YOUTH SPORTS

BASKETBALLNewport-Mesa Spartans 50, Rancho Santa Margarita Blazers 38: Eighth-grader Cody Caldwell had 17 points, 12 rebounds and eight blocks to lead the Spartans on Feb. 25. All-Stars Daniel Degree and Henri Crockett each added 13 points while Keaton Phillips, Kyle Sherburne, Kyle Orton, Skyler Garn and Zach Melmet all played well in the big win.

NJB seventh-eighth grade

boys’ playoffs

Tustin Trojans 41, Newport-Mesa Red Storm 38 (2 OT): The Red Storm lost in the in double-overtime, but played their best game of the season in the loss. The Red Storm played with only five players throughout the game until the final overtime period, when they finished with only three players on the court. They were led by the gritty play of seventh grader Matt LeValley, who hit the game-tying three-pointer in regulation to send the game into overtime.

LeValley finished with 10 points, five rebounds and four steals, while Jake Comer added 10 points. Zach Asdourian, Chris Piggott and Wyeth Rietveld all played hard in the loss.

El Toro Lakers 51, Newport-Mesa Bruins 43: The Bruins played well in the loss despite having only six players present for the game. After a slow start, the Bruins cut the lead in the final two periods to make the game close. They were led by seventh-grade All-Star Andrew McCormack’s fifth double-double of the season with 16 points, 12 rebounds and three blocked shots. Kian Alisobhani had his best game of the season with 6 points, four rebounds and a steal, while Taylor Wildman and Billy MacDonald combined for 10 points, five rebounds and five steals in the loss.

Donovan Hedrich-Montoya and Ryan Banning also combined for 11 points and six rebounds, playing well in defeat.

SOCCERThe MKSC under-13 boys’ soccer team, based in Newport Beach, lost an overtime game to the Long Beach Stampede, 2-0, to end its season at the State Cup on Feb. 24 in Lancaster.

Boys under-13

MKSC falls in Round of 16:

In earlier action, MKSC topped Riverside Wolfpack, 3-1, in the Round of 32. Tanner Grandstaff scored the first goal with an assist by Austin Armer. Drew Blumenthal scored next with a header into the goal from a corner kick by Caleb Candaleria. The third goal was scored by Peter Marquez.

MKSC had previously topped Stampede, 2-1, in overtime in a Round of 64 game on Feb. 17. With one minute remaining in regulation time, MKSC scored on Blake Myers’ goal to force two 10-minute overtime periods.

In the second overtime period, Connor Morrill scored off Caleb Candaleria’s cross to win the game for MKSC.

MKSC, coached by Mohammed Khakpour and Ali Diba, also includes Austin Armer, Steven Barrera, Dara Diba, Drake Dunn, Matt Francini, Johnny Garcia, Matt Laughlin, Justin Rhodes, Kent Smith, David Vorona and Eric Zamucen.

Previously, the under-13 boys had won their State Cup Championship pool-play games on Feb. 10-11. MKSC beat Palmdale Thunder, 4-2, and Liverpool Soccer Club, 5-1, before getting by the Long Beach Soccer Club, 2-0.

BASEBALLCitrus starting pitcher Nick Belida hurled three innings of shutout ball, including six strikeouts, leading his team to a win on March 3. Jeremiah Sheldon went the next three innings, striking out six more BMW hitters. Citrus was led offensively with two RBIs each from Jake Genova and Chase Alibrando. Alibrando delivered the insurance run in the fifth inning, with a booming double of the left-center field fence. Adding hits for Citrus were Belida, Sheldon, and Luke Genova.

Newport Harbor

Baseball Assn.

Mustang Division

Citrus Motors 4, Sterling BMW 3:

The first two BMW runs were scored on an inside-the- park home run by Dan Stacy, and the last BMW run came in the top of the sixth inning on a fielder’s choice.

BASKETBALLWill Fortier’s three-pointer at the buzzer in overtime, on Charlie Griffin’s pass, lifted Newport-Mesa to the win on Feb. 4 in Upland. Just minutes earlier, Bo St. Geme had scored on a breakaway layup in the final seconds of regulation, sending the game into overtime.

National Junior Basketball

Eighth-grade boys

All-Net Blue Division

Newport-Mesa 48, Chino Valley 47:

Newport-Mesa’s defensive effort was led by Griffin, Tyler Duncan, Nic Sargeant and Matt Sherburne, while the offense was paced by leading scorers Jack Williamson (13 points), Fortier (11), Sherburne (nine) and St. Geme (seven).

NJB Championship Series

Third-fourth gradeThe Huskies, led by Jake Hastings’ 17 points, advanced to the semifinals with the win. Riley Gaddis had 16 points and nine rebounds for the Huskies,. while Mario Nark had three boards. Jack Tomei contributed in several areas with seven points scored, two assists and two steals. Chad Redfearn had seven points, with Parker Chase and Nark rounding out the scoring for the Huskies.

boys’ playoffs

Huskies 56, Longhorns 28:

The Longhorns, who upset the Bruins in first round play to advance, were led by Harrison Carter with nine points.

Huskies 48, Bruins 32: Riley Gaddis had a season-high 15 points and 10 rebounds for the Huskies in their victory on Feb. 11. Mario Nark also had 15 points, and Jake Hastings chipped in seven points, six rebounds, three steals and strong defense. Chad Redfearn (seven points) had a team-high four steals, and Jack Tomei and George MacCabe also scored for the Huskies.

Cameron Hook and Ryan Stone played well for the Bruins, who kept the score tight through the first half of the game.

NJB Championship Series

Seventh-eighth grade

boys’ playoffs

Newport-Mesa all-star Andrew McCormack led all scorers on March 4 with his sixth double-double of the season, totaling 27 points, 15 rebounds and five blocked shots. Taylor Wildman and Billy MacDonald combined for 16 points, nine rebounds and 10 steals. Saam Aresh, Kian Alisobhani, Ryan Banning and Donovan Hedrich-Montoya all played well in the big win.

Newport-Mesa Bruins 48, Capo-Dan Bullets 41:

Newport-Mesa Spartans 39 Tustin Wildcats 29: Cody Caldwell had 14 points, 12 rebounds and five blocked shots, leading all scorers for the Spartans (10-1). Daniel Degree added six points and six rebounds. Kyle Orton played his best game of the season and chipped in eight points and three assists. The Spartans play El Toro on Sunday for the Championship.

Chino Valley Money 58, Newport-Mesa Waves 48: The Waves started off slowly before fighting back to within three points in the final period, but couldn’t quite get the win. The Waves were led by eighth-grade all-star Adam Spies, who turned in his best game of the season in going for his second double-double with 18 points, 12 rebounds and six steals. Alex Turney and Max Carpenter combined for 15 points, 15 rebounds, eight steals and three blocked shots, while Dylan Pievac added nine points and three steals. Reid Johnson, Jake Arnett, Shawn Farsai and Garrett Keillor all played big roles.

Newport-Mesa Wildcats 35, Rancho Santa Margarita Raptors 27: The Wildcats won their first game of the season, led by all-stars Ron Ayzin, Ashton Meginnis, Armon Alaghband and Tanner Trauthen. The Wildcats face San Clemente in the finals next week.