High School Roundup: Breakers keep sweeping
It’s the little things that tend to make the difference.
Just ask the Laguna Beach High boys’ volleyball team which has turned its concentration to the minute areas of its game plan.
Aware that they are moving toward a possible Orange Coast League championship, the Breakers took care of league business Tuesday by scoring a 25-15, 25-16, 25-19 sweep at Saddleback. The win over the Roadrunners (2-4 in league) started the second half of the league schedule for the Breakers, who upped their league mark to 6-0.
Middle blocker Maxx McCarter had eight kills, outside hitter Weston Barnes had eight kills, libero Jake Hexberg had six kills and 14 digs, and setter Grifan Fair had 23 assists.
Laguna, the No. 2-ranked team in CIF Southern Section Division 2, ran its overall record to 12-6.
“We are focusing on our attention to detail and the small things,” Laguna Coach Scott Panaro said. “This can be more mentally challenging than physically. The boys came out focused and established an early lead. This was nice to see as they looked sharp and focused on the finer points of their game.”
The Saddleback win followed a 25-16, 25-13, 25-10 Laguna sweep of host Costa Mesa on April 11. McCarter had 11 kills (.846), and outside hitter Lucas Capobianco had nine kills (.429).
The Breakers played Estancia Thursday but the score wasn’t available at press time. They have three league contests remaining starting with a 5:30 p.m. road test at Calvary Chapel Tuesday. They also travel Thursday to face Godinez at 5:30 p.m.
Before continuing in OCL competition, Laguna will play host to Dana Hills at 5:45 p.m. Friday at Dugger Gym.
The Dolphins are ranked sixth in Division 1.
“We are looking forward to it,” Panaro said of Friday’s matchup. “I wanted to schedule tough competition late in the season to help prep for CIF. It will be a great test for us as we have not played a team as good as Dana Hills in a while.
“They are loaded and have lots of firepower, but if we play to our potential we can win. Ultimately, it comes down to us preforming under pressure and capitalizing on our opportunities. I am eager to see how we handle this match. I know our seniors are fired up and ready to battle.”
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Boys’ Golf
The Breakers split two their two most recent matches.
On Monday at El Niguel Country Club in Laguna Niguel, Laguna fell, 196-239 to host Dana Hills on the par-36 course. The loss left the Breakers 5-10 overall.
In an Orange Coast League match played April 11 at Mesa Linda Golf Course (par 35), Laguna defeated host Costa Mesa, 207-228. Tyler Metez was low medalist at 37.
The Breakers improved to 3-4 in league.
“The guys are working hard and preparing for league individual finals in two weeks,” Laguna Coach Scott Finn said.
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Track and Field
Both the Laguna boys’ and girls’ teams scored Orange Coast League victories over visiting Calvary Chapel on April 11.
The boys’ team took a 90-43 meet from the Eagles. Event winners for the Breakers included: Jack Crawford (1,600 meters); Nate Lancaster (100); Casey Koprowski (3,200); Charles Warner (300 hurdles); Avery Crowl (long jump, triple jump); Kyler Pike (high jump); Drake Martinez (shot put).
The Laguna girls won by an 86-32 final. Event winners for the Breakers included: Janie Crawford (1,600, 200, triple jump); Johana Abarca (400); Livie Clark (800); Coco Putnam (300 hurdles); Monica White (high jump); Lesly Aguilar (discus); Jane Wallin (shot put).
The Breakers are scheduled to run Saturday at the Orange County Championships at Mission Viejo High. The event starts at 8:30 a.m.
Next week, the Breakers conclude their OCL regular season with a 3 p.m. home meet Thursday against Saddleback.
Laguna will be the host of the league preliminaries and finals meets on April 29 and May 2.
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Boys’ Tennis
The Breakers began a stretch of three straight nonleague matches on April 11 against Laguna Hills, and defeated the host Hawks, 12-6.
Teague Hamilton and Morgan Lebby, as well as doubles player Ryan Gee, all won by sweep. Hamilton, who had missed previous action due to injury, won 6-1, 6-1, 6-0. Lebby won, 6-1, 6-3, 6-1, and Gee teamed with Oliver Nasiell in doubles and the pair posted 6-3, 6-1, 6-3 wins.
The Breakers’ doubles team of Owen Weber/Alex Duong picked up two wins (6-3, 6-1, 3-6) and Tim Nguyen/Jared Boetes, the latter subbed in for Zach Pratto against Laguna Hills’ No. 2 doubles team, picked up the other Breakers’ win (1-6, 6-4, 2-6).
Laguna took on Palm Springs Thursday in nonleague play. The score wasn’t available at press time. Next week, the Breakers meet Beckman in a nonleague match at 3 p.m. at Lower Peters Canyon Park in Irvine.
Hamilton, Lebby and Gee will represent Laguna Beach April 25 at the 113th edition of the Ojai Tennis Tournament. Hamilton will compete in singles play and Lebby and Gee in doubles play. The prestigious tournament began in 1896.
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Basketball
The South boys’ and girls’ teams scored victories Saturday at the Orange Coast Optimists Orange County North/South High School All-Star Basketball Games.
The All-Star games, for senior players, were played before a standing-room crowd at Concordia University in Irvine.
In the boys’ game, the South took a 91-84 win over the North. Laguna was represented on the South squad by guards Jake Dalke and Cole Kesler. Dalke scored two points and have five assists, and Kesler scored three points. Mamadou Ndiaye, a 7-foot-5 center from Brethren Christian, scored on several dunks and finished with 10 points to go with eight rebounds. Guard Evan Zeller of Mission Viejo led the South in scoring with 13 points.
North guard Nick Hornsby of Tustin scored a game-high 18 points.
The South was coached by Rich Boyce of Edison.
“It was great to work with kids at that talent level,” Boyce said. “I really enjoyed the experience.”
The South edged the North, 71-68, in the girls’ game. Forward Alexis Casillas of Beckman scored 17 points to lead the South. The North’s Briana Roberson, a guard from Troy, led all scorers with 18 points.
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CIF Weekly Rankings (week of April 15)
Boys’ Volleyball: Laguna Beach (No. 2, Division 2).
Boys’ Tennis: Laguna Beach (No. 4, Division 4).
Twitter: @MikeSciacca