December 4, 2025

OC Sports Zone: Community First

Esperanza boys basketball team captures title at Rancho Alamitos Tournament

Esperanza players and coaches after capturing the Rancho Alamitos Tournament title. (Photo courtesy Esperanza basketball).

Esperanza’s boys basketball team, coached by brothers Anthony Ballestero and Jojo Ballestero, won three consecutive games to capture the Rancho Alamitos Tournament championship last week.

The Aztecs’ Alex Van Otterloo was named tournament MVP and teammates Vincent Garza and Jordan Fermin were selected all-tournament.

Esperanza defeated Los Amigos 65-62 in the championship game Saturday night.

The Aztecs also defeated Kennedy 68-64, Northwood 71-62 and Whittier Christian 70-51.

Esperanza’s co-head coaches both played basketball at Canyon High School. Anthony Ballestero received a scholarship and played for UC San Diego while Jojo Ballestero received a scholarship and played for St. Francis in Chicago, according to their father, Joe, who is also helping out with the Esperanza program.

Esperanza (6-1) plays at Servite Friday night.

Send basketball news to timburt@ocsportszone.com