Girls’ basketball: Ocean View edges Newport Harbor in sluggish affair

ORANGE — When Newport Harbor High girls’ basketball Coach Jillian Blackledge received a text late Thursday night, she was surprised to learn that her team would be playing Ocean View.

The Seahawks appeared to have a potential path to the final of the Lady Spartans Winter Shootout after winning their first game against Mission Viejo.

A pair of one-possession losses denied the dream for Ocean View, setting up a matchup of teams that would probably be just fine if they never played another game in the Villa Park High gym.

Jackie Moss had 16 points and six steals, and Ocean View held off a late surge from Newport Harbor to win, 34-33, Friday in the teams’ tournament finale at Villa Park High.

The Seahawks (8-3) came away relieved, but they were far from relaxed after avoiding an extended losing streak. There was a feeling that Ocean View was saved by the bell.

After taking a 27-16 lead into the fourth quarter, the Seahawks saw it evaporate late. By the end of the period, the Sailors (5-8) were sitting on the doorstep of a major comeback.

The score was 34-32 with the game inside of 20 seconds to go. Newport Harbor got the stop it needed, and the ball was forwarded to sophomore guard Lexi Alvarez. She was fouled at midcourt on the fastbreak with 9.5 seconds remaning.

Ocean View was in the penalty, and Alvarez shakily drained the first free throw, banking it in off the glass.

Seahawks Coach Kim Morris called a timeout to discuss her team’s options after the next attempt, but it also served to ice the Sailors’ young guard.

Alvarez’s second attempt missed the mark, bouncing off the left rim. Newport Harbor was not in the penalty, and with less than 10 seconds remaining, it could not commit the necessary fouls to get the ball back.

“(For) even the most experienced players in that situation, in that game, that’s very hard to make free throws,” Blackledge said. “She’s upset for sure, but I think that was a good situation for her to be in. She’s young, and she’ll be in that situation a lot more.”

The Sailors had all the momentum late. Hannah Hiromoto had all five of her points in the quarter. Post players Lisa Hamilton and Taylor Howard were a combined six for six from the free-throw line in the period.

Ocean View junior Emi Yamasaki knew her team was fortunate to escape with the win.

“That was completely lucky,” she said. “If (Alvarez) made that (free throw), I feel like we would have had a hard time getting back our lead.”

Despite its hard charge at the end, Newport Harbor dropped its fifth consecutive game.

Yamasaki was largely responsible for her team’s big lead in the first place. She had the hot hand to open the second half, sinking a trio of three-pointers as the Seahawks outscored the Sailors, 15-3, in the third.

“I think we felt relieved that we got a lead like that, but we shouldn’t be so nonchalant about it,” Yamasaki added.

Once ahead though, Morris saw her team revert to bad habits. As good as the third quarter was for the Seahawks, they continued to struggle in their efforts to put together a complete game.

“This entire tournament, they’re not playing our defense, our rules,” Morris said. “It’s because the ball has not dropped easily in the first quarter of a game.”

Baskets were not easy to come by for either team early. Newport Harbor led, 13-12, at halftime.

“The game and the situation is much simpler than we all try to make things out to be, especially when you’re a kid,” Morris continued. “The reality is that we’re dictating our energy, execution, and success based on whether or not the ball goes in easily right away.”

Perhaps a change of scenery is just what both teams need.

After Christmas, Ocean View will head to the San Diego area to participate in the Tri-City Christian Tournament.

Newport Harbor will play its first home game since the Sailors’ season opener, taking on Lakewood Artesia on Dec. 29.

Lady Spartans Winter Shootout

Ocean View 34, Newport Harbor 33

Ocean View75157 — 34

Newport Harbor85317 — 33

OV — Moss 16, Yamasaki 10, Almiranez 3, Alani 3, Newman 2.

3-pt. goals — Yamasaki 3, Moss 1, Almiranez 1.

Fouled out — None.

Technicals — None.

NH — A. Alvarez 10, L. Alvarez 6, Hamilton 6, Hiromoto 5, McPhie 4, Howard 2.

3-pt. goals — A. Alvarez 1, L. Alvarez 1, Hiromoto 1.

Fouled out — None.

Technicals — None.