Gauchos dominate all-conference ballots

The Saddleback men's basketball team will find out its fate for the upcoming Southern California Regional Playoffs on Monday but found out over the weekend that they were well represented on the All-Orange Empire Conference teams.  T.J. Shorts was named the conference MVP while coach Andy Ground won the conference coach-of-the-year.

Shorts was a critical component of the Saddleback formula in 2015-16, earning tournament MVP in nearly every tournament the Gauchos won.  He averaged 12.9 points and 3.9 rebounds-per-game, shooting 57.8% from three-point range and 80.5% from the free throw line.  Shorts also led Saddleback in both steals (42) and assists (96), scoring in double-digits in all but five games this season.  He had a season-high 21 points against Fullerton to clinch the OEC title last week.

Ground won his fifth straight OEC coach-of-the-year award and sixth in eight years since taking over the program.  The fifth straight conference title is second to a streak of six in a row when legendary coach Bill Mulligan guided the Gauchos from 1977-82. 

Joining Shorts on the first team was Breaon Brady, Lyle Hexom and Jalen Hall while Brandon Fagins, Maurice Jones and Devonte Klines were all named to the second team. 

Tournament pairings will be announced on Monday.  Keep it tuned to saddlebackgauchos.com for all the latest news or follow the Gaucho Dude @SCGauchos for breaking news.