Corona del Mar’s Oliver Nakra (4) drives to the basket over Fountain Valley’s Devin Payne (22) during a Sunset League basketball game between Fountain Valley High and Corona del Mar High at Corona del Mar High School on Friday Jan. 4, 2025…..(Photo by Michael Goulding, Contributing Photographer)

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NEWPORT BEACH — In its two league games so far this season, the Corona del Mar basketball team has scored with relative ease while limiting the scoring opportunities of its opponents.

The Sea Kings, who are ranked No. 12 in Orange County, owned the post on both ends of the court in a 70-49 victory over Fountain Valley in a Sunset League game Friday at Corona del Mar High School.

Sophomore guard Maxwell Scott scored a game-high 29 points for the Sea Kings (16-2, 2-0), scoring mostly on back-door layups, thanks to superior ball distribution by his teammates.

Junior guard Oliver Nakra scored nine of his 20 points on 3-pointers and seven points from the free throw line.

The two guards combined for all but four of Corona del Mar’s points in an 18-7 second-quarter run that put the Sea Kings ahead 32-18 at halftime.

“We share the ball well,” Sea Kings coach Jason Simco said. “I thought we had a size advantage inside with Maxwell being the big guard and Jackson (Harlan) being the forward. We emphasized getting it in the paint tonight and we did that.”

The No. 20 Barons rarely got the ball into the paint and relied mainly on outside shooting, but missed many of those shots, which also helped the Sea Kings go on scoring runs.

Scott missed some outside shots early, which prompted the Sea Kings to switch to their inside game.

“You always have to adjust,” Scott said. “The plan is to hit shots. Sometimes they don’t fall. You have to find other ways to score.”

Corona del Mar was playing its first league game after going 3-1 in the Desert Holiday Classic in Palm Springs.

The Sea Kings defeated Marina 69-54 in their first league game on Dec. 20.

Corona del Mar will come right back and play Huntington Beach on Saturday for its second league game in as many days.

Nakra will be facing the Oilers for the first time since transferring from Huntington Beach to Corona del Mar this season.

“It’s a one-day turnaround so its kind of crazy,” Simco said. “There are 12 league games and you’ve got to fit them in somewhere.”

Fountain Valley returned to league play after going 3-1 in the Pirate Shootout at San Pedro High School.

The Barons lost their league opener 61-54 against Edison on Dec. 18 and rebounded with a 65-55 league victory over Newport Harbor on Dec. 20.

Inside attack carries Corona del Mar boys basketball to win over Fountain Valley

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