Class of ’90 reigns at alumni tourney

Steve Virgen

Perhaps Corona del Mar High boys basketball coach Ryan Curry had the

best description of the 15th annual Jack Errion Memorial CdM alumni

basketball tournament that took place Saturday.

“This tournament is bigger than just the year these guys

graduated,” said Curry, while cleaning up after the tournament. “It’s

something you can be a part of for your lifetime. That’s what I try

to tell the kids who are in the program right now. CdM basketball is

bigger than just your senior year.”

The 1990 team would most likely agree with Curry. The players from

that squad used their competitive nature and love for the tournament

to win the championship after a 34-21 victory over the 1996 team.

The ’90 team, which included Mark Flint, Tim Sullivan and Jeff

Clark, built a 20-12 lead three minutes into the second half, and it

extended their advantage to 29-18 with 4:39 remaining in the game

that included two 15-minute halves.

Josh Walz nailed a three-pointer with 4:26 remaining to pull his

1996 team within 29-21, but 1990 pulled away and Sullivan sealed the

deal with a basket and the foul for a 34-21 lead with 1:12 left. John

Paulsen led the 1990 team with 10 points, while Warren Johnson added

seen and Clark scored five.

Apparently, the ’90 team had the advantage because it had

chemistry.

“We’ve played together since the first grade at the Boys Club,”

Paulsen said. “We play real well together. It’s because we know each

other so well. Also, we might care about winning more than other

people do. We’re extra competitive.”

Flint, who scored three points and contributed on defense as well,

also agreed with Paulsen.

“We’re competitive, but I think every team in this tournament is

competitive,” Flint said. “The competition is what makes this

tournament fun. Plus we’re all friends. We’re all going to go eat

together.”

There were 18 teams in the tournament named after former CdM Coach

Jack Errion. Curry played on the 1981 team. The 1990 team defeated

‘86, ’81 and ’83 to reach the final. The ’96 team, which included Jim

Keane and Darren MacDonald, eliminated the defending champion 1970s

squad in the quarterfinals.