All-Stars featured in game

Four members from the Laguna Beach High boys’ and girls’ basketball programs took part Saturday in the 51st annual Orange County North-South 12th Grade All-Star Basketball Games at Cypress College.

The girls’ game opened the doubleheader. The North defeated the South, coached by Laguna’s Mark Lewis, 88-73.

In the boys’ game, Laguna’s Darin Richardson scored nine points for the South which outscored the North, 119-114, in a tight game decided in overtime. Kiron Dey of University and Lucas Araugo of Foothill both scored 19 points to lead the South.

The North was led by Eyassu Worku of Los Alamitos who scored a game-high 26 points.

In the girls’ game, Laguna’s Jackie Cenan and Alex Lewis scored four points apiece. Ally Rosenblum of Mater Dei led the South in scoring with 15 points.

The North’s Reili Richardson of Brea Olinda was the game’s leading scorer with 22 points.

The North jumped out to an early lead and was in front, 47-38, at halftime.

“Before the game, I gave the girls three points of emphasis which were one, control the boards, two, run them off the three-point line and three, get back in transition,” Mark Lewis said. “[The North] beat us in all three aspects. I also challenged our team to come with a ‘fire in our belly.’ While I thought our girls played hard, the North team played with a greater sense of urgency out of the gate and that set the tone for the game.

“Overall, however, I think it was a fun experience for all involved. We had a great group of girls that really had fun together and enjoyed each other’s company and some new friendships were formed. It was an honor for all the girls, and boys, selected to play in this game as it was a recognition of their accomplishments this season as among the best in Orange County, and certainly the best of the senior class. It was also an honor for me to have been selected to coach and a privilege to coach these girls and get to know them if only for this short time we were together.”

The 12th Grade All-Star Basketball Games for senior players was presented by the Orange Coast Optimist Club.

— From staff reports