Esperanza High School - Quetzal Yearbook (Anaheim, CA)

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MOOfC,S C3.gCI'S C9.PtLll'C fII'St league title Finishing with a historic 2I-5 season record, an Empire League Championship, and first ever CIF playoff appearance, the men's varsity basketball team rewrote the school's record book and emerged as the first team to wind up the season with a winning record. Varsity Head Coach Mike Moore attributed many reasons to the team's success. At the beginning of the season I told our players that they would have to sacrifice a little personal glory in order to attain our goal of a league championship, stated Moore, whose team produced one of the most balanced scoring attacks in Orange County. This group of kids had a special chemistry among them. They have been playing together for three years and they had no doubt that they could win league, added Moore, who was voted Empire League Coach-of-the-Year. In addition to their balanced scoring, a stifling defense held their opponents to just 47.6 points per game, one of the lowest in the league. That defense, along with an unusually rowdy crowd was the reason that the Aztecs defeated one of Orange County's toughest teams, Ocean View, in the first round of the CIF playoffs. Ocean View was heavily favored to defeat the ninth ranked Aztecs, but the team prevailed winning by two in overtime. It was great to see the crowd behind us at that game. They really helped us psyche up and helped us to intimidate Ocean View, stated MVP Tom Leineberg. The cagers finished the season with a to-o home record, the best in school history. In addition to having their best home record, the cagers also won zo games, the first time an Aztec team has ever accomplished that goal. We set up four goals before the season started, our goals were to win twenty games in a season, qualify for CIF, win league title, and win CIF, stated Moore. Moore's team accomplished the first three goals, but lost in the second round of the CIF playoffs to the number two seeded school in the 4-A division. Y 1 1 aV ' GM 3 i. Head Coach Mike Moore tells his players how he wants his team to defend the Cypress offense. Moore and the cagers accomplished all of their goals except a CIF championship. 2. Byron Williams reaches for an Aztec missed field goal. Williams averaged 7.8 points per game. basketball - IQS

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I. Men's Varsity Basketball. Row x - Tom Leineberg, Paul Moralez, Eric Culberson, Matt Watson. Row 2 -- Howard McKay, David Bainter, Byron Williams, joey Odoms, Dave Blanchard, Lance Stark. z. Paul Moralez slows the fast break in a game against Cypress. Moralez shared MVP honors with Tom Leineberg. 'Ns -nop-xsane -was ....v..w.m-mapa 2 Leineberg named MVP Leading the team in field goal percentage and consistency, Tom Leineberg was named most valuable player in the Empire League by the League coaches and was also given the same honor by the team itself. Without Tom's consistency and poise, this team could DOI have done what it did, stated Head Coach Mike Moore. Leineberg attributed much of his success to his fellow teammates. Without them I would have never had a chance to do what I did. I especially appreciate the effort that Paul Moralez gave, stated Leineberg. Leineberg averaged 10.5 points per game, 5.4 rebounds, and was top team scorer in 14 games. 194 --- basketball Tvuqg 7.4 N -...M gzl 1 wa is Tom Leineberg drives to the baske! in a victory against Cypress. Leineberg averaged IO points per game and was named MVP by the Empire League coaches.

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r. Dave Blanchard tosses a rebound to Byron Williams. Blanchard was named Most Inspirational Player. 2. JV starter Paul Spitzzerri hauls down a rebound in a game against Cypress. Spitzzerri moved to varsity during CIF competition. 3. JV cager John Ludwig drives to the basket eluding a Cypress defender. The JV team split their two meetings with Cypress. 4. JV Basketball. row I - john Ludwig, Keith Chalman, Norm Santos, Phil Thummel. row 2 - Alex Anderson, Tim Patterson, Paul Spitzzerri, Mike Choecelc, Kurt Demster, Jim Sturgeon. 196 - basketball