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.

ORANGE COUNTY GIRLS SOCCER TOP 10

(Records through Sunday, Jan. 4.)

1. Santa Margarita, 10-0-0: Felicity Nguyen leads the reigning CIF-SS Open Division champion with 17 goals. Sophomore Winter Meskiel has five goals for the Eagles, who were ranked No. 1 in the Orange County season preview. Previous ranking: 1

2. Mater Dei 10-1-3: Senior forward Valentina Labuschagne has 15 goals and three assists for the Monarchs, who captured the Excalibur tournament. Previous ranking: 2

3. Huntington Beach 7-0-4: Santa Clara commit Solana Van Enoo leads the Oilers with seven goals. Previous ranking: 5

4. Orange Lutheran 2-1-3: Sophomore Samantha Sugerman has four goals for the Lancers, who play host to Millikan on Friday. Previous ranking: 3

5. JSerra 4-1-1: GG Szczuka and Kaylee Hanna each have six goals for the Lions, who play host to San Diego’s San Marcos on Tuesday. Previous ranking: 6

6. Aliso Niguel 5-3-0: The Wolverines, who won the Best in the West tournament’s top division, open the South Coast League against El Toro on Thursday. High-scoring forward Claire Hirakawa (10 goals) missed the Excalibur tournament. Previous ranking: Not ranked

7. Newport Harbor 7-4-1: Freshman Cassie Jacoby leads the well-balanced Sailors with six goals. Eleven different players have scored for Newport Harbor. Previous ranking: 9

8. Capistrano Valley 5-2-2: The Cougars edged San Clemente 1-0 in the finals of the GH Division at the Best in the West tournament. Taylor Ortiz and Ella Brinkerhoff have two goals apiece to lead the defensive-minded Cougars. Previous ranking: Not ranked

9. San Clemente 9-1-2: Seniors Payton Fitch (five goals) and Celia Mann (five assists) lead the Tritons in points. Previous ranking: 10

10. Los Alamitos 3-7-3: The Griffins have dealt with injuries and a difficult schedule but expect to be healthier for their Sunset League opener against visiting Newport Harbor on Tuesday. Previous ranking: 4

Please send O.C. girls soccer news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com

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

ALL-COUNTY GIRLS GOLF TEAM 2025

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Donina Zhou, Santa Margarita, Jr.

Santa Margarita golfer Donina Zhou was known for her consistent play this fall but how she responded to one of her lowest moments became part of her legacy.

At the CIF-SCGA Southern California Regional, she carded a 3-over-par 77 at Los Serranos Golf Club.

For the first time, Zhou recalled, her 18-hole score was too high to contribute to the Eagles’ final tally.

While disappointed with her individual play, the junior celebrated Santa Margarita’s first-place finish and focused on her teammates’ assessment that her rare slip was nothing to worry about.

“They were like, ‘It’s one tournament, you’ll be fine,’ ” Zhou recalled. “It was very reassuring for me.”

Zhou’s even-keeled reaction paid major dividends at the CIF State championships.

Zhou shot a 3-under 68 at Poppy Hills Golf Course to tie for second at state and lead Santa Margarita to a third title in four seasons.

After finishing as Orange County’s top individual at state for the third consecutive season, Zhou credited for success to her teammates.

“I didn’t want to let down my team,” she said. “We’re all pretty easy going. Since there’s no drama, and we spend so much time together, it just comes very naturally that we’re all super close.”

Zhou, who is committed to Princeton, led Santa Margarita in scoring average for 9 and 18 holes.

At the CIF-SS Division 1 final, she and teammate Angelina Tao each carded 5-under 69s as the Eagles won the title at Los Serranos.

Zhou also was the county’s top finisher as the CIF-SS individual finals by tying for third with another 69 at Temecula Creek Golf Club.

“Donina had another remarkable season,” Santa Margarita coach Jill Hegna said.

Zhou delivered her consistent play after undergoing a swing change under private coach Angel Martinez at the beginning of the campaign.

While motivated by her teammates and playing in college, Zhou said her father Zhou Zhou is another source of inspiration.

Zhou, 16, said her father introduced her to golf, which she began playing in the first grade.

“He’s a big source of motivation for me and I definitely go to him for a lot of advice about golf,” she said. “There were a few setbacks in the middle (of the season for our team) but I think everyone locked in for state and we were able to perform to our potential there.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Jon Pang, Northwood

In his first season, Northwood’s Jon Pang built off a strong foundation set by former Northwood coach Zach Halop to guide the Timberwolves to an undefeated regular season, a fourth-place finish in CIF-SS Division 1 and sixth place in the CIF-SCGA SoCal Regional.

It was Northwood’s third consecutive appearance in the regional.

“Our success stems from the high standards that have been established at Northwood for many years by coach Zach Halop, who I was fortunate to succeed,” Pang said.

Pang blended a roster featuring senior captains Jio Yoo and Zoe Yan and strong freshmen Moyu Wang and Sarah Ro. Yoo, who is committed to UC Irvine, recorded five birdies en route to a 4-under-par 70 at the Division 1 finals at Los Serranos Golf Club.

ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM 

Donina Zhou, Santa Margarita, Jr.: The Orange County player of the Year.

Jude Lee, Orange Lutheran, Sr.: The 2024 Orange County player of the year and Stanford signee won the Trinity League individual title by carding rounds of 69 and 68 for an 11-under-par score of 137.

Nora Qu, Santa Margarita, So.: Qu shot a 1-under-par 70 to tie for seventh in the CIF State championships at Poppy Hills Golf Course.

Annika Raja, Santa Margarita, So.: Raja tied for 20th at the state championships with a 2-over-par 73.

Emily Song, Santa Margarita, Jr.: Song posted the Eagles’ lowest score at the CIF SoCal Regional with a 4-under-par 70 and tied for 11th at state with an even-par 71. Song, who is committed to Yale, finished as the Trinity League runner-up and won the Southern individual regional.

Angelina Tao, Santa Margarita, Sr.: Tao, who is committed to Dartmouth, shot a 2-under-par 72 at the regional to help lead the Eagles to the title. She also scored at state to become a three-time champion.

Audrey Zhao, Sage Hill, So.: Zhao recorded six birdies en route to a 4-under-par 70 at the regional to qualify for state.

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM 

Chloe Ahn, Woodbridge, So.

Madelyn Cheng, Santa Margarita, So.

Chloe Chien, Crean Lutheran, Jr.

Lindy Gan, University, So.

Gabrielle Kim, Orange Lutheran, Sr.

Katie Park, Orange Lutheran, So.

Jio Yoo, Northwood, Sr.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Summer Wilson, Irvine, Senior 

Irvine senior Summer Wilson had a record-setting season.

Wilson set a CIF State Championships record with her winning time of 16 minutes, 20 seconds over the 5,000-meters course at Woodward Park, which has hosted the CIF State meet since its inception in 1987.

She won the CIF Southern Section Division 2 race in the CIF Southern Section Championships in November with a time of 15:14.50 on the “rain course” at Mt. San Antonio College. That is the best time for any high school girl in national cross country history for a 3-mile course.

Wilson also set the course record at Irvine Regional Park with her winning time of 15:47.3 on the 3-mile course for the Orange County Championships in October.

Wilson was proud of all of her achievements, especially the state meet record.

“Being a state champion was a huge goal for me,” Wilson said. “But also breaking the state record and the course record was special.”

She competed in the Nike Cross Nationals in Oregon earlier this month. Her 23rd-place finish in 17:49.70 on a 5,000-meter course was not the greatest finish of her senior year, but qualifying for that national event was a major accomplishment.

Wilson will continue her high school running endeavors in the spring with the track and field season. She was a CIF Southern Section champion last season in the 3,200 meters. Wilson finished seventh in that event at last season’s CIF State Championships.

Next fall she will attend Duke University, which has been a lifelong goal.

“As a kid I envisioned myself attending Duke,” said Wilson, who has a 4.42 grade-point on a weighted scale. “I’ve always wanted to go to a strong academic school.”

Wilson went into this season ready to pursue her huge goals, including pursuing the CIF State finals record of 16:25 set by Sadie Englehardt of Ventura in 2024, a record Wilson broke by an impressive margin.

“It comes down to talent but mostly how hard you’re willing to work,” Wilson said. “I feel like I came in super dedicated. This year meant a lot to me.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Chase Frazier, JSerra

Chase Frazier led JSerra to CIF State and CIF Southern Section championships this season. The Lions also won the Woodbridge Invitational team championship, the first Orange County girls team to accomplish that.

JSerra became only the second Orange County school to win a CIF Southern Section girls country championship for the fifth season in a row. (Corona del Mar is the other county school to do so.)

Frazier, 40, completed his fifth season as JSerra’s girls cross country coach. He also coaches the school’s boys cross country team, which also won a CIF-SS title this season.

ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Emma Alba, Beckman, So.

Millie Bayles, Trabuco Hills, Sr.

Taryn Coulston, Santa Margarita, Jr.

Anna Desormeau, Trabuco Hills, Sr.

Carol Dye, Santa Margarita, Jr.

Maya Pawlowicz, JSerra, Fr.

Monserrat Santillan-Silva, Century, Sr.

Lilly Schroeder, El Toro, So.

Brooklyn Tennant, JSerra, Fr.

Summer Wilson, Irvine, Sr.

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM

Ava Crocker, El Toro, So.

Amber Dazey, Tesoro, Sr.

Mackenzie Forrest, Tesoro, Sr.

Reese Holley, JSerra, Jr.

Sedona Sweginnis, San Clemente, Jr.

Alahna Thomas, Santa Margarita, Sr.

Skylar Watts, Trabuco Hills, Sr.

Gweneth Williams, El Toro, Jr.

Kate Woodside, Esperanza, Sr.

Isabella Wrobleski, Yorba Linda, Jr.

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Aidan Antonio, Woodbridge, Junior

Woodbridge junior Aidan Antonio signaled what kind of cross country season he would have when he finished first in the Dana Hills Invitational in early September.

The great results kept coming. He finished fifth in the prestigious Woodbridge Invitational, finished first in the Orange County Championships, and won the CIF Southern Section Championships Division 2 race before finishing third in the CIF State finals.

Antonio’s winning time of 14 minutes, 6.4 seconds in the CIF-SS Division 2 final was the second-fastest time of the day among all runners. His third-place time in the CIF State Division II race at Woodward Park in Fresno was 14:50.10, his personal-best time over 5,000 meters.

His winning time of 13:56 in the Orange County Championships was his personal record on a 3-mile course and broke the Irvine Regional Park course record set by three-time Orange County cross country athlete of the year Evan Noonan in 2023 (13:59.4).

Woodbridge also won the boys team championship at the Orange County meet.

Antonio, who qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals, chose his Orange County Championships day as the best day of his junior season.

“Because that gave us the Orange County championships team title,” he said. “And, honestly, it was my best race all season. I felt good the whole race. I was able to close well and I broke Evan Noonan’s record.”

He has impressed Woodbridge coach Bryan Pacheco.

“First of all, he’s obviously a very talented athlete,” Pacheco said. “But what’s impressive about Aidan is his focus. He’s not playing around, he’s not goofing off, and every aspect of what he is doing in the sport – his training, his diet, his sleeping – is highly controlled to optimize his performance.”

Antonio, whose junior year of athletics continues in this spring’s track and field season, gets special enjoyment from being in a very good cross country program. (Woodbridge finished fourth in the CIF-SS Division 2 finals team standings.)

“It’s great having a team like that to run with you,” Antonio said. “The guys are always pushing me to go faster even when they’re behind me. You see them improve and then I’ve got to keep up and keep improving, too.”

COACH OF THE YEAR

Dave Luciani, San Clemente

Dave Luciani of San Clemente is the Orange County boys cross country coach of the year.

The Tritons boys team, led by juniors, finished second in the CIF State Championships Division I team standings, behind Redondo Union. San Clemente was second to Beckman in Division 1 in the CIF Southern Section Championships and was third in the Orange County Championships.

Luciani, 45, completed his third season as San Clemente’s head coach. Also a runner himself, Luciani finished 10th in his age group in the Chicago Marathon this year.

ALL-COUNTY FIRST TEAM

Yohan Anderson, San Clemente, Jr.

Aidan Antonio, Woodbridge, Jr.

Ryan Barris, Beckman, Jr.

Mattheus Dos Santos, San Clemente, Jr.

Toren Habbestad, Yorba Linda, Sr.

Oliver Hunter, Dana Hills, Sr.

Inban Kathiravan, Woodbridge, Sr.

Chase Manning, Tesoro, Sr.

Aiden Morales, JSerra, Sr.

Aidan Zavala, Woodbridge, Sr.

ALL-COUNTY SECOND TEAM

Sebastian Bello, Trabuco Hills, Sr.

Jack Burnett, JSerra, Sr.

Luke Friedl, JSerra, Sr.

Conner Jaurigue, San Clemente, Jr.

Emmanuel Lopez, Servite, Sr.

Jack McDonald, El Dorado, Jr.

Mason Nguyen, Beckman, Sr.

Darin Spragno, Santa Margarita, Sr.

Dresden Taylor, Trabuco Hills, So.

Erik Troester, San Clemente, Jr.

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.

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

The team of the season was the Santa Margarita football team. The Eagles won the top division championships in the CIF Southern Section and the state. They won those two championships while dominating their opponents.

Just as impressive was the manner in which Santa Margarita won those games: with class and discipline.

Touchdown celebrations were free of antics and not the over-the-top, in-your-face gyrations that have become too common among some of Southern California’s championship teams of the last several years.

What was unacceptable years ago has become acceptable to some.

It was refreshing to see Santa Margarita prove that winning with dignity is still attainable. Eagles first-year coach Carson Palmer coaches the way he played.

NOTES

• Santa Margarita senior receiver Trent Mosley is Orange County’s best football player. Mission Viejo senior quarterback Luke Fahey had the best season, so Fahey is the Orange County offensive player of the year. Mosley missed 36 percent of his team’s games, but of course when Mosley did play he usually was the best player on the field. …

• Beckman and Woodbridge advanced to CIF State championship football games. Both teams lost, but just getting to a CIF State championship game is a huge achievement. If you’re a high school football team playing a game after Thanksgiving, you’ve had a great season. …

• The CIF-SS places football teams into playoff divisions according to the current season’s performance, as measured by computerized ratings. It is fine and yet, like every system before it or to come, it is imperfect. It would be great if league champions were guaranteed first-round home games. But if a 16-team division has nine league champions because that’s how the ratings set up a division – Division 7 had eight league champions this season – that’s going to be difficult to accomplish. …

• Mater Dei’s football team lost three games, an astonishing total to some. A closer look: one loss was to Corona Centennial by seven points in a nonleague game; the Monarchs lost to Santa Margarita by one point; and the final loss was to Centennial by one point in the Division 1 playoffs. …

• JSerra hired former NFL star linebacker Hardy Nickerson as its football coach this week, a few days after Nickerson coached Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd to a state championship. Nickerson’s JSerra roster does not have the talent that Palmer inherited at Santa Margarita, so don’t expect the same sort of immediate success. The competition for high school football talent in south county is wild, with Santa Margarita certainly in a position to attract more great players, Mission Viejo and San Clemente will continue to be great destinations and the area’s other public and private schools are viable alternatives, too. …

• Orange County has set its football leagues for the 2026 and ‘27 seasons. The Alpha League, again the county’s top-ranked league — not counting the Trinity League — will be a six-team league, with holdovers Edison, Los Alamitos, Mission Viejo and San Clemente being joined by San Juan Hills and Yorba Linda. The next league, the Bravo League, will include Capistrano Valley, Corona del Mar, Crean Lutheran, La Habra, Tustin and Villa Park. …

• The lowest-ranked league is the Tango League. It will have nine teams: Bolsa Grande, Century, Godinez, La Quinta, Loara, Magnolia, Santa Ana Valley, Santiago and Savanna. The Zeta League is no more. …

• The CIF-SS office has figured out a way to discover whether or not a student-athlete who transfers actually has made the change of residence required for immediate athletic eligibility. The office folks won’t say what that method is, because they want to make sure the method remains effective. CIF-SS commissioner Mike West said it best when he told league representatives: “Don’t be afraid to say ‘no’ to a transfer.”

• Mater Dei’s girls volleyball team lost to Sierra Canyon in four sets in the CIF-SS Division 1 final. Sierra Canyon clearly was the superior team that day. Ten days later, Mater Dei clearly was the superior team as it defeated  Sierra Canyon in four sets in the CIF Southern California Regional final. Mater Dei went on to beat Rocklin in four sets in the CIF State Open Division championship match. …

• Newport Harbor boys water polo has enjoyed some splendid seasons in its history. This season is up there with the best of them. The mega-talented Sailors, including Orange County player of the year Kai Kaneko, beat Cathedral Catholic 14-12 in the CIF Southern California Regional Division I final to cap a 33-1 season that included winning the CIF-SS Open Division championship. …

• JSerra’s flag football teams went 28-0, including a 25-20 win over Orange Lutheran in the CIF-SS Division 1 championship game. Orange Lutheran finished 24-3, with all three losses to JSerra: 21-20, 18-7 and 25-20. …

• Flag football is growing so rapidly it might be the next sport to have CIF State playoffs. …

• Irvine senior Summer Wilson won the CIF State Division II cross country championship with a course record of 16 minutes, 20 seconds at Woodward Park in Fresno. …

• JSerra’s girls cross country team won a CIF-SS championship for the fifth year in a row. The only other Orange County girls cross country program to do that was Corona del Mar, 2004-08. …

• Century senior Monserrat Santillan-Silva finished 56th in the Division 4 race at the CIF Southern Section Finals last year. She won the Division 4 title this year. …

• CIF-SS and CIF State divisions need to change for cross country. JSerra’s girls again were in Division IV, but in terms of competitive quality that is a top-division program. Divisions in cross country are set by enrollment, and now it’s time for the sport to seek a way to place teams in the correct divisions. …

• The girls golf teams at JSerra, Portola and Santa Margarita won CIF-SS championships. Santa Margarita also won the CIF State title. …

• Corona del Mar’s girls tennis team went undefeated through winning CIF-SS and CIF SoCal Regional championships before losing to Los Altos 4-3 in the state finals to finish 24-1.

The All-Orange County football team will appear in the Friday, Dec. 19, edition of the Orange County Register. 

The All-Orange County football selections for the 2025 season.

The selections were made by reporters Dan Albano, Steve Fryer and Michael Huntley.

ALL-COUNTY FOOTBALL  

Offensive Player of the Year: Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo, Sr.

Defensive Player of the Year: Dash Fifita, Santa Margarita, Sr.

Coach of the Year: Marcello Giuliano, Beckman

Second Team || Third Team

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE

QB: Luke Fahey, Mission Viejo, Sr.: Orange County offensive player of the year.

QB: Caden Jones, Crean Lutheran, Jr.: Jones, who was selected the Epsilon League MVP, completed 75 percent of his passes for 3,044 yards, 30 touchdowns and only one interception.

RB: Lenny Ibarra, Los Alamitos, Sr.: Ibarra earned co-offensive player of the year in the Alpha League. The Army commit rushed for 1,108 yards and 18 touchdowns, had 47 receptions for 666 yards and collected a team-high 136 total tackles.

RB: Ethan Mundt, Troy, Sr.: Mundt earned Iota League MVP. He rushed for 1,464 yards and 23 touchdowns on 196 attempts (7.5 per carry) to lead the Warriors.

WR: Troy Foster, Huntington Beach, Sr.: The Colorado State signee had 85 receptions for 1,510 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was the co-offensive player of the year in the Epsilon League.

WR: Chris Henry Jr., Mater Dei, Sr.: The Ohio State commit was selected co-offensive MVP in the Trinity League. He had 135 yards receiving and two touchdowns against St. Thomas Aquinas of Florida, 115 yards and a TD against Bishop Gorman of Las Vegas and 213 yards and two scores against St. John Bosco.

WR: Jack Junker, Mission Viejo, Jr.: He was the Alpha League co-offensive player of the year. He led the Diablos with 58 catches for 1,147 yards and 14 touchdowns.

WR: Trent Mosley, Santa Margarita, Sr.: The USC signee overcame an injury early in the season to deliver masterful performances in the CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF State Open Division finals. The co-offensive MVP in the Trinity League had 10 catches for 293 yards against Centennial and 11 receptions for 183 yards vs. De La Salle.

OL: Kodi Greene, Mater Dei, Sr.: Greene, a left tackle, signed with Washington. He earned a share of the Trinity League’s most valuable lineman award for the second consecutive season.

OL: Cooper Javorsky, San Juan Hills, Sr.: Javorsky, a right tackle who signed with UCLA, was selected first-team All-Bravo League.

OL: Lex Mailangi, Mater Dei, Jr.: The first-team All-Trinity League lineman played guard, tackle and center en route to a second straight first-team All-County selection.

OL: Niniva Nicholson, Santa Margarita, Sr.: The Arizona State signee was an anchor at left tackle for the CIF-SS Division 1 and CIF State champion Eagles.

OL: Sam Utu, Orange Lutheran, Sr.: Utu signed with SMU. He played guard and center en route to first-team All-Trinity League honors.

All-purpose: Jaxson Rex, San Clemente, Jr.: Rex was named first-team All-Alpha League at wide receiver. He had 63 catches for 856 yards and 10 TDs. He also had five interceptions as a safety.

All-purpose: Jeremiah Williams, Tustin, Jr.: Williams earned Delta League MVP. He rushed for seven touchdowns at running back and had a team-leading 24 tackles for loss as a defensive tackle with seven passes defensed.

K: Kyle Donahue, San Juan Hills, Sr.: Donahue made 12 of 13 field goals, including a game-winner against Downey in the first round of the playoffs, and 44 of 45 PATs. He had 45 kickoffs for touchbacks.

— DAN ALBANO

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE

DL: Marcus Fakatou, Orange Lutheran, So.: Fakatou was a Trinity League Most Valuable Lineman after recording a team-highs of 17 tackles for loss and seven sacks.

DL: JD Hill, Mission Viejo, Sr.: Hill was an Alpha League lineman of the year. The Washington signee had a team-leading 25.5 tackles for loss with a team-high 13 sacks.

DL: Isaia Vandermade, Santa Margarita, Jr.: Vandermade was All-Trinity League first team. He was at his best in the Eagles’ three playoff games with eight sacks and two forced fumbles.

LB: Dash Fifita, Santa Margarita, Sr.: Orange County defensive player of the year.

LB: Leki Holani, Santa Margarita, Sr.: Holani was All-Trinity League first team and had a team-leading 108 total tackles.

LB: Jackson Renger, Los Alamitos, Sr.: Renger was All-Alpha League first team. He had 88 total tackles including 26 tackles for loss with 14 sacks, four forced fumbles and five fumble recoveries.

LB: Shaun Scott, Mater Dei, Sr.: Scott was All-Trinity League first team and had a team-high 13.5 sacks. He signed with USC.

DB: Jayden Crowder, Santa Margarita, Sr.: Crowder was an All-Trinity League first team selection. The USC signee had two interceptions and averaged 27 yards a kickoff return.

DB: Jeron Jones, Mission Viejo, Sr.: He was an Alpha League defensive player of the year. The Washington signee had four interceptions.

DB: CJ Lavender, Mater Dei, Sr.: Lavender was a Trinity League MVP and had a team-leading seven interceptions. He signed with UCLA.

DB: Khalil Terry, Tustin, Jr.: The Notre Dame commit was the Delta League defensive player of the year. He had 62 total tackles and four interceptions and was the Tillers’ second-leading rusher with 261 yards and four touchdowns.

P: Star Thomas, Orange, So.: Thomas was a Foxtrot League MVP. He averaged 50 yards a punt. He was also the Panthers’ starting quarterback. He threw for 3,332 yards and 27 touchdowns and rushed for 814 yards and six touchdowns.

— STEVE FRYER