Clifford signs with UC Irvine

Ocean View High senior Conor Clifford took the next step in his academic and athletic career when the 7-foot center signed to play for the UC Irvine men’s basketball team Monday (). Clifford averaged 14.9 points, 9.4 rebounds, 2.3 blocks and shot 68% from the field in a 2011-12 season that ended with him sharing the Golden West League Most Valuable Player honor with teammate Cristian Rivera.

Ocean View athletic director and boys’ basketball co-Coach Tim Walsh said that several schools recruited Clifford, who also had offers from UC Davis, UC Riverside and Northern Arizona. Walsh said that representatives from UCLA, Arizona St., Washington St. and the University of San Diego were present at Ocean View’s final game of the season.

“Working with young men like Conor is why I got into coaching,” Walsh said. “He is very coachable and has worked diligently to become the player he is. More importantly, he is an unbelievable person. He is extremely selfless, and is one of the most respectful young men I’ve ever been around.

“UC Irvine is a great fit for Conor. He’ll have the opportunity to work with a coach, Russell Turner, who has had success on both the college and professional level working with big men. Also, Conor will have the opportunity to contribute right away.”

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Garrity nabs another honor

Dylan Garrity, the all-time leading scorer in Edison High boys’ basketball history and now a point guard at Sacramento State University, was named Wednesday to the collegeinsider.com Mid-Major Freshman All-America Team. Two months ago, Garrity was named the Big Sky Conference Men’s Basketball Freshman of the Year.

Twenty-five players make up the Mid-Major Freshmen All-America Team. In his first year at Sacramento St., Garrity averaged 8.1 points and 6.9 assists per game.

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Dent Tennis Academy debuts Saturday

The Dent Tennis Academy is opening a new branch in Fountain Valley on Saturday. The academy, run by tennis professional Taylor Dent, will hold a grand opening Kid’s Day session from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. at Los Caballeros Racquet and Sports Club, 17272 Newhope St., Fountain Valley. Dent will hit with visitors at the opening, which is free to the public. Players who sign up Saturday for after-school programs will qualify for special pricing.

Before his retirement from the tour in 2010, Dent won four Assn. of Tennis Professionals championships, competed at Wimbledon and was a member of the 2004 U.S. Olympics men’s tennis team.

For more information, visit https://www.DentTennisAcademy.com.

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Junior All-American Football registration open

Huntington Beach Jr. All-American Football and Cheer is accepting online registration for football players and cheerleaders, ages 5 to 14. Early registration discounts will be offered until May 1.To register, visit https://www.hbjaaf.com.

For more information, email info@hbjaaf.com

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Youth soccer sign ups dates set

AYSO Region 143 (Huntington Beach) will be conducting tryouts for its EXTRA program on April 29 and May 6 at Meadow View school, 5702 Clark Drive, Huntington Beach. Tryouts for boys and girls in the Under-9 through -12 divisions is from 10 a.m. to noon., and the U13 and U14 division tryouts are between 1 and 3 p.m. both dates.

Participants are asked to attend both dates and to arrive 20 minutes prior to each session to check in. The AYSO EXTRA program offers a more advanced level of competition than its standard program. For more information, visit https://www.ayso143.org.