Mesa loses a gem

John Carney, a fixture at Costa Mesa High for parts of five decades

and among the favorite coaches I’ve worked with in my Daily Pilot

tenure, has signed his last roll sheet on his way to retirement.

Carney coached several sports at the school, including stints as

varsity football coach and, most recently, boys and girls track and

field.

Always quick with a joke and extremely patient with his

student-athletes, I marveled at his ability to get the most from a

wide variety of personalities, especially the difficult ones. His

freshman football players seemed to revere him and won their share of

league championships, including last fall.

In addition, Carney knew most everything that was happening on

campus and, if he liked you and trusted you, he’d throw the

occasional tidbit your way.

Best of luck, John. You’ve done well more than your share.

*

Carney won’t get away, however, without being thrust into the

spotlight this week. He’ll be feted at a retirement party Sunday,

then will accompany Mesa boys athletic director Dave Perkins Monday

night to take part in the Orange County Athletic Directors

Association’s tribute to retired coaches.

Other Newport-Mesa retirees who will be honored: Al Irwin and

Ellen Caricof (Newport Harbor); Paul Orris and Jim Tomlin (Corona del

Mar); and either Bob Hunter or Jules Gage (Costa Mesa).

*

For the fourth straight year, there is a soccer league champion at

CdM. But, for the first time during that run, it’s the boys team, not

the girls squad.

Coach Pat Callaghan’s Sea Kings (16-5-2), who open the CIF

Southern Section Division II Playoffs Saturday against visiting El

Dorado, went 9-1-0 in league to share the crown.

To put this accomplishment in perspective, consider the CdM boys

won nine league games, combined, the previous eight years.

*

For the first time in years, boys basketball coaches were allowed

to exchange information sheets Sunday at the pairings announcement at

the Southern Section office. For at least the last decade, this

information had been for media members’ eyes only.

The sheets included rosters and season logs, but little else. Some

teams identified their starters on the roster sheet, but only a few

included statistical data (sent as an addition to the sheets, which

did not have any room for stats of any kind).

Only coaches whose completed information sheets were on file were

allowed to leave with their first-round opponent’s sheets.

For years, sportswriters have complained about the number of

schools who did not bother to submit these media information sheets.

Thankfully, that figures to change, since coaches now have something

to gain by taking part.

*

Estancia High benefactor Jim Scott was in fine form at the

postgame meal he and wife Joan fund, following the annual boys

basketball Battle for the Bell between Costa Mesa and Estancia Feb. 6

at the Newport Rib Company.

Scott led cheers, made player introductions, complete with

nicknames, and generally cavorted among the players, coaches, parents

and community members in attendance.

It was and is one of the best traditions in Newport-Mesa prep

sports.

*

With the start of practice Monday for spring sports, former Costa

Mesa High football and baseball standout Charles Chatman, who went on

to play football at Kent State and baseball at Concordia University

in Irvine, has begun his first season as varsity baseball coach at

Bolsa Grande High.