Newport-Mesa Sailors Capture 8th Grade National Title!

The Newport-Mesa Sailors 8th grade All-Net basketball team won the National Junior Basketball (NJB) 2009 National All-Net Tournament last weekend and ended the season (16-6).

In pool play, the Sailors defeated Lindsay McDermont 49-44, Jurupa 48-25 and El Toro 55-43. In the semifinals, Newport-Mesa took care of Capo-Dana 51-35 heading into the championship game.

In the finals, down by up to 13 points in the 2nd quarter to Anaheim Hills, the Sailors rallied back with two big 3-pointers from Blake Grable closing the gap to 7. A strong run in the final minutes led by John Harzan & Blake Motal pulled the team even at halftime 23-23.

The third quarter was a frenzy of lead changes with both teams trying to impose their will. The Sailors full court pressure and multiple steals by Derek Kula held-off the four 3-pointers made by the Red Raiders and kept the game close.

The final quarter was dominated by the Sailors who outscored the Red Raiders 21-12, led by Drew Olson (8 points), Harzan (8 points) and Robbie Rettig (3 assists & 3 steals) to win the game 62-55.

The Newport-Mesa roster consisted of Reid Meckler, Connor Kelly, Nick Hanna, Diego Morales, John Harzan, Drew Olson, Blake Grable, Derek Kula, Robbie Rettig and Blake Motal. Marc Kelly, Scott Stucki and Dan Grable coached the team.