Hoops teams win tourney games

Boys roll past Marina High; girls top Garden Grove in overtime.The Laguna Beach High boys’ basketball team kicked off the week by playing one of its most complete games of the young 2005-06 season, as the Breakers ran past Marina, 72-56, in the opening round of the Century Holiday Classic.

The 16-team tournament is hosted by Century High in Santa Ana.

The Breakers and Vikings tipped off at 10:30 a.m. Monday, but the early start didn’t faze the Breakers.

Laguna bolted out to a 28-9 lead after one quarter and was in command at the half, 49-23.

“It was probably our best game of the year,” Laguna coach Bret Fleming said. “The kids did a great job of executing the offense and shot very well. Jeff Clark played a great all-around game.”

Clark was the game’s high scorer with 27 points, and the senior guard added seven assists and six steals to his performance.

Clark wasn’t the only Breaker to turn in an outstanding offensive game.

Junior forward Brian Delino hit four three-point shots en route to 19 points and Ian Butters, who also drilled four three-pointers, finished with 14 points.

The only flaw in the first half for the Breakers was a knee injury suffered by junior center Bobby Monroe. Picking up the slack in his absence were junior forward Nathan Pickett and freshman center Ryan Lawler.

Lawler hauled down nine rebounds.

“Nathan Pickett and Ryan Lawler stepped up and played well,” Fleming said.

The Century Tournament concludes today with consolation and championship round action.

Laguna will begin Pacific Coast League play Wednesday by hosting Beckman at 7 p.m.

The Breakers won’t play again until Jan. 9, when they visit league rival Northwood.

In girls’ basketball:

At the Garden Grove Christmas Classic, Laguna defeated host Garden Grove by pulling out a 45-40 overtime victory Tuesday.

The Breakers outscored the Argonauts, 7-2, in the overtime period.

They had to rally in the fourth quarter just to force overtime. Laguna outscored Garden Grove, 13-4, in the fourth quarter, to wipe out a nine-point deficit.

The Breakers’ Emily LaRose, a sophomore small forward, led all scorers with 19 points. Senior guard Haley Eaves also was in double figures with 10 points, and sophomore post Lauren Kelly and sophomore guard Tess Grogan each had eight.

Laguna returns to the court Monday for its Pacific Coast League opener. The Breakers will host Beckman at 5:15 p.m., as part of a varsity doubleheader. The Laguna and Beckman boys’ varsity teams tip off at 7 p.m.