Laguna’s NJB teams fare well

Laguna Beach National Junior Basketball boys’ and girls’ youth teams concluded their seasons last weekend by participating in the NJB Championship Tournament. The high level of competition was exciting and Laguna teams competed well after concluding successful regular-season campaigns.

In the regular season, the girls’ Division 3 (grades 3/4), girls’ Division 2 (grades 5/6) and girls’ Division 1 (grades 7/8) and boys’ Division 1 (8th-grade) teams all finished as league champions of the South Orange County League. The girls’ Division 1 and 2 teams went undefeated.

Laguna’s boys’ Division 2 (grades 5/6) team finished in second place and Laguna’s two boys’ teams competing in Division 3 (grades 3/4) finished third and fourth, respectively. The boys’ seventh-grade All-Net team, which competes at a higher, All-Star level of play, finished its season 8-6 and in third place to exceed early expectations.

All competing Laguna Beach NJB team finished their seasons at .500 or better and represented the city well in Orange County.

The Lady Breakers Division 1 (girls, 7th-grade) concluded its regular season with an undefeated mark of 10-0. Throughout the season, the Lady Breakers used a balanced scoring attack, constant pressure and poise late in games to wear down the opponent and secure victory week in and week out. Several of the team’s games were tight early, until midway through the third period where Laguna’s constant full-court pressure led to turnovers and easy baskets to open up the games and allow the Lady Breakers to cruise to the victory.

The Lady Breakers Division 1 team is: Katelyn Carballo, Lauren McDonnell, Sydney Lake, Murphy Thompson, Alexandra Lewis, Ashley Brown, Sydney DeCarlo, Jacky Cenan, Francesca Cecutti and Katie McCombs.The head coach is Mark Lewis and assistant coach is Heidi Carballo.

— Mark Lewis, Community Correspondent