Villa Park to Replace Whitacre

Len Whitacre, who led Villa Park to three Century League girls’ basketball titles in three seasons, will not return to the school as coach, he said Monday.

Whitacre, a walk-on who had a record of 54-17, moved from South Orange County to Carlsbad during the summer. He said he intended to commute to practice by train, but was told late last week by Villa Park Principal Fran Roney that the position was being opened.

“I’m very distraught, to say the least,” Whitacre said. “I have put in a complete commitment to those players and I had hoped we could work this out for the benefit of everyone. I will miss these players. They are exceptional people. It’s a devastating blow to me and them.”

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Several Orange County boys’ water polo teams will try to contend with Long Beach Wilson at the Southern California Invitational Friday and Saturday at the Heritage Park Aquatics Complex in Irvine.

The Bruins, top-ranked in Southern Section Division I, have won the last four invitational titles. Among the challengers are Foothill and Newport Harbor.

Wilson defeated the Knights, 10-3, and the Sailors, 13-7 and 10-9, the latter for the championship of the South Coast Tournament.