Community college women’s basketball: Melville and Hatsushi make

All-OEC team

Steve Virgen

COSTA MESA - Orange Coast College sophomore Kyra Melville and

freshman Nancy Hatsushi have earned All-Orange Empire Conference honors

for their standout play in women’s basketball.

The OCC duo led the Pirates to a 7-0 finish, to make good on a vow to

sweep through the second round of OEC and guided Coast (24-8, 10-4 in the

OEC) to second place in the conference.

Melville, a 5-foot-10 forward out of Mater Dei High, paced the

Pirates, scoring 11.5 points per game. She also led the team in rebounds

with 166. Melville, the Pirates’ team captain, was the third-highest vote

getter among the All-OEC selections, while Hatsushi was the fourth

highest.

Hatsushi, a 5-5 point guard from Costa Mesa High, became what OCC

Coach Mike Thornton called, “The best point guard in the conference.” She

averaged 11.6 ppg. during OEC play and nailed 34 of her 75 three-pointers

(46%). She committed less than two turnovers per game and averaged six

assists. Hatsushi also led the team in steals with 40.

OCC sophomore guard Ryan Webster earned honorable mention for his play

on the Pirates’ men’s basketball team (7-21, 4-10).