CdM duo picked

Both members of the Corona del Mar High boys’ basketball team’s dynamic scoring duo of Ryan Lance and Stefan Kaluz were named to the All-Pacific Coast League’s first team.

Corona del Mar (16-12), which finished tied for second place with University High in the Pacific Coast League, lost in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division III-AA playoffs to Gahr, 90-71, despite Kaluz’s 25 points.

Lance led the Sea Kings with 15.6 points per game and was first on the team in steals with 42. The senior shooting guard/small forward was second on the team in assists with 75 and third in rebounds with 5.2 per game.

Kaluz emerged as a potent inside threat for the Sea Kings, averaging 14.9 points per game (second on the team) and a team-leading 8.1 rebounds per game. Kaluz was also second on the team in blocked shots with 53.

Both Lance and Kaluz were named Daily Pilot Male High School Athlete of the Week during the course of a year in which the Sea Kings returned to the CIF playoffs after missing them in the 2005-06 season.

The performance of Lance and Kaluz was instrumental in the team’s quick turnaround.

Lance put together his stellar season despite coming off two shoulder surgeries last summer. The 6-foot-7 Kaluz, who was born in Slovakia before moving to California in the sixth grade, played more like a veteran senior than the sophomore he was. He should be a force for the Sea Kings the next two years.

Zack Zaragoza and Chris O’Brien of league champion Northwood were chosen as the co-Most Valuable Players. The Timberwolves, who also had one first-team and one second-team all-league selection, advanced to the Division II-A quarterfinals before losing to eventual division champion Colony.

University had two first-team selections and one second-team pick.

Fourth-place Tesoro had one first-team and two second-team picks.