June 2007 Archives

The "tentative publication schedule" for the 2007 Daily News spring
sports all-area teams are as follows:

Baseball, Tuesday, June 19
Softball, Wednesday, June 20
Boys track, Thursday, June 21
Girls track, Friday, June 22
Boys swimming, Tuesday, June 26
Girls swimming, Wednesday, June 27
Boys volleyball, Thursday, June 28
Boys tennis, Friday, June 29

I will be taking a company-inspired vacation the next three weeks,
planning to return July 2. The blog will remain open, and I plan to
check in periodically.

As it has been since this blog began, it appears football will remain
the most popular topic.

So be it.

Please remember to keep your postings clean and while spirited, with
as little malice as possible.

See ya later.

Rich Estrella called to put a cap on the recent 40th 605 All-Star
Football Classic that featured some of the southland's best high school
football players and was won by the Pete Gonzalez-coached East, 23-12,
over the Gary Cordray-coached West.
Estrella says the crowd which showed up at La Mirada High School's stadium was about 5,800, "which is a pretty good turnout."
Artesia standout Le Quan Lewis was named the game's Most Valuable
Player after rushing six times for 85 yards, including a 59-yard
touchdown sprint for the game's last touchdown. He also had three
receptions for 58 yards.
Gonzalez and his staff are being given high marks for organization
and preparation, the players are said to have performed, all things considered, up to expectations, hence the game apparently was well worth the price of admission.
Anybody disagree?
If so, sound off, with a brief explanation.
Or share the experience you enjoyed.
And avoid the nitpicking, please.

The annual Whittier Rotary Club's all-star softball and baseball games,
featuring some of the area's best seniors, will be played Wednesday at
York Field.
Softball begins at 3:15 p.m. and baseball at 5:30 p.m
The rosters:
Softball
Red Team: California -- Edith Lara (inf/of), Jennifer Salas (of),
Tara Silagi (p), Jessica Amador (c), Alex Martinez (ss).
La Serna -- Devin Lindsay (p), Megan Kelperis (of/1b).
Pioneer -- Kristin Contreras (util), Cassandra Rodriguez (ss/p).
Schurr -- Nancy Rodarte (p/inf), Selina Garcia (ss/c).
St. Paul -- Ashley Castillo (of), Brittany Vasquez (inf).
Whittier--Jade Cebedo (of), Jessica Rico (of).
Coach -- Sandy Vera, Whittier, and staff.

Blue Team: Cantwell -- Lauren Alvarado (1b), Cynthia Duarte (of),
Vanessa Carrasco (3b).
El Rancho -- Stephanie Gonzales (ss/p), Vanessa Gonzales (ss/of),
Stefany Sanchez (of), Jessica Alvarez (3b).
La Habra -- Carly Goodman (ss/p).
La Mirada -- Christina Pedroza, p), Meaghan Clark (c), Kandis Jones
(of).
Santa Fe -- Jasmine Salazar (3b/c), Krissi Sylvis (of), Kristen
Flores (of), Jessica Gonzales (ss).
Coach -- Rich Trujillo, La Mirada, and staff.

Baseball
Red Team: El Rancho -- Eric Garcia (of), Jonathan Garcia (p/3b),
Jeremy Vazquez (of).
La Habra -- Ryan Salinas (ss), Richard Martin (p/of).
La Serna -- Chris O'Brien (3b), Matt Burke (p/of), Andrew Estrada
(of/p).
Schurr -- Hector Solarzano (p/1b), Dennis Rangel (p/of).
St. Paul -- Mario Martinez (1b/p), Robert Castaneda (2b), Mitchell
Sortillon (util).
Whittier -- Isaac Garcia (cf).
Whittier Christian -- Hughie Hughes (ss/2b), Jeremy Cameron (c),
Nicholas Coriaty (p).
Coach -- Casey Morales, St. Paul, and staff.

Blue Team: California -- James McCrory (c), Taylor Martin (util),
James Hernandez (of).
Cantwell -- Christopher Trujillo (in/p), Joshua Alatriste (if/c/p).
Montebello -- Sal Esparza (2b), Chris Galaviz (ss), Juan Martinez
(p/of).
Pioneer -- Aaron Santa Cruz 9of), Ronald J. Saldana (p/of/if).
Santa Fe -- Eddie Barrios (2b/p), Derek Remijio (c), Eddie Chavez
(1b), Angel Molina (p/of).
Sonora -- Christopher Rubio (if/of), Kyle Palmer (c/p), Doug Wogee
(ss/p),
Coach -- Raphael Gutierrez, Montebello, and staff.

We all know how they often go astray, as Poet Robert Burns said, and that's what happened to La Mirada and California high schools' baseball and softball teams, respectively.
La Mirada battled on even terms for seven innings before making uncharacteristic mistakes and losing, 11-5, in Thursday's CIF-SS, Division III championship game against Loyola at Dodger Stadium.
Was Loyola the better team? That day, probably, although it might be more appropriate to say the Matadores were the worser (my word, not Webster's) of two because of their sizeable contributions to the outcome.
California was caught in one of the valleys that indentified their rollercoaster season in a 1-0 loss to Beckman in Saturday's CIF-SS, Division III softball championship contest at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.
Was Beckman the better team? According to the score and one brief moment (the top of the sixth inning), yes. Otherwise, it's not a sure thing.
California pitcher Tara Silagi said afterward "the loss leaves a sorry taste in our mouths."
And therein lies the rub.
The dark side of an elimination tournament is that there is but one winner.
It is paramount that those teams which have dropped by the wayside en route remember that they were among a select few who earned the opportunity to compete for the title, and that the victory is in the journey, even if it ends prematurely.
Easier said than done, but a single loss should be allowed to only momentarily spoil the season, and in no way should it erode what otherwise was accomplished along the way.
Congratulations are in order to both La Mirada and California.