Edison Boys’ Basketball Coach Kelly Resigns

Corey Kelly has resigned as Edison boys’ basketball coach after four seasons, school officials announced.

The Chargers finished last in the Sunset League this season with a record of 1-9. They were 8-16 overall.

Kelly, a walk-on coach, will pursue full-time teaching opportunities, Edison Athletic Director Bruce Belcher said.

Kelly’s best season came in 1997-98, when he led Edison to a 16-9 record and the second round of the Southern Section playoffs. He compiled a 44-54 record at the school.

“He’s one of the hardest working coaches I had,” Belcher said. “He gave every ounce he had.”

* Jeff Jensen, a 6-7 forward who averaged 15 points and seven rebounds at Golden West College, has committed to attend Hawaii-Pacific, Coach Truiett Hatton said.

GYMNASTICS

Five members of the Cal State Fullerton women’s gymnastics team have qualified for the NCAA West Regional April 1 at Oregon State, Titan Coach Julie Knight said.

Sophomore Joanna Hughes and freshman Kelly Mathiasen qualified in the all-around. Junior Natalia Acosta qualified in floor exercise, sophomore Katie Antolin on bars and sophomore Kellie Francia in the vault.

SOCCER

Villa Park High has hired Steven Lorenzo Tatone as girls’ soccer coach, a school spokesman said. Tatone has coached privately for several years and is currently at the Orange Soccer Club.

* Kevin Esparza has been named to replace Eric VanVeen as boys’ soccer coach at Orange High, Panthers Athletic Director Ed Howard said.

Esparza, 27, returns to the program he coached to a Southern Section Division II championship in 1996. He spent the past two years as a student at Chapman College, where he also served as an assistant coach for the men’s soccer team.

WATER POLO

Former La Canada Flintridge Prep Coach Tim Fredricksen has been hired as the boys’ coach at Irvine High, Vaquero Athletic Director Erik Terry announced.

Fredricksen, who played water polo at Long Beach State, will be a substitute teacher at the school, while he continues to pursue a teaching degree. He replaces Greg Gary.

* Michelle Carey of Chino High has committed to play women’s water polo at UC Irvine, according to her mother, Vicki Carey.

Carey, who played the two-meter position, was named the most valuable player in the Baseline League.

SURFING

Timmy Reyes of Edison got a perfect score of 10 on his ride in the final set of the day Sunday to take the boys’ championship at the National Scholastic Surfing Assn. meet at Church Beach in San Clemente.

Andrew Gahan and Travis Mellem of San Clemente finished third and fifth, respectively. Joe Alani of Newport Harbor finished sixth.

County competitors placing in girls’ competition included No. 3 Shelly Appleby (San Clemente), No. 5 Emily Nehrig (Edison) and No. 6 Cali Kearney-Porter (Marina).

Marina’s Dodger Kremel won the longboard competition, while Eric Mehlberg of San Clemente finished fifth and Alex Knost of Newport Harbor was sixth.