We’re big fans of McCutchan … so is the Patriot League

Got this press release from Lehigh University, which announced today that former La Caada volleyball star Courtney McCutchan was selected Rookie of the Week in the Patriot League.

BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Freshman Courtney McCutchan of the Lehigh volleyball team was named the Patriot League Rookie of the Week on Monday, as announced by the league office.

McCutchan was instrumental in the Mountain Hawks’ three victories over the weekend, posting two double-doubles and 11 or more digs in each of her last three matches at the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational in Pittsburgh, Pa.

“Courtney got off to the start that we expected from her,” Lehigh coach Jenny Maurer said. “She is a solid all-around player and her stats are indicative of that. She helped from the service line, she had key blocks and the double-doubles speak to her offensive and defensive skills as well.”

The La Canada, Calif. native tallied eight kills and 16 digs against St. Francis (Pa.) on Friday as the Mountain Hawks won their first game of the 2010 season. McCutchan followed the performance with a 13-kill, 11-dig outing against Robert Morris and an 11-kill, 12-dig line vs. Radford on Saturday. McCutchan also chipped in with six block assists and six service aces over the weekend as the Brown and White completed the tournament with a 3-1 record.

Lehigh has not opened a season with three wins in the first four matches since the 1995 campaign when the squad started 4-0.

The Mountain Hawks will look to continue their fast start on Friday, September 3 in the Sacred Heart Invitational in Fairfield, Conn. Lehigh opens the tournament against hosts Sacred Heart at 4 p.m., before taking on Jacksonville and Dartmouth the following afternoon.

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Star-Jibber: Who gets the cover in Week 0?

My laptop currently is with our I.T. department, meaning if I don’t get it by the end of today, this could very well be my last entry as I depart for my week-long vacation. In any case, Keith Lair will provide daily reports beginning in Tuesday’s paper. The season begins in two weeks, and with that comes time to make some big time decisions, like which teams we’ll give the cover on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights. It won’t be as hard for Thursday and Saturday, but certainly Fridays are up for grabs. But be careful what game you pick Friday, because whichever one you pick also means that you’ll get yours truly as the reporter. Don’t grow restless next week. Keep visiting and be on the lookout for our PrepXtra Magazine, slated to hit a newsstand near you Sept. 1. I promise you you’ll be blown away.

WEEK 0
Thurs. Sept. 2

Brethren Christian at Pasadena Poly, 3 p.m.
Blair vs. Fulton at Muir, 7 p.m.

Fri. Sept. 3
Bassett at Keppel, 7 p.m.
Roosevelt vs. Alhambra at Moor Field, 7 p.m.
San Gabriel at Muir, 7 p.m.
Cerritos vs. Gabrielino at Gahr, 7 p.m.
Westchester at Pasadena, 7 p.m.

Sat. Sept. 4
Maranatha vs. Big Bear at Big Bear Middle School, 1:30 p.m.
Westview at Bosco Tech, 4 p.m.
La Salle vs. Village Christian at Glendale, 7 p.m.

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Football: There’s a four-man race for QB at San Marino

San Marino football has been spoiled with some very good quarterbacks as of late. First, it was Steven Wright making waves with his consistency, leadership and patience in the pocket. Three years ago, Wright threw for 1,179 yards and seven touchdown passes before his 2008 season was cut short because of injuries. In that injury-marred season, Wright threw for 597 yards and nine touchdowns against only two interceptions. He was poised for a breakout season before a separated shoulder derailed his senior season.

Joe Forgatch stepped in. The rocky start (Forgatch was intercepted in his first two passing attempts) soon after became an easy transition. He threw for 355 yards and six touchdowns in the latter part of the season. As a senior, Forgatch completed nearly 56 percent of his passes (135 of 241) for 1,748 yards and an astonishing 17 touchdowns against only four interceptions. He also led the Titans to a thrilling win over Temple City to finish second int he Rio Hondo League and a dominating 42-20 win over Rosemead in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.

That there’s a four-man race to takeover the heralded Forgatch can be taken in one of two ways: Forgatch left some really big shoes to fill or afforded the opportunity for one of the four in the running to emerge and make a name for himself, just like Wright once did as well as Forgatch.

Here are the candidates:

Chris Faulkenbury, Sr. — The 5-foot-11, 180-pounder was a backup to Forgatch last season. He perhaps of any other candidate has the experience after watching Forgatch in action from the sidelines.

Kody Gerrick, Sr. — Gerrick is a transfer from Arcadia. The 6-foot, 150-pounder is also the nephew of San Marino baseball coach Mack Paciorek.

Garret Glazier, Jr. — The 6-foot-3, 190-pounder has the frame and winning mentality to swoop in and take the spot. He was a proven winner as the JV starting quarterback.

Matt Wofford, So. — He was the place kicker during the Titans’ playoff run last season. But we’re talking quarterback now, and Wofford has the least experience of the four. The 5-foot-9, 150-pounder is only a sophomore, and that could play well for him, given that the Titans will now want to start thinking about grooming the quarterback for the future.

San Marino lost nine starters from last year’s playoff team. The majority of returning starters come from the defensive side, led by Oliver Campbell and Seve Woods. It’s no secret the Titans lost an explosive offense with the graduation of Forgatch and, of course, Mr. All-World, Stevie Yortsos (337 yards rushing, 707 yards receiving, nine interceptions, 14 touchdowns).

But if Titans coach Mike Mooney had his druthers, and could pick one returning starter from any position, Mooney without any hesitation said it would be a quarterback.

“A quarterback is an extension of the offensive coordinator,” Mooney said. “He’s like another coach on the field, coordinating the offense.”

So far, nobody has yet taken ownership of the position, Mooney said. Even then, Mooney said he wants to see how they look with pads on, which came on today. That will be a real gauge of where the QB’s stand, and whether they can weather the pressure that comes with being a quarterback.

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High School football correspondents wanted

We have a few high school football correspondents returning to cover high school football games in the fall, but are looking for more. Those who have covered high school football games before or are studying journalism are ideal. Or, if you have a passion for writing and football, and can spell, that works too. If interested, feel free to email me at miguel.melendez@sgvn.com.

A press pass will be provided that will get you into the game and access to the sideline or the press box (if available). You will be paid a small fee for your time and efforts.

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