Girls basketball: Harbor falls to Laguna Hills

Richard Dunn

NEWPORT BEACH - Newport Harbor High girls basketball coach Glenn

Albios cringes every time an opposing team applies full-court pressure.

But inside he cracks a smile, knowing his young and inexperienced

squad, which plays hard to the bitter end, will someday become a Sea View

League championship contender.

Today, though, is not that day with three sophomores, a freshman and a

junior in the starting lineup.

“I was impressed with the effort (the Sailors) put forth. They played

hard,” Laguna Hills Coach Jim Martin said, following his team’s 54-28

league triumph Thursday over host Newport Harbor.

The Hawks (12-7, 1-1 in league), which lost to undefeated Woodbridge

in the league opener, 56-41, constructed their lead with a successful

full-court trapping defense, under which the Sailors (2-15, 0-2) wilted

in the second half.

“They went to their press and we didn’t react very well to it,” Albios

said. “We didn’t adjust and we panicked too much.”

Laguna Hills started its press late in the first quarter, switched to

a half-court defense in the second quarter, then went back to the press

in the second half as the Hawks outscored the Sailors, 32-16, in the

final two periods.

“We do that to slow down the other team, not necessarily to get

steals,” said Martin, whose team had nine steals. “And I was disappointed

in the amount of fouls we picked up (18 in total) while going for steals.

“But the Sea View League is very rugged. It’s a very, very competitive

league (with Irvine and Woodbridge a combined 29-4 entering Thursday’s

action), and we’re just hoping to come out of it with some wins at the

end of things.”

Junior guard Megan Aaker led Laguna Hills with 19 points, nine

rebounds, one steal, one assist and one blocked shot, including five

boards in the first quarter. In the second half, Aaker was 7 of 7 from

the field, including two three-pointers.

The Hawks’ No. 1 outside shooting threat, senior guard Brooke

Bartelson, also finished with 19 points, while sophomore Christen

D’Alessandro chipped in with six rebounds (four offensive), three steals,

two assists and two blocks.