Dalke nets 20, Aces split on opening day

Jake Dalke of Laguna Beach came up with a big effort Monday for the Southern California Aces, an Orange County-based 12-and-Under boys’ basketball team, on opening day of the 12U/6th Grade Division I Amateur Athletic Union Boys’ Basketball National Championships in Hampton, Virginia.

The tournament got underway Monday and included opening ceremonies at the Hampton University, and concludes Sunday.

After the Aces dropped their tournament opener to Team Memphis early Monday, 46-38, they bounced back later that night to rout Westchester Hawks of New York, 77-20. Dalke led the way for the Aces with 20 points, three rebounds, three assists and a pair of steals.

Dalke hit five of the Aces’ nine three-point baskets.

The Aces are in a pool of teams that includes Memphis, the Westchester Hawks, Wichita Bulls and Arkansas Hawks.

The national tournament includes 116 teams, including three from Southern California.

In youth track and field:

Christianne Kinder cleared a personal best 4 feet 5 1/2 to win the girls’ Division 93 high jump at the recent Southern California Municipal Athletic Federation state meet in Downey.

The 13-year-old has won the high jump event at the state meet four of the past five years. Last year, she placed second.

Her brother, Andrew, 11, won the boys’ Division 91 high jump at this year’s meet.