March 2011 Archives

Spencer Dinwiddie, a Colorado-bound point guard for Taft, is the City Section Player of the Year.

Teammates C.J. Blackwell and Stephen Maxwell were named to the first team, and teammates Kevin Johnson and Khiry Williams were named to the second team, along with Chatsworth's Terrell Funches and Derrick Hector, Grant's Gor Plavchyan and El Camino Real's Temjae Singleton.

There will ne better place to be in the region than Oaks Christian High after Christmas if you are a basketball fan. Here are the projected teams for the 3rd annual Holiday Hardwood Invitational.

Boys: Girls:
Oaks Christian - Andre Chevalier Oaks Chrsitaian - Mario Trutanic
Etiwanda - Dave Kleckner Canyon Springs - Gail Hale
Colony - Jerry De Fabiis Mater Dei Catholic - David Monroe
Sacramento - Derek Swafford Taft - Mark Drucker
La Jolla Country Day - Ryan Meier La Jolla Country Day - Terry Bamford
Eisenhower - Steve Johnson Long Beach Poly - Carl Buggs
Palisades - James Paleno Palisades - Torino Johnson
Inglewood - Patrick Roy Inglewood - Anthony Scott
De La Salle - Frank Allocco Carondelet - Margaret Gartner
Lincoln (San Diego) - Jason Bryant El Camino Real - Raquel Alotis
Calabasas - Jon Palarz Agoura - Steve Scifres
Santa Monica - James Hecht Carson - Marcel Sanders
Valencia - Greg Hayes St. Joseph Santa Maria - Ed Torres
Rancho Verde - Travis Showalter Serra Gardena - McKiney Hanley
Corona Centennial - Josh Giles Newbury Park - Darren Burge

Jordan Simmons, a 6-5, 300-pound offensive lineman for Crespi, is the No. 27 prospect in the nation, according to recruiting expert Tom Lemming's new list. The top 35 are five-star recruits.

Very few Southern Californians on the list. Oaks Christian receiver Jordan Payton is No. 81 with a time of 4.4 in the 40.

Here's the list:

1. ••••• WR Dorial Green-Beckham 6-6, 220, 4.4 Springfield-Hillcrest, MO
2. ••••• QB Gunner Kiel 6-4, 216, 4.7 Columbus East, IN
3. ••••• WR Cayleb Jones 6-2, 190, 4.5 Austin High, TX
4. ••••• DL Noah Spence 6-3, 230, 4.5 Harrisburg-Bishop McDevitt, PA
5. ••••• OL Mario Edwards 6-3, 270, 4.69 Denton-Ryan, TX
6. ••••• OL John Theus 6-6, 301, 5.1 Jacksonville-Bolles, FL
7. ••••• DL Ellis McCarthy 6-4, 300, 4.9 Monrovia, CA
8. ••••• RB Jonathan Gray 6-0, 195, 4.4 Aledo, TX
9. ••••• DB Landon Collins 6-1, 205, 4.4 Geismar-Dutchtown, LA
10. ••••• RB Barry Sanders 5-9, 185, 4.3 Oklahoma City-Heritage Hall, OK
11. ••••• RB Rushel Shell 6-0, 215, 4.45 Aliquippa-Hopewell, PA
12. ••••• OL Zach Banner 6-8, 320, 5.2 Lakewood Lakes, WA
13. ••••• OL Jarron Jones 6-6, 310, 5.2 Rochester Aquinas, NY
14. ••••• ATH Stefon Diggs 6-0, 175, 4.4 Olney-Good Counsel, MD
15. ••••• OL D.J. Humphries 6-6, 265, 4.86 Charlotte-Mallard Creek, NC
16. ••••• DB Travis Blanks 6-1, 195, 4.5 Tallahassee N.F.C., FL
17. ••••• OL Andrus Peat 6-7, 280, 4.9 Tempe-Corona Del Sol, AZ
18. ••••• DT Eddie Goldman 6-4, 295, 5.2 Washington D.C.-Friendship
19. ••••• CB Geno Smith 6-0, 165, 4.4 Atlanta-St. Pius X, GA
20. ••••• DB Shaq Roland 6-2, 180, 4.39 Lexington, SC
21. ••••• QB Jameis Winston 6-4, 196, 4.56 Hueytown, AL
22. ••••• ATH Nelson Agholor 6-2, 180, 4.5 Tampa-Berkeley Prep, FL
23. ••••• RB Matt Jones 6-3, 215, 4.47 Seffner Armwood, FL
24. ••••• RB Keith Marshall 5-11, 190, 4.3 Raleigh-Millbrook, NC
25. ••••• ATH Davonte Neal 5-10, 180, 4.4 Scottsdale-Chaparral, AZ
26. ••••• ATH Ron Darby 5-11, 175, 4.36 Oxen Hill-Potomac, MD
27. ••••• OL Jordan Simmons 6-5, 300, 5.2 Encino Crespi, CA
28. ••••• QB Connor Brewer 6-2, 195, 4.7 Scottsdale-Chaparral, AZ
29. ••••• DL Dante Fowler 6-3, 235, 4.65 St. Pete-Lakewood, FL
30. ••••• QB Zeke Pike 6-6, 230, 4.7 Edgewood Dixie Heights, KY
31. ••••• LB Kwon Alexander 6-3, 215, 4.5 Oxford, AL
32. ••••• DL Arik Armstead 6-7, 275, 5.0 Pleasant Grove, CA
33. ••••• DB Terry Richardson 5-9, 170, 4.4 Detroit Cass Tech, MI
34. ••••• TE Kent Taylor 6-5, 218, 4.7 Land O'Lakes, FL
35. ••••• CB Tee Shepard 6-1, 190, 4.5 Fresno-Central, CA
36. •••• OL J.J. Denman 6-6, 310, 5.1 Fairless Hills-Pennsbury, PA
37. •••• LB Derek David 6-4, 230, 4.5 Rockdale, TX
38. •••• ATH Brian Kimbrow 5-9, 165, 4.35 Memphis-East, TN
39. •••• DB Shaq Thompson 6-1, 185, 4.5 Sacramento Grant, CA
40. •••• ATH Joel Caleb 6-3, 205, 4.55 Midlothian Clover Hill, VA
41. •••• OL Jordan Diamond 6-6, 310, 5.2 Chicago Simeon, IL
42. •••• DT Malcolm Brown 6-2, 280, 4.89 Brenham, TX
43. •••• OL Josh Garnett 6-4, 300, 5.1 Puyallup, WA
44. •••• DL Quay Evans 6-3, 318, 4.9 Morton, MS
45. •••• OL Evan Goodman 6-5, 280, 5.0 Lakeland, FL
46. •••• DL Tommy Schutt 6-3, 300, 5.0 Glen Ellyn-Glenbard West, IL
47. •••• WR Durron Neal 6-0, 190, 4.4 St. Louis-DeSmet, MO
48. •••• RB Byron Marshall 5-10, 191, 4.4 San Jose Valley Christian, CA
49. •••• LB Ifeadi Odenigbo 6-4, 210, 4.5 Centreville, OH
50. •••• DL Michael Moore 6-4, 260, 4.8 Hyattesville DeMatha, MD
51. •••• RB Trey Williams 5-9, 178, 4.4 Spring-Dekaney, TX
52. •••• LB Josh Clemons 6-5, 200, 4.5 Valdosta-Lowndes, GA
53. •••• DB Trae Elston 6-0, 180, 4.4 Oxford, AL
54. •••• OL Vadal Alexander 6-6, 310, 5.3 Buford, GA
55. •••• LM Jordan Watkins 6-5, 260, 5.1 College Park Woodward, GA
56. •••• DL Eli Harold 6-4, 220, 4.6 VA Beach-Ocean Lakes, VA
57. •••• DL Chris Wormley 6-5, 255, 4.8 Toledo Whitmer, OH
58. •••• WR Avery Johnson 6-2, 185, 4.5 Pompano Beach-Ely, FL
59. •••• OL Jessamen Dunker 6-5, 315, 5.0 Boynton Beach, FL
60. •••• DL Darius Hamilton 6-4, 255, 4.7 Ramsey Don Bosco, NJ
61. •••• OL Kyle Kalis 6-5, 300, 5.2 Lakewood St. Edwards, OH
62. •••• DB Chris Black 6-0, 175, 4.4 Jacksonville First Coast, FL
63. •••• DL Sevon Pittman 6-5, 240, 4.7 Canton McKinley, OH
64. •••• DL Jonathan Taylor 6-4, 295, 4.8 Millen-Jenkins Co., GA
65. •••• DB Deon Bush 6-1, 180, 4.4 Miami-Columbus, FL
66. •••• OL Pat Destefano 6-6, 280, 5.0 Roebuck-Dorman, SC
67. •••• OL Dan Voltz 6-4, 290, 5.3 Barrington, IL
68. •••• DB T.J. Davis 6-1, 173, 4.38 Tallahassee Godby, FL
69. •••• OL Freddie Tagaloa 6-8, 290, 5.3 Richmond-Salesian, CA
70. •••• QB Cyler Miles 6-4, 215, 4.4 Denver Mullen, CO
71. •••• WR Leonte Carroo 6-2, 200, 4.4 Ramsey Don Bosco, NJ
72. •••• QB Bennie Coney 6-3, 210, 4.7 Plant City, FL
73. •••• QB Matt Davis 6-2, 200, 4.4 Houston Klein Forest, TX
74. •••• LB James Ross 6-0, 220, 4.5 Orchard Lakes St. Mary's, MI
75. •••• OL Ty Darlington 6-3, 274, 5.1 Apopka, FL
76. •••• DL Troy Hinds 6-5, 230, 4.6 Kaysville Davis, UT
77. •••• DL Jelani Hamilton 6-5, 250, 4.8 Ft. Lauderdale Aquinas, FL
78. •••• OL Brock Stadnik 6-5, 285, 5.1 Greensboro-W. Guilford, NC
79. •••• OL Curtis Riser 6-4, 280, 5.0 Desoto, TX
80. •••• ATH Devin Fuller 6-0, 185, 4.5 Old Tappan, NJ
81. •••• WR Jordan Payton 6-2, 200, 4.4 Westlake Village Oaks Christian, CA
82. •••• RB Greg Garmon 6-1, 195, 4.5 Erie McDowell, PA
83. •••• LB Dillon Lee 6-4, 225, 4.5 Buford, GA
84. •••• QB Anthony Alford 6-1, 211, 4.5 Petal, MS
85. •••• QB Tyler Matthews 6-3, 210, 4.7 McPherson, KS
86. •••• ATH D.J. Foster 6-0, 185, 4.5 Scottsdale Saguaro, AZ
87. •••• DL Javonte Magee 6-6, 260, 4.7 San Antonio-Houston, TX
88. •••• ATH Cyrus Jones 5-11, 190, 4.47 Baltimore Gilman, MA
89. •••• ATH Ricky Parks 6-4, 225, 4.6 Hoganville-Callaway, GA
90. •••• DB Yuri Wright 6-2, 190, 4.4 Ramsey Don Bosco, NJ
91. •••• RB Jonathan Williams 6-0, 195, 4.45 Allen, TX
92. •••• ATH Justin Thomas 5-10, 175, 4.3 Prattville, AL
93. •••• LB Trey Granier 6-1, 225, 4.6 Thibodaux, LA
94. •••• DL Nick James 6-5, 330, 5.1 Long Beach Harrison Co., MS
95. •••• LB Vince Biegel 6-3, 215, 4.6 Wisconsin Rapids-Lincoln, WI
96. •••• LB Deaysean Rippy 6-2, 205, 4.6 McKees Rocks-Sto-Rox, PA
97. •••• DL Jordan Jenkins 6-3, 230, 4.6 Hamilton-Harris Co., GA
98. •••• DL Sheldon Day 6-2, 280, 4.9 Indianapolis Warren Central, IN
99. •••• RB Malin Jones 6-2, 210, 4.4 Joliet Catholic, IL
100. •••• RB Mario Pender 5-11, 188, 4.4 N. Ft. Myers-Island Coast, FL

Read more: 2011 Top Football Recruits | College Recruiting Blog - Athletic Scholarships Blog | NCSA http://www.ncsasports.org/blog/2011/03/30/tom-lemming-announces-his-2011-top-100-football-recruits-in-america/#ixzz1I6tQOoHa

Alemany High was No. 1 in the Southern Section Div. II preseason baseball rankings, but after losing its third Mission League game without a win, the Warriors are ready to focus on basic fundamentals.

The latest was an uninspired 5-2 loss to visiting Loyola on Tuesday, as Alemany went hitless for the first four innings, then made a couple of careless, late-inning defensive mistakes to fall to 5-5, 0-3.

"This game will humble you real quick," Alemany coach Randy Thompson said. "We're struggling, and we've got to dig ourselves out of a hole and stop feeling sorry for ourselves. We better turn this thing around."

Alemany stranded eight runners, four in scoring position, as Loyola (7-5, 3-2) was able to escape with three key double plays.

The biggest missed opportunity came in the fifth inning when Anthony Esparza reached on strikeout combined with a passed ball, followed by singles by Chase Davis and Christian Mercado to load the bases. Loyola's Xavier Borde induced leadoff hitter Peter Van Gansen to ground into an inning-ending 6-4-3 double play. One inning, Alemany had two runners aboard with no outs, but an unassisted double play at first ruined that scoring opportunity, too.

"Those double plays hurt us big-time," Esparza said. "Every time we had them on the ropes, we grounded into a double play."

Through four innings, Borde a left-hander, allowed just one ball to be hit out of the infield - a popout to right in the first - and he carried a shutout into the bottom of the seventh, when Esparza doubled, then Davis hit a two-run home run over the right-field fence.

Borde (3-2) pitched a complete game, finishing with two earned runs on five hits while striking out five. He also hit a deep home run over the right-field fence in the second inning.

Say what you want about the cooler bats, but the Mission League has a huge batch of terrific pitchers. It's still early, but I don't remember a year in which there were this many legitimate aces.

I'm particularly impressed with Chaminade, featuring Mathew Troupe, Dalton Brown and Michael Dingilian -- three DI-bound right-handers with wicked stuff. I've seen the Eagles defeat Alemany (no slouch in the pitching department with Ryan Paramo and Cody Thompson) and Crespi.

Crespi is 5-7 and 0-4 league, are you kidding me? The Celts have a lot of good players, including pitchers Scott Heineman and Nick Morton, and it would be no shock if they win out from here and finish among the leaders.

Notre Dame's Matt Lathuras is among the top pitchers, too. And of course there's junior phenom Lucas Giolito from Harvard-Westlake, a 6-foot-6 right-hander who throws 94 mph and has already committed to UCLA.

Tough weather day today, as a bunch of important baseball games have been canceled because of the weather. There is no Chaminade-Crespi, no Campbell Hall-Montclair Prep, no Moorpark-Newbury Park, no San Fernando-Arleta, and worst of all, for the fourth time this week no Mission League showdown between Alemany and Harvard-Westlake.

It feels like I've been waiting forever to see Harvard-Westlake's Lucas Giolito and his 94 mph fastball.

At some point, all these rainouts are going to stretch pitching staffs, so teams with the most good pitchers, and not necessarily the best pitcher, are going to have an advantage.

"To be perfectly honest, there is nothing I can do about the weather," Crespi coach Scott Muckey said. "We've had rain years before, and this looks like another one. Will it test our pitching depth? Of course, but that's why you have the kids on the team, and that's why you have extra guys."

The Crespi-Chaminade game has been postponed until 3:30 p.m. Monday at L.A. Valley College.

It was nice to see our very own Harvey Mason on American Idol last night helping the contestants in the hugely popular TV show.

Mason is a music mogul these days, having written hit songs and formed a successful production company, but back in the day he was one of the decade's best prep basketball players of the 80s at Crescenta Valley High before moving on to Arizona, where he won three Pac 10 titles and made the Final Four.

2010-2011 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM* DIVISION 1AA

Player of the Year - Ryan Anderson, Long Beach Poly
Coach of the Year - Sharrief Metoyer, Long Beach Poly

PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Byron Wesley Etiwanda
Jordan Daniels Etiwanda
Michael Caffey Centennial/Corona
Dominique Dunning Centennial/Corona
Gelaun Wheelwright Centennial/Corona
Xavier Johnson Mater Dei
Katin Reinhardt Mater Dei
John Gilliam Upland
Lonnie Jackson Valencia/Valencia
Alexis Moore Long Beach Poly

DIVISION 1A

Player of the Year - Joe Stein, Loyola (12); Julian Harrell, Loyola (11)
Coach of the Year - Jamal Adams, Loyola
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Parker Cartwright 9 Loyola
Taylor Hamasaki 12 Capistrano Valley
Bryan Fisher 11 Aliso Niguel
Paulin Mpawe 12 Redlands East Valley
Christian Misi 11 Crescenta Valley
Dusty Baker 12 Tesoro
Garrett Neilan 11 Downey
Bryan Gholar 12 Walnut
Devyn Sampson 11 Montclair

DIVISION 2AA

Player of the Year - Chris Anderson, Canyon/Anaheim (12); Dylan Houck, Ventura (12)
Coach of the Year - Dan Larson, Venture
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Dorian Cason 12 Summit
Jonathan Davis 12 Simi Valley
Zeke Deblase 12 Victor Valley
Dylan Garrity 12 Edison
Allan Guei 12 Compton
Shaquille Hunter 12 Villa Park
Billy Kelly 12 Ocean View
Isaac Neilson 12 Mission Viejo
Kevin Ramirez 12 Katella

2A

Player of the Year - Davon Potts, Gahr (12)
Coach of the Year -Ricky Roper, Gahr
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Reese Morgan 11 Peninsula
Rob Filley 12 Foothill
Dion Wright 11 Mayfair
Javonte Sales 12 Gahr
E.J. Twyman 11 Elsinore
Nick Colletta 10 Glendora
Cooper Pickell 12 Foothill
Aaron Peck 11 JW North
Dathon Spencer 12 Segerstrom
Elliott Ozer 12 Mira Costa

DIVISION 3AA

Player of the Year - Mike McGlashan, La Canada (12); Matthew Faber, La Canada (12)
Coach of the Year - Rusty Van Cleave, Foothill
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Askia Booker 12 Price
Grant Jerrett 11 Lutheran/La Verne
Quentin Taylor 10 Palm Springs
Ryan Hall 11 La Habra
Raffi Chalian 12 Sonora
Tyler Harvey 12 Bishop Montgomery
Marcus Bradley 12 Corona del Mar
Jimmy Jackson 11 Cypress
Austin McBroom 12 Campbell Hall

DIVISION 3A

Player of the Year - Damiene Cain, Harvard-Westlake (12)
Coach of the Year - Greg Hilliard, Harvard-Westlake
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Zena Esosomwan 11 Harvard-Westlake
Rhon Mitchell 12 Inglewood
Chris Reyes 11 Damien
Matt Mounier 12 Crespi
James Northrup 12 Bonita
Kyle Caudill 12 Brea Olinda
Chasen Conner 12 Pacifica/Garden Grove
Aaron Wright 12 Cerritos
Josh Hearlihy 11 Harvard-Westlake
Reggie Coates 12 Crespi]

DIVISION 4AA

Player of the Year - James Douglas, Orange Lutheran (12); Wesley Saunders, Windward (12)
Coach of the Year - Chris Nordstrom, Orange Lutheran
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Gabriel York 11 Orange Lutheran
Nick Stover 11 Windward
Treavon Francis 11 Northview
Brandon Jawato 12 El Segundo
Marqueeze Coleman 11 Alemany
Max Guercy 11 Alemany
Cezar Guerrero 12 St. John Bosco
Daniel Rodriguez 12 Bishop Amat
Troy Norris 12 Atascadero

DIVISION 4A

Player of the Year - Blair Holliday, Oaks Christian (12); Nick De Bonfilhs, Buckley (12)
Coach of the Year - Mike Hamilton, Buckley
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Chass Bryan 11 Oaks Christian
Tyler Coppin Carter 10 Buckley
Gerry Blakes 12 Morningside
Josh Chamberlain 12 Maranatha
Jeremy Major 10 Maranatha
Miller Brown 12 Whittier Christian
Trenton Coppins 12 JSerra
Robert James 12 Desert Hot Springs
Israel Lacy 10 La Salle

DIVISION 5AA

Player of the Year - Kenyatta Smith, Flintridge Prep (12)
Coach of the Year - Garrett Ohara, Flintridge Prep
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Richard Craig 12 Santa Clara
Kory Hamane 11 Flintridge Prep
Tra Holder 9 Brentwood
Mitch Marmelstein 12 St. Margaret's
Jelani Mitchell 10 Muir
Dion Nelson 11 Muir
Jared Norsworthy 12 Flintridge Prep
Marquis Salmon 11 Village Christian
Matthew Santos 11 Don Bosco Tech
Troy Whiteto 11 St. Monica Catholic
DIVISION 5A

Player of the Year - Jahmel Taylor, Sierra Canyon (12)
Coach of the Year - Ryan Silver, Sierra Canyon
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Jesse Howell 11 Sierra Canyon
Trey Dickerson 12 Montclair Prep
Charles Lockett 12 Montclair Prep
Brandon Thurman 10 St. Bernard
Hunter Merryman 12 Pasadena Poly
Daniel Wohl 12 Pasadena Poly
Daniel Healy 12 Brethren Christian
Greg Sequele 12 Ribet Academy
Jessy Cantinol 11 Renaissance Academy
Josh Markum 12 Saddleback Valley Christian

DIVISION 6AA

Player of the Year - Aaron Liberman, Valley Torah (12)
Coach of the Year - Robert Icart, Valley Torah
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
EJ Kemp 11 Rolling Hills Prep
Ryan Wiley 10 Rio Hondo Prep
Yosef Grundman 12 Valley Torah
Elias Munoz 11 Bishop Diego
Logan Bryant 12 Orangewood Academy
JoJo Fallis 10 Shalhevet
Nathaniel Liberman 10 Valley Torah
Steven Morales 12 Orangewood academy
JR Walker 11 Pacifica Christian
Noah Tack 12 Bishop Diego
ALL CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION / SCIBCA
2010-2011 BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM * DIVISION 6A
(Released March 22, 2011 and Presented by the LA84 Foundation)
Player of the Year - Daniel Soto, Padre Pio (12)
Coach of the Year - Chuck Selway, Padre Pio
PLAYER GRADE SCHOOL
Mikeal Anderson 12 Redlands Adventist
Tino Mkorombindo 10 Redlands Adventist
Jack Karapetian 11 Arshag Dickranian
James Brooks 11 Trinity Classical Academy
Daniel LaMoureaux 12 Boron
Evan Kidd 12 Midland
Shands McCoy 11 Westmark
Danny Taylor 12 Lee Vining
Vincent Smith 11 Padre Pio
Josh Pimentel 10 Calvary Baptist

For the second time, the Misson League showdown between Harvard-Westlake and Alemany has been postponed, this time the rain coming just an hour or so before the scheduled first pitch. The game originally was switched from Monday to today because of rain.

They're scheduled to play Thursday at 330 p.m. at Alemany -- weather permitting.

"We have to do a better job controlling the weather," Harvard-Westlake coach Matt Lacour joked.

The name sounded familiar, and sure enough the Valencia man who was victimized by an alleged hate crime early Saturday morning is the brother of Notre Dame coach Bill Bedgood.

Anthony Bedgood, 31, had his car set on fire, and his roommate's SUV's tires were slashed, plus a pentagram was drawn on it.

"He's my little brother," Bill said. "We were shocked. I was in Vegas at the time, but I only live three blocks away."

The brothers are half African-American. Anthony is a former Valencia football player who used to block for Manuel White, and he coached frosh basketball at Alemany and Notre Dame under his older brother.

"It's a nice neighborhood where things like this should not be going on," Bill said. "We've been racking brain trying to figure out who might have done this. I talked to the police officer who's in charge of hate crimes, and he said it was the worst he had ever seen."

Here's a list of the All-Southern Section selections for boys soccer:

DIVISION 1

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Kevin Gould, Sr. Defense, San Clemente
COACH OF THE YEAR - Michael Pronier, San Clemente
Players Name Grade Position School
1 Mitchell Alvarez 12 Mid Edison
2 Tyler Smith 12 Def Edison
3 Josh Luevanos 12 Fwd Glendora
4 Frankie Bastone 12 Def JSerra
5 Lucas Dall'Orso 12 Mid JSerra
6 Oscar Enriquez 12 Def LB Cabrillo
7 Daniel Delgadillo 12 Fwd LB Millikan
8 Tim Harty 12 Mid Los Alamitos
9 Andre Brown 12 Fwd Loyola
10 Michael Meissner 11 Mid Palos Verdes
11 Kevin Gould 12 Def San Clemente
12 Steve Palacios 12 Fwd San Clemente
13 Tony Alfaro 12 Def Santa Barbara
14 Sanford Spivey 12 Mid Santa Barbara
15 Charles Miller 12 Mid Servite
16 Eric Verso 12 Fwd St. Francis
17 Mark Verso 10 Fwd St. Francis
18 Andrew Lopez 12 GK St. John Bosco
19 Derek Vogel 11 Fwd St. John Bosco
20 Michael Breslin 12 GK Tesoro
21 Erick Sandoval 11 Fwd Ventura
22 Austin Lohn 12 Def West Torrance

DIVISION 2

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Cory Hodge, Sr. Defender, Claremont
COACH OF THE YEAR - Fred Bruce-Oliver, Claremont
Players Name Grade Position School
1 Eduardo Morales 12 Fwd Arlington
2 Alex Wixted 12 Def Canyon/Anaheim
3 Michael Salazar 12 Fwd Canyon Springs
4 Felix Espinoza 12 Fwd Capistrano Valley
5 Jensen Lee 12 Def Capistrano Valley
6 Ben Manko 12 Def Capistrano Valley
7 Alex Sanchez 10 Mid Chino Hills
8 Troy Ford 11 Mid Claremont
9 Cory Hodge 12 Def Claremont
10 Alberto Villa 12 Fwd Coachella Valley
11 Cam Waymire 12 Fwd El Modena
12 William Bobo 12 Mid Foothill
13 Paul Malherbe 12 Def Great Oak
14 Evyn Hewitt 12 Mid Kennedy
15 Earvin Aleman 12 Def La Habra
16 Santiago Garcia 12 GK La Habra
17 Tylor Magdeleno 12 Mid La Habra
18 Giovanni Acosta 12 Def ML King
19 Andy Ho 12 Mid ML King
20 Ryan Felix 12 Def Santiago/Corona
21 Sung Moon 12 Fwd Sunny Hills
22 Alex Turkson 11 Fwd Valley View

DIVISION 3

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Ricardo Villegas, Sr. Defense - Paramount
COACH OF THE YEAR - Juan Navarro and Rafa Villaseñor - Paramount
Players Name Grade Position School
1 Sean Greathead 12 Fwd Cabrillo/Lompoc
2 Christian Alvear 12 Fwd Century
3 Anthony Carillo 12 Mid Chino
4 Brian Ford 12 Mid Corona Del Mar
5 Carlos Cruz 11 Mid Fontana
6 Jonathan Madrid 11 Fwd Fontana
7 Jonathan Martinez 12 Mid Garey
8 Uriel Rodriguez 12 Mid Hart
9 Hugo Cobian 12 Fwd Katella
10 Adrian Topete 12 GK Montclair
11 Eric Pulido 12 Fwd Nipomo
12 Isaac Flores 12 Fwd Oxnard
13 Angel Marriquez 12 Def Pacifica/Oxnard
14 Alejandro Iniguez 12 Fwd Palmdale
15 Jose Ochoa 11 Mid Paramount
16 Antonio Salgado 12 Fwd Paramount
17 Ricardo Villegas 12 Def Paramount
18 Armando Flores 10 Mid Santa Ana Valley
19 Ulises Alvarez 12 Mid Santa Maria
20 Anthony Zavala 11 GK Warren
21 Daniel Ten Bosch 11 Mid Woodbridge
22 Giovanny Romero 12 Fwd Yucaipa

DIVISION 4

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Cristian Roldan, So. Midfield, El Rancho
COACH OF THE YEAR - Dominic Picon, El Rancho
Players Name Grade Position School
1 Moises Cisneros 11 Def Artesia
2 Mariano Gonzalez 12 Fwd Beverly Hills
3 Kevin Callinan 12 Fwd/Mid Bishop Montgomery
4 Leonardo Grigg 12 Fwd Bonita
5 Brian Paredes 10 GK Cathedral
6 Luis Portillo 12 Mid Cathedral
7 Pavle Atanackovic 11 Fwd Crescenta Valley
8 Erik Argueta 12 Mid El Rancho
9 Francisco Lara 11 Fwd El Rancho
10 Cristian Roldan 10 Mid El Rancho
11 Alejandro Garcia 11 Mid Ganesha
12 Ivan Garcia 12 Def Ganesha
13 Victor Gonzalez 12 Def La Mirada
14 Oscar Villa 11 Fwd La Puente
15 Alberto Sparks III 12 Def Mayfair
16 Claudio Rodriguez 12 Mid North Torrance
17 Louis Cortez 12 Mid Norwalk
18 Anthony Caudle 12 Fwd Oak Hills
19 Brett Croft 12 Def Oak Hills
20 Gerardo Soto 12 Mid Salesian
21 Jovani Zayas 12 Fwd Salesian
22 Trevor Kovacs 12 Mid Santa Monica

DIVISION 5

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Christian Garcia, Sr. Forward - Baldwin Park
COACH OF THE YEAR - Ricardo Mira - Baldwin Park
Players Name Grade Position School
1 Francisco Espinoza 12 Def Animo Leadership
2 Francisco Ortega 12 Mid Animo Leadership
3 Mario Herrera 11 Def Arroyo Grande
4 Morgan Wack 12 Mid Arroyo Grande
5 Christian Garcia 12 Fwd Baldwin Park
6 Jaime Reyes 12 Fwd Baldwin Park
7 Fernando Enriquez 12 Def Cajon
8 Enrique Salazar 11 Fwd Cajon
9 Genaro Hurtado 10 Def Carpinteria
10 John Requejo, Jr. 9 Mid Carpinteria
11 Ismael Soriano 12 Fwd Carpinteria
12 Robert Rodriguez 12 Mid Colton
13 Matthew Cannata 12 Fwd La Canada
14 Cameron Meeker 12 Fwd La Canada
15 Nestor Bravo 12 Def Lakeside
16 Marcos Naccarati 12 Fwd Monrovia
17 Oswaldo Martinez 12 GK Mountain View
18 Diego Calix 12 Fwd Oaks Christian
19 Justin Phillips 11 Def Oaks Christian
20 Andrew Ayona 11 Def Victor Valley
21 Nelson Hernandez 10 Fwd Victor Valley
22 Mark Vasquez 12 Fwd Whittier Christian

DIVISION 6

OFFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Victor Avalos, Sr. Forward - Citrus Hill
COACH OF THE YEAR - Kelly Reck - Citrus Hill
Players Name Grade Position School
1 Charles Izadoryk 12 Fwd Arrowhead Christian
2 Jake Jones 12 Mid Beaumont
3 Christian Hernandez 12 Def Bishop Union
4 Augie Bernstein 12 Def Brentwood
5 Thorir Fienberg 12 GK Buckley
6 Eddie Manella 12 Mid Buckley
7 Victor Avalos 12 Fwd Citrus Hill
8 Chris Hardy 12 Def Citrus Hill
9 Jake Tenzer 12 GK Crossroads
10 Edeberto Flores 12 Def Desert Hot Springs
11 Richard, Alan 12 Fwd Desert Hot Springs
12 Ever De La Torre 10 Mid Marshall Fundamental
13 Cody Catano 11 Mid Ontario Christian
14 Jack Birkenbeuel 11 Def Pasadena Poly
15 Alex Harlley 11 Fwd Rosamond
16 Moises Perez 12 Def Rubidoux
17 Brandon Castle 12 Fwd Saddleback Valley Chr
18 Alfredo Lomeli 12 Fwd San Jacinto
19 Brian Vail 12 Mid St. Margaret's
20 Ryan Miller 12 Def Tahquitz
21 Riley Arian 12 Fwd Viewpoint
22 Mitch Ogilve 12 Def Woodcrest Christian

DIVISION 7

PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Ema Boateng, So. Midfield - Cate
COACH OF THE YEAR - Dave Mochel - Cate
Players Name Grade Position School
1 Emma Boateng 10 Mid Cate
2 Jason Mauze 12 Def Cate
3 Avery Schwartz 11 Fwd Cate
4 Blake Wands 11 GK Cate
5 Joshua Yaro 10 Def Cate
6 Adrian Bueno 12 Mid Kilpatrick
7 Miguel Guzman 11 Mid Kilpatrick
8 Yenziwe Dube 12 Def La Sierra Academy
9 Emilio Fierro 12 Fwd Mammoth
10 Jorge Galvan 12 Mid Mammoth
11 Hector Villalpando 12 Mid Mammoth
12 Shawn DiRocco 12 Mid Mary Star
13 Gabe Chavez 11 Mid Paraclete
14 Tyler Grenier 12 Fwd Paraclete
15 Chad Latch 11 Mid Santa Clarita Christian
16 Will Callan 12 Def Thacher
17 Kevin Marshman 12 Fwd The Grove
18 Juan Soto 12 Fwd University Prep
19 Nick Escudero 12 Mid Vistamar
20 Ricardo Cabrera 12 Mid West Shores
21 Joel Gonzalez 10 Mid West Shores
22 Rick Heed 12 GK West Shores

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION - FORD CHAMPIONSHIPS TOP 10 POLLS

2011 COACHES' BASEBALL RANKINGS

As of MARCH 21, 2011

Rk. DIVISION 1

1. Edison
2. Valencia/V
3. Moorpark
4. JSerra
5. Lakewood
6. Vista Murrieta
7. Hart
8. Orange Lutheran
9. JW North
10. Oxnard
Others: None

Rk. DIVISION 2

1. Santa Barbara
2. Yucaipa
3. Chaminade
4. Mission Viejo
5. Alta Loma
6. Upland
7. Trabuco Hills
8. Redlands
9. Cypress
10. Etiwanda
Others: Peninsula, Crescenta
Valley, Aliso Niguel

Rk. DIVISION 3

1. Temescal Canyon
2. Bonita
3. Beckman
4. Corona del Mar
5. San Gorgonio
6. Quartz Hill
7. Lakeside
8. Alhambra
9. Paramount
10. Rancho Alamitos
Others: Cajon, Bell Gardens,
Montebello, Heritage

Rk. DIVISION 4

1. Palm Desert
2. Bishop Amat
3. Torrance
4. Oaks Christian
5. Chino
6. Indio
7. Laguna Beach
8. Nogales
9. Troy
10. La Quinta/LQ
Others: Chapel/SA,
Palm Springs, Savanna

Rk. DIVISION 5

1. Montclair Prep
2. Campbell Hall
3. Woodcrest Christian
4. Tahquitz
5. Linfield Christian
6. Whittier Christian
7. Cathedral
8. Cabrillo/L
9. Valley Christian/C
10. Paraclete
Others: Oak Hills, Sierra Vista,
Citrus Hill, Lompoc

Rk. DIVISION 6

1. Oxford
2. Pasadena/P
3. Capistrano Valley Christian
4. Villanova Prep
5. Desert Christian/L
6. Bishop Union
7. Vasquez
8. Boron
9. Crean Lutheran
10. Viewpoint
Others: Flintridge Prep,
Brentwood, Bishop Diego

Rk. DIVISION 7

1. Rolling Hills Prep
2. Nuview Bridge
3. New Roads
4. Firebaugh
5. Faith Baptist
6. Riverside Christian
7. Milken Community
8. Tarbut V'Torah
9. Hillcrest Christian/GH
10. North Co Christian
Others: Animo Leadership,
Valley Chr/SM; Pacifica Christian

Oaks Christian finished second out of 35 teams from San Diego to
Northern California at the 36th annual Dos Pueblos Tournament this past weekend.

The Lions run through the playoffs included victories against Capistrano
Valley (20-25, 28-26, 15-13), Crespi (22-25, 25-23, 15-10) and
Ventura (25-21, 25-23).

The Lions lost in the finals to Bellarmine of San Jose.

Carter Franciskovic had a total of 93 kills for and averaged over 5 kills per game.

Jennings Franciskovic had 193 assists for the tournament and averaged more than
11 per game.

Both Franciskovic brothers were named to the seven-
member all-tournament team.

Kyle Schoch had a total of 65 kills averaging just under four per game and Kyle Sisson averaged over four digs per game with a total of 76.

John Greaves has quit as head coach at Montclair Prep, turning in his resignation on Friday.

"I resigned from Montclair Prep due to activity by the administration that I cannot be a part of," Greaves said.

Greaves, who has been affiliated with Montclair Prep on and off since 1984, said it was not appropriate to elaborate further. He took over for long-time coach George Giannini last season and went 5-5 but won three of the last four.

ONTARIO - It was the most important basketball game of their lives, but Oaks Christian's leading scorers Chass Bryan and Blair Holliday were pulled from the starting lineup just before tipoff today, and the Lions fell behind by eight points in the first quarter and never recovered in a 58-52 loss to Windward in the Southern California Regional Div. IV championship at Colony High.

Bryan missed the first five minutes, and Holliday was held out for the whole first quarter. The pair eventually found their rhythm in the second half, as the Lions cut the lead to one point with five minutes remaining, but who knows if things might have been different had they played the whole game?

There was an incident, but it's unclear exactly what happened. It certainly appeared the disciplinary action was a distraction, as the Lions shot 30.9 percent and committed 25 fouls.

"We let the team down, and we let Oaks Christian down," Holliday said. "There was an incident, and coach (Andre) Chevalier thought it was best to show everyone that no one is above the team. It wasn't a big thing, but he's a strict coach."

Holliday scored 11 points on 3-for-11 shooting, including 2 of 7 3-pointers, and he fouled out in 19 minutes. Bryan scored 13 points in 27 minutes.

"Players show up, and I did not show up today," Holliday said.

At stake was a berth in the state final at Arco Arena in Sacramento - high school basketball's grandest stage - but for Chevalier, also the school's dean of students, it would not have made a difference if it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

"The only thing I wavered about was if they were going to play at all," Chevalier said. "It was just a coach's decision. Sometimes it's more important to learn a lesson than to play a basketball game, so that's what we decided to do."

Windward coach Miguel Villegas said he was "shocked."

"I don't know what happened," Villegas said.

Except for scoring the first basket of the game, Oaks Christian(26-8) trailed throughout, falling behind by as many as 16 in the first half. The Lions rallied in the fourth quarter, pulling to within 42-41 on a 3-pointer by Holliday. But it took so much energy to catch up that Oaks Christian had nothing left down the stretch, as Windward(26-8) went on a 9-2 run in the final two minutes.

Oaks Christian's Taylor Hange scored 11 points, including two 3-pointers and a three-point play.

"I'm just sad my career is over," Hange said. "Blair and Chass are really good players. It was just a coach's decision. I'd rather not comment anymore about it."

Windward made 25 of 33 free throws, compared to 13 of 19 for Oaks Christian. Windward's Nick Stover scored 16 points, Jordan Wilson added 13, and Wesley Saunders chipped in eight points and nine rebounds.

Oaks Christian needs a rally if it wants to advance to the state final.

The Lions trail Windward 38-31 heading into the fourth quarter.

Blair Holiday and Chass Bryan both were benched before the game for disciplinary reasons, but they've been on the court together since the beginning of the second quarter, and both are playing well.

Something went wrong because Oaks Christian's two leading scorers, Chass Bryan and Blair Holliday, were on the bench for the start of today's D4 championship against Windward, and Oaks coach Andre Chevalier didn't say anything about it beforehand.

Bryan entered with just over three minutes remaining in the first, and there is still no sight of Holliday.

The first quarter just ended, and Windward leads 15-7.

Now that La Canada and Sierra Canyon have been eliminated today in the Southern California Regional finals, it's up to Oaks Christian to give the Valley a representative at the state championships next Saturday in Sacramento.

Oaks Christian takes on Windward in just a few moments-- here at Colony High in Ontario, they're running about 45 minutes behind -- and it will be intriguing to see if Oaks can avenge a 19-point loss to Windward six weeks ago.

Dillon van der Wal could be key. The Oaks Christian center figures to guard Windward standout Wesley Saunders, one of the top players in the West. If the 6-8 van der Wal can do a good job holding down Saunders, the top-seeded Lions could be in good shape.

ONTARIO - Sierra Canyon High's dream season ended in tears instead of cheers today.

The Trailblazers led until the final minute against St. Bernard in the Southern California Regional Div. V boys' basketball championship, only to see Thurman Thomas score on a 10-foot jump shot at the buzzer to lift St. Bernard to a 61-59 win at Colony High.

Instead of participating in the state championship this coming Friday, Sierra Canyon has a year to think about the what-ifs.

As the final seconds ticked away, St. Bernard (26-8) twice missed potential winning shots, but Thomas took advantage of a third opportunity by grabbing a long rebound near the right baseline and quickly putting it back through to set off a huge celebration.

"We just could not grab the ball at the end, and St. Bernard wanted it more," Sierra Canyon guard Jahmel Taylor said.

It was a particularly difficult day for Taylor. The star sophomore came in averaging 22 points but finished with four points, going 1 for 6 from the field -- including 0 for 3 on 3-pointers -- while committing six turnovers and missing a free throw with 31 seconds left.

"It was just an off night," Taylor said. "But we'll come back. We'll be better next year."

St. Bernard's Daniel Cordoba, a teammate of Taylor this past summer in travel ball, played harassing defense, standing between Taylor and the basketball at all times.

"We worked all week on denying him the ball," Cordoba said. "We knew Jahmel was their main scorer, and defense is my main thing. We knew where he liked to shoot from, and we always knew where he was at. Every time he wanted the ball, I closed out hard on him."

Sierra Canyon (27-6) did everything right except win, leading by nine points with just over four minutes remaining but making just one field goal down the stretch.

"We were very happy with what we did, and we had a great game plan, but St. Bernard came back at the end," Sierra Canyon coach Ryan Silver said. "I don't like to blame the refs, but they were fouling Jahmel every time, and it was blatantly obvious, and that affected the outcome."

Having led for all but the last minute, Sierra Canyon will be reliving the final moments for a long time.

"Jahmel shoots like 90 percent from the line, he hasn't missed all year, and he misses a free throw and St. Bernard comes down, misses two shots, gets the rebound and scores on a put-back," Silver said. "Sometimes in life, things don't go the way you want them to go, but it was still a tremendous season.

"We're an extremely young team, and I'm very proud of them. We'll be back."

Thomas and his teammates were deliriously happy.

"We never quit. I've hit some shots at the end before, but never anything like this," Thomas said. "When I got that last rebound, I know I had to put it back up quick, and once it left my hand, I knew it was going in. This is more than amazing. We're going to the state championship. It's a dream come true."

Michael Cohen scored 15 points for Sierra Canyon, and freshmen Marsalis Johnson and Bryan Alberts both added 11. St. Bernard's Thomas and Cordoba each scored 13.

The scoreboard just broke, so there's a timeout, and if our notes are correct, Sierra Canyon leads 48-41 with about three minutes left in the third quarter in a Socal regional final against St. Bernard at Colony High in Ontario.

Jahmel Taylor, Sierra Canyon's go-to guy, has just two points and no field goals, as St. Bernard has played a box-and-one on him.

In high school baseball, a deep pitching staff is a luxury.

Chaminade fell behind by three runs in the first inning Friday at Alemany, but Dalton Brown held the host Warriors to one earned run in 5 1/3 innings of relief, and sophomore Kevin Lewallyn put out a seventh-inning rally to earn the save in a 7-6 Mission League victory.

Brown, a hard-throwing 6-foot-4 right-hander, limited Alemany to four hits with one walk. After he gave up a leadoff double in the seventh, Lewallyn came on, and with the potential tying run at third and an overflow crowd on its feet, the left-hander induced Rene Deleon to ground out to first for the final out.

"We've got three of the best pitchers in Southern California," Brown said. "It's just pure talent."

There was drama until the very end, as Chaminade first baseman Cole Rutherford bobbled Deleon's grounder but found his grip just in time to get Deleon by a step.

"The ball came off the end of the bat and was bouncing a little funky, but I was able to make the play," Rutherford said. "I had a feeling the ball was going to come to me."

The save was Lawallyn's second of the season.

Chaminade coach Frank Mutz had total faith in Rutherford (2-0).

"I knew he was going to grab hold of it on time. He's a good first baseman," Mutz said. "He's a good kid and a good player. Also, Dalton Brown threw really well. He stepped up and picked up the whole team.

"Alemany is a good team. This was like a playoff game today. In this league, they're all going to be like this."

Rutherford was 2 for 2 with a double, a walk, a stolen base and three runs. Mathew Troupe added a two-run double, Matt Willmore chipped in a two-run single, and Tanner Reibenspies was 3 for 4 with a run and a stolen base.

HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL

SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

All games Saturday

Division III

La Canada vs. La Verne Lutheran, noon at Galen Center/USC
Records: La Canada 30-3; La Verne Lutheran 24-5
Coaches: Tom Hofman, La Canada; Eric Cooper, La Verne Lutheran
Nicknames: La Canada Spartans; La Verne Lutheran Trojans
Key players: Mike McGlashan, G, La Canada; Dario CiVon, G, La Canada; Grant Jerrett, C, La Verne Lutheran; C.J. Cooper, G, La Verne Lutheran.
Outlook: La Verne Lutheran has the height advantage, particularly Jerrett, a 6-9 junior who averages 17.3 points and 9.6 rebounds and is considered one of California's top young big men. Matt Faber, at 6-5 La Canada's tallest starter, has his work cut out. ... The other key matchup is between McGlashan and Cooper, the coach's son. Both are among the top guards in the division ... La Verne Lutheran is the defending Div. V state champion but is jumping two divisions. ... La Canada has an all-senior starting lineup for the first time in coach Hofman's 25-year career.

Division IV

Oaks Christian vs. Windward, 3 p.m. at Colony High/Ontario
Records: Oaks Christian 26-7; Windward 25-8
Coaches: Andre Chevalier, Oaks Christian; Miguel Villegas, Windward
Nicknames: Oaks Christian Lions; Windward Wildcats
Key players: Blair Holliday, G, Oaks Christian; Chass Bryan, G, Oaks Christian; Dillon van der Wal, C, Oaks Christian; Wesley Saunders, F, Windward; Nick Stover, Windward.
Outlook: Oaks Christian is top-seeded but its last loss was a 19-point defeat at Windward on Feb. 5, so the Lions need to figure out how to do something different. "We're going to bring energy and effort this time because last time we weren't prepared to play," Chevalier said. .... Holliday and van der Wal are top football players who have signed with Duke and Vanderbilt. .... Harvard-bound Saunders averages 20.2 points and 10 rebounds, and Stover (15.9 points, 8.1 rebounds) is the brother of UCLA center Anthony Stover.

DIVISION V

Sierra Canyon vs. St. Bernard, 7 p.m. at Colony High/Ontario
Records: Sierra Canyon 27-5; St. Bernard 25-6
Coaches: Ryan Silver, Sierra Canyon; Reggie Morris, St. Bernard
Nicknames: Sierra Canyon Trailblazers; St. Bernard Vikings
Key players: Jahmel Taylor, G, Sierra Canyon; Marsalis Johnson, F, Sierra Canyon; Bryan Alberts, F, Sierra Canyon; Brandon Randolph, F, St. Bernard; Thurman Thompson, G, St. Bernard.
Outlook: Both feature first-year coaches, as Silver arrived from Rolling Hills Prep, and Morris from Leuzinger .... Taylor (21.6 points), a transfer from Notre Dame, loves to shoot deep 3-pointers, and he has made as many as seven in a game, but Morris plans no special attention. "We're just going to play our regular defense," he said. ... Most of Sierra Canyon's key players are underclassmen, including freshmen Johnson and Alberts, sophomore Taylor and junior forward Jesse Howell. ... "St. Bernard is a good team and they're well coached, and it would be a dream to make it to the state final. It would be amazing," Silver said.

BY THE NUMBERS

2 - Freshman starters for Sierra Canyon (Marsalis Johnson and Bryan Alberts)

3 - Area schools that have won a state final (Campbell Hall three times, Harvard-Westlake twice, Montclair Prep once)

5.6 - Average number of 3-point attempts per game by Sierra Canyon's Jahmel Taylor

6-9 - Height of La Verne Lutheran center Grant Jerrett

8-1 - Windward's record against Valley-area opponents this season

19 - The margin of victory (72-53) when Windward defeated Oaks Christian

25 - Number of years Tom Hofman has coached at La Canada

31 - Sierra Canyon coach Ryan Silver's age

161 - Miles roundtrip from Oaks Christian to Colony High

10,258 - Seating capacity at Galen Center

It's always fun checking in with Lucky Radley, the friendly but controversial former local standout who played -- and excelled -- as a running back at three schools, first Crespi, then Agoura, then Taft.

He's a red-shirt freshman at Utah, and now that spring drills have started Radley is eager to impress new offensive coordinator Norm Chow.

"It's going great. Spring ball is awesome, and my relationship with Norm Chow is building," Radley said. "I'm fighting for a starting job at the running back position, and I've lost some weight and gotten a lot stronger. I dropped the bad weight and added muscle, so I'm a lot leaner than I was in high school."

With new restrictions on aluminum bats implemented this season, a lot of the area's top home run hitters are off to a slow start.

Valencia's Trey Williams hit 10 home runs last year, but he's batting .231 with one home run and two two RBIs through six games. Birmingham's Kevin Torres hit 11 last year, and this season he's batting about .250 with one home run. And Hillcrest Christian's Josh Clark, who hit 10 in 18 games last year, has yet to hit a home run in four games.

There are other top sluggers struggling to find their swing, and it appears there is more to it than pitchers being ahead of the hitters this time of year.

"I think we're better than last year because our pitching is more dominant, but right now the whole team isn't hitting," West Ranch pitcher/first baseman J.C. Cloney said. "But I don't think it's just the bats. We're just not getting the right hits at the right time."

Williams, a junior, has a big reputation, so he is being pitched to very carefully. He's been walked six times and hit with a pitch, and he has a .500 on-base percentage. He went 0 for 2 with two strikeouts and two walks Saturday in an 8-5 loss to Chatsworth in the Easton tournament championship in Glendale.

"Everyone is feeding Trey change-ups and curveballs, but the Foothill League starts (today), and for all I know he will hit three home runs in the first game," Saugus coach John Maggiore said.

Aaron Brown, Chatsworth's top slugger, can see both sides of it because the left-hander is also an excellent pitcher. He's yet to hit his first home run, and teammate Steven Karkenny, also a feared slugger, has one.

"Yeah, the home runs are down a little bit, but I don't worry about it," Brown said. "I still have the same approach, the same swing, and the ball will go just as far. We just go about the game the way we should."

The era of the 10-home run, 40-RBI season could be ending.

"I think if a kid hits five to seven, it's going to be a lot," Birmingham coach Matt Mowry said. "I think the numbers are going to go down about one-third this season, something in that range. With these new bats, the ball just does not go and does not carry as much. It kind of stays up in the air."

A bunch of pro scouts turned up for a game last Thursday between Chaminade and Valencia, most of them there to see Chaminade pitcher Mathew Troupe, but Valencia's Nick Rivas ended up stealing the show.

The right-hander hit 92 mph on the speed gun while giving up one hit and striking out eight in six innings in addition to hitting a two-run home run off Troupe in a 2-0 win.

Word got out fast, and Rivas has parlayed the performance into a drumbeat of college interest from UCLA, Pepperdine, Sacramento State and others, plus a scholarship offer from McNeese State.

Last May, Alemany knocked Chaminade out of the Mission League race with a 1-0 upset victory, and the rivals renewed their rivalry Tuesday, and this time Chaminade won 2-0.

The teams meet again at 3:30 p.m. Friday at Alemany, and Alemany coach Randy Thompson says it's a must-win situation.

"They beat us Tuesday, and you can't get swept in this league if you want to win the league," Thompson said.

Alemany ace Ryan Paramo is scheduled to face Chaminade's Michael Dingilian.

\Brandon Leonhardi pitched a no-hitter Wednesday for Quartz Hill in a 14-0 win over Knight that was shortened to five innings - not bad considering it was Leonhardi's first varsity start.

"For your first start, you can't ask for a whole lot more," coach Aaron Kavanaugh said. "He went out there and threw strikes and kept them off-balance."

Leonhardi, a junior right-hander, struck out five and walked none. He pitched to the minimum, hitting a batter in the third inning but getting a double-play.

Oaks Christian finally suffered its forst defeat of the young season in a nonleague boys' volleyball match at Ventura.

23-25, 20-25, 25-18, 21-25

Carter Franciskovic- 29 kills, 2 blocks
Kyle Schoch- 17 kills, 6 digs
Connor Johnson- 4 blocks
Kyle Sisson- 19 digs
Jennings Franciskovic- dished out 48 assists, 3 blocks

The Lions are now 4-1

Four locals are being honored as John R. Wooden Award Southern California High School Player of the Year winners -- Taft's Spencer Dinwiddie, Harvard-Westlake's Damiene Cain, Flintridge Prep's Kenyatta Smith, Valley Torah's Aaron Liberman.

Each of the players will be honored April 8 at the 35th Wooden Award Gala
at the L.A. Downtown Athletic Club.

The Oaks Christian boys' volleyball remained undefeated with a 25-19, 25-20, 25-27, 25-21 victory against Oxnard in a nonleague match.

Carter Franciskovic had 25 kills, three blocks and nine digs.

Kyle Schoch had 18 kills, three blocks and five digs.

Jennings Franciskovic dished out 51 assists with 13 digs and three serving
aces.

Kyle Sisson had 15 digs and one serving ace.

Oaks Christian is 4-0 and has only lost one set all season.

The Lions (4-0) have an away match against Ventura tonight before participating in the Dos Pueblos Invitational tournament at UCSB Saturday.

Marty Meyer will not be coaching at St. Bonaventure next year.

Meyer led the Seraphs for six years, including a 2008 Div. V-A championship game appearance

Simi Valley asst. coach Ryan Moore has applied for the position and former Oaks Christian asst. Nate Nylander is in the running as well.

After leading Reseda to one of its best seasons in recent memory which included a trip to the Div. III state playoffs, coach Mark Valbuena has resigned to spend more time with his family.

Valbuena is expecting a child this summer.

Valbuena said Brittany Henderson is in line to take over the position. Henderson was an assistant this past season.

Julian Brooks, a junior receiver/safety for Sierra Canyon, has been offered by Washington State.

"He's going to get a lot more offers. This is just the beginning," coach Jon Ellinghouse said.

E.J. Woods, a former Crespi safety who went to UCLA, then transferred to Eastern Arizona, has resurfaced at Mt. San Antonio.

CIF-SOUTHERN SECTION - FORD CHAMPIONSHIPS TOP 10 POLLS
2011 COACHES' BASEBALL RANKINGS

As of MARCH 14, 2011

Rk. DIVISION 1
1. Edison
2. JSerra
3. Valencia/V
4. Moorpark
5. Lakewood
6. Vista Murrieta
7. San Clemente
8. Hart
9. Orange Lutheran
10. Great Oak
Others: None

Rk. DIVISION 2
1. Alemany
2. Santa Barbara
3. Cypress
4. Upland
5. Yucaipa
6. Ayala
7. Aliso Niguel
8. Mission Viejo
9. Chaminade
10. Alta Loma
Others: Etiwanda, Los Osos

Rk. DIVISION 3
1. Bonita
2. Beckman
3. Corona del Mar
4. Temescal Canyon
5. Paramount
6. Rancho Alamitos
7. Culver City
8. Ocean View
9. Gahr
10. Montebello
Others: Bell Gardens, Cajon,
Woodbridge

Rk. DIVISION 4
1. Palm Desert
2. Torrance
3. Bishop Amat
4. Indio
5. Oaks Christian
6. Chino
7. Laguna Beach
8. El Segundo
9. Savanna
10. San Dimas
Others: Nogales, Troy,
Calvary Chapel/SA

Rk. DIVISION 5
1. Woodcrest Christian
2. Montclair Prep
3. Campbell Hall
4. Lompoc
5. Tahquitz
6. Linfield Christian
7. Whittier Christian
8. Cathedral
9. Cabrillo/L
10. Valley Christian/C
Others: Citrus Hill, Crossroads
Paraclete, Mary Star of the Sea

Rk. DIVISION 6
1. Oxford
2. Desert Christian/L
3. Pasadena/P
4. Capistrano Valley Christian
5. Villanova Prep
6. Bishop Union
7. Vasquez
8. Boron
9. Viewpoint
10. Crean Lutheran
Others: Flintridge Prep, Windward,
Kern

DID NOT REPORT
Rk. DIVISION 7
1. Milken Community
2. North Co Christian
3. Pacifica Christian
4. New Roads
5. New Community Jewish
6. Rolling Hills Prep
7. Thacher
8. Trona
9. Nuview Bridge
10. Fairmont Prep
Others: None

Grant Rohach, a quarterback for Moorpark High, has committed to Iowa State.

The tipoff was moved two hours ahead Saturday for a CIF State Div. I basketball showdown between Taft High and host Corona Centennial, and the visiting Toreadors acted like it was short notice.

The Southern California Regional semifinal was the biggest game of the season - perhaps of all-time for Taft, which had never advanced past this round -- yet the Toreadors were not ready to play, falling behind by a quick 15 points in the opening minutes of a 94-81 loss at Roosevelt High.

"They just came out a lot harder and with a lot more intensity," Taft guard Kris Yanku said. "We played hard and played good defense, but Corona hit a lot of hard shots, and they stayed hot the whole game."

Taft (29-3) barely blinked before it was 24-9 on a 3-pointer by Centennial's Gelaun Wheelwright with three minutes, 12 seconds remaining in the first quarter, and the rest is just a blur.

"We just did not come out ready, and we couldn't stop them," Yanku said.

It was Taft's second loss to Centennial (30-4) following a three-point defeat on Dec. 29, and for the second time the Toreadors were left scratching their head, wondering how an opponent with no one taller than 6-foot-3 could defeat the much-taller Toreadors with a starting lineup that included 6-10 Kevin Johnson, 6-5 Stephen Maxwell, 6-5 C.J. Blackwell and 6-4 Spencer Dinwiddie.

"They do have a lot of size, but our shots were falling," Wheelwright said. "We kept on fast-breaking them, and I think that affected Taft a lot. All those fast breaks got them tired."
Wheelwright scored 27 points, Dominique Dunning added 21, and Michael Caffey chipped in 17.

The 94 points was the most Taft has given up since at least the 2004-2005 season.

It's been a rough first half for Taft in the CIF State playoffs, as the visiting Toreadors fell behind by a quick 15 points in the first quarter and trail 52-39 at the break.

Corona is hitting its 3-point shots and doing a good job playing full-court man-to-man defense. Taft has never got past this round. Stay tuned.

With so many schools bringing in transfers to succeed in basketball, it's good to know there are still some teams like CIF State Div. III favorite La Canada, featuring an all-senior lineup consisting of four boyhood friends who've been playing together since elementary school, plus a fifth senior starter who's been with them since their freshman year.

Returning All-Southern Section standout Mike McGlashan is a 6-foot-2 guard who averages 17.1 points and is a terrific ball handler.

"He's been a great player for three years, one of the best in school history," coach Tom Hofman said.

La Canada (29-3) is one win away from reaching a regional final for the second time. The other was the 2007 team led by Adam Malik that lost to eventual state champion Campbell Hall, and McGlashan, then in eighth grade, was the team manager.

"He grew up watching Adam," Hofman said.

There are no major-college signees, just a bunch of loyal, longtime teammates "with great chemistry," Hofman said.

"We've haven't been a good program for that long, and we just don't have the DI athletes a lot of other programs have, but there's something special about this team," Hofman said. "Mike, Matt Faber, Mason Holle, Dario CiVon and Sean Mintie, they've known each other for so long that they just trust each other. That's why they always come through in close games."

As freshmen, they went undefeated.

"The five guys on the bench have been with them for a long time, too," Hofman said. "I can't remember ever starting five seniors. They've been together for so long, and they just have a mental toughness about them."

Montclair Prep has won five section titles plus one state title and one state runner-up, and the Mounties are still alive in Div. V with a regional semifinal Saturday against visiting St. Bernard.

Coach Greg Patterson has had deeper talent through the years, but not too many teams with this much fight, as guard Trey Dickerson, forward Charles Lockett and their teammates have been battle-tested in the tough Alpha League featuring Div. V top seed Sierra Canyon.

"I think I'm most proud of this team, compared to any teams I've had," Patterson said. "The way they've grown and developed, I'm just really proud of them. We're just really coming together as a team. Everyone is playing their roles, and we play pretty good defense. That's what's keeping us in games."

Lockett has come on strong over the past month, and he scored 20 points with 13 rebounds March 4 against Sierra Canyon in a three-point overtime loss in the section final. But the star of the show is Dickerson, a 6-foot guard with a 40-inch vertical leap.

"In our game Tuesday, he had probably one of the most amazing dunks I've ever seen in high school," Patterson said. "He was just so high above the rim that he brought the house down. It was amazing. That's all I can say."

Chatsworth (4-0) and Valencia (4-0) meet in the Easton tournament championship at 6 p.m. Saturday at Stengel Field in Glendale, and it will be fun to see if Chatsworth's excellent pitching can handle slugger Trey Williams and Co.

Chatsworth left-hander Aaron Brown (2-0), yet to give up an earned run in 13 innings, pitched a complete-game shutout Friday against Hart, but fellow arms Steven Karkenny, Angel Rodriguez and Christian Lopez are waiting in the wings.

"We're pretty excited about this year. We're 4-0 and still working on things," Brown said. "Our defense is getting stronger, and our pitching staff is pretty solid. We're looking to get better every day in practice and to keep playing as a team. Steven Karkenny is looking really good, and he's on fire with the bat. He already has a home run, and he is just really looking good."
.

The first California orthodox Jewish school to win a section basketball title, Valley Torah was hoping to ride the mometum in the state tournament before losing in the second round Thursday In Div. V to View Park 69-68 at L.A. Valley College.

Sheldon Wright was fouled by Aaron Liberman with four seconds left, and he made both free throws, as Valley Torah blew a 14-point lead in the second half.

"I don't blame the refs but it was kind of a controversial call," Liberman said. "I was just standing there, and they said my knee his his knee. I didn't think there was any call there."

The gym was packed, as Valley Torah has grabbed hold of the Jewish community through its basketball success.

"There were tons of people there. Almost everyone (on the team) was crying afterward," he said.

Liberman, a 6-9 center, scored 16 points, and teammate Natanel Tzion scored 20.

Tyler Glasnow, a 6-foot-7 pitcher for Hart, has committed to Portland. Also, Saugus infielder Nick Lombardi has committed to Dartmouth.

I am going to go out on a limb here and say the Alpha League is hands down the best small-schools league in California.

Three teams are still alive and will play in the Southern California regional semifinals Saturday.

Windward will host Washington Union of Fresno, Sierra Canyon will host View Park Prep and Montclair Prep will host St. Bernard.

Three outstanding private-school teams with great coaches.

Miguel Villegas already has won a state title at Windward, Greg Patterson has four Southern Section championships and a state title at Montclair Prep and Ryan Silver has done a masterful job in his first season with the Trailblazers.

Corona Centennial vs. Taft at Agoura High???
Inglewood vs. La Canada at Monrovia High
La Verne Lutheran at Harvard-Westlake
Central Valley Christian of Visalia at Oaks Christian
View Park Prep vs. Sierra Canyon at El Camino Real
St. Bernard at Montclair Prep

Girls, Harvard-Westlake at Rialto

The Oaks Christian boys' basketball continued its greatest season in school history with a 74-37 Div. IV Southern California quarterfinal regional victory against Los Angeles Center for Enriched Studies.

The Lions scored the first 11 points of the game and then held the outmatched Unicorns (9-23) to only four free throws in the second quarter.

"We had a small lapse after getting off to a quick start but really got after it defensively," Oaks Christian coach Andre Chevalier said.

The Lions have been making a habit of holding teams down in the first half.

Oaks Christian has not allowed more than 26 points in the first half in any of its six playoff games, including holding Buckley to 11 in the Southern Section Div. IV-A championship game last Saturday.

"Coach always instills defense and makes sure that is where our focus is," 6-foot-8 forward Dillon van der Wal said.

van der Wal finished with 15 points, Chass Bryan had 12 points and five assists, Taylor Hange scored 10 points, Blair Holliday contributed nine points, seven rebounds, six assists and four steals, Mike Roletti scored nine points and Jono Wening had eight for the Lions (25-7).

"We were able to get a lot of guys involved so that is always a good thing," Chevalier said.

The third quarter was much like the second as Oaks Christian strung together a 19-4 run to lock up its 21st victory in the past 23 games.

"We have been playing really well and hope to keep it all going the next two weeks," Chevalier said. "We need to work hard and stay focused."

David Drear scored all seven of his points in the second half to lead L.A.C.E.S, which was the City Section small-schools runner-up to View Park Prep.

Oaks Christian moves into the regional semifinals Saturday at 7 p.m. against visiting Central Valley Christian of Visalia, an 81-65 overtime winner against JSerra.

Central Valley Christian features 6-foot-9 junior forward Grant Verhoeven.

Verhoeven averages 23 points and 12 rebounds and is being heavily recruited by most Pac-10 schools.

It's been the most successful basketball season ever for Chatsworth High, but the Chancellors were dealt a reality check Thursday, losing 77-59 at longtime power Harvard-Westlake in the second round of the CIF State Div. III playoffs.

Chatsworth (26-10) hung tough for a half, but Harvard-Westlake (29-4), ahead by one at the break, reeled off a 14-5 run to begin the third quarter and never looked back, as Damiene Cain scored 26 points on 9-for-11 shooting with nine rebounds to pace the taller Wolverines, who have won nine section championships - compared to Chatsworth's one - and need three wins for their third state title.

"We played very well, and we played together as a team," said Cain, a 6-foot-7 senior headed to Colorado. "After halftime, we knew we needed to pull it out, and that's what we did."

Harvard-Westlake plays at home at 7 p.m. Saturday against the La Verne Lutheran-Orange Lutheran winner.

"The further along we go, the more pressure we need to put on," Cain said. "The last two playoff wins before this one were a little too close."

After winning the only City Section basketball championship in Chatsworth's 48-year history on Saturday, the Chancellors followed with a win Tuesday over Palm Springs in the first round of state competition.

"We were outrebounded. They just killed us on the boards," Chatsworth's Terrell Funches said. "It was tough because we're not a very big team, so we had our work cut out for us. But we tried our hardest - we just couldn't do it."

Funches led Chatswiorth with 15 points. Derrick Hector added 12, and Jason Monje scored nine.

"It was a terrific season. We worked hard, and I'm glad we got this far," Funches said. "It's sad the season is over, but at least we got this far."

Harvard-Westlake's Zena Edosomwan had 20 points (10 in the fourth quarter) and 15 rebounds, and Jordan Butler added 19 points and nine assists.

"I think in the second half, we came out better," Edosomwan said. "I don't know we've been coming out so slow in the first half, but this time, in the second half we kind of pushed the tempo and got a big lead."

Butler's performance was a good sign because Harvard-Westlake has been struggling for production from the guard position.

"Jordan is doing a great job. He's penetrating and hitting big shots, and his passing is great," Edosomwan said.

It's another tough game for Harvard-Westlake, as the Wolverines lead 37-36 against scrappy Chatsworth at halftime in a State Div. III regional quarterfinal.

Chatsworth's Damiene Cain has 18 points.

There were lots of success stories this past weekend in the section basketball championships, and that was only the beginning.

Twelve teams are still alive in the CIF State playoffs heading into the second round at 7 p.m. Thursday, and there some intriguing matchups, including Div. III showdowns between Crespi and host La Canada plus Chatsworth at Harvard-Westlake.

After falling in the section semifinals, at-large entrant Crespi was idle for 11 days before hitting the road Tuesday in a 78-47 win at Hoover in Fresno.

"It was a long, cramped bus ride, eight hours, and my legs are sore, but it would have been a much longer ride home if we had lost," Crespi's Matt Mounier said. "I mean, I guess we're at a point now where we understand every game can be our last. Personally, I think we were a little rusty. It was not the same groove we had before, and I was not aggressive enough, but I'm hoping it will come back soon"

Crespi (24-8) has defeated six section champions through the season, but the Celts are an underdog at top-seeded La Canada (28-3), which was afforded a first-round bye.

"I think it's good to be the underdog. I think a lot of our younger players feed off the energy of being an underdog," said Mounier, who is 50 points shy of Ryan Moore's school career scoring record.

La Canada, led by Mike McGashlan and Dario CiVon, knocked off state-power Price in the Div. III-AA championship game.

"They're a well-coached team that executes extremely well. Any team that beats Price earns our respect," Crespi coach Russell White said. "They're battle-tested with some close wins in a few of their games -- plus, we're happy we will have more than 15 fans there."

If ever there was a good chance for a team to advance to the state final, it's this season. La Canada is seeded No. 1 in Div. III, Oaks Christian is No. 1 in Div. IV, and Sierra Canyon is No. I in Div. V, which also includes No. 2 Flintridge Prep, No. 3 Montclair Prep and No. 4 Valley Torah.

Oaks Christian has won six in a row by an average margin of 15.2 points heading into tonight's matchup against visiting Los Angeles CES.

"The CIF championship was a must-win game, and now that we've accomplished that goal, we want to win it all - we to win state," junior Mike Roletti said. "We want another ring. It's remarkable just to be in this position."

\Despite having top billing and coming off a first-round bye, Sierra Canyon is not taking it easy. In fact, the Trailblazers have been practicing harder than ever.

"It's obviously hard to remain focused and energetic at this point in the season, but we went extremely hard in practice. I was extremely hard on them, and they were really getting after each other," first-year coach Ryan Silver said. "The bye, it's kind of nice to have some breathing room, but we're just excited and focused and trying to get to that next goal."

Sierra Canyon plays Fresno Christian, and though Fresno Christian is 12-17 compared to Sierra Canyon's 25-5, Silver said there is plenty to worry about.

"We have some tape on them, and obviously they've played well at the end of the season," Silver said. "They have a lot of momentum and a lot of athletic players. It should be a good challenge for us. We're going to do what we do - play man-to-man, full-court press, all over the court."

With an influx of new starters in transfer Jahmel Taylor and freshmen Marsalis Johnson and Bryan Alberts, Silver has been forced to juggle playing time for returnees from last season's section-finalist team.

"It's really simple. I go with the guys who play the hardest," Silver said. "Whoever plays the hardest and plays defense is going to play, because we're a defensive team. So you need to take pride in defense or you're not going to play."

Here are some of the photos of the three medal winners from the State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield. Miguel Gallegos of San Fernando (135 pounds) , Ali Naser of El Camino Real (125) and Matt Hickman of Camarillo (152) finished 5th, 7th and 4th respectively.

Miguel Gallegos at the City Section Finals. (photo by Alex Valladares)

Gallegos (front) with his father Mike Gallegos.
(photo by Alex Valladares)

Naser has his leg grabbed by Sammy Cano of Santa Ana in the State Wrestling Championship at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Naser lost 4-3

Gallegos (right/bottom) wrestles with Timmy Box of Bakersfield in a consolation round of the 135-pound weight class. Gallegos lost to Box 8-7, but still finished 5th

Hickman (bottom) grapples with Victor Pereira of Newark Memorial in the semifinals of the championship bracket at the State Wrestling Tournament at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Hickman lost 2-1

Hickman (top) grapples with Victor Pereira of Newark Memorial in the semifinals of the championship bracket at the State Wrestling Tournament at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Hickman lost 2-1

Naser (top) gets his arm tangled with Tony Ramos of Imperial in the 7th place consolation match of the State Wrestling Championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. Naser won the match 7-6

Hickman (right) gets lifted in the 152-pound third place match of the State Championship by Adam Fierro of Bakersfield.

Hickman (front) gets squeezed in the 152-pound third place match of the State Championship by Adam Fierro of Bakersfield. Hickman lost 6-3 in overtime

photos by John Wareham, unless otherwise noted.

Facing an undersized Garfield team with every defender at least six inches shorter than himself, 6-foot-8 Zena Edosomwan scored 30 points Tuesday to help host Harvard-Westlake to a 74-58 victory in the first round of the CIF State Div. III basketball playoffs.

"It seemed easy, but Garfield was actually pretty feisty. It was a little bit frustrating because we weren't able to put them away until the fourth quarter," Edosomwan said.

That much is true, as underdog Garfield (21-8), making its first state-playoff appearance in the school's 86-year history, did not go down easily. Midway through the second quarter, the score was tied 23-23 before Damiene Cain's rebound basket sparked a 14-3 run that looked like it would be a knockout punch.

But Garfield still had some fight, eventually closing to within three points in the fourth quarter until the Wolverines pulled away one last time, as Cain hit six free throws down the stretch.

"It was a lot tougher than we thought it would be," Edosmwan said. "Garfield played a very tough game."

Edosomwan had 19 points in the first half, and he finished with six dunks.

Garfield's Julian Sandoval, a 5-8 guard who was a head shorter than just about every Harvard-Westlake player, scored 26 points, including five 3-pointers, and David Larone added 15.

"We're just in good shape, and we used our speed," Sandoval said. "Our jumpers were falling, especially in the first half. We came here and played a heck of a game."

Harvard-Westlake (28-4) advances to play Thursday against the Chatsworth - the team that defeated Garfield on Saturday in the City Div. III final and is coming off an upset win at Palm Springs on Tuesday in the first round of the state playoffs.. The Wolverines have won an area-best nine section titles, including the Southern Section Div. III-A championship this past Saturday, plus two state titles, but they will have to play better if they want to stick around.

Garfield played like it had nothing to lose, and the Bulldogs proved such an attitude can be dangerous when you catch a heavily favored opponent on an off night.

"I'm just glad to see our kids played their hearts out," Garfield coach Ricardo Rivas said. "We have some speed, and tonight we gave them a run for their money. We did what we could, but eventually their size wore us down."

Lesson learned, Harvard-Westlake forward Josh Hearlihy said.

"Anything can happen in the state playoffs," Hearlihy said. "A team like that, they're scrappy. You have to give them credit."

Cain scored 20 points, and Hearlihy added 15, as Harvard-Westlake received a total of six points from its bench.

It is all over at Mater Dei and Flintridge Prep has won the Div. V-AA championship with a 47-44 victory against Muir.

The Rebels had to hold off the Mustangs desperation 3-point attempt from the left wing as the buzzer sounded.

Taft 66
Westchester 62

Westchester 12 16 14 20=62
Taft 19 17 16 14=66

Westchester-Trevone Williams 20, Joshua Wilson 12, Keywhon Powns 12, Dom Evans 10, Grant 6, Gsellman 2

Taft-C.J. Blackwell 20 and 14 rebounds, Stephen Maxwell 18 and nine rebounds, Spencer Dinwiddie 14 and 12 assists, Williams 5, Yanku 4, Jones 2, Perry 2, Johnson 1

Taft 27-2, Westchester 26-7

Oaks Christian 66
Buckley 48

Buckley 6 5 16 21=48
Oaks Christian 17 15 11 23=66

Buckley-Tyler Coppin-Carter 22, Bush 9, Holliday 6, Choudhury 4, Johnson 2, Beal 2, Levy 2, de Bonfilhs 1.

Oaks Christian-Blair Holliday 26, 5 rebounds, 5 assists, 5 steals, Chass Bryan 14 and 4 assists, Dillon van der Wal 11 and 16 rebounds, Hange 9, Ghilarducci 2, Roletti 2, Owusu 2.

Oaks Chr. 24-7, Buckley 22-5

Harvard-Westlake High has won an area-best nine boys' basketball titles, but most came easier than a 47-45 victory over Inglewood on Saturday in the Southern Section Div. III-A championship at Anaheim Convention Center.

The cold-shooting Wolverines nearly blew a 12-point lead in the fourth quarter, and they were not able to breathe easy until Damien Cain's free throw with 23 seconds left, followed by a game-saving blocked shot in the waning seconds.

Harvard-Westlake (27-4) was clinging to a 1-point lead and seemed out of momentum when Cain stepped to the line and made the front end of a one-and-one.

"Of course I was nervous," he said. "Once I made the first one, it kind of took the pressure off because it gave us a two-point lead, but then the second one kind of slipped off my hand."

Inglewood (24-7) had enough time to set up a play, and Cain said he heard Inglewood coach Pat Roy tell one of his players to shoot.

"It was the guy I was guarding," Cain said. "I knew he was going to shoot, so I just went up and blocked the shot."

Harvard-Westlake shot 34 percent and made just 11 of 25 free throws while committing 17 turnovers.

"I was just grateful when the clock ran out and we were still ahead," Harvard-Westlake coach Greg Hilliard said. "We had a 12-point lead and still managed to make it interesting at the end. I guess we wanted to give the crowd a little thrill. The game didn't turn out the way we expected - lots of missed shots and missed free throws."

Cain, a 6-foot-7 Colarado-bound senior, finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four blocks. He and 6-8 Zena Edosomwan (11 points, 15 rebounds) helped give Harvard-Westlake a 47-35 rebound advantage, including 17 offensive rebounds compared to nine.

The Taft of Woodland Hills boys' basketball team exorcised a huge demon Saturday at Galen Center in the City Section Div. I championship game.

The Toreadors finally beat long time rival and nemesis Westchester in the playoffs in a 66-62 victory that wasn't as close as the score would indicate.

Taft won its third City championship after victories against Fairfax in 2004 and 2008.

Taft hadn't beaten Westchester in four previous attempts, including a semifinal setback in 2003 and championship game losses in 2006, 2009 and 2010.

"To beat them definitely has more meaning," Colorado-bound Spencer Dinwiddie said.

Taft received huge performances from its all senior starting lineup of C.J. Blackwell, Stephen Maxwell, Dinwiddie, Khiry Williams and 6-foot-10 forward Kevin Johnson.

Blackwell was especially good with 20 points and 14 rebounds but really came through in the final 1:06 of the game.

After the Comets closed to within four points with a 8-0 run, Blackwell got free for a slam dunk, blocked a shot by Keywhon Powns and came up with a huge rebound off a Taft missed free throw.

"I told the team to have composure, don't panic and play hard," Blackwell said.

Dinwiddie showed his prowess with stable and calm play from his point guard position and made five of six free throws down the stretch, including two with 3.2 seconds remaining that clinched the game and reminded many of current New Jersey Nets guard and former Toreador Jordan Farmar.

"It is an honor to be considered and mentioned in the same sentence with him and all the great Taft players," Dinwiddie said.

Dinwiddie finished with 14 points and 12 assists but as usual deferred the credit to his teammates.

"Westchester took some things away from us defensively but we all figured things out and C.J. and Stephen had big games," Dinwiddie said.

Maxwell scored 18 points and grabbed nine rebounds to help take the load off Johnson, who was a key focal point of the Westchester defense.

Johnson only made a free throw with no baskets but had eight rebounds, changed many shots from the Comets and played the key role of intimidator and enforcer.

"I was just very fortunate out there," Maxwell said. "I go to practice everyday and came here prepared. I knew my time would come and I would be ready."

Taft got off to a slow start, trailing 10-6 but quickly turned things around with a 13-1 spurt to take control.

Blackwell made three 3-pointers in the first half and was foiling Westchester's plan of clogging the middle and focusing on Taft's size advantage.

"I could tell the way I warmed up I felt good," Blackwell said. "I had confidence right from the start of the game."

The Toreadors led by eight at halftime and increased the advantage to 14 twice in the second half before Westcester made things very interesting near the end.

Travonne Williams made three free throws to close within 64-62 but Dinwiddie swished two free throws and the Comets had no timeouts with under four seconds remaining.

"Spencer really stepped up," Taft coach Derrick Taylor said. "He really wants to be good and strives for that elite level."

Williams had 20 points to lead Westchester.

Wilson and Keywhon Powns each had 12 points and Domonique Evans had 10.

Taft now sets its sights on the state tournament, which starts Tuesday.

Taft has had trouble in the past with losses against Etiwanda, King twice and Mater Dei last year.

But with a determined group of seniors this could finally be the year things change for coach Taylor and the Toreadors.

"We will enjoy this today and tomorrow but will get right back to business Monday," Dinwiddie said.

Taft will have to be at its best with Long Beach Poly, Mater Dei, Westchester and Corona Centannial waiting in the wings.

Taft is on the verge of winning its third City section championship with a 36-28 halftime lead against Westchester at Galen Center.

Taft trailed 10-6 early but went on a 13-1 run to take control.

The game settled in and Taft's size has been too much for the Comets.

If Taft hangs on, it will be the Toreadors first victory in the playoffs against Westchester.

Taft won City titles in 2004 and 2008 against Fairfax and lost in the championship game against Westchester in 2006, 2009 and 2010

By Gerry Gittelson
Special to the Daily News
ANAHEIM - The great ones love the spotlight, none more than Oaks Christian High's Blair Holliday.
After scoring the winning two-point conversion in December in the football championship, Holliday scored 26 points Saturday in a 66-48 basketball victory over Buckley in the Div. IV-A championship at Anaheim Convention Center.
The 6-foot-3 senior hit five 3-pointers in the first 11 minutes to help Oaks Christian to a 21-point lead, and the Lions never looked back. He also had five rebounds, five assists, five steals and a soaring tomahawk dunk in 26 minutes -- not bad for a kid whose first love is football.
"I was pretty shocked because in warm-ups I wasn't hitting any of my shots," Holliday said. "Then, once the game started, I just like having a lot of people in the stands. It gets me pumped up and makes me try even harder to win."
In a battle of brothers, Holliday outperformed Buckley freshman Chase Holliday, who scored six points on 2-for-10 shooting.
"There was no way I was going to let him beat me," Blair said. "I've been waiting all year for a chance to play my brother."
Oaks Christian's Jono Wening did not score a point, but the designated defender did a terrific job smothering Buckley standout Nick de Bonfilhs, who came in averaging 20 points but totaled one point in 22 minutes and did not hit a shot in seven attempts while committing four fouls and three turnovers.
"We started off with a lot of turnovers, and I couldn't do anything on offense because they were denying me the ball the whole game," de Bonfilhs said.
By stopping de Bonfilhs, the rest of Oaks Christian's strategy flowed easily.
"It was an important part of the game plan to take him out of the game. Overall, the defense just played great," Oaks Christian coach Andre Chevalier said.
For the third playoff game in a row, Buckley dug itself into a hole by falling behind by 15 points or more, but this time the hole turned into a grave. By the time the Griffins blinked, the Lions from Westlake Village were ahead 30-9.
Buckley rallied in the fourth quarter to cut the lead to 13, but the outcome was never in doubt.
"Cutting the lead to 13, that was indicative of Buckley teams. If you know the kids, you know we'll come back," Buckley coach Mike Hamilton said. "The difference this time is we haven't seen anyone shoot like Blair Holliday. We're a small school with small bodies, and he's just a seasoned athlete, whether it's on the football field or basketball court."
Buckley committed 17 turnovers and totaled one assist - none through the first three quarters. Overall, the Griffins from Sherman Oaks shot 29.4 percent (15 for 51), including 0 for 10 3-pointers.
Chass Bryan scored 14 points for Oaks Christian, and Dillon van der Wal added 11 points and 14 rebounds. Buckley's Tyler Coppin-Carter scored 22 points, including 10 of 13 free throws, but no one else reached double figures.
The ride is not over yet for either team. The state playoffs are coming up, and pairings are scheduled to be released today.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

What a performance in the first half by Oaks Christian in the Southern Secton Div. IV-A final at Anaheim Convention, as the Lions lead Buckley 32-11.

Blair Holliday has personally outscored Buckley's whole, and the 6-3 guard has 19 points, including five 3-pointers.

Buckley is 5 for 26 from the field with 10 turnovers, and leading scorer Nick De Bonfilhs is scoreless.

Blair Holliday has four 3-pointers, as Oaks Christian leads Buckley 17-6 at the end of the first quarter in the Div. IV final at Anaheim Convention Center.

Of the 19 wrestlers who competed at state today at Rababank Arena in Bakersfield, six are left and still eligible to medal.

Matt Hickman of Camarillo is the only one of the six eligible to win the whole thing in the 152 pound class, as he is in the semifinals in the championship bracket. He can win the title with two straight victories and can finish no lower than 6th place if he loses every match from here on out.. He has his hands full though Saturday, wrestling the No. 2-in-the-state Victor Pereira of Newark Memorial followed, most likely, by No. 1 Joey Davis of Santa Fe - assuming Davis wins his semifinals match against the No. 4 Adam Fierro of Bakersfield.

San Fernando's Miguel Gallegos reached the quarterfinals as a 135-pounder in the championship bracket, but lost his first match of the year in the quarters. He went to the consolation round but has already medaled and can finish as high as 3rd.

Ali Naser (125) of El Camino Real, William Gockel-Figge of Simi Valley (at 189), Sergio Mendez of San Fernando (103) and Littlerock's Trever DeVestern (145) only need to win their first match Saturday to medal in one of the positions between 3rd and 8th, but if they lose immediately, they won't finish in the Top 8 and won't earn a state medal. Like Gallegos, they can get as high as third if they win all of their remaining matches.

Daily News area wrestlers have medaled consistently since 1997, but usually only one or two per year - with rare exceptions.

Hickman finished 6th last year and his former teammate Jonathan Urango finished 4th and 5th in 2008 and 2009.
Sione Fua won the state title in 2006 for Crespi.
Kenji Porter finished 5th for Harvard-Westlake and Raphael Reynolds was 4th for San Fernando in 2005.
Chris Gonzalez of Alemany (8th), Daniel Valencia (2nd) of Camarillo, Vlad Kociev (8th) of Birmingham and Shawn Riggs (8th) for Thousand Oaks were the biggest group of area medalists in one year in 2003.
Ralph Garcia of Camarillo (7th) and Will German of San Fernando (7th) earned state medals in 2001.
John Garfinkel of Highland medaled in 1999
Chad Troxler of Simi Valley was a two-time medalist, finishing 4th in 1998 and 3rd in 1997.

Tomorrow, the area could have the most number of medalists in the same year; the first one from Littlerock, the youngest one (two sophomores are eligible); the highest placer from San Fernando (Gallegos or Mendez) and/or the third area state champion in the last 26 years.

It is halftime of the Div. I-AA girls' basketball championship at Anaheim Convention Center.

National powers Mater Dei and Brea-Olinda are in a good battle.

Mater Dei leads, 32-25.

The Oaks Christian boys' volleyball team stayed hot with a 27-25, 25-18, 25-20 victory against Mission League team Harvard-Westlake.

The Lions began the season Wednesday with a sweep of Viewpoint.

Here are the stat leaders:

Carter Franciskovic-18 kills, 4 blocks, 10 digs
Kyle Schoch- 11 kills, 2 blocks, 6 digs
Derrick Sokol- 7 kills, 4 blocks
Kyle Sisson- 6 digs, 2 aces
Jennings Franciskovic- 36 assists, 2 blocks, 4 aces

When you shoot 31 percent from the field, you better play some good defense if you want to win the game, so give Sierra Canyon High credit for doing so Friday in a 48-45 overtime victory over Montclair Prep in the Southern Section Div. V-A basketball championship at Mater Dei High.

In winning its first boys' title in school history, Sierra Canyon did just enough. The cold-shooting Trailblazers made 19 of 61 shots, including 4 of 21 3-pointers, but Montclair Prep struggled even more, hitting 16 of 56 (28.6 percent) without making a 3-pointer in 12 attempts.

Pretty it was not, but Sierra Canyon (25-5) celebrated like it was Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

"We made the shots at the end, and that's all that matters," Sierra Canyon's Jahmel Taylor said. "I had trust that we would pull it out. We worked hard, and our plan was to just play as a team and see what happened."

Taylor scored 16 points, but it took him 17 shots to do it, and he was the only Sierra Canyon player to score in the fourth quarter, as the Mounties led briefly 42-41 on Trey Dickerson's driving layup with 2 minutes, 53 seconds remaining. Taylor followed with a jumper, and Sierra Canyon never trailed again. In overtime, his two free throws gave the Trailblazers a four-point lead.

Oaks Christian is trailing 18-11 with just under five minutes remaining in the Div. IV-A championship game at Anaheim Convention Center.

The Lions are having major trouble rebounding against the huge Saints.

DAILY NEWS TOP 20

1. Chatsworth (25-5) - No one has a deeper pitching staff

2. Chaminade (25-7) - Six seniors are headed to major colleges

3. Valencia (17-10) - Will anyone pitch to slugger Trey Williams?

4. Alemany (19-9) - Came on strong last year with young talent

5. El Camino Real (18-11) - Ace Jose Cardona is 19-3 over two seasons

6. Moorpark (23-9) - Hungry for more success after reach quarters

7. Crespi (22-6) - Not as much star power but strong tradition

8. West Ranch (18-9) - Pitching needs to hold up in stretch

9. Saugus (15-12) - Sluggers Nick Lombardi and Justin Sheehan are back

10. Montclair Prep - Small school with big-time talent

11. Harvard-Westlake (17-14-1) - Has the pitching to win a lot of games

12. Newbury Park (19-10) - Has all the pieces in place

13. Thousand Oaks (16-14) - CF Avondre Bollar more than a football stud

14. Quartz Hill (18-10) - Lots of key returnees including Sheely twins

15. Kennedy (14-13) - No excuses for talented Golden Cougars

16. Lancaster (19-9) - Returns top pitchers Bass and Barker

17. Arleta (24-5) - Record was flashy but can they beat top opponents?

18. Royal (25-7) - Highlanders wish Cody Buckel was still around

19. Campbell Hall (20-9) - Lineup filled with top hitters

20. Oaks Christian (21-8) - Ready to catch up with football, basketball teams

Aaron Brown, OF/LHF, Chatsworth, Sr. - Brown is coming off an impressive year in which he batted .368 with five home runs - including a shot against El Camino Real that might have been the longest in Chatsworth history - while going 5-1 with a 3.72 ERA.

Jose Cardona, RHP, El Camino Real, Sr. - The City Player of the Year, Cardona was 11-1 with a 1.56 ERA, and he won three playoff games, including an eight-inning shutout in the semifinals and a relief win in the championship at Dodger Stadium.

J.P Cloney, LHP/1B, West Ranch, Sr. - Despite a back injury, Cloney, who mixes a heavy fastball with a sharp-breaking curve, was 7-2 with one save, a 3.69 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 49 innings. He also batted .310 and played errorless defense.

Ryan Cruz, RHP, Kennedy, Sr. - With limited run support, Cruz was 5-3 with a 2.95 ERA, and four his wins came against All-City pitchers - ECR's Jose Cardona (his only loss), Chatsworth's Christian Lopez, San Fernando's David Lira and Birmingham's Kevin Torres.
Max Fried, LHP/IB, Montclair Prep, Jr. - Already committed to UCLA, Fried, a junior left-hander with a big curveball, was 10-3 with a 2.30 ERA, and he batted .446 with 40 RBIs.

Justin Greco, OF, Royal, Jr. - A powerful 5-10, 215-pounder, Greco hit .333 with five home runs and 30 RBIs to help the Highlanders to the Div. I final, and he was also a top defensive player in left field.

Lucas Giolito, RHP, Harvard-Westlake, Jr. - A 6-foot-6 right-hander who has committed to UCLA, Giolito's fastball was clocked at 96 mph at the Area Code games this summer, raising his stock considerably.

Josh Heinz, INF, West Ranch, Jr. - In his first varsity season, Heinz set a school-record with 46 RBIs while batting .402 with eight home runs, 12 doubles and an .841 slugging percentage. Also a top third baseman.

Steven Karkenny, OF/RHP, Chatsworth, Sr. - One of the Southland's top all-around players, Karkenny batted .425 with two home runs and 22 RBIs, and he was 5-1 with a 1.63 ERA and six saves. Also a terrific outfielder with a strong arm.

Nick Lombardi, INF, Saugus, INF, Sr. - A five-tool prospect, Lombardi is coming off a terrific junior season that included a .430 average, four home runs and 20 RBIs, and he also turned in a sensation performance at shortstop.

Ryan Paramo, Alemany, P, Jr. - Paramo, a left-hander with pin-point control, was named Mission League Pitcher of the Year after finishing 7-2 with a 3.14 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 61 innings. He and junior Cody Thompson form quite a duo.

Kevin Torres, Birmingham, Util, Sr. - One of the top all-around players in the City Section, Torres batted .494 with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs, and he was also an ace pitcher. He's coming off a strong summer and could be an MLB draft pick.

Mathew Troupe, C/RHP, Chaminade, Sr. - A 6-foot-1, 200-pounder who has been a dominant player since earning Daily News Newcomer of the Year honors as a Granada Hills freshman, Troupe (University of Arizona) is among six Chaminade D-I commits.

Chris Whitmer, El Camino Real, C, Sr. - Whitmer, an All-City selection, batted .366, scored 34 runs and totaled a school-record 27 walks, as the Conquistadores won the City championship at Dodger Stadium. Also a top defensive player.s

Trey Williams, Valencia, INF, Jr. - One of the nation's top young prospects, Williams, a 6-2, 205-pounder, batted .388 with 10 home runs - including three in one game - with 32 RBIs, 34 runs and .796 slugging percentage. The son of former Major Leaguer Eddie Williams.

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

OTHERS TO WATCH

Catchers

Dylan Alexander, Simi Valley, So.

Jordan Berger, Taft, Sr.

Alex Bishop, Valencia, Sr.

Jason D'Andrea, Chaminade, Sr.

Spencer Dubois, Moorpark, xxx

Adam Ehrlich, Campbell Hall, Sr.

Frankie Figueroa, Sylmar, Sr.

Alex Gould, Notre Dame, Jr.

David Hubinger, St. Francis, Sr.

Chris Mallon, Kennedy, Jr.

Ricky Obando, Chatsworth, Jr.

Arden Pabst, Harvard-Westlake, So.

Patrick Roxbury, Canyon, Sr.

Rocky Sherwood, Golden Valley, Sr.

Andrew Spinks, Reseda, Sr.

Cole Taylor, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Ryan Tinkham, Royal, Sr.

Collin Yelich, Westlake, Jr.

First base

Joe Corrigan, Harvard-Westlake, So.

Zachary Friedman, Taft, Sr.

Trevor Gretzky, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Miguel Perez, Arleta, Sr.

Cole Rutherford, Chaminade, Jr.

Jake Woolley, Moorpark, Sr.

Infielders

G Allen, Cleveland, Sr.

Cole Achermonti, Simi Valley, Sr.

Blake Barnes, Moorpark, Sr.

Jack Bensinger, Campbell Hall, Sr.

Cory Bloom, Campbell Hall, Sr.

Chad Clark, Agoura, Sr.

Brady Conlan, Chatsworth, Sr.

Matt Corcoran, Moorpark, Sr.

Dylan Delaney, Chaminade, Sr.

Daniel Dietz, Hart, Sr.

Billy Fredrick, Golden Valley, So.

Ryan Escobar, Chatsworth, Sr.

Luke Eubank, Newbury Park, Jr.

Jason Garfinkel, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Drew Hacker, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Scott Heineman, Crespi, Sr.

Nick Kinsman, Royal, Jr.

Mike Livingston, Palmdale, Sr.

Nick Lovullo, Newbury Park, Jr.

Mike McCallister, Verdugo Hills, Sr.

Randy Medellin, Birmingham, Jr.

Max Miller, Montclair Prep, Sr.

Payton Milone, Notre Dame, Jr.

Anthony Mizrahi, La Canada, So.

J.J. Muno, Notre Dame, So.

Martin Orozco, Granada Hills, Sr.

Jordan Orringer, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Trevor O'Shea, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Luke Persico, Hart, So.

Quincy Quintero, Valencia, Sr.

Cody Ramer, Simi Valley, Jr.

Tanner Reibenspies, Chaminade, Sr.

Alex Rubanowitz, Calabasas, Sr.

Sho Serrano, Quartz Hill, Sr.

Jay Sheeley, Quartz Hill, Sr.

Alex Sawelson, Taft, Sr.

Erik Trujillo, Arleta, Sr.

Brian Tucker, Sierra Canyon, So.

Peter Van Gansen, Alemany, Jr.

Shane Zeile, Valencia, Sr.

Outfielders

A.J. Balta, Valencia. So.

David Blazer, Milken, Sr.

James Bonds, Valencia, Sr.

Aaron Brown, Chatsworth, Sr.

Chris Carlin, Chatsworth, Sr.

Josh Clark, Hillcrest Christian, Jr.

Jack Colick, Crespi, Sr.

Michael Dingilian, Chaminade, Sr.

Mitchell Dergazarian, El Camino Real, Jr.

Jack Flaherty, Harvard-Westlake, Fr.

Sam Horn, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Sean Houlihan, Moorpark, Sr.

Nick Hunyh, Notre Dame, Sr.

Peter McAfee, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Jimmy McCarron, Granada Hills, Sr.

Troy Mulcahey, Crescenta Valley, Jr.

Chris Nicholson, El Camino Real, Sr.

Evan Ocello, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Daniel Pitts, Quartz Hill, Sr.

Brandon Rapoport, Chaminade, Sr.

Justin Sheehan, Saugus, Sr.

Cody Sulflow, Alemany, Sr.

Nick Vigo, Simi Valley, Jr.

Pitchers

Ryan Barker, Lancaster, Jr.

Scott Barlow, Golden Valley, Sr.

Jakari Bass, Lancaster, Sr.

Dalton Brown, Chaminade, Sr.
Travis Cassidy, Calabasas, Sr.

Ivan Ceja, Arleta, Sr.

Alex Daley, Westlake, Sr.

Madison Dang, Crespi, Sr.

Alberto Flores, Kennedy, Sr.

Tyler Glasnow, Hart, Sr.

Garrett Gooding, Hart, Sr.

Jack Hartman, Cleveland, So.

Scott Heineman, Crespi, Sr.

Matt Higginbotham, Moorpark, Sr.

Blake Howell, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Jerry Keel, Palmdale, Sr.

Danny Keller, Newbury Park, Sr.

Ryan Keller, West Ranch, Sr.

Travis Lange, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Matt Lathuras Notre Dame, Sr.

David Lira, San Fernando, Sr.

Christian Lopez, Chatsworth, Sr.

Javy Lopez, Arleta, Sr.

Phillip Marquez, Poly, Jr.

Taylor Pina, Canyon, Sr.

Travis Radke, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Nick Rivas, Valencia, Sr.

Angel Rodriguez, Chatsworth, Sr.

Jack Sheeley, Quartz Hill, Sr.

Levi Shordon, Simi Valley, Sr.

A.J. Silberman, El Camino Real, Sr.

Elliot Surrey, Crescenta Valley, Jr.

Josh Smith, Golden Valley, Sr.

Ryne Smith, Highland, Jr.

Nick Suniga, Montclair Prep, So.

Juvenal Terrazas, Sylmar, Sr

Cody Thompson, Alemany, Jr.

The Oaks Christian boys' volleyball team got off on the right foot Wednesday in a 27-25, 25-18, 25-20 sweep of Viewpoint.

Carter Franciskovic had 18 kills and 10 digs, sophomore setter Jennings Franciskovic registered 36 assists and four aces, Kyle Schoch had 11 kills and Derrick Sokol had seven kills and four blocks.

Oaks Christian will be tested more Friday with a nonleague match against Harvard-Westlake.

Harvard-Westlake's run through the Div. II-A bracket came to a screeching halt Thursday at Anaheim Conevention Center in a humbling 66-45 setback against Canyon of Anaheim in the championship game.

The Wolverines lost one of their best players, Leslie Schuman, to a severe mouth injury early in the game and couldn't get over the hump.

Canyon shot the lights out in the fourth quarter and the lead swelled to 20.

Harvard-Westlake was gunning for its third consecutive championship in a different division.

The Wolverines caught a rare break this year when it was moved up from Div. IV-AA and things got easier in a mediocre division but couldn't solve Canyon.

In a stunning upset, La Canada took down state power Price 50-47.

The Spartans led by 14 points twice but had to hold off rallies by the Knights.

Dario CiVon made two free throws with 12.2 seconds remaining after Price missed two shots that would have given the Knights the lead.

La Canada busted its lead up to 14 points in the third quarter but Price scored 10 unanswered points in the final 1:55 to get back in it again.

La Canada leads 39-35 with one quarter to go.

St. John's-bound forward Norvel Pelle (6'10) has no field goals for Price.

La Canada has been cutting up the Knights with precision execution and 3-point shooting but Price's athleticism came through at the end of the third quarter.

La Canada could be on the verge of an upset against top-seeded Price in the Div. III-AA championship game.

The Spartans lead 28-23.

Mike McGlashan made three free throws and a layup late in the second quarter to keep La Canada on top.

Price trailed 21-7 at one point but made a nice comeback to get within striking distance.

Price is a 10-time Southern Section champion that has only missed the finals in two of the last 12 years.

La Canada is off to a hot start against Price in the Div. III-AA championship game at Anaheim Convention Center.

Mike McGlashan and his teammates are making 3-pointers and getting open for easy layups.

La Canada leads 18-7 with under one minute remaining in the first quarter.

The official Los Angeles Daily News high school baseball preview is set for Friday's edition, so get your copy!

I won't ruin the surprises, but there's a big feature, plus the preseason All-Daily News team,Five Burning Questions, Top 20 rankings, Games to Watch, lots of names of the top players in the area by position and lots more.

In a meeting today to determine if Dillon Freeman of Granada Hills could attend the state meet this weekend, the CIF issued this statement.

"In consultation with the L.A. Section due to weigh-in procedure discrepancies during the Section wrestling championships, it has been determined that Dillon Freeman will be placed in the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Dillon will be randomly placed and will wrestle in the first round. No athlete will be displaced by this action."

The senior was one day away from not being able to compete in the state meet at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. He was cleared today after an emergency meeting.

After scrambling for dramatic comeback wins the past two playoff games, Buckley High is an underdog against top-seeded Oaks Christian at 9 a.m. Saturday in the Southern Section Div. IV-A championship at Anaheim Convention Center -- and the scrappy Griffins are OK with that.

"That's what everyone says, but by now we're used to it," Buckley standout Nick de Bonfilhs said.

Because the tipoff is so early, both teams will be out of their usual routine.

"I don't care about that because there's nothing we can do about it," de Bonfilhs said. "I think it's good for us, actually, because we played an early-morning game earlier this season, and we did really well."

Oaks Christian (23-7) has won 12 in row, 10 by 10 points or more, though the Lions did have a close call Friday in a 56-54 win over Morningside at Inglewood High. First-year coach Andre Chevalier refuses to have anything to do with the David-vs.-Goliath theme.

"Yeah, right. Once you get to this level, I don't think anyone is going to give anything to you," Chevalier said. "Buckley is young but talented, and they play hard. It's going to be a good game. We're going to have to play our best basketball to win."

Chevalier did acknowledge that the 9 a.m. start makes the game a bit unusual.

"I call it the 'Breakfast Jack' slot. It's a tough time because it throws off your pregame routine," Chevalier said. "Usually we eat three or four hours before, so we have to make some adjustments. But we're just excited to be in it."

Buckley has won 20 in a row, improving steadily with a group that includes six freshman (two starters) and three sophomores (one starter).

"We've been down and have come back, so I wouldn't count us out because that's just something that goes with territory when you've only got three seniors on the team," Buckley coach Mike Hamilton said. " We're a really young team, and Oaks Christian is a much bigger school, but you know, this is awfully exciting. The whole thing is kind of fun because we haven't lost a game for two months now."

Alpha League rivals Sierra Canyon and Montclair Prep face off at 5 p.m. Friday in the Div. IV-A championship at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana, and though the teams split this season, Sierra Canyon (24-5) should have an edge after defeating the Mounties 68-51 last time in a game in which Sierra Canyon led by as many as 32 points.

"We had a nice win in the semifinals against Pasadena Poly, and Montclair had a nice win against St. Bernard. I'm honestly very excited to play for a CIF championship," Sierra Canyon coach Ryan Silver said. "It's excited for the kids, and it's exciting for the schools."

Two of the San Fernando Valley top guards face off, as Sierra Canyon's Jahmel Taylor goes head to head with Montclair Prep's Trey Dickerson. Taylor, a sophomore, averages 21.6 points and 5.7 rebounds, and he's shooting 38 percent on 3-pointers and 81 percent from the line. Dickerson, a junior, averages 17.6 points and 6.9 assists, and he's shooting 35 percent on 3-pointers.

"Montclair Prep is good, and Dickerson is a very good point guard," Silver said.

Added Montclair Prep assistant Howard Abrams: "It's a classic matchup between those two, and both will eventually be playing in college."

Montclair Prep has history on its side, having won four section championships with one state championship and one state runner-up. Sierra Canyon reached a final last year but has never won a boys' title.

"We're trying to get to the promise land," Silver said. "We're trying to be No. 1, and it's exciting for the kids."

Valley Torah (22-4) is trying to become the first orthodox Jewish school to win a basketball title, and the Wolfpack from North Hollywood are the top seed heading into a Div. VI-AA final at 8:15 p.m. Saturday against Bishop Diego at Mater Dei.

"This is what we've been working for since August. Our goal has been to win CIF," Valley Torah center Aaron Lieberman said. "We've got one shot, and only one shot, so we're going to do our best to pull it off. I'm really focused on winning this game."

Lieberman, a 6-9 senior who towers over most small-school opponents, averages 18 points, 11.3 rebounds and 8.8 blocks. Some of Valley Torah's other top players are Nathanial Lieberman, Yosef Grundman and Natanel Tzon.

Dillon Freeman of Granada Hills was disqualified from the City Section finals last weekend because of a school ID snafu.

The senior had his driver's license but had forgotten to bring his school ID with him to weigh-ins before the tournament. The school's athletic director produced it via email through his phone, which was approved by the on-site City administrator and Freeman continuing checking in. Several coaches then complained that Freeman had weighed-in after everyone else and therefore was denied participation.

Freeman was the 160-pound City champion last year and was favored to win the 152-pound crown and go to state this year. The family and their lawyer are attempted to get permission for him to participate in the state tournament - which starts Friday in Bakersfield.

Because he is a senior, this is his last chance to compete at state as a prep wrestler.

Funeral arrangements are have been scheduled for Greg Goossen, the former Notre Dame High baseball star who was found dead Saturday at his home just an hour before he was scheduled to be inducted into the school's first Hall of Fame class. He was 65.

The funeral is at 6 p.m. March 10 at St. Francis De Sales in Sherman Oaks with a reception following. The address is 13368 Valleyheart Drive.