Gorrell Quitting as Cypress Basketball Coach

Tom Gorrell, who coached the Cypress boys’ basketball team to three consecutive Empire League championships, is leaving to take a similar position at Encinitas La Costa Canyon High next season, he said Tuesday.

Gorrell was a boys’ assistant at Tustin for four years and finished his fifth season at Cypress last winter, leading the Centurions to a 20-9 record.

“In my heart, I felt I was ready for a new challenge,” Gorrell said.

Canyon, which has an enrollment of 2,200, opened this year with new facilities, Gorrell said.