Etiwanda girls basketball team beats St. Joseph, giving Stan Delus 500th career win

RANCHO CUCAMONGA — Etiwanda girls basketball coach Stan Delus usually is on top of every little detail, so it is somewhat surprising Delus was unaware of his career victory total entering Wednesday night’s game.

Delus earned his milestone 500th win as the Eagles cruised to an 81-59 victory over Lakewood St. Joseph in a CIF Southern Section Open Division pool-play game. Delus has collected 272 of the victories at Etiwanda. He also previously coached the girls teams at Oak Park, Canyon Country Canyon and Bell-Jeff high schools.

“I knew I was probably close, but this was completely unexpected,” Delus said of the post-game recognition.

Delus said it was Lindsay Strothers, his predecessor at Oak Park, who convinced him to become a coach.

“I had a smart mentor,” Delus said about Strothers. “He told me in 2000 that I need to coach because I could make an impact after playing. I didn’t think it was something that I really wanted to do. But after I got that first taste of how to coach and see a group of young ladies play well … from that first group at Oak Park until now, it’s been a journey and a great ride. There’s an amazing number of coaches who helped me over time and an amazing group of young ladies from every school that I’ve ever coached at that helped me accomplish this.”

Delus has compiled an overall record of 272-40 across 10 seasons at Etiwanda and has guided the program to two CIF Southern Section championships, three CIF State titles and two mythical national championships.

“This run here has been pretty special, to the point that when I’m finished, whatever that final number will be will be done here,” Delus said. “I can’t see myself going anywhere else. It’s been special, from the moment that coach (Anders) Anderson brought me here to taking the reins and seeing what this public school can do.”

The team’s performance in the milestone win was a mixed bag for Delus. The Eagles (29-2) executed well on offense and knocked down 14 shots from 3-point range. Etiwanda was led Wednesday night by Arynn Finley and Chasity Rice, who scored 23 and 22 points, respectively. But on the other side of the spectrum was the team’s high foul count (22) because of defensive lapses and the number of offensive rebounds allowed (23).

“We gave up too many direct-line drives and didn’t rebound the way we usually do,” Delus said. “But the one thing I know about my group is we are resilient. And we don’t put our heads down when things don’t go right. That’s a testament to this group. They have the ghost of our own program because of everyone that’s played before them over the past few years. I tell them all the time, you build your own identity and your own legacy.”

Etiwanda beat St. Joseph 72-44 in a nonleague game in January. But the Jesters (21-6) started the rematch on a positive note, as Ava Washington sank a pair of 3-pointers to give St. Joseph the early 8-5 advantage.

Rice scored seven points in the first quarter, and Sydney Roberson drained two 3-pointers to help Etiwanda take a 21-18 lead by quarter’s end. St. Joseph failed to capitalize on its ability to get the free-throw line, with the Jesters missing their first six attempts in the second period while make only 11 of 27 during the contest.

Andrea Alamo knocked down a pair of 3-pointers in the second quarter and Etiwanda led 40-28 at halftime.

Finley and Rice combined to score 21 points in the third quarter, as the Eagles outscored St. Joseph 26-14 and doubled their advantage. Finley, who is headed to Florida, made four 3-pointers during that third period.

“We do a lot of shooting drills at practice, and good practices lead to good games,” Finley said.

Rice has taken on the point guard role for the Eagles, following in the footsteps of Aliyahna “Puff” Morris.

“I feel I’m not so nervous anymore and understand the offense has to run through me,” said Rice, a junior.

Tailele Wily-Ava scored a game-high 24 points, 18 of those in the second half, to lead the way for St. Joseph.

Etiwanda finished atop its pool and advanced to bracket play, keeping alive the Eagles’ quest to reach the Open Division final for a fifth straight season. Etiwanda will host Rancho Christian in a quarterfinal Saturday.

St. Joseph, meanwhile, finished last in the pool and will travel to Centennial on Saturday night. The winner secures a berth into the CIF State playoffs, while the losing team will see its season come to an end.