Becker Leaving Bench at Rancho Alamitos for Coaching Post at Pacifica

Bob Becker resigned Monday as girls’ basketball coach at Rancho Alamitos High to take the boys’ coaching job at Pacifica.

During his four years at Rancho Alamitos, Becker led the Vaqueros to a 95-14 record, including a 54-2 mark in the Garden Grove League. He also led Rancho Alamitos to three Southern Section Division III-A final appearances, including the 1991-92 title.

“I’ll miss the players, and the people on the staff were very supportive,” Becker said. “The new challenge is, it’s a new game. It’s a little more up-tempo, and you can do some things that you can’t do with the girls’ game. The girls are a little more limited in what they can do.”

Said Dan Rankin, Rancho Alamitos’ athletic director: “He was a good coach, who put in a lot of effort and time. He did a lot for our program. It was a very positive parting. He’s done about as much as you could do for girls’ basketball. It’s time to move on.”

Becker leaves a team that returns three starters, including Times All-County selection Akilah Rodgers, and 10 of 15 players from a group that lost to Costa Mesa in the Division III-A final.

At Pacifica, Becker inherits a team that has lost in the Division III-A playoffs the last two years. He replaces interim coach Dave Brodt, who took over when Rhett Heckel resigned a week before last season began.

Gene Campbell, the assistant principal at Pacifica, said he received more than 25 applications for the walk-on position.

“The quality of the applicants was outstanding,” Campbell said. “We had people with pro experience, NBA summer league experience and Division I college experience. We feel real lucky to have Bob. We feel like we got the best man for the job.

Before coaching the girls’ team at Rancho Alamitos, Becker coached boys’ lower-level teams at Rancho Alamitos and Kennedy, winning four league championships in six years.

“I always wanted to coach boys’ varsity basketball,” Becker said. “I took the Rancho job because there weren’t any boys’ jobs available. I feel I’m fortunate to be able to stay in the (Garden Grove) league.”

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Matt Ambrose of Huntington Beach has signed a letter of intent to play basketball for San Diego State, Huntington Beach Coach Roy Miller said.

Ambrose, a 6-foot-6 1/2 forward, was a first-team All-Orange County selection. He averaged 12.7 points and 7.8 rebounds for the Oilers, who reached the Southern Section Division I-A championship game.

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Edison High basketball player Joan Paje has committed to Cal State Dominguez Hills.

Paje, who averaged 19.5 points last season, also considered Cal State San Bernardino. She plans to study sports medicine at Dominguez Hills.

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Soroptimist International of Brea has announced team members for the second annual North-South All-Star Softball game June 9 at Brea-Olinda High School.

Players--all seniors and no more than two from any school--were selected by each coaching staff.

The game begins at 7 p.m. Admission is $3 for adults, $1 for those persons younger than 18.

The rosters:

North: Alexis Beckman (El Modena), Angie Calabretta (La Habra), Samantha Cardenas (Brea-Olinda), Stephanie Carew (Brea-Olinda), Cristin Crigler (Whittier Christian), Bernie Fancuberta (Sunny Hills), Lana Jimenez (Kennedy), Kristen Maida (Villa Park), Leslie Mascarenas (Pacifica), Christina Mazurie (Foothill), Dani Ortega (La Habra), Nicole Paloney (Kennedy), Becky Rosetti (Los Alamitos), Stacey Yourstone (Katella) and Traci Vargas (El Dorado). Head coach: Sharen Caperton (Brea-Olinda). Assistants: Joe Gonzalez (Foothill) and Rob Weil (Pacifica).

South: Jennifer Allchin (Fountain Valley), Leah Braatz (Estancia), Brianna Burkman (Trabuco Hills), Jennifer Clark (Mater Dei), Lisa Dacquisto (Ocean View), Danelle Lovetro (Fountain Valley), Jennifer Milo (Laguna Hills), Debbie Nasitka (Woodbridge), Alleah Poulsen (Irvine), Rebecca Smith (Irvine), Becky Tackett (Marina), Bernadette Vargas (Mater Dei) and Robyn Yorke (Marina). Head coach: Shelly Luth (Marina). Assistants: Cary Baker (Fountain Valley) and Andrea Willer (Marina).