NJB teams begin play

The 2012-13 season got underway last weekend for Laguna Beach National Junior Basketball teams, three of whom picked up opening day victories.

GIRLS’ NJB

Division 2

Laguna Beach 31, Aliso Niguel 14: Piper Naess scored a game-high 12 points and had several steals on defense, as host Laguna registered its first win at Thurston Middle School.

Molly Cohn pitched in seven points from the point position, Izzy Meekma scored six points and Evie Laptin added four points.

Laguna and Aliso Niguel will face each other on Dec. 15 at Thurston Middle School.

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BOYS’ NJB

Division 2

Laguna Beach 46, Laguna Hills 36: Laguna Beach faced a tough challenge in their opener at Laguna Hills where the visiting Heat pulled away in the fourth quarter to earn a 46-36 victory.

Frankie Cotinola led the way for Laguna Beach with 17 points, while Nicholas Lucas had a big game on the boards with 13 rebounds and to go along with 13 points. Max Schuster, Aiden Blanton and Beck Kesler each added two points.

The teams meet again on Saturday at Laguna Hills.

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Laguna Beach Team 2 41, Laguna Beach Team 1 24: Jack Payne and Nolan Naess each had 14 points for Laguna Team 2 at Thurston Middle School. Griffin Kristenson scored six points and Gavin Trevino had four points.

Ryan Anthony led the way for Laguna Team 1 with seven points. Chase Hall, Aidan McDennon and George Williams also reached the scoring column.

Both Laguna teams play games against Laguna Hills teams on Saturday .

— Reader submission