Rancho Santiago’s Sneddon Not Prepared for This Coaching Milestone

Don Sneddon, Rancho Santiago’s baseball coach, has built much of his success around being prepared for anything his opponents might try.

His army of assistants often can be seen scouting and re-scouting Orange Empire Conference opponents.

But even Sneddon had no idea that he could have a chance to claim career coaching victory No. 400 as soon as Thursday.

Sneddon, in his 13th season, starts the week with a record of 398-135-1. Rancho Santiago, the defending State champion, has won four consecutive conference titles and five of the last six.

“I honestly didn’t know about that,” Sneddon said when asked about being so close to 400 victories. “I’ll have to think about that one and come up with something good to say.”

Rancho Santiago, which has become the dominate team in Orange County in the last six years, is off to another strong start.

The Dons (15-2) have won 12 in a row and are 3-0 in conference. Rancho Santiago travels to Cypress (12-4, 2-1) today and plays host to Riverside (13-2, 3-0) Thursday. Both are 2 p.m. starts.

Rancho Santiago then plays host to Fullerton (7-8-1, 1-3) at noon Saturday.

“We’re chugging along,” Sneddon said. “But talk to me at the end of the week and that will give us some idea of how we stand.”

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400 Club: Once Sneddon gets his 400th victory, he will move into some lofty company among Orange County baseball coaches. Fred Hoover had a record of 478-269 in 22 years at Golden West. His teams won seven conference titles and finished second seven times.

Mike Mayne had a mark of 400-188 in 15 seasons at Orange Coast. He won six conference titles and a State title.

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Women’s hoop wrap: LeAnn Kazmer of Orange Coast and Michelle Kravik of Golden West were selected to the all-state team. Kazmer, a sophomore forward, finished a standout career as OCC’s all-time rebounder (563) and second in scoring (973 points).

Kazmer had 21 points, but the South lost to the North, 93-84, in the State all-star game Saturday. She has considerably increased her stock with Division I coaches, according to OCC Coach Mike Thornton.

Kravik, a sophomore forward, scored a game-high 30 points as Golden West beat Merritt, 90-79, in the first round.

Golden West’s Kristin Brun, a sophomore guard, and Cypress’ Sara Works, a freshman forward, made the All-Southern California team.

Works set Cypress’ single-season scoring record with 650 points. Yolanda Hearvey, a sophomore forward, ended her career as Cypress’ all-time rebounder with 570.

Works was a curious omission from the all-state team, considering she was co-most valuable player of the Orange Empire Conference with Kazmer.

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No locals: The State men’s basketball tournament starts Thursday at UC Irvine without an Orange County team to boost attendance.

Orange County’s last hope--Saddleback--lost to Long Beach, 72-66, Saturday.

Here is the way the first round stacks up: West Valley (29-3) against Long Beach (29-6) at 2 p.m.; Columbia (31-4) vs. Riverside (31-4) at 4 p.m.; San Jose (30-4) vs. Chaffey (31-5) at 6 p.m. and Cosumnes River (22-9) against Ventura (34-2) at 8 p.m.

Friday’s semifinals are at 6 and 8 p.m. and Saturday’s title game is at 7:30 p.m. The all-star game is at 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

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Air Johnson: As strange as it might seem, Cypress’ Don Johnson was seen throwing a paper airplane in the parking lot at Saddleback Wednesday night.

Johnson, who is stepping down at the end of the school year, was attending Saddleback’s playoff game with Rio Hondo. Afterward, he and his wife Colette were trying out a paper airplane with solid results.

“It’s Colette’s design,” Don said. “I just made a few adjustments.”