GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Costa Mesa Starters Let Loose, Trounce Laguna Beach, 73-7

In another example of the haves and have-nots in the Pacific Coast League, Costa Mesa High School--one of two league powers along with Estancia--added another feather to its collection Thursday night, routing visiting Laguna Beach, 73-7.

The Mustangs (11-5, 2-0 in league), the eighth-ranked team in the county, set team records for the largest margin of victory (66 points) and the least amount of points allowed in a game. They had the game won by the 4-minute 30-second mark of the first quarter when forward Rachel Ward, who finished with 11 points, scored Costa Mesa’s eighth point on a jump shot.

Costa Mesa Coach Jim Weeks benched all five starters with the Mustangs ahead, 18-2, entering the second quarter. But even the Costa Mesa reserves were too much for the Artists (2-9, 0-2). Costa Mesa led, 28-4, at the half and, 56-6, after the third quarter. Weeks opened the third quarter with his starting quintet because he wants them ready for a nonleague game on Saturday against Palos Verdes, the Southern Section’s top-rated Division III team.

“I like my starting team to start each half,” Weeks said. “I’m trying to keep them playing hard.”

Guard Olivia DiCamilli scored 17 points in 1 1/2 quarters for the Mustangs, who have won six of their past seven games.