Sports
With a Veteran Coach, El Toro Boys Basketball Ready to Face Perils of South Coast League
El Toro's newest competition in boys basketball includes some of area's higher-ranked teams, but coach Todd Dixon knows a thing or two about getting the most from his players.
Todd Dixon is one of the more successful basketball coaches in South Orange County over the past two decades.
His El Toro boys basketball teams have a combined record of 301-98 and eight league titles during his 14-season tenure, and he has guided the Chargers into the CIF Southern Section playoffs in 13 of the last 14 seasons, reaching the championship game in 2001 and 2005.
While winning on the court is certainly important, Dixon understands the larger role he plays in the lives of his young athletes. "My job here is to be a good role model," he said. "It's more about off-the-court stuff than it is on-the-court stuff."
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Said senior Colin Zavrsnicki, team captain: "Coach Dixon really knows how to get to you, but he also knows how to cheer you on."
El Toro is looking to rebound from one of those rare mediocre seasons they suffered in 2009-10, when they finished 15-12 overall and third in the Sea View League with a 5-6 record.
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The Chargers, ranked No. 7 in the Division 1A coaches' preseason poll, are off to a 5-6 start this season but have lost three of those games by three points or less.
They are currently on a two-game winning streak, having beaten University, 85-68, and, in the O.C. North/South Challenge, hammered Foothill, 59-45, at El Toro High. Foothill, which went undefeated in the Sea View League last season and won the Division 3AA championship, was ranked No. 1 in the Division 2A coaches' preseason poll.
"It's really been an up-and-down season so far," Dixon said. "We lost some really close games. We're trying to turn the corner now."
Second-year varsity player Roi Brady, another captain, is quick to credit Dixon for the team's success. "He can make any team into a championship team," Brady said. "[Dixon)] is a great coach who really pushes you to the limit."
Crucial to the Chargers' championship quest will be the play of 6-foot-7 senior center Ryan Hardy, who has committed to play volleyball at Pepperdine. He was the team's leading scorer last season and a first-team All-Sea View League selection.
"On offense we've got to get the ball to Hardy on the inside," Zavrsnicki said. "He usually has an advantage in there."
Realignment has landed El Toro in the South Coast League Mission Viejo, ranked No. 2 in Division 2AA; Capistrano Valley, No. 3 in Division 1A; Tesoro, No. 5 in Division 1A, and Dana Hills, No. 13 in Division 1A.
"South Coast League is the best from top to bottom," Dixon said. "It's a very difficult league with teams like Mission, Capo and Tesoro who have great teams every year."
When facing some of the best competition in the county, it's necessary to have a game plan that might confuse your opponent. Dixon hopes that their match-up zone defense – a combination of man-to-man and zone defenses -- will slow down some of the league's high-powered attacks.
"We play a match-up zone, which is something a little unique to Orange County because not many teams do it," he said. "It's a little bit difficult to prepare for."
The Chargers will compete in the Moanalua Tournament in Honolulu, Hawaii, from Dec. 27-30, then play at San Clemente on Jan. 5 before opening league play by hosting Capistrano Valley on Jan. 7.
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El Toro 2010-11 Varsity Roster
No. 2 Elliot Frey, F, 6-5, jr.
No. 3 Ryan Roberts, G, 6-2, so.
No. 4 Colin Zavrsnick, G, 6-2, sr.
No. 5 Fil Perkins, G, 6-1, sr.
No. 12 Roi Brody, F, 6-0, sr.
No. 13 Liam Skelly, G, 5-10, so.
No. 14 Kevin Boyle, G, 6-3, sr.
No. 15 John Heffel, G 6-0, sr.
No. 21 Mack Spees, F, 6-4, sr.
No. 23 Stephen Tinen, C, 6-6, sr.
No. 24 Jason Amato, G, 5-6, sr.
No. 25 Sam Maskell, F, 6-3, sr.
No. 31 Ryan Hardy, C, 6-7, sr.
No. 33 A.J. Lunardi, F, 6-0, sr.
No. 45 Cody White, G, 6-1, so.
Head coach: Todd Dixon
Assistant coach: Dave Shoemaker
Assistant coach: Jeff Young
Team manager: Chun-Chieh Yang
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Remainder of Chargers' 2010-11 Schedule:
Dec. 27-30 – Moanalua Tournament, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jan. 5 – at San Clemente
Jan. 7 – host Capistrano Valley*
Jan. 12 – host Dana Hills*
Jan. 14 – host Mission Viejo*
Jan. 19 – at Tesoro*
Jan. 21 – host San Juan Hills
Jan. 28 – at Capistrano Valley*
Feb. 1 – host Trabuco Hills
Feb. 4 – at Dana Hills*
Feb. 8 – at Mission Viejo*
Feb. 10 – host Tesoro*
* South Coast League games
