(PHOTOS) 2020 started with tragedy but games still went on and teams brought home titles

Baseball fans honor former OCC baseball coach John Altobelli during a ceremony in January at the school’s baseball field. Those attending wore T-Shirts that read, ‘forever a Pirate.’ (File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone)

In the coming months, as we count down to the end of 2020, we’re presenting some of the memorable photos.

January 2020 included tragedy with the death of legendary Orange Coast College baseball coach John Altobelli, who died in a helicopter crash. His wife Keri and the couple’s youngest daughter Alyssa, 13, were also killed.

Nine people died, including Lakers legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna.

Altobelli, 56, was about to begin his 28th year at OCC head coach.

Orange County residents and people across the world reacted with shock and compassion. Coaches recognized the impact that the Altobelli’s, Bryants and the others who died had.

There were other developments off the field in January, when sports was still going strong before the coronavirus pandemic hit.

There were league titles, an all-star football game, a jersey number retirement ceremony for the Angels’ David Fletcher, a former Cypress High standout, and the announcement of a new football coach at Crean Lutheran High School, Rick Curtis.

In addition, legendary Santa Ana High boys soccer Coach Joe Peñaflor got his 300th career victory

We’ve put together some of the memorable photos from January.

To see the slide show, please click on the first photo:

The Altobelli family in a photo from 2014, from top left-clockwise J.J. Altobelli, John Altobelli, Keri Altobelli, Alexis Altobelli and Alyssa Altobelli. (Photo courtesy OCC Media Relations, For OC Sports Zone)

Orange Coast College players support each other during a memorial tribute to former baseball coach John Altobelli, who died in a helicopter crash in January. Kent Watanabe (left), an assistant coach, was one of Altobelli's friends.
Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

John Altobelli was OCC's legendary baseball coach. He was about to begin his 28th season.
Photo courtesy OCC Media Relations

Cypress High's basketball team, coached by Derek Mitchell (left) celebrated its third Empire League title in a row with a 63-47 victory over Crean Lutheran in January.
Photo courtesy Cypress boys basketball

Christian Chai of Cypress heads toward the basket as Ben Abate of Crean Lutheran defends in an Empire League showdown.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Drew Yezbak of Crean Lutheran brings the ball up for Crean Lutheran as Christian Chai defends during an Empire League showdown in January.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Cypress High's Elijah Vaielua (No. 35) celebrates with Eddie Spencer (No. 11) and Ethan Salao.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Tustin girls basketball coach Claire Gocke, her players and players and coaches from Crean Lutheran honored the Lakers Kobe Bryant, who died in a helicopter crash.
Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Crean Lutheran girls basketball coach Bianca Ziemann remembers the victims of the helicopter crash in January.
File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Cypress Coach Derek Mitchell (left) and Pacifica Coach David Friedman were among those honoring Kobe Bryant in January. (Photo courtesy Cypress basketball, For OC Sports Zone)

Former Capo Valley Christian Coach Rick Curtis was named as the new head football coach at Crean Lutheran High School.
Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

The South all-stars celebrate after a 27-13 victory over the North in the Orange County all-star football game. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone)

Portola lineman Sam Gatta played in the Orange County all-star game.
Photo courtesy Portola football

Mission Viejo's David Meyer is on his way to a touchdown for the South on an interception return in the all-star game.
Photo courtesy Mark Bausman, For OC Sports Zone

Western’s Dan Davidson, who led the North in the all-star game in January, was joined by three of his players (from left) Isiah Del Toro, Cassius Savage and Caine Savage.
File photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

The Angels David Fletcher (middle) had his Cypress High uniform number retired in January. He was joined by Coach John Weber and pitcher Brett Wozniak.
Photo courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone

The Angels David Fletcher autographs a baseball for young fan Gavin Shearin in January during a ceremony retiring Fletcher's Cypress High number.
Photo courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone

The Angels' David Fletcher hangs out in the Alumni dugout with current assistant coach Mark Steinhart in January.
Photo courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone

Crean Lutheran freshman Maya Bland goes up for a shot in a league game. The Saints eventually advanced to the CIF finals.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, John Luciano

Taylor Feldman of Crean Lutheran drives to the basket as Kennedy’s Lauren Lau (No. 5) and Paige Yasukochi defend.
Photo courtesy Crean Lutheran Shutterbugs, Wendy Rueter/For OC Sports Zone

Portola's Moka Saiki is defended by Clesea Ebisuya of Beckman during a Pacific Coast League game. Portola went on to advance to the CIF playofs for the first time in school history.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Portola players celebrate after a successful play against Beckman.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Portola’s Mohsen Hashemi is mobbed by teammates after hitting the eventual game-winner in a 37-35 Pacific Coast League game over Beckman that put the Bulldogs in first place.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Robert Giraldy of Portola brings the ball up during a PCL game against Beckman.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Long-time Santa Ana High School boys soccer coach Joe Penaflor earned his 300th career coaching victory.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Santa Ana High players join Coach Joe Peñaflor (middle) before a league match in January.
Photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Nicholas Silva of Newport Harbor and his teammates celebrate a 57-55 overtime victory over Corona del Mar in January.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Jack Stone of CdM gets ready to take a free throw during a league game against Newport Harbor.
File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone

Many former Woodbridge High players, including Michael Scarlett (left) came out to honor long-time coach John Halagan, who was retiring after the season.
File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Broadcaster Mark Heller (left) with commentator Chris Dade before Saturday’s final game at the showcase at Pacifica Christian in January. Heller broadcast four games that day despite battling leukemia. He died on March 26 at the age of 57.
Photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Riyaan Jiwani of Pacifica Christian is congratulated after making the game-winning shot in a 69-68 victory over Arbor View which capped the BSN Sports Showccase.
File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Saddleback High's girls basketball team captured its first league championship. The Roadrunners defeated Costa Mesa 62-33 to take the crown.
File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Runners, including Ryan Welton and Bryce Shaver (front, left to right) begin the 5K race at the Woodbridge Half Marathon and 5K Run in January.
File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Ryan Welton of Woodbridge took first in the 5K race at the Woodbridge Half Marathon and 5K in January.
File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Bryce Shaver from Woodbridge was second in the 5K run at the Woodbridge Half Marathon and 5K Run in January.
File photo: Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone