TOC should provide big test

After a rough preseason, Laguna appears to be coming together at just the right time.

The Breakers topped Calvary Chapel, 56-39, on Wednesday night at home to improve to 2-0 in Orange Coast League play.

“I felt like we kind of had a change of attitude after the Irvine game [a 47-16 loss on Jan. 4],” Coach Bret Fleming said. “It was a humbling loss. We focused on working hard and having the enthusiasm for what we’re doing. The kids have practiced hard and turned the corner a little bit. [The game] against Calvary was probably our best performance of the year so far.”

Senior Adam Selevan led Laguna Beach (6-11) with 22 points, including four three-pointers, and Fleming praised his offensive and defensive efforts. Freshman Jake Dalke added 11 points, Derek Reigel had 10, and fellow sophomore Tyler Masukawa added seven.

In their league opener, the Breakers got past Costa Mesa, 57-47, on Jan. 8. Dalke led the way with a career-high 18 points.

“He played real well,” Fleming said. “He’s kind of learning stuff on the fly and doing a lot of growing.”

The defending league-champion Breakers have a bye tonight and won’t return to action until they play at Estancia on Wednesday night. Estancia lost to Calvary Chapel to open league, so Laguna is currently in sole possession of first place after two games. Godinez (1-0 in league) is a half-game behind.

“I think Calvary and Estancia are the favorites and probably have the most talent,” Fleming said. “So that was big for us to beat Calvary. I think [the league champion] is going to be who stays healthy and finds a way to win the close ones.”

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GIRLS’ BASKETBALL

Similar to their male counterparts, the Breakers girls are improving. They showed it Tuesday night against Calvary Chapel, posting a 59-29 win.

Junior Emily Writer had her usual strong game with 27 points for the Breakers (5-13, 1-1 in league). But it was contributions from teammates such as junior Sam Garner (12 points and nine blocked shots), freshman Lola Cowie (11 points) and senior Grace Komoroczy (six points) that helped the Breakers win going away.

“They’ve developed confidence in themselves and Emily has developed confidence in them,” Coach Jon Hendrickson said. “I think the girls are starting to believe they’re a pretty good team. [Tuesday] was a pretty good demonstration.”

Laguna lost to Costa Mesa, 63-55, to open league Jan. 7. But even that result was a big improvement from when the Mustangs ran over the Breakers, 68-36, at the Corona del Mar Tournament in early December. Writer had 26 points in the league opener before fouling out. Garner had 13 and sophomore Holly Battle added six.

Hendrickson said he considers Estancia, Godinez and Costa Mesa the top teams in the league, but his team can also compete.

“All three of those teams are neck-and-neck,” he said. “But I think the [Breakers] girls are gaining confidence as the games go on.”

Laguna had a bye Thursday and is back to league play at Estancia on Tuesday night.

Writer is averaging 22.4 points per game for the Breakers, fourth in the county.