Mesa nearly pulls upset

The Costa Mesa High boys basketball team flirted with a colossal

upset, before falling to visiting Ocean View, 56-52, in the Golden

West League opener for both teams Monday night.

Ocean View (12-3), ranked No. 4 in Orange County and No. 8 in CIF

Southern Section Division III-AA, held a tenuous 25-24 halftime lead,

which it extended to a 41-36 advantage at the end of three periods.

It was the first game in 16 days for the Seahawks, prohibitive

favorites to win the Golden West crown, and Coach Jim Harris said

that had a big effect on his squad.

“I was surprised that we lost our game legs during the layoff,”

Harris said. “We couldn’t shoot, or move. It was weird. But we had

enough to win.”

Freshman guard Brian Knox led Costa Mesa with a career-high 19

points, including half of the Mustangs’ four three-pointers. Senior

Danny Krikorian had 10 points and sophomore Jeff Waldron chipped in

10 for the hosts, who fell to 4-10.

Ocean View was paced by Casey Ortiz, whose 20 points included all

four of the Seahawks’ three-pointers.

Costa Mesa hosts Calvary Chapel Wednesday night in a nonleague

clash, before returning to league play Friday at Orange.