Top photos: We look back at highlights of year one, starting with July 2018

The Rocks celebrate after winning the Beckman World Series last July. The tournament is held each year to wrap up the summer. (Photo courtesy Rosalene Ledendecker, For OC Sports Zone)

About a year ago, we launched OC Sports Zone provide in-depth sports coverage for our communities, an independent website free for our readers throughout Orange County and made possible by the support of our advertisers.

We’re excited about our second year which will begin on July 19 in preparation for a very busy fall season.

But before we turn the corner, we wanted to share some memorable pictures from our first year. We begin with July of 2018.

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Please click on the first photo to see the slide show.

Huntington Valley's Little league team, coached by Tony Armond, won the section 10 title to advance to the state tournament.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Max Abravanel goes up for a shot during a summer tournament for the Patriot club team. The team took third. Abravanel was preparing to lead Northwood's water polo team.
Photo courtesy Michael An

Portola's football team unveiled its promotional poster for the inaugural 2019 season.
Photo courtesy Northwood football

Randall Reynoso took over as the new coach at Crean Lutheran and took his team to a summer passing tournament at Irvine.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Beckman baseball players, led by Justin Goldstein, prepared to compete in the Beckman World Series.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Irvine Ranch Little League captured the District 55 championship.
Photo courtesy Irvine Ranch Little League

Beckman High basketball player Beckman basketball player Shubh Khandhadia (center court) held the first of two camps for special needs students.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Frostee Rucker of the Oakland Raiders returned to his alma mater at Tustin High for a football camp.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

The Irvine Girls Softball Association 10-and-under gold all-stars took third place at the USA state tournament.
Photo courtesy Irvine Girls Softball Association

Matt McLain (left) and Justin Goldstein of Beckman High had standout years to lead the Patriots to the CIF finals.

In June, former Irvine High football coach Terry Henigan (right) was re-united with one of his former players, Peter Abe, now the head coach at Portola, during a retirement ceremony for Uni Coach Mark Cunningham.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Irvine High's football team held a couple of passing league tournaments in preparation for the fall season.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Foothill Coach Vince Brown reflected on coaching his son Dillon.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Zak Baayoun, former Woodbridge High standout who was recently signed with the Colorado Rockies after being drafted in the 17th round, dropped by the Ryan Lemmon Showcase.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone

Capo Valley Christian coach Rick Curtis brought his team to Irvine for a summer passing league.
Photo Tim Burt, OC Sports Zone