The biggest game this week is St. John Bosco at Santa Margarita on Friday at 7 p.m. It is a Trinity League opener for both teams.

St. John Bosco (11-4), led by 6-6 senior Christian Collins, is ranked No. 3 in CIF-SS in the computer rankings.

Santa Margarita (19-2), led by senior guard Kaiden Bailey (Georgia Tech signee), is No. 2 behind top-ranked Sierra Canyon.

In the CalHiSports.com state rankings, Santa Margarita is No. 3 and St. John Bosco is No. 5. Sierra Canyon is No. 1 there, too.

Orange Lutheran (14-5), which is No. 10 in the Orange County rankings, plays at county No. 3 JSerra (13-8) on Friday in another Trinity League opener.

The schedule for Tuesday has some standout league matchups. In the Crestview League, O.C. No. 6 Canyon (11-6) is at No. 2 Crean Lutheran (14-5) and No. 14 La Habra (15-4) is at No. 8 Cypress (14-7).

In the Freeway League on Friday, No. 18 Sonora (15-5) plays at No. 15 El Dorado (16-2).

ORANGE COUNTY NOTES

The first version of the computer rankings that the CIF-SS will use for the creation of the playoff divisions were released last week. The second posting is due this week and the rankings will continue each week through Feb. 2. …

Canyon and No. 17 Esperanza (18-1) play each other in a nonleague game Monday, Jan. 12, at Intuit Dome, the home of the Clippers. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m. …

Los Alamitos senior Tyler Lopez was named MVP of the Diamond Division for The Classic at Damien. The Griffins’ Joseph Ojeda and Isaiah Williamson were named to all-tournament. Los Alamitos beat Auburn of Washington in the division final. Canyon, Fairmont Prep and La Habra also were in the Diamond Division. …

Esperanza was the champion of the Bronze Division in The Classic at Damien. …

Calvary Chapel defeated Jurupa Hills 63-61 in the Iron Division final of The Classic. Calvary’s Micah Francisco was named division MVP and the Eagles’ Ephraim Coffin was named all-tournament. …

Los Amigos went 3-1 in the Bronze Division of The Classic at Damien. …

Orange Lutheran went 3-1 and won the consolation championship in the Silver Division at The Classic. Lancers Josh King and Noah Zeola were selected to the all-tournament team. King is averaging 24 points a game. …

Fountain Valley won the championship of the Oxford Academy tournament. Barons senior guard Kenneth Nguyen scored 30 points in a 79-53 win over Pacifica in the championship game. He was the tournament MVP. …

Crean Lutheran 6-11 senior Chadrack Mpoyi was named all-tournament in The Classic at Damien. …

Newport Harbor went 4-0 in the Gold Division of The Coast Classic tournament at Estancia. The division had a round-robin format without a championship game. Newport’s Owen Saukkola was named all-tournament. …

The Coast Classic’s Silver Division was played in the 16-team bracket style. Godinez beat Cabrillo 58-57 in the championship game. Jaiden Torres of Godinez was division MVP. …

Cypress won the Governors Division championship of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic. Guard Ryan Gov was named division MVP.  He scored 32 points in the Centurions’ 83-73 win over Poway in the division final. …

Zain Majeed is averaging 25 points a game for Mater Dei since becoming eligible Dec. 26. He is a 6-8 junior who transferred from IMG Academy in Florida. …

Not all teams post stats at MaxPreps.com. Of those that do, Brea Olinda senior Logan Severson is the California leader in 3-point baskets with 67 in 19 games.

Notable this week: Santa Margarita won the championship of the top division in the Desert Holiday Classic. …  Mater Dei went 4-0 in its division of the Desert Holiday Classic. … Los Alamitos won the championship of the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien tournament. … Huntington Beach makes its season debut in the Top 25 … Transfers who had to observe the sit-out period became eligible to play on Dec. 26.

BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 25

1. Santa Margarita 19-2: The Eagles won the championship of the top division in the Desert Holiday Classic. They also beat Roosevelt and Fairfax. They are home against St. John Bosco (11-4) in a Trinity League opener Friday.

Previous ranking: 1

2. Crean Lutheran 14-5: The Saints lost to Redondo Union in the semifinals of the Platinum Division in The Classic at Damien. They beat Cypress 72-60 in a Crestview League opener.

Previous ranking: 2

3. JSerra 13-8: The Lions lost to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the championship game of the National Division of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

Previous ranking: 3

4. Corona del Mar 16-1: The Sea Kings finished second in its division of the Desert Holiday Classic. They beat Fountain Valley 64-46 in a Sunset League game, the first loss of the season for the Barons.

Previous ranking: 4

5. Los Alamitos 8-6: The Griffins won the championship of the Diamond Division in The Classic at Damien. They beat Auburn of Washington 60-53 in the division final.

Previous ranking: 7

6. Canyon 11-6: The Comanches went 2-2 in the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien, then beat Arizona’s No. 3-ranked team Brophy Prep.

Previous ranking: 5

7. Mater Dei 12-7: With their roster improved by recently eligible transfers, the Monarchs won their division of the Desert Holiday Classic.

Previous ranking: 10

8. Cypress 14-7: The Centurions won the championship of the Governors Division in the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic, and lost to Crean Lutheran in a Crestview League game.

Previous ranking: 6

9. Fairmont Prep 10-7: The Huskies went 2-2 in the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien.

Previous ranking: 8

10. Orange Lutheran 14-5: The Lancers won the consolation championship in the Silver Division of The Classic at Damien.

Previous ranking: 11

11. Pacifica Christian 13-4

Previous ranking: 9

12. Tesoro 17-3

Previous ranking: 12

13. Servite 15-5

Previous ranking: 17

14. La Habra 15-4

Previous ranking: 14

15. El Dorado 16-3

Previous ranking: 13

16. Edison 14-3

Previous ranking: 15

17. Esperanza 18-1

Previous ranking: 16

18. Sonora 15-5

Previous ranking: 20

19. Fountain Valley 16-1

Previous ranking: 21

20. Newport Harbor 13-4

Previous ranking: 19

21. San Clemente 10-9

Previous ranking: 18

22. Huntington Beach 10-7

Previous ranking: Not ranked

23. Villa Park 12-9

Previous ranking: 24

24. Aliso Niguel 11-8

Previous ranking: 25

25. Woodbridge 12-6

Previous ranking: 23

The Orange Rotary Car Show, where visitors can traverse Old Towne viewing hundreds of classic cars lined up, usually takes place the third Sunday of April. And the Orange May Parade and Taste of Orange — a tasting event featuring local restaurants and breweries organized as a fundraiser by the Assistance League of Orange — are usually held the first weekend in May.

The events draw tens of thousands of visitors to the city’s downtown each year.

But after representatives of the three posed the idea, the City Council agreed recently to combine the events into one, to run annually on the first weekend of May, with the event organizers agreeing to work together and share expenses to deliver the weekend.

Consolidating the events, Councilmember John Gyllenhammer said, would help “bring a lot of people together and ensure the continuity of the events.”

The car show footprint and the parade route, which loops around Plaza Park, will remain the same. And, both will continue to be free and open to the public. But ticket costs for Taste of Orange may be adjusted, organizers said.

The events in 2026 — they will be on May 2 and 3 — will be held during another fiscal year in which the city is grappling with a general fund budget deficit. As part of its plan to mitigate a nearly $2 million shortfall, the city put some community events on hold, including opting out of hosting a Third of July fireworks show for the first time in nearly three decades.

And the Orange May Parade, organized and hosted by the Orange Chamber of Commerce, was cancelled in 2025 due to “the dramatic increase in the cost associated with organizing the event.”

The parade, which dates back to the 1930s, had faded away in the 1990s because of a lack of funding. It was rekindled in 2019, drawing dozens of participating groups and floats, with crowds again lining the streets of the plaza area.

Majeed, a 6-foot-8 junior forward who became eligible Friday, scored 20 points as the Monarchs defeated Otay Ranch 98-50 in a first-round game of the Desert Holiday Classic in Palm Springs.

Majeed transferred from IMG Academy. His transfer required that Majeed had to sit out 50 percent of the total days of the boys basketball season.

Junior guard Richie Ramirez led Mater Dei with 23 points. Ramirez is averaging 27 points a game.

Mater Dei, No. 10 in the Orange County Top 25, is 7-6.

In The Classic At Damien:

No. 8 Fairmont Prep 55, Campbell Hall 45: David Abisogun led the Huskies (8-5) with 19 points in their Diamond Division first-round victory.

Fairmont Prep plays No. 14 La Habra (12-3) on Saturday at 3:30 p.m. at Ramona Middle School in La Verne.

No. 2 Crean Lutheran 62, Owyhee (Idaho) 59: The Saints (11-3) won their first-round game in the Platinum Division, the tournament’s top division.

Hunter Caplan led Crean Lutheran with 20 points. Chadrack Mpoyi scored 15 points and Nick Giarusso scored 13.

The Saints play Sandra Day O’Connor (Arizona) on Saturday at 5:30 p.m. at Damien High. O’Connor (10-4) defeated Corona Centennial on Friday.

No. 5 Canyon 50, San Ramon Valley 47: Rami Awad scored 15 points with three 3-point baskets to lead the victorious Comanches (8-3) in the Diamond Division.

Canyon will play Central (Arizona) in the second round Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Ramona Middle School.

In the Oxford Academy Tournament:

No. 21 Fountain Valley 78, Saddleback 48: Kendall Nguyen’s 18 points led the Barons (13-0). Isaac Chinchilla added 14 points for Fountain Valley.

In the Rancho Mirage Christmas Tournament:

No. 4 Corona del Mar 61, Upland 39: Maxwell Scott scored 20 points with seven rebounds, Oliver Nakra scored 18 points with four 3-point basketball and Luke Mirhashemi contributed assists for the Sea Kings (13-0).

In the Torrey Pines Invitational:

No. 6 Cypress 64, Mira Costa 51: Ryan Gov scored 20 points and Ethan Mai scored 18 for the Centurions (11-5).

Mai made six 3-point shots.

The buyer was MGR Real Estate in Ontario. The seller, who was not identified, was represented by Newmark.

The sprawling complex at 750, 770, 790 and 840 The City Drive spans 394,000 square feet on 14.1 acres

“The property’s high-quality construction, diverse tenant mix, and strategic location make it highly attractive to investors seeking stability and long-term growth in a supply-constrained market,” said Tony Hermosillo, vice president of MGR, in a statement.

Michael G. Rademaker, founder and chief executive of MGR, said he plans to maintain current operations, while enhancing the tenant mix, and making “selective improvements.”

In May, MGR Real Estate acquired the decommissioned, 269-acre Vellano Country Club golf course in Chino Hills. Terms of that acquisition were not disclosed by the brokerage, which said it would update the clubhouse currently leased to Wedgewood Weddings.

Irvine airport property sells for $9.2 million

A 26,481-square-foot creative office building in the Irvine Airport submarket sold in early December for $9.2 million, according to NAI Capital Commercial.

The buyer was listed as Bluetree Management LLC, according to PropertyShark.com records.

The two-story building at 18012 Cowan was built in 1985 before being renovated in 2020, according to NAI. It features subterranean parking and office space with exposed ceilings, an open-concept kitchen and an elevator serving the subterranean parking garage to the first and second floors.

The property also has four second-floor outdoor patios.

“This asset is a rare find in the highly competitive Irvine Airport submarket …,” said John Manion, an executive vice president at NAI.

The building is situated off Red Hill and Main Street, offering close proximity to John Wayne Airport and retail centers, the 405, 73, and 55 freeways.

On the move

Kristi Allen, executive vice president of hotels at Ensemble in Long Beach, is the new chairwoman of the California Hotel & Lodging Association for 2026. She will lead a 33-member board representing California’s $18 billion hotel industry and its more than 235,000 employees statewide. At Ensemble, Allen oversees a growing hospitality portfolio generating more than $200 million in annual revenue. She is also a past board member of the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau and former chair of Downtown Long Beach Alliance.

Maurice Nieman recently joined NAI Capital Commercial’s Investment Services Group as executive managing director in the Orange County office. He has at least 35 years of real estate and executive experience, specializing in single-tenant, multi-tenant, and net leased investment sales. Previously, Nieman was executive managing director at Savills North America.

Ian Diaz, Tyler Gebauer and Sean Harlow all recently joined SRS Real Estate Partners in Newport Beach. Diaz and Gebauer were hired as vice presidents and Harlow as an associate. All three were previously with Marcus & Millichap. Diaz and Gebauer will focus on industrial real estate transactions in the region. Harlow will specialize in commercial investment and leasing.

HIG collects nearly $30K for Movember

Hanley Investment Group Real Estate Advisors raised $29,252 during its 15th annual Movember fundraising campaign.

Themed “Mo’ments in Time,” the fundraiser challenges team members to grow their mustaches with contributors urging them along.

Since 2011, HIG says it has raised a combined $429,092 for Movember. The charity is focused on improving men’s health by funding education and research for prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health.

Ed Hanley, HIG president of Hanley Investment Group, lost his father to prostate cancer in 2009, making the annual campaign a deeply personal commitment.

“Raising nearly $30,000 this year is a powerful reminder of the impact we can make together,” he said.

For more on the firm’s fundraising campaign, go to us.movember.com/team/2234814

The real estate roundup is compiled from news releases and written by Business Editor Samantha Gowen. Submit items and high-resolution photos via email to  sgowen@scng.com . Please allow at least a week for publication. All items are subject to editing for clarity and length.

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Layli Ostovar, Mater Dei, Senior

Nothing gets the crowd excited at a volleyball match more than a powerful kill shot.

Mater Dei senior Layli Ostovar could provide that, and much more. She was a superb server, passer and defensive player who covered the court like a spider. While most players make a diving dig just to save the ball, Ostovar made diving digs with a purpose – her digs were planned passes to a teammate.

Ostovar, an outside hitter, was a top contributor for the Monarchs as they won the CIF State Open Division championship. Mater Dei lost to Sierra Canyon in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 final, then beat Sierra Canyon in the CIF Southern California Regional Open Division final to advance to the state finals.

“Obviously her skills are sensational across the board,” said Mater Dei coach Dan O’Dell. “She has no weakness in her game and impacts the game in every way.”

Osotovar might have been at her best in the Monarchs’ biggest match of the season, the CIF State Open Division final against Rocklin. She helped establish Mater Dei as the superior team right away, delivering six kills in the first set won by Mater Dei 25-13. The Monarchs went on to a three-set sweep.

Osotvar finished with a match-high 31 kills in the state final.

She was the Orange County player of the year as a junior in 2024. Her accolades this season include being named MaxPreps.com player of the year. Ostovar also is an American Volleyball Coaches Association and an UnderArmour All-American selection.

It has been quite the journey for Ostovar. She was born with club feet, underwent surgeries to correct the condition, and it was doubtful that she would be able to walk normally.

“I think I’m lucky to be able to play volleyball,” Ostovar said.

She said the highlight of her senior season was sharing the state championships with friends.

“This was the tightest group of girls I’ve been with,” Ostovar said. “We have fun off the court but we know how to lock in when we need to lock in and be serious.”

Ostovar signed with USC, which to her was an obvious destination.

“A lot of USC culture is like Mater Dei culture,” she said. “I thought about how much I love Mater Dei, so why not continue that?”

O’Dell said he will miss Ostovar not just for her volleyball play but also for her personality.

“She gets excited for her teammates when they do well,” O’Dell said. “She cares about everybody on the team.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Alex Griffiths, Cypress

Cypress coach Alex Griffiths is the Orange County girls volleyball coach of the year for the 2025 season.

Griffiths led the Centurions this season to the CIF Southern Section Division 3 championship and to the CIF State Division II championship. They beat Clovis West in the state finals after beating Foothill in the CIF-SS finals. Cypress finished the season 25-10.

Griffiths said winning the championships required multiple contributions, from assistant coaches Celeste Manliguis, Corey Manliguis and Gus Tuaniga to the Cypress players and beyond.

“The parents were super supportive,” she said. “The families trusted me through the process.”

Griffiths led the Cypress boys volleyball team to a CIF-SS championship in 2017.

ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Memphis Burnett, Santa Margarita, Sr.: A key member of the Eagles’ team that won the CIF Southern Section Division 2 championship.

Isabella Faro, Cypress, Sr.: The CIF-SS Division 3 player of the year.

Megan Hodges, San Juan Hills, So.: The strong hitter was named to the All-CIF Division 1 team.

Layli Ostovar, Mater Dei, Sr.: She is the Orange County player of the year.

Westley Matavao, Mater Dei, Jr.: The powerful hitter was a great contributor on a Monarchs team that won a state championship.

Ella Olson, Newport Harbor, Jr.: She was All-Sunset League first team.

Elizabeth Park, Crean Lutheran, Sr.: She was a Freeway League co-Most Valuable Player.

Ireland Real, Santa Margarita, Jr.: She was the CIF-SS Division 2 player of the year.

Lizzy Robinson, Mater Dei, Jr.: Robinson was selected to the All-CIF Division 1 team.

Sofia Shine, El Dorado, Sr.: Shine shared Freeway League MVP honors.

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM

Catherine Beadles, JSerra, Sr.

Addison Coady, Mater Dei, Sr.

Alexis Link, San Juan Hills, Jr.

Korynn Mayo, Marina, Jr.

Brynn Minter, Los Alamitos, Sr.

Ashton Nelson, San Clemente, Sr.

Marley Robinson, Orange Lutheran, Jr.

Hayden Shanafelt, San Clemente, Sr.

June Stringham, Foothill, So.

Makayla Ziegler, JSerra, Jr.

ALL-COUNTY THIRD TEAM

Talea Berry, Newport Harbor, Sr.

Sam Capinpin, Mater Dei, Sr.

Joy Carney, Capistrano Valley Christian, Sr.

Kaitlyn Herweg, Los Alamitos, Jr.

Kate Jackson, Santa Margarita, Jr.

Haley Langdon, Foothill, Sr.

Sarah McDonald, St. Margaret’s, Jr.

Katherine Nowak, JSerra, Jr.

Brooke Ogden, Tesoro, Jr.

Hannah Schoffstall, Cypress, Sr.

ALL-COUNTY FOURTH TEAM

Ryan Cuenca, San Clemente, Jr.

Ally Fausett, Dana Hills, Sr.

Sofia Dajnowiec, Corona del Mar, Jr.

Brooklyn Jones, Crean Lutheran, Jr.

Emma Kingston, Mater Dei, Jr.

Madeline Lambros, Rosary, Sr.

Kalea Lee, Mater Dei, Jr.

Ella Massoudi, St. Margaret’s, Jr.

Sasha Pugh, Crean Lutheran, Sr.

Sawyer Rupe, Dana Hills, Jr.

The city’s paid parking program will span two blocks out from the traffic circle and Plaza Square Park when it goes live in the first quarter of next year. Once implemented, visitors who park in the area anytime between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. would need to pay parking fees ranging from $1.25 to $2 per hour, based on location. Payment can be made through an app or text-to-pay.

The program will have a mix of on-street and off-street parking, with time limits ranging, but capping at three hours.

But parking west of Lemon Street and east of Grand Street, including the Lemon Street parking structure, would remain free.

Parking will also remain free for those who visit the Orange Senior Center and Orange Public Library. And the City Council in October approved a residential permit program within the paid parking area that will be exempt from the time limits.

“For downtown businesses and employees who need parking, the city is urging them to utilize the more than 1,000 free parking spaces available in the plaza area,” city spokesperson Charlene Cheng added.

The parking program is set to go into effect in early 2026.

The City Council voted in February to implement the paid parking program amid a general fund budget deficit of $19 million. A staff report to councilmembers said the city could eventually expect to make $1.2 million annually from the parking plan.

After a series of staff and steep spending cuts, the council slashed its deficit to about $2.6 million this fiscal year.

The Centurions have defeated three teams ranked in the Orange County Top 25 since Dec. 12. They beat Orange Lutheran 75-68 in the North Orange County Championships tournament before nonleague wins over San Clemente 57-50 and Fairmont Prep 59-49.

This week’s county rankings have Fairmont Prep at No. 8, Orange Lutheran at No. 11 and San Clemente at No. 18. Cypress is No. 6, having moved up from No. 17 last week.

Cypress beat Fairmont Prep without All-County point guard Ryan Gov, who was out because of a sprained ankle.

Centurions 6-7 senior forward Gavin Kroll scored 25 points and Emmanuel Igbekoyi, also a 6-7 senior forward, scored 22 in the win over Orange Lutheran.

Kroll scored 18 points with four 3-point baskets against San Clemente. He scored 18 points with four 3s and five blocked shots in the win over Fairmont Prep.

“Kroll’s been awesome,” Cypress coach Derek Mitchell said. “His offense overshadows how good his defense was last week, especially against David Abisogun of Fairmont.”

Abisogun, among Orange County’s top 10 players and a Texas State, signee, was limited to 12 points against Cypress.

Senior guard Ethan Mai took over the on-court leadership duties in Gov’s absence.

Mitchell said Gov, who committed to Azusa Pacific University this month, might play against Corona del Mar on Tuesday in the Orange County North/South Challenge at Tesoro High.

NORTH/SOUTH CHALLENGE

The Orange County North/South Challenge is Tuesday at Tesoro.

The schedule (including teams’ Orange County ranking): El Toro vs. Northwood, 9 a.m.; Dana Hills vs. Huntington Beach, 10:30 a.m.; Trabuco Hills vs. No. 21 Fountain Valley, noon; San Juan Hills vs. Tustin, 1:30 p.m.; No. 18 San Clemente vs. No. 23 Woodbridge, 3 p.m.; No. 12 Tesoro vs. Irvine, 4:30 p.m.; No. 4 Corona del Mar vs. No. 6 Cypress, 6 p.m.; No. 2 Crean Lutheran vs. No. 7 Los Alamitos, 7:30 p.m.

Admission is $12 for adults, $5 for students and those of ages 5-12. Free admission is available for children under 5 years old.

The North/South Challenge is dedicated to the late Tim O’Brien, who coached at a few schools in Orange County, including leading Estancia to a state championship in 1991. O’Brien died of cancer in 2020.

NOTES

The sit-out period for transfers who did not make a change of address upon transferring ends Friday. Many teams will improve. Among them is Fairmont Prep, where the Huskies will add 6-2 guard Jordan Ceballos, who showed much promise last season as a freshman at Crean Lutheran, and 6-8 senior forward Eric Gong from St. John Bosco. …

La Habra junior guard Javier Nash is out for the remainder of the season because of torn knee cartilage. He was a key starter for the Highlanders. …

The Charlie Wilkins Memorial Tournament is underway at Westminster High. Orange County teams in that one are Saddleback, Tarbut V’Torah, University and host school Westminster. …

Post-Christmas tournaments in Orange County include the Estancia Coast Classic at Estancia High and the Ringo Bossenmeyer/Tustin Holiday Classic at Tustin High; the latter is named for longtime Tustin coach Ringo Bossenmeyer who retired from coaching after the 2024-25 season. The Estancia tournament includes county teams Marina, Newport Harbor, San Clemente, Western and Woodbridge. The Tustin tournament includes county teams Beckman, Servite, Tesoro and Tustin. …

Many O.C. teams are playing after Christmas in The Classic at Damien tournament. The tournament has nine divisions. Crean Lutheran is in the top division, the Platinum Division.

Notable this week: Cypress rises from No. 17 last week to No. 6 this week after victories over then-No. 15 San Clemente and No. 4 Fairmont Prep. … Santa Margarita stays on top after close wins over Basha and Bishop Gorman in the Tarkanian Classic tournament in Las Vegas. … Canyon’s young team climbs after a win over rival Villa Park. … Los Alamitos continues its rise after a 20-point win over Torrey Pines. … Corona del Mar and Fountain Valley take undefeated records into this week.

1. Santa Margarita 13-1: The Eagles advanced to the semifinals of the top division of the Tarkanian Classic, the Platinum Division, including a win, 86-79, in overtime over Bishop Gorman. Drew Anderson scored 29 points with 19 rebounds.

Previous ranking: 1

2. Crean Lutheran 9-3: The Saints lost to Sierra Canyon, 69-40, a team widely considered No. 1 in the CIF Southern Section. They play in the top division of The Classic at Damien after Christmas.

Previous ranking: 2

3. JSerra 8-5: The Lions won their first two games in the Tarkanian Classic’s Spalding Division by one-sided scores, 88-60 over Bingham and 70-35 over Mojave.

Previous ranking: 3

4. Corona del Mar 11-0: The undefeated Sea Kings did not play last week. They will play No. 7 Cypress in the Orange County North/South Challenge at Tesoro on Tuesday at 6 p.m.

Previous ranking: 5.

5. Canyon 7-3: Often with three freshmen on the court at the same time, Canyon beat Villa Park 65-58 in the Challenge For CHOC showcase at Sonora. They will play in the post-Christmas Classic at Damien’s Diamond Division.

Previous ranking: 9

6. Cypress 10-4: The Centurions had a great week, with wins of 57-50 over San Clemente and 59-49 over Fairmont Prep. They play Corona del Mar at Tesoro on Tuesday.

Previous ranking: 17

7. Los Alamitos 4-5: The Griffins impressed again with a 73-53 win over Torrey Pines. They continue their rugged schedule by taking on Crean Lutheran at Tesoro on Tuesday.

Previous ranking: 10

8. Fairmont Prep 7-5: The Huskies beat Oak Hills 52-47 and lost to Cypress 59-49. They will play in the Diamond Division of The Classic at Damien after Christmas.

Previous ranking: 4

9. Pacifica Christian 11-2: The Tritons have won eight in a row since a loss to Rolling Hills Prep. They will play in the Silver Division of The Classic at Damien.

Previous ranking: 6

10. Mater Dei 7-5: The Monarchs went 1-1 over the first two days of the Tarkanian Classic. They had an 87-61 win over Coeur d’Alene as Richie Ramirez scored 41 points and Luke Barnett scored 33.

Previous ranking: 7

11. Orange Lutheran 10-4

Previous ranking: 10

12. Tesoro 12-2

Previous ranking: 11

13. El Dorado 11-1

Previous ranking: 12

14. La Habra 11-3

Previous ranking: 13

15. Edison 9-2

Previous ranking: 14

16. Esperanza 13-1

Previous ranking: 16

17. Servite 11-3

Previous ranking: 18

18. San Clemente 6-7

Previous ranking: 15

19. Newport Harbor 9-3

Previous ranking: 19

20. Sonora 10-4

Previous ranking: 21

21. Fountain Valley 11-0

Previous ranking: 22

22. Foothill 5-5

Previous ranking: 20

23. Woodbridge 10-3

Previous ranking: 23

24. Villa Park 10-6

Previous ranking: 24

25. Aliso Niguel 9-5

Previous ranking: 25

Carmen Basu, bundled in a red jacket and woolly scarf, stood outside the headquarters of her local health plan in Orange one morning after picking up free groceries. She brought her husband, teenage son, and 79-year-old mother-in-law to help.

They grabbed canned food, fruit and vegetables and a grocery store gift card. Basu spotted a row of tables in the parking lot staffed by county social service workers helping people apply for food assistance and health coverage. Her mother-in-law, also a Medicaid recipient, might qualify for food assistance, she was told.

“It would be less money for me that I would have to put aside,” said Basu, who has been the sole breadwinner for the family from Anaheim since her husband suffered a stroke. “Maybe I can use that extra money to cover other expenses.”

Basu was among the more than 3,000 people who turned up at a November CalOptima event in one of California’s most affluent counties. It marked the start of a $20 million campaign by the Medicaid health insurer to help low-income residents get and maintain health coverage and food benefits as federal restrictions under President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act take effect.

The law cuts more than $900 billion in federal funding for Medicaid, known in California as Medi-Cal. It also slashes around $187 billion from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, known as CalFresh in California. That’s about 20% of the program’s budget over the next 10 years. As a result, up to 3.4 million Medi-Cal recipients and almost 400,000 CalFresh beneficiaries could lose benefits. (Most CalFresh beneficiaries also receive Medi-Cal.)

Republican representatives say the changes, some of which have already taken effect, will prevent waste, fraud, and abuse through expanded eligibility checks and work requirements. Yet, Medicaid health plans across the nation are bolstering outreach to low-income households in a bid to not lose enrollees, many of whom are already struggling with high grocery and medical costs.

In Los Angeles County, L.A. Care Health Plan launched community information sessions in December to educate the public about upcoming changes to Medi-Cal.

“We know that these changes will affect a lot of our members,” said Michael Hunn, CEO of CalOptima, one of about two dozen Medi-Cal managed-care plans paid monthly based on their number of enrollees. “We have a great responsibility to make sure that they understand and can navigate these changes as they are implemented.”

CalOptima, a public entity whose board is appointed by county supervisors, has allocated up to $2 million through the end of 2028 to pay for county eligibility workers at events like the food giveaway to provide on-the-spot assistance. It’s funding that An Tran, head of Orange County’s Social Services Agency, said can help pay for critical outreach the county otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford.

Orange County has about 1,500 eligibility workers to handle reenrollments and verification checks for around 850,000 Medi-Cal members and more than 300,000 CalFresh recipients.

“We are talking about families who desperately need help especially at a time when food costs and inflation is high and they’re barely able to make it,” Tran said.

In addition to funding county workers, CalOptima intends to provide grants to community organizations to conduct Medi-Cal outreach and run a public awareness campaign in multiple languages to make enrollees aware of new requirements, Hunn said.

U.S. Rep. Young Kim, a Republican who represents part of Orange County, did not respond to a request seeking comment but has said Trump’s signature budget law, which she voted for, “takes important steps to ensure federal dollars are used as effectively as possible and to strengthen Medicaid and SNAP for our most vulnerable citizens who truly need it.” She and other Republicans have said it will provide tax relief for working Americans.

After nearly an hour with an eligibility worker, Basu learned she earned too much for her mother-in-law, who lives with the family, to qualify for CalFresh. Now, Basu said, she’s worried about Medi-Cal eligibility changes for immigrants, which she fears could affect her mother-in-law, who obtained lawful permanent residency about a year and a half ago.

“Before having that, we were paying cash for cardiology, for labs, everything. It was very pricey,” Basu said. “I’m thinking I will have to, in a few months, pay again out-of-pocket. It’s a lot on me. It’s a burden.”

In most of the nation, people who’ve had a green card for less than five years generally don’t qualify for federally funded Medicaid. However, California has provided state-funded Medi-Cal coverage for them and low-income immigrants without legal status.

But even those benefits are being rolled back amid state budget pressures. In July, the state will eliminate full-scope dental benefits for some enrollees who have had a green card for less than five years, as well as certain other immigrant enrollees. A year later, this group will start being charged monthly premiums.

And starting in January, California will freeze enrollment for people 19 or older without legal status, as well as some lawfully present immigrants. It will also reinstate an asset limit for all older enrollees.

Meanwhile, the state is drafting guidance for counties on how to implement the federal Medicaid eligibility changes, said Tony Cava, a spokesperson for California’s Department of Health Care Services. The federal work rules and twice-yearly eligibility checks are slated to take effect by the start of 2027, applying to enrollees under the Affordable Care Act coverage expansion.

The California Department of Social Services, which manages CalFresh, has already changed how home utility costs are calculated and imposed a cap on benefits for very large households. It is still developing guidance for the federal work requirements and changes that disqualify some noncitizens, agency Chief Deputy Director David Swanson Hollinger said at a recent hearing.

The Department of Health Care Services has developed a “What Medi-Cal Members Need to Know” webpage about the state and federal Medicaid changes. It’s also leveraging a network of Medi-Cal “coverage ambassadors” to provide information and updates in communities across the state in multiple languages. And it’s collaborating with counties and Medi-Cal managed-care plans to support community-based enrollment assistance, including at local events, Cava said.

Aquilino and Fidelia Salazar, a husband and wife getting help with a CalFresh application, said they didn’t expect to be affected by the work requirements and Medi-Cal eligibility changes. That’s because they are both permanent U.S. residents who have chronic health conditions and can’t work, they said. People considered physically or mentally unable to work can be exempted from work requirements. But the couple are concerned other immigrants in their community could lose care.

“It’s not fair because a lot of people really need it,” Fidelia Salazar said in Spanish. “People earn so little and then medicines and going to the doctor is extremely expensive.”

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