SUNSET LEAGUE ROUNDUP : Marina Turns Strong Start Into Victory

Marina combined a strong start with a fast finish to pull away from Ocean View, 67-58, at Marina Friday night and increase its lead in the Sunset League boys’ basketball race.

The Vikings (12-6, 4-0 in league) took an 11-0 lead before Ocean View got off a shot. But the Seahawks (8-8, 0-3) fought back to make it a close game, tying the score, 42-42, on Jim Harris’ three-point basket with one second left in the third quarter.

But Vikings Darren Crooks and Brendan Lyons spearheaded a 13-4, fourth-quarter run that helped Marina take a 55-46 lead with 4 minutes 27 seconds remaining on Lyons’ three-point play. With the help of Harris’ shooting, Ocean View cut the deficit to 57-52 with 1:56 left.

Marina’s Matt Keim hit two free throws and drove for a basket with 55 seconds left to give the Vikings a 61-52 lead.

“I would not have thought we’d be 4-0 at this point,” Marina Coach Steve Popovich said. “In fact, I didn’t think any team in the Sunset League would be 4-0. We played hard and did a good job tonight. You can’t have a letdown in this league.”

Crooks led all scorers with 23 points and Lyons had 17 points and a game-high nine rebounds and six blocked shots. The Vikings outrebounded the Seahawks, 33-16. Harris led Ocean View with 19 points.

In other league games:

Edison 63, Westminster 39--Todd Harrell and Brandon Jessie each scored 11 points in the first half as the host Chargers led, 31-7, at the intermission.

Harrell finished with 17 points and Jessie had 15 points and 12 rebounds as Edison improved to 9-6, 2-1. Mike Frechette led Westminster with 10.

Huntington Beach 69, Santa Ana 53--Jeff Vanderwal had 22 points and eight rebounds for Huntington Beach (9-7, 2-2). Jorge Vasquez had 12 points for Santa Ana (6-9, 0-3).