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A game-winning 3-pointer coming out of a timeout in the final seconds of regulation. The continued development of young players. And an enthusiasm for hosting girls basketball showcases.
The signs of coach Leslie Aragon’s impact on the Rosary program have surfaced in multiple ways in his first season.
On Monday, the signals grew louder as Emalynn Vong sank a 3-pointer coming out of a timeout with 2.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lift Rosary to a 60-59 victory against visiting Mark Keppel in the Royal Showcase.
The Royals improved to 15-6 overall and have climbed to No. 11 in the Orange County rankings under Aragon, who succeeded longtime coach Rich Yoon.
Yoon is now the principal at St. Bonaventure Catholic School in Huntington Beach.
“The (coaching) transition has been amazing,” Rosary junior point guard Izzy Holmes said after Monday’s victory. “We’ve responded to (Aragon’s) coaching really well. I think him coming in and having a plan for us really helped us. And being a younger team, in a way, it helped us develop to be the team that we know we can be.”
Last season, Aragon coached alongside Yoon, who in his 31st season guided the Royals to a runner-up finish in CIF-SS Division 2A.
Yoon and Aragon combined to give Rosary plenty of experience.
Yoon racked up 574 victories, fourth in county history, and led the school to two section titles and a pair of state championships.
Aragon compiled more than 500 wins as Orangewood Academy’s boys and girls coach and claimed three section titles with the girls.
Rosary returned the bulk of its roster from last season and has built on the success.
In the Pacific Coast League, the Royals have defeated Portola and St. Margaret’s, two teams they lost to last season.
“He wins a lot,” Vong said of Aragon, her previous coach at Orangewood Academy. “He sees a lot of potential in all of us.”
On Monday, Rosary showcased a tall front line with senior captains Vong and Kate Duarte along with junior Maddie White. Duarte averages a team-leading 13.9 points while White averages 7.4 rebounds.
The backcourt featured Holmes and junior Riyanna Meaders. Holmes flashed her potential with a season-high 12 assists against reigning CIF-SS Division 3AA champion Mark Keppel, which didn’t feature any seniors.
Juniors Sophie Lickl, Kaiya Watties, Jamie Miyashiro and Chloe Ryan all played off the bench for Rosary, which hosted its second showcase this winter.
“This group of girls competes, works hard and shows up with great attitudes every day,” Aragon said. “I’m truly grateful to be part of Rosary Academy. I’m thankful to coach Yoon for the opportunity and especially to Rosary’s leadership team for their trust, support and belief on what we’re building.”
BECKMAN PROGESSING UNDER NEW COACH
Beckman is flourishing under first-year coach Myron Jacobs, who in September replaced Jason Edgmond, now an assistant coach at Saddleback College.
Ranked ninth in Orange County, the Patriots (17-5) have played a strong schedule and collected victories against Santa Margarita, Orange Lutheran and Mira Costa among others.
Beckman lost to all three opponents last season.
The Patriots also moved up this season to the South Coast League after winning the Sea View League a year ago.
“It’s definitely a jump from last year,” said Jacobs, who guided Whitney to a CIF State Division IV title last season.
Senior forward Natasha Jafari has been among Beckman’s top players.
SHORT SHOTS
Esperanza’s season-high for 3-pointers in a game is 17, Aztecs coach Jimmy Valverde clarified. Esperanza went 17 for 34 from beyond the arc in a 91-67 loss to Pleasant Grove of Utah (16-0). …
Mater Dei plays host to Bishop Gorman of Nevada during the Nike Extravaganza on Friday at 6 p.m.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.ocregister.com ’
