April 2010 Archives

VALENCIA - An intentional walk with the bases loaded? Don't say never because not only did it happen Friday, but it turned out to be a great call.

The ever-dangerous Trey Williams was at the plate for Valencia, and after hitting a total of five home runs in two previous baseball games against West Ranch of Stevenson Ranch, the Wildcats wanted no part of him with the bases loaded and a four-run lead in the fifth inning.

"The night before, I had discussed with my coaching what we would do with Trey Williams if he got up there with the bases loaded, and we had decided we would walk in a run," West Ranch coach Casey Burrill said. "Then, when it really happened, of course we wanted to change it, but we had made a pact, and obviously it worked out."

It sure did. With no where to put Williams, ace pitcher J.C. Cloney had just entered the game, and after walking him to force in a run, Cloney struck out the next batter to end the inning in an eventual 8-4 victory that pulled West Ranch (15-7, 7-4) to within a game of Valencia (13-9-1, 8-3) for first place in the Foothill League with four remaining.

And if West Ranch needed any reassuring that walking Williams was the right move, on his next at-bat in the bottom of the seventh he tagged Cloney with a 420-foot home run, his ninth of the season and sixth in three games against West Ranch.

"Did I want to pitch to him? Yes and no," Cloney said. "He can obviously hit, but either way was fine with me."

Williams has been walked as many as three times in a game this season, but this one he did not see coming.

"I was kind of shocked," he said.

Cloney had not pitched in 16 days because of a back injury, but he earned the save by pitching the final 2 2/3 innings while striking out five.

It was payback time for West Ranch. A year ago, Valencia twice defeated West Ranch to wrestle away first place, and this year the Wildcats were determined to perform better down the stretch.

"We just didn't play well today. There wasn't a lot we did right," Snyder said.

West Ranch right-hander Ryan Keller (5-2) pitched four-plus innings, and Jared Ortiz extended his season-long hitting streak to 22 games by going 2 for 4 with an RBI. Nick Rusconi added two hits and two RBIs, and pinch-hitter Dakota Hernandez hit a two-run home run.

"It was a big win. If we would have lost, it wouldn't have just hurt our chances in the Foothill League but in the playoffs, too," Ortiz said. "It feels good to come back."

In Williams' first two at-bats, he lined to center and struck out, finishing 1 for 3 with two RBIs. Shane Zeile added a two-run home run, and Jake Roberge was 1 for 2 with a run and a walk.

West Ranch took advantage of five wild pitches, four walks, two key Valencia errors and a couple of close calls that went its way. Plus, the Wildcats played errorless defense.

Valencia finishes with two games against Saugus next week, followed by two games against last-place Canyon. West Ranch plays Hart twice next week, then closes with a two-game series against Saugus.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

BOX

West Ranch 8, Valencia 4

WR 031 004 0 - 8-7-0
Val 000 010 3 - 4-7-2

Keller, Cloney (5) and Smirnoff;
Hanks, Matson (5), Rivas (7) and Mundell.
W-Keller (5-2). L-Hanks. S-Cloney.
HR: WR-Hernandez (2); V-Williams (9), Zeile (4).
2B: V-Bonds.

R: WR 15-7, 7-3; V 13-9-1, 8-3.

Ryan Wolfe, a former Hart receiver who starred at UNLV, has signed a free-agent contract with the Atlanta Falcons.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Despite brutal weather conditions that included 40 mph winds and sweeping clouds of debris, Ryan Brockett somehow managed to pitch a near-flawless complete game today.

The senior left-hander from Crespi High of Encino limited rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks to six hits - including just one over the final 4 1/3 innings - and one earned run in a 5-2 Mission League victory at L.A. Valley College in Studio City

With a sharp-breaking curveball and an uncanny ability to keep his concentration while enduring the elements, Brockett struck out three and issued two walks while improving to 5-1 and lowering his ERA to 1.97 in 43 innings.

"When the wind blows like this, you can never really get comfortable, and I had no fastball, but we won," Brockett said. "But the wind also made my changeup and slider more effective, so I used that to my advantage."

It was a must-win game for defending Southern Section Div. II champion Crespi (19-4, 6-2), which remains a half-game behind first-place Chaminade of West Hills with four league games remaining.

"I don't know how to explain what it's like to play with the wind like this, but it's a lot tougher," Crespi's Scott Heineman said. "Ryan just really settled down late in the game, and his changeup was really working. I guess the wind made it that much more nasty."

Notre Dame left-hander Jack Hartman (4-2) wasn't bad either - especially when you consider he is just a freshman. He pitched a complete game, too, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits, five walks and a hit batter.

"It was tough because there would be a gust as wind in the middle of my windup that would knock me off-balance," Hartman said. "It just didn't feel right out there."

Notre Dame coach Tom Dill didn't expect such an impressive performance from either pitcher.

"I was surprised. It's not easy to throw in the wind," Dill said. "It was a tough day, but both of us had to play in the same conditions."

Crespi scored two runs in the first inning when a single by Ryon Healy ( 2 for 2, two RBIs) combined with an outfield error scored Mike Hubbard and Heineman. In the third, the Celts added a run when Heineman walked and scored on a long double by Kevin Williams.

Crespi perhaps could have added more runs in the third, but with runners on second and third and no out, Hartman worked his way out of the jam.

Crespi was busy again in the fourth, adding two runs when Brockett came home on an error and Hubbard scored on Healy's sacrifice fly.

Notre Dame (8-12, 2-6) scored on Russell Richey's RBI double in the second and J.J. Muno's run-scoring single in the third.

Over the past nine games, Crespi is 8-1 and Notre Dame is 1-8, including consecutive losses to the Celts.

The season has proved humbling for Notre Dame, which won the Southern Section Div. III title two years ago, then finished 23-6 last season.

"We're trying to develop our game, get some experience and get better," Hartman said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Crespi 5, Notre Dame 2

ND 011 000 0 - 2-6-2
Crespi 201 200 x - 5-5-2

Hartman and Gould; Brockett and Gonzalez.
W-Brockett (5-1). L-Hartman (4-2). 2B-ND: Huynh, Richey;
C: Williams.

R: ND 8-12, 2-6; C 19-4, 6-2.

The Crespi of Encino boys' volleyball team took a big step toward securing second place in the Mission League behind nationally-ranked Loyola of Los Angeles with a 25-19, 25-15, 25-16 sweep of Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood.

Crespi took sole possession of second place moving two games ahead of the Wolverines and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

The Celts were never threatened in their second victory against the Wolverines as UC Irvine-bound Daniel Stork registered 38 assists.

"We try to serve tough," Stork said. "When we serve well we can put teams out of their system, create errors and control the net."

Everything was working for Crespi as it overcame the presence Wolverines basketball players Damiene Cain and David Burton.

Cal. St. Northridge-bound Brandon LeBrock had 13 kills and five aces, Liam Gallagher had eight digs and Michael Parker had seven blocks in the balanced attack for Crespi.

"They are just solid all around," first year with the boys Harvard-Westlake coach Adam Black said. "They are solid at every position, athletic and fundamental. They run a very fast offense, more so than most regular high school teams."

The class of the league is Loyola, who knocked off the Celts twice but Crespi did get a game off the Cubs in a defeat Tuesday.

However, Crespi is still looking for a deep postseason run.

"We are going to have to play more consistently," Stork said. "When we play the top teams we usually get a a god performance or two individually but not always as a whole team. And a good draw would help."

Harvard-Westlake was led by Ryan Plueger, who had nine kills and four digs.

The Wolverines end the season next week with a nonleague match against Santa Barbara and one league match.

Crespi will tackle Alemany of Mission Hills and St. Francis of La Canada before waiting to hear its playoff fate next weekend.

Daily News Top 10

1. Crespi (18-4)
2. Royal (18-5)
3. Chaminade (19-4)
4. Chatsworth (19-3)
5. Valencia (13-8-1)
6. Camarillo (16-4)
7. Moorpark (17-7)
8. West Ranch (14-7)
9. Alemany (17-6)
10. Thousand Oaks (13-11)

Former Hart pitcher Donny Williams, now at Mission College, has committed to Eastern University, an NCAA Div. II school in Oklahoma that plays in the Lone Star Conference.

-- Gerry Gittelson

The Oak Park softball team might not win the Tri-Valley League championship this year but it took a big step toward not letting neighborhood rival Oaks Christian of Westlake Village have a chance to win an outright title.

Locked in a tie game in the bottom of the sixth, No. 7 hitter Dana Dechene came through with an RBI double, scoring Christie Langlois with what would be the winning run in a 2-1 victory at Valley View Park.

"I really try not to think about hitting in those situations," Dechene said. "With a runner on second, I really try to hit the ball into an outfield gap."

Christie Langlois singled to leadoof the inning, the fourth leadoff batter for Oak Park (12-9, 3-3) to reach base, was sacrificed to second and came around on the two-out hit.

Oaks Christian centerfielder Hailey Downey, who was playing shallow for a possible play at the plate on a groundball single had to break back on the ball that carried in the wind and the ball just eluded her glove.

"It was just one of those games," Oaks Christian coach Peter Ackermann said. "We got some breaks last time, they got them today."

Ackermann was referring to Oaks Christian's 3-2 victory against Oak Park last Thursday after trailing 2-0.

Oak Park pitcher Kelsey Jensen was the hard-luck loser last time but picked up the win with seven strong innings.

Jensen's only mistake was a fastball that Nicole Leonard blasted to deep center for a home run to leadoff the second and tie the game at 1-1.

Jensen gave up seven hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

She pitched out of jams in the first, second and fourth innings as the Lions (21-4, 6-2) stranded seven runners.

"It was real important to come right back with a victory," Jensen said. "We know we are a good team. We can compete with anyone. We win when we play as a unit. We lose when we don't."

Not only did Langlois score the winning run but she singled home Morgan Schlobohm with an infield hit in the first.

Brett Hall and Emily Dinino each singled for Oak Park.

Freshman A.J. Bates had two singles for Oaks Christian and pitcher Kiana Quolas reached base twice.

Quolas went six innings, yielding five hits and two walks with five strikeouts.

The Lions chances for an outright league championship took a hit but can still earn a share of the title with a victory against La Reina of Thousand Oaks next Thursday.

Pierson Williams, an All-City guard from Taft of Woodland Hills, has committed to Loyola University Maryland.

"He took an official visit, and he liked it," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "La Salle and Tulane started to come around, but it was too late. He likes Loyola."

Also, Taft's Jordan Gathers has received a couple of late offers from Montana State and Cal State Bakersfield.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Patrick Allen, a strong safety at Pierce College by way of Eagle Rock High, has accepted a scholarship to Midwestern State, an NCAA Div. II school.

"He's a hard-workiing kid and a tremendous athlete," Pierce coach Efrain Martinez said. "He came to Pierce looking for an opportunity to move, and he got what he came for."

-- Gerry Gittelson

Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks freshman Jahmel Taylor was named to the Max Preps freshman all-american team as an honorable mention selection.

Taylor averaged 16.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and three steals.

Royal of Simi Valley's pitcher Tyler Abbott his verbally committed to UC Irvine and will sign his National Letter of Intent later this month.

The 6-foot-3 senior has a 5-2 record with 0.70 ERA, giving just four earned runs in 40 innings this season.

Royal is 17-5 overall and 8-1 in the Marmonte League.

They say pitching and defense win softball games.

That is exactly what Simi Valley got in its fourth meeting with neighborhood rival Royal of Simi Valley in a marmonte League first place showdown Friday at Rancho Santa Susana Park.

Sophia Perez threw a complete game two-hitter with 10 strikeouts and shortstop Jordyn ball had four putouts and an assist to lead Simi Valley to a 3-0 victory.

Not only did the Pioneers (18-2, 6-1) even the season series at two games apiece, including a win in the championship game of the Suzanne Manlet tournament, they took remained in a first place tie with Agoura.

"This win really was special because we were coming off two losses to them," Perez said. "We all came together today to get the job done."

Perez was determined in the circle, not allowing a base runner through the first five innings.

Ball helped her out with a nifty catch behind third base to start the game and caught a line drive off the bat of Katelyn Tollefson, sprawling out towards third base to keep the perfect game intact.

"I had to stop the ball for my pitcher," Ball said. "We are used to her pitching well every time and I had to help her out."

Perez only allowed an infield single in the sixth to Amber sanders and a one out triple to pitching counterpart Nancy Bowling in the seventh.

"I knew I had the perfect game going but didn't want to think about it or talk about it," Perez said. "I couldn't jinx myself."

Simi valley got the only run it needed in the first when Allison Cook walked, advanced to second on an out, stole third on a fake bunt-steal play and came home on a clean single by Taylor Cartwright.

The Pioneers added two runs in the fifth on two singles, a passed ball and two costly errors.

Bowling was great for Royal, allowing only four hits and a walk with nine strikeouts.

At one point, Bowling struck out eight in a row.

Unfortunately for the Highlanders (15-5, 5-2), they couldn't muster any runs against Perez.

"She pitched her game and we fell right in," Royal coach Bill Dishon said. "We showed zero discipline at the plate. It will be tough to catch them in league now."

Cartwright was the only player who reached base twice in the game with two singles.

Simi Valley beat Bowling for the fifth time in seven chances and has a big showdown on Tuesday for first place again with one-loss Agoura.

Despite having to replace injured Jamaal Perkins on the anchor leg, the Rio Mesa of Oxnard boys' 400-meter relay team advanced to the championship at the 110th Penn Relays by winning its heat in 41.79 seconds Friday at Franklin Field in Philadelphia.

With Steven Richards running the third leg and Blake Selig moving to the anchor, joining Jamison Jordan and LaDarrin Roach, the Spartans were one of three California teams -- joining Long Beach Poly (41.39) and Serra of Gardena (41.77) -- to make the eight-team field for the final, which is scheduled to run at 10:35 a.m. PDT today.

Joining the Golden state trio will be four Jamaican teams, led by top qualifier Wolmer's Boys of Kingston (40.47), along with DeMatha Catholic of Hyattsville, Md.

Wolmer's Boys posted the fastest prelim time in Penn Relays history and the No. 8 all-time mark at the meet. Jamaican teams have won the past five 400 relay titles in Philadelphia.

Rio Mesa will also run in the heats of the 1,600 relay today, with the goal of reaching the final at 2:25 p.m. PDT.

Figuring out where all the top junior high talent in the San Fernando Valley will end up for high school is tougher than trying to stop Kobe Bryant one-on-one.

After speaking with several connected people in basketball circles in the region, it seems there seven top prospects for next year.

El Camino Real of Woodland Hills could be the big winner if Malik Haynes (younger brother of former Taft standout Calvin Haynes), Julian Richardson (son of former NBA and UCLA star Pooh Richardson) and Jeremy Lieberman enroll in September.

"I know my son is going there but i can't speak for anybody else," Pooh Richardson said by phone on Thursday. "It is a good spot because he has a chance to play right away
and the coach is a good guy."

One would think Haynes would enroll at Taft but not so quick with Landon Drew seemingly entrenched at the point guard position.

Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth has three bright prospects in Brian Alberts, Parker Cartwright and Derrick Newton.

Cartwright's older brother Miles went to Loyola of Los Angeles and Parker is expected to do the same.

Newton is a lock for Harvard-Westlake according to sources although he did consider Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, which has top seventh grade class of players.

Alberts could be the biggest prize of all with a high school body already.

Sylmar coach Bort Escoto said Alberts is the best eighth grader he has ever seen and likens him to Jesus Shuttlesworth, the fictional character portrayed by NBA star Ray Allen in the movie 'He Got Game'.

When asked why, Escoto said, "because he is the truth."

Pretty high praise from a coach, who has won a City championship and sent Tyler Honeycutt on to UCLA.

Another top player, Marsellis Johnson, a man-child from Pinecrest of Van Nuys and younger brother of Campbell Hall of North Hollywood's Louisiana Tech-bound James Johnson, is expected to enroll at Sierra Canyon.

With all this talent in one class, I can't believe someone has not thought of putting all these kids together at one school.

The most succesful coach in Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth boys' basketball history has resigned.

Colin Jamerson led the Trailblazers to a 41-19 record in two years at the helm, a Div. V-A championship game appearance and a Delphic League championship.

Jamerson said some things went down not to his liking, he didn't meet eye-to-eye with an administrator and it was time for him to concentrate his focus on his club basketball program again.

With no on campus facility, Jamerson accomplished a great deal, molding a young inexperienced squad into a championship contender right away.

The cupboard is not bare as the Trailblazers return junior brothers Michael and Daniel Cohen and sophomores Jesse Howell and Julian Brooks.

If Sierra Canyon can keep its current crop of eighth graders, it could really turn into a powerhouse, however Parker Cartwright is expected to enroll at Loyola of Los Angeles and Derrick Newton is ticketed for Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood.

One top player, Brian Alberts, an eighth grader who was held back one year could remain at Sierra Canyon but Alemany of Mission Hills also could be an option.

It is hard to believe coach Arman Mercado and the Taft of Woodland Hills boys' volleyball team has never won a West Valley League championship with Mercado at the helm.

The Toreadors can change that Monday in a league finale at preseason favorite Granada Hills at 4 p.m.

Taft upset Granada Hills a few weeks ago in four games and is going for the season sweep and an unprecedented, undefeated romp through league play.

Mike Meza, a 2008 graduate of Simi Valley, has signed a letter of intent to play basketball at NCAA Division II school, UC San Diego. Mike recovered from a serious knee injury during his sophomore year of high school to lead the Pioneers to a 47 - 9 record in his final two seasons. Mike's career statistics while at Simi Valley rank him in the top 20 in scoring, rebounding, free throw percentage, field goals made, field goal percentage and charges taken.

This past season Mike competed for Moorpark College where he lead the Western State Conference in points per game and was a first team all conference selection.

The merry-go-round, musical chairs or whatever you want to call it, continued in the Tri-Valley League softball race Thursday.

Oaks Christian of Westlake Village retained a a share of first place in a come from behind 3-2 victory against Oak Park.

Trailing by two runs in the fourth, Oaks Christian strung together four hits (two singles and two doubles) for three runs and junior pitcher Kiana Quolas made it stand up for an important league victory that kept the Lions (18-3) tied with La Reina of Thousand Oaks at the top.

Oak Park dropped into a tie for third place registering its third loss in league play.

Oaks Christian left the bases loaded in the third but finally solved Kelsy Jensen in the fateful fourth.

Nicole Leonard walked and Carly Rumberg singled to put runners on first and second with nobody out.

A botched fake bunt-double steal stalled the Oaks Christian attack but Hailey Downey recovered with a run scoring single, freshman A.J. Bates delivered a run scoring double and Lauren Lindstrom had a run scoring double for all of the Lions runs.

Bates and Lindstrom each finished with two hits, Downey reached base twice and Quolas walked twice for Oaks Christian.

"I just listened to coach Ackermann and let the ball come to me," Bates said. "We needed to get our bats up and come back."

Once Quolas had the lead, the junior right hander settled in nicely, retiring 12 of the final 13 batters.

Quolas gave up five hits but did not walk a batter and struck out 10 batters.

"It really pumped me up when my team got some runs," Quolas said. "It gave me confidence and I knew they had me with great defense. I was able to really let it go from that point."

Things might have been different for Oak Park but an error by catcher Emily Dinino allowed Rumberg to score the first run for Oaks Christian on a play which would have resulted in the second out of the fourth.

Bates and Lindstrom followed with their run scoring doubles.

"We made a couple mistakes and good teams will make you pay," Oak Park coach Roger Newell said. "That is just the way it is. You don't know what team is going to show up. Some errors really opened the door."

Kelsey Jensen did an admirable job yielding seven hits and only getting into trouble in the fourth. She also stayed in the game despite taking two hard shots off her foot on line drives.

"Their pitcher really battled and kept ous off balance keeping the ball on the outer half of the plate," Oaks Christian coach Peter Ackermann said.

Brett Hall singled home Kelsey Haines in the first and Emily Dinino doubled home Christie Langlois in the fourth for Oak Park's runs.

Oak Park dropped its third league contest but does own a victory against La Reina.

La Reina upended Oaks Christian, 3-1.

All three teams still play each other and the league championship might not be decided until the final week of the regular season.

"All the team are really balanced," Ackermann said. "You have to do all the little things well to come out on top."

Congrats to Allen Crabbe of Price, Cal-Hi Sports "Mr. Basketball" Player of the Year.

Here is the list:

2010 Allen Crabbe, Los Angeles Price, 6-6
2009 Kawhi Leonard, Riverside Martin Luther King, 6-7
2008 Jrue Holiday, North Hollywood Campbell Hall, 6-3
2007 Taylor King, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-8
2006 Chase Budinger, Carlsbad La Costa Canyon, 6-8
2005 Amir Johnson, L.A. Westchester, 6-10
2004 DeMarcus Nelson, Sacramento Sheldon, 6-3
2003 Trevor Ariza, L.A. Westchester, 6-8
2002 Hassan Adams, L.A. Westchester, 6-4
2001 Tyson Chandler, Compton Dominguez, 7-1
2000 Tyson Chandler, Compton Dominguez, 7-0
1999 Casey Jacobsen, Glendora, 6-6
1998 Tayshaun Prince, Compton Dominguez, 6-8
1997 Baron Davis, Santa Monica Crossroads, 6-2
1996 Corey Benjamin, Fontana, 6-6
1995 Paul Pierce, Inglewood, 6-7
1994 Jelani Gardner, Bellflower St. John Bosco, 6-6
1993 Charles O'Bannon, Lakewood Artesia, 6-7
1992 Jason Kidd, Alameda St. Joseph, 6-4
1991 Jason Kidd, Alameda St. Joseph, 6-4 Jr.
1990 Ed O'Bannon, Lakewood Artesia, 6-9
1989 Tracy Murray, Glendora, 6-8
1988 Chris Mills, L.A. Fairfax, 6-7
1987 LeRon Ellis, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-11
1986 Scott Williams, Hacienda Heights Wilson, 6-10
1985 Tom Lewis, Santa Ana Mater Dei, 6-7
1984 John Williams, L.A. Crenshaw, 6-8
1983 John Williams, L.A. Crenshaw, 6-7 Jr.
1982 Tony Jackson, Oakland Bishop O'Dowd, 6-4
1981 Dwayne Polee, L.A. Manual Arts, 6-5
1980 Ralph Jackson, Inglewood, 6-3
1979 Darren Daye, Granada Hills Kennedy, 6-7
1978 Greg Goorjian, Crescenta Valley, 6-2
1977 Cliff Robinson, Oakland Castlemont, 6-7
1976 Rich Branning, Huntington Beach Marina, 6-2
1975 Bill Cartwright, Elk Grove, 7-1
1974 Bill Cartwright, Elk Grove, 7-0 Jr.
1973 Marques Johnson, L.A. Crenshaw, 6-5
1972 Cliff Pondexter, Fresno San Joaquin Memorial, 6-7 Jr.
1971 Roscoe Pondexter, Fresno San Joaquin Memorial, 6-6
1970 Bill Walton, La Mesa Helix, 6-10
1969 Keith Wilkes, Ventura, 6-5 Jr.
1968 Paul Westphal, Redondo Beach Aviation, 6-2
1967 Curtis Rowe, L.A. Fremont, 6-6
1966 Dennis Awtrey, San Jose Blackford, 6-9
1965 Bob Portman, S.F. St. Ignatius, 6-5
1964 Russ Critchfield, Salinas, 5-10
1963 Edgar Lacey, L.A. Jefferson, 6-6
1962 Joe Ellis, Oakland McClymonds, 6-5
1961 Gail Goodrich, L.A. Poly, 5-11
1960 Paul Silas, Oakland McClymonds, 6-6
1959 Steve Gray, S.F. Washington, 6-4
1958 Billy McGill, L.A. Jefferson, 6-9
1957 Tom Meschery, S.F. Lowell, 6-5
1956 Fred LaCour, S.F. St. Ignatius, 6-4
1955 Fred LaCour, S.F. St. Ignatius, 6-4 Jr.
1954 Willie Davis, Alameda, 5-11
1953 Bill Bond, Long Beach St. Anthony 6-1
1952 Willie Naulls, San Pedro, 6-5
1951 Ken Sears, Watsonville, 6-7
1950 Don Bragg, S.F. Galileo, 6-3

Harry Welch, who won five titles at Canyon and is now at Santa Margarita, has been punished for a rules violation, according to published reports, in the wake of hosting an open house at Santa Margarita that allegedly did not jive with section rules.

Here is his statement:

"I am pleased that the CIF's investigation of the March 31 event at Santa Margarita Catholic High School was concluded so quickly. I and the entire SMCHS administration put a tremendous amount of effort into making this a positive event for the school and the community, and ensuring that it complied with CIF rules.

"In planning of the event we used our best efforts to be transparent with the CIF, and to make this the community-based event it was intended to be, consistent with the rules. I believe we followed the rules and the CIF's guidance in planning and putting on an event which show-cased the academic, arts and athletic excellence of SMCHS.

"Unfortunately, the CIF disagreed. I do appreciate the CIF's swift action in resolving the issue. This allows the boys to get on with the work of preparing for what I know will be an exciting and rewarding season without distraction. That's why we are here, that's what is most important, and that's what we will do."

-- Gerry Gittelson

SIMI VALLEY - After pitching every Wednesday for the past five weeks, ace Cody Buckel was not on the mound for Royal High on Wednesday against neighborhood rival Simi Valley, as left-hander Tyler Abbott instead got the nod.

Buckel still made quite an impression, hitting a deep home run over the center-field fence and contributed a run-scoring double in a 3-2 Marmonte League baseball victory over the visiting Pioneers (8-12, 1-7).

"I'm just another part of the team, and we have a solid lineup," Buckel said. "I'm another guy in the crowd trying to get some hits. It's not just me, it's the whole team."

It was decided Buckel will pitch Friday at Newbury Park, so the right-hander will have a nine-break between starts. Projected as a possible first- or second-round Major League draft choice, Buckel throws 94 mph and is 7-0 in seven starts with a 0.72 ERA, 62 strikeouts and five walks in 39 innings, while allowing just 17 hits; opponents are batting .125 against him.

Meanwhile, Buckel, who has signed with Pepperdine, is a fine defensive shortstop - he had four putouts Wednesday -- not to mention his prowess as a hitter, as Buckel is batting .477 with five home runs, 22 RBIs and an .800 slugging percentage.

The home run was Buckel's second this season off Simi Valley ace Levi Shordon, as the Highlanders (16-4, 7-1) defeated the Pioneers for the fourth consecutive time over the past two years.

"I don't think Buckel is that dangerous. I just missed my spot and paid for it," Shordon said.

Abbott (5-2), a UC Irvine-bound left-hander with a big-breaking curveball, allowed four hits and one earned run in five innings while striking out six. Connor Detko pitched the last two innings for his first save.

Simi Valley scored a run in the sixth when Cole Acheronti (2 for 3, one run, one RBI) singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch to pull Simi Valley to within a run. But the Pioneers blew a key opportunity Denny Vigo was tagged out on a blown squeeze.

In the top of the seventh, Reece Schmidt got aboard on an infield error, took second on Cody Martinez's sacrifice and advanced to third on Cody Ramer's lineout to deep center. But Detko induced Brandon Grieger to ground to second for the final out.

"It was my first save, but I had a lot of confidence," Detko said.

Ryan Tinkham hit a home run for Royal in the fourth inning.

With just one senior in the starting lineup, Simi Valley continues to have a tough time, losing for the fourth time in a row by two runs or fewer. Overall, six losses have been within two runs - a difficult turn of events for a proud program that just three years ago won the Southern Section Div. I championship at Dodger Stadium.

"We just can't get a break, and we keep beating ourselves - not necessary getting beat," Shordon said. "But that's baseball."

It does not mean Simi Valley is ready to give up.

"It's not so much a learning curve, just a lot of young players getting varsity experience," Acheronti said. "We have the talent. It's just a matter of maturity. I never get any sleep after we lose. That's why I won't sleep tonight."

-- Gerry Gittelson

BOX SCORE:

Royal 3, Simi Valley 2

SV 100 001 0 - 2-6-0

Royal 101 100 x - 3-6-2

L. Shordon, White (5) and Vigo;

Abbott, Detko (6) and Tinkham.

W-Abbott (5-2); L-Shordon. HR: R: Buckel (5), Tinkham (2).

2B: R: Buckel, Hockenberry. SV: Oso.

R: R 16-4, 7-1; SV 8-12, 1-7.

To raise money for an all-weather football field and track at Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, football coach Bill Redell is going to let himself be the brunt of a roast on May 23 at the Canyon Club in Agoura Hills.

Tables for the event are $5,000, $2,500 and $1,500. There are also $50 individual seating tickets.

People scheduled to take their cracks at the veteran coach are Joe Montana, Will Smith, Wayne Gretzky, Terry Donahue, Rick Neuheisel, Clay Matthews and current Westlake football coach Jim Benkert.

Before Benkert gets his licks on his new Marmonte League rival, Redell offered the first jab.

"Jim may have a shot on the football field next fall but he's in way over his head on this roast thing."

Now if those aren't fighting words, I don't know what is.

The evening starts at 5 p.m. and is scheduled to go until about 8:30 p.m.

For more information or to buy tickets, call Allison Sprague at 818.575.9268 or email her at asprague@oakschristian.org

The recent all-star games at Cal St. Northridge will be on T.V. this week.

Time Warner cable is airing the games. Here is the schedule

Boys' Battle of the Valley

All Star Basketball

On Time Warner Cable

Channel 101

Fri. 4/23 7:30 pm

Sat. 4/24 10:00 am

Sun. 4/25 8:30 pm

Girls' Battle of the Valley

All Star Basketball

On Time Warner Cable

Channel 101

Fri. 4/23 10:00 pm

Sat. 4/24 2:30 pm

Sun. 4/25 10:00 am

Tues. 4/27 10:30 pm

OJAI TOURNAMENT HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK=S BOYS TENNIS ACTION
The 110th annual Ojai Valley Tennis Tournament will be held this Thursday through Saturday in the Ventura County community.

The CIF boys' singles and doubles events pits the Southern Section's best against the top players from the Los Angeles City, San Diego, and Central Sections.

Many of the top Southern Section boys will compete in the prestigious invitational event.
The top-seeded players in singles are: 1) Denis Nguyen, CANYON OF ANAHEIM; 2) Clarke Spinosa, CLAREMONT 3) Alex Bouillin, TORREY PINES (San Diego Section); 4) Reo Asami, UNIVERSITY. In doubles, the top seeded teams are: 1) Jeffrey Hawke-Erik Lim, PALOS VERDES; 2) Ryan Cheung-Kong Luu, UNIVERSITY; 3) Parker Kelly-Devon Sousa, MIRA COSTA; 4) Christopher Kenney-Matthew Wagner, HARVARD-WESTLAKE.

Also at stake is the coveted Griggs Memorial Challenge Cup, which is awarded to the school that scores the most points. In last year's tournament, Santa Barbara claimed their fifth consecutive cup title.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Harry Welch, who won five section titles at Canyon before moving on to Santa Margarita and now Santa Margarita, could be in hot water with the Southern Section at his new school, according to a report in the Orange County Register, though details are unclear at this time.

Welch called me back today but said he couldn't comment now but was hoping to comment soon.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth might have a top prospect.

Freshman Xavier Mennefield, a 5'9 running back, who transferred in from Valencia a couple months ago is expected to take over for the Trailblazers.

Mennefield led the Valencia freshman team in rushing yards and touchdowns before leaving for Sierra Canyon in January.

"He is the real deal," Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse said. "We are very excited about his future."

Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth might have a top prospect.

Freshman Xavier Mennefield, a 5'9 running back, who transferred in from Valencia a couple months ago is expected to take over for the Trailblazers.

Mennefield led the Valencia freshman team in rushing yards and touchdowns before leaving for Sierra Canyon in January.

"He is the real deal," Sierra Canyon coach Jon Ellinghouse said. "We are very excited about his future."

Jonathan Jerozal, one of the area's brightest young quarterbacks, was named QB MVP of the National Underclassmen Combine at Cathedral High in L.A., and he is competing in the Nike Combine this coming weekend in Long Beach.

After passing for more than 2,100 yards this past season, expect some more big numbers because top receiver Drew Wolitarsky, a freshman, is back, too.

Jerozal has received letters of interest from Oregon, UCLA, UC Davis and Princeton, and BYU is coming to the school this week to visit.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Jonathan Davis, a 6'8 forward from Simi Valley will get his chance to impress some college coaches today.

Coaches from Utah, UCSB, San Francisco and Pacific are scheduled to be at Simi Valley to watch Davis in a spring workout.

Davis has already been offered by Utah.

Freedom McCullough, a safety at Campbell Hall, has signed a late offer by Minnesota Crookston, a Div. II college.

McCullough is the third Campbell Hall senior headed to college. Josh Lumer, a defensive end is walking on at Villanova, and long-snapper Brandon Koletsky is walking on at San Diego State.

Also, running back Bernard Dillard turned several schools offering partial scholarships.

"Bernard decided not to play college football. He says he just wants to go to school and be a kid," Campbell Hall coach Russell Gordon said.

Josh Heinz has slowed down since the beginning of the season, but the West Ranch sophomore is still having a huge season.

Heinz, a third baseman, is batting .364 with five home runs, 32 RBIs and a .764 slugging percentage.

And with just one extra-base hit over the past eight games, Heinz is due, too.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Former Notre Dame pitcher Josh Goossen-Brown picked up the win Thursday in a 10-9 win over top rated College of the Canyons to move LA Valley into first place in the Western State Conference Southern Division.

-- Gerry Gittelson

There are a bunch of college coaches visiting Taft this week. Here is the schedule:

Monday -- Texas

Tuesday -- UCLA, Arizona State, Washington, Washington State, Montana State and San Francisco

Wednesday -- Harvard, Gonzaga, University of San Diego

"This is one of the reasons kids want to come to Taft," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said.

Kody Burke from Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks scored 17 points, had 12 rebounds and blocked six shots to lead the East all-stars to a 91-75 victory against the West at Cal St. Northridge.

The North Carolina St.-bound forward was named M.V.P.

Montclair Prep's Chantel Dooley had 16 points, Grant's Vanessa Aguilar had 14 and Harvard-Westlake's Nicole Hung had 12 points and six rebounds.

The West was led by Chatsworth's Monica jackson, who had 25 points, including five 3-pointers.

The school year winds down soon, and there is one final important basketball event - the annual Battle of the Valley Senior All-Star Game, as the boys' all-stars tip off at 7 p.m. Saturday at Cal State Northridge preceded by the girls at 5 p.m.

For the boys, West coach Dave Rebibo of El Camino Real of Woodland Hills and East coach Jose Hernandez of Burbank say the talent level is off the charts.

"This is a very talented and very exciting group of kids. I think they're going to open some eyes," said Rebibo, whose top players include USC-bound Bryce Jones of Taft of Woodland Hills, Hawaii-bound Jordan Coleman of Calabasas and UC Davis-bound Alex Tiffin of Thousand Oaks.

"I think the biggest challenge is going to be making sure everyone gets equal playing time while staying competitive and all that good stuff," Rebibo said. "It's definitely two talented groups battling it out in this game. I think it's going to be close and a good game."

After the East conducted its first practice, Hernandez said he could only dream of having a team like this during the season.

"I wish I had them the whole year, like a regular high school team," Hernandez said. "We're really balanced, and there are a lot of different pieces - inside guys, outside guys. The kids are even more athletic than I thought."

The East's top players include Hawaii-bound Trevor Wiseman of Golden Valley and Virginia Commonwealth-bound Darrell Haley of Palmdale.

Proceeds benefit the Valley Youth Foundation. Tickets are $10 and $5 for students 12 and under.

The boys' game features a slam-dunk contest, and the girls' game includes a 3-point shooting contest.

Among the interesting storylines for the girls is the presence of East threesome Sydney Haydel, Nicole Nesbit and Nicole Hung of Harvard-Westlake, as they'll play together for the last time before heading off to play college ball.

The girls' coaches are Steve Scifres of Agoura for the West and Jason Perez of Crescenta Valley for the East.

-- Gerry Gittelson

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

TICKETS: $10 adults, $5 students

Martin Sanchez of Fulton Prep threw a five-inning no-hitter today in a 14-0 victory over defending City Div. III champion Sherman Oaks CES -- the first no-hitter in Fulton Prep history.

It was also the first time Fulton Prep has ever defeated Sherman Oaks CES in baseball.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Well, at least four Daily News top 10 teams were upset today - Crespi, Royal, West Ranch and Valencia all lost.

This should really shake up the rankings. Or not. Got to figure it all out after seeing what develops by Thursday.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Alemany High of Mission Hills might have the youngest pitching staff in the Mission League, but that does not mean they're easy to hit.

For the 18th time in 20 games, the Warriors started a sophomore pitcher, and this time it was Cody Thompson, who held defending Southern Secton Div. II champion Crespi of Encino to two hits tonight in a 4-1 upset victory at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa.

With an impressive fastball and an even better curve that had Crespi flinching all night, Thompson (2-0) pitched a complete game while striking out four.

Crespi (16-4, 4-20 made it interesting by loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh on a walk and two hit batters, but after a short visit to the mound, Alemany coach Randy Thompson entrusted Thompson to finish what he started, and the right-hander responded by getting Alex Gonzalez on a lineout to left, then inducing Ryan Brockett to pop out to third for the final out.

The win knocked Crespi out of first place, as the Celts and Alemany (15-5, 4-2) are tied for second with six games remaining.

Alemany broke open the game by scoring three runs in the fifth, keyed by Sergio Placencia's two-run double. An error on a pickoff attempt allowed Placencia to take third, and he scored on Anthony Esparza's sacrifice fly.

Three days earlier, Crespi defeated Alemany 7-0 in the first game of a two-game series, but this time Alemany was a different, as its pitching held up and the defense did not commit an error.

Coming in with eight victories over the past nine games, including winning the championship in the prestigious Diamond Sports National Classic last week, Crespi's only score came in the third inning when Austin Walker walked and came home on Michael Hubbard's triple.

But Thompson minimized the damage by striking out Scott Heineman to strand Hubbard at third.

"I just stayed focused and threw my pitches, and the defense helped a lot," Thompson said. "I couldn't have done it without them. They made the plays. We really wanted to win this game because we want to win the Mission League title, and to do that you have to beat Crespi."

Coach Thompson is not related to his prized sophomore, but he felt like a proud papa.

"Cody grew up tonight," Thompson said. "He really stepped up."
Alemany 100 030 0 - 4-3-0
Crespi 001 000 0 - 1-2-2

Thompson and Esparza; Brockett, Heineman (6), Mason (7)
and Gonzalez. W-Thompson (2-0); L-Brockett. 3B:C: Hubbard; 2B: A: Davidson,
Placencia.

A 15-5, 4-2; C 16-4, 4-2

Looks like we could have upset, as Alemany leads Crespi 4-1 in the top of the sixth in a key Mission League showdown at Birmingham High.

Alemany broke it open with three runs in the fifth, the key hit a two-run double by Sergio Placencia.

It's now the top of the fifth inning, and Crespi's Scott Heineman is pitching in relief of Ryan Brockett.

Alemany sophomore Cody Thompson is doing a masterful job. Through five innings, he has allowed two hits with no walks while striking out two. Crespi's run came in the bottom of the third when Austin Walker walked and eventually scored on Michael Hubbard's triple.

-- Gerry Gittelson

It's a beautiful night, and we're just getting started here at Birmingham High in Van Nuys, as visiting Alemany takes on host Crespi in a key Mission League showdown between two of the area's top teams.

Crespi is 16-3, including a 7-0 victory Tuesday at Alemany, and tonight Alemany is looking for payback, not to mention a chance to keep things close in league competition.

Alemany has just scored in the top of the first on a RBI grounder by Anthony Esparza.

Will update soon ....

-- Gerry Gittelson

The Alemany of Mission Hills softball team is sure making this Mission League thing seem easy.

The Warriors stayed in first place Thursday after a 3-0 victory against Chamiande of West Hills.

Lindsey Webster threw a no-hitter, albeit a controversial one,allowing only a third inning walk with eight strikeouts.

It was Webster's second no-hitter this week after blanking Flintridge Sacred-Heart of La Canada-Flintridge with 15 strikeouts on Tuesday.

Webster was crusing through four innings facing only one over the minimum.

Then Chaminade's Courtney Sooy led off the fifth with a clen grounder into right field.

Alemany left fielder Taylor Roberts came up throwing and appeared to make the play close but the umpire ruled her safe after Hayley Pollard's foot came off the bag.

"We checked with the umpire and he told us he called her safe because the throw pulled our first baseman off the bag," Alemany coach Regina Hernandez said. "He was going to call her out but the throw pulled her (Pollard) off."

No-hitter, one-hitter, it didn't really matter because Chaminade never advanced a runner to third base and Alemany finally got to taylor Stewart for some runs.

Freshman Mariah Sandoval had a run scoring single in the fourth, Webster drove in Heavin-lee Rodriguez in the sixth and sophomore catcher Monique Jefferson singled home Webster.

"She was throwing good but we finally realized what we were doing wrong and made some adjustmants," Sandoval said.

Alemany also did a good job on the base paths advancing runners from first to third on Webster's sacrifice in the fourth and Rodriguez did the same thing in the sixth when Amanda Jimenez struk out but the ball got away from Chaminade catcher Lydia Edwards.

"We always want come out and be aggressive and put the pressure on the other team," Webster said.

Sandoval was the only batter to reach base more than once with a single and two walks.

Alemany has only lost to Chino, West Ranch of Valencia and Simi Valley.

"We have to keep our intensity up and practice hard six days a week," Webster said. "We need to keep our sights set on our goal of winning a championship."

Miguel Gonzalez has resigned as head football coach at Grant of Van Nuys, replaced by assistant Rudy De La Torre.

Gonzalez was 29-29 overall. He plans to remain at Grant as a teacher.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Daily News top 10
1. Crespi (16-3)
2. Royal (15-3)
3. Chaminade (14-3)
4. Camarillo (13-3)
5. Chatsworth (14-3)
6. Valencia (10-5-1)
7. West Ranch (10-4)
8. Saugus (12-5)
9. Alemany (14-5)
10. Moorpark (13-5)

OTHERS: Newbury Park (13-4), Calabasas (10-8); Harvard-Westlake (10-7-1); Montclair Prep (14-4).

Kyle Keppel of El Camino Real hit for the cycle Wednesday, going 4 for 5 with five RBIs including a three-run home run in an 11-4 victory over Birmingham.

"It was a pretty neat performance," coach Josh Leinard said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Seventeen games into the season, Hart recorded its first home run, as James Scott homered Wednesday in a 7-5 loss at Valencia.

It was Scott's first career home run at any level dating back to youth league.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Crespi 126 - Chaminade 29

League record: 2-2

Overall record: 5-2

200 Medley Relay - (CRESPI) Haney, P. Harrigan, Matoesian, Martinez, 1:51.0

200 Freestyle - (CRESPI) Darbinyan, 1:44.8

200 I.M. - (CRESPI) Tsay, 2:03.1

50 Freestyle - (CRESPI) Kambur, 23.5

100 Butterfly - (CRESPI) Simpkins, 55.3

100 Freestyle - (CRESPI) Kambur, 53.9

500 Freestyle - (CHAMINADE) Turk, 5:01.0

200 Freestyle Relay - (CRESPI) Darbinyan, Simpkins, Kambur, Tsay, 1:37.2

100 Backstroke - (CRESPI) Darbinyan, 54.9

100 Breaststroke - (CRESPI) Tsay, 1:05.4

400 Freestyle Relay (CRESPI) Darbinyan, Simpkins, Tsay, Haney, 3:25.5

Here's a shocker: Golden Valley defeated high-powered West Ranch 18-6 today behind a complete-game by pitcher Scott Barlow.

"They crushed the ball today," West Ranch coach Casey Burrill said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Here's one last chance to catch Bryce Jones, the star basketball player for longtime power Taft High of Woodland Hills, before he heads to USC on scholarship.

Jones is the marquee attraction Saturday in the annual Battle of the Valley all-star game at Cal State Northridge. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

Jones, a 6-foot-5 forward who can do it all, helped carry Taft to the City Section final and the third round of the CIF State Div. I playoffs. Teammate Pierson Williams, a top 3-pointer shooter, is also participating.

"We practiced for the first time Tuesday, and wow, what a great group of kids," said West coach Dave Rebibo of El Camino Real of Woodland Hills. "This team is very, very talented."

Jones, Williams, Thousand Oaks' Alex Tiffin and Calabasas' Jordan Coleman are among the top names for the West. The East's top players include Trevor Wiseman (Golden Valley), Dushon Carter (Renaissance Academy), Jeremy Sulker-Hall (Notre Dame) and Coltrane Powdrill (Crescenta Valley).

A halftime dunk contest is scheduled, and Jones and Coleman are entering.

"They're both high flyers. They put on a little show after practice," Robibo said. "I can't tell you their dunks, though. They want to keep it a surprise. They have some tricks up their sleeve, and they told me they're going to keep working on it."

There is also a girls' all-star game beginning at 5 p.m.

++++ By sheer coincidence, coaches from El Camino Real and Burbank also are opposing each other in the annual Daily News East-West All-Star Football Game on June 5 at Birmingham, as El Camino Real's Kevin Williams is coaching against Burbank's Hector Valencia.

And no, Williams says he is not installing his patented double-wing offense, though he is probably tempted to do so because his star running back, Ra'Shon Harper, is participating. The East is led by quarterback Ryan Kasdorf of Notre Dame and running back Antonio Bray of Arleta.

The rosters are being finalized. Information: (818) 999-5197.

-- Gerry Gittelson

After waiting since early March to return to the pitching mound while the City Section sorted out an eligibility issue, San Fernando pitcher David Lira was cleared Friday and was back Saturday morning. The junior left-hander pitched six innings and did not give up an earned run while striking out seven in a 10-1 win over Poly of Sun Valley.

Combined with his shutout victory over Newbury Park in San Fernando's second game of the season, Lira is 3-0 with a 0.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts in 16 innings after transferring from Chatsworth in February.

"I had to wait a while, but it feels good to be back helping the team," Lira said. "There was a lot going on at Chatsworth, and leaving was the best thing for me. It definitely wasn't not an easy decision to make. It took a lot of days and nights and thinking about it."

San Fernando coach Armando Gomez said Lira was thrilled.

"You should have seen his face. He was totally excited," Gomez said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

If Kwamhe Davis develops as expected, he could shape into the best quarterback in Reseda football history. The sophomore has qualified for the second round of Steve Clarkson's Dream Maker tour this weekend in Las Vegas after completing 62.3 percent of his passes for 852 yards and 11 touchdowns this past season.

"This is first time Reseda has had a quarterback with this kind of ability and potential," Reseda coach Alonso Arreola said. "Physically, he can do it, but mentally, he's just a sophomore, so it's a matter of how quick his maturity level goes up. But he's making progress and getting better every week."

Reseda also returns leading receiver Chris Walker (28 receptions, 21.5 average, seven TDs) and leading rusher Chris Bellard (781 yards, six TDs).

"We've got the skill players. We just need to find some offensive linemen," Arreola said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Folks at Alemany of Mission Hills still talk about the 1997 home run hit by Billy Scott, the school's all-time greatest baseball player who went on to UCLA and played minor league baseball as an eighth-round draft choice of the Milwaukee Brewers.

"I remember it cleared the screen in right field, and the ball was still on its way up. I think it's still going," said coach Randy Thompson, an assistant at the time. "I am going to guess it was 420 feet - to the opposite field."

-- Gerry Gittelson

Oaks Christian of Westlake Village wide receiver Blair Holliday is entering an important stretch in his recruting process.

The highly-sought after junior has heard from most Pac-10 schools as well as Notre Dame, BYU, Boston College and Connecticut.

Holliday talked highly of Stanford but also said UCLA is a place he could see himself at.

Holliday plans to take all five of his trips and didn't rule out possibly attending a school on the East coast.

Sounds like everything is still way up in the air but one thing for certain, Holliday will be playing college football.

Stay tuned.......

Crespi continues to excel in boys' volleyball in 2010

Varsity - Crespi 3, Alemany 0
Brandon Lebrock - 16 Kills, Will Cornell - 10 Kills, Daniel Stork - 46 Assists, Liam Gallagher - 7 Digs

A Palmdale father accused of punching Highland High School's baseball coach is awaiting trial at the Antelope Valley courthouse, according to the AV Press.

Michael Brintz, 38, who has pleaded not guilty to one count of felony battery of a school employee, was in a Lancaster courtroom briefly Monday morning where a judge ordered him to return May 12 for another pretrial hearing.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Mike Prewitt, head coach at Camarillo for the past 20 years, has resigned.

Prewitt was 239-269 overall, reaching a section semifinal in 2007.

He plans to remain at Camarillo as a teacher.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Riding the momentum after winning the prestigious National Classic tournament last week, Crespi High of Encino showed no signs of slowing down today in a 7-0 baseball victory at Mission League rival Alemany of Mission Hills.

Crespi totaled 12 hits, five for extra bases, and the Celts received another excellent pitching performance from John Kearns and Josh Mason.

Ryon Healy was 3 for 4 with a home run and a double, Scott Heineman was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Austin Walker was 2 for 2 with a double and a sacrifice. Kearns pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed six hits and two walks with two strikeouts, and Mason came in with the bases loaded in the sixth and finished the contest without allowing a hit to record his second save.

The teams were locked in a scoreless tie through four innings before Crespi (16-3, 4-1) rallied for three runs in the fifth, one in sixth and three in the seventh.

"I was 100 percent confident in our team. It's a great team from top to bottom," Kearns said. "The first time through the lineup is always about pitching, and that's what happened today."

Kearns stranded at least one runner on base in every inning but always buckled down.

"I'm disappointed because this is really the first time we've been shut down like this all season, but I have to tip my cap to John Kearns. He made the pitches when he had to," Alemany coach Randy Thompson said. "It just wasn't in the cards for us today."

Crespi has won eight of nine heading into the second half of a two-game series with Alemany (14-5, 3-2) at 7 p.m. Friday at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa.

Alemany sophomore left-hander Ryan Paramo (4-1) limited Crespi to three hits and struck out six through the first four innings before losing effectiveness.

"Ryan Paramo knows how to pitch. He showed great composure," Thompson said. "He's going to win a lot of games for us."

The only glitch for defending Southern Section Div. II champion Crespi was four infield errors. This time, it didn't matter, but that might not always be the case in the tough Mission League and the playoffs.

"I think we might have been a little too confident after winning that big tournament," Mason said. "We need to realize it's not going to be an easy road because every team is good in this league."

Alemany came in with 10 wins over the past 11 games. The Warriors are on pace to win 20 games for the first time since 2001, but the remaining games eight games are against top competition - one more against Crespi, then two against Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, two against St. Francis of La Canada, a nonleague game against state-power South Hills, then two against Chaminade of West Hills.

Alemany's Sergio Placencia was 2 for 4, and Scott Rhodes was 1 for 2 with a double.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

BOXSCORE

Crespi 7, Alemany 0

Crespi 000 031 3 - 7-12-4
Alem 000 000 0 - 0-6-2
Kearns, Mason (6) and Gonzalez;
Paramo, Webster (6) and Esparza.
W-Kearns (5-0) L-Paramo (4-10
HR-C: Healy (4); 2B-C: Heineman 2, Hubbard,
Healy, Walker; A: Rhodes.
R: C 16-3, 4-1; A 14-5, 3-2.

In danger of falling two games out of first place in the Tri-Valley League, the La Reina of Thousand Oaks softball team instead came thorugh with one of it's best performances all season and earned a share of first place in a 3-1 victory against previously undefeated Oaks Christian of Westlake Village Tuesday.

Two freshman were at the forefront for the Regents (10-2, 4-1).

Dani Marrieta pitched a complete game two hitter with four walks and six strikeouts.

Kelly Garcia had a three-run triple in the first that ended up being all the runs the Regents would need against hard-throwing Oaks Christian ace Kiana Quolas.

"I was really focused on doing my best and pitching strikes," Marrieta said. "They are good hitters over there and I had to hit my spots."

Marrieta escaped trouble in the third when two wild pitches put freshman A.J. Bates on third with one out but recovered to strikeout Hailey Moore and get leadoff Lauren lindstrom to fly out sharply to right.

In the seventh, Oaks Christian finally scored a run on two walks, two wild pitches and a bunt single but Marrieta stymied the Lions once again.

With runners on second and third and one out, Marrieta retired Bates on a pop up to second and Moore on a pop up to shortstop to end the game.

"My coach (Bob Creamer) came out there and calmed me down and my infield really helped me," Marrieta said.

Garcia was the offensive hero with her big two out hit that brushed off the glove of Bates in right with two outs in the first.

Maija Ehlinger, who doubled to leadoff the game, Sarah Fox and Jordan Needle, who both walked, all came around to score on a ball that was just inches from being caught.

"I just tried to make contact and get a hit," Garcia said. "It worked out for me. I hit it and saw it and ran and was just hoping it would get in there."

Oaks Christian was playing it's first game since March 30 and got rattled in it's first inning of play in 14 days. To make matters worse, freshman star Kahala Bonsignore, who shined at the Wasco of Bakersfield tournament was not in the lineup because of a family vacation in Italy.

"We haven't seen a ball in a while but no execuses," Oaks Christian coach Pete Ackermann said. "We needed to execute and we came out slow. Credit La Reina. They capitalized early and played a good game. It wasn't meant to be for us."

Quolas pitched six innings, yielding three runs on four hits and four walks with seven strikeouts.

Needle reached base three times for the Regents with a double and two walks.

The Thousand Oaks tournament starts Saturday and here are the first-round matchups for the two weekend, 16-team, bracket play extravagamza.

Hart vs. Burbank, 8 a.m.
Kennedy vs. Oxnard, 8 a.m.
1000 Oaks vs. Granada Hills, 9 a.m.
Oak Park vs. La Canada, 11 a.m.

Rio Mesa vs. St. Jospeh of Lakewood, 12 p.m.
Agoura vs. Long Beach Millikan, 12 p.m.
El Camino Real vs. Westlake, 4 p.m.
Beckman vs. Camarillo, 4 p.m.

Each team will play twice Saturday and twice on April 24.

All games at Thousand Oaks High and the Thousand Oaks Community Center located right next to the school.

Although the latest Southern Section softball coaches poll has Valencia ranked No. 2 behind Santiago of Corona, the Orange County Register's Carlos Arias was impressed enough with the Vikings' performance at the recent Michelle Carew Classic to place Valencia on top of his first release of the Southern California top 25.

Arias, one of the most knowledgeable softball writers in the state, has teams recognized as far south as San Diego and as far north as Oxnard, where Rio Mesa (11-1-1) checks in at No. 24.

Santiago (16-0) is the only unbeaten team left in Div. I, but Arias ranked the Sharks at No. 3 behind Valencia (16-3-1) and Etiwanda (13-1) -- the top-ranked team in Div. II -- whose only loss came to Valencia in a 4-3 setback March 26 at the Nike Faster to First tournament. Royal of Simi Valley (14-3) is No. 11, fresh off a 4-0 victory over No. 17 Simi Valley (15-2) in Friday's final of the Arroyo Grande tournament.

Santiago has defeated only one team ranked in Arias' top 25, a 10-5 victory over No. 5 Norco (14-6). Valencia, which has five wins over teams in Arias' top 25, defeated Norco 4-0 in Saturday's final of the Michelle Carew tournament.

The Vikings, who won back-to-back Div. I titles in 2007 and '08, have lost to Chino Hills, El Modena of Orange and Foothill of Santa Ana -- the latter two ranked in Arias' top 25 -- but Valencia has won 14 of its past 15 and eight in a row and doesn't appear to be slowing down any time soon, with its offense supporting pitchers Carly Mortenson and Sarah Enriquez with more than five runs per game.

Crespi visits Alemany at 3:45 p.m. today in a key Mission League showdown between of the area's hottest teams.

Crespi, coming off a championship victory in the prestigious Diamond Sports National Classic, has won six of seven, while Alemany has won 10 of 11 and is on pace to win 20 games for the first time since 2001.

Dwan Hurt of Serra of Gardena is the Cal-Hi Sports coach of the year.

Here is the list since 1960:

2010 - Dwan Hurt, Gardena Serra (34-2)
2009 - Steve Johnson, Rialto Eisenhower (31-4)

2008 - Dwight Nathaniel, Oakland McClymonds (32-0)

2007 - Harvey Kitani, Los Angeles Fairfax (28-5)

2006 - Peter Diepenbrock, Palo Alto (32-1)

2005 - Pete Newell, Santa Cruz (36-1)

2004 - Don Lippi, Alameda St. Joseph (28-6)

2003 - Zack Jones, San Diego Horizon (32-1)

2002 - Ed Azzam, Los Angeles Westchester (32-2)

2001 - Vance Walberg, Fresno Clovis West (31-3)

2000 - Frank Allocco, Concord De La Salle (31-1)

1999 - Clinton Williams, Oakland Fremont (28-4)

1998 - Jerry DeBusk, Rancho S.M. Santa Margarita (32-2)

1997 - Frank LaPorte, Alameda St. Joseph (31-4)

1996 - Russell Otis, Compton Dominguez (34-2)

1995 - Steve Filios, Mountain View St. Francis (27-8)

1994 - Hank Meyer, Carmichael Jesuit (31-7)

1993 - John Barrette, Palo Alto (31-0)

1992 - Tom Orlich, South Tahoe (30-1)
1991 - Tom McCluskey, Tustin (30-4)

1990 - Lou Cvijanovich, Oxnard Santa Clara (28-0)

1989 - Willie West, L.A. Crenshaw (25-2)

1988 - Reggie Morris, L.A. Manual Arts (27-3)

1987 - Gary McKnight, Santa Ana Mater Dei (31-1)

1986 - Mike Phelps, Oakland Bishop O'Dowd (31-5)

1985 - Stephen Keith, Glendale (28-0)

1984 - Ron Palmer, Long Beach Poly (31-2)

1983 - Jorge Calienes, Rosemead Bosco Tech (25-5)

1982 - Dick Acres, Carson (26-2)

1981 - Maury Halleck, Santa Barbara San Marcos (25-1)

1980 - Leo Allamanno, Oakland Fremont (24-2)

1979 - Dave Shigematsu, Oakland Castlemont (23-3)

1978 - Ben Tapscott, Oakland McClymonds (22-3)

1977 - George Terzian, Pasadena (29-3)

1976 - Bill Armstrong, Palm Springs (22-4)

1975 - John Mihaljevich, Palos Verdes (24-6)

1974 - Dan Risley, Elk Grove (30-0)

1973 - Tom Conway, Stockton Stagg (28-0)

1972 - Tom Cleary, Fresno San Joaquin Memorial (27-2)

1971 - George McQuarn, L.A. Verbum Dei (29-2)

1970 - Spike Hensley, Berkeley (32-0)

1969 - Gordon Nash, La Mesa Helix (29-2)

1968 - Ralph Krafve, East Bakersfield (29-0)

1967 - Frank LaPorte, Oakland Bishop O'Dowd (37-2)

1966 - Len Craven, Whittier Sierra (28-1)

1965 - Leo Allamanno, Oakland Fremont (21-2)

1964 - Bill Mulligan, Long Beach Poly (32-1)

1963 - Bill Armstrong, Compton (27-4)

1962 - Dick Edwards, Sacramento El Camino (23-1)

1961 - Paul Harless, Oakland McClymonds (19-1)

1960 - Bill Thayer, L.A. Fremont (17-1)


2010 Battle of the Valley
Boys Senior All Star Game
Saturday April 17
Cal State Northridge 7 p.m.

West Roster
15-Bryce Jones-Taft, 6'5, Gd., USC
20-Pierson Williams-Taft, 6'3, Gd., Undecided
42-Sahdi Odu-Birmingham, 6'3, Fwd., Undecided
34-Alex Tiffin-Thousand Oaks, 6'8, Fwd., UC Davis
4-James Whalen-Thousand Oaks, 6'2, Gd., UC San Diego
21-Mark Friedman-Westlake, 6'3, Fwd., Cal Poly SLO
11-Jason Johnson-Cleveland, 6'2, Gd., Undecided
23-Tre Holden-El Camino Real, 6'3, Gd., Undecided
4-Jordan Coleman-Calabasas, 6'4, Gd., Hawaii
1-Hasan Khan-Agoura, 6'1, Gd., Undecided
32-C.J. Faulwell-Simi Valley, 6'1, Gd., Occidental
3-Trevor Medina-Granada Hills, 5'9, Gd., Undecided

COACH-David Rebibo (El Camino Real)
Assistants-Joe Wyatt, Bruce Neale, Juwan Smith

East Roster
32-Jeremy Sulker-Hall-Notre Dame, 6'5, Fwd., Undecided
12-Jamal McClerkin-Chaminade, 6'1, Gd., Undecided
25-Coltrane Powdrill-Crescenta Valley, 6'4, Fwd., Undecided
55-Nick Dragovich-Crescenta Valley, 6'4, Fwd, Undecided
21-Jared Garner-Grant, 6'2, Gd., Undecided
33-Darrell Haley-Palmdale, 6'10, Fwd., Virginia Commonwealth
1-Larry Slaughter-Knight, 6'5, Fwd., Undecided
32-Argin Gerigorian-Burbank, 6'0, Gd., Undecided
3-Quince Moore-Eastside, 6'2, Gd., Prep School in Texas
1-Nick Brown-Verdugo Hills, 6'3, Gd., Undecided
22-Dushon Carter-Renaissance Academy, 6'0, Gd., Undecided
22-Taylor Statham-Golden Valley, 6'5, Fwd., Undecided
xx-Trevor Wiseman-Golden Valley, 6'8, Gd., Hawaii

COACH-Jose Hernandez (Burbank)
Assistants-Bill Bedgood, Shawn Zargarian, Pete Roses

Officials: Klaus Endrissat, Jr., Paul Landavazzo, Dan Teola

2010 VALLEY SPORTS FOUNDATION
BATTLE OF THE VALLEY
SENIOR ALL STAR GAME
April 17 @ Cal St. Northridge 5 p.m.

West-
20-Taylor Ignoto-Westlake, 5'8, Gd., So. Illinois
5-Sammy Roupe-West Vall. Chr., 5'6, Gd., Biola
34-Erin Dautremont-Chaminade, 5'10, Fwd., UC San Diego
23-Angelica Sahagun-Alemany, 5'9, Gd., Und.
11-Sarah Rebibo-El Camino Real, 5'4, Gd., Und.
5-Amari Hampton-Taft, 5'7, Gd., Undecided
32-Rmanii Haynes-Taft, 5'5, Gd., UNLV
22-Trinidee Trice-Alemany, 5'10, Fwd., No. Ariz.
20-Destinee Sellers-Chatsworth, 5'10, Fwd., Und.
1-Monica Jackson-Chatsworth, 5'6, Gd., Und.
23-Destinee La Fountain-Royal, 6'2, Fwd., Ventura College
1-Sasha Borenstein-Agoura, 5'7, Gd., Hobart William & Smith
12-Brittany Oster-Agoura, 5'11, Fwd., Redlands
11-Katie Brooks-Oaks Chr., 5'10, Fwd., Johns Hopkins

Head Coach Steve Scifres (Agoura)
Assts.-Pat Cunningham, Steve Fisher, Scott McCreary

East-
xx-Jazzmyn Davis-Birmingham, 5'9, Fwd., Undecided
15-Margeaux Gupilan-Bell-Jeff, 5'7, Gd., Buffalo or Western New Mex.
23-Chantel Dooley-Montclair Prep, 5'8, Gd., Long Beach St.
32-Shannon Denney-La Canada, 5'9, Gd., Lewis & Clark
44-Kody Burke-Notre Dame, 6'2, Fwd., NC St.
1-Brooke Lemar-Canyon, 5'6, Gd., So. Illinois
11-Cassie Pappas-Crescenta Valley, 5'6, Gd., Penn
2-Sydney Haydel-Harvard-Westlake, 5'8, Gd., Hawaii
3-Nicole Nesbit-Harvard-Westlake, 5'5, Gd., UC Santa Barbara
20-Nicole Hung-Harvard-Westlake, 5'11, Gd., Princeton
2-Megan Musashi-Flintridge Prep, 5'6, Gd., Redlands
11-Vanessa Aguilar-Grant, 5'6, Gd., Undecided
2-Leticia Pelayo-Sylmar, 5'7, Gd., Undecided
13-Laney Ming-Granada Hills, 5'2, Gd., Rochester (New York)

Head Coach Jason Perez (Crescenta Valley)
Assistants-Paul Gross, Mark Gross, Bob DaCorsi

Officials: Jenny Salehi and Shaun Shanklin

CJ Faulwell a 2 year captain and 2 year starter for the Simi Valley Pioneers has committed to play college basketball at Occidental College in Pasadena. CJ was a two time 3rd team All Marmonte League selection and maintained a 4.2 gpa throughout high school. CJ averaged 10.1 points per game for his career but it is his contributions as a leader and as a person that will be missed most. CJ never missed a practice in his 4 years at Simi Valley even while his father, Gerry, battled a terminal brain lesion during his sophomore and junior years. During CJ's two seasons on the varsity he willed the Pioneers to a record of 39 - 18 and a Marmonte League mark of 21 - 7.

Head Coach, Christian Aurand on what CJ has meant to Simi Valley :
"There isn't a guy in our program, and I'm thinking back many years, who every single day brings it to the table," Aurand said. "CJ is a tremendous inspiration. He's a great leader, a great kid. He's a great student.Hopefully one day when my son grows up I'd be very proud if he ended up like CJ Faulwell. He's just tremendous. "

Occidental College competes at the NCAA Division III level and is a member of the SCIAC (Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference). The Tigers finished 17 - 9 during the 2009 - 2010 season and qualified for the conference tournament.

Coach Donna Lee is starting to rival Taft of Woodland Hills boys' basketball coach Derrick Taylor for the number of players she send on to play college ball.

It is no wonder Valencia won the Michelle Carew Classic Saturday, culminating a four day, five win romp with a 4-0 victory against defending Div. I champion Norco.

Valencia has six seniors with scholarships locked up for next year and three juniors, who have already made committments.

Here is the list:

Madison Shipman, Tennessee
Megan Foglesong, Pacific
Tori Balta, Yale
Annie Dreher, Sacred Heart
Lauren Boser, UCSB
Shannon Fitzgerald, Monmouth

The juniors are Bethany Kemp to Arizona St., caitlin Rooney to Loyola Marymount and Sara Enriquez to Biola.

Definitely don't be surprised to see catcher Karlie Habitz and sensational sophomore pitcher Carly Mortensen to gain scholarships as well.

Sophomore Carly Mortensen didn't throw a no-hitter as she had done in two previous games of the Michelle Carew Classic but she did come through with another stellar performance leading Valencia to a 4-0 championship game victory against Norco at Peralta Park in Anaheim.

Mortensen pitched a complete game shutout, yielding only three hits and two walks with nine strikeouts.

Mortensen cemented herself as one of the top pitchers in Southern California the last four days throwing no-hitters against St. Lucy's of Glendora and Aliso Niguel of Mission Viejo, winning all five games of the tournament and tossing shutouts in the semifinals and final.

"I feel real good," Mortensen said. "I am so happy I could do it for my teammates. It's not all about stats."

Mortensen pitched with runners on base in every inning except two and was in danger of losing the shutout in the seventh when Norco (13-6) had runners on second and third with one out but battled back, striking out Michelle Paul and retiring Gina Bertagna on a weak pop out to third.

Mortensen finished the tournament with 52 strikeouts in her five games and was aided by some great defense in the championship.

Tennessee-bound shortstop Madison Shipman robbed Bertagna of a single in the fifth leaping in the air behind third base, Loyola Marymoint-bound junior Caitlin Rooney snared a liner off the bat of Kylie Reed in the sixth and Golden Valley of Santa Clarita-transfer Karlie Habitz caught two runner stealing.

"It's great knowing my team is right there behind me," Mortensen said. "I have all the faith in them all the time."

The Vikings (16-3-1) wasted no time getting runs on the board for Mortensen executing a perfect suicide squeeze in the first when Lauren Boser laid down a great bunt scoring Shipman, who singled, stole second and was sacrificed to third by Megan Foglesong.

Habitz and Justine Sibthorp singled in the second and Shipman drove both runners home with a sharp single to right.

Shipman, who went three for four with three RBI, added a run scoring single in the fourth scoring Tori Balta, who singled and moved to second on a wild pitch.

Winning the championship was big for Valencia but the Vikings also exacted revenge for a loss to Norco in last years championship game of the Bullhead City tournament in Arizona last March.

Norco was also making it's third straight championship game appearance in the tournament and won the Southern Section Division I championship last year.

"It was not fun, not good being on the other side last year," Boser said. "They have something we want. We are playing well right now but we have to keep playing the best we can because everyone is out to get us."

In the semifinals, the Vikings knocked off Marina of Huntington Beach, 5-0.

Mortensen struck out 10 in six innings, Tori Balta hit a two run home run and Boser went four for four.

David Lira, a pitcher for San Fernando, has been cleared by the City Section after sitting out most of the season because of a transfer issue.

Lira, a junior left-hander who pitched a three-hit shutout over Newbury Park in his only start, is slated to re-join the team for a 9 a.m. game Saturday against visiting Poly.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Adriana Sanchez, an Alemany alum, hit two home runs and had a single Tuesday for Northern Illinois in a 4-2 loss in nine innings to Depaul.

-- Gerry Gittelson

FULLERTON - In the bottom of the ninth inning with the Diamond Sports National Classic tournament championship at stake, Crespi High of Encino took a chance Thursday, and it paid off.

Scott Heineman tagged up from third base on Jack Colick's shallow fly to center field that probably wasn't deep enough for most runners to score, and though Adam Velez's throw arrived in time to nail Heineman, the baseball squirted out of catcher Drew Ruther's glove just in front of home plate as he attempted the tag.

Heineman scored to lift Crespi to a 2-1 victory over El Dorado of Placencia, and the Celts stormed the field at Cal State Fullerton in celebration of winning one of California's most competitive invitationals.

"To be honest, I knew I was going to tag on anything," Heineman said. "It was great to win a tournament like this."

Colick described the fly as "just far enough."

"It's what you live for, every kid's dream - to be up there with everything on the line and a chance to win it for your team," Colick said. "It was good excitement. Just an adrenaline rush."

Colick had total faith that Heineman would find a way to make it home.

"Scott has the wheels, and I remember just stopping and staring at the play," Colick said.

Just before Colick's game-winning sacrifice fly, El Dorado coach Dave Moore brought the outfield in, and the move only added to the drama.

"I think our coach saw it coming. We knew we had to be ready for the ball," Velez said. "It was a close play and the throw was there, but I guess it was a little late."

Crespi coach Scott Muckey knew there might not be another chance, so there was no way Heineman would be held up.\

"When I first saw it, I thought, 'That's not deep enough.' But you've got to give it a try," Muckey said. "You have to go for it and see what happens."

Velez has the strongest arm of El Dorado's outfielders, Moore said.

"We had the right guy. The throw wasn't perfect, but it was good enough," Moore said. "The ball just squirted out of the catcher's glove. It was a tough way to lose."

The Taft of Woodland Hills boys' volleyball team finally accomplished something that hadn't been done since March 30, 2006.

After nine consecutive losses to Granada Hills, the Toreadors came through with a 23-25, 25-20, 26-24, 25-14 West Valley League victory.

Taft moved into sole possession of first place and cleared an important mental block with the City Section playoffs looming in May.

"They are our biggest rival, it was just a great win," Taft's Scott Sanders said.

Things were not looking good for the Toreadors (15-2-2), who blew an eight-point lead in game one and were trailing 13-3 in game three before turning the tables.

"We just never gave up and I think we got them stuck in some rotations with weak hitters", Sanders said.

Taft coach Arman Mercado wasn't as sure as Sanders about the turnaround.

"I don't know how it all happened," Mercado quipped. "I never really brought up how we have lost nine straight to them but when I called timeout and we were down by 10 points I made them aware of it and told them you are all seniors. They responded."

Taft pulled ahead 21-18 in game three but then let the Highlanders (6-3) take a 23-22 lead before Sanders came through with a block for a point, a tap kill for another point and Alex Piatt served an ace on game point that landed just inside the left far corner.

"This team is all seniors and they have the character to come back and find a way to win," Mercado said."

In game four, Taft jumped out to 5-0 lead, extended it to 15-8 and cruised to the win.

"We are a veteran team and I think we broke their will," Sanders said.

Sanders finished with 11 kills and seven blocks, Jordan Shoham had 42 assists, Piatt had nine kills and four aces and Taieb Habib had 21 digs.

Taft also received a huge boost from Kenny Molar, who nursed a sore ankle for over a week but was able to give the Toreadors an outside hitting prescence.

"We really controlled the ball well and Scott (Sanders) attracts six hands to himself it opens up the outside."

El Dorado has scored a run in the top of the sixth to forge a 1-1 tie with Crespi in the championship game of the National Classic tournament at Cal State Fullerton.

It started when El Dorado's Ryan Conlon was hit by a pitch from reliever Ryan Brockett. Pinch-runner Tyler Saiki advanced on a sacrifice, stole third, then scored on Adam Velez's single to left.

-- Gerry Gittelson

I remember two years ago, Crespi was in the final of the National Classic here at Cal State Fullerton, and it wasn't over until after midnight.

Let's hope this one ends at a more reasonable hour, as the Crespi and El Dorado at tied 1-1 through seven innings.

- Gerry Gittelson

It's a warm spring night here in the O.C., where Crespi has taken a 1-0 lead over El Dorado in the second inning of the National Classic championship at Cal State Fullerton.

Alex Gonzalez's sacrifice fly has accounted for the scoring.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Brando Tessar is having a great year for Chaminade. The right-hander pitched six innings and allowed two hits with 10 strikeouts Wednesday to help Chaminade defeat J.W. North 2-0 in the championship game of the Anaheim Lions tournament.

Tessar, head to Oregon, is 5-1, and he was named tournament MVP.

Dalton Brown pitched the last inning and struck out three, finishing the tournament with four saves and 11 strikeouts. Michael Dingilian was 1 for 2 with the go-ahead RBI,

-- Gerry Gittelson

Once among the San Fernando Valley's top programs of any size during its prime years in the 1980s and 1990s, Montclair Prep of Van Nuys has won six in a row to improve to 13-4, and the Mounties only figure to get better because most of the top players are underclassmen, including freshmen ace Max Fried (4-1, 1.17 ERA).

"We've only got four seniors, and just two of them play regularly," coach Rick Weber said. "In our starting lineup, we have three freshmen and a sophomore."

Montclair Prep won the Santa Ynez tournament and reached the semifinals of the competitive Southern California Invitational. The Mounties are averaging nine runs and are 3-0 in Olympic League competition heading into a league showdown Tuesday against visiting Whittier Christian (12-4, 2-2) at Franklin Field in Encino.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Charlie Hatfield, a longtime Chatsworth assistant coach, is 88 years old, and he shows no signs of slowing down. Two years ago, Hatfield said he planned on retiring, but there he remains at every Chatsworth game.

Hatfield said he still remembers watching Babe Ruth play.

Kevin Williams, a Crespi of Encino shortstop headed for UCLA, said he has enjoyed using wood bats for a change at the National Classic in Orange County this past week, as every team agreed to not use aluminum bats in honor of a Marin Catholic player seriously injured earlier in the year by a line drive.

"I love wood bats. It's more of a real feeling when you hit the ball," Williams said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Golden Valley is going through a rough patch, as the Grizzlies (4-7) are 1-5 over the past six games and have allowed 74 runs during the stretch.

But the good news is top pitcher Josh Smith, who has pitched a total of just one inning because of arm problems, is coming back.

"He's our No. 1 pitcher, and now he's ready to go," coach Scott Drootin said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

1. Royal (13-2)
2. Crespi (14-3)
3. Camarillo (11-4)
4. West Ranch (9-4)
5. Chatsworth (11-3)
6. Valencia (9-5-1)
7. Moorpark (13-3)
8. Chaminade (13-3)
9. Alemany (13-3)
10. Saugus (11-5)

OTHERS: Newbury Park (10-3); El Camino Real (6-8), Simi Valley (7-7).

Here is Saturday's schedule for the Birmingham tournament held at Birmingham and Hjelte Park in Encino.

Kennedy vs. Canyon, 9 a.m.
Alemany vs. Burroughs, 9 a.m.

Kennedy vs. Alemany, 11 a.m.
Chatsworth vs. Canyon, 11 a.m.

L.A. Baptist vs. Birmingham, 1 p.m.
Nordhoff vs. Sylmar, 1 p.m.

3 p.m. games as well with 1 p.m. winners and losers

Taft of Woodland Hills coach Derrick Taylor interviewed with USC's Kevin O'Neill Thursday morning for a position as assistant coach but no offer was made.

Taylor has fast become one of the top coaches in Southern California with two City championships and five appearances in the title game since 2004.

Taylor has sent several players to the next level, including Jordan Farmar (UCLA and L.A. Lakers), Larry Drew (North Carolina), Calvin Haynes (Oregon St.), Garrett Green (LSU), Eugene Phelps (Long Beach St.), Bryce Smith (San Diego St. and now at Cal St. Northridge), Michael Williams (San Francisco) and Justin Hawkins (UNLV).

Another player, Bryce Jones from this past season's team is going to USC and was recently selected the City section's John R. Wooden award winner.

Stay tuned......

Kevin Torres of Birmingham of Lake Balboa hit two home runs, including a grand slam, but he did not get much help in a 7-5 loss today at three-time City Section champion Chatsworth in the West Valley League baseball opener for both teams.

Torres' grand slam in the fifth inning off Chatsworth ace Aaron Brown sailed over a 50-foot screen beyond the left-field wall, an especially impressive blast considering the wind was blowing in. On his next at-bat in the seventh, Torres homered off closer Steven Karkenny, one of the league's hardest throwers, to pull the Patriots (9-5, 0-1) to within two runs, but they could get no closer

"He can swing. He's a good hitter," Brown said.

Torres, a 6-foot-1 junior, has six home runs in 14 games.

"Kevin has been doing this all year," Birmingham coach Matt Mowry said. "The one shot that went over the screen, he hit that pretty well. That's a pretty good shot."

Torres, also Birmingham's top pitcher, had a rough outing on the mound. The right-hander allowed five earned runs in four-plus innings on three hits, five walks, three hit batters and two run-scoring balks.

"I wasn't feeling it today," said Torres (4-2). "I know our team is better than this. We need to focus on what we have to do and not let this affect us."

Three Birmingham pitchers allowed a total of 13 walks and hit batsmen.

"That makes it kind of tough. Thirteen walks and hit batters? You can't beat a good team or even a halfway decent team when you do that," Mowry said.

With a cast of new faces and top power hitter Derek Neely sidelined with a hand injury, Chatsworth is trying to create scoring opportunities this season because there isn't someone hitting a three-run home run every time you turn around.

"This year, we have to scrap," Brown said. "We're working on the little game."

Chatsworth (11-3, 1-0) jumped to a two-run lead in the first inning without the benefit of a hit, then padded the lead to 5-0 with a three-run rally in the third highlighted by Chris Carlin's two-run single combined with an outfield error.

Two innings later, Torres' grand slam pulled Birmingham to within one run.

"We got into a little bit of a dogfight today," Karkenny said. "That's what our team lives for. We definitely have to play together as a team and scrappy. We're getting better."

The victory was Chatsworth's seventh in a row.

Karkenny earned the save by pitching the last two innings while giving up one run. Birmingham had runners on second and third with two out in the top of the seventh, but Karkenny induced a short flyout to left for the final out.

The game was first scheduled for Tuesday but was postponed because of a swarm of bees at Chatsworth. The teams play again today at Birmingham.

"We've got to do better," Mowry said.

Chatsworth 7, Birmingham 5

Birm 000 040 01 - 5-6-1
Chats 203 020 x - 7-4-1
Torres, Meddellin (5) and Rodarte;
Brown, Rodriguez (5), Karkenny (6)
and O'Connell. W-Brown; L-Torres.
HR: B: Torres 2 (6). 2B: B: Rodarte.
R: C 11-3, 1-0; B 9-5, 0-1.

Ryan Kasdorf, a quarterback at Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks who is among the most productive passers in San Fernando Valley history, has committed to play college football at Pace University in New York, a Division II college.

"I committed Friday. I'm excited and nervous," Kasdorf said. "I don't know what to expect, so I'll take it as it comes. The coach, Chris Dapolito, is pretty excited I committed."

As a junior, Kasdorf passed for 3,291 yards and 36 touchdowns to earn Gatorade state player of the year honors. As a senior, Kasdorf passed for 2,259 yards and 15 touchdowns, and it was a shock Kasdorf did not receive any major-college offers.

"I certainly think Pace got a great player who has the talent and brains and mindset to be an outstanding quarterback," Notre Dame coach Kevin Rooney said. "I think he'll do really well there."

There remains one last chance to see Kasdorf in action. He is participating in the 14th annual Daily News East-West All-Star Game on June 6 at Birmingham High in Van Nuys.

Another top football player, Antwaun Woods, a USC-bound junior defensive lineman at Taft of Woodland Hills, is working hard to keep in shape.

"I guess I gained some weight. After football season I kept on eating, so I'm trying to lose 20 pounds and get down to 295," Woods said. "It's no problem. I'll work it off."

After advancing to the City Section Div. I quarterfinals last season, Taft should be among the area's top teams. The Toreadors return Shaquille Shelton, a hard-hitting linebacker who also figures to take over at running back, plu8s there is a promising new quarterback in Westlake transfer Michael Bercovici, who was ruled ineligible last season because of transfer restrictions.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Avondre Bollar, a top center fielder at Thousand Oaks, has regained his academic eligibility and is slated to make his baseball debut Wednesday.

"It's going to be huge for us. Avondre has a big bat, and he's a great kid," coach Tim Stueve said. "We're looking forward to it. He did it the right way, took responsibility and corrected the problem. He's going to do a good job for us."

Thousand Oaks is also awaiting the return of top infielder Danny Leon, who is recovering from a broken leg and should be back in two to three weeks. Leon has yet to appear in a game this season.

Steven Campos, a promising baseball sophomore at San Fernando, went 8 for 10 at a tournament in Las Vegas last week to raise his batting average to .526.

"He's been a pleasant surprise for a sophomore," coach Armando Gomez said.

Also impressive is David Armas, who pitched a two-hitter Tuesday in a win over Sylmar. He has a 0.43 ERA, giving up one earned run with 18 strikeouts in 21 innings. Armas also has a 3.9 grade-point average and is taking AP courses.

"He's a brilliant student," Gomez said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Since defeating three-time City Section baseball champion Chatsworth 3-0 on March 17, Kennedy of Granada Hills has lost seven in a row to fall to 3-10, one of the worst starts in school history.

"We've just hit a tough patch. We're having trouble putting it all together," outfielder Andrew Gold said. "We'll pull together. Check back in a few weeks, and we'll see where we are then. We just need to go out and do it."

-- Gerry Gittelson

The fastest young football player in the area? That would be Vinnie Saucer, a Oaks Christian freshman receiver who runs a 10.8 100 meters and was a national age-group champion as an eighth-grader.

"We have to make a decision if Vinnie will play varsity. We'll know after spring and summer practice," coach Bill Redell said.

Also, Oaks Christian is planning a fundraiser by doing an official roast of Redell. Details are pending.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Basketball standouts Tre Holden of El Camino Real of Woodland Hills and Dushon Carter of Renaissance Academy of La Canada Flintridge are closing in on basketball scholarships.

Holden has offers from Div. II colleges Cal State Monterey Bay and Cal State Fullerton, and he has received interest from Cal State Fullerton, UC Santa Barbara and San Jose State. Carter is taking an official visit today to Div. II Southwest Baptist in Missouri, and he also has interest from Cal State Northridge, Western Washington and Eastern Washington.

In other basketball recruiting news, Moorpark College freshman Dallas Rutherford, who played at Campbell Hall High in North Hollywood and Cal State Northridge, said he plans earn his AA degree by the end of the semester and to transfer to a major college.

"There hasn't been much recruiting going on because of March Madness, but I've contacted some schools, and some of them are interested in a transfer guard with experience," Rutherford said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Antonio Bray, a top football running back at Arleta, is doing well in track. The senior has yet to lose in the 100 meters, posting a best of 10.8 seconds on a dirt track, and he also has jumped 21-0 in the long jump.

"I don't think I'm going to lose in the 100. The real competition will come in the City finals," Bray said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Chatsworth softball standout Cheyenne Coyle, who has signed with Florida and has seven home runs and 25 RBIs in 16 games, has been invited to try out for the U.S. junior national team in Chula Vista in June.

"I'm really excited. It's a really big deal," Coyle said. "I plan to work hard."

-- Gerry Gittelson

Highland of Palmdale football coach Randy Block said Wednesday there is no truth to rumors that his top returning player, sophomore quarterback Christian Tago, plans to transfer.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Alemany of Mission Hills' baseball team has won seven in a row to improve to 11-3, and with 13 games remaining in the regular season, the Warriors could win 20 games for the first time since 2002.

"We're a young team, but things are going well," coach Randy Thompson said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Nick Ferry, a Valencia volleyball standout, is in Boston visiting Springfield College.

-- Gerry Gittelson

George Giannini, who coached football on and off for 40 years at Montclair Prep in Van Nuys before retiring in December, said he does not know what to do with himself.

"I think I'm going to miss it. I wouldn't mind coaching somewhere else, but there is nothing open right now," said Giannini, 59.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Cleveland of Reseda is just about ready to name it's new coach for the girls' basketball program.

All signs point to former El Camino Real of Woodland Hills basketball and softball standout Cara Blumfield, who played softball at Boston College.

Blumfield was the J.V. girls' basketball coach this past season.

Stay tuned.......

If the teams scheduled to participate all come through this tournament could be one of the best in Southern California next year.

Projected Line-up for 1st Annual SAMO "Pacific Round Ball Classic" at Santa Monica H.S. December 8-11, 2010.

Long Beach Poly, Taft (Woodland Hills), Sheldon (Sacramento), Eisenhower (Rialto), Corona Centennial, Central (Fresno), Compton, Windward, Notre Dame (Sherman Oaks), Bishop Montgomery, Cleveland (Reseda), Palisades (Pacific Palisades), Fremont (Los Angeles), Santa Monica, Renaissance Academy, Birmingham (Lake Balboa).

Stay tuned....

Santa Ynez Tournament

Montclair Prep 6 - Santa Ynez 5

The Mounties beat Santa Ynez on it's home field in the opening game of the Santa Ynez spring break tournament. The MCP offense was led by Max Miller, Blake Steele and Josh Brodsky, who each had two hits. Miller led off the game with a solo home run. Luis Montiel had two RBI. Max Fried (5-1) pitched six innings, striking out 7 while Ben McKendall earned his third save of the season.

Montclair Prep 11 - Hawthorne 0

Montclair Prep shut out Hawthorne behind a balanced attack. Dylan Satin pitched masterfully, no walks on 2 hits while striking out seven. The offense was led by Nick Suniga, Max Fried and Blake Steele, who had two hits a piece.

The John R. Wooden Award® Committee today announced the seven high school basketball players who will receive the 2010 John R. Wooden High School Player of the Year Award: Bryce Jones, Woodland Hills Taft HS (City Section); Tyler Lamb, Santa Ana Mater Dei HS (Division I); Alex Varner, Rialto Eisenhower HS (Division II); Deonte Burton, Compton Centennial HS (Division III); Allen Crabbe, Los Angeles Price HS (Division IV); Wesley Saunders, Los Angeles Windward School (Division V); and Jon Conley, Los Angeles Ribet Academy (Division VI)

Each winner will receive a plaque, $300 in his name donated to his high school's athletic fund, and will be recognized during the John R. Wooden Award Gala that also honors college basketball's players of the year and Billy Donovan, Florida men's basketball coach and the 2010 Legends of Coaching recipient.

Chosen by a panel of local area prep sports experts, the John R. Wooden Award High School Player of the Year Award is presented annually to the most valuable player in each of the six California Interscholastic Federation (CIF) Southern Section divisions and the Los Angeles City Section. Past winners include current and former NBA and college standouts Baron Davis, Tayshaun Prince, Tyson Chandler, and Andre Miller. Bank of America continues to support The Los Angeles Athletic Club in honoring the Southland's top players each season.

Jones (16.9 points, 7.5 rebounds), an All-City and All-State player, took his team to the LA City title game in 2010. Lamb, a 2010 Parade All-American, averaged 18.9 points, 7.0 rebounds and 3.5 assists for Mater Dei. A four-year varsity starter, Varner (17.3 ppg, 5.8 rebounds, 4.9 assists) led Eisenhower to the Division IIA title as a senior. Burton averaged 21.0 points, 6.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists as a Centennial senior, and scored more than 2,000 points during his high school career. Crabbe led Price to a state title and was a Parade All-American and Gatorade State Player of the Year, pouring in 23 points and 10 rebounds per game. Saunders averaged 22.9 points and 10.7 rebounds for Windward as a junior. Conley, recognized as a CIF Player of the Year, led Ribet to the Division VI title, averaging 21.0 points, 13.1 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.8 blocks per game.

About the John R. Wooden Award

Created in 1976, the John R. Wooden Award is the most prestigious individual honor in college basketball. It is bestowed upon the nation's best player at an institution of higher education who has proven to his/her university that he/she is making progress toward graduation and maintaining a cumulative 2.0 GPA. Previous winners include Michael Jordan ('84), Larry Bird ('79), Tim Duncan ('97), Candace Parker ('07 and '08), and Blake Griffin ('09) .

The Los Angeles Athletic Club has been a part of the Los Angeles community for more than 120 years. Richard "Duke" Llewellyn, Chairman of the John R. Wooden Award has been a fixture in the community, as a three-sport letterman at USC and as an administrator, for six decades. The High School Player of the Year Award recognizes the exemplary contributions made by local athletes. The High School Award has grown from recognizing a single Player of the Year in 1994 to encompassing the six divisions of the California Interscholastic Federation Southern Section and the Los Angeles City Section.

2010 John R. Wooden Award High School Players of the Year

Division

Player

School

CIF Los Angeles City Section

Bryce Jones

Taft High School

CIF Southern Section Division I

Tyler Lamb

Mater Dei High School

CIF Southern Section Division II

Alex Varner

Eisenhower High School

CIF Southern Section Division III

Deonte Burton

Centennial High School

CIF Southern Section Division IV

Allen Crabbe

Price High School

CIF Southern Section Division V

Wesley Saunders

Windward High School

CIF Southern Section Division VI

Jon Conley

Ribet Academy

Two underachieving baseball programs that haven't lived up to expectations went head to head today, and not surprisingly there were lots of little mistakes and spotty fundamentals, as Westlake High broke a five-game losing streak in a 2-1 victory over Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in a Babe Herman tournament pool-play game at Stengel Field.

"It's been a rough year. We've hit a rough spot," said Westlake's Christian Yelich, who drove in the go-ahead run with a sixth-inning walk that scored Kristopher Moore.

The game included 12 walks, including 10 by pitching-strapped Notre Dame (7-7), which is 0-6 on the road.

A year after finishing 23-6, Notre Dame has graduated most of its top players and is trying to find itself.

"It's a rebuilding year. We have a lot of young guys," said Notre Dame third baseman David Armendariz, a four-year starter. "We've been close in all the games we've lost except two or three of them. But when we're in sync and playing well together, we look pretty good. Basically, we have to get our heads together."

Meanwhile, Westlake (6-8) has returned most of its top players and was ranked No. 5 in the Daily News preseason rankings.

"We've got enough talent to win any game," Yelich said. "We did not expect to start like this, but we're not going to quit. There is still time to turn it around. A win like this, where we squeak one out, this is the kind of game that can turn things around."

Westlake's Danny Nieves pitched two relief innings for the win, and left-hander Cameron Cuneo pitched a perfect seventh inning for the save, striking out two and inducing a soft grounder to second to end the game.

"Our pitching needs to come around, and we need more consistency with our bats, too," Cuneo said. "We just need to find that consistency."

Armendariz is Notre Dame's No. 1 pitcher, but the plan is to give the bullpen a lot of work during this tournament. He might pitch an inning today against Santa Monica, coach Tom Dill said.

"These games are to get us ready for the Mission League," Armendariz said. "All the pitchers that get their work in now, it's just going to help them down the road."

Yelick walked three times and had an RBI, and his sophomore brother, Collin Yelich, was 1 for 2 with a run, a walk and a sacrifice.

Notre Dame's Matt Lathuras was 2 for 3, and Morgan Walberg was 1 for 2 with a run and a walk. Nick Huynh drove in the only run with a pinch-hit single to score Walberg in the fifth inning.

In other Babe Herman tournament action:

Jesuit (Carmichael) 5, Notre Dame - Pinch-hitter Nick Huyng's fifth-inning single broke up Dan Child's no-hit bid in what turned out to be the only highlight for Notre Dame in a pool play loss at Stengel Field.

Child, a 6-foot-4, 230-pound right-hander who throws 90-plus mph and has signed with Oregon State, struck out nine and allowed one hit and one walk in six innings.

"He was good. He went through everyone and had good stuff," Notre Dame coach Tom Dill said. "We could not hit him. There's not much else to say."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

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

Westlake 2, Notre Dame 1

Westlake 000 002 0 - 2-3-0
N Dame 000 010 0 - 1-6-2
Daly, Nieves (5) Cueno (7) and Co. Yelich;
Gowanleck, Walker (4), Singleton (6) and
Walberg. WP-Nieves; LP-Singleton.
R: W 6-8; ND 7-7.

In a matchup between two of the area's top programs that happen to struggling this season, Notre Dame is playing Westlake today in a pool play game in the Babe Herman tournament at Stengel Field in Glendale.

Notre Dame is just 7-6 after losing 5-0 earlierin the day to Jesuit of Charmichael, and Westlake is 5-8.

We've played three innings, and it's a scoreless tie with Notre Dame's Daniel Gowanlock pitching against Alex Daley.

If you are looking to watch some outstanding basketball during the holiday season next December, look no further than Oaks Christian school in Westlake Village.

The school is hosting 16-team tournaments for boys and girls, Dec. 27-30 and the projected teams scheduled to participate are great.

The boys tournament features:

Etiwanda, De La Salle of Concord, Loyola of Los Angeles, Sacramento, Sheldon of Sacramento, Price of Los Angeles, Upland, Rancho Verde, Pasadena, Inglewood, Oaks Christian, Colony of Ontario, Valencia, Palisades, Alemany of Mission Hills and La Jolla of Country Day.

Top players include, Etiwanda's Byron Wesley, Sacramento's Josiah Turner, Sheldon's Darius Nelson, Price's Skylar Spencer, Inglewood's Julius Bilbrew, the Oaks Christian trio of Chass Bryan, Blair Holliday and Dillon van der Wal, Valencia's Lonnie Jackson and Alemany's quartet Jordan Fuller, Jerico Richardson, Andrew English and K.J. Moffett.

The girls line-up looks like this:

Carondelet of Concord, Canyon Springs of Moreno Valley, Sacramento, St. Jospeh of Santa Maria, Inglewood, La Jolla Country Day, Oaks Christian, Antelope Valley of Lancaster, Taft of Woodland Hills, Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista, Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth, Agoura, Palisades of Pacific Palisades, Alemany of Mission Hills, Hart of Newhall and Santa Clara of Oxnard..

Some top players include, St. Jospeh's Aly Beebe, Oaks Christian's Brianna Barrett, Antelope Valley's duo of Keiona Matthews and Destini Price, Taft's Breanna Burton, Sierra Canyon's Jasmine Sneed, Tori Wells, Kelly Schneider and Toni Oni, Agoura's Kylie Cunningham and Camille Mahlknecht ans Santa Clara's Keiana Vines

Chaminade defeated Long Beach Poly 8-0 Monday, winning for the 10th time in 11 games and improving to 11-3.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Jared Ortiz has at least one hit in all 10 games for West Ranch.

He's batting .486 (18 for 37).

-- Gerry Gittelson

Former Canyon coach Harry Welch is now at Santa Margarita after successful stints at Canyon and then St. Margaret's, and joining him at Santa Margarita is Nate Longshore, who played quarterback under Welch at Canyon and also played at Cal.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Congrats to West Ranch designated hitter Chris Caldwell, who has been was named West Ranch's CIF Academic Male Athlete of the Year with a 4.00 cumulative GPA.

Caldwell is the son of Dave Caldwell, former sports editor at the Signal who now does TV work.

-- Gerry Gittelson

As selected by the Ventura County Coaches Association :

Co - Coach of the Year -
John Palarz - Calabasas - Helped lead a resurgence in the Calabasas basketball program and to a 24 - 5 overall record, a 12 - 2 league record which was good enough for a share of the school's first Marmonte League title since Russell White left for Crespi.

Rich Endres - Thousand Oaks - Kept the Lancers at the top of the Marmonte League with a 12 - 2 record and an impressive non league schedule.

JV Coach of the Year -
Dean Prophet - Ventura

Soph/Frosh Coach of the Year -
Lee McGee - Rio Mesa

Freshman Coach of the Year -
Satish Kayastha - Calabasas

Players of the Year -
Jordan Coleman - Calabasas - The Hawaii bound senior lead the Marmonte League in scoring with 19.8 points per game and had 38 points in a 90 - 77 victory at Thousand Oaks.

Alex Tiffin - Thousand Oaks - The senior who is headed for UC Davis next season capped his career with season averages that placed him in the top 5 in the county in scoring, rebounding, and blocks per game.

All Ventura County 1st Team -
Kevin Mulloy - Senior - Oxnard - The senior who has signed with UC Irvine averaged a double-double with 17.8 ppg and 10.2 rpg

Delaun Frazier - Senior - Oxnard - Led Oxnard in scoring with 18.7 ppg

Hasan Khan - Senior - Agoura - Was the lone bright spot for Agoura, putting up 16.1 ppg and 4.2 apg

Jonathan Davis - Junior - Simi Valley - Lead the injury plagued Pioneers with 16.9 points and 10.2 rpg

Josh Langer - Senior - Calabasas - Provided a much needed inside presence for Calabasas with 11 ppg and shot 55% from the field

James Whalen - Senior - Thousand Oaks - The unquestioned leader of the Lancers attack, Whalen did it all in his senior campaign.

Mark Friedman - Senior - Westlake - The best player on one of the more surprising teams in the county, lead his team to victories over Calabasas and Thousand Oaks late in the year.

Robert Munoz - Senior - Buena - Pumped in 14 points per game and one of the hardest workers in the county.

Dylan Houck - Junior - Ventura - Junior point guard lead the Cougars in points and assists per game.

Max Mondel - Senior - Pacifica - The best player and leading scorer that lead the Tritons to their first league title in school history.

All Ventura County 2nd Team -
Sam Schaeffer - Senior - Royal - Undersized scrappy forward helped Royal to their best record since 2005.

Chass Bryan - Sophomore - Oaks Christian - The future star lead the Lions in scoring and to a #1 seed in the CIFSS 4A playoffs

Evan Hall - Junior - Thousand Oaks - The 3rd option in the Lancers' big 3 attack should be fun to watch next season for fans and a nightmare for opposing coaches.

Austin Ramljak - Senior - Oak Park - Lead the Eagles in scoring and to a surprise 1st place tie for the Tri Valley League title.

Dominigue Campbell - Senior - Calabasas - A shot blocking phenomenon with over 5 a night.

Danny Cox - Senior - Simi Valley - Was injured most of the year but returned late to move the Pioneers to their 21st straight playoff appearance.

Chris de le Paz - Senior - Fillmore - Lead the Flashes in almost every statistical category and a 19 win season

Zech Burkhardt - Senior -Rio Mesa - Was a steady hand and sharp shooter for the Spartans this season

Alex Romero - Senior - Pacifica - leading rebounder and second leading scorer for the upstart Tritons

Emilio Morales - Senior - Hueneme - Lead the emerging Vikings in every statistical category

Jordan Garrett - Senior - Ventura - Missed the early part of the season with an arm injury but was a highlight waiting to happen once he stepped back on the court

By Gerry Gittelson
Special to the Daily News

VALENCIA -- Batting .161 after starting the baseball season in a 5-for-31 slump, Alex Bishop was trying to do anything he could to help Valencia High keep winning.

The junior catcher broke out in a big way today when his teammates needed him most, making a key tag at home plate in the top of the seventh inning, then knocking in the winning run in a 13-12 victory over Saugus in a wild Foothill League showdown at Valencia.

With the bases loaded, Bishop hit a sharp single off Garrett Smith with the bases loaded to score Michael Bratt for the game-winner.

"That's why I play the game of baseball - to be at the plate in a situation like that to win the game. I was loving it," Bishop said. "I was thinking I just had to be clutch and to pick up my teammates. I was just so excited to walk up there in that situation."

A few moments earlier, Bishop tagged Tylor Klipfel on a relay throw from Jake Roberge to end the top of the seventh, as Klifel was trying to stretch a single combined with an outfield error.

As Klifel rounded third, it looked like he would not have a chance to make it home, and sure enough Roberge's throw arrived in plenty of time for Bishop to position himself for the tag.

"I wasn't expecting (third base coach Doug Maggiora) to send me, but he gave me the sign to go, so I kept running," Klifel said.

Head coaches Jared Snyder of Valencia and John Maggiora of Saugus both said it was
the right call to go for the run.

"If you have a chance like that, you have to make them make a play at the plate," said Maggiora, Doug's brother. "It took a great throw and a great relay. I'm still not sure he tagged him, but the throw beat him there."

Roberge said he had no time to think and just reacted.

"I just figured I had to get the ball home and threw it up there and got him," Roberge said. "I thought it was a good throw, and Bishop is just a brick wall back there."

Bishop was 3 for 5 with four RBIs, including a three-run triple. He is also a top quarterback for the football team, and that's one reason why Snyder loves his mentality.

"Alex is a football player playing baseball, and that's what gives him the heart and mentality to want to be there with everything on the line," Snyder said. "He's one of our toughest players mentally. He's just a tough, tough kid."

Valencia (8-2, 5-0) won its sixth in a row, but the other five wins came by an average of 10 runs. This time, Valencia, which led by six runs after two innings, endured a real scare, allowing 16 hits off four pitchers and committing three costly errors.

"I don't think anyone is satisfied with how we played. We were awful defensively, and our pitching was just as bad," Snyder said. "Saugus is good, too. They took it to us. ... I feel like we were lucky to win, and our team feels lucky, but that's exactly the way it was. We escaped with the win."

Nick Lombardi was 5 for 6 with two RBIs for Saugus (8-4, 3-2), and James Threw was 4 for 4.

Valencia's Trey Williams, Kyle Eaton and Shane Zeile hit home runs. Zeile pitched the last inning for the win.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Valencia 13, Saugus 12

Saug 214 100 4 - 12-11-0
Val 361 200 1 - 13-11-3
Castillo, Kister (2), Timchak (3), Smith (5)
and Emerson; Matson, Rivas (3), Roberge (5), Zeile (7) and Bishop.
WP- Zeile; LP=Smith.
HR: V: Williams, Eaton, Ziele; S: Bochignani, Sheehan.
3B: V: Bishop. 2B: V: Bonds.

R: Val 8-2, 5-0; S 8-4, 3-2.

the CIF Southern Secton team academic award winners have been announced, and among the winners are Harvard-Westlake (wrestling), Thousand Oaks (boys' basketball) and Simi Valley (girls' tennis).

-- Gerry Gittelson

The Thousand Oaks boys' tennis team found the going rough against Westlake of Westlake Village on Thursday in a key Marmonte League match without Marcus Giron, the area's No. 1 player.

In an undefeated league showdown, Westlake rode six of nine victories in singles and doubles to come away with an impressive 12-6 victory.

Westlake moved into sole posession of first place but there is plenty of time left in the regular season.

"The boys are very excited because we have been talking about doing this all week and we hadn't beaten them since 2007," Westlake coach Connie Flanderka said.

Zach Drost and Mitch Krems swept their singles sets, only losing a total of five games.

Westlake (8-1, 6-0) took six of nine doubles sets, including important victories from the No. 2 tandem of Harrison Han and Brian Ho and the No. 3 team of Richie Greentree and Adam Kane.

Han and Ho won a tiebreak (8-6) against Thousand Oaks' No. 2 team (Ben Moon and Michael Kunisaki) and Greentree and Kane did the same (7-5).

"Winning the tiebreaks really helped us push along," Flanderka said. "We really fought hard and our depth showed throughout."

Chris Lees and Daniel Minami swept at No. 1 doubles for Thouand Oaks (8-2, 5-1) but it was not enough to overcome the warriors or the abscence of Giron.

"He definitely can make a difference," Flanderka said, referring to Giron. "He will make it closer and I know they will be waiting for us when we play them again."

"It is great to be in a good position, we want to go for the league championship."

Los Angeles Daily News TOP 10

1. Royal (11-1)

2. Crespi (9-2)

3. Valencia (7-2)

4. West Ranch (7-2)

5. Camarillo (7-3)

6. Chatsworth (10-3)

7. Saugus (8-3)

8. Moorpark (9-2)

9. Newbury Park (9-3)

10. Alemany (11-3)

OTHERS: Chaminade (8-3); Notre Dame (6-4), Thousand Oaks (7-7).

-- Gerry Gittelson

Word gets around fast when you hit 12 home runs.

That's what has happened to Lonnie Kauppila. After hitting 12 home runs in 20 games last year during his junior season at Burbank High, Kauppila has barely seen a good pitch this year.

Through Burbank's first 10 games, Kauppila was walked 15 times -- including three times intentionally in a tournament game against Granada Hills - and he did not have a single home run.

Kauppila finally took out his frustrations last Friday by hitting three home runs and driving in six runs in a 15-1 victory at Hoover of Glendale. Over the past two games, he is 5 for 6 and has raised his average to .588 (20 for 34).

"I guess a lot of teams know who Lonnie is and have pitched around him," teammate Chase Mersola said. "In the Hoover game, he finally saw some pitches, and once he got that first home run, everything kind of opened up for him."

Kauppila has signed with Stanford and has been ranked as high as the No. 88 prep prospect in the nation by Baseball America, so he has nothing to prove.

"Actually, I was kind of surprised myself when I hit 12 last year," Kauppila said. "I'm trying to keep the pace, but not hitting a home run for the first 10 games was kind of a combination of not getting pitches plus everyone hearing about all the hype."

Burbank has a short left-field fence, but the 12 home runs were no fluke because only two came on the Bulldogs' home field.

"That's the funny part," Kauppila said.

Not that Kauppila doesn't love playing at Burbank. So much so that he was even there on Thanksgiving Day, taking extra batting practice when he made the mistake of hitting one a little too far.

"The ball cleared the street and took one bounce and nailed a window - I had the cops called on me on Thanksgiving," Kauppila said with a laugh. "It was me and three teammates, listening to music and doing our thing. We didn't get in trouble. I guess the school took care of it."

This season, Kauppila has seen a steady diet of curveballs.

"They're off-speeding him to death," Burbank coach Bob Hart said. "He's a pretty talented kid, and he's much stronger than he appears. He's not a huge kid but he has tremendous bat speed and hands."

Kauppila also is considered one of the state's top fielding shortstops - even better than his brother, Kris, now at Portland State.

Lonnie played his first two seasons at Crescenta Valley before moving to Burbank. He hit a home run against his former teammates last year, and the teams meet again Friday in a Pacific League game.

"I like it here a lot. It's a real baseball team, but we still have a lot of fun," Kauppila said. "I'm a lot happier here than I was at Crescenta Valley."

The younger Kauppila isn't as vocal as Kris was at Crescenta Valley, but he is developing into a good leader, Hart said.

"For me, Lonnie is a pleasure to coach. He's is a kind of a quiet kid, but he's taking charge," Hart said. "I don't have any of the background info about Crescenta Valley because it doesn't affect me. I only go on what I know, and Lonnie stays late and has a good work ethic. He's definitely a worker."

Kauppila participated in several summer showcase events, including the Area Code games, and he could be a high Major League draft choice this coming June.

"The scouts are coming out in bunches," said his father, Lonnie Sr.

Meantime, Burbank is 6-6, and there are no heavy expectations about making a bid for a section title. There isn't much pressure, and Kauppila is OK with that.

"I just like being out here playing with all my friends," he said.

-- Gerry Gittelson