NEWPORT BEACH — The Newport Harbor boys basketball team took a major step toward a Wave League championship by beating rival Corona del Mar 56-35 in a league game Wednesday at Newport Harbor High.

Wednesday’s outcome marked the second largest margin of victory between the two schools dating back to 2004. It also was the first time since 2017 that the home team has won the rivalry game between the schools.

Newport Harbor (17-6, 3-0) held Corona del Mar (14-7, 2-1) to a season-low 35 points and snapped the Sea Kings’ five-game winning streak. The Sailors forced 13 turnovers and caused the Sea Kings to shoot just 17 percent from 3-point range.

“We work pretty hard defensively and have good veterans on the team,” Newport Harbor coach Robert Torribio said. “When you defend like we do and the ball goes in, we are a pretty tough team to beat.”

The Sailors also showed flashes of dominance on offense, including a 19-point third quarter. Newport Harbor made more 3-pointers than the Sea Kings and had more points in the paint.

Adam Gaa led all scorers with 14 points for the Sailors and added seven rebounds, two blocks and two steals. Dash Bastedo scored 11 points and Jack Berry added 10.

“As much as we like to preach defense, we like to remind guys that if they (Corona del Mar) score they better forget quickly and get up the floor,” Torribio said. “Our guys did a good job of that tonight and had some fun on offense.”

Berry scored seven points for the Sailors in the opening quarter as Newport built a 13-4 lead.

Corona del Mar scored five points in the final 30 seconds of the second quarter, on a 3-pointer by Kaleb Annett and a layup by Jackson Harlan, and trailed 24-16 at halftime.

In the opening minute of the third quarter, Gaa had two steals and two fast break slam dunks to awaken the Newport Harbor fans and extend the lead to 12. The Sailors never led by less than 12 after that moment.

“He’s a tough matchup for a lot of teams,” Torribio said of Gaa. “He is 6-foot-7, plays hard, is focused in practice and in games and makes plays.”

Bastedo and Riggs Guy each had five points in the third quarter and the Sailors offense was rolling. Guy had nine points with eight rebounds while point guard Isaac Davis dished out five assists.

Newport Harbor shot 40 percent from 3-point range in the second half before clearing the bench in the final two minutes of the game.

Jack Loucks led Corona del Mar in scoring with 12 points and Harlan added 11.

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Newport Harbor is 3-0 through the first round of Wave League play. They’ll play Corona del Mar for the second time in league on Feb. 2.

“We play 28 games and I know the community circles these two and it’s a big game,” Torribio said. “We are pretty proud to be 3-0 in our league but we have three more league games left and are starting the second half like we are 0-0.”

On Friday night, Newport Harbor will play a nonleague game at Edison and Corona del Mar has a nonleague game at Fountain Valley.