Caldwell is top dog

Newport Harbor High two-sport star Kyle Caldwell earned a couple more accolades in his senior year.

The 6-foot-8, 225-pound Caldwell was named the Orange County Male Athlete of the Year by the Orange County Athletic Directors Assn. at the Anaheim Convention Center Tuesday night.

Caldwell, who’s headed to UCLA on a volleyball scholarship, also earned the Sunset League’s Athlete of the Year award after excelling as a volleyball and basketball player.

“It means a lot to me to be named the best [male] athlete in Orange County,” Caldwell said. “I knew I was in the running, but I didn’t think I was going to get it with so many talented multi-sport athletes out there.

“I want to thank my teammates, coaches, family and fans.”

Caldwell, a setter, recently led the Sailors (31-4) to their first CIF Southern Section Division I boys’ volleyball championship match appearance since 2000. Caldwell is considered the top high school volleyball player in the country.

In basketball, Caldwell earned the Sunset League Co-MVP award. He averaged 21.9 points and 13.3 rebounds to go with 3.6 assists per game.

Caldwell scored a school-record 47 points in a game against Marina, and led Newport Harbor (17-10, 7-3 in league) to a second-place showing in the robust Sunset League. Along the way, Coach Larry Hirst said Caldwell set school records for points (592) and rebounds (358) in a season.

— From staff reports