Cypress High’s Elijah Vaielua is introduced during a game this past season. (File photo: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)
Cypress High basketball standout Elijah Vaielua capped a remarkable career at the school by earning a spot on one of Cal High’s post-season basketball teams.
“Elijah was unbelievable for us this past year,” said Cypress Coach Derek Mitchell. “His ability to cover so much ground defensively was vital to our defensive rotations as he provided rim protection for us.
“His unique ability to get off his second jump allowed him to out rebound much bigger opponents. He finished as the second leading rebounder in Orange County at six feet tall. The effort it takes to accomplish that kind of feat is something you don’t see every year.”
The senior helped the Centurions finish with 24-5 overall record and win their third consecutive Empire League title.
“Elijah racked up awards like he did rebounds in 2020,” Mitchell said.
He was named the Empire League MVP and was named second all-county by the Orange County Register.
Vaielua was also a standout on Cypress High’s football team which reached the CIF Division 7 championship game before losing to Temecula Valley 28-21.
He has options for college and appears to have a promising future.
“The last time I spoke with Elijah, he had not made up his mind on which school and which sport would be his focus in college,” Mitchell said.
-Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
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