NJB: Newport-Mesa squads perform well over weekend

COSTA MESA - The Newport-Mesa National Junior Basketball teams had

another successful weekend, with each local team coming out on top.

The boys 8th-grade team started it of with a 48-24 win over San

Clemente.

Jamie Diefenbach led the team with 17 points, followed by Pancho

Seaborn’s 10 points.

Solid team defense was turned in by Taylor Young, Patrick Joyce, Alex

Orth, Alex Northridge and Brian Knox.

With the win, Newport-Mesa improves to 3-0 heading into Sunday’s

showdown with North Huntington Beach.

The boys 7th-grade team also remained undefeated with a 47-35 win over

Laguna Hills.

Brett Perrine’s 13 points and Ryan Lance’s eight points led the club.

Blaine Gribble, James Hapke and Carlos Pinto dominated the boards,

while floor leadership was provided by Elliot Kirkpatrick and Neal

Rafferty.

For the 6th-grade boys team, they defeated South Coast, 42-13.

Patrick Williams had nine points, while William Lefebvre and Mike

McDaniels each added six for Newport-Mesa.

Scott Knox led the defense with four blocked shots, while Tony

Krikorian, Dallas Kopp, Shawn Knox, Ryan Bagwell, Clay Jorth and R.J.

Durenberger were keys to the win.

On the girls side, the 8th-grade girls team improved to 3-0 with a

36-33 win over Westminster.

Jennifer Rennon led the win with 14 points, while Melissa Alves added

10 for Newport-Mesa.

Other offensive contributors were Stacey Messervey (6), Sarah Stern

(2), Kellie Flint (2) and Kate Heeschen (2).

Adrienne Patterson and Loren Nurmberger led the team in rebounds,

while Alex Orozco anchored the team’s defense.