Pinto and Young power the South

Rick Devereux

The Orange County All Star basketball game has been held at Orange

Coast College for more than 30 years, but Friday’s contest may have

been the last in the OCC gym.

“We really want to tie the game in more with local high schools,”

said Michael Rangel, the game director. “If we put on the game at a

high school that has two or three players in the game, we will get

probably 500 to 600 more people [to the game].”

The crowd that was at OCC enjoyed a remarkable display of

athleticism by the North and South boys.

Estancia High’s Carlos Pinto scored nine points for the South and

Newport Harbor’s Taylor Young added six as the South dominated with a

94-74 victory.

“This was real exciting because everyone is so good,” Pinto said.

“It’s just a whole different level where everyone is good at passing,

shooting and defense. It was real exciting.”

Pinto and Young saw extensive playing time, especially in the

third quarter where each played for more than half of the 12-minute

quarter.

“This was so much fun,” Young said. “My main objective was just to

have fun. Hopefully this will not be my last basketball game.”

Young is weighing his options between UC Santa Barbara and Cal

Poly San Luis Obispo.

“I was out there trying my hardest,” Young said. “Because everyone

is so good, it’s easier to set up plays and it’s a faster pace.”

South Coach Keith Barnett said, “Young is a warrior. He’s 6-foot-3

but plays like someone who is 6-6.”

Pinto was aggressive on offense, taking open shots and driving to

the hoop when a lane was open. He was also a factor in rebounding the

ball.

“Carlos is a very versatile player,” said Barnett, who is the head

coach at Aliso Niguel. “He is very natural inside and outside [of the

key]. He is a very good rebounder. Someone is going to get a nice

surprise when they get him [in college].”

Pinto is deciding between Cal State Dominguez Hills and Concordia.

Aliso Niguel’s Michael Roll was the South MVP with a game-high 18

points and Garden Grove’s David Richmond was the North MVP with 11

points.