April 2010 Archives

Above: Burbank coach Bob Hart and his staff and Arcadia coach Nick Lemas discuss whether to continue playing because of rain ...

BURBANK -- It took me longer getting to and from Burbank than the game itself, though I gotta give the umps some credit for at least making it worth my while. The game went on despite persistent rain. It lasted only one inning with Burbank's McCauley Taylor throwing 15 pitches and Arcadia's KJ Edson throwing 11. The game was delayed for 15 minutes, but really that turned into 43 minutes, but not before the umpires decided to let Taylor warm up, then delay the game another 10 minutes before finally putting an end to the circus. The Burbank supporters clearly weren't happy that the game went on at all, what with Taylor having little grip on the baseball -- he walked the first batter on four pitches. The game might be rescheduled for Thursday at Burbank, but rain is in the forecast the next three days. "I'd rather get it played this week," Arcadia coach Nick Lemas said. If the game is not played Thursday, it's likely they'll then meet Monday. "I don't see how we can't get it played now," Lemas added. "It looks like it's slowing down." Not five minutes passed when it started raining hard again, and I think that was the problem to begin with, the rain was inconsistent; it sprinkled, it poured, it stopped, then it came down hard again. This wasn't the only game to be postponed because of rain. Just across campus, the Burbank-Arcadia softball game also was called. Pasadena's home game against Crescenta Valley was called hours before its 3:30 start. The Duarte-Azusa softball game was postponed, too, and I understand that some practices didn't happen either. We're supposed to see rain Wednesday, and what this will do to the Rio Hondo Leauge baseball showdown between Temple City and Monrovia still is unclear. And, yes, I hate the rain.

Below: With Pasadena's game called before it even started, Bulldogs coach Mike Parisi made the drive to watch, err, wait and see if this game had a chance.

As Aram Tolegian confirmed, Mike Mooney is back and takes the reigns at San Marino High after D.R. Moreland decided to step down to further his education. Mooney's no stranger to the West, so I ask you this: Does this make Mooney the biggest name in the West San Gabriel Valley?

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer

San Marino High School announced assistant principal Mike Mooney as its new football coach on Monday, ending weeks of speculation that Mooney would replace D.R. Moreland, who resigned in late March to further his education.

San Marino gave Mooney his first head coaching position in 1996. Mooney left San Marino after the 1998 season to become head coach at his alma mater Temple City where he guided the Rams to four Rio Hondo League titles during a successful eight-year run.

Mooney was back at San Marino for the 2007 school year after accepting his current assistant principal position. He served as offensive coordinator for Moreland for the past two seasons.

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In the winter we profiled James Magaña in a story that published in the Star-News. He's a Monrovia wrestler who's inspired many through his story. Magaña is blind, but he hasn't let it deter him, and in fact, he's an integral part of the Wildcats' team. Magaña was featured on Fox Sports' High School Spotlight and most recently was honored the Cullen Fitzgibbons Award for being the most inspirational wrestler in the state. MaxPreps currently features Magaña on its front page.

This is how Arcadia ended its season last year. Will it end like this again? The road won't be easy ...

Pasadena and Arcadia can't look too far ahead to their highly anticipated game Friday night at Arcadia High. Arcadia (13-3, 5-0) visits Burbank (9-8, 2-2) in the first of two meetings while Crescenta Valley (11-5, 3-2) visits Pasadena (10-7, 4-1). Both games are slated for 3:30 p.m. It was just last season when the Bulldogs considered finishing in the top-4 as a successful season. Things have considerably changed under second-year coach Mike Parisi. Pasadena very well could vie for the league championship, and his players know it. "If we want to contend for a league title we're going to have to step up against two of the best teams in the Pacific League," Parisi said. "I know we're going to be prepared." The Bulldogs are not deterred by the fact they're coming off an 0-4 performance in the Northview Tournament and that their last league contest -- a 17-1 win over Muir -- was 11 days ago. "We learned a lot from that Northview Tournament," Parisi said. "When we got to play the East San Gabriel Valley teams I found out what players can handle pressure situations and what players can't. This upcoming schedule doesn't favor us by any means." Arcadia's upcoming schedule may also be a bump on the road. The Apaches, who have played 13 of their 16 games this season at home, play six of their last eight games remaining on the road. Arcadia is 2-1 on the road with wins over Temple City (6-1) and Hoover (10-2) and a loss to Alhambra (5-4).

NOTE: COMMENTS ARE NOW CLOSED ON THIS THREAD.

ARCADIA -- Jonathan Larson connected on a 1-2 pitch for a two-run triple, giving Garrett Tuck all the runs he would need to lead the Apaches to a solid 3-1 Pacific League victory Friday night in front of a standing-room only crowd at Arcadia High.

Tuck pitched six innings, stuck out seven and allowed one unearned run on four hits, and it was his sacrifice fly in the third inning that gave Arcadia (13-3, 5-0) a 1-0 lead.

"He was waiting for this," Arcadia coach Nick Lemas said. "There was a different look in his eye. He came focused and hit his spots."

KJ Edson picked up his first save of the season when he struck out the first batter he faced. He struck out the third batter and got the last out on a grounder. Tuck didn't have to search far for motivation.

"They beat us in football and they beat us in basketball," he said. "We just said wait until baseball, and we were able to do that tonight."

It seemed as if the Apaches would cruise to the victory and Tuck would record the shutout, but Crescenta Valley (11-5, 3-2) wouldn't go down without a fight in the seventh.

The Falcons loaded the bases after Kyle Pomeroy got to third after two consecutive Arcadia errors. Tyler Pollak reached first base after a strikeout, wild pitch and Edward Lee singled to center to represent the tying run.

"I knew if I got in trouble they'd get my back," Tuck said. "Jon's been hitting real well and that hit was big, and KJ did his thing."

Edson showed he was in midseason form after getting Crescenta Valley's Cole Currie to strikeout to record the first out. Elliott Surrey reached first on another Apache error, allowing Pomeroy to score the Falcons' lone run.

BOX SCORE
Arcadia 3, Crescenta Valley 1

Crescenta Valley 000 000 1 - 1 4 3
Arcadia 001 002 X - 4 8 4

Troy Mulcahey and Troy Prasertsit; Garrett Tuck, KJ Edson (7) and Chris Lucas.

3B: Jonathan Larson (A). 2B: Kyle Pomeroy (CV). SO: Mulcahey (CV) 13; Tuck (Arc) 7. W: Tuck (4-2). L: Mulcahey (2-2). Sv: Edson (1)

Records: Crescenta Valley 11-5, 3-2; Arcadia 13-3, 5-0

Just a little taste from the Star-News dominating last year's Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic...

BOYS AND GIRLS BASKETBALL ALL-STAR GAME
SEVENTH ANNUAL TRIBUNE/STAR-NEWS ALL-STAR CLASSIC

Saturday, April 24, Damien High School
Girls game: 4 p.m.
Boys game: 6 p.m.

SERIES RECORD
Boys: Star-News leads series, 5-1
Girls: Star-News leads series, 4-2

NOTE: The boys basketball team practices next Wednesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Pasadena High while the girls team practices Tuesday and Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at Muir High. Nearly every player has been contacted and is participating, but a couple on each side have been difficult to reach. If you see your name and have not been contacted, you can email me at miguel.melendez@sgvn.com. Thanks!

STAR-NEWS BOYS SQUAD
Coach Tim Tucker, Pasadena

Matt Nolan, La Salle
Josh Anderson, La Salle
George Toyama, Pasadena
Chris Bridges, Pasadena
Tyler Barber, Pasadena
Timmy Wong, Keppel
Sam Thim, Keppel
Jeff Grigg, La Canada
Omar Rady, La Canada
Tommy Jordan, St. Francis
Kevin Kohler, South Pasadena
Adream Hayes, Muir
Gil Tacita, Rennaisance Academy
Edmund Chow, Flintridge Prep
Zach Aquino, Temple City

STAR-NEWS GIRLS SQUAD
Coach Gary Johnson, Muir

Taylor Gomez, Muir
Daysha Thomas, Muir
Jermani Daniels, Muir
Courtney McCutchan, La Canada
Tia Chen, La Canada
Shannon Denney, La Canada
Vera Machado, Alhambra
Benny Sierra, Alhambra
Amanda Hua, Alhambra
Catherine Ngai, Arcadia
Megan Musashi, Flintridge Prep
Kimi Takaoka, La Salle
Evelyn Ramirez, Rosemead
Julia Brown, Pasadena Poly
Sarah Johnson, Monrovia

Courtesy of jessiefund.com

WHAT: H-O-R-S-E for Hope, a fundraiser to benefit the Mastan family.
WHEN: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
WHERE: Maranatha High (169 S. Saint John, Pasadena, CA)

What started out as a simple game of H-O-R-S-E to benefit Jessie Mastan's family evolved into something much bigger.

Mastan, a Maranatha High School freshman who was part of the program's swim team, passed away March 22 after a series of complications stemming from when she was diagnosed at the age of 12 with Ewing's Sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer.

In her honor, Maranatha will host H-O-R-S-E for Hope, a fundraiser to help Mastan's family pay for medical expenses not covered by insurance, 11 a.m. to 3p.m. Saturday.

The event features a 96-player bracket with the winner earning $300 worth of gift certificates. The entry fee is $25, and those who donate an additional $25 will receive a free letter in every H-O-R-S-E game. There also will be a barbecue, bake sale and raffle, with all proceeds going to the Mastan family. Those wishing to take part in the tournament can contact Kevin Coats at 818-402-1653 or e-mail him at kevin.coats@aggreko.com.

Mastan's older brother, Josh, is a senior who was part of Maranatha's CIF-Southern Section Division IV championship-winning team from last year. He and his parents, Dave and Cathleen, are expected to attend.

Jessie, who grew up playing soccer and running track, underwent 11 rounds of chemotherapy and a stem-cell transplant when she was diagnosed. Jessie later had her left pelvic bone removed.

"Doctors told her she was never going to walk again because nobody ever had after that," said Jessie's uncle, James Mastan.

Six months later, Mastan started walking again.

"Based on that," James added, "they told the family they were never going to tell a child they would never walk again."

Jessie seemingly beat cancer and went into remission last year. She became a symbol of hope, and fittingly was one of two kids featured on the City of Hope's float in this year's Rose Parade. It wasn't long before the cancer resurfaced and Mastan again underwent chemo.

At the beginning of March, Jessie experienced headaches. She was taken to the hospital where she was kept overnight, and because of a compromising immune system, an extremely rare form of mold grew in her lungs. It traveled through her blood streams, causing headaches and later a massive stroke to the brain. She underwent brain surgery, fell into a coma and never fully recovered. She had some periods of consciousness, and at one point squeezed her father's hand and communicated by blinking. She was taken off life support after nearly two weeks.

Mastan, who had a charitable fund set up in her name at www.jessiefund.com, was very well liked by teammates and classmates alike. Her uncle James said she had "probably in the neighborhood of 1,500 to 2,000 people attend her service."

miguel.melendez@sgvn.com

La Salle senior Allie Forillo is on pace to break Kathleen Salvo's career strikeout record of 566. Salvo pitched for La Salle from 2001-2004. Forillo is currently sitting on 563 strikeouts. She pitches today against Mary Star at LDS at 3:15 p.m.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF WEDNESDAY'S LA CANADA-SAN MARINO GAME

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

SAN MARINO - It wasn't exactly déjà vu, but it sure came close.

Just like it did nearly a month ago in the first meeting, the La Canada High School softball team capitalized on San Marino errors, and again it was Lauren O'Leary and Anna Edwards leading the way, helping the Spartans to a 2-0 Rio Hondo League victory Wednesday afternoon.

O'Leary, a junior, flirted with a perfect game before ending with a stellar two-hit performance in which she struck out 15.

Edwards, also a junior, hit her fifth home run of the season in the sixth to give La Canada (13-2, 4-1) a cushion, but it was her speed on the bases in the first that paved the way for the win.

Edwards, the leadoff batter, hit a fly to center, and it appeared San Marino (10-5, 3-2) was in for a routine out. Instead, the ball dropped, allowing Edwards to safely reach second base. She stole third during the next at-bat, and a check throw to third was mishandled, allowing Edwards to score the winning run.

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM TUESDAY'S PREP-POLY GAME

Runs haven't seem hard to come by these days for Pasadena Poly. Matt Saeta's three-run home run in the first got it started and Hunter Merryman went 2 for 3 with four RBIs to lead the Panthers to an 11-1 Prep League mercy-win over Flintridge Prep on Tuesday afternoon at Pasadena Poly. Poly's Jordan Kutzer struck out five in four innings pitched to pick up his fourth win of the season. Charlie Baxter and Brian Holman pitched two scoreless innings. The battery allowed only one run on two hits. Pasadena Poly (9-2, 4-0) visits Flintridge Prep (6-6, 3-1) on Friday. The Rebels scored their lone run in the second when Will Peterman connected on a 1-2 pitch and hit a home run over the right field wall. This is the second time in five days I've seen Poly in action. I gotta say, they're probably the most underrated team in the valley. Poly played Arcadia tough and led 1-0 heading into the fourth, but a miscue in the outfield opened the gates and the Apaches won, 9-1. The Panthers lost only 3-0 to Monrovia, beat San Marino, 7-4, and beat La Canada, 6-5. Poly and Maranatha go at it later this month under the lights at Jackie Robinson Stadium.

STAR-NEWS BASEBALL RANKINGS

1. Monrovia (12-1)
2. Alhambra (14-3)
3. Arcadia (12-3)
4. Temple City (8-6-1)
5. Pasadena Poly (8-2)
6. Maranatha (9-8)
7. St. Francis (9-6)
8. Pasadena (9-7)
9. San Marino (8-7)
10. La Salle (6-8)

STAR-NEWS SOFTBALL RANKINGS

1. La Cañada (12-2)
2. San Marino (10-4)
3. Monrovia (9-3)
4. La Salle (9-3)
5. Mayfield (7-3)
6. Maranatha (9-10)
7. San Gabriel Mission (10-1)
8. San Gabriel (8-7)
9. Ramona Convent (8-2)
10. Temple City (8-9)

It was an improbable comeback, one that Gabrielino High School assistant baseball coach Artie Casas called "the most amazing comeback I've ever been a part of."

Gabrielino (7-8, 3-2), in the semifinals of the AA Division in the St. Paul Easter Tournament last Wednesday, trailed St. Anthony 12-1 after the first inning. The Eagles scored nine runs in the fourth, added four in the 11th and won, 21-17. Gabrielino lost in the finals, 8-1, to Glenn, but the Eagles hope the comeback fuels their momentum as they resume Mission Valley League play Wednesday at home against South El Monte.

Casas said two of the 12 runs in the first were earned, the rest coming on miscues.

"Like most young teams we were kicking the ball around the infield," Casas said. "Then all the elements came together - pitching, defense and hitting."

Sophomore Angel Acosta pitched seven scoreless innings in relief, struck out 14, and went 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs. Keith Clapp was 4 for 7 with two home runs and four RBIs. It's the first time in school history anyone has had a multi-homer game.

Acosta came in the fourth with bases loaded and one out. He gave up two unearned runs. His three-run double in the 11th fueled the Eagles' win. Clapp's second home run came on a 1-2 count. He also had a two-run double to right center.

"This is the team that was going to take a little bit longer to develop because they're so young," Casas explained. "We're so filled with sophomores. I want to say 70 percent of the team are sophomores; a couple seniors and two juniors, but the majority of sophomores play. It was going to take a little bit for the new sophomores to get used to the varsity level, because it's a big jump from freshman ball to varsity."

The game started at 3:15 p.m. and ended just before 7 p.m.

"Believe it or not, those 15 minutes made all the difference," Casas said. "Because that's the difference between finishing the game and the sun coming down on us."

By Jim McConnell, Staff Writer

In sports, timing is everything. Proper timing is vital to the athlete and to the event. What is meaningful today may lose much of its meaning in a week, or a month or a year. Which brings us to Jim Brownfield. Up until about a year ago, Brownfield was a frequent contributor to this column. Since then, he has encountered serious health problems. Many of the athletes he coached would like to see some sort of lasting tribute to Jim. This columnist concurs. However, it isn't that easy.

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Note: The participants will be notified this week and we will announce the rosters in Friday's Newspaper and blog. Baldwin Park coach Marc Hart will coach the boys team and Diamond Ranch coach Mike James will coach the boys. The Star-News coaches are Pasadena High boys coach Tim Tucker and Muir girls coach Gary Johnson.

Boys and Girls Basketball All-Star Game
Seventh Annual Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic
Saturday, April 24, Damien High School
SERIES RECORD
Boys: Star-News leads series, 5-1
Girls: Star-News leads series, 4-2

Above: Arcadia's KJ Edson doing his thing against Glendora in the Apache Invitational final last week.

Spring break is over for most schools, except Monrovia, who resumes Rio Hondo League action next week after a 21-day absence. We have some big games this week starting Tuesday when Flintridge Prep (6-5, 3-0) visits Pasadena Poly (8-2, 3-0) in a Prep League baseball showdown. I had a chance to see the Panthers on Thursday at La Puente, and I gotta say I came away very impressed, particularly with pitcher Jordan Kutzer. He struck out six, allowed two runs on six hits in six innings pitched and went 4 for 4 at the plate to lead Poly to a convincing 14-2 win. On Wednesday, La Cañada (12-2, 3-1) visits San Marino (10-4, 3-1) in a Rio Hondo League softball rematch. I didn't get a chance to catch the first meeting, which the Spartans won 1-0. San Marino pitcher Michelle Floyd struck out 11 but allowed the winning run in the first inning. Anna Edwards did the honors. Lauren O'Leary and Lauren Cox combined for the no-hitter and 10 K's. Also on Wednesday, Mayfield visits South Pasadena in an intriguing nonleague softball game. Thursday, San Gabriel visits Alhambra in softball, and our week culminates with all-day baseball on Friday. First, you can catch Temple City (8-6-1, 4-1) at San Marino (8-7, 3-2) in Rio Hondo League baseball. I'll be there to watch the action as a fan. I say as a fan because I'll be covering the Pacific League under the lights when Crescenta Valley (9-3, 3-0) visits Arcadia (11-3, 4-0) at 7 p.m. It's time to bring out that grill and make those tasty cheeseburgers at Arcadia High. If not then it's OK. Sitting next to John Valerio all game long is just as well a treat. .... Also wanted to say thank you to all for reading and posting. This past weekend we broke the 20,000-comment mark in my less than two years here at the Star-News.

Hello everyone, this is Fred J from the East Side of town. If you missed our complete coverage from Saturday's Arcadia Invitational, it's all here for you, including a race-by-race recap from dyestat.com. As far as coverage, Covina's Remontay McClain highlighted the day events, and the night events were spectacular as always, with Arcadia's Catrina McAlister stealing the show.

Above: Arcadia's Catrina McAlister.

As we continue with track throughout the season, a wonderful new track site for San Gabriel Valley High Schools has been created. Coaches and athletes of the SGV are encouraged to click here, sign-up and register your marks. This is an easy way for the Valley and your local newspapers to follow Valley leaders on a weekly basis, which I also will continue to post for you by clicking on this thread.

The next big high school track events is this weekends Mt. SAC Invitational, click here for all the info.

For The Valley's best times, click the thread

Above: San Dimas' Katherine Salcedo's at Saturday's Arcadia Invite

CLICK HERE TO VISIT THE OFFICIAL SITE OF THE ARCADIA INVITATIONAL

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

ARCADIA -- It is the Internet explosion.

Just a few years ago, the Arcadia Invitational track and field meet had just more than 2,000 athletes competing on one Saturday. When the 43rd annual meet began on Thursday at Arcadia High School, with the pentathlon and heptathlon, 3,800 athletes are expected to gather for the three-day event.

"We can't get any bigger," meet director Rich Gonzalez said. "We went to two days a couple of years ago. We can't go any more days. We just don't have the staff to do all the work."

This year's event will draw 10 percent more athletes than last year's invitational, making it the largest in its history. More than 4,000 entrants were turned down, Gonzalez said.

"Coaches are calling and e-mailing me all the time trying to get their kids in the meet, even if it is as an alternate," he said. "It does not matter that we are way past the entry deadline."

The highlight of the meet will be Saturday's invitational. The top high school athletes from 27 states and from Canada will be competing. Typically, more than 20 national leaders compete at Arcadia.

The Rising Stars field events and the Burnin' Batons relay races will be today, starting at 4:30 p.m. The winner of the 12 field event competitions will advance to Saturday's Open meet. There will be 31 relay races, from sprints to hurdles to medleys to distances.

On Saturday, the meet begins at 9:30 a.m. with the Open session, featuring 12 field and 84 running events.

Winners in many of the events will advance to the night invitational. Invitational field events are scheduled to start at 3:30 p.m. and running events at 5:25 p.m.

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLEY FROM THURSDAY'S GLENDORA-ARCADIA GAME

ARCADIA -- They were exactly where Arcadia High School pitcher K.J. Edson wanted them. They were right where visiting Glendora wanted them, too. The Arcadia side-armed pitcher was inducing Glendora into hitting ground balls. But the grounders went right through the infield, just out of reach of the Apaches, for base hits. The Tartans put together four of those hits in the first inning and scored four runs en route to a 10-2 victory in the Apache Invitational championship game Thursday night. "The first inning worked well for us and we added to it," Glendora coach Dan Henley said. "It was nice to get that early lead." Jacob Smigelski made sure the 4-0 first inning lead stood up, and he made major contributions in expanding that lead, hitting a pair of doubles and scoring each time. Glendora won its 10th consecutive game and scored its biggest win since defeating Ayala, 10-2, in a Sierra League game last week. The Tartans went 3-0-1 in the tournament, tying Temple City, 2-2.

Above: Matt Nolan led La Salle to its first Camino Real League title in three years, and second straight quarterfinals appearance in the CIF-Southern Section Division 4A playoffs. For his efforts is the Star-News Player of the Year.

2010 STAR-NEWS ALL-AREA BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM

Player of the Year: Matt Nolan, La Salle, Center, Sr.
Coach of the Year: Tim Tucker, Pasadena

FIRST TEAM
Forward: Daniel Wohl, Pasadena Poly, Jr.
Forward: Todd Lewis Jr., Pasadena, Jr.
Guard: George Toyama, Pasadena, Sr.
Guard: Timmy Wong, Keppel, Sr.
Guard: Deshawn Hayes, Muir, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
Forward: Hunter Merryman, Pasadena Poly, Jr.
Guard: Mike McGlashan, La Cañada, Jr.
Guard: Chris Bridges, Pasadena, Sr.
Guard: Tommy Jordan, St. Francis, Sr.
Center: Kenyatta Smith, Flintridge Prep, Jr.

THIRD TEAM
Forward: Sam Thim, Keppel, Sr.
Forward: Josh Chamberlain, Maranatha, Jr.
Guard: Gil Tacita, Rennaisance Academy, Sr.
Guard: Kevin Kohler, South Pasadena, Sr.
Guard: Kiran Koneru, Arcadia, Jr.

CLICK ON THREAD TO SEE THE FIRST-TEAM AND PLAYER, COACH OF THE YEAR STORIES

Above: Pasadena Poly guard/forward Michelle Miller led the state in scoring with 31.2 points per game as the Panthers won the Prep League title.

2010 STAR-NEWS ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
Player of the Year: Michelle Miller, Pasadena Poly, Sophomore, Guard/Forward
Coach of the Year: Gary Johnson, Muir

FIRST TEAM
Forward: Courtney McCutchan, La Cañada, Sr.
Forward/Guard: Vera Machado, Alhambra, Sr.
Forward/Center: Megan Musashi, Flintridge Prep, Sr.
Guard: Tia Chen, La Cañada, Sr.
Guard: Taylor Gomez, Muir, Sr.

SECOND TEAM
Forward/Guard: Kimi Takaoka, La Salle, Sr.
Forward: Evelyn Ramirez, Rosemead, Sr.
Forward: Daysha Thomas, Muir, Sr.
Guard: Alyson Luck, Keppel, Fr.
Center: Benny Sierra, Alhambra, Sr.

THIRD TEAM
Forward: Shannon Denney, La Cañada, Sr.
Forward: Jermani Daniels, Muir, Sr.
Forward: Tyler Crockom, Pasadena, Jr.
Guard: Mian Dingle, Maranatha, Jr.
Guard: Julia Brown, Pasadena Poly, Sr.

CLICK ON THREAD TO SEE THE FIRST-TEAM AND PLAYER, COACH OF THE YEAR STORIES

STAR-NEWS BASEBALL RANKINGS

1. Alhambra (12-1)
2. Monrovia (12-1)
3. St. Francis (7-5)
4. Arcadia (9-2)
5. Temple City (7-5)
6. Maranatha (6-7)
7. Pasadena (8-6)
8. Pasadena Poly (6-2)
9. La Salle (6-6)
10. San Marino (8-7)

STAR-NEWS SOFTBALL RANKINGS

1. La Cañada (9-2)
2. San Marino (10-4)
3. Monrovia (9-3)
4. La Salle (9-3)
5. Mayfield (7-3)
6. Maranatha (7-7)
7. San Gabriel (8-4)
8. San Gabriel Mission (9-1)
9. Ramona Convent (8-2)
10. Temple City (7-7)

I had a feeling this morning that baseball would be postponed today, and my instincts were right. The Apache Invitational is a no-go today and everything gets pushed back a day. That means you guys can catch the Tiger Woods news conference, Dodgers and Angels Opening Day and the Men's National Championship Game. It also gives us a day to dissect the ramifications from Temple City beating St. Francis. It's clear the Rams are the lone team that will challenge Monrovia in the Rio Hondo League standings, though San Marino's showing it may soon be coming to form. It's also clear Temple City deserves to move up the rankings. What does this mean for St. Francis? Well, it may be time for a changing of the guard, but who? That was the debate last week, and it's a debate again. Regardless, I'm excited to see how Temple City fares against Glendora on Tuesday at 1 p.m. I'll be there, rain or shine. Hopefully just shine, though.

2010 APACHE INVITATIONAL (April 3-8)

Pool A: Arcadia, San Dimas, La Salle, California
Pool B: Temple City, Glendora, St. Francis, University

SATURDAY'S RESULTS
Temple City 4, St. Francis 3
California 9, La Salle 7
Glendora 3, University 0
Arcadia 3, San Dimas 1

TUESDAY'S SCHEDULE
San Dimas vs. La Salle, 10 a.m.
Glendora vs. Temple City, 1 p.m.
St. Francis vs. University, 4 p.m.
Arcadia vs. California, 7 p.m.

WEDNESDAY'S SCHEDULE
University vs. Temple City, 10 a.m.
St. Francis vs. Glendora, 1 p.m.
California vs. San Dimas, 4 p.m.
La Salle vs. Arcadia, 7 p.m.

All games at Arcadia High; championship game Thursday at 7 p.m.

With Opening Day and the Men's National Championship game being played today, we decided to push back the Star-News All-Area basketball teams. The girls team is slated to publish on Wednesday and the all-area package concludes Thursday with the release of the boys team.....

It's time for a little more tournament action. The Apache Invitational begins today, and our Keith Lair will be there to cover the first two games pitting St. Francis vs. Temple City at 10 a.m. and La Salle vs. California at 1 p.m. All games are at Arcadia High. Glendora takes on University High of Irvine at 4 p.m. and the day concludes with Arcadia taking on San Dimas at 7 p.m. Maranatha and San Marino square off at 12 p.m. in a doubleheader. The second game is slated for 3 p.m. and both games are at Jackie Robinson Park.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF FRIDAY'S MONTEBELLO-ALHAMBRA GAME

Greg Saldate pitched four scoreless inning and had a key three-run double in the sixth to lift Alhambra to a 7-6 win over Montebello in an Almont League showdown Friday afternoon. Saldate (4-0) picked up his second victory of the week. He threw 42 pitches, bringing his week's total to 112 in 10 innings. Alhambra's (11-1, 5-0) rally in the sixth started when freshman Chuy Lopez hit a home run to left field. Montebello (8-2, 5-1) pitcher Alex Guerrero got the next two batters out on a pop up and a grounder, but the third out was hard to come by. Juan Morales singled to center as did Luis Solis, who connected on a 3-2 pitch, prompting Montebello coach Ralph Gutierrez to make a pitching change. Jose Matos, however, got off to a rough start, issuing a four-pitch walk to Beltran to load the bases. Enter Saldate. Frankie Wright's two-run double in the first gave the Moors a 3-2 lead. Montebello came right back with three runs in the second on Robert Zamorano's two-run double to make it 4-3. Michael Maldonado hit a single to left to score Zamorano and make it 5-3. Montebello loaded the bases in the seventh after Robert Zamorano singled. Guerrero then doubled, putting runners on the corners before Michael Maldonado drew a walk to load the bases. Alhambra's Vailele Peko, who entered to close the seventh, got the next two batters to pop up. A wild pitch allowed Zamorano to score. Peko picked up the save after getting the next batter to pop up. Fittingly, Saldate made the catch for the final out.