Ishimoto named hoops MVP

Brandon Ishimoto, a speedy point guard on the Ocean View High boys’ basketball team, has been named the 2007 MVP of the Golden West League.

Ishimoto, a junior, headed the all-league team that included two other Seahawks named first-team and four more making honorable mention.

Ishimoto played a majority of the season with a fractured left wrist, an injury he sustained during Ocean View’s first tournament of the year in Arroyo Grande, Ocean View co-head coach Jimmy Harris said.

“I think it’s a well-deserved honor for him,” Harris said. “He ran our team, would speed us up and deliver the ball to our scorers. He did a fantastic job, and we get him back for another year.”

The two other Seahawks who made first-team all-league — Takeshi Clifford and Avery Johnson — also will be back next year.

Clifford was a junior guard this year and Johnson a freshman guard.

“He was just a lightning rod, this kid,” Harris said of Clifford. “And Avery, as far as maturing, he improved every game. He won us a game at the Cypress Tournament and always came through with some huge plays. We get both of these players back, so we’re excited about the future.”

Making honorable mention for Ocean View were seniors Belal Lababidi and Chris Horiuchi, and juniors Cameron Holz and Steve Smith.

The girls’ All-Golden West team included senior DJ Butler and junior Clarissa Holz on first team, senior Ashley Dunn and junior Kelsey Harris on second team, and junior Cristina Kuehn was named honorable mention.

Ocean View’s boys’ team won an outright league championship and the girls’ squad shared the league title with Orange.

2007 All-Golden West League

Boys

Ocean View: Takeshi Clifford, Jr.; Avery Johnson, Fr.

Saddleback: Dan Lara, Jr.; Rishard Matthews, Sr.; Randy Villegas, Soph.; Matt McPeak, Sr..

Santa Ana: Brandon Stephenson, Sr.; Armando Bustamante, Sr.; Jaime Vivanco, Sr.

Westminster: Rick Gallardo, Sr.; Adrian Rubalcava, Sr.

Segerstrom: Travis Williamson, Soph.

Girls

Ocean View: D J Butler, Sr.; Clarissa Holz, Jr.

Orange: Jenny Fairman, Jr.; Melissa Mahi, Jr.

Westminster: Raelene Arganda, Sr.

Saddleback: Mariella McElroy, Sr.; Jessica Valencia, Sr.

Santa Ana: Jackie Orosco, Jr.; Barbie Toscano, Sr.

Segerstrom: Cristina Cabezas, Jr.