LAKE FOREST – Trabuco Hills kept its cool in a physical game that included technical fouls and knocked off El Toro, 56-46, in a South Coast League opener Friday at El Toro High.
Near the end of the game, a scuffle broke out after a loose ball, which resulted in the ejection of an El Toro player.
“If they (El Toro) are going to make a mistake and lose their head, that’s being selfish and costing the team,” Trabuco Hills coach Sean Sullens said. “We don’t have guys that are going to make those mistakes.”
The score was tied at 35 entering the fourth quarter. Trabuco junior Connor Haskell scored six consecutive points to put the Mustangs up early in the fourth.
The Mustangs (10-8, 1-0) scored 21 points in the quarter and made three 3-pointers that helped them seal the victory.
Going into the game, Trabuco Hills had a 1-6 record in contests where there was a four-point margin or less and four minutes remaining. Sullens used that statistic as a motivational tool for his team’s players in practice.
“That’s what we focused on, finishing the game,” Sullens said. “That was the best game plan we followed this year and we did a great job.”
Zack Mowers led the Mustangs with 22 points and four 3-pointers. The junior also had four rebounds and a steal.
“That’s what you get from a three-year varsity player,” Sullens said. “He had a bad slump earlier this year, but he comes to the gym early and stays late.”
El Toro (13-5, 0-1) had the edge in rebounds, 39-23. Chargers forward Levi Hazely had a game-high nine rebounds.
Sullens said the South Coast League is filled with big players who will be a challenge for the Mustangs this season.
“We have to be feisty and we have to be scrappy. Those two words embody this team,” Sellens said.
