February 2008 Archives

Friday, February 29
San Gabriel at San Marino
Monrovcia vs. La Salle at Sierra Madre Villa LDS
Alta Loma at Arcadia
Blair at Westridge
Mayfield at Ramona Convent
Alhambra at Pasadena

Saturday, March 1
Brea-Olinda Tournament
South Pasadena vs. Sunny Hills, 1 p.m.
Duarte Freeway Tournament
Monrovia vs. Marshall, 10 a.m.
Crescenta Valley vs. La Canada, 10 a.m.
Etiwanda vs. Duarte, noon
Alverno vs. Gladstone, noon
Flintridge Sacred Heart vs. Whittier, 2 p.m.
Covina vs. Pasadena Poly, 2 p.m.
La Salle vs. Baldwin Park, 4 p.m.
Azusa vs. Maranatha, 4 p.m.

Monday, March 3
Duarte Freeway Tournament
Monrovia vs. Maranatha, 3 p.m.
Alverno vs. Pasadena Poly, 3 p.m.
Etiwanda vs. La Salle, 5 p.m.
Flintridge Sacred Heart vs. La Canada, 5 p.m.

Tuesday, March 4
Duarte Freeway Tournament
Azusa vs. Marshall, 3 p.m.
Crescenta Valley vs. Flintridge Sacred Heart, 3 p.m.
Alverno vs. Covina, 5 p.m.
Pasadena Poly vs. Gladstone, 5 p.m.
Baldwin Park vs. Duarte, 7 p.m.
Whittier vs. La Canada, 7 p.m.

Wednesday, March 5
Duarte Freeway Tournament
Maranatha vs. Marshall, 3 p.m.
La Salle vs. Duarte, 5 p.m.

Flintridge Prep senior a leader and `goofball'

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
1. Arcadia
2. South Pasadena
3. Flintridge Prep
4. La Canada
5. San Gabriel

Above: Flintridge Prep outside hitter Dylan Walker. (Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)

Yes, this is a sort of Tribune and Inland Valley Bulletin school, but La Verne Lutheran proved me wrong.
The Trojans defeated Pacific Hills 57-56 to win the CIF-SS Division V-AA title.
It's kind of fitting that Jordan Sally hit the game-winning layup late in the game.
Sally was a novalty in prep sports as he was an in-season transfer from Bishop Amat. What makes it even more interesting is he went from a Catholic school to a Lutheran school. But since the CIF approved it, who am I to say anything but congratulations to them?

I'm posting this here because there's a possibility that La Verne Lutheran could face none other than Renaissance Academy in the state playoffs next week. That would be an interesting matchup to say the least.

Question: Who would win?

Above: La Verne Lutheran celebrates victory over Pacific Hills. (Photo from the Inland Valley Bulletin)

On the eve of what was supposed to be one an enjoyable experience for the Rosemead High School wrestling program turned sad Thursday with the passing of Panthers wrestling coach Louie Madrigal.

Alhambra earns area's No. 1 preseason ranking

Above: Alhambra's Noe Ramirez. (Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)

STAR-NEWS TOP 10
1. Alhambra (22-5)
2. Monrovia (24-6)
3. Arcadia (15-11)
4. Temple City (20-8)
5. San Marino (15-7)
6. Gabrielino (19-7)
7. Maranatha (15-11-1)
8. La Canada (10-11)
9. South Pasadena (8-14)
10. Pasadena Poly (24-2)

Others to watch
St. Francis, La Salle.

In the politically-correct world that we live in, I'd thought I'd share a thought on what seems to be the politically-correct CIF playoffs.
The system is the way it is, but does anyone else ever find it amusing that teams that earn top-four seeds have to, more times than not, go on the road to face a lesser opponent in the second, quarterfinal and perhaps even the semifinals?
What does being a No. 1 seed get you? Sometimes a first-round bye, but mostly a cupcake in the first round.
Isn't it about time that teams with better records get rewarded throughout the playoffs?
For example; Muir, a No. 2 seed in the Division I-A girls basketball playoffs, traveled to Cerritos and Riverside King before facing Mira Costa in the semifinals at Pasadena High School.
In other words, the Mustangs got to play one game on their home floor the entire playoffs. Even better, had Mira Costa gotten upset by Canyon Springs, the Mustangs would have had to travel again.
In girls soccer, Maranatha had to go on the road to play against Torrance, a team with a lesser record. On a field that looked like a tornado ripped through leaving little grass and mostly mud, and with intense coastal winds, the Minutemen got blown out of the postseason.
Some sports, it doesn't matter who the home team is, but I think it's time to reward the top teams and give the teams with either the best record or the best league finish, the home game.

It appears senior to be Todd Golper is among the top returning players for next season.

The big question, who else will be the players to watch?

Minutemen to play in early bird special

The CIF-Southern Section Division V-AA championship game between Maranatha and Whittier Christian will beging at 9:30 a.m. at Long Beach State University's Walter Pyramid.
Whittier Christian won both Alpha League matchups this season, 41-34 and 37-24.
Tickets are $9 for adults, $5 for students with I.D. and $5 for children. Parking at The Pyramid is $5.

Mira Costa defeats Muir girls in semis

An interesting side note: Mira Costa's Kali Hamilton is the granddaughter of Tom Hamilton, who Pasadena's gymnasium is named after.

Above: Muir's Cherrish Wallace drives to the basket against Mira Costa in the CIF-SS Division I-A semifinals at Pasadena High. (Staff Photo by Keith Birmingham.)

South Pasadena's Parada helps make Tigers No. 1

Here is the 2008 softball preview courtesy of Keith Lair.

Above: South Pasadena's Nichole Parada. (Staff Photo by Walt Mancini)

STAR-NEWS TOP 10
1. South Pasadena (16-11)
2. Alverno (23-6)
3. Temple City (17-12)
4. Monrovia (21-4-1)
5. Arcadia (21-6)
6. Keppel (11-8)
7. Maranatha (9-13)
8. Pasadena Poly (12-10)
9. Marshall (11-14)
10. Flintridge Sacred Heart (9-11)

Others to watch
La Salle

Muir High School's girls basketball team will be in for a tough battle as the Mustangs play highly touted and 2007 runner-up Mira Costa Tuesday night at Pasadena High.

Who will win?

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Division I-A
Semifinals
Mira Costa vs. Muir at Pasadena HS, 7:30 p.m.

La Canada faces perhaps its biggest challenge of the season on Tuesday when the Spartans travel to Harvard-Westlake to take on defending champion Campbell Hall in the CIF-Southern Section Division III-AA semifinals.

Your thoughts?

Above: La Canada coach Tom Hofman leads his team into the CIF-SS Division III-AA semifinals against Campbell Hall.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Division III-AA
Semifinals
La Canada vs. Campbell Hall at Harvard-Westlake HS, 7:30 p.m.

Baseball season begins with the talent-laden Elks tournament.

Friday, Feb. 29 Games
Arcadia vs. Alhambra at Moor Field, 3:15 p.m.
Pasadena Poly at Temple City, 3:15 p.m.
Gabrielino at Monrovia, 3:15 p.m.
El Monte at South Pasadena, 3:15 p.m.
Duarte at Pasadena, 3:15 p.m.
Mountain View at La Salle, 3:15 p.m.
Paraclete at San Gabriel, 3:15 p.m.
Cantwell-Sacred Heart at St. Francis, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra Vista at Rosemead, 3:15 p.m.

Maranatha High School's girls basketball is in the CIF-Southern Section Division V-AA championship game and will take on defending champion and league rival Whittier Christian at the Walter Pyramid at Long Beach State.
The Question is, when?
Our friends at the CIF-Southern Section office love to keep you guessing.

Here's the latest memo from the CIF:
"In order to properly schedule all Southern Section championship events (boys and basketball; boys and girls soccer; girls water polo) the finals schedule for the 2008 Boys and Girls Basketball Championships will appear on the website after 12:00 noon on Wednesday, February 27, 2008. Please check back at that time. Thank you."

Since upper division basketball, and soccer will be playing semifinal rounds on Tuesday, this mainly affects basketball teams which solidified spots in the title game on Saturday, including Maranatha.
The Minutemen know who they play, but not when. So Annie Miller has to enter the week under the belief that her team is playing on Friday, and if it gets an extra day to prepare, sobeit.
These lower level games should be already set since those are the games that generally bring the smallest crowds. The more people that know about when a game is, the more people that can make plans.

I understand why the CIF does this, it still doesn't help teams preparing, or their fans in planning.
Rather than a big event the respective schools should be celebrating, it's more like a surprise party.

Hungry Muir prevails

Above: Muir's Eliza Pierre goes up for a shot against Riverside King in the CIF-SS Division I-A quarterfinals. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Watchara Phomicinda/SXsports)

Minutemen need overtime to defeat Village Christian for fourth time this season.

Rebels fall to Laguna Hills for second year in a row.

Rosemead High School's Adrian Marquez collected a championship at the Masters wrestling meet.

Above: Rosemead's Adrian Marquez, top, tackles Irvine High's Scott Chene, bottom, in the 130 lb. weight class of the CIF Southern Section Masters Wrestling Tournament in Rialto February 23, 2008. (GABRIEL LUIS ACOSTA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER.)

Marshall, Renaissance Academy and Maranatha all fall from the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, while La Canada lives to play another day.

Above: Marshall's David Morris (5) is rejected driving to the basket during the Eagles' CIF-SS Division V-AA semifinal playoff basketball againt Pacific Hills at Muir High School. (SGVN/Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXsports)

Some thoughts: La Verne Lutheran showed great poise after falling behind late in the fourth quarter. Getting Maranatha's top scorers Daniel Dingle and Anthony Morton to foul out was also huge. My prediction for the Division V-AA finals between La Verne Lutheran and Pacific Hills: Pacific Hills is the defending champion and boasts the division's returning Player of the Year in Derick Flowers. I didn't see anything to change my opinion that Pacific Hills is the best team in Division V. I pick Pacific Hills by double digits.
Renaissance Academy's loss to West Hills in the Division III-A semifinals doesn't shock me too much. West Valley is a fairly good-sized school with talented athletes. My question now is if Renaissance Academy, with its record and the fact it moves down in divisions, will make the state tournament like Price did last season after losing to La Canada in the Division III-AA semifinals.
Marshall showed that it was a talented team by taking Pacific Hills, a team it had beaten once, to the limit.
Finally, La Canada continues to defy the odds and advanced to the Division III-AA semifinals with a win over Santa Clara. Now the Spartans must defy the biggest odds of them all when they face defending champion Campbell Hall on the road at a neutral site on Tuesday.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS
BOYS BASKETBALL
Division III-AA
Quarterfinals
La Canada 65, Santa Clara 59

Division III-A
Semifinals
West Valley 62, Renaissance Academy 56

Division V-AA
Semifinals
La Verne Lutheran 39, Maranatha 37
Pacific Hills 43, Marshall 41

In the politically-correct world that we live in, I'd thought I'd share a thought on what seems to be the politically-correct CIF playoffs.
The system is the way it is, but does anyone else ever find it amusing that teams that earn top-four seeds have to, more times than not, go on the road to face a lesser opponent in the second, quarterfinal and perhaps even the semifinals?
What does being a No. 1 seed get you? Sometimes a first-round bye, but mostly a cupcake in the first round.
Isn't it about time that teams with better records get rewarded throughout the playoffs?
For example; Muir, a No. 2 seed in the Division I-A girls basketball playoffs, will be playing its second straight road game when it travels to Riverside M.L. King. King's a very good team. If Muir advances and, let's say for fun, Mira Costa gets upset, the Mustangs would be right back on the road.
In girls soccer, Maranatha had to go on the road to play against Torrance, a team with a lesser record. On a field that looked like a tornado ripped through leaving little grass and mostly mud, and with intense coastal winds, the Minutemen got blown out of the postseason.
Some sports, it doesn't matter who the home team is, but I think it's time to reward the top teams and give the teams with either the best record or the best league finish, the home game.
In the meantime, I'll send a postcard from Riverside.

According to Freddy at the Tribune, the annual Star-News/Tribune boys and girls all-star games are scheduled to be played on April 19 at Azusa Pacific University.
The exact times, and teams will be announced down the road.

La Canada High School's bid to return to the CIF-SS Division V semifinals came to a halt as Mountain View scored a pair of second-half goals to post a 2-1 victory.

Above: La Canada celebrates a first-half goal by Kyle Campbell. (Staff photo by Greg Andersen)

Three area teams remain in the CIF-Southern Section girls basketball playoffs.

Here is Saturday's schedule.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Girls basketball
Division I-A
Quarterfinals
Muir at Riverside M.L. King, 7:30 p.m. (If Muir advances, it would host Mira Costa or play at Canyon Springs).

Division IV-A
Semifinals
Flintridge Prep vs. Laguna Hills at neutral site, 7:30 p.m.

Division V-AA
Semifinals
Maranatha vs. Village Christian at neutral site, 7:30 p.m.

Wednesday was not a good day for area girls soccer teams.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Division II
Second Round
Anaheim Canyon 2, Arcadia 1 (OT)

Division III
Second Round
Santa Monica 3, Pasadena Poly 2

Division IV
Second Round
La Salle 1, Patriot 0

Division V
Second Round
Torrance 2, Maranatha 0

Four area teams remain in the CIF-Southern Section boys basketball playoffs, while one remains in girls soccer.

Here is Friday's schedule.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Boys basketball
Division III-AA
Quarterfinals
Santa Clara at La Canada, 7:30 p.m.

Division III-A
Semifinals
West Valley vs. Renaissance Academy at Blair, 7:30 p.m.

Division V-AA
Semifinals
Pacific Hills vs. Marshall at Muir, 7:30 p.m.
La Verne Lutheran vs. Maranatha at Occidental College, 7:30 p.m.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Girls soccer
Division IV
Quarterfinals
La Serna at La Salle, 3 p.m.

Muir, Flintridge Prep and Maranatha advanced in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, while Keppel and Blair saw their seasons come to an end.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Girls basketball
Division I-A
Second Round
Muir 64, Cerritos 47

Division II-AA
Second Round
Santa Monica 61, Blair 47
Cajon 72, Keppel 39

Division IV-AA
Quarterfinals
Flintridge Prep 61, Azusa 50

Division V-AA
Quarterfinals
Maranatha 59, Holy Martyrs 25

Question: Are the Wildcats championship-bound?

La Canada survived a long road trip, as did Maranatha. Both teams will be playing on Friday night.

For the second time this season, Marshall's boys basketball team beat the No. 1-ranked team. This time it was Woodcrest Christian. Next up is a matchup against the other No. 1 team the Eagles beat, Pacific Hills.

Young Bulldogs fall in second round, 55-49

Above: Pasadena's Steven Adams goes up against two Arroyo Valley defenders. (Correspondent photo by Larry Goren)

Four area teams remain in the CIF-Southern Section boys basketball playoffs. Who will win?

Here's Friday night's schedule.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Boys basketball
Division III-AA
Quarterfinals
Santa Clara at La Canada, 7:30 p.m.

Division III-A
Semifinals
West Valley vs. Renaissance Academy at Blair, 7:30 p.m.

Division V-AA
Semifinals
Pacific Hills vs. Marshall at Muir, 7:30 p.m.
La Verne Lutheran vs. Maranatha at Occidental College, 7:30 p.m.

The Bulldogs have trouble scoring in 55-49 loss to Arroyo Valley.
Perhaps the telling story came at the free-throw line, where Pasadena was just 7-for-18.

Above: Pasadena's Joseph Henson has is surrounded in the Bulldogs' 55-49 loss to Arroyo Valley.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Division II-AA
Second Round
Arroyo Valley 55, Pasadena 49

Division III-AA
First Round
La Canada 68, Morro Bay 48

Division III-A
Quarterfinals
Renaissance Academy 70, Riverside Notre Dame 48

Division V-AA
Quarterfinals
Maranatha 47, Tarbut V' Torah 42
Marshall 54, Woodcrest Christian 50

Yusef Akbarut's header off a corner kick by Ravi Sahai gives La Canada a 3-2 win over Marshall in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs. The Spartans will play at Mountain View on Thursday.

This was a match that could have gone either way.

Above: La Canada celebrates in the background while a Marshall player reacts to a 3-2 loss to the Spartans.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
BOYS SOCCER
Division I
Second Round
Newbury Park 2, St. Francis 0

Division V
Second Round
La Canada 3, Marshall 2
Oaks Christian 4, Blair 0

Above: Pasadena's Marcus Harvey. (Correspondent Photo by James Carbone).

One of the topics recently has been on whether or not the CIF-Southern Section should separate public and private schools in the playoffs.
Although it might make the playing field a little more level come playoff time, I'm not in favor of segregation when it comes to publics and privates.
What happens to games like Muir and Oaks Christian and Arcadia and St. Francis? Will those schools still play each other?
About 11 years ago, I was working in Dallas and was amazed by the fact that the publics schools were branched off from the parochial schools. And, in most cases, the public schools were way stronger.
Then again, that's the same state where many years back I saw my first 8-man football game and the fans and parents backed their pickup trucks right up to the field to watch the game, gun racks and all, so maybe there's no comparison between California and Texas football. :)

San Marino High School sophomore Ben Harwich advanced to this week's Masters wrestling tournament after beating Oxnard senior Josh Manuel 10-6 to take third place at the CIF-Southern Section Northern sectional.
At state for Harwich is a potential spot in upcomping California state tournament. Harwich is the first San Marino wrestler to qualify for the Masters in quite some time.

Above: San Marino's Ben Harwich, right, in action at the CIF-SS Northern sectional. (Courtesy photo).
Five area grapplers will compete at Carter High School in Rialto. The top placers will advance to next week's state championships in Bakersfield.

Here's the list of the locals:

Alhambra - Abel Avila (135 pounds), sophomore, Division VI, third place.
Monrovia - Jordan Zepeda (140 pounds), senior, Division III, third place.
Rosemead - Justin Fregoso (125 pounds), senior, Division IV, third place.
Rosemead - Adrian Marquez (130 pounds), Division IV, first place.
San Marino - Ben Harwich (189 pounds), sophomore, Division III, third place.

Question: Who will advance to state?

Question: Who will advance out of Wednesday's action?

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Girls Basketball
Division I-A
Second Round
Muir at Cerritos, 7:30 p.m.

Division II-AA
Second Round
Blair at Santa Monica, 7:30 p.m.

Division II-A
Quarterfinals
No. 2 seeded Cajon at Keppel, 7:30 p.m.

Division IV-A
Quarterfinals
Azusa at Flintridge Prep, 7:30 p.m.

Division V-AA
Quarterfinals
Holy Martyrs at Maranatha, 7:30 p.m.

Girls Soccer
Division II
Second Round
Anaheim Canyon at Arcadia, 3 p.m. (If Arcadia wins, it'll play at Redlands or Walnut)

Division III
Second Round
Santa Monica at Pasadena Poly, 3 p.m. (If Poly wins, it'll host Diamond Ranch or travel to San Luis Obispo)

Division IV
Second Round
Patriot at La Salle, 3 p.m. (If La Salle wins, it'll host La Serna or Oxnard Pacifica)

Division V
Second Round
Maranatha at Torrance, 3 p.m. (If Maranatha wins, it'll host Oak Park or Bell Gardens)

Division VI
Second Round
Ontario Christian at Alverno, 3 p.m. (If Alverno wins, it'll travel to Viewpoint or Cate)

Question: Who will move on?

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
Boys Basketball
Division II-AA
Second Round
Arroyo Valley at Pasadena, 7:30 p.m.

Division III-AA
Second Round
La Canada at Morro Bay, 7:30 p.m.

Division III-A
QuarterfinalsRenaissance Academy at Riverside Notre Dame, 7:30 p.m.

Division V-AA

Quarterfinals
Maranatha at Tarbut V Torah, 7:30 p.m.
Woodcrest Christian at Marshall, 7:30 p.m.

SOCCER
Division I
Second RoundNewbury Park at St. Francis, 3 p.m. (If St. Francis advances, they would play at Servite or San Clemente)

Division V
Second Round
Marshall at La Canada, 3 p.m. (If La Canada advances, it would play at Azusa or Mountian View) (If Marshall advances, it would host Azusa or play at Mountain View)
Oaks Christian at Blair, 3 p.m. (If Blair advances, it would host Sierra Vista or San Jacinto)

La Canada High School's girls water polo saw its season come to an end with a 5-0 loss at No. 1-seeded Riverside Poly.

The La Salle girls soccer team refuses to give up its crown as defending CIF Division IV champions.

Notes: Moorpark wore down Pasadena, winning in overtime.

Question: Is Soccer the one sport where an official can clearly have an effect in the outcome?

How about Arcadia going up to the wind tunnel and beating Highland. The Apaches took a 2-0 lead. Highland came back to tie it at 2-2, but Arcadia put up four goals in the second half to win going away. A major improvement from the tough loss to wild-card Cerritos a year ago.

Pasadena Poly goes on the road and collects a big win.

Alverno collects an impressive victory over Duarte.

And what happened to Maranatha? The team that hasn't suffered a loss so far, but is the master of the tie, put up nine goals against Yucca Valley.

Blair's mammoth comeback highlights a busy day in prep sports

This was one of the biggest comebacks, home or away, that I've seen in quite some time. And it was against an excellent team. Blair went from "better luck next year" to a road game against Santa Monica.

Above: Blair's DeJanae Gibson goes up for a shot against Marina in the first round of the CIF-SS Division II-AA playoffs. (Correspondent photo by Larry Goren/Sports)

La Canada will face off against Marshall on Tuesday. It'll be a battle between last year's finalist (Marshall) and last year's semifinalist (La Canada).

The burning question: Who will win?

Someone has some explaining to do in this situation.

A busy Friday in postseason action.

Above: La Canada's Clark Anderson (4) celebrates with teammate Jefff Grigg (11) during a CIF playoff agame against Brentwood at La Canada High School. (SGVN Staff Photo Keith BirminghamSXSports)

Here is the latest schedule for Friday's CIF Playofffs

Note: All times are subject to change. If there is an incorrect time, please let me know.

The CIF recently released its preseason baseball rankings.

Question: Who are the top teams in the area?

Above: Temple City High School.

The CIF preseason rankings came out.
Question: Where are the locals in the rankings?

Here is the preseason CIF boys volleyball poll.
Quesiton: Any surprises here?

Curbing gang violence
Forum seeks ways to curb gang violence

MOBILIZING: Ricky Pickens of Community/Gang Outreach for the Pasadena Police Department, and new Marshall football head coach, speaks at the public safety status meeting Wednesday at Duarte City Hall Wednesday. (Photo by Walt Mancini)

Student allegedly involved in melee

Above: Muir High School running back Willie Youngblood during the Turkey Tussle against Pasadena in November ((Pasadena Star-News Staff Photo Keith Birmingham)

I was a bit preoccupied, so here's the post. My thoughts are along the same lines as Freddy's.
Is it me, or has society changed a lot? Way back I was in school, a fight would get you at least a week's suspension. Now, it can get you arrested? Youngblood has been nothing but upstanding what it's come to my contact with him. Time will tell what transpires with this story.

Question: What are your thoughts? And please, keep them as clean as possible.

Here is Thursday's CIF playoff schedule.
Note: If there is a change in the time or location, please let me know.

Avesyan, Boyd have La Canada thinking CIF title

Above: La Canada's Colleen Boyd, left, and Nancy Avesyan. (Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz.)