RANCHO SANTA MARGARITA -- The Santa Margarita boys basketball team continued its hot start to the season with a convincing 68-49 win over Sage Creek of Carlsbad Friday at Santa Margarita High.
Santa Margarita (5-0), which is No. 1 this week in the Orange County Top 25, overwhelmed Sage Creek (4-4) with its size and defense. The Eagles had 40 rebounds compared to 21 for Sage Creek and held the Bobcats to 25 percent shooting from 3-point range.
Brayden Kyman led the Eagles with 20 points and 10 rebounds. Crean Lutheran transfer Kaiden Bailey also had 20 points and led the defense with three steals.
It was the second game this season that the Eagles had multiple players score 20 points.
"We are fortunate that we have some guys that are going to be able to score like that," Santa Margarita coach Justin Bell said. "For us, we are just learning each other, learning how to sacrifice and knowing that it could be someone else in different games."
Santa Margarita has won each of its games by at least 16 points this season and has three wins with a margin of victory over 25 points.
The goal for the Eagles in these early games is to work in their new players and build chemistry with the returners.
Junior guard Rodney Westmoreland is a high-profile transfer from Dougherty Valley High in San Ramon who is new to the lineup. Bailey was named first team All-Orange County last season at Crean Lutheran and has been a welcome addition to Santa Margarita's lineup.
"He's such a great scorer," Kyman said of Bailey. "Having him molding with our team and just building the chemistry since he got here in September, it's been a process. I think we are in a good spot and just need to continue to get better so by the time league comes, we are firing on all cylinders."
Santa Margarita led 40-23 at halftime and forced nine turnovers.
Sage Creek forward Elijah Stephens scored 11 of his 18 points in the third quarter to keep Sage Creek in the game. Stephens is 6-foot-7 and was able to hang with Santa Margarita's big men.
"He's a really good player," Bell said of Stephens. "It's very important for us to get looks against guys like that against players that are Trinity League-caliber players."
Dallas Washington had a good game for the Eagles with nine points, five rebounds and four assists. The Eagles shot 48 percent from 3-point range with Kyman making a team-high four 3s and Bailey making three.
The schedule gets tougher for Santa Margarita before it begins Trinity League play. Santa Margarita plays in the De La Salle Tournament next weekend and plays in The Classic at Damien after Christmas.
"We just want to make sure we keep getting better everyday," Bell said. "Continue to focus on the group in the locker room and move forward one game at a time."
Prior to the game, Santa Margarita honored former coach Jerry DeBusk who passed away on Nov. 20. DeBusk led Santa Margarita to five CIF-SS championships and two CIF State championships. The Eagles played a tribute video for DeBusk with members of his family gathered at midcourt.