La Mirada season back on track with win over King Drew
La Mirada’s Isiah Kalaj (2) takes a shot through San Juan Hills defenders in the CIF division 2A Championship boys basketball game at La Mirada High School last Friday. San Juan Hills defeated La Mirada 59-49. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
LA MIRADA – It was disappointment and elation all in the stretch of four days for the La Mirada High School Boys Basketball team.
The Matadores (19-14), who were on a major roll near the end of the season with 11 consecutive wins, fell to San Juan Hills, 59-49, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 2A Championship game on Friday February 25.
Four days later, they saw themselves in a CIF State first-round game at King/Drew of Los Angeles, Tuesday March 1.
The young No. 10 Seed La Mirada team found a way to battle back from the title-game loss and defeat No. 7 Seed King/Drew, 65-60, and advance to a second-round game at No. 2 Seed Los Altos on Thursday, March 3. (Results not available at press time).
The team that was 7-13 on January 18, started the 11-0 run in the Suburban League, sweeping seven games, including two wins over rival Mayfair. The next four were in the 2A playoffs over Beckman, No.2-ranked Edison, No. 3 Tesoro and No. 6 Calabasas.
“The second time we beat Mayfair, 40-38 and that was the springboard getting us in the playoffs,” La Mirada first-year coach Randy Oronoz said. “Our record was 7-13 and those losses weren’t bad,” Oronoz said. “Seven games in our 20-game stretch, we only had seven guys.
“The thing I’ve been telling everyone is we played one of the toughest (schedules) I’ve ever been around. We knew we weren’t our record. Once league began, it was the first time the whole team was together.”
On that team there are four freshmen that play big minutes.
La Mirada’s Athan Sierra (13) shoots over a leaping San Juan Hills defender in the CIF division 2A Championship boys basketball game at La Mirada High School last Friday. San Juan Hills defeated La Mirada 59-49. (Photo by Keith Durflinger)
“The 11 guys that we have can help us anytime,” said Oronoz.
In the title game against San Juan Hills in La Mirada’s remodeled new gym before a packed house, the Matadores battled toe-to-toe and had a first-quarter lead, 14-6, and trailed at the half by a point, 27-26.
Senior Isiah Kalaj led with five points in the first quarter along with five points from junior Athan Sierra.
Suburban league MVP Julien Gomez had five points in the second quarter for the Matadores.
The third quarter hurt la Mirada, as they only scored five points and San Juan Hills had 16 for the 43-31 lead. Two 12-0 San Juan runs set La Mirada back on its heels in the game.
John McFadden led the Stallions with a game-high 25 points, while Sierra and Gomez had 13 and 11 points, respectively for La Mirada.
With the loss, the Matadores knew there was a tomorrow and an invite to the state tournament.
“Our practice at noon after the title game was a testament to the ability to rebound and get ready for state playoffs,” Oronoz said.
After the title game, Gomez spoke of his fellow freshmen and their run to the finals.
“Our team, the La Mirada Matadores, we play hard and are a pretty good team and made it real far in CIF, but unfortunately we couldn’t pull it out,” Gomez said. “This guy right here, Sean Cervantes, he’s our point guard and without him we wouldn’t be here. We have Jarrett Cole, Chris Perez and Morgan Smith. Us four are freshmen and we are just a gritty team that plays defense.”
Oronoz spoke of Cole and Cervantes – “Cole is a freshman and has been phenomenal as well,” Oronoz said. “He’s a guard and defender. We’re deep and can replace anyone on the bench.
“If we don’t have Sean, we don’t go far. He’s been the best point guard on the court for the last 11 games. Without Sean, we’re a below-.500 team. He’s fast and the smartest guy on the court.”
Behind that defense is assistant coach, David Martinez. “My assistant coach David Martinez gets the guys going on defense and he’s a guru on films,” Oronoz added.
Cervantes added to Gomez’ comments about the La Mirada run in the playoffs and the title game. “I think we defended pretty well, holding (San Juan Hills) under their usual 70 points,” Cervantes said. “I think we came out excited to play and we were ready for the moment, but late in the game we started going downhill.”
Cervantes turned his attention to the state playoffs and the upcoming game against King/Drew. “Making it deep in the playoffs, I think we have potential. Right now, we’re at our best like we did all season.”
The first game of the CIF State playoffs was at King/Drew and the team rose up to the moment and had a big fourth quarter to pull the game out.
“What a ride so far,” said La Mirada Athletic Director Christine Mead, after the round one victory over King/Drew. “Our boys are working so hard. I love the fact that they never give up. We were down by 10 going into the fourth quarter against King/Drew, but they boys never stopped working and it paid off with a 65-60 victory.
“Their fight and determination are amazing to watch. It is a team effort and the boys work so well together on the court. Randy’s coaching has a lot to do with their success as well. He has the boys focused and keeps them calm when things get chaotic on the court. His passion for the game is seen in his coaching and how the boys conduct themselves on the court. They are so fun to watch. I am excited to see what this team has for us the rest of this year and in the future. La Mirada basketball has a bright future.”
The game started out as even as could be with the Matadores hold a slim 16-15 first-quarter lead. By halftime, the Eagles had a 19-point second quarter and La Mirada only could manage nine points.
King/Drew led, 34-25 at the half.
Cole, Cervantes and Kalaj all had six points at the break.
With the Matadores down by 10, 54-44, heading into the fourth quarter, Gomez took over, scoring 12 points, including a 3-pointer in the final quarter. Kalaj did the damage in the third quarter with 10 points. He ended up with 20 points, while Gomez and Cervantes scored 15 and 13 points, respectively.
One person that keeps Oronoz grounded with her support and game-time rituals is his fiancé, Desiree. “She has her own routine,” Oronoz concluded.