CdM debuts with win

WESTMINSTER — Two transfers stood next to each other on the court for the first time in a Corona del Mar High boys’ basketball game.

One guard came off the bench Monday and gave fans hope for the future, while the other started and reminded some of the successful past.

The path to CdM for Ramon Mejia is different than the one Clayton Ragsdale took before the season. Coach Ryan Schachter is glad to have both juniors.

Mejia and Ragsdale each finished with 12 points and six assists in the Sea Kings’ 72-53 victory against Aliso Niguel in the first pool-play game at the La Quinta Classic.

“High hopes, but cautiously optimistic,” Schachter said of how he felt about the team after the season opener. “We have some good talent, but it just depends on how they [mesh] together. We could be really good, or we could be really frustrating.”

The frustrating times came early Monday and the good times in the second half.

Mejia and Ragsdale played a part in both. The two combined for two points in the first eight minutes, a stretch in which Schachter said players tried to do too much individually, rather than work through the offense.

Things settled down for Mejia and Ragsdale in the next three quarters. Mejia had a reason to be nervous.

“My first game in California,” said Mejia, a transfer from Durfee High in Fall River, Mass.

The only reminder of the town an hour outside of Boston to Mejia was the chilly night Monday. The rain earlier in the day was fine.

Mejia was thrilled there was no snow to walk through to get to the bus in the parking lot.

Ragsdale has ridden on the Sea Kings’ bus before. He played at CdM as a freshman before transferring to Brea Olinda, where he played last season.

How Mejia finds himself at a new school and Ragsdale back at CdM is a different story.

“I had to move back here because of my dad’s work,” said Ragsdale, adding he’s glad to be back after helping the Sea Kings win a Pacific Coast League championship and advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF Southern Section Division III-A playoffs two seasons ago. “He has to be close to the airport because he’s constantly out of town [on business].”

Mejia said he flew into the area to vacation with his Godfather, who lives here. The move appears to be a good fit for Mejia, not only on the court, but also in the classroom.

“[I] came here to get better as a student,” Mejia said. “I wasn’t doing too good in Boston.

“I love it here. It’s more laid back.”

Things aren’t as calm on the court. That’s OK with Mejia because he likes the Sea Kings’ up-and-down style.

The Sea Kings annoyed Aliso Niguel (1-2) with pressure defense. Sometimes it started before the inbound pass or at midcourt.

Not having the 6-foot-5 Spitler twins, Daniel and Phillip, hurt the Wolverines. Coach Keith Barnett said the juniors were out sick.

The pressure led to the Wolverines turning the ball over in bunches. CdM capitalized by going on a 21-8 run in the third quarter. A three-point game at halftime turned into a 16-point lead in favor of CdM.

While Ragsdale scored five points in the third, Mejia displayed his vision and passing abilities.

On a drive to the basket, Mejia found a wide-open Spencer Haly underneath for an easy layup. During an inbound play on the baseline, Mejia hit Danny Cheek for an easy two points in the paint.

To close things out in the third, Mejia nailed a running jumper.

“He’s just got a lot of skill,” Schachter said. “He just fits right in with our guys, very unselfish.”

The movement of the ball resulted in four Sea Kings scoring in double figures.

Parker Stone led CdM with 13 points and Cheek contributed 12. Andrew McCormack came off the bench and energized the Sea Kings with eight points in the second half.

The effort impressed Schachter, whose team’s next pool-play game is against Fountain Valley on Wednesday.

It’s only the first game of the year, but the fourth-year coach is excited about the season. Whether the team is better than last season’s, which finished second in league and went one-and-out in the playoffs, remains to be seen.

“I hope [we’re better],” said Schachter, who likes his chances with a new face and an old one in the backcourt running the show.

La Quinta Classic

Pool-play

Corona del Mar 72, Aliso Niguel 53

SCORE BY QUARTERS

AN – Fisher 15, Yepiz 12, Delaney 8, Kilson 7, Yafee 4, Macaya 3, Goldstein 2, Gambina 2.

3-pt. goals – Yepiz 3, Macaya 1, Fisher 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

CdM – Stone 13, Ragsdale 12, Mejia 12, Cheek 12, McCormack 8, Heinecke 6, Quon 5, Haly 2, Fisher 2.

3-pt. goals – Stone 3, McCormack 1, Ragsdale 1, Quon 1, Mejia 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.