Newport Lightning boys’ 14U basketball wins tournament

The Newport Lightning Basketball Club’s boys’ 14U team won the Big City Sports Spring Hoopfest title in its division last weekend in Cypress.

The Lightning beat NJB Stars Elite, 46-44, OC Waves, 36-27, and Jurupa D-Fenders, 43-25, to win their first tournament of the season.

The club was led by the stellar play of Luke Marchiorlatti (13.0 points and eight rebounds), Blake Motal (6.2 rebounds), Rob Rosenast (4.2 steals, 4.7 assists), John Harzan (five points, 5.6 rebounds) and Max Stone (six points).

Blake Grable hit three key free throws and a game-tying three-pointer in the first game to send the Lightning into overtime eventually overcoming the Stars Elite while Marchiorlatti, Motal, Jeff Lloyd and Creagan Lydon dominated the boards in games two and three leading the team.

Nick Hanna, Andrew Moore, Reid Chase and Drew Olson provided key minutes and depth throughout the tournament for the Lightning.

The Lightning boys’ 14U will play next in the 11th annual Big City Sports May Hoops Rule May 16-17.