Revival of the Fittest--Woodbridge Alone in 1st

After a two-year stretch near the bottom of the Sea View League boys’ basketball standings, once-mighty Woodbridge made a bold statement Friday night with an impressive 65-51 victory over visiting Newport Harbor.

“I think we’re back,” Warrior Coach John Halagan said. “I think it’s official.”

The Warriors (16-8, 5-1 in league) used a torrid third-quarter stretch to take command, then held off a late run by Newport Harbor (16-8, 5-2) to avenge their only league loss of the season, a 59-57 overtime setback on Jan. 14.

Woodbridge (16-8, 5-1) made the playoffs in 13 consecutive seasons, including a Southern Section championship in 1996-97 before missing the postseason with a 3-7 record in 1997-98. A 1-9 record last season also kept the Warriors out, but they can clinch a share of the league title with a victory Wednesday at third-place Aliso Niguel. The Warriors defeated the Wolverines, 64-54, when they met Jan. 20.

“Going 1-9 in league last year is a big issue with our guys,” Halagan said. “They wanted this game to prove we’re back to where we like to be, which is in the upper echelon of our league and the ability to make a deep run in our playoff bracket.”

Newport Harbor trailed, 53-38, early in the fourth quarter, but consecutive fast-break dunks by sophomore reserve Tony Melum and a dunk by Dustin Illingworth highlighted an 11-2 run that pulled Newport to within 55-49 with 3:49 to play.

Woodbridge answered with a driving layup by Tashan Forehan-Kelly and a three-point basket by Regan Arroyo for a 61-51 lead with 2:12 to play.

“We did a nice job of really finishing off the game,” Halagan said. “The guys did a great job of keeping their composure.”

After taking a 30-25 lead at halftime, the Warriors made their first six field-goal attempts of the third quarter and extended their lead to 43-29. Danny Lambert, who had a game-high 20 points for Woodbridge, said a quick start to the second half was critical.

“Last time we played them we came out flat in the second half,” he said. “I think the third quarter was 19-4. We didn’t want that to happen again.”

The Woodbridge defense centered on stopping Illingworth and Aaron Yarnal, the Sailors’ top two scorers. Both were double-teamed any time the ball came near. Illingworth finished with 13 points on five of 15 shooting and Yarnal (3-11) had 10.

In another Sea View League game:

Laguna Hills 62, Aliso Niguel 52--Kade Stone had 15 points, 12 rebounds and seven assists for the host Hawks (14-10, 3-4). Ryan Ross scored 16 points for Aliso Niguel (13-11, 3-3).