She doesn’t stay down

SANTA ANA — Don’t try what Kassie Stratton did on the basketball court Tuesday night at home.

On the same day Stratton said her doctor ordered her to take the week off after suffering a mild concussion last week, she played for Estancia High.

Stratton said she felt dizzy at Calvary Chapel. By the time the third quarter rolled around, she said she felt like puking. Stratton returned in the fourth quarter not feeling the way she usually does.

The junior somehow managed to play how she normally does. Stratton put her team on her back, scoring 11 of her 28 points in the final quarter as Estancia won the Orange Coast League game, 49-44.

Estancia (12-11, 4-1 in league) avoided the upset. When her teammates struggled with their shot, Stratton delivered the big baskets late.

Winning felt great to Stratton, who finished with seven three-point plays. Playing with a mild concussion was a different story for Stratton.

“It actually kind of sucked,” said Stratton, who suffered the head injury in the first quarter of Estancia’s game against rival Costa Mesa Thursday. “It’s not that fun. I mean like coming back, it’s scary because I felt my neck crack and some girl kicked me in the head.”

Calvary Chapel kicked itself in the final minute.

With Estancia ahead, 44-41, everyone in the gym figured Stratton was getting the ball. Calvary Chapel forgot about her on a long inbound pass.

Brenda Soto found a wide-open Stratton near midcourt. Stratton raced toward the basket, converting a layup and getting fouled in the process.

What was a one-possession game turned into a six-point lead for Estancia after Stratton converted the free throw. With 36 seconds left, Calvary Chapel was on its way to dropping to 0-5 in league.

Estancia Coach Xavier Castellano breathed a sigh of relief.

“It’s league. Every game in league is tough,” said Castellano, whose team trails league leader Godinez, which is 4-0 in the OCL. “We found that out last year, when we didn’t come ready to play at Laguna Beach [and lost out on a chance to clinch a share of the program’s first league title since the 2002-03 season].

“We warned them [about Calvary Chapel]. Calvary’s a very good team. Their record might not show it, but they’re tough and they know how to play.”

If it weren’t for Stratton’s big scoring night, Calvary Chapel ends its losing skid at nine.

Calvary Chapel went ahead by five, its biggest lead of the game, with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. Stratton put Estancia back on top by nailing two three-pointers and a jumper during a 10-2 run to close the quarter.

Whenever Calvary Chapel center Christina Gooch pounded the boards on the offensive end to give teammates second-chance opportunities, Stratton answered.

Gooch, who scored 11 points and grabbed 19 rebounds, 10 on the offensive side, couldn’t catch the elusive Stratton.

Stratton wasn’t afraid to attack the interior. When there were no lanes to penetrate the zone defense, she pulled up for a three-pointer. Stratton made her fifth three-pointer midway through the fourth and Estancia never looked back.

“She didn’t practice Friday, Saturday or Monday, just to give her time to rest,” said Castellano, who asked his star if she was OK before the game.

Stratton said she was, even though her doctor said she wasn’t ready to play Tuesday.

“She needs to run to get the blooding flowing back to her head,” said Castellano, who the only thing he saw flow was Stratton’s shot.

Orange Coast League

Estancia 49, Calvary Chapel 44

SCORE BY QUARTERS

E – Stratton 28, B. Soto 10, Maldonado 7, Asher 2, Boldizar 2.

3-pt. goals – Stratton 4, Maldonado 1, B. Soto 1.

Fouled out – None.

Technicals – None.

CC – Gooch 11, Schuurmans 10, C. Desmond 9, Smith 6, N. Desmond 4, Verschueren 4.

3-pt. goals – C. Desmond 1.

Fouled out – Schuurmans.

Technicals – None.