OCC’s Ibbotson, Gomez earn all-conference nod

Orange Coast College sophomores Simone Ibbotson and Casey Gomez have been named first-team All-Orange Empire Conference in women’s basketball.

Ibbotson, a 5-foot-9 guard-forward, averaged a team-best 13.2 points per game, helping the Pirates to a 21-10 regular-season record. OCC was 8-4 in conference play, finishing third behind co-champions Cypress and Fullerton.

Coach Mike Thornton’s Pirates will visit Antelope Valley (26-9) in the second round of the Southern California Regional playoffs, tonight at 7.

OCC, the No. 14 seed in the 20-team Southern California bracket, defeated Antelope Valley, the No. 3 seed, 57-51, in their first meeting this season, Nov. 9

Ibbotson averaged 4.8 rebounds and shot 80% from the free-throw line (69 for 86).

Gomez, a 5-9 guard, averaged 12.7 points, 3.8 assists, 3.6 rebounds and 2.4 steals in the regular season. Her 75 steals led the team.

Gomez and Ibbotson shared the team lead with 38 three-pointers in 31 games.

Quortlyn O’Neal was named Orange Empire Conference Most Valuable Player while Margaret Mohr (Cypress) and Debi Woelke (Fullerton) shared Coach of the Year honors.

— From staff reports