Marina takes third in state

The Marina High girls’ cross-country team ran to a third-place finish in the Division 1 competition Saturday at the CIF State Cross-Country Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno.

The Vikings turned in a team score of 138 and finished behind division-champion San Clemente (87 points) and Vista Murrieta (105). Senior Laura Hollander turned in a great performance and was Marina’s top finisher at the event. Hollander nearly won an individual title, finishing second with a time of 17 minutes, 32 seconds on the 3.1 mile course. Hagen Reedy of Buchanan (Clovis) won the race in 17:27.

Hollander qualified for the 2011 Nike Cross Nationals, which are Saturday in Portland, Ore.

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Boys’ Basketball

Fountain Valley’s boys’ basketball team started its season Monday at the La Quinta Tournament and used a big second half to rout Rancho Alamitos, 78-46. The Barons took a 38-28 halftime lead and went on to outscore the Vaqueros, 26-7, in the third quarter. Senior forward Nathan Moss scored 11 points in the quarter and finished with 17 points and 11 rebounds.

Senior guard Zack Richartz hit four three-point shots on his way to 16 points, junior forward Tanner Trounce hit four three-pointers for his 12 points and junior forward Sean Finley added eight points with eight rebounds.

“We started somewhat slow but really picked up the intensity in the second half,” Fountain Valley Coach Roger Holmes said. “I liked our total team effort getting 22 assists on 26 baskets.”

Senior guard Sean Myers had five assists and junior guard Josh Armstrong four assists.

Brethren Christian also made its season debut Monday by defeating Bolsa Grande, 68-43, at the Godinez Grizzly Invitational. Junior center Mamadou Ndiaye, who stands 7 feet 5, tallied a triple double with 15 points, 13 rebounds and a school-record 15 blocked shots.

Brethren Christian Coach Jon Bahnsen said the previous single-game record for blocks was nine. Senior guard Billy Bryson’s 18 points topped the Warriors and junior forward Dakota Warren scored 15 points.

Ndiaye came back Tuesday to tally 21 points, 13 rebounds and three blocks in the Warriors’ 40-33 tournament win over Katella. Brethren Christian overcame a seven-point halftime deficit by limiting the Knights to just 11 second-half points.

Huntington Beach opened its season Tuesday against Esperanza at the El Modena Kick-off Classic, and the Oilers were edged, 57-53. Junior guard Andrew Tenbrink scored a game-high 18 points and junior forward Harley Ruder had 12 points.

The Ocean View boys’ and girls’ basketball teams and the Marina boys’ team competed at the first Coaches for a Cure basketball event at Ocean View High on Saturday. The day featured five varsity games.

Ocean View’s boys’ team was edged in overtime, 63-62, by Foothill in the final game of the event. Senior guard Cristian Rivera and freshman guard Kendall Small each scored 18 points for the Seahawks.

The Nick Racklin era at Marina began with the Vikings giving their first-year head coach his first victory by defeating Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana, 66-50. Senior guards Jordon Adnams and JJ James had 25 and 19 points, respectively, and junior forward Casey Hayes scored 12 points. Senior guard Michael Livingston had eight assists and took three charges.

“It was nice to win the first game,” Racklin said. “These guys have been great at adjusting to a new coach and new style, and it was a nice reward for them to win.”

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Girls’ Basketball

Brethren Christian’s girls’ basketball team took care of Bolsa Grande on Tuesday, 39-28, at the Corona del Mar Tournament. Senior guard Diannia Demazeliere led the Warriors with 11 points.

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Twitter: @MikeSciacca