Sixth grade NJB team rolls

Newport-Mesa’s sixth grade National Junior Basketball all-star team

played an up tempo game to beat South Huntington Beach, 58-31, in the

first game of the Orange County Tournament.

Newport took a 12-2 lead in the first quarter and received solid

defense from Peter Hapke, strong rebounding from David Wheatley and

Brandon Davis (six points).

Justin Jones led the second quarter scoring four of his 10 points and

Jon Howse took care of all the rebounding. In the third quarter, Newport

was led by R.J. D’Cruz, who scored 11 of his 20 points. John Hutchinson

dominated the boards and Charley O’Desky scored some key points to

highlight the fourth quarter. Niko Hernandez had 12 assists and seven

points while Trey LaGrandeur was tough on defense.

In other action:

* Newport-Mesa 63, South Huntington Beach 36 - Hernandez took charge

in the first quarter scoring six of his 12 points in the quarter. In the

second quarter, Brandon Davis scored four of his eight points while Hapke

and O’Desky each chipped in with a basket to give Newport a 22-16

advantage.

Hernandez highlighted the third quarter with nine assists while Howse

and Wheatley handled rebounding duties. Also in the third, D’Cruz scored

8 of his 15 points to put Newport ahead, 34-22. LaGrandeur, Wheatley,

Howse and Hapke each scored six points in the game. Hutchinson was solid

on defense.

* Trabuco 52, Newport-Mesa 31 - Newport fell behind by 14 points in

the first quarter and could not recover. D’Cruz had 14 points, followed

by Hutchinson with six and LaGrandeur with four.