Clippers take postseason title

The Clippers followed up their regular season title with a postseason

championship as they defeated the Trailblazers, 78-73, in the

tournament final of the City of Laguna Beach Junior Basketball

League.

Cheyne Martin led the way with 48 points. He was named the

tournament’s most valuable player, the same title he received at the

conclusion of regular season play.

The Clippers had to fight their way to the title, though, as the

Trailblazers held leads of 15-9, 24-20, 35-30 and 49-48.

The Trailblazers trailed, 61-60, when center Bobby Monroe, who had

scored 33 points, fouled out.

E.J. Gomez, who led the Trailblazers with 34 points, scored 12 of

those in the final period in Monroe’s absence.

Nick Witte contributed 17 points, Nat Weaver scored seven and

River Myers scored six for the Clippers who made 11 of 14 free throws

including four in four attempts for Witte and six in seven attempts

for Martin.

Martin, the league’s top scorer, also finished the season as its

top free throw shooter.

The Clippers, coached by Austin Sands and Ivan Kovacevic, also

include Shawn Chegini, Reeve Ghiass, Matthew Karam, Paul Mayer and

Russ Carter.

The Trailblazers reached the title game by eliminating the

third-place Tartans, 55-39.

Gomez again led the way with 23 points, followed by Monroe with

21.

The Tartans received 15 points from Daniel Morrison, 12 from Sammy

Marks and 10 from Tyler Stowers.

The Trailblazers, coached by Brian Bergen, Jeff Bolar, Jeff Boyle

and Elliot Whalen, won five of their last seven games and three

straight in tournament play before the title game loss.

The team also includes Jonathan Anderson, Dylan Doumeng, Casey

Finnerty, Ty Fleming, Rand Hardy, Jack Monroe and Rick Zona.