Seahawks soar past Fontana

Ocean View opens own tournament with 62-42 victory over the Steelers.An energized Ocean View High boys’ basketball team opened the Tournament of Champions on Monday at Ocean View with a resounding 62-42 victory over Fontana.

It was the first game of a tournament in which 13 teams from as far north as Clovis are competing for the title.

“I thought the way that we started was great,” said Ocean View co-head coach Jimmy Harris, whose team won its fourth-straight game to improve to 4-1. “We had tons of energy. We had been lacking and inconsistent in that department in our first few games.”

The Seahawks, who took a 30-21 halftime lead, pulled away in the second half by outscoring the Steelers 19-3 in the fourth quarter.

Senior forward Brad Sweezy led all scorers with 20 points and Seahawks teammate Casey Ngo, a senior guard, scored 11. Senior forward Wynton Johnson eight.

“Wynton and Casey really upped their tempo of play from the start and maintained that level throughout the game,” Harris said. “They both did a really nice job.”

The Tournament of Champions continues today at Ocean View, with games also slated for Friday and Saturday, the final day of competition that concludes with a 7:30 p.m. championship final.

In addition to Ocean View and Fontana, L.A. Birmingham, JSerra, Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, Torrance, Harvard-Westlake, Long Beach Poly, L.A. Cleveland, Clovis West, Cajon, Centennial of Corona and Temecula Valley are competing in tournament pool play.

“This has always been such a strong tournament with outstanding teams, and there’s plenty playing here again this year,” Harris said. “You have Harvard-Westlake playing Long Beach Poly and Centennial and Temecula Valley playing firs-round games, which is reflective of just how many strong teams are in this tournament.”

In other boys’ action:

In the championship game of the La Quinta Classic, Edison ran away from University, 84-50. T. J. Lipold scored 16 points and added 10 rebounds and 11 assists to lead the Chargers.

Jeff Golden also scored 16 points and Thomas Marcin 14 for Edison.

In previous pool play at the tournament, Edison held off Century, 50-43. Lipold again led the way, this time with 15 points, and Marcin scored 14.

While Edison wrapped up the tournament title, Huntington Beach laid claim to the consolation championship at the tournament by whipping Westminster, 78-47. The Oilers’ Nick Becker, named the MVP of the tournament, led all scorers with 20 points.

Brian Gee scored 15 point, Greg Bartolme added 14 and Jeff VanDoornum 12 as Huntington, which raced to a 47-30 halftime lead, won its fifth game of the year.

At the Fullerton Tournament, Marina was a 69-61 winner over Highland of Arizona. Sean Starkey of the Vikings led all scorers with 23 points.

Mike Kinoshita, who hit five three-point baskets, scored 18 and Bryce Overend 14 for Marina.

The Vikings advanced to the tournament semifinals, where they were edged by a Tustin team that rallied in the second half to pull out a 53-51 victory. Three Vikings scored in double figures as Starkey had 15, Kinoshita 14 and Troy Lewis 12.

In girls’ basketball:

Ocean View first victory of the season proved to be a memorable one, as the Seahawks defeated host Duarte in record-setting fashion, 64-6, at the Duarte Tournament.

The Seahawks put on an overpowering defensive display and held the Falcons scoreless in the first half in bolting to a 46-0 lead.

Yes, 46-0.

It’s a school record for a half and the least amount of points allowed an opponent in a game.

“I’ve never been around anything like this before,” Ocean View coach Jim Harris said. “We ran the clock in the second half and did everything we could ethically to not make it any worse.

“You feel good for getting the opportunity to let all your players get in the game, but feel bad, at the same time, for Duarte. They were without their best player.”

Sophomore forward Erica Congelliere scored 14 points and senior guard Josnique Thomas 11 to lead 11 Seahawks in the scoring column. 20051215irgs2hknWENDI KAMINSKI / INDEPENDENT(LA)Ocean View’s Casey Ngo, who scored 11 points, attempts a shot against Fontana Steelers’ Sumner Fife Monday during the Tournament of Champions 2005 at Ocean View High School.