Hall family, Estancia boys’ basketball team up to assist Puerto Rico

By David Carrillo PeñalozaAssistant Editor, Fast Break Desk

Oct. 10, 2017 8:05 PM PT

Estancia High’s Anthony Hall planned to visit Puerto Rico for the first time in December. It was a trip he and his family looked forward to making, as his grandfather, Tony Molina, a salsa musician, wanted to go home to celebrate his 90th birthday.

With Hurricane Maria ravaging Puerto Rico last month, the Hall family is not sure whether Molina will ever go back to the island. While the rest of the family does not know when it will travel to Puerto Rico to visit and check on loved ones, it wants to help those affected by the hurricane.

Hall and the Estancia boys’ basketball program are having a donation drive inside the campus’ small basketball gym from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday. The Eagles are teaming up with Porter Ranch’s Seed of Abraham Apostolic Church, which will be sending the donations to Puerto Rico, said Melody, Hall’s mother.

Melody, who is coordinating the efforts, said items people can donate at Estancia are baby wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes, diapers, underwear, clothes, shoes, flashlights, batteries, water and canned food.

“One of the things that we like to teach our kids is that we have it pretty good here, but whenever people are in need, it’s always good to either say something or do something,” said Estancia coach Xavier Castellano, who is entering his fourth season in charge of his alma mater. “[We’re] just trying to teach them that the world is bigger than us.”

Hall’s grandpa is from Mayagüez, which is on the west coach of Puerto Rico. Hall, his family and his basketball family now want to give back to his homeland.

“I’m happy we’re having a good cause to help the people of Puerto Rico out, and just try to help as many lives as we can,” said Hall, a junior who is half Puerto Rican. “[My teammates] are really psyched about it. They were really interested in helping out the people.”

CdM’s quarterback foursome

Corona del Mar’s football team played four quarterbacks in the first half of last week’s Pacific Coast League opener. Coach Dan O’Shea said it resulted in Nathaniel Espinoza, Erik Zimmerman, Ethan Garbers and General Booty helping the offense put up 622 yards in the first half.

For the game, the four combined to complete 18 of 30 passes for 330 yards and six touchdowns, with one interception. They rushed six times for 130 yards and one touchdown.

The Sea Kings scored all of their points in their 62-13 win against Beckman by halftime. They won their 26th straight game in Pacific Coast League play, giving the Sea Kings the fifth-longest winning streak in league in Orange County history.

Edison’s defense scores four TDs

Edison scored four defensive touchdowns in the second half of its 63-0 shutout at Huntington Beach, coming in a Sunset League opener last week.

Brandon Moradian returned an interception 33 yards for a touchdown, Kele Cooper returned a fumble 27 yards for a touchdown, Marcus Pittman returned an interception 67 yards for a touchdown, and Nathan Nabal returned an interception 25 yards for a touchdown.

The defensive effort led to the Chargers’ 11th straight league win.

Locals ranked

Edison, CdM, Fountain Valley, Marina and Ocean View are ranked in the latest CIF Southern Section football polls.

The Chargers (4-2, 1-0 in Sunset League) are No. 6 in Division 2, the Sea Kings (5-1, 1-0 in Pacific Coast) are No. 4 in Division 4, the Barons (5-1, 1-0 in Sunset) are No. 9 in Division 6, the Vikings (3-3, 0-1 in Sunset) are No. 8 in Division 12, and the Seahawks (4-2, 0-1) are No. 4 in Division 13.

Estancia ends skid

Estancia avoided its first 0-6 start to the football season in 16 years by opening Orange Coast League action with a 48-27 win on the road against Saddleback last week.

Running back Trevor Pacheco totaled 250 yards and four touchdowns. He rushed 20 times for 183 yards and two touchdowns, and caught two passes for 67 yards and two touchdowns.