Breakers dominate all-league team

The success attained on the court by the Laguna Beach High boys’ basketball team during the 2006-07 season was reflected in the selection of the All-Orange Coast League Basketball Team.

Eight Breakers were named to the 2007 all-league team, a team spearheaded by Cheyne Martin and Brian Delino who shared the league’s MVP honor.

“We had a very solid team that really was team-oriented,” said Laguna Coach Bret Fleming whose Breakers won the league championship and posted an overall record of 23-6. “A lot of guys contributed and stepped up at different times throughout the season.”

Martin, a senior point guard, missed most of the second-half of the season due to a couple of injuries that forced him to the bench. Still, the standout managed to be one of the county’s top scorers and ended the year with a 28.3 points per game average.

Delino, a senior guard, also had a big year. He averaged 12.1 points per game overall and came on strong in league where he averaged 16.2 points per outing.

Delino also started all 29 games for the Breakers.

“I think it’s a great honor for them both and well-deserved,” Fleming said. “Even though he missed most of league, I think that the league coaches felt that Cheyne was heads and shoulders above the others. He just had a great year, even though injuries forced him to miss some of the season.

“As for Brian, when Cheyne went out, he stepped up and that was big for us. He sort of became our go-to guy even though we are team-oriented. He really stepped up in league play.”

Named to the first team were senior forward Bob Monroe and sophomore Ryan Lawler.

Monroe averaged 6.3 points and a team second-best 6.5 rebounds per game. Lawler, despite missing the final two weeks of the season after breaking an ankle, averaged 9.8 points and a team-best seven rebounds a game.

Monroe started 28 of Laguna’s 29 games. He missed the one game due to illness.

“Both had really consistent years and contributed in the areas we needed, such as post defense, rebounding and with their toughness,” Fleming said. “Ryan provided athleticism that was crucial for us, especially when we went up against really athletic teams, and Bobby, toward the end of the year, really took on a key role. He had a monster game against Costa Mesa late in the year. That’s a senior stepping up to be a go-to guy.”

Monroe scored 19 points and pulled down 16 rebounds in a key, 63-56 win at Costa Mesa on Feb. 2 that put the Breakers in first-place in the league.

Second-team selections for Laguna included junior guards Marcus Hairston and Charley Bowman.

Hairston provided the Breakers with strong defense and Bowman, who quarterbacked the Laguna football team, pushed the ball up court.

“Both of them grew tremendously thought the course of the season,” Fleming said. “Marcus was a pleasant surprise, especially on defense, and Charley just grew and grew as the season went on. It’s tough to get into a basketball mode after playing football. They both did a great job.”

Named as honorable mention players on the all-league team were junior guard Ian Butters and senior forward Nathan Pickett.

All-Orange Coast League

Calvary Chapel: Caleb Burgess, Sr.; Tim Goodfriend, Sr.

Costa Mesa: Larry Puente, Sr.; Moses Titus, Sr.

Laguna Beach: Ryan Lawler, Soph.; Bob Monroe, Sr.

Calvary Chapel: Jake Morphis, Sr.; Micah Sherman, Soph.

Estancia: Taylor McClanahan, Sr.; Troy McClanahan, Soph.

Laguna Beach: Charley Bowman, Jr.; Marcus Hairston, Jr.