Zach Johnson (second from left) changed Tim O'Brien (far left) final November. Different assists included Jamal Johnson and Mel Miranda. (Picture courtesy of Northwood basketball, Mia Fujii)
Northwood Excessive College boys basketball coach Zach Johnson mentioned Saturday that he resigned after the Timberwolves ended their season on Friday, Might 28.
Johnson was named interim coach to interchange him in November legendary Northwood coach Tim O'Brien, who died final October after a battle with most cancers.
“I’ve resigned as the pinnacle coach of Northwood,” Johnson mentioned Saturday. “I resigned after our CIF second spherical loss to Knight. I plan to coach someplace once more. I'm excited in regards to the future.”
Northwood completed 7-6 general within the delayed and shortened season, ending 6-4 and in fourth place within the Pacific Coast League. The Timberwolves received their CIF playoff opener over Ocean View 63-48 earlier than shedding to Knight 64-50 within the second spherical.
The households of the basketball program have been notified Friday that Christian Manalo has been named the brand new head coach, in line with Brandon Emery, co-athletic director at Northwood.
“Coach Manalo enters his seventh yr teaching boys basketball and his third season as a head coach,” the assertion learn. “He started his teaching profession at his alma mater Diamond Bar Excessive College as an affiliate head coach. He later moved on to Foothill Excessive College as an assistant earlier than his head teaching alternative at Southlands Christian Excessive College. Coach Manalo has CIF playoff expertise with a number of appearances and league titles as a coach.
“Coach Manalo is concerned in the highschool and AAU basketball realm with varied packages whereas helping with particular person exercises, group practices and camps. Moreover, he’s a bodily training instructor at Legacy Magnet Academy in Tustin and shall be coming into his third yr of educating general. Coach Manalo is happy not solely to make an impression on the boys basketball program, but in addition on the group.He seems to be ahead to constructing sturdy relationships with these related to Northwood Excessive College to proceed the lengthy custom of respect and dedication to the game exemplified by the Timberwolves.
The brand new Timberwolves coach additionally issued an announcement to the Northwood households.
“It's an honor to be part of this faculty, group and basketball program,” he mentioned. “I perceive the custom this faculty has and I’ll do my greatest to strategy every day with ardour, vitality and energy. My purpose is to construct sturdy relationships not solely with gamers, but in addition with the group, as a result of I come from experiences that emphasize a household feeling.
“Coach will count on every participant to present their all on daily basis for his or her teammates in order that they are often proud to signify Northwood basketball.” This shall be anticipated not solely from the gamers, but in addition from the coaches. Our purpose is to strategy every day with the purpose of working towards success every season to make our group happy with our fellow Timberwolves.”
—Tim Burt, OC Sports activities Zone; timburt@ocsportszone.com
