IRVINE – Newport Harbor came out firing in the third quarter and finished the comeback with a big fourth quarter to defeat Northwood, 61-60, Wednesday night in the opening round of the CIF-SS 2AA playoffs at Northwood.
The Sailors overcame a 37-22 halftime deficit, outscoring Northwood, 21-9, in the third quarter to get back into the game.
The Sailors (17-12) will be at home against Buena Park in a second-round game Friday night.
“It’s tough,” said Newport Harbor coach Robert Torribio. “We have one returning varsity starter who has played in three CIF playoff games and then we had a bunch of guys who all season have just been learning on the fly.
“It took us a half to adjust to how you play a CIF (playoff) basketball game.”
Collin Pipkin scored 25 points and Zach Blaine added 16 points to lead Newport.
“We knew if we played how we usually play, we could pull out a win, and our coaches believed in us and our teammates believed in us,” Pipkin said. “That’s a huge win for us.”
Northwood (19-9) was led by Akshay Harishankar (23 points) and Jacob Huynh (15 points).
“We just got hammered inside on rebounds at both ends and putbacks,” said Northwood coach Tim O’Brien. “We had no answer to match their size and aggression.”
Northwood held a 46-43 lead going into the final quarter.
Newport Harbor came charging back and took a 60-59 lead on Pipkin’s basket with 1:05 left. Pipkin then made one of two free throws with 17 seconds remaining to put the Sailors ahead, 61-59.
Northwood then worked the ball to Huynh, who was unable to convert a tough shot inside, but was fouled with three seconds left.
Huynh made the first attempt but missed the second and Newport Harbor grabbed the rebound and celebrated.
Contact the writer: tburt@scng.com
