The Sea Kings dominate the Sailors to avenge last year’s defeat in Battle of the Bay contest at Newport Harbor High.

NEWPORT BEACH -- Several members of Newport Harbor High’s girls’ basketball team weren’t feeling well on Friday. Sailors Coach Jen Thompson said three or four players were sick.

Corona del Mar didn’t make them feel any better, turning a game that was competitive in the first half into a blowout by the end of the third quarter, en route to a 56-30 Battle of the Bay victory at Newport Harbor High.

With Heather Bisch out, and Amber Munnelly and Gricelle Cordero among those giving it a go despite being under the weather, the Sailors couldn’t produce much offense. A stifling Sea Kings defense didn’t help matters.

CdM (1-1) held Newport to 17 points through three quarters, after which it held a commanding 29-point lead before the reserves took over.

Katie Schulte was feeling fine for the Sea Kings. The senior guard scored 10 of her game-high 16 points in a third quarter in which CdM outscored Newport, 27-5.

Shannon Johnson, who had eight points for CdM, opened the third quarter by hitting an 8-foot jump shot. Soon after, Megan Benbow grabbed a rebound and took it the length of the court for a layup. Schulte then scored 10 of the Sea Kings’ next 21 points, including a three-pointer and a three-point play -- she was fouled while making a layup and converted the ensuing free throw.

Schulte concluded the quarter with a layup after driving to the basket to give the Sea Kings a 46-17 lead.

The Sailors never led in the game and gradually fell further and further behind after Ivy Melo’s 8-foot turnaround jumper tied the game 2-2 in the first quarter.

CdM’s victory avenged last year’s 43-39 defeat to Newport.

“It’s a great thing,” second-year CdM Coach Scott Kahawai said. “With all the USC-UCLA hype, it’s nice to start the rivalry week like this.”

The Sea Kings pushed the ball up the floor and scored a lot of fast break points.

Benbow tallied 12 points and three rebounds, and senior forward Kristina Wayte added three points, four rebounds and a team-high four steals. Johnson led CdM with seven rebounds.

“We controlled the tempo and took advantage of our speed,” Kahawai said. “Our speed created a lot of good opportunities for us.”

Cordero tallied five points, four rebounds and three steals for the Sailors (0-2).

Kahawai said the Sea Kings are where they want to be at this early juncture in the season.

“I think we’re on the verge,” Kahawai said. “I have a feeling by the end of the preseason, we’ll be where we want to be.”

Nonleague

Corona del Mar 56,

Newport Harbor 30

Score by Quarters