Ed Azzam has Westchester ready again
ERIC SONDHEIMER / ON HIGH SCHOOLS
With eight City Section titles and a 610-201 record in 29 years of coaching, Ed Azzam has built Westchester into a perennial title contender.
With eight City Section championships, four state titles and a 610-201 record in 29 years of coaching, Ed Azzam has built the Westchester High boys' basketball program into a Southern California powerhouse.
But this season, Westchester alumni get to walk around with an added sense of pride because six former Comets are playing in the NBA.
Turn on the TV and there's a good chance you'll get to see an ex-Westchester player in action.
There's Trevor Ariza with the Lakers, Jason Hart with the Clippers, Bobby Brown with the Sacramento Kings, Amir Johnson with the Detroit Pistons, Hassan Adams with the Toronto Raptors and Gabe Pruitt with the Boston Celtics.
"We're proud, but we're more proud of the fact that the seniors we have go to college," Azzam said.
"It's nice to have kids in the NBA, but it has more to do with God's work."
Westchester will be one of the favorites to win this season's City title. The team has an outstanding guard duo in senior Dominique O'Connor and junior Jordin Mayes.
The Comets play host to their own tournament this week, with Woodland Hills Taft, Compton Dominguez and Los Angeles Windward among the teams entered. It begins today and ends Saturday.
Villa Park coach is in hot water
The Southern Section office holds over schools the possibility of sanctions if they don't deal appropriately with coaches who violate rules. Villa Park is about to find out how far the Southern Section will go.
The Orange Unified School District imposed a two-game suspension on Villa Park basketball Coach Kevin Reynolds after the Southern Section forwarded information on alleged rule violations.
The Southern Section is not very impressed with the response.
"I won't speak on specifics, but based on the information we found and shared with Villa Park, we don't think the punishment fit the crime," Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons told Lance Pugmire of The Times.
This is a test for the Southern Section. Everyone knows basketball is the sport that needs to be cleaned up. If Reynolds violated Southern Section rules, a stiffer penalty is warranted.
"I feel I did not do anything wrong," Reynolds told the Orange County Register.
Talk of winter ball
Mission Hills Alemany has a 14-year-old freshman third baseman gaining respect as a future standout. Trey Williams, 6 feet, 185 pounds, first attracted attention during summer baseball when he had 39 hits, 36 runs batted in and four home runs for the Warriors in the Valley Invitational Baseball League.
