Newport Harbor Battles Past South Pasadena in CIF-SS Playoff Opener (2025)

Newport Beach – Sailors Gym

Newport Harbor kicked off their CIF-SS playoff run with a clinching 66-64 victory over South Pasadena on Wednesday night. In a game filled with momentum swings and intense moments, the Sailors managed to pull through in the final minutes, securing their spot in the next round of playoffs.

The contest was tight from the opening tip, with both teams battling for every possession. Newport Harbor took a narrow 16-15 lead after the first quarter, but South Pasadena responded in the second with a strong 16-point effort, taking a slight advantage into halftime. The third quarter proved to be a challenge for Newport Harbor, as South Pasadena found their rhythm offensively, outscoring the Sailors 21-14 and positioning themselves for a clutch victory. However, Newport Harbor’s resilience shined through in the final quarter as they answered back, putting up 21 points while holding South Pasadena to just 12, flipping the game in their favor.

Jack Berry played a pivotal role in Newport Harbor’s win, leading the team with 24 points, knocking down 7-of-7 from the free throw line. His aggressive play on both ends helped keep his team within striking distance when the game tightened. Owen Saukkola was another standout for Newport Harbor, contributing 22 points and four three-pointers, demonstrating his clutch shooting ability when it mattered most. Gavin Guy added 10 points and chipped in three rebounds to help balance the offensive attack.

Defensively, Newport Harbor had several key contributors. Dean Davis, while only scoring two points, made his presence felt with five assists and a couple rebounds, helping to create opportunities for his teammates. Nash McKown added four points while grabbing an impressive total of eight rebounds, proving to be a force on the boards.

On the other side, South Pasadena put up a strong fight behind the efforts of Oni Balogun, who scored 19 points on an efficient 8-of-8 shooting night. Jack Madison added 17 points and nine rebounds, while Trevor Cohen tallied eight points and five rebounds. Despite their offensive efforts, Newport Harbor’s late-game execution proved to be the difference-maker.

With this victory, Newport Harbor advances to the next round of CIF-SS playoffs, looking to build on this success. Their ability to remain composed under pressure and deliver in the big moments will be key as they continue their postseason journey.