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December 13, 2006
Release: #0622

News Release
For Immediate Release

SACRAMENTO, CA . . . The Community College League of California Commission on Athletics (COA), in partnership with the California Community College Sports Information Association (CCCSIA) today named Emmanuel Jones (Riverside Community College, basketball) and Ashling Taylor (Long Beach City College, water polo) the COA Student Athletes of the Month for November 2006.

Emmanuel Jones is the leading scorer on a team which finished the month 8-0 and was off to the program's best start since the 1974-75 season.

Jones, a 6-6, sophomore guard from South Vance High School, averaged 12.7 points and 4.6 rebounds per game while shooting 50.7 percent from the floor.

Ashling Taylor played a huge role in the Vikings winning the COA water polo championship. Taylor scored 21 goals during the postseason, including the game-winner in overtime of the state final vs. Riverside.

She was named first-team All-American, state tournament MVP, Southern California MVP, and South Coast Conference MVP.

Men's Honorable Mention, November 2006:

-Phil Friesen, Citrus basketball - Leading one of the deepest teams in Citrus history, Friesen is a standout despite playing with many capable scorers on his squad. Friesen averaged a team-high 14.2 points per game for the month on a squad averaging over 80 points per game.

-Milos Skaljac, Long Beach City water polo - Skaljac helped lead Long Beach to its second straight COA championship after totaling 16 postseason goals, including four at the state finals. His postseason honors include being named first-team All-American, state tournament most valuable player, first-team All-Southern California, and first-team All-South Coast Conference. LBCC closed the season with a 30-3 overall record.

-Brett Richesin, Cuesta water polo - Richesin was the Cougars' Team Captain and led the program to its 22nd conference title and 7th COA Championship appearance. He was named to the 2006 All-Western State Conference first team and was among the team leaders in goals (36), assists (26) and steals (48). Richesin was the Cougars' leading scorer in their two State Tournament wins and he clinched the Cougars' victory in the Third Place Game with his team-leading third goal with just :58 left in the second overtime.

-Patrick "PT" Gates, Saddleback football - In four games during the month of November, Gates carried the ball 88 times for 640 yards (7.27 yards per carry) and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 14 passes for 125 yards (8.9 yards per catch), returned two kickoffs and one punt as Saddleback's "go to" guy. He helped lead Saddleback to the Mission Conference National Division title with a perfect 10-0 record and was named as the Mission Conference National Division's Offensive Player of the Year. Gates finished the season with 223 carries for 1,338 yards (6.0 per carry) and 23 rushing touchdowns. He added a team-high 40 receptions for 359 yards and three more touchdowns.

-Terrence Johns, Bakersfield basketball - Johns was the MVP of two tournaments (Fresno City and Bakersfield) and an all-tournament selection in a third (Ventura). He averaged 24.8 points and five rebounds per game during the month, leading the Renegades to a 9-1 record to start the year.

-Raul Gonzales, San Bernardino Valley cross-country - Gonzales stepped up big time for the Wolverines during the month of November. The lone sophomore on the 2006 state champions, Gonzales finished 21st in the Southern California Regional meet despite being ill, then recovered to finish ninth in the state meet and anchor the Wolverines.

Women's Honorable Mention, November 2006:

-Clarissa Rivera, Bakersfield Cross Country - Rivera finished 15th in the state meet at Woodward Park, leading the Renegades to a third place finish in the team standings.

-Kassie Mann, Golden West Water Polo - Mann, a freshman from Garden Grove High School, led the Rustlers to a 3rd place finish in the Southern California Championships and a berth to the COA Championship Tournament in Fresno, CA. During the tournament, Mann earned all-state honors.

-Shannon Pugh, San Diego Mesa Volleyball - Pugh was voted the Pacific Coast Conference MVP, leading the Olympians to a third place finish in the state tournament. Overall her stats are very impressive. She finished the season as the team leader in Kills and attempts and second on the team in aces and digs.

-JaTon Parham, Citrus Basketball - Parham, averaging a double double, has been forced to play out of position as a center, but has been a rock down low for the Lady Owls. Parham is averaged 18.2 points per game and 10.3 rebounds during the month.

-Allison Jack, Cuesta Volleyball - Jack enjoyed an outstanding season running the Cuesta attack after missing two seasons due to injury. The sophomore was named to the 2006 All Western State Conference First Team. Her passing selections and distributions were the key to Cuesta's success and to a collection of big hitters who averaged 13.05 kills per game. Jack led the Cuesta offense with 707 assists, and paced the defense with 304 digs.

About the COA:
The Community College League of California Commission on Athletics (COA) is a non-profit organization per IRC Section 501 (c)(3). As authorized by the State Legislature, the Education Code provides the COA the opportunity and authority to establish the rules and regulations to administer the athletic activities of the nearly 25,000 student athletes at California's community colleges. To view the latest news, information, and updates of all 23 COA-sanctioned sports, and for COA Athlete of the Month history and nomination procedures, visit www.coasports.org.

Student athlete biographies provided by the CCCSIA.

COA