Hirst will remain at Newport Harbor

Damaine Powell, the former head coach at Compton College, will be

named the new head men’s basketball coach at Cal State Dominguez

Hills while Newport Harbor High’s Larry Hirst, a candidate for the

Dominguez Hills job, will remain with the Sailors, Hirst said

Wednesday night.

“I’m happy to be back at Newport, even though I officially never

left,” said Hirst, who added that he was the Toros’ runner-up choice

in selection process.

The nine-year Sailors boys hoops coach led Newport Harbor to the

CIF playoffs eight consecutive years. He was also named the 1998

Orange County Coach of the Year. Before taking charge of the Tars,

Hirst was the head coach of Edison High, where he led the Chargers to

a 20-8 record and berth in the 1994 CIF final.

“I’m not trying to paint a rosy picture around a dark cloud, but

it was a no-lose situation for me,” Hirst said. “My biggest worry was

not having a good showing. I didn’t want to finish last.”