February 2009 Archives

TONIGHT'S RESULTS

DIVISION III-A
Foothill 78, Monrovia 69
Inglewood 48, Muir 45 (Scroll down for this game's recap)

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

SANTA ANA - There was something eerily different about the Monrovia High School girls basketball team Saturday night.

Sure, there were some stretches when the Wildcats probably could have played better. But in between those 32 minutes, Monrovia also played long stretches where its sheer determination to fight was clearly evident.

And despite losing, 78-69, to Foothill in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division III-A playoffs, the Wildcats fought to the very end.

Trailing by 22 points with seven minutes left, Monrovia (18-7) mounted a comeback that was worthy enough to stop the home crowd from any early celebration.

Freshman standout Gina Henderson exploded for a game-high 38 points, and her 3-pointer with 1:40 left cut Foothill's (28-1) lead down to nine, 74-65. The Wildcats got as close to within seven, 74-67, with 1:03 left, but the Knights showed why they earned the top-seed and now head to next week's CIF championship game at the Honda Center.

Foothill continually exploited the lack of inside presence with easy give-and-go's and numerous putbacks. USC-bound Christina Marinacci scored 33 points and grabbed 20 rebounds to lead the Knights. With 13.1 seconds left, Maryum Jenkins fouled Marinacci who had to come out with a bloody nose.

After the game, Jenkins walked over to Marinacci - still holding the bloody-soaked towel on her nose - to make sure she was OK and patted her on the back.

This was Monrovia's first semifinals appearance in well over 20 years. The seniors on the team last made the quarterfinals three years ago.

MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN

It seems everywhere I go on assignment these days there's a handful who ask the same question:

Any word on who will coach at "fill in the blank"?

Today marks the end of February and, after almost three months, there still is no official word on who will be head football coach at Pasadena, Temple City, La Cañada and Duarte high schools.

The domino effect began last December when Kevin Mills resigned as coach of the Bulldogs.

Then came Randy Backus' firing at Temple City in January, followed by Rich Wheeler's announcement he was retiring at La Cañada and finally Wardel Crutchfield's firing at Duarte.

Of the four schools, La Cañada has made the most progress. That's saying something since the Spartans were one of the last schools to announce the hiring search.
"We didn't want to wait long," La Cañada athletic director Tamar Hill said.

The Spartans didn't.

Hill said they're waiting for board approval and it could be announced within the next month.

"I think this person will be excellent for our program," Hill added.

Believe you me, I tried prying the name but to no avail. My pledge to you, the reader, is to have that name come next week's column or sooner.
Duarte has made considerable progress, too.

"It's pretty much in play and we're just tying some loose strings," Duarte athletic director Robyn Garcia said. "I just have to wait for certain answers from the district."

Garcia said there is no timetable to announce the hiring, but she did say she was attending a conference next week and she'd like to have everything in place before she leaves for the trip.

"We want to move forward but it's out of my personal control," she said.

Garcia would not divulge information when asked if former La Puente coach Ray Hernandez and former Blair and Marshall coach Tip Sanders were finalists for the job.

It's more than what Pasadena and Temple City high schools can say.
It's been two months, and both schools still are sorting through resumes.

Temple City athletic director John Van De Veere said the school will close the application process today and at least 14 candidates have applied.

"We will begin paper screening Monday, and hopefully within a week after that we will have interviews and go from there," Van De Veere said. "That's all I can really tell you."
Pasadena athletic director Tony Brooks initially said the school wanted to have someone in place by February. After all, spring ball is not that far away.

But the school has made little progress.

"We are in the middle of it, put it that way," Brooks said. "We are still going through resumes and narrowing names down and we'll come up with a name I'm sure shortly, but we're still in the process right now."

Brooks would not give a number of applicants.

"When the hiring panel or committee comes to an answer and we get a name everyone has settled on, I'll definitely let you know," Brook said.

I'm holding you to it, Tony.

LOCAL ATHLETES HONORED

"Too often we see stories of high school football players in trouble with the law. What is often missed are the many players who work hard on the field and in the classroom to become good citizens."

Those are the opening remarks to an e-mail sent to me by the Pasadena-San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation.

Twenty six area players will be honored at Monday's scholar athlete banquet at Brookside Country Club.

Area honorees include Alhambra's Daniel Imaa; Flintridge Prep's Alec Storrie Lombardi; La Cañada's David Goldstein and Michael Weston; Muir's Tramel Clipper and Tyree Mills and St. Francis' Kevin Mitchell.

STAR IN THE MAKING
The next Mia Hamm?

That I'm not certain about, but what I am certain is Samantha Whitehead's star potential.

Don't be fooled by her seemingly fragile frame.

She's a sophomore midfielder for the La Salle High School girls soccer team. It lost Thursday in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs, but Whitehead sported a smile even after a painful loss in which the Lancers held a 2-0 lead at the half.

She's extremely fast and despite her small frame she's as physical as they come.

She's also diabetic.

In one hand she carries her soccer bag. And in the other she carries her insulin pump.

Even though she makes some of us look like chumps on the pitch, I'm excited to see her maximize her potential over the next two years.

miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

LA CAÑADA -- Well after the match ended, there was little anyone could say or do to console a fatigued Brian Blumenfeld.

After all, it was his keen eye that created numerous scoring opportunities for the La Cañada High School boys soccer team.

For a split second, keeper Jack Hale braced an arm over his shoulder before choosing instead to walk alone.

In a match where they experienced a roller coaster of emotions, the Spartans certainly didn't expect to find themselves in the lower tier of that ride, especially after their frantic effort in the waning minutes.

What felt like the beginning of something special came to an abrupt ending for La Cañada on Thursday afternoon.

Baldwin Park held off the Spartans just long enough to win, 5-3, on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs.

There was a little bit of everything in this match, highlighted by picturesque goals and creative counter attacks by a Spartans (18-7-3) team that matched the Braves' (24-1) dominance in stretches at a time.

Finding themselves trailing 1-0 in the 16th minute off a Andrew Gonzalez goal, the Spartans scored the equalizer in dramatic fashion.

It had only started, but La Cañada began executing its passing game. That's when Matt McKenzie flew in from the top of the goalie's box to score off a header in the 28th minute.

But there were some defensive lapses for the Spartans. None was more painful than Baldwin Park's second goal in the 34th minute.

Off a throw-in from the left wing, Alberto Orozco scored from 17 yards out to make it 2-1. More upsetting was that the ball bounced at least four times before Orozco converted.

News that the Rocky Mountain News will publish its last edition today after almost 150 years of service to Denver was received with sadness across the country in every newsroom. The newspaper industry is going through tumultuous times, no doubt. Can you imagine if there was no more Star-News? I've been a journalist for eight years. I love my job and I can't imagine what it would be like to one day wake up and find myself without my dream job. Everyday I'm ever more so thankful for doing what I love most, but I am sad for my colleagues at The Rocky who find themselves at a deep loss. May they all find solace soon.

Final Edition from Matthew Roberts on Vimeo.

CLICK THREAD TO READ WHAT THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN NEWS PREPS SPORTSWRITER AND PREPS EDITOR WROTE IN THEIR FINAL BLOG ENTRY.

Above: Samantha Whitehead's tremendous speed was matched by Cathedral City's team speed. The Lancers lost in penalties, 4-1. (Photo courtesy of John Blackstock)

TODAY'S QUARTERFINALS RESULTS

DIVISION IV
Cathedral City 2, La Salle 2 (Cathedral City wins on PK's, 4-1): Seemingly, nothing could go wrong for the La Salle High School girls soccer team in the first half. But then came the second half. Playing a little too relaxed and underestimating Cathedral City's relentless effort proved to be costly for the Lancers. The Lions powered their way back from a two-goal deficit in the first half to tie the game in regulation and eventually winning, 4-1, on penalty kicks after a 2-2 tie Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division IV playoffs. The tide had seemingly turned shortly after Cathedral City (16-5-5) got to within 2-1 in the 55th minute. It had been quite some time before the Lions were consistently adding pressure in the final third and it was only a matter of time until Emily Boffa scored on a left-foot volley off a Maria Grbavac corner kick. And after Boffa's goal there was a significant change in mood on the field. When the teams got back in formation to re-start play, the Lions looked much more loose and the Lancers (15-7-5) appeared tight. Cathedral City's overall team speed eventually wore down La Salle, and that couldn't have been more evident when Jessie LaFrance split two defenders and sent a shot past the keeper and into the far post to tie the game, 2-2, in the 71st minute.

DIVISION V
South Torrance 2, Maranatha 0: When the final whistle blew, the Maranatha High School girls soccer team slowly limped off the field. For 80 minutes, the Minutemen sacrificed their bodies. Kimmie Sommers' tears from immense lower back pain -- and an even tougher loss to swallow -- was proof of that. For 80 minutes, Maranatha ran in long stretches and showed glimpses of its ability to at times keep up with the much faster South Torrance team. Jessica Austin did her best to keep the large crowd in the game. They battled to the bitter end and when it was all over, the Minutemen were spent after leaving every ounce of energy on the field. Maranatha's 2-0 loss in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs Thursday night was not indicative of how close the Minutemen came from limping away with smiles on their faces instead of tears. But the harsh reality was that the Aztecs (21-3-5) countered well and their team speed trumped that of Maranatha's (16-7-5). There was little South Torrance couldn't do. They not only ran past defenders but also matched every bit of intensity and physicalness Maranatha exhibited.

El Segundo 2, La Cañada 0: The visiting Eagles (19-4-1) proved to be too athletic, scoring a goal in each half to beat the Spartans (16-5-2) in the Division V playoffs. La Cañada played exceptional the first 15 minutes but it all ended when senior forward Caroline Na suffered a knee injury and had to be carted off the field. And with the Spartans' catalyst no longer in the game, El Segundo gained momentum and limited La Cañada's scoring opportunities. "We were the best team for the first 15 minutes," Spartans coach Louie Bilowitz said. "We played great soccer and had four great shots, two of which hit the cross bar. We lost control of the game with (Na's) injury."
Bilowitz, who has coached soccer for 25 years including the last six as the Spartans coach, said he was extremely proud of his girls since La Cañada last season was ousted in the first round. "Nobody expected this team to get as far as they did," he said. "This is the first team that doesn't have two or three dominant players. With this team, the reason I love it so much, is because they share the ball. "They're not looking for the star player. Everybody's participating and there were no egos involved. It's just been a wonderuful team to coach and I was very honored to have coached this team."

DIVISION VII
Alverno 6, Saddleback Valley Christian 1: Senior Jessica Capra scored two second-half goals to lead the Alverno High School girls soccer team to a 6-1 win over Saddleback Valley Christian on Thursday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division VII playoffs. The second-seeded Jaguars (17-1-2) will play the CAMS-St. Paul winner in Tuesday's semifinals, at a site to be determined. Capra scored in the 76th and 77th minute to give Alverno 4-1 and 5-1 leads.

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

MONROVIA -- It didn't matter that the visiting St. Mary's Academy girls basketball team went on a 16-1 run to end the first quarter.

And it certainly didn't matter that Monrovia's Jasmine Gordon and Maryum Jenkins got off to slow starts, which led to early frustration.

When it appeared the fifth-seeded Wildcats were headed toward the brink of disaster, Vanessa Hernandez kept the waters calm by reminding her teammates they hadn't come this far to just throw away the season.

They didn't.

Monrovia overcame a sloppy first half and went on a 9-0 run to start the fourth quarter to take the lead en route to a 51-49 victory over St. Mary's on Wednesday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division III-A playoffs.

Monrovia (18-6) will play the Foothill-Sonora winner in the semifinals on Saturday at a site to be determined.

This was a physical game the Wildcats eventually won because of the will and determination of Hernandez and senior teammate Ashley Quiñonez, who scored 11 points and grabbed seven rebounds. Hernandez scored only seven points but it's what doesn't appear in the boxscore that helped the Wildcats prevail.

"I told them we had not come this far to just lose," she said. "I kept saying 'heart' and reminded them about the time (St. Mary's) beat us earlier in the season."

The Belles (22-9) pounded Monrovia 69-43 on Dec. 30 in the Ayala Tournament.

But fortunately for the Wildcats, Gordon found her touch in the second half to finish with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jenkins scored nine points, had five rebounds and three steals.

"I have four seniors," Monrovia coach Rafael Camacho said. "The opportunity was there and they (seized) the moment."

miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485

GIRLS BASKETBALL RESULTS

DIVISION III-A
Monrovia 51, St. Mary's Academy 49

Muir 38, Bellflower 21: Brittany Henderson scored 12 points and Daysha Thomas had 10 to lead the Mustangs in the Division III-A playoffs. Muir (22-3) will play Inglewood in Saturday's semifinals at Pasadena High at 7:30 p.m. Eliza Pierre scored seven points, grabbed 10 rebounds, had eight assists and seven steals.

DIVISION IV-AA
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame 47, La Cañada 38: The high-low offense is perfect for the La Cañada High School girls basketball team. The Spartans have the post players and small, quick guards for backdoor layups to run the offense effectively. But there's always a caveat. In Wednesday night's CIF-Southern Section Division IV-AA quarterfinal game against visiting Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, that caveat was Kody Burke. The 6-foot-1 center altered shots, got numerous blocked shots, had 22 rebounds and numerous put-back baskets to lead the third-seeded Knights to a 47-38 victory. "It is hard to stop her," La Cañada 6-foot forward Courtney McCutchan said. "Because you have a big girl in the middle, it's pretty intimidating going down there. We didn't get many post moves." Burke was a one-girl wrecking crew inside. She had a game-high 26 points, most coming off her nine offensive rebounds. She scored 10 of Notre Dame's 11 points in the second quarter. If she wasn't putting back baskets, the Knights, 24-6, were feeding the junior for 3-footers.

DIVISION V-AA
Flintridge Prep at St. Joseph's/Santa Maria
La Salle at Sierra

DIVISION V-A
Santa Clara at Pasadena Poly

DIVISION VI-AA
Sierra Canyon 43, Rio Hondo Prep 28

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BOYS SOCCER RESULTS

DIVISION I
St. Francis 1, Newbury Park 0: It's all about timing. Amir Moore was sent into Wednesday's CIF-Southern Section Division I second-round boys soccer playoff game with six minutes to play. Two minutes later, St. Francis High School sophomore Jake LaPorte lined up the Golden Knights' only corner kick of the half against visiting Newbury Park. The kick went to the opposite side of the goal and Kim Chuchi headed it onto the ground in the middle of the goalie area. Moore, facing away from the goal to get the ball, turned and sent a hard shot into the net to give St. Francis a 1-0 victory and a berth in Friday's quarterfinals. The Knights will play either Woodbridge or Long Beach Jordan.

DIVISION V
Monrovia 2, Desert Mirage 0: Call him The Spoiler. Certainly the mood was somber when the visiting Desert Mirage High School boys soccer team traveled 126 miles back to Thermal, courtesy of Monrovia senior midfielder Turner Ward. Ward was at the right place at the right time Wednesday when he scored off a header in the first half and assisted on another to lead Monrovia to a 2-0 victory over the Rams in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs. Perhaps it was second-round jitters, but the Wildcats (21-2-3) looked vulnerable early in the first half. Desert Mirage (10-5-3) pressed early and often, but it didn't take long for Monrovia to start playing its usual game. Whether it was precise passing or anticipation, the Wildcats took control and found open gaps that helped create numerous scoring opportunities. It didn't take long before Monrovia capitalized on a set piece. Off a corner kick in the 14th minute, Ward's header found the back of the net to give the Wildcats a 1-0 lead.

La Cañada 1, Sultana 1 (La Cañada advances on PK's, 4-3): This score courtesy of my new buddy, LCFooty.

DIVISION VI
Viewpoint at Pasadena Poly
Rosemead at Milken Community

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GIRLS WATER POLO
DIVISION IV
La Cañada vs. Arroyo Grande, at Cuesta College, 3:15

CLICK ON THREAD FOR MUIR-BELLFLOWER BASKETBALL GAME BREAKDOWN

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

ARCADIA -- Sometimes all a team needs is a little luck to squeeze out a victory and make a memorable run in the playoffs.

Unfortunately for the Arcadia High School girls soccer team, it wasn't going to be them.
Harvard-Westlake's first-half luck carried over into the second and it came out on top, 2-0, over the Apaches on Tuesday night in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division II playoffs.

Arcadia (17-6-2) couldn't shake the fact that even a dominating team can come out on the losing end in soccer.

For most -- if not all -- of the match, the Apaches dominated the Wolverines (15-4-3) with consistent pressure up top, where most of the action seemed to be.

Harvard-Westlake had only four scoring chances and converted twice, albeit that Arcadia's miscommunication afforded the Wolverines a 1-0 lead in the 29th minute.

Donilynn Hunter-Sallustio stayed on top of the play and flicked the ball past Apaches keeper Dana Lockie. It wasn't clear if Lockie thought a defender would clear the ball, but by the time she realized that was not going to happen, the ball was on its way past her and into the net.

"Sometimes you have to have a little luck, and we definitely rode our luck," Harvard-Westlake coach Richard Simms said. "We rode it all the way to the second half."

Arcadia had a chance to tie the score 1-1 when it was awarded a penalty kick after Ann Marie Tangorra was taken down on a hard slide tackle inside the box.

Highly touted sophomore Vania Robles lined up to take the penalty kick, but her shot sailed over the crossbar, yet another break for the Wolverines.

"If I had a chance to do it again, I'd probably give (Tangorra) the ball," Arcadia coach Nick Tangorra said. "She's our leading scorer and she singlehandedly beat Valencia (in the first round last week).

"I didn't give it to (Tangorra) and I trusted Vania (but she missed)."

Still, the Apaches had numerous opportunities.

Chloe Torres created many of those chances, along with Tangorra and Robles.

Torres' volley off a deflection in the near post was blocked with less than 4 minutes left in the first half.

Robles' relentless effort in the mouth of the goal was evident midway through the second half, but she twice missed the back of the net on shots that went inches wide of the post.

Joleen Pimentel's precise pass to Tangorra created one of the better opportunities in the 66th minute. Tangorra successfully maneuvered past three defenders and got off a shot that was deflected to a charging Robles in the far post. But before she could get off a shot, keeper Clara Jaques grabbed the ball to stop the play.

miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485

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BOYS BASKETBALL
Tonight's Results

DIVISION IV-A
Oaks Christian 66, La Salle 52: If a basketball team can get hot in the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, it can go a long way. La Salle High School was one of those teams. At least until Tuesday night. The Lancers ran into Oaks Christian, a hotter team and was eliminated in the Division IV-A quarterfinals. The host Lions shot 58.3 percent in the second half and pulled away for a 66-52 victory and a berth in Friday's semifinals against Chaminade, which defeated Orange Lutheran, 71-70.

DIVISION VI-AA
Desert Christian 63, Rio Hondo Prep 51: Rio Hondo Prep's boy's basketball team gave top-seeded Desert Christian all they could ask for in the first half of their CIF Southern Section Division VI-AA quarterfinal game on Tuesday.
Unfortunatley for the Kares, foul trouble and an extended cold streak in the third quarter allowed Desert to pull away to a 63-51 victory. After taking a 36-34 lead on a three pointer from Ed Drain with 6:12 remaining in the third, the Kares failed to score again until the 5:50 mark of the fourth quarter. The Kares missed 14 straight field goals in the stretch. During Rio Hondo's drought, the Conquerors went on a 21-0 run to take a 55-36 lead, behind 8 points from forward Nick Law, who finished with 14 points.

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GIRLS SOCCER
Today's Results

DIVISION II
Saugus 1, Flintridge Sacred Heart 0
Harvard-Westlake 2, Arcadia 0

DIVISION IV
La Salle 2, San Gorgonio 0: Julia Barrero scored in the first four minutes and Samantha Cuerington's blistering shot from 40 yards out in the 60th minute lifted the Lancers (16-7-5) in the Division IV playoffs. La Salle will play Cathedral City on Thursday in the quarterfinals. A coin flip today will determine the home site. Barrero's goal came off a corner kick and scored from the top of the 18-yard box. Cuerington's goal sailed over the keeper and into the net to give the Lancers the cushion.

DIVISION V
Maranatha 0, Paloma Valley 0 (Maranatha advances on penalties, 4-2): Minutemen keeper Michelle Cornell blocked the Wildcats' first penalty attempt and Kimmie Sommers scored Maranatha's first PK attempt to lead the Minutemen in the Division V playoffs. The Minutemen will play against South Torrance, which defeated San Marino, 4-0. A coin flip today will determine Thursday's home site. Maranatha coach Jolie Robison said both teams attacked but neither got a shot on goal. "They dominated the middle of the field but our defense held them strong," Robison said.

La Cañada 1, Oak Park 0: Morgan Ritticher may wear Kelly Clark's shoes the remainder of the soccer season. No matter that the cleats are 2½ sizes too small. On Tuesday afternoon, the 8½-sized shoes felt just right. Perfect, actually. Ritticher, who left her shoes at La Cañada High School, used the borrowed shoes to score the lone goal and give the Spartans a surprising 1-0 victory over host Oak Park in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs. How surprising was the win? The Eagles, the Tri-Valley League champions and the tournament's fifth seed, controlled almost the entire game. They had eight corner kicks and took 33 shots. La Cañada took two shots on goal. But Ritticher scored when the Eagles couldn't.

South Torrance 4, San Marino 0

DIVISION VII
Alverno 11, St. Matthias 0: The Alverno High School girls soccer team went on the offensive Tuesday afternoon. The Jaguars led 10-0 at the half en route to an 11-0 win over St. Matthias in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division VII playoffs at Rio De Los Angeles State Park. Junior Jessica Capra recorded a hat trick and Ameenah Issa, Marina Lasse and Celina Minissian each scored two goals to lead the Jaguars (16-1-2). Alverno will play against Saddleback Valley Christian in Thursday's quarterfinal match at Rio De Los Angeles State Park, which is about 20 minutes away from Alverno.

Animo Leadership 5, Duarte 0

Maranatha, Pasadena Poly and Arcadia?!?!? Is that all I really get?

DIVISION II
1. El Toro
2. Notre Dame/SO
3. Palos Verdes
4. Cypress
5. Redlands East Valley
6. Yucaipa
7. Crespi
8. Glendora
9. La Mirada
10. Paso Robles
Others: San Luis Obispo,
Foothill, Burroughs, Arcadia

DIVISION V
1. St Joseph/SM
2. San Jacinto
3. Hesperia
4. Carpinteria
5. Maranatha
6. Paraclete
7. Serrano
8. Mary Star of the Sea
9. Campbell Hall
10. Western Christian
Others: Azusa, La Puente
Bishop Diego

DIVISION VI
1. Bloomington Christian
2. Windward
3. Sage Hill
4. Grace Brethren
5. Pasadena Poly
6. Rosamond
7. Viewpoint
8. Oxford
9. Desert Christian/L
10. Avalon
Others: Upland Chr., Kern Valley
Bishop, Apple Valley Chr

Can I get directions to Alverno High, please?

DIVISION VI
1. Alverno
2. South El Monte
3. Marymount
4. Oxford Academy
5. Notre Dame Academy
6. Campbell Hall
7. Connelly
8. Serra
9. Viewpoint
10. Faith Baptist

BOYS BASKETBALL
Tuesday's quarterfinals
All games 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION IV-A
La Salle at Oaks Christian
DIVISION VI-AA
Desert Christian at Rio Hondo Prep

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GIRLS SOCCER
Tuesday's Second-round games
All games 3 p.m. unless noted

DIVISION II
Flintridge Sacred Heart at Saugus
Harvard-Westlake at Arcadia, 5 p.m.
DIVISION IV
San Gorgonio at La Salle
DIVISION V
Maranatha at Paloma Valley
South Torrance at San Marino
Oak Park at La Canada
DIVISION VII
Duarte at Animo Leadership
St. Mathias at Alverno

==================================

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wednesday's quarterfinal games
All games 7:30 p.m.

DIVISION III-A
St. Mary's Academy at Monrovia
Muir at Bellflower
DIVISION IV-AA
Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at La Cañada
DIVISION V-AA
Flintridge Prep at St. Joseph's/Santa Maria
La Salle at Sierra
DIVISION V-A
Santa Clara at Pasadena Poly
DIVISION VI-AA
Sierra Canyon at Rio Hondo Prep

==================================

BOYS SOCCER
Wednesday's second-round games
All games 3 p.m.

DIVISION I
Newbury Park at St. Francis
DIVISION V
Desert Mirage at Monrovia
La Cañada at Sultana
DIVISION VI
Viewpoint at Pasadena Poly
Rosemead at Milken Community

==================================

GIRLS WATER POLO
Wednesday's Game
DIVISION IV
La Cañada vs. Arroyo Grande, at TBA

Note: I'm off today but I've post-dated these threads to publish even though I'm nowhere near the Pasadena area. Have at it and knock yourselves out.

Time for you to give a crack at the preseason top 10 polls. State your case for the best team to earn a spot in the front page next week when our softball preview runs. Who is the area's best team? Best pitcher, etc..

Note: I'm off today but I've post-dated these threads to publish even though I'm nowhere near the Pasadena area. Have at it and knock yourselves out.

Time for you to give a crack at the preseason top 10 polls. State your case for the best team to earn a spot in the front page next week when our softball preview runs. Who is the area's best team? Best pitcher, etc..

This is your old pal Fred J sneaking in on Miguel because frankly, it's a lazy day so I thought I would share our Just Tribbin with you. BTW, what's happening with basketball in Pasadena? Only two boys teams (RHP, La Salle) left in the second week? No Pasadena? No La Canada? No Renaissance Academy? Muir just average? That's not how I remember it. Hope you have something left for the all-star game, the Trib could have its best team ever.

A few weeks back I mentioned that CIF's new basketball playoff structure, merging enrollment with competitive value, waters-down the importance of league play. Eric Sondheimer touched on it today in the L.A. Times, there could be three to four section champions from the same league, making you wonder if they need league's anymore. You might as well just play a schedule, have more tournaments and do everything by enrollment. The Sierra League is looking the strongest around here with Chino Hills, Glendora, Ayala, and Damien alive in three separate divisions. By some miracle should the Sierra wind up with three CIF champions, how would you feel about it? Damien is a prime example. I'm fine with the fact that a fourth-place team can get an at-large, but to win a championship you should have to go through the teams that beat you in league to do it. Don't get me wrong, I hope they all with section titles, but the system doesn't sit right.

MIGUEL MELENDEZ COLUMN

There will be times when we don't get what we want.

We can throw tantrums and tell everyone who will listen about how unjustly we were treated, but in the end we have to live with the end result and hope it doesn't happen again.

When mistakes are made we hope those responsible will offer an apology. It won't rectify the situation, but at the very least provides closure.

That's what Blair High School boys basketball coach Gamal Smalley wants from the CIF-Southern Section after learning last week the at-large selection committee left the Vikings out of the playoffs.

Twelve teams were given at-large berths in Division IV-A. Eleven of them finished with sub.-500 records. Blair, which had a winning record of 13-10, finished fourth in the Rio Hondo League at 4-6.

The tournament seeding committee utilizes the following in its selection process for at-large berths: head-to-head competition of teams under consideration; overall strength of the league in which the team participates; overall won/loss record; league finish and strength at end of the season (whether team has lost its last three games or won its last three games, et al).

Some of the teams that earned at-large berths include Santa Ynez (11-14, 3-9); Morro Bay (12-14, 4-8); Valley Christian (13-13, 3-7); Rim of the World (8-16, 2-5) and Notre Dame (9-18, 1-13).

Blair played none of the 12 at-large teams, so head-to-head competition is thrown out.

Blair's Rio Hondo League had four teams with records above .500. The top three teams finished 19-7, 18-7 and 16-9. By comparison, Santa Ynez and Morro Bay had only one team in its league finish with a .500 record or better.

In league finishes, Notre Dame was seventh with a 1-13 record; Rim of the World fourth; Santa Ynez sixth and Morro Bay fifth.

Strength at end of the season? Blair lost four of its last nine games; Santa Ynez lost eight of its last nine; Notre Dame lost 15 of its last 17 and Rim of the World lost nine of its last 13.

Smalley certainly makes a good argument as to why the Vikings should have been given an at-large berth.

Is it possible the selection committee made a mistake?

Yes.

Is it likely it will admit the mistake and give Blair a sense of closure?

Who knows?

43 51

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

LONG BEACH -- Who knew they didn't stand a chance?

Pasadena High School's boys basketball team turned the ball over numerous times in the first quarter. Then it shot itself in the foot in the second.

Long Beach Poly's stingy defense blanked the Bulldogs in the first quarter, leading the Jackrabbits to a 51-43 win Friday night in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division II-A playoffs.

Pasadena (22-6) appeared dazed and confused in the first quarter and its offense never got into rhythm despite many good looks at the hoop.

And just when it appeared the Bulldogs were gaining momentum in the second quarter, Pasadena's Darius Johnson drew a technical foul for taunting the home student section after nailing a 3-pointer and pulling Pasadena to within 25-12 with 2:32 left in the first half.

Bulldogs coaches Tim Tucker and Marcus Ford were visibly upset with the drawing of the technical, since it swung the momentum back to the Jackrabbits (23-5).

"Well I don't know if that's a technical," said Tucker, who completed his 13th year at the helm. "He puts up a 3 for knocking down a 3 and, like he said, he's been doing that all year. All of a sudden you go on the road and in CIF and it's a technical foul.

"That was a big 3, and although they missed the free throws, they got the ball back and took away our celebration and big moment and put us back down again."

Pasadena didn't help itself by turning the ball over 11 times in the first half, many of them resulting in easy buckets for Long Beach Poly.

The Bulldogs were stymied midway through the first quarter, where they came away empty on eight consecutive possessions. It was then, with less than a minute left in the first quarter, that it appeared Pasadena might actually go scoreless in the first quarter. And it did.

Joe Henson, the 6-foot-9 senior headed to San Jose State, was sent to the line with 18.4 seconds left and a chance to put the Bulldogs on the scoreboard. But he missed both free throws and the Jackrabbits ended on a 9-0 run.

Signs of frustration set in early for Pasadena. When Tyler Barber vigorously attempted to go inside he was called for a traveling violation. Out of frustration, Barber threw the ball against the wall, and though the Poly coaching staff protested to the referees that they should call a technical foul, they didn't.

But frustration got the better part of Johnson, a senior captain who finished with five points. When he picked up his fifth foul with 47.3 seconds left in the game, he walked out of the gym momentarily. And when the final buzzer came, Johnson grabbed a chair and threw it out onto the court, much to the dismay of Tucker, who demanded that Johnson retrieve the chair and place it back where it was.

Long Beach Poly led by as many as 20 points. The Jackrabbits were led by junior guard Shelton Boykin, who finished with 11 points.

Pasadena got to within 10 points, but by then there was less than 40 seconds left.

"All season long our defense has been a staple," Long Beach Poly coach Sharrief Metoyer said.

This was Pasadena's third consecutive second-round exit. They won a CIF title in 2007.

Henson couldn't shake loose from the smaller and slower Julian Camper in the post. Camper pestered him inside with his heavy frame and Henson finished with 10 points. George Toyama finished with a game-high 18 points.

"You can't come out and be cold in the first quarter," Tucker said. "They're too good for that. We threw the ball away too much and we gave them easy baskets, and if you take away the easy baskets it's a hell of a game.

"We made a good run in the end. If we had one more quarter we might have gotten them, but the first quarter comes back to haunt you."

BOYS BASKETBALL RESULTS

DIVISION I-AA
Long Beach Poly 51, Pasadena 43
Mater Dei 85, Upland 52
Rancho Verde 72, Long Beach Jordan 63
Etiwanda 78, Dana Hills 69
Lynwood 70, Los Alamitos 69 (OT)
Dominguez 86, Hesperia 48
Redlands 86, Colony 73
King 71, Long Beach Wilson 64

DIVISION I-A
Capistrano Valley 78, Murrieta Valley 61
Chino Hills 67, El Toro 54
Ventura 74, Los Osos 73
Paloma Valley 56, Cajon 51
Perris 66, Corona Centennial 65
Santa Monica 58,Chaparral 56
West Valley 55, Alhambra 51
Tesoro 63, Lancaster 46

DIVISION III-AA
Anaheim Canyon 61, Savanna 45
Hart 72, Granite Hills 56
Palm Springs 49, La Cañada 37
Nogales 73, West Torrance 70
Santa Margarita 72, South Hills 63
North Torrance 79, Western 64
Arroyo Grande 49, Woodbridge 40
St. John Bosco 49, Campbell Hall 46

DIVISION IV-AA
Bishop Montgomery 67, St. Francis 59
Atascadero 69, Tustin 63
Northview 80, Citrus Hill 57
Inglewood 76, JSerra 60
Ocean View 87, Ontario Christian 53
San Luis Obispo 43, Bishop Amat 40
Compton Centennial 68, Lompoc 38
Gardena Serra 93, South El Monte 64

DIVISION IV-A
Orange Lutheran 80, Montclair Prep 46
Chaminade 60, Lawndale 48
Oaks Christian 82, Banning 49
La Salle 55, Laguna Beach 42
Crespi 58, Salesian 30
Santa Clara 59, Cerritos Valley Christian 43
Cathedral 70, Workman 50
Price 76, Fillmore 59

DIVISION V-AA
Pacific Hills 80, Lancaster Desert Christian 38
Cantwell-Sacred Heart 71, Flintridge Prep 69
St. Monica 45, Riverside Notre Dame 43
Woodcrest Christian 79, Desert 71
Verbum Dei 59, St. Paul 58
Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 64, Village Christian 61
Downey Calvary Chapel 64, St. Anthony 32
Morningside 70, Linfield Christian 46

DIVISION V-A
Sierra Canyon 49, St. Margarets 46
Aquinas 47, Bell-Jeff 31
Buckley 71, Pilibos 45
Brethren Christian 45, Pasadena Poly 21
Faith Baptist 50, Arrowhead Christian 49
La Verne Lutheran 79, Bloomington Christian 51

DIVISION VI-AA
Bermuda Dunes Desert Christian 79, Maricopa 40
Rio Hondo Prep 44, Rolling Hills Prep 38
Laguna Blanca 50, Los Angeles Adventist 44
Pacifica Christian 55, California Lutheran 40
Capistrano Valley Christian 51, Santa Clarita Christian 36
Eastside Christian 61, North County Christian 58

DIVISION VI-A
Marywood-Palm Valley 45, Baker Valley 33
Padre Pio 56, Waverly 36
Lee Vining 74, Lake Arrowhead Christian 64
Antelope Valley Christian 64, Bethel Baptist 42
Immanuel Christian 63, New Harvest Christian 47
Hope Centre 84, Mesrobian 20
Vistamar 65, Acaciawood 29

CLICK HERE FOR BOYS SOCCER SCHEDULE

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE -- Fans of the visiting Corona del Mar High School girls basketball team held signs with encouraging phrases through the first quarter.

By the time the second quarter came around, the signs were barely useful to fan themselves some air.

What seemingly looked like a competitive first-round game quickly turned into a La Cañada clinic, as the Spartans ran past Corona del mar, 57-31, on Thursday night in the CIF-Southern Section Division IV-AA playoffs.

La Cañada will play the Whittier Christian-El Monte winner in Saturday's second-round game.

The Spartans (21-4) did a superb job of suffocating the Sea Kings (18-10) with a swarming defense, and it didn't help that Corona del Mar went on a woeful 1 for 14 shooting in the second quarter either.

That's when La Cañada blew the lid open and finished the quarter on a 12-1 run.

The back door passes were there all night for the Spartans, and the Sea Kings didn't seem to want to adjust.

Tia Chen arguably had one of her best performances for the Spartans, nearly recording a quadruple-double. She scored 14 points, had 10 steals, grabbed nine rebounds and dished eight assists.

Teammate Courtney McCutchan was not that far off from a triple-double, scoring seven points, grabbing seven rebounds and five assists.

"Tia did a great job in the first half and distributed the ball well," La Cañada coach Tamar Hill said.

There were, however, some moments when the Spartans didn't exactly look like a top tier team.

La Cañada turned the ball over three consecutive times with under five minutes left in the second quarter.

Fortunately for the Spartans, Corona del Mar did not capitalize.

"At that point it looked like neither team wanted the ball," Hill said. "Both teams were tired and worn out but we gathered ourselves."

So what does La Cañada take from this blowout?

"We need to make sure that we're making good decisions especially when we're getting tired," Hill said. "Hopefully we can get rid of the sloppiness so we're prepared against better teams."

GIRLS BASKETBALL SCORES

DIVISION I-A
J.W. North (Big VIII 4) at Alhambra (Almont 2)

DIVISION II-A
Westlake (Marmonte at-large) at Keppel (Almont 1)

DIVISION III-A
Charter Oak (Miramonte at-large) at Rosemead (Mission Valley 1)

DIVISION IV-AA
South Pasadena (Rio Hondo 3) at Citrus Hill (Mountain Pass 3)
La Cañada 57, Corona del Mar 31

DIVISION IV-A
Flintridge Sacred Heart (Mission at-large) at 29 Palms (De Anza 1)
Maranatha (Alpha at large) at Notre Dame Academy (Sunshine 2)
Duarte (Montview 4) at Harvard-Westlake (Mission 2)
San Marino (Rio Hondo at-large) at Rosamond (High Desert 1)
Blair (Rio Hondo at large) at Workman (Montview 2)

DIVISION V-AA
Flintridge Prep (Prep 3) at Woodcrest Christian (Big Sky 2)
Westridge (Prep 4) at Fairmont Prep (San Joaquin 2)
Western Christian (Christian 3) at La Salle (Camino Real 1)
Marshall (Delphic 3) at Calvary Murrieta (Big Sky 1)

DIVISION V-A
Animo Leadership (Harbor 3) at Pasadena Poly (Prep 2)

DIVISION VI-AA
Rio Hondo Prep (Prep at-large) at San Fernando Valley Academy (Omega 1)

CLICK THREAD FOR GIRLS SOCCER AND GIRLS WATER POLO SCORES

The Associated Press

The coach never considered any other option.

It didn't matter that his DeKalb, Ill., High School basketball team had ridden a bus two and a half hours to get to Milwaukee, then waited another hour past game time to play. Didn't matter that the game was close, or that this was a chance to beat a big city team.

Something else was on Dave Rohlman's mind when he asked for a volunteer to shoot two free throws awarded his team on a technical foul in the second quarter. His senior captain raised his hand, ready to go to the line as he had many times before.

Only this time it was different.

"You realize you're going to miss them, don't you?" Rohlman said.

Darius McNeal nodded his head. He understood what had to be done.

It was a Saturday night in February, and the Barbs were playing a non-conference game on the road against Milwaukee Madison. It was the third meeting between the two schools, who were developing a friendly rivalry that spanned two states.

The teams planned to get together after the game and share some pizzas and soda. But the game itself almost never took place.

Hours earlier, the mother of Milwaukee Madison senior captain Johntel Franklin died at a local hospital. Carlitha Franklin had been in remission after a five-year fight with cervical cancer, but she began to hemorrhage that morning while Johntel was taking his college ACT exam.

Her son and several of his teammates were at the hospital late that afternoon when the decision was made to turn off the life-support system. Carlitha Franklin was just 39.

"She was young and they were real close," said Milwaukee coach Aaron Womack Jr., who was at the hospital. "He was very distraught and it happened so suddenly he didn't have time to grieve."

Womack was going to cancel the game, but Franklin told him he wanted the team to play. And play they did, even though the game started late and Milwaukee Madison dressed only eight players.

Early in the second quarter, Womack saw someone out of the corner of his eye. It was Franklin, who came there directly from the hospital to root his teammates on.

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

ALHAMBRA -- Nobody said it was impossible, but the improbable just didn't seem likely, especially after first-half dominance by the visiting Roosevelt High School boys basketball team.

But then came the re-emergence of Alhambra, its stingy defense in the third quarter a staple of Moors coach Joe Petralia's philosophy that defense wins games.

A second-half adjustment is all Alhambra needed to storm back from a 14-point deficit, highlighted by Nelson Chan's 3-pointer plus the foul with 13.3 seconds left.

Chan sank the free throw to send the game into overtime, and Aeric Allen's layup to start the extra period gave Alhambra a lead it would never relinquish en route to a 63-58 victory Wednesday night in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division I-A playoffs.

Alhambra (18-9) will play the West Valley-Rancho Cucamonga winner in Friday's second round.

Javier Lomeli drove in the lane and converted a layup to give the Mustangs (16-11) a 52-48 lead with 38.8 seconds left. Lomeli was fouled in the act of shooting and was sent to the line, giving Roosevelt a chance to extend its lead.

Lomeli missed the free throw, however, giving Alhambra possession with less than 35 seconds left.

All signs pointed to a Moors loss, especially after Allen's 3-point attempt rimmed out, as did Jean Almieda's putback.

Terrence Drisdom grabbed the rebound and was immediately fouled. He missed the one-and-one, and Allen's rebound gave Alhambra possession again with 21 seconds left.

Enter Chan.

With 13.3 seconds left, Chan calmly pulled up near the top of the arc and sank a high-arching 3-pointer that sent the home crowd and coaching staff into a frenzy.
Allen, who finished with a game-high 28 points, was fouled behind the 3-point line and sealed the win for the Moors by sinking all three free throws with 1:10 left in overtime.

This game was won, however, in the third quarter.
Alhambra looked nothing in the third like it did at the start of the game. The Moors were poised and determined to drive inside, something they clearly lacked in the first half.

More importantly, Roosevelt scored as many points as it committed turnovers (six), and the Moors finished with an 11-6 run.

"We felt like we made a couple of errors that were correctable," Petralia said.

The momentum had swung Alhambra's way by the beginning of the fourth, and the game ended with the student section rushing the court in jubilation. The celebration later continued in the Alhambra locker room, where the team chanted Chan's name. He finished with 13 points.

How the Mustangs' 14-point lead at the half dissipated is something Roosevelt coach Romone Neal did not want to answer.

"Don't remind me," said Neal before explaining the second-half debacle. "We stopped rebounding, we stopped going to the basket and we stopped playing defense. (Alhambra) started making a little run and we couldn't hold them down the stretch."
The Mustangs attacked the weak side and relied on cut-back passes that resulted in easy layups in the first half.

"The kids kept their composure," Petralia said. "They're used to being down early, and this team doesn't give up."

TONIGHT'S RESULTS

DIVISION I-AA
Mater Dei 75, San Clemente 48
Upland 53, Silverado 49
Etiwanda 78, Lakewood 37
Dana Hills 66, Santa Ana 53
Lynwood 73, Palmdale 60
Hesperia 69, Corona Santiago 63
Long Beach Poly 59, Montebello 36
Pasadena 72, Vista Murrieta 63

DIVISION I-A
Alhambra, 63, Roosevelt 58, OT
Capistrano Valley 57, Crescenta Valley 55
El Toro 46, La Quinta 34
Los Osos 66, California 43
Tesoro 66, Great Oak 40

DIVISION II-A
Loara 87, Hemet 64
Summit 74, Keppel 38
Mayfair 64, Camarillo 39
Jurupa Valley 59, Cypress 42
Damien 59, Baldwin Park 49
La Habra 61, Dos Pueblos 56

DIVISION III-AA
Anaheim Canyon 69, Culver City 51
Savanna 65, Norco 64
Palm Springs 44, Elsinore 35
La Canada 68, Santa Maria 41
Santa Margarita 47, Arlington 39
Western 59, Beckman 56
North Torrance 102, Moorpark 56
Woodbridge 46, Garden Grove 44
Campbell Hall 72, Antelope Valley 59

DIVISION III-A
Diamond Ranch 74, Magnolia 38
Fullerton 54, Rosamond 38
Palm Desert 57, Sierra Vista 49
Foothill 61, Oak Park 34
Twentynine Palms 70, Mountain View 42
Brea Olinda 59, Barstow 58
Harvard-Westlake 88, Gabrielino 45
Garden Grove Pacifica 66, Temple City 60
Bonita 51, Corona del Mar 38
Charter Oak 62, Segerstrom 55
Irvine 70, Westminster La Quinta 66 (OT)
Sonora 59, El Modena 52

DIVISION IV-AA
Tustin 46, Pioneer 25
Northview 74, Ridgecrest Burroughs 46
JSerra 57, Rosemead 49
Inglewood 69, Bosco Tech 16
Ontario Christian 59, Yucca Valley 55
Compton Centennial 68, Gladstone 41
South El Monte 56, Covina 37

DIVISION IV-A
Orange Lutheran 85, Rim of the World 37
Montclair Prep 66, Big Bear 56
Oaks Christian 75, Morro Bay 62
Banning 51, Fairmont Prep 43
Laguna Beach 56, El Segundo 43
Crespi 72, Nordhoff 35
Cathedral 75, Whitney 39
La Salle 79, Bishop 52
Price 73, Whittier Christian 45

DIVISION V-AA
Cantwell-Sacred Heart 71, Calvary Murrieta 62
St. Monica 51, Milken 46
Woodcrest Christian 69, Paraclete 55
Santa Ana Calvary Chapel 78, Excelsior Education Center 34
St. Anthony 64, Academy for Academic Excellence 53
Flintridge Prep 71, Providence 41

DIVISION V-A
Yeshiva 78, La Sierra Academy 70
St. Margarets 54, Avalon 39
Aquinas 74, San Gabriel Academy 61
Pilibos 41, Thacher 38
Brethren Christian 52, Saddleback Valley Christian 36
La Verne Lutheran 84, Anza Hamilton 49
Pasadena Poly 66, Sherman Indian 30

DIVISION VI-AA
Bermuda Dunes Desert Christian 67. Lucerne Valley 26
Rolling Hills Prep 66, Le Lycee 40
Rio Hondo Prep 73, California Military 52
Laguna Blanca 60, Orangewood Academy 57
Hesperia Christian 57, Desert Chapel 31
Santa Clarita Christian 72, Twin Pines 53
Capistrano Valley Christian 78, West Shores 24
Eastside Christian 64, San Fernando Valley Academy 59
Wildomar Cornerstone Christian 52, Westview 46
Tarbut V'Torah 82, Noli Indian 44

SOUTH PASADENA - It wasn't supposed to end this way.

The emotions rising higher with each connected pass and the feeling of triumph ever so close with each push up front.

Seemingly - after riding a high wave of momentum in the second half - it would be only a matter of time until the South Pasadena High School girls soccer team scored the goal that eluded them in regulation time.

But the overtime period didn't prove to be the Tigers' moment either as they later watched North Torrance celebrate a 4-3 win on penalty kicks after a 1-1 tie in a wild-card match of the CIF-Southern Section Division V playoffs Tuesday afternoon.

Though South Pasadena (11-9-4) gave up a goal in the 10th minute, the Tigers were a determined bunch in the latter part of the first half.

Anybody catch the A-Rod press conference? Mike Vaccaro of the New York Post asked a very good question: Why if you didn't think what you were taking was wrong, why were you so secretive and so reluctant to ask about proper procedure during the 2001-03 seasons? Rodriguez paused for a while before answering: "That's a good question. I knew what we were taking weren't Tic-Tacs. I knew that it was, potentially could be something that perhaps was wrong." Was Alex Rodriguez credible at today's press conference?

TAMPA, Fla. -- Alex Rodriguez expanded on his admission last week that he used a banned substance earlier this decade, saying a cousin injected him with an over-the-counter drug designed to give an "energy boost."

The New York Yankees star third baseman said using the banned drug that he said he obtained from the Dominican Republic was a "stupid mistake."

"I knew we weren't taking Tic Tacs," Rodriguez said.

Ready to ask questions -- many questions -- were the 150-200 reporters on hand at Steinbrenner Field, where satellite trucks for live transmissions already were set up at dawn. At the outset of the news conference, Rodriguez said he was "a lot nervous" and quickly added he understands the long road ahead toward earning back others' trust in him.

Sports Illustrated broke the story on its Web site Feb. 7 that Rodriguez tested positive for a pair of steroids during baseball's anonymous survey in 2003. Two days later, baseball's highest-paid player acknowledged that fact in an interview with ESPN.

Jim McConnell, who writes a weekly Then & Now column, writes about the San Gabriel Valley's best baseball players of all time. It's a must read.

Above: The great Jackie Robinson would bat leadoff on McConnel's all-time SGV team. Hey Orange County folks, why don't you try coming up with a better team than this? That's what I thought.

Here's the starting lineup for "your" San Gabriel Valley All-Stars:

1. Jackie Robinson (Muir Tech, PCC) 2B
2. Jim Edmonds (Diamond Bar High) CF
3. Nomar Garciaparra (Whittier) SS
4. Mark McGwire (Damien High) 1B
5. Ralph Kiner (Alhambra High) LF
6. Fred Lynn (El Monte High) RF
7. Cecil Fielder (Nogales High) DH
8. Darrell Evans (Muir, PCC) 3B
9. Lance Parrish (Walnut High) C
Starting Pitcher: Ewell Blackwell (Bonita High)

Here's the remainder of the roster:

Starting pitchers: Hank Aguirre (Keppel); Mike Garcia (San Gabriel); Mike Krukow (San Gabriel); Mike McCormick (Keppel).
Relief pitchers:Rick Aguilera (Edgewood of West Covina); Bill Campbell (Mt. SAC); Jim Gott (San Marino); Jim Merritt (West Covina); Dan Quisenberry (University of La Verne); Todd Worrell (Maranatha).
Reserve infielders: Jack Clark (Gladstone); Bobby Knoop (Montebello); Bobby Lillis (Pasadena).
Reserve outfielders: Tom Brunansky (West Covina); Johnny Lindell (Monrovia); Irv Noren (Pasadena); Albie Pearson (El Monte).
Reserve catchers: Andy Etchebarren (La Puente); Jamie Quirk (St. Paul).

FRED ROBLEDO

It's time to scratch your head again, because the CIF-Southern
Section tweaked the boys and girls basketball playoffs in the first
of another two-year trial run. For many years the Southern Section playoff divisions were
organized by enrollment, which brought its share of problems.
Remember a few years back when Keppel had one of its best boys teams
ever, only to run into the unfair challenge of having to face Mater
Dei early in the playoffs because their enrollment numbers were
similar? There were many other cases like that, too.

To continue reading, click thread

Wild-card games begin Wednesday. First-round games begin Friday. All games 3 p.m.

DIVISION I
St. Francis (Mission 4) at Tesoro (South Coast 1)

DIVISION II
Alhambra (Almont 3) at Quartz Hill 1)

DIVISION IV
Winner wild-card G (Rio Mesa-Oak Park) at Pasadena (Pacific 1)

DIVISION V
Blair (Rio Hondo at-large) at Righetti (Pac 7 1)
Arroyo Grande (Pac 7 3) at Monrovia (Rio Hondo 1)
Temple City (Rio Hondo 3) at Pacific (San Andreas 1)
San Gorgonio (San Andreas 3) at La Canada (Rio Hondo 2)

DIVISION VI
Thacher (Condor 2) at Pasadena Poly (Prep 2)
Maranatha (Alpha 3) at Chadwick (Prep 1)
Beaumont (Mountain Pass 2) at Rosemead (Mission Valley 2)

Wild-card games begin Tuesday and first-round Thursday.

DIVISION II
Winner WC "A" (Beckman-Eisenhower) vs. Flintridge Sacred Heart at St. Francis High
Arcadia (Pacific 2) at Valencia/V (Foothill 2)

DIVISION III
Estancia (Orange Coast 2) at Westridge (Prep 2)
Flintridge Prep (Prep 3) at ML King (Big VIII 2)

DIVISION IV WILD CARD
La Salle (Del Rey at-large) at Cabrillo/Lompoc (Los Padres 4), Tues., 3 p.m.

DIVISION V
Monrovia (Rio Hondo 2) at Marymount (Sunshine 2)
Ramona Convent (Sunshine 3) at Maranatha (Olympic 1)
San Marion (Rio Hondo 3) at Garden Grove (Garden Grove 1)
Orange (Golden West 3) at La Canada (Rio Hondo 1)
WILD-CARD
N. Torrance (Pioneer at-large) at South Pasadena (Rio Hondo at-large), Tues., 3 p.m.

DIVISION VI WILD CARD
Keppel (Almont 3) at Xavier College Prep (Freelance), Tues., 3 p.m.

DIVISION VII
San Gabriel Mission (Horizon 2) at Duarte (Montview 2)
Alverno bye. Next: St. Matthias-Rolling Hills Prep winner at Alverno, Feb. 24

This from Yahoo Sports: "Sad news to end the week: Everyone's favorite crazy gimmick offense, the "All-11," was effectively declared illegal today by the far-reaching National Federation of State High School Associations, which closed the "scrimmage kick" loophole the A-11 exploited for its existence," reports Yahoo Sports and Rivals.com.

INDIANAPOLIS - The horse-collar tackle has been added to the list of illegal personal contact fouls in high school football.

This addition to Rule 9-4-3 was one of 10 rules changes approved by the National Federation of State High School Associations (NFHS) Football Rules Committee at its January 24-25 meeting in Indianapolis. The rules changes were subsequently approved by the NFHS Board of Directors.

Effective with the 2009 season, it will be illegal to grab the inside back or side collar of the runner's shoulder pads or jersey and subsequently pull the runner to the ground. The penalty will be 15 yards from the succeeding spot.

Julian Tackett, assistant commissioner of the Kentucky High School Athletic Association and chair of the NFHS Football Rules Committee, said the committee felt the need to continue to address risk minimization issues for the runner.

"Risk minimization continues to be one of the most important fundamentals to the rules-writing process of the NFHS," Tackett said. "Though this play does not happen often, we must ensure that our coaches and officials understand the importance of penalizing this act."

Stay tune for the release of the CIF-Southern Section boys and girls soccer playoff pairings. We'll post the schedule here, but in the meantime give us your thoughts on which team will go deepest. Monrovia? St. Francis? Flintridge Sacred Heart?

Take on a tough schedule and you can run the risk of getting drubbed, or, at season's end, get rewarded.

The latter happened to the Muir High School girls basketball team when the CIF-Southern Section playoff pairings were released Sunday.

The Mustangs (20-3, 14-0) are the area's highest-seeded team at No. 3 in Division III-A and earned a first-round bye. They will host the winner of Thursday's Palm Desert-Irvine game. Saturday's second round game is slated for 7:30 p.m.

Muir is hoping to make a long run in the playoffs after adding junior Taylor Gomez to the roster this season. She averages 11 points per game, and her deft touch complements the area's best tandem in Eliza Pierre and Brittany Henderson.

The Mustangs, however, were not the only team to earn a first-round bye. Monrovia (17-6, 9-1) is the No. 5 seed in Division III-A. They will host the Bonita-Beckman winner Saturday.

Five area teams earned at-large berths: Flintridge Sacred Heart (Division IV-A); Maranatha (IV-A); San Marino (IV-A); Blair (IV-A); and Rio Hondo Prep (VI-AA).

Five other area teams will play home games Thursday: Alhambra (I-A); Rosemead (III-A); La Cañada (IV-AA); La Salle (V-AA); and Pasadena Poly (VI-AA).

South Pasadena will visit Citrus Hill in Division IV-AA. Flintridge Sacred Heart (at 29 Palms) and Duarte (at Harvard Westlake) are on the road in Division IV-A. Flintridge Prep (at Woodcrest Christian), Westridge (at Fairmont Prep) and Marshall (at Calvary Murrieta) also hit the road in Division V-AA, respectively.

Keppel (17-10, 10-0) won its 14th straight Almont League championship and puts its 14-game winning streak on the line when they host Westlake.

The Aztecs started the season 3-10 but did not panic. They showed steady progress as the season went on and Aztecs coach Ib Belou took notice after each game.

"They didn't give up," he said. "Progress was being made each and every time we were on the court and to me that was the most important thing, whether we won or lost, because we knew that at some point we would get it together."

Despite the resurgence and yet another dominating league season, Belou said Keppel, who lost in the second round last season, has yet to peak.

"Our goal was to play a perfect game," he said. "We haven't gotten there yet and we're hoping it comes in our fifth game."

There was a little bit of everything to go around, including both pleasant and unpleasant surprises when the CIF-Southern Section boys basketball playoff pairings were released Sunday.

The season continues for 18 area teams, including Keppel which was hoping to receive an at-large berth in Division II-A after a fourth-place finish in the Almont League, and it did.

First round actions begins Wednesday with all games slated for 7:30 p.m.

The Aztecs (16-10, 4-6) will visit Summitt, the Sunkist League champion.

"We're trying to get as much experience as we can," Keppel coach Hung Duong said, "and a chance to get to the playoffs will be a great experience for our young players."

There was no surprise in that Pasadena, the area's top-ranked team, earned the highest seeding of the 18 teams heading to the playoffs.

The Bulldogs (21-5, 14-0) earned a No. 6 seed in the rigorous Division I-AA, which includes the nation's No. 1 team in the country, Mater Dei.

Alhambra's gutsy performance, led by Aeric Allen's 30 points, in the regular-season finale victory last week over Keppel propelled the Moors league champions and an opportunity to host a first round game against Roosevelt, the Big VIII League's fourth-place team.

Despite finishing third in the Rio Hondo League and having its seven-year lock on the league title snapped, La Cañada will host Santa Maria instead of making the trek.

Along with Keppel, Gabrielino (Division III-A), Don Bosco Tech (Division IV-AA), South Pasadena (Division IV-AA), Maranatha (Division IV-A) and Rio Hondo Prep (Division VI-AA) all earned at-large berths as well as St. Francis (Division IV-AA) who finished 10-15 overall and 3-11 in Mission League play.

But one team who missed out on an at-large berth was Blair (13-10, 4-6).

Of the 12 teams that earned at-large berths in Division IV-A, 11 teams finished with sub. 500 records.

The Vikings split with second-place Monrovia (Division III-A) and fifth-place South Pasadena (8-19, 3-6), which earned an at-large berth in Division IV-AA, a higher division that Blair which is based on school enrollment, a process that started this year.

Blair coach Gamall Smalley went to Rainer Wulf for answers. Wulf is an assistant commissioner in charge of basketball.

"I explained to him our situation and he said himself that it doesn't sound right," Smalley said, "but that they had a committee that made the decision and (Wulf) couldn't really answer anything.

"He did try to go find answers, talked to some of the members of the committee, and they said we had lost to Banning. But we never played Banning. That goes to show whatever they're using is wrong."

Smalley wasn't angry but was disappointed with how things came about.

"They can't rectify it," he said. "The only thing they can do is make sure the committee double checks next time. Obviously they missed the boat on this and it makes you wonder who sits on the committee.

"They said we lost to Banning and that really brought my curiosity up. I think they really made a mistake on this one."

Click here for the entire basketball playoff pairings

Here are the matchups involving area teams. All games Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

BOYS BASKETBALL
DIVISION I-AA
Vista Murrieta (Southwestern 3) at Pasadena (Pacific 1)

DIVISION I-A
Roosevelt (Big VIII 4) at Alhambra (Almont 1)

DIVISION II-A
Keppel (Almont At-large) at Summitt (Sunkist 1)

DIVISION III-AA
Santa Maria (Los Padres 3) at La Canada (Rio Hondo 3)

DIVISION III-A
Gahr (San Gabriel Valley at-large) at Monrovia (Rio Hondo 2)
Gabrielino (Mission Valley at-large) at Harvard-Westlake (Mission 1)
Pacifica/GG (Empire at-large) at Temple City (Rio Hondo 1)

DIVISION IV-AA
St. Francis (Mission at-large) at Santa Paula (Frontier 2)
JSerra (Trinity at-large) at Rosemead (Mission Valley 2)
Don Bosco Tech (Camino Real At-large) at Inglewood (Ocean 1)
South Pasadena (Rio Hondo at-large) at Lompoc (Los Padres 1)

DIVISION IV-A
Chaminade (Mission 4) at Marshall (Delphic 3)
La Salle (Camino Real 3) at Bishop Union (High Desert 3)
Maranatha (Alpha at-large) at Salesian (Santa Fe 1)

DIVISION V-AA
Providence (Liberty at-large) at Flintridge Prep (Prep 1)

DIVISION V-A
San Gabriel Academy (Westside 4) at Aquinas (Christian 1)
Sherman Indian (Arrowhead 3) at Pasadena Poly (Prep 2)

DIVISION VI-AA
Rio Hondo Prep (Prep at-large) at California Military Institute (Majestic 2)

CLICK ON THREAD FOR GIRLS BASKETBALL PAIRINGS

Above: Alhambra head coach Joe Petralia ,standing, with assistant coach Joe Khouzam, kneeling, in the first half during a playoff basketball game between Roosevelt and Alhambra at Alhambra High. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photo)

MIGUEL MELENDEZ

This column appeared in print Feb. 14, 2009, on page C3 of the Star-News sports section.

Some call him "The Godfather."

It's not all that farfetched, really.

Joe Petralia has walked the Alhambra High School hallways for 30 years. His slick-backed hair is as unmistakable as his baritone voice.

For 14 years as the Moors' boys basketball coach he's stomped his feet and clenched his fist in disapproval -- either of a player's shot or referee's call -- all the while looking like he just stepped out of the pages of GQ magazine.

Whether it was on the court or in the classroom as a U.S. history teacher, Petralia earned his students' and players' respect, not that his presence alone didn't command it.

He's as no-nonsense as a teacher as he is as a coach. Some might say he's old school, and isn't that who our parents would rather us learn from?

It never fails.

Former students and players of Petralia return to the gym on Fourth Street to pay their respects to an Alhambra High icon who for many years stood for what was just, teaching his students and players that there was more to life than X's and O's, and that if we paid attention and gave it our best effort we wouldn't disappoint ourselves.

Friday night was Petralia's final home game of the regular season. He will retire as coach at the end of the season and then as a teacher at school year's end.

What better way for a man of his stature to leave than as a champion, clinching his fourth Almont League championship with a 61-49 win over rival Keppel in front of a boisterous home crowd paying homage to the man who took pride turning boys into men with his tough but endearing discipline.

It's that kind of "tough love" that affected the lives of so many who have gone on to become successful, including this sports writer.

Above: Yes, the Rams are indeed the RHL's No. 1 team.

TEMPLE CITY -- James Chen was not going to let his Temple City High School teammates down.

The guard single-handedly led the Rams to the promised land -- a Rio Hondo League championship -- by scoring 31 points, 23 in the first half, in a 70-52 championship victory showdown against Monrovia in a standing-room only Temple City gym. It ended La Cañada's seven-year lock on the title.

"It's like a Hollywood story," Chen said. "We haven't done it in 10 years, It's great."

The teams went into the final regular season game tied for the league lead at 7-2. Chen had three 3-pointers in the first half, Zack Aquino had three 3-pointers in the second quarter and the Rams made 8 of 19 3-point attempts in the half en route to a 43-32 halftime lead.

"I let the first one go and it went in, so I just kept letting it fly and it kept on going on in," Chen said.

Only twice in the second half could the Wildcats close to within nine points, both in the third quarter.

"There was no fluidity like we needed to," Monrovia coach Jarod Mix said. "We weren't running our offense like we needed to."

Temple City coach Rich Hollinger has been involved in four of the Rams' five league titles, one as a player in 1978.

Despite the first-half fireworks, the Rams cooled down considerably in the second half. Chen shot 2 of 10 in the half. The 5-foot-10 senior did finish with a team-high 13 rebounds. The Rams missed on all nine of their 3-point attempts in the second half.

"I was really worried because we were a little gassed at halftime," Hollinger said. "I told the kids, 'You have to keep driving,' and then we got our momentum back."

The Rams built a 58-42 midway through the fourth quarter when the Wildcats were hit with a pair of technical fouls. Chen made two of four foul shots and Aquino, who had 19 points, hit two more for a 61-42 lead.

But by that time, even last-second heroics by Chris Bullock would not have helped. The Monrovia left-hander made two shots at the end of the first two quarters from the halfcourt line at the buzzer.

Above: Temple City's James Chen being interviewed by the Star-News' Keith Lair.

Monrovia High School athletic director Randy Bell refuted a story published Thursday in the Star-News that reported the school hired Michael Knowles as an assistant track and field coach.

Knowles was fired almost three months ago as Muir's track and field coach after serving as coach in some capacity or another for 28 years, including the last 10 as girls head coach and six as the boys head coach.

Muir's administration did not give Knowles specifics for his dismissal, nor has the Pasadena Unified School District.

According to Knowles, he was to be Monrovia's sprints, hurdles and relays coach.

"He's a respected track coach," Bell said. "If he's someone that's interested in coaching here, we would explore that possibility.

"Our (track) coach (Randy Hare) and Knowles have talked, but nothing has been determined. (Knowles) is a heck of a coach that we would be interested in, but we have to make reference calls and go through the process."

Knowles said he had a coaches meeting with Hare on Monday and acknowledged he still needed to take a TB test, fingerprints and have his CPR first aid paperwork current.

"I was under the assumption (Hare) had spoken to (Bell)," Knowles said. "If I was wrong, I'm sorry."

When Bell read the story Thursday, he asked Hare to clarify.

"Obviously the first person I went to was (Hare)," Bell said. "I asked him if he talked to the (Star-News) but (Hare) said, 'At no time did I talk to Miguel Melendez.'

"I asked (Hare) if it was his desire to bring (Knowles) on board and (Hare) said yes, but (Knowles) still has to come in for the normal hiring process which goes for paid or unpaid coaches."

I found this interesting item in the Daily Breeze preps blog, anchored by veteran preps writer Tony Ciniglio. Click here to check out his well-informed blog.

This story comes from The Associated Press in Albany, N.Y.

Here's a new play call courtesy of the recession: shorter seasons for high school athletes.

The New York State Public High School Athletic Association says the shorter
schedules allow schools to cut budgets without cutting programs. Critics -- including
coaches and kids -- claim the new policy unfairly targets student athletes.

PASADENA -- Suddenly, it didn't matter that it was cloudy or that the weather obscured the panoramic view of the San Gabriel mountains.

The chilly weather also wasn't to blame for the goose bumps. This time, it was the resurgent effort and excitement in the pool that found its way into the stands.

Almost as electrifying as the ending was the near comeback from the Pasadena Poly girls water polo team. But Ali Don's goal with 46.9 seconds left in sudden death propelled La Salle to an 8-7 victory Wednesday afternoon in the Prep League finale.

The Lancers (17-12, 9-3) victory forced a two-way tie for second with the Panthers (13-6, 9-3), but La Salle will be the league's No. 2 representative after winning the coin toss that took place immediately after the match. Poly will place third.

Despite the loss, Pasadena Poly fans were treated to a match with high emotions and plenty of scoring.

The drama unfolded in the fourth quarter, with the Panthers trailing by four goals. Kelsey Williams started the comeback with a floater from 15 meters out to close the gap to 6-3 with 4:32 left. Liza Starr then made it 6-4 with 2:28 left, but it was Megan Latta's girl-on-a-mission attitude that really heated things up.

Latta scored from point-blank range with 35 seconds left to pull the Panthers within one, 6-5. Then, after the Lancers were called for a foul, Latta raced to the other side of the pool and timed a well-placed shot over La Salle keeper Lydia Kerns to knot the score, 6-6, with 17 seconds remaining.

The match went into overtime and the Panthers took a 7-6 lead, courtesy of Olivia Russak. Don countered from 9 meters out to tie the score, 7-7.

Each team had a chance to break the tie in overtime, with numerous shots hitting the crossbar or going inches wide.

Don finished with four goals to lead all scorers. Russak and Latta finished with two goals apiece for the Panthers.

Poly won the first meeting -- also in sudden death -- 10-9.

But not this time.

"It's always tough to lose a hard-fought game," Panthers coach Ryan Katsuyama said. "We were down four goals and for my girls to come back and fight back, I'm proud of them for doing that. It was a great game, not just for the players, the coaches, but also the fans."

Above: Flintridge Sacred Heart's, from left to right, Samantha Norton, Pip Harragin, Bianca Garoian, Sinead Fleming and Isabelle Johnson, all seniors, helped the Tologs shatter the stigma that they're underachievers. Not this season.

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

Tonight won't be just a "Senior Night" for the Flintridge Sacred Heart girls soccer team.

It will be a day of triumph and jubilation, not just because the Tologs clinched their first-ever Mission League championship, but because of the collective adversity they all had to overcome to reach the steep mountain's peak.

Never mind the tenuous schedule that is the Mission League. Three of the top five teams in the CIF-Southern Section Division II Top 10 poll hail from the league.

Flintridge Sacred Heart is ranked No. 1 for the fifth consecutive week, and barring any losses the Tologs (15-4-3, 7-1-1) will earn the top seed when the playoff brackets are released Monday.

It was the team's cohesiveness and unselfish attitude that got them there, but it's their stronger bond off the pitch that truly resembles the Sacred Heart community, many of whom will arrive in droves when the Tologs take on Notre Dame today at 5:30 p.m. at St. Francis High.

Sinead Fleming, Pip Harragin, Bianca Garoian, Isabelle Johnson, Samantha Norton and Audra Krake will say goodbye, but -- like so many others -- never in spirit.

Four years ago, former Tologs player Jessica Hanson was in her final year at Loyola Marymount when she died after a car accident on her way to a family vacation.

Three months later, Janet Johnson, one of the team's coaches, died of an undetected heart condition.

In September, the team accompanied Harragin to her father's funeral, Mick Harragin, after he lost his battle with cancer.

Just two weeks ago, Flintridge Sacred Heart co-head coach Frank Pace lost his mother.

On the day he returned, Fleming scored the winning goal in the waning seconds to help the Tologs defeat Chaminade, 1-0.

The elusive league title was elusive no more.

After tonight's game, is over, the girls will give Fleming and her family comfort when they attend her grandfather's funeral. Kenneth Fleming, 84, died Sunday after suffering from pneumonia and a failing heart.

"It's funny how life works," Fleming's mother, Rebecca, said. "You can experience such joy and pain in the time span of a few days. I know that he is very proud of Sinead. I also know that he is at peace."

He's not only in peace, but perhaps overlooking and more than ever so aware of Fleming's many accomplishments. She will attend New Mexico on a soccer scholarship.

"We have a lot of angels looking down on us this year," Pace said.

At a recent St. Francis boys soccer home game, Pace couldn't take more than a few steps before someone congratulated him on the the team's success.

But the sweet taste of success spreads beyond the team's enjoyment.

"It means a lot to all the parents and girls in the program over the course of 14 years," said Pace, who has coached the girls 11 years along with Kathy Desmond, who's put in 14 years of her own. "We're getting e-mails and phone calls from people who played here 15 years ago. We climbed a huge mountain."

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
Compiled by Miguel A. Melendez

1. Pasadena (19-5)
Fifth straight title is no surprise

2. Temple City (15-7)
How do Rams drop one to SPas?

3. Alhambra (16-8)
Holding steady atop Almont

4. Monrovia (16-7)
League title could be on the line

5. La Cañada (18-6)
Monrovia became a thorn

6. Flintridge Prep (16-6)
Rebels are 7-0 in Prep League

7. Keppel (15-9)
Aztecs getting cold at wrong time

8. La Salle (13-11)
Lancers losing control of fate

9. Marshall (16-6)
First place possibly out of reach

10. Blair (12-9)
Wheels are falling off

BOYS BASKETBALL STANDINGS

Click here for the Almont League standings

Click here for the Alpha League standings

Click here for the Camino Real League standings

Click here for the Delphic League standings

Click here for the overall Freelance standings

Click here for the Mission League standings

Click here for the Mission Valley League standings

Click here for the Montview League standings

Click here for the Pacific League standings

Click here for the Prep League standings

Click here for the Rio Hondo League standings

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
Compiled by Keith Lair

1. Muir (18-3)
Another Pacific Leage crown

2. Keppel (15-10)
Sweeping to another league title

3. Monrovia (15-5)
Scored pair of big victories

4. La Cañada (18-6)
May have to settle for second

5. Pasadena Poly (17-4)
Rematch with Chadwick on Thurs.

6. La Salle (14-9)
Still undefeated in 2009

7. South Pasadena (14-9)
Knocked out of title picture

8. Alhambra (13-9)
Best chance to stop Keppel

9. Rosemead (10-10)
Can clinch share of title today

10. Flintridge Prep (13-10)
Must settle for third place

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
Compiled by Miguel A. Melendez

1. Monrovia (17-2-3)
Still the best team. Period.

2. Pasadena (10-1-6)
Another tie? Realy?!?

3. St. Francis (12-5-4)
Loss to Loyola was not easy

4. Temple City (5-4-4)
Shocking folks at 5-2-1 in RHL

5. La Cañada (15-6-2)
Spartans get revenge, then lose

6. Rosemead (11-4-4)
Scored 18 goals in last 5 games

7. Muir (6-6-2)
Playoffs practically out of reach

8. Alhambra (5-5-1)
Last playoff spot still within reach

9. San Marino (8-9-2)
Titans playing the role of spoiler?

10. Blair (6-8-2)
Vikings a pest to La Cañada

BOYS SOCCER STANDINGS

Click here for the Almont League standings

Click here for the Alpha League Standings

Click here for the Del Ray League standings

Click here for the Mission League standings

Click here for the Mission Valley League standings

Click here for the Montview League standings

Click here for the Olympic League standings

Click here for the Pacific League standings

Click here for the Prep League standings

Click here for the Rio Hondo League standings

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
Compiled by Kieth Lair

1. Flintridge SH (15-4-3)
Won first Mission League title

2. Arcadia (13-4-2)
Big game at CV on Thursday

3. Alverno (15-1-1)
Final tuneup today before playoffs

4. Monrovia (6-5-3)
Five consecutive victories

5. La Cañada (11-4-3)
A crazy Rio Hondo League finish

6. Maranatha (13-6-4)
Can share Olympic League title

7. Ramona Convent (15-5-1)
Hopes for revenge Thursday

8. South Pasadena (10-7-4)
It's showdown week

9. La Salle (11-5-4)
Must stop slide

10. Westridge (5-4-3)
Has secure playoff spot

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE -- The orders were simple.

"Don't let them shoot a 3," Temple City High School boys basketball coach Rich Hollinger said.

Sure enough, La Cañada's Jeff Grigg let one loose from NBA range to tie the score 43-43 with less than 20 seconds remaining.

What happened next had all the makings of a Hollywood ending.

Leo Chu, who couldn't buy a basket all night and had scored just one point, caught the outlet pass and sank a high-arching 3-pointer to put the Rams ahead with less than eight seconds remaining.

Grigg took a crack at another try but his 15-foot heave was off-balance and barely hit the rim, sending the Rams faithful into a frenzy and securing a 46-43 win over the Spartans on Tuesday night in a key Rio Hondo League game.

If Temple City (16-7, 7-2) wins Thursday at home against Monrovia, it will clinch its first league title in a decade.

Should they win it, the Rams certainly earned it in this one, clawing their way back against the Spartans (18-7, 5-4).

After trailing most of the game, Temple City took the lead with 1:15 left when Zach Aquino sank both free throws to make it 40-39.

La Cañada's Mike McGlashan, who finished with eight points, attempted a 15-footer but missed on the next possession and Andy Scauzillo, who finished with eight points, grabbed the rebound. He called a timeout.

Temple City wasted no time padding the lead as Aquino, who finished with a game-high 20 points, broke through the full-court press and converted the layup to make it 43-39 with 26.8 left.

Grigg drove in the paint for a layup on the next possession but was fouled. He missed the first free throw and made the second to help La Cañada pull to within 43-40.

Chu nearly coughed up the game when he was called for traveling near the baseline, giving the Spartans a chance to tie it. Grigg did, but that's as close as they would get.
Chu redeemed himself with a 19-footer, and the rest was history.

"Leo all game, one of his worst games," Hollinger said, "but the kid has done nothing but play basketball against the best guys and I said, 'I gotta hang with this guy.' And then he makes the last shot after not making one and turning the ball over.

"Sometimes you have to hang with your guy and have faith he'll come through."

Temple City ended the first quarter in what can only be described as reason for La Cañada coach Tom Hofman unleashing his wrath.

The score was tied 7-7 and the seconds winding down.

James Chen was left open on the baseline and drained a 3-pointer. It wasn't so much that Chen sank the shot that upset Hofman, but more the lucky bounce the ball took, hitting the back of the rim and falling straight through the net at the buzzer.

Hofman looked down at a table near the scorer's table, clenched his fist and punched the table. Equally as upsetting was La Cañada finishing with as many points (7) as turnovers.
Clarke Anderson, who finished with 19 points, led the charge in the second quarter to give the Spartans a 14-12 lead they would not relinquish until much later in the game.

Temple City relied mostly on outside shooting, which seems to be the bread and butter of the entire league this season. The Rams at times penetrated the 3-2 zone but found more success from mid-range.

Chen finished with 14 points for the Rams. He averages nearly 22 points.

miguel.melendez@sgvn.com

It's a simple question on the McDonald's All American blog (yes, they have a blog, too):

Is someone from your high school a 2009 McDonald's All American Boys or Girls nominee? Answer: Yes!

More than 2,000 McDonald's All American nominees were selected from across the country and represent the top high school basketball talent in the nation. Among them is Pasadena's Joseph Henson (San Jose State) and Travis Flye. Muir's Brittany Henderson (Kentucky) and Eliza Pierre (Cal) also are nominated. Henson is averaging 12 points per game and Flye averages 13.5 points. Henderson is averaging 13.7 points, nine rebounds and two blocked shots per game. Pierre averages 10.5 points, 10 rebounds, nine assists, five steals and three blocks per game. Nice!

From those over 2,000 nominees only the top 24 boys and girls will make it to the final teams. Past nominees who went on to play in the McDonald's All American Games include LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Maya Moore, Greg Oden, Candace Parker, Kevin Garnett and the list goes on.

The official 2009 McDonald's All American Teams will be announced on February 18.

Stay tuned.

This story comes from longtime staff writer Jim McConnell, the man we call, "The King" around the office. He writes a weekly Then & Now column, and this week he focuses on a marvelous event nearly 60 years ago.

JIM McCONNELL

The power of the press.

Don't laugh. History teaches us not to underestimate the role newspapers play in human events. Especially sporting events.

Many is the athlete whose very first non-parental recognition came via his hometown paper. There remains a certain magic over seeing your name in print - providing it isn't at the top of an obit or in the crime log.

Which brings us back to May 24, 1950. The place? The Pasadena Civic Auditorium. The occasion? The Pasadena Star-News Sports Jamboree.

In an idea cooked up by longtime Star-News sports editor Rube Samuelson and Mannie Pineda, Samuelson's man in charge of high school sports coverage, the paper that night feted the best athletes and coaches in the San Gabriel Valley.

But it was much more than that. Virtually every sports luminary in Southern California attended, along with some notables from Hollywoodland.

In the words from that night's program, the event was held to "recognize Youth's attainments, and to stimulate still greater effort toward `better living in a better place."' Who could argue with that?

As the program notes, the Star-News in 1950 consisted of "the 300 men and women who build, and the 400 carriers who distribute" the newspaper. Automation, pagination and damnation have combined to thin our ranks in the 2lst century - but we're still here.

I know most of you (keyword: most) are exuberant/happy/glad/whatever about seeing me back at work. So what did I do with my day off Monday? Got to watch my little sister's basketball game (she's a sophomore playing with the JV), took my sisters out to lunch after the game and hung out with my boys who were in from out of town. Lots going on so lets get right to it. League titles are on the line, but first I thought this story from the Riverside Press-Enterprise would be an interesting read....

By MICHAEL BECKER
The Press-Enterprise

An Inland man with hefty influence in amateur baseball has formed a club league that could, if successful, compete directly with high school baseball by poaching its most promising athletes. The league -- said to be the first of its kind -- will take place in the spring and provide an alternative opportunity for players dissatisfied with the high school baseball experience, said Mike Spiers, the league's founder. But he is facing stark opposition from high school coaches and administrators who question his motives and worry that such action might someday cripple the high school game.

Club baseball has flourished in the past decade as parents and athletes demanded year-round competition and instruction. For up to $100 a month, plus transportation fees, the best amateur baseball players in the country have competed for the equivalent of barnstorming all-star teams and vied for personal recognition in weekend showcases.
Beginning this year, Mike Spiers is bringing his club-team setup to directly compete against the high school baseball season.

Then, from February to May, the club leagues dispersed in order to allow these players to represent their local high schools and contend for team championships.

The two entities acknowledged each other somewhat begrudgingly: While some high school coaches harbored a long-simmering distrust of any club ball coach who might undermine their authority, some club coaches viewed high school competition as an inferior yet unavoidable piece of the baseball experience.

Discuss anything and everything you want ....

Lets talk a little baseball/softball .. I didn't get much action on the previous "Star-Jibber" thread so I don't wanna hear you yapping when the top 10's are released in the weeks ahead ... Also, here's your chance to nominate your "Athletes of the Week" ... Just an FYI: As you all know the newspaper industry is struggling to survive, and the declining economy isn't helping, either. We got word last week that every SGVN employee has to take a one week furlough (a week off without pay). Some are taking a straight week and others are spreading it over the course of two months. Starting tomorrow, I will take every other Monday off for the next five weeks. That means I can't step foot in the office, write/respond to e-mails or answer my company-issued cell phone. So if you're wondering why there are no posts Monday, you now know why. Keith Lair will work in my place and have stories ready to go for Tuesday's paper. I'll use my Monday's to do some cleaning, occupying the front patio with furniture, figuring out how my fireplace works and hanging out with the Future Nurse, the cutie pie I'm seeing .... Hope you all had a good weekend.

Above: Multiple exposure of Monrovia's Vince Vega who pitched during a baseball game against San Marino on May 6, 2008 at Monrovia High School. (Keith Birmingham/Staff Photo)

So I keep hearing about the dreaded SGV baseball/softball fans. I didn't say it. That's just what I've heard. I hear chkyrslf was responsible for driving Scott Galleti out of town and into the mountains of New Mexico. For those who consider themselves my "friends" and want to brace me for what to expect this upcoming season, feel free to drop a comment. I'm curious more than anything. If Freddy Robledo is shaking at the wrath of the ESGV fans I can't imagine what you folks are like. These are not fighting words. Think of this is a "Greet and Meet" with the baseball psychos, err, fans out there and myself. What gets under your skin: ill-informed baseball/softball top 10's? Wrong scouting reports? A reporter who dislikes America's greatest pastime? Don't be afraid to tell me how you really feel.

Who loves soccer in the rain? I don't mind it at all but I sure do hate having to take notes all the while balancing my umbrella. The sidelines view (get it?) from the Loyola-St. Francis boys soccer game earlier today. Loyola won, 4-1. Ouch!

Here's the view from up top at St. Francis High. The stands were occupied but most of the large clad of fans were staying away from the rain. This was my view during the second half, hanging out with FSHA coach Frank Pace.

My view from the sidelines during the first half...

Fear no rain. Here's a photographer during the first half of the Loyola-St. Francis game. I bet that camera costs well over $250...

After the soccer game I headed over to the PHS boys basketball game. It was the first home game back since Steven Adams underwent 10 hours of surgery to remove a mass behind his right eye that put pressure on the brain, causing double-vision and headaches. Here's a picture of the T-shirts the school is selling to help pay for the surgery costs. Our very own Jeremy Balan was on assignment and will have the full story in Saturday's paper. On another note, I hear the South Pasadena-Monrovia girls basketball game was a wild one. Any more details? Maryum Jenkins was ejected with two technical fouls? Goodness .... We do not have reporters at every game like football, so if you're at a game, please come back and post the final score in the comments section.

It wasn't that long ago that we talked about racial taunts from the Servite High student section directed at a black player from Mater Dei at a recent boys basketball game in Orange County. And now we learn about this. There was a brawl between two rivals: Saddleback and Santa Ana. Both schools are in the city of Santa Ana. The games attract large crowds, and generally both teams are really good. My former colleague at The Register, Damian Dottore, caught all the action on his camera. He gives a recap on the Register's website:

I was standing right on the sideline, next to the Santa Ana bench when the fight broke out. I told another reporter who was there, I could tell that something like this was going to happen. Santa Ana and Saddleback are two of the biggest rivals in Orange County, and can make whatever bad blood that Servite and Mater Dei have look like G-rated stuff. And believe me, I know all about it from the Friars' side. I graduated from Servite in 1987.
From the start of the game, I could see an intensity that wasn't there when the Saints and Roadrunners faced off against each other in January. .... I must say that not all of the players are to blame. I saw at least one Santa Ana player, Jose Bahena, taking an active role in playing the peacemaker. And afterward, he was yelling at his teammates. I have read some comments that the CIF should bar both teams. That hardly seems fair. Judging by what Santa Ana coach Joe Penaflor said afterward, the offending players on his team will be punished. At least one will be kicked off the team. That seems like punishment enough for me. Let the two programs issue penalties to their own players.

I covered both these teams for four years and know both coaches well. Mel Silva is a good friend as is Joe Penaflor. The actions of those ill-tempered kids is not a reflection of neither coach who strive for nothing short of playing with class and dignity.

So who's headed to see this showdown tonight? The battle for the top spot begins tonight when St. Francis (12-3-2, 7-1-2) puts its four-game winning streak on the line when it plays host to powerhouse Loyola (12-3-5, 4-0-2) tonight at 5 p.m. I will be there for sure. I haven't had a chance to see the Golden Knights play. The last time I saw them play must have been three years ago when they played host to Servite in the CIF-SS Division I quarterfinals. That was a great game until Servite scored three unanswered goals to pull away. Loyola is one of the area powerhouses and has been for quite some time. This should be high-quality soccer at its best, but what if it starts raining? That reminds me, I need to go buy an umbrella ... ella ... ella ... ey ... ey ... (Any Rhianna fans? ... No? OK ... ) See yall on the pitch!

MIGUEL MELENDEZ

This column appeared in print Feb. 6, 2009, on page C3 of the Star-News sports section.

The untold stories are countless, but you can find them just about everywhere you look.

It's the struggling, single mother who rises above and beyond anyone else's imagination to give her kids a shot at a better opportunity than the one they had.

Working multiple jobs and in odd hours of the night -- coupled with staggering costs due to a single income in a seemingly bed-ridden economy -- makes for many sleepless nights, to say the least.

But then came that sweet day for Susana Ebeck and Rebecca Fleming. Their daughters,
Shannon Brooks and Sinead Fleming, earned scholarships to play soccer at North Dakota State and New Mexico, respectively.

For many of us, Wednesday was just another day; the middle of the week and just two more days until the weekend arrived.

But for Susana and Rebecca it was the proudest moment in their lives.

Shannon Brooks has been a four-year letterman for the Monrovia High School girls soccer team. She also plays softball but her dream is to play for the U.S. Women's National Team. Sinead Fleming, a highly-touted senior at Flintridge Sacred Heart, shares the same goal.

But that's not all they have in common.

"As a mother, of course I was crying because it took a lot to get to where she is right now," Susana said, "and a lot of people don't understand that when you grow up being poor and having nothing it's a big accomplishment."

In Rebecca, Susana has found an ally. One she probably hasn't met but can certainly confide in.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get my kids to where they need to be," Rebecca said.

And that they did.

What a wild ride the Rio Hondo League has been this season. Some might say it's one of the best there's been in a looooOOOoong time. Monrovia plays host to South Pasadena tomorrow. The Wildcats (13-6, 6-1) are on top of the league standings after beating La Canada (17-6, 5-2) yesterday. There could potentially be a three-way tie for first by tomorrow night's end if the Tigers (14-8, 5-2) beat Monrovia and the Spartans beat Blair (10-14, 4-3). Where will yall be tomorrow night? I'm taking South Pasadena over Monrovia and La Canada over Blair. Let the Melendez-bashing begin.

Photo illustration courtesy of Mid-County (Ore.) Memo

Word through the grapevine is that Tim Price, a former All-Everything lineman at Duarte in the 90's, applied at Duarte High School for the head coaching vacancy. Price has a proven record of winning. As head football coach at Jefferson High School in North Portland, Price's teams reached the playoffs six out of nine years, with two city championships, and twice received Division IV-A Coach of the Year honors. Fifteen coaches have applied for the job at Duarte High but the guess here is Tip Sanders and Price will be the finalists. Price sounds legit. Any thoughts?

My first "National Letter of Intent Signing Day" as the Star-News preps editor has come and gone, so lets call the picture above the first graduating class under my watch. Happy to see the fellas earn their way to a good college education. From left to right it's Arcadia's Todd Golper (UCLA); Maranatha's Matt Schilz (Bowling Green); Muir's Reuben Thomas (New Mexico State); Muir's Marcus Graves (Idaho); Muir's Myles Campbell (Stony Brook University in Long Island, N.Y.); and Muir's Tyree Mills (Stony Brooks University).

As I was telling one of our editors, one of the most rewarding parts about my job is having covered these guys play sports and watching them go on to do bigger and better things. It's often I get to see someone on TV and I can say, "Hey, I covered him/her when he/she was in high school." Good luck to them all. BTW, that football I'm holding is signed by all those guys. The football looks so good I might just have to keep it over the fireplace at my house. Golper also signed my mini-UCLA football helmet. Good looking out.

If you're a fan of San Gabriel Valley football and an even bigger fan of UCLA, then you have just be thrilled about Arcadia's Todd Golper heading to Westwood. Golper was included in the "Top stories of the West" by Scout.com, was ranked the state's No. 2 best middle linebacker and earned honorable mention in the Long Beach Press-Telegram's "Best of the West" list. (Stangs03: I'm not going to sensor you because you're a veteran of this blog, but please let Golper and his family have this moment. No need to bash the kid that's well liked by everyone I've talked to about him. Despite your disagreement the accolades keep coming Golper's way, but today -- on national signing day -- is the culmination of Todd's hard work. Nobody can say the guy didn't work his butt off to get to where he is and I'm sure his family and friends couldn't be more proud.

Todd Golper profile
Inside linebacker
Arcadia, CA
Ht: 6-foot-1
Wt: 225 lbs
Forty: 4.68 secs
Bench max: 285 pounds
Squat max: 425 pounds
Vertical: 26 inches
Class: 2009 (High School)

From Rivals.com

By Jeremy Crabtree
Recruiting Editor

The Pac-10 region, especially California, was home again to some of the biggest news items of the year.

No, the news didn't focus on what Kim Kardashian did this week or some other Hollywood gossip; the biggest news college football fans cared about involved another star quarterback from California, the recruiting roller-coaster ride that one of the nation's best athletes took us on and the emerging recruiting power in the Bay Area.

Matt Barkley proved worthy of his lofty ranking in an all-star setting.

Rivals.com breaks down the top five stories in the West for the class of 2009.

1. Barkley's the real deal

Most people believed Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei quarterback Matt Barkley was too good to be true. People said there could be no way that another California quarterback can be this good. After throwing for 3,560 yards as a junior, Rivals.com ranked Barkley as the nation's top player. Then came the struggles on the field - 22 touchdowns with 18 interceptions in 2008 - and everybody started to criticize the 6-foot-3, 226-pounder. But like any good story, this one has a happy ending. When he got a chance to shine on the national stage at the Under Armour All-American Game, Barkley proved his critics wrong with an MVP performance by passing for 237 yards and two touchdowns.

2. Carroll's on-again and off-again commitment

Randall Carroll, the four-star athlete from Los Angeles Cathedral, was one of USC's earliest commitments. He always insisted he would take other official visits, but most assumed it was simply Carroll wanting to take other trips. Then as time passed it became clearer that Carroll wasn't so sold on the Trojans. He took official visits to places like UCLA and Arizona State. Heading into the final week, it looked like his status was 60-40 in favor of the Trojans. Then talk surfaced late last week that there's a chance his mother might not sign his letter of intent on Wednesday, making this easily one of the more compelling stories to follow on National Signing Day.

3. Year of the linebacker

If you needed a freak linebacker, then you headed West this season. Headlined by five-star standouts Vontaze Burfict of Corona (Calif.) Centennial and Manti Te'o of Honolulu (Hawaii) Punahou, the linebacker class in the West was extremely deep in 2009. There are 20-plus linebackers who are ranked as mid-three stars or higher in this year's class. Burfict and Te'o deservedly grab all the headlines, but there are other high-level linebackers out West like Marquis Simmons, Todd Golper and Trevor Erno.

4. Cardinal one of nation's biggest surprises

Stanford's average finish in the Riavls.com team rankings the past three seasons was 51st in the nation, but coach Jim Harbaugh has the Cardinal in line to sign a top 25 class for the first time since 2003. That year Stanford finished 25th, but this year the Cardinal have done a tremendous job not only in California but also nationally. Stanford expects to sign eight four-star players and at least 12 three-star recruits. The Cardinal has to expect big things from star linebacker Shayne Skov, receiver Jemari Roberts and running back Tyler Gaffney.

5. Coaching changes shake things up

It's a whole new world for many programs in the West after coaching changes at programs like Washington, New Mexico, New Mexico State and Utah State have altered the way those programs attack the recruiting front. Many programs, like Utah and UCLA, didn't see changes at the top but assistant coaches moving on has cause a ripple in the recruiting front. But the biggest move came at Washington when it hired Steve Sarkisian, USC's offensive coordinator, as coach. Sarkisian knows he has a big mountain to climb, but his first recruiting class wasn't nearly as bad as it could have been considering UW's struggles on the field.

Scout.com also ranked Golper as the state's No. 2 inside linebacker

Middle Linebackers

1. Vontaze Burfict, Corona (Calif.) Centennial- USC
Big, physical, strong, nasty. A prototypical middle backer.

2. Todd Golper, Arcadia (Calif.)- UCLA
May be one of the smartest linebackers around, a true leader on the
field who tackles everything.

3. Eric Martin, Moreno Valley (Calif.) Rancho Verde- Nebraska
An all-state selection, Martin was the best linebacker at the L.A.
Scout.com Combine.

4. Tim Tucker, Harbor City (Calif.) Narbonne- Washington
Senior year was his coming out party, as he emerged as the City
Section's top senior linebacker.

5. Sam Foster, Esparto (Calif.)- Nevada
The top college prospect from the CIF-Northern Section.

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

Steven Adams underwent seven hours of surgery Tuesday to remove a mass behind his right eye that put pressure on the brain, causing double-vision and headaches.

As a result, the 6-foot-9 junior forward for the Pasadena High School boys basketball team will miss the rest of the season.

The two-day procedure started Monday and concluded Tuesday. The matter was not found to be cancerous.

Adams was complaining about double-vision during the Bulldogs' game against Muir on Jan. 23, but the headaches had been coming on and off all season long.

Adams was taken to the doctor for an appointment instead of practice last Monday.

Initially, it was thought he was experiencing panic attacks. He practiced Tuesday afternoon but early Wednesday morning, around 3 a.m., Adams complained about headaches and this time was taken to the hospital.

After undergoing further evaluations which involved a CAT scan and an MRI, the decision was made for Adams to go forward with the surgery.

Adams will sit out 2-3 months but should be back for summer basketball. He's expected to miss six weeks of school.

Pasadena coach Tim Tucker, who has been alternating with Pasadena High athletic director Tony Brooks visiting at Huntington Memorial, said Adams is in high spirits.

"Every game that we've played he's called and encouraged the players," Tucker said. "We've had guys step up and really play as if he was still there. Just really shows us what kind of close-knit team we have."

The mass had been devloping over time.

"But it's still a dangerous procedure," Tucker said. "Anytime you mess with the brain it becomes very delicate."

It's uncertain if Adam's school insurance will help cover the pricy cost of the surgery, given the injury did not occur at the school or as a result of playing basketball.

But Tucker and Adams' teammates will begin fund raising preparations to help the Adams family cover the cost.

"We just want to do whatever we can to help assist them with all this," Tucker said.
The full proceeds of T-shirts that were made and planned to be sold on campus will go to the Adams family.

"There's a lot of ideas we're thinking of following through on," Tucker said, "but we welcome any ideas that other people might have. We'll try to support the family in any way we can."

Anyone wishing to make donations can contact Pasadena High athletic secretary Shari Baugh at (626) 798-8991, Ext. 354.

miguel.melendez@sgvn.com
(626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485

National signing day is less than 24 hours away. Here is a list of athletes who we know are signing tomorrow. For everyone listed below, congratulations and see you in the office for a group picture on signing day. If there are any more football/non-football players expected to sign national letters of intent, call or email me ASAP!

FOOTBALL
Todd Golper, Arcadia - UCLA
Reuben Thomas, Muir - New Mexico State
Matt Schilz, Maranatha - Bowling Green
Myles Campbell, Muir - Stonybrook
Marcus Graves, Muir - Idaho

NON-FOOTBALL
Abby Brogan, Pasadena Poly - UCSB Soccer
Sinead Fleming, Flintridge Sacred Heart - New Mexico soccer
Pip Harragin, Flintridge Sacred Heart - UC Davis soccer
Jessica Ferri, Flintridge Sacred Heart - Harvard softball
Jenna Orlandini, Flintridge Sacred Heart - Washington volleyball
Connor McCracken, Flintridge Sacred Heart - UCLA volleyball

Figuring the Michael Knowles story published in today's paper is the No.1 Most Viewed and No. 1 Most Emailed story on the Star-News website, I thought I'd post the story here, too. Chime in fellas...

By Miguel A. Melendez
Staff Writer

The compass didn't move in any direction after Michael Knowles' hour-plus meeting with two Pasadena Unified School District officials Friday, and for now Knowles will continue playing the waiting game.

The former Muir track and field coach was fired two months ago and never was given a clear reason for his dismissal after 28 years in some capacity or another as the school's track coach.

Knowles met with Shelly James, the district's chief of human resources, and Steve Miller, the director of human resources.

Knowles initially requested a meeting with PUSD superintendent Edwin Diaz, but was told the right channel to go through was James.

According to Knowles, James and Miller were sympathetic to his situation, took a lot of notes and asked a lot of questions.

In that meeting, Knowles asked what led to his dismissal but was not given one.

Interesting topic over at the Tribune blog ... does the question apply here on this side of the 605?

More from Robledo ...

What role did the blog play in former Bishop Amat coach Mark Verti deciding to resign last season?

After last week's column in which I talked about the large number of coaches getting fired, I received a voice mail from an area coach I don't need to identify, but he said our blog plays a large role in what's happening, because the perception that it creates with reader comments. I haven't met one football coach who has told me they like the blog, but I know they all read it, and they're aware of what's being said. Does it play a role in what's happening? If we never had a blog, would Greg Hoyd still be at Wilson, would Damien have kept Scott Morrison? How about Wardell Crutchfield? I think there is a lot of truth to what the coach said on that voice mail, and he's right, we play a role in the process. Maybe a bigger role that I imagined, but what are we gonna do, blogs and the internet aren't going anywhere.

There have also been some interesting comments:

jcaz said: It's so funny but, yes of course this blog has influence. BTW, it's not necessarily a bad thing, after all, I for one think that forums such as these are extremely important in that it gives ordinary people, who otherwise would not have a voice, an opportunity to express their opinion, and to let that opinion go all the way to the top without it having to get filtered and lost in all the political BS that we so often hear about.

GRI said: What kills these coaches is this blog makes them accountable for their actions. Now they have to be careful what they say and who they say it to, in fear that it may show up on the blog.

Is Muir dodging St. Francis for the all-neighborhood showdown? Well, that's what I wanted to find out so I put in a call to Ken Howard. But the coach taking charge of setting up the game was Antyone Sims, the Mustangs' offensive coordinator. I asked Antyone straight up, "Are you guys dodging St. Francis or what?"

Bottom line is this. For us to play them this year we both have to get out of a contract. Our thing over here is if we get out of the Diamond Ranch contract can St. Francis guarantee two more years? The (St. Francis) administration won't allow them to play three straight years. Why can't we play this year when they're loaded -- we'll keep it real -- we're still young but willing to play them for three straight (years). I've talked to (St. Francis coach Jim Bonds) directly. We had a direct conversation a week ago.

Muir wants to play St. Francis this upcoming season but they also want to play two straight years after, therein lies the problem.

We don't have no problem playing them (this season) but can they guarantee us the next two years, and they're saying their administration won't allow that kind of agreement. It could be a gentleman agreement. We could do it right now for one year and between us we can have a gentleman's agreement.

I put in a call to Bonds last week and he left a message at my desk to give his side of what's going on.

It doesn't look like it's going to happen next year; possibly the following year. I began calling coach Howard on Dec. 15 and didn't talk to him or touch base with him until Jan. 15. He never really called me back and I called him like 10 times. I found out he wasn't going to be in charge of the schedule and I talked to Antyone (Sims). I talked to him two weeks ago. Their Week 0 game with Diamond Ranch has one more year on the contract. The game we wanted to drop was El rancho, but there's too much work and red tape to get it going for next season. We'll just wait til next year when we both have openings. If they are able to get out of that contract maybe we could go forward but i don't want to put El Rancho in a position where they're left scrambling for a game. Hopefully Muir in 2010.

Muir has Diamond Ranch at home, Oaks Christian on the road, Venice at home, a bye the following week before the start of Pacific League play. Muir would likely drop Diamond Ranch if they can agree on a contract with St. Francis, setting up a Week 0 showdown at St. Francis. Sims said they would be willing to play the first two games at St. Francis (so that Dietrich Riley can play at home his senior year) and play the third year at Muir. Problem is, Muir still hasn't talked to Diamond Ranch about dropping them because nothing has been set with St. Francis yet.

Diamond Ranch would be cool (about it). We're not worried about talking to them about the situation.

The last time Muir played St. Francis was in back-to-back CIF-Southern Section playoffs, which was 1999. Too bad it can't be done.

Both of us agreed that the community wants it. To me why wouldn't you want to comitt for three years? It would bring the biggest gate to the school. They just don't want to give us a three year commitment. If they were to agree to the three year game we could play this year at St. Francis and next year at St. Francis and the last year at Muir. It's only around the corner. We don't really care where we play; it doesn't matter to us. We're willing to play their next year in Riley's senior year. We don't care. We'll walk up in there.

Not for at least another year, Antyone.

Discuss anything and everything you want ....

Baseball/softball season is just around the corner....clue me in on your top 10 lists for both sports and top 10 pitchers in the area. I'll start making calls next week....