “That’s fine. Don’t worry.”

Boldizar allowed Castellano to calm down, which was hard to do after he lost star Kassie Stratton in the opening quarter.

Boldizar didn’t start the crucial Orange Coast League game, but she clearly finished off Costa Mesa. The guard nailed a career-high six three-pointers and finished with 22 points in the Eagles’ 53-38 victory in the small gym.

There was nothing small about the win.

Estancia (11-11, 3-1 in league) moves into sole possession of second place in league after blowing past the Mustangs (12-10, 2-2). The two programs entered Thursday tied for second, but after the first round of the Battle for the Bell, it’s clear the Eagles are the superior team.

They played without their leading scorer after Stratton exited the game with 2:11 left in the first quarter. Stratton collided with Marilyn Armstrong after Armstrong stole the ball and tied the game at 9-9 with a layup.

That was the last time Costa Mesa was in the game. Boldizar picked up the scoring slack in the first half, hitting three three-pointers as the Eagles went into halftime ahead, 28-20.

In the locker room, Castellano didn’t dwell too much on losing Stratton to a possible mild concussion. He didn’t even refer to her by name when he addressed the team.

“No. 14 is probably not going to play,” Castellano told his players what to expect in the second half.

Boldizar understood the message. The second-year coach wanted someone to step up.

Boldizar rose to the occasion as did the rest of the Eagles. The defense forced seven turnovers and held Costa Mesa scoreless in the third quarter.

For the second straight quarter, Boldizar hit two three-pointers. She was so hot her mother, Nancy, began shaking in the crowd.

It was her daughter’s three, which helped the Eagles enter the final eight minutes with a 42-20 lead. Castellano credits Boldizar’s career night to a sign on the wall, giving her instructions.

“Keep your butt down,” Castellano said the sign reads. “That’s what we tell her. When she keeps her butt down and bends her knees, she hits the [three-point] shot. When she keeps her knees straight, it doesn’t go in.

“Her mom is happy, right Mrs. Boldizar?”

Nancy still couldn’t believe her daughter’s night.

“My heart’s still pounding,” said Nancy, whose daughter offered some advice.

“She needs to calm down,” Boldizar said. “I needed to step up. Kassie was out. She was bummed about it, but it was my night.”

Boldizar showed it’s not how you start, but how you finish.

Orange Coast League

Estancia 53, Costa Mesa 38

SCORE BY QUARTERS

CM – Scheidt 20, Hunt 8, Mino 3, Armstrong 2, Sturm 2, Gordon 2, Castro 1.

3-pt. goals – Scheidt 1, Mino 1.

E – Boldizar 22, Asher 12, Maldonado 7, B. Soto 5, E. Soto 3, Stratton 2, Flores 2.

3-pt. goals – Boldizar 6, Maldonado 1.