Marina’s Cappel Signs to Play Basketball at UCI

Kirsten Cappel, a 6-foot-2 forward on the Marina High girls’ basketball team, signed a letter of intent with UC Irvine, the school announced Tuesday.

Cappel averaged 13.8 points and 10 rebounds last season. She was a Times second-team all-county selection. She averaged nine points and nine rebounds as a junior.

The Anteaters also signed Chelsea Mackey, a 6-3 center from Lakeport (Calif.) Clear Lake High. She was the most valuable player in the North Coast League after averaging 14 points, 10.6 rebounds and 4.5 blocks.

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Ken Walker has resigned as boys’ basketball coach at Santa Ana High, boys’ Athletic Director Frank Alvarado said. Walker, who will remain on the school’s teaching staff, left for personal reasons. His teams finished 30-65 in five seasons, including a 12-13 record last season.

Those interested in applying can reach Alvarado at (714) 567-4980.

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Noel Smith, softball coach at Trabuco Hills, has resigned. Smith’s team was 44-39 during his 3 1/2 years as coach.

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Dennis Keane of Santa Margarita has signed a letter of intent to attend Southern Utah, his father, Jerry, said.

Keane, a 6-3 guard who averaged 18 points last season, was a three-year starter for Santa Margarita, which won Southern Section titles in the 1993-94 and 1995-96 seasons.

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Chris Collins, 18, a senior outfielder at Santa Margarita who has five home runs this season, has signed a letter of intent to attend Stanford on a baseball scholarship next fall, his mother, Christine, said.

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Gregg Pichler, a defensive back at Santa Margarita, has committed to Western Washington. Pichler, a first-team All-Sea View League selection, led the Eagles in tackles last season.

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Kristie Hiatt, a catcher for Canyon High, has signed a letter of intent to attend Hawaii Hilo, according to Comanche Coach Lance Eddy. Hiatt, who is batting .344 with 15 runs batted in, was a first-team All-Century League selection last season.

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Keary Camunas, a Fountain Valley pitcher with a record of 11-5, has signed to play softball for Kentucky, Baron Coach Cary Baker said.