Laguna falls to Tustin

The affects of a two-week layoff translated onto the court for Laguna

Beach as the boys’ seventh-grade All-Net team dropped a 61-43

decision to first-place Tustin in a National Junior Basketball game

at Foothill High.

The loss kept Laguna tied for second place in the division

standings with an 8-3 mark.

Playing without starter Clay Knapp and with shooting guard Kevin

Buck weakened by the flu, Laguna came out slow and trailed, 17-6,

after the first quarter. They came back with a strong second quarter

but were outscored, 25-13, in the third period.

Laguna’s Nick Witte scored his team-high 22 points over the final

three quarters.

Despite being double-teamed the entire second half, Witte was able

to repeatedly slice through Tustin’s zone or drove the length of the

floor to the basket, often after pulling down one of his seven

rebounds.

The only other Laguna player in double figures was point guard

Marcus Hairston who finished with 10 points.

Dalton Sype’s six points, three by Buck and two by Dylan Doumeng

rounded out Laguna’s scoring.

Warren Murrel grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.

Laguna returns to the hardwood to play two games on Sunday against

Irvine and San Clemente.

Both games will be played at Laguna Beach High.