ESPN RISE

BOYS' TEAM OF THE YEAR

WESTCHESTER
Basketball
Ed Azzam's players were expected to contend for a title. Most just assumed it would be in 2009-10. But a group of talented juniors raised its game at the right time to complement a superstar senior and the Comets zoomed to a Division I championship. Senior guard Dominique O'Connor, the City Section Player of the Year, led Westchester to the crown with a 49-31 win over McClymonds. Juniors Dwayne Polee Jr. and Jordin Mayes will be back looking for a repeat next season. The Comets finished the year No. 4 in the ESPN RISE FAB 50.

OTHER FINALISTS

CORONA CENTENNIAL
Football
The Huskies went 15-0 and beat De La Salle, 21-16, in the Division I title game. Nebraska-bound senior QB Taylor Martinez earned Daily News Player of the Year honors as Centennial finished the year No. 5 in the ESPN RISE FAB 50.

DANA HILLS
Cross Country
Paced by senior Tyler Valdes, who was the individual champion in 15:05, the Dolphins rolled to the Division I state title. Tyler's twin brother, Ryan, placed 14th, fellow senior Zak Phillips was 20th and junior Blake Ahrold was 22nd.

EL CAMINO REAL
Soccer
It was a historic season for the Conquistadores. They won the City Section title and then became the first City team to win a SoCal Regional crown. ECR went 24-3-3 and finished the year No. 4 in the ESPN RISE FAB 50.

GIRLS' TEAM OF THE YEAR

SAN CLEMENTE
Soccer
The titles kept piling up for the Tritons this year. First, it was the Southern Section Division I crown, obtained with a 2-0 victory over Los Alamitos. From there, San Clemente earned the Division I Regional title with a 3-2 triumph over Buchanan. The Tritons finished the year 29-4-1 and were No. 5 in the final ESPN RISE FAB 50. San Clemente was led by its 10 seniors, six of whom signed Division I scholarships. Senior Kelsey Wilson was named Orange County Register Player of the Year, while senior Tiffany Corder was dominant in goal.

OTHER FINALISTS

BREA OLINDA
Basketball
Chalk up another state title for the Ladycats. Brea Olinda claimed its ninth California crown with a 68-45 win over Carondelet. Junior guard Kelsey Harris and sophomore post Justine Hartman led the way for the victors.

DOS PUEBLOS
Water Polo
The Chargers won the Southern Section Division I crown with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Corona del Mar. Sophomore superstar Kiley Neushul led a young team that featured only one senior in its lineup.

SANTA MARGARITA
Volleyball
The Eagles defeated national power Mira Costa in a five-game classic to claim the Southern Section Division IAA title. They eventually lost in the SoCal Regional finals and finished the year No. 7 in the ESPN RISE FAB 50.