Boys basketball: Tars back on track

LA PALMA - The Newport Harbor High boys basketball team ended a

two-game losing streak by defeating Savanna, 68-54, in the consolation

quarterfinals of the Anaheim Convention Center Holiday Classic Thursday

at Kennedy High.

Newport senior Tony Melum had nine of his game-high 22 points in the

third quarter, when the Tars (8-4) turned a 33-24 halftime deficit into a

44-39 lead.

“We started going inside more in the third quarter,” said Newport

Coach Larry Hirst, who also noted 6-foot-8 frontliners Nedim Pajevic and

Jamie Diefenbach picked up their game after intermission.

“Then, Chad Rorden sealed the deal with back-to-back three-pointers

with about six minutes left in the game,” Hirst said.

Senior forward Erik Peterson (18 points) added typically strong

defense to his solid contribution to help send the Sailors (8-4) into

tonight’s 7:30 consolation semifinal at Katella High, against the

Esperanza-Aliso Niguel winner.

ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER HOLIDAY CLASSIC

Consolation quarterfinal

Newport Harbor 68, Savanna 54

Score by Quarters

Savanna 18 15 6 15 - 54

Newport Harbor 12 12 20 24 - 68

Savanna - Smith 8, Woods 21, Watson 15, Fairchild 4, Quezada 6.

3-pt. goals - none.

Fouled out - Quezada, Watson.

Technicals - none.

Newport Harbor - Melum 22, Peterson 18, Diefenbach 5, Cameron 5,

Perrine 1, Pajevic 11, Rorden 6, Boyd 0, Pinesett 0, Glassic 0.

3-pt. goals - Rorden 2, Peterson 1.

Fouled out - none.

Technicals - Melum 1.