Ground and Shorts tabbed all-state

The men's basketball team was back in the news this week after the California Community College Men's Basketball Coaches Association released its all-state team.  Coach Andy Ground and guard T.J. Shorts were both included on the team for the 2015-16 season.

Ground had the Gauchos playing on the final day of the season for the second straight year and the fourth time in the past eight as Saddleback finished 31-2.  He has the highest winning percentage in the history of the program (.833) and is 220-44 in his eight seasons at the helm.  In addition to his wins on the court, Ground has helped an unprecedented 30 Gauchos get scholarships at four-year programs over the past four seasons. 

Shorts was a catalyst for Saddleback all season, winning the Orange Empire Conference MVP as a freshman.  The soon-to-be-sophomore from Tustin High School played in all 33 games, averaging 12.9 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists-per-game.  Shorts shot a staggering 54.3% from three-point range, making 80% of his free throws and leading the team with 1.5 steals-per-game.  He scored in double-figures 25 times, scoring a season-high 21 points against Fullerton College on February 17.