March 2008 Archives

Jim Baughman, an All-Foothill League volleyball player at Valencia, has committed to Long Beach State after an official this past weekend.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Saturday April 5

Cleveland High School in Reseda site-ALL BOYS
10 am Oak Park 1 vs. Harvard-Westlake 1 (var)
11 am Oak Park 2 vs. Harvard-Westlake 2 (jv)
12 pm St. Francis 3 vs. Arleta 2 (jv)
1 pm St. Francis 2 vs. Arleta 1 (var)
2 pm St. Francis 1 vs. SCV Bulldogs 1 (var)

Taft High School in Woodland Hills site-ALL GIRLS unless noted
10 am Taft vs. Burroughs (girls)
11 am Birmingham vs. La Canada (girls)
12 pm Notre Dame vs. Skywalkers (girls)
1 pm SF Jaguars vs. Bengals (girls)
2 pm Agoura 4 vs. Bengals (boys jv)
3 pm Agoura 2 vs. Sherman Oaks C.E.S. (boys var)
4 pm Agoura 3 vs. Notre Dame (boys jv)
5 pm Agoura 1 vs. St. Bonaventure (boys var)

Van Nuys High School in Van Nuys site-ALL BOYS
12 pm Gametymers 3 vs. Buckley (var)
1 pm Gametymers 1 vs. L.A. Baptist (var)
2 pm Gametymers 2 v. Channel Islands (var)
3 pm La Canada vs. Van Nuys (var)
4 pm Reseda vs. Van Nuys (var)
5 pm Pasadena Eagles vs. SF Jaguars (jv)

Saturday April 12

Cleveland High School in Reseda site-ALL BOYS unless noted
9am St. Francis 1 vs. Oak Park 1 (boys var)
10 am St. Francis 3 vs. Oak Park 2 (boys jv)
11 am St. Francis 2 vs. St. Bonaventure (boys var)
12 pm Bengals vs. Skywalkers (girls)
1 pm Bengals vs. SF Jaguars (boys jv)
2 pm Agoura 1 vs. Arleta 1 (boys var)
3 pm Agoura 3 vs. Arleta 2 (boys jv)
4 pm SCV Bulldogs 2 vs. SF Jaguars (boys jv)
5 pm SCV Bulldogs 2 vs. Notre Dame (boys jv)
6 pm La Canada vs. Reseda (boys var)

Taft High School in Woodland Hills site-ALL GIRLS unless noted
9 am Taft vs. Notre Dame (girls)
10 am Birmingham vs. Burroughs (girls)
11 am Agoura 2 vs. Harvard Westlake 1 (boys var)
12 pm Agoura 4 vs. Harvard Westlake 2 (boys jv)
1 pm Gametymers 1 vs. Sherman Oaks CES (boys var)
2 pm Gametymers 3 vs. Pasadena Eagles (boys var)
3 pm SCV Bulldogs 1 vs. Buckley (boys var)
4 pm Gametymers 2 vs. Van Nuys (boys var)
5 pm Westlake vs. La Canada (girls)
6 pm Stockdale vs. Channel Islands (boys var)
7 pm Stockdale vs. L.A. Baptist (boys var)

bye week: sf jaguars girls

Saturday April 19
Cleveland High School in Reseda site-ALL BOYS unless noted
10 am Notre Dame vs. La Canada (girls)
11 am Burroughs vs. Skywalkers (girls)
12 pm Gametymers 1 vs. St. Bonaventure (boys var)
1 pm Gametymers 2 vs. Channel Islands (boys var)
2 pm Gametymers 3 vs. SF Jaguars (boys jv)
3 pm Bengals vs. Notre Dame (boys jv)
4 pm Reseda vs. Arleta 1 (boys var)
5 pm Pasadena Eagles vs. Arleta 2 (boys jv)

Van Nuys High School in Van Nuys site-ALL BOYS unless noted
9 am La Canada vs. Agoura 2 (boys var)
10 am Oak Park 1 vs. Agoura 1 (boys var)
11 am Oak Park 2 vs. Agoura 3 (boys jv)
12 pm Sherman Oaks C.E.S. vs. Buckley (boys var)
1 pm SCV Bulldogs 1 vs. Van Nuys (boys var)
2 pm L.A. Baptist vs. St. Francis 2 (boys var)
3 pm Harvard Westlake 1 vs. St. Francis 1 (boys var)
4 pm Harvard Westlake 2 vs. St. Francis 3 (boys jv)
5 pm Westlake vs. Birmingham (girls)

bye week: agoura 4 and taft girls and sf jaguars girls and bengals girls

Bort Escoto, head coach at Sylmar High is running the 13th annual War on the Floor Summer Boys and Girls Basketball tournament.

The dates are June 21-24.

The star studded event will be held at Taft High in Woodland Hills, Van Nuys High and other area locations.

The tournament is looking for 24-32 teams.

Teams that have signed up already are Taft, Sylmar, Van Nuys, Dorsey, Highland, El Camino Real, Golden Valley, Clovis West, Arleta and Ripon.

The tournament has arguably one of Southern California's biggest and best during the summer period

For more information on this event email jhp9436@lausd.net

Valencia High stole five bases in its 5-1 Foothill League win over Hart High of Newhall on Friday. Travis Amerian had four of them and freshman Christian Lopes had one.
Amerian was able to turn his steals into three runs as Valencia used its baserunners to distract Hart ace Mike Montgomery.
"Fos us, we gotta run," said Valencia coach Jared Snyder. "We like to put pressure on guys. Gotta take the good with the bad."
Every time Valencia attempted to steal a base, it turned out good.
Hart coach Jim Orzella said Valencia made his team struggle, drawing eight walks and making his pitchers work deep in counts with runners on base.
"Our game is dictated by the pitchers running the show," Orzella said. "They exploited our pitchers and took advantage of that."
As aggressive as Valencia was on the base paths, they played it a little conservative at times at the plate.
In the first inning, with runners at first and third with one out, Snyder had Tommy Ferndino, his clean-up hitter, bunt.
"It was his call," said Ferndino, who lined out softly to the first baseman for the second out of the inning. "I have a lot of confidence in my pushes and drags."
Evidently so does Snyder. With two outs and the bases loaded in the second, Snyder had Ferndino try to bunt again. This time he missed, then eventually struck out to end the inning.
When asked why he would let his No. 4 hitter bunt, twice, with runners in scoring position, Snyder said it's just the way his team plays.
"We don't have a four hitter," said Snyder. "We haven't had a four hitter since Jared Clark. It's what we practice, putting pressure."
Clark, who plays for Cal State Fullerton, hit .421 with 10 home runs as a senior for Valenca in 2004.

2008 Battle of the Valley
Boys Senior All Star Game
Sunday April 13
Cal State Northridge 5 p.m.

West Roster
32-Lorne Jackson-Simi Valley
4-Michael Meza-Simi Valley
10-Andy Winningham-Oak Park
0-Matt Johnson-Oaks Christian
12-Bryce Smith-Taft
24-Joseph Fauria-Crespi
14-David Buchanan-Moorpark
13-Derrell Powers-Sylmar
30-Kyisean Reed-Highland
22-Ben Ricard-Agoura
2-Bobby Hillard-Oak Park
20-Levi Wenrich-Hart
21-Chris Smith-Burroughs
34-Kyle Olandt-Westlake
35-Dalton Francis-Newbury Park
COACH-CHRISTIAN AURAND-SIMI VALLEY (caurand@sbcglobal.net)
Assistants-Ryan Moore and Chris Garton

East Roster
33-Dallas Rutherford-Campbell Hall
11-John Otavka-Valencia
10-Paul George-Knight
21-Cody Anderson-Canyon
1-Ryan Walczuk-Malibu
0-Charles Cole-Monroe
2-Clayton Sierra-Crescenta Valley
15-Teilden McKissic-Lancaster
31-Jesse Zarate-North Hollywood
23-Renaldo Woolridge-Harvard-Westlake
25-Eric Strangis-Crescenta Valley
13-Justin Cook-Renaissance Academy
5-Cory Davis-Reseda
3-Mat Hankins-Van Nuys
4-Shara Babakhanians-Hoover
COACH-KEITH HIGGINS-RESEDA (ksh91331@yahoo.com)
Assistants-Derrick Higgins, Thurman Moore, Ramon Zuniga

2008 VALLEY SPORTS FOUNDATION
BATTLE OF THE VALLEY
SENIOR ALL STAR GAME
April 13 @ Cal St. Northridge 3 p.m.

West-
24-Kim Capicotto-Chaminade
20-Kim Brandon-Chatsworth
2-Nichelae Henderson-Cleveland
32-Chelsea Carlisle-Oaks Christian
4-Lauren Carter-Moorpark
0-Mhiah Vickers-Westlake
1-Coral Laolagi-Birmingham
12-Kim Smith-Chatsworth
34-Christine Escoto-Oaks Christian
14-Porcha Davis-Monroe
22-Eryka Menzies-Chatsworth
13-Taylor Lord-Agoura
11-Jenna Burge-La Reina
15-Tess Williams-Chatsworth

Head Coach Quincy Brooks, Monroe (roecoach@yahoo.com)
Assistant-Mike Newton

East-
11-Lauren Labat-Saugus
5-Amanda Gupilan-Bell-Jeff
41-Jazzmin Lewis-Montclair Prep
35-Megan Ford-Hart
33-Rachel Estrella-Hoover
13-Chelsey Hastigan-Valencia
20-Erika Ward-Royal
25-Dee Kapil-Reseda
31-Samantha Cross-Burroughs
15-Kendra Carter-Burbank
21-Courtney Brox-Sylmar
13-Courtney Robinson-Flintridge Prep
4-Kris King-Royal
00-Alex Dill-Village Christian

Head Coach Bryan Camacho, Bell-Jeff (bryancamacho@bell-jeff.net)
Assistants-Damien Scott, Ana Coronado, Ib Belou

FULLERTON -- Looking good for Crespi tonight. The Celts are ahead 6-0 in the top of the fifth against Orange Lutheran in the National Classic final at Cal State Fullerton.

Crespi's Ryan Healy is 2 for 2 with an RBI and a run, and right-hander E.C. McSweeney has allowed six hits but no runs through 4 2/3 innings, striking out three.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

FULLERTON -- Should be a good one tonight, as Crespi takes on Orange Lutheran in the championship game of the 19th annual National Classic tournament at Cal State Northridge.

E.C. McSweeney is scheduled to pitch for Crespi, which is coming off a long night after winning its semifinal 8-6 over St. Johns of Washington, D.C. in a Wednesday semifinal that didn't end until well after midnight.

The only Valley area to win the National Classic was Simi Valley over Irvine in 1993.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Eagle Rock defensive back Freddy Reyes said he received a citation from campus police today and was suspended for two days for his role in an ongoing protest against the firing of coach Jerry Chou in January.

“I’m very upset. I don’t believe in the system,” Reyes said. “The ticket is for being definat to school officials. It's a $200 fine plus community service, and I’m going to fight this ticket. I can’t come back to school until Tuesday, but this is not over. The principal (Salvador) Velasco hates my guts.”

Reyes and another source said others were cited, too.

Velasco has yet to a return phone message Wednesday from the Daily News.

Velasco sent an inter-office memo Tuesday naming Johnny Lopez the new coach.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

All-City MVP: Reiko Thomas, Narbonne

First Team All-City

Kimberly Brandon, Chatsworth
Gennifer Brandon, Chatsworth
Gabrielle Clark, Narbonne
Rmanii Haynes, Taft
Mykeia Russell, Washington, Los Angeles
Tipesa Moorer, Narbonne
Danielle Lenoir, Narbonne
Dominique Scott, Palisades Charter
Monica Jackson, Chatsworth
Kim Smith, Chatsworth
Nichelae' Henderson, Cleveland
Natasha Pruitt, View Park Prep, Los Angeles
Gloria Lee, Fairfax

Second Team All-City

Amanda Corona, Grant
Janae Askew, Washington, Los Angeles
Marlee Rice, Venice
Ashley Wakefield,
Nayelli Felix, Garfield
Kimberly Roberts, University
Briauna Linton, Narbonne
Tessondra Williams, Chatsworth
Danielle Pruitt, View Park Prep, Los Angeles
Sara Villanueva, Polytechnic, Sun Valley
Lauren Payton, Narbonne
Charrisa Engeron, Wilson

FULLERTON – Crespi of Encino got off to a late start Wednesday, as its National Classic baseball semifinal against St. Johns of Washington, D.C. did not begin until after 9 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton

But the Celts made up for lost time with eight runs through the first innings and held on for an 8-6 victory that didn't end until past midnight.

Crespi (9-3) plays Orange Lutheran in the tournament championship at 7 tonight at Cal State Fullerton. The Celts are bidding to become only the second local team in the tournament’s 19-year history to win the championship. Simi Valley won it 1993.

Sean Gilmartin allowed one hit over the final two innings to earn the save, and Harry Grace (2-0) pitched the first 3 2/3 innings for the win.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

FULLERTON – Crespi of Encino got off to a late start Wednesday, as its National Classic baseball semifinal against St. Johns of Washington, D.C. did not begin until after 9 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton

But the Celts made up for lost time with eight runs through the first innings to forge an 8-4 lead at press time.

Crespi scored five runs in the bottom of the third, the big blow Travis Forbes’ two-run single, followed by Carlos Lopez’s RBI single.

The winner advances to the tournament championship at 7:15 Thursday against Orange Lutheran at Cal State Fullerton.

Crespi scored in the first inning when Forbes doubled, took third on Lopez’s long fly, then scored on Jeremy Rodriguez’s sharp single to left to make it 1-0.

St. Johns responded with four runs in the second, parlaying two walks, two hit batters, a sacrifice, a run-scoring groundout by LJ Hoes and a two-run single by Jeff Flax.

Crespi scored twice in the second. Sean Gilmartin walked and eventually scored on Zack Wiley’s single, and Austin Walker walked, advanced to third on Wiley’s single, then scored on a passed ball to pull to within 4-3.

St. Johns threatened in the top of the first, putting runners on second and third. But Grace induced Josh Leemhuis to pop out to first to end the threat.

In the other semifinal at Cal State Fullerton:

Orange Lutheran 16, Seminole Ridge, Fla. 11 – Gerrit Cole hit a grand slam, Josh Doyle hit a two-run home run, and Aaron Gates added two hits and two RBIs, as Orange Lutheran overcame seven errors to qualify for the championship game Thursday at 7:15 p.m.. at Cal State Fullerton.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Rigo Ramirez, the catcher for Cleveland of Reseda's baseball team, stole home in Wednesday's 9-2 West Valley League win over Birmingham of Lake Balboa.
It was on a busted squeeze play in the fifth inning. Nick Kaid tried to lay down a bunt on the first pitch, but it was inside and got away from the Birmingham catcher.
"I was thinking I was gone, but I saw the ball get away and I started running harder," Ramirez said.
He also said it was probably the first time since little league that he's stole home.
He added a stolen base in the second inning. Birmingham pitcher Edgar Olmos picked Ramirez off first, but Ramirez broke for second and beat the throw from the first baseman.
So when was the last time the speedy catcher had two stolen bases in a game?
He didn't remember the exact game, but it happened once last year.

FULLERTON -- But the bad news is it took until 9 p.m. for the first pitch because of delays, so who knows when this National Classic semifinal between Crespi and St. Johns of D.C., will end?

St. Johns threatened but did not score in the first, and Crespi is ready to take its hacks.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

FULLERTON -- Hmm, already starting to worry about making press deadline tonight, as Crespi has yet to begin warming up for its National Classic semifinal vs. St. Johns of Washington, D.C., because the other semifinal is running late.

If starts much later than the scheduled 8 p.m. first pitch, that's going to be pushing it.

At any rate, it should be a good game. Crespi is 8-3, not the greatest record in the world, but the Celts remain heavily respected and, with a win, will surely remain the Daily News\' No. 1 team entering Friday's finale. Submarine RHP Harry Grace gets the nod for Crespi, and he's fun to watch because his delivery is unorthodox. Kid has good stuff, too. Lots of spin, and he throws hard.

St. Johns, meanwhile, is 6-0, and no less than NINE players are D-I signees, including center fielder L.J. Hoes, who has signed with North Carolina -- but only if he's not a top-three-round draft prospect, as expected. The designated hitter, Scott Silverstein, has 13 RBIs; he has signed with Virginia. Mike Loeb gets the nod; he hasn't pitched often -- no decisions this year, 3-0 as a junior and 1-0 as a sophomore -- but he has never lost a HS game. He is going to Davidson in North Carolina.

Will update when appropriate ....

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

It isn't official, but two sources have confirmed Johnny Lopez, former head coach at Marshall of Pasadena, has been appointed head football coach at Eagle Rock, replacing Jerry Chou, who's firing in January sparked dissention among players and fellow students, many of whom have since participated in staged classroom walkouts and civic demonstrations in support of Chou.

Lopez was 1-9 (the win was by forfeit) in his final season at Marshall in 2006, and 2-7 in 2005. It isn't clear if he was a coach last season.

Bell-Jeff coach Raul Aguirre was first offered the job Tuesday but turned it down, saying he decided he wanted to stay at Bell-Jeff.

"Yes, I did turn it down. I think (Eagle Rock) is pretty desperate," Aguirre said. "I didn't really know about all the issues at Eagle Rock, and as a professional, I didn't want to get into a situation like that, My assistants and I want to stay at Bell-Jeff. We've got a good team coming back."

A message has been left for Eagle Rock principal Salvador Velasco, who fired Chou and reportedly hired Lopez.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Lancaster's Shawna Wright is only the second softball player in area history to hit 30 career home runs. surpassing former Quartz Hill star Jodie Cox, who hit 29 -- heading into today's Golden League game against winless Eastside of Lancaster.

With 14 games remaining heading into today's Golden League game against visiting Eastside, Wright, a junior, needs seven home runs to tie the area record of 37, set by Biana Mejia, who played at Sylmar and El Camino Real.

"The record would be nice, and I'm comfortable with the attention, but I'd rather the attention be on the team," Wright said. "When I'm up there, I don't really think home run, except maybe with a runner on third and less than two outs. That's when I'm trying to hit a fly ball. Otherwise, I just try to hit the ball on a line."

Wright has five home runs in 44 at-bats this season after hitting a state-best 14 last year and hit 11 home runs as a freshman

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Funny how a case of burnout seemingly can be solved with new scenary.

Jeff Hallman and Eric Olsson, who earlier this month quit their respective jobs as head coaches of Saugus' boys' and girls' basketball teams -- both citing the age-old "family reasons" -- have joined the staff for The Master's College men's team as assistants, according to the The Signal.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Congrats to Simi Valley's Lorne Jackson, named Ventura County Star's Player of The Year. Now the big question remains: where will Jackson play college basketball?

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Jeremiah McKibbins, a junior sprinter from Crespi HIgh School in Encino, is recovering from a thumb injury. He broke it during the first round of football playoffs, almost three months ago. But he didn't have surgery on it until about four weeks ago.
He got his cast off last week and ran the 100 meters on Saturday at the Percy Knox Invitational track meet at College of the Canyons in Santa Clarita. It was his only race of the day.
"It's got better," McKibbins said. "Just practicing, nothing big right now."
It might seem like a silly question, but how does a broken thumb affect a runner?
McKibbins said his biggest hurdle has been in the starting blocks. He has to lean on his hands before the start of a race, and adjusting to his broken thumb has been a bit of a challenge.
Mark Watley, a senior at Crespi and one of the top 400 runners in the state, ran a 48.22 at the meet, the best reported time in the state so far this year.
"It's alright," Watley said modestly.
He said he wants to get in the 45.2 range for CIF state finals. He was also on the team's 400 meter relay team which set the school record with a mark of 42.00, even though coach Jess Garner had them at 41.69.

The track meet at College of the Canyons attracted some of the top runners in the state. The boys 100-meter race featured three of the top runners in California: Randall Carrol from Cathedral, Adam Long from St. Bernard's and Austin Shanks from Crespi.
All three topped the best recorded time in the 100 meters in the state this year, set by Nick Mixon of Vista Murrieta.
As good as the 100 was, the 400 was a little bit of a let down.
Mark Watley from Crespi won the race with the top reported time in state this year, but it was a race without Long Beach Poly's Joey Hughes, expected to be one of the top runners in state in the event.
Crespi coach Jess Garner said he wished Hughes would have been in that race. It would have been a more accurate gauge for Watley to see how he stacks up against one of the better 400-meter runners in the state.
Without Hughes, the relays were blowouts as well. Crespi won the 400-meter relay, setting a school record in 42.00 and beating Inglewood by .30 seconds. Long Beach Poly wasn't a factor in the 400 relay.
Crespi also won the 1600-meter relay, coasting to a seven-second win over Long Beach Poly.
As fast as the sprints were, the long distance races didn't provide much competition, especially for freshman phenom Melissa Bauer from Paraclete High School in Lancaster.
She won the 1,600 and the 3,200, but did not post her best times in either event. Andy Helme, the middle distance and long distance track coach at Paraclete, said the field for the races "wasn't as fast as we had hoped."
She won the 1,600 in 5:19.54 and the 3,200 in 11:46.64.
Helme and Bauer expected better times from the meet, but the competition didn't allow for them. She won the 3,200 by nearly 13 seconds.

Girls Basketball All League

MVP
1. Megan Ford Sr.
2. Lauren Labat Sr.

First Team
1. Brooke Lemar So. Canyon
2. Kelli Lewis Sr. Hart
3. Gabby Conn Jr. Saugus
4. Danielle Mofsowitz Sr. Saugus
5. Chelsey Hastigan Sr. Valencia
6. Lacie Jacobsen Sr. West Ranch

Second Team
1. Angelica Sahagun So. Canyon
2. Lindsay Knox Sr. Canyon
3. Roselyn Angilau Sr. Hart
4. Breann Wilson Sr. Saugus
5. Lindsey Hill So. Valencia
6. Starla Wright Jr. Valencia

Honorable Mention
1. Amanda Reyes Sr. Canyon
2. Meredith Mathis Sr. Golden Valley
3. Briana Fitchpatrick Jr. Hart
4. Nicole Hicks Jr. Saugus
5. Molly Herrera Sr. Valencia
6. Anjelica Ostrea Sr. West Ranch

2008 Mission League

MVP
So. Kody Burke - ND

1st Team
Jr. Mel Madriaga - ND
Jr. Breanna Kigozi - ND
So. Nicole Nesbit - HW
So. Sydney Haydel - HW
Sr. Kim Capicotto - Chaminade
So. Erin Dautremont - Chaminade
So. Maya Sotelo - Alemany

2nd Team
Jr. Liza Avancena - ND
Sr. Clare Bergman - HW
Sr. Lizzy Brooks - HW
Sr. Analisa Schaaf - Chaminade
Sr. Dannielle Borggrebe - Chaminade
So. Jackie Sanchez - Alemany
Sr. Amanda Arnold - Louisville

2008 Mission League

MVP
So. Kody Burke - ND

1st Team
Jr. Mel Madriaga - ND
Jr. Breanna Kigozi - ND
So. Nicole Nesbit - HW
So. Sydney Haydel - HW
Sr. Kim Capicotto - Chaminade
So. Erin Dautremont - Chaminade
So. Maya Sotelo - Alemany

2nd Team
Jr. Liza Avancena - ND
Sr. Clare Bergman - HW
Sr. Lizzy Brooks - HW
Sr. Analisa Schaaf - Chaminade
Sr. Dannielle Borggrebe - Chaminade
So. Jackie Sanchez - Alemany
Sr. Amanda Arnold - Louisville

In the Liberty League softball game between Viewpoint and Santa Clarita Christian, the umpire made a bizarre call in the seventh inning.
The umpire said the Viewpoint catcher was giving her pitcher signs when the pitcher was not on the rubber. Apparently this is against the rules. If so, it's a silly rule.
The umpire gave the Santa Clarita Christian batter two balls and she ended up walking, putting the potential game-winning run on base.
Viewpoint's pitcher Micelle Lesser got out of the inning and hit a home run in the eighth to win the game, but the umpire's ruling in the previous inning almost cost Viewpoint the game.
Viewpoint's coach said her catcher doesn't even give the pitcher signs. Her pitchers get signs from the coach.
The umpire warned both teams for giving signs when the pitchers were not on the rubber.
This is a bizarre rule and if it exists, it should be re-evaluated. Apparently the catcher can't give her pitcher signs unless the pitcher is on the rubber. But there is no rule that says the coach can give a pitcher signs when she is not on the rubber.

Sabine Stork, who played at Cal State Northridge and was an assistant at Harvard Westlake, is the new coach at Louisville, replacing Will Jacoby.

Stork's husband, Jeff, is the women's coach at CSUN.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Freshman Mariah Winters singled to right field scoring courtesy runner Carissa Gonzalez for the eventual winning run in the sixth inning capping a three run rally for the Knights (9-3).

Notre Dame led 4-1 but gave up the lead on a three-run homer by Ashley Jaramillo and a two run single by Brandee Melero.

Saugus has named Derek Ballard head boys' coach, replacing Jeff Hallman, and the school also has named Kent Eaton head girls' coach, replacing Eric Olsson.

Ballad was the head JV coach and a varsity assistant the past three years. Eaton was an assistant the past eight years for Saugus' lower level boys' teams.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

The brackets are out.

Several players with ties to the area will be playing this week.

Andre Murray-Portland St. (Cleveland of Reseda)
Alex Stepheson-North Carolina (Harvard-Westlake)
Bryce Taylor-Oregon (Harvard-Westlake)
Joey Ellis-UCLA (Crespi of Encino)
Frank Robinson-Sylmar (Cal St. Fullerton)
Brook and Robin Lopez-Stanford (Lived in the area when brother Alex starred at Campbell Hall of North Hollywood)

The brackets are out.

Several players with ties to the area will be playing this week.

Andre Murray-Portland St. (Cleveland of Reseda)
Alex Stepheson-North Carolina (Harvard-Westlake)
Bryce Taylor-Oregon (Harvard-Westlake)
Joey Ellis-UCLA (Crespi of Encino)
Frank Robinson-Sylmar (Cal St. Fullerton)
Brook and Robin Lopez-Stanford (Lived in the area when brother Alex starred at Campbell Hall of North Hollywood)

2008 Battle of the Valley
Boys Senior All Star Game
Sunday April 13
Cal State Northridge 5 p.m.

West Roster
32-Lorne Jackson-Simi Valley
4-Michael Meza-Simi Valley
10-Andy Winningham-Oak Park
0-Matt Johnson-Oaks Christian
12-Bryce Smith-Taft
24-Joseph Fauria-Crespi
14-Ryan Walczuk-Malibu
30-Kyisean Reed-Highland
22-Ben Ricard-Agoura
2-Bobby Hillard-Oak Park
20-Levi Wenrich-Hart
34-Kyle Olandt-Westlake
35-Dalton Francis-Newbury Park
COACH-CHRISTIAN AURAND-SIMI VALLEY (caurand@sbcglobal.net)
Assistants-Ryan Moore and Chris Garton

East Roster
33-Dallas Rutherford-Campbell Hall
11-John Otavka-Valencia
10-Darrell Powers-Sylmar
21-Cody Anderson-Canyon
1-David Buchanan-Moorpark
0-Charles Cole-Monroe
15-Teilden McKissic-Lancaster
31-Jesse Zarate-North Hollywood
23-Mitch Weber-Saugus
25-Eric Strangis-Crescenta Valley
13-Justin Cook-Renaissance Academy
5-Cory Davis-Reseda
3-Mat Hankins-Van Nuys
4-Shara Babakhanians-Hoover
COACH-KEITH HIGGINS-RESEDA (ksh91331@yahoo.com)
Assistants-

2008 Battle of the Valley
Boys Senior All Star Game
Sunday April 13
Cal State Northridge 5 p.m.

West Roster
32-Lorne Jackson-Simi Valley
4-Michael Meza-Simi Valley
10-Andy Winningham-Oak Park
0-Matt Johnson-Oaks Christian
12-Bryce Smith-Taft
24-Joseph Fauria-Crespi
14-Ryan Walczuk-Malibu
30-Kyisean Reed-Highland
22-Ben Ricard-Agoura
2-Bobby Hillard-Oak Park
20-Levi Wenrich-Hart
34-Kyle Olandt-Westlake
35-Dalton Francis-Newbury Park
COACH-CHRISTIAN AURAND-SIMI VALLEY (caurand@sbcglobal.net)
Assistants-Ryan Moore and Chris Garton

East Roster
33-Dallas Rutherford-Campbell Hall
11-John Otavka-Valencia
10-Darrell Powers-Sylmar
21-Cody Anderson-Canyon
1-David Buchanan-Moorpark
0-Charles Cole-Monroe
15-Teilden McKissic-Lancaster
31-Jesse Zarate-North Hollywood
23-Mitch Weber-Saugus
25-Eric Strangis-Crescenta Valley
13-Justin Cook-Renaissance Academy
5-Cory Davis-Reseda
3-Mat Hankins-Van Nuys
4-Shara Babakhanians-Hoover
COACH-KEITH HIGGINS-RESEDA (ksh91331@yahoo.com)
Assistants-

Brent Newcomb, former longtime coach at Antelope Valley, won a fishing tournament in Lone Pine, according to the AV Press.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

SACRAMENTO -- Renaissance Acadamy picked the wrong day for a total breakdown.

Fading under the pressure of the CIF State Div. V final against defending two-time champion Branson of Ross, Renaissance Academy shot 33 percent, committed 15 turnovers and totaled just one assist in a 40-33 loss before a crowd of about 3,500 at Arco Arena.

Renaissance Academy’s top player, Justin Cook, a three-time All-Southern Section pick who came in averaging 18 points per game, did not hit a field goal and finished with three points.

Trailing by five points entering the fourth quarter, Branson’s Curtis Elijah hit a quick 3-pointer, followed by a short jumper to stretch the lead to 36-26. From that point, the Wildcats, their body language dejected and defeated, never got closer than seven.

Twice Renaissance Academy went more than five minutes without a point, and the Wildcats didn’t score in the fourth quarter until Yader Combs’ 3-pointer with 2:25 remaining, making it 36-29.

“There was a lot of frustration,” Renaissance Academy’s Anthony Stover said. “It seemed at halftime, we were down by five points, and everyone kind of felt like we already lost it.”

Renaissance Academy (27-4), comprised of just 65 students, is in only its eighth year, and coach Sid Cooke believes there will be better times ahead. He noticed his players were dragging down the stretch, but the coach chalked it up to inexperience.

“It’s part of being a growing program trying to get to that next level,” Cooke said. “It was a big game, and maybe there were some jitters. It’s just about being mentally tough.”

So distraught was Cook that he could barely comment. When asked what happened, he said: “I don’t know,” then broke down.

“I think Justin just got caught up in the game and didn’t have his rhythm a little bit,” Cooke said. “But (Branson) had a lot to do with that. One bad game doesn’t define him.”

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

SACRAMENTO -- It's a wrap. Final score: Branson 40, Renaissance Academy 33

Still haven't got the final stats, but i would be surprised if Renaissance shot better than 30 percent in this D5 loss to Branson at Arco Arena. The Wildcats just did not have any fire, turning the ball over way too much, and generally making poor decisions.

Nervous? Perhaps. Otherwise, Branson is simply a much better team. Wouldn't be a shock, considering this was Branson third consecutive D5 state title.

It didn't help that leading scorer Justin Cook did not hit a field goal and finished with just three points. That was a killer.

But there is lots of talent returning, including big man Anthony Stover, so perhaps Renaissance Academy will be heard from again.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

SACRAMENTO -- Renaissance Academy is playing into Branson's style -- slow, deliberate, forcing mistakes -- and paying for it, as the locals trail 19-14 at the half after managing just one field goal in the second quarter.

Renaissance Academy's Justin Cook, the teams' leading scorer at 18 ppg, has scored just one point, and he didn't get that until the final seconds of the half.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

This one is tight and low-scoring, just as expected. The teams are tied at 10 after one quarter, but if Renaissance Academy can take better shots, they’ll be in better shape. They’re forcing everything in a building that is notoriously unfriendly to outside shooters.

We shall see if things pick up …

SACRAMENTO -- Just outside of an hour b efore Renaissance Academy takes the floor for today's CIF State Div. V championship against Branson at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

This place should be rocking -- for Branson. There already are a lot of people here, as Branson's girls are playing for the DV 5 title against Mission Prep right now, with Branson up by seven at the half.

Renaissance Academy has never won a state title -- only three area programs have done so (Campbell Hall, Harvard Westlake and Montclair Prep), so a victory would be an historical accomplishment, especially for a program that's been around only eight years and has 65 total students on campus.

Will update when i can ...

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com