Tough start for Breakers

Mike Sciacca

The start of the Pacific Coast League boys’ basketball race has

been tough for Laguna Beach High, which dropped its first two

outings.

The Breakers fell to host Northwood, 60-50, and previously dropped

a 59-56 overtime game to rival Corona del Mar.

Against Northwood, Laguna Beach trailed by just four at the half,

but were outscored by the Timberwolves, 13-7, in the third period.

Peter Renault, who hit three three-point baskets, paced the

Breakers with 15 points.

Kyle Hogan and Alex Norfleet also scored in double-figures with 14

and 11 points, respectively.

Rivalries tend to bring out the best in teams, and such was the

case when Corona del Mar took on Laguna Beach.

The visiting Sea Kings built what appeared to be a seemingly safe

21-point fourth-quarter lead, only to see an amazing comeback by

Laguna.

The Breakers’ rally from 21 points down forced overtime, but they

ran out of gas in the extra period and were outscored, 3-0, for a

59-56 loss.

Laguna came all the way back from a 54-33 deficit against the

stunned Sea Kings.

Hogan’s 21 points and 18 by Norfleet led Laguna.

In girls’ basketball, Laguna Beach, which had ended a 51-game

losing streak in Pacific Coast League play with a win over Northwood,

dropped its two most recent games.

First, the Breakers were saddled with a 32-30 nonleague loss by

host Santa Ana.

Senior post Katie Gallagher scored seven points, and junior guard

Aja Roley added six.

On Tuesday, they resumed league play, but lost to host Calvary

Chapel, 39-27.

Junior guard Deana Awadalla led Laguna in scoring with eight

points and added two assists.

Senior post Lizzy Friedman had five points and a team-best 11

rebounds.

In girls’ water polo, Laguna Beach scored two impressive nonleague

victories, beating Tustin and highly-ranked Villa Park.

Against Tustin, Laguna scored at will in an 18-5 rout in its home

pool.

The Breakers’ scoring blitz included a five-goal first period and

a six-goal fourth quarter for a strong finish.

Senior Annie Preble led the attack with 10 goals and sophomore

Addison Doud scored seven.

An Annie Nelson goal closed out Laguna’s scoring.

In boys’ soccer, Laguna Beach dropped a 3-1 league match to

visiting Northwood.

Junior forward Pablo Hernandez scored for the Breakers, and keeper

Chris Stansbury finished with eight saves.