A learning curve

Mike Sciacca

Summertime thus far has provided little rest and recreation for

members of the Laguna Beach High boys’ basketball program.

But, if practice makes perfect, then the program could be heading

down the right path.

The Breakers’ boys’ varsity squad will play 35 games by the end of

summer, said coach Mark Hill who, admitted, his team has played so

many games to date that he’s lost count of how many times the

Breakers have taken the court.

Hill is in his first year as varsity coach and, like any maiden

voyage, he’s getting his first look, good look at what his team has

to offer.

“We’re doing all right,” he said Tuesday, just moments prior to

his team playing yet another game. “There have been some highs and

lows but that’s what you expect with summer ball. It’s all about

learning at this time of year and the kids have been doing just that.

I’m happy with their effort.”

Hill has 12 players on the varsity squad, but his lineup has

varied from game-to-game, due to various injured players.

“It’s hard to tell who will be out on the court from one game to

the next,” he said. “But all of these kids have helped this team

along.”

Injuries didn’t stop Laguna from putting on a good showing at the

George Yardley Cage Classic held at Newport Harbor High.

The tournament, which ended on Sunday, drew 20 schools from

throughout Southern California and, overall, 43 games were played

over a three-day period.

Laguna played four games and posted a 2-2 record.

The Breakers began the tournament by beating host Newport Harbor,

45-42.

Jeff Clark iced the victory when he stole an inbound pass with two

seconds remaining.

The win was impressive in the fact that not only did it come at

the expense of the host school in the opening round on the

tournament’s opening day, but Laguna also had to overcome a

six-point, third quarter deficit to pull off the triumph.

The Breakers trailed, 30-24, before rallying to tie the game at

33-33 heading into the fourth quarter.

They then came up with a big defensive stand in the final period

by holding Newport to just nine points.

Laguna also defeated Fountain Valley by six points.

The Breakers suffered close loses to Calabasas and Estancia.

Summertime, Hill said, is a time for “gaining valuable

experience.”

It also affords a team the chance to become a better, cohesive

unit by the start of the regular season in December.

But it’s July, and up next for Laguna is a tournament held at

Cypress High which began Thursday, continues today and concludes

Saturday.

“The games keep on coming,” Hill said. “I believe as the summer’s

gone on that our team has made progress. If I had to pick one main

area where I’d really like to see our team improve, it’d be in being

more consistent.

“But these summer games have been good for the kids. We’ve had

success at the varsity, junior varsity and freshman levels. These

kids are gaining respect on the court.”