CORONA DEL MAR TODAY

Newport Mesa City Championships

Celtics Defeat Wolverines, 34-28 (Division 2 Boys: 5/6th Grades)

The first game was a very competitive boys 5/6th grade match up in which the Celtics, coached by Tony Swies, won, 34-28. The Celtics won in a defensive battle over the No. 1-seed Wolverines in a hard-fought contest.

The Celtic leading scorers were Zack Swies with 13 points and Billy Shannon with 10 points. It was a team effort with a well-managed game by Celtic point guards Miles Aguilera and Jarret Thompson. There was an excellent defensive effort by Paul Vrebalovich who had four blocked shots, five rebounds and solid free throws, shooting at key moments of the game.

Outstanding defense was played by Jimmy Solano (two steals and three rebounds), Kobe Beard (two rebounds and two steals), and defensive specialist Luke Palazzo who harassed the quick and well coached Wolverines guards and also scored 4 points.

To the Wolverines (coached by Charlie Wilde and Jim Binford) credit, they entered the game with a 12-win undefeated regular season and met a Celtics team that would not be denied. Wolverines down by double digits much of the second half mounted a furious comeback, but at the end fell to the Celtics by 6. Mick Hamilton, scoreless in the first half, caught fire and scored 10 points in the second half including a clutch three-pointer in the final moments.

All in all it was a season to remember for the Wolverines, finishing the season 12 wins and the sole City Final loss. Consistent with most regular season games, all Wolverine players scored executing the vintage weave offense and made plays in the contest. Eann McKasson and Max Morris split time at the point, Jack Elliott and Mick Hamilton on the wings, and Ryan Binford, Will Harvey and Brian Bailey playing inside. Henry Wilde was tormented by a broken finger and was not able to play in the final.

Lakers Defeat Thunder, 31-26 (Division 1 Boys: 7/8th Grades)

The NJB Boys Division 1 City Championship game featured a battle between the 10-2 Thunder coached by Tom Joyce and Chuck Cargile and the 11-1 Lakers coached by Dan Whelan. In a fierce defensive struggle played in front of an enthusiastic crowd at Corona del Mar High School, the Lakers prevailed by a final score of 34-28.

The Thunder were led in scoring by center Nick Borquez (9 points) with Grant Joyce and Nick Ursini contributing 7 and 6 points respectively. Brandon Cargile, Angelo Ursini and Ethan Assar provided the pressure defense with Keegan Schonfeldt and Connell MacLean pulling down the rebounds to keep the Thunder close.

In the end, the veteran Lakers were too much for the Thunder and won the championship while finishing their season on a 12-game winning streak. It was a hard-fought battle with Adam Freeman scoring a game high 9 points and Jake Whelan contributing 8 points for the Lakers. Nick Borquez pulled down a game high 16 rebounds for the Thunder.

The team includes Sam Skinner, Cole Thomas, Jimmy Ashbey, Jake Whelan, Layson Savant, Gage Thomas; Blake Kormos and Adam Freeman

Photos and articles submitted by Corona del Mar readers.