I am very happy to announce that San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group has entered into the world of gambling as it pertains to horse racing, sports betting and poker.

In doing so, we have launched the BET IT AND SWEAT IT blog. There you will find constant updates, insights, opinion and interaction between those of us who like to partake in horse racing, sports betting and poker, be it as a hobby or a serious endeavor.

I'm quite certain you will find this blog VERY ENTERTAINING and VERY INFORMATIVE.

You can start by reading my Super Bowl prediction column. And then be back on Friday afternoon at 1:30 p.m. for a webcast that will feature Covers.com handicapper Dave Malinsky, FOXSports.com's assistant managing editor Zack Pierce live from Indy and Pro Football Weekly's Editor and handicapping columnist Mike Wilkening.

Back row: St. Francis' Travis Talianko (San Jose State), Monrovia's Luke Williams (UC Davis); Arcadia's Taylor Lagace (UCLA). Middle row: St. Francis' Kristion Grbavac (USD, University of San Diego); Muir's Kevon Seymour (USC); Arcadia's Myles Carr (Fresno State) Front row: Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy (UCLA)

The long, at times strenuous and even invasive, road to national signing day is over as 20 area athletes made their college choices official by signing letters of intent on Wednesday.

The West San Gabriel Valley's impressive list was led by seven football players who will remain in the state of California.

At the forefront is Monrovia High School's Ellis McCarthy, who signed with UCLA. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound defensive tackle heads UCLA's list of commitments after decommitting from Cal a few weeks ago. He committed to Cal during an announcement at the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game earlier this month, but the USA Today All-American changed his name after the loss of Cal defensive line coach Tosh Lupoi, who went to Washington.

McCarthy narrowed his list to USC, Cal and Oregon (he said he was only allowed three hats at the podium, otherwise would have also included UCLA). McCarthy said he felt the full-court press from UCLA after it hired Jim Mora, who in turn brought in top coaches that included former Muir standout Demetrice Martin, a childhood friend of McCarthy's father, Ed.

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Back row: Pasadena Poly's Jack Birkenbeuel (UC Irvine); Flintridge Sacred Heart's Lindsey Espe (Belmont). Third row: Flintridge Sacred Heart's Tera Trujillo (New Mexico); Flintridge Sacred Heart's Breaana Koemans (Northeastern); Flintridge Sacred Heart's Alexa Montgomery (Arizona); Pasadena Poly's Colin Woolway (Harvard). Second row: South Pasadena's Taylor Colliau (Valparaiso); Flintridge Sacred Heart's Katelyn Almeida (New Mexico); Flintridge Sacred Heart's Jillian Jacobs (Loyola Marymount). Front row: Arcadia's Hayley Greep (Cal State Northridge); Alverno's Celina Minissian (St. Mary's); Flintridge Sacred Heart's Katie Johnson (USC). Not pictured: Pasadena's Alegra Hueso (USC).

Above: Last year's football photo at the Rose Bowl.

Here's who we have so far. We want to have a group photo that'll run in Thursday's paper. If you are on this list please come to the Star-News at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday wearing a sweater/shirt of your school. If you are signing to a Division I school on Wednesday and you are not on this list, e-mail me at miguel.melendez@sgvn.com for details.

FOOTBALL
Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy -- UCLA
Muir's Kevon Seymour -- USC
Muir's Tairen Owens -- UCLA
Arcadia's Taylor Lagace -- UCLA
Arcadia's Myles Carr -- Fresno State
St. Francis' Travis Talianko -- San Jose State
St. Francis' Kristion Grbavac -- San Diego
Monrovia's Luke Williams -- UC Davis

GIRLS SOCCER
Flintridge Sacred Heart's Katie Johnson -- USC
Flintridge Sacred Heart's Alexa Montgomery -- Arizona
Flintridge Sacred Heart's Breaana Koemans -- Northeastern
Flintridge Sacred Heart's Lindsey Espe -- Belmont
Flintridge Sacred Heart's Jillian Jacobs -- LMU
Flintridge Sacred Heart's Tera Trujillo -- New Mexico
Flintridge Sacred Heart's Katelyn Almeida -- New Mexico
Arcadia's Hayley Greep -- Cal State Northridge
South Pasadena's Taylor Colliau -- Valparaiso

BOYS WATER POLO
Pasadena Poly's Colin Woolway -- Yale
Pasadena Poly's Henry Pray -- UCLA

GIRLS WATER POLO
Pasadena's Alegra Hueso -- USC

Below: Girls soccer group photo from last year

Muir's Andre Frazier scored 12 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Maurice Ballard scored 12 points and dished out six assists and Deron Wilson had 11 points as the Mustangs cruised to the win. Muir improves to 21-1 overall. PHS improves to 16-6 overall.

By Miguel A. Melendez Staff Writer

ALHAMBRA -- The forecast may have indicated clear skies on Friday night, but it was raining 3s inside Alhambra High School's gym.

Keppel's Matt Low hit five 3-pointers en route to a game-high 30 points as the Aztecs buried Alhambra for a 62-49 Almont League win.

Keppel (15-8, 5-1) hit 12 of 20 3-pointers and Alhambra (9-11, 2-3) never came close to matching the Aztecs' efficient shooting from the perimeter, much less defending it. Keppel had open looks, and it gradually got better for the Aztecs, to the point that Low and Garrett Masada, who hit four 3-pointers to finish with 16 points, made the extra effort for step-back jumpers from beyond the arc.

"What we try to do is if we find a hot guy we try to run more sets for him and isolate him," Keppel coach Hung Duong said.

It's the third straight game Keppel has hit at least 10 3-pointers, and to no one's surprise has won in convincing fashion. The Aztecs shot 6 of 10 from the 3-point line in the first half.

"After you hit one or two threes you have to play better defense than that," Alhambra coach Robert Blanchard said. "They shot exceptionally well, but we could have played a little better defensively."

Alhambra's Miles Ford scored a team-high 14 points and Aaron Cosme, who played for the first time after missing two games because of a head injury, added nine points.

The Moors not only struggled matching Keppel from the 3-point line they also couldn't establish a post presence dispite several mismatches, and with it the game slipped away.

"They just beat us physically to the spots," Blanchard said. "We had a hard time executing our offense that way. When we started attempting to match them with outside shots it was out of frustration, guys not getting into open spots and instead forcing shots.

"Our game plan was to get the ball inside, but part of the problem was our bigs didn't demand it enough and get in position. We were a step slow."

Keppel took a 35-23 at the half and led by as much as 53-31 on Adam Thompson converted a free throw with 25.5 seconds left in the third quarter. In that quarter, Alhambra converted 2 of 6 three-point attempts from Kevin La and Cosme, who hit it as time expired. The Moors finished 4 of 16 from the 3-point line.

Keppel's success running the floor and its full-court press was too much for Alhambra to handle as fatigue clearly set it late in the third quarter. The Moors at one stretch missed four consecutive layups on two possessions with under a minute left in the third quarter. And Alhambra still struggled defending the 3-point play as Low twice was fouled behind the 3-point line. Much to Duong's chagrin, Low only hit one-of-6 free throws.

Still, the chess game was set, and Keppel took Alhambra out of its element.

"I think Alhambra's more of a deliberate type of offense," Duong said. "They like to make us play a half-court game, but they got caught in the running game with us and that's our type of game."

By Miguel A. Melendez Staff Writer

PASADENA -- It's becoming clear the longer the Muir High School boys basketball team remains undefeated in the Pacific League the more difficult it'll become to keep it that way.

No surprise they've become the new team to beat, the Mustangs were given a formidable challenge by Burbank, which led by four in the third quarter before Muir reverted back to its style, swarming the visiting Bulldogs with a relentless defense that resulted in a 54-42 win Wednesday night.

Muir (20-1, 9-0) can't simply count on its talent and unparalleled speed to keep it atop the league standings, and the Mustangs got a crash course of that against Burbank (11-11, 3-6), which also led by four at the half against Pasadena earlier this week before losing.

"I agree," Muir coach Gamal Smalley said. "I think team's are getting up for Muir becuase we've had a little bit of success. We have to fight through our fatigue."

That Muir had finals earlier in the day isn't an excuse, but the early-school release meant the Mustangs had a long break before tipoff.

"They're out at 12:30, lounging around for most of the day," Smalley said. "But we have to play through it and recognize it won't get easy. Nobody is going to give up on us."

Muir got off to a solid start, quickly building a 9-0 lead and its defense limiting Burbank to 0 for 6 shooting on its first eight possessions while forcing them to commit four turnovers. Dion Nelson's 3-pointer off a Bulldogs turnover made it 16-2 with 1:48 left in the game. Alex Voskanian scored the only points for Burbank, on a putback to make it 9-2 and two three-pointers in the final minute. Burbank shot 3 of 14 in the first quarter.

Muir's Brian Carrier and Nelson scored the only points in the second quarter while the Mustangs were burned with dribble penetration and kick-outs. 

Burbank took the lead on a Voskanian 3-pointer with 2:39 left in the third quarter to make it 31-28. Caine Brown's layup made it 33-28 and the Bulldogs led, 36-34 heading into the fourth quarter.

Muir went into a zone late in the third quarter but it went into full effect in the fourth quarter. Burbank found it tough adjusting to the zone, committing seven turnovers in the fourth, four of which came in the first minute that saw no shot attempts from the Bulldogs.

Jelani Mitchell, who finished with 13 points and four steals, stole the inbounds pass on the opening play in the fourth and tied it with a fastbreak layup, 36-36. On the ensuing play, it was Tevin Polk making a steal. He scored in similar fashion to make it 38-36, a lead the Mustangs would only add to. Burbank's Brown on the next play was called for a foul trying to position himself against Polk. Brown's frustration was evident as he pushed Polk from behind to give Muir possession. Brown fouled out with 3:45 in the fourth quarter and the Bulldogs suddenly went away from driving in, looking for the outside shot that never came.

Andre Frazier played a big hand in forcing Burbank outside. He became a force in the middle and finished with five blocks along with eight points.

"Once we went into the zone he was able to be the shot blocker," Smalley said. "He's capable of doing that. That's a big weapon, as an eraser, so to speak."

Nelson showed no ill effects of a sprained ankle suffered 
on Monday, finishing with 12 points.

For the first time in at least four years, Pasadena is not the No. 1 team in the Star-News area. The honor belongs to rival Muir (19-1, 8-0) after the Mustangs dethroned Pasadena (14-6, 7-1) last week in the much-anticipated game that definitely lived up to its hype. The teams will meet again Feb. 9 in the season finale at Muir, but for now, the No. 1 spot will belong to Muir. Ever since I came to work here four years ago, Pasadena from the very beginning and through the entire season -- from the preseason rankings to the final top 10 rankings -- the Bulldogs were always the No. 1 team. It didn't matter if Pasadena had a sub .500 record in nonleague or what result ensued in the Pacific League because at the end of the day the Bulldogs without question had the best talent in the area and could play with anyone in the area. That's why you rarely, if ever, saw Pasadena schedule area teams in the area for nonleague competition. You always saw them play out of the area, and for good reason: No team was on par with the Bulldogs. That's not the case anymore. Muir has risen from the ashes, drumming some noise last year and finally showing us what they're really made of this season. I saw Muir on Monday, and to watch the Mustangs on defense was like watching an artist paint a masterpiece with every brush stroke. Check back later today for the Burbank-Muir result. For now, here's the rest of the top 10 rankings for boys and girls basketball:

STAR-NEWS BOYS TOP 10 RANKINGS
1. Muir (19-1)
Special team in the making
2. Pasadena (14-6)
Loss to Muir left side effects
3. Renaissance Acad. (17-2)
Handedly beat Cantwell SH
4. Maranatha (15-5)
Showed heart vs. Village Chr.
5. La Salle (12-9)
Blown out by Serra, 70-29
6. La Cañada (12-7)
Spartans back on track
7. Flintridge Prep (11-7)
Rivalry vs. Poly loses luster
8. San Marino (12-8)
Tough 47-45 loss to Blair
9. South Pasadena (11-10)
Win vs. Spartans no fluke
10. Blair (9-9)
Keeping games too close

STAR-NEWS GIRLS TOP 10 RANKINGS
1. Keppel (17-3)
Beat Bishop Montgomery by 1
2. Muir (19-3)
Forfeit keeps Mustangs 8-0
3. Duarte (13-1)
12-game winning streak
4. Pasadena Poly (15-4)
Miller closes in on No. 2 scorer
5. La Salle (13-6)
Kopcha scored 30 vs. CSH
6. South Pasadena (15-6)
Big game vs. Monrovia Friday
7. Monrovia (7-5)
Four consecutive wins
8. Rosemead (13-7)
Gauthier carrying load
9. Pasadena (11-9)
Showed can play big
10. Arcadia (11-7)
Three consecutive defeats

BOYS SOCCER TOP 10 RANKINGS
1. St. Francis (4-7-7)
Big comeback vs. Loyola
2. La Cañada (10-5-3)
Tied Monrovia 1-1
3. Monrovia (13-6-1)
Meets Spartans again Feb. 9
4. Bosco Tech (10-1-2)
Went 2-0-1 last week
5. Pasadena (6-3-3)
Bulldogs are 3-1 in league
6. La Salle (10-3-3)
Beat Bishop Montgomery, Amat
7. Marshall (9-0-6)
Too many ties for Eagles
8. Pasadena Poly (7-5-2)
Panthers are 3-1 in league
9. South Pasadena (11-10)
Darkhorse in Rio Hondo Lg.
10. Duarte (5-5-1)
Falcons quickly fading

GIRLS SOCCER TOP 10 RANKINGS
1. Flintridge S.H. (10-4-1)
Second half of league begins
2. Pasadena Poly (15-2)
Has week to prepare for Flintridge
3. Flintridge Prep (10-2-1)
Two consecutive shutouts
4. Arcadia (9-4-2)
Impressive Pacific League run
5. South Pasadena (11-2-4)
Two point lead after first round
6. Pasadena (10-3-2)
First league loss to CV
7. San Marino (7-2-4)
Up and down league play
8. La Cañada (9-2-2)
Played South Pas to scoreless tie
9. Gabrielino (4-2-3)
Showdown vs. Arroyo Tuesday
10. Mayfield (8-4)
Needs big finish for Top 3

Above: Maranatha's Jeremy Major (3) has mad hops. Surprised he didn't verbal to Ball So Hard University.

Maranatha's Jeremy Major verbally commited to Pepperdine on Tuesday night, the Star-News has learned. Major, a junior point guard, had another offer from the Unviersity of Pacific, but other schools also were interested. Major, a three-year starter, is averaging 26.9 points, 6.5 rebounds, 4.3 assists, 2.2 steals and 1.3 blocks for the 15-3 Minutemen. Major scored a game-high 24 points against Village Christian in the Olympic League opener last week, a game Pepperdine coaches attended. The Waves offered the next day. Major attended a Pepperdine game over the weekend and was in Malibu today meeting with admissions and, according to a source, decided it was the best fit for him. I'll have more with Major on the blog Wednesday. My initial reaction was: Already? Major will become even more coveted at the end of the year heading into summer camp and then his final year. And just because Major's already committed it doesn't mean schools will stop recruiting him. Quite the opposite, schools will likely pursue him even harder. Still, you can't go wrong with Pepperdine: scenic view, great education and rising program.

Just heard today that Bobby Madrid, who coached at Keppel three years and led the Aztecs to breaking an 18-game losing streak in football, resigned his position sometime before Christmas break. We'll have more on this later on the blog Wednesday. Madrid also is the school's softball coach.

Above: Who knew Gamal Smalley could sing? Read story to see what I'm talking about.

By Miguel A. Melendez Staff Writer

ARCADIA -- What started out like a close basketball game the Muir High School boys basketball turned into a track meet in the third quarter.

The visiting Mustangs used their trademark swarming defense to create scoring in transition, going on a 20-3 run and never looking back to dispatch Arcadia 77-64 on Monday night in Pacific League action.

The latest result was nowhere near when the teams met in the league opener, Muir (19-1, 8-0) needing overtime period and 38 points from Jelani Mitchell to get past Arcadia (9-11, 2-6).

This time, Mitchell and the high-flying Mustangs showed their defensive prowess, limiting Arcadia to empty baskets on nine of 10 possessions and five turnovers during Muir's offensive spurt that started with the Mustangs leading 36-33 with 6:58 left in the game.

"I didn't know all of those numbers but I did think the guys played with a lot of energy in that third quarter," Muir coach Gamal Smalley said. "That got us going with transition baskets off their turnovers."

Muir's speed proved overwhelming for Arcadia to handle,  causing the Apaches' offense to stall.

"We've had our last few games when we get pressed and we get into scrambling and not running our offense," Arcadia coach Ben Cordeiro. "We start shooting one-pass shots instead of running our offense. We don't play well when we're not patient."

Muir led 36-32 at the half but the Mustangs got it going on Nelson's 3-pointer and a Mitchell bank shot on a pull-up jumper to make it 41-33. Arcadia's Jeffrey Radzwill hit a 3-pointer in the Apaches' lone basket during the long run. Nelson, Mitchell and Andre Frazier put on a show that looked more like a passing clinic, but it was their handcuffing defense coupled with unparalleled speed that put the game away with one quarter to go.

"It's funny you mention that because I always ask the guys, 'Are we a basketball team,'" Smalley said. "They go, 'No, we're a track team' and that's our philosophy. It's no scret we try to run, run, run, run. During that little segment we got it going."

Mitchell, who finished with a game-high 22 points, countered Arcadia's 3-pointer with a 3-pointer from the top of the arc. His fadeaway jumper on the ensuing possession off an Apaches turnover made it 46-36 before Nelson made a steal and fastbreak layup with the defense trailing. Nelson, who sprained his right ankle just before the run started, finished with 14 points.

Arcadia's Brian Taylor finished with a team-high 20 points and Radzwill added 19. But it's becoming clear the Apaches have other obstacles to overcome.

"I justthink our team has some issues with attitudes and team comradarie," Cordeiro said. "We're not puling on the same direction. We have guys looking out for their own agendas and not thea team's. That's where we're at right now."

About the only thing that went wrong for Smalley was the banter he had back and forth with officials. By the time the fourth quarter came, with 3:19 left to be exact, all Smalley could do was make light of the situation, telling one official "Even Stevie Wonder can see that" before saranating a line from "Isn't She Lovely."

"But he told me to take that to American Idol," said Smalley laughing. "It's easy to laugh about it when you're up."

We've learned moments ago through the Pasadena Unified School District that the Pasadena girls basketball team will forfeit five games, three of which were key wins in the Pacific League, including a huge 36-32 win over Muir last week. The Bulldogs will forfeit the games after it was discovered they were playing with a player ruled academically ineligible on Dec. 23. She played in games against Burbank (loss), Burroughs (win), Glendale (win), Arcadia (loss), Muir (win). The league will soon be notified of the forfeits. It's possible that the player also took part in games during tournament play, but that has not been determined. However, the forfeits in league are of importance, and could have huge ramifications for the Bulldogs' playoff hopes. Pasadena was 11-7 overall and 4-2 in league. The Bulldogs now will fall to 7-10 overall and 1-5 in league. Muir now returns to unbeaten status in league, improving to 18-3 overall and 7-0 in league.

STATEMENT FROM PASADENA PRINCIPAL GILBERT BARRAZA:

"After investigating the academic progress or our athletes, it was discovered that a player on the Pasadena High School (PHS) Girls Varsity Basketball team was academically ineligible from 12/23/11 to the present. Because of this discovery, PHS will be forfeiting the wins in the following games that this player played in:

Integrity and academics trump all else at PHS. I hope that this can serve as an example to our students that when you make a mistake you own up to it and carry forward. That is what we plan to do at PHS."

Pasadena Poly's Michelle Miller scored 52 points against Flintridge Prep last weekend and now sits No 3. all-time in CIF-Southern Section career scoring after passing Don Lugo's Diana Turasi (3,047 points). Miller needs just four points to pass El Toro's Guiliana Mendiola (3,069) to become No. 2 all-time behind Hall of Famer Cheryl Miller, whose record (3,446 points) has not been challenged in over a decade. Miller's next game with the Panthers (15-4, 6-0 in Prep League) is on Saturday at 4:30 at Pasadena Poly against Rio Hondo Prep. The Panthers would have five remaining league games before ending the regular season and then the playoffs.

Muir High School is looking for a new head football coach according to a recent job posting on EdJoin.org, but the status of Ken Howard -- whether he was fired or resigned -- is unknown.

Click here to view the posting.

Howard was placed on administrative leave after a physical altercation with a student on Sept. 28 and later was charged with misdemeanor battery. The Pasadena Unified School District at the time was conducting an investigation but has not released its findings.

Adam Wolfson, a district spokesperson, said he couldn't divulge specifics regarding Howard.

"He's no longer the head football coach at Muir," Wolfson said. "I can't discuss more than that because it's an active personnell issue and subject to possible litigation. But with this posting he's no longer the head football coach (at Muir)."

Dave Mitchell took over the team on an interim basis, leading the team to the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs. Howard was in his seventh season at the helm and compiled a 48-24 record. He had spent 17 years as a security guard at the school but was recently there on a voluntary basis.

According to the posting, the job ad expires at 4 p.m. on Friday. Muir athletic director Robert Galvan said the school planned on posting the same ad on the CIF-Southern Section's website by day's end.

The school is searching for a walk-on coach who has "successfully coached football at the high school or collegiate level within the last four years" with "college coaching/playing experience and head varsity football coaching experience" as desirable traits.

Muir's young and proven talent could draw considerable interest with the return of key pieces in junior quarterback Joshua Muema-Washington, freshman running back Darick Holmes Jr. and junior linebacker Denzel Talifero.

By Miguel A. Melendez Staff Writer

PASADENA - Shock, dejection, disbelief.
Those were the feelings the Muir High School boys basketball team inflicted on crosstown rival Pasadena in a game that did more than send a ripple effect throughout the Pacific League.

It sent shock waves.

For the first time in more than a decade, the Mustangs on Friday night gave the Bulldogs a taste of their own medicine, hitting clutch free throws in waning seconds while an experienced team collapsed.

When the final seconds ticked off the clock, Muir players were joined by a throng of fans and let out a roar to solidify a contentious 64-60 win in front of an overflow crowd that descended upon Pasadena High hours before tipoff.

Muir (18-1, 7-0) handed Pasadena (13-6, 6-1) only its third loss during its nine-year reign as league champion, previously losing twice to Crescenta Valley. Muir coach Gamal Smalley, in his third season at the helm and a 1976 graduate, couldn't remember the last time Muir beat its bitter rival.

In playoff-like atmosphere where more than several hundred fans were shunned outside during halftime of the girls' afternoon game, Muir survived woeful free-throw shooting in the third and fourth quarters and having its two most physical players in Andre Frazier and Taturs Mayberry foul out in critical moments of the game.

Muir's Jelani Mitchell, Deon Nelson, Michael Cockrell and Tevin Polk, who was nothing short of brilliant with 16 points off the bench, carried the Mustangs with key baskets, steals and free throws.

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The game is already packed with an hour and a half to go when I took this picture. If you're not here by now, you're not getting in!!! Muir at PHS, 5 p.m.

Above: Pasadena's Blake Hamilton defending Muir's Deon Nelson.

RIVALRY NIGHT
No. 2 Muir (17-1, 6-0) at No. 1 Pasadena (13-5, 6-0), 5 p.m.

MUIR STARTERS
#0 Deon Nelson, Guard, 5-11, 170, Sr.
#1 Michael Cockrell, Guard, 6-0, 155, Sr.
#23 Jelani Mitchell, Forward, 6-4, 165, Jr.
#14 Andre Frazier, Forward, 6-5, 175, Sr.
#25 Taturs Mayberry, Forward, 6-5, 210, Jr.

PASADENA STARTERS
#1 Ajon Efferson, Guard, 6-0, 170, So.
#11 Perris Hicks, Guard, 6-1, 175, Jr.
#23 John Haywood, 5-10, 175, Guard, Sr.
#10 Blake Hamilton, Guard, 6-4, 180, Sr.
#15 Brandon Jolley, Forward, 6-5, 220, Jr.

The Breakdown: Nevermind the other five teams Muir and Pasadena have faced in the Pacific Leauge. You only have to look at the result against Crescenta Valley. Pasadena played CV last Friday. The Bulldogs led by eight at the half, led by as many as 28 and won by 21. Muir on Tuesday this week led CV at the half by four and won by 20. To say that these teams are very similar is an understatement. I didn't have to wonder how great this game was going to be until this week. I saw it the second I laid eyes on Muir back in the early rounds of the La Salle/Temple City Holiday Classic. Take away the blue/gold jerseys and replace Gamal Smalley with a 6-foot-4 coach and you have Pasadena on the floor. The Mustangs proved their worth all the way to the tournament title when they faced Village Christian, a team that features three Division I recruits. Muir was sloppy near the end, clanking free-throw after free-throw. But you saw the tremendous upside, and Muir's proven its wait and worth all the way to this point. After reaching the Division CIF-SS 5A finals last year, Muir is no stranger to playing in the big game. The Mustangs return 10 of 11 players from last year's team that nearly knocked off PHS last year. From 1 to 5, Muir and PHS match up well. There really are no mismatches. You want speedy guards? How about Deon Nelson vs. Ejon Efferson? Nelson is the veteran of the group but don't discount Efferson, a sophomore who has transitioned at the point with seamless effort. Nelson is a quick-handed guard who can beat you off the dribble and take it to the hoop. You want some bigger guard action? Check out the best matchup of the night between Jelani Mitchell and Blake Hamilton. Both are 6-4 guards who can play above the rim. Their height and long arms can wreak havoc when they trap on the corners and their speed is almost unparalleled. The second best matchup has to be Taturs Mayberry vs. Brandon Jolley. Mayberry's already proven he can dominate a game after a 42-point, 15-rebound performance. He can muscle his way to the basket and he's more agile than his 6-5, 210-pound frame leads others to believe. Jolley has the ability to dominate the post at 6-5, 220 pounds. You can't hack him, he's an efficient free-throw shooter who in addition clogs lanes and makes you think twice about drive-in layups. Michael Cockrell and Andre Frazier are superb behind the scenes, doing a lot of the dirty work with easy putbacks. They can also help spread the floor with deft mid-range shooting. Off the bench, Tevin Polk has starter-like talent. Brian Carrier showed a glimpse of what's to come. The 6-foot-2 sophomore scored 12 points off the bench against Crescenta Valley. Pasadena's Perris Hicks and John Haywood are punishers on defense, but Haywood adds a touch on offense that complements the Bulldogs. Chris Hanayan can potentially be deadly from beyond the arc when he's on. Add Raymond Jackson (6-foot-6) to the rotation and Pasadena has a second unit that can extend leads. Pasadena's depth might have the edge, but that's the least of Muir's worry early on in the game. The Mustangs can't get rattled early on, especially playing on the road. It's really tough making this pick. You can see both teams are just about evenly matched. I wouldn't be surprised if Muir wins, and if that happens then Bulldog fans should show some love. Muir's come a long way in just a few years. But at this point, I'm going with history.

The Pick: Pasadena.

By Miguel A. Melendez Staff Writer

The rivalry between Muir High School boys basketball coach Gamal Smalley and Pasadena coach Tim Tucker has gone beyond the court.

It's gotten personal.

With the packed crowd all but gone following the Mustangs' first meeting against Pasadena last year, there stood Smalley waiting for a warm embrace from his mother after Muir relinquished a 16-point lead before losing by three. With a warm smile and outstretched arms, Smalley's mother, Flossie, walked toward him from the other end of the court.

"Her loving smile was just what I needed," Smalley recalled.

As she walked in his direction the unthinkable occurred: Flossie walked past Smalley and embraced Tucker instead. Smalley stood there in shock, looking at his brother Omar who could only laugh hysterically.

Smalley asked Omar what was up with the family betrayal. Omar's answer said everything there is to know about their mother's attitude:

"He told me mom said, `What can I say? I love a winner."'

It's been over a decade since Muir (17-1, 6-0) has beaten Pasadena (13-5, 6-0). In the Bulldogs' run as nine-time defending Pacific League champions, they've lost only twice, both times to Crescenta Valley.

Muir will get its chance at claiming a piece of basketball supremacy when it travels to play crosstown rival Pasadena at 5 p.m. today. The game is expected to sell out.

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By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

EAGLE ROCK - By the time the temperature dipped to a brisk 52 degrees, the Flintridge Sacred Heart soccer team's offense had gone cold, too.

Throughout their key Mission League match with Chaminade, the Tologs aggressively created plenty of scoring opportunities while dominating the play up front.

But the inability to finish plays would come back to bite them, and a critical goalkeeper error doomed Flintridge Sacred Heart in a 1-0 loss on Thursday night at Occidental College.

Chaminade (15-2-3, 3-0-1) struggled through its offensive sets in the first half while Flintridge Sacred Heart (10-4-1, 3-2) found itself on the attack early and often. The Tologs, however, had nothing to show for it heading into a scoreless half.

The Eagles were a different team in the second half, and their push up front was rewarded.

Brittnay Solis won a loose ball and made the Tologs pay for it. The junior center midfielder squared up and took a blistering shot 30 yards out from an angle. The shot had such force that as Flintridge Sacred Heart keeper Lindsey Espe bent down to make the catch on a dipping ball, it slipped by and went through her legs and into the back of the net in the 46th minute.

"She put as much as she could into it," Chaminade coach Mike Evans said. "To her credit, the ball had a swirl in it. It was going one direction and it dropped on the keeper. To be honest, as much as she might beat herself up over the ball it definitelyhad some swirl on it.

"If the ball's straight on maybe the keeper is in front of it. It was just a fortunate rebound that came to us and (Solis) was able to settle it and put it on frame."

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Should the Muir-PHS boys basketball game scheduled for Friday at 5 p.m. move to a different site?

That's the question that comes to mind when you expect this particular game to sell out hours before tipoff. Obviously I damn well know it's way too late to make any kind of venue change give the game is just one day away, and logistically it would probably be a nightmare. But I wonder what fans think about the idea.

Muir and PHS each was given 400 tickets for pre-sale purchase this week on a first-come, first-serve basis. Obviously each team gets one side of the bleachers, and the north end of the gym presumably will be general admission to whoever can scoop up tickets for what promises to be a Pacific League smackdown for the ages.

In the past, I've made it a priority to arrive early any time I cover a Muir-PHS game. Granted, that's only in football and basketball, but I arrive early nonetheless. I didn't need four years as a reporter covering this rivalry to know that these games always sellout. Records and/or playoff implications are always thrown out the window when these teams meet. The atmosphere is always electric, the blood is pumping and nerves are high.

You remember last year when Muir almost knocked off Pasadena for the first time in almost seven years? The Mustangs were up by around 16 points before losing by single digits? Pasadena went on to sweep the series yet again en route to its ninth consecutive league championship. Muir also made a nice run as the third-place team, reaching the finals of the CIF-Southern Section Division 5A playoffs.

But you can't overlook the significance of this particular game coming up Friday and what's riding on this game. Sure, these teams will met again down the road, but this game most certainly will set the stage and the winner will have all the swagger heading into the second and final meeting.

And as I remind you of this you have to ask yourself, when was the last time Muir was undefeated in league heading into its biggest game of the season against its bitter rival? 

Muir is 17-1 overall with its lone loss to Village Christian in the championship game of the La Salle/Temple City Tournament. It was the Mustangs' third straight tournament championship appearance.

Pasadena is 13-5 overall with losses coming to powerhouse teams in the Bay area. That Pasadena schedules tough during nonleague and seldom plays area teams during its nonleague portion of the season is a surprise to no one.

Muir and PHS are both 6-0 in league.

So with so much riding on this game, and the anticipation building by the minute after Muir dismantled Crescenta Valley, you have to know that tickets for this game will be the hottest ticket in town. The game will sellout and there will be hundreds of fans left outside who won't catch the game. I'm not exaggerating when I say HUNDREDS of fans will be left outside. Trust me, I've seen it.

So would it make sense to move the game to, say, Pasadena City College? Or am I just a crazy lunatic typing away?

Is the rivalry better off remaining where it always has been: PHS and Muir High? You can't replicate the intimacy of a high school gym, the colors of the home team and the familiarity of dressing in your locker room and running out on your home court.

You can make arguments for both, I guess. But one thing I know for sure, I already have my seat reserved.

South Pasadena basketball fans who can't make the varsity basketball games can catch them streamlined live online at www.eidemrocksradio.com. Sonn Eidem, the South Pasadena JV baseball coach, covers home and away games for both the girls and boys basketball teams. It's a nice and very professional set up. I had the chance to listen in for a few minutes during the boys' game Wednesday night and was impressed. Here's hoping someone can pick up the duties come baseball season!

Below: Sonn Eidem calls the action Wednesday night against La Canada.

Flintridge Sacred Heart (10-3-1, 3-1) has its biggest game of the season at 5:15 today when it hosts Chaminade (13-2-3, 2-0) at Occidental College. The Tologs' lone loss this season in league was to Harvard Westlake, 2-0.

Above: St. Francis' Thomas Banks defends against Chaminade last year.

Despite a sub. 500 record during the nonleague portion of its season, the St. Francis High School boys soccer team is still considered the area's premiere team.

And that's not just in the San Gabriel Valley, but throughout Division 1 in the CIF-Southern Section. Sure, the Golden Knights (4-7-4, 3-1) are not, yet at least, ranked in the Division I coaches' poll, but a quick look at their record in Mission League would argue they could soon belong there. 

There won't be much of an argument if St. Francis can execute this week with two big games, starting at Chaminade (7-3-3, 1-2-1) at 5 today and at home Saturday at 3 p.m. against rival Loyola (14-3-4, 3-0-2), which is ranked No. 6 in Division 1.

St. Francis got off to a rough start, but that was expected what with the Golden Knights always playing a beefed up schedule during theirn nonleague portion, from playing St. John Bosco of the Trinity League, considered the toughest league in the nation, to perennial powerhouse West Torrance and Santa Barbara, ranked No. 5 in Division 1.

St. Francis recorded its biggest win in nonleague against Santa Barbara (13-4-4), a team the Golden Knights in the past have had trouble against, especially on the road.

"We beat them here in the last minute last year on a Mark Verso head ball with 30 seconds to go," St. Francis coach Glen Appels said. "We've gone up there and lost handedly a couple times."

This time, St. Francis drove up on a Saturday morning and led 2-0 before holding on a 2-1 win in playoff-like atmosphere.

"It was important to show ourselves that we can ply with the best teams," Appels said. "You mention perennial and I think they've won six CIF titles and a regional championship. You go there and you always have your hands full."

The rough start to the season didn't hold over into league play. Despite losing the league opener to Harvard-Westlake on a goal that came in the final 30 seconds, St. Francis feels confident as it sits in the thick of the league standings tied for second with Harvard Westlake (12-2-2, 3-1).

"It took us a little bit long to get started," Appels said. "But we've been happy with our play and our results in league."

St. Francis has recorded three consecutive wins on the road against Crespi (3-0), Alemany (4-1) and Notre Dame (2-0).

"Chaminade, Crespi, everybody has a shot at the playoffs," Appels said. "Our last games are going to be tremendously important."

But it starts tonight on the road before playing Loyola. After that, the Golden Knights play five of their final seven games at home.

"By the end of hte week the whole league is going to look a little bit differently than it does now," Appels said.

St. Francis has added more firepower to its lineup, starting with senior Matt Laterza who was last year was not on the team and instead playing with the U.S. Soccer Academy. Laterza started in the midfield and has since been pushed up front alongside Billy McCreary, giving St. Francis two top forward who possess speed and also are physical.

There are new faces but none more than in St. Francis' backline, led by sweeper Thomas Banks, a senior captain.  He's been called upon anchoring the backline.

"He's been a steady influence in our back four," Appels said. "All are new guys back there who didn't play for us last year."

The Golden Knights also features two standout goalkeepers in Luca Coppola and Paul Dean.

"That's a real luxury," Appels said. "It's just good to have two guys who can play in big games."

Perhaps the biggest comeback for St. Francis this season is senior midfielder Austin Frank, who broke his leg as a sophomore and dealt with lingering issues as a junior.

As if that wasn't enough, the senior captain then suffered a concussion 10 minutes into the season opener this season, and when then pulled a groin muscle upon his return. He's since become the player Appels knew he was capable of being.

"In preleague we saw very little of Austin," Appels said, "but he's starting to be a dominant player again."

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

SOUTH PASADENA -- For at least 22 years, the South Pasadena High School boys basketball team couldn't count on a win against La Canada.

That changed Wednesday night.

Kai Matsukuma and Alireza Jabalameli scored all of the Tigers' field goals in the fourth quarter and all but one in the third quarter, leading South Pasadena to a 41-31 Rio Hondo League win.

Matksukuma finished with a game-high 19 points and Jabalameli was aggressive from the start of the third quarter, finishing with 14 points to lead South Pasadena (10-10, 2-2).

La Canada (11-7, 3-1) missed its last seven shot attempts in the fourth quarter and was within 35-31 with 2:42 left in the game. The Spartans at that point went on a dry spell that also was marred by turnovers.

Jabalameli tipped in a basket to make it 37-31 with 2:22 left in the game. No team would score until Matsukuma hit two free throws with 31.5 seconds left in the game. Jevon Shields hit the final two free throws, his only points of the game, with 15.9 seconds left to all but seal the win.

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Muir and PHS each have 400 presale tickets available for sale beginning today. To purchase PHS-side tickets, go to the school's business office today. To buy tickets for Muir's side, you can go to the ASB student store today and Thursday until 3 p.m. It's on a first-come, first-serve basis. Whatever is not sold at Muir will be sold at PHS. Adult tickets are $6, students $4 and students with ASB card from Muir and PHS is free. Muir visits Pasadena on Friday at 5 p.m. but the game is expected to sellout hours before tipoff.

By Brian Charles, Staff Writer

SAN MARINO - Former San Marino High School football coach Mike Mooney pleaded guilty to one count of grand theft embezzlement Tuesday for stealing $20,000 from the funds from the school booster clubs, officials said.

Mooney was sentenced to one year of probation and 20 days of community service, said Sandi Gibbons, Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman.

Mooney had originally pleaded not guilty to the charge in December.

The theft took place during a two-year period 2008 to 2010.

Mooney's connections to San Marino High football stretch back to the 1990s. He began his first stint as head coach in 1996, before leaving the program in 1998 to become head football coach at Temple City High School.

Mooney left Temple City in 2007 to return to San Marino, where he was given the option to both coach and work as an assistant principal, something not afforded to Mooney at Temple City High School.

Above: Maranatha's Jeremy Major still scored a game-high 24 points despite a swarming defense.

For the record: This game story will only appear on the blog.

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

PASADENA -- Maranatha didn't have to look far to find the source of where it all went wrong: the first quarter.

The host Minutemen on Tuesday night didn't record a single field goal in the first quarter, and trailed 11-1 heading into the second. Sure, Maranatha clawed its way back to take the lead, albeit a small one, but in the end it was abysmal shooting in the first quarter that them in as Village Christian withstood Maranatha's attack to escape with a 58-52 win in Olympic League play.

Maranatha (14-6, 2-1) trailed the entire game until Jeremy Major's layup with 4:40 left in the third quarter tied it at 30-30. The Minutemen took its first lead at 38-37 with 1:19 left in the third quarter and led by as many as 45-41 with 6:17 left in the game off a Jorge Castello jumper. The Minutemen led 50-49 on Major's free-throw make but Village Christian's (19-2, 3-0) Bryan Alberts answerd right back with a 3-pointer to make it 52-50. Michael DeMeester, on an assist from Major, hit an open layup to tie it again at 52-52. But Village Christian would take the lead for good, as Marsalis Johnson, off his own miss, converted the putback to make it 54-52 with 41 seconds left in the game.

Maranatha could have tied the game with 21 seconds left in the game, but Major's layup was negated when he was called for a traveling violation. Alberts was intentionally fouled with 19 seconds left in the game and converted both free throws to make it 56-52.

Maranatha's Andrew Elffers connected with Major on a length-of-the-court pass, but Major's layup attempt bounced off the front end of the rim with 13 seconds left in the game. Joe Shashaty hit both free throws to round out the scoring.

Village Christian got off to a quick 8-0 run and Maranatha didn't score until Castello hit 1 of 2 free throws with 2:18 left in the game. The Minutemen didn't record a field goal until 7:47 left in the second quarter on a Major layup to make it 11-3.

"I don't know what it was," Maranatha coach Tim Godley said. "We were down and we were out. If you play hard you can get yourself back in it and put yourself in a position to win, but they got us."

It all summed up to woeful shooting in the first half in which Maranatha shot 15 percent from inside the arc and 7 percent from behind the 3-point line. Despite it, Maranatha still trailed only 27-17 at the half.

"If I had told you we were shooting 15 and 7 percent how much would you be down and they said 20," said Godley when asked what he told his team at the halftime break. "Yeah, and we were only down 10. So you can battle down down from that and they did. They didn't give up."

Alberts scored a team-high 15 points and Major finished with a team high 24 points. The teams will meet If nothing else, Maranatha proved that it can stay on par with a Village Christian team loaded with several Division I recruits, and the Minutemen's second-half surge is evidence of that. It's something Maranatha will use as fuel when the teams meet again on Feb. 7.

"Now they kow that we can beat them, and so do we," Godley said. "We'll see what happens next time."