Boys’ Roundup : Newport Goes a Long Way to Beat Los Alamitos

It took two overtimes and a few hundred miles of travel, but Newport Harbor High School defeated Los Alamitos, 68-67, in a semifinal game of the Carson City Tournament in Reno Friday night.

With the score tied, 65-65, Newport Harbor’s Maurice Lee drove the key with three seconds remaining, made the shot and was fouled on his drive. He converted the free throw to ensure the win for Newport Harbor (6-3).

Lee, a 5-foot 10-inch guard, finished with 16 points and a team-high 10 rebounds. Wes Torell led Newport Harbor in scoring with 18 points and added 7 rebounds.

Los Alamitos had a chance to win in regulation, but guard J.T. Snow’s shot from the top of the key as time expired was off the mark. Snow finished with 19 points. Mo Warner led the Griffins with 20 points and 8 rebounds.

Los Alamitos had reached the semifinals by defeating Reno Douglas High, 62-29, late Thursday night, but that game was the easiest part of the Griffins’ day. Their flight from Los Angeles to Reno was canceled because of heavy fog, so, after informing tournament officials they would be late for their scheduled 5 p.m. game, the team drove to Reno and played at 10 p.m.

“Geez. We traveled 500 miles just to play Newport Harbor,” Los Alamitos Coach Steve Brooks said.

In Atascadero Tournament action:

Garden Grove 51, Arroyo Grande 43--Junior guard Octavio Contreras scored 13 points and hit 5 of 6 from the floor as the Argonauts advanced into the consolation championship today against Santa Maria in Atascadero.

In Walter Wong Memorial Tournament action:

El Toro 73, Kaiser 62--The Chargers outscored Kaiser of Honolulu, 17-8, in the third quarter on their way to the consolation semifinal win in Hawaii. Sophomore guard Bret Johnson led El Toro with 23 points, while Eric Speaker added 14 points, Cory Wayland had 12 points and Rick Tobey had 11 points.

In Canyon Tournament action: Canyon JV 71, Serra Vista 43--The junior varsity Comanches advanced to the consolation championship with the win. Junior Randy Simpson led the way with 29.

Los Amigos 68, Glenn 53--The Lobos’ victory allows them to play in the consolation championship against the host Canyon’s JV team. Guards Geno Howard (14 points) and Gene Allimarano (13) led a balanced attack for Los Amigos. Mario Compos was the leading scorer in the game with 18 points.

Bolsa Grande 66, Villa Park 61--Junior guard Nam Cao scored 17 points and forward Joe Small added 16 as the Madadors moved into the championship game with a victory over the Spartans.

Esperanza 57, Canyon 55--Guard John Burks rebounded a missed shot and made a short layup with 8 seconds left as the Aztecs got by host Canyon and into the championship game against Bolsa Grande.