February 2011 Archives

Top-seeded Valley Torah is having trouble in its Div. VI-AA semifinal against Rio Hondo Prep at Arroyo High in El Monte.

The score is 26-26 at halftime.

Aaron Liberman, a 6-foot-8 forward only has five points and the Wolfpack is having trouble getting him the ball down low.

Sophomore Ryan Wiley has eight points to lead Rio Hondo Prep.

Christian Torrico and Dave Drain have each made two 3-pointers.

Valley Torah came in with a record of 20-4 and the Kares are 10-15. Rio Hondo Prep also went winless in eight games in the Prep League.

Division I
All set. Eight teams are in.

Long Beach Poly, Etiwanda, Centennial Corona, Mater Dei, Loyola, Redlands East Valley, Capistrano Valley, Aliso Niguel

Division II
All set. Eight teams in.

Ventura, Compton, Summit, Mission Viejo, Peninsula, Mayfair, Foothill, Gahr

Division III
Five teams in. Three will be chosen out of six eligible.

Price, La Canada, Harvard-Westlake, Inglewood and Orange Lutheran are in.

Three will be chosen from these six: La verne Lutheran, Palm Springs, Damien, Crespi, Alemany, Atascadero.

Div. IV
Six teams are in. Two will be chosen from eight eligible.

Windward, Oaks Christian, Buckley, Muir, Morningside and Maranatha are in.

Two will be chosen from these eight: El Segundo, Whittier Christian, JSerra, La Salle, Ontario Christian, Bosco Tech, St. Monica and Blair

Div. V
Seven teams are in. One will be chosen from eight eligible.

Flintridge Prep, Sierra Canyon, Montclair Prep, Valley Torah/Rio Hondo Prep winner, Bishop Diego/Orangewood Academy winner, Arshag Dickranian and Redlands Adventist Academy.

One of these eight will be chosen: Mission Prep, Santa Clara, St. Bernard, Pasadena Poly, Padre Pio, Boron, Valley Torah/Rio Hondo Prep loser and Bishop Diego.Orangewood Academy loser.

After a three-year run ending in 2009 saw Cleveland twice reach Dodger Stadium and qualify for the City semifinals the year between, the Cavaliers struggled with a lot of young players last year and finished 10-19.

"We graduated 14 seniors from that 2009 team, and you saw the result," coach Greg Venger said. "It was a rough year last year, obviously, with four staring 10th graders."

The good news is most of the key players are back, including shortstop G Brown -- just the G for his first name -- a stocky 5-foot-5 dynamo who batted .319 with 15 stolen bases, along with pitcher Josh Gomez.

Plus, impact transfer Jack Hartman has arrived from Notre Dame.

"That was a huge pickup for us. Jack Hartman has instantly come in to be our No. 1," Venger said. "I think we'll be all right this year even though we went be unnoticed for the first part of the season. It can either way."

Sylmar is hurting without top pitcher Edgar Ruiz, who was the co-Valley Mission MVP before undergoing shoulder surgery this past fall.

"It's a big loss," coach Ray Riviera said. "But we'll be OK. We'll find a way."

Sylmar figures to depend on seniors Juvenal Terrazas and Frankie Figueroa. Terrazas is a 6-foot-2 pitcher and a top student, and Figueroa a tough, gritty catcher, Riviera said.

A couple of other top baseball players are not returning in the Marmonte League. Westlake's Nelson Spruce is taking the year off after signing a football scholarship with Colorado, and Thousand Oaks' Tim Ginther left the team.

Courtney Hazy, a field hockey standout for Harvard-Westlake, has signed with UC Davis.

Hazy led hear team to a 12-0 overall record in 2010 and a first place finish in the Mission League after scoring 16 goals on the season. She also scored 12 goals and helped her team finish with an 11-1 overall record in 2009.

About an hour before he was scheduled to be inducted into Notre Dame High's inaugural Hall of Fame class Saturday, former Major League baseball player Greg Goossen was found dead in his Sherman Oaks home by his oldest daughter. He was 65.

"It was something he was very much looking forward to, and a lot of the friends he grew up with were at Notre Dame to share his moment," said his brother Dan, a top boxing promoter. "He was supposed to be at the school early to take pictures at 5 p.m., and it got to be 5:30, a quarter to six, and his oldest daughter Erin went to his house and found him. It was not anything we expected because he seemed in good health and great spirits."

Greg Goossen was a two-time All-Southern Section selection in football and baseball at Notre Dame, spurning a USC football scholarship to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1964. He was traded to the Mets and eventually played six seasons in the majors.

"There was a great picture at the Hall of Fame event with Greg standing between Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale," said Jeff Kraemer, a longtime Notre Dame football assistant who played under Goossen in 1976 when he returned to coach at his alma mater for a few years. "Greg often came back to visit through the years, and he was Mr. Notre Dame. He had a big effect on everyone at Notre Dame, and we'll miss him. He was as tough as they come, a tough football coach, but he had a soft side to him."

Bill Seward was the emcee of the Hall of the Fame event, and because of the timing, it was tough to get through the evening.

"It was devastating, obviously, especially in regards to the event because so many people had lined up and come to see him," Seward said. "We had talked a few days ago, and Greg was so very excited about the event and so looking forward to it, and everyone was looking forward to seeing him."

Goossen worked as a private detective and a boxing trainer. He also worked as an actor and was a longtime stand-in for Gene Hackman.

One of 10 children, he is survived by three daughters.

The cause of death has not been determined, Funeral arrangements are pending, Dan Goossen said.

"There were five empty tables at Notre Dame, and that was reflective of the support of family and friends that Greg had," Goossen said. "It goes without saying the family was very, very close through the years. I still saw Greg three times a week.

"He is going to be dearly missed, not just by me but by the rest of his family, his daughters, his brothers and sisters and even his two little dogs who were as much a part of his family as the rest of us."

There are 10 championship games set for area teams next week and an 11th team could qualify come Monday night.

Valley Torah has a semifinal showdown with Rio Hondo Prep at Arroyo High at 7 p.m. Monday.

Here are the 10 games as of Saturday night

City boys Div. I: Taft vs. Westchester, 1 p.m. Saturday at Galen Center
City boys Div. III: Chatswoth vs. Garfield, 8 p.m. Saturday at Roybal High
City girls Div. III: Monroe vs. Reseda, 6 p.m. Saturday at Roybal

Southern Section boys Div. III-A: Harvard-Westlake vs. Inglewood
Southern Section boys Div. III-A: La Canada vs. Price
Southern Section boys Div. IV-A: Oaks Christian vs. Buckley
Southern Section boys Div. V-AA: Flintridge Prep vs. Muir
Southern Section boys Div. V-A: Sierra Canyon vs. Montclair Prep
Southern Section girls Div. II-A: Harvard-Westlake vs. Canyon of Anaheim
Southern Section girls Div. IV-A: Oaks Christian vs. St. Anthony

The Southern Section schedule with times will be released Monday at noon on the CIF-SS website.

After a huge sophomore season that included a .696 batting average and 10 home runs in 18 games, small-school slugger Josh Clark is ready for another big year for Hillcrest Christian in Granada Hills.

"My goal is to hit 15 this year and 20 to 25 as a senior," Clark said.

Heritage Christian plays home games at North Valley, a tight field with fences from 280 to 300 feet, but some of Clark's home runs have traveled 400.

"It is very small, but we actually don't have many home games scheduled there this year," Clark said. "We're playing a lot of away games, and we were going to play our games at Granada Hills High, but I guess it didn't work out. I'm just working hard, and hopefully I'll have a good year."

Last year, Clark hit six home runs over the first six games, including three against Trinity Classical. He finished with 37 RBIs in 56 at-bats, then spent the summer competing against club players from larger schools.

"I know what good pitching looks like," he said.

Clark is not a bad pitcher himself. Last year, he was 6-3 with a 2.14 ERA and 81 strikeouts in 56 innings.

After returning all five starters from last season's section-finalist team, Alemany High waited nearly a year for a chance to get back to a title game and perhaps win a boys' basketball championship for the first time in the Mission Hills school's 55-year history.
It's not going to happen.

Alemany dug itself an early hole Friday was eliminated by Windward 79-67 in the Southern Section Div. IV-AA semifinals at Hart High.

The host Warriors (20-11) connected on 38.6 percent from the floor, including just 3 of 18 3-pointers, and they expended too much energy trying to catch up, first from an early 12-point deficit that was sliced to four, then from a 21-point second-half lead that was cut to nine.

Factor in a terrific performance by Windward, particularly Nick Stover (26 points, 19 rebounds) and Wesley Saunders (19 points), and Alemany just could not come back.

"Our shots just weren't falling, and we were having a tough time with their transition game," Alemany guard Max Guercy said. "They're guards played great, too. It was a tough game for us."

Saunders, a Harvard-bound senior, scored 13 points in the first half, as Windward (23-7) first began pulling away, but Alemany went on a 14-4 in the second quarter and eventually pulled to within four.

Windward began the third quarter with a 19-2 run to pull ahead 53-32, but against Alemany rallied, and in the fourth quarter a 15-5 run helped the Warriors close the gap to nine but never closer.

"Alemany did a good job of keeping the pressure on," Saunders said. "We knew it was going to be a game of runs, so we tried to stay focused."

Alemany got off to a slow start against Windward, falling behind by 12 points early in the second quarter, as the cold-shooting Warriors were not hitting their shots while struggling to keep up with Windward's quick transition game.

But the Warriros have crept back, and it's 34-29 Windward leading at the half.

If Alemany wants to get all the way back in, someone needs to neutralize Windward's Wesley Saunders, who has 13 points. He eats up shorter players down low, and if a post player tries to guard him, he drives right past.

It's a big night for Alemany, as the Warriors face Windward in a Div. IV-AA semifinal at Hart High in Newhall.

Windward is 22-7 and has a terrific power forward in Wesley Saunders. Alemany (20-10), led by Marqueze Coleman and Max Guercy, figures to counter with outside shooting.

"All the tough games we've played all season have prepared us for playoff games like this," Alemany coach Tray Mees said.

Alemany is trying to reach a section final for the second year in a row. The Warriors are one of four Mission League teams still alive, along with Loyola, Harvard Westlake and Crespi.

Shane Harrison, an All-East Valley Division receiver for Sierra Canyon, has signed a football scholarship with Sacramento State -- the first Sierra Canyon athlete to sign a DI offer.

That was fast. A few days after Matt Kerstetter announced his resignation as head coach at Taft, assistant Chris Rizzo has stepped in as the new coach.

The Toreadors have reached the second round of playoffs or better for the past four years under Kerstetter.

Valley Torah made the long trip worth it today to Catalina Island, coming from seven points down in the fourth quarter in a 61-51 win in a Southern Section Div. VI-AA quarterfinal.

"It was wild. The whole town shut down, and it was packed," Valley Torah coach Robert Icart said. "Even the guys from City Hall were there. The whole town. Everyone was saying before the game that they were closing up shop at 4:15 to go to the game."

The Southern Section basketball playoffs heat up Friday for the semifinals. Here are the latest updated parings, as a few schools are still confirming neutral sites:
'
Div. III-AA

La Canada at Palm Springs, site TBA

Div. III-A

Damien vs. Harvard-Westlake at Calabasas High

Crespi vs. Inglewood at Morningside High

Div. IV-AA

Windward vs. Alemany at Hart High

Div. IV-A

Oaks Christian vs. Morningside at Inglewood High

Buckley vs. Maranatha at Alemany High

Div. V-AA

Mission Prep vs. Flintridge Prep at La Canada High

Div. V-A

Sierra Canyon vs. Pasadena Poly at South Pasadena High

St. Bernard vs. Montclair Prep at St. Genevieve High

Div. VI-AA

Valley Torah-Avalon winner vs. Rio Hondo Prep, site TBA

Thirty-four years ago, Howard Abrams was in his first year as head coach of Montclair Prep, guiding the Mounties to a 47-43 win over Huntington Valley Christian back in 1977 at Long Beach Arena for the school's first basketball championship.

Abrams is still at the Van Nuys campus as an assistant, and Montclair Prep continues to be one of the area's most successful programs heading into a Div. V-A semifinal Friday against St. Bernard at St. Genevieve High.

The Mounties have won four section titles and three times have finished as a runner-up. They''ve won one state title and finished as a state runner-up once.

Except for the first couple of minutes, Valencia hung tough against state power Etiwanda on Tuesday in a 70-58 loss in the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Div. I-AA basketball playoffs.

But after falling behind 10-0, the Vikings never caught up, falling in the third round of the playoffs for fourth time in school history without ever making it to a semifinal.

Etiwanda's strategy was not complicated. The visiting Eagles swarmed high-scoring Lonnie Jackson, especially when the 6-foot-4 senior touched the basketball, and he finished with 21 points on 5-for-19 shooting with four rebounds, three blocks and two assists in his final high school game.

"They had a defensive game plan that was really tough. They're really fast, and they play tough defense," Jackson said. "I tried to get some shots off, but it was just one of those nights when my shots just weren't falling.

Evan Jenkins, a 6-3 senior, made it his mission to stick with Jackson everywhere he went.

"That was our game plan - to key on Lonnie Jackson. Our coach told us to take him out of the game, then we would have a good chance to win," Jenkins said. "We didn't want him scoring 36 points again like last game, so our plan was to be physical with him and kind of get in his head and get him rattled and frustrated, but he did a good job of keeping his composure."

Forced to work so hard to see the ball, Jackson was visibly tired, but he played 31 minutes.
Valencia (21-8) shot 33 percent, including 5 of 26 (19 percent) in the first half, but a lot of that had to do with Etiwanda (28-2), ranked among the top teams in the nation before a couple of late losses to Loyola and Upland.

"They're a good team to lose to because Etiwanda is a great team," Jackson said. "It was definitely a great season for us. I love these guys."

Justin Flowers added 12 points for Valencia, and Zach Davis chipped in 10.
Etiwanda's Byron Wesley scored 27 points, and Jordan Daniels added 12.

Etiwanda is playing some stiffling defense at Valencia, and the pressure is having an effect on the host Vikings, who trail 30-20 at halftime in a Southern Section Div. I-AA quarterfinal.

Lonnie Jackson, Valencia's all-time leading scorer and an important key if the Vikings want to pull off an upset, has yet to hit a field goal. He has nine points on 9 of 13 free throws.

Valencia has never advanced past the quarterfinals.

Coming off its best season since legendary Harry Welch left in early 2007, Canyon has a new coach in former assistant Rich Gutierrez -- one of the last links to Welch, as Gutierrez was a JV assistant for two years before Harry left after having the stadium named after him.

The Cowboys went from 2-9 to 10-2 this past season before Chris Varner surprisingly resigned, and two of the Northern Division's most dynamic performers are set to return in junior quarterback Jonathan Jerozal and sophomore receiver Drew Wolitarsky.

"We've got some phenomenal kids. I feel honored," Gutierrez said. "They're good kids. I couldn't ask for anything more."

Gutierrez played high school football at Saugus.

"The Canyon tradition, when you grow up around here, it's kind of inherent," Gutierrez said. "Plus, I went to church with a lot of Canyon kids back then."

Here is a off the top of my head quick baseball primer for 2011.

Top teams in no particular order:

Chatsworth
Chaminade
Alemany
Valencia
El Camino Real
Moorpark
Harvard-Westlake
Camarillo
Montclair Prep
Oaks Christian

A few top players:
Scott Barlow-Golden Valley
Trey Williams-Valencia
Matt Troupe-Chaminade
Matt Higginbotham-Moorpark
Cody Raymer-Simi Valley
Chris Whitmer-El Camino Real
Jose Cardona-El Camino Real
Aaron Brown-Chatsworth
Max Fried-Montclair Prep
Lucas Giolito-Harvard-Westlake
Hunter Virant-Camarillo
Cody Thompson-Alemany
Travis Radke-Oaks Christian

The details are all set for Valley Torah's Div. VI-AA quarterfinal game against Avalon.

The Wolfpack (19-4) will travel to San Pedro this evening and catch a boat for Catalina Island and stay over.

The game will be at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The winner advances to the semifinals against A.G.B.U. of Pasadena or Rio Hondo Prep.

The semifinal game will be Saturday if Valley Torah wins, as expected.

Chatsworth is the area's most decorated baseball program with nine City Section titles plus 13 West Valley League championships over the past 15 seasons and back-to-back national championships in 2003-2004, and the Chancellors are loaded once again.

There's a deep pitching staff with Aaron Brown, Steven Karkenny, Christian Lopez and Angel Rodriguez - all of whom have more than proven themselves -- plus Brown and Karkenny are two of the Southland's top hitters and outfielders.

There are other experienced returnees from last year's semifinalist team, including infielders Brady Conlan and Ryan Escobar, outfielder Chris Carlin and catcher Ricky Obando.

"We're looking good. We're practicing hard, and we'll go from there," Karkenny said. "We're more mature, and we've got some good experience."

RENAISSANCE MEN

With only about 25 boys enrolled, Renaissance Academy is one of the Southern Section's smallest schools, but the Wildcats, riding a 17-game winning streak, play some big-time basketball.

If the Wildcats can defeat Pasadena Poly tonight in a Div. V-A quaterfinal, they'll qualify for a section semifinal for the fifth time over the last six years - a streak that includes three finals appearances and one state-final appearance.

"I didn't think it would happen this way this season because we're so inexperienced," said coach Sid Cooke, in his 11th year at the tiny La Canada-Flintridge private school. "But then I look back to my first year when we had nine kids try out for the team, and only two had ever played basketball before. It's a good time over here. The administrators are very supportive."

El Camino Real is coming off a City Section championship season, and the Conquistadores are jumping into the new season with both feet by playing 10 games in the first 18 days, starting Friday at 3 p.m. against visiting Kennedy.

Jose Cardona, who was the City Player of the Year and has committed to Cal State Fullerton, is back, but most of the other pitchers like first-year senior A.J. Silverman are unproven.

"We play Friday, Saturday, Tuesday and Wednesday, so we're going to find out about our arms real quick," coach Josh Lienhard said. "We'll see how good we are."

As a junior, Cardona was 11-1 with a 1.56 ERA and 77 strikeouts in 76 innings with eight complete games and three shutouts. He throws 93 mph and is among several top City pitchers including Chatsworth's Aaron Brown, Christian Lopez and Steven Karkenny, Kennedy's Ryan Cruz, Birmingham's Kevin Torres, Arleta's Javy Lopez and San Fernando's David Lira.

Also returning for ECR are All-City catcher Chris Whitmer and left fielder Chris Nicholson, two of the team's top hitters last season. Plus, Lienard is high on junior center fielder Mitchell Dergazarian.

Since winning the 2008 Southern Section Div. I championship at Dodger Stadium, Simi Valley has not won a playoff game in two seasons, and last year the Pioneers finished 10-18 - a shocking disappointment for one of the Southland's most consistently successful programs over the past 25 years or so.

A group of the key faces are back after fielding a lineup of mostly underclassmen last season, and Simi Valley is bound and determined to regain their status among the area's elite.

"I'm predicting we're going to go from worst to first," third baseman Cole Acheronti said. "The difference is, we've just grown so much. Last year, we had a lot of young talent, but young talent can only take you so far - you have to have knowledge of the game."

Most of Simi Valley's key starters have been playing together since they were little kids.
"Not in a snobby sort of way, but we're not used to losing," Acheronti said. "Last year, we kind of said, 'Whoa, we need to come together,' and this year I think we're on the same level with everyone else."

Simi Valley returns ace Levi Shordon, a top left-handed pitcher, along with shortstop Cody Ramer (head to University of Arizona) and pitcher Nick Bigo, among others.

"We've got a good core, and our competitive edge is back, too," Acheronti said. "Now all we have to do is keep working hard and come together."

The City Section baseball season starts a week earlier than the Southern Section, and among the intriguing openers is a matchup between Arleta and San Fernando at 7 p.m. Friday at Birmingham High.

San Fernando returns ace pitcher David Lira, who is expected to start. Arleta returns pitchers Javy Lopez and Ivan Ceja, and Ceja probably will get the start, Arleta coach Edgar Maldonado said.

"They're both good, but Ivan beat San Fernando last year," Maldonado, who added that Lira is longtime friends with many of Arleta's top players after playing youth ball together.

Two of Arleta's other top returnees are first baseman Miguel Perez and shortstop Erik Trujillo.

Perez is a 6-3, 290-pounder who had four home runs last year.

"He's a power guy. He would have had four or five more home runs, but we played most of our games in a park with no fences," Maldonado said.

Will Valley Torah, the top seed in Div. VI-AA, ever get to finish its second-round matchup against Riverside Christian?

First, the game was switched from Friday to Saturday at L.A. Valley College to accommodate the Jewish Sabbath. Then, with Valley Torah leading 23-5 in the first quarter, a power outage at Valley College caused a postponement until today at 5 p.m., when the teams will play out the final three quarters back at Valley.

Down 18 points when the team boards a bus today for another long return trip, how does Riverside Christian possibly get pumped up?

Valencia went just 17-10 and lost in the first round of the playoffs last year, but the Vikings should be loaded this season because most of the key starters are back, including shortstop Trey Williams, a power-hitting junior whom coach Jared Snyder says is the "best position player in any county."

Valencia returns three of its top pitchers, David Hausman, Nick Rivas and Jake Roberge, along with catcher Alex Bishop, Shane Zeile, Quincy Quintero and several other key faces.

Williams has 15 career home runs - 10 last year and five as a freshman - and last year he had 32 RBIs and a terrific performance defensively. He's the area's most feared hitter heading into the new season.

Just about local school still alive the high school basketball quarterfinals has drawn a home game Tuesday, and it's like a smorgasbord of treats for Valley-area basketball fans.

Here are some of the matchups in the Valley:

DIV. I AA

Etiwanda at Valencia

DIV. II A

Foothill at Royal

DIV. III AA

Bishop Montgomery at La Canada

DIV. III A

Cerritos at Harvard-Westlake

Artesia at Crespi

DIV. IV AA

Bishop Amat at Alemany

DIV. IV A

Whittier Christian at Oaks Christian

CITY SECTION

DIV. I

Cleveland at Taft

DIV. II

San Pedro at Granada Hills

Carson at El Camino Real

DIV. III

Manual Arts at Chatsworth

Huntington Park at Grant

In the Southern Section's biggest division, Valencia is the last local team standing, as the 12th-seeded Vikings play host to No. 4 Etiwanda (27-2), ranked No. 6 in the state by Maxpreps, in the Div. I-AA quarterfinals Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Only once in Valencia's history have the Vikings (21-7) advanced past the quarters, but they've never had an impact player like 6-4 guard Lonnie Jackson, who scored 36 points in a shocking road upset Friday at Murrieta Valley. He's averaging 23 points and loves to shoot NBA-range 3-pointers.

If Valencia can pull another upset, a date with top-seeded Long Beach Poly could be looming.

Ed Croson has guided Chaminade to a big turnaround in football, and he's doing it the same way as when he won four City titles over a six-year period at Birmingham -- developing a great rushing attack and scheduling tough nonleague opponents.

It's a proven formula, and Chaminade, 11-2 this past season, returns top running back Terrell Newby. He should be one of the top backs in the Western Division after rushing for 1,372 yards and 18 touchdowns while splitting time as a sophomore. The offensive linemen all return, too.

Like Birmingham, Chamiande is playing a bunch of tough nonleagues opponents, not including an opening scrimmage against St. Bonaventure. The Eagles open with Venice, , Valencia, Alemany, Mira Costa and Notre Dame before contending with Serra, St. Francis and Cathedral in the Mission League.

William Gockel-Figge and Austin Braddock of Simi Valley, Shane Laguna of Westlake, Matt Hickman of Camarillo, Akeem Gonzales of Alemany and Trever Devestern of Littlerock all won the CIF titles in their respective Division locations. Arashdeep Gill of Chaminade, Adrian Manzo of Crespi and Scott Haskell of Agoura were three of the highest placers after that, all finishing second and all at the Oak Hills Division regional.

Hickman medaled at CIF for the fourth time and won his second straight title; Gonzales won in dramatic fashion, scoring five points in the last 10 seconds of the match to win 7-6; Devestern won four of his five matches by pin and was crowned Upper Weight MVP at San Luis Obispo and Gockel-Figge and Braddock - both juniors - won their first titles each.

More detailed results to come, including all medalists from all of the locations.

Walnut 56, Quartz Hill 52

Long Beach Poly 81, Quartz Hill 39

La Verne Lutheran 80, Moorpark 39

Foothill 56, Camarillo 39

Vista del Lago 61, Eastside 54

Royal 55, Mira Costa 54

Artesia 59, Rio Mesa 53

St John Bosco 69, Oak Park 60

Cerritos 68, Calabasas 56

La Canada 48, Pacific Hills 38

La Salle 61, Paraclete 44

Northview 66, St. Francis 54

Atascadero 64, Chaminade 54

Today is Day One of the CIF Individual Wrestling Championships in six different locations and many wrestlers are still continuing tomorrow.

Camarillo at Pacifica/Oxnard
Matt Hickman (152), won by pin twice and by tech fall once to advance to the semifinals.

Royal at Oak Hills in Hesperia
Justin Veditz (160) has advanced to the semifinals in the championship bracket and Mason Medina (215), Tom Tom Castillo (130), Taylor Amic (152), Jesse Lyga (125), Nathen Ruiz (171) and JB Dones (130) are in still active in the consolation bracket.

Alemany at Oak Hills
Akeem Gonzales (215 pounds) and Sergio Figueroa (heavy) are both in the semifinals and Tony Varela is in the consolation bracket. If Gonzales goes to the finals, he could meet Andrew Singer of Moorpark.

Agoura at Oak Hills
Daniel Opferman (103) advanced to the semifinals and will go against Adrian Manzo of Crespi in his first match. Scott Haskell (125) also reached the semifinals after three straight wins. If Haskell and Opferman both win their first matches Saturday, they'll meet in the finals.

Chaminade at Oak Hills
Mason Nystrom (125) won three straight matches to advance to the semifinals as did Arashdeep Gill (140), who had a bye and then shut out his next two opponents. Mission League champion Gill has a rematch against Mission League second-place finisher Richard Ortiz of Crespi in his first match.
Bobby Medina (112) is still alive in the consolation bracket.

Crespi at Oak Hills
Juan Ortiz advanced to the semifinals and will meet Austin Braddock of Simi Valley in the 130 bracket. Carlos Lazo (152) is still active in the consolation bracket for the Celts.

Harvard-Westlake at Oak Hills
Ben Kogan (119) is still alive in the consolation bracket.

Moorpark at Oak Hills
Andrew Singer (215) , Ryan Thompson (130) and Hector Vega, (heavy) all advanced to the semifinals in their respective weights and Matt Thompson (189) goes against Agoura's Ethan Rieder in their first consolation match Saturday.
Richie Vaillancourt (112) is still active in the consolation bracket.

Westlake at Oak Hills
Nathan Kid (152) and Shane Laguna (160) both advanced to the semifinals of the championship bracket.

Simi Valley at Oak Hills
William Gockel-Figge (189) advanced to the semifinals of the championship bracket after a bye, a pin and a 7-0 decision over Matt Thompson of Moorpark.

Newbury Park at Oak Hills
Daniel Pond (215) is the lone representative of the Panthers to get to the semifinals in the championship bracket.

Littlerock at San Luis Obispo
Trever Devestern (145) won by fall three straight matches putting his total at 38 for the season. He advances to the semifinals at CIF.

Eastside at San Luis Obispo
Tim Broadnax (130) advanced to the semifinals of the championship bracket as did Justin Wright (heavy).

Knight at San Luis Obispo
Saad ul-Hasan (140) had a bye and won by fall twice to get to the semifinals.

Highland at San Luis Obispo
Pat Larkin (160) won by fall twice and decision once to get to the semis

La Canada at Roosevelt of Corona
Chris Bache (152) advance to the semifinals of his championship bracket with three decisions.

Valencia upset Murrieta Valley 77-70 tonight -- on the road, no less -- as Lonnie Jackson scored 36 points. Valencia plays host to Etiwanda on Tuesday in the quarterfinals.

Like Jackson, Etiwanda guard Jordan Daniels is headed to Boston College, so they'll go head to head in what figures to be a compelling showdown between two of California's elite.

You only get so many chances in high school basketball.

Every time favored Canyon High of Anaheim would pull ahead by a few baskets Friday against host Canyon of Canyon Country, the scrappy Cowboys would come back.
But in the end, the locals fell one run short of coming out on top, as the visiting Comanches (26-3) made the plays down the stretch to pull out a 65-59 win in the second round of the Southern Section Div. II-AA playoffs.

"We just ran out of steam," Canyon guard Coley Apsay said. "We gave them a good run for their money. We kind of crumbled at the end of the game, but I'm proud of the way our team played."

Besides both schools having the same name and wanting to distinguish themselves, there was a lot on the line for Canyon of Anaheim because a year ago the Cowboys (20-8) came from 24 points down in the second half to eliminate the Comanches from the playoffs.

Eight Canyon of Anaheim players returned this season, and they've had revenge on their minds for a long time.

"Oh man, you have no idea," Comanches guard Chris Anderson said. "When we saw Canyon was in our bracket, we were looking forward to this because that was one of the worst losses of my life. This was our chance to redeem ourselves and show who the real Canyon is. Tonight, we were the better Canyon, the better team."

Down by 10 heading into the fourth quarter, the Cowboys went on a 12-2 run to tie the score 54-54. But then Anderson hit a 3-pointer to give the visitors the lead for good, followed by a nice pass to Justin Clark for an easy basket, as the Comanches reeled off a 9-2 run to put the Cowboys away.

Apsay scored 23 points, Darnel Haggerty added 17 and Clay Kasdorf chipped in 12.

Anderson, a 5-9 senior with a 40-inch vertical jump, scored 17 points with nine assists and six rebounds. Toredo Winn added 13 points, and Jojo Ballestero scored 11.

Tough third quarter for Canyon, as the host Cowboys have fallen behind 52-42 heading into the final stanza.

The visiting Comanches are shooting the lights out. Stay tuned.

Canyon is playing about as well as possible in the first half against visiting Canyon of Anaheim, as the host Cowboys lead 32-30 over the 25-3 Comanches.

Coley Apsay, Darnel Haggerty and Clay Kasdorf all have 10 points for the hosts a year after the Cowboys came from 24 points down to beat Anaheim Canyon in the playoffs in 2010.

Down by seven with three minutes left in the second quarter, the Cowboys finished the half by reeling off an 11-2 spurt.

It's Canyon against Canyon here in Santa Clarita, as the host Canyon Cowboys take on Canyon of Anaheim in a Div. II-AA second-round playoff matchup.

Canyon of Anaheim owes one tonight, too, because the teams played last year in the playoffs and the Canyon Cowboys came from 24 points down to win.

"I don't think they missed a 3-pointer the whole second half," Canyon of Anaheim coach Nate Harrison said. "I hope I kids remember because it was one of the worst losses since I've been here.":

Watch out for Canyon of Anaheim's Chris Anderson. He's just 5-9 but a top prospect who averages nearly a triple-double.

Like a fish trying to swim upstream, Marquis Salmon and his Village Christian teammates have a tough one tonight at 7 against second-seeded St. Margaret's in the second round of the Southern Section Div. V-AA playoffs -- but it's not impossible.

The host Crusaders (15-12) get St. Margarets in their own gym -- it's a long drive from San Juan Capistrano -- and after losing their final two regular-season games, Village Christian is hoping to jumpstart itself in the playoffs and perhaps eventually advance past the quarterfinals for the first time in the school's 65-year history.

Salmon, a 6-foot-7 junior, is averaging 28 points and 16 rebounds over the past six games.

"He definitely has an impact on the game," first-year coach John Shaw said. "He plays at a high level, he's a great kid, and he's being recruited as a junior."

Village Christian has had seven coaches over the past 10 seasons, and Shaw is trying to give the program some stability.

"Nothing's been established yet. That's what we're trying to do," he said.

St. Margaret's is 18-6 and has won eight in a row.

"They're a very well-coached team, and they have a lot of high-IQ kids that shoot well," Shaw said. "Their three best players really shoot the ball well."

Taft 111, Hollywood 29
Cleveland 64, Fremont 62
Crenshaw 81, Jordan 37
Dorsey 71, Sylmar 51
Westchester won by 21

El Camino Real 66, Los Angeles 39

The Cleveland boys' basketball team is making a habit of winning close first round games in the City Section Div. I playoffs.

One year after beating Dorsey in the final seconds, the Cavaliers pulled off another close encounter in a 64-62 victory against Fremont.

Sophomore Kody Riewthong made a 3-pointer from the right corner off a pass from junior J.R. Williams and the Cavaliers survived two Fremont misses in the final five seconds to escape.

"I really didn't think," Riewthong said. "I just shot it. We didn't have a play designed and Fremont helped on defense and left me open."

Jaylen Bland scored 27 points and had 12 rebounds and four steals to lead the Cavaliers (14-12), who led 16-4 early in the first quarter but saw all of that lead vanish by the fourth quarter.

"We just kept playing hard," Bland said. "We never give up. We never got down even when we got down."

Riewthong finished with 12 points and four assists and Adrian Francis had 11 for Cleveland.

J.R. Williams had five points and 10 assists, none bigger than the last one to Riewthong.

Shane Kizzee scored 18 points on six 3-pointers, Kaylen Ayers had 17 points, Dillmore Conorque had 12 and Tim Johnson had 11 to lead Fremont (20-10).

The Pathfinders cut the early 12-point deficit to one by halftime after Kizzee made two 3-pointers and Conorque made one.

Cleveland went ahead by nine points in the third quarter after a 7-0 run but Kizzee and Ayers scored baskets to again keep Fremont close.

The lead changed hands six times in the fourth quarter but Cleveland prevailed despite Fremont going ahead twice on 3-pointers.

Conorque made a 3-pointer with 3:16 remaining but Francis answered with a 3-pointer for Cleveland.

Kizzee made another 3-pointer with 1:07 remaining but Bland made a layup and after a five second call against Fremont for not inbounding the ball, Riewthong made the biggest shot of his career.

"We will definitely make it exciting, that is for sure," Cleveland coach Osiris Nalls said.

Fremont shot itself in the foot at the free throw line. Johnson was seven of eight but Akeem Allen and Ayers were a combined 1 of 11.

The big prize for Cleveland is a Tuesday matchup with West Valley League rival Taft in a quarterfinal game.

Taft has already beaten Cleveland twice this season by 30 points or more.

"We have to get up and down and run and get to every loose ball," Bland said. "We have to play with heart. We won't be intimidated."

The Golden League rarely gets much respect, as players from the Antelope Valley area routinely are left off All-Southern Section teams.

But five teams are still alive in the Southern Secton playoffs, and that's not bad -- Knight, Highland, Palmdale, Eastside and Quartz Hill.

Southern Section playoffs, Friday 7 p.m. (second round)

Div. I-AA

Valencia at Murrieta Valley

Knight at Long Beach Poly

Div. I-A

Highland at Loyola

Palmdale at Silverado

Walnut at Quartz Hill

Div. II-AA

Edison at Simi Valley

Canyon (Anaheim) at Canyon

Div. II-A

Eastside at Vista del Lago

Camarillo at Foothill

Royal at Mira Costa

Div. III-AA

La Verne Lutheran at Moorpark

La Canada at Pacific Hills

Div. III-A

Harvard-Westlake at Brea Olinda

Cerritos at Calabasas

Rio Mesa at Artesia

Crespi at Beverly Hills

Div. IV-AA

Northview at St. Francis

Atascadero at Chaminade

Oak Park at St. John Bosco

Compton Centennial at Alemany

Div. IV-A

Oaks Christian at Big Bear, 3 p.m.

Paraclete at La Salle

Buckley at Burroughs Ridgecrest

Div. V-AA

Flintridge Prep at Whitney

St. Genevieve at Mission Prep

St. Margaret's at Village Christian

Div. V-A

Sierra Canyon at Bloomington Christian

Renaissance Academy at Mary Star

Montclair Prep at Chadwick

Ribet at Holy Martyrs

Div. VI-AA

Riverside Christian at Valley Torah

Santa Clarita Christian at Wildwood

Div. VI-A (first round)

Westmark at Arshag Dickranian

Academy of Careers at Trinity Classical

Taft coach Matt Kerstetter has resigned to take a head job at Buchholz High in Gainesville, Fla. -- the largest school in Gainesville.

"I just told the team at a lunch meeting," Kerstetter said.

Kerstetter was among the area's most successful City coaches, as Taft advanced to the City semifinals this past season.

In four season, Kerstetter advanced to the quarterfinals or further every year, and his career record is 35-15.

Brady Stuart, a kicker for West Ranch, has committed to UC Davis.

Last we checked, Notre Dame was No. 7 in the Southern Section Div. IV-AA rankings, but the playoff brackets came out today, and there was no Notre Dame.

Southern Section officials say they never received a vital fax for an at-large bid by Notre Dame, and Notre Dame coach Bill Bedgood said he watched the fax being sent.

When the coach saw online that Notre Dame was not in, he and A.D. Kevin Rooney called immediately and pleaded with CIF officials to re-do the seedings, but they would not do it, Bedgood said.

"I was like, 'Have a heart,'" Bedgood said.

"I kept telling them we surely would have made it because there were teams on there that we finished ahead of them in league," Bedgood said. "Basically, they bumped us out and moved everyone else one step up. First thing in the morning, we're calling again to see if there's anything that can done. I have not given up hope. There's an emptiness inside, and nothing will ever take that pain away."

Once among the most feared baseball programs in the San Fernando Valley regardless of school size, Montclair Prep is 6-0 all-time in Southern Section championship games, and this year the Mounties have the talent to get back to a final.

Max Fried, a junior left-hander who already has committed to UCLA, is back after going 10-3 with a 2.30 ERA and a .446 batting average with 40 RBIs.

Max Miller is also back, and he batted .485 with six home runs and 29 RBIs as a junior. Also returning is Nick Suniga (.402, 6-2) and Blake Steele (.376), son of school principal and former coach Walt Steele.

Ben McKendall, Myles Hager, Josh Brodsky and Paul Aldape should be key players, too.

Former Valley standouts Ryon Healy of Crespi and Brando Tessar of Chaminade are starting their Oregon baseball careers in style with a four-game series at Hawaii beginning on Friday.

Both are freshman pitchers who might do some hitting, too.

"My arm is 100 percent. I can't wait to start the next chapter in my baseball career," said Healy, named top prospect the past summer at the California Collegiate League.

Tessar is a relief pitcher for the first time.

"It's fun here, and we have a really good pitching staff," Tessar said. "College is fun. I love it up here."

Jimmy Sherfy from Newbury Park and K.C. Serna from St. Bonaventure are on the team, too.

After finishing just 14-13 including an uncharacteristic first-round loss in the City Section playoffs, Kennedy is on the comeback trail.

Coach Manny Alvarado has been there 23 years, winning five City titles, and this year Kennedy has enough key returnees to reclaim some glory.

"We don't like to lose," Alvarado said. "It would be nice to be back. We've been just a heartbeat away the past couple of years."

Ryan Cruz, an All-City pitcher with a big-breaking curveball, is back, along with catcher Chris Mallon, and they're both three-year starters. Another pitcher, Alberto Flores, looked good in summer and winter competition.

"We're hoping he is going to be our No. 2 pitcher. He's a big key to the season," Alvarado said.

Like just about any program with championship aspirations, pitching will be the key.

"I think our staff is a lot stronger," Cruz said. "We're going to be more competitive this year. We're trying hard in practice every day. I think we're due."

Cheyenne Coyle, formerly of Chatsworth, hit a home run in her first college at bat Friday for Florida in a 17-1 win over Marshall.

The freshman shortstop is batting .333 with three home runs and 10 RBIs in five games.

DIV. I-AA
Knight at No. 8 Summit
Palmdale at No. 10 Laguna Hills
DIV. I-A
Diamond Bar at No. 9 Valencia
Crescenta Valley at No. 15 Marlborough
DIV. II-AA
Burbank at No. 9 Royal
No. 12 Newbury Park at Aliso Niguel
Marina at No. 13 Saugus
Mission Viejo at No. 4 Burroughs
Valley View at No. 5 Canyon
No. 16 Thousand Oaks at University
Glendale at No. 2 Buena
DIV. II-A
Moorpark at No. 1 Harvard-Westlake
No. 14 Sunny Hills at Lancaster
DIV. III-AA
Westlake at No. 1 St. Joseph/SM
No. 16 Hart at Rio Mesa
South Torrance at No. 13 Camarillo
Baldwin Park at No. 3 Agoura
DIV. III-A
No. 9 Alemany at West Valley
Calabasas at No. 8 Yucca Valley
Notre Dame at No. 5 Antelope Valley
La Habra at No. 4 Bell-Jeff
DIV. IV-AA
Crossroads at No. 8 Oak Park
No. 12 Paso Robles at Flintridge Prep
No. 3 Chaminade, bye
No. 6 Sierra Canyon, bye
Covina at No. 10 L.A. Baptist
La Canada at No. 15 St. Lucy's
DIV. IV-A
Morningside at No. 1 Oaks Christian
DIV. V-AA
No. 16 Louisville at Paraclete
No. 8 Flintridge Sacred at Alverno
Loma Linda Academy at No. 6 Campbell Hall
No. 12 Nordhoff at Desert Christian
Kern Valley at No. 13 Hillcrest Christian/GH
No. 3 Montclair Prep at Notre Dame/Riverside
Nipomo at No. 14 Milken Community
St. Bonaventure at No. 11 Providence
DIV. V-A
Vasquez at No. 16 North County Christian
St. Genevieve at No. 9 Thacher
No. 4 Holy Martyrs, bye
Holy Family at No. 6 Archer
No. 15 Faith Baptist at Nuview Bridge
DIV. VI-AA
Newbury Park Adventist at No. 12 AGBU/Pasadena
Glendale Academy at No. 6 Tarbut V'Torah
DIV. VI-A
WILD CARD
Hillcrest Christian/TO at Le Lycee
Santa Clarita Christian at St. Monica
FIRST ROUND
Le Lycee/Hillcrest Christian/TO at Bethel Christian
Coastal Christian/No. 7 Pacific Lutheran at West Valley Christian

DIV. I-AA
No. 16 Los Osos at Knight
Oxnard at No. 12 Valencia
Lakewood at No. 9 Thousand Oaks
DIV. I-A
Arcadia at No. 16 Highland
No. 11 Vista Murrieta at Palmdale
Quartz Hill at No. 7 Crescenta Valley
DIV. II-AA
West Ranch at No. 1 Ventura
Glendale at No. 12 Simi Valley
No. 14 Canyon at Buena
Burbank at No. 2 Mission Viejo
DIV. II-A
Westlake at No. 5 Mayfair
Eastside at No. 4 Glendora
Norwalk at No. 14 Camarillo
Royal at No. 11 Righetti
DIV. III-AA
No. 13 at Moorpark at Rosamond
West Torrance at No. 3 La Canada
Cypress at No. 10 Campbell Hall
Hart at No. 15 Arroyo Grande
DIV. III-A
Beckman at No. 1 Harvard-Westlake
No. 8 Calabasas at Diamond Ranch
Agoura at No. 4 Damien
Garey at No. 2 Crespi
DIV. IV-AA
No. 10 St. Francis at Sierra Vista
No. 11 Chaminade at Besant Hill
Antelope Valley at No. 13 Oak Park
No. 3 Alemany at Monrovia
DIV. IV-A
Laguna Hills at No. 1 Oaks Christian
Malibu at No. 3 Paraclete
St. Bonaventure at No. 6 Buckley
DIV. V-AA
St. Paul at No. 1 Flintridge Prep
No. 8 Crossroads at No. 8 Desert Christian
Loma Linda Academy at No. 13 St. Genevieve
Milken Community at No. 11 Bosco Tech
Woodcrest Christian at No. 15 Village Christian
Viewpoint at No. 2 St. Margaret's
DIV. V-A
Animo Leadership at No. 1 Sierra Canyon
Calvary Chapel/Downey at No. 5 Renaissance Academy
Mary Star of the Sea at No. 12 Hillcrest Christian/GH
Providence at No. 13 Saddleback Valley Christian
No. 3 Montclair Prep at Academy of Academic Excellence
Chadwick at No. 14 Bell-Jeff
New Community Jewish at No. 6 Brethren Christian
No. 7 Holy Martyrs at Pilibos
Thacher at No. 8 Ribet Academy
DIV. VI-AA
Newbury Park Adventist at No. 1 Valley Torah
No. 5 Pacifica Christian at San Fernando Valley Academy
Nuview Bridge at No. 3 Santa Clarita Christian
West Valley Christian at No. 7 Hesperia Christian
AGBU at No. 2 Bishop Diego
DIV. VI-A
WILD CARD
Westmark at Cuyama Valley
FIRST ROUND
Academy of Careers and Exploration/Weaver at No. 6 Trinity Classical Academy

Harvard-Westlake secured the top seeds in their respective divisions in both boys' and girls' basketball Sunday when the Southern Section pairings were released in Los Alamitos.

The Wolverines lead the pack in the girls' Div. II-A draw after winning the Div. IV-AA title last year and the Div. IV-A championship in 2009.

Despite losing two of its final three regular-season games, Harvard-Westlake remained ahead of Mission League rival Crespi, the No. 2 seed, in the boys' Div. III-A bracket.

Oaks Christian also received top billing in both the boys' and girls' Div. IV-A basketball draws.

Flintridge Prep is No. 1 in the boys' Div. V-AA playoffs, Sierra Canyon secured the top seed in boys' Div. V-A and Valley Torah received the No. 1 seed in boys' Div. VI-AA.

DIVISION II
WILD CARD
Mark Keppel at Thousand Oaks
Newbury Park at Martin Luther King
FIRST ROUND
Bell Gardens/Norco at No. 4 Agoura
Westlake at El Toro

DIVISION III
WILD CARD
Camarillo at Chaparral
La Canada at Charter Oak
FIRST ROUND
Claremont/Whittier at Rio Mesa

DIVISION IV
WILD CARD
Marymount at Alta Loma
FIRST ROUND
Sonora at No. 1 Harvard-Westlake
Notre Dame at No. 4 Troy
Louisville at Sunny Hills

DIVISION V
WILD CARD
Burroughs at Perris
FIRST ROUND
Glendale at La Sierra
Yucaipa at No. 3 Crescenta Valley
Burbank at No. 2 Temescal Canyon

DIVISION VI
FIRST ROUND
No. 2 Malibu, bye

Serra High in Gardena has been removed from consideration for the upcoming boys' basketball playoffs.

The use of an ineligible player has been discovered.

Possible forgery of transfer documents is in question.

Girls' basketball pairings
DIVISION I
First Round, 7 p.m. Friday
No. 16 Los Angeles at No. 1 Narbonne
No. 9 King-Drew Magnet at No. 8 Crenshaw
No. 12 Gardena at No. 5 Chatsworth
No. 13 University at No. 4 Washington
No. 14 Cleveland at No. 3 Fairfax
No. 11 Taft at No. 6 Kennedy
No. 7 Dorsey at No. 10 Wilson
No. 15 Westchester at No. 2 Carson
DIVISION II
First Round, 7 p.m. Friday
No. 16 Maywood at No. 1 Palisades
No. 9 North Hollywood at No. 8 Jefferson
No. 12 West Adams Prep at No. 5 Granada Hills
No. 13 Panorama at No. 4 Roosevelt
No. 14 Belmont at No. 3 El Camino Real
No. 11 Contreras at No. 6 South East
No. 10 Bravo at No. 7 Banning
No. 15 Birmingham at No. 2 Jordan
DIVISION III
First Round, 7 p.m. Friday
No. 16 Santee at No. 1 Monroe
No. 9 Huntington Park at No. 8 Marshall
No. 12 Manual Arts at No. 5 Garfield
No. 13 Locke at No. 4 Hollywood
No. 14 Bell at No. 3 Eagle Rock
No. 11 Grant at No. 6 Sylmar
No. 10 Franklin at No. 7 Poly
No. 15 Arleta at No. 2 Reseda
SMALL SCHOOLS
First Round, 7 p.m. Friday
No. 16 Foshay at No. 1 View Park Prep
No. 9 Elizabeth at No. 8 Northridge Academy
No. 12 Downtown Magnet at No. 5 Annenberg
No. 4 Fulton Prep at No. 13 Camino Nuevo
No. 14 Douglass at No. 3 SOCES
No. 11 HP College Ready at No. 6 Orthopaedic
No. 10 Vaughn at No. 7 Port of L.A.
No. 15 Animo Venice at No. 2 LACES

Boys' soccer pairings
CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
All matches Wednesday
No. 32 Roybal at No. 1 San Fernando
No. 17 West Adams Prep at No. 16 Belmont
No. 24 Venice at No. 9 Lincoln
No. 25 Hollywood at No. 8 Bell
No. 21 Taft at No. 12 Jefferson
No. 28 Kennedy at No. 5 Palisades
No. 20 El Camino Real at No. 13 Narbonne
No. 29 Garfield at No. 4 Banning
No. 30 Granada Hills at No. 3 South East
No. 19 Gardena at No. 14 Arleta
No. 22 Sylmar at No. 11 North Hollywood
No. 27 Poly at No. 6 Manual Arts
No. 23 San Pedro at No. 10 University
No. 26 Huntington Park at No. 7 Locke
No. 18 Fremont at No. 15 Franklin
No. 31 Canoga Park at No. 2 Birmingham
SMALL SCHOOLS
No. 16 Animo South L.A. at No. 1 Avance Academia
No. 9 HP College Ready at No. 8 East Valley
No. 12 Northridge Academy at No. 5 LACES
No. 13 Port of L.A. at No. 4 Elizabeth
No. 14 USC-Mast at No. 3 Annenberg
No. 11 Camino Nuevo at No. 6 Animo Robinson
No. 10 Orthopaedic at No. 7 Foshay
No. 15 Animo de la Hoya at No. 2 Fulton Prep

Girls' soccer pairings
CITY CHAMPIONSHIP
All matches Thursday
No. 16 Arleta at No. 1 El Camino Real
No. 9 South Gate at No. 8 Van Nuys
No. 12 Bell at No. 5 Cleveland
No. 13 Granada Hills at No. 4 San Pedro
No. 14 Chatsworth at No. 3 Sylmar
No. 11 Narbonne at No. 6 Verdugo Hills
No. 10 Birmingham at No. 7 Huntington Park
No. 15 Taft at No. 2 Palisades
CITY INVITATIONAL
No. 16 North Hollywood at No. 1 Carson
No. 9 Contreras at No. 8 Garfield
No. 12 Marshall at No. 5 Maywood
No. 13 San Fernando at No. 4 Belmont
No. 14 Fremont at No. 3 Kennedy
No. 11 Venice at No. 6 West Adams Prep
No. 10 Poly at No. 7 Eagle Rock
No. 15 Grant at No. 2 Hamilton
SMALL SCHOOLS
No. 16 Animo de la Hoya at No. 1 Northridge Academy
No. 9 Animo Robinson at No. 8 USC-Mast
No. 12 Central City Value at No. 5 Fulton Prep
No. 13 Elizabeth at No. 4 Animo Venice
No. 14 Annenberg at No. 3 SOCES
No. 11 Camino Nuevo at No. 6 Port of L.A.
No. 10 East Valley at No. 7 Foshay
No. 15 Harbor Teacher Prep at No. 2 LACES

There were no real surprises at the City Section boys' basketball playoff seeding meeting Saturday morning.

As expected, Taft received top biling in the Div. I bracket. The Toreadors have been waiting for the bracket to come out since December it seems like, trudging the regular season behind five experienced senior starters.

Taft will attempt to win its third City championship since 2004 when it takes on Central League champion and No. 16-seed Hollywood on Thursday night at Taft.

Taft enters 23-2 with the only losses against St. Edward's (Ohio) and Corona Centennial at a tournament in San Diego in late December.

Taft could face West Valley League rival No. 8 Cleveland in the second round, provided the Cavaliers (13-12 can beat No. 9 Fremont.

Taft would likely face the winner of No. 5 Palisades vs. No. 4 Crenshaw in the semifinals.

Two other local schools were included in the bracket.

Sylmar, which finished second behind upstart Kennedy in the Valley Mission League, was seeded 11th and travels to No. 6 Dorsey.

if Sylmar can pull off the road upset nxt Thursday, the Spartans would then have to travel to No. 3 Washington Prep, the Marine league champion.

Birmingham, which finished in last place in the West Valley League, drew the No. 10 seed and will play No. 7 Fairfax. The winner would likely face No. 2 and defending champion Westchester.

All signs point to Taft and Westchester meeting for the fourth time in the finals. Taft has never beaten the Comets in the City playoffs going back to 2003.

"If we can get there I think we have a real good shot finally," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "We have the experienced seniors to do it and we know we can because we beat them in their own gym this season."

West Valley League teams El Camino Real and Granada Hills received the Nos. 3 and 4 spots to lead the Div. II bracket.

Also included were No. 5 Kennedy, No. 10 Verdugo Hills and No. 11 Reseda.

ECR opens on the road against Los Angeles because it did not win its league and Granada Hills hosts No. 13 King-Drew.

An interesting second round game could feature Kennedy at Granada Hills in a neighborhood rivalry game. The winner would likely face top-seeded University.

If ECR can win two games, it would likely have to face No. 2 Narbonne in the semifinals.

Verdugo Hills could make another cinderella run behind 6'8 forward Chris Dees. The Dons, who finished second behind Grant in the East Valley League, travel to No. 7 Venice in the first round.

Div. III could be an all-valley affair as Chatsworth and Grant were seeded Nos. 1 and 2.

Both teams should face very little resistence until meeting each other in the championship game March 5 at Roybal Learning Center.

Chaminade only won one game in the Mission League this season but the Eagles might be able to make a run in the Div. IV-AA playoffs.

Sophomore Jaron Martin is a scoring machine and gave league coaches fits tryiing to stop him. Martin averaged over 20 points per game often fitting through spaces thought not humanly possible.

"He is phenomenal," coach Todd Wolfson said.

Chaminade is no stranger to upsets in the playoffs after knocking off Orange Lutheran two years ago before barely losing to Price in the IV-A final.

"If we get a good team at home with our student section going, you never know," Wolfson said.

Chaminade was 12-3 before league play started and it would be safe to say no team other than Orange Lutheran dealt with what Chaminade did in the Mission League.

There is wild speculation that Jaylen Bland's recruiting has picked up tremendously in the last two months and the 6'2 guard might not end up at Murray St.

Bland committed to Murray St. a long time ago but schools a lot closer to California have been pursing the talented guard.

Stay tuned....

Congratulations are in order for coaches Kevin Kanemura and Dick Dornan at Kennedy.

The Golden Cougars wrapped up their first ever undefeated Valley Mission league championship after a 62-45 victory against San Fernando.

Kennedy has won 15 games in a row and finished 19-8 overall.

Soph. Dom Vargas is a top player.

What a great last week of the season it has been for the El Camino Real boys' basketball team.

The Conquistadores edged Cleveland, 58-57, in overtime Friday to force a tie for second place with the Cavaliers in the West Valley League.

Maleke Haynes made a 3-pointer with his team down by one point and then made one of two free throws for the winning margin.

Haynes and fellow freshman Julian Richardson each had 20 points. Haynes had five assists and Richardson had five rebounds.

The freshman duo also went off for 27 and 25, respectively on Wednesday in a 77-68 victory against Birmingham.

ECR is picking the exact right time to get hot again with the City Section playoff seeding meeting on Saturday.

ECR is expected to receive a top three seeding in Div. II.

Austin McBroom, a high-scoring point guard for Campbell Hall, committed to Central Michigan this morning.

Michael Herrick, the former Valencia star who is California's all-time leading passer, had his jersey retired Thursday during halftime of a basketball game between the host Vikings and Hart.

Shira Kreitenberg, a goalkeeper for New Community Jewish, has been an all-league goalkeeper for three seasons, and this year she has 12 shutouts, but there is a lot more to her than being a top small-schools soccer player.

She's also a 4.0 student and a talented musician, a singer/songwriter who plays guitar and keys and has recorded an album plus other songs, and she plays regular gigs at a couple of restaurants in the San Fernando Valley.

She also formed a school singing group called "Heart and Soul" that performs community service by playing at retirement homes.

"She's a great player and a great role model," coach Mike Elias said.

When you went to pick up your copy of the L.A. Daily News on Friday morning, you likely noticed instead that you were reading a copy of the Whittier Daily News.

This was not an effort to cross-promote coverage, nor did the newspaper delivery person have the wrong address, it was a decision made by management in an effort to get a newspaper out to readers after the entire L.A. Newspaper Group encountered a system crash shortly after 10 p.m. Thursday night.

Since the Whittier Daily News was the only paper that been completely sent to the printer at that time, a final decision was made shortly after midnight Thursday night/Friday morning to abort any back-up plans to get the L.A. Newspaper Group server back up and running in an effort to get a newspaper out in time to the delivery trucks.

Fear not, all of the local coverage provided Thursday by the dedicated group of L.A. Daily News writers has been linked to the prep sports Web site at www.dailynews.com/preps.

Unfortunately, you just won't find it in the printed edition of Friday's newspaper.

Our sincere apologies to our loyal local readers, but technology wasn't on our side Thursday night.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, we hope to have this situation rectified Friday so we do not encounter a repeat scenario in the near future.

How do you score 95 points one night, then just 38 two days later?

That's what Valencia High is wondering, but it's no big deal because the Vikings escaped with a 38-36 win Thursday over Hart to win the Foothill League championship on the last game of the season.

Hart slowed the tempo to a crawl and was helped by Valencia's cold shooting, as the host Vikings shot 26 percent on 11 of 42 from the field.

With six seconds left, Valencia's Lonnie Jackson missed the front end of a 1-and-1, but Roman Delgado's desperation shot from half court was short, and the Vikings (19-7, 8-2) celebrated like Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

Jackson scored 12 points but was not himself after pouring in a career-best 39 with a school-record 10 3-pointers on Tuesday. The 6-foot-4 senior was 2 of 10 from the field with three rebounds, three assists and four assists - plus four fouls that kept him on the bench for a key three-minute stretch as time was winding down in the fourth quarter.

"I was just out of rhythm," Jackson said. "Hart didn't allow us many possessions or chances, and that's what took me out of rhythm. I was happy to escape with the win and to win the league outright."

Valencia won the league title for the second consecutive year, but fourth-place Hart (13-12, 5-5), always an arch rival, made the Vikings work for it.

"Every possession, they would take like 35 seconds to shoot the ball," Valencia's Zach Davis said. "I guess they had to do what they had to do, so it feels pretty good to win this one."

It's a huge finale tonight in Valencia, as the host Vikings (18-7, 7-2) look to clinch the Foothill League title outright tonight with a win over visiting Hart in the showdown set to tip off in just a few minutes.

Defending co-champion Valencia is trying to win the title outright, while fourth-place Hart (13-11, 5-4), always a heated rival, can not only play spoiler but do a lot to help its own playoff position.

"Oh, we would love to spoil them being league champs, but it's a big game for us, too," Hart's Roman Delgado said. "If we win, we make it automatically. If we lose, we won't know until Sunday. I'm looking forward to it. It's senior night for them, so they're going to be pumped, and we're pumped, too."

New Daily News Top-10 thru Wed. Feb. 9

1. Taft (22-2)
2. Harvard-Westlake (22-4)
3. Simi Valley (19-6)
4. Alemany (17-10)
5. Crespi (20-6)
6. Oaks Christian (19-7)
7. Sierra Canyon (19-5)
8. La Canada (22-3)
9. Thousand Oaks (21-4)
10. Valencia (19-7)

Others: Crescenta Valley, Palmdale, Knight, Cleveland, El Camino Real, Chatsworth, Canyon, Saugus, Renaissance Academy, Notre Dame, Chaminade, Buckley, Grant, Kennedy, Paraclete

After reaching the Div. VII baseball final last year, Milken Community looks to build on its success.

The key figure is David Blazer, the reigning Heritage League MVP who is back after batting .538 with five home runs and 31 RBIs as a junior.

Milken also returns catcher Corey Gitman, and coach Chris Scarlata is expecting a lot from sophomores Jonah Resnick, Mitchell Mayer and Harris Girocco.

"They're going to take the program into the future," Scarlata said.

Milken, founding by Birmingham grad Michael Milken, plays home games at Encino Little League.

Mike VanKirk, a 7-foot-1 center for Paraclete who is among California's tallest players, is back after missing one game because of a bruised foot.

"Sometimes because of all the pounding, your foot gets bruised," coach Bernard Nichter said.

VanKirk scored 10 points with eight blocks Tuesday in a 56-41 win over Kilpatrick.

Palmdale fell out of contention for first place in the Golden League on Tuesday by losing 63-55 to Eastside, as the Falcons fell two games behind first-place Knight with one to play -- a disappointing development considering Palmdale had defeated Knight 57-49 on Jan. 31 to move into first place.

"That was a tough one to take, losing to Eastside on senior night," Palmdale coach John Konrad said. "We just didn't make enough timely shots."

Shands McCoy scored 43 points Tuesday, and Westmark needed all of them in a 65-63 win over L.A. Lutheran.

It was McCoy's fourth 40-point performance of the season, as the 6-foot junior is averaging 28 points and is undisputed leader for a team that's 6-6 after winning just one game last season.

"He's just fantastic," assistant coach Perry Skaggs said. "He made All-CIF in eight-man football, and he should makie it in basketball, too."

.

Fou rCrespi alums are playing baseball for Stony Brook -- a top college program but 3,000 miles away in New York.

Tyler Johnson and Tony Goebel are junior pitchers, and they've been joined by freshmen Josh Mason (OF, RHP) and Michael Hubbard (OF).

"I like it a lot here. We have two others from California, a couple of guys who went to Bishop Amat," Mason said. "It's good to be here."

Johnson, a right-hander, is a returning All-America East selection who went 10-3 with a 3.86 ERA last season as a sophomore.

Matt Rutter played baseball at Reseda, so he knew what he was getting into when he signed on as coach last year.

"It's not a huge baseball school," he said.

The Regents went 5-15 last year, but some key players are back, and Rutter has a year under his belt, so the Regents figure to make a stronger push this spring.

"Granted, we did everything we can with the players we have, but I'd much rather do better, and I think we will," Rutter said.

Among the key returnees are Andrew Spinks, a catcher who plays several positions and batted .346 last season, along with sophomore Richard Cervantes and pitcher Jose Medina.

.

Along with the Marmonte, Mission and Golden League finals this weekend, the Tri-Valley League had their finals also, with four teams competing.

Santa Paula finished in first place, while Fillmore was second, New Community Jewish was third and Nordhoff was fourth.

New Community Jewish had several wrestlers win medals, including the following athletes in the following weight classes.

Sam Shpall was the team's only champion - he won by pin in the 125 pound class.

Other medalists included

Omni Royker who placed second at 112 pounds.
Benjamin Antin finished third at 119
Myles Trifon placed 4th at 130
Benjamin Basseri finished second at 135
Jake Gordon placed fourth at 140
Levi Cobos was third at 145
Boaz Hall finished second at 152
Evan Minas placed 3rd at 160
Simon Jackson was second at 171
Daniel Kurzwell finished second at 189
Max Edelstein finished second at heavyweight.

The results came to us late and we apologize for posting them a couple days after the fact.

There has been so much talk and hype about all the young players at Sierra Canyon this year that two key guards have almost been forgotten.

Brothers Daniel and Michael Cohen, who were key starters in last years run to the Div. V-A championship game have been just as important as juniors Julian Brooks and Jesse Howell, sophomore Jahmel Taylor and freshman Bryan Alberts and Marsallis Johnson.

The Cohens were hampered by injuries in the early going but have both come back strong in the last three weeks to give the Trailblazers much needed leadership, veteran presence on the court and mistake-free play.

Both started Tuesday in a rout of Montclair Prep allowing Brooks and Alberts to come off the bench and feel comfortable.

"It has been so good to get those guys back because it changed it our whole team and changed our bench and depth," coach Ryan Silver said. "Michael and Daniel are experienced championship guys that will help us in the playoffs."

I feel bad for teams that might have to play Simi Valley in the playoffs in the next couple weeks.

The Pioneers pulled off more magic Tuesday in a 55-53 Marmonte League victory against host Agoura.

George Washington-bound forward Jonathan Davis went the length of the floor in 3.6 seconds and banked in a 15-footer for the winning points.

The victory improved Simi Valley to 19-6 and 11-2. The Pioneers need only to beat crosstown-rival Royal Thursday to claim the league championship outright.

The victory was the eighth in 11 league wins by four points or less.

Simi Valley defeated Calabasas and Agoura two times each by two points, beat Westlake by two and by three points and knocked off Moorpark and Thousand Oaks by four points one time.

The mark of a good team and good coach is winning close games and the Pioneers have certainly done that this season.

SAUGUS - His team needing a win to stay in contention for the Foothill League title, Valencia's Lonnie Jackson put on a show Tuesday in a 95-73 boys' basketball win at Saugus.

The 6-foot-4 senior hit 10 3-pointers and scored 39 points - both school records - in just 23 minutes, and among the highlights was a 45-footer at the halftime buzzer.
The first four times Jackson touched the basketball, he hit 3-pointers, and through the evening the majority of his shots were from 26 feet or farther - way beyond the 3-point line -- making it nearly impossible for Saugus (18-8, 5-4) to keep track of him on every possession.

"I haven't felt like myself through the whole league season until tonight. Tonight was my coming-out party in league," Jackson said. "I just let it fly and decided to light it up. I was actually a little nervous in the beginning because we didn't come out ready, so I was shooting those 3-pointers to keep us in the game."

Boston College-bound Jackson hit 13 of 19 shots and chipped in four assists, five rebounds and two steals, as Valencia improved to 18-7, 7-2 with one game remaining Thursday against visiting Hart, as the Vikings entered the week among three teams within a game of each other for the league title.

"It was a fun night. I had a good time playing with my teammates," Jackson said.

It was a stunning performance, and Jackson probably could have scored a lot more had he not called it a night two minutes into the fourth quarter with Valencia safely ahead.

"Lonnie was hitting from everywhere," Saugus' Jeremy Gatewood said. "Every time he crossed halfcourt, he would put up another one, and it would go in."

Sierra Canyon 48
Montclair prep 47

Sierra Canyon 12 12 11 13=48
Montclair Prep 4 12 9 22=47

Sierra Canyon-Jasmine Sneed 20, Isabel Lozano 10, Goss 9, Oni 7, Schneider 2

Montclair Prep-Alex Taylor 14, Kim Scamman 11, Azad 9, Anderson 6, Martinez 5, Reid 2.

SC 16-10, 7-2
MCP 17-7, 5-4

The Sierra Canyon girls' basketball team almost blew a 13-point lead in the second half but squeaked out a 48-47 Alpha League victory against Montclair Prep.

The victory was sweet for the Trailblazers (16-10, 7-2) because it came without starter Tori Wells (sick) and firmly put them in second place two games behind Windward but two games ahead of the Mounties (17-7, 5-4).

Jasmine Sneed came through with 20 points and Isabel Lozano had 10 for Sierra Canyon.

The Mounties tried desperately to come back behind Alex Taylor and Kim Scamman but scored its final basket with just one second remaining to cut the deficit to the final score.

Sierra Canyon led 46-40 with one minute remaining when Taylor made a 3-pointer, Jasmine Martimez had a steal and Taylor scored on a layup.

After Sneed missed the front end of a one-and-one, the mounties had one last chance but could only get off a two-pointer.

Taylor had 14 points and Scamman had 11 to lead Montclair Prep.

Zoe Goss had nine points and Toni Oni added seven for Sierra Canyon.

I've been a passionate high school basketball fan for 35 years, and I don't think I've ever seen a player come through with a better first-half performance than Valencia's Lonnie Jackson tonight in a Foothill League game at Saugus.

The kid is shooting the lights out. Jackson has 26 points with seven 3-pointers, most from 26 feet or farther, including a half-court shot at the buzzer to help Valencia to a 46-36 halftime lead.

Jackson, a Boston College-bound senior, isn't the only one with a hot hand. Overall, Saugus has made seven 3-pointers, and Valencia has 11.

Can't wait to see what happens next.

Tori Wells is out sick but it hasn't stopped the Sierra Canyon girls' basketball team at Montclair Prep in a key Alpha League game.

The Trailblazers are leading the Mounties, 24-16, at halftime.

Jasmine Sneed and freshman Zoe Goss have seven points each to lead Sierra Canyon, which is trying to take second place all alone behind Windward with a victory.

If Montclair Prep comes back for the win, the Mounties and Trailblazers will be tied with one game remaining on Thursday.

What a year and what a great job new Sierra Canyon coach Ryan Silver is doing with the Trailblazers.

Silver has guided Sierra Canyon to an 18-5 record and has won the past four games by three points or less, including two victories by a single-point.

Sierra Canyon recently knocked off state power Windward, 55-54, and held off Div. V-AA top-ranked Flintridge Prep 73-71, on the road.

"I can't believe how fast things have come together," Silver said. "We are excited about the future at Sierra Canyon. Things have really come together pretty well."

Silver definitely has reason to feel good.

His lineup includes juniors Julian Brooks (game-winning layup against Windward) and Jesse Howell, sophomore Jahmel Taylor, who has been offered by USC and freshman phenoms Bryan Alberts and Marsallis Johnson.

With so many talented players returning and many more expected to come through the junior high ranks, expectations are running high at the brand new campus in Chatsworth.

The Trailblazers will be trying to hang onto second place in the Alpha League tonight with a huge game at Montclair Prep, a team it shockingly lost to two weeks ago.

"Our league is one of the toughest around each night to play," Silver said. "It is a war night in and night out."

Jordan Butler scored on a driving layup in traffic with nine seconds left in overtime Monday to lift Harvard-Westlake High to a 60-58 victory at Crespi to clinch the Mission League basketball championship for the third consecutive season while preserving the top spot in the Southern Section Div. III-A rankings over the No. 2 Celts.

"I saw the clock was running down, so I knew I had to put the ball up and hopefully it would go in," Butler said. "At first I thought it was going to come up short, but it bounced in, and I was so happy and so grateful."

Harvard-Westlake (22-3, 10-1) overcame a 10-point deficit with four minutes remaining in regulation, as Crespi had plenty of opportunities but shot just 27 percent (17 of 62) and can now finish no better than third.

The Wolverines have one more game left Wednesday against Alemany, while Crespi (20-7, 8-4) is finished until the playoffs.

"This was definitely huge," Butler said. "We didn't want it coming down to the last game, so we really needed to play our best tonight."

Down 46-36 midway through the fourth quarter, Nicky Firestone came off the bench to spark Harvard-Westlake, dishing to Zena Edosomwan for a slick assist, then hitting a 3-pointer - his second of the night - to help the Wolverines reel off a 13-2 run.

Crespi's Reggie Coates had 11 points, 11 rebounds, five steals and five assists, but with Crespi down by one point with seven seconds left, he missed one of two free throws.

"

Entering last week Thousand Oaks held a one game lead over Simi Valley for first place in the Marmonte League, following back to back losses to Simi Valley, on the road and to Calabasas at home, Simi Valley now holds a one game lead in the league race with two games remaining. The back to back league losses marked the first time Thousand Oaks had lost consecutive league games since the 2004 - 2005 season, which also were at Simi Valley and home against Calabasas. Thousand Oaks must travel to Moorpark and face off with Newbury Park at home to end the regular season. If the Lancers win out, they will finish no lower than second in the league and could finish tied for first with a Simi Valley loss or win the league outright if the Pioneers lose out.

Simi Valley held Thousand Oaks to a season low 44 points in their victory last Tuesday and struggled to put away Newbury Park on Thursday but by doing so vaulted themselves into first place. Newbury Park held Jonathan Davis to a season low 8 points but was unable to contain junior, DJ Saul who scored 18. Saul also scored 16 points during the victory over Thousand Oaks, Saul has gone 12 of 22 from the three point line in the Pioneers last 4 games. Simi Valley must travel to Agoura and play Royal at home to end the season. Agoura led Simi Valley by as many as 17 in their previous meeting before the Pioneers pulled out a 2 point victory. Royal obliterated Simi Valley by 22 in their last meeting at Royal.

Calabasas entered the week in 3rd place and remains in 3rd place with one game remaining this week at home against Moorpark. Despite only playing one game thus far perhaps no team has impacted the league race more than Coyotes, they own two 1 point victories over Thousand Oaks and fell to Simi Valley by two points, twice. Calabasas can still claim the league title if they win their remaining three games, Thousand Oaks loses at least one of their final two games, and Simi Valley drops both of their final contests. If none of the top 3 lose a remaining game Calabasas will finish in 3rd place.

Moorpark perhaps helped themselves the most this week by defeating Royal in the two teams' third meeting of the year. (Royal won both previous meetings, once in the Moorpark Tournament championship and once in the first round of league play). Moorpark is a half game ahead of Royal for the 4th and final automatic playoff birth from the league. The Musketeers however might have the toughest stretch in the league to end the season. They must travel to Calabasas, play Thousand Oaks at home, and finish the regular season at home against Westlake. If Moorpark wins their final 3 games they could finish as high as second place and no lower than tied for 3rd. Moorpark has now won 17 games after winning 12 games the previous two seasons combined.

Royal is just outside the bubble of automatic bids from the Marmonte League but regardless of how the league shakes out the Highlanders should be positioned nicely for an at large birth. Royal travels to Newbury Park who is winless in league play so far then travels to Simi Valley for the league finale. If Royal wins both games they will need Moorpark to lose at least one out of their final three games to be an automatic playoff qualifier. Royal would own the tiebreaker over Moorpark, even though the two teams split head to head during the league schedule Royal's wins over Simi Valley would be the determining factor. The Marmonte League uses head to head as the first tie breaker than a point system based on which team beat more teams with a higher league finish.

Westlake must win out to finish 7 - 7 in league and they would still need a lot of help to gain an automatic bid. They can help their cause somewhat if they win out against Calabasas and Moorpark but would need some help in the form of Royal losing at least once and Moorpark losing at least one of the other two remaining games (Thousand Oaks and Calabasas). Those scenarios would give Westlake the fourth place seed as they hold the tie break over Royal by virtue of sweeping the season series.

Four days after coming through with a key 3-pointer in a win over Knight, Palmdale's Ryan Wright had another big performance Friday in a 68-59 victory over Littlerock. He scored 37 points with 18 rebounds -- not bad for a junior who is just coming off an ankle injury.

Oaks Christian 77
Oak Park 59

Oak Park 16 19 15 9=59
Oaks Christian 21 24 21 11=77

Oak Park Sarah Buchnovitz 17, Erin Matsumoto 15, Kelsey Haines 11, Whinsick 6, Courtney 5, Zoella 1

Oaks Christian Crystal Owusu 27, Meghan McIntyre 19, Nicole Packard 13, Mounier 8, Ali-Speakes 6, Aupiu 4

OC 19-6, 9-1, OP 11-10, 7-3

The Oaks Christian girls' basketball team was without injured junior USC-commit Brianna Barrett.

Not a problem for the Lions in a convincing 77-59 Tri-Valley League victory against Oak Park.

Without Barrett, who is still nursing an ankle injury suffered January 22 against inglewood, the whole team stepped up in a key win that gives the Lions hope for a share of the league championship.

Crystal Owusu scored 27 points and grabed nine rebounds, Meghan McIntyre scored 19 points and Nicole Packard had 13 points.

McIntyre and Packard combined for eight 3-pointers.

Oaks Christian also got steady guard play from point guard Shahara Ali-Speakes, who will attend Norfolk St. in Virginia next fall and has seen her playing time steadily increase the past three weeks.

Packard and Ali-Seakes each had four assists.

Oak Park was led by the trio of Sarah Buchnovitz (17 points), Erin Matsumoto (15 points) and Kelsey Haines (11 points).

SANTA ANA -- Concord De La Salle High is best known as a football school, but the Spartans put together an effective game strategy against high-powered Taft on Saturday in an intersectional basketball showdown at the 16th annual Nike Extravaganza at Mater Dei High.

With no player taller than 6-foot-4, De La Salle slowed the tempo down to a crawl and nearly escaped with a shocking upset before Taft finally turned it on in the waning minutes to escape with a 49-42 overtime win that felt a lot more like a loss.

Three times Taft went nearly five minutes without scoring, and the Toreadors' point total was their lowest since 2009. Through 32 minutes of regulation, the score was tied 32-32 before Taft awoke from its slumber and outscored De La Salle 17-10 in overtime.

"We came out a little slow," said Taft's Kevin Johnson, making quite an understatement. "We tried everything. They just played good defense. We finally came back at the end and played our game."

Both teams had more turnovers than assists, and neither received a single point from its bench, as Taft (21-2), ranked No. 4 in California by Maxpreps, totaled just 11 points over the middle two periods.

Taft's Spencer Dinwiddie scored 16 points, nine in overtime, and without him Taft probably would have been in big trouble.

"The pace was so slow that we kind of lost our focus. It was really slow," Dinwiddie said. "We played hard."

De La Salle (18-4) often passed the ball six to eight times and gobbled about 25 seconds off the shot before even thinking about trying to score.

Taft coach Derrick Taylor said it was not so surprising the outcome was so close - and so low-scoring.

"De La Salle is good. They're a really good team," Taylor said. "They're just so well-schooled. Every time we tried to speed it up, they forced us back into their tempo. The tempo was so slow that it was like a shock.

"They're not known as an offensive team, but they play really good defense. We played good defense, too. I think we kind of saved Taft's reputation tonight, but we were definitely bothered by the defensive pressure, and it took some time to adjust."

Of Taft's 21 victories, this was only the second decided by fewer than seven points.

"It took a lot out of us, but it was important to win a grind-it-out game," Taylor said. "De La Salle is a very good team, a very smart team with good players and an outrageously good coach. They knew all of our plays and scouted us well."

De La Salle has thrived on defense throughout the season, holding all but four opponents to fewer than 50 points, so the slow tempo was expected - just tough to handle.

"Before the game, we knew it might be one of these games," Taft's C.J. Blackwell said. "They like to run the shot clock down. It was frustrating the way they held the ball for so long."

Blackwell had 16 points, and Johnson added eight.

De La Salle's Travis Pacos scored 17 points, and Duke Da Re added 13.

NIKE EXTRAVAGANZA at Mater Dei HS

Taft 49, De La Salle 42 (OT)

DLS - 8-7-6-11-10-42

Taft 11-5-6-10-17-49

DLS - Udenyi 2, Da Re 13, Pitts 6, Morgan 4, Pacos 17.

Taft - Williams 7, Johnson 8, Blackwell 16, Dinwiddie 16, Maxwell 2.

Clifford Johnson CB Southern Miss (Conf USA)

Brandon Reeves LB UT San Antonio (WAC) ( Canyon High School)

Franky Anaya DL UT San Antonio (WAC) (Thousand Oaks High School)

Dame Julian WR Cincinnati (Big East)

Isaiah Baughn FS Cincinnati (Big East)

Ty Harris WR Temple (MAC)

Kenny Davis WR Portland State (Big Sky)(Birmingham High School)

Ryan Middleton CB Sourthwest Baptist

Aldain Barham CB Duewsne University

Kourtney Bennett DL Southwest Baptist

Michael Hodeib DL Concord Univerity (North Hollywood)

Daniel Riley DL Harding University

Kiyle Playter FB Moorehouse College

Chris Berens OL Lindenwood University (Canoga Park High Schol)

Brandon Hammond OL Adams State (Thousand Oaks High School)

Josh Harmon FS Missouri State (Chatsworth High School)

Daniel Lopez RB Sterling College (San Fernando High Schol)

Jonathan Tinajero FS Sterling College (Kennedy High School)

Daniel Berhe WR Sterling College

Linard Williams WR Menlo College (El Camino High School)

Mike Costleigh LB Benedictan College (Valencia High School)

Joseph Franzo DL St. Marys College (Birmingham High School)

Harvard-Westlake needed a win Friday to clinch the Mission League basketball title for the third consecutive season, but the Wolverines did not play like it.

Outhustled, outrebounded and most importantly outshot, Harvard-Westlake received less production than usual from its big three - 6-foot-8 Zena Edosomwan, 6-7 Damiene Cain and 6-7 Josh Hearlihy - as Loyola won 71-51 to snap Harvard-Westlake's 18-game winning streak before a capacity crowd that roared for every Loyola basket.

Edosomwan scored 13 points, Hearlihy scored 12 (six over the final 30 minutes) and Cain managed just seven, as Harvard-Westlake fell behind by 11 points in the first quarter and never cut the advantage to fewer than 13 in the second half; together the threesome came in averaging nearly 50 points.

"We just didn't come out with intensity. We were lethargic from the beginning, and there was never a sense of urgency the whole game," Hearlihy said. "Our shots just weren't going in."

Harvard-Westlake (21-3, 9-1) needs to defeat either Crespi on Monday or Alemany on Wednesday to win the title, while Loyola (19-5, 9-2) has one game remaining.

It was hard to decide in which facet Harvard-Westlake was less effective - offense or defense.

"I think our defense was bad, and we also weren't making the shots we usually make," Cain said.

Loyola's Julian Harrell scored 24 points, 14 in the third quarter when Harvard-Westlake needed either to make a run or call it a night. The 6-5 junior constantly challenged the taller Wolverines by driving to the basket in traffic, and that's how he scored most of his points.

"He was unbelievable," Loyola coach Jamal Adams said. "I told him I was very proud of the way he played. He's just so athletic, and tonight he let the game come to him. He's just really skilled, and a great student of the game."

Loyola, No. 1 in the Southern Section Div. I-A rankings, has won eight in a row, including a win Saturday that ended Etiwanda's 21-game winning streak. The Cubs lost to Harvard-Westlake by seven points on Jan. 14, but Friday they were a different team, changing defenses to focus inside.

"We just really wanted to crowd their big men," Adams said. "They gave us problems the first time, and this time we were doggedly determined not to let it happen again. I told the kids that tonight was our best team effort of the season."

Harvard-Westlake managed just 12 of 24 free throws, while Loyola sank 22 of 31.

It was a humbling loss for the Wolverines but perhaps beneficial down the road, as Harvard-Westlake got a taste of what not to do for the first time since a December loss to Taft.

"A loss like this is good because it will make us better prepared for the playoffs," Hearlihy said.

Joe Stein added 19 points for Loyola, and freshman point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 13 points and committed just one turnover.

With Loyola up by a point midway through the first quarter, Stein sparked 10-0 run with a fast-break layup and a 3-pointer, and the Cubs never looked back.

Loyola extended the lead to 15 at halftime and 20 early in the fourth quarter.

Harvard-Westlake needed a win Friday to clinch the Mission League basketball title for the third consecutive season, but the Wolverines did not play like it.

Outhustled, outrebounded and most importantly outshot, Harvard-Westlake received less production than usual from its big three - 6-foot-8 Zena Edosomwan, 6-7 Damiene Cain and 6-7 Josh Hearlihy - as Loyola won 71-51 to snap Harvard-Westlake's 18-game winning streak before a capacity crowd that roared for every Loyola basket.

Edosomwan scored 13 points, Hearlihy scored 12 (six over the final 30 minutes) and Cain managed just seven, as Harvard-Westlake fell behind by 11 points in the first quarter and never cut the advantage to fewer than 13 in the second half; together the threesome came in averaging nearly 50 points.

"We just didn't come out with intensity. We were lethargic from the beginning, and there was never a sense of urgency the whole game," Hearlihy said. "Our shots just weren't going in."

Harvard-Westlake (21-3, 9-1) needs to defeat either Crespi on Monday or Alemany on Wednesday to win the title, while Loyola (19-5, 9-2) has one game remaining.

It was hard to decide in which facet Harvard-Westlake was less effective - offense or defense.

"I think our defense was bad, and we also weren't making the shots we usually make," Cain said.

Loyola's Julian Harrell scored 24 points, 14 in the third quarter when Harvard-Westlake needed either to make a run or call it a night. The 6-5 junior constantly challenged the taller Wolverines by driving to the basket in traffic, and that's how he scored most of his points.

"He was unbelievable," Loyola coach Jamal Adams said. "I told him I was very proud of the way he played. He's just so athletic, and tonight he let the game come to him. He's just really skilled, and a great student of the game."

Loyola, No. 1 in the Southern Section Div. I-A rankings, has won eight in a row, including a win Saturday that ended Etiwanda's 21-game winning streak. The Cubs lost to Harvard-Westlake by seven points on Jan. 14, but Friday they were a different team, changing defenses to focus inside.

"We just really wanted to crowd their big men," Adams said. "They gave us problems the first time, and this time we were doggedly determined not to let it happen again. I told the kids that tonight was our best team effort of the season."

Harvard-Westlake managed just 12 of 24 free throws, while Loyola sank 22 of 31.

It was a humbling loss for the Wolverines but perhaps beneficial down the road, as Harvard-Westlake got a taste of what not to do for the first time since a December loss to Taft.

"A loss like this is good because it will make us better prepared for the playoffs," Hearlihy said.

Joe Stein added 19 points for Loyola, and freshman point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright scored 13 points and committed just one turnover.

With Loyola up by a point midway through the first quarter, Stein sparked 10-0 run with a fast-break layup and a 3-pointer, and the Cubs never looked back.

Loyola extended the lead to 15 at halftime and 20 early in the fourth quarter.

Harvard-Westlake can clinch the Mission League title tonight at Loyola, but the Wolverines are not acting like it.

They went nearly five minutes without a field goal in the second quarter and have fallen behind 36-21 at halftime.

Someone from Harvard-Westlake needs to guard Joe Stein, who has 14 points including two 3-pointers.

Damiene Cain and Zena Edosomwan have been quiet for Harvard-Westlake. Cain has just four points, and Edosomwan has made two free throws without a field goal.

I arrived in Los Angeles about two hours early for tonight's heavily anticipated Mission League showdown between Harvard-Westlake and host Loyola, and the gymnasium is already jammed. I have no idea where all the of the arrivals expected over the next 45 minutes or so are going to sit.

It's a huge rivalry between two of the Southland's oldest private schools -- not to mention two of the best basketball programs -- and Harvard-Westlake (21-2, 9-0) can clinch the title outright with a win over the Cubs (18-5, 8-2).

Riding an 18-game winning streak, Harvard-Westlake's top players include Zeno Edosomwan (17.7 points, 7.1 rebounds), Damiene Cain (14.1 points, 11.1 rebounds) and Josh Hearlihy (15.5 points). Loyola is led by Joe Stein (14.2 points, 6.7 rebounds), Julian Harrell (15.5 points, 6.4 rebounds) and freshman Parker Jackson-Cartwright (10.7 points, 4.6 assists).

It's hard to blog at basketball game without being at a table -- especially here because this place will be crazy -- but I will update when I can.

Stay tuned.

San Fernando 62, Granada Hills 18

103 Sergio Mendez SF by pin
112 Jake Gorman SF by pin over Bard
119 Franklin Flores SF by pin
125 Raul Perez SF pin vs. Mena
130 Anthony Figueroa SF pin
135 Miguel Gallegos SF by pin
140 Anthony Contreras SF by pin
145 Bruce Holmes SF by pin
152 Dillon Freeman GH by pin over Robert Castro
160 Robert Gonzalez SF by major decision over Ponce

(Freeman and Gonzalez were in the same way class at the Sam De John Tournament where they met in the semifinals. Freeman won, but lost in the finals. Photo of the two at De John - Freeman is behind Gonzalez)

171 Orlando Martinez SF by dec.
189 GH by pin
215 GH by FF
285 Ted Peralta SF by pin

The Tigers next meet El Camino Real in Woodland Hills on Thursday at 5:30.

While admitting that he has inquired about finding a new football job in native Minnesota, coach Andy Campbell said he has not resigned at Golden Valley despite a previous post saying he was leaving.

Campbell said a meeting this morning with Golden Valley administrators went well.

"It was a nice meeting, and we talked about where we're going as a program," Campbell said. "Every coach and every program has issues, but it's nothing that can't be figured out. The honest truth is I never looked to leave Golden Valley, but it's also true that my goal and my goal for my family is to get back home to Minnesota.

"I'd be a fool not to weigh my options. If things open up out there, I get phone calls because I have friends there."

There is no official word but Andy Campbell has resigned as head coach of Golden Valley, according to a school source. The job is expected to be posted on Friday.

Messages have been left for Campbell and school administrators but have yet to be returned.

Daily News Top-10 thru Wed. Feb. 2

1. Taft (19-2)
2. Harvard-Westlake (21-2)
3. Crespi (19-6)
4. Alemany (16-9)
5. Oaks Christian (17-6)
6. Simi Valley (17-6)
7. Thousand Oaks (20-3)
8. Valencia (17-6)
9. La Canada (20-3)
10. Montclair Prep (18-6)

Others: Sierra Canyon, Campbell Hall, Crescenta Valley, Verdugo Hills, Grant, Knight, Paraclete, Buckley, Holy Martyrs, Notre Dame, Chaminade, Canyon, Saugus, Palmdale

Top upcoming games in the area

Harvard-Westlake at Loyola, tonight, 7 p.m.
Windward vs. Sierra Canyon at Shepherd of the Hills Chruch in Chatsworth, tonight, 7 p.m.
Muir at Crescenta Valley, tonight, 7 p.m.
Oaks Christian at Windward, Saturday, 4 p.m.
Taft vs. De La Salle at Mater Dei, Saturday, 5:30 p.m.
Moorpark at Calabasas, Saturday 6 p.m.
Harvard-Westlake at Crespi, Monday 7 p.m.
Valencia at Saugus, Tuesday 6:30 p.m.
Sierra Canyon at Montclair Prep, Tuesday, 7 p.m.
Oak Park at Oaks Christian, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Alemany at Harvard-Westlake, Wednesday, 7 p.m.
Montclair Prep at Campbell Hall, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Royal at Simi Valley, Thursday, 7 p.m.
Hart at Valencia, Thursday, 7 p.m.

Germi Morrison, a running back from L.A.Valley College who prepped at Monroe, has signed with New Mexico State. Also signing with New Mexico State was Anthony Edwards, a defensive back from Antelope Valley College.

Tomorrow night is Alemany at Crespi at 5 pm. It should be interesting because they're both vying for the top spot in the Mission League. Add to that the element that Alemany's team split up before the season, with several wrestlers and coaches going to Reseda and two kids going to Crespi. In addition, Crespi and Alemany have been bitter rivals for a long time even before a state-placing wrestler transferred to Alemany from Crespi four years ago.

On Saturday, the three major leagues in the area have their individual finals with the Marmonte League wrestling at Simi Valley, the Golden League competing at Lancaster and the Mission League meeting at Chaminade. All three events are all day.

We appreciate the Marmonte League schools for calling in their results - some more detailed that others. Royal wins the league, Moorpark finishes second and Simi Valley and lands in third.

Due to space issues in the physical paper, this didn't make it in there, but it will online later.

Here are the summaries that couldn't make it in the physical paper.

Agoura 37, Calabasas 35: David Boyko's pin of Adam Sharma at 215 pounds sealed the Marmonte League win for the Chargers.
Scott Haskell (130) and Ethan Rieder (189) also had wins for Agoura (8-8, 2-5).

Royal 57, Simi Valley 17: The Highlanders denied the Pioneers a share of the Marmonte League title and win the championship outright with the dominating performance. Colton Wegrzyn, Tristan Lyga, Tony Bolanos, Jesse Lyga, J.B. Dones, Adrian Galindo, Taylor Amic, Justin Veditz, Nathen Ruiz, Mason Medina and Cody Goshman all won for the Highlanders.
Had the Pioneers won the match, Simi Valley could have tied Royal and Moorpark for the title, but instead fall to third place, with Moorpark finishing second.

Devin Lucien, a receiver for Crespi, has signed with UCLA, picking the Bruins over more than 20 schools including co-finalists Miami, Colorado, Cal and Arizona State.

Vernon Adams, QB, Alemany - Eastern Washington
Lavonte Barnett, LB, Paraclete - Oregon State
Blair Holliday, WR, Oaks Christian -- Duke
Quinn Bauducco, LB, Moorpark -- Minnesota
Michael Bercovici, QB, Taft - Arizona State
Dalton Botts, P, Moorpark JC -- Miami
Patrick Carroll, OL, St. Francis - UNLV
Reggie Coates, DL, Crespi -- Nevada
Justin Cudworth, LB, College of the Canyons, Eastern Michigan
Steve Dillon, DL, Palmdale -- USC
Charles Washington, DB, Crespi - Fresno
Chris Gant, WR, Moorpark JC/Alemany HS - Hawaii
Akeem Gonzales, OL, Alemany - Oregon State
Matt Goudis, PK, Chaminade - Miami
Clinton Grainger, QB, Pierce College, Temple
Tyron Harris, WR, Pierce College - Temple
Randy Horton, TE, College of the Canyons - Nevada
Steven Huanga, OL, College of the Canyons - Arkansas State
Nick Isham, QB, Westlake - Louisiana Tech
Clifford Johnson, DB, Pierce College - Southern Miss
Damon Julian, WR, Pierce College - Cincinnati
Steven Manfro, RB, Valencia -- UCLA
Richard Mullaney, WR, Thousand Oaks, Oregon State
Stephan Nembot, DL, Montclair Prep - Washington
Will Oliver, PK, Harvard-Westlake, Colorado
Gerard Poutier, QB, Agoura -- Lehigh
David Richards, WR, Palmdale - Arizona
Trevor Smyth, LB, Valencia -- Navy
Nelson Spruce, WR, Westlake - Colorado
Darian Thompson, S, Paraclete - Boise State
Ronald Ussery, DL, Crespi - Fresno State
Dillon van der Wal, TE, Oaks Christian - Vanderbilt
Charles Washington, DB, Crespi -- Fresno State
Antwaun Woods, DL, Taft - USC

You knew there would be some intrigue and surprises today on National Signing Day, and it did not take long, as Alemany quarterback Vernon Adams has done an about-face and signed with Eastern Washington after committing earlier in the week to Portland State.

The big one left is Devin Lucien, a Crespi receiver who has a ton of offers. There's a good chance he'll sign with Miami after enjoying a recruiting visit this past weekend, but he has a lot of other offers, so we shall see.

Sierra Canyon girls' soccer player Vanessa Skrumbis will sign a national letter of intent with Georgetown Wednesday.

Campbell Hall got its revenge on Sierra Canyon in a 61-60 Alpha League victory Tuesday.

Austin McBroom scored 34 points and K.J. Smith added 11 for the Vikings (15-8), who are making a push for second place behind Windward.

Campbell Hall crushed Brentwood, 85-55 last Friday. McBroom had 29 points, Smith 18 and Zack Klein poured in 15.

Campbell Hall will host Montclair Prep Feb. 10 when sole possession of second place could be on the line

Here's the latest release from the CIF, honoring Paraclete's Margaret Neill among others:

SACRAMENTO - The CIF State Office is pleased to announce the 2010‐11 Model Coach Award winners. Now in
its 10th year, the CIF Model Coach Award program is designed to recognize coaches who have served as
positive role models in their schools and communities.
The 13 winners, nominated through their local CIF Section office, will be honored in conjunction with their
sport's state championship or at an event of their choosing.
A model coach demonstrates and teaches six core ethical values: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility,
fairness, caring, and good citizenship (the "Six Pillars of Character"). The CIF believes that the highest potential
of sports is achieved when teachers/coaches consciously Teach, Enforce, Advocate and Model (T.E.A.M.) these
values and are committed to the ideals of Pursuing Victory with Honor.
"This is the highest and most prestigious award the CIF bestows upon its coaches," CIF Executive Director
Marie M. Ishida said. "We are honored to recognize coaches throughout our state who are dedicated to
impacting the lives of high school student‐athletes by not only teaching them the values of Pursuing Victory
with Honor and the Six Pillars of Character, but also that there is more to participating in sports than just
winning and losing."
2010‐11 CIF Model Coach Award Winners (alphabetical order)
Name School, City (Section) Sport(s)
Margaret Beima Sacred Heart Cathedral HS, San Francisco (CCS) Girls Volleyball
Rich Cathcart Bret Harte HS, Altaville (SJS) Boys & Girls Golf
Alan Clinton Servite HS, Anaheim (SS) Wrestling
William J. Gray Terra Nova HS, Pacifica (CCS) Football
Lorenzo Hernandez Garfield HS, Los Angeles (LAC) Football
Nancy Holt Woodcreek HS, Roseville (SJS) Golf, Softball, Volleyball
Sallie Kane Bell HS, Bell (LAC) Basketball, Tennis, Softball
Bryan Lex Princeton Jr./Sr. HS, Princeton (NS) Football, Baseball
Margaret Neill Paraclete HS, Lancaster (SS) Softball
Elsie Nielsen Ukiah HS, Ukiah (NCS) Girls Golf
Patty Tibbitts Granite Hills HS, El Cajon (SDS) Boys & Girls Tennis
Jim Tracy San Francisco University HS, San Francisco (NCS) Cross Country
Steve Vickery El Capitan HS, Lakeside (SDS) Baseball
-- Bios on all recipients follow -

MARGARET BEIMA (Sacred Heart Cathedral HS, San Francisco) Girls Volleyball
Beima took over the program in 2003 and the team has continued to climb. In 2009‐10, she led the Fightin'
Irish to a fourth CIF Division III State Championship appearance, coupled with a fourth NorCal crown and a fifth
Central Coast Section title. She was named the San Jose Mercury 2004 CCS Volleyball Coach of the Year and was
selected as the CCS Honor Coach for Volleyball in 2005. Off the court, she has been instrumental in guiding her
student‐athletes. So much so, that they affectionately refer to her as "Mom Magi". Unnoticed by most, she
spends many hours mentoring players who need a stable adult in their lives. Moreover, she used her bout with
breast cancer to make her players aware of women's health issues as she continues with her treatments.
RICH CATHCART (Bret Harte HS, Altaville) Boys & Girls Golf
He has unselfishly served his community for more than three decades, teaching at his alma mater for 36 years.
As chairman of the local Century Club, Cathcart has helped generate over $300,000 for the Bret Harte High
School athletic department. His teams have been a reflection of his character and values. In fact, one of his
peers said his teams were an example of "Victory with Honor" before it became a CIF mandate. As a result, his
football teams have won eight league championships and a Sac‐Joaquin Section title. His basketball team
finished second at the 1985 NorCal championships. On the golf course, his boys and girls teams have won a
combined 17 league titles.
ALAN CLINTON (Servite HS, Anaheim) Wrestling
This long‐time coach has a stellar legacy worthy of praise. The Southern Section wrestling fixture is now in his
fifth season at Servite. Prior to that stint, he won 10 Century League championships, four CIF Southern Section
titles and seven runner‐up honors at El Modena High School from 1980 to 2006. Moreover, he has an
outstanding resume of service, earning the Honorary Service Award from the Orange County Community
Council PTA in 1996 and the Southern Section Champions for Character, "Pursuing Victory with Honor" in 2004.
WILLIAM J. GRAY (Terra Nova HS, Pacifica) Football
Gray has been the head coach at Terra Nova High School since 1992, winning seven league championships. His
success at Terra Nova is not surprising because he experienced the same at Oceana High School for nearly 20
years. He won 12 league titles as the wrestling coach and two more league titles and a Central Coast Section
championship as the football coach. Gray is also a member of the CIF State Football Advisory Committee.
"While I have known Bill professionally for a relatively short period, the interactions I have had demonstrated
why he has enjoyed so much success as a coach, teacher and administrator over the past 40 years," Terra Nova
Vice Principal Thomas Fendyan said.
LORENZO HERNANDEZ (Garfield HS, Los Angeles) Football
Hernandez has received credit for transforming the stereotype of what an athlete should act like on campus.
The football players at Garfield today are known not only by their jerseys, but their positive, courteous and
appropriate behavior in the classroom. Hernandez is the key. He leads by example and holds his coaching staff
accountable to do the same. His team won the Academic Excellence Award in 2009, earning the
2010‐11 CIF Model Coaches
3‐3‐3‐3
highest grade‐point average of all football teams in the Los Angeles City Section. On the field, Hernandez has
led Garfield to a pair of league titles and an appearance in the Division I playoffs.
NANCY HOLT (Woodcreek HS, Roseville) Golf, Softball, Volleyball
Dedication to a cause that is more a calling than a job is what Holt represents. Holt has worked at Woodcreek
for 16 years, primarily serving as the junior varsity volleyball coach. She was also the school's first golf coach
and helped the softball team for a short stint. Additionally, she was the official scorebook keeper for girls'
volleyball and basketball varsity games. However, it's her work outside of competition that makes her a perfect
recipient of the Model Coach Award. The student‐athletes know she will provide encouragement and push
them to be the best academically and athletically. Individuals at Woodcreek were not surprised when she
received the school's Teacher Who Makes a Difference Award twice and the district's Excellence Award.
SALLIE KANE (Bell HS, Bell) Basketball, Tennis, Soccer
Some coaches measure success by wins and losses. Kane determines her progress by student‐athletes keeping
in touch with her after they graduate. It's a way of knowing how she has impacted their lives toward becoming
adults. In fact, several of Kane's former student‐athletes have followed in her footsteps becoming coaches and
educators. It's a testament to the woman, who has been a coach at Bell since 1985. She has been the girls
tennis coach for 22 years, was at the helm of the basketball program from 1989‐2007, and served a stint as the
softball coach. With great ethics and dedication, Kane captured three Los Angeles City Section girls basketball
titles and been instrumental in the school's fundraising efforts, which has helped her student‐athletes
understand the importance of responsibility, trustworthiness and dependability.
BRYAN LEX (Princeton Jr./Sr. HS, Princeton) Football, Baseball
You name it and Lex has done it. From mowing athletic fields to organizing sports banquets. Lex has taken on
the challenge of working at a small school in stride. He has also found time to play a significant role in the lives
of the young people he teaches and coaches. He guides them in having effective work habits and builds their
self‐esteem. In short, he represents what a Model Coach is all about.
MARGARET NEILL (Paraclete HS, Lancaster) Softball
Coaching, service and success is what Neill enjoys. She has a 592‐180‐3 record since 1981, which ranks among
the state's all‐time best softball coaches. Her teams have made seven CIF Southern Section Finals appearances,
while she has earned the Los Angeles Times Coach of the Year award in 1997. Moreover, she has been named
the Antelope Valley Press Coach of the Year seven times. She has served on the Southern Section council since
1983, volunteered at the CIF State Volleyball finals numerous times and been the president of several
conferences and leagues.
ELSIE NIELSEN (Ukiah HS, Ukiah) Girls Golf
It is fair to say Nielsen never mind getting her hands dirty. Part of her job as boys and girls golf coach at Ukiah
was doing the laundry. Sometimes as many as 88 loads, she said. It was a labor of love for the volunteer coach
for 20 years. Moreover, it's an example of her long‐time dedication and service to the sport. Among her many
2010‐11 CIF Model Coaches
4‐4‐4‐4
list of accomplishments include, earning the 2010 NCS Honor Coach Award, and helping some of her players
become professionals. Her favorite player, her daughter D'Lisa, won the NCS tournament in 1986 and went on
to play at Chico State. The elder Nielsen also ran the NCS tournament for several years and was president and
tournament chairman of Ukiah Women's Golf.
PATTY TIBBITTS (Granite Hills HS, El Cajon) Boys & Girls Tennis
Student‐athletes can expect a steady diet of sportsmanship training and support when they play for Tibbitts. All
of her players attest to the importance of respect for the game and their opponents. In fact, Tibbitts' pet peeve
is clapping for unforced errors. She also enjoys helping student‐athletes appreciate education. Such was the
case when she supported a player's attendance at SAT and ACT preparation courses. Off the court, Tibbitts'
teams consistently compete for league titles. And her teams do it with a large group because she maintains a
no‐cut policy in her program. As a result, the United States Tennis Association recognized her in 2008 for
implementing such a procedure because it allows young players the opportunity to represent their high schools
and helps ensure that they have more active futures.
JIM TRACY (San Francisco University HS, San Francisco) Cross Country
Tracy secured more than a job. He developed a passion for teaching and helping student‐athletes become the
best during his 17‐year career, including the last 12 as head coach. He guided the Red Devils girls' team to six
Division V state titles and the boys team to 10 North Coast Section championships since 1988. Additionally, he
has coached a number of runners who have gone on to run in college, including Kira Morser, who attended
Columbia and won D‐V individual state championships in 1997 and 1988. Tracy, who suffers from degenerative
disease ALS, recently gained national attention when one of his runners, Holland Reynolds, collapsed near the
finish during the D‐V girls championship race in November. Inspired by Tracy's condition, Reynolds crawled
across the finish line in honor of her coach.
STEVE VICKERY (El Capitan HS) Baseball
Vickery is one of the best coaches in the state. During his 38‐year career, he has coached football, boys and girls
basketball, girls softball and of course baseball. His baseball teams have won 10 league championships and four
(3 D‐II and 1 D‐III) CIF San Diego Section titles since 2002. His 588 career wins ranks third all‐time in San Diego
County. Besides being a winner, Vickery is appreciated by many. "Coach Vickery has the deepest respect from
fellow coaches, parents, teachers, administrators and most importantly his athletes. I cannot think of a more
appropriate and deserving individual for the CIF Model Coach Award," El Captain Assistant Principal Pal
Hedberg.

De' Anthony Thomas, the talented running back from Crenshaw High could announce he will be attending Washington next year.

Thomas has been committed to USC for a long time but rumors have been running rampant the last few days he is wavering.

Thomas recently took a visit to Oregon further adding to the speculation and Washington has always been in the mix.

Stay tuned...