OCC hoops players honored

Five Orange Coast College men’s and women’s basketball players were named All-Orange Empire Conference and Pirates men’s coach Steve Spencer shared Coach of the Year honors.

OCC sophomore guard Lance Ortiz was a repeat first-team selection after averaging 13.2 points, 5.3 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game for the Pirates.

Sophomore Reggie Brown was the other first-team men’s performer for Orange Coast, which went 22-11 and qualified for the Southern California regional playoffs. Brown averaged 12 points and 4.2 rebounds.

Spencer, in his fifth season, guided the Bucs to the most wins they had achieved in 19 seasons. He shared Coach of the Year honors with Dieter Horton, who guided Fullerton College to an undefeated regular season.

The Orange Coast women (29-5), who open the eight-team state Thursday against Merced, placed sophomores Jillian Ricks, Crystal McCormick and Madison Parks on the first team.

Ricks, a 6-foot-1 forward who played her freshman season at Weber State, averages 13.1 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.

McCormick, a 5-6 guard, averages 12.1 points and has a team-leading 84 three-pointers. She scored 46 points in a five-overtime victory over Fullerton on Jan 25 that included a school single-game record 10 three-pointers. Her 46 points tied the school single-game record.

Parks, a 6-3 center, who played as a freshman at Golden West College, averages 9.9 points and 10.1 rebounds for Coach Mike Thornton’s Pirates. She is shooting 50.9% from the field.

OCC sophomore Matt Davis received honorable mention after averaging 9.6 points and 5.0 rebounds per game for the men’s team.

Fullerton’s Cory McIntosh was the Player of the Year for the men.

Cypress’ Ana Fakatou was Player of the Year for the women and Cypress’ Margaret Mohr was women’s Coach of the Year.

? Barry Faulknerdpt.08-reggie-brown-CPhotoInfoCH1ON8PG20060308ivs8xqknMARK DUSTIN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Reggie Brown, left, was one of five all-conference first-team picks for OCC.