Ocean View is still elite

HUNTINGTON BEACH — The Ocean View High boys’ basketball team has picked up right where it left off.

The Seahawks used balanced scoring from seniors Avery Johnson and Anthony Brown, as well as junior guard Billy Keller, in a 69-52 win over Rancho Verde in the first round of the Ocean View Tournament of Champions Tuesday night.

Johnson had 17 points, five rebounds, five steals and two blocks for a well-rounded effort. Brown, a Stanford commit, added 12 points and seven boards and Keller threw in 15 points. He made all six of his free throws.

The trio, along with senior guard Aaron Delgado (five points Tuesday), are all returning starters from last year’s CIF Southern Section Division IV-AA champions and CIF State Division III finalists.

Ocean View is ranked No. 9 in Southern California by the Los Angeles Times; Rancho Verde was ranked No. 15.

“I think we’re doing everything we planned on doing,” Johnson said. “We accomplished the first goal by winning the San Luis Obispo Tournament [last week]. Now, we want to win this tournament. It’s step by step. We want to keep proving we’re the best team Ocean View’s ever had.”

Ocean View (5-0) surged out to an 18-7 lead before Rancho Verde senior guard Kyle Fuller, headed to Vanderbilt, banked in a three-pointer at the first-quarter buzzer. Fuller had scored 42 in Monday’s win over Lakewood for the Mustangs (5-1), but Ocean View held him to 19.

The Seahawks had Rancho Verde cut the lead to 25-22 midway through the second but Ocean View went on a 17-3 run to end the half, capped by Brown’s drive in for a dunk with two seconds left.

Brown was named MVP of the San Luis Obispo tournament last week. Johnson and Keller were all-tournament team selections.

“We have season goals, and I had them discuss the standards it would take to meet those goals,” Coach Jim Harris said. “This is something they’re committed to do. They’re great kids. We don’t have any issues on this team; that’s the best thing.”

Harris said his team did have too many turnovers, but praised the play of Johnson, the 6-foot-3 senior guard-forward.

“In every phase of the game he was making something happen,” Harris said.

Ocean View played Lakewood Wednesday in its second pool-play game of the tournament. With a win, the Seahawks would play at 8:30 p.m. Friday in the semifinals of the 13-team tournament. The championship game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Saturday.

 In other boys’ basketball action Tuesday, Brethren Christian (2-0) got 16 points from Riley Thomas to get past Western Christian, 53-44.

Fountain Valley got past host La Quinta, 49-47, at the La Quinta Tournament Monday. Nam Pham had 21 points and nine steals for the Barons (2-3).

Also at the same tournament, Edison topped Calvary Chapel, 53-43, behind 26 points from Kyle Boswell. The Chargers improved to 2-0.

 In girls’ hoops Tuesday, Edison topped JSerra, 52-39. Bonnie Samuelson had 21 points and fellow junior Christina Marquette added 18 for the Chargers (2-0).

Huntington Beach High also began its season with a strong victory over visiting El Modena 54-37 on Friday. Leading all scorers was Maya Kennedy with 17 points. Kelsey Minato had 11 points and Meghan White had six points and pulled down 17 rebounds. Also contributing were Jill Nakaso with seven points, Sasha Mancisidor, Amber Page and Marci Johnston with four each and Merwa Azzizi with two points. The Oilers play next week at the Fountain Valley Winter Classic tournament.

 In girls’ soccer, Edison improved to 3-0 by edging Mission Viejo, 1-0, Tuesday at the Aliso Cup. Brooke Webster scored the goal, assisted by Allison Hensley.

 Edison topped Huntington Beach, 16-3, in girls’ water polo Wednesday. Senior UCI commit Danielle Warde scored seven goals, and Alyse Williams added four goals and three assists. Haley Kunert and Melissa Balding had two goals each and senior goalie Clair Babinski made 12 saves.