Athletes have put their blood, sweat, and tears into their sport. These highly dedicated players have proven their dominance on the court and value to the game. This hard work is noticed, and the top players of the county have been selected to compete in the OC All-Star Basketball Game, along with the best coaches leading the teams. This game is between North Orange County All-Stars vs. South Orange County All-Stars. It was held at Cypress College on May 6th, with girls playing at 5 p.m. and boys at 7 p.m.

For the girls North team, Jimmy Valverde of Esperanza High School will be the head coach, assisted by Yorba Linda’s own coach, Teiko Ikemoto! For the South team, Jessica Barber from Mission Viejo High School will lead the girls team. Both teams are well-rounded and brought energy to the floor.

From the jump, the girls came off strong, scoring on both ends of the floor. Playing from college distance 3-pointers, the girls could still knock down shots. Saddleback commit for the North team, Amari Hill (Loara High School) said, “I would say my experience at the all-star game was pretty fun. My favorite part of the game was winning” She played a great game, contributing to the team by getting steals and creating a good offensive flow. The North team consisted of our school’s very own, Nikki Villanueva, and El Dorado’s Avery Shiring. Both players had solid lockdown defense while still being able to score across the floor. With a tough first half, South led 32-25, but North was able to pull out the win 72-59. Mater Dei guards Hanna Vela and Caia Elisaldez helped pick their team back up, along with Madi Bogan (Orange Lutheran) and Ava Dominguez (Rosary). From the south team, San Juan Hills’, Amanda Edwards helped keep her team in the game until the end, with help from Elizabeth Elder (Crean Lutheran). Nonetheless, every player on the floor helped contribute to their team. There was great energy on the floor, with all the girls showing great sportsmanship. Nikki Villanueva (12), described it as “Everyone was incredibly nice and fun to play with, we felt like a team from the get-go despite our different high school backgrounds.”

For the boys North team, Yorba Linda coaches, Jason Pietsch and Chris Hobson led the team. For the South team had Marina’s Nick Racklin and his coaching staff. Both coaches led their teams to success this season and earned a well-deserved spot to coach in this all-star game. Coach Hobson says, “It was great opportunity for our coaches and our program to get to work with other North all-stars who we’ve played against. Now having an opportunity to win a big all-star game with them is very rewarding.”

The boys’ team was throwing a dunk contest from both sides of the floor from the beginning. In the first 5 minutes of the game, Yorba Linda’s Jason Casacchia got a steal to throw an alley-oop to get the whole crowd roaring. By halftime, the North was dominating 50-33. El Dorado’s guard, Cooper Bladow helped create plays, along with Cannon Potter (Orange Lutheran) with tough finishes around the rim. However, Peyton Guerrero (Ocean View) and Keneth Bailey (Crean Lutheran) were able to hold the team down with their defense, and Calvary Chapel’s Tyler Peterson got the team going offensively. The South team’s efforts did not pull through and lost 95-70.It was a great opportunity for our coaches and our program to get to work with other North all-stars who we’ve played against. Now having an opportunity to win a big all-star game with them was very rewarding.”