A couple of things .....
.... Whittier High School's two-run rally in the seventh inning came within a run of upsetting co-Del Rio League leader El Rancho Wednesday, losing 3-2. The Cardinals came back Friday and finished the job with a 5-4 upset that knocked the Dons out of the league lead when Jovany Avila homered in the seventh inning. Whittier already had earned the stamp of legitimacy with an upset of La Serna earlier this season.
.... While El Rancho and La Serna have stolen most of the spotlight in the DRL's baseball race, California has quietly kept pace. With El Rancho's loss to Whittier and the Condors' come-from-behind, then-win-it-in-the-seventh, 6-5 victory over Santa Fe Friday, California is tied for second with two games this week against La Serna. Condors are at La Serna Wednesday, at home Friday.
.... While Santa Fe is struggling, Whittier can ill-afford to look past the Chiefs this week. The upsets of La Serna and El Rancho will lose their luster, in terms of the title chase, should Santa Fe put a dent in the Cardinals' playoff hopes.
.... And how about Whittier's softball program. The Cardinals get nine hits off Holly Consterdine, arguably the area's best pitcher, in a 6-3 loss.
No doubt about it, they, too, have earned their 'legitimate' stamp.
.... A football note: Pioneer reportedly has just fewer than 1,700 students this school year. In some circles, it is being said the Titans' numbers could drop to fewer than 1,400, maybe even lower for 2008-2009.
If so, it will make a dramatic hit on the athletic programs in terms of competitive capability.
The open enrollment opportunity allowing freshmen to transfer is being cited.
Here's hoping the major migration, or is defection the better word, doesn't come to pass.
The Titans' athletic programs deserve better.
How about the coach at Rio Hondo College, buying his team carne asada for winning him his 200th victory. I couldnt believe it when I read it, what is it little league? Remember that you teach baseball at a community college not at the local park. Is that one of his recruiting lines get me some wins and I will buy you carne asada. What coach keeps track of their wins anyway?
El Rancho:
You guys lack difference makers. ER has never had a player who can take over a game or who every team game plans against Team like Cal, La Serna, Santa Fe. There have been solid players and some pretty good players. Even AJ Toscano wasnt a game breaker when he was there. And like I said the talent will never come back, that ship has sailed long before Reyna even became coach. ER has some solid players coming back but I dont see big time talent like you see at other schools. The Division just got a lot tougher and a lot faster. ER doesnt have speed or size to compete with those schools in the Pacific and Miramonte League. They probably will finish anywhere from 2-4 in the league. Its respectable to have high hopes for your team, but when are the Ranch people come on here and talk how they will dominate or the talent is going to start coming, give me a break. I at least give whittier and montebello fans credit. They dont claim to be reserected like ranch people. Face it the demographics are changing and the more talented kids who actually now about football would never settle for a sub par program
Congrats to Cal High's varsity grls for their undefeated track championship. Congrats to La Serna's boys undefeated track championship (first at the school in 27 years in track).
WCLancer you know not what you speak of, El Rancho was a contender in league last year when they came off a 0-10 season. This year the team is going to be alot better. How can you say that the talent is not there at ER, we return alot of talent that started on varsity, and the past 2 years our freshmen have been 8-2 and 9-1 respectively. Those 2 teams were loaded with talent and those kids are still around and ready to go.
In prior years kids would play only freshmen and sophomore year, thats not happening anymore, most of the kids are staying with the program. In a meeting for kids interested in playing football next season during january, the turnout was so great that they had to use the gym rather than a classroom or the ER video room.
El Rancho will not be contender in the division or even the league. The talent level in the division just got better and the talent at ER isn't there. I dont think you see more kids staying at El Rancho. They want to play against some of the best teams in So Cal. They dont want to play the Montebellos and Bell Gardens. They want to play the S.O. Notre Dame's and the St Bonnies. They want to play in storied rivalries agianst Amat. Thats why kids leave. Kids will continue to leave no matter who the coach is. St Paul is a known name, whenever you wear that SP sweater or shorts your recognized in this area.
Maybe reluctance isn't the word that should have been used - but since when did reporters wait for the story to come to them? The CalHi girls track team just won league for the first time since 1997 - going undefeated behind the efforts of Alexis Ochoa, Stephanie Arceo, Brittany Delgado and others. Coach Padilla has done a solid job of preparing the entire team in his first year at the helm. The La Serna boys team may have gone undefeated as well - this breaks the stranglehold that El Rancho had on the league for the last few years. League pre-lims are next week. There will obviously be an article leading up to that, right?
Yo Roger,
Is that two posts for emphasis? Yes, A.J. Toscano did sign and is now at Charleston Southern University in South Carolina. Given he had the opportunity to transfer in time for Spring practice, he has a legimitate chance of being the starting Quarterback this coming season. Not bad, for an El Rancho kid, eh?
As for issues relative to what you write and the reasons for it, we have discussed these in the past. Both on the phone as well as in person. I understand these issues such as subscriptions, increased readership, etc...The newspaper is a business first, an informative neutral tool second.
Murray, I respect you, and your stance, however, maybe sometimes you and Campas should read what you write before you print.
Peace,
LAP
Yo, LAPreps: I would gladly write about A.J. Toscano, if I was given the information concerning his receiving the scholarship. Has anything been signed? And I don't understand your understanding of my "reluctance" to write about it. You obviously know very little about my reasoning for writing or not writing about anything.
Yo, LAPreps: I would gladly write about A.J. Toscano, if I was given the information concerning his receiving the scholarship. Has anything been signed? And I don't understand your understanding of my "reluctance" to write about it. You obviously know very little about my reasoning for writing or not writing about anything.
Yo Roger,
Patience is a virtue my friend. There will be a definite St. Paul presence, but expect it more to be a Pico Rivera presence, as those that have imbedded themselves in the community are here at El Rancho, not to promote St. Paul, but to promote the community under the umbrella at El Rancho High. This program has a storied past, and the community is hungry for a winner again. The staff will be committed to the development not only of the athlete but also the student, as these kids need to get into College.
The time will come when you will need to step up to the plate and give credit where credit is due, Mr. Murray. You seem willing to write an article on David Flores getting a scholarship to a Div I-AA school in the Dakota's, but dont write about A.J. Toscano getting a scholarship to a Division I-AA school in South Carolina.
I understand your reluctance in doing so. Though I dont completely agree with it.
The Ranch will be a contender, and with St. Paul coaches ignoring the Pico Rivera kids in order to "attract" kids at Mayfair, La Mirada, and Long Beach, expect the community to push hard for these talented kids to stay at El Rancho. Just remember, you heard it here first!
~LAP
Yo, LAPreps: Nothing is official yet, because the principal is out of town and no announcement has been made. But you're probably on the right track. Interestingly enough, your guy is not on staff, nor is he even an El Rancho guy, and neither will his staff be El Rancho types, although there might be one holdover. Expect a strong St. Paul influence among his staff. As for expecting the Dons to dominate the Del Rio League immediately, and the Southeastern Division in the long run, optimism is great, but reality requires patience.
The administration made the best choice for the program, and have chosen Rick Zepeda. He brings a large and seasoned staff. Expect big positive changes at El Rancho. Alumni is also getting more involved, so expect El Rancho to dominate the Del Rio immediately, and the SouthEastern Division in the long run!
You heard it here first!
~LAP
Who are the final three for the El Rancho job?
Three coaches are to get a second interview, for the el rancho job. Two walk- ons and one teacher. The way schools do things who knows who they will pick. Hey el rancho, la preps who's your pick. I know the two walk-ons, and both would work hard, to bring in good coaches. But like I said it's up to the school, and I think they will pick the teacher
It will come down to the wire and the way it looks it will come down to 3 teams cal el rancho and la serna anything can happen
The recruitment and direct benefit to an individual player are exactly what's wrong with that system.
How in the hell are you going to justify paying full tuition to a private school for a player who barely makes GPA?
Oh, and way to through the kid under the bus Russ. I'm sure he and his parents really wanted YOU to let everybody know....
Big Russ:
Where did you hear all this stuff or are YOU trying to stir sh&* up?
Haynes could of recieved offers but was holding out for an offer from a Pac 10 school and it backfired on him.
And the facts that you base your comment on? Something you heard from another disgruntled parent?
Hey anonymous,
Where do you hear your rumors from..or are you trying to stir up some s**t!! ...It is highly unlikely that both of these St. Paul boys will leave, because thier family members are alumni.. and also St. Paul Atheletic dept. is paying for AJ's full tuition (his girlfriend happens to be coach petes daughter)Andrew is not only a good athelete..he is a scholar athelete..AJ is barely getting a 2.0 This is very common at St. Paul. Take a look at Aubrey Haynes.. no college offers because of his grades (all his teammates know this) No University accepts D's..and it is a shame that the program allowed him to play with below average grades. I know for fact that many boys will not return..but no worries because coach pete brought in a bus load of transfers...St. Paul parents, just ask your kids.
St.Paul freshmen pitcher Anthony (A.J.) Gonzalez to Amat or El Rancho?
The Cards have shown since the beginning of the season that they are a tough team. Lots of close losses. Mark my words: they wil beat Cal at least one game in their series.
LS plays Cal at LS on Wednesday (not at Cal as Roger indicated), then they play at Cal on Friday. Interesting pitching choices: will Cal throw Leibert on Wednesday, or will they keep him back for a home start on Friday? Will LS go with Soto on Wednesday, or go to Burke or Langstaff for the Wednesday start, then come back with Soto and/or Serna on Friday? Pitching options is a big part of LS' success this season. Most likely, Soto-Leibert II on Wednesday, but the coaches could shake things up a bit. Cal and LS is always a tense, exciting game. These two this week should be no exception.
What happened to the Chiefs? Could it be that, as I'd suggested weeks ago, they simply played bad teams and built up a lot of bogus stats and wins by playing these poor squads?
Good level of baseball in DRL league this year, as evidenced by the success of even the weaker DRL teams against other leagues.
"St. Paul quarterback, Andrew Canales to La Habra??"
It wouldn't be a bad move for him as he might not get playing time at SP.
Then again he would need to learn a new system. He's a good athlete, perhaps he should move positions.
However, I believe he lives in Whittier and wouldn't his family have to move?
St. Paul quarterback, Andrew Canales to La Habra??
forget pioneers athletic program...their education comes first....way to look out for their future Mr. Murray
Yes- the next 3 weeks will be exciting baseball games to watch.
As for Pioneer's future - it has been distressing to see how much the school has changed since I was a student there. Maybe the district should take a real close look at the entire school to see why enrollment has gone so far down hill.
It's not just the athletic program that will take the hit, but also academics. Pioneer was a wonderful school some time back, look to see what was being done in the past to help the future. Look at what is being done at La Serna adminstratively & with class work, home work, athletics etc along with Cal High that keeps their numbers going up for enrollment.
Pioneer needs to take the best of our other high schools and apply it and help save the school, because if enrollment continues to deminish there is no way to know what will happen. especially with the huge budget cuts coming.
Pioneer Parents - get envolved.