Laguna can’t hold lead

After leading in the first quarter, the National Junior Basketball Division II El Toro girls’ team was looking for an edge against Laguna Beach in the fifth quarter. Laguna had led by no more than two at the end of the second, third and fourth quarters, but El Toro made a late run to win the game, 27-22, at Thurston Middle School.

The game was close the entire time and that was because of relentless hustle by the Laguna Beach girls on the boards. Alexandra Lewis had eight points, five rebounds and a block, while Francesca Cecutti had four points and four boards. Katie McCombs had a basket and eight rebounds and Lauren McDonnell added six points, two rebounds, an assist and a steal.

“These girls played well and hard,” Laguna Coach Mark Lewis said. “[We] just missed a few easy shots and unfortunately we lost.”

“[The girls] worked very hard against an excellent team,” El Toro Coach Vladimir Anderson said. “They stepped up today and I was proud of them.

“” Scott McCourtney, Community Correspondent

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National Junior Basketball

Boys’ Division 4: In another closely contested battle, Laguna Beach and Laguna Hills were entrenched in defensive battle for the better part of the game.

True to the fine play, the game went down to the wire. Laguna Beach prevailed, 12-10, with Holden Geary providing the spark offensively, along with fine play from Daniel Kimball, Beck Kesler and Kaden Herr.

Boys’ Division 3: The first place and undefeated Breakers had a doubleheader weekend, winning both games to push their record to 7-0. Once again, their balanced scoring attack “” which includes Charlie Rounaghi, Owen McMurray and Remy Mackel “” was too much for the competition to handle. The other Division 3 team was in action at home against another Ladera Ranch team. With a new-found balanced scoring attack, including scoring contributions from Nicholas Lucas, Jagger Hawlish, Miles Stripling, Nils Wilson and Drake Bell to complement top scorers Grady Morgan and Jake Levine, the Breakers opened things up early and never looked back. They won, 53-23, to push their record to 5-2.

Boys’ Division 2: In away action, both boys’ Division 2 teams logged victories. For Team 1, it won its second game in a row in sluggish fashion, 27-15. Though it wasn’t hitting on all cylinders offensively, the defense kept a Ladera Ranch team on its heels all night. The other Division 2 team continued its undefeated season (now at 7-0) with a convincing win over San Clemente, 60-32.

Girls’ Division 3: The Laguna girls’ Division 3 team (third and fourth grade) pushed its undefeated record to 7-0 with a 33-17 victory against El Toro. The offensive attack was again sparked by Sophia Lucas, Isabel Mansour, Kate Kruger and Lexi McKeown. Team defense involving all 10 girls is the big key to the success of this team.

Girls’ Division 2: Gracie Snedegar played big for the Breakers in keeping Capo/Dana’s inside play at bay while chipping in key baskets of her own on the offensive end in a 22-17 setback. Katelyn Carballo again provided key ball-handling and steals Mackenna Morrice played well defensively.

Girls’ Division 1: Playing on the road Sunday was the girls’ Division 1 team. It continued its newfound winning ways by defeating another Capo/Dana team, improving its record to 3-4.

The girls bring tough-nosed defense and a balanced offensive attack that includes, among others, Mandi Wisbaum, Kyra Humphries, Sarina Strickland, Jane Wallin and Kayla Shaw.

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All-Net

Newport-Mesa 47, Laguna 37: The boys’ fifth-grade team played a back-and-forth game early but found itself again in catch up mode against a deep Newport Mesa team before losing, 47-37.

Pete Obradovich paced the offense, along with Blake Burzell, and Kyle McCombs cleared the boards and James and John Langton and Cole Paxson kept the defensive pressure on Newport guards all game long. Also providing key offensive and defensive contributions were Julien Thurin and Bayan Zamani.

El Toro 35, Laguna 31: The seventh-grade boys All-Net team played a back-and-forth game all night long before losing, 35-31, to El Toro.

Still seeking their first win of the season, the Breakers worked their inside game with Riley Babick, Ryan Moss, and Ethan Chesley before opening things up on the outside with Connor Hauer and Reed Donenfeld.

Willie Wheeler and Dane Olson provided the Breakers with key point guard play and fast break opportunities, with Logan Cook clearing the boards and Kenji Lee hounding El Toro guards on defense.

Eighth-grade team victorious: The boys’ eighth-grade team took its game to Ontario, where it squared off against a tough San Gabriel Valley team. The Breakers squeaked out a one-point victory to seize sole possession of second place with a 5-2 record.