Youth boys basketball: Newport-Mesa battles to fourth place

The Newport-Mesa NJB All- Star team of sixth-graders advanced as

the representative of Orange County to the National Tournament and

finished fourth in a field of 16 teams from Northern California, Arizona,

Nevada and Southern California.

The Newport-Mesa All-Stars won two games Saturday, then lost in a

semifinal and third-place game on Sunday. David Wheatley turned in a

double-double performance, 12 points and 16 rebounds, to lead

Newport-Mesa to a 65-52 victory over Reno at Fullerton High School.

Jonathan Howse grabbed 20 rebounds, while R.J. D’Cruz scored 19 points.

Niko Hernandez (12 points) and Justin Jones (10) also contributed in the

win.

Hernandez produced 14 points to lead the All-Stars to a 50-40 victory

over Cypress at Villa Park High, that advanced Newport-Mesa to the

semifinals. Peter Hapke chipped in four points, three rebounds and three

assists.

Newport-Mesa then lost in the semifinals, 58-49, to Upland at Sonora

High. D’Cruz scored 20 points. The All-Stars then lost 49-42, to Eastlake

of East San Diego County. Hernandez led with 13 points, while Brandon

Davis completed his best overall game with seven points, five rebounds

and two assists. D’Cruz added 10 points.