Godinez Coach AJ Alaman celebrates 100th career win as Grizzlies clinch share of title

Godinez Coach AJ Alaman directs his players during a game this season. (Photo courtesy Mark Bausman For OC Sports Zone).

It was a special night on Tuesday as Godinez High School’s girls basketball team clinched a share of the Golden West League title and Coach AJ Alaman celebrated his 100th career victory.

Godinez can clinch the outright league title Thursday night when it plays Segerstrom in the league finale at Segerstrom at 5:30 p.m. Godinez (18-9, 8-1) has a one-game lead over Segerstrom (18-8, 7-2). The Jaguars will be out win a share of the title with a victory.

It was also senior night Thursday and the team celebrated with a 41-14 victory over Garden Grove. Mariana Lagunas scored 10 points, Alyssa Haro had nine points and Rosa Acevedo seven points to lead Godinez,

The Godinez players honored Alaman, the sixth-year head coach, after the game.

“As I walked out of the gym my family and players were there waiting for me,” he said. “They popped confetti, gave me balloons that said 100, and jokingly gave me the flowers from senior night.

“When I got a chance to sit down and reflect after the celebration and post-game talk in the locker room, I thought to myself, ‘wow, 100.’  I couldn’t have done it without the love and support of my family, especially my wife Julia, my coaching staff, school administration, advice from fellow coaches and mentors who I look up to, and of course all my players that I’ve gotten the pleasure to coach these past six years.

“I and the other coaches try to put them in the correct spots to succeed, they have to carry the task out. None of this is possible without them. Thank you. My mind is already game planning for 101.” 

To see the photo, click on the picture:

AJ Alaman (left) is joined by assistant coaches Damien Gentry and Evelin Cerna after Tuesday's game.
Photo courtesy Godinez athletics

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