Sailors’ size a big deal

IRVINE — Kevin Palmer shouted and shouted, but all his directions were no match for Newport Harbor High’s size.

The first-year Costa Mesa boys’ basketball coach knew it, and when the game ended, and the Mustangs recorded their sixth straight loss of the season, Palmer chalked it up to youth.

The Sailors (5-1) defeated the Mustangs, 65-34, Monday in the first round of pool play in the Irvine World News tournament at Woodbridge High.

“We’re young,” Palmer said. “We’re learning. It’s a work in progress. I’ve got four returners. Out of those four returners, one guy played.”

So Palmer yells a lot.

“Mostly, when I’m hollering at them, I’m hollering fundamental stuff,” he explained. “Move your feet, screen out. I’m directing them how to fundamentally play the game.”

On the other sideline, Sailors coach Larry Hirst was comparably placid.

Costa Mesa (0-6) struggled early to counter a big Newport Harbor lineup, and six-foot-nine senior forward Kyle Caldwell scored 13 of his game-high 15 points in the first quarter alone. By halftime, Newport Harbor led, 39-15.

Instead of trying to block Caldwell’s shots in the paint, the Mustangs concentrated their efforts on defending entry passes and outside shots to avoid what would have been inevitable fouls down low. It left Caldwell open, but limited the Sailors’ trips to the free throw line to seven.

“I thought we came out with good defensive intensity, but I thought we were sloppy offensively,” Hirst said.

Costa Mesa was facing a team that wasn’t just more experienced, but much bigger, and stronger. So Palmer, who estimated the tallest player in Costa Mesa’s starting lineup is 5-10, is trying to work on that, too.

He’s started a strength and conditioning regimen for the team, something he said was missing in seasons prior.

“I’ve seen lots of small teams beat big teams,” Palmer said. “It’s just a matter of fundamental basketball and execution. That’s our goal.”

Despite staying with Newport Harbor defensively, and collecting steals, Costa Mesa simply wasn’t able to capitalize offensively, and either missed shots, or committed turnovers. Junior Ryan Thompson led the Mustangs with 10 points, followed by junior Mikey Molina, who added 10.

“That’s why we were frustrated at halftime, because we didn’t think we were playing to the best of our ability,” Hirst said. “We give Costa Mesa credit for that because they were out denying lanes and switching defenses. They did a good job in the first half of keeping us from running everything we wanted to run.”

The Mustangs will face Canyon today at 5:30 p.m. at University. Newport Harbor will play Canyon Wednesday at Northwood, also at 5:30.

Irvine World News Tournament

Pool Play

Newport Harbor 65, Costa Mesa 34

SCORE BY QUARTERS

NH – Caldwell 15, Kuhns 10, Volz 10, D’Cruz 8, Galey 8, Helfrich 6, Whiteside 5, Friend 2, Lyon 1.

3-pt. goals – Caldwell 1, Kuhns 1.

Fouled out - None.

Technicals - None.

CM – Thompson 10, Molina 9, Gardner 6, Lefebvre 3, Tran 2, Waldron 2, Dawson 2.

3-pt. goals – Gardner 2, Molina 1.

SORAYA NADIA McDONALD may be reached at (714) 966-4613 or at [email protected].