Irvine Valley Women Off to Fast Start in First Season

Just getting a women’s basketball program started has been difficult enough for Irvine Valley and Coach Lisa McNamee.

But the Lasers have handled the challenge well in their inaugural season. Irvine Valley is 14-2, including a victory in the final of the difficult 16-team Fullerton tournament last weekend.

However, the most important test will be at 7:30 tonight when Irvine Valley opens Orange Empire Conference play at Saddleback (13-0). Coach Jack Single’s Gauchos have more size and experience than most teams in Southern California.

Irvine Valley will hardly get a rest Friday when the Lasers host Riverside (15-4).

In tonight’s other conference-opening games (all starting at 7:30 p.m.): Cypress (5-10) is at Fullerton (8-8), Orange Coast (13-5) is at Riverside, and Rancho Santiago (5-7) is at Golden West (10-8).

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The new schedule: The Orange Empire Conference has changed its schedule so the men’s and women’s basketball games are at the same site this season.

In the first round, the men play at 5:30 p.m. and the women play at 7:30 p.m. The times switch in the second round.

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The last couple seasons, Riverside and Saddleback have been co-favorites for the Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball title. But not this season.

“Riverside is the favorite,” Saddleback Coach Bill Brummel said. “Hands down.”

Riverside (17-3) opens conference play tonight, when it is hosts Orange Coast (9-8) at 5:30 p.m. Orange Coast is 12-5, but had to forfeit three early victories because of an ineligible player.

Saddleback (12-3), led by sophomore guard Anthony Carter, is the popular choice to finish second. Carter, the conference’s most valuable player last season, is averaging 27 points.

Rancho Santiago (12-5) is playing very well of late and opens at Golden West (10-10).

Irvine Valley (9-8) gained a measure of confidence last week by defeating defending state champion Ventura. The Lasers play at Saddleback tonight. Cypress (8-9) is at Fullerton (7-9).

Notes

Rancho Santiago baseball Coach Don Sneddon, who led the Dons to the 1995 state championship, has been named the American Baseball Coaches Assn. community college coach of the year. The Dons finished 42-9 and defeated Cerritos, 12-2, to win their second state title in three seasons. Sneddon is 466-154-1 in 14 years at Rancho Santiago. He has won seven conference championships and five regional titles.

Rancho Santiago kicker Casey Wilson has signed a letter of intent to play football at Central Michigan. Wilson, who played at Canyon High, set Rancho Santiago single-season records for field goals (14) and points (70). He also holds school career records for field goals (20) and points (138).