By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

It will be awfully tough to top 2008.

Mayfield Senior School won its second consecutive CIF-Southern Section Division III-A volleyball title. La Ca ada High School won its first, the CIF-SS Division II-A championship. San Gabriel and Gabrielino advanced to the quarterfinals in the Division III-A tournament.

Some of the best players to grace west San Gabriel Valley volleyball courts have graduated. Mayfield’s Susan Carlson, the Star-News and CIF-SS Division III player of the year, is at Georgia Tech. Cami Martin (La Ca ada) and Sylvie Lehac (San Gabriel) also graduated. But fear not, the cupboard is not bare.

The Cubs return six players who were in regular rotations, and the Spartans also return six. Add in programs with a lot of returnees and seniors, and it very well be an interesting season.

1. La Caada

The core is back, which will make it tough on Rio Hondo League and CIF-SS Division II opponents.

“It’s CIF or bust,” coach Brock Turner said. “That’s the goal. We know how to do it, we just have to practice.”

Because of the Station Fire, the team hasn’t practiced in nearly two weeks.

“There is no pressure,” Turner said. “We’re taking it upon ourselves that we want it. We like the pressure and we know what it takes.”

Outside hitter Courtney McCutchan returns. The senior was the Division II player of the year and will play at Lehigh. Also back for senior years are setter Hayley Woodford, who will go to George Washington, libero Tara Rallis, who will go to Loyola Marymount, and MaryJo Scott.

Eirene Kim and Catherine Horner are back. Freshmen middle blocker Katie Pierce and right side Micaela Anderson are filling huge holes.

“They are the freshmen I had to go,” Turner said. “I have big hopes to go to them.”

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Continue reading “Girls Volleyball: La Caada tops list of hopefuls” »

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

This story originally published Thursday, Sept. 3 on page C1 in the Star-News sports section

New high school football coaches anticipate a challenging season. After all, change can be difficult.

Whether it comes at a program with an established identity like Temple City or La Caada high schools or at Pasadena, Duarte and Keppel where there’s seemingly little continuity, these coaches are willing to face the issues head on.

Anthony White’s biggest challenge coming to Temple City was taking over a program that is used to running things a certain way.

For more than a decade, Randy Backus was the steady hand at the helm. He served two seasons as head coach, but also had great influence as one of former head coach Mike Mooney’s top assistants.

Backus was relieved of his duties late last season just as the Rams were beginning their improbable run to the semifinals of the Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

It took longer than expected, but the Temple City Unified School District gambled on the baby-faced White, who at 27 became one of the youngest head football coaches in recent history.

It didn’t take long before White realized he needed to surround himself by a veteran coaching staff to help maintain the Rams’ rich tradition, even if it meant altering Temple City’s smash-mouth trademark style.

He spent the summer and fall practices turning parents into believers of the spread offense formation he installed. It’s now a wait-and-see approach as the Rams open the season next week (Sept. 11) against Arroyo.

White concedes there is some pressure to perform, but added he’s confident with his abilities and grateful for the support of his administration and veteran coaching staff.

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Is it a coincidence that almost every WSGV team lost last week? We knew someone was going to win the Arcadia-Monrovia duel, Rio Hondo Prep and La Salle also won, but everyone else looked rusty. But I guess that was to be expected, and like some of you smart football junkies have stated: Last week is not indicative of how good area teams really are. It was noted: Arcadia battled and if not for red zone turnovers the Apaches probably make it a lot closer than it looked. Same with San Gabriel, Alhambra, Maranatha and Muir, all of whom made a valiant effort in the second half. Still, a loss is a loss and though some teams (Muir, Alhambra, San Gabriel, Maranatha) dropped a few spots none dropped out of the poll completely. Not sure how folks at Monrovia will handle its new ranking, but who can argue they don’t belong there right now? I think if you match Monrovia vs. Muir (throw out injuries and rust from lack of practice) the Wildcats in my eyes would still have the upper hand. This season, Monrovia is much too deep and slightly more talented than the Mustangs. Traditionally, that’s not the case, but we’re talking about this season. It’ll be interesting to see how St. Francis fares this week at Arcadia, and depending on that outcome we’ll either keep Monrovia at No. 1 or make the swap.

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

1. Monrovia (1-0) — Bueno ran the ball last week because that’s what the defense was giving him, and as a result he ran for over 200 yards and two touchdowns on runs of 30- and 55-yards. Monrovia doesn’t need Bueno to run every week, but that’s what makes him special: he can. Still, the Wildcats will wear down defenses with immense depth in the backfield, and a strong secondary and rising defensive line makes Monrovia the team to beat.

2. St. Francis (0-0) — The Knights are deeper than in previous years, but inexperience is the issue. The same could be said of Monrovia’s defensive line, but look at what unfolded last week; the young guns proved their worth, and the same might happen to this talent-loaded team.

3. Muir (0-0) — It won’t get any easier for the Mustangs when they visit Oaks Christian. It’s possible Muir could head into league play with an 0-3 record, but that’s what these games are for, to see where the Mustangs fare against some of the best. Jarron Williams played superb in the second half as did the secondary, but by then it was too late. I don’t think it was first-game jitters from the younger talent. Lack of practice on the field proved to be significant, and once Muir can get its pistons going they’ll be a force to be reckoned with.

4. Temple City (0-0) — The Anthony White era begins against a hyped Arroyo team. I wonder if White sent a scout to the Alhambra-Roosevelt seeing as in White won’t get a chance to scout this week’s Alhambra-LC game, which was canceled. Max Ruckle can’t let the hype get to him. He must play with the same demeanor as he did last year and trust his veteran line will open the same holes.

5. Rosemead (0-0) — People are forgetting the Panthers, folks already crowning Arroyo, but you can’t ever count Matt Koffler out, at least we’re not.

6. Alhambra (0-1) — Crockom was nonexistent in last week’s loss to Roosevelt. He was tripled team, and I find it hard to believe Moors coach Gil Ruedaflores did not anticipate triple coverage. Crockom, who had only two passes thrown to him last week, was double teamed last week, and after a decent season last year, triple-teaming Crockom is the first thing the Moors coaching staff should have anticipated. Nevertheless, Ruedaflores said they learned from last week’s game. “I’m not going to give any Temple City advice,” said Ruedaflores when asked how the Moors will get Crockom more involved. “But no doubt now we know what to do to get him in the action. That was a plus, as far as what (Roosevelt) did; it’s a plus now to anticipate that, and it won’t happen again.”

7. San Gabriel (0-1) — The Matadors were overwhelmed in the second half, and it seemed like Isaac Valdez had an off night with only 119 yards passing. Don’t discount the Matadors. With Valdez leading the offense, San Gabriel is always a threat.

8. Arcadia (0-1) — There’s too much talent in the Apaches roster for them to not to break through. Taylor Legace had first-game jitters from what I could tell, but he settled and was a great target for QB Garrett Tuck. Arcadia’s meltdown in the red zone is a result of inexperience, but it’s clear there are a lot of bright spots, one of them being junior RB David Maldonado. Once Rodney Arnett returns, the Apaches could have the offensive compliment it lacked in last week’s loss to Monrovia.

9. San Marino (0-0) — San Marino isn’t expected to be tested Friday against Gabrielino. It’ll be interesting to see if the Titans’ offense jelled over the last few weeks.

10. Maranatha (0-1) — La Salle almost replaced Maranatha, but I decided to wait until I see how things go when they meet Friday at La Salle. The Lancers will have their hands full when they face safety Josh Jones, who was under the watchful eye of a scout from Arizona. Yup, the Pac-10 school. Jones was impressive with two interceptions and a touchdown.

There’s no school hit harder from the fires and poor air quality than La Caada. The Spartans’ scrimmage last week was canceled and their Week 1 season opener against Alhambra was canceled Friday. La Caada has not practiced since the Station Fire began, meaning they don’t have the mandatory 10-day practices to suit up and play. Alhambra was holding out on canceling completely Friday, waiting until today to see if another team would fill the void and avoid the Moors’ sudden bye week. Alhambra AD Lou Torres said moments ago he will officially cancel Friday’s game after having no luck in finding a replacement. Alhambra coach Gil Ruedaflores will instead scout Temple City vs. Arroyo. The Moors play the Rams in Week 2. Ruedaflores’ assistants will make their presence felt at South Pasadena and Wilson, two schools Alhambra play in the coming weeks. Ruedaflores, who has coached at Alhambra for well over two decades, said the last week or so has been one of the more strangest. “Let me put it this way,” he asked rhetorically. “How would you like it if you were in a submarine practicing? Being in the gym was like being in a submarine, practicing in 110 heat degree with no air conditioner. You couldn’t do any special teams, no tackling on hardwood floors. It was a nightmare, and it was evident in our game.”

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF FIRDAY’S MUIR-DIAMOND RANCH GAME SHOT BY STAR-NEWS ACE PHOTOGRAPHER KEITH BIRMINGHAM

Wow. You can bet Muir will NOT be the No. 1 team when next week’s poll comes out. It appears we may have overestimated how good the Mustangs were going to be this season. They looked undersized and are definitely thin. Jarron Williams injured his left knee in the second quarter and wasn’t much of a threat on the ground in the second half. He threw for 178 yards on 9 of 11 passing, most of it in the second half. Diamond Ranch was just too much, from Gus Viramontes to Amari Staten, there was nobody who could bring them down. Viramontes completed 11 of 17 passes for 254 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for a TD. Staten rushed for 155 yards on 15 carries, including a 23-yard score with 4:14 left in the first quarter. Elisha Henley caught six passes for 150 yards. Viramontes’ 8-yard run capped a 9- play, 76-yard drive to put the Panthers ahead for good, 35-20. But it was how Viramontes finished that drive that left Muir coaches frustrated. On second and six with the ball at the 9- yard line, Viramontes rolled out and powered his way through for the score. But a holding call on Diamond Ranch negated that score and pushed the ball back to the 16. On the next play, the Panthers’ attempt for the end zone failed, but the drive was kept alive after Muir was called for pass interference. Viramontes gave it another try, this time rolling out again and straight into the end zone. It was a sloppy game for both teams. Muir was penalized 13 times while Diamond Ranch had 11. But you have to give props to Muir coach Ken Howard for how he handled the loss and what he said after the game. “I’m not going to make excuses. We came out to play football and so did Diamond Ranch, but they played better than we did. As far as the rest goes, we played in the gym all week, but no excuses, though.”

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I want to invite my boys The Stang Fan and Goldenarm to make weekly predictions with me. Keith Lair has too much on his plate these days to make predictions. Stang Fan, Goldenarm and myself will go head-to-head every week until the end of the playoffs. We’ll think of a bet and pay out at the end of the season. Let me know if you guys are interested. So far, I’m 2-0 after picking Monrovia and La Puente to win Thursday night. By the way, I was torn having to choose between Monrovia/Arcadia and Muir/Diamond Ranch, but with the poor air quality and Monrovia/Arcadia moving to Thursday I got to see them and get to see cover Muir/Diamond Ranch tonight. I’m one lucky punk.

For the fourth straight season, quarter-by-quarter updates are available on our scoreboard page by clicking here.

FRIDAY’S SCORES

Diamond Ranch 35, Muir 20
La Salle 24, Village Christian 21
Westchester 13, Pasadena 0
Cathedral 26, San Gabriel 10
Roosevelt 34, Alhambra 20
Blair 66, Margaret’s 0
Cajon 55, Duarte 0
Pasadena Poly 42, Rock Academy 6
Rio Hondo Prep XX, Mission Prep XX