Breaking news: Aram turns in his timecard; Robledo moves back to the Tribune

Re: Truth,

As a St. Gabriel residence, I am truly ashamed of how low we can get about our young athletes. Other parts of the County are appreciative and supportive of the achievements of these young people. Fred has done a wonderful job in not emphazing the negatives but focusing on the positives. You will agree with me that we surely need type of media coverage at these times when young people are drawn to gangs. Lets be real, Fred, we commend you on a wonderful job. Keep up the good job. As it relates to the young man in question, get over it...."haters".

Truth Haters;

Let it be haters. The young man has since moved on with his life to a new and better place. I am sure that there are other athletes of interest to the area. Why focus on the past. Be happy for Nigel Ajere haters.

Thanks Fred for your 5 years of service to the Star News. Good luck in your new position.

Gosh, folks...

What was it Big M always used to say..."shiny happy people!"

The Truth is right Get real. OK you win.Again this is not personal re Ajere. He is just a glaring example of what is going on with many kids. Every kid, coach and parent in the Arcadia program and most in the PHS program knows what is going on. You again choose to ignore it.Is there some reason for this. That is your business If you are going to wait for the CIF to bring it to your attention, forget about it. As far as the ankle bracelet, it is not a rumor I saw him wear it while playing in a league basketball game along with hundreds of other people.Does anyone check GPA's.Did he get a diploma? It is just a typical example of how young athletes are treated and used. Then when their eligibility is used up we read about them on the front page instead of the sports section.Continue what you are doing.You are everything we don't need in a prep spotrs reporter Best of luck at the Tribune

To Truth, if players had a 1.0 GPA, they wouldn't be playing. Many of these things you accuse PHS of have never been substantiated, or challenged by another school or CIF. As far as Ajere's concerned, his transfer to PHS was done with CIF approval after establishing residency. As far as him wearing an ankle bracelet ordered by the courts, it was mentioned that he wore one in a story. But it didn't violate CIF rules, and I didn't get into specifics because he was a minor, and felt it wasn't a serious offense.
Also, with so many schools to cover, we don't have the time to police all the transfers, or check eligibilities. But if a school violates a rule, and CIF penalizes them for it, we'll report it.

Hey FB realist.
I guess you and Fred are the only ones unaware of the illegal goings on at PHS Basketball. Check the GPA. Why is he attending a "prep" school for a 5th year? Sources say that 1.0 GPA keeps you eligible at PHS. Grades are an afterthought. Ankle bracelets worrn during games. There is only one reason for that. Moves from one Pacific League school to another and competes the very same season. How often does this happen? Buys a residence in Sierra Madre, but actually lives in Arcadia. Prior blogs have stated that his family purchased new uniforms for the team.Misses practices but continues to play.It goes on and on. Its nothing personal. But it is not what high school sports are about.Check prior blogs and you will find others questioning the same issues. It is just continually ignored.

Thanks to all of you and your kinds words. I can't tell you how much I'm going to miss the Star-News side of town. But Scott and I are a team now, just like Aram and I were. We don't plan on slowing down, so get ready for a great 2007 season. Leaving Hawaii in a day, so see you all on Friday.

Scott
Where's our top linemen list? I can't wait any longer.. the season is just around the bend sooooo pleeeeese help a girl out. I need to know who to watch and which games to go to.. thanks

I didnt like aram at all and im glad to see him out of there.

Congrats to Aram. I have known you since you worked at the Mid-Valley news and I know you will be great at Fox. Fred, I will miss you and your humor on the sidelines. Make sure you come to this side of the 605 once in a while. Welcome Scott.... to our side of the fence!

Bayou Vol, I know I have big shoes to fill after Freddie. I'm looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to interact with all of the posters.

Fred..
We'll miss you at the games. Also we'll miss your fair coverage . Hope you'll still come to a few games... Thanks again and good luck

Thanks to Fred and Aram for their passion and their willingness to bring high school sports into a fan friendly venue. The blogs have been great overall, and the reporting certainly has broken new ground in the SGV sports scene. It's great to get together as fans, with discussion leaders as we have had, and debate, converse, remember, argue, etc. Thanks Fred and Aram for your ideas, your willingness, and your hearts. It was always evident that you were doing something you loved. Good luck. Scott, as the new torchbearer, you have a lot to build on and a lot to live up to. This really is a special job that provides a great service to the SGV. Thanks in advance for the work you will do.

Truth,

You say about PHS basketball, "There was so many blatant violations that were evident to everyone." Name some. You want the truth exposed? Then why don't you do more then just say something illegal is going on. Name names. Don't just say Ajere is doing illegal things. What is he doing specifically? If you know something, why don't you share?

Scott

Thanks some of us like the FAT Boys better than the pretty boys. Go linemen

Scott, Congrats on the new job.Now lets see if we can get someone to report on the entire prep sports scene. The good and not so good. I.E. The PHS Boys basketball championship and the Nigel Ajere fiasco.There was so many blatant violations that were evident to everyone. However Fred seemed to miss them.Good reporters gain more credibility and respect when they report the whole story and not just the side with the glamour. Look into the fall of the Arcadia High Athletic program and some of the things going on over there. All I am saying is that readers need to hear it all. You have a fresh start Go for it!!! All of it!!!!

Congrats Freddy, now work on your golf game!!!

Anon, if you look at the blog archives, you'll find softball in the forefront and you'll also see the boys volleyball blog I started in mid-season. It's my hope to get all of these blogs started.

As far as linemen go, the plan was to have one football post on positions a week to ease into the season. Linemen are next.

I'ld like to see a top 10 linemen list also.. these are the guys who really get the job done.. they may not be flashy but boy can they hit.. so how about it?

Anon 12:05...

How can you say that the other sports have been neglected. Softball was second only to football last year. It's the market...us...that drives the topics. And don't forget...this is a site for adults, fans, and parents to chime in...not for players. Most coaches in the valley have told their players to stay away. No one's kid is being slighted because they're /not/ being mentioned in the blog...

scott,
Aram and to a lessor extent Fred really spent all their blog on football, baketball and baseball.
I would like to see some of the other sports get some coverage - those kids playing other sports work every bit as harde if not harder as the kids playing football, baseball and basketball. I for one would like more coverage of cross country, tennis, water polo (boys and girls) , volleyball (boys and girls) and softball. Check out the previous blogs on softball they get as many comments as any sport and if you don't say South Pas in is the best and has the best pitcher - you will get a ton of comments. Also if you don't praise travel ball you will get a ton of comments - all of this is just saying more softball and other sports than football, basketball and baseball.
We will add lots of commentary.

scott,
please reconsider - the soccer geeks are out of control now that Becks is here - they don't get that that socialist sport will never catch on here.

No problem on having separate threads for different sports. I'm here to help.

Hey Scott...

Love all the hs sports...even H2O polo and boys volleyball...just keep them in their own threads...please!

Is that a request? If so, I don't think I can accommodate it. Sorry :)

Scott,
No soccer and no softball!

BTB-teamroom,

Get back on the other side of the 605!!! Nobody cares about the Tartans on this side of town.

hey congrats Robledo. well 2 give u a head start there are alot of great talents in the east san gabirel valley. schools like Northview with the best skill guys ( Quarterback, Running back and WR) in the valley. or the south hills huskies with and all around team im excited to see what and how u cover the valley

First, congrats to Aram on his move. He made the rounds and was a visible editor. As for Fred, this is great news. I personally don't care for the blog most of the time, not because I don't love high school sports, but because of it's personal attacks on kids and coaches. Sorry, but I don't feel they're fair game. They don't get paid and that wasn't under the job description or in the class description for the students when signing up for baseball. Without a doubt, Aram fueled that fire. There were posts that stayed up way too long that were hurtful and directed at certain targets, but the hits kept coming, so he left them on for all to see...for that reason, I am glad to see Fred come aboard.

I say we start off by showin him the Glendora Tartan Fans and (Trash talkers). Wooo Im excited Aram is long gone. Time to go Celebrate!!!!!!!

(Here's my take on the tartan offense)

Tartan Fans:

I've been reading the blogs these past few months, so i want to add my .02 cents, but not enough info on the Tartan offense.
Offense looks weaker part of the team but that can be fixed.
Kaluz looks pretty good, He is a "baller".
-Recievers are fast, (well maybe a few... or two)
BJ is a big guy, players call him the future Brandon Bryan... Great Hands, 6'4", he might have a slow speed but i hope "Coach P" will get him more physical
Russ Johnson... great talent, sad that he came in later to the football program, well im glad he left that old school of his
Aaron Stockham... wow this kid is going to be somethin, fast, great hands and great vision, and he's a sophmore!!!
J Gettinger... COWBOY... hmmmm
"Woody"... wow fast kid.. great hands.. could be one of the best if coach put him in more... but really his sport is Soccer and baseball from what i've heard???
-Lineman
Center= Austin Sefton... he's gonna be a little un sure this year. but he did okay... well atleast from what ive seen
Guards= i know coach p has been changing this postion around alot... there loosin there big joe from last year and going down to another big guy...
Ryan Noreiga... big guy, has speed, but a lil softy.
Thomas Lily.. Strong, very fast... but messes up quite a bit.. but he'll learn.
Tackles= two solid, but one a little iffy...
Addison Bachman... tragic story with this one, big guy big big guy, but he is also a little softy, everyone kno's this kid, really entergetic but i kno he;ll get after it...
Jared McGarry... Now this is a big guy but not to tall at all, played very well last year, great blockin and knos how to turn on the boosters, expectin to see good things from him
Tight ends= two main guys and both hard to choose the starter, Action Jackson or Aguierre, wow both with great hands and both with about the same speed, aguirre is a lil bigger and he knows how to play ball, he also blocks very well same with Jackson either way their both great... i hope to see alot of double tight
Full backs= we all kno who the main man is going to be and is it of course VEGA, wow greatest vision out there but a lil sad he is in the shorter body he is in.... 2nd in command the big 40... wow this guy is a man amongst these boys... he's huge, he's really gonna mess players up this year. he really gets after, especially at practice. he runs a few people over
RBs= wow this is where it gets tough... alot of new people to this role...
Brent martney... very quick and is very aggresive, i've heard alot of bad stuff about this kid but he does prove it on the field, he has great hands but his vision isnt to great, not to sure if he'll be able to find those blockers of his, but im sure he'll catch great balls...
Matt tarango... short kid not too big at all, ive seen this kid play, he gets after it, he might be short but he has speed and agility is alright, pretty good vision, i kno he'll bounce out and find that running lane to the promise land...
Andrea Holmes... big kid, and he's only a sophmore, he can do great things but the leading role at RB will be a bit to much for him, i see him splittin time. at passin league he looked a bit goofy, weird running form, looks like he has no balance. but im sure all can be changed

Personally i am thrilled to see Aram leave, thought he was tacky and so unprofessional -- so hearing that Freddy is NONE OF THAT AND SO MUCH MORE, I welcome him aboard!

Aram brought the fire...Fred was all class. This blog has been the flash point for all that is HS sports in the SGV.

Congrats to all...and welcome Scott.

Congrats Fred and good luck. Be seeing you around. Welcome aboard Scott. Its going to be a fun and interesting ride.

wat bout the top 10 lineman is anybody gonna post that up or wat

we'll miss you FredJ! best of luck at the Tribune

And the discussions are just beginning New York.

Congratulations to all. Looks like you'll need that Happy Holidays from West Covina bumper sticker Fred.

Congratulations Aram, Fred and Scott. Thank you for generating lively and informative discussions.

Congrats Fred on your new position with the SGV Tribune. See you around the Glendora/Azusa/Covina areas.

And my congrats to Aram with Fox Sports!

GOOD LUCK TO BOTH OF YOU.

DAWG