Newport Lightning wins San Pedro Tournament

Submitted by Heather McNamara

Continuing its successful 2009 club basketball season, the Newport Lightning seventh grade boys AAU basketball team won the Fifth Annual San Pedro “Bad Boys at the Beach” tournament the weekend of June 27-28. In pool play, Newport defeated San Gabriel Valley 41-36, and then outhustled the PCH Spartans 36-20. In the championship finals, the Lightning beat a strong Palos Verdes Cagers team, 53-47, to take home the first place trophy.

“Our defense really came through this weekend,” said Coach Mike Flamson. “We have had a number of strong offensive performances this year, so it’s nice to see the team becoming more well-rounded, especially against such tall and physical AAU teams.”

The Newport Lightning’s fourth grade and eighth grade boys teams also participated in the San Pedro tournament, with the fourth graders winning the consolation bracket title, and the eighth graders advancing to the semifinals.