Football: Blair, Fulton game to go on as scheduled.

There was some talk that the Blair-Fulton season opener on Thursday night at 7 p.m. at Muir would not go on because of a report in the L.A. Daily News that Fulton had canceled its football season. Not so, says Blair coach Gary Parks, who said he got confirmation from the Fulton principal that the season will continue. I will be there to cover the action and I’m bringing with me a photographer. If Fulton doesn’t show up, how’s a game of flag football sound?

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Former Muir basketball star Joseph Frazier is victim of hit-and-run accident; Frazier is assistant coach at Calabasas High.

Former Muir and Cal State Northridge basketball standout Joseph Frazier is fighting for his life after a hit-and-run accident about 8:45 p.m. Thursday at the intersection of Ventura Blvd. and Wilbur Ave. in Tarzana. Frazier currently is an assistant boys basketball coach at Calabasas High

A Facebook fan page has an update as of nine hours ago: “Joe is taking deep breaths and breathing on his own in spurts. Keep it up Joe.”

As of 58 minutes ago, via Facebook:

“Better. We spent the night with him just talking and he is still in a coma but was breathing on his own an his heart rate was going up when we were talking to him.”

Muir coach Gamal Smalley offered his thoughts:

“The former Muir basketball great is so loved by his community and we are praying for him.”

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Football: Villalobos, Seymour forge unlikely friendship.

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer

Perhaps it’s the unlikeliest of friendships. Alex Villalobos is a senior at San Gabriel High School, a school more known for producing top-tier boys volleyball teams than Division I athletes. Kevon Seymour is a senior at Muir, which – in its heyday – produced Olympians and players in the NFL and NBA.

Villalobos is a wide receiver who made a name for himself in the West San Gabriel Valley, recording 802 yards and eight touchdowns on 41 catches for the Matadors.

Seymour is a 6-foot cornerback who last year lit up La Mirada in the opening round of the CIF- Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs, helping oust the defending champion. He’s since skyrocketed on many recruiting charts and is listed as the No. 9- ranked cornerback in the nation by Rivals.com. He has offers from nearly every Pac-12 school, to go along with offers from Florida and Nebraska.

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Girls Volleyball: Mayfield taking a different approach.

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

For a long time, the Mayfield Senior School volleyball team’s modus operandi has been attack, attack and attack some more, but those attacking volleyball players have graduated to NCAA Division I programs. Suddenly, the Cubs appear to be not quite the attacking team they have been in years past. That’s no concern, though, for coach Megan Rush.

“I think our defense will be phenomenal,” the second-year coach said. “We have some big guns, but we seem to have all the angles covered in the backcourt.”

It took a long time last year for Mayfield to develop into what’s been typical for it in recent years – a team that makes a deep journey into the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. With so many new players and a new coach last year, it took the Cubs until the second half of the regular season to meld into a playoff contender. The Cubs finished second in the Prep League to Pasadena Poly, then lost to the Panthers in the CIF-SS semifinals.

Not surprisingly, the transformation began and ended with middle blocker Hannah Schraer, who’s playing at USC this season. Schraer had to help work several new players into the Cubs’ rotation.

“You can’t replace a Hannah Schraer and you can’t try,” Rush said.

Those younger players, though, now have a year’s experience.

“The girls have really become a dynamic team,” Rush said. “We have come together a lot faster. I’m excited.”

Seniors Brittany Angiuli and Alex Arnett have really come along, and sophomore Natalie Johnson has given the Cubs backcourt striking power.

“Brittany has really stepped up to another level and definitely runs the backcourt,” Rush said. “Natalie just thinks defense. She’s just a natural athlete.”

Both could play libero and give the Cubs flexibility in their rotation.

Rush also has the luxury of two returning setters, senior Ashley Schamml and junior Madeline Watkins. Plus, there’s newcomer Bella Garcia, who’s also a junior. The Cubs can confidently run a 6-2 offense.

Mayfield had a scrimmage against Holy Family on Tuesday. The Cubs open their season Monday against Gahr in the Gahr tournament, then play Poly on Sept. 13 in the league opener for both schools.

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Girls Volleyball: Arcadia to start freshman

By Keith Lair, Staff Writer

Charles Freberg has been coaching at Arcadia for nearly 30 years. In that time, he’s rarely had freshmen on his team, much less let them start. This year, though, there’ll be an exception.

Freshman Lexi Resch will start at outside hitter for the Apaches.

“She will be the best freshman I have had in my career,” Freberg said. “She’s that good. She can do whatever she wants to do. She can hit the lines, hit the angles, block, pass the ball.”

Resch was the MVP in this year’s Junior Olympics age-group tournament. She’s participated in Freberg’s summer program since the third grade.

With Brittney Lee returning, it gives the Apaches two powerful outside hitters.

“She’s playing awfully well,” Freberg said.

Resch, though, isn’t the lone underclassman on the team. Freberg, who lost five starters from last year’s team, has promoted four sophomores – including Kristen Mueller, Allison Stevenson and Jackie Churchill – to varsity.

“They are great athletes,” Freberg said. “They have done special things this summer.”

Arcadia opens its season Sept. 13 at San Gabriel.

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