Youth basketball: Knicks win regular-season tourney

The Newport Mesa NJB Knicks won the Division Champion Series

Tournament after defeating three Orange County teams.

The Knicks, coached by Peter Helfrich, defeated Whittier, 54-32, to

win the title. Michael Helfrich scored a game-high 26 points, while J.B.

Green added 16. The Knicks dominated the boards, as Aaron Northcraft,

Trey Lagrandeur and Martin O’Toole combined for 23 rebounds.

On defense, Matthew Crouch, Erik Nutzke, Austin Apramian and Mike

McKenna contributed solid efforts.

The Knicks defeated Capistrano Valley Dana Hills (Capo Dana), 48-36,

in the semifinals, and beat Fountain Valley, 51-45, in the quarterfinals.

Michael Helfrich and Green combined for 62 points in the two victories.