Community College Athletes of the Week

Vernon Jackson

Saddleback, Sophomore

Basketball

Jackson, from Atlanta, has helped Saddleback get off to a strong start in Orange Empire Conference play. He scored 22 points as the Gauchos beat Santa Ana, 88-77, then got 23--nine of nine on free throws--in an 87-62 victory at Fullerton. Saddleback (14-8, 5-1) is at Riverside (19-7, 5-1) tonight in the final game of the first round of conference play.

Basketball

Dave Elliott

* Orange Coast, freshman. Made 10 of 12 shots from the field and nine of 10 free throws as OCC won twice.

Stephanie Patten

Santa Ana, Freshman

Basketball

Patten, a forward from El Dorado High, was hit in the head while going after a rebound and missed most of the second half during a loss to Irvine Valley on Jan. 15. But Patten returned last week as strong as ever. She scored 23 points in a 93-71 victory over Saddleback, then got a season-high 30 points and added 16 rebounds in a 74-65 victory over Cypress.

Basketball

Lauren O’Hara

* Irvine Valley, freshman. She scored 15 points and got 19 rebounds in a 67-47 victory over Riverside.