Tars lock down Breakers

Newport Harbor allows a season-low 32 points and cruises to an easy nonleague victory at Laguna Beach Tuesday.LAGUNA BEACH -- The Newport Harbor High boys’ basketball team played its customary stifling defense. Laguna Beach slowed the ball down on offense and took advantage of every tick on the shot clock whenever possible.

The result was a season-low in points scored against the Sailors, who took control early and never let go in a 46-32 nonleague victory at Laguna Beach High on Tuesday night.

Laguna Beach’s point total was well under what the Sailors (6-1) are accustomed to giving up so far this season -- 45.4 points per game.

“Our defensive effort was good, but it’s also because Laguna was being so deliberate with the ball,” Newport Harbor Coach Larry Hirst said.

“I think they wanted to make it as few possessions as possible.”

It was the first time Newport Harbor held a team to less than 40 points this season since the opener, when it held Corona del Mar to 35 points.

Guards Tony Yaghjian and Robert Koon shut down Laguna Beach’s backcourt and combined for six steals. The Sailors had eight steals in the first half and finished with 10.

“If I wasn’t confident in my team helping me out on defense, I wouldn’t pressure so high,” Yaghjian said.

“I know the guys have my back.”

The duo also handled the bulk of the scoring load with Dennis Heenan (six points) seeing limited minutes with the flu. Yaghjian and Koon tied for the team-high in points with 12 each. They combined for five three-pointers.

Newport Harbor’s Parker Stevens and Weston Dunlap kept the Breakers off the boards. The Sailors outrebounded the Breakers, 22-14.

“I thought our big guys played really well,” Hirst said. “Stevens and Dunlap were both very patient with their inside game.”

With the victory, Newport Harbor avenged last year’s 61-57 defeat against Laguna.

“That game was in our heads,” Yaghjian said. “We just came out hard and focused on our goal. Our team effort was awesome. We hustled on every play.”

Newport plays at Santa Paula on Thursday in a nonleague game.

Nonleague

Newport Harbor 46,

Laguna Beach 32

Score by Quarters