Ray Holly etched his name into the record books

Posted by Tony Lee - Nov. 18

Coast's running back Ray Holley broke the all-time single season rushing record at OCC Saturday (Nov. 14) when he rushed for 266 yards with five touchdowns against Long Beach City College. See all the entire game summary and how Holley got the record.

Fastest of them all

Posted by Tony Lee - Oct. 31

Orange Coast College's cross country teams proved Friday (Oct. 30) that both men's and women's squads are the team to beat for the 2009 state championship. At the Orange Empire Conference Cross Country Tournament in Huntington Beach's Central Park, Coast finished first in the men's five-mile run and the women's 5K run in a convincing fashion. See how the runners finished.

Where are the champs?

Posted by Tony Lee - Oct. 25

The defending Orange Empire Conference Player of the Year, Brett Wallach, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers, leads the pack key players on the 2009 state champion baseball team have moved onto different locations. See where they moved to since then.

What loss to Golden West?

Posted by Tony Lee - Oct. 25

After the Orange Coast College women's volleyball team suffered its first loss of the season, the lady Pirates have won five-straight games - the latest on Friday (Oct. 23) against Santa Ana College. See how the lady Pirates have bounced back.

Meet a Pirate: Danny Orona

Posted by Tony Lee - Sept. 20

Danny Orona is a 5 foot 6 inch, 160 pound driver from Los Amigos High School who starts on the men's water polo team. “Last year, he really didn't get much playing time but he kept working in practice every single day,” head coach Monty McCord said. "He makes things happen when he's in there. He's a great defensive player (and) he's willing to do a lot of the dirty work not everyone is willing to do." See how he answered the questions.

Victory Bell stays at Coast

Posted by Tony Lee - Sept. 20

For the first time in the West-Coast Showdown history, the Pirates have won the Victory Bell three years in a row. In a dramatic 24-21 victory, Coast (3-0) defeated the Golden West College Rustlers (0-3) to even up the all-time series at 20-20-2. See the last-second dramatics of the game with pictures and quotes from players and coaches.

Meet a Pirate(s): Rebecca Murray and Melissa Mahi

Posted by Tony Lee - Sept. 11

The women's basketball coaching staff have picked their captains for the 2009-2010 season. Rebecca Murray (left) and Melissa Mahi (right) are sophomore returners. See how they answered the questions from the hat.

Darrius Young to the rescue

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
The Vikings advanced 84 yards on nine plays to score on the Pirates and took the lead with 1:11 left in the game.

Long Beach's Darrius Young had two critical 22-yard receptions, the second of those being a touchdown, to put the Vikings up 42-38.

On the ensuing kickoff, Coast's Cody Matthews returns it for 24 yards and puts the Pirates on the 39-yard line.

After one incompletion, Coast's Kyle Manning connected with Calvin Brister on a 20-yard pass to get the Pirates to the 41 yard line.

With 32 seconds left, on third-and-10, the Pirates ran a draw for Ray Holley to get it to the 36-yard line and then converted on the fourth-and-five on a pass to Kyle Burdett.

On the last play of the game, six-seconds left, Manning's pass was deflected and the Pirates lose, 42-38.

EDIT
Complete stats can be found here.

New all-time rusher

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments

Ray Holley has the record!

After the Pirates scored on a seven-yard touchdown from Holley (that put the Pirates up 38-35 with less than nine minutes left in the game), he got the carry on the next Coast offensive possession and got the record on a 15-yard toss.

Prior to his touchdown, Coast's Brandon Estrada put the Pirates in great field position with a 26-yard end around (or reverse) run.

Congratulations "Smalley Holley."

[Photo by Kevin Warn]

Only 16 more yards

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
Ray Holley is so close to the record.

Holley led the Pirates with a 30- and 21-yard runs and scored on a two-yard run to give OCC a 31-28 lead.

Holley needed 253 yards to break the record set by Jeff Clayton in 1993 (1,442 yards in a season).

But the Vikings were once again quick to counter. Genesis Fonoimoana, who scored earlier on an interception, returned the kickoff for a 88-yard touchdown to give the Vikings a 35-31 lead with 12:44 left.

First and 10 on the 34 yard line with 12:24 left in the game.

Scoring update 3

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
Vikings did not wait long to answer back Ray Holley's touchdown.

Long Beach traveled down 78 yards on eight plays to score on Ruben Laurente's one-yard run and take a 28-24 lead (pictured).

After both teams exchanged possessions with punts, the Pirates now have the ball on the Vikings 45 yard line at the end of the third quarter.

Holley also has 184 yards - 68 more yards for the school record.

LBCC 28, OCC 24.

[Photo courtesy of JohnoMoto Photography]

Only 100 more yards!

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
Ray Holley needs only 100 more yards to break the OCC rushing record.

On the first drive of the second half Holley scored on a 13-yard TD run; he also had runs of 10 and 15 in that drive.

The score is now 24-21, advantage OCC, with 11:46 left in the third quarter.

Quick strike

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
The Vikings weren't down for long, despite having less than two minutes left in the half.

Quarterback Kevin Lubner (pictured), with 20 seconds left in the half, throws a perfect fade pass to wide receiver Darrius Young for a 32-yard touchdown.

However, Coast coaches talked to the referees after the play for what I can only assume as the coach's asking why an offensive pass interference wasn't called.

Score is 21-17 at the half, in favor of Long Beach CC.

[Photo courtesy of JohnoMoto Photography]

Scoring update 2

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
The Pirates stopped the Vikings and forced another three-and-out.

Coast's Joe Galvez, who muffed his last punt return, had a much better returned on his second try and returned it for 18 yards.


Ray Holley (pictured) was once again Coast's main offensive weapon as he got the Pirates' first 20 yards, 10 from a reception. However, Coast failed to get it field goal range and was forced to punt.


Pirates defense forced another three-and-out and Bryce Brantley added a sack, but Galvez muffed his second punt of the night.


On the Viking's second offensive life, the Pirates forced a fumble on the very next play.

Coast capitalized off that turnover and scored. Holley also added a 33-,10 and 9-yard run in that drive and has 105 yards in the game. The nine-yard run was for a touchdown with 1:52 left in the half.

Holley need 147 yards for the school record.

14-7 Coast.

[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]

Naughty, naughty

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
The Vikings take a 14-3 lead after a 43-yard interception return for a touchdown by Genesis Fonoimoana, but he was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct for "crip walking" after his TD.

But Kyle Manning quickly answered back with a 26-yard completion to wide receiver Kyle Burdett to put behind the interception.

Ray Holley added 30 yards to this drive and scored on a one-yard run with 12:53 left in the second quarter.

Holley now has 36 yards on 11 carries with one TD. He needs 216 more yards to break the school's all-time rushing record.

[Photo courtesy of Getty Images]

Vikings take the lead

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
The Pirates stopped Long Beach with a three and out but Joe Galvez muffed he punt and gave the ball back to the Vikings at the 30-yard line.

Long Beach's Daveon Barner eventually scored on a one-yard run with 4:48 left in the first quarter. David Covey's extra point attempt was good.

Score is 7-3, advantage Vikings.

Scoring update 1

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
Long Beach stated the game with a 21-yard run by Daveon Barner but failed to get into field goal range in the Pirates 49.

The Pirates went three and out after Calvin Brister dropped a perfectly thrown pass from quarterback Kyle Manning, but recovered the ball on the 29-yard line after the Vikings muffed the punt.

After three runs from Ray Holley for six yards and no pass completions, the Pirates put up three with a 40-yard Lucas Vandeman (pictured) field goal.

Score, 3-0 Pirates, with 9:40 left in the first quarter.

[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]

Holley Watch

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
Orange Coast College's sophomore running back Ray Holley needs 252 yards to break the school single-season rushing record of 1,442 yards set by Jeff Clayton in 1993.

Holley averages 132.3 yards per game but has been held below 100 yards per game in the last three contests. He is still ranked No. 3 in the state.

During the game, there will be constant updates on Holley's progress, under "Holley Watch."

[Photo courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]

Final football game of the season: OCC at Long Beach CC

By Tony Lee On Saturday, November 14, 2009 0 comments
This is a copy of a report from the Daily Pilot's Barry Faulkner

Key Pirates:
  • Sophomore running back Ray Holley (1,191 yards and 13 TDs on 269 rushing attempts)
  • Sophomore outside linebacker Jimmy Keating (56 tackles, 11 for losses)
  • Freshman outside linebacker Travis McNaughton (47 tackles)
  • Sophomore free safety Keahi Raikes (three interceptions)
Breakdown:
  • The Pirates (5-4, 1-4 in the National Division), ranked No. 14 in Southern California, end their regular season against the Vikings (2-7, 1-4).
  • Holley needs 252 yards to break the school single-season rushing record of 1,442 yards set by Jeff Clayton in 1993 ... Holley ranks No. 3 in the state in rushing yards per game (132.3).
  • OCC’s defense is No. 4 in the state in rushing yards allowed per game (68.4).
  • The Pirates’ rank No. 70 among 71 schools in passing rating and have completed just 36.5% of their passes. OCC quarterbacks have four TD passes and 16 interceptions.
  • Both teams’ lone division win was against Santa Ana Collge.
  • LBCC has allowed 40.8 points per game.

Postseason splash

By Tony Lee On Wednesday, November 11, 2009 0 comments
Impressive showings by Orange Coast College's men's and women's water polo squads earned the Pirates a spot at the Southern California Regional Tournament at Pasadena City College, starting on Thursday (Nov. 12).

The lady Pirates, led by Brittany Daniels' five goals (right), defeated Saddleback College and the No. 1 seeded Golden West College at the Orange Empire Conference Tournament over the weekend to advance to the championship match.

Unfortunately, Coast fell to Riverside Community College 9-4 to finish in second place, but the impressive OEC Tournament showing earned the lady Pirates a No. 3 seed at SoCal Regionals.

Against Saddleback and Golden West, Mary Jane Cooney and Alex Garcia added a total of three goals while Jamie Bee added two.

Coast, 20-9 overall this season, faces Chaffey College Friday at 2 p.m. in the first round of the playoffs.

The men's team, led by Casey Sullivan's nine goals in the OEC Tournament (left), finished one-step behind the ladies as the Pirates finished third overall.

After beating Santa Ana College 18-9, the Pirates lost to Riverside 12-7 in the semifinals but bounced back to beat Saddleback for third place.

This showing earned the Pirates, 19-9 overall record this season, a No. 7 seed in the SoCal Regionals and will face the 10th-seeded Saddleback Thursday at 2:30 p.m. at PCC.

Against Saddleback in the OEC Tournament, Adam Smith was the team leader with three goals, while Kyle Thorsness and Adam Thomas each added two goals.

If the men's team defeat the Gauchos, then the Pirates take on the No. 2 seed Long Beach City College later that day, starting at 5:45 p.m.


[Photos courtesy of Hank Schellingerhout]

Lucky No. 13

By Tony Lee On Wednesday, November 11, 2009 0 comments
The top 16 teams in the northern and southern region make the postseason for men's and women's soccer.

At the moment, according to ccsoccernews.com, both Orange Coast College's men's and women's soccer teams are ranked 13th and staying alive with one game to go.

The Pirates (8-9-3, 5-5-3 in Orange Empire Conference) will play the No. 12 ranked Riverside Community College, away, at 3 p.m. Friday (Nov. 13) which may affect the postseason seeding for Coast.

The lady Pirates (13-5-1, 9-5-1) will finish the season off with a guaranteed-win Friday due to a forfeit by Irvine Valley College because of a lack of healthy players.

Check back on the OCC Sports Blog on Saturday to see the official playoff bracket of both teams.

Excellence on and off the field

By Tony Lee On Sunday, November 08, 2009 0 comments
Over 50 percent of Orange Coast College's athletes achieved honor roll status for the spring 2009 semester and it is the best record Athletic Director Barbara Bond can remember in her recent years.

Out of the 316 athletes in the 14 spring sports, 159 - or 51 percent - earned a 3.0 GPA or higher in addition to completing a minimum of 12 units and playing their sport.

Bond said in a press release that Coast athletes' honor roll rate is around 47 percent but was pleasantly surprised to see it go over the 50 percent mark.
17 athletes had a perfect 4.0 GPA and 55 others had 3.5 GPA or better.

Women's swimming and diving team led the OCC athletics with a combined 3.2 GPA.
“More of our coaches are encouraging them to do well,” Bond said of Coast's academic success in the press release.

The athletic program recently introduced study hall for student athletes at the Student Success Center. Even if the athletes don’t take advantage of free tutoring and study services, the message is clear: “grades are important,” Bond said in the press release.

[Photo by Tony Lee]

    You are vistor number...