NJB: Rockets blast past Huntington Beach in playoff opener

The Newport-Mesa Rockets, a National Junior Basketball Division 3

team, opened playoff action with a 39-37 overtime win against Huntington

Beach.

Michael Helfrich led the offense with 22 points, while Fletcher Della

Grotta and Jack Yeager controlled the rebounding and added key points.

Randall Nelson sparked the offense with key assists, while Tommy

Stevens made the game’s key defensive stop.

In other NJB action:

The Newport-Mesa sixth grade team took care of Villa Park, 45-27.

Tony Jones led the way with 15 points, while Tony Helfrich, Taylor

Lobdell, Westin Dunlap and Robbie Lusk contributed solid games.

Rebounds were controlled by Nick Jones, John Joyce and David Holmes,

who combined for 22.