June 2008 Archives
Mike Spagnola, a former top defensive lineman/linebacker from Canyon who reportedly had three scholarship offers on the table, has decided to quit football and will enroll at College of the Canyons as a full-time standout, according to his father, Tom.
"Mike has decided to ... 'retire,'" Tom said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Adam Wheeler, a former Lancaster wrestling standout who graduated in 1999, has qualified for the 2008 Olympics (211 1/2 pounds) this summer in Beijing.
I remember covering Wheeler when I first started at the Daily News, as my first beat was wrestling and my first coverage area was Antelope Valley. He was an interesting story because when he first started at Lancaster, he couldn't win a match, even at the JV level, but obviously got a lot better. For a time during his senior year, Wheeler was undefeated -- about 20 matches in a row before he finally lost.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
John Jordan has resigned as coach of St. Francis after 21 years, though he plans to remain at the school as a teacher and assistant dean, according to the Glendale News Press.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
It's taken longer than expected, but, according to a source, Saugus' returning senior Ryan Zirbel, among California's most productive running backs over the past two seasons, has received his first scholarship offer -- from Portland State.
Last year, Zirbel rushed for 2,281 yards and scored 38 touchdowns to help carry Saugus to the Northern Division semifinals -- tied for the school's best finish ever.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Crespi of Encino has to be feeling very good about itself after knocking off Mater Dei of Santa Ana in the first round of the Nike Fairfax tournament.
The Celts trailed by five at halftime but used an 18-2 run in the second half and ran by the Monarchs, who played without North Carolina-bound forwards David and Travis Wear.
Blake Stanton and Gabe Borboa had 16 points each for Crespi.
Andy Brown and Gary Franklin scored 18 and 17 points for Mater Dei.
Mater Dei dressed only seven players and also played without head coach Gary McKnight.
The quarterfinals are now set.
Here is the schedule.
Westchester vs. Loyola, Thursday, 7:10 p.m.
Santa Monica vs. Crespi, Thursday 8:30 p.m.
Taft vs. Dominguez, Friday, 8:30 p.m.
Fairfax vs. Campbell Hall, Friday, 7:10 p.m.
Two days are over at the War on the Floor tournament at Taft of Woodland Hills.
The expected final four panned out and Taft will play Reseda at 6 p.m. Monday night and Van Nuys will face Sylmar at 7 p.m.
The winners will play each other for the championship Tuesday at Taft at 7 p.m.
Things could get heated in the sweltering hot gym because Reseda starts four transfers from Taft and Van Nuys features Victor Rudd and Willie Hankins, two transfers from Sylmar a year ago.
It only took a few days to learn that Valencia softball standout Jessica Spigner was named Southern Section Div. I Player of the Year after leading the Vikings (29-5-1) to a 3-0 victory May 31 over Simi Valley, securing back-to-back Div. I championships.
Spigner has since enjoyed an incredible run of postseason honors, receiving the Gatorade State Player of the Year award June 10 and being named Cal-Hi Sports' Ms. Softball State Player of the Year on Wednesday.
Finding out what other local softball talents received postseason honors wasn't as easy, since the information is no longer posted on the Southern Section Web site and has to be obtained from division representatives.
However, the news was delivered Thursday that Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta junior Baillie Kirker and Viewpoint of Calabasas junior Michelle Lesser joined Spigner in being selected player of the year in their divisions. Kirker, who was the catalyst for the Falcons' 29-0 start and appearance in the semifinals, shared the Div. III award with La Serna of Whittier pitcher Holly Consterdine and Lesser was recognized in Div. VII after leading the Patriots (19-5) to their first championship.
Kirker, who has already verbally committed to Arizona, set the Southern Section single-season record with 18 home runs, hitting .673 with 47 runs, 66 RBIs and a 1.409 slugging percentage. Although C.V. won a Div. 3-A championship in 1986 with Heather Lindstrom in the circle and advanced to the 2000 semifinals with star pitcher Meredith Cervenka leading the way, Kirker is the first C.V. player to be selected division player of the year.
Lesser demonstrated the same versatility as Spigner, dominating in the pitcher's circle in addition to being Viewpoint's leading hitter.
Lesser (13-4) won her last 10 decisions, including a one-hitter in the May 31 division final in the Patriots' 2-1 victory over Liberty League rival Faith Baptist of Canoga Park. She also hit .550 with eight home runs, 55 RBIs and 48 runs scored.
Thousand Oaks' Denis Lin and Kyle McMorrow knocked off Lancers teammate Marcos Giron and San Diego's Thomas Pham 6-2, 7-5 on Thursday to reach the boys' 18-under doubles semifinals at the 106th annual Southern California Junior Sectional Tennis Championships in Fountain Valley.
Lin and McMorrow, who captured the 18-under title at the Easter Bowl in April, will face the University High of Irvine tandem of Jason Lin and Ryan Cheung -- 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 quarterfinal winners over Taft of Woodland Hills' Josh Tchan and Beverly Hills' Daniel Ho -- at 5:30 p.m. today at Los Caballeros Sports Village.
The other semifinal matches University High's John Huang and Torrey Pines of San Diego's Michael Lin against Brentwood's Walker Kehrer and recent Pacifica Christian of Santa Monica graduate Alex Brigham, a UCLA signee.
Campbell Hall of North Hollywood sophomores Sarah Lee and Sabrina Santamaria reached today's girls' 18-under doubles semifinals with different partners.
Lee teamed with Corona del Mar of Newport Beach's Hailey Hogan to defeat Laguna Niguel residents Brynn Boren and Kristina Smith 5-7, 6-3, 6-4, setting up a 5 p.m. showdown against USC signee Alison Ramos (Troy of Fullerton) and Creekside Christian of Newport Beach's Alexandria Walters.
Santamaria joined forces with Orange Lutheran's Kaitlyn Christian to knock off Westminster's Tiffany Mai and Dos Pueblos of Goleta's Jordan Dockendorf 7-5, 6-2. Santamaria and Christian will face Ontario Christian sisters Britney and Nikki Sanders, also at 5 p.m.
Both doubles finals are scheduled for 4 p.m. Sunday.
The Camarillo Eagles, the reigning girls' 17-under national champions, begin play today in the single-elimination playoffs of the 18-under division at the Far West Regionals at Waipio Peninsula Soccer Park in Honolulu.
The Eagles, featuring local standouts Lindsey Forte (El Camino Real of Woodland Hills, Stanford), Kaitlin Paletta (Moorpark, Cal) and Kelsea Smith (Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, Pepperdine), take on the Danville-based Mustang Fury in the quarterfinals at 1 p.m. PDT.
A victory would place the Eagles in Saturday's semifinals against the Newport Beach-based Slammers or Utah state champion Avalanche Premier.
The Eagles who are unbeaten in their past 15 regional matches dating to 2004, didn't surrender a goal in pool-play victories over Arizona's Sereno White, San Diego Surf or the Hawaii Soccer Club Bulls.
Coached by Vince Thomas, the Eagles captured their third state title in May with a shootout victory over Laguna Hills Eclipse and are seeking a third regional title this weekend and a berth in the U.S. Youth Soccer National Championships, scheduled for July 22-27 in Little Rock, Ark.
Valencia softball standout Jessica Spigner has already received her share of awards this spring after leading the Vikings to their second straight Southern Section Div. I championship, joining former teammate Jordan Taylor -- who recently completed her freshman season at Michigan -- in being selected Div. I Player of the Year and Gatorade State Player of the Year.
Spigner matched Taylor's success from the 2007 season by completing the trifecta with her latest honor as Cal-Hi Sports' Ms. Softball State Player of the Year.
The Tennessee-bound Spigner, who won 29 games with a 0.62 ERA and 222 strikeouts in the circle in addition to hitting .480 with 12 home runs, 38 RBIs and 37 runs scored, wasn't the only Valencia player to be honored Wednesday. Shortstop Madison Shipman, who has already given a verbal commitment to follow Spigner to Tennessee, was selected State Sophomore of the Year after hitting .403 with 29 runs scored and 23 RBIs.
Taylor and Spigner became the first athletes from the same team to be selected the state's top player in consecutive years since Righetti of Santa Maria's Tracy Compton (1981) and Kandy Foust (1982).
Spigner is only the fourth area player to be recognized in the 35-year history of the award, joining Hart of Newhall's Samantha Ford (1984), Simi Valley's Sara Griffin (1993 and '94) and Taylor.
Shipman's recognition is even more impressive considering that neither Spigner or Taylor were selected the state's top sophomore.
El Camino Real of Woodland Hills' center fielder Dani Gilmore was selected State Freshman of the Year after setting City Section records for a ninth-grader with 14 home runs and 51 RBIs. Gilmore, the only freshman on the All-City roster, also added 47 runs to help the Conquistadores reach the City final.
Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth has hired Colin Jamerson as its new boys basketball coach.
Jamerson has never been a varsity head coach before but has experience coaching lower level teams at Taft of Woodland Hills and Calabasas.
Jamerson is also a top travel ball coach, having directed the Gametymers organization for the past several years, based in Woodland Hills.
Sierra Canyon lost in the round of 16 of the Div. V-A playoffs this past season.
The Trailblazers return most of its top players including sophomore-to-be Jelani Williams.
Dan Scheper, a top lineman from St. Francis of La Canada, is the fifth in his family -- and the third to wear No. 51 -- to particpate in the annual East-West All-Star Football Game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. Sunday at Birmingham High.
"I come from good bloodlines," Scheper said. "My father played in this game and so did my two uncles and my cousin. I'm part of a legacy, and I'm honored."
Pete Scheper, the family patriarch, plans to be there, and he could not think of a better way to spend Father's Day.
"This is the fifth time I will see a Scheper play in this game," Pete said. "This Father's Day will be my best ever."
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
The summer basketball season is in full gear this weekend with many leagues and tournaments.
Eight local programs will participate in the Azusa Pacific Tournament.
Harvard-Westlake, West Ranch, Saugus, Malibu, Canyon, Village Christian, Glendale and Littlerock all will play two games on Saturday and Sunday at the Felix Event Center in Azusa.
Fairfax High is the site for the Watts Summer Games semifinals and final Saturday.
Fairfax plays Lynwood at 11 a.m. and Van Nuys faces off against Pasadena at 12 p.m.
The winners play each other at 2 p.m. for the championship.
Andrea Bobic, an All-WSC women's player at College of the Canyons who preppred at Lancaster, has signed with Humboldt State.
Bobic averaged 17.5 points and 12 reboundsthis past season, including a school-record eight 3-pointers in one game.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Desi Rodriguez, an ultra quick quarterback from Saugus, has been offerred another scholarship, this time by Cal Poly. He has also been offered by Army.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Ronald McCrory, a top returning receiver for Chaminade of West Hills, has received a Wyoming scholarship offer, according to scout.com. He caught 37 passes for the Eagles last season after transferring from Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, and McCrory has shined during a series of scouting combines over the past weeks.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Football coach Kevin Thomas, Canyon High's newly hired defensive coordinator, was arrested Tuesday in Van Nuys on a felony charge of suspicion of sexually assaulting a teenage girl, and he is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, according to police sources.
Thomas, 40, was an assistant at Birmingham for the past eight years, helping the Patriots to four City titles, including three over the past four seasons. He accepted the Canyon job in December.
The news has come as a shock for those who have known Thomas, considered one of the Valley area's top up-and-coming coaches who has operated a girls' basketball camp and helped some locals obtain college scholarships. He is married with two children, a daughter Tatianna, who is a college freshman, and a five-year-old son, Kevin, Jr.
"It's very disheartening. I'm a good friend of Kevin, and I hope he's OK," said Stan Delus, Canyon's girls' basketball coach. "It's kind of a shock because he has two kids himself. ... He's not that kind of person. All I know is what I see, and from I know, he's a stand-up guy. Until I see the facts, or he's convicted, I stand by what I know."
The news broke today on a local TV broadcast and on radio reports.
"I had never heard of any problems with him. He was a good guy, and we didn't have any problems, and he never did anything improper," said Birmingham head football coach Ed Croson. "The whole thing is a shock, and I hope (the charge) is false. It's unfortunate because he's got a wife and a family. This sounds really serious."
Canyon coach Chris Varner was not available for comment.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Kevin Thomas, Canyon's newly hired defensive coordinator, was arrested Tuesday in Van Nuys on a felony charge of suspicion of sexually assauting a teenage girl, and he is being held in lieu of $500,000 bail, according to police sources.
Thomas, 40, was an assistant at Birmingham for the past eight years, helping the Patriots to four City titles, including three over the past four seasons. He accepted the Canyon job in December.
Calls to Canyon head coach Chris Varner and Birmingham athletic director Rick Prizant seeking comment have yet to be returned.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
While former Chatsworth standout Mike Moustakas countinues to struggle in his first full minor league season in the Royals organization -- the shortstop's average has plummeted to .225 after going 1 for his last 20 at Burlington, Iowa -- the other half of Chatsworth's M & M boys, Matt Dominguez, is kicking some serious butt.
Dominguez, a third baseman in the Marlins organization, hit a home run Tuesday while going 3 for 5, raising his average to .354 with two home runs in 54 at-bats for Greensboro, N.C. -- including going 9 for 21 (.429) over the past four games.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
PHOTO OF MATT DOMINGUEZ
The East and West teams are beginning to take shape in preparation for the annual East-West All-Star Game on Sunday at 330 p.m. at BIrmingham High.
I caught the East practice today at Saugus, and I'm planning to check out the West tomorrow at Pierce. The East is not particularly deep for an all-star team, though there is a top quarterback in Hart's B.R. Holbrook, a surprising talent in Bell Jeff running back Jorge Chaidez, and a group of top offensive linemen led by Saugus' Shane Watterson -- plus a batch of hard-hitting defenders, including San Fernando linebacker Staphon Garcia, who has impressed.
The West is led by players from Birmingham and Crespi, and there is a lot more DI-bound talent such as running back Milton Knox and linebacker Donovan Carter from Birmingham and speedy multi purpose back Austin Shanks and defensive back/return specialist L.J. Jones from Crespi.
Should be a great Father's Day event, and get there early to see a Pop Warner all-star game that precedes the big show. Information: (818) 999-5197.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Caught up with coach Frank Mutz just a moment ago, a few hours after the shocking news broke that he was leaving Thousand Oaks to take the Chaminade job.
I guess it's surprising for any coach to leave when they're so successful -- Mutz was 66-24 over three seasons at Thousand Oaks -- but in Mutz's case it's a bit of a jolt because his last foray into private-school coaching at Oaks Christian didn't go so well, as he told me he was uncremoniously fired.
But the Chaminade job is a better gig financially.
"Well, it's a full-time job, and that's why I took it -- for financial reasons," Mutz said. "I have four daughters. ... It's a hard thing to do to leave Thousand Oaks. I've enjoyed myself here, and they've treated me well here."
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
After one season, Adam Wohlstattar is out at Moorpark and former assistant coach Eddie Gutierrez is in.
Wohlstattar decided to step down after one season. He was previously the girls coach before taking over the boys last season.
Gutierrez has been the head coach at Royal of Simi Valley and was an assistant to Tim Bednar at Moorpark for several seasons.
Just got the scoop that Simi Valley's Nick Russo and Long Beach Wilson's Aaron Hicks have been named Southern Section Div. I co-Players of the Year. List should be out soon.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Frank Mutz, the Thousand Oaks High School baseball coach for the past three years, resigned Monday and will be the coach of Chaminade High School's baseball team.
Mutz compiled a 61-26-1 record at Thousand Oaks and won two Marmonte League championships.
In a release, the Thousand Oaks Athletic Department wished Mutz and his family "the best of luck in his new position."
The Thousand Oaks Athletic Department is accpeting applications for the baseball coach position until June 30. Interested coaches can contact Jason Kilnger at 805-495-7491 ext. 1019.
Jim Delzell has resigned as Hoover's baseball coach after 15 years but plans to remain on campus as a teacher, according to reports.
A replacement has not been named.
The Tornadoes finished 13-9 this past season.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
After building a big lead Saturday, the Southern California all-star tennis team held on for an 11-9 victory Sunday over Northern California in the 35th annual Maze Cup tournament at Alpine Hills Country Club in Portola Valley.
USC signee Alison Ramos, a Troy of Fullerton standout, clinched the victory for Southern California with a 6-2, 6-4 triumph over Saratoga's Zoe DeBruycker. Ramos, who received the sportsmanship award for her team, increased the lead to 11-9 and clinched Southern California's 23rd consecutive victory in the series.
Southern California has won 34 of 35 meetings with its Northern California rivals in the tournament, which is conducted under a similar format to the annual Davis and Federation cup events. This year's competition was the closest in the series since the teams tied 10-10 in 1985, with Northern California pulling out the victory on total sets. The last time the outcome was decided by an 11-9 margin was in 1978.
After winning their 18-under singles matches Saturday, Thousand Oaks' Denis Lin and Washington-bound Kyle McMorrow both suffered tough losses Sunday. McMorrow dropped a 7-6 (0), 6-4 decision to USC-bound Andrew Kells of Tiburon and Lin was defeated 7-6 (5), 7-5 by Cal signee Thai Tu of Alameda.
Taft of Woodland Hills' Josh Tchan, the City Section champion, couldn't rebound from his singles loss Saturday and suffered a 6-3, 6-3 setback in the 16-under division to John Lamble of Saratoga.
Campbell Hall of North Hollywood's Sabrina Santamaria and partner Denis Nguyen of Anaheim lost in the mixed doubles match 7-6 (3), 6-4 to Palo Alto's Jamin Ball and Lynda Xepoleas of Gold River.
Orange High's Kaitlyn Christian and Point Loma High's Zach Leslie supported Ramos with singles victories Sunday for Southern California, which won five singles and three doubles matches Saturday for an 8-4 advantage.
Following a season in which it was knocked out of the City Section quarterfinals by eventual champion Palisades of Pacific Palisades, the Taft of Woodland Hills boys' volleyball team was eager to return to the court to begin its summer schedule.
The Toreadors got off to a good start Sunday at the 41st annual L.A. Watts Summer Games, winning the 20-team tournament at South Torrance High with a come-from-behind 29-27 victory over Long Beach Wilson in the championship match.
After losing a hard-fought three-game match against Long Beach Poly in pool play, Taft didn't drop a game the rest of the day, defeating King-Drew Magnet and Carson, before recording a forfeit victory over L.A. Jordan in the opening round of the 12-team, single-elimination playoffs.
The Toreadors defeated host South Torrance 25-20 in the quarterfinals, before handling West Valley League rival Birmingham of Lake Balboa 25-12 in the semifinals.
Long Beach Wilson won the all-Moore League semifinal against rival Long Beach Poly and held a 24-21 lead in the championship against Taft, before the Toreadors rallied behind sophomore setter Sameer Nyazi and junior middle blocker Robbie Chappelle.
Nyazi was selected tournament MVP for Arman Mercado's squad, which became the second local team in three years to win the Watts Games title, joining Sylmar in 2006.
The Spartans won their pool Sunday, but suffered a 25-19 setback to Long Beach Poly in the quarterfinals. Birmingham rallied from a 23-20 deficit to defeat Van Nuys 27-25 in another quarterfinal battle.
The Watts Games girls' volleyball tournament will be next Saturday, June 14, at South Torrance High. After winning the title the past two years, Thousand Oaks won't be able to attend because of club volleyball conflicts. Taft is also passing on attending the tournament with its finals schedule coming up the following week.
The annual War on the Floor tournament is all set with 16 boys and nine girls teams for June 21-24.
The tournament will be held at Taft of Woodland Hills and Cleveland of Reseda.
The tournament always showcases some of the best teams in the area and from over the hill.
This years edition is no different as City Section champion Taft, upstart Van Nuys, Sylmar and small school power Renaissance Academy of La Canada highlight the 16 team field.
Play begins on Saturday June 21 and the championship is scheduled for Tuesday June 24 at Taft at 7 p.m.
Taft features UNLV commit Justin Hawkins and Terran Carter, Van Nuys has senior-to-be prospect Victor Rudd and rising junior Willie Hankins, Sylmar features blossoming 6'9 wing Tyler Honeycutt and Renaissance Academy has 6'9 forward Anthony Stover. Stover is being recruited by the entire Pacific-10 conference.
Van Nuys High, expected to be one of the areas best teams next year, advanced to the semifinals of the L.A. Summer Watts Games Sunday.
The Wolves, led by Victor Rudd, Cameron Broomi and Willie Hankins, will play Pasadena next Saturday at Fairfax High School in Los Angeles at 12 p.m.
Van Nuys has to win to advance to the 2 p.m. championship game, likely against Fairfax
The summer basketball season got underway Saturday at Loyola Marymount and there was plenty information flying around.
Most of the star players were not with their respective teams because of the SAT or other camps.
Reseda showed it will give Sylmar all it can handle in the Valley Mission League next season as it beat Hart of Newhall and barely lost to Leuzinger of Lawndale, 45-43.
Randall Harris and Rasheem Harris led the way while forward Ryan Watkins cleaned up underneath the basket.
Hart was missing key players Bradford Wyche, Shawn Gill and Parker Dominguez as it struggled to find offense scoring only 36 points against Reseda and then putting up a paltry seven points by halftime of its second game with Pasadena.
Coach Tom Kelly said the Indians should be bolstered by the addition of an impact freshman who is 6'9 and was slated to attend West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch but will enroll at Hart.
Sylmar beat Lincoln of Los Angeles without blossoming star Tyler Honeycutt and shrpshooter Gary Ricks.
Darius Hooks was impressive for the Spartans, who faced off with Dorsey of Los Angeles in a 4:30 p.m. contest for the right to advance to Sundays championship bracket.
Dorsey was without rising senior prospect Jordan Mackie in its 20 point loss to El Camino of Oceanside.
Play continues Sunday at Loyola Marymount and the finals are next Saturday
Rasheem Harris and Ryan Watkins scored 16 and 15 points to lead Reseda to a 48-36 victory in the first round of the Watts Games at Loyola Marymount University.
Hart was missing three key players. Bradford Wyche, Shawn Gill and Parker Dominguez.
David Humphreys has resigned at Lancaster High to take the boys basketball position at Santiago High in Corona.
Humphreys had Lancaster moving in the right direction, finishing in a first place tie last season with CIF finalist Knight of Palmdale.
"It is just a better situation athletically and for more family," Humphreys said.
Former Lancaster star Mike Webb, who played at University of Pacific is taking over summer duties at Lancaster.
Saugus High School will be hosting a 16 team girls basketball summer tournament.
Here is the schedule:
Inglewood vs. West Ranch, 10 a.m.
St. Paul vs. Burbank, 10 a.m.
View Park Prep vs. Buena, 10 a.m.
Notre Dame vs. Hart, 11 a.m.
Ventura vs. Rio Mesa, 11 a.m.
Saugus vs. Culver City, 11 a.m.
Valencia vs. Beverly Hills, 1 p.m.
Oxnard vs. Chaminade, 1 p.m.
There are three courts in the gym.
Contact Jason Conn, jscbuckeye@sbcglobal.net for more info
Hart's Michael Montgomery, chosen as a supplemental pick in the first round by Kansas City Royals (36th overall), is finally calming down a few hours after fulfilling his lifelong dream of being drafted by a Major League team.
"We had some friends over, and I was getting a little nervous and kind of sweating it out through the first round," Montgomery said. "Then when my name was called, everyone was going crazy, and I couldn't even hear the TV. I think they said something about basketball, but I couldn't even hear it. I'm finally calming down from all the excitement."
Montgomery has signed to play college baseball at Cal State Fullerton, but he almost certainly will forego the scholarship to join the Royals organization immediately.
Montgomery's agent, Paul Cohen, of Encino, said signability won't be an issue.
"I was on the phone with the Royals' scouting director yesterday, and they pretty much told me they were going to draft him if Michael fell to (No. 36), Cohen said. "At this point it's highly unlikely he won't sign. We're excited for Michael. Kansas City is a good place for him because they're really committed to developing high school players."
In the second round, outfielder Cutter Dykstra of Westlake was picked by the Milwaukee Brewers, No. 54 overall.
"It's awesome. Just great. This is a dream come true," Dykstra said. "That's a good spot for me."
Dykstra plans to turn pro instead of playing at UCLA.
"I think I'm going," Dykstra said.
In the third round, Edgar Olmos, a left-handed pitcher from Birmingham, was drafted by the Florida Marlins, 83rd overall.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Just got off the phone with Hart pitcher Michael Montgomery, who has returned home following today's graduation ceremonies.
Tomorrow is a big day for him. The Major League draft. The left-hander's stock has risen and he is expected to be drafted as high as late first round, which could make him a very rich young man if he decides to sign and forego a Cal State Fullerton scholarship.
Incredibly, Montgomery swears he is not nervous, and he even predicted he'll get some sleep tonight.
'
"Oh, I'll get plenty of sleep. I'm more excited than nervous," Montgomery said. "I was nervous during the season because I was worrying about performance, but I definitely did all I could."
Montgomery is 6 foot 4 and throws 93 mph with pin-point control, He finished 8-2 with a 1.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts and just 25 walks in 69 innings this past season.
He gave me a dollar figure of what it would take for him to sign, but I don't think it's appropriate to divulge it.
The draft begins at 11 a.m. The plan is to touch base through the day with Montgomery and outfielder Cutter Dykstra of Westlake -- he is the area's other top prospect -- and for their sakes, this would a case of the sooner the better.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Besides the annual City vs. Southern Section all-star game Saturday at 630 p.m. at Birmingham, there is a lot of star power for the North team in a Southern California All-Star Series on Saturday and Sunday (championship game among four teams 7:30 p.m.) at the Urban Youth Center in Compton. Here is a look:
NAME, POS., SCHOOL
Mike Montgomery* LHP Hart High School
Sean Gilmartin LHP/OF Crespi High School
Ryan Hawthorne LHP/OF Crespi High School
Nick Russo LHP Simi Valley High School
Michael Tonkin* RHP Palmdale High School
Brandon Van Dam RHP Quartz Hills High School
Tanner Peters RHP Royal High School
Chad Smith RHP Thousand Oaks High School
Greg Selarz RHP Calabasas High School
Josh Corrales RHP Valencia High School
Mason Radeke RHP Santa Barbara High School
Jeff Johnson RHP/OF Thousand Oaks High School
West Wright RHP Moorpark High School
Carlos Gonzalez RHP Kennedy High School
Jeremy Rodriguez C Crespi High School
Nathan Johnson C Camarillo High School
Bryan Lucas C Hart High School
Jacob Mahan 2B Camarillo High School
James Wharton 1B/P Chatsworth High School
Carlos Lopez 2B Crespi High School
Tom Hocutt 1B Thousand Oaks High School
Shon Roe SS Quartz Hills High School
Eric Bernstein 3B Simi Valley High School
Dewey Gratton 1B Moorpark High School
Shane Kroker 3B/SS Westlake High School
Alex Birgel OF Thousand Oaks High School
Brent Hale OF Simi Valley High School
Danny Susdorf OF Hart High School
Stuart Smith OF Buena High School
Head Coach
Matt La Belle Simi Valley High School
Asst Coaches
Scott Fullerton Moorpark High School
Scott Muckey Crespi High School
Frank Mutz Thousand Oaks High School
With the draft coming Thursday, here's a good reference guide to where some of the local players might be drafted:
BASEBALL AMERICA California draft report:
1. Brian Matusz, lhp, San Diego (National Rank: 2)
2. Kyle Skipworth, c, Patriot HS, Rubidoux, Calif. (National Rank: 9)
3. Tanner Scheppers, rhp, Fresno State (National Rank: 10)
4. Aaron Hicks, rhp/of, Wilson HS, Long Beach (National Rank: 13)
5. Gerrit Cole, rhp, Orange Lutheran HS (National Rank: 17)
6. Jason Castro, c, Stanford (National Rank: 21)
7. Zach Collier, of, Chino Hills HS (National Rank: 22)
8. Tyson Ross, rhp, California (National Rank: 35)
9. Isaac Galloway, of, Los Osos HS, Rancho Cucamonga (National Rank: 36)
10. Mike Montgomery, lhp, Hart HS, Newhall (National Rank: 40)
11. Brett Hunter, rhp, Pepperdine (National Rank: 51)
12. Anthony Gose, lhp, Bellflower HS (National Rank: 53)
13. Tim Murphy, lhp, UCLA (National Rank: 63)
14. Shane Peterson, of/1b, Long Beach State (National Rank: 75)
15. Brett Mooneyham, lhp, Buhach Colony HS, Atwater (National Rank: 78
16. Tyler Chatwood, rhp, East Valley HS, Redlands (National Rank: 81)
17. Eric Thames, of, Pepperdine (National Rank: 90)
18. Andrew Liebel, rhp, Long Beach State (National Rank: 91)
19. Ricky Oropesa, 1b/rhp, Etiwanda HS (National Rank: 108
20. Cutter Dykstra, of, Westlake HS, Westlake Village (National Rank: 109)
21. Josh Romanski, lhp/of, San Diego (National Rank: 110)
22. Kevin Eichhorn, rhp, Aptos HS (National Rank: 112)
23. Evan Frederickson, lhp, San Francisco (National Rank: 116)
24. Vance Worley, rhp, Long Beach State (National Rank: 121)
25. Ryan O'Sullivan, rhp, Valhalla HS, El Cajon (National Rank: 123)
26. Jake Jefferies, c, UC Davis (National Rank: 133)
27. Brandon Crawford, ss, UCLA (National Rank: 134)
28. Zach Wilson, 3b, Wilson HS, Long Beach (National Rank: 140)
29. Danny Espinosa, ss, Long Beach State (National Rank: 141)
30. Jarret Martin, lhp/1b, Centennial HS, Bakersfield (National Rank: 146)
31. Bryan Shaw, rhp, Long Beach State (National Rank: 147)
32. Matt Magill, rhp, Royal HS, Simi Valley (National Rank: 171)
33. Michael Tonkin, rhp, Palmdale HS (National Rank: 173)
34. Shane Kroker, ss/3b, Westlake HS, Westlake Village, Calif. (National Rank: 174)
35. Gabe Jacobo, 1b/of, Sacramento State (National Rank: 175)
36. Graham Johnson, rhp, Westlake HS, Westlake Village, Calif. (National Rank: 178
37. Brian Humphries, of, Granite Hills HS, El Cajon, Calif. (National Rank: 180)
38. Edgar Olmos, lhp, Birmingham HS, Van Nuys (National Rank: 181)
39. Kyle Petter, lhp, West Torrance HS (National Rank: 182)
40. Scott Gorgen, rhp, UC Irvine (National Rank: 183)
41. Chris Joyce, lhp, Dos Pueblos HS, Goleta (National Rank: 184)
42. Clark Murphy, 1b, Fallbrook HS (National Rank: 191)
43. Justin Fitzgerald, rhp, UC Davis (National Rank: 192)
44. Bryan Evans, rhp, UC Davis (National Rank: 196)
45. Mark Willinsky, rhp, Santa Clara (National Rank: 198
46. Chris Amezquita, 3b, Servite HS, Anaheim
47. Tyler Rahmatulla, ss, Mater Dei HS, Santa Ana
48. Zack Thornton, rhp, Ventura CC
49. Malcolm Culver, ss/2b, Palmdale HS
50. Mike Gonzales, 1b, Diablo Valley JC
51. Nick Romero, 3b, San Diego State
52. Justin LaTempa, rhp, Golden West JC
53. Chase D'Arnaud, ss/3b, Pepperdine
54. Jeremy Bleich, lhp, Stanford
55. Justin Wilson, lhp, Fresno State
56. Brent Morel, 3B, Cal Poly
57. Brad McAtee, rhp, UC Davis
58. Bryce Stowell, rhp, UC Irvine
59. Josh Satin, 2b, California
60. Sean Ratliff, of, Stanford
61. Logan Shafer, of, Cal Poly
62. Abe Ruiz, 3b/1b, Pacific Grove HS
63. Mike Zuanich, of, UC Santa Barbara
64. Nick Buss, of, Southern California
65. Steven Susdorf, of, Fresno State
66. Jared Clark, 1b, Cal State Fullerton<