May 2, 2024

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Portola boys basketball team keeps CIF playoff hopes alive; Newport sets school record for wins and La Habra goes 10-0 in league

Portola’s boys basketball team locked up third place in the Pacific Coast League, defeating Irvine 66-60 in overtime Thursday night.

The Bulldogs (14-14, 5-5) are eligible for the CIF playoffs and will find out Sunday if they advance in their first varsity season. Typically the first three teams from a league advance to the playoffs.

Mohsen Hashemi scored 22 points, Robert Giraldy, who returned to the team after being sidelined with an injury scored 16 points and Saif Habibeh had 13 points for the Bulldogs.

Irvine (14-14, 4-6) was led by Chase Porter with 18 points, Chris Dean with 16 points and Devin Lee with 15 points.

Irvine could still have a chance to advance because it has a .500 overall record.

Also Thursday night:

Newport Harbor 59, Corona del Mar 47: The Sailors won the playoff game to determine CIF seeding and set a school record for most wins (25-4). The Sailors were led by Dayne Chalmers with 18 points and Levi Darrow with 10 points and three 3-pointers.

John Humphreys scored 13 points and Jack Stone 10 to lead CdM (18-10).

Newport Harbor, CdM, Los Alamitos and Edison all shared the Surf League title.

La Habra 58, Buena Park 24: The Highlanders wrapped up a perfect Freeway League season. Kevin Milligan had 12 points and three 3-pointers for La Habra (25-2, 10-0). Christian Salazar had 11 points and three 3-pointers.