Youth basketball: Sixth-graders gritty in tournament

Newport Mesa’s sixth-grade NJB All-Stars answered a close-shave

loss Saturday with a dominating win Sunday in the Orange County

Tournament.

R.J. D’Cruz scored a game-high 18 points to lead Newport to a 60-38

win over Anaheim Hills Sunday. He also grabbed five rebounds, while Niko

Hernandez scored 11 and dished out six assists. Brandon Davis added eight

points, Jon Howse six and Peter Hapke and John Hutchinson finished with

four.

Charley O’Desky kept Newport cruising with five points, while Trey

LaGrandeur and David Wheatley put in two points each.

Newport lost to El Modena, 54-50, Saturday, as Howse contributed an

all-around effort with seven blocked shots, 14 rebounds and four points.

D’Cruz led the way again with 21 points, while Hernandez had 10.