Just a few weeks go the Star-News announced that Pasadena Poly’s Hunter Merryman and Michelle Miller were chosen by this newspaper as the male and female Athletes of the Year. If I’m correct, it’s the first time ever in this newspaper’s history to have selected the top athletes from the same school. In my story I open by writing that “perhaps it’s time to start thinking of Pasadena Poly as a sports powerhouse.”

It was merely a suggestion that’s certainly open for debate, but the Panthers collected another honor that perhaps validates the suggestion. Pasadena Poly was chosen the Division V Cal-Hi State School of the Year. It’s the first time in the school’s history to garner the award.

Pasadena Poly won CIF championships in girls basketball and baseball. The boys water polo team was a finalist while the boys basketball team and the football team each reached the semifinals in their respective divisions. The girls basketball team also reached the quarterfinals of the CIF State Southern California Regional playoffs. Miller (33 points per game) for the second consecutive season was selected Star-News Girls Basketball Player of the Year. Merryman (.512, 42 RBIs) was selected first-team All-CIF in football, basketball and baseball, and Panthers baseball coach Wayne Ellis was chosen CIF and Star-News Coach of the Year.

Powerhouse or not? At this point, is it even debatable?