June 2008 Archives

They have three CIF championship rings between them, all from different sports, but the manner by which they received them was similar.
Because of their commitment, work ethic and success, La Serna's Lee Lopez and La Habra's Petey Puga are the 2007-2008 Daily News High School Girl and Boy Athletes of the Year.
Among Lopez's accomplishments this year were winning the CIF Southern Section and the CIF State individual golf championships.
Puga was a key factor in the success of teams that won CIF-SS championships in both football and soccer.
Lopez, a senior who carried a 4.0 grade point average and will attend Long Beach State on scholarship, was named the Miramonte League Most Valuable Player after winning the individual championship at the league finals.
It marked the fourth consecutive season (the first three in the Suburban League) Lopez has won both her league's individual championship and MVP honors.
Qualifying again for the southern section playoffs, she reached the finals where she shot 4-under par 69 on the Diamond Bar Golf Course to tie with Los Altos' Tiffany Lua, then birdied the first playoff hole to win the championship.
Lopez advanced to her fourth consecutive CIF-SS regional playoff at the SCGA (Southern California Golf Association) Golf Course in Murrieta, where she finished with a 4-over par 72 for a tie for fourth place and earned a berth in the state championship.
Three days later, at Poppy Hills GC at Pebble Beach, Lopez scored a 2-under par 70 to edge Torrance High School's Jane Rah by two strokes to win the state title.
In January, she was named winner of the SCPGA's 2007 Toyoto Cup Player of the Year, and was acknowledged as a Junior Amateur Golf Scholar (JAGS) Silver Award winner for excellence in the classroom as well as on the course.
Puga, who carried a 3.8 GPA his senior year, earned all-CIF honors in both football and soccer.
Last fall, the 5-foot-10, 165-pounder's fingerprints were all over the Highlanders' football program that was 13-0 overall and 4-0 atop the Freeway League (game against Fullerton was cancelled because of bad air quality due to the devastating southland fires).
As a tough wide receiver, he had 49 catches for 819 yards (16.7 yards per catch) and scored nine touchdowns.
"A clutch, big play receiver," coach Frank Mazzotta said. "Definitely one of the best around. Can go deep or across the middle. Fearless."
On special teams, Puga had five punt or kickoff returns for touchdowns, three of them in the playoffs and two of those against Ocean View in the opening round.
As a punter, his 36.9-yard average does not adequately explain the effectiveness of his "outstanding hang time and great pin-point corner kicks," according to Mazzotta.
As perhaps the area's most consistent placekicker, Puga made five of six field goals, with a long of 45 yards.
"He's everything you'd want in a football player," Mazzotta said.
Last winter, he was a defender deluxe as La Habra made it back-to-back CIF soccer championships and posted the school's best record in the sport, 26-4-1.
Puga's contributions were critical to the Highlanders recording seven shutouts and holding opponents to one or fewer goals in 24 of 31 games.
"He was the glue of the defense, the reason we were so successful," coach Steve Aanderud said. "While most people focused on our offense, our defense was just as impressive. We wouldn't have done as well without Petey."
Puga is undecided about where he will continue his education and athletic careers.

Kylie France was the area's only individual champion in the recent CIF Southern Section, Division III swimming and diving championships. She clocked 2:07.08 in taking the 200yd individual medley title, then missed by .09 of a second of winning the 100 breaststroke.

2008 DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA GIRLS SWIMMING
Swimmer of the Year -- Kylie France, La Mirada, senior
Coach of the Year - Chris Schneider, Whittier
Name, School, Class (events)
Michaela Pierandozzi, La Serna, senior (50 free, 100 free)
Michelle Berman, La Mirada, senior (100 fly, 500 free)
Jenel Lopez, La Serna, senior (50 free, 100 free)
Jessica Marsh, Whittier, freshman (200 free, 500 free)
Lisa Perdue, Whittier, freshman (200 I.M., 100 fly)
Sandrine Urias, La Serna, sophomore (200 I.M., 100 breast
Stephanie Cobau, La Serna, senior (200 free, 500 free)
Simone Garcia, Schurr, junior (200 I.M., 500 free)
Laura Lopez, Montebello, freshman (200 free, 500 free)
Lily Martinez, Montebello, junior (200 free, 500 free)

Kit Hentzen, the last in the line of his family's outstanding swimmers
that includes sisters Courtney, Morgan and Whitney, heads this year's
Whittier Daily News All-Area swimming team.
The 2008 group includes a freshman and two sophmores, who capped their season with performances in the CIF Southern Section, Division III championship finals.

2008 DAILY NEWS ALL-AREA BOYS SWIMMING
Swimmer of the Year -- Kit Hentzen, La Serna, senior
Coach of the Year --CF> Dave Rooks, La Serna
Name, School, Class (events)
William Cobau, La Serna, freshman (500 free, 100 back)
Matt Villanueva, La Serna, senior (100 breast, 200 I.M.)
Felix Gonzalez, Montebello, senior (100 free, 200 free)
Shuichi Matsumoto, Montebello, junior (100 breast)
Jon Theo, Schurr, junior (100 breast)
Aaron Mayberry, La Serna, senior (100 fly)
Matt Mendoza, La Serna, senior (100 free)
Michael Toledo, Callifornia, sophomore (100 free, 200 free)
Brian Rodriguez, Montebello, senior (100 fly)
Erick Gonzalez, Montebello, sophomore (50 free, 100 free)

First Team
Pitchers
Kaelynn Armenta, St. Paul, Senior
Jessica Davis, Santa Fe, Senior

Catcher
Ashley Holmes, La Serna, Sophomore

Infield
Vanessa Alvarado, La Mirada, Senior
Marissa Rangel, California, Senior
Rebecca Walker, La Mirada, Sophomore
Lauren Yao, Cantwell, Junior

Outfield
Brooke Putich, La Serna, Senior
Jacqueline Lopez, Montebello, Freshman
Crystal Ruiz, Schurr, Senior

Utility
Melanie Bensema, La Habra, Senior

Second Team
Pitchers
Kelsey Marker, La Serna, Senior
Courtney McGee, Whittier Christian, Sophomore

Catcher
Dana Garcia, La Mirada, Junior

Infield
Elizabeth Lopez, Whittier, Junior
Amanda Perez, La Serna, Senior
Ashley Ramirez, La Serna, Senior
Jalisa Rock, Cantwell, Sophomore

Outfield
Janelle Carrasco, California, Sophomore
Courtnie Everidge, Santa Fe, Senior
Pauline Monreal, La Mirada, Senior

Utility
Tara Allis, St. Paul, Senior

Honorable Mentions
California: Ashley Beza, Monica Robles Cassandra Davis; El Rancho: Rochelle Romero, Joanna Avila, Marilyn Toriz; La Habra: Julie Pecina, Paige Gomez, Kayla Klein; La Mirada: Lauren Moreno, Danielle Klewein; Montebello: Doralicia Loza, Krysti Galaviz; Pioneer: Jessalyn Trujillo, Jenny Martinez; Santa Fe: Ariel Mendez, Brittany Poirier; Schurr: Danielle Lugo; St. Paul: Ashley Larios; Whittier: Ariana Atwater, Priscilla Licon; Whittier Christian: Julianna Bohlen, Natalie Sanchez.

First Team
Pitchers
Tyler Leibert, California, Senior
Chris Villalobos, El Rancho, Senior

Catcher
Chris Carrillo, St. Paul, Junior

Infield
Bryan Aanderud, La Habra, Senior
Antonio Andrade, Cantwell, Senior
Josh Bryant, La Mirada, Senior
Andrew Chico, St. Paul, Sophomore

Outfield
Francisco Fuentes, Santa Fe, Junior
Ray Madrid, El Rancho, Senior

Utility
Gabriel Encinas, St. Paul, Sophomore
Matt Rush, La Mirada, Senior

Second Team
Pitchers
Gilbert Murillo, California, Senior
Casey Serna, La Serna, Senior

Catcher
Jovany Avila, Whittier, Senior

Infield
Ernie Aguilera, El Rancho, Senior
Rudy Casillas, Santa Fe, Senior
Casey Flores, St. Paul, Senior
Enrique Murillo, California, Senior

Outfield
Austin Estrada, La Serna, Senior

Utility
Ben Burke, La Serna, Junior
Chris Franco, Montebello, Senior
Ryan Tornell, La Habra, Senior

Honorable Mentions
California: Raul Garcia, Karl Perez; Cantwell: Ralf Weissenberger; El Rancho: Aaron Flores, Marcus Aldecoa; La Habra: John Mendoza; La Mirada: Andres Rodriguez, Andy Bruce; La Serna: Steven Oertel, Brandon Montoya; Montebello: Steve Peinado; Pioneer: Tony Hernandez, Steven Real, Ronnie Palacios; Schurr:Andy Villa; St. Paul: Ryan Ball, Bobby Santoyo, Anthony Gonzales, Will Thomas; Whittier: Ivan Garcia, Daniel Enriquez; Whittier Christian: Phil Hughes, Jake Cokely, Mark Edwards.

These are the updated publication dates for the Daily News All-Area teams
Boys Track, was Friday, June 20
Girls Track, Saturday, June 21
Baseball, Sunday, June 22
Softball, Monday, June 23
Boys Swimming, Tuesday, June 24
Girls Swimming, Wednesday, June 25
Boys Volleyball, Thursday, June 26
Boys Tennis, Friday, June 27
Boys and Girls Athletes of the Year, Sunday, June 29

And as usual .... all subject to change at a moment's notice.

After posted responses, there's no real problem here in determining which high school overall has the toughest road through the area's preleague football schedules.
With four Division I opponents, and another potential challenger in L.A.'s Garfield, the Swordsmen will have little time to lollygag their way to Mission League play.

Rating the rest of the area's Top 5 preleague schedules:
2) La Habra: Dangerous Downey looks easy compared to next four games
3) Santa Fe: Could be 0-3 going into Week 4
4) Pioneer: Charter Oak, Cypress, St. Paul ... whew!
5) La Mirada: First four teams won 35 games last season (I know, I know, that was last season)

A look at the rest:
6) California, 7) La Serna, 8) Schurr, 9) El Rancho, 10) Whittier
Christian, 11) Whittier, 12) Cantwell, 13) Montebello.

These ratings are based on the competitive potential of the opponent vs.
the area school involved ... and, of course, subject to revision at a
moment's notice.

Among Del Rio League football teams, it appears Pioneer and Santa Fe
face the biggest preleague challenges. Pioneer gets Southwest Division
finalist Charter Oak, Cypress and then Western Division champion St.
Paul, along with what is expected to be an improved South El Monte team
that was 7-5 last season. In between, in Game 2, don't ignore Mid-Valley
Division (XI) South El Monte's potential.

Santa Fe opens with Warren from the always tough San Gabriel Valley
League, faces Division I San Clements in Game 3 and takes on always
physical Downey in Game 5. In between, the Chiefs can't afford to look
past speedy Littlerock and always dangerous Bell Gardens.

At the other end of the spectrum, some folks are putting down La
Serna's schedule as weak and ineffective, but La Mirada in Game 3
figures to be much improved, Warren in Game 4 will be a legitimate test, and Los
Altos will be, well, perennial contender Los Altos, even though the Conquerors will have a new head coach.

You've had a look at the preleague football schedules for the Del Rio League members.
Here's the preleague schedules for the area's non-Del Rio League schools.
Which of non-DRL teams has the toughest pre-league test, and which has the easiest?

Reasoning is welcome and, as always, brevity, ... well, you know the drill.

(Below: day, date, site, opponent, record, league, division)
Non-Del Rio League area pre-season schedules:
Team (2007 records)
CANTWELL (7-4, 3-1)
Fr 9/12 @ Salesian (3-7), Santa Fe (Northeast XIII)
Fr 9/19 - BASSETT (1-9), Monteview (Mid-Valley XI)
Fr 9/26 - ST. PAUL (10-4), Mission (Western III)
Fr 10/03 @ San Marino (5-4-1), Rio Hondo (Mid-Valley XI)
Fr 10/10 @ Don Bosco Tech (5-5), Del Rey (Northwest X)
Fr 10/17 - CATHEDRAL (5-5), Del Rey (Northwest X)

LA HABRA (13-0, 4-0)
Fr 9/12 @ Downey (3-7), San Gabriel Valley (Western III)
Fr 9/19 @ South Hills (10-3), San Antonio (Southeast VII)
Fr 9/26 - WESTMINSTER (8-4), Golden West (Southern IX)
Fr 10/03 - LOS ALAMITOS (7-3), Sunset (Pac-5 Div. I)
Fr 10/10 - SAN CLEMENTE (7-3-1), South Coast, (Pac-5 Div. I)

LA MIRADA (4-7, 3-3)
Fr 9/05 @ Tesoro (7-4), South Coast (Pac-5 Div..I)
Fr 9/12 @ Fullerton (9-4), Freeway (Southeast VI)
Fr 9/19 - CALIFORNIA (11-2), Del Rio (Southeast VII)
Sa 9/26 - LA SERNA (8-4), Del Rio (Southeast VII)

MONTEBELLO (2-8, 2-3)
Fr 9/05 @ Norwalk (5-6), Suburban (Southern IX)
Fr 9/12 @ Baldwin Park (7-4), Valle Vista (Mid-Valley XI)
Fr 9/19 - ROWLAND (3-8), San Antonio (Southeast VII)
Fr 9/26 - EL RANCHO (5-6), Del Rio (Southeast VII)
Th 10/03 - HACIENDA HEIGHTS WILSON (6-6), Miramonte (Southeast VII)

SCHURR (8-5, 4-1)
Fr 9/12 @ B/Burroughs (4-7), Pacific (Southeast VII)
Fr 9/19 - DOWNEY (3-7), San Gabriel Valley (Western III)
Fr 9/26 @ Hacienda Heights Wilson (6-6), Miramonte (Southeast VII)
Fr 10/03 @ California (11-2), Del Rio (Southeast VII)
Fr 10/10 - WHITTIER (6-4, Del Rio (Southeast VII)

ST. PAUL (10-4, 2-1)
Fr 9/05 @ Servite (9-3), Trinity (Pac-5 Div. I)
Fr 9/12 - GARFIELD (11-3), (LA) Eastern (Invitational)
Fr 9/19 - BYE
Fr 9/26 - CANTWELL (7-4), Camino Real (Northwest X)
Fr 10/03 @ St. John Bosco (3-6), Trinity (Pac-5 Div. I)
Fr 10/10 - PIONEER (6-4), Del Rio (Southeast VII)
Fr 10/17 - LOYOLA (4-6), Serra (Pac-5 Div. I)
Fr 10/24 @ SO/Notre Dame (8-3), Serra (Pac-5 Div. I)

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN (6-6, 3-2)
Fr 9/05 - COCHRANE (Alberta, Canada)
Fr 9/12 - SANTA PAULA (4-6), Frontier (East Valley XII)
Fr 9/19 - SAVANNA (7-4), Orange (Southwest VI)
Fr 9/26 @ St. Margaret's (14-0), Academy (East Valley XII)
Fr 10/03 @ Mission Prep (SLO, 7-3), East Sierra (Central CA, Div. V)
Fr 10/10 - KERN VALLEY (5-6) High Desert (East Valley XII)

Time time to consider the following and tell who in the Del Rio League has the
toughest nonleague schedule. Guaranteed, when it comes to evaluating a
team's strength later on, these games will weigh in heavily on the
prognosticator's opinion.

While you're at it, which team has the easiest nonleague schedule?
Reasoning is welcome and, as always, brevity is encouraged.

(Below: day, date, site, opponent, record, league, division)

Del Rio League pre-league schedules: (2007 records)
CALIFORNIA (10-3, 4-1)
Fr 9/12 @ Rowland (3-8), San Antonio, Southeast Division VII
Fr 9/19 @ La Mirada (4-7, Suburban, Southern IX
Th 9/25 - GG/PACIFICA (10-3), Empire, Southwest VI
Th 10/02 - SCHURR (8-5), Almont, Southeast VII
Th 10/09 @ El Monte (5-5), Mission Valley, Mid-Valley VI

EL RANCHO (5-6, 3-2)
Fr 9/05 @West Covina (6-6), San Antonio, Southeast VII
Fr 9/12 - CERRITOS (1-9), Suburban, Southern IX
Fr 9/19 @ Bell Gardens (5-5), Almont, Southeast VII
Fr 9/26 @ Montebello (2-8), Almont, Southeast VII
-- 10/03 BYE
Fr 10/10 - ST. FRANCIS (4-6 ), Mission, Western III

LA SERNA (7-4, 3-2)
Fr 9/12 - JOHN GLENN (2-8), Suburban, Southern IX
Fr 9/19 - NORWALK (5-6), Suburban, Southern IX
Sa 9/27 - LA MIRADA (4-7), Suburban, Southern IX
Fr 10/03 - WARREN (6-5), San Gabriel Valley, Western III
Fr 10/10 @ Los Altos (5-5), Miramone, Southeast VII

PIONEER (6-4, 2-3)
Fr 9/12 @ Charter Oak (10-2-1), Miramonte, Southeast VII
Fr 9/19 @ South El Monte (7-5), Mission Valley, Mid-Valley XI
Fri 9/26 - CYPRESS (10-3), Empire, Southwest VI
Fr 10/03 @ GG/Bolsa Grande (3-7), Garden Grove, Southern IX
Fr 10/10 @ St. Paul (10-4), Mission, Western III

SANTA FE (5-6, 2-3)
Fr 9/12 - WARREN (6-5), San Gabriel Valley, Western III
Th 9/18 @ Little Rock (3-7), Golden, Western III
Fr 9/26 @ San Clemente (7-3-1), South Coast, Pac-5 I
Fr 10/03 @ Bell Gardens (5-5), Almont, Southeast VII
Fr 10/10 - Downey (3-7), San Gabriel Valley, Western III

Whittier (6-4, 1-4)
Th 9/11 - Bell Gardens (5-5), Almont, Southeast VII
Fr 9/19 @ Warren (6-5), San Gabriel Valley, Western III
Fr 9/26 - LA Roosevelt (6-5), LA Eastern, Invitational
Fr 10/03 @ Firebaugh (freelance)
Fr 10/10 @ Schurr (8-5), Almont, Southeast VII

It formerly was called All-CIF Southern Section Baseball teams.
Now, it's the 2008 All-Southern Section Baseball Teams compiled by
the California Baseball Coaches Association.

Tomatoes, tamahtoes, no big deal, although some of us wish the CIF
was still involved.

Nine area athletes have been acknowledged:

In Division III, California senior pitcher Tyler Leibert, La Serna
senior pitcher/outfielder Victor Soto and El Rancho senior pitcher Chris Villalobos were first team selections.
Named to the second team was El Rancho senior first baseman Aaron
Flores.
In Division IV, La Habra senior second baseman Bryan Aanderud was a second team pick. He also was a first team pick as a member of the
Highlanders' CIF championship team.

Division V honorees were St. Paul sophomore shortstop Andrew Chico and sophomore pitcher/outfielder Gabriel Encinas on the first team, and Cantwell senior shortstop Antonio Andrade and St. Paul junior catcher Chris Carrillo on the second team.

Did the committee miss anyone who deserved (legitimate) recognition?

NOTE: We're still rounding up the softball and boys volleyball
selections.

Bloggers' comments have been posted concerning the candidates for
all-area player of the year in baseball, but little has been said about
coach of the year, or potential choices for either player of the year and/or coach of the year in softball. Where are the supporters for that sport? And we'll have
POYs and COYs for boys and girls track&field, boys and girls swimming,
boys volleyball and boys tennis being announced in the next two weeks.
Opinions for those sports, also, are welcome. Love all the football
stuff, but don't let it intimidate the rest of you.

It is stressed in St. Paul High School football that no one
player will make or break the program. That while the gain or loss of an
individual might be significant in some respects, it will never be
reason for panic or alibi.
Two of the Swordsmen's fine multi-sport athletes have decided to forgo
playing football this season in favor of concentrating on baseball. Both
played key roles in St. Paul's march to the CIF-SS, Division V
championship this spring, Encinas as a pitcher/outfielder and Chico at
shortstop and leadoff batter, and both might have figured prominently in
coach Pete Gonzalez's plans this fall.
"Both young men were up front about it," Gonzalez said. "They came to us
and explained their feelings. It was their decision."
Encinas' reason was basic.
"I've known since I was 10 years old baseball was my sport," said the
6-foot-3, 200-pound sophomore, although he might get a bit of an
argument from those who have watched him on the football field, both as
a quarterback his freshman season at Santa Fe and as a wide receiver on
St. Paul's CIF-SS, Western Division championship team this past season.
"I know I'm going to play baseball as a career and I just feel it's
time to start focusing on that."
Encinas said "a lot of people," including professional scouts, had been
telling him he should concentrate on baseball.
"It's time, and I'm sure I'll miss (football)," he said. "I really
love the game, but I think this (decision) is best for me."
Chico is a talented athlete who played defensive back for the junior
varsity last fall. At least one observer close to the varsity program
said the 5-foot-11, 155-pound sophomore could have challenged for a
starting berth on the team this fall.
"No football," Chico said. "I kinda want some time off to concentrate
more on what I want and need to do at home."
Chico's mother passed away last year, and he feels a
responsibility to help take care of his 12-year-old sister (Ashley).
"I also want to do really good in school. My grades are good, I just
want them to be better," he said, citing their importance in obtaining a
scholarship for college.

Nine area football players are scheduled to participate in the Hall of
Fame game that will be played Friday, June 27 at Bassett High School.

For two of them, it will be their second all-star game in three weeks.
And two them have indicated they may participate in the LA Army Fiesta
Bowl scheduled June 28 at Los Angeles Wilson High School.

It is a rugged schedule, indeed. Not many bodies are in football
condition at this time of the year, which makes them more susceptible to
injury.

The locals in the Hall of Fame game are California center Chris Burns
(listed on the roster at guard) and guard Jose Castellon, and Pioneer
linebacker Andre Ortega, who will be playing for the East Squad, and
Schurr DB/WR Alex Valdez, DB Raul Pintaro and RB/WB Rudy Jordan (yes, he
played for La Serna last fall), Cantwell FB/LB Deonta Woodward, El
Rancho two-way lineman Travis Shaefer and Montebello two-way lineman
Vicente Torres, who are members of the West Squad.

Realizing the amount of time between games is the most important
factor, should one off-season all-star game enough, or is asking one's
self to play in two, perhaps even three games no big deal?

1. La Habra - Some big names are gone, Morales, Davis, Tornell, Puga, just to name a few, but weep not for the defending Southeast Division
champion Highlanders. The return of All-Area safety-turned-QB-prospect
Randall Nygren plus versatile running back/receiver Ronnie Hillman means coach Frank Mazzotta has a solid starting point to build around. And of course, programs that reach La Habra's level of consistent
efficiency don't have down years.

2. St. Paul - Defending Western Division champion Swordsmen definitely have a target on their backs but addition of impressive transfer running
back Darius Bratcher and a trio of talented quarterbacks to choose from should make things a bit easier for coach Pete Gonzales. The biggest test will be in rebuilding the defense that has become a cornerstone but
lost many key performers who contributed to a brilliant season on their
side of the ball.

3. La Mirada - Not much to show for last season, but there are some
quality remnants to work with this year for newly named co-head coaches
Mike Moschetti and Ollie Lynch. One close observer wouldn't go into detail but said, "There's good things happening there." Two of them might be returning QB Daniel Ponce de Leon and running back Devon Tracy. Another plus is the return to the sideline of A.D. Kim Brooks to oversee the project.

4. Santa Fe - The Chiefs took a beating on a couple of fronts last
season, both in and out of the arena. A lot of folks who had been waiting at least six years for a crack in the program's armor were quick to kick the big dog when Santa Fe finished under .500 in both league (2-3) and overall (5-6) for the first time since anyone could remember. However, with Aaron Turner, one of the area's top running backs, the Chiefs may feature a more conservative and efficient ground
game to take the pressure off which ever of the young quarterbacks (Alex , Flores, Cameron Oliver, Ryan Garcia?) is given the reins.

5. La Serna was on the verge of a break-through season a year ago until waylaid by California and then Pioneer in the last league game. The architect of an otherwise successful season was QB Ben Burke, and he's back to lead again. Burke's passing hopefully will help make up for the loss of leading rusher Rudy Jordan and his 1127 yards and 18 (overall) touchdowns. Graduated linebacker Nick Alvarez will be the Lancers' biggest defensive hole to fill.

2008 All-Del Rio League
Final Standings
Varsity
1. El Rancho 13-2, 2. La Serna 12-3, 3. California 9-6, 4. Whittier 7-8,
5t. Pioneer 2-13, 5t. Santa Fe 2-13
Junior varsity
1t. La Serna 11-4, 1t. Whittier 11-4, 3. California 10-5, 4. Santa Fe
9-6, 5. El Rancho 4-11, 6. Pioneer 0-15
Frosh
1. La Serna 14-1, 2. Santa Fe 11-4, 3. Whittier 7-7-1, 4. El Rancho
7-8, 5. California 5-9-1, 6. Pioneer 0-15.

All-League selections
BASEBALL
Co-Most Valuable Player: Chris Villalobos (El Rancho), Victor Soto (La Serna). Most Valuable Pitcher: Tyler Leibert (California)

First Team
P - Chris Vargas (ElR, sr.), Casey Serna (LaS, sr.)
C - Jovany Avila (Whittier, sr.)
Inf. - Enrique Murillo (Cal, sr.), Ernie Aguilera (ElR, sr.), Aaron
Flores (ElR, sr.), Steven Oertel (LaS, sr.)
OF - Ray Madrid (ElR, sr.), Austin Estrada (LaS, sr.), Francisco Fuentes
(SFe, jr.).
Util. - Gilbert Murillo (Cal, sr.)
DH - Ben Burke (LaS, jr.).
Second Team
P - Jared Garcia (Cal., jr.), Sean Magana (Wht, sr.)
C - Tony Hernandez (Pioneer, sr.)
Inf. - Raul Garcia (Cal., sr.), Michael Manriquez (ElR, sr.), Raymond Morrill (LaS, sr.), Rudy Casillas (SFe, sr.)
OF - Aaron Contreras (Cal, jr.), Karl Perez (Cal, soph.), Marcus Aldecoa (ElR, jr.), Daniel Enriquez (Wht, jr.)
Util. - Ronnie Palacios (Pio, jr.)
DH - Jesus Iribe (Cal, sr.)
Honorable mention
California - David Marquez (soph.), Kevin Gallardo (jr.); El Rancho - Esteban Soto (jr.); La Serna - Nathan Garcia (jr.), David Langstaff (jr.), Branden Montoya (jr.), Clark Harris (sr.); Pioneer - Steven Real (sr.); Santa Fe - George Mendoza (sr.); Whittier - Darrin Macias (jr.), Vince Arizmendi (sr.), Jesse Avila (soph.), Anthony Diaz (sr.), Erick Ruvalcaba (jr.).

SOFTBALL
Final Standings
Varsity
1. La Serna 10-0, 2t. Santa Fe 6-4, 2t. California 6-4, 4. Whittier 5-5,
5. El Rancho 3-7, 6. Pioneer 0-6
Junior varsity
1. La Serna 10-0, 2. El Rancho 6-3-1, 3. Santa Fe 6-4, 4. Whittier
5-4-1, 5. California 2-8, 6. Pioneer 0-10

All-League selections
Most Valuable Player: Courtnie Everidge (Santa Fe, sr.); Most Valuable Pitcher: Holly Consterdine (La Serna, sr.)

First Team
California - Marissa Rangel (sr.), Cassaundra Davis (sr.), Krista Mele (soph.)
El Rancho - Rochelle Romero (sr.), Marilyn Toriz (jr.)
La Serna - Ashley Holmes (soph.), Brooke Putich (sr.), Ashley Ramirez (sr.), Amanda Perez (sr.)
Pioneer - Jessalyn Trujillo (sr.)
Santa Fe - Ariel Mendez (jr.), Jessica Davis (sr.), Brittany Poirier (sr.)
Whittier - Elizabeth Lopez (r.) Ariana Atwater (r.)
Second Team
California - Ashley Beza (soph.), Monica Robles (jr.)
El Rancho - Joanna Avila (sr.), Kristina Hernandez (jr.)
La Serna - Danielle Cabrera (soph.0, Katrina Castaneda (sr.)
Pioneer - Jenny Martinez (jr.)
Santa Fe - Alex Flores (frosh), Jessica Nordyke (jr.)
Whittier - Priscilla Licon (jr.), Crystal Martin (frosh), Monique Venegas
(jr.)
Honorable mention
California - Samantha Duran (frosh), Janelle Carrasco (soph.); El Rancho - Bernadett Leggis (jr.); La Serna - Kelsey Marker (sr.), Brandi Rummel (sr.), Briana Arnold (sr.), Liz Medrano (frosh), Monique Gardea (jr.); Pioneer - Maggie Baraja (soph.), Alyssa Hernandez (sr.); Santa Fe - Chantel Bueno (sr.), Andrea Bueno (sr.), Anaysa Huizar (soph.)

For the most part, Saturday evening's 41st Annual 605 All Star Football Classic that ended in a 15-15 tie was an enjoyable experience, with several area players, most notibly La Habra QB Chris Morales, Santa Fe DB Keith Gaines, St. Paul DL Ryan Rosenthal and La Serna P/K Morris Keseloff contributing impressively among the 25 locals who participated.

That's the good news.

The bad news is the disappointing tie, a frustration magnified by the way it happened.

They played four overtimes, using the California tie breaker in
which each team begins its series of downs on the 25-yard line. What
followed put a damper on the game for many of the onlookers.

East place kicker Jonathan Heinze and West place kicker Brian Covey each
missed four field goal attempts, one at the end of each OT period.
Heinze, who had kicked three field goals earlier, also had missed a last-ditch, 51 yard attempt on the final play of regulation time.

It is ironic that even though it was obvious Heinze was
feeling the pressure (prehaps enhanced because the defense was not
allowed to rush on FG attempts), East head coach Raul Lara and special teams coach Carlos Lara apparently chose to ignore one of the
southland's best kickers, La Habra's Petey Puga, who waited on the
sideline. Puga admitted later he was frustrated after telling members of the East
coaching staff he could kick but they had no response.

"A lot of the other players were telling me I should tell them," Puga said. "Oh, yeah, I told them I could kick numerous times. I don't know what was going on in their heads, but (Heinze) is their kicker during the season. I know it was an all-star game and all that, but we also wanted to win." Puga said he that while he practiced puntiing as a backup to Keseloff during workouts, he hadn't kicked field goals.

During the regular season, Puga made five of six attempts, the longest from 45 yards, for the Southeast Division champion Highlanders. His only miss ("from about 35 yards") was against Buena Park right after the disastrious southland fires and he hadn't practiced kicking for two weeks.
Heinze was seven for 11, with a long of 47 yards during the season.

A story off the AP wire:
- Wisconsin fans of high school sports may soon get this message: Show
your team spirit, but don't expose anything else. The sportsmanship committee of the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association recommended banning fans with bare or painted chests from indoor games last month. The proposal will take effect if a committee of state athletic directors OKs it and the association's Board of
Control approves it June 19. "People say, 'Hey, we are attempting to take the fun out of high school sports.' That isn't the intention at all," Tom Shafranski, assistant director of the association, said. -

Hmmmmmm. Good idea, or not? Personally, bare or painted chests can be artistically clever. No problem here.

Instead, how about just controlling those fanatics whose insensitive antics block vision and threaten ear drums of those whose intent to enjoy the event lacks their fervor?

La Serna High School All-Area linebcker Nick Alvarez has been added to
the East team for Saturday night's 41st Annual 605 All Star High School
Football Classic.

Other additions are:
Gahr RB Tavoy Moore, Gahr DB Eric Russell, Gahr LB Chester Woolen, Mater
Dei RB Robert Mojica, Orange Lutheran LB Alex Pemasa, Orange Lutheran DL
Don Williams.

Players removed from the roster (and it gets a bit sketchy here): LB Poly
OL Doug Spacht, LB Poly LB Pat Hill, LB Poly DL Jurrell Casey, LB Poly LB Pete
Carroll.

Sonora WR Ryan Cress suffered a knee injury and will not play but
remains on the roster.

Game time, 6:05 p.m. (Naturally)
Place: Cerritos College (Alondra and Studebaker).

The final finalized rosters for the 41st Annual 605 All-Star Football Classic and St. Paul running back Aubrey Haynes' name is not listed.
A note from game administrator Rich Estrella infoms that Haynes has been deleted from the East roster. No reason was given.

Isn't time for high school softball to limit pitchers to 10 innings a
week, same as baseball?
Watching a pitcher dominate game after game doesn't determine which is
the best team, but rather it often merely means one team has the best
pitcher.
Of course, limiting how much a coach can use a pitcher would mean
coaches will have to develop a second pitcher. And some coaches appear
hesitant to take that responsibility because of the specialization
involved. Many pitchers have their own pitching coach.

And how about this: Consider moving the pitching rubber, now 40 feet,
back a couple of feet, or maybe even make it the same distance from the
plate as in college (43 feet. There has been speculation for several years about this).?

Changes like these would make the game more competitive, and make a sport
already enjoyable even more so. Put the ball in play more. Involve
the defense more. Make it truly a team game instead of just the pitcher and
catcher playing catch.

Sounds good from here.

Five players from La Serna High School's CIF Southern Section championship softball team, and three players from St. Paul's championship finalist baseball team highlight the rosters for Wednesday's Whittier Rotary All-Star baseball and softball games scheduled at York Field.
The games, with teams designated as Red and Blue, feature seniors from the area who competed for their schools this past season and were nominated by their coaches.
Team rosters for the softball game which is scheduled for a 3:15 p.m. start:
Red team: El Rancho -- Joanna Avila (pitcher), Rochelle Romero (lf), Natasha Sanchez (1b/p)
La Habra -- Melanie Bensema (c/3b), Paige Gomez (ss/p).
La Serna -- Katrina Castaneda (2b), Holly Consterdine (p), Kelsey Marker (p/1b), Amanda Perez (1b/p/3b), Brooke Putich (cf/c)
Montebello -- Doralicia Loza (of/inf)
Pioneer -- Alyssa Hernandez (1b/3b/c), Jessalyn Trujillo (of)
Whittier -- Michelle Apodaca (of), Ariana Atwater (2b/p/Util), Julie Rodriguez (of), Lauren Saenz (of/p)
Coach: Ginger Larsin (La Serna)

Blue team: California -- Cassaundra Davis (c/of), Marissa Rangel (ss/cf)
La Mirada -- Vanessa Alvarado (1b), Katarina Arreguin, Vanessa Gutierrez (Util), Erika Meyer (c/1b)
Santa Fe -- Andrea Bueno (p), Jessica Davis (p), Courtnie Everidge (cf), Brittany Poirier (3b)
Schurr -- Esther Lomeli (3b), Danielle Lugo (1b/p/rf), Crystal Ruiz (cf)
St. Paul -- Tara Allis (ss), Kaelynn Armenta (p/1b), Ashley Larios (c), Alle Madrid (rf).
Coach: Cassandra Morales (St. Paul)

Team rosters for the baseball game, which is scheduled for a 6 p.m. (or about 20 minutes following softball game) start:
Red team: La Habra -- Bryan Aanderud (2b),Jonathan Mendoza (of)
La Mirada -- Josh Bryan (1b), Matt Rush (1b)
La Serna -- Austin Estrada (cf0, Steven Oertel (3b/ss), Casey Serna (p/DH), Victor Soto (p/of)
Santa Fe -- Rudy Casillas (ss), Frank Corona (of), George Mendoza (c), Rolando Najera (of)
Sonora -- Steven Cerda (p/cf), Julian Duran (ss), Sean Mosher (p)
Whittier -- Jacob Cokely (ss/2b), Brett Esslinger (of), Phil Hughes (p/1b/of), Brandon Terrazas (2b)
Coach: Arlie Kearney (Whittier Christian)

Blue team: California - Raul Garcia (ss), Tyler Leibert (p/1b), Enrique Murillo (3b), Gilbert Murillo (c/p/of)
El Rancho -- Ernie Aguilera (ss), Aaron Flores (1b), Ray Madrid (cf), Christopher Villalobos (p/inf)
Montebello -- Chris Franco (ss/p), Steven Pienado (of)
Pioneer -- Tony Hernandez (c/3b), Steven Real (ss/cf)
St. Paul -- Casey Flores (1b/p, Bobby Santoyo (p), Will Thomas (of)
Whittier -- Vincent Arizmendi (3b), Jovany Avila (c/3b), Sean Magana (p)
Coach: Brent Lavoie (Whittier)

Anybody missing that shouldn't be (remember, only seniors)?
Which team has the most talent?
And, brielfy, why?

It was a struggle, but they finally Ok'd an extension of the football
playoffs beyond the CIF Southern Section division championships which
some observers are calling the "state playoffs," although more accurate
terminology would be a collection of bowl games. They began two years
ago with three divisions, and now five are planned.
After watching games in the CIF-SS softball and baseball playoffs over
the weekend, it begs to raise the question, why are there not also
opportunities in place to determine state champions in those sports?

The spring sports playoffs are completed and area teams served themselves well.
Time for the all-area recognition for deserving athletes.
Suggestions for Player and Coach of the Year?
And why?
It is expected some heart will be involved, but hopefully it won't get in the way of logic and performance.
And remember, it is preferable that the emphasis be on brevity rather than rants.