Boys baskteball: Eight locals All-PCL

Barry Faulkner

Five players representing Newport-Mesa schools made first team and

three other locals have earned second-team recognition on the coaches’

All-Pacific Coast League boys basketball selections.

Seniors Eliasar Maldonado (Estancia High), Steve Whittaker (Costa

Mesa) and Idean Shahangian (Corona del Mar) are joined on the first team

by Costa Mesa junior David Conte and Estancia junior Micah Young.

CdM seniors Eric Snell and Zach Brewster, as well as Mesa senior Mike

Payne are second-team selections.

Whittaker, a shooting guard, Conte, a point guard. and Payne, a

6-foot-7 center, led the Mustangs to a share of the league title, the

school’s first crown in 41 varsity seasons.

Maldonado’s transition from shooting guard to point guard helped the

Eagles threaten for a playoff berth, while Young’s inside presence was

huge all year.

Shahangian and Snell were backcourt stalwarts for the Sea Kings, while

Brewster’s hard-nosed consistency was a plus at a forward spot. CdM tied

Estancia for fourth, but earned an at-large bid into the CIF playoffs.

University senior guard Jason Garey, who helped lead the Trojans to

the co-championship, is the Most Valuable Player.

Coaches’ All-Pacific Coast League boys basketball

Most Valuable Player

Jason Garey, University 6-0 Sr.

First team

Steve Whittaker, Costa Mesa 6-0 Sr.

David Conte, Costa Mesa 5-10 Jr.

Idean Shahangian, Corona del Mar 5-10 Sr.

Eliasar Maldonado, Estancia 6-0 Sr.

Micah Young, Estancia 6-2 Jr.

Drew Terry, Northwood 6-4 So.

Hiro Christoph, University 5-11 Sr.

Second team

Mike Payne, Costa Mesa 6-7 Sr.

Eric Snell, Corona del Mar 6-2 Sr.

Zach Brewster, Corona del Mar 6-3 Sr.

Rob Selway, Northwood 6-5 So.

Will Blodgett, Laguna Beach 6-2 Sr.