Laguna Blues reach semifinals

Laguna Blues, a girls’ under-12 team in Laguna Beach AYSO soccer, turned in an outstanding regular season by improving each match and advancing to the semifinal round of the AYSO 11-L South Orange County Tournament of Champions.

The team, which received a wild-card berth to the tournament, nearly reached the division’s championship match but had its title hopes ended in a close, 1-0 loss to Mission Viejo.

The 11-L tournament started Dec. 7-8 and concluded Sunday (Dec. 15) at the San Juan Capistrano Sportspark.

Laguna Blues the only team to defeat Aliso Viejo, the top finishing team in the division during the regular season, previously finished runner-up to the Galaxy Girls in the Laguna Beach girls’ U12 region tournament. Both teams advanced to the Tournament of Champions.

Laguna Blues will continue its season next spring competing in the AYSO Spring Select program.

The Laguna Blues are: Sofia Pfanner, Eden Pfanner, Jillian Goson, Kendall Fraser, Annika Nielson, Medoria Embury, Sophia Parker, Saejah Barrack, Alexis Monaco, Samantha Ordonez, Izzy Meekma, Lucky Hauer, Tatiana Moore, Samia El-Erian, and Melina McKibben. Head coach: Cameron Fraser. Coach: Paul Parker.

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National Junior Basketball

Boys

Fifth-Grade All-Net Division

Laguna Beach 41, Irvine 25

Jack Payne and Nolan Naess scored 15 points apiece to lead the Breakers to a hard-fought victory Saturday over the Jets.

The key to the game for Laguna and what led to the win was a tenacious full-court defense led by guards Booker Frith, George Williams, Griffin Kristensen, Will Compton and Alex Neufeld.

The Breakers, 2-0, take on the San Clemente Tritons Saturday.

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Girls

Division 1

Laguna Beach 26, San Clemente 11

In the first of two games last weekend, Laguna led the entire way in its 15-point victory Saturday at San Clemente. Sophia Lucas led the scoring with 14 points, Isabel Mansour had six points, and Alana Evans provided great defense.

Aliso Niguel 42, Laguna Beach 20

Laguna took an early, 4-0 lead Sunday but then the wheels came off at Aliso Niguel. Sophia Lucas again scored 14 points and Isabel Mansour and Quinn Winter each chipped in three points.

Laguna plays a rematch Saturday against Aliso Niguel at Thurston Middle School in Laguna Beach.

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Division 2

Laguna Beach 47, Laguna Hills 12

Izzy Meekma scored all of her 13 points in the opening half to lead the Breakers to a convincing win over Laguna Hills.

Once Meekma and Grace Gilles exited the game at halftime, and Pearl Sinclair (six points) departed after the third quarter, the foursome of Olivia Shipp (11 points) Piper Naess (eight points), Amelie Sadler (seven points), and Mia Carpino (four points), carried Laguna and made some great plays to seal the win. Teamwork and balanced scoring were keys to the victory.

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