Orange County Community College Notebook / Steve Kresal : Fullerton Has Given Fraser His Chance

When it came to picking a college, Alan Fraser didn’t want to go to a place where he’d sit on the bench during basketball season.

When he graduated from Newport Harbor High School in 1985, Fraser, a 6-foot 6-inch forward, didn’t like his chances at nearby Orange Coast College.

The Pirates already had three sophomore forwards at least 6-6 and three incoming freshmen at least 6-4, including his high school teammate Rob Mase.

So Fraser went looking for a school that needed forwards. He contacted Roger See, Fullerton College coach.

“Coach See told me that I would get a chance,” Fraser said. “I liked what I heard, and he also said that I would have a good chance to get a scholarship (from) there.”

Fraser was a starter most of last season and this season is the team captain and averaging more than 9 points and 6 rebounds a game.

More than 35 Division I and II schools have contacted Fraser this season, according to See.

Before the start of the season, United States International University in San Diego offered Fraser a full scholarship if he would sign early. He turned down the offer because he wasn’t ready to make a commitment.

Among the schools recruiting him are Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Cal State Northridge, Montana State and Southern Utah State.

“I’m just going to wait till after the season and see who wants me,” Fraser said. “I want to go somewhere where there is a spot for me.”

Locals only. This weekend’s basketball games match only county opponents.

In women’s games Friday night, Rancho Santiago is at Cypress and Orange Coast at Saddleback in the Orange Empire Conference. Fullerton is at Golden West in the South Coast Conference. All games start at 7:30.

In men’s games Saturday night, Cypress is at Rancho Santiago and Saddleback is at Orange Coast in the Orange Empire Conference. Golden West is at Saddleback in the South Coast Conference. All games are at 7:30.

Shaken and even stirred. The basketball top 10 has taken on a new look this week, with all 10 teams in new spots.

Saddleback (17-4) moves from second to first, Rancho Santiago (19-3) from third to second. Cerritos (18-3), which was No. 1 for seven weeks, fell to third after being upset by Compton.

El Camino (16-3) is fourth, Compton (14-4) fifth, Glendale (18-3) sixth, Ventura (17-4) seventh, Orange Coast (18-5) eighth, Grossmont (14-6) ninth and Cypress (14-9), making its first appearence in the poll, is 10th.