Defense Lifts El Toro Past Sailors, 66-49

El Toro Coach Todd Dixon knew a solid defensive effort from his team was the key to beating No. 8 Newport Harbor.

It took his team 16 minutes Friday to figure that out, but the No. 4 Chargers (9-0) had enough time left to pull away and defeat the Sailors, 66-49, in the semifinals of the Anaheim Holiday Classic.

“When you’re playing good defense, it energizes you,” Dixon said. “They knew they were up against a challenge, the defense improved, and that made the difference in the game.”

Trailing, 30-21, early in the third quarter, the El Toro defense clamped down on Newport Harbor’s interior offense, which had numerous layups in the first half, led by junior Tony Melum (18 points).

The plan worked as the Sailors were held to 40-percent shooting and 21 points in the second half. The Chargers used a 21-12 run to tie the score, 42-42, and took the lead for good with a 12-2 run that put them up, 54-44.

Center Matt Green burned Newport Harbor (8-2) under the basket for 16 points in the second half, after scoring only six in the first half. He finished with 22 points on nine-of-11 shooting, and had a team-high nine rebounds.

Ashkan Nazeri had 17 points, six rebounds and four assists for El Toro, which will play Villa Park (8-0) in the championship game today. The Spartans advanced by beating Capistrano Valley, 71-55.

Capistrano Valley trailed only 24-22 in the second quarter, before Villa Park went on a 14-0 run to close the half.

Sean Phaler scored 18 points and Matt MacGinnis had 17 for the Spartans.

In consolation games:

Brea Olinda 66, Anaheim 53--Ryan Moore scored 25 points, Matt Vandenworm had 13 and Evan Moore had nine points and 11 rebounds for the Wildcats (4-3), who play Los Alamitos in today’s consolation final. Quinn Hawking scored a game-high 29 points for Anaheim (5-6).

Cypress 74, Esperanza 66--Esperanza led 39-34 at halftime, then Cypress blew the game open in the third quarter by outscoring the Aztecs, 25-12. Guard Matt Reid had a game-high 34 points for Cypress (4-3), making 17 of 20 free throws. Mark Lovein led Esperanza (3-6) with 16 points.

Los Alamitos 60, Mission Viejo 57--Mark Lotman hit four three-point shots in the second half, finishing with 16 points, and Brian Rakusin scored 17 for the Griffins (3-5). Travis Niesen scored 21 points for Mission Viejo (6-3).

Magnolia 49, Katella 40--Geoffrey Clayton had 27 points and eight rebounds for Magnolia (4-5). Phillip Tyson had 12 points and seven rebounds for Katella (6-2).