Newport-Mesa NJB Sixth-Grade All-Stars capture national crown

The Newport-Mesa National Junior Basketball Sixth-Grade All-Stars won a national championship April 3.

The team went undefeated in the Area and Sectional tournaments to qualify for the National Tournament.

The team featured: Braedyn Benhard, Jordan Cortens, Dylan Godfrey, Logan Ip, Jack Johnson, Calder Overfelt, John Tipton, Chandler Touchard, Tanner Touchard and Niko Weber.

Dave Kobrine and Irene Cortens were the coaches of the team.

The Newport-Mesa All-Stars rallied from a nine-point deficit after three quarters in the championship game to grab a 56-45 win over Sequoia. Benhard and Godfrey sparked the comeback.

The All-Stars edged Porterville, 40-37, in a tough, physical semifinal game.

They also earned a 68-51 win over rival Los Alamitos and went 1-1 in pool play, with a 58-40 win over Fairfield.

— From staff reports