Top photos of 2019: Highlights from January

Santa Ana High’s Drew Ramírez (No. 31) and company celebrate after knocking off the No. 2 team in Orange Coast League Estancia 49-48 in January. (Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

In 2019, OC Sports Zone covered many sports events in Orange County and we thought this was a great timre to share some of the exciting moments with the best photos of the year.

This is our first month of highlights from January 2019 and we will have more photo slide shows throughout the holidays.

We will continue to provide lots of high school coverage too during the next two weeks. All of us at OC Sports Zone wish our readers the happiest of holidays!

-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com

Please click on the first photo to see the slide show.

Cypress High's boys basketball team Coached by Derek Mitchell finished the Empire League season with a perfect 10-0 record to win the league title.
Photo courtesy Cypress basketball

Members of the South all-stars celebrate after winning the all-star football game over the North.
Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone

Northwood's Stacy Kikuchi is pressured by Portola in a PCL game.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Portola's Maddy Noh gets ready to go up for a shot against Northwood. The Bulldogs won 46-29.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Portola's Kyra Stewart controls the ball against Northwood.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Portola fans have some fun during a game with Northwood.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Robert Giraldy of Portola drives to the basket in a game against Northwood.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Northwood cheerleaders root on the Timberwolves in a game against Portola.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Santa Ana Principal joins Jeff Bishop joins Nick Larriva (left) and Drew Ramirez after a victory over Estancia.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Beckman's boys basketball star Dylan Thoerner (middle) was honored for becoming the school's all-time leading scorer with more than 1,600 points.
Photo courtesy Beckman basketball

Jesus Silva of Santa Ana advances the ball during a league game against Estancia.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Corona del Mar's Jack Stone heads to the basket in a Sunset League showdown against Newport Harbor. CdM won 59-53.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Jake Hamilton of Corona del Mar takes a shot as Nick Silva of Newport Harbor defends in a league showdown.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Fans cheer on their teams during the Newport Harbor-CDM Sunset League showdown.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

CdM Coach Ryan Shachter guides his team during the showdown with Newport Harbor.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Segestrom's Montse Alvarez applies defensive pressure against Westminster in a league game. The Jaguars won 61-47.
Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone

Runners take off during the annual Woodbridge Half Marathon and 5K race.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Rain didn't dampen the spirits of runners in the Irvine Half Marathon and 5K Run.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Coach Aaron Riekenberg of La Habra follows the action during a key league game.
Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Chris Swardstrom of Crean Lutheran brings the ball up for the Saints in an Empire League game against Pacifica. Crean Lutheran won 67-61.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Crean Lutheran's Aiden Gilbert applies defensive pressure against Pacifica's Nick Whitford.
Photo Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone