By Katie von Behren
Staff Writer
Following a successful season, the Mira Costa varsity girls basketball team advanced into the CIF playoffs. The girls lost in the second round of CIF 52-47 to Bonita High School on Wednesday, Feb. 20. The Mustangs finished the season with a 19-10 overall record
The girls began the season with a few losses. The Mustangs first win was 44-34 in a non-league game against South Torrance High School during the Inglewood Tournament. In that tournament the girls also beat Centennial High School 54-46 to finish the first non-league tournament of the season.
“We got off to a rough start but we found our footing ,” coach Miranda Biteler said. “It is definitely a season to be proud of.”
The Mustangs continued to prepare in preseason games as they won their first home game 63-57, facing South Torrance for the second time. The girls then went on to beat rival Redondo Union High School 59-57 in a close league game at Costa, starting a five game consecutive winning streak for the Mustangs.
“I’m sad to see the season end especially for all the seniors, but I’m proud of how we played throughout the year,” sophomore point guard Keilani Ikehara said. “I think we all grew individually, as a team and as a family which helped our performance on the court.”
The Mustangs continued to show their improvement as they beat other teams including Leuzinger, Peninsula, Marlborough and Palos Verdes High School in four consecutive games. After the girls’ 41-28 victory over Palos Verdes, the Mustangs faced West Torrance High School at home and lost 58-55 in a close game.
“I feel that overall we played very well this season and even though we lost some games we always went out with full energy,” junior center Shannon Savino said. “Our team played strong in each game and we have improved so much.”
As the regular season came to an end, the girls had another winning streak. The Mustangs beat the Redondo Seahawks 66-48 for the second time this season and then had another win of 65-20 over Leuzinger. In the next two games at Costa, the girls played Peninsula and Palos Verdes. The Mustangs won both games.
“I’m very proud of my team and how far we have come this year, tying for first in Bay league is a huge accomplishment for girls basketball,” junior forward Claudia Fellows said. “Our ability to execute plays improved with every game and I am so fortunate that I got to be a part of this amazing team, bonding with each of my teammates, becoming sisters on and off the court.”
In the first round of CIF, the girls beat San Gabriel High School at home and then advanced into the second round where they faced Bonita High School. Junior guard Shaylyn Austin led Costa with 16 points throughout the game and junior guard Camille Mills scored 14 points. The Mustangs lost the lead to the Bearcats ending the tema’s season, 52-47.
“We truly played great against Bonita and went out with a lot of energy but simply came up short,” Mills said. “This season was great because everyone put in all of their effort and we really worked as one on the court and to have a run in CIF is amazing no matter how it ends.”
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