Estancia Hires Rick Cook as Boys’ Basketball Coach

Estancia High has hired Rick Cook as boys’ varsity basketball coach, Athletic Director Tim Parsel said Monday.

Cook, who assisted at Newport Harbor last season, was the varsity coach at City of Industry Workman for 14 years. He replaces Rich Boyce, who left to coach at Edison next season.

ROLLER HOCKEY

Five former Bullfrogs and two other skaters from the county have been named to the U.S. roster for the International Ice Hockey Federation In-Line Hockey World Cup July 6-15 in the Czech Republic.

Former Bullfrog defenseman Joe Cook has been named coach. As a player, he led the United States to gold medals in the 1996 and 1997 IIHF competitions.

Other former Bullfrog players expected to skate are wingers Taj Melson, John Hanson and Bill Lund and defender Tom Menicci.

Justin Hoffman of Huntington Beach and Josh Milewski of Costa Mesa were also selected. Only three players on the 15-man roster did not compete professionally in the defunct Roller Hockey International.

The U.S., which begins pool play July 7 at 4:30 a.m. (PDT) against Hungary, is a heavy favorite to win the gold medal because perennial rival Canada is not participating this year. The U.S. is 31-1-0 internationally since 1996. Its only loss was to Canada in the 1998 world title game at the Arrowhead Pond.

The World Cup was formerly known as the IIHF In-Line Hockey World Championships and was held in Anaheim in 1997 and ’98. It was not held last season but is scheduled to be held every two years beginning in 2001.