Tustin rallies to win Beach Bash crown

The Tustin boys basketball team just never seems to go away.

The Tillers secured yet another comeback victory in the Corona del Mar Beach Bash championship game Saturday night over Santa Margarita (6-2), 56-47.

"It's been three games now that we've battled to come back and win," Tustin coach Richard Bossenmeyer said of the Tillers' resiliency. "They're toughing it out and finding a way to get it done."

Tustin (4-0) found itself down 39-30 with 32 seconds remaining in the third quarter, but Rob Nelsen connected on a 3-pointer to end the period, bringing the Tillers to six behind and seemingly putting a charge into his team.

With 2:11 remaining in the contest and Tustin nursing a three-point lead, Xavier Powell dove on a loose ball and shoveled it to a streaking Deondre Bryant for a dunk, giving the Tillers a five-point lead and all the cushion they needed.

DEVIN UGLAND

For the Register

In the Coyote Classic:

Villa Park 78, Newport Harbor 63: Lamont Tyler scored a game-high 22 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, and Luke Selway scored 20 to lead Villa Park past the Sailors (4-1) in the championship game at Buena Park.

Villa Park coach Kevin Reynolds was particularly pleased with Tyler's performance, considering the 6-foot, 10-inch 280-pound center was matched up with Sailors center Kevin Rakestraw, who stands 7 feet.

Rakestraw had scored 15 in the Sailors' victory over Buena Park on Friday, but he was held to seven, being guarded by Tyler.

"Lamont never played against a guy as big as him (Rakestraw)," Reynolds said.

The Spartans (6-3) set the tone immediately by going on a 12-2 run to start the game.

LOU PONSI