March 1, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Costa Mesa, CA – The Newport-Mesa Thunder, hosting

the Mission Viejo Blazing Mustangs in the Orange

County YMCA boys’ basketball league (8-9 years old) on

Saturday in Costa Mesa, came away with a 19-9 victory

to start their season at 3-0.

The game was a back and forth battle, which was a close

10-8 at the start of the last period, before the Thunder

pulled away with Steven Somoya making several key

plays en route to 6 points. Jake Chun took the ball to the

hoop all game, resulting in 7 points and 10 free throw

attempts. He also led with three steals.

Other team leaders were Bradley Sebastian with seven

rebounds and Stuart Jeremias with three passes. John

Mayhew had a strong game with 4 points, an assist, and a

steal. Trey Solomon played a stifling defense and added

2 points. Geoffrey Gaites turned in a solid effort

notching a rebound, pass, and steal.

The team continues to improve with a cooperative effort.

Adam and Alec Tong added balance, while Enzo Marino

contributed in the important final period. Coach Tim

Heuer turned in another solid coaching effort, including

last period substitutions which put his team on a 9-1 roll

to seal the victory.

Next Saturday the team hosts the Mission Viejo Running

Mustangs at 8am.

March 8, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Costa Mesa, CA – The Newport-Mesa Thunder

matchup against the Mission Viejo Running Mustangs

lived up to the expectation as their toughest test of the

season with the hosting Thunder pulling off an exciting

35-32 victory in overtime.

The Mustangs opened up a mid-game lead using a zone

defense and effective double-team trapping. Early

confusion set in as the Thunder attempted to execute their

man-to-man defense while four of seven Mustang players

wore duplicate jersey numbers.

Early in the game Enzo Marino registered with two

points, two rebounds, and a steal. Adam Tong bypassed

the zone defense and drove to the basket for a shot. Stuart

Jeremias helped a lot by bringing the ball up the court for

the team. And Alec Tong offered outside help.

The game began to turn in the final period when the

Thunder, down by 14, went on a scoring run. The team

started to work well together, trapping, stealing,

rebounding, and passing. With just over three minutes to

play, the Thunder had pulled within 6 and could feel the

momentum shift.

Trey Solomon began trapping at half-court while his

teammates defended the basket, which led to several turn-

overs. Great passing by John Mayhew and Geoffrey

Gaites led to scoring opportunities. Solid ball-handling

and penetration by Steven Somoya helped keep the

pressure. Bradley Sebastian continued to fight down low

for rebounds.

Within the last 2 minutes, Coach Tim Heuer’s decision

to teach man-to-man defense paid off as the Thunder was

able to initiate a full court press, leading to more turn-

overs and scoring chances. And with time winding down,

Jake Chun hit two critical free throws to tie the game.

Overtime was as super-charged as the final period, but

the team pulled ahead on Trey’s outside stunner and

secured the win with another free throw by Jake.

This game was a classic example of never giving up and playing until the final buzzer.

As for the rest of the numbers, Jake added 7 field goals for 17 total points, 5 rebounds, 3 passes, and 4 steals.

Trey had 10 points, 9 rebounds, 5 passes, and 5 steals. John had 6 points, a rebound, 4 passes, and 2 steals.

Bradley pulled in a couple of rebounds.

These statistics are unofficial and by no means completely accurate. Team effort often leads to turn-overs.

Passes are difficult to track in a fast game.

Next Saturday the team visits the Mission Viejo Stampeding Mustangs at 11am.

Score Total 1st

Score Total 2nd

Score Total 3rd

Score Total 4th

Score Total 5th

Score Total OT

Newport-Mesa Thunder 6 6 16 18 32 35

Mission Viejo Running Mustangs 6 16 24 32 32 32

March 15, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Mission Viejo, CA – The Newport-Mesa Thunder lived

up to their name by rolling past the hosting Mission Viejo

Stampeding Mustangs 26-17 to start at 5-0 on the season.

For the second consecutive week, the Thunder faced

tough competition against one of their top rivals in the

league. Steven Somoya got the team started right by

scoring four of his six points to start the game.

The game pretty much kept an even pace with the

Thunder holding a slight lead most of the way. Enzo

Marino had a big game, shooting 2-for-2 from the field

and pulling down a team leading 6 rebounds.

Jake Chun had another solid performance with 6 points,

5 rebounds, an assist, a steal, and a block. John Mayhew

added a much needed late game performance with 4

points, a rebound, an assist, a block, and two free throw

attempts. Trey Solomon fought his way to 4 rebounds, 2

points, an assist, and a steal.

And for the second consecutive week the Thunder

played a game-changing final period, while Coach Tim

Heuer used man-to-man defense, mass substitutions, and

a late-game full court press to make the difference.

Entering the period with only a one point lead, the team

scored eight unanswered points for a nine point victory.

Bradley Sebastian added a couple of points and a

couple of rebounds to his stats, while Geoffrey Gaites and

Stuart Jeremias added rebounds with strong defensive

performances. Brothers Adam and Alec Tong worked on

improving their ball-handling skills with bringing the ball

up the court to set the offense in motion.

Week after week this 10-man team faces 6 and 7-man

squads that start strong but just cannot seem to match the

depth and stamina of this team down the stretch.

Next Saturday the team hosts hometown rivals the

Newport-Mesa Clippers at 8am.

These statistics are unofficial and by no means completely accurate. Team

effort often leads to turn-overs. Passes are difficult to track in a fast game.

Score Total 1st

Score Total 2nd

Score Total 3rd

Score Total 4th

Score Total 5th

Score Total

Newport-Mesa Thunder

8 0 4 6 8 26

Mission Viejo Stampeding Mustangs

3 4 7 6 0 17

March 22, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Costa Mesa, CA – March Madness came to town

as the Newport-Mesa Thunder (6-0) took on

hometown rivals the Newport-Mesa Clippers,

coming away with a 40-22 victory.

The game got off to a fast start as the Thunder

built a 10 point lead and never looked back. Coach

Tim Heuer used the opportunity to balance game

time for the squad, working on overall team play.

This worked to maximum effect as eight of nine

players scored. The Thunder also hit team highs in

points (40), attempts (60), rebounds (32), assists (4),

and 3-pointers (1).

Individual leaders were John Mayhew with 13

points, an astonishing 3-pointer, 6 rebounds, 6

passes, and a hard-working 9 steals. Enzo Marino

also had 6 rebounds. Bradley Sebastian led with 2

blocked shots. Trey Solomon sparked his

teammates with two assists. Significant

contributions were added by Jake Chun, Geoffrey

Gaites, and Adam Tong. While Steven Somoya and

Alec Tong turned in inspiring performances.

The Thunder play in the Orange County YMCA

(8 and 9-year-old) basketball league. They round

out their regular season against their two toughest

opponents, including an April 5th

rematch against

their overtime thriller opponents the Running

Mustangs.

Next Saturday the team hosts the Mission Viejo

Stampeding Mustangs at 8am.

March 29, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Special Thanks to Sandi Marino for additional photos

Costa Mesa, CA – The Newport-Mesa Thunder

notched a 24-19 victory against the visiting Mission

Viejo Stampeding Mustangs in early morning action

on Saturday.

Once again the Thunder built a quick lead and then

played a variety of matchups throughout the latter

parts of the game.

John Mayhew continued his thievery with a team-

high six steals and 10 points. Trey Solomon led with

eight rebounds, four passes, and 50% shooting,

adding 4 points and a steal. Jake Chun added a well-

rounded 6 points, two rebounds, two passes, three

steals, and a block.

Stuart Jeremias reached his season high with four

passes including an assist, also adding two rebounds,

and a strong defensive effort resulting in more than a

half dozen jump balls. Enzo Marino brought his point

scoring streak to four games by adding 2 points, a

rebound, and a steal.

Alec Tong ended his drought with a rebound and added a

field goal attempt. Geoffrey Gaites added 2 points and a

pass with his hard working efforts. Bradley Sebastian

played a physical game on both ends, while Adam Tong

continued playing with heart against an older squad.

As the team steams toward the top seed in the playoffs,

they played their most physical game of the season, tallying

eight team fouls.

The team looks forward to next Saturday’s final regular

season matchup against the Running Mustangs, opponents

in their thrilling overtime victory just a few weeks ago.

Score Total 1st

Score Total 2nd

Score Total 3rd

Score Total 4th

Score Total 5th

Newport-Mesa Thunder

4 18 22 22 24

MV Stampeding Mustangs

1 1 5 10 19

April 05, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Costa Mesa, CA – The Newport-Mesa Thunder (7-1) suffered their first loss of the season to the visiting

Mission Viejo Running Mustangs 28-14 on Saturday.

The Thunder seemed sluggish throughout, both

defensively and offensively, trailing 26-7 after four

periods of play. With only 12% shooting from the

field, the team struggled to put points on the

scoreboard. Early foul trouble by the Running

Mustangs helped the Thunder by putting them on the

free throw line fourteen times.

Jake Chun led the scoring with 8 points, including 6

of 10 shooting from the free throw line. He also led

with three steals and fouled out of the game.

John Mayhew added four points, while Steven

Somoya added two points. Trey Solomon led the

team with 6 rebounds and two passes.

Bradley Sebastian had a couple of rebounds and a

pass. Enzo Marino ended his scoring streak but

contributed a pass and a rebound. Stuart Jeremias,

Geoffrey Gaites, and Adam Tong gave their best

efforts as the entire team seemed to be having an off

day.

The Thunder finished their regular season of the

Orange County YMCA boys’ basketball league (8-9

years old). The top ranking has earned them a bye in the

first round of next weekend’s championship playoffs.

Their second round game takes place on Sunday at 8am.

The winner of that game plays for the championship at

11am.

Score Total 1st

Score Total 2nd

Score Total 3rd

Score Total 4th

Score Total 5th

Newport-Mesa Thunder 3 5 5 7 14

MV Running Mustangs 4 10 19 26 28

April 13, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Costa Mesa, CA – After their first place finish in the

regular season earned them an opening round bye, the

Newport-Mesa Thunder faced the red hot Mission

Viejo Running Mustangs in the second round matchup

of the YMCA Orange County Winter League

basketball championship. The Thunder delivered

another thrilling overtime victory 22-20.

The matchup between these two rivals was the fiercest

of the season, resulting in two exciting overtime wins

and the Thunder’s only loss of the season. Both teams

were well coached and executed skillful plays. These

teams were so evenly matched that 5 of 6 periods

were within two points of each other.

Jake Chun played another inspired game, taking the

ball to the hoop with every chance. He had all

Thunder first-half points, keeping the team within two

for an 8-10 halftime score. He finished the game with

17 points, shooting an impressive 4 for 8 from the

field and 9 for 13 from the free throw line. He hit a

clutch free throw late in the game to force overtime

and another for the game winner.

Trey Solomon contributed on both ends of the court

with 4 points and aggressive defense, ultimately

fouling out of the game in the fifth period. John

Mayhew hit one of two free throws near the end of

overtime to seal the victory.

The game was a back and forth effort, with plenty of

defensive turnovers, stops, and steals, including strong

efforts by Adam Tong and Bradley Sebastian. As a

result, ball control became a crucial part of the game

and was aided by Steven Somoya. Geoffrey Gaites,

Enzo Marino, and Alec Tong provided balance for the

team.

The game was a hard fought effort by both sides and

proved to be the most intense game of the playoffs.

Coach Tim Heuer’s revised game plan led his team to

victory and into the championship game.

1st

Period

2nd

Period

3rd

Period

4th

Period

5th

Period OT

Newport-Mesa Thunder 3 8 14 18 20 22

Mission Viejo Running Mustangs 4 10 16 16 20 20

April 13, 2014

by Brian Gaps

Costa Mesa, CA –The Newport-Mesa Thunder (9-1)

and the Mission Viejo Blazing Mustangs met in the

championship game of the YMCA Orange County

Winter League basketball championship (8-9 Age

Division) with the Thunder coming away 36-23

victors.

After a two-hour break between games, the boys came

out playing full steam. Trey Solomon led the charge

on both ends, pulling down rebounds, swiping steals,

and shooting baskets for much of the first two periods.

And his teammates kept pace in building an 18-6

halftime lead.

Team scoring leader Jake Chun led with 12 points,

including 2 for 2 shooting from the free throw line.

Steven Somoya delivered his best performance of the

season with 10 points and 7 defensive rebounds.

Solomon contributed 10 points, 10 rebounds, 3 steals,

and 2 assists, while fouling out in the final period.

As he had done all season, John Mayhew continued to

jump out on anticipated passes and create numerous

steals. His passing game was also on track and he

added 4 points to the effort.

Bradley Sebastian gave his all with a rebound, a pass,

and a steal. Enzo Marino made a heads-up pass which

led to a scoring assist in his all-out effort. Geoffrey

Gaites elevated his game to championship level play.

Alec Tong overcame personal challenges all season

and never gave up to earn his place on the team, while

7-year-old Adam Tong played well with this group

despite playing above his age bracket. Stuart Jeremias

was there to cheer his teammates from the bench after

suffering an off-court season-ending leg fracture.

Coach Tim Heuer did an outstanding job in teaching

his young squad the core skills needed for future

success and enjoyment of the game, while distributing

playing time fairly and coaching a championship

caliber team.

1st

Period

2nd

Period

3rd

Period

4th

Period

5th

Period

Newport-Mesa Thunder 12 18 24 28 36

Mission Viejo Blazing Mustangs 4 6 12 20 23