Boys basketball: Woodbridge tops Tars

Steve Virgen

IRVINE - The final score, 68-55, could not give an indication to

the actual story of the Newport Harbor High boys basketball team’s first

Sea View League loss of the season Wednesday.

On paper, Woodbridge cruised to an easy victory. But, on the

basketball court the Warriors were frustrated in the first half until

breaking out in the third period with 25 points and then holding on to

win.

“I just don’t think we took advantage of our chances,” Harbor Coach

Larry Hirst said. “The score doesn’t indicate it, but I thought once we

matched their physical style (in the fourth quarter), we did much

better.”

The game lived up to its billing of Woodbridge, ranked No. 7 in Orange

County, against No. 8 Harbor. At least through the first half, that is.

The Sailors (16-4, 2-1 in league) held the Warriors (14-4, 2-0) to

seven points in the second quarter as senior guard Aaron Yarnal and Nedim

Pajevic led the charge. The Tars’ point guard, Greg Perrine, guided a

patient offense that scored 12 points in that second quarter.

Yarnal, who finished with a game-high 21 points, converted a layup

just before the buzzer to pull the Tars within 27-25.

Pajevic came off the bench to lend support on both ends of the court.

To close out the first quarter, he drew a charge and then scored in the

paint. But, with 10 seconds remaining, Woodbridge picked up two easy

baskets to hold a 20-13 advantage.

“(Pajevic) came in off the bench and did a great job,” Hirst said.

“Erik Peterson got two quick fouls. We gave (Pajevic) the chance and he

stepped up big for us tonight, offensively and defensively.”

Harbor junior Tony Melum, who finished with 16 points 10 rebounds and

three blocked shots, cut open his chin after diving for a loose ball in

the first quarter. He had to leave the game for four minutes because the

wound was bleeding.

Upon his return, Melum’s inside presence allowed Yarnal to attack the

basket with dribble drive layups and pull-up jump shots.

With 2:25 remaining in the first half, Yarnal faked a shot and passed

down low to Pajevic who was fouled on his basket. Pajevic made the

subsequent free throw to give the Tars their first lead of the game since

opening, 2-0.

The Warriors opened the second quarter with three turnovers and they

hit just one field goal. But, after halftime, Woodbridge came alive.

“The tempo was all Newport in the first half,” Woodbridge Coach John

Halagan said. “Larry (Hirst) always has his teams well-prepared. And,

they did a very nice job of dictating tempo. But, (Danny) Lambert came up

in the third. We talked at halftime that we had to come up on defense.”

Woodbridge senior Danny Lambert scored a team-high 20 points, 10 in

the third period as the Warriors opened with a 12-2 run.

Harbor’s missed opportunities did not give much hope for Hirst.

“We have a lot of obstacles,” Hirst said. “Every game in this league

is just going to be a battle. This is a good league that on any given

night the score is going to be like you saw tonight.”

SEA VIEW LEAGUE

Woodbridge 68, Newport Harbor 55

Score by Quarters

Newport Harbor 13 12 14 16 - 55

Woodbridge 20 7 25 16 - 68

Newport Harbor - Yarnal 21, Melum 16, Pajevic 10, Peterson 5, Perrine

2, Young 1, Cameron 0, Spigner 0, Hill 0, Diefenbach 0.

3-pt. goals - Peterson 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.

Woodbridge - Lambert 20, Forehan-Kelly 15, Haddan 13, Wheeler 8,

Thompson 5, Koeller 4, Corbin 2, Banks 1.

3-pt. goals - Lambert 2, Thompson 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - none.