Lightning strikes again as the Newport Lightning boys 7th grade team capped its strong summer season by winning last weekend’s Big City Sports “OC Slamboree” tournament in Buena Park.
In pool play, the Lightning defeated OCBC 40-39 and lost in a thriller to the Corona Lakers 43-40. Key players in the Lightning’s success were Keisean South, the team’s leading scorer with 17.5 points per game and 13.5 rebounds per game, and Kevin Fults (6.5 ppg and 8.5 rpg). Trevor Schwartz hit a pair of clutch 3-pointers and Ben Bockrath averaged 6 ppg and 2 spg.
In Sunday’s elimination round, the Lightning toppled the opposite bracket’s No. 1 seed, The Corona Panthers, 57-50 in a tightly contested game. The Lightning was led by the strong defensive play of Dylan Atencio, Charlie Evans, Brett Greenlee and Austin Ridge which helped them secure the victory.
In the championship game, the Lightning faced the tough Corona Lakers in another epic battle. Keisean South, who had 18 points and 13 rebounds, and Brett Greenlee who chipped in all over the court with 8 points, 7 rebounds, and 4 steals were the top 2 scorers for the Lightning. Charlie Evans, Kevin Fults, Parker Reposa and David Karamardian provided excellent defense and key possessions for the Lightning.
Ben Bockrath hit a huge 3-pointer to put the Lightning ahead and Dylan Atencio stole a pass and made a layup to put the game out of reach for the Lakers as the Lightning took the title 49-47.
