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San Juan Hills boys basketball overwhelms Tesoro with big effort by Mason Hodges

January 18, 2025

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO — This was supposed to be a big night for the San Juan Hills boys basketball team. The Stallions had feasted on Dana Hills and Trabuco Hills in South Coast League play, but the rivalry game with Tesoro represented a step up.

A significant challenge. A measuring stick.

It was a whitewash.

Led by Mason Hodges with 25 points and Adam Aziz with 16, San Juan Hills scored a big win, all right, a 67-25 victory over the Titans.

It was going to be a tall order from the outset for Tesoro (15-8, 1-2). The Titans were without their big man, Randy Wandje, who sprained an ankle three minutes into a loss to San Clemente. Wandje, who would have drawn the task of defending 6-foot-7 Hodges, could be back next week, or it could be a few weeks. But his absence from the lineup Friday was noteworthy because Hodges had his way.

San Juan Hills (16-7, 4-0), ranked No. 9 in Orange County, had a size advantage, an experience advantage, a manpower advantage, and a homecourt advantage. And it compounded the Tesoro’s troubles exponentially.

The Stallions scored the first 13 points. They scored 18 unanswered points in the second quarter. They held Tesoro scoreless for almost eight minutes in the second half.

“We played pretty well, and we were really strong early,” Stallions coach Jason Efstathiou said. “We got in a flow and a good rhythm. Tesoro’s a good team and they’re well-coached, but a lot of shots didn’t fall for them that could have really made a difference.

“I was happy with our energy. Being active is a key part of this team. We never want to settle for the first open shot, we want to move the ball.”

In the early going, the ball moved to Hodges or Aziz. During the 13-0 burst to begin the game, Hodges drilled two 3-pointers as part of his 8-point effort, and Aziz scored five. Cameron Goltara added four.

Tesoro hit four consecutive shots in the final two minutes, including a pair of 3-pointers, to pull to within 14-10 before Goltara’s 3-pointer at the buzzer made it 17-10.

Hodges dominated the inside in the early going of the second quarter, scoring six of San Juan’s first eight points to make it 26-12. Then Aziz hit back-to-back 3-pointers and Hodges added one from the top of the key in a span of 69 seconds. The lead was 35-12 and the rout was officially underway.

Other than the last two minutes of the first quarter, when Tesoro 10 points and the first two minutes of the third when they scored 7 – both outbursts buoyed by two 3-pointers – the Titans had nothing to show but effort.

The lead was 53-21 going into the fourth quarter.

Hodges is considered the best big man in the South Coast League and Aziz the best point guard, and it mattered. The game was particularly a showcase performance for Hodges.

“I think he’s amazing,” Efstathiou said. “I wouldn’t want to go to battle with anyone else.”

Selected as a team captain for three years, Hodges has on offer to walk on at UC Irvine and has two Division II scholarship offers. Everyone is obviously hoping something else comes along as well, otherwise someone is going to get a steal.

“He’s a gem,” Efstathiou said, which is an appropriate description since one of the D2 schools is Colorado School of Mines.

Hodges showed spin moves inside, a couple of dazzling passes for assists, and knocked down three 3-point baskets. “I’ve worked hard on that part of my game,” he said. “I’ve been knocking them down pretty consistently this year.” He had 18 at halftime, 25 after three quarters, and sat out the fourth quarter. He’s averaging 24 points per game, 12.1 rebounds.

“Everyone played together,” Hodges said. “We’re a family, it’s definitely not an individual thing. I know I have a great supporting cast, guys I can trust to pick up the slack if I have an off night or I’m not in the right head space.”

His head was right on Friday, and his shot was right on target. And right now, San Juan Hills is right on schedule to face down San Clemente for control of the South Coast League on Wednesday on the Stallions home court. Of course, it should be righteous.

Orange County Register

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San Juan Hills boys basketball overwhelms Tesoro with big effort by Mason Hodges

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