Youth Scene: Junior Slammers perfectly dominating

What's more fun than watching a group of 7-year-old girls, all from the Newport-Mesa area, play soccer?

Ask the parents and they will immediately reply, "nothing."

Such is the case this summer as a group of gifted locals are playing tournaments in the "club" under-8 division under the Slammers FC banner. Although Coach Kirk McIntosh is quick to point out that winning is a distant fourth to fun, technical development, and reading the game, he can't deny the success of the girls.

To date they have won both tournaments played having outscored the competition by a combined score of 41-0. The team has captured gold in the Kick for Cure Tournament in San Diego, winning the final over CSC Gold by a 6-0 score. The second gold medal came in the United Cup this past weekend with a 1-0 victory over United White in the final. En route to the final the Junior Slammers had an 8-0 win over LAFC Chelsea, and a 4-0 victory over United Black.

Team members include: Reese Bodas, Riley DeCinces, Kaitin Degan, Samara Golan, Ella Hopkins, Reece Kenerson, Nicole Laz, Jenna McConnaughey, Lily Moore and Skylynn Rodriguez. The girls will continue their golden summer in the Blues Cup over Labor Day weekend. Regardless of the outcome more smiles and fond memories are guaranteed.

— Reader submission

Lightning win 'Bash at the Beach' crown

The Newport Lightning boys' seventh-grade team continued its strong showing in the summer capturing last weekend's Big City Sports "Bash At The Beach" tournament in Fullerton.

In pool play the first day, the Lightning beat South Bay All-Stars, 60-29, and Villa Park Panthers, 52-33, keyed by leading scorers Keisan South (18.5 points per game, 13.0 rebounds per game) and Brett Greenlee (8.5 points per game, 3.5 steals per game), and the defensive presence of Harrison Carter (8.25 rebounds per game, 4.0 steals per game), Kevin Fults (6.0 ppg, 6.75 rpg), Charlie Evans and Dylan Atencio who shut down the opposing guards.

In Sunday's elimination round, Newport demolished an over-matched PCH Spartans team with a stifling full-court press and key baskets by Ben Bockrath (16 points on four 3-pointers), Trevor Schwartz (six points, four assists) and Austin Ridge (four points, four assists).