June 2008 Archives

Above: Football analyst Josh Bazinet, Scott Galetti, athletic director Paul Krebs, basketball analyst Scott Didrickson at a recent Press Conference.

Being a broadcaster by trade, I've always kept my eyes open for a great opportunity to get back behind the microphone. I think I've found the chance of a lifetime. I am quite pleased to announce that I have been named the new broadcast voice of the University of New Mexico Lobos for football and men's basketball.

I've greatly enjoyed my time with the San Gabriel Valley Newspaper Group and will always cherish the contacts and relationships I have been fortunate to make during my tenure.

Thank you all so much for being a positive part of my life, even those who have been critical at times. I'll miss the entire experience. I'll be around at the paper until July 18.

Click to read articles by Steve Ramirez and the Albuquerque Journal.

Geared for all seasons
Temple City's Williams Do and Gabrielino's Annie Kim showed that multiple sports athletes can still exist as each displayed excellence in three sports.

Above: Temple City's Williams Do and Gabrielino's Annie Kim are the Star-News' Boys and Girls Athletes of the Year. (Staff Photo by Keith Birmingham)
By Scott Galetti, Staff Writer

Above: South El Monte's Tommy Cogburn.

West sets out to stop East's dominance.

What: San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame Game
Where: Bassett High School
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Who: East vs. West

San Marino's Jonny Wang is the 2008 Player of the Year, while La Salle coach Tim Pawley is Coach of the Year.

Player of the Year: Jonny Wang, San Marino High School.

Above: Jonny Wang, San Marino High School.

Coach of the Year: Tim Pawley, La Salle High School.

strong>Above: Tim Pawley, La Salle High School.

The Rio Hondo League is the only league with every team from the area. The Del Rey League is tough because of Bishop Amat. The Mission, Almont and Pacfic were strong.

Your thoughts.

St. Francis lineman excited to play in Hall of Fame All-Star game before heading to Notre Dame to play rugby.

Above: St. Francis offensive/defensive lineman Daniel Scheper.

What: San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame Game
Where: Bassett High School
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Who: East vs. West

Player of the Year: Nick Cvjetkovic, Arcadia High School.

Above: Nick Cvjetkovic, Arcadia High School.

Coach of the Year: Eric Chin, Temple City High School.

Above: Eric Chin, Temple City High School.

South Pasadena quarterback is one of many area players set to compete in the Hall of Fame All-Star football game Friday at Bassett High School.

Above: South Pasadena High School quarterback Jonathan Troast.

What: San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame Game
Where: Bassett High School
When: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Who: East vs. West

Swimmer of the Year: Andrea Kropp, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.

Above: Andrea Kropp, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy.

Coach of the Year: Ish Perez, Keppel High School.

Above: Ish Perez, Keppel High School.

Swimmer of the Year: Ian Mirisola, La Cañada.

Above: Ian Mirisola, La Cañada.

Coach of the Year: Art Lopez, La Cañada.

Above: Art Lopez, La Cañada.

Alverno pitcher named Star-News softball Player of the Year.

Above: Alverno High's Michelle Escamilla, Pasadena Star News softball Player of the Year. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Watchara Phomicinda/SPORTS)

Here is the 2008 Star-News All-Area Team

La Canada's K.C. Mathews is 2008 Coach of the Year.

Above: La Canada softball coach K.C. Mathews.

Above: 2008 Star-News Player of the Year Noe Ramirez.

Here is the 2008 Star-News All-Area team.

DeHaan, Garcia led Maranatha to title game.

Brain DeHaan

Kiko Garcia

Arcadia's Schultz Coach of the Year:

Above: Arcadia High School s Johanne Boulat set four school records and reached the CIF-Southern Section Division I finals in the long jump. She set records in the long jump, triple jump, 100 hurdles and 300 hurdles. (Keith Birmingham / Staff Photographer)

Athlete of the Year
Johanne Boulat
School: Arcadia
Year: Senior
Accomplishments: Boulat finished the season with a flourish, setting four school records in a matter of weeks, starting with the Pacific League finals, and winning four league titles. She set records in both hurdles and both jumping events, reaching the CIF-Southern Section Division I Finals in the long jump. She ran the 100 low hurdles in 14.8 seconds, the 300 low hurdles in 45.66, went 18 feet, 23/4 inches in the long jump for seventh place in the CIF-SS Finals, and also went 37-10 in the triple jump for fifth in the CIF-SS Finals. She will attend UC Davis next year on a non-athletic scholarship. The Apaches won a second consecutive league dual meet title.

Above: Arcadia coach Chris Schultz.

Coach of the Year: Chris Schultz
School: Arcadia
Year: Seventh
Accomplishments: Led the Apaches to a second consecutive Pacific League girls dual meet title. Arcadia went 11-0.

Here are the All-Prep League selections.

Most Valuable Player
A.J. Talt, Sr. Pasadena Poly

Here are the All-Prep League selections.

Most Valuable Player
Amy Vergel De Dios, Senior Mayfield
Most Valuable Pitcher
Katie Clancy, Freshman Mayfield

Here is the All-Prep League list.

South Pasadena's Hernandez Coach of the Year:

Above: Muir's Marcus Thompson competes in the 110 Meter Hurdles during the Pasadena Invitational at Pasadena City College Saturday, March 29, 2008. (SGVN/Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz/SPORTS)

Runner of the Year: Marcus Thompson
School: Muir
Year: Senior

Accomplishments: Thompson helped the Mustangs to the Pacific League title, winning the 110-meter high hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles. He was also was a key figure on the 1,600 relay team. He finished third in both the hurdles races in the CIF-Southern Section Division finals. He ran the 100 hurdles in 14.69 seconds and the 300 hurdles in 38.97.

Coach of the Year: P.J. Hernandez
School: South Pasadena
Year: Second

Accomplishments: The Tigers completed an undefeated run to win the Rio Hondo League dual meet title. They were 7-0 overall. South Pasadena won 10 varsity boys events in the league finals meet.
What he said: "Our seniors really stepped up, and our juniors really improved over their sophomore years."

These are the publication dates for the Star-News All-Area teams
Boys Track, June 20
Girls Track, June 21
Baseball, June 22
Softball, June 23
Boys Swimming, June 24
Girls Swimming, June 25
Boys Volleyball, June 26
Boys Tennis, June 27
Boys and Girls Athlete of the Year, June 29

The annual Hall of Fame All-Star game, to be played at Bassett High School on June 27 is taking a hit from the second-year upstart Fiesta game.

Above: Muir's Willie Youngblood.

Among the defections to the game to be played at City Section school LA Wilson, are Muir's Willie Youngblood and possibly Arcadia's Kevan Walker. What has usually been a East San Gabriel Valley vs. West San Gabriel Valley has become more of an East vs. whoever's left. Considering legendary former Muir coach Jim Brownfield hepled start the Hall of Fame game, it's sad that Muir and Pasadena kids would rather play in a game that's only been around for two years. The other interesting twist is that one of the coaches of the other game is a San Gabriel assistant.
Last year's game at Bassett drew an overflow crowd and I expect the same this year.

What Fred wrote:
Where's the loyalty?
The Hall of Fame All-Star football game is on Friday, June 27 at Bassett High School. A night later, the second annual Fiesta Bowl is at L.A. Wilson High on June 28. Why did the Fiesta, knowing th date of the Hall of Fame, schedule their game a day later? And even worse, the Fiesta is watering down the Hall of Fame East roster with Star-News area kids normally in the Hall of Fame, and now it's become a tug-of-war, with Star-News kids forced to choose. It's come down to coaches recruiting against each other for the best players. I have no problem with the Fiesta Bowl, It's the City vs. Southern Section kids, and a great idea. But the Southern-Section kids are primarily Pasadena area-players, so that game should have been scheduled a week earlier, two weeks earlier, anything, so that they're not competing. It's a shame when I see Muir and PHS kids skipping the Hall of fame for the Fiesta, especially since it was Muir's legendary coach Jim Brownfield who practically put together the Hall of Fame and still has so much to do with it. I know he's disappointed, and this could have been avoided had players and coaches from the East side remembered how good the Hall of Fame had been to them. Or maybe it's simply that the Pasadena-area kids are tired of getting beat up by the Tribune-area kids. Maybe they've had enough. If anything, if these all-star games continue playing the same weekend in the future, new boundaries need to be created.

With the blessing of Freddie, here's what he posted over on the Tribune site.
This sounds like a great event and should be an outstanding contest.

Like the Bonita-San Dimas Smudge Pot, and the Muir-PHS Turkey Tussle, Monrovia and Duarte are putting together the First Annual, "MD Classic," on September 12. It's a great idea and long overdue for the neighboring schools. There will be a trophy for the winner to hold for a year, and an MVP award honoring the memory of Monrovia's Edward "Tuttie" White and Duarte's Brandon Lee. What makes it even more special is that players, coaches and members of the community from both schools will be invited to share a picnic BBQ a week earlier on Sept. 6 at Monrovia's Recreation Park, which hopefully brings the communities closer together. It's something that everyone should support.
"I think it's a big deal," Duarte football coach Wardell Crutchfield said. "When I came to Duarte, I didn't realize how big the rivalry was. I was at a game one time and heard a Monrovia kid say 'I don't care what happens, as long as we beat Duarte.' It's something that's long overdue, and having a BBQ together is great for the community, especially with all the stuff we've had going on. It's a win-win situation."

Although the West San Gabriel Valley lost some talented players to graduation, there are many waiting in the wings to take over as the area's best.

Question: Who do you think are the top players in the area? Here's a sample list.

Todd Golper, fullback/tight end/linebacker: Arcadia: There's been enough said about this kid to write a book. He should be right up there as the area's top player.

Above: Arcadia's Todd Golper.

Dietrich Riley, wide receiver/running back/defensive back, St. Francis: A wide receiver, turned running back due to injuries last season, Riley has about as much natural talent and ability as anyone I've seen in the area. Look for a breakout season out of him.

Above: Dietrich Riley, right.

Mitchell Crockom, wide receiver/defensive back, Alhambra: This kid is going to be a headliner as long as he stays healthy. He appears to be a man among boys, and he's only a junior.

Above: Ablhambra's Mitchell Crockom.

Reuben Thomas, quarterback/defensive back/corner, Muir: Thomas has a good arm and plenty of speed. As he goes, so will the Mustangs.

Above: Muir's Reuben Thomas.

Marquise Williams, running back, Monrovia: Injuries were the only thing holding this kid down last year because opposing defenses sure weren't able to. Great size and speed.

Above: Monrovia's Marquise Williams.

Tra' Sumler, running back/linebacker, Rosemead: A kid with speed and natural talent. Look for Sumler to enjoy a solid 2008 campaign.

Above: Rosemead's Tra' Sumler.

Angel Alejandre, quarterback, Rosemead: Alejandre hopes to pick up where he left off last season and lead the Panthers to a Mission Valley League title.

Above: Rosemead's Angel Alejandre.

Isaac Valdez, quarterback, San Gabriel: Valdez didn't know he was going to be the starter until just before the opener against Walnut. He never relinquished the position and had an outstanding year. Look for more big things out of Valdez this season.

Above: San Gabriel's Isaac Valdez.

Francisco Villalobos, offensive line/linebacker, San Gabriel: Villalobos was a monster on defense last season for the Matadors. Expect more of the same out of him this year.

Above: San Gabriels' Francisco Villalobos, left.

Danny Beckwith, quarterback/defensive back, Maranatha: The kid can throw, and throw on the money, and he's a solid defender at defensive back.

Above: Maranatha quarterback Danny Beckwith.

Myles Campbell, wide receiver/defensive back, Muir: Here's another kid with great speed and skills. Watch out for a big senior season.

J'Quan Hamilton, running back Pasadena: Hamilton was one of those guys who just did what he was asked to do last season and is capable of producing big yards this season.

DaVante La Flora, wide receiver/safety, Pasadena: A kid with great hands and speed. Should be the leader of the Bulldogs receiver corps.

Morgan Hatch, quarterback/defensive back, Temple City: Developed into solid quarterback last season.

Chase Rettig, quarterback, La Salle: Has a solid arm and good leadership skills. If the new crop of receivers step right in and play well, Rettig will be just fine.

The Titans competed in the Crescenta Valley passing tournament with high hopes for the 2008 season.

Above: San Marino players urge on their teammates during the Crescenta Valley passing tournament at Glendale Sports Complex.

Above: San Marino quarterback Steven Wright attempts at pass at the Crescenta Valley passing tournament.

Here's a look at the 2008 San Marino Titans.

Alhambra High School appeared in the Crescenta Valley passing tournament and showcased some lightening speed.

Above: Alhambra wide receiver/defensive back Mitchell Crockom.

Above: Alhambra coach Gil Ruedaflores, center, talks to his team at the Crescenta Valley tournament.

Here's a look at the 2008 Moors.

Maranatha's Dylan Covey is named Player of the Year.

Here is the All-Olympic League team

Maranatha's Dylan Covey named Division VI Player of the Year.

Above: Maranatha pitcher/outfielder Dylan Covey.

It's interesting that the CIF-SS doesn't put out the awards anymore. Now it says don't contact LA84 directly, they're only a presenting sponsor, when it comes to softball and volleyball. I've sent out E-mails trying to get those teams. But there was a website that posted baseball, so here they are.

OK, sometimes you just have to go with the flow. Fred put up an interesting topic over on his blog, so I'm following suit to get the discussion started over here.

If you could send your kid anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley to play football, what school would you send him to? Since the San Fernando Valley and Santa Clarita Valleys are close too, would you send your kid to a school out there?

Vikings name George Wrighster as new girls basketball coach to replace David Jensen.

Thanks to Fred Robledo, we now have the rosters for the Hall of Fame All-Star football game which will be held on Friday, June 27 at Bassett High School. South El Monte High School's Erick Escamilla will handle the West squad and start practices on Thursday.The East team will be coached by La Puente's Ray Hernandez, who will begin practices at the school on Friday.

Left: Arcadia's Kevan Walker.

Left: Muir's Willie Youngblood.

Calpreps has finally released the 2008 football schedules. Some leagues are still incomplete.

Question: Who has the toughest schedule? Who has the easiest schedule?

Almont League

Alpha League

Camino Real League

Del Rey League

Mission League

Mission Valley League

Pacific League

Prep League

Rio Hondo League

Above: St. Francis's Nick Gentili was named to the All-Mission League second team.

Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy's Jessica Ferri was named co-Pitcher of the Year.

With summer workouts about to begin, I thought I'd pose the question of what are the charactaristics of a good coach?
Is it conducting tough workouts? Being hard on players and pushing them to the limit? Is it the abilitiy of a good pep talk?

Above: Arcadia coach Jon Dimalante, center.

Question: Who are the top area coaches, and why?

Temple City High School graduate Ryan Tucker, called up by Marlins, collects his first big-league victory in Florida's 9-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds Sunday.

Above: Temple City grad Ryan Tucker.

Vs. Reds
Name IP H R ER BB K ERA*
R Tucker
(W, 1-0) 5.0 2 1 1 5 6 1.80

Click on the link to read the reaction story from yours truly, and the game story from MLB.com.

Here is the All-Del Rey League

Here is the All-Del Rey League list.

The word on the street is that former Blair girls basketball coach and Star-News Coach of the Year David Jensen has been lured to San Marino to replace Rich Kitigawa pending approval by the San Marino School Board.

A note: I've been told that there is no truth to the rumor that there is a girls opening at Monrovia.

Maranatha High School co-coach Kiko Garcia is putting together an All-Star baseball game featuring the top underclassmen in the San Gabriel Valley.

The 2008 Kiko Garcia Sports Training All-Star game will be held on at Alhambra's Moor Field on Saturday, June 14 at 2 p.m.

Practices will be held June 9 and June 11 at 7:30 p.m. at Jackie Robinson Field at Brookside Park in Pasadena. There will also be practices June 10 and June 12 at 6 p.m. at 369 Fair Oaks in pasadena.
The foundation is set up to help keep kids off the streets through sports and sports training. It plans to eventually branch out to conduct all-star games for other sports.

Summer's here and, although school's going to be out, if not already, for all the area schools, there is still plenty to talk about.

Qustion: Besides football, what other topics would you like to chat about?
Beginning in the next week or so, I'll be going out to summer football camps, passing leagues and tournaments and doing writeups and some videos as well, so football will be well distributed. Any other ideas?

Players of the Year: Bryce Rutherford, Arcadia, Travis Feldman, Crescenta Valley.

This is what they're doing in the cheese state. Could that happen here? If so, would you like it? At least it's being proposed for indoor sports and not outdoors.

The Hall of Fame All-Star football game is on Friday, June 27 at Bassett High School. Both coaches are from the East (Tribune) Side. South El Monte High School's Erick Escamilla will coach the West team, made up primarily of Star-News schools and those from the Mission Valley League. La Puente's Ray Hernandez will handle the East team. According to Fred Robledo's blog, Bassett coach Leon Ward said that players will have their physicals on Sunday and that teams will start practicing next week. Rosters will be released on Monday, once the Sunday physicals are finished.

Most Valuable Player
Noe Ramirez, Alahmbra

Keppel's Tiffany Rubin among first-team selections.

Above: Keppel's Tiffany Rubin, right.

School fined $1,000 after umpire hit by a pitch.
I guess this is what umpires get to expect if they call out too many batters for one team?
I have one word for this: Rediculous!
Question: Was the punishment enough?

Here's a couple of stories from AccessNorthGa.com and Foxsports.com

Most Valuable Player
Curtis Cowell, Monrovia

Most Valuable Pitchers
Richard Kilbury, Monrovia

Brian Dearth, Temple City

Most Valuable Players
Kaitlin Ellingsworth, Temple City

Michelle Mun, South Pasadena

Most Valuable Pitcher
Nichole Parada, South Pasadena

No Losers in the Valley
Pitchers dominate in scoreless, nine-inning Private-Public game

My two cents: This was one heck of a game to watch. Both teams played as if the game mattered and the pitching and defense was lights out. Michelle Escamilla earns the MVP award by striking out 18 in nine innings.

With the news divisions, which schools will compete right away for a title?

Can St. Francis stay healthy enough to win a Western Division (D3) championship?

The Almont and Pacific Leagues are together in the Southeast (D7). How many of those teams will be knocking heads. Don't discount San Gabriel, although it'll be tough matchup should the Matadors face off against the likes of Muir or Arcadia.

La Salle and the Camino Real League is now in the Northwest Division (D10). Even with a talented quarterback, can the Lancers compete at that higher level, especially with the Tri-Valley (Oak Park Oaks Christian and Oaks Christian, according to CalPreps.com) looming?

The Rio Hondo League is togheter with the Mission Valley, Montview, Olympic and Valle Vista in the Mid-Valley Division (D11). Can Monrovia rebound from losing key players and rally around a new coach to compete for the title? How about Temple City or Rosemead with Sumler? Should be fun to watch.

How Maranatha in the East Valley Division(D12)?

Question: How do you think your school will do?

The third-annual Public vs. Private Senior All-Star softball game will be held Tuesday at Heasley Field, located in Sierra Vista Park, 611 E. Sierra Madre Blvd.in Sierra Madre

Above: Alverno's Michelle Escamilla.

There will be a home run contest at 4:30 p.m. with the game beginning at 6 p.m.

We posed the question early in May, but the time has come to select the 2008 baseball All-Area team.

There will be Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, a first team with four infielders, two pitchers, three outfielders, catcher, and utility, and a second with four infielders, two pitchers, three outfielders, catcher, and utility.

With so many quality pitchers not enough places to put them, someone's going to be left out in terms of being picked as a pitcher.

Here's your chance to tell us who you would select?

We posed the question early in May, but the time has come to select the 2008 softball All-Area team.

There will be Player of the Year, Coach of the Year, a first team with four infielders, two pitchers, three outfielders, catcher, and utility, and a second with four infielders, two pitchers, three outfielders, catcher, and utility.

Here's your chance to tell us who you would select?

Cal State Fullerton-bound standout, Vega lead way to 9-7 All-Star victory at Mt. SAC