Rivalry week opens Bay League action on the hardwood

In a reserve role, Munch Winett inspired Mira Costa to a late surge to beat host West in the Bay League opener for both teams. Photo

In a reserve role, Munch Winett inspired Mira Costa to a late surge to beat host West in the Bay League opener for both teams. Photo

Holiday breaks are over, tournaments and non-league contests have been played, and local high school coaches have had ample time to assess their teams going into demanding Bay League competition this week.

Boys and girls basketball teams from Mira Costa and Redondo opened league play Tuesday and, in only the second of 10 Bay League contests, will go head-to-head on Friday in the first of two meetings between the respective teams.

Boys Basketball

After a strong finish in the highly-competitive 23rd Annual Under Armour Holiday Classic hosted by Torrey Pines High School, Mira Costa opened Bay League action at West.

The Mustangs (11-5) defeated the Warriors 54-47 behind Kevin Kim’s team-high 14 points. Justin Strings recorded 13 points and nine rebounds and Munch Winett added four points, four assists and three steals in a reserve role.

Coach Jeff Amaral’s Mustangs have moved from No. 10 to No. 4 in the Division 2AA rankings and host rival Redondo (No. 8, Div. 2A) Friday before Leuzinger, the second ranked team in Division 3AA, invades Fisher Gym on Tuesday. All league games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. starts.

Redondo began league play Tuesday at Peninsula (No. 8, Div. 2AA) and ended a six-game losing streak to the Panthers, beating the host team 61-38.

Ian Fox scored a game-high 27 points for Redondo (8-8, 1-0). Derek Biale and Jeremiah Headley scored eight points apiece. Cameron High, a transfer from St. Bernard who was cleared to play on Monday, scored five points and grabbed four rebounds in his debut.

After its showdown at Mira Costa, Coach Reggie Morris’ squad hosts West on Tuesday.

In a final tune-up before entering its demanding Bay League schedule, Redondo lost a tough battle 60-58 to Bishop Montgomery. The Knights are ranked No. 1 in Division 4AA.

The Sea Hawks were led by Fox, who scored 19 points, and Biale who posted 18 points.

Mira Costa’s Camille Mills scored a game-high 15 points against West. The Mustangs host rival Redondo Friday at 6 p.m. Photo

Mira Costa’s Camille Mills scored a game-high 15 points against West. The Mustangs host rival Redondo Friday at 6 p.m. Photo

Girls Basketball

Mira Costa opens Bay League action against two highly-ranked opponents. The Mustangs played at West (No. 3, Div. 2A) Tuesday and will host Redondo (No. 12, Div. 2A) Friday. All league games are slated for 6 p.m.

The Mustangs played defending league champion West tough, but fell to the Warriors 41-34. Mira Costa (8-8, 0-1) was led by Camille Mills who had a game-high 15 points. Keilani Ikehara added eight points for the Mustangs.

Mira Costa went 2-2 in the Santa Barbara Tournament of Champions during the holiday break. The Mustangs defeated Bellarmine-Jefferson 66-31 before losing to Ventura 68-60 and Oak Park 52-44. Mira Costa rebounded for 61-47 win over Harvard Westlake, the seventh ranked team in Division 4AA.

In a final tune-up before Bay League action, Coach Miranda Biteler’s Mustangs played two local non-league games. Mira Costa fell to Bishop Montgomery 56-37. The Knights are ranked No. 3 in Division 4AA.

On Saturday, the Mustangs doubled up on North 60-30. The Saxons are ranked No. 12 in Division 3AAA.

Like Mira Costa, Redondo had trouble with local power Bishop Montgomery, falling to the Knights 76-53 on Saturday.

The Sea Hawks were led by Taylor Smith, who scored a team-high 23 points, and Inara Nyingifa, who recorded 22 points, seven rebounds and three blocks.

During the holiday break, Redondo defeated Torrance 60-45 in the fifth-place game of the Edison Tournament behind Nyingifa’s 22-point, 10-rebound performance. Smith recorded 15 points and six rebounds and Micaela Enriquez added 12 points for the Sea Hawks.

Coach Marcelo Enriquez led his Sea Hawks (8-8, 0-1) into Bay League action Tuesday at Peninsula but fell to the Panthers 44-39. Nyingifa led the Sea Hawks with 15 points.

After Friday’s showdown with Mira Costa, Redondo will host Marlborough in a non-league contest Saturday at 6 p.m.

The Sea Hawks resume league play Tuesday with a home game against West.

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