Flick, Patton Are First-Team All-Americans

Chad Flick, a tight end at Rancho Santiago College, and Scott Patton, a defensive back at Saddleback, were selected first-team J.C. Grid-Wire All-Americans.

Flick, also a talented blocker, caught 30 passes for 505 yards and nine touchdowns.

Patton, a strong safety, had 85 tackles and three interceptions, two of which he returned for touchdowns in the same quarter of a victory over Southwestern. He also blocked two kicks.

Andre Holmes, a defensive back at Rancho Santiago, was a second-team selection. He was a first-team pick as a freshman.

Earning honorable mention honors were: David Cruickshank, Saddleback defensive lineman; Steve Gonzales, Orange Coast linebacker; Mike Jacot, Fullerton running back; Aaron Marsh, Fullerton offensive lineman; Wesley Morris, Golden West wide receiver; Brian Moore, Golden West offensive lineman, and Casey Wilson, Rancho Santiago kicker.

Four more players from Orange County teams made the Scholar Athlete All-American first-team: Saddleback’s Jackie Conners (wide receiver) and Jason Braun (defensive line), Orange Coast’s Matt Burns (linebacker) and Rancho Santiago’s James Stewart (defensive back).

Orange Coast’s Matt Meejan (offensive lineman) made honorable mention. Patton would have made the team but the publication only selects players to one team.

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Men’s basketball: Saddleback is the hottest team in Orange County, having won eight consecutive games and taken the Grossmont and Santa Barbara tournament championships the last two weekends.

Anthony Carter, a sophomore guard, has been selected as the most valuable player in each tournament.

Carter, averaging 29 points, had 38 in a 79-68 victory Saturday over Santa Barbara.

“It’s a strange deal,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said. “We’re winning but I think we can play a lot better.”

Golden West (7-7) also has been playing well of late, winning six of the last 10.

Golden West started 1-3 then had three players including starting forward Ryan Dennis, a 6-foot-9 transfer from Youngstown State, leave the team.

“I don’t even want to comment on that,” Golden West Coach Tom McCluskey said. “Let’s just leave that alone.”

What McCluskey would much rather chat about is the remaining players, led by sophomore forward Rod Scheuerman, who is averaging 16 points and seven rebounds.

Ray Jimmerson, a freshman guard, is averaging 13 points and has made 35 three-pointers.

“We’re really proud of our kids,” McCluskey said. “We have a good blend and all we can do is get better.”

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This week: The Cypress men’s basketball team plays host to the Charger Classic starting Thursday.

Santa Monica plays Los Angeles Trade Tech at 2 p.m., El Camino and Victor Valley play at 4, Golden West and Long Beach meet at 6 and Cypress takes on a team from Vandenberg Air Force Base at 8.

The tournament continues Friday and the title game is 7 p.m Saturday.

Also Thursday: Orange Coast plays Canyons at 5 p.m. in the Glendale tournament.

In the Pasadena tournament the same day: Rancho Santiago plays Los Angeles Valley at 4 p.m. and Fullerton and Cuesta meet at 6 p.m.

Golden West and Orange Coast play host to women’s basketball tournaments starting Friday.

In the first round of the Coast Christmas Classic: Southwestern and Saddleback play at 1:30 p.m.; Los Angeles Valley meets Fullerton at 3:30; San Diego Mesa plays Chaffey at 5:30, and El Camino takes on Orange Coast at 7:30.

The tournament continues Saturday and the championship game is Sunday at 4 p.m.

In the Golden West Pacifica Hospital tournament: Hancock meets Canyons at 6 p.m. and Golden West plays Long Beach at 8 p.m. The title game is 8 p.m. Saturday.

Note

Everett Uchiyama has been named swimming coach at Fullerton College. Uchiyama, who has been water polo coach and an assistant swim coach at Rancho Santiago for five years, has been head coach of the Southern California Aquatics Assn. since 1986.