Girls Hoops: Harbor has fun, grabs second win

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Welcome to the fun world of the Newport Harbor High

girls basketball team, where two-point baskets are enough reason to bring

out noise makers and victories are similar to winning a league

championship.

There was plenty of celebration Wednesday, as the Sailors grabbed

their second win of the season, a 31-26 decision over Dominguez (3-9) in

the first round of the Costa Mesa Winter Classic at Costa Mesa High.

Harbor (2-9) broke away from a 24-24 tie with two minutes remaining

and outscored the Dons, 7-2.

“We appreciate everything we’re getting,” Harbor Coach Glenn Albios

said. “Every game we’re getting better and the reason is that we’re

playing together.”

With high-fives galore and many pumped fists, the energetic Evita

Castillo led the Tars with a game-high 20 points, including eight in the

fourth quarter. The 5-foot-10 junior scored four points in Harbor’s

game-ending run and recorded two key steals in those final two minutes.

“Every basket we get comes from teamwork,” Castillo said. “It’s just

so exciting. We’re so young this season. We just want to have fun.”

Newport sophomore Athena Vasquez, who finished with six points, put

the game out of reach by hitting a free throw to extend the Tars’ lead to

four with 15 seconds left.

She also knocked down a free throw with 36 seconds remaining and the

Sailors’ defense held off Dominguez.

“When we win,” Castillo said, “we know we do it as a team. It’s a real

big deal for us.”

Harbor led by just one point to close out the third quarter. After

Tishaun McCory, who led Dominguez with 11 points, connected for a

three-pointer, the Dons caught the Tars at 18.

Castillo was fouled with one second left in the quarter. She missed

both free throws, but Dominguez was called for a lane violation and

Castillo took advantage.

The Sailors led, 24-21, with just over two minutes remaining, but

McCory stuck in another three-pointer to set up crunch time. And Harbor

pulled out the victory.

“They ran the offense well, today,” Albios said. “They were very

patient. They just played together.”

Newport Harbor advances to tonight’s 6:30 quarterfinal against the

Lake Washington-Tustin winner {{Albios will call.}}

COSTA MESA WINTER CLASSIC

First round

Newport Harbor 31, Dominguez 26

Dominguez 6 5 7 8 - 26

Newport Harbor 7 7 5 12 - 31

Dominguez - McCory 11, Dickerson 6, Thompson 4, Aguirre 3, Brooks 2.

3-pt. goals - McCory 3.

Fouled out - Brooks, Aguirre.

Technicals - none.

Newport Harbor - Castillo 20, Vasquez 6, Whitfield 3, Brooks 1, Woller

1, Campbell 0, Kerns 0, Topalovic 0, Scharfe 0, Lindsay 0, Gorman 0.

3-pt. goals - none.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.