Beaten to the punch

The fundamentals that were stressed back in the day when players

were referred to as cagers, still apply to today’s game. That’s what

Newport Harbor High Coach Larry Hirst made clear after his boys

basketball team’s 66-44 loss to Marina at El Toro High Thursday.

“I remember when (former Newport Harbor and NBA standout) George

Yardley spoke to our team six years ago,” Hirst said. “He said,

defense and rebounding is about heart and desire. What took place in

his day, still applies to today. If you don’t rebound, if you don’t

take care of the ball, you’re not going to win very many games. We

gave up 20 offensive rebounds and had 21 turnovers. That sums it up.”

The Sailors (8-5) also played an uphill battle without their star

player, Nedim Pajevic, who got into early foul trouble with two fouls

in the first quarter.

“Obviously when their big guy got into foul trouble that helped us

out a lot,” said Marina Coach Roger Holmes. “We were able to run in

our wide-open offense and that when we’re at our best.”

The Vikings (9-4) built a 23-8 in the game’s first nine minutes,

finding most of their points in transition, off turnovers and on

backdoor cuts to the basket. Meanwhile, Newport struggled to contend

with Marina’s speed and trailed, 34-18, at halftime.

With Pajevic back in the lineup in the third quarter, the Sailors

made a 14-7 run in the final six minutes of the period, cutting the

deficit to 46-35. Pajevic scored in the paint and was fouled on the

basket with 3:28 left in the third. He converted on the free throw to

complete the three-point play, pulling the Sailors closer, 40-28.

Then, 20 seconds later, Newport junior Andre Pinesett made a nice

entry pass to Pajevic, who finished on the easy layin, which prompted

a Marina timeout. Newport senior Chad Rorden nailed a three-pointer

during the Sailors’ late third-quarter run.

However, the Vikings outscored Newport, 20-9, in the final

quarter, maintaining their up-tempo style, while beating the Sailors

to loose balls and on the boards.

“We’re more concerned of what we need to do,” Hirst said. “We are

our own worst enemy. I guess in a sense that is good because we know

what the problem is and we know we can correct it. A lot has to do

with attitude. We don’t have the mindset to get better.”

Rorden was the only Newport player to score in double figures and

led the Sailors with 11 points. Rorden was 2 of 4 from the

three-point line. Pajevic scored nine points, four in the first

quarter and five in the third period. Senior Chase Cameron

contributed eight points for the Sailors.

The Vikings were led by James Lambert and Matt Brennan, whom

scored 14 points each.

“I don’t think you ever saw a unit of five competing for a common

goal in that game,” Hirst said.

Nonleague

Marina 66, Newport 44

Marina 16 18 12

20 -- 66

Newport 8 10 17

9 -- 44

Marina -- Lambert 14, Brennan 14, Brown 13, Becker 5,

Lee 1, McNeese 12, Hung 3, Diecidue 2, Rivera 2.

3-pt. goals -- Lambert 2, Brennan 2, Brown 2, McNeese 1, Hung 1.

Fouled out -- Lambert.

Technicals -- none.

Newport Harbor -- Pinesett 2, Lowenthal 4, Pajevic 9, Rorden 11,

Cameron 8, Hernandez 5, Glassic 5, Perrine 0, Hunter 0.

3-pt. goals -- Rorden 2, Cameron 1.

Fouled out -- none.

Technicals -- none.