......Winter sports patiently waiting.....
Two of my favorite sports to cover, write and blog about: basketball and soccer (don't get it twisted, I still enjoy football).
I don't know how these sports were handled last year, but like a new coach I'm bringing in my own play book. My plan is to cover basketball and soccer during the winter. Soon, I will be putting together the top10 in each sport (boys and girls) so have your say and tell me who are the best teams to keep an eye on.
Whether it's boys or girls basketball, soccer or wrestling, start listing your top ten's for each, players to watch for, etc, etc. We start making our calls to work on previews next week.
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Melendez worked as a correspondent for the San Gabriel Valley Tribune for three years and later landed a job as a freelance writer at the Los Angeles Times before accepting an offer at The Orange County Register covering high schools. Melendez covered Major League Soccer at The Register for three years before being promoted to report on the Lakers, Angels and Dodgers for the Web. Melendez also worked for the Daytona Beach News-Journal, Fresno Bee, Oakland Tribune and The Boston Globe. E-mail opinions, suggestions and tips to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. |
"My left foot said" are you kidding me when you put Temple City in the top ten let alone in the top 4?! You gotta be kidding me! When have they ever had a solid squad and was a contender for a league title in recent years? I think Monrovia doesn't get the credit they deserve and I think La Salle has bigger mouths then they do talent. It's kind of a good thing though that Monrovia isn't recognized because those teams won't be expecting what's going to get handed to them. People seriously need to reconsider what they think their "top 10" is.
how bout boys soccer?? any opinions there?? pacific league?? rio hondo?? olympic?? dont really know who the favorites are...but would like to find out that way i know what games to go watch...top 10 anyone??
Manny is close but I say.
1) Arcadia
2)Fsha
3) maranatha
4) Temple City
5 Prep
6) la Canada
7) la salle
8) westridge
9) monrovia
10) so. pas
Here's a Thanksgiving guess at girls soccer.....
1) Flintridge Sacred Heart
2) Arcadia
3) La Salle
4) Maranatha
5) La Canada
6) Monrovia
7) Flintridge Prep
8) PHS
9) Temple City
10) Poly
Games start Monday so the guessing will end.
With a few new freshman, and the others remaining from the previous season, they are a solid squad.
With a few new freshman, and the others remaining from the previous season, they are a solid squad.
Arcadia girls soccer looks like they're going to be a tough team to beat this year.
I meant to say for basketball....
In Pacific League... of course Muir's girls and PHS's boys are gonna dominate.
In RHL, Blair's girls are looking pretty good from what I can tell. There are only 3 returning players from last year's squad, but the new girls seem to be ready for the challenge of defending last year's league championship.
Sacred Heart already has two all area defenders, Fleming and Harrigan coming back. if Zeeni is joining THEM in the back.....they will be frightning....
don't forget girls waterpolo
Not familiar with Robles but if she is anywhere near the quality player Tangora is you're right about the riches thing.
the term "possibly" is the operative word.......it is possible that Tangora is better than Robles....then again it's possible she's not....it depends on who is doing the evaluation.....either way it's an embarrasement of riches for arcadia......maybe this year they will possibly defeat Pasadena HS
MLF...re: Robles possibly being the best player on the Arcadia girl's soccer team. What happened to Anne Marie Tangora?
Look for a wide open battle in the Prep League Girl's race this year and keep an especially close eye on Flintridge Prep. Coach Estoban Chavez will get the most out of a deeply talented group of experienced club players that has suffered with weak coaching in recent seasons.
I think Natalie Z is at Sacred Heart
Miguel, Rumor is Natalie Zenni isn't playing for Arcadia girls soccer this year. Did she transfer? Do you or anyone know where she went? If not can you find out?
Top two girls teams will be Arcadia and FSHA. Both teams are forced to go out of area for Dec. games because most locals won't play them. Chavez will help Prep and Manlevan will soothe the loss of two time coach of the year, Sal Lopez at LaSalle.
Monrovia will be tough early, and Poly may be on the comeback trail. La Canada lost too much in Boyd, Avesian and Rotenberg. FSHA lost POY Vettese and Crowder but rumor is they are loaded with youngsters to go with big senior class. Robles at Arcadia may be best player in Area.
Do the boys play too?
Marshall soccer lost alot of key players due to the academy. but they should still be solid.
Dena's gonna take it to the hoop, and whip the that stang AS*!!!
what blair needs for its girls program is a player to step up and become a leader to lead n be an example...but unfortunely is that theres no one at blair that has that capability, also, with maybe one or 2 clubs girls on the team and the rest beginners its really hard for its team to get it going...knowing personally coachign staff from last yr, this yr...its really hard to produce a decent player within months when that player has never played soccer....bringing somebody within or outside it wont help at all, if u dont got the right players....even if u r a great coach.....
as for the guys they only lost 2 key players and the rest are returning...but like whos me? said if they can get everyone back they will compete...theres like 6 clubs players maybe 2 that compete,....well one is doubtful because of his academy status, n the other plays premier....
so we will what happens
what blair needs for its girls program is a player to step up and become a leader to lead n be an example...but unfortunely is that theres no one at blair that has that capability, also, with maybe one or 2 clubs girls on the team and the rest beginners its really hard for its team to get it going...knowing personally coachign staff from last yr, this yr...its really hard to produce a decent player within months when that player has never played soccer....bringing somebody within or outside it wont help at all, if u dont got the right players....even if u r a great coach.....
as for the guys they only lost 2 key players and the rest are returning...but like whos me? said if they can get everyone back they will compete...theres like 6 clubs players maybe 2 that compete,....well one is doubtful because of his academy status, n the other plays premier....
so we will what happens
Blair's girls' soccer team forfeited games and only had less than 11 for most of the games they played. They didn't have a JV team last year or the year before. Hopefully, things have changed.
They have been a good team in Girls' basketball.
Thanks for the update on Blair's Soccer teams. Wow, I was not aware that Blair's sports programs are doing so poor. My daughter may try out for the Varsity soccer team and it sounds like they may need the help. How is Blair’s Basket ball teams? Historically? Anyone?
RHL preview - Girls Soccer
La Canada - much like the boys' program - has numerous club players. Difference is that they have been unable to gel on a regular basis. Look for them to overcome this and compete for the title.
South Pas - are their glory days behind them? This is a very interesting team. They are well coached, well disciplined, but they may have been hurt by numerous graduations the past few years. Look for them to make the playoffs.
Temple City - probably one of their strongest teams in recent years. The coach is in her second year as the varsity coach and the first time she has had only her players being the girls' jv coach before. Also, while she was the JV coach, they won or contended for league titles. Look for them to be towards the top in league.
Monrovia - up and down, up and down. Lacks the consistency of the boys' team. However, they have been known to come up and bite someone when they least expect it. With a stronger TC team this year, Monrovia may be on the outside looking in.
San Marino - girls' soccer is a forgotten sport at San Marino. I don't see them doing much. I believe they lost some of their key players last year and their JV squad wasn't very good - (Someone please correct me if I am wrong) - my knowledge is lacking on this team.
Blair - Too bad for this program. I know I speak for all who know the RHL when I say that this school needs to right a sunken ship in girls' sports. They need to get an on-campus coach who is willing to turn that team around - get girls to commit and stay on the team.
Predictions - 1. La Canada 2. Temple City 3. South Pas 4. Monrovia (top 4 will not be seperated by much, a point or two) 5. San Marino 6. Blair
It's refreshing to see that someone actually considers soccer a sport. :)
Here is your RHL league preview - -
(Boys' Soccer)
La Canada - graduated key defenders. Had a great JV squad last year. Look for them to start out slow in non-league, but be stron gin the league. They should be favored to win league. They are the only team in the league with any significant amount of club players, which is more than two
Blair - Blair was young last year. Made CIF. If they have everyone returning, they may actually compete with La Canada. However, that is a big IF. Blair, like in all sports, changes year to year.
Monrovia - Always solid. Very balanced team. They lost some players to graduation on the offensive side of the ball, but their overall talent should remain constant.
South Pasadena - might be the suprise of the league. They were young last year. They battled in every game. Next to Blair, should have the most returners.
San Marino - Are really up in the air. They have been relying on Christian Raether to carry thme the past couple of years. He graduates. Can they step up, or will they falter like have become known for doing the past few seasons at the end of key games?
Temple City - after a few competitive years, look for TC to drop in the league. They probably won't be competing for any league title this year or playoff consideration. The past two years have been hard losing 12 seniors two years ago, and a good number of key starters last year. They only have 5 or 6 seniors on their team who will receive any kind of playing time. Not to mention a new coach.
Prediction - 1. LC 2. Blair 3 Monrovia or South Pas 5 San Marino 6. TC