PREP NOTES

Tom Gorrell, an assistant at Tustin the past four seasons, has been named boys’ varsity basketball coach at Cypress High, Athletic Director John Selbe announced.

Gorrell replaces Kevin Loftus, who resigned to become an assistant under Jim Perry at La Quinta. Gorrell will serve as a walk-on coach while finishing work on his teaching credential.

Gorrell, 25, began his coaching career in the Irvine East Basketball League and later joined the Woodbridge girls’ basketball staff under Coach Eric Bangs, serving for two years.

He spent the past four seasons as an assistant under Tom McCluskey, helping Tustin become one of the county’s top teams. Tustin won the State Division II championship in 1991.

“The most important thing that I’ve learned from Tom was his work ethic and his good nature,” Gorrell said. “He was always cooperative with people, and good things happened to him because of it.

“Now, I’ve got some catching up to do at Cypress. I’ll be using the same system as Tustin’s. We’ve got to cram eight months of work into the next six weeks, so I’m anxious to get started.”

Cypress, which finished 10-15 last season, lost to Mission Viejo in the qualifying round of the Southern Section II-A playoffs. The Centurions have two returning starters.

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Kamran Sufi, a 5-foot-11 point guard at Mater Dei, orally committed to attend St. Mary’s College and said he will sign a letter of intent with the Gaels on Nov. 9.

Sufi will begin his third season as a starter at Mater Dei. Last year, he averaged 5.3 assists and 4.9 points for the Monarchs, who finished 34-2 and advanced to the State Division I championships.

Sufi is the second Mater Dei player to make an oral commitment. Earlier, swingman David Drakeford announced he will play at Oregon State.

Sufi, who has a 3.32 grade-point average, is undecided about his major at St. Mary’s.