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Troy girls basketball coach Roger Anderson, who has guided the Warriors to 14 Freeway League titles and three CIF-SS runner-up finishes, will retire after this upcoming season, he said.
Anderson will also retire as a special education teacher and assistant athletic director at the school.
The 59-year-old plans to spend more time with his wife Trudy, who suffered a stroke a few years ago. He also helps care for his father Ralph.
“This is my last season,” said Anderson, who is entering his 18th campaign. “(Coaching) takes too much time and it’s a disservice not to put in the time for the girls.”
Anderson was an assistant at Brea Olinda before taking the reins at Troy for the 2007-08 season. He replaced coach Kevin Kiernan, who departed for Mater Dei.
Troy was a national powerhouse at the time, and Anderson maintained a high-level of success for many years.
Starting in 2008, Anderson guided the Warriors to the Freeway League title each season until 2022. The run extended the Warriors’ state record streak of consecutive league titles to 29.
Troy finished as the CIF-SS runner-up in 2011 (Division 1-A), 2015 (Division 1-A) and 2020 (Division 1).
Anderson was The Register’s O.C. coach of the year in 2014.
He takes the most pride in the number of players who advanced to the college ranks.
“Just what they’ve been able to go do,” said Anderson, whose current alumni in college include Anaiyah Tu’ua (Cal Baptist) and Hannah Stines (Washington). “We’ve helped move a bunch of girls on to college.”
Anderson also helped mentor county standouts such as a Kianna Smith (Cal, Louisville), Barbara Sitanggan (Pepperdine), Gabriella Hanson (Oregon State) and Briana Roberson (Stanford).
“It’s been fun,” Anderson said. “I just look back at the friendships and the (players) you get to watch. You’re watching TV going ‘Hey, I coached against that girl.’ “
This upcoming season, the Troy Classic will be in the spotlight Dec. 2-7. The field includes Mater Dei, Fairmont Prep, San Clemente, Portola and Ontario Christian among others.
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