It’s 500 victories and counting for Woodbridge’s Bangs

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

One of the Southland’s best basketball coaches reached a milestone last week when Eric Bangs of Woodbridge won his 500th career game.

Bangs has obviously been successful a long time, but his heyday came in the mid-1990s, right before he left his girls’ basketball program for a few years to be an assistant at Irvine Valley College.

Woodbridge had become one of the best in the state and recognized nationally. It had an outstanding collection of players in that span such as Jamie Oenning, Melanie Pearson, Erin Stovall, Angela Burgess and Tami Weaver.

When he returned to the program after his time at IVC, it was without the pressure of having to play for a state title. He could just coach, and said he was having the time of his life.

But he still knows how to win. The Warriors won their first eight games this season before losing to No. 22 Foothill.

Next up is Mission Viejo on Thursday.

Here’s a really fine look back at his career by The Register’s Carlos Arias.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.hgsc.bcm.tmc.edu