It’s CIF basketball time in the South Bay. After a convincing win over Silverado, the Mira Costa Mustangs took on the Mark Keppel Aztecs on Tuesday, Feb. 24. A heavily favored Keppel went undefeated in the Almont League, looking to spoil any playoff run Costa had in mind. The two teams were neck and neck through the first half, but the Mustangs pulled away in the fourth quarter with a resounding 68-52 win.
The Aztecs’ starting five were short, but efficient. This efficiency continued in Tuesday’s game at Fisher Gymnasium. Excellent ball handling and an effective passing game stifled Costa’s big guys early. Weaving through defense, the Aztecs played fundamental basketball. However, the Mustangs began to adapt to the Aztecs’ old-fashioned style of play, fighting hard on the post to take a 27-26 lead at the half, behind 10 points from senior guard Dylan Kim.
The Mustangs galloped out of the gate into the second half, putting up two 20 point quarters. Costa head Coach Jeff Amaral gathered his players during a third quarter timeout and from then on, it was the Mustangs’ game. Costa’s senior forward Adam Griese caught fire, driving through a stout Aztec defense. The shift in momentum was complete after a monster block by junior forward Quenton Jackson. Despite 23 points and an impressive defensive performance from Keppel’s Bertram Kam, the Aztecs were smothered by an energized Costa offense.
Griese finished with 20 points and 15 rebounds, teaming up with Kim’s 18 points to lead the Mustangs to the CIF quarterfinals. Jackson put up 11 points and Jason Romero put up a couple of threes to contribute to Costa’s fourth-quarter barrage. Mira Costa is scheduled to take on Lawndale this Friday, with the winner advancing to semifinals.
– Jimmy Shaw, Connor Layden, and Mira Laing
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