Remembering the Creator of Ocean View’s Identity

Ocean View High School is a place of contrast and combination. Placed directly in between some of the area’s most well known high schools, the youngest of those surrounding high schools, and forged by necessity.

Ever since 1976, the year OVHS was founded, there have been few constants, whether it was in its ever changing appearance, academics, faculty, or athletics. Despite the inconsistent qualities in the school, there has been one thing that has held fast and strong for the past 35 years, and that thing is Basketball.

Courage, sacrifice, loyalty, among other qualities have always been key principals in Ocean View’s repertoire, and those requirements translated to not only success on the court, but in life. There is an instant bond forged by anyone who plays basketball, a spontaneous niche that they fit into, no matter the background or story, and that bond is extended whenever their peers cheer them on during games. Every student that has ever put on a jersey at Ocean View will agree that basketball, despite its arduous requirements, has changed them for the better.

But there is something much more subtle about Ocean View Basketball that makes it so special. Perhaps it is the sense of community that unites the school, perhaps the excitement involved in watching a CIF Game year after year, or maybe it is just being able to catch a glimpse of a future NBA player, whether in a high prestige tournament, or even in a Golden West League game.

That subtlety is, of course, the viewer’s opinion, but everyone that has ever been involved in the program lends those subtle moments of excitement, emotion, love, from one man. The unwavering presence of Coach Jim Harris.

It is almost too simple to sum up his accomplishments in his 19 league titles, 3 CIF-SS titles, a 655-265 career record, and widely respected as one of the most prestigious coaches in all of Southern California, in any sport, because Coach Harris was more than just a basketball coach, he was a mentor, a teacher, someone to believe in you, and someone to simply talk to.

Coach Harris cannot be described by one memory, but by the memories of many. His words and compassion have touched thousands of lives, whether they were one of his close friends, one of his players, or a student passing by in the hallway, Coach Harris made a tangible impact on their life.

That impact may have been asking how your day was going, giving you advice on school work, or maybe even a high five as he passed you. Those delicate moments meant a lot, to many, including myself.

Coach was the architect of a dream, to not only change good players into great players, but to make good men into great men.

“All architects want to live beyond their deaths.” -Phillip Johnson

Coach Harris will live beyond his death, that is no speculation.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #17 OV vs. Westminster (Baseball)

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#17: 2010, Baseball, OV vs. Westminster

Perhaps the most overlooked game in the teams’ CIF Championship Run, a game winning Grand Slam by Timmy Robinson propelled the Seahawks over Greg Mahle and the Westminster Lions, practically clinching the Golden West League and a guaranteed bid in the CIF playoffs.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #18 OV vs. Huntington Beach (Basketball)

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#18: 2009, Basketball, OV vs. HB

Crosstown rivalries have always meant a lot to me. And of course, the OV – HB basketball rivalry is an important one. I believe this was the first time OV had a sellout in 2009, as not one, but both sides of the gym were packed. Students from both schools were barking at one another the entire game, and it got very, very loud in OV’s gym.

The game only helped the atmosphere. Back, and forth, back, and forth for the entire game. Johnson or Brown would score, then either Zach Kimber or David Swartz would answer right back.

It came down to a last minute “hero moment” from both teams: first, Anthony Brown’s backdoor cut and layup broke the tie at 66, giving OV the 2 point lead with around 4 seconds left in the game. As if in a fairy-tale, Kimber launched a half-court prayer up, and it casually deflected off of the back rim. Pure happiness on one side, pure disappointment on the other. OV escaped, and watched Kimber and Company walk back to the locker rooms in tears.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #19 OV @ CDM (Football)

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#19: 2011, Football, OV @ CDM

Perhaps a culmination of the Chicago Cubs franchise’s fate has been in the simple sentence “We’ll get ‘em next year,” but at Ocean View, for the football program at least, which was virtually on the brink of extinction a few years ago, crawled its way back into the GWL’s realm of competitiveness and became relevant again, earning a bid into the Div. 3 CIF playoffs.

Ocean View’s last appearance in the post season was not really a “bid,” but rather a death sentence. They faced a La Habra team that eventually won the division, and in the following season, was promoted to Division 1.

This time, however, Ocean View was pitted against the CDM Sea Kings who only had 1 loss throughout the season, but after looking at the film, OV realized that CDM was completely beatable.

One thing that may have changed the context of the game was All-CIF Linebacker Michael Congelliere’s absence from the offensive line. Although the rest of the line performed well, the center/quarterback exchange was crucial to the Seahawk’s offensive attack.

Despite some heroic efforts from Nolan Tippy and Timmy Robinson, the offense couldn’t finish the deal, and OV fell to CDM in the first round.

Of course, there was a huge silver lining in this game. OV was no fluke this year, and was very close to knocking off a #2 seed in their bracket- and would match up well against any other team in the field. The legitimacy of Ocean View Football is now there for the taking, and has opened the door for the building of a dynasty.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #20 OV @ Canyon (Baseball)

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#20: 2009, Baseball, OV @ Canyon

This game was arguably my favorite baseball I have ever watched, on any level.

OV jumped all over Canyon early, plating 5 runs in top of the first inning, but Canyon answered back with a whopping 9 run inning, batting all the way around right from the start.

The Comanches shut down OV in the top of the second, and I remember thinking, they’re going to plate 50 runs today. But Sophomore Blake Walker came in a literally shut down Canyon, allowing only one run in his outing.

The comeback started in the 3rd, as OV scored another 3 in the 3rd inning to cut the deficit to 1. OV tied the game in the top of the 4th, but Canyon regained the lead in the bottom half. OV got one last push with a 5 run 5th inning, making the score 14-10 Ocean View.

In the bottom of the 7th, Canyon made one last push, coming within one base hit of winning the game, but could only bring 3 runs home in the final frame, OV won, and Blake Walker was introduced as a potentially great pitcher.

Again, Walker led the Seahawks to a CIF Championship as the starting pitcher in all 4 playoff games.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #21 OV vs. Segerstrom

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#21: 2011, Football, OV vs. Segerstrom

After a colossal victory over Westminster in the previous week, Ocean View went toe to toe with Segerstrom for a piece at the Golden West League title. After trailing by 21, Ocean View was in search of a miracle comeback.

Led by quarterback Nolan Tippy, the Seahawks came roaring back, cutting the difference to 14 with just about 5 minutes remaining. Brian Hernandez, GWL Kicker of the Year, kicked an onside kick, perfectly executed, and the Seahawks recovered the ball. Tippy drove right back down the field and despite coming out of the game for a play, cut the deficit to 7 with just under 1 minute left. Yet again, Hernandez kicks an onside, and again, the Seahawks recovered. After driving down to the Segerstrom 20 yard line, a bad snap forced Tippy into a hail-mary situation, and the Jaguars escaped.

Despite the loss, OV opened the door for the rise of the program and solidified its place as a legitimate GWL contender for years to come.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #22 OV vs. Orange Lutheran

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#22: 2010, Basketball, OV vs. Orange Lutheran

Two of the best players in OV’s history put on a clinic against the Trinity League’s best in the Nike Extravaganza. Anthony Brown and Avery Johnson accounted for 62 of OV’s 83 points, Anthony also finished with a double-double with 12 rebounds en route to a 39-21 advantage on the boards.

Ocean View proved its point and solidified itself as an elite team on a big stage.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #23 OV @ Huntington Beach

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#23: 2010, Basketball, OV @ Huntington Beach

After a heart stopping victory in the 2009 meeting, OV’s duo of Anthony Brown and Avery Johnson made a laughing stock of OV’s crosstown rivals this time around:

Ocean View not only reversed the score [83-38], but beat the Oilers into submission… not that it wasn’t expected.

The biggest, and most decisive factor of the game was DEFENSE. Our Defense was in Championship mode tonight! They forced over 20 turnovers (no stats available yet, so don’t knock me if I’m wrong),  by either jumping passing routes, or just pickpocketing the half-hazard Oilers. These guys were really no where close to our league, and their overall lack of size was combined to their lack of scorers… and OV spent over half of the game on a fast break… I said it in the 1st quarter report that I have never seen so many dunks in one game, and I wasn’t kidding; Ocean View is just too good for anyone in Huntington Beach right now.

It was a hilarious game. The HBHS fans didn’t stay at the game to see the Oilers play, that was for sure. Ocean View’s “dream team” absolutely destroyed the Oilers: 83 to 38.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #24 OV vs. Mater Dei

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#24: 2008, Baseball, OV vs. Mater Dei

In the home opener of the 2007-08 season, Ocean View’s senior ace Scott Baxter pitched “the game of his life,” shutting out the Monarchs, en route to a 3-0 victory. Scott struck out 5, and allowed only 3 hits. He also knocked in two of OV’s runs. As expected, Mater Dei sported some big “name” players such as current UCLA star, and future draft pick, Tyler Rahmatulla.

For me, at least, it was a window into just how special OV Baseball would become.

Top Sporting Events in My Time at Ocean View High School: #25 Walker’s 100th Career Run

Over the next, and final, few weeks of my time here at Ocean View High School, I’d like to recap the top 25 events from the 2007-08 to 2010-11 athletic seasons. The events could represent individual performances, team victories, or even losses.

All events are graded in 5 categories: Hype, Local Relevance, Game rating, Importance (i.e. CIF or league) and the rating of the game’s result (i.e. Win-Loss and its respective value in the long run). All matters are a matter of opinion, feel free to add your favorite moment in the comments!

#25: 2011, Baseball, OV @ Loara: Blake Walker earns 100th career run as a Seahawk

Shattering countless records earlier in his career, Senior Shortstop/Pitcher Blake Walker earned his 100th run scored in 3 years of Varsity play. Blake is the all time runs leader at Ocean View, and led Ocean View to 2 league titles and a CIF Championship.