Los Osos pitcher Austin Lorenz decides on college

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Los Osos graduate Austin Lorenz spent Thursday morning going through orientation at Mt. SAC. The left-handed pitching standout had a few offers from four-year colleges but none were from programs he found to be a good fit.

Later that day everything changed. Lorenz is now headed to NCAA Division II Colorado-Mesa.

He had been talking to that school and had visited in May but it wasn’t until that day things were finalized.

Among the other schools he was considering were UC Davis, Westmont, University of Redlands and Naval Academy.

“I was going to go there (Mt. SAC) for a year and then re-apply at Naval Academy,” Lorenz said. “I texted the Mesa coach  one last time and asked if there was anything final and he told me to call him that night. That’s how it all worked out.”

Lorenz was the top pitcher for the Grizzlies (17-11). He went 7-2 with a 2.31 ERA in 11 appearances with 51 strikeouts in 58 innings. He was the starter and winning pitcher when the Grizzlies defeated CIF champion Etiwanda. It was the Eagle only loss in Baseline League play.

Lorenz was a first-team All-Baseline League selection and a second-team All-Inland Valley selection by the Daily Bulletin.

He plans to major in kinesiology and Mesa’s academic program in that field was one of the factors in the decision.

“It had that small-town feel to it and I really liked that,” Lorenz said. “The college is the center of everything there.”

Colorado-Mesa went 50-12 overall last season and won the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference at 32-4. The Mavericks lost in the Division II national semifinal to West Chester 1-0. The 50 wins in a season was a school record.

 

 

 

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New water polo club to hold free clinic for beginners

So Cal Tsunami WPC

Kevin Nesbit has always been up for a challenge. He built the girls and boys water polo teams at Alta Loma back to respectability and the girls even won a CIF Division 6 title last fall.

His next challenge – starting an all-encompassing aquatic program.
So the new So Cal Tsunami Water Polo Club is up and running. It is not intended to compete with the more established water polo programs but aims to introduce the sport to youngsters art an earlier age.

“There is a lot of untapped potential out there,” Nesbit said, “Right now a lot of kids aren’t exposed to the sport until high school. By then it can be too later because they have other interests.”

Nesbit will be conducting a free clinic for beginners wanting to learn the basics of the sport. It will be held from 12:30 to 2 p.m. on July 29 at Alta Loma High School. There are sessions for kids 5 to 8, 10-under, 12-under and 14-under.

While the initial start up will be just water polo, Nesbit hopes to add competitive swimming and swim lessons in the future, although those are distant goals right now.

“There is a void in this area and we want to be able to fill that,” said Nesbit, who has worked in the USA Water Polo Olympic Development Program coaching a Cadet team. “This is a growing area and there is a need.”

Those wanting more information can go on line to www.SoCalTsunami.com.

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Rancho Cucamonga’s Bryanna Duckett earns NSCCA honor

 Bryanna Duckett of Rancho Cucamonga has been named to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America All-American team. It includes schools that competed in both the fall and winter,

A total of 50 players receive NSCAA All-American recognition with 32 female student-athletes and 18 male student-athletes representing schools from across the country.

The 2016-17 NSCAA High School All-Americans will be formally recognized during the NSCAA All-American Luncheon in conjunction with the 2018 NSCAA Convention from Jan. 17-21, 2018 in Philadelphia.

Duckett, a midfielder who will attend Arizona in the fall, helped the Cougars to a 16-6-1 record in the winter season. She played in 12 games, missing a handful for club commitments.

Here is link to see the whole list of players chosen.

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Here is to the top single day performances of the past prep season

Roosevelt’s Anthony Easter, Upland’s Joseph Anderson, wins the race and Rancho Verde’s Cameron Samuel during the 300 meter hurdles CIF-State track & field finals at Buchanan High in Clovis, CA. Saturday, June 3, 2017. (Photo by Terry Pierson/SCNG)

Today’s flashback is the top single game-match performances of the school year. No it’s not easy trying to recall everything that happened in the last 10 or so months. So let us know if you think someone else should be included.

1. Joseph Anderson, Upland track So we don’t give an All-Sports Male Athlete of the Year but if we did, Anderson gets it hands down. He definitely saved his best for last, taking first place in both the 110 and 300 hurdles at the state meet.  In the 110, which he also won as a junior, he set a record time of 13.33 seconds. That 13.33 broke the meet record and his 36.06 in the 300’s was the fastest at the state final since 2007.

2. LaMelo Ball, Chino Hills basketball The youngest of the Ball siblings made national news when he scored 92 point in a 146-123 Baseline League win over Los  Osos.   The sophomore had 63 points in the second half alone and made 37 of 61 shots in the entire game. It was second best scoring performance in California history. I don’t care if he didn’t play any defense, 92 points is 92 points. People may or may not like the style of play but Melo and the Huskies are still the most entertaining team to watch, hands down.

3. Steven  Rivas, Etiwanda baseball – Rivas was smacking around the ball around every field all season but no doubt his best game came in a 23-3 win over Baseline League foe Chino Hills. Rivas, who has signed with Long Beach State,  went 4 for 6 with 4 runs scored and 11 RBI. He slugged two three-run home runs, had a two-run triple and a three-run double. He hit .477 on the season.

4. Jaylon Redd, Rancho Cucamonga football He is another athlete who gave highlight performances every time he stepped on the field. Perhaps his best game came when he scored five touchdowns against the Cougars biggest league rival Upland in a 47-10 win.  He scored on a 48-yard punt return and returned the second-half kickoff 99 yards for another score. His other touchdowns came on runs of 3 and 75 yards, as well as an 8-yard reception. He finished with 366 all-purpose yards including 170 yards on 15 carries on the ground

5. LiAngelo Ball, Chino Hills Let’s add a second ball to the list. Before the younger brother went off the middle sibling was doing quite well. He had 72 in the third game of the season against Rancho Christian. That was part of a three-game stretch in which he had 154 with the 72 point game preceded by a 56-point showing. He would go on to earn Inland Valley Player of the Year honors.

6.  Kenzie Koerber, Chino Hills volleyball The Utah-bound standout had 25 kills,11 digs, 2 blocks in the last match of the season against Rancho Cucamonga, the dominant team in the league in recent years. That showing enabled the Huskies to claim a share of the Baseline title. Those numbers came in just three sets as Chino Hills swept Rancho.

7. Nathan Tilford, Colony football – Tilford had a huge hand in the Titans rallying from a 42-20 deficit against Corona del Mar in a CIF Division 4 quarterfinal. Colony came up short 49-48 but the Arizona bound prospect was a hug force. He rushed for 141 yards on just 16 carries and had sixc receptions for 189 yards,

8. Owen Bishop, Claremont cross country – Bishop helped the Wolfpack win the Division 2 state cross country title in the fall. He also took individual honors in the 5,000-meter race, becoming the school’s first individual state champion.

9. Ashley Anumba, Los Osos track – 1. She didn’t just win a CIF Southern Section title, she won a state title in discus with a throw of 171 feet. She also placed 12th in shot put. She pretty much obliterated county records in the throwing events.

10. Audrey Sellers, St. Lucy’s softball The sophomore catcher led the Regents to a 17-8 Baseline League win over Chino Hills. She went 3-3 with three home runs – two three-run shots and a two-run shot which came her first three times up. Pitchers then walked her twice.

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Ayala’s Joe Naranjo makes Under-17 National Baseball Team

Junior Joe Naranjo of Ayala High School is one of 40 players selected to the final 40-man roster for the 2017 17U National Team Development Program (NTDP).

The roster was unveiled today after the conclusion of the 17U National Team Championships in Arizona and Florida. The week-long 17U National Team Development Program will be held from July 12-29 in Chicago.

The National Team Development Program offers identified athletes an opportunity to connect with USA Baseball staff to better prepare for a future national team experience. The program includes skill development sessions, off-field education seminars and intra-squad games.

Naranjo, who has committed to Cal State Fullerton, was a first team Palomares League and All-Inland Valley selection and a second-team All-CIF selection this season as a sophomore.

Narano, a left-handed pitcher and first baseman, went 8-3 with an 0.64 ERA and 71 strikeouts in 15 appearances (76 innings).

Eight of the invited athletes have participated in the USA Baseball National Team Development Program previously, including two athletes returning to the 17U NTDP for the second consecutive year.

Players are selected for the National Team Development Program based on their participation and performance at USA Baseball events. Recommendations from professional scouts, USA Baseball task force members and collegiate, high school and youth coaches at USA Baseball events play a role in the selection process for the National Team Development Program.

Also among the players making the cut is Michael Carpentier of Citrus Valley.

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A tip of the cap to some of the top coaching efforts of the season

We have already saluted some of the top teams of the past school year. Now its time to acknowledge some of the coaches who helped their teams to great things.

It’s easy to honor those whose teams went all the way. But it’s also nice to acknowledge those who have taken programs from the scrap heap and but them back to respectability.

Not going to rank them because they all deserve a lot of praise and it was hard comparing coaches who continued solid programs with those who had to revive theirs.

They’re listed in alphabetical order. Here goes . . .

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Nick Baiz, Rancho Cucamonga football – The Cougars played in the elite Division 1 and more than held their own, making it to the semifinal before losing to national power Mater Dei. The Cougars played a tough schedule but what was also impressive is that they never played down to an opponent. They did what they were supposed to do in each and very game.

Dawnesha Buckner, Los Osos girls basketball (27-4) – I touched on the Grizzlies success in my team highlights. But Buckner took a team that was 6-19 just a year ago and led them to a Division 3A CIF Southern Section title and a berth in the state title game. The Grizzles went from last place in the Baseline to second behind juggernaut Etiwanda. It was a young team last year so future foes should look out.

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Jerry DeFabiis, Colony boys basketball (30-6) – The Titans won the CIF Division 2AA title and did so without a true “superstar.” You hear a lot about team chemistry, yadda, yadda, yadda. Some say it is overrated. It’s not and the Titans are proof of that.

Sarah Farnworth, Upland softball (21-7-1) – The Highlanders were able to overtake the usual Baseline League powers this season – Etiwanda, Chino Hills and a much-improved St. Lucy’s and finished atop the heap. Upland did that despite losing its top pitcher for two months.  Farnworth did a good job of handling her pitchers and getting the most out of them, one of those just a freshman.

Andy Farrow, Chino Hills girls volleyball – The coach originally hired had to give up the job very late and Farrow was given the nod just a couple of weeks before the season started. His team didn’t even have a full schedule so most teams had at least a half dozen matches in before is even started. But the Huskies upset Rancho Cucamonga the last match of the season to the Cougars for first place in the Baseline.

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Don Furnald, Etiwanda baseball (27-3) – The Eagles made mincemeat of the Baseline League and that doesn’t happen often. They won 26 of their last 27, capped off by a CIF title in tough Division 2. Yes he had lots of talent, but it takes more than that to finish the job. The Eagles always seemed to keep calm under pressure.

Greg Gano, Don Lugo football (10-3) – Everyone knew Rancho Cucamonga was going to be good but it was Don Lugo emerging as the most pleasant surprise. The Conquistadores wrestled the Mt. Baldy League title away from Colony and made it to the Division 8 semifinal before losing to Burbank. He graduated some key defenders but many top offensive players will be back so they won’t sneak up on anyone next year.

Jeff Joines, Montclair boys soccer (27-2-1)  – The Mt. Baldy isn’t competitive in most sports but the exception is boys soccer and the Cavaliers came out on top against some other quality programs. The Cavs lost the Division 5 semifinal the toughest way possible, penalty kicks after a 2-2 double OT tie.

Alex Matal, Diamond Bar water polo – The Brahmas fielded a girls team for just the third year and went from 7-22 a year ago to 26-8 and Division 7 runner-up. Natal won CIF titles at Nogales and looks to be working that magic again at Diamond Bar. The boys went 22-12 and made the CIF semifinal and after going 14-15 the previous year.

Kevin Nesbit, Alta Loma water polo – It’s not easy to build a program when you’re right in the same neighborhood as established foes, most notably Los Osos.  But the Braves have made great strides. The girls went 22-10 and won a CIF title in Division 6 while the boys went 24-7, making it to the CIF semifinal before losing to Xavier Prep.

Max Pinedo, Chaffey baseball – The Tigers (20-6-1) were the Division 5 runner-up, dropping the title game to Katella 3-0 in 11 innings. Chaffey last played in a title game in 1971. He just rounded out his third year.  The team was 11-9-1 last year and 3-20 in his first year. Now that is progress.

 

 

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A look back at all our athlete of year selections

Rancho Cucamonga’s Jaylon Redd named the 2016 Inland Valley Daily Bulletin’s Football Player of the Year. (Photo by John Valenzuela/SCNG)

Another year of high school sports is behind us. Here’s a quick rundown of those we named the top athlete in their respective sport this season.

FALL
Football – Overall Player of Year: Jaylon Redd, Rancho Cucamonga
Football (Offense): Nathan Tilford, Colony
Football (Defense): Lavaka Latu, Rancho Cucamonga
Girls Volleyball: Bria Beale, Rancho Cucamonga
Girls Cross Country: Annie Boos, Claremont
Boys Cross Country: Owen Bishop, Claremont
Boys Water Polo: Bruno Snow, Claremont
Girls Tennis: Cameron Leigh Ward, Ayala
Girls Golf: Crystal Wang, Diamond Bar

WINTER
Girls Soccer: Sophie Jones, Claremont
Boys Soccer: Jose Torres, Montclair
Girls Basketball: Mikaylah Wilson, Etiwanda
Boys Basketball: LiAngelo Ball, Chino Hills
Girls Water Polo: Amanda Legaspi, Bonita
Wrestling: Zander Silva, Alta Loma

SPRING
Baseball: Tyler Freeman, Etiwanda
Softball: Taylon Snow, Chino Hills
Boys Track: Joseph Anderson, Upland
Girls Track: Ashley Anumba, Los Osos
Boys Volleyball: Johnny Abrolat, Claremont
Girls Swimming: Mikki Thompson, Ayala
Boys Swimming: Ethan Trieu, Los Osos
Boys Tennis: Jansen Comadena, Redlands
Boys Golf: Zachary Kauffmann, Chino Hills

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Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman signs, now what?

Etiwanda’s Tyler Freeman celebrates with a teammate after hitting a solo home run in the first inning against St. John Bosco Tuesday afternoon May 30, 2017 in Rancho Cucamonga. Freeman was named the CIF player of the year. (Will Lester-Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Etiwanda shortstop Tyler Freeman made it official. He signed with the Cleveland Indians on Tuesday, officially declining the scholarship he had to Texas Christian University.

Freeman, 18, was in Cleveland earlier this week and signed his first professional contract before the Indians game against the Texas Rangers.  Several family members were there to help him celebrate.

Then it he caught a flight to Arizona to join the Indians rookie ball team in Goodyear, just outside of Phoenix.

Saturday is an off day for the Indians rookie ball affiliate but Freeman said he plans to stand in so the team’s pitchers can get some extra work and he’ll get the chance to see live pitching which he hasn’t in a few weeks.

He hopes to be in the lineup playing regularly Sunday or Monday.

Freeman, who led the Eagles to the Division 2 CIF championship,  ended up getting the signing bonus of $816,500 which is the slotted amount for where he was drafted – the second round, 71st pick overall.

He had been asking for seven figures but decided the slot value was enough.

He admitted calling his coaches at TCU and telling them he would be turning professional was difficult. But he was anxious to start his professional career.

“I felt bad because I told them what I was asking for and ended up taking less,” he said. “But each day that went on I was more sure it was an opportunity I didn’t want to pass up.”

And Freeman didn’t exactly splurge when landing the lucrative signing bonus. He said there will be no frivolous purchases. He plans on investing in some real estate and banking the rest.

 

 

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Etiwanda baseball title tops stellar sports year

Etiwanda celebrates after defeating Palm Desert 2-1 during Friday’s CIF Southern Section Division 2 baseball championship finals at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, Ca., Friday, June 2, 2017. (Photo by John Valenzuela/SCNG)

Another school year has come and gone and teams from the Inland Valley once again did themselves proud.

Here are the championship highlights of the year past. These are tream accomplishments. We’ll get to individuals soon:

1. Etiwanda baseball (27-3) – Have to put the Eagles at the top of the list for winning their first title and it comes in Division 2 which may have been even better than Division 1 this season top to bottom. The Eagles cruised in the Baseline League and that isn’t easy to do. They won 26 of their last 27 games after a 1-2 start. Our player of the year Tyler Freeman led the onslaught.

2. Rancho Cucamonga football (12-1) – The Cougars put together the best season an Inland Valley team has had in a long time, cruising through the regular season undefeated despite playing a difficult schedule. Playing in Division 1 meant facing off against top teams in the nation, not just from Southern California. The Cougars marched to the semifinal before losing to perennial national Power Mater Dei 48-21. Oregon-bound Jaylon Redd led the spirited effort.

3. Alta Loma girls water polo (22-10) A minor sport wouldn’t normally rank this high on the scale but the Braves get the lofty spot given how dramatic their first championship match was. They defeated Redlands East Valley 6-5 in the Division 6 final, the difference being a shot by sophomore Payton Cooke at the buzzer. She had just been inserted into the match at time out seconds earlier.

4. Colony boys basketball (30-6) The Titans won their second title under coach Jerry DeFabiis, the only coach the program has ever had. They did it without what you would call a “superstar” but did have a lot of very good solid, all-around players that bought into the system and worked well together. The Titans downed a quality Villa Park team in the 2AA Southern Section final 74-70, but lost to that same team in the Southern California Regional final of the state portion of the playoffs.

5. Los Osos girls basketball (27-4) – It’s hard to think of a better Cinderella story than the Grizzlies, who had been the doormat of the Baseline League in recent years. They were just 6-19 overall and 0-10 in league play a year ago. Under new coach Dawnesha Buckner this season they won the Division 3A championship in easy fashion defeating Lancaster 55-33. They got to the Division IV state championship before running out of steam and losing to Sacramento West Campus.

6. Claremont boys/girls cross country – Few programs in the Inland Valley can compare with the Wolfpack who won both boys and girls CIF state titles this season in Division 2. That came after the Wolfpack were third at the Southern Section final. Senior Owen Bishop led the boys with a first place individual finish.

7. Chaffey baseball (20-6-1) – The Tigers had not appeared in a title game in baseball since 1971 and they hadn’t won since 1958 so they had to make the list. Coach Max Pinedo’s squad advanced to the Division 6 title game before losing to Katella 3-0 in 11 innings. It doesn’t get more hard fought than that as the teams went 10 scoreless innings. Senior pitcher Lawrence Castaneda led the charge.

8.  Claremont girls soccer (25-4-2) – A fantastic season could have been just a bit better had the Wolfpack been able to get past one foe – South Torrance. Claremont made it to the Southern Section Division 3 championship before losing to that team 1-0 in double overtime. They got a shot at redemption in the state portion of the playoffs and got to the So Cal Regional final, only to lose a rematch 2-1 in overtime. Sophomore Sophie Jones led the stellar effort.

9. Los Osos boys tennis The Grizzlies only finished third in the Baseline League but ended up winning a title in Division 4. It’s a young team most thought might be a year or two away from challenging. It’s coach had to depart for medical reasons and a top player became ineligible but those obstacles were overcome and Los Osos beat Maranatha 11-7 for the title.

10. Diamond Bar girls water polo (26-8) The Brahmas make the list by virtue of their quick improvement in the sport, having fielded a team for just three years. They made it to the Division 7 title match before losing to Santa Ynes 8-6 in overtime. To put that in perspective, the same team was 7-22 the previous year.

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