March 2011 Archives

The honors just keep rolling in for Muir High School junior Kevon Seymour.

Seymour, not long after he was offered a football scholarship by Florida, received an invitation to take part in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Game in San Antonio on Jan. 7. The game will be broadcast live on NBC.

Muir football coach Ken Howard confirmed Seymour, a first-team Star-News All-Area defensive back, was invited to the game that brings together some of the top high school football players in the nation. Monrovia's Ellis McCarthy was invited to the game earlier this year.

Seymour added Florida to his long list of suitors, which includes Arizona, Colorado, UCLA and Washington, among others. He recorded 47 tackles and seven touchdowns while playing three positions for the Mustangs last season.

LA CAÑADA-FLINTRIDGE - Anna Edwards celebrated her 18th birthday with a bang.

Check that - bang, bang.

The senior shortstop went 4 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs to lift La Cañada (6-3, 3-0) to a 6-0 win over Temple City (8-4, 1-1) in Rio Hondo League play Wednesday.

Fellow senior Lauren O'Leary flirted with a no-hitter through six innings, but her bid fell short for the second time in as many days. O'Leary drew praise from a modest Edwards anyway.

"She's been great," Edwards said. "Without her, there's no La Cañada."

O'Leary struck out four and allowed two hits in the seventh, the first coming on a miscue when nobody covered first and the second on a single to right field. Temple City's Kristin Hudak and Jessica Loicano recorded the hits and put a damper on what otherwise would have been a near-perfect day for the Spartans. That much was accentuated when news came moments after the game ended that senior Kayla McCue had been accepted to Harvard. She already had been accepted to MIT and Caltech, prompting La Cañada coach KC Mathews to jokingly say, "Half the team is smarter than I am, or maybe three quarters of it."

Catherine Horner also homered in the first and Edwards added a two- run home run in the second to pad the lead.

Temple City coach Bob Ellingsworth said the Spartans' surge in confidence played a role in the Rams' demise.

"You have to play with confidence," he said.

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

1. Arcadia (6-2)
Tough schedule coming up

2. La Salle (6-2)
Lancers show depth

3. Temple City (6-2)
Rams score in bunches

4. Alhambra (7-2)
Moors are No. 8 in Division 3

5. Pasadena (7-4)
Tough loss to Burroughs, 3-1

6. Pasadena Poly (5-2-1)
Panthers No. 2 in Division 6

7. Monrovia (5-4-1)
Still the team to beat in RHL

8. South Pasadena (4-4)
League win over San Marino

9. St. Francis (5-4)
Battled Saugus in loss

10. La Cañada (5-6)
On four-game losing streak

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
Compiled by Keith Lair

1. La Cañada (4-3)
Defeated Monrovia, 5-0

2. San Marino (7-3)
Lost pair to City powers

3. Duarte (7-1)
Seven consecutive victories

4. Maranatha (6-2-1)
3-0-1 in past four games

5. Temple City (7-3)
Three consecutive wins

6. Keppel (6-4)
Medina struck out 16

7. Ramona Convent (6-2)
In middle of long break

8. La Salle (7-3)
Three wins last week

9. Monrovia (7-6)
Four-game win streak ends

10. Flint. Sacred Heart (4-6)
Beat Mayfield, 8-6

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

PASADENA -- The heat was on in Tuesday afternoon's Del Rey League baseball game between St. Paul and La Salle high schools.

Which begged the question, who would wilt first?

La Salle No. 9 hitter Henry Smither sent a 2-2 A. J. Gonzalez pitch into shallow center field for a run-scoring single in the fifth inning to give the Lancers a 1-0 victory, ending a nine-game losing streak to the Swordsmen.

"It looked like he was getting a little tired, but when you got up there, he was still bringing it," Smither said of Gonzalez. "He didn't get too many pitches over the plate and I turned on it."

Gonzalez and La Salle pitcher Bowdien Derby put on a masterful duel.

Gonzalez gave up four hits, struck out six, walked one and hit two batters. Derby gave up two hits and struck out six.

The Lancers had three of their four hits in the fifth inning. Smither drove in Chris Williams, who reached base by beating out a slow roller to third baseman Gabe Arrizon. Nick Brown sacrificed him to second, and Williams took third on a wild pitch.

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By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

MONROVIA - It wasn't bizarre baseball.

It was Temple City-Monrovia baseball.

A game that perhaps should be remembered for its magnificent pitching duel that needed 11 innings to complete instead will be remembered for a foul ball that wasn't.

Jairo Jiorge connected on a high chopper off home plate and saw the ball settle on the chalk, giving Nick Bueno just enough time to score from third and give the host Wildcats a dramatic 2-1 Rio Hondo League victory Tuesday afternoon.

"Well, to be honest with you after 29 years it's a Monrovia-Temple City game," a relieved Monrovia co-head coach Dave Moore said. "We knew going in that they have a very good pitching staff and they have arms that we all know about and we know that it's just a matter of scrapping and doing what you can do."

Temple City catcher Jonah Jarrard, on instruction from Rams coach Barry Bacon, jumped out of his catching stance and stood watch, only to see the ball die down on the chalk before it being called fair.

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2011 APACHE INVITATIONAL
Pool A: Arcadia, Monrovia, Nogales, West Covina.
Pool B: Glendora, Temple City, San Dimas, Bonita.
All games on Giambrone Field at Arcadia High

Saturday's games
West Covina vs. Monrovia, 10 a.m.
Bonita vs. Temple City, 1 p.m.
San Dimas vs. Glendora, 4 p.m.
Nogales vs. Arcadia, 7 p.m.

April 4
Glendora vs. Bonita, 10 a.m.
Temple City vs. San Dimas, 1 p.m.
Monrovia vs. Nogales, 4 p.m.
West Covina vs. Arcadia, 7 p.m.

April 5
San Dimas vs. Bonita, 10 a.m.
Glendora vs. Temple City, 1 p.m.
West Covina vs. Nogales, 4 p.m.
Monrovia vs. Arcadia, 7 p.m.

April 6
Pool A No. 4 vs. Pool B No. 4, 10 a.m.
Pool A No. 3 vs. Pool B No. 3, 1 p.m.
Pool A No. 2 vs. Pool B No. 2, 4 p.m.
Pool A No. 1 vs. Pool B No. 1, 7 p.m.

Finals decided by:
1. Best won/lost in pool
2. Head to head
3. Least runs allowed
4. Least hits allowed
5. Coin toss

When Blair decided to play only junior varsity baseball this season, it opened an opportunity for the rest of the Rio Hondo League to schedule to their pleasing.

Monrovia, for example, loaded its schedule with tough nonleague opponents that included out-of-state teams.

Temple City did the same.

"It's giving me a chance to have two out-of-state teams on our schedule," Temple City coach Barry Bacon said. "It allows us to have some variety on my schedule. We're able to challenge ourselves."

Monrovia co-head coach Brad Blackmore echoed that statement.

"With Blair not playing this year, I added a bunch of games and we ran into some quality teams," he said. "Playing that (Crescenta Valley) doubleheader is going to help us down the road. We were very competitive in both those games, and saw a very good left-hander from the team (from Oregon we faced earlier this week)."

Blair athletic director Gary Parks said the decision to play only junior varsity was made at the end of last season.

"We're trying to build the program from the ground up," Parks said. "Next season, they should be going back up to varsity."

There was some confusion as to whether the league now goes from having three guaranteed spots to only two, but CIF-Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons said six-team and five-team leagues are guaranteed three playoff spots. Four-team leagues receive only two automatic bids, while seven-team leagues have four guaranteed spots.

Temple City earlier this week was scheduled to play Highland High of Palmdale in the Varsity First Pitch showcase, featuring 28 high schools for a one-game showcase at Clear Channel Stadium, home of the Single-A Lancaster JetHawks. Poor field conditions stemming from the heavy rain, however, canceled the game.

"Even though it was clear the field would have been under water," Bacon said, "but it would have been awesome to play in a minor-league stadium."

Temple City visits San Marino today, but more rain is expected. If the game is postponed, Bacon said, the game would be rescheduled for after spring break, since the Rams already have a game scheduled for Monday, which normally is when the league makes up its postponed games. Temple City is scheduled to host La Salle of Oregon that day.

"(San Marino coach) Mack (Paciorek) and I have three possible dates we need to discuss," Bacon said.

Blackmore said that if Monrovia's game at La Ca ada today is rained out, the game will be made up Monday, giving the Wildcats three league games next week.

Added Blackmore: "It's going to be a very important week."

Double trouble

Calvin (2-0, 13 strikeouts) and Corey Copping (nine strikeouts) would bolster any pitching staff in the area. Julian Jarrard (2-1, 16 strikeouts) would do the same. The trio combine to lead a Rams pitching staff that has an impressive 1.83 ERA.

Jarrard, like a slew of players in the Temple City lineup, is a jack of all trades. He's not only a stellar pitcher, but he's a quality shortstop and carries a heavy bat at the plate. Jarrard had a double and four RBIs in a 10-4 win over La Ca ada last week in the league opener. His brother Julian is the catcher, and the four have helped Temple City to a 4-2-1 record.

It's their consistency that has Bacon beaming with pride and ready to take the challenge head-on in next month's Apache Invitational, when the Rams take on CIF-SS champion Glendora, CIF-SS runner-up Bonita and San Dimas, which won the Division 4 title two years ago.

Finding the source

Blackmore said facing good pitching in nonleague competition is one reason why Monrovia hasn't played well offensively, but there's more to the problem.

"Some of it is lack of offense," Blackmore said. "I'm not going to sugarcoat that. We start three sophomores and two or three juniors. You get exposed when you're learning at the plate.

"When you face some good pitching, that's the nature of the game."

In its four losses, Monrovia (4-4-1) has totaled only five runs. This week against South Pasadena in the league opener, the Wildcats scored eight runs. The next day, Monrovia was held to one run in a 2-1 loss to Wilson of Oregon.

"We had a great hitting plan on Tuesday and did very well," said Blackmore, referring to Monrovia's game against South Pasadena. "Then we averted back to some of our bad habits at the plate (Wednesday) and it showed. We have some things offensively we're working on, and we'll get there."

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE MARSHALL-KEPPEL GAME

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

ALHAMBRA - Alashanee Medina walked up to the plate in the fourth inning knowing she had been struggling as of late.

Still, the Keppel High School junior is no easy out. She battled and made Marshall pitcher Cierra Newton work for every pitch.

Medina said she wanted to crush the ball, but a walk was just as effective. That much was accentuated when she reached second on a fielder's choice before Vanessa Mendez doubled her home for a key run en route to the Aztecs' 5-0 victory over the Eagles in a nonleague game Thursday.

"I just wanted to get on base and try to score that run as fast as possible," Medina said. "I wanted to crush the ball, but just reaching base was still good because I was able to help my team out."

Medina, the Almont League pitcher of the year as a sophomore, went the distance and struck out 14, allowing just two hits to record her sixth win of the season.

Brianna Becerra had two triples for the Aztecs (6-4), one each in the first and third innings, but it wasn't until the fourth when Keppel saw its efforts pay off. Mendez made it 2-0 after Amanda Martinez singled her in.

"Brianna Becerra crushed the ball and did really well," Medina said. "We're all kind of in a little funk, but today it was great to see that we did pretty good."

Marshall (3-5) squandered a big opportunity in the fifth when it loaded the bases. Newton led off and was hit by a pitch before Ashley Storms reached first on an error. Medina struck out Angelina Rezendez before walking Amy Zeronian. Medina, however, showed why she's the league's most feared pitcher, striking out the next batter to end the threat.

"We know what we're going to get from her in the circle," Keppel coach Bobby Madrid said, "but we have to play defense behind her."

Keppel made it 5-0 in the fifth. Brianna Jimenez reached first on catcher's interference and stole second before an error allowed Becerra to reach first and score Jimenez.

Angelica Pena followed with a bunt single to score Becerra.

Medina's RBI single capped the Aztecs' scoring.

"You can't pitch around her, because you have girls that can hit behind her," Madrid said of Medina. "You pitch to her and she's going to hit the ball hard."

Marshall coach Jason Taylor said the Eagles were stymied by Medina.

"She did a great job mixing up her pitches in the zone," Taylor said. "She started that, really, for them and set the tone early on."

Madrid said he was pleased to see the bats come alive for the Aztecs.

Keppel is expected to be improved in the coming weeks once senior Brittani Hirose completes her transition from basketball.

"Our leader of the pack is Brittani," Madrid said. "Her making the (CIF State) playoffs in basketball took a bit of its toll, but we're trying to get her quick at-bats.

"We haven't put her on leadoff because we want her to see pitches, but we think by league she'll be at the top of the lineup, where she belongs."

There will be a lot of buzz surrounding area high school football next season.

The current junior class already consists of highly touted recruit Ellis McCarthy from Monrovia, who's considered a five-star recruit according to ESPN and has offers from USC, UCLA, Arizona, Cal, Washington and Florida.

The 6-foot-5, 295-pound defensive lineman recently was chosen to play in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl next season. McCarthy, who took part in this year's U.S. Army National Combine in San Antonio, made 69 tackles and a team-high 11 sacks, and led the Wildcats to their first CIF- Southern Section Mid-Valley Division championship. He also was named the Star- News Defensive Player of the Year.

It's looking like two more highly touted recruits will join McCarthy in the recruiting frenzy next season.

Arcadia's Taylor Lagace, who led the Pacific League with four interceptions and caught 42 catches for 650 yards and nine touchdowns, was offered a scholarship to Boise State, according to Arcadia coach Jon Dimalante. Lagace, a Star-News All-Area defensive back, adds the Broncos to a list of hopefuls that already includes Northern Arizona and New Mexico State.

Below: Arcadia's Taylor Lagace picked up Boise State over the weekend.

Dimalante said Lagace, the Pacific League Player of the Year, and his father took an unofficial trip last week and he was offered a scholarship the same day. He added that he's unsure whether Lagace - who just got back from Las Vegas after playing 7-on-7 with teammate and quarterback Myles Carr - will decide before the start of the season.

"I'm not sure," Dimalante said. "It'll be up to him and his family. I think there are going to be a lot more offers around the corner, but Boise State is a great program.

"He was only there for a day, but he really liked the campus, the facilities and the coaches."

Muir wide receiver Karl Holmes signed with Arizona State earlier this month, and Kevon Seymour figures to make a similar jump soon.

The defensive back who earned first-team all-area honors after recording 47 tackles and seven touchdowns while playing three positions was offered a scholarship from Florida, according to Scout.com's Brandon Huffman. Seymour also has offers from Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, New Mexico State, Oregon State, San Jose State, UCLA and Washington.

Below: Muir's Kevon Seymour has plenty of options.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM LA SALLE-BISHOP AMAT GAME

Bishop Amat led 9-4 in the bottom of the seventh when the umpire called the game because of rain. Bishop Amat coach Andy Nieto and La Salle coach Harry Agajanian agreed before the game that if the game was interrupted because of rain they would resume play at the next meeting at La Salle, which is April 15.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE MAYFIELD-FSHA GAME

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

PASADENA - Alex Eaton proved baffling. The junior entered in the third inning for the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy softball team, just in time to stop Mayfield's scoring spree.

Alanna Pires proved clutch. The senior third baseman opened the fourth inning with a triple and scored the Tologs' first run. Her RBI single in the seventh tied the game, and Eaton beat the tag at home to score the winning run that completed a comeback from a six-run deficit for an 8-6 nonleague win at Brookside Park.

Mayfield (3-5) jumped ahead early with two runs in the first and four in the third, led by Katie Clancy's three- run triple in the third that scored Jessica Parada, Lauren Armenta and Mireya Hernandez.

The Cubs appeared to be in control and on their way to an easy victory.

Eaton, however, had other plans. She took over in the circle for MacKenzie Lyng in the third and struck out six, allowing no runs and just four hits.

"I really feel she was an easier pitcher to hit than the first one," Mayfield coach Jennifer Moulden said.

"Somehow she was keeping us off balance. I couldn't tell by her pitches, other than I think our girls put too much pressure on ourselves."

Flintridge Sacred Heart (4-5) coach Kirk Nishiyama called Pires, a first-team All- Mission League selection last season, "the glue" of the team, and for good reason.

Her leadoff triple in the fourth paved the way for four runs to cut the Cubs' lead to 6-4. She capitalized on a throwing error to score while Lauren Torres reached base safely.

Molly Zwart singled in Torres, and Kelly Trueblood's double down the third-base line scored Zwart to make it 6-3. After Alyssa Conti drew a walk and stole second, Trueblood came home on a wild pitch.

"They showed a lot of heart and didn't give up," Nishiyama said.

Zwart led off the sixth with a triple and scored on a fielder's choice to make it 6-5.

Alyssa Conti opened the seventh with a bloop single, and Eaton reached base on a bunt single to start the rally in the seventh.

Kenyatta Smith said he was humbled when word came from Flintridge Prep athletic director Alex Rivera.

Smith, the 6-foot-8, 260-pound center who led the Rebels to a CIF-Southern Section Division 5AA championship, was one of seven athletes selected as a John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year.

Smith led Flintridge Prep to a 24-7 record and a second-round appearance in the CIF State Division V Southern California Regional playoffs after helping the Rebels bring home their lone CIF-SS basketball championship.

Smith averaged 19.8 points and 14.8 rebounds for a Rebels team ranked No.1 in Division 5 all season long. He'll be presented with the award April 8 at the Wooden Award Gala held at the Los Angeles Athletic Club.

This year marks the 35th anniversary of the Wooden Award, and the high school winners will be honored along with the men's and women's Wooden All-America teams and the Legends of Coaching honoree, Michigan State's Tom Izzo. The high school award has grown from recognizing a single player of the year in 1994 to the six divisions of the CIF-Southern Section and the L.A. City Section.

Smith joins a long list of prominent winners that includes Jrue Holiday (Philadelphia 76ers), Tyson Chandler (Dallas Mavericks), Tayshaun Prince (Detroit Pistons) and Baron Davis (Cleveland Cavaliers).

"I was shocked when I heard," Smith said. "I felt really humbled and really blessed. It definitely feels surreal, just realizing the hard work paid off."

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS

1. Arcadia (4-2)
Tough loss to Northview

2. La Salle (6-2)
Bishop Amat big boys in town

3. Temple City (4-2)
Pitching depth showing worth

4. Pasadena (6-3)
Strong showing last week

5. Alhambra (6-2)
On 6-game winning streak

6. Monrovia (3-3-1)
Lost to Cresc. Valley twice

7. South Pasadena (4-3)
League win over San Marino

8. La Cañada (5-4)
Needs more consistency

9. St. Francis (4-3)
Split vs. Notre Dame

10. Maranatha (2-4)
Tough start to season

STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS

1. La Cañada (3-3)
Tough schedule is showing

2. San Marino (7-2)
Battle at La Cañada today

3. Maranatha (5-2)
Minutemen don't skip a beat

4. La Salle (4-5)
Division 3 no walk in the park

5. Duarte (5-1)
Scored 23 runs vs. Mt. View

6. Temple City (7-3)
Three wins last week

7. Monrovia (5-5)
Beat La Salle, 5-2

8. Mayfield (3-4)
Lost to Maranatha 9-5

9. Keppel (4-4)
Still searching for rhythm

10. Marshall (3-4)
Visits Keppel on Thursday

CIF STATE DIVISION III
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
La Verne Lutheran 57, La Cañada 47

FIRST QUARTER

La Cañada's first three possessions: block, block, shot clock violation. Mike McGlashan, of course, scores the Spartans' first bucket on a drive-in layup. Lutheran's CJ Cooper scores the final bucket on a steal and jumper to pull Lutheran within 11-10 heading into the second quarter. La Cañada's finding success with constant movement and finding the open man inside. However, they can't seem to buy a 3-pointer. So far they are 0 for 3. Lutheran is commiting uncharacteristic turnovers to keep the Spartans in the game.

SECOND QUARTER

And a HUGE ovation in the pro-La Cañada crowd here at the Galen Center, where the Spartans take a 25-22 lead at the half after McGlashan's trademark fade-away jumper. Backdoor passes for the Spartans are a thing of beauty. It's what's keeping La Cañada intact. I just wonder if La Cañada would have converted its first 3-pointers in the first quarter, because if it did you know La Verne Lutheran now is forced to defend the perimeter, leaving lanes open for easy buckets. It's how La Cañada plays, and it's how the Spartans shocked Price in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA championship. La Verne Lutheran vowed it wouldn't fall victim to the Spartans' drawn-out offense, but so far the edge goes to La Cañada. Grant Jarrett leads the Trojans with eight points in the first half on 4 of 7 shooting. McGlashan's scored a game-high 12 points on 6 of 9 shooting and fellow senior Matt Faber has 10 points. La Verne Lutheran shot 37.5 percent from the field in the first half to La Cañada's 55 percent. Say no more...

THIRD QUARTER

La Cañada went 1 for 7 in the third quarter until Dario CiVon converted the game's first 3-pointer in the game with 51.2 seconds left. The Spartans played for the last shot and Mason Holle laid in a beauty of a scoop as time expired to pull the Spartans within 34-32.

FOURTH QUARTER

Mason Holle scores opening bucket on a layup with 7:15 left to tie the game at 34-34. Grant Jarrett's tip-in gave the Trojans a 40-34 cushion with 5:26 left in the game, prompting La Cañada coach Tom Hofman to call a timeout. Spartans come out of timeout with yet another backdoor pass, this time to Matt Faber who converts the layup to pull the Spartans within 40-36. On the ensuing possession Jarrett is at it again to keep the lead at 42-36 on a jumper. McGlashan's 8-footer brings the Spartans within 42-38 with 4:12 left in the game. It's his first shot of the entire second half. Jarrett's getting a bunch of tip-in baskets. He gets a 13-foot jumper to fall with 2:32 left to give the Trojans a 46-40 cushion. Eric Cooper hits a clutch 3-pointer with 1:39 left in the game to put the Trojans ahead 49-40 for the game's biggest lead. Mason Holle steals the inbounds pass, dishes it out to McGlashan who hits a 3-pointer with 1:23 left to pull the Spartans within 49-45. La Verne Lutheran turns it over on the ensuing possession, but so did La Cañada before Bruce English converts the layup to give the Trojans a 51-45 lead with 59.6 seconds left. McGlashan misses 3-pointer and is forced to foul Bruce English, who goes to the line with 45 seconds left. English converts the first free throw, misses the second but gets another try after the Spartans are called for a lane violation. With 10.7 seconds left, Hofman empties the bench. The clock finally struck midnight for La Cañada, which got a roaring ovation as the starters headed to the bench.

2011 CIF STATE BOYS DIVISION III
Boys Basketball Southern California Regional Final
Saturday's game at the Galen Center
La Cañada vs. La Verne Lutheran, Noon

"The years that Glendora was great, when they had Tracey Murray, when they had my assistant coach Brandon Lee, when they had all those great players, do you think all those great players lived in Glendora? Where did they come from? They all came from different places." -- La Verne Lutheran coach Eric Cooper.

"I'm proud of the way we do it at La Canada. I'm not taking anything away from anybody else, but I think we've done it right and I'm not saying that they don't. I never look at it as a bad vs. evil type of situation. We're different, and again, it's not because of right or wrong. It's public/private. We get who we get. It's just another opponent. I respect Lutheran and what they've done." -- La Cañada coach Tom Hofman

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer

On one end of the Valley is the La Cañada boys basketball program, led by a coach whom most people from Flintridge to La Verne and beyond have heard of. On the other end of the Valley is La Verne Lutheran's program, led by a coach whose number is on speed dial by several college coaches but whom few people from his school's surrounding area could pick out of a crowd.

The difference between the two programs, their players and the two men who lead them could not be any more pronounced. On Saturday at noon, they'll meet at USC's Galen Center to decide the CIF State Division III Southern California Regional championship.

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE LA SALLE-CHARTER OAK GAME

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer

WEST COVINA - Charter Oak must love the Big League Dreams facilities in West Covina, where the Chargers are hosting their annual high school softball tournament. Not only are the fields enormous and wide open, the slick artificial-surface outfields favor anything in the gaps, which the Chargers took full advantage of Tuesday.

Inside-the-park home runs from Charter Oak's Samantha Valadez, Monique Villasenor, Cassie Andrews and Jayme Chessler led to a 17-4 victory over La Salle, helping the Chargers improve to 6-2 overall and 2-0 in the tournament after a 6-1 win over Covina on Monday.

Valadez had two hits and scored four runs and Andrews finished with three hits and two runs scored. The Chargers belted 16 hits in the four-inning win.

"We're hitting the ball well, all of us," Valadez said. "Just trying to make good contact."

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE DOUBLEHEADER

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

PASADENA - They called it the battle of Sierra Madre Boulevard, and what a battle it was.

Bowdien "Bubba" Derby did his best to keep the La Salle High School baseball team in it in the first game of a nonleague doubleheader against Pasadena. The Lancers lost in eight innings, 5-3, but he came back to pitch a complete game while adding a solo home run to lead La Salle in the second game, 5-1, on Tuesday afternoon.

Derby, a junior standout, was virtually unhittable in the second game. He struck out nine and allowed just two hits and one run. At one point Derby retired nine straight.

"I was pumped today," Derby said. "I wanted to beat them. They're our rivals, literally a mile down the street. I wanted to claim Pasadena today."

Derby tied the first game 3-3 on a home run to right field before Robert Lain and William Yost scored in the eighth to lift Pasadena.

"When he's spotting his pitches, he's one of the best," La Salle coach Harry Agajanian said. "We felt if we could stay inside, they would have a hard time."

"Bubba Derby is a darn good player all around," Pasadena coach Mike Parisi said, "with the bat and on the mound. He's definitely one of the best players in the area. He overmatched us today in the second game."

Pasadena (3-2) squandered golden opportunities in the fifth inning of Game 2, leaving two on base. Jay Cordero drew a leadoff walk and stole second base before Chris Rucker came in to pinch run.

He advanced to third on a passed ball before Brandon Carrillo drew a walk. Derby got ahead on the next two hitters, though, and recorded the final two outs on strikeouts.

Pasadena's lone run came on a solo shot to center by Chris Klein, who jumped on a 1-1 pitch to lead off the sixth. He came on in relief in the sixth and struck out the first two batters.

La Salle's Michael Pedote scored in the first after a leadoff double before Derby's blast to center made it 2-0. Noeh Martinez's single to left scored John Auer in the fourth to make it 3-1, and Pedote and Nick Crow scored in the fifth on a Pasadena error.

Tom Hofman isn't one to exaggerate, much less sugarcoat, so when the La Cañada boys basketball coach says Saturday's home crowd against Inglewood was the loudest in his 25 seasons at the helm, it's because he means it.

"We've had a couple games like that," Hofman said, "but nothing that noisy. When we played Compton Centennial in 2007 we had a great crowd, but I don't think we had a crowd as enthusiastic as that. The crowd was a tremendous home-court advantage."

It's that kind of edge, Hofman said, that's fueled the Spartans in the final minutes of games throughout their postseason run, which now finds them in Saturday's CIF State Division III Southern California Regional title game against La Verne Lutheran at USC's Galen Center.

La Cañada (30-3) earned a first-round bye in the state playoffs after doing what many considered impossible: beating powerhouse Price of Los Angeles to win the school's second CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA championship.

The impressive feat - one that required patience and precision - turned the Spartans into the must-see team of the regional playoffs. That much was accentuated by the fact La Canada saw long lines circle the school gym an hour before tipoff against Crespi in the second round. An L.A. County Sheriff's deputy helped control the crowd.

In that game, the Spartans withstood the Celts' frantic effort that ended with a last- second shot that didn't hit the rim, prompting the student section to rush the court. After the court finally cleared, Hofman and a game official, from the L.A. City Section, chatted.

"He said it was the best home court he'd ever seen," Hofman said. "And they've been tremendous. They've been the sixth man, without a doubt, during the playoff period.

"When you have a crowd like that and close games like that, it definitely is a factor into boosting energy."

La Cañada broke from tradition against Inglewood in holding strong to its lead, converting all seven field-goal attempts in the fourth quarter.

Still, the La Cañada crowd rushed the court in what was the final home game for the team's 14 seniors.

Still making strides

This late in the season, teams will usually have hit a peak, but not La Cañada.

Hofman feels the Spartans are getting better, and added that fatigue won't be an issue, what with a chance to play for a state title on the horizon.

"They're very focused," Hofman said. "The key is they're starting to play together."

That wasn't always the case. La Cañada had just completed its first half of the Rio Hondo League season and Hofman felt that the Spartans were playing inconsistent basketball since the start of the season, and that players were self-involved.

"We talked about the finality of the season, that if we don't start playing together, the season was going to end real soon," Hofman said.

"We were a little too individual, everybody trying to be all-league players instead of looking out for the best interest of the team. They took it to heart, and from that point on we turned it around."

In the CIF-Southern Section playoffs, the Spartans beat Bishop Montgomery in double overtime, squeezed out a one-point win over Palm Springs, and forced Price into playing a relaxed tempo that clearly didn't benefit a run-and-gun offense that featured three Division I-bound athletes.

Added Hofman: "I don't think I've had a team play this many games and continually get better."

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE SOCAL REGIONAL SEMIFINALS

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

LA CAÑADA FLINTRIDGE - Mike McGlashan drove to the hoop. Instead of continuing to the basket on his way up, he stopped and took a fadeaway shot that banked in.
The next time down the court, the La Cañada High School senior drove and took a scoop shot. It went in.

Those two baskets put the Spartans in front for the final time as they defeated visiting Inglewood 60-50 to advance to the CIF State boys basketball Southern California Regional final for the first time.

The Spartans, the top seed in Division III and the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA champion, will play La Verne Lutheran for the title next Saturday at USC's Galen Center.

"After a season like this, how can it not fall?" McGlashan said of those shots. "Everything was falling. I just knew I had to get to the basket."

The baskets ended a tight, well-executed game that featured 11 lead changes. McGlashan scored all six of his 20 points in a key fourth-quarter run.

La Cañada trailed 46-45 when he drove to the basket and banked in a 4-footer to tie the score with 4:24 to play.

He then made a fadeaway jumper for a 49-47 lead, Jamie Harper missed from 21 feet and McGlashan made the scoop shot.

"I didn't expect them to go in and each one went in," Matt Faber said. "It was, `Thank you, Mikey.' "

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE SOCAL REGIONAL FINAL

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

DOWNEY - Alexandra Courtnall inherited her speed from her father Russ, who played in the NHL for 15 years, including his final two with the Kings. His daughter used her speed to lead Oaks Christian past top-seeded Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy 3-1 in Saturday's CIF State Division III Southern California Regional soccer championship at Warren High.

Courtnall first sprinted by Tologs defender Natalie Zeenni to score three minutes into the game, and then got past defender Alexa Montgomery for a goal 15 minutes later to lead the Lions to victory in the region's lone girls game featuring CIF-Southern Section teams.

"I did not know she was that good," Zeenni said. "We were completely caught off-guard, which explains the first goal. It is definitely our fault. She is an amazing player."

Courtnall, who'll play at UCLA next year and is a member of the Canadian national junior team, took a long diagonal pass from Mandi Duncan three minutes into the game. Zeenni tried grabbing her jersey to slow her down, and Courtnall beat her to the ball for a relatively easy goal.

"I was completely shocked," Courtnall said. "I did not think we were going to go up that quickly in the game. I heard they were an amazing team, and we were prepared for anything."

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THURSDAY'S CRESPI-LA CANADA GAME

CIF STATE
SOCAL REGIONAL
SECOND ROUND
BOYS BASKETBALL
DIVISION 3
La Cañada 43, Crespi 42
DIVISION 5
St. Bernard 68, Flintridge Prep 54

GIRLS BASKETBALL
DIVISION 5
Central Valley Christian 67, Pasadena Poly 52

GIRLS SOCCER
DIVISION 3
Flintridge Sacred Heart 3, St. Margaret's 0

ELKS TOURNAMENT
CHAMPIONSHIP
Arcadia (2-1) at San Dimas (3-0), 6:45 p.m.

The game seemingly in hand, Arcadia baseball coach Nick Lemas made the decision to give a few of his pitchers a chance to show their stuff.

It's an instinct most coaches follow, but one that nearly came back to bite the Apaches, whose four-run lead and chance of a shutout dissipated in the bottom of the sixth inning against Temple City in Tuesday's semifinals of the Elks Tournament.

"It's a tough decision sometimes because you have the natural instinct to want to finish a team," Lemas said. "On the other side, it's early in the year and you want to see what other guys can do, and it can end up costing you the game."

Junior pitcher Erik Trask pitched five scoreless innings, gave up one hit and struck out seven before giving way to relievers Trevor Gleason, Nick Sergi and Darren Kerfoot, who closed the game to give the Apaches (2-1) a 4-3 win.

"You try to make good decisions," Lemas said. "We were lucky we were able to get a couple pitchers, see what they could do in certain situations and still come away with the win."

As a result, Arcadia moves on to the tournament final against host San Dimas (3-0) tonight at 6:30.

CIF-SS DIVISION 3AA FINAL: La Cañada 50, L.A. Price 47 CLICK HERE FOR STORY

CIF-SS DIVISION 5AA FINAL: Flintridge Prep 47, Muir 44 CLICK HERE FOR STORY

Video by ESPNLA.com

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

PASADENA -- A football player made the difference in a CIF State girls basketball playoff game Tuesday night.

Jade Richard-Craven played on the special teams and in the secondary for the Pasadena Poly football team. Tuesday at Poly, that football conditioning was evident in a 63-33 victory over Vincent Memorial of Calexico in a CIF State Division 5 Southern California Regional first-round game.

She had a career-high 20 points and 10 rebounds and got the CIF-Southern Section champion Panthers going when Michelle Miller couldn't seem to buy a basket.

"She's strong and mentally tough," Poly coach Kim Weber said. "It's tough to have to play with all those guys. What she does doesn't show up in the stats."

Richard-Craven made 9 of 15 shots, nearly all from the 15-foot range. Miller, who's averaging 33.3 points per game, scored a game-high 25 points on 10-of-27 shooting.

"Michelle's on is 46 points," Richard-Craven said. "Her off is still 20, 25, so we're going to be fine.

"All the other starters need to pick up the slack, score when we can and get rebounds."

Early in the game, it was the 5-foot-7, 140-pound senior who seemed to get the Panthers going. With Poly trailing 5-4, she hit back-to-back jumpers and Poly (27-2) found its rhythm. The Panthers had missed eight consecutive shots before Richard-Craven's two makes.

Miller scored four consecutive layups, all but one off turnovers under the basket, and the Panthers outscored the Scots 14-0 to close out the second quarter.

Courtney Foster's 18-footer to start the third quarter made it 31-11.

Richard-Craven had 10 points at the half and scored eight more in the third quarter. Poly led 45-16 midway through the quarter.

"Training with the boys, I physically had to push hard in training myself," she said. "Playing with the girl is relatively easier. I'm not getting winded on the court."

It was likely her final home game and there were no seats remaining in the gym.

"She played like it was her very last game," Weber said. "She played so well. Defensively, she had been so amazing for us."

The Panthers, the sixth seed, will play at Visalia's Central Valley Christian on Thursday. The No. 3 Cavaliers defeated Redlands Adventist on Tuesday.

CIF STATE PLAYOFFS
SOCAL REGIONAL
FIRST ROUND
BOYS BASKETBALL
DIVISION III
La Canada, bye
DIVISION IV
LACES 60, Muir 52
Central Valley Christian 79, Maranatha 72
DIVISION V
Flintridge Prep 98, Tranquility 30

GIRLS BASKETBALL
DIVISION II
Palisades Charter 67, Keppel 57
DIVISION IV
Duarte at Oaks Christian, 7 p.m.
DIVISION V
Horizon 80, Rio Hondo Prep 36
Pasadena Poly 63, Vincent Memorial 33

GIRLS SOCCER
CIF SOCAL REGIONALS
DIVISION III
FIRST ROUND
Flnitridge Sacred Heart 6, Horizon Christian Academy 1

With CIF State playoffs dominating today we won't get a chance to go out today, but here's hoping you guys post scores here along with what games you think should be covered later this week and into next week.

ELKS TOURNAMENT
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
SEMIFINALS
San Dimas (2-0) at Monrovia (2-0), 3:15 p.m.
Arcadia (1-1) at Temple City (2-0), 3:15 p.m.
Arcadia advanced pool play, allowing least runs

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

PASADENA - Karl Holmes Jr. called an audible.

It wasn't part of the plan, but the senior wide receiver from Muir High School listened to his coaches when they advised him to wait before signing a national letter of intent in early February to Sacramento State, which wanted him to grayshirt.

Holmes took their advice. He waited and grew nervous after a friend also waited, only to have his offer pulled off the table because he waited too long.

Not long after, Muir offensive coordinator Antyone Sims called Holmes with some news.

"Coach Sims called me and said get your transcripts and send them to ASU," Holmes recalled. "I was shocked. That's Pac-12. I knew I could compete, but at the Pac-12 level, that sounds crazy."

Crazy indeed, but only for those who missed out on a 6-foot-3 speedy wideout whom Sims said Arizona State coach Dennis Erickson dubbed a "diamond in the rough."

Sims also said Erickson and his coaching staff got wind of Holmes while watching his highlight film on YouTube. Communication began, and Holmes was invited on a recruiting trip, which he took last week with his mother, Wanda Martin.

He landed in Tempe on Thursday. By Friday, Holmes had an offer.

"I'm just thankful they saw it on YouTube," Martin said. "This was just God opening another door for him."

Holmes celebrated with an announcement Monday afternoon at the school's library flanked by family, coaches, teammates and school administrators.

Holmes almost didn't make it to Arizona State. He pondered hard about signing with Sacramento State, grayshirting and attending Pasadena City College.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE DIVISION 5AA TITLE GAME

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

SANTA ANA - Whatever halftime speech Flintridge Prep boys basketball coach Garrett Ohara gave, he should type it, print it, bottle it and sell it.

It was exactly what the Rebels needed as they withstood Muir's 3-point attempt at the buzzer to preserve a 47-44 win in the CIF-Southern Section Division 5AA championship game Saturday night at Mater Dei High School.

Flintridge Prep (23-6), in winning its first CIF-SS crown, avenged its 2004 defeat at the hands of Verbum Dei in the Division IV-AA title game. Muir (18-11) was making its first finals appearance since 1996, when it beat Bishop Montgomery for the Division III-AA championship.

Muir had the ball with 2.4 seconds left Saturday, and inbounded the ball from its sideline. Senior Justin Knoweles dribbled behind the 3-point line and got off a shot that would have tied the game at the buzzer, but he missed the rim, sending Flintridge Prep into a frenzy.

"I was just like, `Please, please, please don't go in,' " said Robert Cartwright, a freshman guard who finished with seven points, four rebounds and three steals.

Flintridge Prep's Kory Hamane got off a shot with less than 10 seconds remaining to try to extend the lead, but it bounced off the front of the rim.

Kenyatta Smith tapped the ball into the hands of Knoweles, who dribbled it up the Muir sideline before calling a timeout.

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE DIVISION 5A TITLE GAME

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

SANTA ANA -- The sight of a lone girls basketball championship banner hanging on the wall from 19 years ago served as a constant reminder of what this season was about for Pasadena Poly.

Mission accomplished.

The top-seeded Panthers made an emphatic statement for the third time this season against their Prep League foe, beating Chadwick 55-42 for the CIF-Southern Section Division 5A championship Saturday afternoon at Mater Dei High.

Pasadena Poly (26-2) now awaits the announcement today of the CIF State playoff brackets. For now, the Panthers can go forward with making room for a new banner.

"It's real special because their names will be up there forever," Pasadena Poly coach Kim Weber said. "We talked about that over the last couple months, that here's a chance to leave your name on your school's wall for everybody else to see."

There was no question who was leading them to the promised land.

Michelle Miller carried the Panthers on her back all season, avenging their semifinal ouster last season. She scored 24 of her game-high 32 points in the second half, but she had some considerable help along the way.

Courtney Foster, who finished with 11 points while commanding the point, played with such poise and composure that it's hard to imagine she's only a sophomore.

"Well, I'm glad it seems that way," Foster said. "I really try not to let anything get to me. Though there's a big crowd I knew it was our game. I couldn't let anything get to me."

"She's a spitfire," Weber said of Foster. "I saw greatness in her last year as a freshman point guard for us. She continues to grow with every game, big or small."

CLICK ON THREAD TO CONTINUE READING

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

MISSION VIEJO - A shutout appeared in sight for the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy girls soccer team.

The only problem was the No. 3-seeded Tologs were about to become part of the statistic.

Enter Krista Meaglia.

In the 68th minute, the sophomore midfielder saw the key play develop from midfield as Jillian Jacobs sent an outlet pass to Katie Johnson. She slipped a pass past two defenders to an open Meaglia, who sent a soft shot past San Clemente goalkeeper Olivia Engelsman into the left post, giving Flintridge Sacred Heart a 1-0 win to claim its first CIF-Southern Section Division 1 championship Friday night at Mission Viejo High.

It was the proverbial tale of two halves for the Tologs (21-1-1), the 2010 Southern California Division III regional champions, who now await this year's regional playoffs. Pairings will be announced Sunday.

Flintridge Sacred Heart co-head coach Frank Pace said the three-hour bus ride, coupled with an injury to Kayla Mills, who injured her quad during warmups, led to an uneventful first half. The Tologs had no shots on goal.

"It really took us a while to adjust to the speed of play without Kayla," Pace said. "We've been trying combinations all year, and we didn't settle on combinations until eight games ago and finally found a combination that worked for us."

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STAR-NEWS PRESEASON TOP 10 RANKINGS

1. La Cañada
2. San Marino
3. Mayfield
4. La Salle
5. San Gabriel Mission
6. Keppel
7. Temple City
8. Monrovia
9. Marshall
10. Maranatha

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

KC Mathews couldn't help but gush after going down his roster, having nothing but great things to say about each of his players.

That much was expected from the La Cañada High School softball coach who points to team speed, defense, hitting and strong work ethic for reasons the Spartans' season looks pretty bright.

It's also the reason why La Cañada (25-5 last year) is the No. 1 team in the Star-News' preseason top-10 rankings.

The defending Rio Hondo League champions look to build on last year's CIF-Southern Section Division 5 semifinal run. That the Spartans boast arguably the best 1-2 combo in pitchers Lauren O'Leary (19-4, 165 strikeouts, 0.61 ERA last season) and Lauren Cox (5-1, 161 strikeouts, 0.55 ERA) are reason enough to make the Spartans the favorite, and Division 5 coaches think as much, voting La Canada the No. 1 team in the CIF-SS preseason top-10 poll.

Then there's Anna Edwards, arguably the most dangerous power hitter in the San Gabriel Valley. The Northwestern-bound standout received Rio Hondo League co-MVP and first-team All-CIF honors after batting .580 with 35 RBIs, nine home runs, nine doubles, two triples and 15 stolen bases.

Junior Catherine Horner is a defensive specialist at catcher. She batted .365 with 17 RBIs and 12 doubles as a sophomore.

The list goes on and on.

Senior Shirley Drange is a returning outfielder that will be counted on for her senior leadership. Kayla McCue, a slap hitter, has a knack for getting on base. Senior Megan Siepler is back at full strength after being limited most of last season because of injury. Kelsey Drange, a sophomore, will continue providing consistency at the plate in the No. 2 hole.

"I gotta tell you," Mathews said, "I'm pretty happy with the way we're playing. I can go on and on down this list."

CLICK ON THREAD FOR THE REST OF THE TOP 10

Above: Teammates hoist Wes Leonard up after he hit the game-winning basket Thursday as the Fennville (Mich.) Blackhawks celebrate their victory against the Bridgman Bees, bringing their record to 20-0. Leonard collapsed on the court shortly afterward and died hours later at Holland Hospital. (AP Photo/Dennis R.J. Geppert - The Holland Sentinel)

I was up late watching SportsCenter when I saw this sad news come out of Fennville, Michigan. It definitely puts things in perspective.

The Associated Press

FENNVILLE, Mich. -- A western Michigan high school basketball player collapsed on the court and later died after making the game-winning shot to cap his team's perfect season.

Holland Hospital spokeswoman Deb Patterson says 16-year-old Fennville High School basketball player Wes Leonard died Thursday night. A cause of death has not yet been determined.

Patterson says paramedics performed CPR on Leonard before he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

The Holland Sentinel reported that Leonard had scored the game-winning layup in a 57-55 win over Bridgman in overtime to cap Fennville's 20-0 season. Leonard fell to the ground after teammates and fans rushed the court.

The newspaper says Leonard was also a quarterback on the high school football team.

Fennville is about 200 miles west of Detroit.

CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE CIF-SS DIVISION 3AA FINAL

ANOTHER VIEW

Priceless upset for La Canada in Div. III-AA championship (Los Angeles Daily News)

La Cañada wins Southern Section Division 3AA title (Los Angeles Times)

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - La Cañada High School's Matt Faber stood watch under the basket as Price's Askia Booker released the ball from behind the 3-point line with 11 seconds left in the game.

The ball never hit the rim, instead landing in Faber's hands. He quarterbacked an end-of-the-court pass to Dario CiVon, who dribbled to the basket, turned and waited for the final seconds to tick off the clock.

What seemingly felt like motion-still seconds finally became a reality when CiVon launched the ball high into the air as the buzzer sounded, as the Spartans grabbed a 50-47 upset win over top-seeded Price of Los Angeles in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA championship game Thursday night at the Anaheim Convention Center.

"That moment was just like a dream," said Faber, who finished with 14 points on 6-of-12 shooting to go with 10 rebounds. "I didn't believe we won until I saw the seconds tick off. I saw Dario and chucked it. When (the clock) went off, I just went crazy."

CiVon said his mind went back to last year's NBA Finals watching Kobe Bryant celebrate his fifth title.

"I was looking at the clock and it felt (like) slow motion," he said. "It was a surreal moment to be that open, nobody around, the game about to end."

La Cañada's long-distance assault in the first quarter fueled its confidence, as the Spartans (28-3) knocked down five 3-pointers to race to a 21-9 lead at the end of the first quarter.

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM THE CIF-SS DIVISION 6AA FINAL

ANOTHER VIEW

Mesa Grande girls make history (Riverside Press-Enterprise)

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

ANAHEIM - It appeared to be within reach for the Rio Hondo Prep girls basketball team. The Kares took a four- point lead at the half, but then came the third quarter. That's when it all came apart.

Top seed Mesa Grande Academy switched to a matchup zone defense in the third quarter to cause confusion, and it worked, limiting Rio Hondo Prep to three points and helping the Cardinals oust the Kares 48-44 in the CIF-Southern Section Division 6AA final Thursday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

Mesa Grande Academy (26-2) opened the third with a 6-0 run to retake the lead 22-20 before extending it to 26-21 on a Jennifer Dupper steal and layup with 4:59 left in the quarter.

Rio Hondo Prep (21-6) didn't score in the third until Jayleen Wong converted 1 of 2 free throws, and the second- seeded Kares scored their lone field goal of the quarter on a Kayley Martin 8-foot jumper with 27.9 seconds left. Rio Hondo Prep, which led 20-16 at halftime, went on to miss five free throws and committed 17 turnovers in its first finals appearance since winning the small-schools division in 1990.

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South Pasadena has hired Martin Konrad as its next head football coach. Principal Janet Anderson in a statement said: "We are confident that Coach Konrad is the right person to rally players, parents, and fans in support of a coordinated and cohesive program."

Ed Smith spent 30 seasons with the Tigers and compiled a 65-96-4 record in 15 seasons as head coach before tendering his resignation in December.

Konrad currently is co-defensive coordinator at College of the Canyons. He also was the defensive coordinator at West Ranch High in Stevenson Ranch from 2005-2007. He twice led Flintridge Prep to the CIF-SS quarterfinals and the divisional championship in 2003. He was honored as the Prep League's coach of the year in 2001 and CIF coach of the year in 2003. Konrad is knowledgeable with CIF and its rules, as he served on the CIF Coaches Advisory Committee from 2001 to 2005.

Konrad played for the University of the Pacific from 1992 too 1996 as a linebacker and was named first team All-Big West in 1995.

PRESEASON STAR-NEWS TOP 10 RANKINGS
1. Monrovia
2. Arcadia
3. Pasadena Poly
4. La Salle
5. Temple City
6. Alhambra
7. Maranatha
8. Pasadena
9. South Pasadena
10. San Marino

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

All is well for the Monrovia High School baseball team.

Sure, there was a big senior class that graduated, leaving some big shoes to fill, but with a lineup that includes Nick Bueno, all is well.

Bueno, a senior shortstop who earned co-MVP honors in the Rio Hondo League, is the centerpiece to a Wildcats team that features two other returning starters in senior third baseman Jairo Jiorge and senior catcher Adrian Velasco, both of whom earned first-team all-league honors last season after leading Monrovia to its fifth straight league title and a quarterfinal appearance in the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 playoffs.

Bueno last season batted .440 with 12 RBIs and stole 24 bases on 26 attempts, and also earned first-team All-CIF honors.

It's that kind of senior leadership at key defensive positions that makes Monrovia (22-4 last season) the No. 1 team in the Star-News preseason top- 10 rankings.

"We're in a good position because we have what I feel to be three of the best players in the area," said Monrovia co-head coach Brad Blackmore, who's entering his 21st season with the program.

"We've been fortunate that a lot of our juniors have grown up and gotten a lot better. We had a freshman on the team last year and have some really good transfers who I think can help."

William Mercado, a senior second baseman, and sophomore Joe Mata, a transfer from Colorado, are the top newcomers who could see immediate playing time. Mata is a left-handed pitcher who adds depth in the Wildcats' rotation.

Tony and Kevin Shue are transfers from Arcadia. Tony is the hitter, and Kevin will start on the mound.

Sophomore Chris Burkholder will start at No. 1 on the mound. He made 11 appearances last season, earning two victories with 19 strikeouts and a 1.75 ERA.

Junior Carl Daniels, a 6-foot-4 starting right fielder, will see some time on the mound as well.

CLICK ON THREAD FOR THE REST OF THE TOP 10

I will be at The Arena at the Anaheim Convention Center covering our two championship basketball games. Tipoff for the Division 3AA final is 4:45 p.m. and I'll do my best to keep you updated on a quarter-by-quarter basis. I'll update this blog with stories and photo galleries later in the evening, probably once I beat traffic and get home.

CIF-SS PLAYOFFS
CHAMPIONSHIP
DIVISION 3AA
THE ARENA, ANAHEIM CONVENTION CENTER
La Cañada vs. L.A. Price, 4:45 p.m.

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer

Last Friday night, the La Cañada High School boys basketball team got something it's rarely needed all season - a clutch shot with the game on the line.

To nobody's surprise, Michael McGlashan was the one who delivered it.

The Spartans haven't been in too many close games this season, but that's the position they were in during their CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA semifinal showdown at Palm Springs last week.

Down one with less than 10 seconds to play in overtime, the instructions from Spartans coach Tom Hofman to McGlashan were simple.

"Coach just said, 'If you get a good look, take it, and if you don't, just dish it to whoever's open,' " McGlashan said.

McGlashan got a good look, in the key, and hit the jumper that gave La Cañada a 61-60 win and punched the Spartans' ticket to today's final, in which it'll play Price at Anaheim Convention Center. Tipoff is at 4:45 p.m.

"It was amazing to know that I helped out in whatever way," McGlashan said.

"I had just missed a free throw (moments earlier), so to come back and hit a shot like that was huge."

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CLICK HERE FOR A PHOTO GALLERY FROM TUESDAY'S ANIMO-MARSHALL MATCH

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

PASADENA - The boisterous ovation Tuesday was in appreciation of a Marshall Fundamental girls soccer team that went from irrelevant to powerhouse in about three years.

The host Eagles were enjoying their deepest playoff run ever, for the first time in school history appearing in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division 7 playoffs. It ended there, though, with a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Animo Leadership of Lynwood.

Marshall (14-6-1) fell victim to jitters, and it was evident almost immediately.

Animo Leadership's (12-3-1) Vanessa Villacorta connected on a free kick in the second minute of play to give the Aztec Eagles the early lead.

"We knocked out the No. 1 seed, and in our last game, I thought, we played one of our toughest games," Marshall co-head coach Jumal Karume said.

"We just started off slow here. It was the first time we're here and we were a little nervous. Even though we were able to get it back, we were never able to get the energy to get back into it."

Marshall sophomore forward Isabel Robles raced up the middle and sped past her defender for a one-on-one against Animo keeper Elizabeth De Dloz. Robles, a sophomore forward, went into the box and sent a soft, right-footed shot to the back of the net to tie the game 1-1 in the 56th minute. It was her 21st goal of the season.

The jubilation from a throng of Marshall fans, however, didn't last long. Animo's Genesis Tamayo sent a well-placed free kick from 43 yards out to the corner of the net to regain the lead for the Aztec Eagles.

Marshall's frantic effort was evident, as the Eagles sent in numerous shots in the final 15 minutes, but to no avail.

"It was a great free kick," said Karume, who shares coaching duties with Esteban Villanueva.

"It was a bad foul. We try to teach our girls that you can't go from back because they'll always call a foul."

Karume conceded that the foul was warranted in that instance, but almost saw himself ejected for continually arguing with the head official for what Karume felt should have been a penalty call for the Eagles.

It was midway through the first half, when freshman Roxana Hernandez (11 goals) battled for possession before dribbling into the penalty area. She was brought down hard by Animo's Melissa Ortega, but instead of receiving a penalty kick, the Eagles were awarded a corner kick that didn't produce a shot on goal.

It was an emotional win for Animo Leadership, which played without junior midfielder Destiny Felix, who was tending to her terminally ill father.

"They wanted to win this one for her," Animo Leadership co-head coach Jose Luis Palomares said.

Marshall junior keeper Marlene Sanchez made nine saves to keep the Eagles within striking distance. The Eagles' defensive backline was stellar, including Brianna Izagurre, who jumped into an Animo shot attempt to block it, preventing it from becoming a threat.

With only three seniors departing - captains Maria Saravia and Viri Angle and Izagurre - Karume is already setting the bar high for next season.

"I hate to put this out there," Karume said, "but let me be clear: We expect to move forward after this, and we expect to win our division next year."

CLICK ON THREAD TO READ FLINTRIDGE SACRED HEART'S STORY

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE PRESEASON CIF-SS TOP 10 BASEBALL POLL

I was pretty surprised when only three area teams were selected for spots in the preseason CIF-SS coaches' top 10 baseball poll. No word on Arcadia, Monrovia, La Salle, Pasadena or Temple City, all of which, from what I've gathered, will have good squads. The Star-News preseason top 10 rankings will publish in Thursday's paper, but is there a real clear favorite at No. 1? That's where you come in ... I'm making calls today, gathering info and will put together the preseason rankings, but as you know they always shape out after tournaments end. But here's a start: Arcadia visits Monrovia today at 3 for a scrimmage. I can't make it because I'm covering a CIF-SS semifinals soccer match, but if you happen to be there be sure to report back and give your insight. Big Baseball Fanatic, I'm talking to you! I'm hearing big things from Pasadena and La Salle particularly, which is nice to see them back in the mix this early in the season. Maranatha begins life without Dylan Covey, who did not sign with the Milwaukee Brewers. Covey picked up his first win of the season last week as a Toreros pitcher. Still, it's not as bad as what St. Francis has to endure this season. David Hubinger, a Star-News All-Area selection as a junior catcher David Olmedo-Barrera, a junior short stop, is out for the season with a broken wrist. Still, word around town is the Golden Knights have talent to give the San Gabriel Valley teams a run for their money, as has been the case the last few seasons with St. Francis having successful runs in the Elks Tournament. Will it continue this season? Time will tell ...

DIVISION 3
1. Ocean View
2. Bonita
3. Woodbridge
4. Beckman
5. Rialto
6. Gahr
7. Culver City
8. Alhambra
9. Lancaster
10. Paloma Valley
Others: None

DIVISION 5
1. Woodcrest Christian
2. Linfield Christian
3. Montclair Prep
4. Campbell Hall
5. Tahquitz
6. Lompoc
7. Heritage
8. Cabrillo/L
9. Maranatha
10. Cathedral
Others: None

DIVISION 6
1. Oxford Academy
2. Desert Christian/L
3. Pasadena Poly
4. Sage Hill
5. Vasquez
6. Capistrano Valley Christian
7. Villanova Prep
8. Bishop Union
9. St Anthony
10. Boron
Others: None

How can you not love spring? The weather calls for opening the sun roof, throwing on some shades and watching a little softball three times a week. It's that time of year, and as the winter playoffs wind down I'm beginning to highly anticipate what should be an interesting season. Let's start off with the preseason CIF-SS coaches' top 10 poll. La Cañada and Mayfield each earn No. 1 rankings in Division 5 and 6, respectively. La Salle, San Marino, Duarte, San Gabriel Mission and Alverno also earned spots in the poll released Monday evening. Do you like the spots? If not, don't worry. It's a preseason poll, meaning they'll shape out as the season wears on. But if you want to have your say in the Star-News preseason rankings, now's the time to give your input. Is La Cañada the No. 1 team hands down? You can't argue with the depth, speed and power of the Spartans that features quite the power hitter (Anna Edwards) and arguably the best 1-2 punch in pitchers Lauren Cox and Lauren O'Leary. Will San Marino's Michelle Floyd be as dominant now that the pitching circle has moved from 40 to 43 feet? Who benefits from the distance, and how will non-club players adjust to the distance while at the plate? Look for Mayfield's Katie Clancy to benefit from the distance change and expect some good movement. La Salle loses a lot of power in Allie Forillo, now at LMU. The Lancers still boast the always-reliable Sterling Shuster, but will it be enough to compete in Division 3? Here's hoping San Gabriel Mission continues its remarkable run of another deep playoff run. But here's a real downer: Maranatha's Annie Sommers is out for the season with a torn ACL. The Boston College-bound star can't be replaced. Her leadership and prowess will be missed. Like I said, it'll be an interesting season, so what's your take?

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE CIF-SS PRESEASON TOP 10 SOFTBALL POLL

DIVISION 3
1. Ayala
2. Warren
3. North Torrance
4. Chino Hills
5. Torrance
6. South Hills
7. La Salle
8. Oaks Christian
9. Palos Verdes
10. Mira Costa
Others: Downey

DIVISION 5
1. La Cañada
2. Calvary Chapel/SA
3. Costa Mesa
4. Savanna
5. San Marino
6. Hemet
7. Cabrillo Lompoc
8. San Jacinto
9. Marymount
10. Duarte

DIVISION 6
1. Mayfield
2. San Gabriel Mission
3. Paraclete
4. Kern Valley
5. Rosamond
6. Yucca Valley
7. Alverno
8. Carpinteria
9. Capistrano Valley Christian
10. Calvary Chapel/Downey

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

At this point, teams mirror each other so much the similarities are almost eery.

Take for example the Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy and Esperanza girls soccer teams, which meet at 3 today in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 playoffs at Esperanza High of Anaheim.

For starters, the Tologs (19-1-1) and the Aztecs (21-2-4) are ranked nationally by ESPN Rise. Flintridge Sacred Heart is No. 14 and Esperanza is No. 11, respectively, In the Southern Section, the Tologs are seeded No. 3 and the Aztecs No. 2.

When Flintridge Sacred Heart co-head coach Frank Pace says the Division 1 playoffs are "the most rigorous tournament in America," he's not kidding. The other semifinal bracket pits No. 4-nationally ranked San Clemente against No. 25 Santa Margarita.

Esperanza last season beat San Clemente twice in the playoffs, first to win the Division 1 title and then in the Southern California State Division 1 Regional championship game, both by scores of 1-0. Flintridge Sacred Heart, ousted in the semifinals by Beckman last season, went on to win the Southern California State Division 3 Regional title.

Esperanza this season saw its 46-game unbeaten streak snapped and Flintridge Sacred Heart's 4-3 loss to Mission League rival Harvard Westlake snapped its 35-game unbeaten streak.

As the playoffs progress confidence sky rockets as well, and success at this stage of the season is nothing new.

What makes Flintridge Sacred Heart unique is its young but experienced squad, which three years ago lost to eventual Division 2 champion Saugus before jumping to Division 1 last season.

"We embrace the jump," said Pace, whose Tologs advanced after beating No. 3 nationally-ranked Tesoro, 3-1. "We want to play the best teams. Our girls' fun is measuring themselves against the best."

And with experience comes poise.

"Both teams know how to win in pressure situations," Pace said.

With so many similarities, it begs the question - what will it take to win and advance to this weekend's title game?

Pace didn't hesitate.

"The team that puts second and third effort more consistently for 80 minutes will end up winning the game," Pace said. "Mistakes are human nature. The greatest athletes in the world make mistakes, but whichever team capitalizes on the team's mistakes will come out ahead."

DIVISION 7
Animo Leadership
at Marshall, 3 p.m.

The Eagles (14-5-1) hope their dream run remains alive when Animo Leadership (11-3-1) visits today in the semifinals match.

Marshall needed extra time to dispatch Citrus Valley on penalty kicks 5-4 after a scoreless tie.

Isabel Robles leads the Eagles in scoring with 20 goals and six assists. Fellow freshman Roxana Hernandez has 11 goals and four assists.

Animo Leadership advanced with a 2-1 victory over Desert Hot Springs.