Soaring to new lofty heights

Mike Sciacca

By winning the school’s first championship in the sport of girls’

basketball in 2004-05, the Laguna Beach program is reaping the

benefits of its lofty position.

Five Breakers earned All-Pacific Coast League laurels, led by

junior forward Claire Bevacqua, who was named the league’s most

valuable player.

Sophomore guard Brittany Clark was named to the first team and

senior forward Andrea “Vinnie” Ventura was named second team.

Laguna players named Honorable Mention were junior guard Chelsea

Hairston and freshman guard Tess Grogan.

The all-league team was voted on by coaches from league member

schools Laguna Beach, Calvary Chapel, Corona del Mar, Northwood,

Tesoro and University.

“Claire being named MVP is another first for this program, so that

is wonderful,” Laguna coach Stacy Howard said. “It was pretty much a

unanimous vote by the other league coaches. She dominated in the

league and more importantly, helped to bring that first league title

to Laguna.”

The 2004-05 season was the second for Clark in the Laguna program.

She was a second team all-league pick a year ago.

“She was second team last year and deserved first team this year,”

Howard said. “Her presence on the floor is contagious and inspiring.

She was our spark all year, played more minutes than anyone and

really grew up a lot on the court this year.

“As a sophomore, she really took on a lot of responsibility and

I’m really proud of the season she put together.”

For Ventura, the lone senior on Laguna’s squad, her selection to

the all-league second team capped a memorable year.

“It’s a great honor for Vinnie,” Howard said. “And, the great

thing about it, is that I think Vinnie really, truly appreciates the

honor. Her face just lit up when we told the kids about the awards.

“Vinnie played her butt off all year, was a senior through and

through and really shined in the second half of league and CIF. I

couldn’t be more happy for her or more proud of her contributions

this year.”

The selection of Hairston and Grogan to the Honorable Mention team

rounded out league honors for Laguna.

“Both of these kids are players who other coaches remember, like

to talk about,” Howard said of the pair. “Both of them brought such

grit and determination every single night.

“Chels, being a junior, really understands the system, the

program, and she led us in a lot of ways this year. Tess, as a

freshman, brought a fire and enthusiasm that went unmatched this

year. Two of our toughest players, no question. These players both

deserved the recognition, as well.”