Sanchez, Epps Named Top Coach, Player

Bill Sanchez, who guided the Flintridge Sacred Heart High School girls team to a 23-4 season and a second-place CIF Small Schools Division finish, and Eagle Rock junior star Tina Epps received Glendale area coach and player of the year honors, respectively, at The Times’ second girls basketball awards ceremony.

The program Tuesday evening in Harry Chandler Auditorium at Times Mirror Square saluted 90 prep all-stars from nine Southern California areas.

Sanchez, 26, in his first year at Sacred Heart, is regarded as a motivator and positive thinker. His team won the Horizon League title with a 10-0 mark and was beaten in the CIF championship game by Boron, 47-42.

Although he had not run a basketball program before, Sanchez was weaned on the game by his father, Bill Sr. The elder Sanchez was a star at St. Mary’s College and coached at Loyola High for 17 years.

Epps Averaged 23 Points

Epps had a spectacular junior year. She averaged 23 points and 21 rebounds a game in leading her team to a 14-5 finish. Eagle Rock lost in the City 3-A semifinals to eventual champion Crenshaw.

She was MVP of the Northern League and made All-City.

At the awards ceremony, the players and their guests were welcomed by Glenn Davis, Times director of special events, and his assistant, Will Kern. Times sportswriter Don Snyder was master of ceremonies.

Joan Bonvicini, coach of the Cal State Long Beach women’s basketball team, was the featured speaker and presented certificates and plaques to the players. She also awarded trophies to the players and coaches of the year for each suburban section.

Besides Epps, members of the 1984-85 All-Glendale area team are Milli Abich, also of Eagle Rock; Silvia Antanaitis, Hoover; Lynn Brockmeyer, La Canada; Bettina Granger, Franklin; Kimi Condo, Marshall; Janice Miller and Debbie Shaw, Flintridge Sacred Heart; Martha Rankin, Glendale, and Molly Wampler, Crescenta Valley.