Newport-Mesa seventh-graders capture All-Net basketball title

The Newport Mesa Blazers seventh-grade All-Net basketball team won the National Junior Basketball (NJB) Southern California “Super Sectional” tournament over the weekend of March 7 and 8.

In pool play, Newport Mesa defeated Corona-Norco, 52-25, and got by Yorba Linda, 46-41. In the semifinals, Newport took care of Laguna Hills, 42-25, and then won the championship with a comeback victory in the finals over Irvine, 47-42.

After finishing the regular season in fourth place in its 10-team division, Newport Mesa “peaked at just the right time,” said head coach Mike Flamson. “We improved all through league play, and then put together four great playoff games when it counted the most.”

Flamson is assisted by Mike Coffman and Brett Williamson. The Newport-Mesa players are Braden Brahs, Andrew Chase, Charlie Coffman, Blake Flamson, Jeff Johnston, Alec Markling, Grant Moore, Ryan Schroth, and Jack Williamson. Next up for the team is the NJB All Net National tournament on March 27-29.