South Coast League

Mike Sciacca Huntington Beach High's baseball team began its 2004 season with a pair of impressive wins at the Newport Elks Tournament. The Oilers opened the tournament with a 5-3 home victory over defending CIF-Southern Section Division I champion Arlington, then came back the next day to upend South Coast League co-champion Mission Viejo, 6-1. In the third game of the tournament Monday, Huntington and Pacifica fought to a 4-4 tie, but the Oilers still advanced to the tournament's semifinals.

The 2010 football season has officially come to a close for local schools. Only Ocean View and Edison advanced to the CIF postseason playoffs this fall, and both the Seahawks and Chargers were eliminated from title contention following first-round losses last Friday. A year after playing for the Pac-5 Division championship, Edison — which returned just one starter from last year's 13-1 team — was given an early postseason exit by host Santa Margarita, which rolled to a 49-3 victory in Pac-5 Division action.

Mike Sciacca, Independent A year ago, Tony Ciarelli felt confident that his talented Huntington Beach High football team could go far. And, Ciarelli's hunches were proven right, as the Oilers won four of their first five games and entered the 1999 Sunset League race with high hopes. But about that time, one foe Ciarelli had hoped to avoid crept into the Huntington Beach camp and wreaked havoc on the team's chemistry. It was the injury bug, and it decimated a team that already had lacked serious depth.

Mike Sciacca, Independent There will be some new faces - a few from familiar places - doting the Marina High varsity football roster in the 2000 season, but, mixed with the return of some key veterans, the ingredients are there for the Vikings to continue upon last season's success. The "new" starts right at the top with the arrival of Mike Dodd as head coach, trickles down to a coaching staff that, despite a few veterans, also has some new names, and continues to a roster that must fill the void left by the departure of a successful talented offensive line, and the Sunset League's 1999 Most Valuable Player, running back Ray Mietkiewicz.

Mike Sciacca, Independent It's been five years since Edison High made postseason play, but the 2000 season figures to see the return of the Chargers. Simply put, Edison seems loaded, especially on offense, although there are six returners on both sides of the ball. "Our big scoring punch returns on offense, and we have experience on defense," said Edison Coach Dave White, who enters his 15th year at the helm. "There are a few question marks, but we could have a very good team on our hands."

Mike Sciacca The bright lights and big surroundings of the Pond of Anaheim is what the Marina High boys' basketball program deserved Saturday. The Vikings were there, as part of a day-long celebration of boys' prep basketball, where a total of six division champions would be crowned by late that night. Although Marina's magical playoff run ended in a 64-57 loss to Mission Viejo in the Division I-A final, it's journey to the Pond proved no less than captivating.

-- Compiled by Mike Sciacca The final weekend of the nonleague season is upon four local high schools, who get one last tuneup before league play begins next week. Edison is out to cap an unbeaten nonleague record heading into the tough wars of the Sunset League while Huntington Beach, Marina and Ocean View are looking to get back on the winning track. TONIGHT Valencia (0-4) vs. Ocean View (1-3) (at Westminster High, 7 p.m.) Both Ocean View and Valencia will be looking for some momentum heading into their respective league races.

When it comes to playing some of the best prep football programs in Orange County, the Marina High Vikings certainly are one team that doesn't shy away. That will be the case again in 2005, when Marina plays a killer nonleague schedule before heading into one of the premiere football leagues in the CIF Southern Section -- the Sunset League. "Again, we will be tested early with a very difficult preseason schedule," said Coach Mike Dodd, who begins his sixth year at the helm.

Newport Harbor High's boys water polo team won their Sea View League opener at home Wednesday, 16-4, over Woodbridge. Bryce McLain made 15 saves in goal to halt the Warriors. Brett Auer led all scorers with four goals. The Sailors (10-1, 1-0 in league) will play this weekend in the South Coast tournament at La Quinta High School. Sea View League Newport Harbor 16, Woodbridge 4 Score by Quarters -- Woodbridge 1 1 1 1 -- 4 Newport 2 4 7 3 -- 16 -- Woodbridge -- Pftonhaver 3, Hewitt 1. Saves -- Ziemba 8. Newport Harbor -- Auer 4, Hockenbury 3, Cottam 3, Gregory 2, C. Hill 1, B. Hill 1, Hayes 1, McGhie 1. Saves -- B. McLain 15. Estancia spikes Lions VOLLEYBALL: Estancia High's girls volleyball team beat Westminster in a Golden West League home match Wednesday, 25-9, 25-8, 25-20.

Mike Sciacca The Marina High boys' basketball team recently held a casual shoot-around, perhaps the last such practice before getting down to the business of entering the "second season." The Sunset League champions today are in their final day of weeklong preparations for their debut in the CIF-Southern Section Division I-A playoffs, which comes Friday night on their home floor against the Santa Ana Valley Falcons. All Sunset League teams earned berths in the boys' basketball playoffs, making it the only six-team league to earn that distinction this year.