Bottiaux Steps Down - Cypress Looking for New Head Coach

Paul Bottiaux steps down as head coach of Cypress College men's basketball.

• Official Job Announcement Flyer

• Applications will be accepted until April 9, 2012

Paul Bottiaux

Cypress, Calif. – Cypress College men’s basketball head coach Paul Bottiaux has announced that he is stepping down as coach of the Chargers after 15 seasons in charge of the program. 

“As I’m getting closer to my retirement years, I wanted to get out at the right time to make sure that I don’t short change the players, and look out for their best interests," Bottiaux said. 

Cypress College Dean of Physical Education and Athletic Director, Diane Henry, is currently accepting applications to fill the vacant men’s basketball head coaching position.

Bottiaux began his career at Cypress in 1988 when he joined the coaching staff of legendary Cypress men's basketball coach, Don Johnson. That's a position he held for the next six years where he worked alongside another Cypress coaching legend, Jack Long, as an assistant on Johnson's staff. When Johnson and Long retired after the 1993-94 campaign, Bottiaux was named the second head coach in school history.

“We’ve had a good run here over the years,” Bottiaux said. “One of the things I’ll miss the most is player development and helping them get to that next level.”

After moving to California from Michigan, Bottiaux – a Michigan State alumnus - began his teaching and coaching career at Wilshire Junior High school in 1969. After coaching just about everything you can think of at Wilshire for the next five years, Bottiaux moved over to Sunny Hills High School where he became an assistant coach for the men’s basketball team.

By 1978, Bottiaux had earned his Master’s Degree from California State University, Fullerton and for the next  11 years he ran a very successful high school men’s basketball program at Sonora High School in the city of La Habra, where he guided his team to a CIF championship in 1983, and a trip to the finals the following year in 1984.

While Bottiaux won’t be patrolling the sideline for the Chargers next season, he has decided to continue teaching, and working with the Associated Students at Cypress College.

"Many things have changed over the years," Bottiaux said. "I would just like to see the program do good in the future, and give these kids a chance to move on."

Bottiaux plans to use the extra free-time he’ll have to spend more time with his family.

• Official Job Announcement Flyer

Cypress College is currently accepting applications for the vacant men’s basketball head coaching position. If interested, please forward your resume, letter of interest and three references to Cypress College Dean of Physical Education and Director of Athletics, Diane Henry at:

Email: dhenry@cypresscollege.edu

Standard Mail: 9200 Valley View St., Cypress, Calif. 90630

Tigers Edge Chargers at Home

Cypress hung tough in a near upset over Riverside College.

•  Box Score

Andre Winn

Riverside, Calif. - Cypress nearly pulled off a big upset on the road, but fell just short in a 69-64 loss to Riverside Community College on the road Friday.

Cypress College (8-14, 1-6) stayed in the game until the very end, but a late run by RCC, and some untimely missed shots were the difference down the stretch for the Chargers in a close loss on the road to one of the elite teams in the OEC.

Andre Winn finished with game-highs in points scored (18) and assists (4), while also adding seven rebounds to his stat line. Winn scored his 18 points on a 6 of 16 shooting night that included a perfect 5 for 5 effort from the charity stripe.


Julius Von Hanzlik (11 points) and Kourtney Maxim (10) were the other two Chargers to score in double-digits. Montel Taylor had a game-high nine rebounds for Cypress.



The Chargers will host Saddleback College on Wednesday, February 1 at 7:30 p.m. This is their first home game scheduled in the second game time slot.

Chargers Close Out First Half of Conference Play with Loss to Pirates

Cypress lost a 93-78 shootout to close out the first half of conference play. 

• Box Score

Julius Von Hanzlik

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College (7-14, 1-5) lost a 93-78 decision at home against Orange Coast College (7-15, 2-4) in a battle between last place teams in the Orange Empire Conference standings.

Andre Winn scored 23 to lead the Chargers in scoring, while Montel Taylor and Julius Von Hanzlik each chipped in with a double-double. Taylor scored 21 points on 8 of 17 shooting from the field, and collected a team-high 12 rebounds. Von Hanzlik scored 15 points and added 10 rebounds. Winn finished 9 of 16 shooting, including a sizzling 4 of 5 from beyond the arc.

Orange Coast jumped out early lead in the game, and Cypress was never able to get on track the rest of the way.

The Chargers go on the road to take on Riverside Community College on Friday in the opening game of the second half of OEC play.

Lasers Prevail Over Chargers in Defensive Battle

Cypress played good defense in a 54-44 loss to Irvine Valley at home.

• Box Score
  

Montel Taylor

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College (6-12, 1-4) held Irvine Valley College to just 54 points, but the Lasers defense was strong as well in a 54-44 loss at home for the Chargers.

On a night when legendary head coach Don Johnson was honored with a bronze plaque hung outside the gym where he won so many of his career 588 victories as head coach of the Cypress College men's basketball team, the Chargers weren't able to pull off a close defensive battle that was tied with just minutes to go in regulation.

A late run by IVC proved to be the difference as the Chargers dropped their fourth Orange Empire Conference game of the year.

Montel Taylor was the only Charger to score in double figures with a team-high 14 points. Taylor also picked up a team-high seven rebounds. Andre Winn and Kourtney Maxim each scored nine points apiece in the loss.

Cypress will host Orange Coast College next Wednesday to close out the first half of league play.

Chargers Down Dons in OT to Win First OEC Game

Cypress outscored Santa Ana College 21-11 in overtime to pick up its first conference victory.

Box Score

Jacob Nungaray

Santa Ana, Calif. - Down by four with less than a minute left in regulation, Cypress sophomore Andre Winn brought the Chargers (8-11, 1-3) back to tie the game and send it to overtime. That was all Cypress needed to pick up its first Orange Empire Conference victory of the season with a 82-72 win over the Dons (8-10, 2-3). In overtime, Cypress shot a blistering 75 percent to outscore SAC 21-11 on the road.

Four Chargers hit double digits in points scored, led by Andre Winn's game-high 22 points, including a 15 for 16 effort from the free throw line. Montel Taylor posted another 20-point game on 8 of 15 shooting from the floor. Chris Maheras and Jacob Nungaray each added 10 points apiece in the victory over SAC. Nungaray also showed up big time on the other end of the court as well after finishing with a game-high six steals.

The Chargers took a 10-5 lead with 13:52 to go in the first half when Kourtney Maxim connected on a jumper. After a layup by SAC's Kacy Barlow tied the game at 14-14 a few minutes later, Cypress went on a 9-1 run to open up a nine-point edge when Montel Taylor hit a layup to make it a 23-15 ballgame.

A 9-7 run by the Dons near the end of the first half made it 30-24 with six seconds on the clock, but a buzzer-beating three pointer by Julius Von Hanzlik stretched Cypress' lead back to nine points heading into the locker room.

The Chargers came out of the break determined to win their first OEC game of the year, and knocked down their first two shots to open up a 13-point margin over Santa Ana on the road.

Cypress had its largest lead of the night get to 48-34 with 11:32 left to play in regulation, but a huge 21-7 run by the Dons made it a tie game at 55-55 with three minutes to play after Chad Young buried a three from deep.

With 1:09 on the clock, SAC popped another trey to put the Chargers in a four-point hole that only Winn could them out of.

In the OT, Cypress won it at the line. The Chargers knocked down 3 of 4 from the floor in the extra frame, but it was their 15 of 19 shooting from the free throw line that did the Dons in. SAC matched Cypress with three field goals in overtime, but only made 5 of 7 from the charity stripe when it counted most.

The Chargers will host Irvine Valley College at home on Friday, January 20 at 5:30 p.m. as they go for their second OEC win of the year.

Following the game, legendary Cypress men's basketball head coach Don Johnson will be honored for his extremely successful career leading the Charger program with a short dedication ceremony to commemorate the newly mounted Don Johnson bronze-plaque outside of the doors leading to the basketball floor that bears his name - Don Johnson Court.

Cypress Drops Third Straight in Conference

Winn and Montel Taylor combine for 50 in loss to Hornets.
 

Andre Winn

Cypress, Calif. - Andre Winn and Montel Taylor combined for 50 points, but it wasn't enough in a 92-75 Orange Empire Conference loss to Fullerton College at home on Wednesday.

Winn finished one rebound shy of a double-double after scoring 25 points and pulling down nine rebounds against the Hornets (4-12, 2-1). Taylor continued his impressive play in January by tossing up 25 points and collecting 13 rebounds to earn his first double-double in OEC play. In Cypress' three league contests this season, Taylor is averaging 22.6 points and nine rebounds a game.

Cypress (7-11, 0-3) started off the night by going blow-for-blow with Fullerton. Winn knocked down a three pointer to put the Chargers on the board a minute and a half into the game, then drained another jumper a few minutes later to bring Cypress back to within a point at 9-8 with 16:43 to go before halftime.

After a score by the Hornets made it a three-point contest, Jacob Nungaray scored two points to make it  a one-point game. Unfortunately, that would be the closest Cypress would get the rest of the way.

Fullerton College opened up a 41-26 lead right before halftime when Gregory Bewerwick hit a three pointer with seven ticks left on the clock.

An offensive shootout broke out in the second period after both squads decided to leave their defenses in the locker room at halftime. In a wild 20 minute stretch, the Chargers and Hornets combined to score 100 points on 36 of 71 shooting from the floor, and 20 of 29 from the line.

The scoring was so evenly matched in the second half that both teams hit 18 field goals, including four three pointers apiece. Fullerton's only edge in the second period came at the charity stripe with a narrow 11-9 margin.

Winn and Taylor did the bulk of their scoring after halftime by combining for 35 of their 50 points. Winn scored 18 points on 5 of 9 shooting, including sinking three of four from downtown, and a perfect 5 for 5 from the line, while Taylor dropped 17 points on 7 of 11 shooting in 20 minutes of play.

The Chargers have a bye this Friday, January 13, and will return to action at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 18, when they go on the road to take on a solid Santa Ana College squad.

Chargers Drop Second in Conference

Second half run hurts Chargers in 73-55 conference loss at Saddleback.

Andre Winn

Mission Viejo, Calif. - Cypress College (7-10, 2-0) kept the game close early into the second half, but Saddleback College (10-7, 1-1) played well enough down the stretch to pull out a 73-55 Orange Empire Conference victory at home on Friday.

Montel Taylor turned in another solid night by putting up a team-high 18 points on 6 of 13 shooting from the floor. Taylor was one of four Chargers to score in double figures, including Andre Winn who finished with 12 points, Kourtney Maxim with 11, and Julius Von Hanzlik with 10 points.

As a team, Cypress shot 36%, hitting 18 of 50 from the floor, including 4 of 16 from beyond the arc.

The Chargers went into halftime only trailing by nine points, and after a few buckets early in the second half found themselves down by only four points with 16 minutes to go in the game, but a big run by the Gauchos put the game out of reach.

Cypress College will look for its first Orange Empire Conference victory of the year on Wednesday when it hosts Fullerton College at 5:30 p.m.

Chargers Rally Falls Short in Conference Opener

Montel Taylor scored a game-high 25 points.

Montel Taylor

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College (7-9, 0-1) made a valiant effort in the second half to get back in the game, but Riverside Community College (7-6, 1-0) was able to hold on for a 74-62 victory over the Chargers in the Orange Empire Conference opener at Don Johnson Court on Wednesday.

Montel Taylor led all scorers with a 25 point performance on 9 of 13 shooting from the floor, and 7 of 9 from the free throw line. Harris also added eight rebounds on the night.

Andre Winn finished with a team-high nine rebounds, and tossed in 14 points against the Tigers. Julius Von Hanzlik ended with 13 points and six boards.

A big halftime deficit, and too many miscues on offense proved fatal for the Chargers in the end. Cypress' 19 turnovers were too much to overcome down the stretch in the 74-62 conference season opening loss at home to Riverside Community College.

The Chargers have a tough task ahead of them when they travel to South County to take on Saddleback College on Friday, January 6 at 5:30 p.m.

Victor Valley Spoils Cypress' Bid for Tourney Crown

Cypress squanders early lead in loss to Victor Valley.

• BOX SCORE vs. Victor Valley
• BOX SCORE vs. East L.A. 

Montel Taylor

San Diego, Calif. - The Chargers jumped out to an early lead over Victor Valley in the semi-final matchup at the Holiday Inn Tournament at San Diego Mesa College on Thursday, missed opportunities cost them down the stretch in a 76-60 loss.

Montel Taylor led Cypress College's scoring attack with a team-high 17 points. Andre Winn added 16 points, but Cypress (6-8) wasn't able to beat Victor Valley for a second straight time this year. The Chargers knocked off Victor Valley 91-85 three weeks ago at the Santa Barbara City Tournament.

Cypress came out of the gate firing and claimed an early 12-4 lead. The Charger advantage would eventually dwindle to one point at 21-20, before Victor Valley would go ahead for good in the game.

The Chargers will take on the loser of West Valley and Santa Ana at 2:30 p.m. tomorrow in a battle for third place before heading back home to ring in the New Year.

Orange Empire Conference play gets underway next Wednesday, January 4, when Cypress opens its league schedule with a home game against Riverside Community College at 5:30 p.m.

Chargers Down East L.A. in Tourney Opener

Kourtney Maxim

Andre Winn finished with 19 points and Julius Von Hanzlik added 18 points to help lead Cypress College (6-7) past East L.A. in the opening round of the Holiday Inn Tournament at San Diego Mesa College on Wednesday.

Sophomore Kourtney Maxim added a team-high nine rebounds, while Jacob Nungaray and Chris Maheras each chipped in eight points in the Cypress victory.

As a team, Cypress hit 21 of 51 from the field, including 10 of 24 from beyond the arc and 14 of 21 from the charity stripe. The Chargers also had 25 defensive rebounds (33 total), two blocked shots and eight steals.


Cypress will play their second-round game in the winner's bracket tomorrow.

Men's Basketball Loses both at Saddleback Tourney

Chargers fall to Saddleback in consolation game.

Andre Winn

Mission Viejo, Calif. - Cypress College (5-7) lost to host Saddleback 72-59 in consolationa game of the Bill Brummel Tournament held at Saddleback College on Friday.

After trailing big heading into halftime, Cypress outscored the Gauchos in the second half behind a strong effort by sophomore point guard Andre Winn who finished with team-highs in points (21), rebounds (6) and steals (4). Julius Von Hanzlik added 18 points and Jacob Nungary chipped in seven points in the loss.

Cypress College (5-6) dropped its tourney opener against Mt. San Jacinto, 67-51, in the first round of the Bill Brummel Tournament held at Saddleback College on Thursday.

Sophomore guard Andre Winn scored a team-high 17 points for the Chargers, while Julius Von Hanzlik brought Cypress back to within six points at the half, trailing 32-26. Hanzlick 

That's the closest Cypress would get the rest of the way. After 

the break, Mt. San Jacinto went on a 17-4 run to go up 49-30 and 

blow the game wide open.

To close out the scoring, Winn hit the game's final three pointer with less than a minute left to go in 

the game in a 67-51 defea

t.game, Chargers will now have to face host Saddleback College at 3 p.m. on Friday in the consolation bracket.

Chargers Win Consolation Title at SBCC Tourney

Cypress wins consolation title with two straight victories over Victor Valley and West L.A.

Santa Barbara, Calif. - Cypress College pulled its record to even on the year (5-5), after running off two straight victories at the Santa Barbara City College Tournament. To earn the consolation championship, Cypress picked up a 91-85 win over Victor Valley in the semis, and an 81-77 victory over West L.A. in the consolation final.

Sophomore Andre Winn took over in the title game to pace the Chargers with a team-high 26 points on 8 of 18 shooting from the floor. Winn also hit 8 of 9 from the stripe, while collecting 4 assists and a steal.

Montel Taylor and Julius Von Hanzlik each finished with 15 points, while Javon Taylor chipped in 13 points to give the Chargers four players in double figures. Montel Taylor also led Cypress on the boards with a team-high 13 rebounds to give him a double-double on the afternoon and his second of the tournament. Jacob Nungaray's three steals led the Chargers on defense.


As a team, the Chargers hit 27 of 60 from the floor, and 22 of 27 from the free throw line. 

Cypress' good shooting and solid defense was the key to pulling out the 81-77 victory over West L.A. to earn the Consolation Championship at the Santa Barbara City College Tournament. The win marked Cypress' second over West L.A. this season. Cypress opened its 2011 campaign with a 86-84 victory over West L.A. at home.


Cypress will face Mt. San Jacinto in the opening round of the Saddleback Tournament on Thursday, December 15.

Box Score


Chargers Top Victor Valley 91-85


Cypress bounced back from an opening round loss to host Santa Barbara City with a 91-85 victory over Victor Valley in the consolation semi-final. 

Von Hanzlik led the Charger offensive attack with a team-high 24 points on a sizzling 8 of 11 shooting night that included seven three pointers. Winn finished right behind Von Hanzlik with 21 points, six rebounds and four assists. Nungaray ended with 11 points, while Kourtney Maxim and Montel Taylor each added 10 points apiece.

Malcolm Whittington led Cypess with 8 assists, and four Chargers tied for the team-lead in rebounds with six each.

Victor Valley tried to keep the game close, but Von Hanzlik was unstoppable from downtown in the Chargers 91-85 consolation semi-final victory. With the win, Cypress advanced to play West L.A. in the consolation finals.

Box Score

Cypress Falls to Host SBCC in Opening Round of Tourney

Andre Winn and Montel Taylor both finished with double-doubles, but the Chargers came up a little short in an 80-70 tournament opening loss to host Santa Barbara City College.

Winn finished with 12 points and 10 boards, while Taylor had 11 and 11 against SBCC. Whittington scored a team-high 17 points, and Von Hanzlik added 10 points to give the Chargers four players in double figures.

The Chargers were also led in assists by Winn with five, but Cypress' shooting trouble proved the difference after a 23 for 69 night from the floor, including 5 of 26 from beyond the arc.


Cypress takes on Victor Valley in the semi-finals of the consolation bracket next.


Box Score

Men's Basketball Wins Season Opener

Winn sparks Chargers offense in 86-84 victory over West L.A.


Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College men's basketball got off to a good start to the season with an 86-84 win over West L.A in a non-confernce matchup at home to open the year.

The Chargers (1-0) came out of the gate firing and took control of the game early, but West L.A. had a few hot shooters from the outside, and managed to stay within striking distance for much of the first half.

Cypress sophomore Andre Winn paced the Chargers with a team-high 23 points, and three of five from beyond the arc. Sophomore Kourtney Maxim had a good all-around night with 10 points and eight boards, including six at the offensive end.

Freshman Julius Von Hanzlik hit four threes to help him finish with 16 points, while freshman point guard Javon Taylor had two buckets and seven dimes in the game. Chris Maheras chipped in 10 points, three boards and two steals,

As a team, Cypress played some tight defense by forcing West L.A. into 16 turnovers.

With a 15-point lead late in the game, West L.A.got hot from beyond-the-arc, and hit three straight three pointers to cut the Chargers' lead down to six. Cypress' lead would eventually get down to two points, but that would prove to be just enough of a cushion for the Chargers to pull out an 86-84 victory in their season opener.

Cypress will begin a long road trip on Friday when they travel down south to play in the San Diego City Tournament. The Chargers won't play on their home court again until they open their Orange Empire Conference schedule on Wednesday, January 4 with a home game against Riverside Community College.