A couple of intriguing transfers have arrived at Crespi -- junior receiver Brandon Graves, who totaled 28 receptions last season at Los Alamitos, and 6-foot-8, 400-pound Sergio Sevester from St. Bernard.

Both are expected to begin practicing Thursday, said Crespi coach Jeremiah Ross, though nothing is official.

Meantime, Crespi receiver Kevin Williams, a top prospect, is recovering from a broken leg. He has been fitted with a boot and should return later this summer.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

With tempreatures approaching 110 degrees and no stadium lights, the heat is on at Paraclete in Lancaster, as the Spirits have been coping with practices in extreme conditions.

"We get a breeze that starts at about 3:30 p.m., and today I'm pushing the practice forward an extra hour. I figure we have until about 8:45 p.m.," coach Norm Dahlia said. "We've put air conditioning in the weight room, and we make sure the kids are hydrated because that's the biggest thing. We have drink 80 ounzes of water."

After finishing 12-1 last season, Paraclete should have another strong team, led by linebacker Kyle Swanson, running back Brandon Buteyn and offensive lineman A.J. Culver.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Dana Potter has resigned as Oaks Christian's quarterback coach, replaced by Casey Clausen.

Potter, 55, is a former record-setting quarterback at Granada Hills and the father of Chris Potter, who graduated from Oaks Christian this past June and is competing for playing time as a freshman wide receiver at Boise State.

On a side note, Potter said he has heard good things about Nicholas Montana, an incoming quarterback transfer from Concord De La Salle and the son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana.

"I think he's the kind of player who will be a Division I scholarship type guy," Potter said.

Clausen coached on the frosh-soph level last season.

Nicholas Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana and a backup at national power Concord De La Salle last season, is planning to transfer to Oaks Christian, according to the L.A. Times.

gerry,gittelson@dailynews.com

Third baseman Trevor Nathanson, a graduating senior from Calabasas, has committed to Div. III Cal State East Bay in Hayward, according to the Ventura County Star.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

San Diego State has always been hot on Valley area prospects, and the latest is Walter Woods, a returning linebacker from Palmdale who has been offered by the Aztecs, according to Palmdale coach Jeff Williams.

Woods is one of several top returning players for Palmdale, which advanced to the Western Division finals this past season. Others include running back Marquell Jefferson, quarterback Brandon Mims, tight end Anthony Crane and receiver/linebacker Tony Castillo.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Two Foothill League rivals met up in the finals of the Hart of Newhall Summer tournament Sunday.

Valencia took early bragging rights in a 61-57 overtime victory.

Emmanuel Anumba and Toki Oshodi scored 15 and 12 points to lead the Vikings.

Hart had two chances to win the game in regulation but Patrick Abbott and Joe Inemer missed shots in the waning seconds.

"We had a chance there at the end, maybe we will win these close ones when it really matters," Hart coach Tom Kelly said.

It was a gutty performance from Hart considering it played without starting forward Parker Dominguez, who was benched by Kelly after getting ejected from Hart's semifinal victory against Tyler Honeycutt-less Sylmar.

Valencia, which played without sophomore-to-be Lonnie Jackson won its second overtime game in three hours after escaping El Camino Real of Woodland Hills, 45-41 in the semifinals.

The Vikings blew leads of seven points twice in the second half and only shot 16 of 32 from the free throw line in the less than pretty win.

Aaron Hicks, the former Long Beach Wilson who you'll remember as a playoff opponent against Hart and Simi Valley in the Southern Section Div. I playoffs this past season, is tearing it up in the Gulf Coast rookie league.

The Twins' first-round draft choice is 7 for 12 with a home run over the past two games, raising his average to .354 with 10 RBIs in 11 games. It looks like the plan is for Hicks to be a full-time outfielder even though he throws 95 mph.

Also, Calvin Culver, formerly of Quartz Hill and Pierce College, is performing well in the Gulf Coast League for the Braves' affiliate. Culver, who I've covered since his Little League days at Park View in Lancaster (oh what a player he was, even as a 12-year-old) is batting .288 with one home run in 15 games.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Jonathan Meyer, Simi Valley, INF, Jr. - Meyer was the star slugger and top relief pitcher in leading the Pioneers to the Div. I championship. He batted .386 with nine HRs and 43 RBIs, and also was 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA and five saves.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Meyer is an intimidating presence in the batter's box, and with the ability to hit a home run at any time, he strikes fear into opposing pitchers.

Defensively, he shows good range and improved as the year moved forward, often coming through with spectacular plays that no one but Meyer could have made.

It will be fun charting Meyer's success as his career continues. He already has committed to Cal State Fullerton, but many agree Meyer has the makings of a Major Leaguer.

FIRST TEAM

Jett Bandy, Thousand Oaks, C, Sr. - Mission League MVP batted .373 with nine HRs, 26 RBIs and .827 slugging percentage. Also walked 22 times and was hit by a pitch 18 times, and he was a top defensive player.

Trevor Bauer, Hart, P, Jr. - Among California's top underclassmen, Bauer's fastball has been clocked at 94 mph. Bauer (12-0, 0.79 ERA) set the school win record and struck out 106 in 70 innings.

Cutter Dykstra, Westlake, OF, Sr. - Dykstra, son of former Major Leaguer Lenny Dykstra, was one of the Marmonte League's most feared hitters, drawing 21 walks. Finished with a .473 average, five HRs and 18 RBIs.

Carlos Gonzalez, Kennedy, P/3B, Sr. - One of the City Section's top players, Gonzalez shined as a hitter and pitcher in carrying the Cougars to City semifinals. Batted .435 with eight HRs and 43 RBIs, and also won eight games on mound.

Tyler Johnson, Crespi, P, Sr. - Johnson was 10-0 with a 1.06 ERA to finish his three-year career 20-0, one of the few pitchers to Southern Section history never to lose a game. Johnson had a 1.06 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 66 innings.

Kris Kauppila, Crescenta Valley, INF, Sr. - Terrific with his bat and his glove, Kauppila was one of the area's most dazzling talents. Finished with .500 average, four home runs and 30 RBIs, and was a top shortstop.

Christian Lopes, Valencia, INF, Fr. - Lopes is a star on the rise, one of the few freshmen ever to earn first-team All-Daily News honors. He finished with a .408 average, 10 HRs (seven over final 10 games), 33 runs and 24 RBIs, hitting two HRs in final game vs. Simi Valley.

Jack Marder, Newbury Park, INF, Jr. - Few players could match Marder's numbers, as the junior led the Marmonte League with a .519 average. He also hit 14 doubles and scored 29 runs.

Michael Montgomery, Hart, P, Sr. - A dominant left-hander who throws 93 mph with pin-point control, Montgomery finished 8-2 with a 1.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts and just 25 walks in 69 innings.

Nik Rodarte, Notre Dame, UTIL, Sr. - Excelling as a pitcher, hitter and first baseman, the Mission League MVP was winning pitcher in Div. III championship, finishing11-1 with 2.06 ERA, along with .343 average, three HRs and 32 RBIs.

Nick Russo, Simi Valley, P/UTIL, Sr.- Russo (9-2, 1.74 ERA) was at his best in Div. I championship, earning the win and contributing key two-run double at Dodger Stadium. Batted .386 with three HRs and 19 RBIs in just 44 ABs.

Trevor Takeyama, Chatsworth, P, Sr. - Takeyama (14-1, 1.81 ERA), was at his best during the playoffs, earning the win in final three games, including 7-2 win in final. City Player of Year.

Brandon Van Dam, Quartz Hill, Util, Sr. -- A top threat as a hitter and a pitcher, the 6-foot-7 Van Dam helped carry Quartz Hill to the Div. III semifinals. Batted .390 with six HRs and 26 RBIs, and finished 10-2 with 2.21 ERA.

Zach Vincej, Saugus, INF, Jr. - A three-year standout, Vincej had another banner season, batting .447 with 30 runs and a .580 on-base percentage, while committing just three errors at shortstop.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: Matthew Troupe, P, Granada Hills, Fr.. - Troupe was the star in a 1-0 victory over Bell in the City Invitational championship at Dodger Stadium, pitching a four-hit shutout and contributing two hits.

COACH OF YEAR: Tom Meusborn, Chatsworth - The Chancellors weren't supposed to as strong as usual because of the graduation of four-year standouts Mike Moustakas and Matt Dominguez, both first-round draft choices, but Meusborn's business-like approach and building focus worked wonders.

Even without its usual star power, Chatsworth dominated in the City playoffs, culiminating in a 7-2 victory over Narbonne in the City Championship at Dodger Stadium, Chatsworth's second consecutive title and eighth overall (seven under Meusborn).

SECOND TEAM
Malcom Culver, Palmdale, INF
Kelly Dugan, Notre Dame, INF
Trevor Gee, Notre Dame, INF
Sean Gilmartin, Crespi, UTIL
Shane Kroker, Westlake, INF
Jacob Mahan, Camarillo, INF
Alex Mejia, ECR, INF
Edgar Olmos, Birmingham, P
Jeremy Rodriguez, Crespi, C
Shon Roe, Quartz Hill, INF
Greg Selarz Calabasas, P
Steve Selsky, Loyola, UTIL
Chad Smith, Thousand Oaks, P
Eric Smith, La Canada, INF
Richard Stock, Agoura, OF
Michael Tonkin, Palmdale, P
Jenzen Torres, Hart, INF
Mike Vinyard, Royal, C
Christian Yelich, Westlake, 1B
James Wharton, Chatsworth, IB


HONORABLE MENTION:
Ricky Alvarez, San Fernando, INF; Greg Armendarez, Cleveland, UTIL; Alex Birgel, Thousand Oaks, OF; Michael Booth ECR, UTIL; Tyler Brubaker, Saugus, OF;
Chance Cross, Simi Valley, OF; Dewey Gratton, Moorpark, IB; Ryan Hawthorne, Crespi, UTIL; Tom Hocutt, Thousand Oaks, IB; Matt Hartunian, Montclair Prep, UTIL; Dylan Jones, Valencia, OF; Carlos Lopez, Crespi, INF; Travis McBride, Quartz Hill, C; Robbie Mousselli, Valencia, UTIL; Drew Sandler, Simi Valley, UTIL; JoJo Sharar, Newbury Park, C; Danny Susdorf, Hart, OF; Karl Turner, Alemany, IB; Nik Turley, Harvard-Westlake, P; Greg Zebrack, Campbell Hall, OF.



League champions

Alpha: Whitter Christian
Foothill: Hart
Frontier: Bishop Diego & Carpinteria
Golden: Quartz Hill
Heritage: Santa Clarita Christian
Liberty: Viewpoint
Marmonte: Simi Valley & Thousand Oaks
Mission: Crespi
Northern: Marshall
Olympic: Campbell Hall
Pacific: Crescenta Valley
Pacific View: Oxnard
Prep: Pasadena Poly
Rio Hondo: Monrovia
Santa Fe: St. Anthony
Sunset Six: Verdugo Hills
Tri-Valley: St. Bonaventure
Valley: Arleta
Valley Mission: Kennedy
West Valley: Chatsworth

SECTION CHAMPIONS
Div. I: Simi Valley
Div. III: Notre Dame
Div. VII: Viewpoint
City Championship: Chatsworth
City Invitational: Granada Hills

DAILY NEWS FINAL TOP 10

1. Notre Dame (27-4) - Won Div. III championshiop at Dodger Stadium
2. Simi Valley (25-8) - Dethroned defending Div. I champ Long Beach Wilson in final
3. Chatsworth (29-5) - Won second City title in row, eighth overall
4. Hart (23-7) - Led by star pitchers Michael Montgomery and Trevor Bauer
5. Quartz Hill (25-6-2) - Team loved to hit home runs in windy Antelope Valley
6. Valencia (22-8) - Another strong season for talented Foothill League program
7. Crespi (23-6) - A great season until surprise second-round Div. III playoff loss
8. Thousand Oaks (20-10) - Led by slugger Jett Bandy, Lancers could swing with best of 'em.
9. Kennedy (22-11-1) - Caught fire at end of season until loss in semi's to eventual City champ Chatsworth
10. Cleveland (25-8-1) - Rode its deep pitching staff to City semifinals
OTHERS: Crescenta Valley (19-6); Saugus (17-10); Camarillo (19-8); Royal (19-9); Loyola (18-13).

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Michael Montgomery signed for close to $1 million and he's pitching like it.

The No. 36 pick overall in the first round supplemental by the Royals, the recent Hart grad, a 6-foot-5 left-hander, has yet to allow a run in three pitching performances in Rooke League in Arizona. In 5 1/3 innings, Montomery has a 0,00 ERA and six strikeouts with two hits allowed and one walk..

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com