Donell Wilson, a 6-foot-4, 280 pound linemen with offers from Kansas and Tennessee under his belt, has transferred to Pasadena High. Wilson had not been seen or heard from since June 28, according to Blair coach Gary Parks.

"We didn't see him anymore," Parks said. "We e-mailed, called his mom and found out he was at PHS. I found out through various phone calls and e-mails and text messages."

Parks said Blair had the same problem with Wilson last year, when he found out Wilson had been seen on Muir's campus during summer time. Parks said that when he was not admitted at Muir, Wilson returned to Blair.

"I think he's getting bad advice," Parks said. "That's just what I think."

In a rare move, Parks said the school has opted not to challenge the transfer with CIF.

"You know what, I'm not going to challenge it with CIF," said Parks when asked if Blair would make that its next move. "We know and the people involved know that God has the ultimate outcome in everything that we do."

Pasadena coach Randy Horton confirmed Wilson's transfer, but added that paperwork is still being sorted out. Horton said Wilson came up to him sometime in August and said he wanted to play for Pasadena.

"His parents moved and he's in PHS district," Horton said. "One day he came up and said he wanted to play. But he's not playing the first game because everything isn't done yet. He has to get all of his paperwork in."

Wilson practiced three days with Pasadena during fall camp, but Horton said that when he found out Wilson "had not un-enrolled from Blair I pulled him off the field."

When asked how Wilson will bolster PHS' line, Horton said he's not quite sure just yet.

"I can't tell you how much he's going to improve our line until he plays," Horton said. "I knew nothing about him, where he's been or what he's done."

When asked if Horton had ever heard of Wilson, Horton responded, "Nope, never have."

CLICK HERE FOR THE CIF-SS PRESEASON TOP 10 POLL

1. MONROVIA
Strengths: Nick Bueno's return would be enough for any team to feel confident about its offense, but what makes the Wildcats dangerous is the depth at running back, starting with senior Derrick Johnson. The offensive line has added size, and a good core on defense also returns. The Wildcats have a chance to prove they're the team to beat with a tough nonleague schedule that includes Mid-Valley Division champion San Dimas.
Obstacles: Experience may be an issue -- the offensive line returns only two starters (Dean Bisterfeldt and Ellis McCarthy).
Outlook: With Bueno virtually directing the offense, don't expect Monrovia to skip a beat offensively. If the newcomers adapt well, the Wildcats could be tougher to beat.

2. ST. FRANCIS
Strengths: A stout offensive line is anchored by Patrick Carroll. The 6-foot-4 lineman had a good summer, getting the attention of colleges and quickly becoming a coveted recruit. The receiving core and secondary return, solidified by Travis Talianko, Ryan Jenkins and Ian Hamilton.
Obstacles: The Golden Knights have a talented but unproven quarterback in Brett Nelson. The 6-foot-3 senior was a transfer from Loyola who didn't play there and was a backup last season. Who replaces Dietrich Riley, now at UCLA, also may be an issue.
Outlook: Nelson has the protection any quarterback would want. If he continues to develop and his talents come to fruition, then St. Francis definitely will surprise teams.

3. MUIR
Strengths: This year's team returns 17 players, 10 of whom started last year. They're a year older after playing valuable minutes last year. Experience on the line, anchored by Danny Huerta and Cameron Palmer, will be key. Running back Kevon Seymour and wide receiver Karl Holmes appear ready to shoulder the responsibility of producing on offense.
Obstacles: Replacing Jarron Williams will be no easy task; Williams played virtually every position and had poise. Jeff Davis, a senior, appears to be the front-runner to take over at quarterback, but lacks valuable minutes.
Outlook: A rebuilding year was expected last year with such a young team. A year older and wiser, Muir expects to improve on a fourth-place finish in the Pacific League and get past the first round of the Southeast Division playoffs.

4. SAN MARINO
Strengths: Mike Mooney makes a grand return to the head coaching ranks. His return alone is a big boost to the Titans. Mooney brings with him a proven staff that includes longtime assistant Tim Loya, who will be offensive coordinator. Kawame Do, a junior, should help provide a seamless transition at running back.
Obstacles: There's a three-player battle at quarterback. Regardless of who wins the spot, they'll still be unproven and will have to adapt to varsity speed.
Outlook: Bet the house anytime Mooney is in the mix.

5. ROSEMEAD
Strengths: Rosemead coach Matt Koffler takes pride in the Panthers' ability to execute the run well. It's a reason why you can expect Rosemead's run production to improve this season, and no one's better at protecting the ball than senior Matt Fregoso, who was a bright spot in the Panthers' 42-20 loss to San Marino in a rare first-round playoff loss. Matt Macias also returns at quarterback, along with seven starters on defense and four of five starters from last year's offensive line.
Obstacles: The Panthers have a tough road for a Mission Valley League crown, competing against the likes of Arroyo, which has bolstered its roster throughout.
Outlook: Rosemead will have an old-school feel with a determined rushing attack. Koffler seems adamant about improving ground production, which may translate to a deeper playoff run this season.

6. ARCADIA
Strengths: Taylor Lagace leads a long list of juniors who are expected to produce after earning starting roles as sophomores. Lagace, a 6-foot-2 wide receiver, caught 74 passes for 895 yards and 12 touchdowns. Rodney Arnett rushed for 670 yards and three touchdowns. Myles Carr was thrust into the starting role at quarterback after Garrett Tuck suffered a shoulder injury halfway through the season. He passed for 859 yards and eight touchdowns.
Obstacles: Tuck was a proven leader on the field. His presence will be missed. The expectations are higher now that the returning group is a year older, but whether they can handle those expectations remains to be seen.
Outlook: St. Francis coach Jim Bonds was impressed with Arcadia during a passing game early this summer. With such a talented group returning, it may not be all that surprising to see the Apaches make a playoff run.

7. SAN GABRIEL
Strengths: Senior wide receiver Mark Covarrubias highlights the Matadors roster this season. As a junior, Covarrubias caught 57 passes for 815 yards and six touchdowns. He'll also solidify the defense after making 124 tackles as a safety. Senior running back Arthur Brown said he's healthy and no longer has lingering affects from an ankle injury that slowed him last year.
Obstacles: Isaac Valdez spoiled the Matadors with three stellar seasons as quarterback. His speed, agility, management and creativity will be sorely missed. There's a three-player race for the starting job, and Eric Alvarez, a sophomore, appears to be the front-runner. Experience will be hard to come by, however. Injuries plagued the Matadors for most of the preseason, and they hope to shake any ill effects.
Outlook: San Gabriel loaded its nonleague schedule with the likes of Muir, Burbank and Rosemead. If it can avoid injuries, keep games close and have another strong Almont League season, the Matadors can put themselves in position for a good playoff run.

8. ALHAMBRA
Strengths: The Moors are running the Wing-T offense, which is suitable for a team with an offensive line anchored by seniors Chris Salgado and Dominic Gonzales. Lou Torres takes over as head coach after spending more than two decades as an assistant under Gil Ruedaflores. Torres knows the Wing-T offense well, and his experience will help things to run smoothly.
Obstacles: The Moors lost a lot of offensive weapons in Mitchell Crockom (Idaho State), Darrian Cazarin (ELAC) and Vailele Peko (transferred to La Habra). Crockom provided size and speed, while Cazarin was a proven quarterback (2,151 yards, 18 touchdowns).
Outlook: Alhambra looks to improve on last season's 6-4 year and third-place finish in the Almont League. It will be tough to produce offensively, but if newcomer Joshua Mendoza (quarterback) can grasp the offense quickly, the Moors may still find themselves contending.

9. LA CAÑADA
Strengths: Seniors Jay Kolina and Daleep Sandhu return and are ready to carry the load offensively. Kolina, a tight end/linebacker, caught 23 passes for 330 yards and five touchdowns. Sandhu is a quick running back who showed glimpses of producing big numbers last year as a junior -- he rushed for 668 yards and scored seven touchdowns. Michael Arkfeld also returns, and his versatility will help a Spartans team in search of depth -- the senior split time last year at wide receiver, running back and defensive back.
Obstacles: La Cañada lost its two biggest offensive threats in quarterback Rocky Moore (2,143 yards passing, 21 touchdowns) and wide receiver Josh Hanson (800 yards receiving, seven touchdowns). Newcomers will try filling the void, but it could take some time before a noticeable impact.
Outlook: The Spartans look to improve from last year's 5-5 overall record and a third-place finish in the Rio Hondo League. Though it earned a playoff berth after an exciting play-in game, La Cañada hopes to contend for a higher placing and give San Marino and Temple City a run for their money.

10. TEMPLE CITY
Strengths: Look for Temple City to pull away from last year's spread offense. First-year coach Mike McFarland will run multiple formations and an offense that will complement the personnel. Tim Sanderson returns at linebacker. He accounted for 112 tackles last year and will be a big, physical target should he end up playing tight end.
Obstacles: There'll be plenty of competition at quarterback and in the backfield, and replacing Justin Smith (1,726 yards passing, 14 touchdowns) and Max Ruckle (1,116 yards rushing, 13 touchdowns) won't come easy. The senior-studded offensive line is also gone, meaning the Rams' depth on the line remains but experience does not.
Outlook: McFarland is rightfully excited about his new gig. He's at a school where football is king, and that enthusiasm might translate on the field too. It's too early to tell, but at the very least McFarland will have this group starting on the right path.

Above: Monrovia's Jay Henderson

2010 STAR-NEWS PRESEASON ALL-AREA TEAM
OFFENSE
QB: Nick Bueno, Monrovia, Sr.
RB: Matt Fregoso, Rosemead, Sr.
WR: Taylor Lagace, Arcadia, Jr.
WR: Jay Kolina, La Cañada, Sr.
WR: Jay Henderson, Monrovia, Sr.
TE: Travis Talianko, St. Francis, Jr.
OL: Patrick Carroll, St. Francis, Sr.
OL: Chris Salgado, Alhambra, Sr.
OL: Danny Huerta, Muir, Sr.
OL: Alan Felix, San Marino, Sr.
OL: Dean Bisterfeldt, Monrovia, Sr.
PK: Ian Sternau, St. Francis, Sr.

Above: Muir's Kevon Seymour

DEFENSE
DL: Ellis McCarthy, Monrovia, Jr.
DL: Nick Preciado, Rio Hondo Prep, Sr.
DL: Donell Wilson, Blair, Sr.
LB: Tim Sanderson, Temple City, Sr.
LB: Mark Covarrubias, San Gabriel, Sr.
LB: Derrick Johnson, Monrovia, Sr.
LB: Oliver Campbell, San Marino, Sr.
DB: Kevon Seymour, Muir, Sr.
DB: Ryan Jenkins, St. Francis, Sr.
DB: Charles Quintero, Rio Hondo Prep, Sr.
SS: Charlie Cimmarusti, Monrovia, Sr.
P: Matt Faber, La Cañada, Sr.

CLICK THREAD FOR POSITION RANKINGS

Above: Arcadia and Monrovia open the season at Fullerton High last year. The site was changed because of poor air conditions stemming from the Station Fire.

MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN

Try and keep up.

Randy Horton, who served as an assistant football coach at Temple City High School last year, is the new head coach at Pasadena.

Mike McFarland, who was pink-slipped before school year's end and after one season as coach at Pasadena, is head coach at Temple City. He takes over for Anthony White, who left after one season to pursue the same position at Buena Park High.

Mike Mooney, whom many moons ago was the longtime head coach at Temple City before leaving to pursue an administrative position at San Marino High, goes from assistant to head coach at San Marino after D.R. Moreland resigned early this year to further his education.

Still with me?

Lou Torres, who begins his 25th year as a teacher and assistant football coach at Alhambra High, was promoted to head football coach at Alhambra after Gil Ruedaflores called it a career after 21 seasons.

Jude Oliva, who was a finalist for the head coaching position at Alhambra, was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach at San Gabriel in place of Keith Jones, who retired early this year.

Phew.

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

MONROVIA -- There were no blaring headlines or expectations.

Nick Bueno's arrival three years ago was subtle, if not silent.

The sophomore-to-be merely was one of a short list of players competing for the starting job at quarterback at Monrovia High School three years ago.

By fall camp, Bueno was one of two finalists for the job, and three paragraphs was all that was needed to describe his role in the 2008 football preview where there was no mention of his vision or speed.

That offseason was highlighted by a visit to the Peyton Manning Camp in New Orleans, where he received one-on-one tutoring from the Super Bowl champ.

Bueno still was a second option at best in the newly installed Wing-T offense. Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox had a talented running back in Marquise Williams to carry the offensive load, and he did.

There were flashes of brilliance to Bueno's game. He quietly posted career-like numbers early in the season, but it mattered little, if at all, so long as they also were accompanied by an "L" next to them.

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING

PREPXTRA UPDATE: Have already fielded calls and emails saying newsracks are sold out in some areas, and that the wrong magazine was inserted. If you run into this problem, head on over to the Star-News office at 911 E. Colorado Blvd. (between Lake and Colorado) and purchase it for $1. We don't have an unlimited supply, so get down here today to get your copy. I'm finding out that home delivery had the right insert and the problem is at the newsstands. Can you guys confirm?

Nobody from the Tribune office will admit that our magazine cover is the best, but it is. Nevertheless, we are excited to bring you the first-ever PrepXtra Magazine, which hits the newsstands and on home delivery Wednesday. This project took all summer, but it was well worth it. As much as it was a lot of work it was also a lot of fun to produce. It'll be fun from here on out figuring out who we will grace on the cover. Below is Monrovia's Nick Bueno, arguably the most notable returnee, who also was the only underclassman to grace the cover with four other seniors (Dietrich Riley, Mitchell Crockom, Isaac Valdez, Max Ruckle) in last year's special preview section. So far, the magazine is receiving rave reviews within our newsgroup. I'm confident our advertisers and readers also will be blown away. Oh, and in case anyone is wondering, our fabulous photographer Keith Birmingham shot the covers. The cover below took a lot of planning, throwing ideas here and there before we decided to go with a black backdrop, two fog machines and four lights. The shoot itself took nearly three hours, and in case you're wondering, that's mud on Bueno's face and jersey. We shot it on a hot day early July in a stuffy locker room at Cliffton Middle School in Monrovia where the Wildcstas were holding summer practice. Our thanks to Bueno for his time and Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox for providing us with equipment and free time in the locker room.

Aram Tolegian, AKA Chemical A.T., and I will discuss the Two-Minute Drills on video this season. Today we bring you San Gabriel at Muir on Friday night at 7.

Two football players from Muir High School face possible punishment after their involvement in a scuffle during a scrimmage against Cathedral last week.

Muir football coach Ken Howard said coaches and school administrators are looking into the matter and added a decision might be made by Thursday on whether the players will be suspended for Friday's season opener at home against San Gabriel.

The altercation happened early in the scrimmage when teams were split into position groups. Howard said he was with the linemen when the scuffle between wide receivers and defensive backs broke out.

"Right now I don't want to name names," Howard said. "But basically some players were (fired up) about playing football. We got a couple of names and we're trying to figure out what happened.

"I'm still discussing with some of our coaches and administrators the situation. We don't know if there will be a punishment handed out this week or next week, but there will be a punishment."

There is film of the scrimmage but not of the incident, which happened much earlier than the 11-on-11 scrimmage, which Howard classified as a "glorified practice."

"In the midst of the scuffle there were guys running to it," Howard described. "When you turn around and see the guys running to it, it looks like a bigger incident. But in the whole picture you find out that there were teammates pulling other teammates off of guys, so it didn't escalate into a brawl or anything like that."

Howard said the matter will be handled in a serious manner.

"We're going to treat it as if it happened during a real game," Howard said. "We ask ourselves, `What's the punishment?' We're figuring out what kind of punishment will be handed down, and we're going to make it clear it's something that will not be tolerated."

Mission accomplished

The scrimmage went on as planned, and Howard said he was pleasantly surprised by the progress.

Senior quarterback Jeffrey Davis, in particular, demonstrated patience in the pocket and speed. Davis, a 6-foot-4 speedster with a strong arm, is replacing Jarron Williams.

"(Davis) did a little of both," Howard said. "He stood well in the pocket, got off some good balls and when he scrambled he ran pretty good. He showed he can get his reads down and proved confident in the pocket.

"We didn't know what to expect, but he showed us some really good stuff. It was a pleasant surprise, truly."

Aram Tolegian, AKA Chemical A.T., and I will discuss the Two-Minute Drills on video this season, starting today with Roosevelt vs. Alhambra at Moor Field on Friday night at 7. Tuesday I'll have San Gabriel at Muir. Week 0 is light for us, but we'll have plenty more to choose from next week, so now's the time to lobby for your team to be dissected. I'll have up to three Two-Minute Drill videos next week.

Vacation is over and it's time to bring out the clipboard and enjoy Friday nights on the sidelines. Year 3 of my tenure begins, and I'm holding onto the reigns a little stronger. This fresh face has some new wrinkles and the body armor needed to dive right into the action. Our weekly Star-Picks kicks off Monday on the blog. I challenged Stang Fan and Goldenarm for picks last year, but I'm unsure if they're willing to go at it again. I'm sure the 1-9 start from last year won't be a problem this time around. Later today I'll have Two Minute drills with Aram Tolegian as we profile the Roosevelt-Alhambra and San Gabriel-Muir games. For now, here are the predictions. Game of the Week votes, anyone?

WEEK 0
Thursday's Games
Brethren Christian at Pasadena Poly, 3 p.m. --- Pasadena Poly
Blair vs. Fulton at Muir, 7 p.m. -- Blair

Friday's Games
Bassett at Keppel, 7 p.m. -- Bassett
Roosevelt vs. Alhambra at Moor Field, 7 p.m. -- Roosevelt
San Gabriel at Muir, 7 p.m. --- Muir
Cerritos vs. Gabrielino at Gahr, 7 p.m. -- Cerritos
Westchester at Pasadena, 7 p.m. -- Pasadena

Saturday's Games
Maranatha vs. Big Bear at Big Bear Middle School, 1:30 p.m. -- Big Bear
Westview at Bosco Tech, 4 p.m. -- Bosco Tech
La Salle vs. Village Christian at Glendale, 7 p.m. -- Village Christian

Got this press release from Lehigh University, which announced today that former La Cañada volleyball star Courtney McCutchan was selected Rookie of the Week in the Patriot League.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Freshman Courtney McCutchan of the Lehigh volleyball team was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Monday, as announced by the league office.

McCutchan was instrumental in the Mountain Hawks' three victories over the weekend, posting two double-doubles and 11 or more digs in each of her last three matches at the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational in Pittsburgh, Pa.

"Courtney got off to the start that we expected from her," Lehigh coach Jenny Maurer said. "She is a solid all-around player and her stats are indicative of that. She helped from the service line, she had key blocks and the double-doubles speak to her offensive and defensive skills as well."

The La Canada, Calif. native tallied eight kills and 16 digs against St. Francis (Pa.) on Friday as the Mountain Hawks won their first game of the 2010 season. McCutchan followed the performance with a 13-kill, 11-dig outing against Robert Morris and an 11-kill, 12-dig line vs. Radford on Saturday. McCutchan also chipped in with six block assists and six service aces over the weekend as the Brown and White completed the tournament with a 3-1 record.

Lehigh has not opened a season with three wins in the first four matches since the 1995 campaign when the squad started 4-0.

The Mountain Hawks will look to continue their fast start on Friday, September 3 in the Sacred Heart Invitational in Fairfield, Conn. Lehigh opens the tournament against hosts Sacred Heart at 4 p.m., before taking on Jacksonville and Dartmouth the following afternoon.

My laptop currently is with our I.T. department, meaning if I don't get it by the end of today, this could very well be my last entry as I depart for my week-long vacation. In any case, Keith Lair will provide daily reports beginning in Tuesday's paper. The season begins in two weeks, and with that comes time to make some big time decisions, like which teams we'll give the cover on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. It won't be as hard for Thursday and Saturday, but certainly Fridays are up for grabs. But be careful what game you pick Friday, because whichever one you pick also means that you'll get yours truly as the reporter. Don't grow restless next week. Keep visiting and be on the lookout for our PrepXtra Magazine, slated to hit a newsstand near you Sept. 1. I promise you you'll be blown away.

WEEK 0
Thurs. Sept. 2
Brethren Christian at Pasadena Poly, 3 p.m.
Blair vs. Fulton at Muir, 7 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 3
Bassett at Keppel, 7 p.m.
Roosevelt vs. Alhambra at Moor Field, 7 p.m.
San Gabriel at Muir, 7 p.m.
Cerritos vs. Gabrielino at Gahr, 7 p.m.
Westchester at Pasadena, 7 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 4
Maranatha vs. Big Bear at Big Bear Middle School, 1:30 p.m.
Westview at Bosco Tech, 4 p.m.
La Salle vs. Village Christian at Glendale, 7 p.m.

San Marino football has been spoiled with some very good quarterbacks as of late. First, it was Steven Wright making waves with his consistency, leadership and patience in the pocket. Three years ago, Wright threw for 1,179 yards and seven touchdown passes before his 2008 season was cut short because of injuries. In that injury-marred season, Wright threw for 597 yards and nine touchdowns against only two interceptions. He was poised for a breakout season before a separated shoulder derailed his senior season.

Joe Forgatch stepped in. The rocky start (Forgatch was intercepted in his first two passing attempts) soon after became an easy transition. He threw for 355 yards and six touchdowns in the latter part of the season. As a senior, Forgatch completed nearly 56 percent of his passes (135 of 241) for 1,748 yards and an astonishing 17 touchdowns against only four interceptions. He also led the Titans to a thrilling win over Temple City to finish second int he Rio Hondo League and a dominating 42-20 win over Rosemead in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

That there's a four-man race to takeover the heralded Forgatch can be taken in one of two ways: Forgatch left some really big shoes to fill or afforded the opportunity for one of the four in the running to emerge and make a name for himself, just like Wright once did as well as Forgatch.

Here are the candidates:

Chris Faulkenbury, Sr. -- The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was a backup to Forgatch last season. He perhaps of any other candidate has the experience after watching Forgatch in action from the sidelines.

Kody Gerrick, Sr. -- Gerrick is a transfer from Arcadia. The 6-foot, 150-pounder is also the nephew of San Marino baseball coach Mack Paciorek.

Garret Glazier, Jr. -- The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has the frame and winning mentality to swoop in and take the spot. He was a proven winner as the JV starting quarterback.

Matt Wofford, So. -- He was the place kicker during the Titans' playoff run last season. But we're talking quarterback now, and Wofford has the least experience of the four. The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder is only a sophomore, and that could play well for him, given that the Titans will now want to start thinking about grooming the quarterback for the future.

San Marino lost nine starters from last year's playoff team. The majority of returning starters come from the defensive side, led by Oliver Campbell and Seve Woods. It's no secret the Titans lost an explosive offense with the graduation of Forgatch and, of course, Mr. All-World, Stevie Yortsos (337 yards rushing, 707 yards receiving, nine interceptions, 14 touchdowns).

But if Titans coach Mike Mooney had his druthers, and could pick one returning starter from any position, Mooney without any hesitation said it would be a quarterback.

"A quarterback is an extension of the offensive coordinator," Mooney said. "He's like another coach on the field, coordinating the offense."

So far, nobody has yet taken ownership of the position, Mooney said. Even then, Mooney said he wants to see how they look with pads on, which came on today. That will be a real gauge of where the QB's stand, and whether they can weather the pressure that comes with being a quarterback.

Courtesy of Jon Gold, Daily News

We have a few high school football correspondents returning to cover high school football games in the fall, but are looking for more. Those who have covered high school football games before or are studying journalism are ideal. Or, if you have a passion for writing and football, and can spell, that works too. If interested, feel free to email me at miguel.melendez@sgvn.com.

A press pass will be provided that will get you into the game and access to the sideline or the press box (if available). You will be paid a small fee for your time and efforts.

Above: Alan Felix, right, has his sights set on Dartmouth.

There wasn't the slightest hesitation when three San Marino High School seniors talked about the future.

It was only the third day of fall camp, but Alan Felix, Seve Woods and Oliver Campbell already have mapped out their post-graduation journey. The process began early for some and late for others.

Felix, a 6-foot-4, 290-pound lineman, recently attended Dartmouth's football camp. He was invited to work out after sending several tapes. Felix holds a cumulative 4.1 GPA and is confident about meeting Dartmouth's high academic requirements. That he's a student-athlete makes him even more coveted.

"There were a lot of good players there," Felix said. "It's always a good feeling that they are looking at you, and I was proud to be chosen. I've wanted to go (to Dartmouth), and hopefully football can be my way there."

Woods is a 5-foot-11 wide receiver/defensive back who has one destination in mind: West Point. Woods comes from a family of several people who at one point or another served in the military. His grandfather served in the Marines, one uncle served in Vietnam and another uncle in Korea.

It was Woods' great-grandfather, though - who didn't serve in the military - who had the biggest influence on him setting his sights on West Point.

"My great-grandpa always told us how great West Point is," Woods said. "I've always wanted to serve in the military and serve my country."

So much so that Woods began inquiring about West Point his freshman year, when he made sure he took the necessary courses that one day would qualify him to the prestigious academy. He got even more serious about it the summer going into his junior year.

Woods also is thinking about the Air Force Academy and Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo. He'd like to continue playing the same position, but made clear West Point is his first choice.

"Cal Poly is more of a safety net," he said. "But if I get into West Point, that's where I'll definitely go."

Campbell will play a bigger role at linebacker this season. The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder said he wants to lead by example the same way Trent Converse (125 tackles) did before graduating. One thing different about Campbell (76 tackles) is his passion to join the Army - the Airborne Rangers, to be exact.

Over the last five years, Campbell's eagerness to join the Army has increased, and he recently sat down and talked to a recruiter. His parents were taken aback by the news, but only at first.

"After we talked, they really supported me in my decision," said Campbell, who added it's possible he might play football at Army. "I know they'll always support me in what I do."

Campbell was within earshot and listening to Woods talk about his plans to serve his country. As it turned out, it was news to Campbell.

"He hasn't really told anyone about it," Campbell said. "But that's very admirable what he's planning on after high school."

San Marino coach Mike Mooney, in his first season as the Titans' head coach, knows all about his patriotic student- athletes, including senior Chris Faulkenbury, who wants to attend the Air Force Academy.

"One thing this community in general has preached is about giving back and loving your country and being grateful," Mooney said. "It's a new way of appreciation for the things that have been given to them."

Temple City senior Tim Sanderson didn't have the best of starts to the Rams' fall camp opener this week. Sanderson, a punishing linebacker expected to solidify the secondary, pulled a muscle during weightlifting on Monday, and as a result was limited to practice because of continuing back spasms. He saw a therapist early Tuesday morning before the start of practice, but so far there still are lingering effects. Sanderson said he hopes he's given the green light come Saturday, that's when Temple City distributes pads, throws them on and give themselves a true gauge of where they stand a week into fall camp.

Of course, you knew all this if you picked up the newspaper today. What didn't make the paper was our conversation afterward. This year, on the blog, I hope to bring you entries in story format, stories that I'll reserve exclusively for the blog. It's my attempt to provide exclusive content for print and exclusive content for the blog. Remember the Nick Bueno and Derrick Johnson story posted on the blog below? Notice it didn't make the paper? Well, that was by design. In short, I hope to provide you with more in-depth stories to go along with tidbits and banter subjects.

And now, Sanderson ...

It was one of the first times I got a chance to speak with Sanderson. The 6-foot-4 senior made a name for himself as a bruising linebacker last season when he made 112 tackles. It's because he was such an integral part of the Rams' success that frustrated Sanderson sitting practice.

After we talked about the injury, we touched on some subjects, like playing for a third coach in three years. Sanderson played for Randy Backus, Anthony White and now Mike McFarland. If you include Tim Loya, that makes four coaches (Sanderson was brought up from JV to varsity late his sophomore season). As Sanderson pointed out, "It wasn't like it was another coach because (Loya) was just taking over the same system."

I wondered what he thought about McFarland, and so far Sanderson is excited about him.

"He knows what he wants to get done and he's doing a good job about making sure we're all on the right page," Sanderson said.

What's been the biggest part about adjusting to a new coach, I wondered.

"Definitely the biggest adjustment has been the lingo, the terminology," Sanderson said. "They all have their different perspective. At first you wonder what kind of coach they're going to be, but then after a few days you realize they're going to be a good coach because they're passionate about the work. We saw that with coach quickly.

"But of course, because he's a new coach we have to learn new things."

There also are different personalities.

"We're starting to get the hang of it all," Sanderson said. "White was easier for me because I was new to varsity. So it went from finally learning what he wanted to something new."

Fade, streak. Those were terms commonly used by Anthony White.

Take off. That's what McFarland says instead.

"The way we call the plays on offense," Sanderson said, "it's different."

The coaching carousel hasn't been as bad as it may seem for seniors at Temple City, at least not for Sanderson.

"You learn that each coach has their own philosophy and you learn to adapt to make it work," Sanderson said. "You know they all want to be successful, and they were successful before coming here."

Randy Backus was a top assistant coach under Mike Mooney and was the architect behind the 2008 Rams team that reached the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

Anthony White won the Wendy's High School Heisman, a prestigious national award, before playing for Urban Meyer at Utah.

Mike McFarland was a stellar prep athlete at Arcadia where he was a three-sport athlete, lettering in football, basketball and track. He served assistant coaching stints at Occidental College, Minnesota State University-Moorhead and Missouri Western University.

"So when you realize all that, and you put it all together, you take little things from each of them and you learn to make yourself better," Sanderson said. "And when you do that, you hope that you give yourself more variety as a player and as a person."

There's a three-player race for the starting quarterback job at Temple City. Almost a week into fall camp, Temple City football coach Mike McFarland said he still hasn't seen any of the three emerge as the front-runner. The quarterback position seemed to be the one position the Rams were not so worried about when last year's disappointing season came to an end. Brandon Cox, a 6-foot-2 speedy passer, was expected to take the reigns from Justin Smith. Cox was to provide another element to the Rams' dynamic with his elusiveness and playmaking ability.

But wasn't to be. Cox transferred to Pasadena where his father is now a strength and conditioning coach under first-year Pasadena coach Randy Horton. Suddenly, Pasadena goes from having the talented Aaron Simpson taking snaps to Cox creating a quarterback competition. It's looking a lot like Cox will be the Bulldogs' quarterback this season.

Pasadena looks set, but what about Temple City?

Senior Alec Vigil, senior Bruce Pacilio and sophomore Mike Quintanilla are the three vying for the starting spot. McFarland said after Tuesday's practice that Temple City didn't start fall practice as if from scratch. The Rams have played together and built cohesiveness since the start of spring and throughout summer camp. Still, between the start of the year and through summer, neither Vigil, Pacilio nor Quintanilla have taken ownership of the position.

That can be taken in one or two ways: All three are creating such a competitive atmosphere and each one has their own unique talent that so far it's been difficult to pinpoint one particular QB as the front-runner. That's great and all, but with pads ready to go on Saturday, McFarland hopes someone starts separating himself from the pack, given the season is only a few weeks away.

"These guys are all getting reps," McFarland said. "But I'm still not ready to catapult anyone to the top. It's still very much a competition."

Should someone have taken an edge anyway, McFarland still wouldn't have had a clear picture of his new quarterback.

"We gotta be in pads to make that assessment and see what they look like," he said.

Vigil was a junior wide receiver/defensive back on varsity last season. He's the lone player in the three-man rotation with varsity experience, and that could play to his advantage. He recorded 24 tackles on the defensive side. Pacilio was on the junior varsity last season and Quintanilla was a freshman.

Whichever quarterback emerges, one thing is for sure: replacing Justin Smith won't be easy. Smith completed nearly 60 percent of his passes (99 of 170) for 1,737 yards and 14 touchdowns. He also rushed for 419 yards and six touchdowns.

Temple City scrimmages El Monte on Sept. 3 and opens the season Sept. 10 at home against Arroyo.

Our first-ever PrepXtra Magazine will hit the presses Friday, meaning we're in the final stages of editing proof pages and making sure we covered all our bases. The magazine is tentatively scheduled to run Sept. 1, and it'll be a newspaper insert just like our past football preview sections. We have your favorite features ready to go, like your top 10 poll, cover story, and much much more. I spoke with my managing editor Tuesday and I've been told the magazine sold very well, and we'll have 40 pages dedicated purely to prep football coverage. Folks, this doesn't include the advertising pages, which bumps the page-count to over 50 pages. We compiled Top 5 lists that I'm planning on publishing next week on the blog while I'm on a week-long vacation. I'll have top 5 quarterbacks, wide receivers, running backs and defensive players. Here's where I want your input. Do you folks want them in that order, one each day next week, or all on Monday so you have all week to discuss the list? I'll let you guys pick. I'm heading to San Marino later this morning, so later I'll post more notes from that practice, as well as Temple City. Keith Lair will takeover next week, but before I leave let me know which schools you'd like for Keith to visit beginning next Tuesday. In short, you're all in the driver's seat for what you want reported in the paper and the blog, too.

I was taking a nap when I woke up and saw the image above on TV. There's been an outpouring of support for Maranatha's Dylan Covey, who forfeited a huge signing bonus with the Milwaukee Brewers after it was learned Covey was Type 1 diabetic. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel goes on to report that blood tests aren't always included in physicals but one was performed on Covey, with a diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes, which often comes at an earlier age. Covey was selected with the 14th overall pick by the Brewers in the MLB Amateur Draft. Family and friends erupted in celebration when Covey's name was announced as the 14th pick. He felt ready to turn pro and begin his road to the big leagues. The road there, however, will now take a detour, as Covey will attend the University of San Diego before he realizes his big league dream. This much is certain: It's a matter of when, not if. I'll go as far as saying Covey may be a top 5 draft pick in a few years, and then the celebration will be even sweeter. Good luck, Dylan.

It was too early to call it the Nick Bueno Show after Bueno rushed for 230 yards on 16 carries and scored two touchdowns in Monrovia's 27-13 win over Arcadia in the season opener last year. This year there's no holding back. You and I both expect big things out of Bueno, who added some serious muscle to his 5-foot-9 frame.

The bicep curls have done Bueno good, but it's his unparalleled speed that separates him from the pack. He was in midseason form during Monrovia's first week of practice. His passes were crisp and on target. But what we didn't see was him lining up at slot receiver. That's right, receiver.

Don't get it twisted. Bueno still will be the exciting quarterback we saw last year. But the offense will add a new weapon to its arsenal thanks to some depth in the pocket.

Monrovia's in the process of grooming the next starting quarterback, and all signs point to sophomore George Frazier, who stands a solid 6-foot-2, to take over the reigns next season. He took all snaps with the second unit. Frazier's not as agile or elusive as Bueno, but he does gives the Wildcats some serious pocket presence because of his size.

He's a hard hitter and doesn't appear shy from contact. Because he's caught on so quickly, the chance to move Bueno around a bit was too hard to pass up.

"George has great knowledge of the game," Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox said. "He leads by example, and he does it not just with his play, but also verbally. He's a sophomore and can communicate and lead verbally, and seniors will follow.

"That's something very few people have. He'll most likely start somewhere on the field, whether on defense or possibly offense. And then we'll get him at quarterback, put Nick in the slot. We're going to move him around a little bit."

Bueno spent dead period practice with teammates, working on patterns, timing and execution. Expect Monrovia's aerial assault to make a bigger impact this season.

Still, it begs the question: Why move Bueno around?

"He's a phenomenal weapon with his legs and arms," Maddox said. "I don't want to say he plays with an attitude, but he's a warrior, and that's evident by how he plays.

"He's really impressed people. We used him all over the field (during summer). At defensive back, receiver and he impressed a lot of people with his versatility. We can definitely use him wherever we put him. he's one of our best receivers. best runners and he's great at defensive back. Really, we can use him wherever and he can excel. He's clearly one of the premiere football players in the San Gabriel Valley."

So get ready folks, because Monrovia's looks more than ready to unleash its wrath on Glendora and San Dimas.

The offense hasn't skipped a beat, it seems, and if it's possible has gotten even better. Jay Henderson looked good in practice as well. He'll be a top receiver to keep your eye out on. Don't let his subtle numbers from last year tell you otherwise.

Charlie Cimmarusti, the Wildcats' top safety the last two seasons, also lined up at receiver with the first unit. He was part of the receiving rotation last year, but saw limited time. He's expected to contribute more on offense this season.

There was a towering and intimidating presence at Monrovia High School's fall camp opener Monday at Cliffton Middle School.

The towering part isn't a surprise. Ellis McCarthy was a 6-foot-4 standout as a sophomore and has grown an inch since then.

The intimidating factor? That's where it gets interesting.

McCarthy is a boy trapped in a man's body, now standing 6-5 and a weighing a staggering 290 pounds. It's a drastic leap from when McCarthy weighed 245 pounds as a 15-year-old sophomore. It's not like McCarthy's been piling on the Doritos, a strong weakness of his. He shredded the baby fat and added muscle to his now-lean frame. McCarthy altered his eating habits, too. He cut off soda and opted for water and protein shakes. He also hit the weights hard this offseason and increased his bench-press max to 295 pounds.

"I also did a little cardio," McCarthy said after practice. "I just wanted to be more healthier so I can be ready to go both ways and wherever my team needs me."

McCarthy attended the Nike and USC camps and Pete Carroll's "Win Forever" camp at Home Depot Center and earned rave reviews at all three as a top 2012 prospect. McCarthy mentioned Nebraska, UCLA and elsewhere in the Pac-10 as being among the places he's considering.

McCarthy is destined to play on Saturdays, perhaps Sundays, too.

"He's a Division I football player," Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox said. "He is absolutely the real deal."

McCarthy finished with 11 sacks last season as a defensive end. He'll see a lot of time at tackle this season, although he's expected to spend some time at end, too. The biggest adjustment, however, will come on offense, where McCarthy goes from tight end to tackle in an effort to bolster the line. He caught nine passes for 152 yards, but McCarthy often bailed out the Wildcats in long-yardage situations for first downs. His size, surprisingly quick feet and soft hands made it hard for opposing coaches to leave single coverage on McCarthy.

His tremendous upside as a junior-to-be has Maddox and future college coaches beaming.

"He's young for his grade," Maddox said. "So you figure at 245 (pounds) he was only 15 years old and he was at a 6-4 frame. So he's just starting to fill out and become a man. He's not even probably close to what he'll be eventually, and that's the scary thing.
"He's only 16 years old and he's got growing to do. He's a young man in an adult's body. He's massive."

Also ...

Monrovia's fall camp is being held at Cliffton Middle School because of work at Monrovia High. The new football stadium -- complete with a grandstand, press box, weight room, turf field and track -- is in the late stages of construction. Monrovia's first home game is scheduled for Sept. 17 against Arcadia.

I just got off the phone with Darrell Covey, who said that Dylan Covey's diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes was the reason why Dylan and the family felt it was in Dylan's best interest to forgo signing with the Milwaukee Brewers and stay close to home in an effort to better manage the diabetes.

The discovery was made Friday after a routine physical Dylan underwent Wednesday. Upon the discovery, Darrell said the family had to think hard about the best way to handle the news. Darrell said the Brewers still were willing to sign Dylan, who was selected with the 14th overall pick in Major League Baseball's first-year player draft.

The 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior right-hander led the Minutemen (19-10) to the CIF Southern Section Division 5 quarterfinals this past season and posted a 7-1 record with three saves, a 0.40 ERA, 138 strikeouts and 20 walks in 70.2 innings. He also hit .414 with a home run and 17 RBIs and led the Minutemen to a Division 5 championship last year.

We first reported the family asking for at least a $2 million signing bonus, and it seemed apparent that the Brewers and Covey were close to getting a deal done before the diagnosis was discovered.

Covey subsequently will attend the University of San Diego where he was offered a full ride two years ago. Darrell said the family spoke with the school and were more than willing to help manage the diabetes, such as providing a nutritionist. I asked Darrell if Dylan agreed that staying home was the best option.

"Dylan was the one who was at the front of this decision," Darrell said. Obviously, it's tough that this didn't pan out, but Darrell said that this perhaps is a sign that Dylan should take another road to the big leagues. "Money was never an issue," Darrell said. "Dylan wanted to play in the big leagues, but now he feels this is a sign that he must go about it in a different direction."

Tom Haudricourt at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel also spoke with Darrell, who admitted to him that he and the family will "... probably now be a Brewer fan the rest of my life because these guys were great with us."

Darrell added: "The bottom line is that we didn't have a lot of time to make this decision, so we went with our gut feeling. We couldn't even sleep on it. But Dylan went down to the UCLA diabetes center today and talked with the director there; got all the information he could.

"This wasn't an easy decision. With the time element, we were up against the wall. At the end of the day, all five family members (including Dylan's two brothers), thought college was the better answer, because of the proximity and structured environment. The Brewers tried to convince us otherwise but they respected our decision."

I'll have a story on Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy in Tuesday's paper. But here's a story I also wanted to share, this one regarding running back Derrick Johnson. I caught up with Derrick after Monday's practice to talk about the knee injury suffered in the CIF-Southern Section Mid Valley Division championship game, his recovery and his role on the field.

There's never a good time for an injury, but if Monrovia's Derrick Johnson had his druthers, he certainly would have preferred that deep bruise in his left knee at any time but the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division championship game last December against San Dimas.

Johnson, a senior-to-be, suffered the injury in the second quarter when his knee was caught in a pile. It was initially feared that Johnson had torn his ACL, but Johnson learned the extent of his injury when he arrived at Methodist Hospital in Arcadia. Johnson spent two hours at the hospital, and it was there where he learned from a nurse that Monrovia lost to San Dimas. He didn't know the final score, no less how the Wildcats almost pulled off a dramatic comeback in the fourth quarter thanks to Nick Bueno's relentless push.

Johnson found out in the most unusual of ways.

"I was in the bed alone when the nurse walked in," Johnson said. "She said, 'Oh, you're a Monrovia football player. My nephew plays for San Dimas.'" It wasn't long before Johnson was delivered the news, by the nurse who did so in a polite way.

"She just said 'I'm sorry you guys didn't win,'" Johnson recalled. "I wasn't mad that she told me. How could I be mad? I was mad at myself because I felt I let my team down. I wanted to go back into the game after the injury, but they wouldn't let me. I felt I could."

Johnson said he was heavily medicated, so his reaction was subtle, if that. He spent two months in intense physical therapy. Before he knew it, Johnson was back on the field trying to regain his prowess that led him to 648 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns. As a hard-nosed linebacker, Johnson recorded 94 tackles, 61 of which were solo tackles.

Johnson looked sharp during Monrovia's fall camp opener Monday morning at Cliffton Middle School. He looked more lean and had a quicker step to his game. Johnson was a straight-up-the-middle kind of back as a junior, bouncing off tackles and extending for extra yardage. But there was a noticeable first-step explosion Monday. Granted it was only practice, Johnson opted to use his speed and head for the wings instead of taking the rock down the middle.

"I feel faster and stronger," Johnson said. "If my team needs me to pound for yardage, I'll do that. If they need me to run outside, I can do that, too."

Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox was impressed in other aspects, too.

"He's come full circle in the two years," Maddox said. "He's grown tremendously. His leadership and work ethic is great. He and Nick (Bueno) are the two most respected leaders on our football team."

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF LA SALLE'S FOOTBALL PRACTICE

PASADENA - There was a time when La Salle High School's Mike Novell calmly flew under the radar.

That time was last season, when Novell was the Lancers' starting quarterback as a sophomore.

He went from mentally preparing to be the starting quarterback on the junior varsity team his sophomore year to being thrust into the starting role on varsity after winning the job in fall camp.

By season's end, Novell had quietly made a name for himself. He completed 60 percent of his passes, throwing for 1,167 yards and 12 touchdowns against 10 interceptions.

A year later, Novell understands that the pressure is on. He's now under the microscope and the learning curve is gone.

CLICK HERE ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING

After a series of covert operations from deep sources at Monrovia, we've obtained this photo showing the near-completion of Monrovia's newly constructed football stadium. As you can see, the black asphalt (is that the right term?) is where the rubber track will be laid, and the concrete looks ready for the turf. The campus and the construction site, from what I've been told, has been completely off limits to students and personnel. Monrovia's first scheduled home game is Sept. 17 against Arcadia, and Monrovia AD Randy Bell said he's hoping the field is ready by then. If not, the Wildcats will turn to plan B, which is to play at a Rio Hondo League stadium. But from the looks of it, the hardest part of the construction is done, like the infrastructure. More on Monrovia in Tuesday's paper and later on the blog.

You can't blame Muir football coach Ken Howard for being excited and eager to get the season started. The boys on Lincoln look mighty impressive. This is not the same Muir team that went through growing pains last season, and they're ready to prove they belong among the best. Karl Holmes is a 6-3 wide receiver who was voted Top WR at the San Jose State camp and was among the top 5 at Cal Poly's camp. He's explosive, physical and has soft hands. He's also a proven leader and showed as much during Wednesday's fall camp opener. Jeffrey Davis will be somebody I'll definitely keep my eye out on. He's a 6-4 quarterback who gives the Mustangs much needed size in the pocket, especially when you have a towering offensive line that features Danny Huerta (6-0), Cameron Palmer (6-4) and Shawn Wilcox (6-4).

"I'm excited because we went to that game last year and nobody expected us to do well in that game," said Howard, referring to the first-round game against Charter Oak in which the Mustangs nearly pulled off the biggest upset. "With all the weapons coming back, we're the only ones that can stop us. It's all up to us at this point. These guys are really that good."

Muir was roughed up last season, but the Mustangs definitely used it as learning experience. Just watching Muir on the field you can tell they've definitely grown up.

"It's maturity," Howard said. "They grew up just like a lot of the guys on this team grew up from that one game These guys (Holmes and Davis) really want to bring this team together, and they're showing that with their leadership."

As Muir started camp Wednesday, you can tell they have added confidence.

"Over the summer they gained more confidence," Howard said. "We want them to have a swagger about themselves, and they have it."

I will visit as many football camps as I can before I go on vacation from Aug. 20 to Aug. 30. Some coaches replied to my text asking when fall camps begin. Most begin next week, but some have already started this week, like Maranatha. The Minutemen have a unique setup going on, which includes a week-long stay on campus. No cell phones, no video games, no TV's. Muir opens camp Wednesday with weightlifting beginning at 8 a.m. It concludes at noon, and the second session begins at 3:30 p.m. They'll go at it til about 7:30 p.m. Text me or leave a comment and tell me why we should visit your camp. Below is a list of teams and when they open camp. If your team is missing it's likely your coach hasn't replied my text, but no worries, I'll update when I get the dates and times squared away.

Bosco Tech: Aug. 16, 6 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Muir: Opens Wednesday. Weightlifting 8-12, 3:30-7:30
Monrovia: Aug. 16, 8 a.m. at Clifton Middle School
Pasadena: Aug. 30, 5 p.m.
Rosemead: Aug. 16, 8 a.m.
San Gabriel: Aug. 16, 8 .m.
San Marino: Aug. 16, 8 a.m.
Temple City: Aug. 16, 8 a.m.

There are only a few prep sportswriters who know as much about high school football like Aram Tolegian does, and I've worked alongside some real stud journalists. So if Aram says Dietrich Riley is "a legit, mature D-1 player" then you know Riley not only is the real deal, but obviously has elevated to a whole new level since graduating from St. Francis earlier this year. Aram spent Thursday morning at Citrus College with former Charter Oak stud and Super Bowl champ Jason David, who is spending Tuesday and Thursday mornings working out with future college standouts. Among them, of course, was Riley. Also there was former Muir standout Myles Campbell (waddup, Myles!) ... Head on over to "In the Huddle" for video interviews and complete analysis.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE RYAN HOLLINS BASKETBALL CAMP

I had a developing story take most of my time Wednesday, which is why I didn't post a follow-up to an interview I had with Ryan Hollins.

But I'm back.

Several coaches who took part in the Ryan Hollins' three-day basketball skills camp stood out, among them: Thomas Scott, son of Cleveland Cavaliers coach Byron Scott. Thomas played at Pasadena City College and served as an assistant to Gamal Smalley, now the Muir boys basketball coach. Also in attendance was Horace Wormley. The 2002 Muir graduate went to PCC before earning All-American honors at Vanguard. He went on to play with the L.A. D-Fenders of the D-League and is now playing overseas in Germany.

But the one coach I did talk to was Don Grant, now the head coach at Chino Hills. He was intriguing to me because I learned he was the same coach who cut Hollins from tryouts his freshman year.

Grant coached at Muir from 1997 to 2003. He recalled Hollins' eagerness to improve. He did, and with it came a growth spurt, too. Hollins was a 6-foot-4 freshman. Grant said it seemed like each month Hollins grew an inch, and by the time he was a sophomore, Hollins was an impressive 6-9, albeit a bit lanky.

"He averaged four points and jumped up to 20-plus points and 10-plus rebounds per game his senior year," Grant said. "His improvement was as drastic as I had ever seen as a coach.

"When he stopped growing he was able to gain body awareness and body coordination. He grew his freshman year -- from the time we cut him to the time he finished. He grew to 6-9 his sophomore year and 6-10 his junior year and 6-11 his senior year."

What made Hollins standout wasn't just his natural athletic gifts. He's humble and has his priority straight, a lot of which he owes to his upbringing.

"Ryan has some really good parents," Grant said. "His dad and mom were always on top of his academics. Ryan had very good grades; only had one bad grade in his life, and it was a D, and his dad said 'If you get another one you'll never play basketball.'

"He was very mature. His perseverance and ability to work hard is why he is where he is. When a kid gets cut there's a blaming game, but Ryan was like 'Give me something I can work on and I can practice because I will make it."

As I stated before, I'm a big fan of Ryan Hollins. It was his two free throws with 19.7 seconds that helped UCLA pull off a dramatic comeback against Gonzaga in the 2006 NCAA Regional semifinals. I told him and his parents as much when I met him Tuesday afternoon during the second day of his basketball camp. We talked about various subjects, many of which I wrote about in Wednesday's paper.

Hollins, a second-round (50th overall) selection in 2006 by the Charlotte Bobcats, also played for the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves before he was traded this offseason to the Cleveland Cavaliers.

We got to talking about other things, like playing for Byron Scott, his journey throughout the NBA and his 'Stang Pride.

From The Sidelines: Talk about your career at UCLA, specifically that 2006 season when you guys surprised an entire nation.

Ryan Hollins: That 2006 year is something special. It was hard work paying off. We had an opportunity and we were ready to make a deep run. Everything didn't go perfect that year, but we went on to make it all the way to the championship game. What a thrill."

FTS: You made two huge free throws against Gonzaga with 19.7 seconds left to put the Bruins within one. What was going through your mind when you headed to the line?

RH: It's crazy you ask that question because the funny thing is I can honestly say nothing was going through my head. My mind was blank. That game will always be special to me because it was a testament to hard work. You shot a bunch of free throws and you have the moment in your hand, and there I was doing it. We had a goal in mind. (UCLA) coach (Ben) Howland came here and we all sold ourselves to our teammates and became successful.

FTS: Byron Scott just recently was named coach of the Cleveland Cavaliers. You gotta be excited to play for a Laker legend.

RH: Playing with coach Scott is going to be great. The fans are to still be behind us, and we're looking forward to making a run. I know that coach Scott has done some good work with big men, like Tyson Chandler (in New Orleans). I definitely know I can submit myself to his teaching and learn the game and play the kind of game Chandler played.

FTS: I'm sure when you first stepped onto an NBA arena as a pro you must have been in awe of the feeling. I'm sure these kids are in awe just seeing you here on the same court with them. But I have to imagine you still have those rookie-like emotions sneak up on you once in a while when you look back on your road to the NBA.

RH: Everything goes so fast, but every once in a while you do have those moments. When you sit back and say you've made it to a certain point. I look around practice and the jerseys and really appreciate it and soak it all in. I'm still working harder to get better, and I'm not satisfied, if that makes any sense; I want to get better. But I am appreciative of where I am and that I can step onto an NBA arena and throw on an NBA jersey for a living.

FTS: Your basketball jersey No. 15 was retired here three years ago. It's going up on the wall and will join the likes of Stacey Augmon (No. 32), Eric McWilliams (No. 33), Jacque Vaughn (No. 11) and Tye'sha Fluker (No. 50) as the only Muir basketball players to have their numbers retired. What do you think about that?

RH: It's an honor, because at John Muir you know it's not just another jersey being retired. There's so much pride and tradition in Pasadena."

FTS: Speaking of tradition in Pasadena, when you were here Muir was good in football and basketball. Football is still a power here, but basketball has given way to Pasadena. What are your thoughts on that?

RH: I know what's going on. I know with coach Smalley things will turn around. I'm very confident in that. I see the interest he has in the kids and the tradition, he wants to keep it alive. And if he needs anything from me he definitely can hit me up.

FTS: Do you keep up with the Turkey Tussle?

RH: (laughs) Yeah, I still check and keep tabs on the Tussle. I'm kind of sick of wearing this red in this gym right now, but we'll establish this as burgundy, not red. I'm happy to know we still have the (Liberty) Bell.