Easterly to Coach Girls’ Basketball at Katella

Joni Easterly, Orange County player of the year and all-state team member in 1988-89, was hired Tuesday as the girls’ basketball coach at Katella High.

Easterly, 22, a 1993 graduate of USC, was a three-year captain for the Trojans, was on the All-Pacific 10 team, and was USC’s female athlete of the year. She graduated from Katella in 1989 after leading the Knights to the State title game.

Easterly, who majored in marketing, will be a walk-on coach. She plans to go back to school to get her teaching credential.

“I know what it takes to be a good basketball player; I’m going to lead and pray that they follow me,” Easterly said.

Katella (19-5) shared the Empire League title last year and was upset in the first round of the II-A playoffs.