University’s Shooting Stars Bury Costa Mesa

It’s an offense normally found on the football field, but University High boys’ basketball Coach Mike Dinneen has modified the run-and-shoot for the hardwood.

As in: run down the floor, then shoot before you reach the three-point line.

The Trojans ran that offense to near-perfection Wednesday, scorching Costa Mesa with 16 three-point baskets en route to a 94-67 Pacific Coast League victory at University High.

University (15-8, 4-1 in league) avenged its only league loss this season, a 75-68 setback to the Mustangs (17-7, 3-3) on Jan. 12.

Jason Gary led the Trojan long-range attack, making five of nine from beyond the arc. Andy Lawrence was four of six on three-point attempts and Ryan Zinchefsky made four of eight for the Trojans, who were 16 for 31 (52%) from three-point range as a team.

University shot 34 for 63 (54%) overall compared to 24 of 61 (39%) by Costa Mesa, which was 7 of 24 (29%) on three-point attempts.

“We have some guys on this team that can shoot,” Dinneen said. “When we get on fire like that, we’re a hard team to beat.”

The 16 three-pointers are a season high for the Trojans, who had six players score in double figures.

Costa Mesa was within 28-26 midway through the second quarter, but University closed the half with a 21-6 run for a 49-32 halftime lead.

Zinchefsky then took over, scoring all of his game-high 20 points in the second half.