Prep Voices : ON CAMPUS

Q: What was the most memorable or significant moment in Orange County high school sports this past school year?

“The Brea-Olinda Ladycats’ State championship victory, as well as their being honored as national champions in high school girls’ basketball, is probably the most outstanding event in Orange County sports this season. They won the national championship on the same day they won the State championship. The tradition continues.”

Keith Fullington, Brea

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“As I was filming the final game for the Southern Section Division II football championship game for Los Alamitos High, there was tension in the air. Could the title be won three times in a row? My question was answered in Huntington Beach’s first possession, when Los Alamitos’ defense, led by Marc Albert, Robert Torres and Steve Trammel, stopped Tony Gonzalez and the Oiler offense. This was a sign of things to come . . . another championship for Los Alamitos.”

Michael Pazeian, Los Alamitos teacher and coach

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“All of us at Laguna Hills High School are very proud of Brett Nista, who has broken the all-time Orange County hit record. He has played varsity baseball since he was a freshman, and we think this is a great accomplishment.”

Lindsey Schuerman, Laguna Hills freshman

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“The Mater Dei vs. Crenshaw basketball game. It was a controversial game, and in my opinion, Mater Dei should have won. It was a greatly anticipated game and a big event.”

Dan Almquist, Foothill junior

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“My most memorable moment is the Savanna football team’s drive to its first-ever (Southern Section) championship. They were supposed to lose because Whittier was supposed to be too physical for them. Rebel pride showed through and Savanna was able to beat Whittier, 20-13, with a lot of heart, a lot of determination and the family teamwork concept they have been developing under (Coach) Fred DiPalma for some years.”

Mike Slagle, Brea

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“The most memorable moment in Orange County high school sports this year was the Pacifica High boys’ basketball team’s come-from-behind victory against St. Augustine High of San Diego. With 14 minutes left in the (Southern Regional semifinal) game, Pacifica was down by 22 points. With a barrage of accurate shots, the Mariners came back to win the game, 65-62. I have been to a great many professional, college and high school basketball games, and this game was the most exciting I have ever attended. Both the team and Coach Bob Becker did not receive anywhere near enough credit for their accomplishments this year.”

Steven Spencer, Garden Grove

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“My memorable moment is going up to the State high school wrestling meet this year. It was really a rude awakening for us as a team because last year when we went, people were rooting for us when we won. But when we got up there this year, our wrestlers were being booed; people said they hated us. Whenever one of our guys was booed, the crowd would just go ecstatic and cheer. We couldn’t believe how, in one year’s time, it changed and how much hatred there was toward our school.”

Jed Clark, Calvary Chapel junior

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“I will never forget Friday, Feb. 11, when the Valencia boys’ basketball team beat Magnolia, 42-40, for a share of the Orange League championship. It’s the third championship in 60 years. I can’t wait to see the banner hanging in the gym.”

Linda Miele, Placentia

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“The biggest sporting moment in Orange County this year was Demitrius Zeigler of University winning the boys’ basketball scoring title for the second straight year.”

Chris Blackburn, University sophomore

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“The Costa Mesa girls’ swim team had a great year. The team had only eight girls compared to an average high school team of 30 to 50 girls. Mesa’s 200 relay team of Elizabeth Christiansen, Leslie Christiansen, Katie Grogan and Colleen Lund broke the school record four times and qualified for the Southern Section Division III consolation finals at Belmont Plaza pool with a time of 1:47.49.”

Bill Lund, Costa Mesa

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“Lisa Weaver of the Woodbridge High School girls’ basketball team, who, after tearing her anterior cruciate ligament in practice, came back within less than a week and went up to Oakland to play in the State championships. It took quite a bit of guts, courage and control for her to do that.”

Dr. Howard Marans, Corona del Mar

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“The greatest Orange County sports moment had to be when the University wrestling team (unranked in the county) battled back to tie a heavily favored Irvine team (ranked second in Division III at the time), 27-27.”

Tim Leung, University senior

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“The interception by Joshua Holland of Huntington Beach in the Edison game. When Joshua intercepted the pass, it stopped Edison’s drive, which possibly could have won the game. His interception resulted in Huntington Beach beating Edison, 10-7.”

John Holland, Huntington Beach