High Schools: Sailors victims of theft

The Newport Harbor High football team lost more than a game at San Clemente on Friday night.

After the Sailors suffered a 24-12 loss on the field, they walked to the visiting locker room to change and gather their belongings. Sam Bush, a left tackle, said missing from players’ bags were cell phones and mp3 players.

“We just walked into the locker, only to find out that our stuff was stolen,” Bush said.

“Coming off … a loss, it’s never easy. It just sent me over the edge. I tried to keep my composure. One friend had $500 worth, headphones and a cell phone, stolen. Everyone was [upset].”

Sam said the coaching staff settled everyone down. He is hopeful the items will be recovered.

Susan Bush, Sam’s mother, said the Orange County Sheriff’s Department is investigating the thefts. Deputies arrived at the scene.

“They gave us a piece of paper to fill out [list stolen items],” said Sam, adding that players will submit them this week. “I’m going to wait and see what happens. I’m not devastated over it.”

The Sailors dropping to 1-3 stung more.

One of the things Jim Scott Sr. requested from his family before he passed away at age 85 in May was that his memorial service be held at Estancia.

The service will be inside the gym on Nov. 11 at 4:30 p.m., 2½ hours before the kickoff of the Battle for the Bell football game. Scott initiated the Bell trophy associated with the series between Estancia and Costa Mesa.

The rivals will play for the Bell trophy in the stadium Scott helped build three years ago. The stadium bears Scott’s name.

The Corona del Mar football team has reached the top of the CIF Southern Section Southern Division poll.

The Sea Kings (4-1) moved up from the No. 2 spot after drilling Magnolia, 48-6, Friday. They bounced back after their first setback of the year, losing the Battle of the Bay to Newport Harbor, 29-26, on Sept. 23.

Estancia climbed to No. 6 with a 43-27 upset of then-No. 3 Northwood. The Eagles (3-1) can crack the top five if they can stun No. 2 Beckman (2-2) at Jim Scott Stadium on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Costa Mesa, which has reeled four straight wins since losing the season opener, isn’t getting any love from those who vote for the poll. The Mustangs (4-1) have a bye this week.

Maybe not playing will help them in the rankings.

The Newport Harbor girls’ volleyball team placed third at the Asics Challenge in Chicago on Saturday.

The Sailors did so by defeating host Mother McAuley, 22-25, 25-19, 25-22.

In the semifinals, Newport Harbor (12-3) faced Assumption of Louisville, Ky. Assumption, which has played almost twice as many matches as the Sailors, was ranked fifth in the country byESPN.

The Sailors are No. 38 nationally and No. 4 in CIF Southern Section Division I-AA.

CdM is No. 2 in Division I-A and Sage Hill is No. 4 in Division IV-AA.

Coach Bill Sumner has his CdM girls’ cross country team ranked No. 2 in CIF Southern Section Division III.

The Sea Kings placed third in the Division III race at the recent Stanford Invitational in Palo Alto. Senior Ashlee Powers placed sixth in 18 minutes, 16 seconds, the best finish by an Orange County runner.

Sage Hill’s boys are No. 9 and girls are No. 10, respectively, in Division V.

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Twitter: @dcpenaloza