DIVISION III-AA GIRLS’ BASKETBALL QUARTERFINALS

Newport Harbor 60, Lake Arrowhead Rim of the World 36--Everyone’s heard the old line about the “doughnut team;” you know, a basketball team with nothing in the middle.

Second-seeded Newport Harbor played a “doughnut game,” taking a 30-7 lead before allowing visiting Lake Arrowhead Rim of the World to close to within eight points in the quarterfinal victory.

Sailor Coach Shannon Jakosky wasn’t bothered by the mid-game letdown. “I’m thrilled with the poise we showed--I’m going with a freshman and two sophomores in my top seven,” Jakosky said. “They made a great run, but we recovered, and the final score is the only thing that matters.”

Newport Harbor (22-5) scored on its first four possessions and took an 8-0 lead 1:14 into the game. At 10-5 the Sailor defense forced turnover after turnover (41 in the game); Newport Harbor then scored the next 18 points, taking a 28-5 lead with five minutes to go in the half.

The Scots (14-8) closed to 35-15 at halftime. Rim of the World scored the first 10 points of the second half and pulled within 39-31 with eight minutes to go.

The Sailors apparently got the message; they opened the fourth quarter with a 15-1 run to put the game away. Mandy Clayton paced Newport Harbor with 15 points and Jenny Jennings had 13 points and nine rebounds.

Point guard Andree Verhulst had eight assists, six steals and nine points for the Sailors.