Area teams lacking in CIF-SS weekly polls
This week's CIF Southern Section weekly top 10 polls don't give area teams much respect.
La Serna (Division III) and La Habra (Division IV) are the only two locals mentioned in baseball, and they're among "other" teams receiving votes.
In softball, three teams are recognized. Whittier Christian tops the short list at No. 2 in Division V. La Mirada is No. 10 in division II and Cantwell Sacred Heart shares No. 10 in Division IV.
In boys tennis, La Serna remains at No. 3 in Division V, and Montebello's boys volleyball team is among others receiving votes in Diviison IV.
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About this blog
Roger Murray is the prep sports editor for the Whittier Daily News.
I disagree with one thing poet said. The rest is good stuff. He said baseball seasons usually do not turn out as "originally anticipated".
I definitely disagree. Most of the "REAL CIF POWERHOUSES" have pretty good to great seasons all the time. A losing season, or not making the playoffs would be a "freak" happening.
These teams anticipate every year winning big. Then, if they fall short, they still had a successful season. And, they do turn out as anticipated. It is the pretty good programs, the average, and the poor whose dreams are never met!!!
It cannot happen without a lot of talent and discipline
Watch out for Downey... They have tremendous pitching and hitting.... IMO are by far the best team in the local area surrounding Whittier... Including St Paul and La Serna... As far as La Serna losing Langstaff thats a true shame, and I feel for the young man. And I hope he keeps his spirits up...... That Said Cal High Lost Jared Garcia to Cancer this year, and with Jared on the mound the Condors would have had another ACE as well...
Poet why did you get let go as whittier college baseball coach ? . The no light situation is because nobody wants to be troubled,perfect place and it would be for the kids,cant have that.There could be set times and rules that would keep things under control but the council is afraid to upset the big money people which help pay for their election.I wonder what resident and council member nordbaks opinion is.Will burke get coach of the year ?.Does anybody remember the old whittier city baseball summer league friends park and york field,so much fun it was especially the film at the rec center of the previous years mlb world series
DelRio6907 - Yes, I found it. Still wondering what the FH HOA's objection/s is/are. However, from what I've heard, La Serna (and district) isn't interested in putting lights on their facilities, at least for now. But I do understand your point.
Roger- It's on the WDN Homepage, "Local News" middle column, midway on the page:
http://www.whittierdailynews.com/ci_12211744
Yo, DedlRio6907: Can't find the story. What reasons did the HOA give?
Roger- This is off topic and not intended to add to this thread. I wanted to know if you can add a discussion regarding the story line in yesterdays news re:Friendly Hills homeowners associations join as one;
"As part of the agreement, the new organization has agreed to provide maintenance in several public areas and committed to ensuring that lights will never be installed at La Serna High School."
This is sports and community related. It's the height of arrogance when an HOA continues to vow control over a public school's option to improve the sport facilities provided by the local tax payers in the region.
What are your thoughts?
A couple of realities based on years of following and thinking about this stuff: 1. Polls are pretty subjective, based on reputation, previous history, the current season, etc. and 2. Baseball teams and baseball seasons almost always do not turn out as originally anticipated. St. Paul has a great team, but have had some tough luck, losing close games against good teams, so they fell out, yet they are capable of beating anybody. It took forever to DIII Downey to get noticed, yet the LS guys knew (and ask Cal) that they were very good from playing several games in the Fall. Same with Bonita. On the oter hand, highly ranked Gahr is not that impressive, but they've made a nice run.
La Serna deserves to be ranked higher. Yes, they are only 10-8, but the losses have included DI St. John Bosco (who is 11-7), Laguna Hills (14-5 record), Freeway league leader Fullerton (14-5 record), and St. Paul (11-9). They are the only DRL team to have more runs scored than runs allowed (136/96), have a .360 team batting average and an ERA of under 4.0. The team can compete, especially with Burke on the hill. DeCorte has done well also. The team's poor record is due mainly to pitching inconsistency early in the year. Undoubtedly, if the Lancers had projected front-line starter David Langstaff available on the hill (who will need Tommy John UCL surgery at the end of the season), their record would be better. In spite of this loss, Burke and DeCorte have stepped up and kept the team in games. California, as always, is well-coached and competitive, but the Lancers are the class of the league this season, and deserve a higher ranking based on schedule and their team stats.
To clarify the weekly rankings, La Habra is mentioned in "others" as #11 out of the entire CIF-SS DIV. There are 12 Leagues comprised of some 70 teams.....Ranked 11th out of 70...Nice!
La Serna is in the same boat...There are 12 CIF-SS DIII Leagues with 72 teams & La Serna is also in the "others" as #11....That's 11th out of 72.....Nice!
CIF-SS 2009 COACHES’ BASEBALL RANKINGS
As of April 20, 2009
Rk. DIVISION III
1. Beckman
2. Gahr
3. Bonita
4. Hemet
5. South Hills
6. Alhambra
7. Downey
8. Charter Oak
9. Ocean View
10. Knight
Others: La Serna, La Quinta
San Gorgonio, Culver City
Rk. DIVISION IV
1. Bishop Amat
2. Northview
3. San Dimas
4. El Segundo
5. La Quinta
6. Palm Desert
7. Fullerton
8. Anaheim
9. Monrovia
10. Torrance
Others: La Habra, Costa Mesa,
La Canada. Colony
Whittier Christian was beat by Riverside Chrisitan last weekend so how does Whittier stay at #2 and Riverside get moved down from #5 to #7?