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Segerstrom Coach Rex Gonzales before last week’s non-league road game. (PHOTO: Tim Burt, OC SportsZone).
Segerstrom High School’s boys basketball team captured a 56-52 non-league victory over Saddleback Monday night, earning high marks from first-year head coach Rex Gonzales.
Ethan Pech and Gello Ramirez each had 11 points to lead the Jaguars. Aaron Escalera added a career high 10 points for Segerstrom.
“Tonight’s game was a 100 percent team win,” said Gonzales. “We played with a lot of energy. Guys were going for loose balls, taking charges, doing the little things to win games. Everyone that played contributed in some way. First quarter, we started out slow. The score was 4-4.
“Our back-up point guard Aaron Escalera gave us a big boost, hitting two three’s to start the second quarter. That led us an 18-point quarter. Aaron’s number was called and he was ready.”
Saddleback made a run to start the third quarter but Segerstrom responded. Ramirez hit two big 3-pointers in the third quarter and was also 5-of-6 from the free throw line in the fourth quarter.
Segerstrom (2-6) finished the game strong scoring 21 points.
Christopher Trotter scored 23 points to lead Saddleback (3-5).
Gonzales said he’s excited about leading the program.
The Jaguars will be competing in a new league which also includes Kennedy, Ocean View, Katella and Garden Grove.
Gonzales is in his fourth year at Segerstrom, previously serving as an assistant coach before being named head coach.
“I’m just trying to build the culture,” he said last week. “Wins and losses are going to come, I understand that, but building a culture, building a family atmosphere is what I want to do.”
Gonzales’ mentor is Tustin Coach Ringo Bossenmeyer, who he played for at Tustin. He’s asked his advice on coaching a number of times. Gonzales is from Tustin’s class of 2004.
“He said, ‘work on what’s important to you. Wins and losses are going to come. You will lose more than you win, I guarantee you,’” he said.
Gonzales is looking for solid efforts from his team.
“We can’t make every shot or make every free throw, but working hard anybody can do that, you just have to want it,” Gonzales said.
—Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
