MiraCosta Wins Two in a Row

After playing three top ranked teams to open their season, the MiraCosta men's basketball team secured their first win of the season in a dramatic fashion, defeating a talented Mt. San Jacinto squad 80-77 on the road. The tightly contested game came down to the final minutes, as MiraCosta held off a late surge from the Eagles to improve their record to 1-3.

The Spartans were led by Benji Hilstock, who contributed 16 points on 5-for-11 shooting, including three critical three-pointers. Terrion Woodward added 15 points, going a perfect 6-for-6 from the free-throw line, and dished out five assists to orchestrate the offense.

Forward Ramel Bethea dominated the glass with 12 rebounds, pairing his efforts with eight points. MiraCosta's depth proved crucial, with Mason Bowers and Jaiden Greene combining for 17 points off the bench.

Mt. San Jacinto leaned on Elijah Edwards and Gary Dotson, who scored 19 and 17 points respectively, but their efforts were not enough to overcome MiraCosta's balanced attack. The Spartans out-rebounded the Eagles 42-31 and maintained composure in the closing moments despite a technical foul by Jaiden Greene.

The victory provides momentum as MiraCosta embarks on a challenging early schedule.

Riding the high of their first win, the MiraCosta Spartans delivered a dominant performance against Irvine Valley, securing a 66-53 victory on the road. With this win, the Spartans improve to 2-3 on the season, showcasing their resilience after a tough start to the year.

MiraCosta's defense was the story of the night, holding Irvine Valley to just 37% shooting from the field. The Spartans' big men controlled the paint, with Terrion Woodward posting a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds.

Offensively, MiraCosta was paced by Benji Hilstock's 17 points and Ramel Bethea's all-around contributions of 13 points and eight rebounds. The bench also made a significant impact, as Naby Diaw chipped in 13 points, including two clutch three-pointers.

The Spartans capitalized on second-chance opportunities and free throws, converting 20 of 30 attempts from the line. Their dominance on the boards, with a 45-31 rebounding advantage, sealed the game against an Irvine Valley squad that struggled to find consistent scoring.

After battling through one of the toughest schedules in the state, MiraCosta now looks ahead with newfound confidence, ready to build on their success.