BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Molle Gets Help as Irvine Handles Newport Harbor

Irvine High School diminished the notion that it is a one-man team, using a balanced attack in a 75-59 victory over Newport Harbor in the title game of the Daily Pilot Tipoff Classic Wednesday night in Newport Beach.

Irvine was coming off three consecutive victories in which forward John Molle averaged 35 points per game. Molle had 27 points against Newport Harbor, but he had plenty of support from guards Brian Boothroyd and Jado Lee.

Boothroyd added 20 points, including 12 points in the decisive third quarter when Irvine (4-0) broke open a tight game by outscoring Newport Harbor, 22-10. Lee scored five of his 10 points in the quarter as Irvine made 9 of 15 shots.

“It was nice to see us score from some different spots,” said Steve Keith, Irvine coach. “We showed we’re not a one-dimensional team. We were 3-0 going into the game, but I wasn’t happy. Tonight, we got production from a lot of other players.”

Still, if Irvine has aspirations of battling Capistrano Valley for the South Coast League title, Molle will have to play a big role. He made 10 of 17 field goal attempts and all seven of his free throws to earn the most-valuable-player award. Molle also had 12 rebounds.

Huntington Beach 69, San Dieguito 67--Guard Tom Walden made a 14-foot jump shot with 23 seconds remaining to give Huntington Beach (2-1) third place in the tournament. Mustapha Abdi made a three-point shot with 1:21 left to pull the Oilers into a 67-67 tie.

El Toro 81, Saddleback 67--Rob Johnson scored 37 points to lead El Toro (2-1) to the consolation championship. He connected on four of seven three-point attempts against Saddleback (1-3), including a halfcourt shot at the halftime buzzer.