Titan Tipoff A Success
The idea for this year’s TITAN TIP OFF was to WOW the Delano community with service. Officer Murguia with the Delano Police Department was divinely inspired to partner with the CCHS Girls and Boys basketball program to fundraise for the shop with the cop program. The hope was to revive the Titan Tip Off and charge a $5 entry fee or a toy donation to give to needy families in our community this holiday season.
Officer Murguia explains how the fundraising efforts turned out, “We were able to get $488 in donations and a total of 60 toys. With the money donated we are going to buy more toys and sponsor more kids for the shop with the cop program.”
The evening’s events kicked off with the CCHS cheerleaders taking on the CCHS Associate Student Body. Both sides showed grit, fight, and tremendous Titan pride. The basketball game was a hard fought and spirited battle ultimately won by the CCHS Cheerleaders.
“The Titan Tip Off set the tone for the CCHS’s basketball season,” Cheerleading coach Ibarra said. “The coaching staff did and amazing job in organizing an exciting event that brought the community together for a fun filled evening.”
The past at times can be something we all want to forget, but at CCHS it was something to be honored on Thursday night. The CCHS basketball alumni game featured some of the greatest basketball ballers to play at CCHS. In what to turned out to be the most competitive game of the evening. The alumni team led by current varsity assistant coach and former class of 2010 legend Eddie Leyva, pulled off a two point victory over the alumni team lead by current Bakersfield College standouts Henry Galinato , Malcolm Jordan, and Michael Nava. It should be noted that Coach Eddie leyva scored a game high 25 points on Henry Galinato. Also in attendance and unable to participate due to injury was former CCHS, Bellevue College basketball standout, and current Varsity assistant coach Nick Guzman.
“It feels great to be part of a program that appreciates their alumni,” Leyva Said. “We would like to let our school know that we are here to help in any way possible and we are looking forward to having more of these types of games in the future.”
The service our local police department provides at times can be measured and trivialized by crime rates and quantifiable data. What can’t be measured is the heart it takes to put on the blue uniform day in and day out to serve your fellow man and community. The Basketball programs at CCHS appreciate the service and sacrifice our Delano Police officers make on daily basis to make our community great.
The main event featured some of DPD’s finest versus the CCHS staff. The game was close for the first minute, then Ms. Rodarte, former DT, UCLA alumni and current CCHS teacher caught fire and hit four 3’s to give the staff a lead they would not relinquish. The Delano Police Department was lead by former McFarland High legend and birthday boy Officer Joshua Garcia.
“I tell our player that if they go 0-5 they’re good, if they go 0-10 they’re great, and if they go 0-15 they’re a professional,” Coach Hernandez said. “Officer Garcia definitely played like a professional tonight.”
The main event was a fun filled game. Both sides played hard and gave great effort. “ I want to thank the Delano Police Officer’s Association and all the staff at CCHS for making this year’s Titan Tip Off a success,” Officer Murguia said, “I hope we can work together in the future and make next year’s Titan Tip off even better. Thanks to Pepe Madrigal, Serg Mor, Fil-God Ramiro, Darian Santaella, Joshua Garcia, and Christopher Bryan Alfors. Thank you for coming out and playing.”
All the glory goes to God for this event. This event would not have happened without the sacrifice and service of committed individuals. Special thanks go to Coach Ivan Gallardo for all of your work and dedication, Coach Guzman for your knowledge and motivation, Coach Leyva for your fundraising efforts and service, Coach Duran for your fundraising efforts, Coach Sanchez for your dedication and fundraising efforts, Coach Lopez for the points scored against the PD, Coach Robles for your service, Coach Prieto, Coach Rivera, Coach Ibarra for the spirit your team brings to our events, our athletic director Jim Beltran for the leadership, Ms. Leynes and our ASB you all rock, The CCHS alumni, the entire CCHS administrative team (Ben, Jose, and Gabriel), The entire CCHS staff, the student body at CCHS, Officer Murguia for your inspiration to breathe life into the Titan Tip off, The entire Delano Police Department and the entire Delano Community. Thank you all for making CCHS Great!
-by Alfonso Hernandez, CCHS Head Varsity Boys Basketball Coach