I know Damien is not in our area but this is huge news for San Gabriel Valley football fans. Former Los Altos coach Greg Gano has been named the next Damien High School head coach, Freddy Robledo reports on his blog. Gano, who won four championships while with Los Altos, will be introduced at the school later today. Freddy will have more in tomorrow’s paper. Robledo reports: “I can tell you this, he’s already assembling an all-star staff, I’ll tell you more about the names when they become official. There will be some huge surprises.”

Hmmm … Interesting.

This story comes from longtime staffer Jim McConnell, the man we call, “The King” around the office. He writes a weekly Then & Now column. He gives us a bit of history today about high school basketball tournaments. It doesn’t involve our area teams but it was such a great read I had to post it. Enjoy.

JIM McCONNELL

MEMO TO: High school basketball coaches and athletic directors.

RE: Basketball tournaments.

MESSAGE: If you are thinking about starting a tournament, do not under any circumstances label it a classic. A 1957 Chevy Bel-Air coupe is a classic. Your puny little eight-team tourney – jury-rigged so that the home team will always be in the championship game – is not.

There’s no question today’s high school basketball players – boys and girls – are bigger, stronger, faster and can jump higher than those of 50 years ago. But, somehow, the local basketball tournaments have lost a lot of their luster. December just isn’t the same for hoop fans.

Back in the 1970s, the area was famous nationwide for the Tournament of Champions. That event, hosted by San Dimas High School, brought together the best teams in the state.

Tournament director Bob Espinoza did a great job of luring the top teams to San Dimas. True, the format meant that host school San Dimas was going to be routed, game after game and year after year. But, looking back, those Saints players can now tell their kids they played against the likes of Bill Cartwright, Bill Laimbeer, John Williams, etc. Who remembers scores?

San Dimas ceased hosting the Tournament of Champions in the 1980s. The T of C is still around, now based in Orange County, but it is no longer the premier showcase of prep talent it once was.

In this area, the granddaddy of basketball tournaments emains the Covina Christmas Tournament. The tourney will mark its 55th year when play gets under way on Dec. 26.
Continue reading “McConnell: Tourney time not what it used to be” »

1. ROSEMEAD (11-3) — The Panthers made an improbable run to the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division championship game and beat two notable teams (San Dimas, Monrovia) to get there.

2. TEMPLE CITY (7-5-1) — Under the direction of interim coach Tim Loya, the Rams played superb football the final weeks in the season before running into a pesky Paraclete team in the semifinals of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

3. MONROVIA (10-3) — I wonder, what would happen if Temple City and Monrovia would meet again? The outcome might be the same or it very well could be different. Still, the Wildcats definitely raised the bar for next season and I know Steve Garrison was impressed with Monrovia’s run.

4. RIO HONDO PREP (10-3) — The Kares won their 12th CIF-Southern Section Division championship last week. That’s only second to Long Beach Poly’s 18 CIF titles. The Kares were on the brink of playing in the CIF State Small Division Bowl championship game. What an amazing season.

5. DUARTE (6-6) — One must wonder how much better the Falcons would have been if Jordan Canada would have been healthy all season long. They could have had the No. 1 seed from the Montview League and they probably don’t run into Monrovia in the quarterfinals.

6. MUIR (9-2) — The Mustangs are still a good team despite another first-round ouster. Jarron Williams back next season will be fun to watch. He could be better than Reuben Thomas at next season’s end.

7. MARANATHA (11-2) — The Minutemen rebounded well after losing to Brentwood in the Alpha League finale and made a run to the semifinals of the CIF-SS East Valley Division playoffs.

8. SAN GABRIEL (5-6) — In hindsight, the Matadors should have gone further in the playoffs and fared better in Almont League play. I’m expecting big things from the Matadors with QB Isaac Valdez directing the offense next season.

9. SAN MARINO (8-3) — Things will be tough next season with Scott Dooley and Steven Wright gone next season. Steven Yortsos will anchor the defense. But as far as this past season goes, the Titans put on a great show in the regular-season. They reignited and mesmerized an entire community.

10. NOBODY — There was not another team that could argue its way into the No. 10 spot. Can you really think of one?

Just got off the phone with Pasadena High athletic director Tony Brooks. After talking about basketball we dove into the football coaching vacancy. I tried to get names but no dice.

Brooks on how far along Pasadena is in the hiring process:

“We’re looking to get the interview process in January. We’ve opened it up and people are turning in resumes. We’re getting a lot of interest including from people back East. What we’ll do is put a committee together which will consist of administrators, teachers, coaches and a returning player and maybe a parent.”

Brooks on when Pasadena will make the hire:

“We want to get something done by February because that’s the start of the second semester. You don’t want to wait too long.”

Brooks on whether the vacancy will come with a teaching position:

“Right now, hopefully it will. That’ll attract more interest but that has to be solidified through the principal to try to fit that. It’s always nice to have the person on campus in some capacity.”

Brooks on who has applied (Brooks was asked for specific names but no luck):

“A few locals, but when we get down a little more serious – this is just collection process – and when we get down to some serious applicants and finalists I’ll be happy to divulge.”

In the words of Kevin Mills, stay tuned.

Alhambra Tournament
Pool A: Bonita, Warren, Santa Fe
Pool B: San Gabriel, Crescenta Valley, Northview
Pool C: Montclair, Hoover, Franklin
Pool D: Alhambra, Gabrielino, Duarte

Tuesday’s Games
San Gabriel vs. Crescenta Valley, 3 p.m.
Montclair vs. Franklin, 4:30 p.m.
Bonita vs. Santa Fe, 6:15 p.m.
Alhambra vs. Duarte, 7:45 p.m.

Wednesday’s Games
Duarte vs. Gabrielino, 3 p.m.
Northview vs. San Gabriel, 4:30 p.m.
Santa Fe vs. Warren, 6:15 p.m.
Franklin vs. Hoover, 7:45 p.m.

Thursday’s Games
Hoover vs. Montclair, 3 p.m.
Warren vs. Bonita, 4:30 p.m.
Crescenta Valley vs. Northview, 6:15 p.m.
Alhambra vs. Gabrielino, 7:45 p.m.

Friday’s Games (South Gym)
(Game 3) A2 vs. B2, 3 p.m.
(Game 4) D2 vs. C2, 4:30 p.m.
(Game 5) A1 vs. B, 6:15 p.m.
(Game 6) D1 vs. C1, 7:45 p.m.
(North Gym)
(Game 1) A3 vs. B 3, 3 p.m.
(Game 2) D3 vs. C3, 4:30 p.m.

Saturday’s Games
11th place – Loser Game 2 vs. Loser Game , 10:30 a.m.
9th place – Winner Game 2 vs. Winner Game 1, Noon
7th place – Loser Game 4 vs. Loser Game 3, 1:30 p.m.
5th place – Winner Game 4 vs. Winner Game 3, 3:15 p.m.
3rd place – Loser Game 6 vs. Loser Game 5, 4:45 p.m.
Championship – Winner Game 6 vs. Winner Game 5, 6:30 p.m.

Here’s a call for all AD’s and coaches to fax or e-mail tournament brackets in the area. E-mail to miguel.melendez@sgvn.com or 626.432.5248. The La Salle Tournament starts next week but you can send brackets now and post other marquee tournaments in the area here in the comment section.

In girls basketball, I need brackets for the Arroyo Tournament (Dec. 15-22); Magnolia Tournament (Dec. 13-20); Ayala Tournament (Dec. 26-30); La Canada Tournament (Dec. 26-30); and the Burroughs Tournament (15-19). Gracias.