Orange County Prep Roundup : Foster Signs With San Diego State

Hugh Foster, the Newport Harbor High School volleyball player whose teams never lost a game, has signed a national letter of intent to attend San Diego State.

Foster, a 6-foot 5-inch, 210-pound outside hitter, did not lose a match in three years at Hawaii’s Punahou High and one year at Newport Harbor. This year, he led the Sailors to an 18-0 record and the Southern Section 4-A championship, and was named the Times’ Orange County volleyball player of the year and the section’s 4-A player of the year.

“I think the team needs a little building,” Foster said of San Diego State, “but if there’s enough team work and team unity, we can do good.”

With Foster, San Diego State could contend for a national championship almost immediately, Aztec coaches have said.

“We need a big stick--somebody who can get a good hit on the ball, someone to go to when the score is 13-all,” said Jack Henn, SDSU men’s volleyball coach. “We feel Foster has got the ability to do that when he walks on the court.”

Foster, who in July will participate in his third U.S. Olympic Festival, also was recruited by USC and UC Santa Barbara.

Ray Moore, who has served as baseball coach and athletic director at Loara High School for the past three years, has resigned from the baseball post but will continue as athletic director.

Moore’s team was 16-9 this season, and his coaching record over three years was 38-28-1.

“I feel like I want to be able to do a real good job at one of the positions,” Moore said. “I felt like I had to choose. I’m concerned about my kids getting older, and I want to be around more.”

Moore said he would still like to be involved part-time with the baseball team and will continue coordinating the annual 32-team Loara tournament.

Guards Chris Patton, John Boyle and Juan DeAnda, who helped Mater Dei High School win the Division I state basketball championship, will lead a group of Orange County all-stars who will meet the Santa Barbara all-stars at 7:45 tonight at Dos Pueblos High in Goleta.

The team will include five county players who have signed with Division I colleges. They are Richard Lucas (Oregon), Ricky Butler (Kansas), Rog Middleton (Utah), Mark Georgeson (Arizona) and Vince Bryan (Brigham Young).

Lucas, a 6-foot 8-inch forward, was named the most valuable player in the Orange County All-Star game after he scored 34 points for the winning North team. Tonight’s game benefits the Goleta Boys’ Club.