Tillers Were Thrillers, but Friars Caused Drowsiness

From dreary December to the hoop hoopla of March, the 1990-91 high school basketball season gave Orange County fans plenty to chat about.

Our choices for the season’s bests, worsts and everything in-between.

Best Team to Watch: Tustin.

The Tillers were thrillers and their coach was a scream, so if you were looking for action this was the team.

That is, as long as you weren’t a Tustin opponent.

Senior point guard David Beilstein ran the team with cool confidence and a hot shot, swishing three-pointers and dishing assists. Tustin’s defense put opponents in a daze. Even its bench proved to be a formidable foe.

Playground hoops, but with precision--that was Tustin’s style. The Tillers raced around like Roger Rabbit but had the concentration and maturity to know exactly what to do.

Of course, if they didn’t know, they had the raspy voice of Coach Tom McCluskey in their ears at all times to remind them.

Few coaches are as enthusiastic on the court as McCluskey--a big kid in coach’s clothing. If Tom Hanks is too busy to star in “Big II,” somebody ought to call in McCluskey. He’s a natural.

Best Team to Watch (via VCR, with fast-forward control at full speed): Servite.

And moviegoers thought “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge” was slow?

Servite’s dapper young coach, Richard Smith, tried all year to convince reporters that his was not a slow-down offense.

That’s tough to argue. Reporters slept through most of the Friars’ games.

Best Player to Watch (when he’s hot): Tes Whitlock.

Loara’s Wizard of Ahhhs had his off games, that’s for sure. But when Whitlock was on, he was nearly unstoppable.

His favorite range seemed to be a dribble or two from the half-court line. His motto: “When I step off the bus, I’m open.”

Best Player to Watch (on a regular basis): Cherokee Parks, Marina.

What else can be said? The Chief was a fan favorite for his impressive moves, thunderous dunks and modest personality. And c’mon, admit it. You know he’ll be a big star someday. You just want to be able to say you knew him in high school.

Most Intense Coach: Greg Hoffman, Western.

Off the court, Hoffman is personable, witty and charming. But once the game begins? Stand back, Jack, he’s liable to attack. When he’s mad, even his expression is a lethal weapon.

A warning: Don’t mention “Greg Hoffman,” in the same sentence with “Bobby Knight.”

Trust me.

Classiest Coach: Estancia’s Tim O’Brien.

No contest here. O’Brien is modest, considerate, a man of integrity.

When the Eagles won the regional title, O’Brien handed his team its winning plaque--most coaches hold it up high for photos--and stood to the side, giving his players their moment.

Best Trend: Fewer violent outbreaks before, during or after games this season.

Worst Trend: Black shoes. With style being an all-important virtue, we could understand purple or green or blue or magenta.

But black? It looks as if players took a pregame jog through the La Brea tar pits.

Best Cheerleaders: Sorry, gals. This one goes to Estancia’s dancin’ fools, the boogie-down dudes who perform that wild bump and grind. Viewers under 17 must be accompanied by an adult.

Most Heart-Warming Moment: Estancia reserve Wade Baird, a mentally impaired student, was sent into the Eagles’ first-round section playoff game against Los Amigos.

O’Brien ran four plays for him. On the fourth, Baird swished a three-pointer. The fans went wild and after the game he was carried off the court on his teammates’ shoulders.

He’s not the only one who will remember the moment.