Dwyer takes hoops title

The Dwyer Middle School sixth- and seventh-grade boy’s basketball team captured the Coastal Athletic League championship and postseason tournament with an exciting 27-24 victory over Ensign Middle School of Newport Beach.

Both teams entered the postseason tournament with 5-1 league records.

Dwyer, coached by Paul Smith, had previously defeated Ensign by two points in regular-season league play. The only loss suffered by the Jr. Oilers came at the hand of rival Sowers.

Dwyer trailed Ensign in the title game, 7-5, after one quarter. But a tenacious defensive effort in the second quarter held the Seabees to just two points. The Jr. Oilers offense, meanwhile, took charge, allowing the team to take an 18-9 lead at the half.

Ensign rallied in the fourth quarter, but Dwyer held on for the win.

The Jr. Oilers were led by starters Vincent Oe (nine points), Michael Wilgus and Dirk Cason (eight points each), Austin Cairo (two points) and Steven Lopez. Making key contributions off the bench were Kyle MacLeod, Tyler Sirna, Mark Johnson and Ryan West.

Other team members include Eric Snyder, Che Sorge, Eric Sutton, Johnnie Lane, Kyle Ogata, Shane Spillman and Chris Olgivie.

“Our school sports programs really have terrific parental support,” Smith said. “The boys really worked hard at practice and deserve the recognition.”