North Orange County Championships take center stage in Sonora’s new gym

Key games in the North Orange County Championships are being played in Sonora High’s new $16.5 million, 1,400-seat state of the art gymnasium. A full schedule of games are scheduled Friday and Saturday. (Photo courtesy Jim McCormack for OC Sports Zone)

For most, the star of the first four days of the North Orange County Championships has been Sonora High’s dazzling new $16.5 million, 1,400-seat gymnasium.

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

Sonora guard Tobin Igros defends against La Mirada's Jalen Reyes during pool play in the North Orange County Championships Wednesday night at Sonora.

With wins in the semifinals Friday night and finals Saturday night, Sonora's venerable coach, Mike Murphy, could push his career win total to 630. His Raiders are 9-0 this season after being La Mirada, 67-51, Wednesday night.

Sonora's Ian C Jones pressures La Mirada's Isaiah McCormick during pool play Wednesday.

Sonora defenders Garrett Bell (32) and Jacob Katoa pressure La Mirada's Goerge Ochoa during pool play.

Sonora's Marqui Worthy puts up a pressured shot over La Mirada's George Ochoa (23) and Julian Briggs (4). Worthy scored 18 points in Sonora's victory.

Sonora's Daniel Esparza scored 25 points in leading his unbeaten team to a win over La Mirada Wednesday.

Sonora's Marqui Worthy (10) and Tobin Igros (5) defend a drive by La Mirada's Mason Lee. Lee was fouled on the play.

The gym, which officially opened in September for the Sonora girls’ volleyball team, is now full throttle into basketball.

The 16-team tournament is a massive event with pool play games through Thursday at both Sonora and La Serna.

Based on the completion of pool play Thursday night, teams will all play two more games Friday and Saturday with matchups based on results from three games in the pool portion of the tournament.

Host Sonora secured a spot in one of the championship finals after completing pool play Wednesday by dismantling La Mirada 67-51 to improve to 9-0 on the season. If the Raiders win out in the tournament they would give veteran coach Mike Murphy his 630^th coaching victory.

The Raiders will play Friday night at 7:30 p.m. against Mayfair and elite guard Josh Christopher, ranked as the No. 10 recruit in the nation by ESPN. Mayfair defeated Troy 68-48 on Thursday night.

One of the other games set for Friday at Sonora is a 4:30 p.m. match between La Mirada and Los Alamitos, which lost to Mayfair 68-63 Wednesday night.

-Courtesy Jim McCormack, For OC Sports Zone