Players earn spots on all-star teams

There are several goals for the young players in Newport-Mesa National Junior Basketball.

Of course they want to win, but aside from victories, they use a certain achievement as motivation. They want to become an all-star.

Newport-Mesa NJB announced Wednesday its 2010 boys’ Division 1 All-Star teams.

The teams will represent the league at the NJB All-Star tournaments set for March 13-14 and March 20-21.

The teams:

Boys’ Seventh-Grade

Coach: Lou Silverman

Assistant Coach: Bill Halle

Players: Sam Silverman (Hawkeyes); Beau Roth (Hawkeyes); Ryan Kleinman (Wildcats); Richard Hagestad (Blazers); Trevor Schwartz (Bruins); Caleb O’Neill (Blue Devils); David Karamardian (Bulldogs); Patrick Halle (Bruins); Andrew Chase (Blue Devils); Nick Whitelaw (Blazers).

Alternates: Cameron Hook (Spartans); Nick Ontiveros (Tigers); Ryan Stone (Bulldogs).

Boys’ Eighth-Grade (Blue)

Coach: Matt Cooper

Assistant Coach: Vahe Karamardian

Players: Sam Younesi (Blue Devils); Michael Karamardian (Bulldogs); Jay Damon (Bulldogs); Mark Manchester (Wildcats); Joey Cooper (Blue Devils); Kevin Manchester (Wildcats); Will Van Dalsem (Spartans); Robbie Bracho (Spartans); Jack Molnar (Bruins); Quinn Bassler (Blue Devils).

Alternates: Ryan Cargile (Tigers); Areya Aresh (Bruins).

Boys’ Eighth-Grade (Red)

Coach: Bryan Bond (Blazers)

Assistant Coaches: Tim Strader (Blazers); Charlie Wilde (Tigers)

Players: Gannon Bond (Blazers); Timmy Strader (Blazers); Tyler Lopp (Bruins); Kavi Sakraney (Hawkeyes); Alex Wilde (Tigers); David Bruno (Hawkeyes); Brian Wagner (Hawkeyes); Nolan McCarthy (Tigers); Brandon Francisco (Bruins); Trent Dill (Spartans).

Alternates: Ryan Cargile (Tigers); Areya Aresh (Bruins).

Hawkeyes clinch boys’ Division 1 championship

The Hawkeyes wrapped up first place in the boys’ Division 1 standings of Newport-Mesa NJB Sunday by defeating the Blazers, 51-35, in a hard-fought game at Newport Harbor High.

The “Iron Five” of the Hawkeyes played the entire game without any substitutions, yet still ran away with a 16-point victory.

Eighth-grade All-Stars David Bruno (27 points,12 rebounds) and Brian Wagner (14 points, eight rebounds) led the way, while Chris Oh (six points), Sam Silverman (four points) and Will Hinkleman (two points), all scored and played great defense throughout the game.

The Blazers played without eighth-grade All-Star and perennial league MVP, Timmy Strader, but held tough until the final period. They were led by All-Stars Gannon Bond, Nick Whitelaw and Richard Hagestad.

— Reader submission

Wildcats outlast Tigers

The Wildcats evened their record at 5-5 on the season and ended up in a tie for fourth-place in the division after their 63-55 win over the Tigers.

The Wildcats put together their best team effort in their final game. They were led by All-Stars Kevin and Mark Manchester, who both pounded the boards and scored nearly at will. Ryan Kleinman and Cole Collins led the offense with precision. Grant Nutt, Grant Morris, Peter Goodman, Ryan Farhat and Shane Silver all played key minutes in the win.

The Tigers kept the game close throughout with timely, three-point shooting from Alex Wilde, who scored 18 points and Taylor Cortens, who netted five three-point baskets en route to an 18-point outing. Jimmy Hamilton picked up his first basket of the season and Jake Hastings, Nick Ontiveros and Clay Woodward all played key minutes and scored in the game, as well.

— Reader submission

Heat receives forfeit win from short-handed Hornets

Because the Hornets had just four players available at game time for Sunday’s Newport-Mesa NJB boys’ Division 2 contest with the Heat, they had to forfeit the game to the Heat.

Despite the forfeit, the teams agreed to go ahead and play – with some of the Heat players playing for the Hornets, until a fifth Hornets player showed up just as the game was about to tip. To make it fair (for allowing the Hornets to play their best players the entire game, while requiring the Heat to use all of their players), Heat coaches asked the referees to add 10 points to the Heat’s score – a requirement of NJB rules.

The referees did add the 10 points.

In the end, the Heat had scored a 41-33 victory, following the forfeiture of the game.

Alec Nguyen took over rebounding for the Heat in the absence of “big man” Mitch Dean, and led the Heat with six points in limited playing time. Patrick Jennings picked up the scoring, hit his season high, and led the team with eight points. Drew Johnston and Brett Super chipped in six points each.

Derek Mathuny drew tough defensive assignments, rebounded well and added five points. John Holland limped off the floor in the first period after a collision, but came back later in the game to be a force under the boards. Holland pulled down five rebounds. Gianluca Vassalli contributed points and defense and Krishan Arora hustled, set screens and came up with two loose balls.

— Greg Super and J. Mark Holland