February 2010 Archives

Pasadena Poly 8 10 20 7=45
Mont. Prep. 25 11 20 13=69

Poly- Michelle Miller 35, Richard-Craven 6, Brown 3, Loera 1

Mont. Prep- Lindsay Anderson 20, Chantel Dooley 18, Kim Scamman 16, Alex Taylor 14, Martinez 1.

Mont. Prep., 21-6, Poly 23-4

Sometimes when a team might have the best, most talented player on the floor it doesn't necessarily mean that team will win.

Case in point: Saturday at St. Genevieve of Panorama City when Montclair Prep of Panorama City took on Pasadena Poly in a Div. 5-A semifinal girls' basketball game.

Sophomore Michelle Miller scored 35 points but Montclair Prep received balanced contributions from Lindsay Anderson, Chantel Dooley, Kim Scamman and Alex Taylor in an easy 69-45 victory.

The Mounties (21-6) advance to their first championship game next week since back-to-back appearances in 2001 and 2002.

Miller scored 15 of the Parrots (23-4) 18 points by halftime and then added an incredible 18 in the third quarter but it didn't help Poly make uop any ground on a 36-18 halftime deficit.

Anderson scored 20 points, Dooley had 18, Scamman had 16 and Alex Taylor made all seven her shots for 14 points.

"I knew one player could not beat us by herself," Montclair Prep coach Bob Webb said. "She might score a lot of points but we had four girls to their one."

The Mounties saw it's big lead trimmed to 13 points late in the third quarter but Dooley came up with a big steal of Miller and raced downcourt for a layup and Anderson made two more baskets and the lead was back to 19.

After defeating rival Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks twice during the regular season, most thought it was going to be tough for Crespi of Encino to do so once again Friday in a Southern Section Div. IV-A boys' basketball semifinal at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City.

But visiting Crespi showed hustle, crisp teamwork and, most importantly, some clutch shooting when it counted most to eliminate Notre Dame 69-54 before a raucous sold-out crowd of 1,280.

Down by five points early in the third quarter, Crespi (20-11) hit a series of 3-pointers while simultaneously holding Notre Dame (18-14) without a field goal for a 10-minute stretch, and that was the difference in the game.

"A lot of people doubted us. They didn't think we could beat Notre Dame three times," Crespi's Kenny Stenhouse said. "It feels great."

Matt Mounier's 3-pointer put Crespi ahead 42-40 with five minutes left in the third quarter, and the Celts never relinquished the advantage.

Crespi plays Mission League rival Alemany of Mission Hills (15-16) in the championship game at Colony High in Ontario, the date and time to be announced Monday at noon.

Stenhouse played a key role by scoring 16 of his 17 points in the second half, including two 3-pointers, as the Celts hit five 3-pointers over a nine-minute span after converting just one 3-pointer in the first half.

"It was just the flow of the game," Stenhouse said. "In the first half, we weren't playing defense, and in the second half, we picked it up."

Crespi's Blake Stanton scored 13 points with nine assists, Justin Rubia added 13 points, and Mounier scored 11.

"We finally made it to a final, and I'm over-excited about it," Stanton said. "Everyone is stoked to be playing for a championship. We've beaten Alemany twice, too, but we can't look ahead."

Jeremy Sulker-Hall scored 17 points for Notre Dame, and Kennedy Edwards added 11.

"In the second half, we kind of lost control of our defense, and Crespi started hitting open 3s," Edwards said. "They wanted it more. To play in an environment like this with the place soldout, it was a great experience. It something that happens once in a lifetime."

Ahead by four points with two minutes remaining in the third quarter, Stanton scored on a fast break layup and a jumper to stretch the lead to 51-43.

"We kind of got out of sync offensively," Notre Dame coach Bill Bedgood said. "We were doing a good job of getting the ball inside in the first half, and in the second half we kind of got away from that."

Stenhouse scored six consecutive points to begin the fourth quarter, boosting Crespi's lead to 13 points.

"We a streaky team, and we definitely came out and executed in the second half," Stanton said.

The Celts made four free throws in the final minute.

Since losing three in a row, Crespi has won six straight

Second-seeded Crespi is competing for its second Southern Section basketball championship. In its only appearance in a final, the Celts won the 2001 Div. IV-AA championship by defeating St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs 71-57.

Since losing three in a row, Crespi has won six consecutive games.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Here are some of the results from Day One of the Masters Meet in Temecula from Friday. In the meet, two early losses is elimination and the Top 9 finshers per weight go to state. After one loss, a wrestler drops to the consolation round, where he can finish no higher than 3rd.

Jon Melendez of Quartz Hill lost his first two matches at 112 pounds.

Edward Ruiz of Royal won all of this matches and got to the semifinals in the championship round at 112 pounds.

Blaine Brisceno of Crespi won two and and lost one match at 119, while Craig Seidenglanz of Chaminade won them all and now is in the semifinals.

Saul Garcia of Moorpark got to the semifinals at 130, as has Behdod Katebian from Thousand Oaks. If both wrestlers win their next matches, they meet each other in the finals.

Justin Goldberg of Royal lost his first two matches at 140.

Ben Wolhaupter of Agoura (140), won his first one, but lost the next two.

Trever DeVestern of Littlerock lost one, then won, then lost again at 145. Matt Hickman of Camarillo won all of his matches and is now in the semifinals.

Nick Treuer of Harvard-Westlake (152) won, then lost and lost a second time to Mike Kairouz of Agoura, who won his first and then lost, then won two more (including over Treuer)

Patrick Larkin of Highland lost his first, then won and lost again at 160.

Alex Harvey of Quartz Hill and Erik Hasan of Simi Valley competed in the 171 pound class where they met each other after they both won their first matches and lost their next ones. The two then each won again until Hasan eliminated Harvey in the consolation round with a pin.

Ben Harvey of Quartz Hill beat Anthony Espinosa of Alemany in the first round, and each of them went to the consolation round (after Harvey lost), where Harvey was then eliminated and Espinosa won and continues in the tournament Saturday. Kyle Hasan of Simi Valley won the the first two and then lost the next two matches at the same weight class while Brandon Jansen of Thousand Oaks lost his first, won two and then lost again and was eliminated.

Akeem Gonzales of Alemany lost his first match, won two and lost his second in the consolation round.

The worst kept secret in City Section boys basketball since the beginning of the season finally became a reality on Friday after Taft of Woodland Hills followed Westchester of Los Angeles' earlier victory with a dominating 81-60 victory against Crenshaw of Los Angeles in a Div. I semifinal game at the Galen Center.

Westchester crushed Washington Prep of Los Angeles, 90-53 in the first semifinal.

Taft will play Westchester next Saturday at the Galen Center at 8 p.m. in a rematch of last year's championship game.

Playing on his future home court next year, Bryce Jones scored 29 points and had 10 rebounds to lead Taft, which never trailed in the game and led by double digits the entire second half.

"I love it out here," Jones said. "We all played together. The wide floor gave us more range to do what we do."

Jones had 14 points by halftime, made a 3-pointer for the Toreadors (24-4) first points of the third quarter and added seven more in the fourth quarter as Taft held back any mini-run from the outmaned Cougars (21-4).

"The game plan was to attack all night and that's what we did," Jones said. "We ran our sets and got out and turned up the pressure."

Pierson Williams scored 18 points, including four 3-pointers in the first half, 6'9 Texas-bound forward De'Andre Daniels had 12 and eight rebounds and junior Spencer Dinwiddie added nine for Taft.

The Toreadors helped themselves by going 28 of 29 at the free throw line, including a 13 of 18 mark in the fourth quarter.

Taft went on an 11-0 run early in the first quarter to go ahead 17-4 but Crenshaw came back to cut the deficit to 22-16.

However, Taft used a 13-0 run, which included two baskets by Daniels, two 3-pointers by Williams and a three-point play by Jones to go up 35-16 and essentially put the game away in the second quarter.

Abdul Zaid had 23 points and made nine of 10 free throws for Crenshaw.

Reynaul Baker had 13 points but got little help elsewhere.

Heralded freshman Isaac Hamilton, the brother of Texas guard Jordan Hamilton was held to one 3-pointer in the third quarter and was a nonfactor.

Taft advances to it's fifth championship game in the last seven years trying to win a third championship.

The Toreadors lost to Westchester in 2006 and last season but get another chance.

"We get another shot," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "It is always an honor if you are playing this late in the season against Westchester. It must mean we are doing something right. We are getting to an elite status. We have got to try and beat them though."

It's so crowded there is barely room to breathe, and in the in the mean time, both Crespi and Notre Dame look sharp in a Southern Section Div. IV-A semifinal at Harvard-Westlake.

Notre Dame leads 33-31, as the Knights are trying to defeat Crespi when it counts the most after losing twice to the Celts during Mission League competition.

Both are playing tough defense and both are trying to score as many transition baskets as possible, so there is a lot of hustle and determination on display from both teams.

-- Gerry Gittelson

What a crazy scene it is here for a Div. IV-A semifinal between rivals Crespi and Notre Dame at Harvard-Westlake High in Studio City, where a long line of unlucky fans have been turned away because the game has been sold out since early this afternoon.

The schools split an allotment of 1,280 tickets -- that's all this place holds -- and they're all gone.

I bumped into Notre Dame athletic director Kevin Rooney, who had a couple of tickets he was passing off to someone, and I jokingly told him don't dare show your face at the front gate because we both know what will happen -- a job hazard that goes along with being an A.D., I suppose.

Anyway, this should be a thriller. Crespi already has defeated Notre Dame twice in Mission League competition, but both were close games that came down to the final moments. There's a lot more on the line tonight, and you know how playoff nerves can work sometimes -- best to throw out all the records.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Corey Washington, a running back from Palmdale, has accepted a late scholarship offer from Central Missouri.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Last year Taft of Woodland Hills changed around it's schedule to play more Southern Section opponents to get ready for the City playoffs.

Coach Matt Kerstetter is at it again as the only City opponent is Dorsey of Los Angeles in a week 1 road game.

Taft will host Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in week 2, travel to Alemany of Mission Hills in week 3, host Saugus in week 4 and play at Crespi of Encino in week 5 before starting West Valley League competition.

Sylmar basketball alum Antonio Biglow has been was named SCC-North Player of the Year for Mt. SAC. He's averaging 21.1 pts per game (second in state) entering the playoffs, tonight against visiting Cerritos.

-- Gerry Gittelson

The Taft of Woodland Hills girls basketball team was so close to victory on Thursday in a City Section semifinal game against Narbonne of Harbor City it thought it was going back to the Div. I City Section championship game after coming up short against Chatsworth last year.

The Gauchos had other ideas as they used a buzzer beating layup from Atoe Jackson to send the game into overtime and withstood the Toredors in the extra four minute period for a 50-47 upset victory.

"I don't know what it feels like to be stabbed in the heart but if I could imagine it I think it feels something like this right now," Taft's UNLV-bound senior guard Rmanii Haynes said.

Taft took a 44-42 lead with seven seconds remaining in regulation when Haynes swopped in and stole the ball from Kimberly Pickett and raced down for a layup.

Narbonne called timeout and somehow scored when Tori Breshers broke free on the sideline, dribbled to the middle and found Jackson, who made a layup as the buzzer sounded.

"We got lost on defense there and a lot of other times," Taft coach Mark Drucker said.

In overtime, the Gauchos (22-9) went up by three points but Haynes drilled a 3-pointer from the left corner to tie game at 47-47 with 1:14 remaining.

However, Taft wouldn't score again and narbonne received a free throw from Tailer Butler and two more from Jamesha Chapman to win it.

Haynes missed on a driving layup that would have given Taft a one-point lead after Butler's free throw and Skyy Lewis didn't even try for a 3-pointer at the end, inexplicably driving for a layup as the buzzer sounded.

"They got us into an uptempo game and we didn't make good decisions in transition," Drucker said. "We forced shot that weren't there."

Amari Hampton led Taft with 11 points, including three 3-pointers. Haynes and Breanna Burton had 10 points each and Lewis had eight.

Butler had 23 points and Breshers had 10 for Narbonne.

Butler made nine of 12 free throws and to add more salt to the wound for Taft, the rest of the Gauchos only went a combined five of 23 at the free throw line.

After a slow start in the first quarter, Taft regrouped and took a 22-21 lead at halftime.

The Toreadors (16-9) extended the advantage to 30-24 (largest lead of the game for both teams) but Narbonne respnded right away with a 10-2 run to get back in the game.

Butler, Jackson and Breshers all had baskets during the run.

Taft again went ahead 38-34 but the Gauchos came back with a Nailan Long 3-pointer and a basket from Butler to go ahead 41-39 with 4:30 remaining.

"Their depth wore us out especially all the guards they could put in," Drucker said. "They had a good 1-2-2 press and the pressure and physical play got us into a style we didn't do a good job of handling."

Narbonne is back in the finals for the second time in three years after beating Chatsworth in 2008.

Taft was trying to reach the championship game for the third time since 2007 but will now have to wait 11 days before it finds out how far it will have to travel for a Div. I state regional game.

Well, there are actually two M.V.P's

Hawaii-bound Jordan Coleman of Calabasas and UC Davis-bound Alex Tiffin of Thousand Oaks have been named co-M.V.P's of the Marmonte League

Cleveland High of Reseda hung tough with high-powered Taft of Woodland Hills tonight.

For about 15 minutes, that is.

After keeping the game close for most of the first half, Taft broke it open after the break and cruised to an 85-43 victory in a City Section Div. I basketball quarterfinal before a packed house at Taft.

Leading by nine at the half, Taft reeled off a 21-4 spree to begin the third quarter and never looked back.

The second-seeded Toreadors (23-4) play third-seeded Crenshaw of L.A. (21-3) in the semifinals Friday at the Galen Center at either 6 p.m. or 8 p.m., as the tipoff time is scheduled to be announced today.

"I think in the first half, we needed to get the jitters out. We were a little too excited," Taft's De'Andre Daniels said. "In the second half, my teammates were finding me on some open shots, and I was able to knock them down."

Daniels, a 6-foot-8 junior, scored 26 points with 12 rebounds, six blocks and 4-of-4 3-pointers, making 10 of 13 field goals in 24 minutes.

"De'Andre can affect the game in four or five different ways," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "He can handle the ball, he can shoot, and he's a big-time rebounder.

Teammate Bryce Jones also scored 26 points with 11 rebounds, and he made 3 of 4 3-pointers, as Taft shot 55.3 percent, including 76.2 percent (24 of 31) in the second half.

The Toreadors outrebounded Cleveland 42-27.

"It was all the little turnovers and not boxing out," Cleveland's Jason Johnson said. "Their size kind of wore us down because they were sagging in the middle."

There was no panic at halftime. This was Taft's third victory over Cleveland (14-13), and the outcome was never seriously in doubt even though the Cavaliers kept it close for a while.

"You've got to give Cleveland credit. They know how to play us, so they're kind of a pain in the butt to play," Taylor said. "Our press was allowing them to score some points, and I think we were a little too excited in the beginning and too much in a hurry. At halftime, we looked at what our advantages were, and we knew we were bigger, so we just went inside, slowed things down and showed a little more patience."

Once Taft went on its first serious run, Cleveland lost its confidence, as Taft's lead grew to 20, 30 and then 40 points.

"It was just a breakdown," Cleveland coach Osiris Nalls said. "We don't handle adversity well. But I didn't come in thinking we were going to lose. I never do, no matter who we're playing."

Cleveland shot 28.6 percent (10 of 56). Jaylen Bland led the Cavaliers with 13 points, and Kody Riewthong added eight.

Taft's Pierson Williams and Jordan Gathers scored 10. Spencer Dinwiddle added three points and seven assists.

The Toreadors have defeated Crenshaw five times in a row, Taylor said.

"All five wins were in the playoffs. I just hope the law of averages doesn't catch up with us," Taylor said.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

box:

Clev 9-12-10-11-43
Taft 15-16-26-28-85

C: Williams 4, Riewthong 8, Jalen Bland 13, Montes 4, Johnson 6, Hayes 2, Blount 6.
T: Bryce Jones 26, Williams 10, De'Andre Daniels 26, Dinwiddle 3, Drew 2, Perry 5, Gathers 10.
R: T 23-4; C 14-13.

It's halftime at Taft in Woodland Hills, and the high-powered Toreadors are only up by nine points, 31-22, over pesky Cleveland of Reseda in what is turning into a much more competitive contest than expected in a City Section Div. I quarterfinal.

Taft, which has defeated Cleveland twice this season, is trying to get to a final for the third time in a row and fifth time over the past seven seasons. Among the opponents to defeat Taft in the playoffs through the years is Cleveland, which pulled the trick in 2005.

I expect Taft to extend the lead quickly in the third quarter, but you never know.

Stay tuned.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Southern Section semifinals

Friday, 7 p.m.

Div. II-AA

Burbank vs. Dominguez at Compton HS

Div. III-A

Harvard-Westlake vs. Compton Centennial at Lynwood HS

Div. IV-AA

Alemany vs. Paraclete at Hart HS

Notre Dame vs. Crespi at Harvard-Westlake HS

Div. V-A

Renaissance Academy vs. Sierra Canyon, site TBA

Antonio Bray, a All-Daily News running back from Arleta, said today he plans to play at Pierce College with hopes of eventually landing a Division I scholarship.

"It's a good fit for me," Bray said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Lonnie Jackson of Valencia and Trevor Wiseman of Golden Valley have been named co-MVPs of the Foothill League.

Jackson is a 6-3 junior, and Wiseman is a 6-8 senior.

-- Gerry Gittelson

The long search for a new football coach is over at Loyola High, as Mike Christensen was named Tuesday, replacing interim coach Adam Guerra who had replaced Jeff Kearin midseason last year.

Christensen formerly coached at Carson, South Torrance and Lakewood. He has a sophomore son who attends Loyola.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Oaks Christian 27 15 16 17=75
Alemany 15 32 14 20=81

Oaks Chr.- Blair Holliday 21, Spencer Kier 16, Chass Bryan 14, Ross 8, van der Wal 6, Saksa 6, Hange 4.

Alemany- Max Guercy 21, Jordan Fuller 20, Jerico Richarsson, 17, K.J. Moffett 11, Filip Labovic 10, Martin 2.

Oaks Chr. 19-9, Alemany 13-16

After years of disappointment, sub .500 seasons and frustration battling Mission League powerhouse teams, the Alemany of Mission Hills boy's basketball team can see the light at the end of the tunnel.

The Warriors came back from a 16 point first half deficit, blew an eight point lead in the second half but found a way to outlast Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, 81-75 in a Div. IV-A quarterfinal Tuesday.

Alemany advances to Friday's semifinals against Paraclete of Lancaster at a site to be determined.

Jordan Fuller made one of two free throws with 32 seconds remaining and Max Guercy made four of five in the last 10 seconds to seal the game for the Warriors.

Even more remarkable for No. 9 Alemany (13-16) in upending the No. 1 seeded Lions (19-9) was coming back from a 31-15 deficit one minute into the second quarter and taking a five point lead by halftime.

"Our coach just told us to expect to win," Guercy said. "Everyone doubts us and we had to believe in ourselves."

Guercy led five double-digit scorers with 21 points, including seven in the second and fourth quarters.

Fuller had 20 points, including 15 in the first half. Sophomore Jerico Richardson had 17, freshman K.J. Moffett had 11 and Filip Labovic had 10.

Moffett came up big with seven consecutive points in the fourth quarter after Oaks Christian tied the game at 68-68.

"I just had to do all the little things I could to help the team," Moffett said. "I tried to block out the crowd and listen to myself."

Oaks Christian only trailed 73-72 and 76-75 but could never get over the hump.

Sophomore Chass Bryan missed three free throws in the fourth quarter, including two 3-point play attempts and Dan Ross was whistled for a costly traveling call when he passed up a great look at a 3-pointer from the top of the key.

"We have never had a killer instinct all year, it has been a problem for us," Oaks Christian's Blair Holliday said. "We took our foot off the gas. We were playing not to lose after leading big in the first half."

Holliday led Oaks Christian with 21 points, including both baskets in the fourth quarter to get the Lions within one point.

Spencer Kier had 16 points and Bryan added 14 for Oaks Christian, which was trying to make a return trip to the semifinals one year after losing to Chaminade of West Hills in the final four.

Alemany used a blistering 28-8 run in only four minutes of the second quarter to turn the tables and gain momentum.

Richardson had two 3-point plays, Troy Martin had a thunderous monster dunk, Labovic made a 3-pointer and Fuller had a layup during the run.

Although Oaks Christian built it's big lead even though 6'8 junior forward Dillon van der Wal picked up two fouls in the first 1:19 of the game, Alemany figured things out and made the Lions pay during the big second quarter run.

van der Wal picked up two more fouls in the third quarter, finished with six points and was mostly a non-factor.

"Hard work and thank god for this victory," Alemany coach Tray Meeks said. "It is nice to see the fruits of our labor finally paying off. But we are not done yet. We want to win two more games."

CANYON COUNTRY - After falling behind by 14 points in the second quarter Tuesday before a raucous home crowd at Canyon High, Burbank did not panic.

The visiting Bulldogs reeled off 13 consecutive points to pull within one before eventually catching up in the second half to win 65-59 in a Southern Section Div. II-AA boys' basketball quarterfinal.

"When we fell behind, I was thinking the seniors need to lead this team," Burbank's Argin Gerigorian said. "Our coach told us at halftime that we worked too hard and had come too far to go out like this. We wanted to make history."

Burbank (23-8) had not advanced to the quarterfinals since 1995, and it is unclear when - of if - Burbank has ever made it to a semifinal.

"I don't know, but we tied the school record for wins tonight - the last time Burbank won 23 games was in 1964," coach Jose Hernandez said. "What can I say? We knew there was going to be a lot of excitement in the gym tonight, and the kids showed resilience."

Burbank plays Friday at Compton in the semifinals.

Edward Ha gave Burbank its first lead, 38-37, when he connected on a 3-pointer with three minutes remaining in the third quarter. At the time, Canyon's top scorer, Wesley Bartole, was sitting on the bench with three fouls.

Bartole, who scored 34 points and 29 points in Canyon's two playoff victories, never found his rhythm and finished with nine points, as he struggled to untangle himself from Burbank's designated defender, Andy Karandganyan.

"We definitely knew what Bartole was capable of and what he had done in the first two games. Andy did a great job against him," Hernandez said.

Gerigorian scored 19 points, and Adam Colman added 15. Canyon's Coley Apsay scored 16 points, and Brian Nnaoji chipped in 12.

Canyon (20-9) was hoping to qualify for the semifinals for only the second time in 32 years.

Canyon led 52-51 with just over three minutes remaining, but Burbank pulled away by outscoring the Cowboys 12-3 to lead 63-55 in the final minute.

"We just came out and didn't play like we should have," Canyon's Tere Adams said. "I don't know what else to say. We won 20 games, so we had a good season."

+++++++++++++

Burbank 9-18-18-20-65
Canyon 17-15-10-17-59

Burbank: Karandganyan 9, White 2, Pope 3, Argin Gerigorian 19, Ha 8, Adam Colman 15, Pashapour 9.

CYN: Coley Apsay 16, Quant 2, Haggerty 8 , P. Nnaoji , Brian Nnaoji 12, Bartole 9, Adams 5.

R: B 23-8; C 20-9.

It's been a back-and-forth game so far here at Canyon, where the host Cowboys lead Burbank 32-27 at halftime.

Canyon surged to a 14-point lead early in the second quarter on Tere Adams' fastbreak layup to make it 26-12.

Burbank then reeled off a 13-0 spree highlighted by a Erik Pashapour's driving layup, followed by Austin Pope's three-point play to pull Burbank to within 26-25 with just over two minutes remaining before halftime.

-- Gerry Gittelson

We're just getting ready for tipoff here at Canyon, where the host Cowboys take on Burbank in a Div. II-AA quarterfinal.

No one at Burbank can remember when the Bulldogs have ever qualified for a semifinal, so this could be a monumental night if the visitors can pull it off.

Meantime, Canyon has advanced past this round just once over the past 32 seasons.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Daniel Aslan, an All-West Valley League running back from Granada Hills, has signed with Humboldt State, a D2 college.

-- Gerry Gittelson

All games Wednesday, 7 p.m.

Div, I

Fremont at Westchester

Fairfax at Washington

Birmingham at Crenshaw

Cleveland at Taft

Div. II

Reseda at Narbonne

Chatsworth at University

King Drew at Gardena

San Pedro at Granada Hills

Div. III

Roosevelt at El Camino Real

Santee at Huntington Park

San Fernando at Hamilton

Franklin at Verdugo Hills

Small Schools

Gertz-Ressler at View Park

Douglass at Harbor Teacher

Animo South L.A. at Sherman Oaks CES

HP College Ready at Los Angeles CES

Div. II-AA

Summit at Saugus

Burbank at Canyon

Div. III-A

Golden Valley at Serra

Comp Centennial at La Canada

Harvard Westlake at Calabasas

Div. IV-A

Oaks Christian at Alemany

Woodcrest Christian at Paraclete

Pacific Hills at Notre Dame

La Salle at Crespi

Div. V-AA

Buckley at Pasadena Poly

Div. V-A

Renaissance Academy at Holy Martyrs

Sierra Canyon at St. Anthony

Bell Jeff at Besant Hill

Div. VI-AA

Tarbut V'Torah at Santa Clarita Christian

Div. VI-A

Waverly at West Valley Christian

Aciaciawood Academy at Kilpatrick

Jamere Holland is history at Oregon, according to a this report, and it would seem a posting by Holland on Facebook was the reason.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Because of the deadline and the space issue, we couldn't fit all of the results in the paper.

Here are other ones, from several of the CIF regionals.

In other wrestling, Trever DeVestern (145 pounds) placed 5th for Littlerock in the Fountain Valley regional while Thousand Oaks' Behdod Katebian (130) took 3rd place with a pin in his final match and teammate Brandon Jansen (189) won 6-5 for a 5th place in the Temecula Regional.

Matt Hickman of Camarillo - who was seeded #2 in the Pacifica Regional - won five matches in a row, including a 6-5 win over #1 seed Andrew Gonzalez of Oxnard in the finals to win the CIF title.

Also in the Temecula Regional, Saul Garcia of Moorpark beat Pedro Vazquez of Redlands East Valley to win the 130-pound CIF title and Mike Kairouz of Agoura defeated David Pingus, also of Redlands East Valley, to win the 152 pound championship. Kairouz's Charger teammate Ben Wolhaupter lost in the finals to Trevor Behr and finished in 2nd place in the 140 pound class; brothers Kyle (189) and Erik Hasan (171) both finished in 3rd place in their respective weight classes for Simi Valley and Edward Ruiz finished in 3rd place and Justin Goldberg placed 5th for Royal of Simi Valley.

In the story about the Mission League wrestlers in today's paper, we spelled Nick's name incorrectly.

The 152-pound CIF champion was Nick Treuer of Harvard-Westlake. He is the first Wolverine CIF Champion since 2005.

The Daily News regrets the error.

Day One results from several from the Regional Tournaments:

Whitter Regional (Mission League teams)

Alemany:
Carlos Lazo (135), Akeem Gonzales (215) and Diego Rabanal (171) have advanced in the championship bracket for Alemany. Anthony Espinosa (189) and Sergio Figueroa (275) are in the consolation bracket.

Chaminade:
Craig Seidenglanz (119) advanced to the semifinals tomorrow and Arshdeep Gil (130) lost in the quarterfinals but is still alive in the consolation round, as is Mason Nystrom (112)

Southern Division (Marmonte League teams):

Royal:
Edward Ruiz (112) advanced the semifinals (with three pins) in the championship bracket, as did Travis Skidmore (103)

Thousand Oaks:
Behdod Katebian (130) advanced to the semifinals and could get a Marmonte League Championship rematch - in the finals, no less - with Saul Garcia of Moorpark. It was four overtimes the first time. Jeff Gideon and Brandon Jansen are still alive in the consolation round.

Agoura:
Ben Wolhaupter (140) advanced to the semifinals

Westlake:
Jake Snyder (152) advanced to the semifinals and could also have a Marmonte League rematch with Mike Kairouz of Agoura in the finals - if both guys win their first matches on Saturday.

Simi Valley:
Erik Hasan advanced to the semifinals in the 171 pound class as did his brother Kyle, in the 189 class.

In the CIF Inland Division. (Golden League teams):

Quartz Hill:
Jon Melendez (112) advanced the the semifinals
Alex Harvey (171) made it to the semifinals as did his brother Ben at 189.

Highland:
Tyler Burton (130) advanced to the semifinals

Littlerock:
Trever Devestern (145) won two matches, but lost his third to get bounced to the consolation round.

After being eliminated in the playoffs by Campbell Hall High of North Hollywood twice over the past three basketball seasons, La Canada got some revenge Friday, defeating the host Vikings 65-57 before an overflow crowd in the second round of the Div. III-A.

With crisp execution, impressive teamwork and lots of hustle and determination, La Canada opened a 16-point lead early in the second half and withstood a late Campbell Hall rally that saw the Vikings cut the advantage to two points in the final minute.

But with Campbell Hall (20-8) trailing 57-55, the Spartans (23-4) converted 8 of 10 free throws in the final stretch to eek out the victory.

"We were not going to lose to these guys three times in a row," La Canada's Mike McGlashan said.

McGlashan, a 6-foot-2 junior, scored 24 points, including 9 of 12 free throws in the fourth quarter.

In the final minute, McGlashan was 5 of 6 from the line with two steals.

"Mike was clutch. He doesn't feel the pressure at all," teammate Jeff Grigg said.

In fact, McGlashan said he looks forward to having the basketball when the game is on the line.

"I love pressure, especially at the end," McGlashan said.

Ahead by six points at halftime, La Canada went on an 8-1 run to begin the second half to push the lead to 36-23.

The lead grew to 16 points with just over a minute remaining in the third quarter before Austin McBroom helped spark a comeback. Down by 12 with just over three minutes left, Campbell Hall outscored La Canada 13-3 over the next two minutes, as McBroom scored 10 of his 32 points during the spree.

"Obviously, we knew La Canada had some shooters, so in the beginning the slow pace really helped us," Campbell Hall Steve Wachs said. "In the fourth quarter, it was a great comeback. They were having a really tough time stopping McBroom went he went to the hoop."

McBroom picked up his fifth foul with just over a minute to play, and that took the air out of Campbell Hall.

"We would have preferred to still have him in there," Wachs said.

McBroom, a junior who is among the San Fernando Valley's top scorers with an average of more 20 points, was devastated.

"It's the worst feeling ever, the worst in the world, especially if you love the game," McBroom said. "I hate losing. But we wanted to match their intensity and fight to come back, and we did."

Rocky Moore added 12 points for La Canada, and Dario CiVon added 11.

James Johnson scored 13 for Campbell Hall, but between him and McBroom, the rest of the team totaled just 12 points.

-- Gerry Gittelson

The Cleveland of Reseda boys basketball program has had it's share of success and great players in the past.
What happened on Friday though in a City Section Div. I first-round playoff game against Dorsey of Los Angeles might go down as one of the best wins in school history.

Down by 19 points in the second half and showing no real signs of life, the Cavaliers somehow, someway managed an unbelievable comeback to outlast the Dons, 68-65, in double overtime.

Trailing 63-61 with two minutes remaining, Jason Johnson had a chance to give Cleveland the lead after getting fouled while scoring a layup but missed the free throw.

No worries for the Cavaliers as unsung hero Kyroillios Rezkalla came up with the rebound, found Jaylen Bland diving through the paint and fed him for a layup to put Cleveland on top.

Anthony Dees (22 points) tied the game with a running floater in the lane for Dorsey but Bland made a free throw and after Rezkalla missed two free throws, he secured another huge rebound and scored on a layup moments later sealing the game.

"My coach (Osiris Nalls) just told me to suck it all up and play as hard as I could out there," Rezkalla said. "I had to play like my life was on the line and our crowd was so good for us, they were like the 6th man."

Johnson finished with 28 points and Blancd had 17 to lead Cleveland.

Dees was the leading scorer for Dorsey and Marqueze Coleman had 14 but the Dons fell apart in the second half.

Dorsey only scored six points in the fourth quarter, couldn't protect an 11-point lead after three quarters and made only six of 22 free throws in fourth quarter and overtimes.

"We never had a doubt that we could come back," Johnson said. "We have a lot fo young guys and I think they were scared in the beginning. We talked at halftime and decided to play much stronger and together."

Dees scored 18 points in the first half helping Dorsey take control and lead 35-18 at halftime.

But he only scored four points the rest of the way and Cleveland took advantage chipping away slowly but surely.

The Cavaliers took their first lead of the game with 2:20 remaining on Bland 3-pointer that banked in from the left wing.

No team led by more than two points the rest of the way.

Cleveland had chances to win at the end of regulation and the first overtime but 3-point attempts by Johnson and Bland didn't go down.

Dees had one final chance for Dorsey but a 3-point attempt from the right wing was well off-line and Cleveland stole a come-from-behind win.

Cleveland will get a third shot against West Valley League rival Taft of Woodland Hills in the quarterfinals on Wednesday at 7 p.m. at Taft.

It's about 15 minutes before tipoff here at Campbell Hall, where the host Vikings take on La Canada in a Div. III-A second-ground playoff game.

It should be a good game because both teams stress fundamentals and do a good job of taking care of the basketball, so the last thing I expect is a sloppy, foul-heavy performance by either team.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Remember Bobby Paschal, the former Chaminade baseball standout who went to USC and played a couple of years in the minors?

He's now the athletic director and assistant baseball coach at Delphi Academy in Lakeview Terrace, and it looks like he might have a pretty good team this coming spring.

Delphi went 16-2 last year and has several top returning players, including shortstop Cody Simpson (.558), outfielder Sam Dyer (.512, 29 of 30 SBs) and pitcher/shortstop Preston Taylor.

The defending International League champs compete in Div. V but are playing bigger teams this year, including Alemany and Hoover.

At Chaminade, Paschal was a two time Daily News Pitcher of the Year and the Cal Hi Sports Player of the Year as a junior.

If the Taft of Woodland Hills girls basketball team wants to win it's second City championship since 2007 it will have to do a better job of finishing games next week in the quarterfinals and possibly the semifinals.

The Toreadors did not do a very good job on Thursday as they were outscored by seven points in the final 16 minutes but had such a big lead by halftime it didn't hurt them in a 63-44 Div. I opening round victory against No. 16 Gardena.

"We have some real bad lapses," Taft coach Mark Dricker said. "Everything we do at the start of the game doesn't mean anything if you give it all back."

Taft (15-8) was awfully good at the start, scoring the games first 18 points and led comfortably at halftime, 36-10.

B.J. Burton, Amari Hampton, Skyy Lewis, Danielle Tyler and Rmanii Haynes were all on the same page; running, passing and jumping past Gardena.

However, La'Tanya Drakes and Taneara McGordon got hot in the third quarter and helped Gardena pour in 20 minutes to make things respectable.

Haynes regained control for Taft with two layups, two free throws and a 3-pointer.

Haynes had 16 points, Burton 15, Hampton 11, Lewis nine and Tyler eight in a balanced offensive attack.

Drakes had 18, McGordon nine and Jai Turner contributed eight for Gardena (9-17).

Taft will host Wilson of Los Angeles or Manual Arts of L.A. on Tuesday in the second round.

The reward for the Calabasas boys' basketball team sharing the Marmonte League championship with Thousand Oaks and finishing 22-4 was a first-round playoff game with St. John Bosco of Bellflower, who plays in the ultra-competitive Trinity League.

Not much of a reward at all considering the Braves (14-9) play the likes of Mater Dei of Santa Ana, Santa Margarita of Rancho Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran but the Coyotes managed to escape in overtime with a 74-71 Div. 3-A victory.

Dominique Campbell made two baskets, Lenard Gorokhov made four free throws and Jordan Coleman and Jordan Ungar each made two in overtime to get Calabasas off the hook.

Manny Garcia sent the game to overtime after making a miracle turnaround 3-pointer from the left wing culminating an 11-point comeback for the Braves after trailing 52-41 with under six minutes remaining.

"We knew it was going to be a pretty good game but that was closer than we wanted," Coleman said.

Despite being the focal point of SJB's defense, Coleman managed to score 17 points and grab 11 rebounds.

"It is tough being face-guarded but it has been happening since the second half of league," Coleman said. "We just have to get use to it. It always takes us some time to figure it out and get our rhythm."

Gorokhov, Ungar and Josh Langer added 14, 12 and 10 points respectively for the Coyotes (22-5).

Calabasas seemed on it way to an easy first round win when Gorokhov and Ungar combined to make five 3-pointers in the first quarter as part of a 12-0 run.

The Coyotes led 31-20 but the Braves kept chipping away, scoring five consecutive points to start the second half and get within two.

The game went back and forth from that point until Garcia made his 3-pointer to extend the game.

Calabasas saved itself from a disappointing first round exit thanks to a 28 of 39 performance at the free throw line, including 11 of 12 in overtime.

"We have been working on those the last couple weeks," Coleman said. "We almost lost some games because of free throws but the guys came through."

Carlos Arguedas and Darryl Matthews scored 20 and 15 points to lead the Braves. Arguedas had 16in the second half, including three 3-pointers.

SJB was hampered by committing 31 fouls and had four players foul out.

Calabasas advances to Friday's second round at Tustin before a possible quarterfinal showdown with Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood on Tuesday.

By Gerry Gittelson
Special to the Daily News

VALENCIA - Things sure looked bleak for Valencia High on Wednesday in a Southern Section Div. I-A first-round playoff game against lightly regarded Highland of Palmdale.

The host Vikings were down by five points with less than a minute to play in regulation before pulling off a wobbly 70-67 overtime victory that was a lot closer than it should have been.

Valencia (22-4) can thank Lonnie Jackson, a junior who was quiet for most of the night before scoring 18 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, then dishing three key assists in overtime.

"We didn't want to be done. I was not going out in the first round," Jackson said. "We just kept our heads, played tough defense and fought for our lives."

Playing without all three of its seniors who no longer are on the team, unseeded Highland (11-12) was not expected to put up much resistance after backing into the playoffs by losing seven of its last 10 games, including its final two.

But the visiting Bulldogs caught Valencia sleepwalking and almost pulled off a shocker.

"We worked really hard all week. We tried to come out of here with a win," said Highland's Terrence Scott, whose main job was to smother Jackson whenever Valencia had possession.

Scott had help from at least one teammate every time Jackson touched the ball, and the strategy almost paid off until the 6-foot-3 junior finally got hot in the closing minutes.

"Lonnie is an awesome player. I've got to give it up to him," Scott said.

In the final minute of regulation, Jackson hit two free throws, followed by a 3-pointer and a slick assist to Brandon Bennett, whose layup with four seconds left tied the score at 61 at the end of regulation.

In overtime, Bennett's inside basket with 58 seconds left gave Valencia the lead for good.

It was not a pretty game, as the contest included 40 fouls (21 for Valencia) and four technicals and saw three players foul out.

Had Highland held on, what an upset this would have been considering ninth-seeded Valencia, riding a six-game winning streak, has not lost a home game all season and has advanced to the section quarterfinals two years in a row.

Valencia plays Friday against either Mission Viejo or Arroyo Valley.

Sansone scored 14 for Valencia, and Davis added 10.

Chris Glass scored 19 points for Highland, Cody Rodino added 15 and Maurice Hale scored 13.

-- Gerry Gittelson

It's a little ragged here at Valencia, as the host Vikings lead Highland 28-24 at halftime, a score that probably shouldn't be this close if Valencia didn't look so lethargic in a Div. I-A playoff opener.
.
Valencia looked like it would blow away the seniorless Bulldogs after surging to an eight-point lead in the first half, but the Vikings sent more than four minutes without scoring a point to begin the second quarter to let Highland sneak back in.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Southern Section boys' basketball playoffs
First round tonight, 7 p.m.

DIVISION I-AA
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Mater Dei
2. Long Beach Poly
3. Corona Centennial
4. Rancho Verde
LOCALS: Knight, Palmdale, Thousand Oaks

PLAYER TO WATCH: Alex Tiffin, Thousand Oaks - Tiffin, a 6-8 senior who has helped the Lancers win 51 games over the past two seasons, is a top inside player who is headed to UC Davis.
.
SLEEPER: Montebello - Montebello is 26-1, and the lineup includes 6-11 Antonio Worthy, son of former NBA star James Worthy.

DIVISION I-A
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Chino Hills
2. Loyola
3. Leuzinger
4. Colony

LOCALS: Crescenta Valley, Highland, Lancaster, Valencia, Quartz Hill

PLAYER TO WATCH: Lonnie Jackson, Valencia - Jackson, a 6-foot-3 junior, averages 24 points and possesses dazzling moves in the open court.

SLEEPER: Santa Monica - The eighth-seeded Vikings have won 15 of their past 16 and have not lost a home game this season.

DIVISION II-AA
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Summit
2. Edison
3. Anaheim Canyon
4. Alta Loma
LOCALS: Burbank, Canyon, Saugus, Simi Valley, West Ranch

PLAYER TO WATCH: Chris Anderson, Anaheim Canyon - Anderson is just 5-7 but can do it all, averaging 11.9 points, 6.5 assists (including 15 in one game), 5.1 rebounds and 4.4 steals.

SLEEPER: Sunny Hills - Led by high-scoring guard Jae Byun, Sunny Hills is 24-3, including 13 wins over the past 14 games.

DIVISION II-A
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Eisenhower
2. Pasadena
3. Keppel
4. Damien

LOCALS: Eastside, Rio Mesa, Westlake

PLAYER TO WATCH: Chris Adams, Damien - If you leave Adams open, he can really hurt you. He is averaging 17.9 points, including 85 3-pointers - twice hitting six 3-pointers in a game.

SLEEPER: Mayfair - After a 4-7 start, the Monsoons, led by high-scoring Tim Douglas (20.2 points, including 36 vs. Artesia last week), have since gone 15-2 and remain undefeated at home.

DIVISION III-AA
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Ocean View
2. Foothill
3. Elsinore
4. Sonora

LOCALS: Agoura, Hoover, Newbury Park

PLAYER TO WATCH: Anthony Brown, Ocean View - Brown causes matchup problems because he's 6-7 and shoots 48 percent on 3-pointers. The senior is averaging 17.2 points and 6.5 rebounds.

SLEEPER: Palm Springs -- Since losing five in a row in December, Palm Springs, led by junior guard Marcus Hall, has won 13 straight and has yet to lose on its own court this season.

DIVISION III-A
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Serra
2. Harvard-Westlake
3. Compton Centennial
4. Gahr

LOCALS: Antelope Valley, Calabasas, Campbell Hall, Golden Valley, La Canada, Oak Park

PLAYER TO WATCH: Erik Swoope, Harvard-Westlake - A 6-5, 220-pound forward with lots of aggressiveness and determination, Swoope is averaging 20.7 points and 8.6 rebounds.

SLEEPER: Golden Valley - If skilled 6-8 guard Trevor Wiseman is on his game - which is often the case - the well-coached Grizzlies can hang with anyone.

DIVISION III-A

DIVISION IV-AA
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Price
2. Orange Lutheran
3. Inglewood
4. Bishop Amat

LOCALS: Chaminade, St. Francis,

PLAYER TO WATCH: Allen Crabbe, Price - A 6-4 forward who averages more than 20 points, Crabbe is among the California's top players at any position.

SLEEPER: Cabrillo (Lompoc) -The seventh-seeded Conquistadores, led by David Terrones (20 points, 6.9 assists) have won 12 in a row and have yet to lose a home game this season.

DIVISION IV-A
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Oaks Christian
2. Crespi
3. Pacific Hills
4. Woodcrest Christian

LOCALS: Alemany, Malibu, Notre Dame, Paraclete

PLAYER TO WATCH: Troy Watkins, Woodcrest Christian - One of California's top scorers, Watkins is averaging 28 points, including 45 in one game.

SLEEPER: Notre Dame - Notre Dame is young with four underclassmen in the starting lineup - including a pair of freshmen guards - but after getting its full of league opponents like Harvard-Westlake and Loyola, the Knights could be dangerous in a lower division.

DIVISION V-AA
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Windward
2. La Verne Lutheran
3. Buckley
4. Flintridge Prep

LOCALS: Desert Christian, Flintridge Prep, Milken, Montclair Prep, Providence, Village Christian

PLAYER TO WATCH: Randy Gruver, Academy of Academic Excellence - Gruver has scored 27 points or more in three of the past four games. He's averaging 22.6 points and 11.3 rebounds.

SLEEPER: Brentwood -- At 15-7, the sixth-seeded Eagles don't have a flashy record. But they defeated Campbell Hall last month and gave top-seeded Windward a scare in a six-point loss last week.

DIVISION V-A
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Renaissance Academy
2. Besent Hill
3. Brethren Christian
4. Sierra Canyon

LOCALS: AGBU, Bell Jeff, Hillcrest Christian (GH), Holy Martyrs, Newbury Park Adventist, Valley Torah

PLAYER TO WATCH: Gil Tacita, Renaissance Academy - Tacita, averaging 18 points, is explosive in the open court and also a top defensive player.

SLEEPER: Bell-Jeff - To start the season, the Guards proved they could win under pressure by winning the St. Monica tournament, and they've finished strong with seven consecutive wins heading into the playoffs.

DIVISION VI-AA
TOP FOUR SEEDS:
1. Ribet Academy
2. Besent Hill
3. Orangewood Academy
4. Tarbut V'Torah

LOCALS: SFV Academy, Santa Clarita Christian

PLAYER TO WATCH: Jon Conley, Ribet Academy - Conley is all over the court, averaging 18.3 points, 11.9 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 2.4 blocks for the top-seeded Fighting Frogs.

SLEEPER: San Fernando Valley Academy - Shaquille McAlpin, a 6-2 junior who averages 12.3 rebounds, is the only 6-footer on the roster, but the Huskies have made things happen by winning their past 12 games.

CITY SECTION

First round Friday, 7 p.m.

DIVISION I

TOP FOUR SEEDS:

1. Westchester
2. Taft
3. Crenshaw
4. Washington
Locals: Birmingham, Cleveland, Sylmar

PLAYER TO WATCH: De'Andre Daniels, Taft - A 6-foot-8 junior, Daniels is a force on both ends of the court, averaging 13.9 points and 9.7 rebounds for the balanced Toreadors.

SLEEPER: Fairfax - It's a rare off year for Fairfax, which always seems to be a top-four seed. This group will feel like it has nothing to lose.

DIVISION II

TOP FOUR SEEDS:

1. Narbonne
2. Granada Hills
3. Gardena
4. University

Locals: Chatsworth, Grant, Kennedy, Poly, Reseda, Van Nuys

PLAYER TO WATCH: David Nwaba, University - Nwaba averages 21 points, including a high of 40 against Palisades, and he shoots 61 percent from the field.

SLEEPER: Reseda - You've got to respect the Regents after they won the Div. II title last year and advanced to the second round in the CIF State tournament. They haven't lost at home over the past two seasons.

DIVISION III

TOP FOUR SEEDS:

1. El Camino Real
2. Verdugo Hills
3. Hamilton
4. Huntington Park
Locals: Eagle Rock, East Valley, North Hollywood, San Fernando

PLAYER TO WATCH: Tre Holden, El Camino Real - Holden scored 34 points in a loss to state power Taft last week, so just imagine would he can do to some of the teams in this tournament.

SLEEPER: Santee - Since three tough tournament losses in December, Santee, led by Dominique Cotton, has reeled off 14 consecutive wins and has scored 70 points or more in all but one game during the streak.

SMALL SCHOOLS

TOP FOUR SEEDS:

1. View Park
2. Los Angeles CES
3. Sherman Oaks CES
4. Harbor Teacher Prep
Locals: Fulton Prep, Northridge, Valley Alternative

PLAYER TO WATCH: Recardo Rayon, Central City Value - Averaging 24.4 points, Rayon has reeled off five consecutive 20-point performances heading into the playoffs.

SLEEPER: Gertz-Ressler Academy - The eighth-seeded Pumas have a couple of top players in Tedros Zeribun (20.6 points) and Douglas Maclas (18.3 points, 7.6 assists).

-- Gerry Gittelson

Just got of the phone with Ryan Kasdorf, and the Notre Dame High quarterback is happy to report his first official scholarship offer from Pace University in New York, a D2 school.

Kasdorf, a 6-foot-2 senior, plans to visit the New York City campus this coming weekend.

"They were 1-9 last year, but I'm hoping to change it around if I go there," Kasdorf said.

Kasdorf, Notre Dame's all-time leading passer, was the Gatordade state player of the year as a junior.

The Southern Section released playoff pairings for 12 divisions in boys' basketball Sunday and 53 teams were included. Sixteen of those teams were at-large selections.

Nine local teams were seeded in the top four in their respective division, highlighted by Oaks Christian of Westlake Village receiving the No. 1 seed in Div. IV-A and Renaissance Academy of La Canada Flintridge in Div. V-A.

The Lions (18-7) shared the Tri-Valley League championship with Oak Park and open at home Wednesday against Muir of Pasadena. Oaks Christian has a potential quarterfinal matchup with Alemany of Mission Hills, one of the hottest teams in the area.

Looming on the bottom half of the bracket is No. 2 Crespi of Encino (15-11). The Celts host at-large entry Malibu (9-17) and could see Mission League rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks (14-13) in the semifinals.

Defending section champion Harvard-Westlake of Studio City was awarded the No. 2 seed in Div. III-A, arguably the area's best bracket.

The Wolverines (22-4), the only team to defeat Loyola of Los Angeles this season, plays host to Palos Verdes (9-16) in a first-round game. Looming down the road are No. 3 Compton Centennial (21-5) or possibly area teams Campbell Hall of North Hollywood (19-7), Calabasas (22-4) or La Canada (21-5).

An intriguing second-round game for area fans could be Campbell Hall hosting La Canada, providing each team wins its first-round contest. The teams met in the 2007 Div. III-AA final and the 2008 semifinals, with Campbell Hall winning both matchups.

Marmonte League co-champion Calabasas did not receive a favorable draw, playing host to Trinity League third-place finisher St. John Bosco of Bellflower, which upset Campbell Hall last season

On the upper half of the 32-team bracket is Foothill League champion Golden Valley of Santa Clarita, Oak Park and Antelope Valley of Lancaster.

If Golden Valley defeats Sierra Vista of Baldwin Park and the winner of Bonita of La Verne and Barstow, the Grizzlies (22-4) would likely face state-ranked and No. 1 Serra of Gardena.

Other area teams that received top four seeds included No. 3 Buckley of Sherman Oaks in Div. V-AA, No. 4 Flintridge Prep of La Canada Flintridge in Div. V-AA, Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth in Div. V-A, No. 2 West Valley Christian of West Hills in Div. VI-A and No. 4 Kilpatrick of Malibu in Div. VI-A.

The Mission League had seven of eight teams qualify for the playoffs, the Golden League seven of eight, the Marmonte League had six of eight and the Foothill League had five of six.

Chaminade of West Hills, an at-large entry from the Mission League, is on the road at La Puente. If the Eagles win, they would likely host No. 2 Orange Lutheran, the same team they upset on the way to last year's Div. IV-A championship game.

City section Div. I

No. 16 Gardena at No. 1 Taft
No. 9 Manual Arts at No. 8 Wilson
No. 12 San Pedro at No. 5 Chatsworth
No. 13 Palisades at No. 4 Narbonne

No. 14 Franklin at No. 3 Carson
No. 11 Dorsey at No. 6 Fairfax
No. 10 Westchester at No. 7 Crenshaw
No. 15 Kennedy at No. 2 Washington

Games are on Thursday at Nos. 1-8 seeds

1. View Park Prep
16. Fulton Prep

8. Gertz-Ressler
9. Central City Value

5. Douglass
12. Community Harvest

4. Harbor Teacher Prep
13. Northridge Acad.

3. S.O.C.E.S.
14. Orthopedic

6. Animo-South L.A.
11. Valley Alternative

7. Hunt. Park College Ready
10. Middle College

2. L.A.C.E.S.
15. New Designs

home games go to seeds 1-8.

games are friday at home sites 7 p.m.

1. El Camino Real
16. Belmont

8. West Adams Prep
9. Roosevelt

5. Santee
12. Los Angeles

4. Huntington Park
13. East Valley

3. Hamilton
14. Eagle Rock

6. Locke
11. San Fernando

7. Franklin
10. North Hollywood

2. Verdugo Hills
15. Maywood

No. 16 Poly at No. 1 Narbonne
No. 9 Grant at No. 8 Reseda
No. 12 Van Nuys at No. 5 Chatsworth
No. 13 South East at No. 4 University

No. 14 Bravo at No. 3 Gardena
No. 11 Kennedy at No. 6 King-Drew
No. 10 Bell at No. 7 San Pedro
No. 15 Venice at No. 2 Granada Hills

Games are Friday at higher seed (1-8)

: No. 16 Lincoln at No. 1 Westchester
: No. 8 Fremont at No. 9 Jordan
: No. 12 Carson at No. 5 Fairfax
: No. 13 Garfield at No. 4 Washington

: No. 14 South Gate at No. 3 Crenshaw
: No. 11 Birmingham at No. 6 Palisades
: No. 10 Dorsey at No. 7 Cleveland
: No. 15 Sylmar at No. 2 Taft

Games are Friday. Jordan gets home game because it is a league champion.
Second round is Wednesday. Semifinals Feb. 26 at Galen Center 6 p.m./8 p.m. Championship is March 6 at Galen Center at 8 p.m.

The Taft of Woodland Hills boys basketball team got exactly what it wanted when the City Section released playoff draws for four divisions Saturday at Roybal Learning Center High School in Los Angeles.

The Toreadors (21-4), who went undefeated in the West Valley League were seeded No. 2 in Div. I behind Westchester of Los Angeles (23-3) and have a chance to avenge a Dec. 5 loss in the finals of the Westchester tournament if the two teams meet up in the championship game on March 6 at USC's Galen Center.

Taft will also try and avenge last years championship game loss against the Comets as it tries to win it's third City championship since 2004.

"It seems like things went very well," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "We like our position and hopefully we can get back to the championship game."

Taft opens up Friday at homne against No. 15 Sylmar (3-22), the fourth place finisher from the Valley Mission League.

If Taft beats Sylmar it would face the winner of No. 10 Dorsey at No. 7 Cleveland.

Taft defeated Cleveland twice in league play while Cleveland beat Dorsey early in the season at the Pasadena tournament.

The all-valley, West Valley League second round game would be an attractive match-up for local fans.

"Whenever Taft and Cleveland get together it is always great because it brings out everybody and emotions are high," Taylor said.

The only other team in Div. I out of the 21 area teams to make the playoffs was Birmingham of Lake Balboa (14-11).

The Patriots travel to Palisades (19-8), who finished in third placein the rugged Western league behind westchester and Fairfax of Los Angeles.

In Division II, seven area teams were included in the 16-team draw.

Granada Hills, who tied for third place in the West Valley League was seeded highest at No. 2. The highlanders open up with No. 15 Venice.

Two intriguing first round match-ups are No. 12 Van Nuys at No. 5 Chatsworth and No. 9 Grant at No. 8 Reseda.

Reseda, the defending Div. II champion won the Valley Mission League and was 18-9 but a blowout loss to El Camino Real of Woodland Hills hurt it's seeding.

The Reseda-Grant winner would face a potential second round game with No. 1 Narbonne (19-9) of Harbor City.

The Chatsworth-Van Nuys winner would likely face No. 4 University of Los Angeles (16-13), the Western League's fourth place team.

El Camino Real and Verdugo Hills, the East Valley League champion were seeded Nos. 1 and 2 in the inaugural Div. III bracket.

ECR hosts belmont of Los Angeles and the Dons host Maywood Academy of Los Angeles on Friday

The two schools could face each other in an all-valley final on March 6 at Roybal.

"I think our strength of schedule will really show in the playoffs," ECR coach David Rebibo said. "We are looking forward to doing very well in this bracket."

The playoffs start Friday night for all boys teams and continue on Feb. 24 with semifinals set for Feb. 26.

Championship games are scheduled for March 4 (small schools at Roybal, 8 p.m.), March 5 (Div. II at Roybal at 8 p.m.) and March 6 (Div. III at Roybal, 1 p.m. and Div. I at Galen Center, 8 p.m.)

Michael Lorenzo, a top offensive lineman at Westlake, has signed with Chadron State, a Division II college in Nebraska.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Stephen Picchini, a top kicker for Moorpark, has committed to Navy.

-- Gerry Gittelson

The wait is finally over for the El Camino Real of Woodland Hills girls basketball team.

After battling Taft of Woodland Hills and Chatsworth over the last several years and always coming up short in the quest for the West Valley League championship, the Conquistadores got the job done in a 47-43 come from behind victory against Taft in a winner-take-all game Friday.

ECR won its first league title since 1999.

Brooke Amenta made six of eight free throws down the stretch and ECR was 12 of 16 in the final quarter to shake the Toreadors and avenge a 42-41 loss at Taft on Jan. 27.

"This is just amazing," Amenta said. "We haven't really won big here in a long time, it is a great feeling."

"We shoot free throws everyday in practice. It all paid off in the end."

Things didn't look good for ECR in the early going as Taft got hot in the second quarter behind two 3-pointers from Amari Hampton and a three-point play from Breanna Burton.

Taft led 23-10 as ECR could not make a basket in the first half.

The Conquistadores stayed close thanks to timely shots from Amenta, Sarah Rebibo and two huge 3-pointers from freshman Cora Chan.

Chan made a 3-pointer in the second quarter to get ECR within nine and another in the third quarter to get the Conquistadores (19-7, 8-2) within five.

ECR limited Taft to only one made shot in the fourth quarter turning up its defensive pressure and then made free throws on the other end.

"It was all good defense, never getting rattled, not making stupid fouls, playing hard and having heart," Amenta said. "It was our senior year, we had to step up."

Rebibo had 15 points and Amenta had 10 for ECR. Chan finished with nine on three 3-pointers.

Burton scored 20 points to lead Taft (14-8, 7-3). Hampton and UNLV-bound Rmanii Haynes each had nine.

Taft had a 38-33 lead with seven minutes remaining when Chan made her final 3-pointer and Rebibo made two free throws to tie the game 38-38.

Rebibo made two more free throws with 5:17 remaining giving ECR its first lead.

Taft's foul trouble (five players finished with four fouls) and ECR's free throw shooting were too much to overcome.

ECR is the likely No. 1 seed in Div. II when pairings are released this afternoon.

Taft is still hoping for a No. 1 seed in Div. I because it beat Washington Prep of Los Angeles, the Marine League champion, in a head to head contest.

Because of the space issue in the physical paper, we couldn't put every detail about each of the wrestling league finals in there (or pictures). So we'll add some more here for each league so everyone gets some notice on what happened at each final.

Marmonte League Finals:

Royal won four titles, while Moorpark won three, Westlake, Thousand Oaks and Simi Valley won two each and Agoura won one.

Here is each match broken down:

103 Richard Vallancourt, Moorpark d. Travis Skidmore, Royal 5-2
112 Edward Ruiz, Royal d. Robert Quiroz, Newbury Park by pin at 8.8
119 Jesse Lyga, Royal d. Blade Dyer, Simi Valley 2-0
125 Ryan Thompson, Moorpark d. Dean Skidmore, Royal 2-0
130 Behdod Katebian, Thousand Oaks d. Saul Garcia, Moorpark 2-1 in 4 overtimes
135 JB Dones, Royal d. Max Perkins, Moorpark by pin, 1:23
140 Ben Wolhaupter, Agoura d. Tim Stone, Newbury Park 5-1
145 Collin Bedwell, Moorpark d. Shane Toth, Royal by pin, 58.8
152 Jake Snyder, Westlake d. Mike Kairouz, Agoura 5-3 in overtime
160 Shane Laguna, Westlake d. Justin Southon, Newbury Pk 9-3
171 Erik Hasan, Simi Valley d. Christian Beauvoir, Royal 8-1
189 Kyle Hasan, Simi Valley d. Brandon Jansen, Thousand O 9-0
215 Alex Rivera, Royal d. Andrew Singer, Moorpark 3-1
Hvy Jeff Gideon, Thousand Oaks d. Tyler McAnany, Simi Valley 5-4

here are a few photos from the tournament. The Match of the Day was Behdod Katebian of TO vs. Saul Garcia of Moorpark and here are a few photos from those two. (More photos of more matches later)

Because of the space issue in the physical paper, we couldn't put every detail about each of the wrestling league finals in there (or pictures). So we'll add some more here for each league so everyone gets some notice on what happened at each final.

Golden League Finals:

Quartz Hill won its second straight league title, winning with 289 points. They had a total of 12 finalists and eight of those were champions.
The Rebels are the defending Div. V champions and will start on the path of repeating on Saturday - as they wrestle in the team dual tournament at El Camino Junior College in Torrance. (as does Lancaster)
Hayden Zimmerman (103), Jonathan Melendez (112), Jared Ricker (119), Tyler Benavides (125), Matt Salo (130), Ben Harvey (171), Alex Harvey (189) and Anthony Chu (heavywt) all were crowned champions for the Rebels.

Trever Devestern of Littlerock was one of the bright spots for the Lobos as he won the 145 pound championship over JT Wilkins of Quartz Hill and Palmdale's Quintin Berrellez over Andrew Ruiz of Quartz Hill in the 152 class.

Tyler Burton (130) and Pat Larkin - who won 3-0 over Littlerock's Austin Cline - got the titles for Highland.

Because of the space issue in the physical paper, we couldn't put every detail about each of the wrestling league finals in there (or pictures). So we'll add some more here for each league so everyone gets some notice on what happened at each final.

Mission League Finals first:

Alemany did win the league finals - but only by a few points over Chaminade - and will advance to the Team Duals Tournament on Saturday. They are in Div .VI and wrestle starting around 3pm at Sierra Vista High (wrestling starts at 11am, but they have a first round bye). Diego Rabanal (171), Anthony Espinosa (189), Akeem Gonzales (215), Carlos Lazo (135) and Sergio Figueroa (heavywt) all won titles.

Chaminade had eight finalists in the league finals matches and had several winners. Craig Seidenglanz beat Blayne Briceno of Crespi to win his fourth title at 119 pounds; Bobby Medina won his second at 103 and Arashdeep Gil won his first title at 130 - as a freshman. Gurgeet Gil also won at 140 pounds. The finals match of the day was Seidenglanz vs. (now) state honorable mention Briceno - who had previously medaled and placed 8th at the tough 5-Counties Tournament.

Harvard-Westlake had four champions with Ben Kogan at 112, James Wauer (145), Elliott Storey (160) and Nick Treuer, who won a title even with two badly strained hamstrings. He also won his match in the same condition in the dual meet with Alemany two days before the league championship.

Crespi had one champion in Scott Haskell, who beat Chaminade's Ramine Sobati in the 125 pound class.

San Fernando defeated Sylmar 64-18 in a dual meet tonight and here is the box score.

103 SF D. Hovhannisyan by FF
112 SF Jacob Gorman by tech over Miramonte
119 SF R. Lechuga by 14-5 over Ruiz
125 SF A. Figueroa pin Araujo
130 SF R. Hovhannisyan pin Cervantes
135 SF R. Garcia by tech over Rodriguez
140 SF Palacios by FF
145 Sylmar Zepeda by pin over Arteaga SF
152 SF Anthony Uribe by pin over Hill
160 SF R. Gonzalez dec over Regalado
171 Sylmar Ontiveros pin Figueroa SF
189 SF Adolfo Medina pin Martinez
215 sf Sultan Muhammad pin Gonzalez
285 Sylmar Castaneda pin Lopez Sf

Miguel Gallegos (who didn't wrestle) and Sultan Muhammad both are currently placed as Honorable Mentions in the state rankings.

In the wake of longtime coach George Giannini's recent departure, four Montclair Prep freshmen starters have transferred to Chaminade of West Hills -- running back/defensive back Terrell Newby, receiver Alijah Dunston, linebacker Aderemi Adeyemo and lineman Jerry Rodriguez.

Montclair Prep finished 2-8 last season in its first year back to 11-man football after a stint in eight-man football. Newby was the leading rusher with 676 yards and four touchdowns plus a team-best three interceptions, and Dunston was the second-leading receiver with 13.

In the meantime, Montclair Prep is still looking for a head coach while assistants Reggie Smith, Jr. and John Greaves are serving as interim co-coaches, principal Mark Simpson said.

"There's been a lot of interest since the news broke about George leaving," Simpson said.

"Hopefully, we're able to find the right person."

-- Gerry Gittelson

The top basketball player in the area isn't even playing basketball this season.

That would be Kevin Johnson, a 6-foot-9, 240-pound transfer from Serra of Gardena who is sitting out his junior season at Taft in Woodland Hills because of transfer restrictions.

Nationally ranked as high as the No. 11 center in his class, Johnson isn't playing JV basketball, either, so he can focus on academics.

"At this point, Kevin doesn't even have to play at all in high school, and he would still earn a big scholarship. My job is to (academically) qualify him," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "He didn't fight me about taking a year off, and I think it's pretty honorable of him to do it. He's one of the top big men in the country."

Here's the kicker: Since arriving at Taft, Johnson has been spotted at Taft football games, and now he says he wants to play football for his senior year as a tight end.

"I know he's thinking about it and that (football coach) Matt Kerstetter wants him, and if Kevin wants to do it, I'm all for it," Taylor said. "I think it would be pretty fun because you would not believe how fast this kid is. I have a fast team, and he is the fastest on the whole team in running drills. He is really fast. ... I would say he would run something like a 4.7 40-yard dash."

A 6-foot-9, 240-pounder with 4.7 speed? Kerstetter can already picture the scene.

"Kevin tells me every day he wants to play football, so we'll see, but it would be pretty exciting," Kerstetter said. "As a tight end, I think he would quite a threat in the red zone."

Antwaun Woods, a junior lineman who is Taft's top returning player, thinks it's a great idea.

"Kevin Johnson would have a height advantage over every defensive back in America. That would be pretty cool," Woods said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

It's been quite some time since Burbank has sent a player to a Division I college football program, but linebacker Ryan Seidler and quarterback Adam Colman could have a shot next season. Seidler is a 6-1, 215-pound linebacker who has twice broken the school single-season tackle record, and Colman is a 6-foot-3 quarterback with a 4.4 grade-point average.

"We made some highlight tapes, and so far people like what they see," Burbank coach Hector Valencia said.

In other recruiting news, no word on a Division I football offer for Ryan Kasdorf, a top quarterback for Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, and that continues to be a big surprise.

"We're really focused on getting him a DI offer, but I think Ryan could easily get a DII offer if that's something Ryan wanted to pursue," Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney said. "For now, we're still focusing on getting a DI offer."

The other snub would be Zach Tartabull, a receiver from Valencia who seems to possess everything a college program would want -- including good bloodlines because he's the son of former Major League baseball Danny Tartabull, who hit 262 home runs over 14 seasons.

-- Gerry Gittelson

West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch's baseball team has been lights out in Winter League competition, thanks to an impressive pitching staff that includes J.C. Cloney, a touted sophomore left-hander who is 6-foot-1 and throws 86 mph, along with junior Ryan Keller, who has committed to University of San Diego, and Allen Sarkisian, a hard-throwing senior.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Sophomore Jerico Richardson came through with the biggest shot of his career thus far when he made a driving layup with 6.7 seconds remaining to lead Alemany of Mission Hills to a 64-63 victory against Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in a crucial Mission League game.

Richardson took the ball out of bounds underneath the basket, received the ball back, blew past three defenders and scored with his right hand helping the Warriors (11-15, 7-6) remain in third place behind Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood and Loyola of Los Angeles and come closer to wrapping up an automatic playoff spot with one game left on Wednesday.

"Coach (Tray Meeks) told me to not waste any time, try and score or score and draw a foul," Richardson said. "I was going to pass it to (Andrew) English but I saw his guy fall back so I took it up myself."

Richardson's basket ended an exciting game that saw Notre Dame battle back from a 15-point deficit in the first half and a seven point deficit in the fourth quarter.

Jordan Fuller and Max Guercy scored 16 and 13 points while Richardson and English both had nine.

Freshman Jahmel Taylor scored 17 points to lead the Knights (14-12, 6-7) and Jeremy Sulker-Hall had 11.

Taylor had a chance to win it at the buzzer but a long range 3-point attempt was partially blocked.

Taylor scored 14 points in the second half and finally gave the Knights their first lead of the game with 3:06 remaining on two free throws.

Notre Dame did it's part battling back and making all eight of it's free throws in the fourth quarter but came up short thanks to Richardson.

The final 3:06 featured two ties and five lead changes as neither team could create distance.

After a slow start to the season against good competition, Alemany is the hottest team in Div. IV-A.

The Warriors have won four games in a row and are looking for more.

"We have a goal to win our last five games before playoffs and we need to win one more," Richardson said. "We are starting to bond and trust one another."

The Taft of Woodland Hills boys basketball team knew it would have it's hands full Saturday at the Mater Dei of Santa Ana Nike Extravaganza playing USA Today No. 5 St. Patrick of Elizabeth, New Jersey in the featured game of the two-day event.

The Toreadors battled and battled, came back from two different nine point deficits in the first half but ultimately came up short in a 91-64 loss.

Taft was mainly undone by two players, Duke-bound Kyrie Irving and 6'8 junior forward Michael Gilchrist.

Irving had 24 points and nine assists, including 14 points in the first quarter and nine in a row after a 14-14.

Gilchrist was unstoppable down low scoring 22 points and had 13 rebounds, including 11 points in the third quarter.

"We faced a team that did all the little things right," Taft's Bryce Jones said. "We started out hot but just couldn't keep up."

The third quarter was when the game got out of hand and people started heading for the parking lot.

Taft closed to with in 42-38 early in the period but St. Patrick went on a 25-8 run highlighted by a 3-pointer from Irving, a three point play by Irving and three baskets and five of six free throws from Gilchrist.

"Those two guys were just real good," Jones said. "They capitalized on our mistakes and we didn't get any stops."

The USC-bound Jones scored 19 points to lead Taft but scoring came few and far between for the Toreadors in the second half.

Texas-bound junior forward De'Andre Daniels was hampered by foul trouble and only scored nine points with four rebounds

After Daniels picked up his fourth foul midway through the third quarter, Gilchrist had his way, Jarrel Lane scored on a layup and Derrick Gordon had two easy baskets.

"De'Andre getting his fourth foul was the turning point," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "The whole game though felt like we were trying to prevent from drowning. We were always playing catch-up."

Taft stayed close behind five 3-point baskets in the first half but St. Patrick made five of it's own through three quarters and then made five more in the fourth quarter during garbage time.

"They were just another level of good," Taylor said. "We play these type of games to try to get to the next level."

The L.A. City Section has released its inaugural Hall of Fame class consisting of 55 names, including several prominent Valley area athletes.

Here is the list:

AQUATICS

Sammy Lee, Franklin

Esther Williams, Washington

BASEBALL

Ozzie Smith, Locke

Bret Saberhagen, Cleveland

BASKETBALL

Gail Goodrich, Poly

Marques Johnson, Crenshaw

Willie Naulls, San Pedro

Cynthia Cooper, Locke

GYMNASTICS

Makoto Sakamoto, Los Angeles

Jack Beckner, Franklin

FOOTBALL

John Elway, Granada Hills

Mike Garrett, Roosevelt

Hugh McElhenny, Washington

GOLF

Amy Alcott, Palisades

SOCCER

Hugo Perez, Los Angeles

SOFTBALL

Sheila Cornell-Douty, Taft

TENNIS

Pat Henry Yeomans, Los Angeles

Pauline Betz Addie, Los Angeles

Bob Falkenburg, Fairfax

TRACK AND FIELD

Mal Whitfield, Jefferson

Mel Patton, University

Valerie Brisco-Hooks, Locke

Denean Howard, Kennedy

VOLLEYBALL

Gene Selznick, Manual Arts

Mary Perry, Birmingham

WRESTLING

Jack Fernandez, Los Angeles

COACHES

Willie West, Crenshaw

Gayle Van Meter, Palisades

Tex Winter, Huntington Park

Sparky Anderson, Dorsey

Deceased honorees

BASKETBALL

Alex Hannum, Hamilton

Frank Lubin, Lincoln

BASEBALL

Don Drysdale, Van Nuys

DIVING

Dorothy Poynton Hill, Fairfax

FOOTBALL

Ernie Smith, Gardena

Kenny Washington, Lincoln

Bob Waterfield, Van Nuys

Ricky Bell, Fremont

Jack Kemp, Fairfax

Tom Fears, Manual Arts

GYMNASTICS

Dick Bishop, Poly

TENNIS

Mary Kay Browne, Poly

TRACK AND FIELD

Cornelius Johnson, Los Angeles

Lillian Copeland, Los Angeles

Lee Barnes,Hollywood

COACHES

Jim Blewett, Manual Arts

Harry Edelson, Jefferson

Rod Dedeaux, Hollywood

Larry Hanson, Jefferson

Les Haserot, Hollywood

CONTRIBUTOR

Tom Bradley, Poly

Charles Dumas, Jefferson

John Ferraro, Bell

Bill Schroeder, Hollywood

Emmitt Ashford, Jefferson

The Oak Park boys basketball had one thing on its mind going into a crucial Tri-Valley League game with undefeated league leader Oaks Christian of Westlake Village on Friday.

Revenge.

The Eagles got what they wanted in a 64-48 victory that gives them a share of first place with one game remaining on Wednesday.
Oak Park was steaming after a 66-60 overtime loss at Oaks Christian on Jan. 20.

Austin Ramljak scored 25 points, including four 3-pointers and made seven of eight free throws in the fourth quarter to lead Oak Park.

"Obviously it was a huge game for us, we just concentrated on what we had to do and we had been practicing for this game every day since we lost to them."

Ramljak scored eight points in the first quarter, including a buzzer beating 3-pointer to give Oak Park momentum.

He came back to score eight more in the third quarter on two more 3-pointers and a lay-up and finished the game by calmly hitting his free throws as the Lions (16-8, 8-1) tried to come back.

"I was just catching passes from my teammates in rhythm after we broke the press," Ramljak said.

The Eagles (17-8, 8-1) took a nine-point lead at the end of the third quarter when Tanner Byers made an off-balance turnaround jumper at the buzzer for a 41-32 advantage that seemed like it would be enough.

However, Oaks Christian scored three quick baskets by Dillon van der Wal, Blair Holliday and Spencer Kier to get right back in the game.

Oak Park would not let the Lions get closer thanks to a 3-point play from freshman Ron Lee, Jr., another basket from Lee, Jr., two free throws from Ramljak and a basket from Cameron Stevens.

Oak Park led 52-40 with 4:00 to play and proceeded to make 13 of 16 free throws in the final quarter.

Every time Oaks Christian would make a run, Oak Park would turn the Lions back.

"Our coaches told us to be patient and get good shots," Ramljak said. "We also came up with some key stops on defense and didn't turn the ball over like we did last time against them."

Lee, Jr. finished with 15 points and displayed poise and savvy rarely seen from a freshman playing point guard.

"He has really matured a lot," Ramljak said. "He wasn't flustered at all, the key was very few turnovers."

Holliday had 18 points to lead Oaks Christian. Kier and sophomore Chass Bryan added nine and seven respectively.

Dan Ross scored all six of his points during the second quarter when Oaks Christian battled back from an 18-10 deficit to go into halftime only trailing 25-24.

Oaks Christian was hurt by the fact 6'8 big men van der wal and Stephen Saksa combined for only two points not taking advantage of a big size disparity against the undersized Eagles.

VALENCIA - There's no place like home for the Valencia High Vikings.

The team has struggled on the road this basketball season, including two consecutive Foothill League losses last month, but the boys are perfect in their gym after defeating Golden Valley 65-59 tonight for their fifth home win without a loss before a near-capacity crowd of about 1,500.

Dating back to the 2006-2007 season, Valencia has won its last seven home games and 21 of 24.

Valencia proved a much different team than the one that lost at Golden Valley by seven points on Jan. 19, as Lonnie Jackson scored 25 points after totaling just 12 in the first meeting.

Jackson, a 6-foot-3 junior, was 9 of 18 from the floor, including three 3-pointers, and he added five steals and three assists.

"Last time, I thought I let my team down, so I've spent the past two weeks getting ready for this one," Jackson said. "I came through tonight, and my teammates came through, too. It feels great, but we haven't done anything yet. There are two more games, and we have to get ready for Canyon on Tuesday.

Heading into the final week of the regular season, Valencia (19-4, 6-2), Golden Valley (20-5, 6-2) and Canyon (16-7, 5-2xxxxx) all have a good shot to win the league title.

Valencia's win Friday might be its biggest victory so far, and the Vikings have to be a favorite because the final two games are in their own gym.

"We came out ready and were a lot more poised tonight," Valencia's Stevie Sansone said. "We played hard, and Lonnie was awesome. The crowd kept trying to get into his head, but he was so focused. He stepped up big-time tonight."

The victory snapped defending league champion Golden Valley's winning streak at seven games, as the Grizzlies were limited to 22 points in the second half.

Golden Valley's top player, Trevor Wiseman, was so upset that he refused comment.
Wiseman, a 6-foot-8 senior, scored 20 points, but it was not his best game. He was 7 of 16 from the floor with three assists and three turnovers, and he was held scoreless over the final six minutes, as a large contingent of Valencia students constantly razzed him.

With just over a minute remaining and Golden Valley trailing by three points, Wiseman was called for a traveling violation. Valencia's Aaron Spargo then missed the front end of a one-and-one, but Jackson hustled to grab the offensive rebound, and Jake Kelfer followed a few moments later with a 3-pointer to put the contest out of reach.

Tanner Tredick added 10 points for Valencia, Sansone scored eight, and Kelfer and Brandon Bennett both chipped in seven.

Taylor Statham scored 11 points for Golden Valley, and Robert Looper added 10.

-- Gerry Gittelson

BOX SCORE:

Valencia 65, Golden Valley 59

Golden Valley 17-20-11-11-59
Valencia 12-25-14-14-65
V: Lonnie Jackson 25 and five steals, Stevie Sansone 8, Brandon Bennett 7, Davis 4, Kelfer 7, Tredick 10, Spargo 2, Sommer 2.
GV: Trevor Wiseman 20; Price 6, Jeff Darko), Statham 11, Looper 10, Hale 5, Darko 4, Serrano 2, Chaisson 1.

R: V 19-4, 6-2; GV 20-5, 6-2

It figured to be close game tonight between Golden Valley and host Valencia in a key Foothill League game, and that's what we're seeing.

In an exciting first half, the teams are tied 37-37, as Valencia closed strongly by erasing a six-point deficit over the final four minutes of the second quarter.

Valencia's Lonnie Jackson is being double-teamed as usual, but this time he is getting his points. The 6-foot-3 junior has 13 points and three assists, and he has made 5 of 11 shots, including three 3-pointers.

Meantime, Golden Valley's star player, Trevor Wiseman, has yet to heat up. He has played limited minutes, and he has scored nine points with assists, connecting on 5 of 9 shots, including one 3-pointer.

-- Gerry Gittelson

The Oaks Christian of Westlake Village girls basketball team won its third Tri-Valley League game this week in a 73-27 victory against Nordhoff of Ojai in a rare Friday afternoon contest.

The Lions (20-4, 10-0) used a 25-0 run at the outset of the third quarter to put the game away.

Oaks Christian was up 36-23 at halftime.

Freshman Meghan McIntyre scored 19 points to lead four Lions players in double figures.

Katie Brooks, in her second game back from a three week ankle injury nearly had a triple double with eight points, 13 rebounds and seven blocks, including five in the first quarter.

Sophomore Brianna Barrett contributed 15 points, six assists and three steals and freshman Beth Mounier had a double-double (points and rebounds).

Oaks Christian has two games remaining next week looking to wrap up its second consecutive undefeated league season.

The Lions have won 25 consecutive league games dating back to a Jan. 29, 2008 loss against St. Bonaventure of Ventura.

The Tigers easily handled Panorama in City Wrestling and won 83-0 to move to 4-0 in league.

Senior forward Katie Brooks sure picked the right time to come back to the Oaks Christian of Westlake Village girls basketball team after nursing an ankle injury for two weeks.

With it's undefeated record in the Tri-Valley League on the line Brooks scored 20 points, grabbed eight rebounds, had two blocks and more importantly showed no ill effects of the bothersome ankle to lead Oaks Christian to a 62-48 victory against host Oak Park.

"I really wanted to play tonight and help my team because Oak Park is obviously our toughest competition," Brooks said.

The Lions (19-4, 9-0) got off to a hot start scoring the first eight points of the game and did a good job neutralizing post player Lauren Varney.

Brooks defended Varney with help from perimeter players coming down to double team evey time she touched the ball.

"I didn't get to finish the game the last time against Oak Park and I wanted to help guard Lauren to help us stay on top in league."

Oaks Christian took a 16-8 lead before Kelsey Haines and Erin Matsumoto each made 3-pointers in the second quarter to help Oak Park tie the game at 19-19.

That would be the closest Oak Park (14-10, 9-2) would get.

The Lions extended a four-point halftime lead with a backbreaking 18-5 third quarter run set up by a suffocating 1-2-1-1 press.

Brooks, freshman Beth Mounier, sophomore Brianna Barrett and junior Crystal Owusu all had baskets during the run and all of a sudden the Lions were ahead 44-28.

Oak Park was so frustrated with the press and the officials that Kelsey Haines and coach Rob Hall were both whisteled for technicals adding to Oaks Christian's fire.

"Our intensity was great from the start," Brooks said. "Everybody was playing with energy and we wouldn't let up."

Owusu had 12 points, Barrett had 11 points and five steals and Mounier had eight points.

Varney finished with 17 points to lead the Eagles but was swarmed all night and was six of 17 from the field fighting off two and sometimes three defenders.

Brett Hall had 12 points, Matsumoto had eight and Lindsey Courtney made two 3-pointers for Oak Paek.

Oaks Christian had an advantage at the free throw line making 16 of 29 while Oak Park was 13 of 17.

Oaks Christian now has won 24 consecutive league games dating to Jan. 29, 2008 when it suffered a 49-40 loss against St. Bonaventure of Ventura.

The Lions can't rest with a 4:30 p.m. game today against Nordhoff of Ojai.

Oaks Christian coach Andre Chevalier may have summed up the night the best way.

"It was a great win for us because it was Oak Park, we got Katie back into the mix, we played with energy and passion and we played overall like Oaks Christian can play."

Michael Pattison of Granada Hills (#17) scoring a goal in the first half of Wednesday's 2-2 West Valley League draw with El Camino Real.

Photo by Dawn Pattison

Tonight, Royal defeated Simi Valley 43-24 for its 7th consecutive league title

If there was any doubt about whom the San Fernando Valley's most dominant boys' basketball player is, look no further than Erik Swoope.

For the second consecutive game, Swoope scored a career high when his teammates from Harvard-Westlake of Studio City needed him most.

The 6-foot-5 senior scored 40 points with 13 rebounds Wednesday to carry the Wolverines to their 17th consecutive victory, an 87-77 Mission League win at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks that saw Harvard-Westlake come from five points down in the second half.

Swoope's performance came on the heels of a 37-point outing Friday at arch rival Loyola of Los Angeles.

"Erik is unbelievable. He's just a monster down low," said point guard Michael Attanasio, who totaled a career-best 11 assists. "My job is easy. All I have to do is find him, and Erik does the rest."

Harvard-Westlake (19-4, 11-0) has a two-game lead with three to play.

This one was not easy. Bound and determined to forge an upset, Notre Dame (13-11, 5-6) played its heart out, but in the end Harvard-Westlake's talent wore down the Knights.

"We just tried to play as hard as we could and to make a run," Notre Dame's Jeremy Sulker-Hall said. "We gave them a run for their money tonight. I'm proud of the way we played as a team."

Harvard-Westlake led 36-30 on freshman Jahmel Taylor's jumper late in the second quarter, then Harvard-Westlake went on a 20-6 run to lead 50-42.

But it wasn't over. Notre Dame came through with one more rally and pulled ahead 71-68 on Sulker-Hall's inside basket with just over six minutes remaining before Harvard-Westlake's Nate Bulluck's reverse layup sparked a 15-0 run in which Swoope scored six points on four free throws and an inside basket.

"It was an up-and-down game, and we just couldn't get our flow going," Swoope said. "Notre Dame was getting excited, but we kept our poise."

Harvard-Westlake is trying to finish undefeated in league for the first time in 10 years, and coach Greg Hilliard was not pleased with being down by five points at the half.

"Our coach is usually laidback but not tonight," Attanasio said. "Before the game, he gave a whole speech about how we can make history by being undefeated in league, and at halftime he was telling us we can't just talk about it, we've got to do it."

Bulluck scored 21 points and Damiene Cain added 16 points and 10 rebounds for Harvard-Westlake, and Austin Kelly chipped in 10. Attanasio scored one point, as Harvard-Westlake did not receive a single point from its bench.

Sulker-Hall led Notre Dame with 16 points, Taylor added 13 and Jimmy Tatro scored 10.

"That was our best team effort all year," Notre Dame coach Bill Bedgood said. "Our bench stepped up huge, too. That was the difference in the first half - we got a little surge from our bench. At the end, we just ran out of gas. The kids are spent. They left it all on the floor tonight."

-- Gerry Gittelson

BOX SCORE:

HW 17-16-33-22-88
ND 18-20-25-14-77

HW: Attanasio 1, Kelly 10, Cain 16, Swoope 40, Bulluck 21.
ND: Bell 6, Taylor 13, Tatro 10, Herbert 8, Karchemsky 9, Madison 8, Johnson 2, Edwards 5, Sulker-Hall 16.

R: HW 19-4, 11-0; ND 13-11, 5-6

We could have a huge upset on our hands if host Notre Dame can manage to hold onto a five-point halftime lead over powerful Harvard-Westlake tonight in a Mission League contest that just everyone expects Harvard-Westlake to win.

Notre Dame is shooting really well and doing a good job rebounding against the taller Wolverines.

Harvard-Westlake's star player, 6-foot-5 Erik Swoope, has 13 points but has a couple easy shots and has a committed a couple of turnovers. Swoope is coming off a career best 37 points at Loyola.

Harvard-Westlake (18-4, 10-0) has won 16 in a row, 12 by 10 points or more. Notre Dame is 13-10, 5-5 and features a start lineup that includes two freshmen and two sophomores.

Chaminade vs. Crespi is going on now and we'll have results when we receive them.

Last night, a shorthanded Alemany defeated Harvard-Westlake 52-21 at Alemany.

Carlos Lazo, Matt Rojas, Andy Carmona, Anthony Inge and Mike Crossley all had wins for the Warriors (11-4 and 4-0 in league) while Anthony Espinosa, Mike Mendoza and Sergio Figueroa all had wins by pins. Rabbaanee Williams, Akeem Gonzales and Diego Rabanal all sat out for the Warriors.

Ben Kogan had another win for Harvard-Westlake and he'll most likely have a rematch next week against Alemany - and the other Mission League teams at the league finals this Saturday.

The Mission League finals start at 9am Saturday at Chaminade High School in West Hills.

Danielle Tyler picked the right time to get hot for the Taft of Woodland Hills girls basketball team Wednesday in a key West Valley League game against defending City champion Chatsworth.

Tyler scored all 12 of her points in the third quarter, including three 3-pointers to lead Taft in a 50-37 victory.

Taft (12-6, 6-1) remained in a first place tie with El Camino Real of Woodland Hills pushing Chatsworth two games back with three games left in the regular season.

Taft led 21-13 at halftime before Tyler made a 3-pointer and a basket to begin the second half and give the Toreadors a 13-point lead.

"The last game we had against them and the first half in this game I didn't shoot very well," Tyler said. "I just kept shooting hoping they would eventually fall."

Tyler was one of four players who scored in double figures.

Skyy Lewis had 12 points, UNLV-bound point guard Rmanii Haynes had 11 and Amari Hampton contributed 10.

Lewis had six points in the third quarter helping Taft take a 16 point lead, Haynes made a 3-pointer with 6:15 remaining to push the lead back to 16 and Hampton had a basket and two free throws a short time later to extend the lead to 20.

More importantly than the balanced scoring effort, Taft was able to hold high scoring guard Monica Jackson to 16 points, a figure well under her 33 points average coming in.

"The game plan was to play a box and one defense and then trap her once she got the ball across half court," Tyler said. "Coach (Mark) Drucker wanted to let their other players have to step and beat us."

It didn't happen for the Chancellors (9-9, 4-3).

Jasmine Wooton scored 11 points but six other players who suited up combined for only 10 points.

"We have made a point the last two or three weeks to really step up defensively," Tyler said.

The game got off to a very slow start as both teams shot under 20% in the first quarter. Taft was missing shot after shot from the perimeter and Chatsworth was hard pressed to get good looks at the basket because Jackson left the game for over five minutes with an injured finger on her shooting hand.

Jackson returned and made a 3-pointer to give Chatsworth a 10-7 lead at the beginning of the second quarter but Hampton made a 3-pointer from the top of the key, Lewis made two baskets, Haynes made a 3-pointer and freshman Ahlisha Henderson made three of four free throws and Taft was suddenly up by 11 points.

Lucky Radley, a top multi-purpose back for Taft, signed with Utah today, picking the Utes over Texas Tech, North Carolina and others.

Radley was a starting running back, linebacker and return specialist at Taft. In college, he projects as a defensive back.

"I'd like to thank God, my family and everyone else. It's been a bumpy road but it has ended great," said Radley, who played for three high schools over three seasons. "Utah is where I felt most comfortable. It came down to North Carolina and Utah, but at North Carolina I just didn't get that same family vibe. To be there for four years, I just wasn't comfortable."

Radley said he is ready for the cold weather in Utah.

"I've never played in snow, but I think it will be fun," Radley said. "It's not a big difference. I'm always ready to do new things."

-- Gerry Gittelson

Taft of Woodland Hills junior defensive tackle Antwaun Woods has verbally committed to USC and could be joining teammate DJ Morgan with the Trojans in 2011.

"I feel good," said Woods, who has been selected to play in next year's Under Armour All-American game. "It's a new era with Lane Kiffin and I want to help (lift) the team to a national championship."

The 6-foot-1, 295-pound Woods was also considering UCLA, Cal, Florida and Tennessee. He is one of ESPNU's top 150 recruits for the class of 2011.

Highland of Palmdale tight end Christian Thomas announced he will attend USC next year.

Thomas chose the Trojans over Oregon, Oregon State and Miami (Fla.).

-- Gerry Gittelson

Christian Thomas of Highland is set to announce his college choice in just a few minutes at 12:15 p.m. on Prime Ticket, and Dietrich Riley is set to announce his choice at 1:30 p.m. on ESPNU.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Here is a list of the 17 student-athletes from Oaks Christian school in Westlake Village going on to play in college.

Malcolm Jones-UCLA for football
Cassius Marsh-UCLA for football
Nick Montana- Washington for football
Erik Kohler-Washington for football
Alani Fua-Brigham Young for football
Zac Stout-Brigham Young for football
Max Napolitano-Yale for football

Katie Brooks-Johns Hopkins for basketball
Becca Berman-Gordon College (Boston, Mass.) for basketball

Aidan Leonard-Brown for soccer
J.J. Koval-Stanford for soccer

Kelly Johnson-Texas Christian for soccer
Lauren Lindstrom-Fresno St. for soccer

Chase Bloch-USC for swimming
Haley Shillington-Pacific for swimming

Jet Reich-Pepperdine for water polo

Remylee Molyneux-Nebraska for golf

National signing day is a big event today for five Crespi players who inked their college scholarships a few moments ago before an overflow crowd at Soup's restaurant in Woodland Hills.

Lineman Hroniss Grasu and quarterback Bryan Bennett are headed to Oregon, lineman Ben Loth and tight end Pierce Richardson are going to Iowa State, and lineman Mike Mitchell is set to attend Nevada.

"It's a dream come true. It's always been my dream to play in the Pac 10," Grasu said.

Grasu and Bennett are best friends and plan to room together in Oregon.

"We already worked it out. Hroniss is pretty clean for a offensive lineman," Bennett said with a smile.

It's 11 degrees today in Ames, Iowa, so Richardson was asked if he has ever played in snow.

"No, I think I've been in the snow once in my whole life," he said.

In the beginning of his high school career, Mitchell had plans to be a tight end, but instead he focused on being a lineman, and of course he says it was worth it now that he has finalized a scholarship.

"It was definitely worth it. I wanted a scholarship more than anything," Mitchell said. "Plus, I did get one catch for five yards against Notre Dame when I was a junior."

Among those in attendance was Crespi alum Joe Fauria, now at UCLA. He is sitting out this season after transferring from Notre Dame -- the first time since Fauria was a little kid that he has not played football.

"It's tough. I've kind of got a chip on my shoulder for not playing and just watching, but I think I'll be better for it," Fauria said.

In the mean time, Fauria is up to 6-foot-8 and 260 pounds -- a weight gain of 30 pounds
over the past two years.

Another former Crespi player who lent his congratulations was J.J. Lasley, a running back who played at Stanford. Lasley said these days he is working in investments for real estate and the movie business.

Sean Haynes, a top receiver at Alemany, has committed to Montana.

"He took a weekend visit there and he liked it, and he committed," Alemany coach Dean Herrington said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Los Angeles City Section boys basketball coaches top 10 polls

: LABCA
: COACHES POLL
: 2/1/10

:
: DIVISION I

: 1.Westchester
: 2.Taft
: 3.Crenshaw
: 4.Washington
: 5.Palisades
: 6.Fremont
: 7.Fairfax
: 8.Birmingham
: 9.Cleveland
: 10.Dorsey

: DIVISION II

: 1.Narbonne
: 2.Chatsworth
: 3.University
: 4.Granada Hills
: 5.San Pedro
: 6.Gardena
: 7.Reseda
: 8.Grant
: 9.South East
: 10.Kennedy

: DIVISION III

: 1.Santee
: 2.Huntington Park
: 3.Hamilton
: 4.Locke
: 5.El Camino
: 6.Verdugo Hills
: 7.Franklin
: 8.West Adams
: 9.North Hollywood
: 10.Roosevelt

: Small Schools

: 1.View Park
: 2.LACES
: 3.Animo South LA
: 4.SOCES
: 5.Gertz -Ressler
: 6.Harbor Teacher Prep
: 7.Middle College
: 8.Valley Alt.
: 9.Douglas
: 10.Dantzler

Matt LaBelle has resigned as athletic director at Simi Valley.

LaBelle will continue to coach baseball and will be able to spend more time with his family

ESPN recruiting expert Greg Biggins said Tuesday he believes the Valley area's two prized unsigned recruits, St. Francis defensive back Dietrich Riley and Highland tight end Christian Thomas, both will sign with USC on Wednesday.

Both are not saying a word because they are scheduled to announce their college choice on national television.

"I think right now Dietrich wants to go to UCLA, but I also think USC has always been his dream school -- and when it comes down to it, it's tough for a kid to say no to his absolute dream school," Biggins said. "Everyone on both sides thinks it's UCLA, but I think USC has a shot. It's those two and no one else."

Commenting on Thomas, Biggins said, "I'm thinking USC."

Meantime, Taft defensive back Lucky Radley reports he has narrowed his choices to three -- North Carolina, Texas Tech and Utah.

Biggins thinks it will be Utah.

"I'm going to say Utah because that was his favorite trip so far," Biggins said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Nolan O'Sullivan, an offensive lineman for Valencia, has committed to Navy.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Six Crespi seniors are scheduled to celebrate National Signing Day on Wednesday at press conference and luncheon at Soup's Grill in Woodland Hills.

Quarterback Bryan Bennett and lineman Hroniss Grasu are headed to Oregon, tight end Pierce Richardson and Ben Loth are going to Iowa State, lineman Mike Mitchell is signing with Nevada, and receiver Blake Stanton is planning to sign a last-minute deal with a to-be-determined university.

New coach Jon Mack and former coach Jeremiah Ross are scheduled to attend.

-- Gerry Gittelson