DIVISION III-AA ROUNDUP : McIntee’s 29 Propel Newport Harbor

Newport Harbor’s Justin McIntee scored 25 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to lead the Sailors to a 57-47 upset of Sonora in the first round of the Southern Section III-AA playoffs Friday night at Sonora High.

McIntee, who also pulled down 13 rebounds, rallied Newport Harbor (11-14) from a 25-20 halftime deficit by hitting 10 of 13 shots in the third and fourth quarters and five of six free throws in the closing minutes. The victory ended the Sailors’ seven-game losing streak. They will travel to Compton Centennial Tuesday night.

“We mixed our defenses real well,” Newport Harbor Coach Bob Serven said. “McIntee had a bad first half but a great second half.”

Sonora (15-11) trailed only 29-28 on Chris St. Clair’s three-point basket with 3 minutes 56 seconds remaining in the third quarter. McIntee, who only made two of eight shots in the first half, scored 10 points during a 13-4 Sailor run to give Newport a 42-32 lead with 7:11 left.

St. Clair led Sonora’s scoring with 19 points, including five three-point baskets.