GIRLS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP : Newport Harbor Learns to Keep Its Balance, Win Without Ross

For four years, Michaela Ross was the go-to player for Newport Harbor. But when Ross was graduated, so was the greatest girls’ basketball player to pass through the school’s halls.

The Sailors remained intact--except for Ross--and now Newport Harbor is a team in transition.

Tuesday night at the Marina tournament, the Sailors showed Rancho Alamitos what they have to do in the post-Ross era.

Three players scored in double figures and Newport Harbor used a tenacious defense that forced 36 turnovers in a 61-51 second-round victory over the Vaqueros (6-4).

The Sailors play Fountain Valley tonight at 8:30 p.m. in the semifinals at Marina High.

“What’s fun is adjusting to life without Michaela,” said fifth-year Sailor Coach Shannon Jakosky. “I think it takes five years to build a program, and even though we lost a star, I think the program is solid.”

So solid that they are 7-2 despite three players missing three games earlier this season because they played on the state finalist volleyball team.

One of those, Melissa Schutz, had 13 points and five rebounds against Rancho Alamitos. She got plenty of help, though: Genevieve Evarts had 13, and Mandy Clayton had 12.

Clayton scored eight points during a 14-2 run at the end of the second quarter that turned Newport Harbor’s 22-20 lead into a near rout.

“Over the summer, we knew we would have to balance out the offense (without Ross),” Clayton said. “(Evarts) was carrying a lot of the point load. (Jakosky) told us we all need to contribute evenly, and every night there will be a different star.”

Said Jakosky: “I’m pleased that for the first time, we’ve been able to have five players on the floor who can score. You’ll see balanced scoring with a couple every game in double figures.”

Evarts also contributed on defense, helping contain Rancho’s Akilah Rodgers (18 points, 12 rebounds, four blocks) after Diane Pulido picked up her third foul with 6 minutes 50 seconds left in the second quarter. Rodgers had only six points at halftime and the Vaqueros trailed by 16.

Michelle Frank had 13 points and Sally Vasquez 10 for Rancho.