Newport-Mesa wins state title

Newport-Mesa erased a 16-point third-quarter deficit and defeated

Flagstaff, 67-62, Sunday to win the 2003 National Junior Basketball

California State Championship.

Newport-Mesa’s East National Junior Basketball all-star

seventh-grade team was led by Erik Rask’s 20 points with Omeed Alemi

and Andy Rovzar each forcing several turnovers to score 12 and six

points, respectively.

Chase Pinesett scored 11 points and led the team in rebounds. John

Hutchinson scored 10 points and Peter Hapke provided tough defense to

go with four points.

Kevin Rask scored four points with Preston Oklejas, Trey

LaGrandeur and David Wheatley each helped Newport to the title.

Newport-Mesa defeated Trabuco Hills and Fairfield Saturday to

advance in the two-day tournament held in Escondido. After beating

Whittier, 55-38, Sunday, Newport only had 40 minutes before the

championship game.

Newport-Mesa earned its berth to the state playoffs by winning the

East regional tournament held earlier in Newport Beach.