Hornets’ Record Doesn’t Worry Coach

Ask an Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball coach about the top teams in the conference and Fullerton’s name is sure to come up.

Opposing coaches look at Fullerton and see the same thing the Hornet staff does: talented players.

The cover of the team’s media guide even addresses the team’s expectations. Four sophomores are shown in front of a map highlighting Stockton, site of the state tournament in March.

The only thing lacking for Fullerton so far is an impressive record.

The Hornets, who have played a demanding schedule, are 8-7 going into today’s consolation final in the Pasadena tournament.

But Coach Dieter Horton isn’t too concerned. Of course he would like his team to have played better, but he believes his players are suffering from information overload.

In an effort to bring stability to his program, Horton hired Tom Gorrell and Craig Snider, a couple of successful high school coaches, as walk-on assistants.

“My assistants have done a fantastic job,” Horton said, “but at times we have just given the players too much information.”

The Hornets have had to make other adjustments this season.

Fullerton’s lofty expectations were partly fueled by the play of sophomore guard Jerry McNair, who averaged 13 points as a freshman. McNair had a strong spring and summer and committed to Washington State. But he quit Fullerton’s team in late October in hopes of playing three seasons for the Cougars.

That was frustrating for Horton, but he understands that players moving on is part of running a community college program.

Eight players have earned scholarships to four-year colleges in Horton’s first three seasons, and two of those have left after only one year.

“But it’s really the best of both worlds,” Horton said. “We get to recruit as well as get our players recruited.”

But not all players have left Fullerton under such positive circumstances.

Horton, who was 25 when he was hired, established himself as a disciplinarian from the start. He has proved he has no problem kicking players off his team for violating team rules.

His first and boldest move came on the eve of a game against Irvine Valley that would decide the Orange Empire Conference title in 1997.

Horton approached reporters before the game and said he had removed two starters, including his point guard, from the team the night before. The Hornets went on to lose the game.

“I felt like that cost us a conference title,” Horton said. “But it has to be done right. We do so much for these kids and we can’t have them around if they will not respect us. I’m not going to coach disruptive kids.”

NAMES IN THE NEWS

Cypress soccer players Jane Specht and Alie Nunez were selected as National Soccer Coaches Assn. of America All-Americans, and the Chargers were named national champions.

Nunez, a freshman, led Cypress with 39 goals and 24 assists. Specht, who just returned from a recruiting trip to Wyoming and is also planning on visiting San Diego State, had 29 goals and 13 assists.

Cerritos linebacker Jack Tucker (Kennedy High) has committed to Ohio State and Falcon offensive lineman Neal Hannifin (Kennedy) has committed to Colorado.

Cerritos running back Brian McDonald (Buena Park) has narrowed his choices to Texas and Missouri.

SCHEDULE UPDATE

The holiday season means a nice break for most teams in the coming week. There are only five games scheduled next week but one is a clash of top teams.

Defending state champion Cerritos visits Santa Ana at 7 p.m. Thursday in a nonconference men’s basketball game. Cerritos, ranked second in Southern California, and 10th-ranked Santa Ana were supposed to play Wednesday, but a high school wrestling tournament also was scheduled so the basketball game was moved.

If you have an item or idea for the community college report, you can fax us at (714) 966-5663 or e-mail us at steve.kresal@latimes.com