Warriors puts out Fireballs

The Warriors won for the fifth time in seven outings in National

Junior Basketball play when the team defeated the Fireballs, 50-30,

in North Huntington Beach boys’ Division 3 action.

Three Warriors scored in double figures, with Brett Bonnani and

Zack Gates each scoring 13 points.

Tucker Pikula was the third player in double digits with 11

points.

Tyler Hammock and Peter Russo each scored four points, Jonathan

Lai had six steals, Jake Wilson had a basket, rebound, steal and

assist, Andrew Bogard scored a basket and Michael Meagher contributed

two rebounds.

In other NJB games:

South Huntington Beach

Team 3 24, Team 4 22

Reed Thomas’ outside shot with 10 seconds to play competed a Team

3 rally.

Trailing 22-18 in the final minute, Thomas began the comeback by

hitting a short jumper. Down two points, Kekai Kamai intercepted Team

4’s inbounds pass and scored on a layup to tie the game at 22.

Team 3’s defense set up the winning shot when Jimmy Fay deflected

a Team 4 pass, which was grabbed by James Hensley. He passed around

the perimeter to Thomas, who delivered the decisive basket.

Kamai and Thomas each scored six points for Team 3. Bijan Nafison

scored four points, Keaton Celinder, Chris Czerniachowski and Hensley

each scored two points and Aaron Class and Fay each added a free

throw.

Division 3

Young Guns 28, Trojans 26

Max Mayer’s two free throws in the closing seconds lifted the

Young Guns past the previously undefeated Trojans.

The winning free throws capped a nine-point performance by Mayer.

Key Young Gun baskets also came from A.J. Rello, Austin Garrity

and Drake Kerr.

The defense of Shion Baldwin, Joey De Marco and Jake McCloskey

shut down the Trojans.

“I am so proud of these boys,” Young Guns Coach John Rello said.

“They were playing against a much taller and more physical team that

was previously undefeated.

“They hung with them the entire game, even though rebounding was a

big challenge. Our kids ran our plays well and gave us the biggest

win of the year.”

The Young Guns are coached by Jim De Marco.