Mesa senior putting best foot forward

Tracy Bjelland is at full strength for Mustangs’ girls’ hoops team.Tracy Bjelland has always been a scorer, but this season she has proven she can rebound as well.

The Costa Mesa High senior has recovered from a severely sprained ankle that slowed her down during volleyball season. Bjelland injured her ankle when she landed on a teammate’s foot during an early season match.

“It’s the same ankle I had torn a ligament in my sophomore year,” said the Mustangs senior.

With Bjelland back to full health, the Mustangs girls’ basketball team has an opportunity to improve on last year’s 9-17 record.

“It’s fun to be back,” Bjelland said. “I feel all the hard work has paid off.”

Costa Mesa Coach Jim Weeks said he appreciates having a scorer with such a strong work ethic.

“She is a wonder to coach, she always plays hard,” Weeks said. “Tracy always gives 100% everyday.”

Bjelland has been the Mustangs’ leading scorer in the early part of the season. After averaging 8.7 points per game as junior, she has upped her average to 14.8 through the first five games of the season.

While Bjelland’s scoring is important, Weeks said he is pleased with her all-around game.

“She has improved in her ball handling,” Weeks said. “It’s great to have a fourth option to bring the ball up the court.”

Costa Mesa (2-3) finished fourth place at the Chino Hills tournament. The Mustangs opened their season with a 43-27 win over La Habra and a 65-28 blowout of Pomona Catholic.

“The wins have helped our self-esteem and given us more confidence,” Bjelland said. “The team is finally clicking.”

Bjelland said she can feel a difference between this year’s team over last year. The quartet of Bjelland, Bethany Vegara, Judie Akansel and Deanna Sanchez have combined to average 35 of the Mustangs’ 46.2 points per game so far.

“It helps that our seniors have played together for four years,” she said.

“We’re smarter as a team this year, we have all grown up a bit, and it also helps that we have a deeper bench that can rebound and defend,” Bjelland added.

Weeks echoed Bjelland’s confidence in the core rotation of players.

“We have seven good players that are doing the job,” Weeks said.