…………Star-Jibber…………

Discuss anything and everything you want….

Sorry I’ve kept you guys out of the loop. It’s not on purpose I promise you. In a week I’ll be moving into my new town house in South Pasadena, which means I have to be out of my old apartment by the 31st, this Wednesday. That’s what’s been keeping me busy off the blog and limited to game assignments/Rose Bowl coverage. Things will settle back to normal by the start of next week, I hope. No longer will I be dreading the 40 minute drive from Downey to Pasadena to arrive early in the morning and no more hour-plus drive home in traffic. I’ll be loving the 14-minute drive to and from work, which means I’ll be much more productive, at least that’s the main plan =) As for tonight, I will be heading to the La Salle-Temple City Classic in a bit where I’ll cover St. Francis vs. La Canada at 7:30 p.m. at La Salle High. Andrew J. Campa will cover the other semifinal, Alhambra vs. Montebello at Temple City High, 7:30 p.m. About a week ago, I had planned on posting a Top 10 moments in WSGV Preps ala Robledo’s Top 10 Sports Stories. But I’ve been working here only four months and it’s probably not enough a time to compile such a list. That’s where you come in. What are your top stories of the year. Fill me in. Just for kicks, the best football game I ever covered this year had to be without a doubt La Salle vs. Maranatha, my pick for Game of the Year.

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Football: The 2008 Pasadena Star-News All Area Team

Player of the Year: Tra Sumler
School: Rosemead High
Year: Senior
Height: 5-11
Weight: 205
Notable: The senior was the premiere running back in the San Gabriel Valley. His speed and strength made him hard to bring down and also made him one of the best linebackers in the area. He rushed for 2,451 yards and 33 touchdowns, averaging nearly 190 yards per game. He led the Panthers to a Mission Valley League championship and to the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division championship game.

Coach of the Year: Ken Drain
School: Rio Hondo Prep
Years: 20th
Notable: Led the Kares to their 12th CIF championship with a win over Riverside Christian in the CIF-Southern Section Northeast Division championship game. Rio Hondo Prep also clinched the Prep League title with the help of two 1,000 yards+ rushers in Tim Esguerra and Antonio Alanis.


FIRST TEAM OFFENSE
QB: Isaac Valdez, San Gabriel, Jr.
RB: Marquise Willliams, Monrovia, Sr.
RB: Jordan Canada, Duarte, Jr.
AP: Reuben Thomas, Muir, Sr.
WR: Marcos Villalobos, San Gabriel, Sr.
WR: Mitchell Crockom, Alhambra, Jr.
WR: Myles Campbell, Muir, Sr.
OL: Chris Flores, Rosemead, Sr.
OL: Matt Calver, Monrovia, Sr.
OL: Josh Ouellette, Temple City, Sr.
OL: Tim Starr, Duarte, Sr.
OL: Joseph De Leon, Muir, Sr.
K: Brian Gonzalez, Alhambra, Sr.

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Rian Younker, St. Francis, Sr.
DL: Fernando Aguilar, Muir, Sr.
DL: Edward Vasquez, Rosemead, Jr.
LB: Todd Golper, Arcadia, Sr.
LB: Nick Conora, Temple City, Sr.
LB: Gilbert De La Rosa, Rosemead, Sr.
LB: Joe Vazquez, Monrovia, Sr.
DB: Dietrich Riley, St. Francis, Jr.
DB: Steven Yortsos, San Marino, Jr.
DB: Mitchell Garner, Muir, Sr.
SS: Marcus Graves, Muir, Sr.
P: Bobby Maldonado, Rosemead, Sr.

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE
QB:
Matt Schilz, Maranatha, Sr.
RB: Max Ruckle, Temple City, Jr.
RB: Scott Dooley, San Marino, Sr.
AP: Jarron Williams, Muir, Jr.
WR: Terell Cornell, Maranatha, Jr.
WR: Steven Colliau, South Pasadena, Sr.
WR: Gianni Bruno-Lopez, Temple City, Sr.
OL: Nick La Croix, Arcadia, Sr.
OL: Luis Diaz, Rosemead, Jr.
OL: Joe McMahon, San Marino, Sr.
OL: Alejandre Bobadilla, San Gabriel, Sr.
OL: Robert Felton, Muir, Sr.
K: Eric Chalifour, Pasadena Poly, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE
DL: Ryan Watkins, Temple City, Jr.
DL: Paul Devine, Muir, Sr.
DL: Eddie Garcia, Rio Hondo Prep, Sr.
LB: Michael Weston, La Caada, Sr.
LB: Joey Diaz, Rosemead, Jr.
LB: Frankie Villalobos, San Gabriel, Sr.
LB: Josh Lowden, Monrovia, Jr.
DB: Kendal Boggs, Monrovia, Sr.
DB: Joey Stewart, Temple City, Sr.
DB: Bobby Michael, Monrovia, Sr.
SS: Cesar Chavez, Rosemead, Sr.
P: Daniel Cisic, San Marino, Sr.

CLICK ON THREAD FOR FIRST-TEAM CAPSULES, HONORABLE MENTION AND THE FINAL STAR-NEWS FOOTBALL TOP 10 RANKINGS
Continue reading “Football: The 2008 Pasadena Star-News All Area Team” »

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….. Enjoy the Holidays with the ones you love …..

“You spoke to soon about disappointments; this blog has a bad odor to it. Dude come up with something that people want to comment on. Numbers are the same because people are coming in to see what you have posted but leave without commenting when they see what seems to be no effort on your part. Come on Miguel bring something interesting to the table.” I’m just say’in

I don’t know what I’m just say’in‘s problem is but I wish him a happy holiday as well. Truth is, I’ve never been one to look forward to the holidays (hence the picture above) given that I have not been home for every major holiday the last five years (welcome to the glamorous life of a sportswriter). Slowly but surely I’m getting into the spirit of it all, but this isn’t to say I’m not appreciative and thankful this time a year. I would like to thank all our correspondents who helped us with football coverage this season. Sometimes you hated what they wrote and sometimes you loved them. But without them no way we cover every game in the San Gabriel Valley. There’s a reason why football fans from the Antelope Valley, San Diego and Los Angeles areas come to our blog and read our coverage. Special thanks to correspondents John Honell, Scott French, Mike Baca, Casey Cranford, Ismael Reynoso, Ariel Carmona, Bruce Little, Rudy Ramos, Mike Munford, Casey Thompson, Ali Jawad, Jerry Luna, Henry Montemayor, Ross Kimsey, Miguel Arcieniega, John Sherrard, Jeremy Balan, Nathan Cambridge, Nathan Hawkins, Royce Kirkland, Guillermo Tovar, Rick Matthauser, Ed Russell, Jason Lowder, James Moya, Mario Aguirre and Elizabeth Botello. I want to thank every blogger who has helped me become a better sportswriter and every critic and praise from parents, coaches and sports fans. Thank you for taking me in your beloved community and for making me feel like a celebrity when I’m out and about in the SGV. Even when I covered the Lakers I’d never get that kind of treatment. Well, maybe just a little. Special thanks to Star-News Editor Frank Pine, Managing Editor Steve Hunt and Tribune preps editor Freddy Robledo for the opportunity to work here after five long absent years from the SGV. Thanks to my colleagues at the Tribune and Star-News who have welcomed me with open arms and thanks to our wonderfully patient sports copy desk who never seem to get annoyed at my last-minute revisions. I am building a fort here on Colorado and Lake that will only get stronger and better in the months to come. FYI, the Pasadena Star-News 2008 All Area Football Team will publish Christmas Day and will be up on the blog at 5:30 a.m. for those who can’t wait to let the holiday smack-talking to begin. That’s it for now, folks. Enjoy the holidays and be safe. From my family to yours, Feliz Navidad.

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Girls Basketball: La Caada New Year’s Ball Tournament

POOL A:
Filmmore
Flintridge Sacred Heart
La Caada
La Salle

POOL B:
Agoura
Arcadia
Flintridge Prep
Serr

All games at La Caada High School gym

Friday’s Games:
Arcadia vs. Flintridge Prep, 2:30 p.m.
Agoura vs. Serra, 4 p.m.
La Caada vs. Flintridge Sacred Heart, 5:30 p.m.
La Salle vs. Fillmore, 7 p.m.

Saturday’s Games:
Arcadia vs. Serra, 2:30 p.m.
Flintridge Prep vs. Agoura, 4 p.m.
La Caada vs. La Salle, 5:30 p.m.
Filmore vs. Flintridge Sacred Heart, 7 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 29
Agoura vs. ARcadia, 2:30 p.m.
Serra vs. Flintridge Prep, 4 p.m.
La Caada vs. Filmore, 5:30 p.m.
Flintridge Sacred Heart vs. La Salle, 7 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 30
Pool A 4th place vs. Pool B 4th place, 2:30 p.m.
Pool A 3rd place vs. Pool B 3rd place, 4 p.m.
Pool A 2nd place vs. Pool B 2nd place, 5:30 p.m.
Pool A 1st place vs. Pool B 1st place, 7 p.m.

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Boys Soccer: 30th La Caada Holiday Classic

POOL A:
Salesian
La Caada
Santa Clara
Village Christian

POOL B:
Burbank
Golden Valley
Grace Brethren
Maranatha

All games at La Caada High School

Friday’s Games
Burbank vs. Maranatha, 3 p.m.
Grace Brethren vs. Golden Valley, 4:30 p.m.
Salesian vs. Village Christian, 6 p.m.
La Caada vs. Santa Clara, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Games
Maranatha vs. Grace Brethren, 3 p.m.
Golden Valley vs. Burbank, 4:30 p.m.
Village Christian vs. Santa Clara, 6 p.m.
La Caada vs. Salesian, 7:30 p.m.

Monday, Dec. 29
Santa Clara vs. Salesian, 3 p.m.
La Caada vs. Village Christian, 4:30 p.m.
Burbank vs. Grace Brethren, 6 p.m.
Maranatha vs. Golden Valley, 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Dec. 30
Pool A 4th place vs. Pool B 4th place, 3 p.m. (For 7th and 8th place)
Pool A 3rd place vs. Pool B 3rd place, 4:30 p.m. (For 5th and 6th place)
Pool A 2nd place vs. Pool B 2nd place, 6 p.m. (For 3rd and 4th place)
Pool A 1st place vs. Pool B 1st place, 7:30 p.m. (For 1st and 2nd place)

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