Coach Joe Ballestero

Joe Ballestero was hired as Orange High School Head women’s basketball coach in June of 2005, coming to the girls program after spending 2 years assisting the Orange high boys basketball. He was the 7th coach in the previous 6 years for the lady panthers.

Coach Joe Ballestero wasted no time in turning around the Panthers womens’s basketball program taking over a team that was 5-72 over all and 1-47 in league the previous 4 years before coach Ballestero arrived to :
3 pre-season tournament championship games,
1 pre-season tournament Championship
1st Golden West League Championship in Orange High School history.
8-2 league record
21-6 Season record
1st CIF appearance in over 15 years
Going to the second round of the CIF Playoffs
Just 2 years later.

*Before Coach Joe Ballestero the panthers overall record was 5-86 (2000-2005)
*Before Coach Joe Ballestero the panthers Golden west league record was 1-59 (2000-2005)

Coach Ballestero’s 2006-07 Team Set School records of :
Most wins in a season 21 wins
Most wins in a row 7 games (did it twice)
Fewest points allowed in a game 4 points

The success for the program in the two years Coach Joe Ballestero has been there has brought Orange High School Girls Basketball players,program & coach's awards & recognition.

Player Honors 2006-07 Season
1 Orange County Athlete of the Week
2 1st team All Goldenwest League players
2 2nd team All Goldenwest League players
1 Orange County All Star Game Player
1 All CIF 1st Team Player
1 Athlete of the week
1 Tournament MVP
6 All Tournment players (3 tournaments)

Program Players & Coach's Recognized
The Orange County Register published an article about the Orange High School girls basketball program and coach Joe Ballestero. The article titled "Program on the rise" written By K.J.M SINGLETON The Orange County Register includes a 2006-07 team photo.
To read "Program on the rise" Click here

Orange County Register's Carlos Aries talk's with coach Joe Ballestero about the Orange High Panthers season and about the 2006-2007 CIF playoff picture.
To listen to interview with Coach and Orange County Registers's Carlos Aries Click Here