Cypress Hopes to Continue Its Recent Surge

The Cypress men’s basketball team starts Orange Empire Conference play Wednesday on a hot streak.

The Chargers, who started 0-5, have won eight of the last 10, including three in a row.

Willie Allen leads in scoring at 15 points per game and A.D. Lamoureux (14), Kevin Morris (13) and Frankie Floyd (12) are also in double figures.

“Our consistency has been a big part of the turnaround,” Coach Paul Bottiaux said. “With only one returning player [Morris], it has taken awhile to find the right combinations.”

*

Opening night: The Orange Empire Conference men’s race starts with Fullerton (7-9) at Cypress (8-7) and Orange Coast (9-7) at Rancho Santiago (10-5), both at 5:30 p.m.

In 7:30 p.m. games: Irvine Valley (14-4) is at Golden West (5-11) and Saddleback (9-6) is at Riverside (13-5).

Irvine Valley, Orange Coast, and Riverside all picked up forfeit victories Monday from Southwestern, which had used an ineligible player.

*

Stats: Orange Coast’s Duane Curtis leads the conference in scoring at 20.9 points per game and Sterling Pachal of Fullerton is second at 20.6. Rancho Santiago’s Lohnnie Tape (20.5) is third.

Cypress’ Lamoureux leads in rebounds at 11 and Orange Coast’s David Downs is second with nine.

Riverside guard Aaron Owens leads in assists with 8.4, Fullerton’s Ty-Juan Berry (6.2) is second and Saddleback’s Michael Riggins (5.8) is third.