March 2008 Archives

Question: Will we be seeing a team from the Rio Hondo League in the Division V title game again this year? And, if so, who will it be?

Rams make San Gabriel feel ill

(Staff Photo Keith Birmingham)

My Thoughts: The Rams have a pair of solid middle blockers in Aaron Kappe and Ben Hogue. Temple City's match against South Pasadena should be interesting.

Maranatha pitcher Dylan Covey didn't allow a hit, and struck out 13 of the 15 batters he faced in a 13-0 win over Marshall Thursday.
Covey (3-0) has struck out 28 batters in his last two games. He allowed just one hit, and fanned 15 in a 3-0 win over Windward on March 14.
He also threw a five-inning no-hitter last season in a 12-0 victory over Marshall.

Tigers watch lead go to waste

South Pasadena had a win within grasp but couldn't hang on.
Question: Can the Tigers learn from a loss like this?

Tigers unable to hold on in 7-6 loss to Rams.
South Pasadena took a 6-3 lead in the fourth before Temple City tied it in the sixth, and won it in the seventh.

Your thoughts.

(Correspondent photo by Mike Mullen)

Tuesday's scores
Temple City 7, South Pasadena 6
La Canada 4, Monrovia 1
Arcadia 5, San Marino 2

Tuesday's finals
Temple City 7, South Pasadena 5
Monrovia 7, La Canada 1
San Marino 10, Blair 4
La Salle 7, St. Monica 0
Gabrielino 8, El Monte 1
South El Monte 8, Rosemead 5

Here are the latest area and CIF rankings.

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
By scott Galetti
Records before Tuesday
BASEBALL
1. Alhambra (5-1
Four straight wins after clunker
2. St. Francis (7-2)
Stuck in tough Mission League
3. La Salle (6-2)
Split a pair of Del Rey contests
4. Monrovia (5-2)
A tough week ahead
5. Temple City (5-2)
Stumbled against South Pas.
6. San Marino (7-0-1)
Only blemish a tie vs. Burbank
7. La Cañada (7-2)
Hung tough with Temple City
8. Poly (5-3)
Panthers gaining momentum
9. South Pasadena (4-3)
Split tough week of league play
10. Gabrielino (3-4)
Eagles beginning to soar

Here are the latest area and CIF rankings.

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
By scott Galetti
Records before Tuesday
SOFTBALL
1. Alverno (6-3)
Lost to tough Los Altos, 1-0
2. Flintridge Sacred Heart (5-2)
Two consecutive shutouts
3. La Salle (6-3)
Went 2-2 in High Desert tourney
4. Keppel (5-1)
Gearing up for league play
5. South Pasadena (2-5)
Losses to highly regarded teams
6. San Marino (6-1)
Lost league opener
7. La Canada (4-3)
Big win over Temple City
8. Maranatha (6-5)
Went 1-3 in IE tourney
9. Temple City (3-3)
Still in Rio Hondo hunt
10. San Gabriel (6-6)
Won four of last six games

Here are the latest CIF rankings.

Here are the area and CIF rankings

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
By Scott Galetti

BOYS VOLLEYBALL
1. Arcadia
Big match against Claremont
2. Temple City
Rams could be for real
3. South Pasadena
Tigers still slowed by injuries
4. San Marino
Hot and cold so far
5. La Cañada
Tough loss to Golden Valley

It's time for the top 10. Who should be in it?

Above: South Pasadena left fielder Kelsey Hertel in a game against El Segundo.

Here is a link to the complete proposed playoff pairings by the CIF, excluding basketball.

Link to CIF playoff proposal
CIF's entire proposal for all sports in 2008-09

Here is a proposal by the CIF for basketball.

Here is the CIF proposed groupings for football for 2008-09.

The proposed football playoff groupings: There is an appeal process for playoff groupings. A vote is scheduled at the Southern Section's next meeting, April 24.

Pac-5 Division: Moore, Serra, South Coast, Sunset, Trinity.

Inland Division: Big 8, Citrus Belt, Inland Valley, Southwestern.

Western Division: Bay, Golden, Mission, Ocean, San Gabriel.

Northern Division: Channel, Foothill, Marmonte, Pac-7, Pacific View.

Central Division: Baseline, Mt. Baldy, San Andreas, Sierra, Sunbelt.

Southwest Division: Century, Empire, Freeway, Orange, Sea View.

Southeast Division: Almont, Del Rio, Miramonte, Pacific, San Antonio.

Eastern Division: Desert Sky, Desert Valley, Mojave River, Mountain Pass, Sunkist.

Southern Division: Garden Grove, Golden West, Orange Coast, Pacific Coast, Suburban.

Northwest Division: Camino Real, Del Rey, Los Padres, Pioneer, Tri-Valley.

Mid-Valley Division: Mission Valley, Montview, Olympic, Rio Hondo, Valle Vista.

East Valley Division: Academy, Alpha, Christian, De Anza, Frontier, High Desert.

Northeast Division: Big Sky, Desert Mountain, Prep, San Joaquin, Santa Fe.

Scott's thoughts: The Southeast Division should be a fun one, and without the long drives. Maybe we could see Muir and Los Altos? The Mid-Valley League could be fun as well. The CIF may have gotten it right this time.

This is sort of a re-hash of a post from a few weeks ago, but it's still a hot-button issue.

With the recent rash of transfers out of Monrovia High School, my question to you is how can schools like Monrovia recover from losing so many top players? Also, should the players that left, regardless of their reasoning for leaving, be able to play next season? When is enough enough when it comes to transfers?
How many more from other schools might be in the works? Are the CIF transfer rules simply window dressing?

Questions:
1. Why do players leave the West San Gabriel Valley to play in the East SGV?
2. What other schools draw kids from the West SGV other than Amat?
3. What would make East SGV want to come to West SGV schools?
4. How much is this about kids making the best decision as opposed to the desire to be on a winning team?
5. What can be fixed to keep players from transferring?
6. How does St. Francis, which has lost some good players to the transfer bug, play into this one way or another?
7. How are other sports affected?

After being ranked No. 1, St. Francis dropped a pair to Notre Dame before sweeping Rio Mesa.

Question: How should the rankings shape up this week? Should St. Francis still be No. 1? If so, why?

Branson wins state crown

Above: Renaissance Academy's Hector Harold, left, and Matt Raya wait out the final minute of the game from the bench during the Wildcats 40-33 loss to Branson in the CIF State Division V championship game at Arco Arena. (SCOTT VARLEY/STAFF)

Renaissance Academy's leading scorer held to just three points in loss at State final

Live from Arco Arena
Wildcats unable to come back against Bulls

My thoughts: I was absolutely amazed that Renaissance Academy was taken completely out of its game by the Bulls. Anthony Stover was immediately double-teamed whenever he touched the ball, and Justin Cook was taken out of sync as well. Add in the fact that Josh Thomas, although he led the Wildcats with 11 points, was taken out of the game in key situations due to playing frustrated. Branson thoroughly outplayed Renaissance Academy and had them beaten mentally as well.

South Pasadena downed San Marino 11-3 in Rio Hondo League play.
Other Action
La Salle 8, Quartz Hill 1 (6 inn)
Ontario 4, Maranatha 3
Western Christian 8, Rio Hondo Prep 3
La Canada 1, Temple City 0

Your thoughts.

St. Francis dropped a 4-2 decision to Notre Dame Friday.
Elsewhere: Temple City held off La Canada 7-5 to even its Rio Hondo League record to 1-1.
San Marino 5, South Pasadena 1
Gabrielino 6, Rosemead 0
St. Paul 9, La Salle 7
Maranatha 3, Windward 0
Bosco Tech 4, Cathedral 2
Alhambra 5, San Gabriel 1
Arcadia 9, Glendale 1
Sierra Vista 7, Rio Hondo Prep 5

Your thoughts

This time has come. Who will win between Renaissance Academy and Branson? The Wildcats hope to become the first area team (boys or girls) to win a state title.
Up here in Sac-Town, we'll have live blogging from Arco Arena.
Sacramento is a small town, but this is rediculous I'm at the hotel that I finally was able to find and went down to my car to get something. Who do I see? Non other than Renaissance Academy coach Sid Cooke. I guess there aren't too many hotels in Sacramento?

Above: This is the kind of pressure Renaissance Academy center Anthony Stover can expect in the State Division V championship game against Branson.

Junior a force for Renaissance Academy

Above: Renaissance Academy center Anthony Stover. (Staff photo by Walt Mancini)

Flintridge Sacred Heart swimmer doing a balancing act

Above: Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy swimmer Andrea Kropp. (Photo by Walt Mancini)

Here are the All-LA84 selections

Question: What do you think of this list? It seems there are some players that are missing. Is there a club presence in picking these high school players?

ALL-LA84 SOUTHERN SECTION
GIRLS SOCCER
Division I
Second Team
Carter Vettese, Flintridge Sacred Heart, senior forward.
Third Team
Sinead Fleming, Flintridge Sacred Heart, junior defense.
Division II
First Team
Ann Marie Tangorra, junior forward, Arcadia.
Third Team
Emily Van den Bosch, Arcadia, senior defense.
Division III
Second Team
Grace Birkenbeuel, Westridge, junior defense.
Division IV
First Team
Alexa Weigand, La Salle, senior midfield.
Second Team
Lindsey Jahnke, La Salle, senior defense; Justine Tashiro, La Salle, senior defense.
Third Team
Colleen Boyd, La Cañada, senior defense; Lori Cuerington, La Salle, freshman defense, Sam Whitehead, La Salle, freshman midfield.
Division V
First Team
Sarah Wilson, Maranatha, senior defense.
Second Team
Erin Johnson, Maranatha, junior defense.
Third Team
Jessica Fry, Maranatha, senior midfield.

Here are the All-LA84 selections

Question: What do you think of this list? It seems there are some players that are missing. Is there a club presence in picking these high school players?

All-LA84 SOUTHERN SECTION
BOYS SOCCER
Division I
First Team
Nick Posthuma, St. Francis, senior forward.
Third Team
Sean McGuinness, St. Francis, senior defense; Nick Swart, St. Francis, senior midfield.
Division III
Second Team
Eric Guo, Arcadia, senior midfield.
DIVISION V
First Team
Omar Siordia, Marshall, senior forward.
Second Team
Daniel Amaya, Marshall, junior midfield; Juan Ulloa, Monrovia, senior midfield.
Third Team
Alejandro Barrientos, Marshall, junior midfield; Emiliano Ibanez, Monrovia, senior midfield; Hector Ramirez, Monrovia, senior goalkeeper; Danny Rojas, Monrovia senior midfield.

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
Records prior to Tuesday
1. St. Francis (5-0
2. Temple City (4-1)
3. Alhambra (4-1)
4. Monrovia (4-1)
5. La Salle (4-1)
6. San Marino (4-0)
7. La Cañada (4-1)
8. Arcadia (2-3)
9. Poly (3-3)
10. Maranatha (2-2-1)

Above: Alverno's Michelle Escamilla.

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
As picked by Keith Lair
Records prior to Tuesday
1. San Marino (5-0)
2. Flintridge Sacred Heart (4-2)
3. Alverno (3-3)
4. Maranatha (4-2)
5. La Salle (4-1)
6. Temple City (2-0)
7. Keppel (4-1)
8. South Pasadena (1-3)
9. Monrovia (3-2)
10. Arcadia (1-5)

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
1. Arcadia
2. Temple City
3. South Pasadena
4. San Marino
5, Flintridge Prep

Keppel's Chiu seeking another banner season

Above: Keppel boys swimmer Ryan Chiu (Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)

Renaissance Academy will face off against Branson on Saturday at Arco Arena at 11:15 a.m. for the CIF-State Division V championship.
Branson is the two-time defending champion and is making its fourth consecutive appearance in the title game.

We'll have live blogging and info from the game.

PLAYERS TO WATCH OUT FOR

Above: Oliver McNally (15.7 points per game) (Photo courtesy the Marin Independent Journal)

Above: Branson'sTyler Killips. This could be who Anthony Stover will be trying to score against. (Photo courtesy the Marin Independent Journal)

Wildcats football coach leaving after 15 seasons

Above: Monrovia coach Steve Garrison with his players. (Staff Photo by Greg Andersen)

Above: Monrovia coach Steve Garrison.

We're just a few months away from the summer tradition known as passing leagues and tournaments.

I did full blown coverage last year while Freddy was on vacation, and this time around, I'm planning on doing some differnent things, such as daily videos and daily blogs from the numerous sites.
The main idea of the coverage is to bring sort of a mini training camp report on as many schools as possible in preparation of the season.
Here's the question: What are the benefits of passing leagues, and do they necessarily indicate a successful season to look forward to?
My thoughts: Passing league and tournaments, although there is no offensive line and no pads, gets offenses in rhythm, especially those teams that tend to pass a lot.
These competitions also help defensive backs get into a groove as well.
In terms of success, you can get a feel for teams that have talent. I watched Muir defeat Hart in a passing tournament in Claremont, something not too many schools can lay claim to. The team speed helped. Other schools like Long Beach Poly haven't always looked that good in passing leagues, but we all know what they do once the season starts.
Individual talent, like Dietrich Riley of St. Francis, tend to stand out in a crowd during these events as well.
I had the opportunity to see some players develop in front of my eyes during the summer, like La Salle quarterback Chase Rettig. He went from looking like the sophomore he was in the first competition at Baldwin Park High School to throwing 40-yard touchdown darts just a few weeks later.
So there is plenty of upside to passing leagues. How much it tells about successful teams are going to be is up for debate.

Golden Knights take Elks title to improve to 5-0 on the season.

Above: St. Francis celebrates their 3-2 win against Temple City during the championship Arcadia Elks Tournament game at Temple City High School. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/SPORTS)

Muir hurdler Thompson has team titles, Masters, berth at state meet in mind

Above: Marcus Thompson who is on the Muir High School Boys Track Team competes in the high hurdles track events on Muir track field March 7, 2008. (Photo by Walt Mancini)

Wildcats pay back Price

From Mater Dei High School

Wildcats come from behind late to get past Knights 55-52

Above: Renaissance Academy players celebrate following a 55-52 win over Price at Mater Dei High School.

Above: Wildcats coach Sid Cooke hold the Southern Regional championship placque.

First Quarter
Renaissance grabs 13-12 lead after one.

Second Quarter
Wildcats close half on 12-0 run to take 30-21 halftime advantage.

Third Quarter
Renaissance leads by as many as 14, but Price closes gap to 42-35 by scoring last six points.

Fourth Quarter
Josh Thomas hits a jumper to put Renaissance on top with :38 seconds to play. Justin Cook seals the win with a pair of free throws with 0.4 seconds to go.

Turnovers, poor shooting hurt Mustangs

From the Los Angeles Sports Arena

Mustangs unable to overcome Sentinels' outside shooting in tough loss in Division III Southern Regional Final.

Above: Muir's Chrishawn Frierson (11) fights for the ball in the second half during a State basketball Southern California Championship basketball game between Magnolia and Muir at the Sports Arena in Los Angeles. Magnolia beat Muir 40-39. (SGVN/Staff Photo Keith Birmingham/SXsports)

First Quarter
Magnolia uses a pair of 3-pointers to spark a 10-0 run and takes a 19-15 lead after one.

Second Quarter
Chrishawn Frierson hit a 3-pointer, and later sank one of two free throws to send Muir to the locker room down 24-21.

Third Quarter
Mustangs can't get over the hump and still trail 30-28 heading into final quarter.

Fourth Quarter
Cherrish Wallace, driving for a potential go-ahead basket, is called for traveling with two seconds left. Muir is forced to send Magnolia to the free-throw line and misses a desparation full-court shot at the buzzer.

Some side notes: Having covered many a Clipper and USC basketball game at the old barn on Figueroa, I was still amazed how run down it was now that nobody plays at the Sports Arena anymore. It was wierd looking at a section of seats that were actually gutted out (how they move the concrete without tearing up the rest of the sections is beyond me). What I found interesting was that the overhead scoreboard was packed away in the storage area of the building, leaving two video boards above each baseline as the scoreboards. The clock on these didn't work and showed 12:00 the whole time, but the score worked. You had to look above the basket by the shot clock to see the actual running time.
Now the reason the scoreboard was gone was due to the arena being set up for the filming of American Gladiators. There were plenty of props hanging where the scoreboard would actually be.
As far as the game went, this was a game Muir should have won, but Magnolia took it away by hitting shots when it needed to. The Mustangs also couldn't come up with a run, while Magnolia had a couple, including a 10-0 run in the first half.

Who will win?

Predictions
Galetti: Muir
Keith Lair: Muir

Wildcats play for crown
Renaissance meets Price in SoCal final

Who will win?

Predictions
Galetti: Price
Keith Lair: Price

Friday's third place game: Maranatha vs. Crescenta Valley at Duarte HS, 5 p.m.
Championship game: Etiwanda vs. Covina.

Pierre paces Muir offense in 44-35 victory

Muir's girls basketball team will play for the right to go to Sacramento on Saturday against Magnolia.

Above: Muir's Cherrish Wallace drives to the basket against Mount Miguel. (Correspondent Photo by Larry Goren)

Question: Can the Mustangs overcome occasional sloppy play to stamp a ticket to Arco Arena?

Wildcats reach SoCal final

Here's my thoughts: In a lot of ways, Renaissance looked like they had in the past. However, Josh Thomas getting re-injured early could be a factor on Saturday if he's not able to play. Price is a tough opponent, and it will take a big team effort to pull out a win and advance to Sacramento. Can the Wildcats do it? We'll see.

Golden Knights reach title game

My thoughts: St. Francis looks to be a good team. I'm still not hooked on them being better than the likes of Monrovia, Temple City, Alhambra, or even Arcadia, even though they're winless.
At least we get to see them play Temple City. That will tell me a lot about if either team is for real or not.

Rams defeat Tigers

Westridge senior to attend UC Santa Barbara

Above: Westridge's Shahar Thomas. (Staff Photo by Walt Mancini)

A hot-button issue seems to be what was termed as "syphoning of talent" in the West SGV.
It seems Bishop Amat seems to be involved more times than not. How much does the past success of Amat have to do with that? Because, let's face it, Amat was once known as the football factory in the entire SGV.

Questions:
1. Why do players leave the West San Gabriel Valley to play in the East SGV?
2. What other schools draw kids from the West SGV other than Amat?
3. What would make East SGV want to come to West SGV schools?
4. How much is this about kids making the best decision as opposed to the desire to be on a winning team?
5. What can be fixed to keep players from transferring?
6. How does St. Francis, which has lost some good players to the transfer bug, play into this one way or another?
7. How are other sports affected?

Does Muir or Renaissance have a better shot at winning state?

The semifinals are set for the Arcadia Elks tournament.

Thursday's Games
South Pasadena at Temple City, 3:15 p.m.
St. Francis at La Salle, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday's championship game
at 11 a.m. (Site TBA, either La Salle, Temple City or South Pasadena)

Muir moved on in the state tournament. Can the Mustangs march all the way to Sacramento?

Next up for the Mustangs, a home game against Mount Miguel on Thursday at 7 p.m.

Renaissance Academy looked almost like an ordinary team in its win against View Park Prep. Then again, at this juncture of the season, a win is a win.
Next up is a regional semifinal contest against Immanuel Christian of Reedley at Maranatha High School Thursday at 7 p.m.

STAR-NEWS RANKINGS
BASEBALL

Above: Correspondent photo by Larry Goren.

Records prior to Tuesday's games
1. Temple City (2-0)
Solid win over Arcadia
2. San Marino (2-0)
Young team on the right track
3. Alhambra (1-1)
Shocked by Western Christian
4. La Salle (2-0)
Impressive win over Monrovia
5. Monrovia (1-1)
Tripped up by La Salle
6. South Pasadena (2-0)
Outscored opponents 22-2
7. La Canada (2-0)
Out of the gates quickly
8. St. Francis (2-0)
Unbeaten and untested so far
9. Gabrielino (1-1)
Tough loss to Monrovia
10. Maranatha (0-1-1)
Tied Rowland 7-7 before loss

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
1. San Marino
Lost in games to Mater Dei
2. Arcadia
Apaches always tough
3. Pasadena Poly
Panthers could surprise
4. La Cañada
Don’t take eyes off Spartans
5. Temple City
Rams looking to make noise

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
1. Arcadia
Still the class of the area
2. South Pasadena
Tigers appear to be solid
3. Flintridge Prep
Tough loss in opener
4. La Cañada
Spartans a year wiser
5. San Marino
Titans could be spoilers

I finally have a real reason to post this topic.
Reading Roger Murray's blog the last couple of days, the post that stuck out to me was the preview of David and Goliath contest between mighty La Mirada, and huge underdog Mayfair.

After the game, the sentence that grabbed me was "Congratulations to the La Mirada High School girls soccer team in pulling off an incredible upset in tying top-ranked Mayfair 1-1."

On paper, La Mirada had no chance in this match, losing to Mayfair 5-1 in both meetings this season.
But this is the CIF soccer finals, where anything is possible because of the rediculous "X" Factor. There is no overtime or penalty kicks in championship matches.

Not to take anything away from an underdog, but what it means is teams don't need to play to win to earn a title.

Above: La Mirada players celebrate their tie with Mayfair in the CIF Division III Girls Soccer Finals at Warren High School in Downey on Saturday March 1, 2008. La Mirada and Mayfair tied with a score of 1-1 making the teams co-champions. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Keith Durflinger/SPORTS)

Above: San Marino's Daniel Weingarten. (Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)

STAR-NEWS TOP FIVE
1. San Marino
2. Arcadia
3. Pasadena Poly
4. La Canada
5. Temple City

Which football program has the best conditioning program in the Pasadena area.

Notes: When I was working up in the Santa Clarita Valley, I was impressed with the conditioning programs at the likes of Hart, Canyon and Valencia. Those schools always seemed to be getting stronger and less fatigued as the seasons progressed and usually wore down opponents. They didn't, player for player, always have the best athletes, but the best conditioned.

Mustangs get No. 1 seed in CIF-State Southern California Division III regional.
Muir (26-2) will host Yosemite (20-8) on Tuesday at 7 p.m.

My thoughts: I think Muir has an outstanding shot at playing in Sacramento for the Division III state title. The Mustangs' defense could be the difference.

Renaissance Academy and La Canada were awarded berths in the California State tournament.
The Spartans (23-8) will play at La Jolla (23-8) Tuesday night at 7 p.m. in the Southern California Division III regional.
The Wildcats (24-3) will play at Crenshaw High against View Park (23-12) in the Division IV Southern California reginal Tuesday at 8 p.m.

My thoughts: Renaissance Academy must get past the first hurdle of playing away from home, but has a good shot at advancing to Sacramento. An interesting potential matchup against Price at the L.A. Sports Arena on Saturday could determine who makes the trip up North.

Alhambra loses to Western Christian, La Salle beats Monrovia, Arcadia is 0-2 and Poly gives Temple City a tougher game than many expected. These are just some of the happenings in the 2008 Elks tournament.

Done in by outside job
Whittier Christian's 3-pointers help sink Maranatha

Maranatha High School's girls basketball team dropped its third straight game to league-rival Whittier Christian in a 37-31 loss in the CIF-Southern Section Division V-AA championship game at the Walter Pyramid.
Natasha Herring led Maranatha with nine points, nine rebounds and two blocks.

My thoughts: It just seems to me that Whittier Christian is a bad matchup for Maranatha. The Heralds seem to be good at getting the little things done to win. Congratulations go out to the Minutemen for a fine run. We'll find out Sunday if Maranatha will be part of the state tournament.

Above: Dejected Maranatha High players watch Whittier Christian High accept their trophy after winning the CIF-SS Division V-AA title in Long Beach. (Staff photo by Leo Jarzomb)

Ramirez fans seven in Moors' 2-1 Elks victory

I don't know why the post didn't take last night, but I'll try it again.
The headline of the story "Alhambra ace outduels Arcadia's" is somewhat misleading to how this game went, but true at the same time.
Noe Ramirez allowed a run in the third inning before clamping down and wasn't really challenged again, retiring eight straight batters at one point before giving up a hit in the seventh.
Bryce Rutherford, however, was equally as dominant, if not moreso for Arcadia, as he allowed just two hits and fanned 10.
My Thoughts: This game was every bit as good as advertised, and was played at what seemed like a playoff level. You'd never know it was the first game of the season by watching. The pitching speaks for itself, and the fielding was solid. Were the hitters off a bit? Well, if they were, the pitchers had a lot to do with it.
I walked away from Moor Field feeling like I had seen a great game.

Added Note: I was told after the game that Aeric Allen's blooper was ruled a hit. I originally had it as an error. Gotta go with the home scorer, which is the official book.

A day after the sad news of the death of his head coach Louie Madrigal, Rosemead's Adrian Marquez (130) enjoyed a solid day at the CIF State championships in Bakersfield Friday, advancing to the quarterfinals before losing by fall to Selma's Jose Mendoza. The senior is still alive for a medal.

Falcons spoil Parisi's debut

Maranatha trio has blended well

Above: Left to right, Maranatha s Natasha Herring, Rhiannon Smith and Kirstie Mitchell will do their best to help their team bring home a CIF title today when they face Whittier Christian. (Greg Andersen/Staff Photographer)