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Orangewood Academy’s girls basketball team could have focused on the promising freshmen who chose another school, the teammates who transferred away or its season-ending injuries. The Spartans instead picked another route.

The squad focused on itself, and improving on the court.

Orangewood encountered an early setback but has seen its decision validated with a 17-3 record, a spot atop the San Joaquin League standings and a No. 12 ranking in Orange County.

The Spartans accomplished it all by leaning on mostly freshmen and sophomores.

“I’m proud of the girls,” Orangewood coach Leslie Aragon said. “They fought. Nobody pouted around, ‘Oh my God coach, everybody left.’ They just kind of went about their business and here we are.”

“The girls are just playing hard,” he added. “The future is definitely looking up.”

Orangewood Academy, unranked in CIF-SS Division 1, has developed sophomore Maria Mejia and freshman Emalynn Vong among others.

Mejia, a 5-foot-11 guard/forward, is the team’s most versatile player. She’s an active, on-ball defender who can make a steal and race the length of the court for a layup. She also is an alert passer and rebounder.

Mejia made two 3-pointers and 9 of 10 free throws to score 23 points as the Spartans rallied for a 66-61 victory at Fairmont Prep in the San Joaquin League last week. Orangewood Academy trailed 9-0 in the first period.

“We’re really, really proud of how she’s coming along,” Aragon said of Mejia.

Vong, a 5-foot-11 forward, matched her season-high with 27 points in a 75-57 victory against Division 3AA Xavier Prep at the Spartans’ Presion Showcase on Monday. She made six of the team’s 12 3-pointers and leads the squad in rebounding.

Orangewood also has received contributions junior guard Jamaica Cheatham, sophomore shooting guard Alissa Belen and freshman point guard Kennedy Wood, daughter of former Villa Park boys assistant Brian Wood.

Sophomore guard Hannah Fuentes played valuable minutes off the bench Monday.

Orangewood Academy is playing without starting guards Vicky Om and Brya Arroyo-Gillcrese, both of whom are recovering from knee injuries.

Before the season, the Spartans saw several players leave their school, including a trio of incoming freshmen from their middle school who decided to attend Buena Park High.

Orangewood Academy, an Open Division qualifier the past two seasons, struggled shooting in an early-season loss to Santa Margarita but it’s now gaining momentum. The Spartans could emerge as a postseason darkhorse in Division 1 but consistent shooting and defense will be critical.

“The better version of ourselves gives us the chance to be competitive in Division 1,” Aragon said.

NOTES

Orangewood plays at Mount Miguel (10-6) on Saturday in the Matadors’  Private vs. Public Showcase at 7:45 p.m. Troy, Fairmont Prep and JSerra also are part of the event. …

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