Girls’ youth hoops team keeps on rolling

The Laguna Beach girls’ Division 2 (5th/6th grade) team followed up its undefeated regular season by winning its first two games in the National Junior Basketball Championship Series Tournament last weekend.

Laguna opened the tournament Saturday and scored a 43-31 win over La Verne/San Dimas. Rachel Kenney made some key baskets to get her team off to a fast start. Sophia Lucas hit shots from all over and had a big second half to lead the team to the win.

Laguna returned to action Sunday and easily handled Encinitas, winning, 36-10. Madison Sinclair was nearly unstoppable as Encinitas had no answer for her. Lexi McKeown also had her best offensive game of the year to help lead the team to the big victory.

Laguna takes on Newport-Mesa on Saturday in the division’s title game of the Championship Series.

— Submitted by Eric Lucas

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Boys & Girls Club Basketball

The Lakers, an Instructional Boys division (grades 2/3) basketball team, captured two first-place finishes in city of Laguna Beach Boys & Girls Club action during the month.

The Lakers went 9-1 over the season, winning the 10-team regular season division title, then won the division’s championship tournament Feb. 18. Team members were presented their championship trophies at halftime of last Friday’s CIF boys’ basketball game between Whittier Christian and Laguna Beach at the Laguna Beach High gym. An Instructional Boys’ division All-Star game also was played at halftime.

The Lakers are: Chase Hall, Tayber Garcia, Scotty Plowden, Lucas Watson, Gavin Gee, Cole Pressley, Jonathan Channels and coaches Ken Garcia and Roy Watson.

Channels, Plowden, Hall and Tayber Garcia were selected from the Lakers to play in the All-Star game.

— Submitted by Ken Garcia