Briefs: Ex-VU star Wormely signs in Colombia

Former Vanguard University men’s basketball All-American Horace Wormely has signed with a professional team in Colombia.

The 31-year-old former Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year will play for the Patriotas de Tunga from the Liga DirecTV 2.

Wormley has been playing professionally for nine seasons. He last played for the JBL Pro-Am in Pasadena.

In 2009, he was named second-team All-German 2 Bundesliga Pro B by Eurobasket.com.

He has also played professionally in China and with the NBA D-League with the Los Angeles D-Fenders.

As a senior in 2005-2006, he was the No. 2 scorer on a team that reached the Sweet 16 of the NAIA Tournament.

Wormely was Vanguard’s first men’s basketball first-team All-American after averaging averaged 14.9 points, 7.5 assists, and 4.4 rebounds per game.

— From staff reports

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Two locals shine

Newport Coast residents Preston Ellis and Charlie Beall, who helped St. Margaret’s win a CIF Southern Section East Valley Division football title and advance to the CIF State Division IV Bowl Game, have been named All-State Division IV by MaxPreps.

Ellis, a 6-foot, 170-pound senior cornerback and receiver Academy League Defensive Player of the Year and All-CIF honors after amassing nine interceptions and 72 tackles for the Tartans.

Ellis returned two interceptions for touchdowns and also scored two rushing touchdowns. For the season, he carried seven times for 24 yards. He caught two passes for 51 yards and completed one pass on four attempts for three yards in 16 games.

Beall, a senior kicker and receiver, scored 123 points to help the Tartans (15-1), outscore opponents, 654-212. Beall, a 6-2, 215-pounder, made 10 of 12 field-goal tries, with a long of 48 yards. He connected on 81 of 88 conversion-kick attempts. He was named Kicker of the Year in the Academy League and was an All-CIF pick.

His only rushing attempt of the season resulted in a 22-yard touchdown and he had two receptions for 49 yards and one touchdown.

St. Margaret’s defeated Grace Brethren, 34-21, in the East Valley Division final on Dec. 6.

— From staff reports

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Turner back with OC Blues

Former UC Irvine men’s soccer standout Jimmy Turner will play for the Orange County Blues FC in 2015, the team recently announced.

Turner, who played for the Anteaters from 2008 to 2011 and was a second-team All-Big West Conference choice as a senior midfielder, had two assists in 22 appearances as a defender for the Blues in 2014.

This will be Turner’s third season with the Blues, who compete in the United Soccer League.

“With a new head coach and some new players, we have our sights set on winning the Supporters’ Shield and advancing deep into the playoffs,” Turner said in a statement released by the team.

“I am very pleased that Jimmy is returning,” Coach Oliver Wyss said. “He’s a true professional on and off the field and his commitment to the team and organization is simply first class.”

Turner is the first player announced on the Blue’s 2015 roster and the schedule, which runs from March to September, has also yet to be announced.

The Blues play their 14 regular-season home games at UCI’s Anteater Stadium.

— From staff reports

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Sailors win regatta

The Newport Harbor High sailing team won the Rose Bowl Regatta, ending an eight-year reign of Point Loma in the event concluded Jan. 4 in Long Beach.

The Sailors swept the A and B groups. Juniors Sean Segerblom and Briggs D’Eliscu (A team) as well as senior Campbell D’Eliscu and junior Madeline Bubb (B team), won the first and last of their eight races over two days, and finished second in another race.

Newport Harbor topped the Gold Division field with 61 points, followed by Corona del Mar (105) and Point Loma (107).

The CdM teams consisted of juniors Rhodes Garner and Kate Madigan, as well as senior Kira Woods and junior Derek Pickell.

The Newport Harbor junior varsity was fifth and the No. 2 team was 14th.

The CdM junior varsity squads finished 19th, 21st and 28th.

— From staff reports

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Lions’ Mason honored

Vanguard University senior Keith Mason was named Golden State Athletic Conference Player of the Week in men’s basketball for the week ending Jan. 4.

Mason, a 6-foot-8, 240-pound post, had consecutive double-doubles to help the Lions earn two victories in the Bill Reynolds Holiday Classic, Dec. 30 and 31 at Vanguard.

In a 91-64 win over Bethesda on Dec. 30, Mason had 20 points and 10 rebounds, while adding four assists and two blocked shots.

In a 77-56 triumph over Fraser Valley on Dec. 31, Mason had 14 points and 11 rebounds, with two blocks and one steal.

For the two games, he made 15 of 26 field-goal attempts (57.7%) and connected on all four of his foul shots.

Mason entered Tuesday’s game at San Diego Christian averaging 10.8 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. He is shooting 56.7% for the season.

— From staff reports