Boys’ Basketball: Smith stars in win over Newport Harbor

Late in the third quarter, Brandon Smith provided a highlight that thrilled the fans at Godinez High Thursday. A breakaway slam dunk would’ve also gotten UC Irvine Anteater fans excited if they were there to see it.

Smith, the Grizzlies’ 6-foot-4 senior bound for UCI, elevated and threw it down for two of his 30 points. It wasn’t that exciting for Newport Harbor, as Godinez scored a 51-34 victory in a Gold Bracket quarterfinal game of the Godinez tournament.

As soon as Smith tipped a pass for a steal at half court, he said he immediately though to finish with a dunk.

“Don’ t miss,” Smith said of his thought when he jumped high above the rim. “I know I would’ve gotten chewed out by the coaches.”

Alas, about the only negative in Smith’s game was his free-throw shooting. He said he was upset he went 11 of 20 from the free-throw line.

Newport Harbor has more to work on, even though the Sailors suffered their first loss and dropped to 2-1.

Newport Harbor Coach Bob Torribio came away impressed with Smith.

Torribio wasn’t upset at the Sailors’ effort, but he knows the Sailors must rely more on each other.

“We’re replacing a two-year first-team All-Sunset League guy [in Nic Sargeant],” Torribio said. “You don’t really replace him just like that. We just have to have somebody different step up [at different times]. As a team you have to make big shots.”

Garrett Davis led the way for Newport Harbor with 12 points. Colin Pipkin added six points and Nate Harding scored five points.

Torribio said the team’s three senior starters, Davis, Chase Davis and Jordan Faris, have helped provide leadership thus far, as the Sailors continue to seek improvement.