Cardinals capture NJB crown
The Newport-Mesa Cardinals won the Division 3 National Junior Basketball championship for third- and fourth-graders March 6.
The team finished with an 11-3 record. The Cardinals included: Brad Humphreys, John Griffin, Colin Miehe, John Humphreys, Carson Klein, Jarrett Thompson, Declan Pene, Kieran Sidebotham, Luke Hatfield and Tommy Griffin.
Brad Humphreys and John Griffin coached the team.
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All-Stars dominate
The Newport-Mesa fourth-grade NJB Gold All-Star team dominated in its area tournament.
The boys played three games in Irvine and Westminster, beating Los Alamitos, 74-23, Huntington Beach, 70-35, and Fountain Valley, 72-24. They advanced to the regional tournament. The team includes: Johnny King, Sam Barela, Matthew Olson, Jake Hamilton, Nico Dasca , Adam Flood, Luke Chelf, Ethan Barnes, Will Hanna and Connor Schimmelpfennig.
Jeff Hamilton and Joe Schimmelphfennig coach the team.
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Globetrotters perfect
The undefeated Globetrotters finished 17-0, winning the Newport Mesa City Championship in the boys’ Division 2.
The team went 3-0 against three previously unbeaten teams from Villa Park, Tustin and San Clemente in the NJB Championship Series tournament.
The Globetrotters entertained their fans from the first tip-off to the final buzzer of the last game. Sixth-graders Cameron Kormos, Chase McGrath, Grant Joyce and John Holland, as well as fifth-graders Dan Bailey, Levi Fernandez and Morgan Derifield contributed to the title.
Jim Kormos coached the team.
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Irish capture title
The Newport-Mesa Irish All-Net seventh-grade team recently won the silver division of Southern Cal Super Sectional Tournament in thrilling fashion.
First, the Irish defeated the Riverside Rebels in overtime, 43–39, thanks to the sharp-shooting skills of Jack Van Dalsem, Robbie Hurst and Kevin McCarthy. The Irish’s second game went into overtime again with Brian Chelf and Stephen Von Der Ahe controlling the boards over San Gabriel, and winning 61–60.
Not wanting to keep it simple or boring, the Irish won its third game in triple overtime against Anaheim Hills, 61–58 with Ben Brooks, Calvin Cho and Ryan Cousens contributing up and down the court.
The Super Sectional title qualifies the Irish, coached by John McCarthy and Charley Hurst, a trip to the NJB National Tournament next week.
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Ensign finishes on top
The Ensign eighth-grade boys’ basketball team capped off an amazing season by defeating Corona del Mar, 40-38, in the Coastal Athletic League championship game.
The victory over CdM avenged the only loss of the season for Ensign, who finished 8-1. This is the first basketball championship for any boys’ team at Ensign since 2005-06.
The team was led throughout the year by unselfish play at the offensive end and team defense. Ensign reached the finals by beating Sowers in the semifinals by 10 points.
The championship team included Keisean South, Ben Bockrath, Grady Kimme, Patrick Halle, Christian Watson, Robert Lerma, Nick Belida, Parker Young, Alex Fuller, Roberto Perdomo, Guzman Lopez and Liam Whelan.
Todd Harrell coached the team for two seasons.
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CMALL Opening Day
The Athletics beat the host Rangers, 8-2 in a Costa Mesa American Little League opening day game.
Paul King led the A’s, going three for three with two doubles, two runs scored and two runs batted in to lead the offense.
Joseph Terazaz contributed with two runs. And rounding out the order, Ethan Krueger, Carter Chapman, Juan Gomez each collected two hits for the team.
The Athletics pounded out 15 hits.
The Rangers’ Grady Connor threw a runner out at home from centerfield. Connor went two for three to lead Rangers.
A’s pitcher Evan Larsen was impressive, throwing 32 pitches, 27 for strikes. He struck out nine batters through three perfect innings. Carter Chapman followed with two shutout innings with five strikeouts.
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