Newport falls behind Norco

COSTA MESA — For three minutes in the second quarter, the Newport Harbor High boys’ basketball team provided a glimpse of the style the Sailors are capable of producing.

They were fluid, showing great ball movement. They also played excellent defense and hit big three-point shots. But, unfortunately for Newport Harbor, it could not sustain such a spectacular pace. Norco took advantage and beat the Sailors, 54-42, in a consolation quarterfinal game of the Estancia Coast Classic Monday.

After Jayson Collins made a layup to give the Cougars an 18-9 lead early in the second quarter, the Sailors (6-6) started their stunning sequence. Senior Chris Anderson started the run with a three-pointer. Then, senior Austin Deyan recorded a steal to help set up a three-pointer by senior Trevor Davis that came from an Anderson assist.

The Sailors forced another turnover and this time senior Ethan Ayres, who led with 10 points, made a three-pointer after a Davis assist. And just like that, the score was 18-18, and Norco was calling for a timeout.

The second quarter also featured a nice alley-oop play to junior Cody Caldwell from Anderson that gave Newport a 22-21 lead. But the Cougars ended the quarter with a 5-1 run and took a 26-23 lead into halftime.

Later in the third quarter, Norco used a 10-0 run to take control of the game. The Sailors tried to find that same type of flow they had in the second quarter, but the Cougars wouldn’t let them.

Coach Larry Hirst said he liked his team’s effort, but thought the Sailors just could not find that one last run to get back in the game.

Now they must play in a 13th-place semifinal today at 9 a.m. It will be their sixth game in nine days.

Last week, Newport Harbor played in the North Marion Classic in Portland, Ore. After the tournament ends Wednesday, the Sailors will play at Estancia in a nonleague game Saturday at 7 p.m.