Former Pirate Ortiz nets MVP accolade in tourney

Lance Ortiz, a former Orange Coast College standout who is a senior guard for the Cal State San Bernardino men’s basketball team, was named Most Valuable Player of the Disney West Coast Tip-Off Classic tournament completed Sunday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Ortiz, a 6-foot-1 senior guard for the Division II Coyotes, led his team to victories over No. 13-ranked Metro State, 65-55, Kentucky Weslyan, coached by former UC Irvine assistant Todd Lee, 66-57, and Montana State-Billings, 84-52.

Ortiz averaged 16 points, 3.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 3.3 steals and shot 55% from the field (16 of 29). He made six of 15 three-point field-goal attempts (40%).

“He was the best player on the floor,” said OCC Coach Steve Spencer, who tutored Ortiz for two seasons with the Pirates.

Ortiz had 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals against Metro State and his 48 points led all scorers in the tournament.

Against Montana State-Billings, Ortiz had the best game of his two-year career at the school. He scored 23 points and made nine of 11 field-goal attempts, including five of seven from three-point range. He also added five rebounds, five steals and four assists to earn praise from his coach.

“Lance played a tremendous game,” Cal State San Bernardino Coach Jeff Oliver said.

— Barry Faulkner