Newport Lightning Boys 13U Basketball Club takes second

The Newport Lightning boys’ seventh-grade club basketball team finished as runner-up in the Spring Slam Tournament for AAU teams hosted by Big City Sports on May 2-3.

In Saturday’s pool play, the Lightning defeated Team Big Bear, 58-18, behind the play-making of point guard Charlie Coffman and the inside-outside scoring tandem of Grant Moore (eight points) and Jack Williamson (13 points, including three 3-pointers) and then won a tough battle against Elsinore Hoopstars, 25-15, as center Andrew Moore dominated with six blocked shots and 14 rebounds.

Ryan Schroth and Andrew Chase shut down the visitors with a suffocating defensive effort. The Lightning went on to defeat North Orange County in the Sunday morning pool, 42-32, led by swingman Blake Flamson’s 10 points and Jeff Johnston’s six points and five rebounds, while Alec Markling distributed five assists before leaving the game with a separated shoulder.

Newport’s run of victories came to an end in Sunday’s championship game with a 53-41 loss to the Southern California All-Stars, one of the premier basketball clubs in the nation. The Newport Lightning are coached by Mike Flamson and Mike Coffman.