Easterly, Swanwick Honored as Top Players

Joni Easterly of Katella High School and Rick Swanwick of Trabuco Hills were named The Times’ Orange County girls’ and boys’ basketball players of the year, respectively, at an awards ceremony Sunday in the Anaheim Hilton and Towers.

Easterly led Katella into the State Division II girls’ championship game and averaged 22 points per game. She scored 19 points in the fourth quarter in Katella’s 54-48 overtime victory over Muir for the Southern Section 4-A division title.

Swanwick averaged 20.3 points and 13.5 rebounds per game to lead Trabuco Hills into the State Division III boys’ championship game. He scored all 28 of his team’s points in the second half in a 62-61 loss to Central Valley in the State title game.

Mark Trakh, who coached Brea-Olinda to the State Division III championship, was named the county girls’ coach of the year. Brea finished 31-2 under Trakh, with both losses in a New York tournament.

Rainer Wulf of Trabuco Hills was named the county boys’ coach of the year. Trabuco Hills finished 25-7 in only its fourth year of existence.

The Times honored 240 players from Ventura to San Diego County. Each player received a certificate and plaque. George Yardley of Newport Beach, the first player to score 2,000 points in one season in the National Basketball Assn., was the guest speaker.