Saturday, February 26, 2011

Capistrano Valley avenges loss to Aliso Niguel, advances to championship


Taylor Hamasaki, and his game-high 25 points, led the Cougars to a 61-46 victory over the Wolverines in the Division IA semifinals.

Aliso Niguel's Bryan Fisher had 22 points in a losing effort.

Thursday, February 24, 2011

San Clemente shutout streak continues over Corona del Mar



For a third consecutive year, San Clemente was staring at penalty kicks in yet another quarterfinal tie. With 15 minutes left, Danielle Mellem subbed in and gave the Tritons the game-winning boot.

San Clemente captured their 7th straight shutout victory, defeating Corona del Mar 1-0.

OCVarsity Girls Hoops: Will Canyon win elusive championship?


Carlos Arias and Steve Fryer travel to Canyon to preview the quarterfinals (click here for boys video):

  • Is Canyon ready to step up?
  • How deep is the Trinity League?
  • Interviews with Canyon players Shanice Jackson, Christina Salvatore, and coach Matt Dale

OCVarsity Boys Hoops: Showdown in South County


Steve Fryer and Carlos Arias travel to Canyon to preview the semifinals in boys basketball

  • Who's going to win the south county showdown between Aliso Niguel and Capistrano Valley?
  • Can Mater Dei get past a tough Corona Centennial team?
  • Will county darling Padre Pio run the table?

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Mission Viejo runs past Colony en route to semifinals



The Diablos defeated Colony 71-54 to advance to the Division 2AA semifinals.

Isaac Neilson had 20 points, 18 rebounds, and an earth-shattering dunk that lit Mission's Inferno on fire!

Interviews with Neilson, James Cramer (19 points), and head coach Troy Roelen.

Tuesday, February 22, 2011

OCVarsity Top 10: Game-winning goal and amazing 40-yard goal



Highlights include a blocked shot that turns into a dunk, a ten goal game in girls water polo, a 40-yard goal in girls soccer, and a game-winning shot in boys basketball.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Kobe's star shines brightest at NBA All-Star Game



Kobe Bryant captured his fourth All-Star MVP award, finishing with 37 points as the West defeated the East 148-143. Interviews with Dirk Nowitzki, Deron Williams, Carmelo Anthony, and more.

Friday, February 18, 2011

Buzzer-beater! Sonora shocks Cypress



Sonora has been on the losing end of a last second buzzer five teams this season. That all changed Friday night, as Sonora's Greg Watson hit a game-winner over Cypress.

Sonora advances to the quarterfinals where they will play Palm Springs on Tuesday.

Wednesday, February 16, 2011

OCVarsity Hoops visits Mater Dei for playoff preview





Steve Fryer and Carlos Arias finally leave the Register office in Santa Ana, and travel down the road to Mater Dei for a basketball preview spectacular!

The guys breakdown both boys and girls hoops, and interview Monarch players.

Can Mater Dei repeat? Will we see the dream matchup of Brea Olinda vs. Mater Dei? Can Padre Pio run the table? Is Orange Lutheran the team to beat?

Find out above.

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

OCVarsity Top 10: Four goal game and 500 victories for coach



Highlights include a four goal game by Lauren Bohaboy, a game-winning tip-in by Issac Neilson, a three-point bomb from Nike Cope, a golden goal by Tyler Valeo, a coach celebrating her 500th career coaching victory, and more!

Friday, February 11, 2011

Goaltending or game-winner? Mission beats Capo for league title



Mission Viejo's Isaac Neilson tipped home the game-winner as time expired, giving his Diablos the victory and the South Coast league championship over Capistrano Valley, 58-57. (Click here for the game story.)

But should he have been called for goaltending? The play occurs at the 2:13 mark of the video.

Watch the highlights and make your voice heard below.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

Canyon's biggest little man - Chris Anderson



Canyon's Chris Anderson doesn't want to hear that he's too small to ball.

Anderson is building a legacy at Canyon this his brother Jerime helped to cement while Chris was a freshman.

Canyon head coach Nate Harrison coached Jerime to a county player of the year award in 2008. He sees a lot of similarities between the brothers.

"Jerime was more of a slasher and scorer, and Chris is more of a natural point guard," Harrison said. "But statistically, they are very similar. The finished product with the wins they're putting up here are Canyon are pretty similar also."

Chris learned a lot from his brother while sitting on the bench. As a freshman, Chris looked up to Jerime, and he often goes to him for advice about how to conduct himself as a leader on the court.

"We have a good relationship. We're close to each other," Chris Anderson said. "He gives me advice of what it's like at the college level, and what I have to do to improve my game to compete at the division one level."

"We always had battles, playing in the front yard," Jerime Anderson said. "Of course I never let him win...we're all very competitive, so of course I had to beat him up while he was younger. He's a beast though, I love watching him play."

Harrison knows that Chris is only going to get better with time, as he develops into his body and works on his shooting touch.

"What makes him special is that he really fills up the stat sheet. He does it all."

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

OCVarsity Top 10: Goalie stops a bicycle kick



Highlights include a goalie stopping a bicycle kick, a wrestler pulling off a comeback, an amazing goal off a header, and more!

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Santa Margarita defeats Los Alamitos in Nike Extravaganza

Los Alamitos head coach Edward Courtemarche was not happy with his team's effort in the second half.

"I don't know that we really fought back," Courtemarche said. "I think we kind of gave up. Against a good team like Santa Margarita, you can't expect to beat yourself up, make mistakes, and expect to win."

The Griffins played without their star player Camryn Crocker. He sat on the bench, with his shoulder in a sling. The team is calling it a shoulder stinger for now, but Courtemarche expects him back soon.

"We kept him out. We're hoping he's ready to go by Tuesday against Edison."

Santa Margarita ramped up their defense in the second half, outscoring Los Alamitos 39-23. The Eagles' Wolfie Wood (son of Cal State Fullerton hall of famer and current NBA official Leon Wood) set the defensive tone with four steals.

"That's the key for us," Wood said. "If we play hard defense, then we'll be in the game most of the time. Our defense came through."

Friday, February 4, 2011

Orange Lutheran upsets Edison in Nike Extravaganza



Orange Lutheran's Natalie Luzar knew her Lancers were an underdog against No.3 ranked Edison.

"I think it was really big upset, because everyone knows that they're better than us."

Luzar finished with 22 points and 5 steals as Orange Lutheran defeated Edison 58-51 in the Nike Extravaganza.

"I knew we had the potential to beat them," Luzar said. "We had a lot of heart, and we came out really strong."

Edison's Samuelson sisters finished with 17 points each in a losing effort. One of the Lancers keys to victory, was putting pressure on Bonnie Samuelson.

"We doubled the crap out of her," Luzar added. "We did our best from having her shoot the three."

"I think we made a really big statement. We have the potential to beat a bunch of good teams, and I think a lot of teams underestimate us."

Thursday, February 3, 2011

All-Access: Troy Niklas signs with Notre Dame



Follow Servite's Troy Niklas throughout National Signing Day.

He takes you into his home, as he signs his national letter of intent to play for Notre Dame:

  • Find out why his phone call to Notre Dame head coach Brian Kelly didn't go exactly as planned.
  • Take a look at Troy's trophy case (he has a particular trophy that he's surprisingly fond of).
  • Follow Troy to Servite, as he struggles to get an excuse for missing class.
  • And check out a behind-the-scenes look of Troy making his announcement live at the Fox Sports West studios in Los Angeles.

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

OCVarsity Top 10: Unbelievable save and slam!



Highlights include some amazing saves from goal keepers across the county, a touchdown pass of an assist in girls water polo, a body slam from Tank Knowles, a wicked goal from last year's player of the year Lauren Bohaboy, an epic alley-oop and more!