Palmer’s Record on Shaky Ground

University guard Eric Palmer has a county career record for assists with 810--for now.

According to Calvary Chapel statistician Ken Ortiz, guard Kevin Falconer compiled 1,034 assists from 1993 to 1997.

Palmer apparently set the record Saturday with a 12-assist performance in an 88-85 loss to Santa Fe Springs St. Paul.

But Calvary Chapel Coach Craig Falconer said Monday he had refused to submit Kevin’s apparent mark last season because it would appear he had been touting his son.

“I knew about [Kevin’s record]. But I didn’t want to make a big deal about it. I’m his dad,” Craig Falconer said.

Commissioner Dean Crowley said the Southern Section relies on coaches to compile its 23-sport, 231-page annual record book.

“If [Falconer’s record] did happen, we would be glad to put it in the book,” Crowley said. “We don’t dig for these things. We rely on coaches to send the information to us. As of now, the standing record [is Palmer’s].”

Falconer’s total would place him second in Southern Section history behind Utah Jazz guard Jacque Vaughn, who had 1,136 assists from 1990 to 1993 at Pasadena Muir.

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Top-ranked Calvary Chapel has won four of the last five state wrestling titles, but is expected to be tested in a 7 p.m. dual meet Wednesday at Temecula Valley.

The Eagles finished 16th at the Reno tournament, where only Josh Saul (189 pounds) won an individual title.

“They beat us twice before, but they might be a little surprised this time,” Temecula Valley Coach Arnold Alpert said.

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Orange County Volleyball Club of Newport Beach swept Saddleback Valley of Irvine, 2-0, in a battle of two of the nation’s top girls’ under-18 teams at the final of the three-day Nike Holiday Classic Tournament Sunday at El Camino College.

More than 50 college coaches watched the final, which showcased many of the county’s top high school players.

OCVBC included seniors Jami-Lynn Bari (Dana Hills), Liz Belloni (Laguna Beach), Jordana Havriluk (Corona del Mar), Lindsay Phillips (Marina), Melissa Plass (Fountain Valley) and Laura Wells (Newport Harbor), juniors Danielle Bauer (Foothill), Kathy Lavold (Newport Harbor) and Chanda McLeod (Marina) and sophomore April Ross (Newport Harbor). The team is coached by UC Irvine men’s Coach Charlie Brande and Jim Downey (Calvary Chapel).

Saddleback was led by seniors Amy DeCinces and Megan Sabo (both of Mater Dei) and junior Jennifer Carey (Newport Harbor). Dale Flickinger, formerly of El Modena, is the coach.

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No. 6 Marina upset No. 2 San Clemente Saturday, 77-68, after a classic fourth-quarter shootout.

A half-court buzzer-beater by Marina guard Karyn Fierst ended the third quarter and the teams went on to combine for 59 points in the final eight minutes. San Clemente made 22 of 32 second-half shots (68.8%). Marina made 11 of 18 (61.1%). For the game, San Clemente shot 59.5%, Marina 56.3%.

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Times staff writers Erik Hamilton and Martin Henderson contributed to this story.