Saddleback Men Will Open Playoffs at Home

Saddleback, which struggled for much of its nonconference season but came together during Orange Empire Conference play, was seeded 10th in the Southern California men’s basketball playoff pairings, which were announced Monday.

The Gauchos (20-10) tied for the Orange Empire Conference title with Riverside, which held the tie-breaker advantage. The Tigers (25-9) were seeded fifth.

Saddleback opens the playoffs at home against No. 23 College of the Desert (19-14) Friday. Riverside hosts No. 28 Los Angeles Southwest (14-18) Saturday.

Irvine Valley (22-9) was the only other Orange County team to get a home game. The Lasers, seeded 11th, play No. 22 MiraCosta (21-11) Friday.

Santa Ana, Orange Coast and Fullerton also made the 32-team playoff field but are on the road.

On Friday, No. 21 Santa Ana (21-10) is at No. 12 Hancock (17-13). On Saturday, No. 26 Orange Coast (16-14) is at No. 7 Southwestern (22-10) and No. 27 Fullerton (14-17) is at No. 6 Glendale (22-9).

LASERS RECEIVE BYE

Irvine Valley, which won the Orange Empire Conference women’s basketball title, was seeded third in the Southern California playoffs and received a first-round bye.

The Lasers (25-5) won’t play until March 2, when they host the winner of No. 14 Antelope Valley (20-11) vs. No. 19 Southwestern (16-10).

Fullerton, Golden West, Orange Coast and Santa Ana also made the 24-team playoff field.

On Friday, No. 9 Santa Ana (21-9), which set a school record for victories, hosts No. 24 Mt. San Antonio (13-14), No. 16 Fullerton (18-12) hosts No. 17 Moorpark (18-13) and No. 22 Golden West plays at No. 11 Rio Hondo (25-7).

On Saturday, No. 10 Orange Coast (25-6) hosts No. 23 Los Angeles Trade Tech (14-13).

JACKSON, CROWDEN SHARE MVP HONORS

Sophomore forward Vernon Jackson of Saddleback and sophomore center Don Crowden of Riverside were honored as the co-most valuable players by the Orange Empire Conference men’s basketball coaches.

Jackson averaged 18 points and seven rebounds and Crowden averaged 19 points and 11 rebounds.

Riverside’s Bob Russo was named coach of the year.

The remainder of the all-conference team: Rame Batta (Riverside), Ben Esplin (Irvine Valley), Greg Gray (Santa Ana), Donzell Hayes (Saddleback), Rodney Houston (Riverside), Andre Jackson (Saddleback), Jeff Jensen (Golden West), Chris Mattice (Santa Ana), Ronald Strange (Fullerton) and Rashaun Thomas (Fullerton).

PRAVONGVIENGKHAM IS NAMED MVP

Phouangmaly Pravongviengkham, a sophomore guard who helped Irvine Valley to the Orange Empire Conference title, was selected as the conference’s most valuable player.

Pravongviengkham averaged 13 points, 5.6 assists and three steals. Julie Hanks, in her first year at Irvine Valley, was selected coach of the year.

The rest of the all-conference team: Jami Allred (Irvine Valley), Rochelle Anthony (Santa Ana), Sharee Brown (Cypress), Tracy Downs (Golden West), Teresa Manning (Fullerton), Sarah Middlebrooke (Orange Coast), Stephanie Patten (Santa Ana), Chris Payne (Fullerton), Adria Sortino (OCC), Joyce Sudario (Fullerton) and Erin Tomlinson (OCC).