Briefly In Sports

Edison’s Burks signs with USC

Edison football player Charles Burks signed a National Letter of Intent on Wednesday with USC, Chargers Coach Dave White said.

The 6-foot-2, 230-pound senior has been the Sunset League’s Defensive Lineman of the Year the past two years.

“Charles worked really, really hard all four years, both in the classroom and on the football field, to get where he is,” White said. “He’s a prime example of a kid who worked hard to earn it.

“To be playing in the Pac-10, at USC, is a great accomplishment. I’m really proud of him.”

* Chargers hold down top spots in CIF

The Edison girls’ basketball and boys’ soccer teams remain No. 1 as the two squads continued to top their respective polls in this week’s CIF Southern Section rankings.

In girls’ basketball, Edison is No. 1 in Division 1A poll. Huntington Beach, fourth a week ago, moved into a tie for No. 3 with Buena in the Division 2AA poll. Ocean View again is ranked No. 14 in Division 4AA and Brethren Christian dropped from third to fourth in Division 5A.

In boys’ soccer, undefeated Edison ranks first in Division 1 and is the lone local ranked boys’ team. In girls’ soccer, Ocean View comes in at No. 9 in Division 6.

In girls’ water polo, Edison is eighth and Fountain Valley moved from 10th to No. 9 in Division 1.

In boys’ basketball, Edison remained No. 4 and Huntington Beach slipped from ninth to No. 11 in the Division 2AA poll. Ocean View was ranked No. 16 last week in the same poll, but fell out of this week’s rankings. Fountain Valley remained at No. 14 in Division 1A and Brethren Christian kept its grip on the No. 5 slot in Division 5A.

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Thompson wins twice in NSSA longboard

Shaun Thompson of Huntington Beach picked up another victory by winning the Open Longboard division at the National Scholastic Surfing Assn. Southwest Conference Open Season (event No. 8) on Jan. 26 at Salt Creek Beach in Dana Point. Thompson, who had a two-wave score of 11.66, beat out Jason Schechter (San Diego, 7.70), Jae Eddy (Costa Mesa, 5.50) and Dane Petersen (Trabuco Canyon, 5.27).

Thompson previously had won the Explorer Longboard division at the NSSA Southwest Conference Explorer competition (event No. 5) the week prior at D Street beach in Encinitas. Thompson scored a 15.5 to get the win. Nathan Thompson (9.4) and Lee Toresdahl (4.5), both also of Huntington Beach, finished third and fifth, respectively, in the event. Toresdahl also was sixth in the Explorer Seniors division.

In the Open Men’s division Jan. 26 at Salt Creek, Derek Peters (12.97) of Huntington Beach placed second behind Jake Halstead (La Jolla, 13.60). The other top local was Nathan Young in the Open Boys’ division, where the Fountain Valley resident finished fifth (8.60).

The next NSSA Southwest Open Season competition is Feb. 19 and 20 at C Street in Ventura. The next NSSA Explorer Season event is Feb. 12 and 13 at La Jolla Shores.

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Cutrell named volleyball coach at Mater Dei

Former Ocean View High girls’ volleyball Coach Adam Cutrell is the new head coach of the boys’ and girls’ volleyball programs at Mater Dei High, the Santa Ana-based school announced Friday. Cutrell prepped at Ocean View, then went on to play at Golden West College and Utah Valley State College. During his time at Ocean View, he led the girls’ volleyball program to its first CIF semifinals appearance in 13 years. At OCC, his teams won back-to-back state championships (2006 and 2007). Cutrell, a resident of Huntington Beach, is the current director of the Surf City Girls’ Volleyball Club.

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Seahawks baseball fundraiser Feb. 12

The Ocean View High baseball program holds its annual Texas Hold’em fundraiser Feb. 12. The event starts at 5 p.m. at Centerfield Sports Bar and Grill, 17296 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach, and a $60 donation is required to play. To reserve a seat or for information on donating prizes to the event, visit https://www.ovhs.baseball.com.