Local NJB All-Netters impressive in opener

The Newport-Mesa National Junior Basketball All-Net teams started

off victorious in their season-opening games for all levels.

The boys 8th-grade team knocked off Laguna Hills, 57-54, in overtime.

Patrick Joyce led the Newport-Mesa team with 23 points and Pancho

Seaborn added 20 points.

Jamie Diefenbach and Brian Knox controlled the boards for Newport-Mesa

and strong floor leadership was exhibited by Taylor Young, Alex Orth and

Alex Northridge.

The boys 7th-grade squad defeated North Huntington Beach, 42-37, and

was led by Brett Perrine’s 14 points.

Other key contributors included Tyler and Ryan Lance, Kasey Peters,

Carlos Pinto and James Hapke.

In another overtime thriller, the boys 6th-grade club was able to hold

off Irvine’s No. 2 team, 38-37.

Patrick Williams led all scorers with 12 points.

On the girls side, Kate Heeschen and Jennifer Rennon led the 8th-grade

squad to a 24-21 win over Villa Park, while the 7th-grade All-Net team,

led by Chelsea Durkin, defeated Anaheim Hills, 23-20.