March 2007 Archives

Above: Trevon Harmon realized his full potential this year for Pasadena High and earned Star-News Player of the Year honors in the process
Trevon Harmon player of the year story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5553831
Tom Hofman coach of the year story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5553832
Star-News first-team story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5553824
Star-News first-team video interviews
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/PasboysAllArea.asp
First Team
Trevon Harmon, Pasadena, guard, senior
Justin Cook, Renaissance Academy, guard, senior
Torey Phillips, Pasadena, forward, senior
Adam Malik, La Canada, forward, senior
Nigel Ajere, Pasadena, forward, senior
Second Team
Darin Nakauchi, South Pasadena, guard, senior
Noel Madrigal, Keppel, guard, senior
Shawn Benn, Marshal, forward, senior
Troy Baugh, La Salle, forward, senior
Scott Jones, La Salle, center, senior
Third Team
Markus Monroe, Monrovia, guard, senior
Josh Thomas, Renaissance Academy, guard, junior
Bryan Gonzalez, Alhambra, forward, senior
Armon Binns, Pasadena, forward, senior
Joseph Roland, Maranatha, center, senior

Darxia Morris player of the year story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5543799
Gary Johnson coach of the year story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5543798
Star-News first-team story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5544605
Video interviews with first-team players and coach of the year Gary Johnson
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/PasgirlsAllArea.asp
Star-News First Team
Joy Lelo, La Canada, guard, senior
Darxia Morris, Muir, guard, senior
Cherrish Wallace, Muir, guard, junior
Shelley Gupilan, Keppel, forward, sophomore
Shateah West, Monrovia, forward, senior
Star-News Second Team
Krystyn Jacobs, Monrovia, guard, senior
Eliza Pierre, Muir, guard, sophomore
Emily Ballard, La Canada, forward, senior
Jessica Ly, Rosemead, forward, senior
Candice Yen, South Pasadena, center, junior
Star-News Third Team
Jessica Wang, San Marino, guard, senior
Maryum Jenkins, Monrovia, guard, sophomore
Laurel Meyers, Flintridge Prep, forward, senior
Natasha Herring, Maranatha, forward, junior
Brittney Hendersen, Muir, center, sophomore

Below: Muir's Ken Howard coached last year's West squad. Who will it be this July?

What: 28th Annual Hall of Fame game
When: July 6
Where: Bassett High School
After speaking with Hall of Fame officials, the leading candidates to coach the West Squad are Joel Murphy (Maranatha), Ealar Gallagher (La Salle), Mike Mooney (Temple City), Gil Ruedaflores, and Wardell Crutchfield (Duarte). A final decision is expected soon!
Important:: Hall of fame officials have informed us that nominations for senior players must be in by FRIDAY! Nomination forms were sent out to over 100 schools, but not everyone has returned them. If any coaches or players are reading this, you need to contact Arroyo High Coordinator Leon Ward or Bassett High athletic director William Baca with your nominations ASAP.
One more thing: I spoke with Monrovia coach Steve Garrison on Tuesday, who sadly informed me that Monrovia will not have its new artificial surface in place this fall. Looks like they're shooting for 2008.

Above: St. Francis High School’s Nick Posthuma, standing in front of the Golden Knights’ Coat of Arms, has been named the Star-News’ boys soccer Player of the Year.
Boys Soccer player of the year story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5536264
Boys Soccer coach of the year story, Claine Plummer, Marshall
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5536266
Boys Soccer all-area team story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5536186
Boys soccer all-area team slide show
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/flash/032807_pasboyssoccer/index.asp
Boys Soccer First Team
Francisco Cantero, defender, Marshall, Junior
Malcolm Linton, defender, La Salle, Senior
Sean McGuinness, defender, St. Francis, Junior
Rene Gonzalez, midfielder, Bosco Tech, Senior
Cesar Barajas, midfielder, Marshall, Senior
Joe Franco, midfielder, St. Francis, Junior
Eric Guo, midfielder, Arcadia, Senior
Dean Rowley, forward, Bosco Tech, Sophomore
Nick Posthuma, forward, St. Francis, Junior
Daniel Rojas, forward, Monrovia, Junior
Devin King, goalkeeper, La Canada, Senior
Boys Soccer Second Team
Johnathan Marone, defender, Monrovia, Senior
James Barbour, defender, San Marino, Senior
Patrick VanValkenburg, defender, Temple City, Senior
Juan Zurita Jr., midfielder, South Pasadena, Senior
Dominic Baiocco, midfielder, La Canada, Senior
Francisco Castro, midfielder, Blair, Sophomore
Dante Bruno-Lopez, midfielder, Temple City, Senior
Omar Elmastri, forward, Arcadia, Junior
Kyle Campbell, forward, La Canada, Senior
Nick Swart, forward, St. Francis, Junior
Andy Saldana, goalkeeper, La Salle, Senior

Above: La Salle High School defender Kasey Johnson is the Pasadena Star-News girls soccer Player of the Year after leading the Lancers to a CIF-Southern Section Division IV title.
Girls Soccer player of the year story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5528141
Girls Soccer coach of the year story, Sal Lopez, La Salle
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5528142
Girls Soccer team story
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5528274
Girls Soccer All-Area team slide show
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/flash/032707_pasgirlssoccer/index.asp
Girls Soccer First Team
Stephanie Chan, defender, FSHA, Senior
Kasey Johnson, defender, La Salle, Senior
Kate Thorne, defender, Westridge, Senior
Ashley McKenzie, defender, South Pasadena, Senior
Annie Thorne, midfielder, Westridge, Senior
Sara Turcios, midfielder, La Salle, Senior
Te'Anna Robinson, midfielder, Maranatha, Sophomore
Katie Davis, forward, Westridge, Senior
Carly Crowder, forward, FSHA, Junior
Sarah Morgan, goalkeeper, San Marino, Senior
Girls Soccer Second Team
Samantha Rogers, defender, Monrovia, Senior
Briana Carlos, defender, Maranatha, Senior
Ally Combs, defender, Arcadia, Senior
Lauren McAulay, defender, La Salle, Senior
Lisa Kelley, midfielder, Monrovia, Sophomore
Jessica Pi, midfielder, La Canada, Junior
Alisa Lopez, midfielder, Gabrielino, Senior
Lauren Von Der Ahe, forward, Flintridge Prep, Senior
Ann Marie Tangorra, forward, Arcadia, Sophomore
Laura Hill, La Salle, forward, Sophomore
Goalkeeper, Colleen Boyd, La Canada, Junior

Question of the week: The CIF polls are used in ranking teams for the CIF playoffs. You can laugh at some of the rankings and say they're just rankings, but when seeds are at stake, it becomes serious. You have to wonder why Monrovia is ranked ahead of Temple City after Monrovia lost to San Marino last week to fall to 6-3 while TCity improved to 8-1. How about San Marino, they're 7-2, beat Monrovia head-to-head and aren't in the top ten. Who ranks these polls you ask? They're ranked by the coaches in their own division. For a change, sports writers have nothing to do with it. Is this the best way to do it?

Above: St. Francis pitcher Luke Collis
Star-News Top Ten Rankings
1. Pasadena Poly (10-1)
Unless the Panthers lose another game, I don't see how we could drop them from the top spot. They have done everything you're supposed to do to earn it. So get use to it, because they should run the table.
2. Temple City (8-1)
What the Rams are doing is even more impressive than the Tucker years. They were 11-13 last year and 9-6 in league. I don't know how many people thought they would be this strong with basically the same group back from last season.
3. Alhambra (8-1)
Moors were 20-6 in 2005; 22-5 in 2006; and getting better? With a healthy Noe Ramirez, I really like this teams chances in Div. III, where they are ranked No. 6. They can beat any of the teams ranked ahead of them, and nobody is going to out-coach Gewecke.
4. St. Francis (9-1)
104 runs in 10 games! Say it again, 104 runs in 10 games! This shows that last years run to the title game was not a one-shot wonder. The Knights and coach Solar are building a great program. If only football could model themselves after these guys.
5. San Marino (7-2)
Yes, the Titans are for real. I wasn't sure about them until last week's 5-4 loss to Temple City, and then their big 3-2 win over Monrovia. They're also receiving votes in the CIF polls, and you have to be happy for coach McNamee, who has been there a looooooong time.
6. Monrovia (6-3)
The CIF champs have been humbled, but don't underestimate them. They can still win the RHL title if they beat Temple City this week. And I still like their chances in the Div. V playoffs. I would still take McKiernan against anyone in Div. V. And the way the playoffs are set up, your No. 1 can take you a long way.
7. Gabrielino (7-1)
Best start in school history, and it comes at a time when they've got a brand new field on campus. If you haven't seen it, all you need to know is that the fencing around the park cost $450,000.
8. Arcadia (6-4)
If the Apaches continue to win, especially against Crescenta Valley on Friday, they're moving up this poll pretty quick. They're 4-0 in the Pacific League, and they still don't have No. 1 pitcher David Arredondo. I haven't seen sophomore hurler Bryce Rutherford, who's tearing it up, but I've heard good things about him.
9. La Salle (5-4)
It's good for La Salle to be in the Del Rey League after all those years of boredom in the Santa Fe League, where they were too dominant for their own good. Talking to coach Agajian this week, he likes that Bishop Amat is the class of the league, which gives the Lancers a program to chase. And they're in Div. V too, which can set up some interesting playoff games, especially if they get RHL teams like in football.
10. Bosco Tech (4-4)
The Tigers haven't had the best season overall, but it appears they're on their way to a Camino Real League title after a 3-0 start.
CIF rankings:
Division III 1. La Quinta, 2. South Hills, 3. St. Francis, 4. Nogales, 5. Corona del Mar, 6. Alhambra, 7. Gahr, 8. Crespi, 9. Quartz Hill, 10. Cajon
Division V: 1. Bishop Amat, 2. Monrovia, 3. Temple City, 4. Sultana, 5. Woodcrest Christian, 6. Gabrielino, 7. Cerritos Valley Christian, 8. Oak Park, 9. Carpinteria, 10. Grace Brethren, 11. Duarte, 12. Cantwell Sacred Heart, 12. San Marino.
Division VI: 1. Pasadena Poly, 2. Bishop, 3. San Jacinto, 4. Beaumont, 5. Vasquez, 6. Lancaster Desert Christian, 7. Windward, 8. Boron, 9. Bloomington Christian, 10. Desert Hot Springs.

Alhambra pitcher Noe Ramirez
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/032707_paowb.asp

Question: The softball player of the year almost always goes to a pitcher because of their huge influence in every game. What should it take for a field player to be considered for this award?

Charter Oak Softball Tournament Championship Quarterfinals
Saturday
Arcadia vs. Glendora, 4 p.m.
Monrovia vs. Charter Oak, 6 p.m.
If both win, sets up dream game ...
Below: Monrovia's Brittany Bateson

Arcadia vs. Monrovia in semifinals on April 4 if both win!

Above: Arcadia's Jenna Rodriguez
Star-News Top Ten
1. Monrovia (9-0-1)
With South Pas losing to La Canada, Wildcats seniors should win fourth straight Rio Hondo League title. What an accomplishment considering Monrovia had never won a league title prior to the arrival of Bateson, Rogers, McWhirter and the Mihm sisters.
2. Arcadia (8-2)
Been wondering for weeks who wins if Arcadia and Monrovia meet. Great pitchers, great field players and coaching. We will have the answer soon. If the Cats and Apaches don't meet in the Charter Oak tournament, they will meet on Saturday, April 14 in a nonleague game at Monrovia. Nice to know that two great programs aren't afraid to square off.
3. Alverno (11-1)
The Jaguars have clearly earned the No. 3 spot. Escamilla is the best junior pitcher in the area, and the others ranked below are struggling to find consistency. Because the Jags play in the weak Horizon League, they won't get tested again until they face South Pasadena in a doubleheader on April 28
4. FSHA (6-4)
Can't figure out the Tologs. Maybe someone else can explain. They split with Alverno, and have a solid pitcher in Ferri, then get beat, 1-0 by Temple City. I don't get it.
5. South Pasadena (4-5)
Okay Tigers bloggers, explain the 5-0 loss to La Canada. A lot of you complained about the drop from No. 3 to No. 5 in last weeks rankings. South Pas stays in the No. 5 spot because Parada is that good, but how do you go from nearly knocking off Monrovia to getting handled by L.C.?
6. Westridge (3-2)
Pitcher Taylor Daugherty is the real deal. She's 2-2 with a 0.28 ERA. The Tigers' only two losses werd a 1-0 setback to Immaculate Heart and a 2-0 loss to FSHA. Now that they're starting to score runs, the Prep League favorites should continue to shine.
6. Temple City (6-6)
This is where the rankings start to get tough. Are the Rams good enough to finish third in the RHL? Who knows, between the Rams, La Canada and San Marino, anything can happen.
8. La Canada (4-5)
We'll leave the Rams ahead of the Spartans for now, but that could change after they meet this week. The Spartans marched to the Duarte title game and beat South Pas, 5-0. But what happened in a 16-2 loss to Village Christian and 8-0 loss to Monrovia?
9. Rosemead (5-5)
With Danielle Armenta healthy, the Panthers are a force. Armenta doesn't have the supporting cast that other top pitchers enjoy, but when she's on they're tough to beat.
10. Keppel (5-2)
Rosemead handed the Aztecs a 3-0 nonleague loss, but the Aztecs could still win up winning the Almont League title.
CIF rankings
Division III: 1. Los Altos, 2. Cajon, 3. Oaks Christian, 4. La Serna, 5. Fullerton, 6. Laguna Hills, 7. Knight, 8. Rancho Alamitos, 9. Elsinore, 10. Arcadia
Division V: 1. Monrovia, 2. Hesperia, 3. Rim of the World, 4. LA Baptist, 5. El Segundo, 6. North Torrance, 7. Northview, 8. Cerritos Valley Christian, 9. Keppel, 10. Victor Valley.
Division VI: 1. Alverno, 2. Murrieta Calvary Chapel, 3. Woodcrest Christian, 4. Paraclete, 5. Gardena Serra, 6. Notre Dame Academy, 7. Cantwell Sacred Heart, 8. Oxford Academy, 9. Saddleback Valley Christian, 10. Marymount.

Arcadia pitcher Jenna Rodriguez
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/032707_paowg.asp

Area's top track marks
Below: Muir's Kiani Profit, who hopes to help the Mustangs win a third CIF team championship in four years.

Area Boys Top Marks - 100 meters - Chris Dunlap (Muir) 10.08; 200 - Dunlap (Muir) 22.5; 400 - Manuel Vera (Rosemead) 50.78; 800 - Ryan Herrera (Arcadia) 2:00.8; 1,600 - Ryan Chen (Arcadia) 4:34.1; 3200 - Ryan Ernst (Arcadia) 9:58.0; 110 HH - Marcus Thompson (Muir) 15.5; 300 IH - Thompson (Muir) 41.6; 400 Relay - Rosemead 45.4; 1600 Relay - Muir 3:31.3; LJ - Kris Robison (Arcadia) 20-05; TJ - Austin Hudson (Muir) 42-03; HJ - Richard Garcia (Alhambra) and Simon Liang (Rosemead) 6-0; PV - Eric Stone (Arcadia) 13-0; SP - Jesus Correa (Rosemead) 54-1; Discuss - Correa (Rosemead) 147-8.

Area Girls Top Marks - 100 meters - Jalisa Williams (Muir) 12.3; 200 - Williams (Muir) 25.6; 400 - Kiani Profit (Muir) 59.4; 800 - Margaret Sitker (La Salle) 2:31; 1,600 - Sitker (La Salle) 5:34.7; 3,200 - Sitker (La Salle) 12:27.7; 100 HH - Williams (Muir) 14.4; 300 IH - Profit (Muir) 43.9; 400 Relay - Arcadia 50.1; 1600 Relay - Arcadia 4:13.9; LJ - Johanne Boulat (Arcadia) 17-10; TJ - Taylor Mills (Muir) 36-01; HJ - Jasmine Clark (Muir) 5-2; PV - Shastee van der Wyk (Temple City) 10-6; SP - Qristen Bouey (Temple City) 37-06; Discuss - Wong (Rosemead) 107-6.

Below: 2006 West all-star Audarrius Bailey runs for yards in the 27th annual Hall of Fame game at Mountain View High School.

National high school athletic association president Jim Brownfield informed us on Wednesday that the National Football Foundation's 28th annual Hall of Fame All-Star football game will be held at Bassett High School on Friday, July 6.
The game is normally at Arroyo High School, but was moved to Mountain View HIgh School in 2006 because of field renovations at Arroyo. However, this is the first time in many years that the National Football Foundation will not be directly involved.
"Our chapter is tremendously busy, so we thought it was best to lease the all-star game to another location this year," Brownfield said. "We're happy that Bassett and athletic director William Baca stepped up and offered to sign the contract and host the game. Depending on our schedule, we hope to be back next year."
Because the National Football Foundation is not involved, the game will simply be called the Hall of Fame game.
"The most important thing to me was keeping the game close to the 605 freeway, and in the heart of the San Gabriel Valley," Brownfield said.
Brownfield said nomination forms for players have been sent out to 95 schools, and that coaches will be selected in the coming weeks.
This is always a great event, so I guess the obvious question is who would you like to watch in this year's game, and what are your thoughts on the move to Bassett?

Don't miss the Star-News sports section next week. In years past, we only ran front page features of Star-News All-Area football, basketball, softball and baseball teams. That's going to change. Beginning next week we will have a front page boys and girls soccer all-area team package, which includes a player and coach of the year story, along with first-team player pictures. We will do the same for wrestling and water polo. It's our way of saluting prep standouts in other sports.
Coming next week:
Tuesday: Girls Soccer
Wednesday: Boys Soccer
Thursday: Girls Basketball
Friday: Boys Basketball
Wrestling: April 5
Water Polo: April 6

Who deserves top billing? We're going with Pasadena Poly at the top for the second week in a row, but you can make an argument for Temple City, Alhambra or St. Francis -- the other solid one-loss teams. In a one-game playoff, however, I would still take Rasmussen and the Panthers over anyone. Temple City is the biggest surprise to me. The Rams should win the Rio Hondo League because they're so deep on the mound with MacDonald, Mendoza and Dearth. But do they have a playoff-type ace that can make the difference in the postseason? That's why I like Alhambra. They've got junior ace Noe Ramirez (2-0) to go with Rob Olivarez, who also has done an outstanding job. And the Moors are finally scoring runs for their pitchers, which could take them a long way. And then there's St. Francis, who except for a slip-up against Pasadena in the season opener would be undefeated.

Above:There are four solid teams with winning records in the Rio Hondo League, but none have the combination of pitching and hitting like the mighty Rams.
Star-News top ten
1. Pasadena Poly (8-1)
Not a question of schedule like past years. The Panthers won the Elks tournament and have an incredible 0.73 team ERA, and arguably the area's top ace.
2. Temple City (6-1)
Five shutouts in seven games is difficult to accomplish in high school baseball.
3. Alhambra (5-1)
Moors coach Steve Gewecke is breathing easier after watching the Moors score more than eight runs a game to go with his normally sound pitching.
4. St. Francis (6-1)
On six-game win streak after unexplainable season-opening loss to PHS.
5. Monrovia (5-2)
McKiernan may have to single-handedly pitch Cats to Rio Hondo League title. Maybe Monrovia will do what Temple City did a couple years back when they threw Tucker at Monrovia three straight times.
6. San Marino (6-1)
This looks a lot like football. Nice start, but what will happen when league heats up?
7. Gabrielino (5-1)
The Eagles haven't played the toughest compeition, but they're solid and could win the Mission Valley League
8. South Pasadena (5-2)
See San Marino comment and remember that the Tigers got pounded by Rams last week.
9. La Salle (4-3)
Lancers face the real Lancers on Friday against Bishop Amat
10. Arcadia (4-4)
Record is misleading because of the quality of teams Apaches have faceced. They're already 2-0 in Pacific League.
CIF Polls
Division III: 1. La Quinta, 2. South Hills, 3. St. Francis, 4. Calvary Chapel, 5. Laguna Hills, 6. San Gorgonia, 7. Nogales, 8. Corona del Mar, 9. Alhambra, 10. Gahr
Division V: 1. Monrovia, 2. Bishop Amat, 3. Campbell Hall, 4. Serrano, 5. Woodcrest Christian, 6. Mountain View, 7. Montclair Prep, 8. Duarte, 9. Murrieta Calvary Chapel, 10. St. Paul.
Division V:1. Pasadena Poly, 2. Bishop, 3. Beaumont, 4. San Jacinto, 5. Bloomington Christian, 6. Vasquez, 7. Desert Christian, 8. Windward, 9. Kern Valley, 10. Boron.

Audio interview with Mike Mendoza, TEMPLE CITY
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/032007_paowb.asp
Tuesday, March 27 Games
Rio Hondo League
San Marino at La Canada, 3:15 p.m.
Temple City at Monrovia, 3:15 p.m.
Blair at South Pasadena, 3:15 p.m.
Pacific League
Pasadena at Hoover, 3:15 p.m.
Del Rey League
La Salle at Bishop Montgomery, 3:15 p.m.
Almont League
Alhambra at Montebello, 3:15 p.m.
San Gabriel at Keppel, 3:15 p.m.
Mission League
Chaminade at St. Francis, 3:15 p.m.

Softball would be better if: There's no question softball would be a more competitive and exciting sport if pitchers were limited to the number of innings they could pitch per week. If you don't have a dominant pitcher, you don't have a chance. And if you're the second best pitcher in the area at a school with the area's most dominant pitcher, we might never know your name.

Above: Two-time Star-News first-team outfielder Shelby Gibbs
Star-News top ten poll
1. Monrovia (6-0-1)
No question Cats deserve top spot
2. Arcadia (4-2)
While Cats deserve top billing, Apaches might still be the best
3. Alverno (6-1)
Beat Maranatha, La Salle and FSHA. But are they this good?
4. FSHA (6-3)
Undefeated with Ferri (4-0) in the circle
5. South Pasadena (3-2)
Clear No. 2 in Rio Hondo League
6. San Marino (5-2)
Questions will be answered this week against T.C. and Monrovia
7. Westridge (2-2)
Mark it down: Prep League champions
8. Gabrielino (3-1)
Mark it down: Mission Valley League champions
9. Temple City (4-4)
Went 0-3 in Arroyo tournament. What happened?
10. Keppel (4-1)
Give the Aztecs some credit, they've won four straight
CIF Polls:
Division V: 1. Hesperia, 2. Monrovia, 3. LA Baptist, 4. North Torrance, 5. Northview, 6. Rim of the World, 7. San Dimas, 8. Village Christian, 9. El Segundo, 10. Ridgecrest Burroughs.
Division VI: 1. Alverno, 2. Murrieta Calvary Chapel, 3. Woodcrest Christian, 4. Paraclete, 5. Cantwell Sacred Heart, 6. Desert, 7. Serra, 8. Notre Dame Academy, 9. Immaculate Heart, 10. Saddleback Valley Christian.
Note: Arcadia not ranked in Division III. What's up with that?

Audio interview with Pitcher Michelle Escamilla, ALVERNO
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/032007_paowg.asp

La Canada's Adam Malik earns CIF-SS Division III-AA co-player of the year honors

BOYS BASKETBALL
Division II-AA
Player of the year: Trevon Harmon (Pasadena)
First Team
Nigel Ajere (Pasadena)
Division III-AA
Co-Player of the year: Jrue Holiday (Campbell Hall), Adam Malik (La Canada)
Coach of the year: Tom Hofman (La Canada)
First Team
Darin Nakauchi (South Pasadena)
Second Team
Darren Ho (La Canada); Markus Monroe (Monrovia); Christian Nitu (La Canada)
Division III-A
First Team
Justin Cook (Renaissance Academy), Josh Thomas (Renaissance Academy)
Division IV-A
First Team
Scott Jones (La Salle), Troy Baugh (La Salle)
Second Team
A.J. Talt (Pasadena Poly)
Division V-AA
First Team
Shawn Benn (Marshall), Joseph Rowland (Maranatha)
Second Team
Dorian Hampton (Marshall), Brandon Brown (Maranatha)

La Salle's Kasey Johnson earns CIF-SS Division IV girls defender of the year

All-CIF-Southern Section standouts
Boys Soccer
Division I
First Team
Nick Posthuma, St. Francis (Junior, forward)
Second Team
Joe Franco, St. Francis (Junior, midfield)
Third Team
Nick Swart, St. Francis (Junior, forward)
Division III
Second Team
Eric Guo, Arcadia (Junior, forward)
Third team
Omar Elmasri, Arcadia (Junior, forward)
Division IV
Second Team
Malcolm Linton, La Salle (Senior, midfield)
Third Team
Wesley Lucas, La Salle (Senior defender)
Divisioin V
First Team
Elio Anguiano, Marshall (Senior defender); Dominic Baiocco, La Canada (Senior, midfielder); Cesar Barajas, Marshall (Senior, midfielder); Jonah Mendoza, Pasadena Poly (Freshman, midfielder); Daniel Rojas, Monrovia (Junior, midfielder)
Second Team
Kyle Campbell, La Canada (Junior, forward); Francisco Cantero, Marshall (Junior, defender); Devin King, La Canada (Senior, Goalkeeper); Mario Umanzor, Monrovia (Senior, goalkeeper).
Third Team
Chris Arteaga, Monrovia (Senior, defender)

GIRLS SOCCER
Division I
Third team
Carly Crowder, Flintridge Sacred Heart, (Junior, midfielder)
Division II
Second Team
Ally Combs, Arcadia (Senior, defender)
Third team
Emily van den Bosch, Arcadia (Junior, defender)
Division III
First Team
Katie Davis, Westridge (Senior, forward)
Second Team
Kate Thorne, Westridge (Senior, defender)
Third Team
Annie Thorne, Westridge (Senior, midfielder)
Division IV
Defensive Player of the Year: Kasey Johnson, La Salle (Senior, defender)
Coach of the year: Sal Lopez, La Salle
First Team
Colleen Boyd, La Canada (Junior, goalkeeper); Lauren McAulay, La Salle (Senior, defender); Ashley McKenzie, South Pasadena (Senior, defender); Makenzie Pedrotti, La Salle (Senior, goalkeeper); Sara Turcios, La Salle (Senior, midfielder).
Second Team
Nancy Avesyan, La Canada (Junior, forward); Erin Smith, La Salle (Senior, defender); Alexa Weigand, La Salle (Junior, midfielder).
Third Team
Jessica Pi, La Canada (Junior, defender); Taylor Thurman, South Pasadena (Senior, goalkeeper).
Division VI
First Team
Te'anna Robinson, Maranatha (Sophomore, forward).
Second Team
Sarah Wilson, Maranatha (Junior, defender)
Third Team
Jessica Fry, Maranatha (Junior, midfielder); Erin Johnson, Maranatha (Sophomore, defender)

SOCCER FANS, YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS OUT

South Pasadena's Mina Mohamadi is one of area's top sprinters

Boys top marks
100m - Zion Babb (Alhambra) 11.04
200 - Manuel Vera (Rosemead) 22.9
400 - Vera (Rosemead) 51.4
800 - Ryan Herrera (Arcadia) 2:01.9
1,600 - Ryan Ernst (Arcadia) 4:36.1
3,200 - Andrew Pilavjian (Arcadia) 9:44.8
110 HH - Babb (Alhambra) 14.7
300 IH - Marcus Thompson (Muir) 42.8
400 relay - Arcadia 44.6
1,600 relay - Arcadia 3:32.8
LJ - Austin Hudson (Muir) 20-07
TJ - Hudson (Muir) 41-11
HJ - Hudson (Muir) and Garcia (Alhambra) 5-8
PV - Hoku Ho (Temple City) 13-0
SP - Jesus Correa (Rosemead) 52-6
Discuss - Correa (Rosemead) 148-4.
Girls top marks
100m - Lindsay Cooper (Muir) 12.05
200 - Asha Blades (La Salle) 25.3
400 - Erin Heartwig (Flintridge Sacred Heart) 1:02.5
800 - Chloe Fata (South Pasadena) 2:24.4
1,600 - Margaret Sitker (La Salle) 5:30.7
3,200 - Sitker (La Salle) 11:53.5
100 HH - Johanne Boulat (Arcadia) 15.7
300 IH - Boulat (Arcadia) 48.8
400 relay - Arcadia 50.8
1,600 relay - Arcadia 4:16.5
LJ - Jalisa Williams (Muir) 17-07
TJ - Taylor Mills (Muir) 34-11
HJ - Karen Han (Arcadia) 5-0
PV - Shastee Van Der Wyk (Temple City) 11-0
SP - Wong (Rosemead) 34-6
Discuss - Shelby McCray (La Salle) 126-4.

Pasadena Games coming March 31

http://dyestatcal.com/calendar/07Track/Calendar/PasadenaGamesforPublication.pdf
For story on Pasadena Games, click thread

Above: Will they be celebrating another Rio Hondo League title?
Pasadena Star-News top ten baseball rankings:
1. Pasadena Poly (4-1)
2. Temple City (4-1)
3. Alhambra (4-1)
4. Monrovia (4-1)
5. St. Francis (5-1)
6. South Pasadena (4-1)
7. San Marino (3-0)
8. Gabrielino (3-1)
9. La Salle (3-2)
Question: Who's going to with the Rio Hondo league shootout?

Star-News top ten poll
1. Monrovia (4-0-1)
2. FSHA (5-1)
3. Arcadia (2-2)
4. Alverno (4-1)
5. San Marino (5-1)
6. Temple City (3-0)
7. South Pasadena (2-2)
8. Rosemead (2-2)
9. La Canada (3-1)
10. Flintridge Prep (3-1)
Question: Who's going to win the Rio Hondo and Pacific League's?

As you can imagine, it has been a tough week for our family, losing Danny Robledo, my uncle and youth baseball and football coach in Pasadena and Altadena for more than 45-years. He was 70 when he passed on Monday, but he never got old. He started coaching the Muir golf team last year with my dad. They found something they loved to do in retirement, giving back to kids and coaching a sport they loved. You would find them most mornings at Altadena Golf Course with friends talking and solving the worlds problems, as they liked to joke. It has always amazed me how many people Danny touched and knew. People came up all the time asking if I was related to Danny Robledo, and they always had a special story to share. When I looked at this blog Tuesday night, it was heart-warming to read some of the comments on other threads, which I moved here to share with those that knew him. Thank you for all the kinds words and memories. My family and I appreciate it.
The following is information regarding services:
Viewing and a Rosary will be on Friday, March 16 from 5 - 8 p.m. At Cabot & Sons in Pasadena, (corner of Chestnut and Fair Oaks). A Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday, March 17 at St. Elizabeth Church, 1849 N. Lake at 9:30 a.m. The funeral will be at the Mountain View Cemetery at 2400 N. Fair Oaks Avenue, Altadena. In lieu of flowers, please make donations in his name to the Disabled Veterans
For story on Danny Robledo in today's Star-News, click thread.

La Cañada High School boys basketball coach Tom Hofman has been suspended for Saturday's CIF-State Division III Southern Regional final against Artesia at Pauley Pavilion.
Hofman will not be allowed to attend the game because he was ejected from the Spartans' 65-58 semifinal victory over San Diego's Mission Bay on Saturday.
CIF rules stipulate that if a coach is ejected from a game, he must also miss the following contest.
School officials contacted the CIF-State office on Monday in hopes of filing an appeal, but athletic director Randy Boal was informed by CIF events coordinator Dean Crowley that there is no appeals process.
To continue reading, click thread

Photo courtesy of LA Times.
This is a letter from a Pasadena High School teacher:
INCOMPETANT. DISGUSTING. RIDICULOUS. ABSURD.
These are the best words to describe both the LAPD and
Fairfax High School for their completely inappropriate
and unexplainable mishandling and mistreatment of a
line of 250 people waiting to buy basketball tickets
outside of Fairfax High School last Saturday evening.
The group of people, predominately Pasadena High
School fans, patiently waited for over 3 hours to see
a 3rd round CIF boys basketball playoff game between
Fairfax and PHS.
To continue reading, click thread

Above: Can we start to say that Adam Malik is the greatest player in La Canada history? Seriously, coach Tom Hofman gets ejected midway through the first half and they're trailing 40-29 at the break. Malik shows up in the second half and puts the team on his back, finishing with a career high 43 points as the Spartans advance to Saturday's Div. III regional final at Pauley Pavilion against power Artesia. I would like to sit here and say the Spartans have a shot next week, and I shouldn't doubt them after what happened against Campbell Hall. But lets be honest, Campbell Hall couldn't touch Artesia. But I'll be rooting for our guys from Hickory, err, La Canada.
Division I regional quarterfinals
Fairfax 54, Pasadena 51
Westchester 64, La Mesa Helix 45
Division III regional quarterfinals
Artesia 84, Twentynine Palms 44
La Canada 65, San Diego Mission Bay 58
Division V regional quarterfinals
Price 69, Pacific Hills 61
View Park 65, Renaissance Academy 61

Thoughts on PHS game...
The Bulldogs lost 54-51, and when they look back, they're going to feel this for a while because the better team didn't win on Saturday. All you heard leaving the building were PHS fans complaining about the officiating, and rightfully so. It was one-sided. Still, the Bulldogs were in it until the end. The difference between this game and others is that Fairfax had inside guys to contain Nigel Ajere, Armon Binns and Joseph Henson. But the Bulldogs contained Fairfax's UCLA bound forward Chace Stanback, who wasn't nearly as impressive as Bulldogs guard Trevon Harmon, who outscored him 26 to 18.
Thoughts on the crowd...
At halftime nearly everyone was on their cellphones with friends who were stuck outside -- more than 300 of them -- because Fairfax's gym was too small, much smaller than PHS. A riot developed outside after police arrived to clear the area, and later police dressed in riot gear surrounded the court with less than two minutes remaining to ensure that it stayed peaceful afterward. When I arrived nearly an hour before the game, there was an incredible sea of Bulldogs supporters lined up outside. It's a shame PHS couldn't convince Fairfax to move to a bigger building, but can you blame Fairfax for wanting to stay at home? In the regional quarterfinal, PHS could have choosed to play at PCC, but wanted to stay in the comforts of home, even if it meant more than 100-200 Bulldogs supporters couldn't get in their own building because it was filled to capacity. If PHS would have played at PCC and showed Fairfax what a huge crowd it has, it might have forced them into a bigger venue. At the CIF championships a week before, there were roughly 3,500 to 4,000 Bulldogs supporters at the Honda Center. It's obvious PHS has a huge following, and games of this magnitude need to be at a bigger venue. I understand wanting to play on your own court, but fans who have supported the program for years and want to be part of one of the greatest years in school history need to be accomodated. It's too late this year, but maye a lesson can be learned from all of this.

By next fall, Monrovia High School will have completed or be in the process of installing a new field turf surface and state-of-the-art track, with South Pasadena High finalizing plans to do the same.
Several area schools already have similar football and track facilities, such as La Salle, La Canada, San Marino, St. Francis, Arcadia, Maranatha and Gabrielino.

How long will it take the city of Pasadena to do the same for Muir, Pasadena, Blair and Marshall? Isn't it a little ridiculous that PHS, Marshall and Blair do not even have adequate facilities to host Friday night games, instead having to go to PCC or other neighboring schools. Muir has lights, but the stadium and track needs major work.
Maybe some of you can enlighten me. Why does this wonderful city with the Rose Parade and the most famous college football stadium in the country do so little for its public school athletic programs? Is it because the influential people in Pasadena have kids that go to private schools, and could care less? I don't know the answers, but the athletes who come through the Pasadena unified school district deserve better. Then again, Muir and PHS had to fight the school board and city just to keep the Turkey Tussle at the Rose Bowl.

It was amazing going to a Mt. SAC Invitational press conference a couple years back, and looking at all the Muir boys track accomplishments in the record book. The same happens every year I go to the CIF track finals, I love to glance through the record pages, and read about Muir's dominance in the 80s and 90s. What happened to this once proud program? They can't even compete in relays anymore.

Click thread for Pasadena Games info, the first big local meet of the season on March 31.

http://dyestatcal.com/calendar/07Track/Calendar/PasadenaGamesforPublication.pdf

Track expert Andrew Campa breaks down the area's boys and girls top programs.
Boys Track Preview link
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5364384
Girls Track Preview link
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5372404

Temple City/Monrovia tournament
Thursday's semifinals
Temple City at Alhambra, 3:15 p.m.
Pasadena at Pasadena Poly, 3:15 p.m.

CIF polls released
This is how we do it in the West San Gabriel Valley. Amazing, three teams on top of the CIF polls. Question is, can they stay there?
Below: Temple City pitcher Kyle MacDonald will have the Rams (3-0) moving up the polls soon.

Division III: 1. St. Francis, 2. Gahr, 3. La Quinta, 4. Corona del mar, 5. La Mirada, 6. Paramount, 7. South Hills, 8. Bellflower, 9. Loyola, 10. Nogales.
Division V: 1. Monrovia, 2. Bishop Amat, 3. Campbell Hall, 4. Serrano, 5. Woodcrest Christian, 6. Mountain View, 7. Montclair Prep, 8. Duarte, 9. Murrieta Calvary Chapel, 10. St. Paul, 11. La Salle, 12. Temple City.
Division VI: 1. Pasadena Poly, 2. Bishop, 3. San Jacinto, 4. Desert Christian, 5. Big Bear, 6. Bloomington Christian, 7. Vasquez, 8. Beaumont, 9. Kern Valley, 10. Windward.
Star-News top ten
1. Alhambra (2-0)
2. Temple City (2-0)
3. Monrovia (1-1)
4. Pasadena Poly (1-1)
5. St. Francis (1-1)
6. South Pasadena (2-0)
7. Pasadena (2-0)
8. Arcadia (1-1)
9. San Marino (2-0)
10. La Salle (1-1)
Note: Lets hear some discussion about these divisions. I grew up in the East San Gabriel Valley, and would love to see Monrovia meet up with Bishop Amat in the playoffs, and for St. Francis to go against South Hills or Nogales, which are two strong ESGV schools.

Arcadia, Monrovia, La Salle, Averno and Pasadena Poly all earn top ten rankings in first CIF-Southern Section spring poll.
Below: South Pasadena hurler Nichole Parada will help the Tigers challenge Monrovia for the Rio Hondo League title.

Division III: 1. Cajon, 2. Fullerton, 3. Oaks Christian, 4. Sunny Hills, 5. California, 6. Arcadia, 7. Crescenta Valley, 8. Quartz Hill, 9. Los Altos, 10. Kaiser
Division V: 1. Hesperia, 2. North Torrance, 3. Monrovia, 4. L.A. Baptist, 5. El Segundo, 6. San Dimas, 7. Northview, 8. Burroughs, 9. Village Christian, 10. Pasadena Poly.
Division VI: 1. La Salle, 2. Calvary Chapel, 3. Woodcrest Christian, 4. Alverno, 5. Notre Dame Academy, 6. Alverno, 7. Paraclete, 8. Cantwell Sacred Heart, 9. Desert, 10. Serra.
Star-News top ten
1. Arcadia (1-0)
2. Monrovia (2-0)
3. South Pasadena (1-1)
4. Flintridge Sacred Heart (3-0)
5. Maranatha (1-1)
6. La Salle (2-1)
7. Alverno (2-1)
8. Rosemead (1-1)
9. San Marino (2-1)
10. La Canada (1-0)

CIF-State Southern California
Regional playoffs

Boys Basketball
Tuesday’s games
Division I
Clovis West (21-8) at Pasadena (30-2), 7 p.m.
Thursday’s games
Division III
Hanford West (21-10) at La Canada (28-3), 7 p.m.
Division V
Renaissance Academy (23-2) at Reedley Immanuel (24-9), 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Thursday’s games
Division V
Rio Hondo Prep (16-9) at Mission Prep (20-9), 7 p.m.
For a complete breakdown of state pairings, click link
http://www.cifstate.org/
For Story, click thread and continue reading comments for Muir coach Gary Johnson's reaction to not making the playoffs after the Mustangs' 26-2 season.

Bulldogs bring home fourth school title, and first since 1995 with 79-63 victory over St. Bernard in Saturday's CIF-SS Division II-AA championship at the Honda Center.

Click link for photo gallery
http://lang.pasadenastarnews.com/socal/gallery2/index.asp
Clink link for video interview
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/030407_Bulldogs.asp

The La Salle girls soccer team defeated league rival Bishop Montgomery for the third time this season to claim their second CIF-SS title and first outright title in school history. Sarah Shevlin scored the game winner in a 1-0 victory for the Division IV soccer title.

Click link for photo gallery
http://lang.pasadenastarnews.com/socal/gallery2/index.asp

A special shout-out goes to the La Canada High boys basketball team, who despite overwhelming odds, took top-ranked Campbell Hall into overtime on Saturday in the CIF-SS Division III-AA finals. On press row, they were asking, "Who's this Malik guy." Adam Malik had a chance to win it in regulation, but his shot with seconds left came up short. Still, he finished with 31 points, as the Spartans fell, 61-57. And for the rest of the team, what an inspired effort, I thought I was watching Hoosiers unfold in front of my eyes.
For a look at the last minute shot and coach Tom Hofman's thoughts, click link
http://lang.sgvtribune.com/multimedia/asps/030407_Spartans.asp
UPDATE: CIF state pairings released at 4 p.m. this afternoon. To access the pairings, click this link
http://www.cifstate.org/

Star-News top ten rankings
1. Arcadia
2. Monrovia
3. South Pasadena
4. La Salle
5. Rosemead
6. Alverno
7. Maranatha
8. Flintridge Sacred Heart
9. Pasadena Poly
10. Westridge
For story on top-ten ranked teams, click thread
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5337882
Noteworthy:The second annual Star-News Public vs. Private senior all-star game will be played again at Arcadia High School on June 9. With the help of several area coaches and parents, this was a huge success last year. All the girls enjoyed it, so hopefully we can make this an annual event.
ALSO: For Duarte Tournament schedule which starts on Saturday with several local teams, click thread.

Star-News Top Ten
1. Monrovia
2. St. Francis
3. Pasadena Poly
4. Alhambra
5. Temple City
6. Rosemead
7. Arcadia
8. South Pasadena
9. La Canada
10. Maranatha
For story, click link
http://www.pasadenastarnews.com/preps/ci_5328492
For Elks Baseball tournament schedule which starts Friday, click thread