January 2012 Archives

College football's national signing day sometimes can feel like a cross between Black Friday and Christmas.
It felt more like the latter for six area football players who did as expected Wednesday and signed national letters of intent with schools they previously had given oral commitments.
The head of the class was La Habra High School linebacker Aaron Porter, who signed with UCLA, but also includes Highlanders teammates Brett Bartolone and Sean Wale, who signed with Washington State and Boise State, respectively. The La Mirada trio of Spencer Fox, Devon Hall and Jesse Gonzalez signed with South Dakota, North Dakota and Western New Mexico, respectively.
Porter, the 2011 Daily News Player of the Year, was one of the major pieces to UCLA's recruiting class under new coach Jim Mora Jr., who replaced Rick Neuheisel in December. The senior, who also was CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division Player of the Year, was one of the top recruits in California and ESPN.com's No. 16 inside linebacker prospect.
"UCLA's a great school, great education and it's close to home," Porter said. "The new coaches are excellent. I think they are way better than (the previous coaches)."

LA HABRA - La Habra High School's Ryan Hall and Troy's Taylor Maughan are two of the better boys basketball players in the Freeway League.
The duo showed how good Friday.
Hall won the personal battle, scoring 37 points to to Maughan's 28.
But the Warriors senior didn't mind after Ben Stiver hit two free throws with 8.9 seconds left to clinch a 63-61 victory in a league matchup.
La Habra's Brett Bartolone intercepted an in-bounds pass with two seconds left, but his halfcourt shot glanced off the top of the glass at the buzzer.
Troy, also getting 11 points from Mo Jomaa, improved to 16-6 overall and 3-3 in league play. The Highlanders, also receiving 14 from Alex Imhof, slipped to 14-9 and 3-3.
"(Maughan's) a great player," La Habra coach Mark Stewart said. "I thought we did a great job guarding (Maughan). But he elevated over our guys and scored, even though we were guarding them."

Dave Pierson is coming home.
The veteran football coach, a graduate of Santa Fe High School, was named Friday to take over the Chiefs football program from Jack Mahlstede, who retired after 34 seasons.
"Dave Pierson is a well-respected teacher and coach and we're thrilled to have him come home to Santa Fe High School as our new head football coach," Santa Fe principal Kevin Jamero said in a statement released by the Whittier Union High School District. "He has great experience, having worked alongside some of our best coaches in the district, and has strong ties not only to our school but also to the Whittier Union High School District and community.
"Under his guidance we are confident that we will continue our long-standing tradition of athletic excellence and sportsmanship in the football program here at Santa Fe."
Pierson has been a football coach the past 17 seasons, including the previous seven as head coach at Jurupa Valley. He was 22-48-1 for the Jaguars, including 6-3-1 last season.
He also was an assistant under Mahlstede in 1995-96 and was Kevin La Vigne's assistant head coach and offensive coordinator at La Serna from 1997-2004.
"Our work begins now," Pierson said in a statement released by the district. "Obviously this is a great challenge and a great opportunity. It's like coming full circle, having grown up playing football in the community and at Santa Fe High School.
"There are a lot of great people in the community who mentored me and supported me throughout my life and this is a wonderful opportunity to give back by teaching and coaching the students and athletes at Santa Fe High."

By Red Williams
LA MIRADA - The pin is the name of the game in high school wrestling.
And Norwalk put six of them on the board to defeat La Mirada 38-35 on Thursday.
With the victory, Norwalk improved to 5-0 in the Suburban League while La Mirada fell to 4-1.
Norwalk took a 6-0 lead when its first two wrestlers, Gonzalo Vargas and Jethro Llamido, scored pins over Alex Powers and Alfonso Aguilar at 106 and 113 pounds, respectively.
"Pins certainly did us in," Matadores coach Robert Lipeles said. "We put five sophomores and two freshmen on the mat, and it showed."

By Steve Ramirez
WHITTIER - As far as Santa Fe High School girls basketball coach Matt Zamora is concerned, the success of the Chiefs is all about defense.
Santa Fe showed why Thursday night.
The Chiefs used a solid effort on the defensive end to break away in the second half en route to a 51-41 victory over host La Serna in a key Del Rio League game.
Santa Fe, getting 14 points from Jackie Saiza and 11 rebounds and seven points from Dijonnae Murphy, improved to 13-9 overall and 4-1 in league play. The Chiefs, who travel to El Rancho on Monday, are at league-leader Whittier on Wednesday.
La Serna, which had won six out of its last seven before Thursday, slipped to 9-12 and 3-2. Nannette Beightol had 14 points and Ruby Nichols had 11 points and 10 rebounds to lead the Lancers, who host Whittier on Monday.
Santa Fe, which has won six out of its last eight games, held its seventh opponent in its last eight under 40 points. The exception being Whittier, which scored a 40-33 over the Chiefs on Jan. 13.
"As much as I love offense, we're just a great defensive team," Zamora said. "That's what we're better at. In the beginning, we started out a little slow.
"But once we started getting settled in, and locked in, I thought our defense took over the game for us in the second half."

Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb

By Red Williams
WHITTIER - It wasn't even close.
The California High School's wrestling team took a firm grip on the Del Rio League leadership with a dominating 47-11 victory over visiting La Serna on Wednesday.
The series between these neighborhood rivals has been decided by 10 points or less in the last eight years, and most of the sizeable crowd expected the same.
This time, however, Cal (5-2, 4-0) won the first six matches to take a commanding 27-0 lead and put the meet out of reach for the Lancers (8-4, 2-2).
Included in that onslaught was a pin in the second match (132 pounds) by the Condors' Nate Espinoza. He had a 4-0 lead over Brian Gracie and finally earned the fall at :29.4 in the second period.
Teammate Omar Lopez was even quicker for the Condors at 154 pounds, where he pinned Matt Mendoza at just 53 seconds of the first period.
In all, California had four pins in the match. Anthony Espinoza dispatched Niko Swengart at 162 with 1:14 left in the second period, and Chris Garcia pinned Gerardo Valenzuela at 115 with just 32.8 seconds left in the first period.
"Our kids stepped up with some heart," California coach Doug Loo said. "This is the best we've performed all year.
"A lot of matches could have gone either way. This was rewarding because our coaches and kids have been really working hard."

Charles Willig, who has more than 25 years experience coaching high school football, including assistant stints at St. Paul and Salesian, is Pioneer's new football coach, principal Monica Oviedo announced today.
Willig played for and coached under legendary St. Paul coach Marijon Ancich. He recently coached at St. Anthony in Long Beach and also owns and operates a sports academy with his brother, Greg, who will be his offensive coordinator.
"I am more than pleased with our selection," Oviedo said in a statement released by the Whittier Union High School District. "(I) have every belief that, with coach Willig's experience and positive work with kids, we will soon see a major constructive shift in the culture of athletics at Pioneer."
Willig replaces Ramon Juarez, who was 65-88-1 in 15 seasons with the Titans. He was fired after the Titans went 1-9 this season.
"I have watched Dr. Oviedo and the administration do amazing things to improve Pioneer's academic standards and the school's infrastructure," Willig said in a statement released by the district. "I am looking forward to offering my experience to Pioneer's student-athletes in order to help build a winning tradition on the field and champions off the field as well.
"I believe that our staff of coaches, the parents, alumni and the Pioneer community will be proud of the character and enthusiasm, which we will bring to our football program. We want everyone involved to think, train, act and play like champions."

Staff photo by Keith Durflinger

Here are this week's area rankings. There was no movement at the top of each sport, although there has been some shuffling beneath.

DAILY NEWS RANKINGS
BOYS BASKETBALL
1. Cantwell (18-3) -- Rolling in Camino Real
2. La Habra (14-8) -- Hall providing spark
3. California (13-7) -- Took a step back vs. Santa Fe
4. Whittier (11-9) -- Share's DRL with Cal
5. La Mirada (13-9) -- So far, so good in Suburban

GIRLS BASKETBALL
1. Whittier (18-3) -- Two steps above the rest
2. La Habra (15-5) -- Big week lies ahead
3. Santa Fe (12-9) -- Won 4 of its last 5
4. St. Paul (13-8) -- Free falling in Del Rey
5. La Serna (8-10) -- Here come the Lancers

BOYS SOCCER
1. El Rancho (15-0) -- One of the nation's best
2. Montebello (10-4-4) -- Setting the pace in Almont
3. La Serna (10-3-4) -- Looked good in loss to Dons
4. La Habra (9-3-6) -- Team to beat in Freeway
5. Whittier (5-5-1) -- Stating a case in DRL

GIRLS SOCCER
1. La Serna (10-5-4) -- Getting offensive
2. La Mirada (11-5-3) -- Rematch with Mayfair looms
3. Santa Fe (8-8-3) -- Gets La Serna on Thursday
4. El Rancho (8-4-1) -- Lost its last two
5. Montebello (7-6-3) -- Rolling in Almont

Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb

LA HABRA - Whittier Christian High School knew all about Los Angeles Baptist's quickness, athleticism and pressure defense.
That didn't make stopping the Knights any easier Tuesday night.
Senior Monet McNally scored 26 points and had seven steals and L.A. Baptist forced 24 turnovers en route to a 68-56 victory over the host Heralds in an Olympic League girls basketball game.
The Knights, ranked No. 6 in CIF-Southern Section Division 4A, improved to 17-2 overall and 4-0 in league play. Los Angeles Baptist also got 10 points from Jaime Schuster and 16 rebounds and five points from Katelyn Ortiz.
Whittier Christian, getting 23 points from Angelina Arreola and 12 from Jaden Louie, slipped to 12-10 and 2-2. The Heralds are ranked No. 13 in Division 4A.
"Whatever we countered with, (McNally) is such a really good athlete and she was able to get her hand on the ball and create some easy layups for them," Whittier Christian coach Richard Villeza said. "That was the key - our turnovers off their press and they got easy baskets with them.
"If you take that away, it's a good game. But we couldn't counter that."

I just got the official word that Whittier has hired Visko Ancich, as its new football coach, succeeding Walter Scott, who retired from coaching at the end of the season.
Ancich is the son of area legend Marijon Ancich, who retired from St.Paul this past season. Visko was his offensive coordinator for the Swordsmen, who went 7-3.
Whittier rebounded from an 0-10 season in 2010 to finish 5-5 and just miss the playoffs.
I'm off this week, but we will have a story from our SGVN football writer Aram Tolegian.

Hi all:
After a busy fall, I'm off for this week, but I wanted to give all the bloggers a space to speak. This is your area to voice your opinion, leave scores and recaps, whatever. I will monitor it the best I can, so keep it civil.

(SGVN/Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/SPORTS)

I got my adaption to the La Serna-Cal High battle royale Friday night. And it lived up to my expections - a game decided at the end before a near over-flow crowd. Cal's Michael Garcia hit the game winner with 1:41 left before La Serna missed two inside shots in the final minute in a 51-50 California win.
Here's the game story:

WHITTIER -- For California High School, it's always special when the Condors can knock off archrival La Serna. It's added pleasure when it keeps them as one of the teams to beat in the highly-competitive Del Rio League.
Robert Campos had 16 points and and Michael Garcia hit a 14-footer with 1:41 left to play and California remained undefeated in league play with a 51-50 victory over visiting La Serna Friday night.<
The Condors, who beat Pioneer on Wednesday, improved to 12-6 overall and 2-0 in the Del Rio League.
La Serna, which shared the league title with Whittier last season, slipped to 6-9 and 0-2. Taurean Oram led the Lancers with 14 points, including six points in the fourth quarter.
La Serna had a chance to win it late. But CJ White missed on a drive at 1:01, and then after force a stop, Ted Teyechea inside shot was off the rim, with the rebound battle going to Cal with 9 seconds left.
The Lancers committed four fouls in the final 8.5 seconds to get California's Matt Lembrecht to the line with 0.6 remaining. He missed the 1-and-1 free throw before La Serna rebounded as time expired.
La Serna, after falling behind 28-18, used a 12-0 run during a four-minute stretch to end the second quarter and begin the third to go up 32-28 following a 4-point play by Kimball Monge and back-to-back inside shots by Jared Wright.
The Condors, who went 5:23 without scoring, broke the slump on a 16-footer by Michael Garica at 3:48. But the Lancers, keyed by a 3-pointer by Anthony Mena, followed with a 8-2 burst to go up 40-32.
Cal, keyed by a 3-pointer from Chris Ortiz opened the fourth quarter with a 7-0 blitz to go up 42-40 before the teams traded baskets down the stretch before Garcia's 14-footer gave the Condors their 51-50 victory.

Staff file photo by Leo Jarzomb

I got my first look at El Rancho High School's boys soccer team, which is the defending CIF-SS Division 4 champion, the top ranked team in the division this season and at last count, No. 3 in the state.
The Dons certainly looked the part Friday, at least in the second half, scoring two goals in back half of the game two beat Pioneer, 2-0.
Here's the game story:

PICO RIVERA -- El Rancho High School didn't win a CIF-Southern Section divisional boys soccer title last season without learning how to evade a few land mines.
The Dons continued the practice Friday afternoon.
Miguel Vilchis and Francisco Lara scored scored second-half goals to lift El Rancho to a 2-0 victory over visiting Pioneer in a Del Rio League battle that featured two of the better teams in Division 4.
The Dons, also getting an assist from Mauricio Lopez and three saves from goalie David Lopez, improved to 13-0 overall and 2-0 in league play.
The Titans, who lost in overtime to California in their league opener on Wednesday, slipped to 8-3-4 and 0-2.
"I don't know if it's so much the experience from last year as they finally played (during the second half) the way they are capable of," said El Rancho coach Dominic Picon, whose team outshot Pioneer, 10-3, in the key second half. "We didn't even touch - in the first half - what we're capable of. I think it's that we figured out that we can't just show up and expect to win.
"It's a good lesson for this team to learn, because the last couple of games, we've done that."

Above: Orange Lutheran s Graeme Fraser carries the ball for the South team with St. Paul s Paul Governale (74) blocking during Thursday s game. (Leo Jarzomb / Staff Photographer)

WHITTIER - The final score and the winner of the inaugural Catholic/Christian Literacy Classic all-star football game was immaterial.
It was really all about longtime St. Paul High School football Marijon Ancich, who after more than 40 years coached his final game.
But winning isn't bad, either.
Juan Diego Temple returned a fumble 62 yards on the final play of the third quarter to tie the score and John McGrory kicked a 45-yard field goal with 2:23 left and Ancich went out a winner as the South rallied for a 19-16 victory Thursday night at Whittier College.
"Believe me, it's emotional," Ancich said before the game. "My mind is working on it. That's life in the big city. You never know what's around the next corner.
"Our banquet is Sunday, so it will basically be all over in one week. That's where were at.
"All the people that have done something for me, that's who I want to thank. It's unbelievable the sacrifices they've made to make the program better for us. It was all done by people, kids, the administration was always fantastic."

WHITTIER - Sometime around 10 tonight, Marijon Ancich will walk across Whittier College's football field, shake Jay Schroeder's hand and call it a career.
It will be the end of one of the more prolific coaching careers in California.
Ancich, the all-time victories leader among Southern California football coaches with 360 wins, says goodbye tonight when he guides the South team in tonight's inaugural Catholic/Christian Literacy Classic, scheduled for 7:30 p.m. at Whittier College.
The game, which features the best private school graduating seniors in Southern California, will also include 15 area players from the greater San Gabriel Valley.
The list features eight players from St. Paul, three from Whittier Christian, two from Bishop Amat and one from La Salle that make up part of the South team, with one from St.Francis, which is on the North squad coached by former NFL player and present Village Christian coach Schroeder.
The list of area players are St. Paul's Kevin Romo (linebacker), Tyler Carrillo (tight end), Gabriel Gonzalez (defensive back), Josh Salazar (defensive line), Paul Governale (offensive line), Marcus Garcia (defensive back), David Cabral (running back/linebacker) and Michael Ortega (running back); Whittier Christian's Daniel Abernethy (linebacker), Grant Escobar (receiver) and Ryan Wallace (offensive line); Amat's Jalen Moore (running back) and Adam Sanchez (receiver); St. Francis' Zach George (offensive line); and La Salle's Josh Hall (receiver).
But this night will long be remembered as Ancich's final game of a career that dates back to 1961 and has included three stops at St. Paul (1961-81; 1993-2005 and 2009-2011) and one stint at Tustin (1982-92).
"It should be interesting," Ancich said of his final game. "I don't really know how I'm going to feel. But to coach kids I've known (at St. Paul this season) and others who I know about from the great programs in Southern California is special."

Here's the roundup from Wednesday's games:
BOYS BASKETBALL
Del Rio League
California 83, Pioneer 50
California (11-6, 1-0) was led by Matt Lambrecht with 25 points, while Andrew Garber and Chris Ortiz each had 10.
Roberto Campos added 10 points and 12 assists and Jonathan Garcia-Castillo had seven rebounds.
Josh Fitten had 14 points for Pioneer (6-11, 0-1).

(Staff file photo by Keith Durflinger)

Here's SGVN high school football writer Aram Tolegian's story about Schurr football coach Ben Negrete stepping down:

Schurr High School varsity football coach Ben Negrete became the latest area coach to call it quits. Negrete announced his retirement on Wednesday.
Negrete, who was the Spartans' head coach for four years and won three Almont League championships in that time, decided to take an early retirement from teaching and has resigned his post as head coach.
"It was a very juicy incentive for us veteran teachers and it was just too good to pass up," said Negrete, who is 63. "It's (teaching) obviously something I love doing. I've been doing it all my life. It was a very difficult decision, but it's been about 33 years in coaching, so I'm ready."
Negrete took over in 2008 for Elvin Dick, who led the Spartans to a CIF-Southern Section championship in 2006. Schurr went 26-18-2 under Negrete and made the postseason in three of his four seasons. The Spartans went 3-7 this past season and missed the playoffs.

(Staff file photo by Keith Durflinger)

WHITTIER - Scoring droughts in high school basketball are to be expected. But it's painful when they come at the wrong time.
Whittier held visiting La Serna to just six points in the third period on the way to a 62-51 victory to open the Del Rio League season. Both teams tied for last season's championship (for the second straight time), but La Serna took the title by a tiebreaker rule.
If there was a star in Wednesday night's contest, it was the Cardinals' defense, a collapsing zone, spearheaded by ball-hawking guards Damien Salcedo and Willie Pittman, that caused more than a little trouble for the Lancers' big guys, Taurean Oram (6-foot-6) and Jared Wight (6-5). They still got 30 points between them, but had to work awfully hard to get them.
"Most teams who scout us see us playing a full-court press," Whittier coach Joey Mata said. "So our collapsing zone might have been a bit of a surprise. We felt we had to stop their big guys, who are really good players."

This week's winter sports rankings:
DAILY NEWS RANKINGS
BOYS BASKETBALL
1. Cantwell (16-1) -- 1-2 punch leads surge.
2. La Habra (12-6) -- Ready for second-half blitz.
3. California (10-6) -- Del Rio League favorite?
4. Whittier (8-8) -- Hosts La Serna Wednesday.
5. La Serna (5-7) -- Gets Whittier, Cal this week
GIRLS BASKETBALL
1. Whittier (13-2) -- Acosta, Magana lead surge.
2. St. Paul (12-5) -- Challenging league slate.
3. La Habra (12-4) -- Tough loss to Troy.
4. Santa Fe (9-8) -- Hosts Whittier on Friday.
5. Whittier Christian (11-7) -- Will challenge in Olympic.
BOYS SOCCER
1. El Rancho (14-0) -- Just keeps on rolling.
2. La Serna (8-2-3) -- Dons' biggest challenger.
3. Montebello (7-2-3) -- Routed Santa Fe.
4. La Habra (6-3-5) -- Opened league with win.
5. Pioneer (8-1-4) -- Gets El Rancho this week.
GIRLS SOCCER.
1. La Serna (2-3-3) -- No. 7 in Division 5 poll.
2. La Mirada (8-5-3) -- Out of sync vs. Mayfair.
3. El Rancho (6-2) -- Could challenge in DRL.
4. Pioneer (5-3) -- Good nonleague slate.
5. Santa Fe (7-7) -- Don't overlook the Chiefs.

Brett Bartolone, a senior receiver from La Habra, has given an oral commitment to attend Washington State.
It came a day after new Cougars' coach Mike Leach paid an in-home visit to Bartolone on Thursday.
Bartonlone, who was first team All-Area, had 50 receptions for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns in helping La Habra advance to the CIF-Southern Section Southwest Division semifinals this season. He also rushed for 924 yards and 10 touchdowns.
He is the second Highlander to commit to a Pac-12 school, joining Area Player of the Year Aaron Porter, who committed to UCLA during the summer.

Marijon Ancich, Southern California's all-time winningest coach who is second to only De Le Salle's Bob Ladouceur, will coach his final game next week when he guides the South/East team in the Inaugural Catholic Christian Literacy Classic all-star football game, scheduled for next Thursday at 7:30 p.m. at Whittier College.
The game will feature some of the top seniors from Southern California private schools, including St. Paul, Cantwell Sacred Heart of Mary and Whittier Christian.
Ancich, who served three stints at St. Paul, retired at the end of the season with 360 victories and three CIF-Southern Section titles, winning in 1968, '72 and '81.
He will coach six Swordsmen in his final game, including first team All-Area players Kevin Romo and Tyler Carrillo. Also in the game from St. Paul are Josh Salazar, Paul Governale, Marcus Garcia, and David Cabral.
Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children under 13 and can be purchased at the gate or online at competitiveelitesports.com.

ALL-AREA GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Runner of the Year: Kellian Hunt, Whittier Christian, Senior
Coach of the Year: Ty Wynn, El Rancho
First team
Bailee Henry, El Rancho, Junior
Marylu Pulido, Whittier, Junior
Ariel Melendrez, St. Paul, Senior
Justine Romo, California, Junior
Taylor Jones, La Mirada, Junior
Ana Galacia, El Rancho, Sophomore
Second team
Sarah Pfaff, La Habra, Junior
Hillary Gutierrez, El Rancho, Senior
Justice Navarro, California, Sophomore
Wendy Carrillo, Whittier, Senior
Corey Luna, La Habra, Sophomore
Lauren Puebla, Cantwell, Senior

RUNNER OF THE YEAR STORY

LA HABRA -- The most difficult task for any athlete is not to achieve a goal, but to repeat it.
Whittier Christian High School senior Kellian Hunt, one of the top girls cross country runners in the area, lived up to those expectations during the 2011 season.
For her efforts, Hunt is Daily News Girls Cross Country Runner of the Year.
Hunt is joined on the team by the El Rancho duo of Bailee Henry and Ana Galacia, St. Paul's Ariel Melendez, Whittier's Marylu Pulido, California's Justine Romo and La Mirada's Taylor Jones.
El Rancho's Ty Wynn is Area Coach of the Year.
But the 2011 season, like it was the previous year, was all about Hunt, who again proved to be the area's best before topping off her three-year reign with another trip to the CIF State championships in Fresno.
"I was really happy with the entire year," Hunt said. "It went really well. We had a good finish to it. I was really happy with my time.
"My goal was pretty much to beat (my) previous best and let the places take care of themselves. I'm happy with the results and the season."

ALL-AREA BOYS CROSS COUNTRY
Runner of the Year: Aaron Mora, Whittier, Senior
Coach of the Year: Steve Endemano, Whittier Christian
First team
Kevin Ramirez, Santa Fe, Junior
Michael Munoz, La Serna, Senior
Chris Bates, Whittier Christian, Senior
Angel Escobar, Whittier Christian, Freshman
Art Hernandez, Cantwell Sacred Heart, Senior
Zach Mejia, El Rancho, Junior
Second team
Andrew Abeyta, Whittier Christian, Junior
Jarrod Keithley, Whittier Christian, Senior
Tim Guzman, La Mirada, Senior
Jesse Bonilla, Cantwell Sacred Heart, Senior
Henry Rodriguez, El Rancho, Senior
Christian Garcia, Santa Fe, Senior

RUNNER OF THE YEAR STORY

WHITTIER -- From a talent aspect, there wasn't much difference between the 2011 season and the previous season for Whittier High School's Aaron Mora.
The change for the senior cross country runner was attitude, and the results were quite noticeable.
Mora won the Del Rio League championship, ranked among the leaders at the CIF-Southern Section finals and advanced to the CIF State championships in Fresno.
For his efforts, Mora is the Daily News Boys Cross Country Runner of the Year.
He is joined on the team by the Whittier Christian duo of Chris Bates and Angel Escobar, Santa Fe's Kevin Ramirez, La Serna's Michael Munoz, Cantwell Sacred Heart's Art Hernandez and El Rancho's Zach Mejia.
Whittier Christian's Steve Endemano is Area Coach of the Year.
But this was the year of Mora, who showed from the start that this fall was going to be different.
"It was just more motivation," Mora said. "I wanted to to do it, because basically, I knew I had no more chances. I had to do it this year.
"That was the big thing, just more motivation for me."

Here's this week's Winter Sports rankings. Sorry for the delay since they ran in the paper, but its been a busy week putting together the first three all-area packages, while covering some games:

DAILY NEWS RANKINGS
BOYS BASKETBALL
1. Cantwell (15-1) -- Only loss was to Muir.
2. La Habra (10-6) -- Expecting strong league season.
3. California (9-6) -- Looked good at Covina Tourney.
4. Whittier (7-8) -- Who can stop Pittman?
5. La Serna (4-7) -- Better than record

GIRLS BASKETBALL
1. Whittier (12-2) -- Still the one.
2. St. Paul (11-4) -- Keeps on rolling.
3. La Habra (11-3) -- Six and counting.
4. Whittier Christian (10-6) -- Won 3 of 4 in Ontario.
5. Santa Fe (8-8) -- Rounding into form.

BOYS SOCCER
1. El Rancho (13-0) -- Area's best winter team?
2. La Serna (7-2-3) -- Looked good in December.
3. Montebello (5-2-1) -- Team to beat in Almont.
4. La Habra (2-2-2) -- Deceiving record.
5. Pioneer (6-1-4) -- Could challenge in league.

GIRLS SOCCER
1. La Mirada (4-4-1) -- Faces rival Mayfair today.
2. La Serna (2-3-3) -- Still the one in Del Rio.
3. Pioneer (4-2) -- Off to good start.
4. El Rancho (5-2-2) -- Will challenge in league.
5. La Habra (3-2-1) -- Enjoyed good December.

ALL-AREA GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Player of the Year: Jaden Louie, Whittier Chr., Sr.
Coach of the year: Shawn Hunter, Whittier Chr.
First Team
Outside Hitter: Deanna Blaine, Whittier Chr., So.
Middle blocker: Natalie Lopez, St. Paul, Sr.
Middle blocker: Melissa Martinez, La Serna, So.
Outside Hitter: Jaliyah Rutledge, La Serna, Sr.
Outside Hitter: Kylee Wolfe, Whittier Chr., So.
Libero: Sydney Rubalcava, California, Libero, Sr.
Second Team
Outside Hitter: Jaclyn Barrera, Whittier Chr., Sr.
Outside Hitter: Elissa Sanchez, El Rancho, Jr.;
Setter: Tawny Flareau, La Serna, Jr.
Libero: Ashley Hunter, Whittier Chr., Sr.
Outside Hitter: Nicole Desatoff, La Habra, Sr.
Outside Hitter: Danielle Manzano, St. Paul, Sr.

LA HABRA - This could have been a rebuilding year of sorts for the Whittier Christian High School girls volleyball team.
But senior Jaden Louie wouldn't allow it.
The setter was the lone holdover from the Heralds' run to the CIF-Southern Section division semifinals the previous year and a key to getting to the final this year.
For her efforts, Louie is the Whittier Daily News Player of the Year.
Louie is joined on the All-Area team by teammates Deanna Blaine and Kylee Wolfe; the La Serna duo of Jaliyah Rutledge and Melissa Martinez; St. Paul middle blocker Natalie Lopez and California libero Sydney Rubalcava.
Whittier Christian's Shawn Hunter is Coach of the Year.
Louie's senior leadership and versatility allowed Whittier Christian to win another Olympic League title en route to its second trip to the division final in the past three years.
"Having her come back as one of the girls who was there (the year before) was great for our team," said Hunter whose Heralds, despite a lineup that featured two sophomore outside hitters, went 31-6 and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 2A final and the first round of the CIF state playoffs. "She was competing on a daily basis, getting everybody around her better.
"She just works hard. She drives herself, so she makes my job really easy. Because of that, she was able to get better every day and lead our younger players by example."

Above: Chino Hills alum Ifo Ekpre-Olomu will play in Monday's 98th Rose Bowl Game. (Photo provided by Eric Evans/Oregon Sports Information)

University of Oregon football coach Chip Kelly has one rule: The best players, regardless of class, play. He's lived up to that statement, showing no qualms to play talented, but inexperienced freshman, including two years ago when running backs LaMichael James and Kenjon Barner found their way into the lineup, and this year is no different. One of those is former Chino Hills star Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, who has made a sudden impact for the Ducks, being part of defensive coordinator Nick Aliotti's seven defensive-back rotation.
Below is today's story of Ekpre-Olomu.

Also, click here to read about the 2012 Rose Bowl Hall of Fame class, which is former Wisconsin star Ron Dayne, announcer Dick Enberg and former Washington star George Fleming.

Here is today's notebook, leading with Kelly addressing the Ducks' struggles in BCS games and encounters when their opponents have had more than a week to prepare.

By Steve Ramirez
LOS ANGELES - So much for the adage that freshmen are supposed to be seen, but not heard.
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu is one of the exceptions.
The former Chino Hills High School star, despite his youthful status, not only has found his way on the field for the Oregon football team but he's made an impact in the Ducks' defensive back rotation.
He will put his talents on display when Oregon faces Wisconsin on Monday in the 98th Rose Bowl Game in Pasadena.
"For myself, I always have high expectations," said Ekpre-Olomu, who has played in all 13 games and is the No. 2 cornerback behind starters Anthony Gildon and Terrance Mitchell. "Of course, I wanted to play this year. I got to do that. Now I'm just working my way up the depth chart trying to get more and more playing time."