Alverno’s Ali Peterson (3) covers her face as Jessica Hamilton (C) (23) walks away as Calvin Christian scores late in the third game of a CIF State volleyball playoff match at Pasadena High School on Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012 in Pasadena, Calif. Calvin Christian won 25-23, 26-24, 25-14. (Keith Birmingham/ Pasadena Star-News)

DIVISION V
Calvin Christian def. Alverno, 25-23, 26-24, 25-14
PASADENA - There will be no CIF State girls volleyball championship for Alverno High School.
But two days removed from making history with the school’s first CIF-Southern Section title, the host Jaguars weren’t exactly fretting after dropping a 25-23, 26-24, 25-14 setback to Calvin Christian, of Escondido, in a Southern California Regional Division V first-round match Tuesday at Pasadena High School.
Christina DenBoer had 15 kills and Brooke Bell added nine to lead the Crusaders, who improved to 25-7 and advanced to Saturday’s second round against St. Monica Academy.
Alverno, getting 14 kills from Jessica Hamilton and 17 assists from Asia Chapa, finished 20-4. The Jaguars, who beat Pomona Catholic for the 5AA Division title on Saturday, lost their first sets of the postseason.
Alverno coach Brent Fabbri: “I just finished telling my girls to forget about this (match). We had one goal this year, and it was to win (a CIF-SS title). I’m proud of my girls. I give it to (Calvin). They are young and they’re good. But we had them in (the first two sets). I’m not disappointed at all. We came into this (match) not nervous, because we accomplished what we set out to. We’re a proud school.”
St. Monica def. Minarets, 25-16, 26-24, 26-28, 25-22
Solid defense propelled St. Monica Academy to the second round of the CIF State Division V playoffs.
The Crusaders rallied from two game-point deficits in the second game and also had two match points in the third game, but could not close it out.
The Crusaders travel to Escondido to play Calvin Christian on Saturday.
Caitlin Hall had close to 30 kills for St. Monica, which lost in the CIF-SS Division 5A title match.
Clovis West def. La Salle, 19-25, 25-23, 25-15, 18-25, 15-11
The Lancers ended their season with a loss to Central Section champion Clovis West. La Salle, getting 16 kills from Haley DeSailes, finished 34-3. Riley Spriestersbach had 12 kills, Katrina Palffy seven, Alyssa Tavera 40 assists and Caroline Knop 40 digs for the Lancers, who won the school’s first CIF-SS volleyball title on Saturday, defeating El Dorado for the 1A championship.

Keith Lair and I will go head-to-head in the Star-News Pick’em. Here is this week’s predictions along with how we did last week.

Last Week: Ramirez (4-1); Lair (4-1)
Season: Ramirez (137-55); Lair (140-52)

Last week: Keith and I were even, both missing Muir’s loss to West Covina.

This week: It’s Final Four time and as an added feature, we will pick the scores for all the games in divisions that feature area teams. I will also add the Southeast Division, which has been talked about in the area all season. I like a final of Monrovia and Paraclete (sorry Coach Z) in the Mid-Valley; Rio Hondo Prep and Mission Prep in the Northeast and La Serna and Santa Fe in the Southeast.

FINAL FOUR SCHEDULE AND PROJECTIONS
MID-VALLEY DIVISION
Monrovia vs. Sierra Canyon at Granada Hills HS, 7:30 p.m. — Ramirez (Monrovia); Lair (Monrovia)
San Dimas vs. Paraclete at Antelope Valley College, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Paraclete); Lair (Paraclete))
NORTHEAST DIVISION
Rio Hondo Prep vs. St. Monica Catholic at Santa Monica College, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (RHP); Lair (RHP)
Salesian at Mission Prep, 7:30 p.m. — Ramirez (Mission Prep), Lair (MP)
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
West Covina vs. La Serna at Cal HS, 7:30 p.m. — Ramirez (La Serna); Lair (La Serna)
Santa Fe at Downey, 7 p.m. — Ramirez (Santa Fe); Lair (Downey)

San Marino’s Ryan Wood (2) is taken down by San Dimas during the first half of Friday night’s game at San Dimas High School.
(SGVN/Staff Photo by Sarah Reingewirtz)

Friday’s Results
MID-VALLEY DIVISION
Monrovia 43, South El Monte 6
MONROVIA – There were those who believed South El Monte High School had a shot to upset two-time defending Mid-Valley Division champion Monrovia on Friday night.
It didn’t take long for the Wildcats to squash those hopes.
Ge Vontray Ainsworth rushed for 149 yards and three touchdowns and host Monrovia held the Eagles to minus-49 yards rushing and coasted to a 43-6 victory in a CIF-Southern Section second-round game.
Monrovia, also getting 129 yards passing and a touchdown from quarterback Blake Heyworth and touchdown runs from George Frazier V and Darione Jones, improved to 10-2. The Wildcats will face Sierra Canyon, a 28-20 winner over Arroyo, next Friday at Granada Hills High.
South El Monte, which defeated El Monte to earn a piece of the Mission Valley League crown two weeks ago before defeating Covina last week in its playoff opener, finished 7-5.
The Wildcats scored on their first five possessions to put it away by halftime and took a 29-0 advantage into the break.
Monrovia coach Ryan Maddox: “We played a well-rounded football game tonight. We were firing on all cylinders. We pride ourselves on finishing, and I think we did that tonight. Ge Vontray and Darione Jones played a great ball game, our offensive line did the job up front and our defense did an incredible job. It was an excellent game all the way around.”
San Dimas 31, San Marino 28
SAN DIMAS – Hollywood endings usually are reserved for Denzel Washington, not Denzel Mitchell.
But not even Hollywood could have scripted a better ending on Friday night for Mitchell, a running back/defensive back on the San Dimas High School football team.
Mitchell made the game-turning interception, then moments later scored the game-winning touchdown as San Dimas handed visiting San Marino a 31-28 defeat in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs.
The win sent San Dimas (11-1) to the semifinals for the fourth consecutive season. The Saints will play at top-seeded Paraclete next Friday. San Marino finished 10-2.
The Titans twice had 11-point leads in the second half, but costly interceptions and a Saints offense that kept grinding proved to be the difference. San Marino went ahead 28-17 with 3:37 left in the third quarter on Ryan Wood’s 32-yard touchdown run.
San Dimas answered right back with a 46-yard touchdown run by Andrew Espinoza to make it 28-24. Espinoza ran for 187 yards on just five carries.
Denzel Mitchell: “I kept telling my team that we’ve got to make plays and it was just me who made the plays. I was thinking somebody else (would get the ball), but when my name gets called, I’ve got to do what I’ve got to do for my team.”
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
West Covina 21, Muir 19
Defending CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division champion West Covina isn’t done yet.
After needing to win its final game in the Hacienda League to make the playoffs, the Bulldogs advanced to the semifinals with a 21-19 victory over third-seeded Muir that was full of clutch calls from Bulldogs coach Mike Maggiore.
West Covina (8-4) will face second-seeded La Serna at California High in next week’s semifinals. La Serna (11-1) is the same team the Bulldogs defeated 84-21 last year
or the title while setting a CIF-SS record for points in a championship game.
With Bulldogs quarterback Jon Najera on crutches with an injured ankle, junior Henry Tarin platooned with Antonio Hull at quarterback.
Tarin wasn’t asked to do much, but clinging to a one-point lead, he delivered a 28-yard pass to Sidney Jones at the 10 that eventually set up Aaron Salgado’s 4-yard scoring run to go up 21-13 with 6:53 left.
However, Muir’s Andreece Brown returned the ensuing kickoff 95 yards to the 5 and later scored on a 3-yard run, but the Mustangs (8-4) came up short on the two-point conversion try to trail, 21-19.
West Covina, using a key first down on fourth and 3, then ate up most of the clock before holding off Muir to advance.
NORTHEAST DIVISION
Rio Hondo prep 47, Desert 0
The Rio Hondo Prep offense had an off game Friday night.
But the Kares’ defense was just fine, holding host Desert scoreless for a 47-0 victory in a CIF-SS second round game in Lancaster.
The Kares (10-1) will travel to St. Monica Catholic of Santa Monica in next week’s semifinals. The Mariners scored a 19-16 victory over Boron, preventing another Rio Hondo Prep-Boron semifinal game.
Nate Tayco rushed for two scores and Colby Rivera, who did not practice all week because of a leg infection, threw scoring passes to Jake Holguin and Kevin Horton.
Rio Hondo Prep coach Ken Drain: “We did not play very well. We had more turnovers than any game all year.”
Mission Prep 49, Flintridge Prep 14
Patrick Laird rushed for 174 yards and two touchdowns, and caught a 27-yard scoring pass to lead the Royals.Stefan Smith had 118 yards for Flintridge Prep.
Flintridge Prep coach Antonio Harrison: We’ve done something no team at Flintridge Prep has done in almost 10 years. That’s to make it out of the playoffs and out of the first round. I do not want the kids to be upset at all. I told them the tradition is coming back.”

NEXT WEEK’S SCHEDULE
FRIDAY
MID-VALLEY DIVISION
Monrovia vs. Sierra Canyon at Granada Hills HS
NORTHEAST DIVISION
Rio Hondo Prep at St. Monica

By Aram Tolegian, SGVN

It’s not every year you see two 10-1 teams square off in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section football playoffs.
But that’s exactly the case on Friday night when San Marino (10-1) visits San Dimas (10-1) in a game that surely will have the attention of the rest of the Mid-Valley Division.
“They’ve beaten everyone in front of them except Monrovia and we’ve beaten everyone in front of us except Monrovia, so it’s a neat little game,” San Dimas coach Bill Zernickow said. “We’re very similar, our schools, in terms of makeup.
“It feels a lot like we’re playing ourselves.”
San Dimas took its loss to Monrovia back on Sept. 14 by a score of 35-23.
San Marino’s setback came on
Oct. 26 and the score was 21-16. But reading too much into how each team did against the Wildcats would be foolish, according to Zernickow.
“They are very, very good,” he said. “Both teams. We’re going to have to play our game. The game is going to go really fast, probably two hours, because we’re both going to run the ball.”
Continue reading →

Championship Saturday
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
At Santiago Canyon College, Orange
Division IA
La Salle vs El Dorado, 5 p.m.
At Cypress College
Division 5AA
Alverno vs Pomona Catholic, 11:30 a.m.
Division 5A
St. Monica Academy vs Orange Wood, Academy, 5:30 p.m.
BOYS WATER POLO
At Irvine HS
Division 3
La Canada vs King, 11:45 a.m.
Division 5
Pas Poly v Glendale, 5:30 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Finals at Mt. SAC, all day

Front row, from left, Rachel Albright from Pasadena High School and Amy Zeronian from Marshall Fundamental School; and back row from left, Michelle Floyd and Bradley Haslam of San Marino and Jeremy Major from Marantha signed letters of intent Wednesday. (Walt Mancini / Staff Photographer)

By Steve Ramirez, SGVN
twitter.com/srammy8

Christmas came a day early for 11 area athletes.
That’s the feeling most feel on national signing day, when high school senior student athletes officially commit to the college or university of their choice.
The area’s elated 11 was topped by Maranatha’s Jeremy Major, who signed to play Division I basketball at nearby Pepperdine, but it also featured basketball player Alyson Lock (Loyola Marymount) of Keppel; baseball players Joe Mata (Cal State Bakersfield) of Monrovia and Bradley Haslam (Air Force) of San Marino and softball players Michelle Floyd (Arizona) of San Marino, Rachel Albright (Northern State, South Dakota) of Pasadena, Amy Zeronian (Belmont, Tenn.) of Marshall and the La Canada duo of Annie Monroe and Kelsey Drange, who signed with Loyola Marymount.
La Canada girls volleyball player Kendall Walbrecht and Spartans swimmer Brandon Nguyen signed with UC Davis and Navy, respectively.
“For me, it wasn’t hectic at all,” Major said. “It’s really relief that (signing day) is finally here. It’s a day I’ll remember for the rest of my life. Knowing that I’m going to play basketball on a full-ride scholarship is great.
“I feel more happy for my mom because she doesn’t have to worry about anything. Hard work pays all. It’s all a blessing.”
Continue reading →

Wednesday is fall national signing when non-football athletes sign with their respective colleges. Here’s our short list of area athletes expected to sign. We plan on having the athletes come to our office in Pasadena for a group photo, about 2:30 p.m.
If you are an athlete and are signing, drop me an e-mail at steve.ramirez@sgvn.com

BASEBALL
Joe Mata, Monrovia — Cal State Bakersfield
Bradley Haslam. San Marino –United States Air Force Academy
SOFTBALL
Rachel Albright, Pasadena — Northern State (South Dakota)
Amy Zeronian, Marshall — Belmont (Tenn)
Michelle Floyd, San Marino – Arizona
Alyson Lock, Keppel — Loyola Marymount
Annie Monroe and Kelsey Drange, La Canada — Loyola Marymount
BOYS BASKETBALL
Jeremy Major, Maranatha — Pepperdine
SWIMMING
Brandon Nguyen, La Canada — Navy
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Kendall Walbrecht, La Canada — UC Davis

REMATCH: San Marino-San Dimas redo highlights Elite Eight round this week.
Staff photo by Keith Birmingham.

Last Week: Ramirez (7-2); Lair (7-2)
Season: Ramirez (133-54); Lair (136-51)

Last week: Keith and I were even, both missing on La Salle’s loss to Centennial/Compton and Flintridge Prep beating Ribet Academy.

This week: We’re down the Elite Eight, or in the area the Fantastic Five. The big matchups are San Marino at San Dimas in the Mid-Valley Division and Muir at West Covina at the Southeast. I’m going with a split on the West Valley teams, taking Muir over surging West Covina, and San Dimas in a close one over the Titans. Also like Monrovia over South El MOnte, Rio Hondo over Desert and Mission Prep over Flintridge Prep.

Here’s this week’s schedule and predictions:
MID-VALLEY DIVISION
South El Monte at Monrovia — Ramirez (Monrovia); Lair (Monrovia)
San Marino at San Dimas — Ramirez (San Dimas); Lair (San Dimas)
SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Muir at West Covina — Ramirez (Muir); Lair (Muir)
NORTHEAST DIVISION
Rio Hondo at Desert — Ramirez (RHP); Lair (RHP)
Mission Prep vs. Flintridge Prep, site TBA — Ramirez — (MP); Lair (MP)
All games are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.