Boys basketball defeated by Harvard-Westlake in close overtime game

By Ian Rapoport
Staff Writer

With time running out and the game on the line, the Mira Costa boys basketball team forced overtime against Harvard-Westlake, but were unable to win. The boys lost 80-77, making Dec. 15 the end of their run in the El Segundo/ Palos Verdes Tournament.

Costa advanced to the finals of the tournament and lost to Harvard-Westlake in the championship game.

“It was a highly competitive and fun game to be a part of,” coach Jeff Amaral said. “It was one of the games where you are absolutely dying to win it.”

Senior point guard Cole Feaster led the team with 18 points and seven assists. Senior guard Kevin Kim and center Ryan Kaseff along with junior forward Justin Strings who scored 16 points. Kaseff also had 10 rebounds in the game.

“Ryan really performed well throughout,” junior center John Mical Watson said. “He stepped up and showed his potential as a defender in a huge way.”

Costa started off strong in the first quarter and went into the second quarter with a lead of 20-16.
“We came in full force for the beginning of the game,” sophomore center Gavin Reagan said. “Toward halftime, Harvard-Westlake really started to give their best and things became really tense.”

Harvard-Westlake came back in the second quarter and was leading 39-36 at the half. By the end of the third quarter, Harvard-Westlake had extended its lead to seven points, leading Costa 59-52. The Mustangs battled back in the fourth quarter to tie the score at 71-71, but after missing a potentially game-winning shot, the game went into overtime.

“Harvard-Westlake came back in the third and the really brought everything at overtime,” Reagan said.

Strings led the Mustangs in scoring in overtime, scoring all six of the team’s points. Harvard-Westlake was able to get a rally started and win 80-77.

“When the game tied, we were still feeling confident we could win,” Amaral said. “We were able to get some nice plays, but they just made a few extra points to put them over the top.”

Although the Mustangs lost in the championship match, the team’s overall record during the tournament was 3-1, as they beat Tocaz High School, St. Monica High School and Lawndale High School.

“We played very well during the tournament,” Amaral said. “In the end, we lost to a well respected and strong team. We really gave it our all by pushing into overtime.”

The Mustangs are now approaching regular season, which begins in January. The team trained hard during the offseason and has started the season with just three losses. The boys hope to bring their preseason success into Bay League.
The Mustangs’ next match is today at home against Pacifica High School of Grove Garden at 7 p.m. in Fisher Gym.

“I think now we are realizing our true potential,” Watson said. “As the season goes on we will be right where we need to be.”