YOUTH SCENE

BASKETBALL

All-Net

Boys’ seventh grade

Irvine Heat 54, Newport-Mesa Sailors 51: The showdown of the top two teams in the division pitted the 10-2 Sailors against the 12-0 Heat. The home team Heat opened the game on fire, hitting nearly every shot in the first quarter and taking a huge 18-point lead early in the second quarter.

However, the Sailors clawed their way back into the game with a stingy full-court press and multiple steals from Robbie Rettig, who converted three straight buckets to cut the lead to four heading into the fourth quarter.

The final period was a back-and-forth affair with both teams playing hard-nosed defense and limiting the shots on both ends of the court. Blake Grable hit a key three-pointer early in the period to keep the game close, while Blake Motal keyed some fast-break opportunities with strong rebounding down the stretch.

With just minutes remaining, Rettig hit a huge three-pointer to tie the game. But the Heat made a key free throw down the stretch and hung on.

Newport-Mesa Sailors 63, Corona-Norco Ballers 53: The Sailors won in the nightcap to improve to 11-3 on the season in a close win over the Ballers at Riley Gym in Norco. The Sailors were led by Jackson Pries, who had his best game of the season with 16 points, 11 rebounds, seven steals, two blocks and two assists.

Drew Olson also had his best outing of the season with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals, while Blake Motal added 10 points and six rebounds. Connor Kelly and Reid Meckler ran the offense and created numerous turnovers in the game while Robbie Rettig and Nick Hannah combined for 11 points.

Blake Grable chipped in three points and five rebounds in the final regular-season game.

BASEBALL

Costa Mesa National Little League

Minor B Division

Angels 14, Red Sox 4: Spencer Stern started pitching for the Angels and threw three great innings.

Stern also hit a double to right field. Riley Lord was next pitcher and did a great job. Brian Rodriguez pitched the last two innings, giving up no runs. Rodriguez also hit the first home run of the Costa Mesa National Little League season, with a three-run homer over the left-field fence.

Liam Wallington played great defense at catcher. Also playing well were Jake McIntyre, Schelton Carr, Marcus Estrada, Dylan Herrick, Joey Hubbs, Ty Kearney-Amrine, Kyle Martella and Josh Hanson.

Costa Mesa American Little League

Major Division

Yankees 6, Angels 3: The Costa Mesa American Little League Major Yankee bats were hot as they defeated the CMALL Major Angels on Opening Day.

Alexis Herrera started the game off with a line-drive double into left-center field, his first of three doubles for the day. By the end of the game the Yankees had 10 hits to their credit.

The Yankees’ hot bats were matched by some fine fielding. An outstanding double play was executed by Kris Cardenas, Mickey Beliakoff and Trevor Cohen.

The pitching staff of Jake Martin, Michael Huff, Alexis Herrera and Connor Howard held the Angels to five hits.