Artist Basketball Coach Fleming Resigns

Laguna Beach boys’ basketball Coach Bret Fleming, who took the Artists to the playoffs in nine of his 10 seasons, said he has resigned over an unspecified “matter of principle.” He will continue to teach weight training and physical education classes for the remainder of the school year.

“It’s probably the most difficult decision I’ve ever made,” said Fleming, who took Laguna Beach as far as the semifinal round of the Division IV-A playoffs in 1991. “I had a group of kids that was difficult to walk away from.”

Laguna Beach Principal Stu Sims said Fleming’s resignation was related to “assignment changes within the structure of the physical education department.”

Fleming, 40, has a career record of 138-126. He said he will look for other coaching opportunities next season.

* Senior Matt MacGinnis, a first-team All-Orange County selection in boys’ basketball last season, has committed to play at Point Loma Nazarene, Villa Park High Coach Kevin Reynolds said Friday.

A 6-foot-5 swingman, MacGinnis averaged 18 points and made 53% of his shots from the field last season.

FOOTBALL

Orange Coast and Palomar meet today at Orange Coast College in a game that many feel will decide the Mission Conference Central Division Championship.

Orange Coast (3-3, 1-0) has scored 110 points in its last three games, all victories, after a total of just nine in its first three. The Pirates gained a school-record 628 yards in a 55-21 victory over Golden West last week.

Palomar (4-2, 1-0) has won four of its last five.

Saddleback (2-4, 1-0), led by the return of quarterback Jason Whieldon, could have something to say about the division title. Whieldon, who missed three games with a hand injury, passed for 251 yards and one touchdown and rushed for 52 yards and two touchdowns in a 42-28 victory over Santa Ana.

The Gauchos play at Fullerton (1-5, 0-1) at 1 p.m. today.

Defending division champion Santa Ana (0-6, 0-1) visits Golden West for a game tonight at 7. The Rustlers (0-6, 0-1) have lost 26 consecutive games.

TENNIS

Adam Loucks of Irvine will represent the United States in the Nike Junior Tour International Masters tennis tournament in Sun City, South Africa, from Wednesday through Nov. 6. Loucks earned his spot in the 22-nation event by winning the boys’ 14 division last weekend in Santa Barbara.

Loucks qualified for Santa Barbara with a top-four finish on the Nike Junior Tour. Loucks, ranked third in Southern California in the boys’ 14s, attends Spirit Prep School in Tustin, where he is enrolled in an independent study program.