Youth Scene: NJB fifth-graders win four straight

The Laguna Beach Breakers fifth-grade National Junior Basketball All-Net team is on a four-game winning streak after defeating the Laguna Hills Ragin’ Cajuns, 46-34, and the Fullerton Warriors, 46-39, last weekend.

Fullerton previously beat the breakers 41-17, but Breakers were prepared for the second meeting. Oliver Rounaghi led scoring (13) and was key to closing out the Warriors in the final seconds with a basket and steal. Stabilizing the back court with great defense and passing was Boden Gillette (11 points) and Taylor Towe (six points). The front court was ruled by dynamic duo of Griffin Naess (eight points) and Ben Neufeld (six points). Mason Herr (two points) and Devon Connelly added toughness and strong defense in team play.

Not reflected in the stats is the MVP performance given by Ben Reimers. He controlled the paint, snagging most rebounds and neutralized the Warriors’ big man on defense, a player who destroyed the Breakers in the previous meeting between the teams.

The Breakers are back in action for two games, one home Saturday (9 a.m.) at Thurston Middle School, and a 10 a.m. road game Sunday.

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Boys’ Division 1

Laguna Beach suffered another tough loss when they fell Sunday to Tennessee, 47-40.

The Breakers opened up a 21-17 lead in the first half but couldn’t hold their advantage, as Tennessee surged ahead in the final three quarters and never looked back.

Jack Pigott gave a solid performance for the Breakers with 10 points, 10 rebounds, four steals and two assists. Taro Sakai again led in team scoring with 13 points to go with two rebounds, two steals and one assist. Charlie Pillsbury contributed seven points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals, and rounding out the scoring for the Breakers were Timmy Chandler with five points, Miles Riehl with four points, and Kaden Herr with one point. Evan Henry contributed six rebounds.

The loss put the Breakers at 1-4 overall.

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