The MiraCosta men's basketball team hosted the Miramar Jets in a critically important game for both teams. In a back and forth match the Spartans had the last word, winning 66-63. With the win, MiraCosta improves to 10-5 in conference play, which puts them in second place in the Pacific Coast Athletic Conference standings.
With both teams fighting for second place in conference and a spot in the CCCAA state playoffs, it is no surprise that this was a competitive game. The score was close for 40 minutes with neither team leading by more than nine points. At halftime MiraCosta led 32-27. In the second half, Patrick McLachlan made back to back three point shots to help the Spartans to a 47-39 lead. Freshman center Nigel Wilson made his presence felt for the whole 40 minutes. A thunderous dunk paired with his agression rebounding clearly signaled to onlookers that his improvement and confidence on the court are increasing rapidly.
With under 10 minutes to go in the game, Miramar hit a flurrry of three point shots and took the lead 51-47. The Spartans answered right away with a Carter Plousha three point shot and then two big baskets by Julian Williams. With five minutes remaining the Spartans took the lead back, 56-55.
Strong play calling by Coach Ryan Frazer set his team up for a a couple easy baskets which sparked another Spartan run, increasing the lead to 61-57. For the remaining minutes both teams exchanged free throw opportunities and the Spartans made just enough to finish the game with a 66-63 win. Leading scorers for the Spartans were McLachlan with 15, Williams with 13, and Plousha with 12. Wilson, Devynn Wakefield, Lamont Couch Jr., Jayden Winfrey and Jordan Campbell combined for 26 points and all found positive ways to impact the game in a positive way.
MiraCosta will finish conference play on Wednesday at Mesa College at 5PM.