Breakers win consolation title at Aztec Classic

By piecing together its first three-game win streak in two years,

the Laguna Beach High boys’ basketball team was able to claim the

consolation championship of the Aztec Classic at La Quinta High.

The Breakers won the title by virtue of a 49-46 win over Century

last Saturday.

All-tournament selection Kyle Hogan had 15 points to go along with

nine rebounds, three steals and two assists, Alex Norfleet nailed

three of four three-point shot attempts and finished with 11 points,

Peter Renault hit a pair of three-pointers and had six points, and

Austin Sands finished with six points and three rebounds.

Laguna had dropped a Dec. 6 home game to Century.

“[Century] was a great win for our program,” Laguna coach Rob

Cullinan said. “We are improving and playing harder every time we go

out and play, and Kyle gave a tremendous effort in all four

tournament games.”

Laguna opened the tournament with 66-49 loss to Estancia in a game

where Ivan Kovacevic returned to the lineup and scored six points.

Hogan finished with 23 points and 11 rebounds.

The Breakers then began their three-game win streak with a 63-55

win over host La Quinta as Hogan poured in 26 points -- including a

pair of three-point baskets, and 13 rebounds, Renault had nine

points, Spencer Willhoit had eight points and freshman Jeff Clark hit

a pair of three-pointers.

Santa Ana was the next victim, falling 64-48. Willhoit had a big

game with 16 points, six rebounds and two assists, Sands added 14

points and six caroms, and Hogan, who had just four points at

halftime, completed his third tournament double-double in four games

with 22 points and 20 rebounds, in addition to four assists and two

steals.

“The Santa Ana game was a big win for us,” Cullinan said. “We

played well as a team. [Austin] Sands played like I expect him to

play and Spencer Willhoit gets better every game. This [game] was

good for our confidence.”

In girls’ basketball, Laguna pulled out a 37-34 victory over host

Sunny Hills in nonleague play. The Friedman sisters, Emily and

Lizzie, led the Breakers with 10 and eight points, respectively.

In girls’ water polo, Park Tournament, Laguna drilled Vista, 18-1,

and defeated Huntington Beach, 14-5, in the Villa Park Tournament.

Annie Preble scored five goals, Kari Herdman had four, Katherine

Gordon had three, and Addison O’Doud scored two goals against the

Oilers.

The Breakers fell to host Villa Park, 6-4.

In girls’ soccer, Laguna fought St. Margaret’s of San Juan

Capistrano to a 1-1 tie.

In boys’ soccer, Laguna was dealt a 3-2 nonleague loss by Mission

Viejo. Joe Le Bon and Nick Kohlschreiber scored for the Breakers.