Basketball Assistant Russell to Run Cypress Boys’ Team

Assistant coach Jeff Russell will run the Cypress boys’ basketball team for the rest of the season after the resignation of Frank Califano.

Centurion Athletic Director Rob Walker said Califano told him late Monday he was having personal problems and could not continue to coach. Califano, a science teacher, was hired early last summer after the departure of Tom Gorrell, 1996 Times Orange County coach of the year, who left to become coach at Encinitas La Costa Canyon.

Cypress (7-14, 2-4) was expected to be a front-runner in the Empire League. The Centurions host Kennedy at 7:30 tonight.

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The boys’ and girls’ basketball state finals return to ARCO Arena in Sacramento March 20 and 21. The Southern Regional finals will be split between Long Beach State and Pauley Pavilion March 13 and 14.

The state wrestling finals are set for March 5-7 at University of the Pacific in Stockton.

Soccer and girls’ water polo do not conduct state playoffs.

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The Westminster Wave youth ice hockey team finished second in the North America International Silver Stick finals Sunday in St. Clair Shores, Mich.

The Wave, made up of 8- and 9-year-olds, won its Mite AA division and defeated Glenview, Ill., 2-1, in the semifinals in six overtimes. Madard Sison of Cerritos scored the winning goal off assists from Ryan Santana of Yorba Linda and Jeffery Ceccacci of Placentia.

Chatham (Ontario, Canada) won the title game, 2-1, in double overtime.