January 2008 Archives

Above: Renaissance Academy center Anthony Stover has helped the Wildcats stay on top.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Star-News Top 10
Records before Tuesday's games
1. Renaissance Academy (21-2) May not be tested against until playoffs
2. Pasadena (17-5) Catching fire at the right time
3. La Canada (16-7) Rolling through Rio Hondo League
4. Maranatha (14-7) Stinging over loss at Pacific Hills
5. Alhambra (13-9) Tough loss at Schurr
6. Pasadena Poly (14-4) Caught at home by Webb
7. Flintridge Prep (16-4) Back on winning track
8. Marshall (14-7) Still flying high after upsetting Pacific Hills
9. Keppel (11-12) Suffered back-to-back league losses
10. Temple City (12-10) In a fight for second place in league

Above: Muir's Brittany Henderson has been a big reason the Mustangs are on top.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Star-News Top 10
Records before Tuesday's games
1. Muir (19-1) Mustangs on a nine-game streak
2. Keppel (15-7) Aztecs have rolled off seven in a row
3. Flintridge Prep (17-5) Healthy and on a nine-game streak
4. Blair (15-5) Has won seven of eight
5. Monrovia (13-9) Injuries taking their toll in league
6. Maranatha (17-5) Has dropped two consecutive games
7. South Pasadena (14-5) Pulling it back together
8. La Canada (12-10) Trying to stay near top of league
9. Gabrielino (16-6) Has won six of seven
10. Alhambra (12-8) Has dropped three of four

Former Duarte football player Brandon Lee was shot and killed on Tuesday.

Lee, a 2007 graduate, led the Falcons in tackles with 134 as a senior and 113 during his junior season. He rushed for four touchdowns as a senior, and three during his junior campaign.

Here's a story from our news department.

Anthony Stover, a 6-foot-10 junior has grown three inches and has the Wildcats poised to make a run in the CIF playoffs.

It's taken longer than I hoped, but here's a video.

Pasadena Poly's Harewood, Talt lead resurgence

Above: Pasadena Poly's A.J. Talt, left, and John Harewood. (Staff Photo by Greg Andersen).

Arcadia freshman wins skating title

ST. PAUL, MN - JANUARY 26: Mirai Nagasu competes in the free skate portion of the ladies event during the US Figure Skating Championships January 26, 2008 at the Xcel Energy Center in St Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Question: What are your thoughts on the rule that she can't compete at the World Championships in March because she isn't 15 yet?

Rebels earn win, La Canada falls in battle of Spartans at APU.

La Canada goaltender Kristine Cato is one of the top goaltenders in Southern California, and will attend USC next year.

Alhambra's Anthony Brown among area players selected.

The postseason football awards are finally out, and with a new name. They are the L.A. 84 Foundation team awards as selected by the football coaches advisory committee.

Above: Alhambra running back Anthony Brown.

The teams consist of and offensive team and a defensive team.

Here are some of Friday's results.
To report scores, call (626) 962-8811, Ext. 2233 or 2242. Make sure to talk to a live voice. Do not leave a message.

Pasadena's boys basketball team is beginning to hit its stride.

Questions: Could Keion Bell be a lock for Player of the Year? Will Pasadena repeat as Division champions?

Pasadena's Keion Bell (3) drives to the basket in the first half During Pasadena's win over Crescenta Valley. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photographer)

Second-half surge propels Wildcats to 67-40 win over Maranatha

Maranatha played a strong first half, but Renaissance Academy shifted into high gear behind Treamaine Tatum, who scored 15 of his 19 points in the second half, and nine during a 15-0 run which extended the Wildcats' lead from one point to 16.

Anthony Stover is becoming a scary player. Just a junior, Stover has grown a few inches from last year and is up to 6-foot-10. Who knows how much taller he can get, but his game has improved big-time since last season.

Your thoughts.

Above: Maranatha's Ronald Cole, left, battles with Renaissance Academy's Yader Combs.

Above: Renaissance Academy center Anthony Stover puts down a dunk.

Here are the latest CIF polls. Opinions?

Above: Renaissance Academy's Anthony Stover goes up for a dunk against La Canada.

Here are the latest CIF polls. Enjoy

Above: Muir's Chrishawn Frierson against Pasadena.

Here are the newest CIF polls. Have at it.

Above: Maranatha players celebrate a win over Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.

St. Francis up to No. 3

Here are the latest CIF polls. Your opinions please.

Above: Nick Rihn of St. Francis against Loyola.

Here are the latest CIF water polo polls. Your thoughts?

Above: Temple City Goalie Hannah Hogue.

Star-News Player of the Year Tyron Crockom among area players selected.

The postseason football awards are finally out, and with a new name. They are the L.A. 84 Foundation team awards as selected by the football coaches advisory committee.

Above: Star-News Player of the Year Tyron Crockom.

The teams consist of and offensive team and a defensive team.

What time is it?

This is one of those moments I've been expecting to happen. A classic case of MaxPreps meets HighSchoolSports.net.
The correct game time for Wednesday's game between Maranatha and Renaissance Academy indeed is at 7:30 p.m. at Maranatha.

MaxPreps, the site everyone normally uses for schedules and stats had the game at 6 p.m. It's a site that Renaissance Academy coach Sid Cooke likes to refer us to.

HighSchoolSports.net is a site schools are beginning to use instead of sending out hard copies. It had the game at 7:30 p.m., and I couldn't find information on Maranatha's site.

Here's the catch, Maranatha coach Doug Ravasdy has always referred me to MaxPreps for info as well.

Well, at least someone found the correct time for us.

Question: Does Maranatha have a chance of pulling off the upset?

Pasadena Poly upends Flintridge Prep

Question: How far can the Poly boys and Flintridge Prep boys and girls go in the playoffs?

DeFrance's commitment leads Blair girls turnaround

Above: Blair senior Stephanie DeFrance.

Question: How far can the Vikings go?

Baldwin shines for Spartans in leadership role

Above: La Canada senior forward Will Baldwin. (Correspondent photo by Larry Goren)

Five years after leaving the championship Arcadia High School baseball program under a cloud of suspicion and allegations, Mike Parisi is back coaching in the San Gabriel Valley.

Spartans go to great length

La Canada's Riley Kessler, Left, fights for the ball with Temple City's Maureen Ho Tuesday. (SGVNStaff Photo Keith BirminghamSXSports)

Question: Are the Spartans the area's best?

With National College Signing Day coming up, where are some of the area athletes going?

So far, Muir's Cherrish Wallace has signed to go to Baylor, Alhambra's Noe Ramirez put his signature down to play at Cal State Fullerton, and Arcadia's Kevan Walker mulling over his UCLA verbal and other offers. Anyone else ready to sign?

Maranatha's Sarah Tyler (21) fights for the ball with Flintridge Sacred Heart's Carter Vettese during a recent match. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith BirminghamSXSports)

DIVISION I
1. Servite, 2. Santa Margarita, 3. Cabrillo (LB), 4. Millikan. 5. Los Alamitos, 6. St Francis, 7. Aliso Niguel, 8. Jordan, 9. Quartz Hill, 10. San Clemente.

DIVISION II
1. Ventura, 2. Poly (Riverside), 3. Brea Olinda, 4. Santa Barbara, 5. Saugus, 6. Mira Costa, 7. Montclair, 8. El Toro, 9. Arlington, 10T. Foothill, 10T. West Torrance.

DIVISION III
1. La Habra, 2. Santa Ana, 3. Saddleback, 4. Fullerton, 5. California, 6. Century, 7. Paramount, 8. Laguna Beach, 9. Santa Maria, 10. Bellflower.

DIVISION IV
1. Santa Monica, 2. Cathedral, 3. Coachella Valley, 4. South Torrance, 5. La Quinta (La Quinta), 6. Ganesha, 7. Kaiser, 8. Indio, 9. Jurupa Valley, 10. Channel Islands.

DIVISION V
1. Mountain View, 2. St Genevieve, 3. Hesperia, 4T. Salesian, 4T. San Jacinto, 6T. Carpinteria, 6T. Duarte, 6T. Silverado, 9. Beaumont, 10T. Granite Hills, 10T. Monrovia, 10T. Oaks Christian.

DIVISION VI
1. Animo Leadership, 2. Dunn, 3. Arrowhead Christian, 4. Desert Hot Springs, 5. Woodcrest Christian, 6. Buckley, 7. Bishop Union, 8. Ontario Christian, 9. Montclair Prep, 10. Malibu.

Above: Muir's Cherrish Wallace in a 40-30 win over Pasadena.

Renaissance Academy No. 1; Spartans ranked third, Bulldogs fifth

Above: Pasadena's Blaine Radley in a game at Burbank.

Even with the loss to Burbank, Pasadena is still a team to watch come playoff time. Your thoughts.

This area matchup is so big between schools just 1.79 miles apart, it needed to be moved out of the area.

Actually, it's part of a one-day event, but La Canada High School's boys basketball team will face the area's top-ranked team, Renaissance Academy in the "War on the Floor" to be played Saturday at Taft High in Woodland Hills.
Too bad this game didn't happen a year ago.

Above: La Canada's Will Baldwin.

Above: Renaissance Academy's Hector Harold

Question: Who will win this titanic cross-town tilt?

Fabled blogger TomS, who I had the pleasure of meeting this week at a game, had this idea, so what were some of the top moments in 2007?

Pasadena boys basketball team winning CIF championship

Mayfield girls volleyball team winning CIF title

La Salle girls soccer team wins CIF title

Among other big moments in 2007:
In no particular order

1. Monrovia falls to Bishop Amat in CIF baseball title game.
2. Flintridge Sacred Heart reaching CIF girls volleyball title match.
3. Pasadena football team beats No.2-seed Chaffey in CIF playoffs.
4. Renaissance Academy makes it to CIF boys basketball title game.
5. Flintridge Prep reaches CIF girls basketball title game.
6. San Marino wins CIF boys tennis title.
7. Keppel wins boys and girls swimming titles.
8. Muir dominant in track and field.
9. Maranatha takes CIF girls cross country title.
10. Blair football team rises to RHL title.

The 2008 softball season is quickly approaching. Who are the players and teams to watch for?

Above: Former Arcadia pitcher Jenna Rodriguez.

Baseball is right around the bend. Who are the top players and teams to watch out for this coming season?

Above: Former Monrovia pitcher Eddie McKiernan.

Above: Former Pasadena Poly pitcher Rob Rasmussen is congratulated at home plate.

Muir High School, as reported on the Tribune blog, will open the 2008 football season with a Week 0 game at Diamond Ranch.
As of Friday, Muir coach Ken Howard hadn't signed the contract, but, according to the coach, it's a just a formality.

Here's the gauntlet the young Mustangs must go through before reaching the Pacific League following a bye week.
Week 0: at Diamond Ranch
Week 1: vs. Oaks Christian
Week 2: at Venice

Question: Without Youngblood, can the Mustangs survive this schedule, and how good can they be?

Former Mustang and current Sparks player has jersey number retired

Tye'sha Fluker, flanked by her mother Renee Creamer, left, and her sister Letricia Lee, right, a Muir High School cheerleader, sees her number revealed by her former coach, Beverly Ball-Powell, during a ceremony retiring her number Friday in Pasadena. Fluker, who was on Muir's basketball team from 1998 to 2002, plays for the Los Angeles Sparks of the WNBA and is currently playing in Turkey during the WNBA offseason. (Sarah Reingewirtz/Staff Photographer)

Question: Will her school record of 50 points in a game ever be broken?

Fred posted this on his blog, so I thought I'd put it over here as well.

To report boys and girls basketball and soccer results, as well as wrestling and girls water polo scores to our newspaper for publication. You can do this two ways, call 626-962-8811 and try these extensions, 2233, 2242 or 2702. Or, you can simply email your results to scores@sgvn.com If you're going to email scores, make sure you look a box score in our newspaper to see what is required for your particular sport. If you have any more questions, feel free to email me at scott.galetti@sgvn.com

Muir point guard determined to make senior season special for Mustangs

Above: Muir point guard Cherrish Wallace is trying to lead the Mustangs to a CIF title before heading to Baylor University. (Pasadena Star-News Staff Photo / Walt Mancini)

Maranatha remains on top

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
1. Maranatha
2. Flintridge Sacred Heart
3. Pasadena
4. Arcadia
5. La Canada

Question: What's up with just one team ranked in CIF? Is this a down year for the area?

St. Francis remains the top team

St. Francis celebrates a 2-0 win over Loyola. (Pasadena Star-News Staff Photo Keith BirminghamSXSports)

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
1. St. Francis
2. Pasadena
3. Monrovia
4. Marshall
5. Muir

Question: Can you feel the CIF love?

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS

Above: Muir point guard Cherrish Wallace during Mustangs victory over Marlborough.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Records prior to Tuesday’s games

1. Muir (13-1)
Big win over defending state champs
2. South Pasadena (10-2)
Tigers have won four straight
3. Maranatha (12-1)
Rode 10-game win streak into Tuesday
4. Alhambra (9-5)
Dropped two straight after six wins
5. Blair (9-4)
Vikings entering league on high note
6. La Cañada (8-7)
Spartans have dropped two straight
7. Keppel (8-7)
Aztecs 2-3 at Ayala Best of the West
8. Flintridge Prep (8-5)
Rebels slumping into league play
9. Temple City (8-6)
Rams have won three of four
10. Gabrielino (11-5)
Eagles soaring into MVL action

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS

Above: Renaissance Academy guard Justin Cook.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Records prior to Tuesday’s games

1. Renaissance Academy (16-2)
Finally getting healthy
2. Pasadena (11-5)
Still better than the rest
3. La Cañada (10-5)
Spartans a bit up and down
4. Alhambra (10-6)
Snapped three-game losing streak
5. Temple City (10-6)
Rams have won six of last seven
6. Maranatha (9-5)
Minutemen quite unpredictable
7. Flintridge Prep (11-2)
Rebels entered Tuesday on a roll
8. St. Francis (8-5)
Big win Alemany in league opener
9. Pasadena Poly (11-3)
A.J. Talt playing tall for Panthers
10. Marshall (10-5)
Began league winners of four-of-five

Burbank ends Pasadena's 37-game Pacific League run

Pasadena High School s Darius Johnson attempts a shot in a 61-44 Pacific League loss to Burbank on Monday. The loss ended Pasadena s 37-game league winning streak. (Sarah Reingewirtz//Staff Photographer)

Queston: Will Pasadena lose its hold on the Pacific League title this season or will it turn things around?

Most Valuable Defensive Player: Michael Palffy
Most Valuable Offensive Player: David Baier
First Team: David Baier, Ted Davis, Ryan Doeppel, Brandon France, Patrick Ryan Hauk, Michael Palffy, Bill Preston, Chase Rettig, Darrell Triplett.

Second Team: Gordon Edwards, Buddy Evans, Sean Tracy.

Linemen of the Year: David Vander Laan

Above: Maranatha's David Vander Laan.

First Team
Ian Campbell Sr. DB/Punter
Tom Flewelling Sr. LB
Daniel Kopplin Jr. DE
Mark Love Sr. RB
Drew Noonan Sr. LB
Greg Fisher Sr. OL

Second Team
Danny Beckwith So. QB
Joshua Forrester Jr. LB
Derek Tsao So. OL

Bulldogs lose first game of the season

Pasadena's Antenneh Biru (17) gets tangled with a Crescenta Valley defender in the second half of the Falcons' 2-0 Pacific League victory over the Bulldogs. (Pasadena Star-News Staff Photo / Keith Birmingham)

My first thought on this game is that I actually had a blast standing out in the rain on the soggy grass.
As far as the match goes, I've been at some soccer matches where the team that seemed destined to win didn't.
I can't remember being at a game (soccer match) where one team thoroughly dominated and didn't win.
Weather was a factor with a defender slipping in the first half to set up Crescenta Valley's first goal.
Even with the terrible field conditions and the rain intensifying in the second half, Pasadena had an enormous amount of quality scoring chances, but Crescenta Valley's goalkeeper had an outstanding match.

Something I don't get is why do some leagues play games during Christmas break, while others wait until school resumes.
Pasadena was without four of its players against CV, but the match counts in the league standings.

Above: South Pasadena's Marivick Valdevilla (Keith Birmingham / Staff)

Player of the Year: Marivick Valdevilla
School: South Pasadena
Grade: Sophomore
Notable: The talented sophomore led the Tigers to a second-place finish in Rio Hondo League play and a trip to the CIF-Southern Section Division III quarterfinals. The team captain was undefeated in singles competition en route to earning her second consecutive Rio Hondo League singles title. Valdevilla reached the round of 16 at the CIF individual championships after reaching the semifinal round as a freshman.
Quotable: "Unlike last year, it was a real eye-opener on how hard we had to work."

Coach of the Year: Nadine Felix, Mayfield

First Team
Singles
Jessie Huang, So., Temple City
Erica Lee, Sr., La Canada
Caitlyn Ward, Jr., Arcadia

Doubles
Lacey Miyazaki, Sr., - Jade Stenzel, Sr., La Canada
Tess Gilmore, Jr. - Megan Golbranson, Fr., Mayfield
Susan Cheng, Jr. - Jennifer Duong, Sr., Temple City

Second Team
Singles
Rachel Fox, Fr., La Canada
Emily McNall, Fr., Maranatha
Natalie McNall, Sr., Maranatha

Doubles
Leslie Brian, Sr. - Amy Lifland, Jr., Pasadena Poly
Lisa Luu, Sr. - Shannon Tang, Jr., Alhambra
Varshini Ashock, Sr. - Tiffany Lau, Sr., Arcadia

With league play coming up, how should the area's top five stack up?

We'll be getting back to our normal schedule of weekly top-10 rankings next week.
Following all the tournaments and non-league action, who do you think are the top boys and girls teams in the area?
Also, what are some of the best matchups coming up?

Temple City High School grad Desmond Reed collects a touchdown and gets style points with a flip in USC's 49-17 win over Illinois.