Martin, Blount Receive Honors in Orange Empire

Erik Martin and Corie Blount of Rancho Santiago College have been picked by the coaches as the most valuable players of the Orange Empire Conference.

Martin, a 6-foot-6 1/2 forward, led the conference with a 23-point average. Blount, a 6-10 center, was fourth in the conference with a 19-point average. Martin was second in the conference with an average of nine rebounds a game, and Blount was third in rebounding with an 8.9 average for Rancho Santiago, which won the conference with an 11-1 mark.

Rancho Santiago was 29-2 and starts play in the Southern California Regional playoffs at 7:30 p.m. Saturday with a home game against San Bernardino Valley.

Brett Pagett, son of Rancho Santiago Coach Dana Pagett, also made the 12-player team. Dana Pagett was picked as the conference’s coach of the year.

Also on the all-conference team: Eric Pauley and Brian Kenney of Cypress, Dee Boyer and Matt Thompson of Saddleback, Gary Hunter and Bob Terry of Fullerton, Fred Haygood of Riverside, Ric Van Scoyoc of Golden West and Brian Spratt of Orange Coast.

Bits Sirchia of Golden West was selected by the coaches as the most valuable women’s basketball player of the Orange Empire Conference on Wednesday.

Sirchia, a sophomore guard, averaged 17.5 points and nine assists for Golden West, which was 12-0 in conference for the second consecutive year. Dick Stricklin of Golden West was picked as coach of the year.

Sirchia was joined on the first team by teammates Dawn Haag and Jennifer Harney.

Also chosen: Christa Ramirez and Nicki Durity of Fullerton; Kim Barnes, Bobbie White and Kartina Sullivan of Riverside; Erika Manning of Orange Coast; Erin Schmenieck of Saddleback, and Jackie Boxley of Cypress.