December 2007 Archives

Maranatha High School senior Angie Gonzalez won the Olympic League individual title and then helped the Minutemen win the CIF-Southern Section Division IV team championship. (Keith Birmingham / Staff)

Player of the Year: Angie Gonzalez
School: Maranatha
Grade: Senior
Notable: Gonzalez enjoyed a successful senior season, capped when the Minutemen won the CIF-Southern Section Division IV team championship. She posted a time of 19 minutes, 35 seconds in the sweepstakes race at the Mt. SAC Invitational to help the Minutemen take first in the team competition. She finished 17th at the CIF-Southern Section Division IV finals in a time of 19:45. The senior ran a time of 19:51 at the Clovis Invitational in October to finish 18th. Gonzalez finished in 52nd place at the CIF-State Division IV championships in a time of 20:21. Gonzalez also earned the Olympic League individual championship. The senior put her teammates above any individual awards and was most satisfied when her team won the CIF-SS championship.
Quotable: "My mother is my biggest inspiration because she's been my chauffeur for the past seven years and has always supported my passion for running."

Coach of the Year: Kirk Nishiyama, Flintridge Sacred Heart

First Team
Dot Silverman, Flintridge Prep, Sophomore
Brittnie Munoz, Rosemead, Sophomore
Kaitlin Fueling, La Cañada, Junior
Erin Hartwig, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Junior
Chloe Fata, South Pasadena, Senior

Second Team
Johanne Boulat, Arcadia, Senior
Jessica Lam, La Canada, Senior
Erika Polanco, La Salle, Sophomore
Kathryn Iwata, Flintridge Prep, Senior
Grace Tungate, Maranatha, Freshman

Alhambra High School senior Phillip Benavides set an Almont League record at the league finals meet and then became the first Moors runner to reach the CIF-State Meet. He also finished ninth in the CIF-Southern Section Finals at Mt. SAC. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer)

Player of the Year: Phillip Benavides
School: Alhambra
Grade: Senior
Notable: Benavides enjoyed great success during his senior season. He set the Almont League record during the league finals (15 minutes, 7 seconds), breaking the old mark of 15:12. He also reached the CIF-State championships, becoming the first Moors runner to do so. He suffered a bruised heel coming down the switchbacks midway during the sweepstakes race of the Mt. SAC Invitational and simply wanted to make it through the season. His goal was to break 15:10 at the CIF-Southern Section Finals at Mt. SAC and he finished ninth in 15:03. He won the Bosco Tech Invitational and finished third at the Staub/Barnes Invitational at Crescenta Valley Park. Benavides gained confidence in his potential at the Bell-Jeff Invitational at Griffith Park when he took second place in 14:13 behind Highland's Jeremy Acosta.
Quotable: "I was happy because my worst race this year was better than my best race last year."

Coach of the Year: Rick Carager, Pasadena Poly

First Team
Renaud Poizat, Arcadia, Junior
Kris Romero, Arcadia, Senior
Ryan Ernst, Arcadia, Senior
Connor Verreaux, Flintridge Prep, Junior
Will Zentmeyer, La Canada, Senior

Second Team
Christian Raether, San Marino, Senior
Andrew Yen, Maranatha, Senior
Paul Weitekamp, Flintridge Prep, Junior
Wesley DeVoll, Pasadena Poly, Sophomore
Jeffrey Hemphill, Pasadena Poly, Junior

Above: You can purchase reprints of the page by visiting our website.

Mike Scott, who helped lead the La Cañada High School water polo team to the CIF-Southern Section Division III title, has been selected as the 2007 Star-News Player of the Year. The 2-meter defender was the team s sparkplug with big defensive stops and quick outlet passes. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer)

Player of the Year: Mike Scott
School: La Cañada
Grade: Senior
Position: Two-meter defender
Notable: Scott filled the shoes of Devon Borisoff, who is at USC, and filled them with vigor. The senior was the anchor of the La Ca ada defense and helped the Spartans win the CIF-Southern Section Division III championship. He was named the Rio Hondo League's Most Valuable Player and was selected to the Division III All-CIF team. Scott was pitted against the opponent's top scorer and is, according to Spartans coach Larry Naeve, "one of the best 2-meter defenders in water polo." As the season progressed, Scott became more vocal on the defensive end. His fire and enthusiasm was embraced by his teammates as the Spartans played one of the toughest schedules in the CIF-Southern Section. Scott scored a goal in the Division III semifinals against Ayala.
Quotable: "It was my senior season, so it was nice to have a strong finish."

Coach of the Year: Janice Clark, Arcadia High School

First Team
Anders MacCarthy, South Pasadena, Senior
Taylor Roszkos, La Cañada, Junior
Max Scott, La Cañada, Senior
Spencer Borisoff, La Cañada, Junior
Tommy Gilfillan, Pasadena Poly, Junior
Wesley Yao, Arcadia, Senior
Robbie Pusic, Arcadia, Senior

Second Team
Lucas Lis, South Pasadena, Senior
Robert Poynton, South Pasadena, Senior
Mitchell Fricke, Arcadia, Senior
Michael Langendoen, Arcadia, Junior
Peter Bohlen, Pasadena Poly, Senior
Austin Hough, Pasadena, Senior
Jack Wang, Temple City, Senior

Above: Star-News player of the year, Mike Scott. Reprints of the page can be purchased by visiting our website.

Above: Flintridge Sacred Heart setter Sam Orlandini was instrumental in leading the Tologs to the CIF-SS Division I-A championship match against Harvard-Westlake.

Player of the Year: Sam Orlandini
School: Flintridge Sacred Heart
Grade: Senior
Position: Setter
Notable: Orlandini helped the Tologs reach the CIF-Southern Section Division I-A championship match against Mission League rival Harvard-Westlake. The senior controlled her team's offense and always found a way to get the ball to the open hitter. Orlandini had 1,194 assists this season, finishing with 4,263 in her career. Orlandini was named the Mission League's Most Valuable Player and earned first-team All-CIF honors. She handed out a season-high 52 assists in a playoff victory over Notre Dame Academy. Orlandini will attend Cal State Northridge in the fall and will play on the Matadors' volleyball team.
Quotable: "It's amazing! We hadn't been to the finals since 2002 and I was glad I could lead my team back to the finals."

Coach of the Year: Shelli Orlandini, Flintridge Sacred Heart

First Team
OH: Katie Condon, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Sr.
OH: Susan Carlson, Mayfield, Jr.
OH: Stephanie Stillman, Arcadia, Sr.
OH: Teanna Robinson, Maranatha, Jr.
OH: Courtney McCutchan, La Cañada, So.
LIBERO: Jenna Orlandini, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Jr.

Second Team
MB: Camile Coffey, Flintridge Sacred Heart, Fr.
OH: Tiffany Horton, Rio Hondo Prep, Jr.
OH: Katie Baumgarten, South Pasadena, Sr.
OH: Rachel Aragon, Mayfield, Sr.
OH: Tirah Le'au, Monrovia, Fr.
OH: Morgan Ma, San Gabriel, Sr.

Above: Star-News player of the year, Sam Orlandini. Reprints of the page can be purchased by visiting our website.

A big-play performer
Crockom makes it happen

During the 2007 season, Pasadena High School senior quarterback Tyron Crockom passed for 2,905 yards and 28 touchdowns, and also ran for 753 yards and six scores. He helped the Bulldogs upset No. 2 seed Chaffey in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer)

Sanders helped put flair back into Blair

First of all, Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays.
Now, please show respect in your comments. Thank you.

Above: Star-News Player of the Year, Tyron Crockom, Coach of the Year Tip Sanders. Reprints of the page can be purchased by visiting our website.

Player of the Year: Tyron Crockom,

Coach of the Year: Tip Sanders, Blair

First Team Offense
QB - Isaac Valdez, San Gabriel, So.
RB - Troy Amhaz, Arcadia, Sr.
RB - Willie Youngblood, Muir, Sr
AP - Devin Fuller, Blair, Sr.
WR - Michael Harrison, Pasadena, Sr.
WR - Arness Ikner, Pasadena, Sr.
WR - Javier Miranda, San Gabriel, Sr.
OL - Lars Guillermo, Arcadia, Sr.
OL - Alex Reitnouer, St. Francis, Sr.
OL - Jonathan Silva, Alhambra, Sr.
OL - Chris Tosello, La Canada, Sr.
OL - William Walls, Pasadena, Sr.
K - Trevor Finchamp, Rio Hondo Prep, Sr.

First Team Defense
DL - Eric Becher, Temple City, Sr.
DL - Sean Horace, Blair, Sr.
DL - Donnie Fields, Arcadia, Sr.
DL - John Patton, Muir, Sr.
LB - David Allen, South Pasadena, Sr.
LB - Todd Golper, Arcadia, Jr.
LB - Kendell Hollinquest, Blair, Jr.
LB - Joe Reasner, Temple City, Sr.
DB - Anthony Brown, Alhambra, Sr.
DB - Kevin Garcia, St. Francis, Sr.
DB - Michael Palffy, La Salle, Sr.
DB - Kevan Walker, Arcadia, Sr.
P - Jonathan Troast, South Pasadena, Sr.

Above: You can purchase reprints of the page by visiting our website.

Second Team Offense
QB - Chase Rettig, La Salle, So.
RB - John Trawick, San Marino Sr.
RB - Dushine Smith, Alhambra, Sr
AP - Dietrich Riley, St. Francis, So.
AP - Williams Do, Temple City, Sr.
WR - Ahmere Owens, Muir, Sr.
WR - Fernando Gonzalez, Monrovia, Sr.
WR - David Baier, La Salle, Sr.
WR - Albert Aulcy, Rosemead, Sr.
OL - Gerard Longtin, Monrovia, Sr.
OL - Matthew Matsuda, San Gabriel, Sr.
OL - Daniel Scheper, St. Francis, Sr.
OL - Patrick Thomas, Arcadia, Sr.
OL - Brian Smith, Blair, Sr.
K - Bobby Maldonado, Rosemead, Sr.

Second Team Defense
DL - Phillip Desmuke, Blair, Sr.
DL - David Vander Laan, Maranatha, Sr.
DL - James Mijares, Monrovia, Sr.
DL - Trevon Carpenter, Pasadena, Jr.
LB - Francisco Villalobos, San Gabriel, Jr.
LB - Patrick Greene, Monrovia, Sr.
LB - Joey Orlandini, St. Francis, Sr.
LB - Tra Sumler, Rosemead, Jr.
LB - Daveon Samuel, Muir, Sr.
DB - Raheem Broadnex, Blair, Jr.
DB - Bobby Michel, Monrovia, Jr.
DB - Reuben Thomas, Muir, Jr.
P - Alex McNees, Rio Hondo Prep, Sr.

Behind the Scenes of the photo shoot

La Cañada squanders 20-point halftime lead before pulling out overtime victory.

La Cañada's Will Baldwin, left, drives to the basket in the first half of Thursday s La Cañada Classic game against Los Angeles King-Drew Medical. La Cañada won in overtime, 67-64. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer)

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE

Records prior to Tuesday.

1. Maranatha (5-0-4)
2. Flintridge Sacred Heart (1-1-2)
3. South Pasadena (2-0-2)
4. La Canada (4-3-0)
5. Flintridge Prep (5-4-3)

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
Record as of Tuesday

1. St. Francis (6-1)
2. Pasadena (6-0-1)
3. South Pasadena (5-2-2)
4. Marshall (4-1-4)
5. La Canada (3-1-2)

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS

Question: Is there any doubt about Muir being No. 1?

GIRLS BASKETBALL
1. Muir (4-0)
2. Monrovia (7-1)
3. South Pasadena (9-2)
4. Maranatha (3-1)
5. Alhambra (6-3)
6. Flintridge Prep (6-3)
7. La Cañada (6-4)
8. Blair (7-3)
9. Keppel (3-4)
10. Westridge (3-4)

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Records Prior to Tuesday's games

Question: Who should the top team be?

1. Renaissance Academy (9-1)
2. Pasadena (6-2)
3. Maranatha (3-2)
4. Poly (6-1)
5. Alhambra (7-2)
6. La Cañada (5-3)
7. St. Francis (5-2)
8. Marshall (5-4)
9. Flintridge Prep (6-1)
10. Blair (4-4)

Mission Valley League: Rosemead's Tra Sumler among first team.

Player of the Year: Tommy Cogburn, South El Monte
Back of the Year: Jose Garay, South El Monte
Lineman of the year: Daniel Centeno, Arroyo High School

First Team offense
QB: Jose Garay, South El Monte
RB: Jonathan Mendoza, South El Monte
RB: Luke Ayala, El Monte
RB: Tra Sumler, Rosemead
WR: Manny Acosta, South El Monte
WR: Tommy Cogburn, South El Monte
TE: Mike Sotelo, Arroyo
OL: Joel Talavera, South El Monte
OL: Robert Cedeno, South El Monte
OL: Richard Lopez, Rosemead
OL: Carlos Chacon, South El Monte
OL: Andrew Oveido, Rosemead

First Team Defense
DB: Neiko Padilla, South El Monte
DB: Luis Illescas, El Monte
DB: Justin Fregoso, Rosemead
DL: Daniel Centeno, Arroyo
DL: Andrew Barrera, South El Monte
DL: Joseph Eddy, Rosemead
DE: Juan Perez, South El Monte
DE: Roland Penaloza, Arroyo
LB: Tra Sumler, Rosemead
LB: Davie Padilla, South El Monte
LB: Cesar Chavez, Rosemead
LB: Julio Tena, El Monte

Alhambra's Anthony Brown and San Gabriel's Javier Miranda are named Almont League co-Most Valuable Players.

CO - MOST VALUABLE PLAYERS: Anthony Brown, Alhambra; Javier Miranda, San Gabriel
LINEMAN OF THE YEAR: Chris McCoy, Bell Gardens
CO - MOST VALUABLE OFFENSIVE PLAYERS OF THE YEAR: Dushine Smith, Alhambra; Isaac Valdez (San Gabriel)
MOST VALUABLE DEFENSIVE PLAYER: Raul Pintado, Schurr

Above: Alhambra running back Anthony Brown.

Above: San Gabriel wide receiver Javier Miranda.

First Team Offense
Receiver: Diego Delgadillo (Bell Gardens)
Receiver: Marcos Villalobos (San Gabriel)
Receiver: Alex Valdez, (Schurr).
Tight End: Joshua Giambalvo (Alhambra)
Tight End: Derek Zurita (Schurr)
Running Back: Albert Martinez (Bell Gardens)
Running Back: Nick Castillo (San Gabriel)
Running Back: Edwin Molina (Schurr)
Quarterback: Ricky Mendez (Schurr)
Tackle: Federico Garcia (Alhambra)
Tackle: Edward Soto (San Gabriel)
Tackle: Mike Krause (Schurr)
Guard: Jonathan Silva (Alhambra)
Guard: Cesar Estrada (Bell Gardens).
Center: Matt Matsuda (San Gabriel)
Place-kicker: Geovanni Salazar (Bell Gardens).

First Team Defense
Tackle: Erik Arias (Alhambra)
Tackle: Daniel Ramos (Bell Gardens).
Defensive End: Andrew Melber (San Gabriel)
Defensive End: Mike Olivares (Schurr)
Linebacker: Kaleo Orona (Alhambra)
Linebacker: Adam Acosta (Montebello)
Linebacker: Frankie Villalobos (San Gabriel)
Linebacker: Eric Estrada (Schurr)
Defensive Back: Robert Olivares (Alhambra)
Defensive Back: Derek Gomez (Montebello)
Defensive Back: Marcos Villalobos (San Gabriel)
Defensive Back: Alex Valdez (Schurr)
Punter: Alex Valdez (Schurr).

Rio Hondo Prep's Trevor Finchamp honored as the Prep League's Most Valuable Player.

Most Valuable Player: Trevor Finchamp (Rio Hondo Prep)
Offensive Most Valuable Player: Andy Magee (Chadwick)
Defensive Most Valuable Player: Jamie Wheeler-Silverman (Viewpoint)

Above: Rio Hondo Prep's Trevor Finchamp was named the Rio Hondo League's MVP.

First Team Offense
O-Line - Joshua Alexander Liebovitch (Viewpoint)
O-Line - Harout Dermendjian (Flintridge Prep)
O-Line - Andrew Ellingsen (Pasadena Poly)
O-Line - Eddie Garcia (Rio Hondo Prep)
O-Line - Joey Polwrek (Flintridge Prep).
Quarterback - Andy Magee (Chadwick).
Back - Antonio Alaniz (Rio Hondo Prep)
Back - Trevor Finchamp (Rio Hondo Prep)
Back - Aaron Holder (Webb)
Back - Adam Ross (Flintridge Prep).
WR - Alex McNees (Rio Hondo Prep)
WR - George Mavredakis (Chadwick)
WR - Graham Sadler (Pasadena Poly)
WR - Tim Watson (Chadwick).

First-Team Defense
D-Line - Jeff Boyle (Rio Hondo Prep)
D-Line - Nnamdi Iregbulem (Chadwick)
D-Line Scott Studenmund (Flintridge Prep).
Linebacker - Ben Kamel (Rio Hondo Prep)
Linebacker - Michael Madden (Chadwick)
Linebacker - John McNamara (Webb)
Linebacker - John-Michael Pennington (Pasadena Poly)
Linebacker - Ben Salzman (Viewpoint)
Linebacker - Ian Sander (Flintridge Prep)
DB - Mark Chodas (Flintridge Prep)
DB - Tim Esguerra (Rio Hondo Prep)
DB - Chaz Hanna (Rio Hondo Prep)
DB - Gavin Thomson (Flintridge Prep)
DB - Jamie Wheeler-Silverman (Viewpoint).

St. Francis's Alex Reitnouer named Mission League Most Valuable Lineman.

Co-Most Valuable Players: Brooks Porter (Alemany); Aubrey Haynes (St. Paul)
Offensive Player of the Year: Ryan Rosenthal (St. Paul)
Co-Defensive Players of the Year: Ryan Rosenthal (St. Paul); Mykel Durr (Chaminade)
Most Valuable Lineman: Alex Reitnouer (St. Francis)

Above: St. Francis running back Dietrich Riley (4).

First team Offense:
WR - Craig Kisylia (Chaminade)
WR - Leandro Quesada (Alemany)
WR - Chris Gant (Alemany)
Back - Ryan Griffin (Chaminade)
Back - Aubrey Haynes (St. Paul)
Back - Dietrich Riley (St. Francis)
Back - Patrick McKernan (Alemany)
O-Line- Brooks Porter (Alemany)
O-Line - Alex Reitnouer (St. Francis)
O-Line - Daniel Scheper (St. Francis
O-Line - Sean Davies (Chaminade)
O-Line - David Krattenmaker (St. Paul)
Kicker - Kyle Strazzeri (Alemany)

First Team Defense
DB - John Mesa (Alemany )
DB - Kyle Morgan (St. Francis)
DB - Alex Radisich (Chaminade)
DB - Bryan Hufford (Chaminade)
DB - Matthew Lopez (St. Paul)
DB - Adrian Gallegos (St. Paul)
D-Line - Ryan Rosenthall (St. Paul)
D-Line - Mykel Durr (Chaminade)
D-Line - Rian Younker (St. Francis)
Linebacker - Chris Warren (Chaminade)
Linebacker - David Flores (David Flores)
Linebacker - Joey Orlandini (St. Francis )
Linebacker - Chris Sember (St. Francis)
Punter - Sean McGuinness (St. Francis)

Blair's Devin Fuller was named the Rio Hondo League's Most Valuable Player.

Most Valuable Player: Devin Fuller (Blair)
Offensive Back of the Year: Jonathan Troast (South Pasadena)
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Chris Tosello (La Canada)
All Purpose Back of the Year: Williams Do (Temple City)
Defensive Backs of the Year: Raheem Broadnex (Blair); Bobby Michel (Monrovia)
Defensive Linemen of the Year: Sean Horace (Blair); Eric Becher (Temple City)
Linebacker of the Year: Joe Reasner (Temple City)

Above: Blair running back Devin Fuller was named the Rio Hondo League's Most Valuable Player.

First team Offense:
WR - Steven Colliau (South Pasadena)
WR - Fernando Gonzalez (Monrovia)
WR - Reinaldo Reyes (Blair)
TE - David Allen (South Pasadena)
Back - Nolan McSwain (Blair)
Back - John Trawick (San Marino)
Back - Marquise Williams (Monrovia)
QB - Matt Haggard (Monrovia)
Tackle - Gerard Longtin (Monrovia)
Tackle - Allen Yang (Temple City)
Guard - Matt Calver (Monrovia)
Guard - Brian Smith (Blair)
Center - Nick Fry (Temple City)
Center - Reid Gantney (La Canada)
Kicker - Daniel Cisic (San Marino)

Above: Temple City's Joe Reasner was selected as the Rio Hondo League's Linebacker of the Year.

First Team Defense
DB - Kendal Boggs (Monrovia)
DB - Gianni Bruno-Lopez (Temple City)
DB - Steven Colliau (South Pasadena)
DB - Terrell Jones (Blair)
Down Lineman - Matt Hsu (San Marino)
Down Lineman - Damion Williams (Blair)
Down Lineman - Darwin Winfrey (Monrovia)
Defensive End - Phillip Desmuke (Blair)
Defensive End - James Mijares (Monrovia)
Linebacker - David Allen (South Pasadena)
Linebacker - Patrick Greene (Monrovia)
Linebacker - Kendell Hollinquest (Blair)
Punter - Sebastian Orozco (Temple City)

Tyron Crockom was named the Pacific League Player of the Year, while Muir's Willie Youngblood was the Offensive Player of the Year.

Player of the Year: Tyron Crockom (Pasadena)
Offensive Player of the Year: Willie Youngblood (Muir)
Offensive Lineman of the Year: Sebastian Valenzuela (Burroughs)
Defensive Players of the Year: Todd Golper (Arcadia); Kyle Budrick (Burroughs)
Defensive Lineman of the Year: John Patton (Muir)

Above: Pasadena quarterback Tyron Crockom was named the Pacific League's Player of the Year.

First team Offense:
WR - Michael Harrison (Pasadena)
WR - Ahmere Owens (Muir)
WR - Clay Sierra (Crescenta Valley)
Back - Troy Amhaz (Arcadia)
Back - Malcom Roberson (Glendale)
QB - Kevan Walker (Arcadia)
Lineman - Lars Guillermo (Arcadia)
Lineman - William Walls (Pasadena)
Lineman - Garrett Rowland (Burroughs)
Lineman - Tanner Farwell (Crescenta Valley)
Lineman - Patrick Thomas (Arcadia)
All Purpose - Reuben Thomas (Muir)
Kicker - Dillon Short (Arcadia)

Above: Todd Golper chases Pasadena's Tyron Crockom for a sack. Golper was named the Pacific League's co-Defensive Player of the Year.

First Team Defense
DB - Arness Ikner (Pasadena)
DB - Austin Daniels (Muir)
DB - Marcus Graves (Muir)
DB - Marcus Thompson (Muir)
Lineman - Donnie Fields (Arcadia)
Lineman - Trevon Carpenter (Pasadena)
Lineman - Jordan Lawrence (Burroughs)
Lineman - Daveon Samuel (Muir)
Linebacker - Korey Turk (Burbank)
Linebacker - Parker Haleen (Crescenta Valley)
Punter - Forrest Reed (Arcadia)

Posthuma celebrates birthday with winner

Question: Is this the year for the Golden Knights?

Above: Nick Posthuma, right, celebrates with Eric Verso after Verso's goal in the first half.

Fregoso, Marquez hope to help Rosemead win CIF title

Huse strikes it big in Lancers program

Above: La Salle's Kara-Leigh Huse

Traditional power St. Francis expected to rule the area this season

Maranatha girls looking to have even bigger season than 2006-07