Vikings set 3-point record

The state record for three-point baskets in a prep basketball season now belongs to the Marina High boys’ basketball team.

The Vikings set the new standard for three-pointers in single season when they dropped 12 on Jan. 10 during a 72-67 Sunset League victory over visiting Esperanza.

The 12 baskets allowed Marina to run its season total to 308, which surpassed the old record of 303 set during the 2000-01 season by University High of Irvine.

When told last week that his program’s state record was in jeopardy, University Coach Mike Dinneen didn’t seem surprised.

“They’ll obliterate it,” he said. “I’ve seen them play this year, and they shoot a lot, and well, from the outside. The record was fun while it lasted. It’s still not bad to be ranked second in the state.”

And the Vikings continue to build on their state record.

By hitting seven more in a 97-75 loss Friday at Edison, Marina now has 315 three-pointers heading into a Wednesday game at Newport Harbor (the results weren’t available at press time). With six regular season games (following the Newport Harbor game) and then potential CIF games down the road remaining, the Vikings are within reach of the national three-point record of 382.

“It’s great,” Marina Coach Roger Holmes said after his team set the record on Jan. 10. “The kids have embraced it. We knew we were near the record, but it wasn’t a pressure-type of thing. We’ve openly talked about it. It’s a sweet accomplishment for the kids.”

Two Vikings — senior guard Mike Kinoshita and sophomore guard Garrett James — both claimed after the Esperanza game that they had “no idea” about the pursuit of a state record, yet each had a hand in Marina getting to that elite place.

“We had heard about it briefly, but that’s about it,” James said. “I really didn’t think much of it.”

“The first news I heard about the record was in our team room after the game, really,” Kinoshita said. “When I found out, it was awesome. We all yelled.”

Just before the halftime buzzer went off, Kinoshita netted a three-point basket that not only allowed Marina to take a 35-29 lead, but also tied the state record for treys at 303.

Marina officially took over the state record at the 5:04 mark of the third quarter when James nailed a wide open three-point shot.

For the game, the Vikings went 12 of 44 (27.3%) from behind the arc. They got off to a miserable start, missing their first seven three-point attempts, and fell behind Esperanza, 17-0.

Troy Lewis, who hit the first five three-point shots for Marina to jump-start the Vikings, hit one from well beyond the arc to bring Marina into a 21-21 tie. A short jumper from inside the key by Jimmy Irvin gave the Vikings their first lead of the ball game, 25-22, with 3:38 left in the half.

Marina finished seven for 22 behind the arc in the first half. In contrast, Esperanza really didn’t attempt a three-point shot, although a heave that missed from just inside of half-court at the halftime buzzer officially counted as an attempt.

A crucial and highlight-reel play for the Vikings came when James delivered a picture-perfect, behind-the-back pass to Kinoshita, who in turn nailed a three-point basket to put the Vikings up, 58-55, with a little more than four minutes to play.

The key sequence of the game, however, occurred with just over 30 seconds left. James came up with a steal that led to a three-point basket by Lewis, who was fouled on the shot. He sank the free-throw to complete a four-point play, which gave the Vikings a 71-67 lead with 27.4 seconds left.

Some of the Marina fans — led by a boisterous student section that knew prior to the game that the state record was in reach — rushed the court to congratulate the players at the final buzzer.

“It’s nice to get the record, but I haven’t really thought about it much,” said Lewis, who finished with 27 points. “I tried to block it all out and blocked out the crowd noise, too. They were great and got us pumped up.”

James’ outstanding performance also included 20 points and seven assists. Kinoshita finished with 13 points.