Tar Heels improve to 7-1

The Newport-Mesa Tar Heels, a boys’ fifth-grade All-Net basketball team, have improved to 7-1 on the season by beating TH Hoops, Wilmington Wolverines, La Mirada Matadores and NM Ballers over the last four weeks.

The wins have put the local boys on the top of the 32-team division.

The Tar Heels have been led in scoring by the backcourt trio of John Humphreys (13.1 points per game, 2.25 steals per game), Cade Overfelt (7.75 ppg, 2.0 spg) and Jack Rettig (7.125 ppg, 3.25 assists per game, 2.25 spg). Big men Luke Bashore (6.5 rebounds per game, 6.0 ppg) and Clay Liolios (4.25 ppg, 4.0 rpg) have continued to man the paint and control the glass.

Jack McKenna has returned from injury to provide a scoring punch (6.5 ppg, 4.0 rpg), while Nic Ayala is creating havoc on the defensive end, averaging 3.0 steals per game and 2.0 apg. Troy Smith, Luke Hatfield and Haig Mavusi have continued to play key roles for the Tar Heels and look to improve the team on both ends of the court.

The Tar Heels are coached by Scott Stucki and Todd Bashore.

— Reader submission