Westminster High’s girls basketball program stayed within its community to find a new coach for its storied program.
Assistant Merle Bivens has been hired to replace head coach Holly Armstrong, athletic director Kyle Gorham confirmed.
Armstrong, a former Westminster standout, remains at the school as a teacher, Gorham said.
Bivens served as the Lions’ head junior varsity boys coach last season but has been an assistant in the girls program the previous four seasons.
His daughter, Sheridan Bivens, was a senior on Westminster’s team last season.
Bivens, a walk-on coach at Westminster, also coaches youth basketball with Team Shock.
Westminster (11-11, 5-5) finished fourth in the Golden West League last season and missed the CIF-SS Division 3-AA playoffs. The miss snapped the Lions’ string of nine straight CIF appearances.
Westminster’s last league title came in 2017-18 under Armstrong.
The Lions’ program became one of Orange County’s most consistent winners under legendary coach Dick Katz.
Please send girls basketball news to Dan Albano at dalbano@scng.com or @ocvarsityguy onTwitter and Instagram
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