Daily News High School Spotlight

HS FOOT: Only six teams remain unbeaten in area

2008-10-13T04:05:07Z

Halfway through the regular season in football and only six teams have unblemished records.

The question is who will go the longest before losing.

Here are the six unbeatens:

Notre Dame (5-0)
Oaks Christian (5-0)
Alemany (5-0)
Thousand Oaks (5-0)
St. Francis (5-0)
Malibu (5-0)

Boys basketball: Two UCLA recruits may go head-to-head

2008-10-13T01:33:35Z

I was talking with Sylmar coach Bort Escoto while watching a full slate of NFL games this afternoon and Escoto said he is trying to set up a scrimmage with Windward of Los Angeles.

Normally this would just be a another low-key scrimmage but Sylmar features UCLA-bound Tyler Honeycutt and Windward has Renaissance Academy transfer Anthony Stover, who also recently committed to the Bruins.

Escoto gave no actual date or time but did say he was going to call Windward coach Miguel Villegas and try to make it happen.

More to come as details become clearer.

Stay tuned...

Boys basketball: UCLA and USC lose out on top player from San Diego

2008-10-13T01:27:18Z

Jeremy Tyler, one of the top-10 players in the country in the class of 2010 will not be staying in California to play college basketball.

Tyler, from San Diego High, committed to Louisville over the weekend according to CardinalSports.com.

The 6'10 center averaged 23 points, 15 rebounds and eight blocks last year as a sophomore and was named the state sophomore of the year by Cal-Hi Sports.

JC FOOTBALL: Record Setting Day for COC's Winborn, Carpenter

2008-10-12T05:54:07Z

It was a record setting night for College of the Canyons sophomores Hayo Carpenter and Fred Winborn.

At the rate the COC continues to dominate opponents, many more records are bound to be broken.

Carpenter and Winborn combined to score six touchdowns as the Cougars (6-0, 2-0) routed Moorpark 48-3 in Western State Conference game at Cougar Staduim Saturday night.

Carpenter set the single-game record with 225 receiving yards on 12 receptions, breaking the previous mark of 214 yards set by Mark Hamilton against Glendale in 1998. He scored two touchdowns, returning the opening kickoff 95 yards and hauling in a 14-yard pass from Brad McClellan in the second quarter.

Winborn scored four touchdowns, tying the career mark of 29 which was set by J.J. Arrington (2001-2002). He scored on runs of 14, 12, 3 and 1 yard and finishing with 74 yards on 12 carries. The former Grant of Van Nuys running back broke the career mark for most carries with 240, breaking the old record of 233 held by Marcel Marquez (2004-2005).

COC, which entered with the second ranked offense in the state - averaging 523 yards per game, put the game out of reach early scoring 27 first quarter points and building a 34-3 lead at the half.

McClellan was the workhorse for the Cougars, rushing for a game-high 155 yard on 18 carries and throwing for 298 yards on 19 of 26 passing. The sophomore scored on a one-yard run to cap an 11-play, 76 yard drive in the middle of the fourth quarter.

The COC defense, which ranks third in the state allowing 223 yards per game, held Moorpark (3-2, 0-1) to 53 yards rushing and allowed just nine first downs.

Saugus girls demonstrate amazing depth once again

2008-10-12T03:08:45Z

Led by sophomore Kaylin Mahoney, one of three girls to break 18 minutes Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational, the Saugus girls' cross country team placed eight individuals among the 30 fastest runners in the entire meet at Woodward Park in Fresno, all within a 48-second span of each other on the 5-kilometer course.

The Centurions' official varsity team time was 91:27, but the combined efforts of their five fastest runners was 91:24, factoring frosh/soph winner Karis Frankian (18:28) as the team's No. 4 runner, to go along with Mahoney (17:50), Brianna Jauregui (18:08), Amber Murakami (18:28) and Anne Randall (18:30).

Keri Molt was Saugus' No. 5 runner in the varsity race in 18:31. Stephanie Bulder (18:35) and Danielle Hernando (18:39) were right behind Frankian in the frosh/soph race.

For the complete listing of team times and individual results, click here:

HS FOOT: Mojave game called in second quarter because of injury

2008-10-12T00:54:05Z

Trailing 21-0, Mojave's homecoming game Friday against Silver Valley was called late in the second quarter after Mojave's Darren Johnson lay motionless for 30 minutes and was airlifted to the hospital, according to a story in the AV Press.

According to the story, Johnson is doing OK. The school homecoming dance also was canceled.

gerry,gittelson@dailynews.com

HS FOOT: Here's why Oaks Christian was hoping St. Bonnie would have beat LB Poly

2008-10-11T23:08:09Z

You can bet Oaks Christian is a bit bummed St. Bonaventure lost to Long Beach Poly 12-7 on Friday, as the richocet effect of the defeat might eventually cost Oaks Christian a state bowl berth in Div. III.

Here's the logic:

St. Bonaventure already has defeated Crespi, and a win over Long Beach Poly -- considered a state favorite in Div. I -- combined with St. Bonaventure winning the rest of its coming games (probably will happen) would have made St. Bonaventure a strong candidate to represent the South in the new, highest "open" division of the bowl series, a step higher than being named the Div. III representative.

Being chosen for the "open" division is an anointment that goes to the best team, regardless of division, and St. Bonaventure might have fit into that categroy -- and left a spot in Div. III for Oaks Christian, assuming the Lions can win a sixth consecutive section title (probably will happen, too).

Now, if St. Bonaventure wins out and takes the Northern Division championship, and Oaks Christian, playing less worthy nonleague and playoff opponents, wins the lesser Northwest Division, the nod in Div. III probably would probably go to St. Bonaventure over the Lions.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

ECR's Schmitt leads locals in XL boys' race at Clovis

2008-10-11T20:29:52Z

El Camino Real of Woodland Hills' Brett Schmitt continued his march toward a City Section individual title Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, covering the 5-kilometer layout in the extra-large school boys' varsity race in 15 minutes, 49 seconds to finish fourth.

Esperanza of Anaheim's Elliot Myers (15:44) won the race and Paramount (102 points) was victorious in the team competition, which featured several area programs.

Quartz Hill finished third (192), Burbank was fourth (193), Canyon took seventh (227) and Highland of Palmdale placed ninth (248). Thanks to Schmitt and sophomore Sean Padgett (12th, 16:17), ECR took 11th (276).

Canyon's Anthony Pizzo (16:06) took eighth, Valencia's Falco DiGiallonardo (16:09) placed ninth, Burbank's Greg Dotson (16:10) rounded out the top 10 and Canyon's Thomas McGuan (16:16) finished 11th.

Highland sophomore Dylan Alexander (16:18) was 14th and Golden League counterpart Zach Risinger (16:30) of Quartz Hill finished 17th.

Canyon girls take third in XL school race at Clovis

2008-10-11T19:59:28Z

With Alex Dunne clocking the fastest time of the day (17 minutes, 34 seconds) at Woodward Park in Fresno and San Clemente placing all seven of its runners in the top 17 on the 5-kilometer course to score 49 points, the battle became for second in the extra large school girls' varsity race Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational.

Although Canyon of Canyon Country (112 points) took third to Arcadia (106), the Cowboys had a number of strong performances, led by a fifth-place finish from Hayley Parkinson (18:59) and a ninth-place effort from Alyssa Selve (19:07).

Valencia's Lauren Bloom (19:01) placed seventh and teammate Megan McDaniel (19:35) was 13th, Canyon's Jessica Gatton (19:42) took 19th and Quartz Hill's Kelsey Elder (19:45) rounded out the top 20 to help the Rebels finish fourth with 172 points.

Goldstein leads Oak Park boys' team to runner-up finish in small school race

2008-10-11T19:41:43Z

Oak Park's James Goldstein set a fast early pace in the boys' varsity small school race Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, but Woodcrest Christian of Riverside's Jake Jeanson and La Salle of Pasadena's Austin Williams surged in the final mile to take first and second on the 5-kilometer course.

Jeanson clocked 15 minutes, 37 seconds, with Williams finishing in 15:44.

Goldstein placed third in 15:51, Gareth Morl was seventh (16:18) and Omar Levy finished 10th (16:28) for Oak Park, which took second behind Woodcrest Christian in the team competition. Woodcrest Christian (81:39) recorded 64 points and Oak Park (82:31) had 76.

Despite having one runner place in the top 25, Flintridge Prep of La Canada Flintridge (85:22) relied on its depth to place third with 173 points.

Paraclete of Lancaster (87:38), with two runners in the top 20, took 10th with 291 points.

Oak Park's Skiba puts up No. 2 girls' time of the day in Fresno

2008-10-11T19:13:41Z

Melissa Skiba said her goal was to run under 18 minutes on the 5-kilometer course at Woodward Park in Fresno at the Nov. 29 state meet.

The Oak Park junior might have to reevaluate her goals for the Div. III state championship following her performance Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational.

Skiba clocked 17 minutes, 48 seconds to win the girls' varsity small school race over Valley Christian of San Jose's Jennifer Bergman (18:03), edging Saugus' Kaylin Mahoney (17:50) for the No. 2 time of the day by a female runner.

Less than an hour after the conclusion of Skiba's race, San Clemente's Alex Dunne won the girls' varsity extra-large school race in 17:34.

La Reina of Thousand Oaks, behind a third-place finish from junior Sarah Pearson (18:34), a sixth-place effort from Rachel Brajkovich (18:55) and a 20th-place finish from Tara Blanchard (19:49), won the small-school team competition with 97 points, ahead of Mayfield of Pasadena (105). Oak Park, which included a 16th-place result from Sarah Kiner (19:43), was fourth (164).

Paraclete of Lancaster sophomore Melissa Bauer finished eighth (19:19) for the Spirits, who took sixth with 220 points.

C.V.'s Torres engages in outstanding battle with Schwartz, Sanchez

2008-10-11T18:12:41Z

Three of the state's top runners engaged in a thrilling battle that went down to the wire in the boys' sweepstakes race Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, with Foothill of Bakersfield's Chris Schwartz prevailing by the narrowest of margins over Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta's Zack Torres and Buchanan of Clovis' Jonathan Sanchez on the 5-kilometer layout.

Schwartz, the top-ranked runner in Div. III, outkicked his two competitors in the final 100 meters to win in 15 minutes, 9 seconds. Torres, the No. 1 runner in Div. I, delivered a head-first lean that would've made his father Phil -- C.V.'s baseball coach -- proud to get the nod for second in 15:10.

Sanchez, Buchanan's top runner making his seasonal debut after being sidelined with injuries the first month, also clocked 15:10. His effort helped Buchanan win the race with 85 points, ahead of Thousand Oaks (147).

Buchanan, competing with its full roster for the first time this season, recorded a team time of 78:10, with Thousand Oaks clocking 79:11.

Palma of Salinas' Tyre Johnson, the top-ranked runner in the state in Div. IV, placed fifth (15:15).

Sean Gildea was the top runner for the Lancers, finishing 10th in 15:19. Kevin Joerger was 19th in 15:41 and Asher Lober clocked 15:46 to place 26th.

Lancaster's Pedro Zaragoza took 12th (15:24).

Strong showing for Crescenta Valley female runners in sweepstakes

2008-10-11T17:34:28Z

Often overshadowed by Saugus, the Crescenta Valley of La Crescenta girls' cross country team continued its progress Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, taking second in the girls' sweepstakes race with 140 points.

Mountain View, the second-ranked team in the state in Div. II behind Saugus, won with 134 points. Mountain View's team time was 94:18, with C.V. -- ranked No. 5 in the state in Div. I -- clocking 94:38.

West Ranch, ranked No. 10 in Southern Section Div. I, finished seventh with 184 points and Highland of Palmdale placed 11th (238).

After running as fast as third through the 2-mile mark, West Ranch junior Bailey Miller finished sixth (18:18), with Highland sophomore Caylie Choate took 11th (18:31).

Michelle Callister was the top finisher for C.V., taking 12th in 18:33. Carlotta Pham provided support by taking 17th (18:43) and Megan Doeding cracked the top 25, placing 24th in 18:51.

West Ranch sophomore Jennifer Owen was 21st (18:47) and freshman teammate Ashley Welker took 27th (18:55).

Nelson takes second, but Saugus boys get first over Granada

2008-10-11T16:39:56Z

The domino effect is in full effect for the Saugus cross country program and whether it's girls or boys, the Centurions keeping knocking off one team after another.

Saugus junior Alec Nelson took second in the large school boys' varsity race Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, clocking 15 minutes, 41 seconds on the 5-kilometer course and senior teammate Brandon Jauregui finished fourth in 15:45 for the Centurions, who won the team competition with 113 points, recording a narrow victory over Granada of Livermore (116).

Edison of Huntington Beach junior Matt McElroy won the race in 15:37.

Joey Eledge was the Centurions' No. 3 runner, taking 22nd in 16:17. Kevin Heinemann finished 33rd (16:24), with Camden McAllister (53rd) and Ryan Melton (54th) both clocking 16:43.

Randall, Saugus back in a big way on Woodward Park course

2008-10-11T16:20:30Z

Anne Randall is back.

Unfortunately for the rest of the competition in California, the Saugus girls' cross country team never goes away.

The Centurions -- ranked No. 2 nationally by Harrier Magazine -- placed five runners in the top six in the large school girls' varsity race Saturday at the 30th annual Clovis Invitational at Woodward Park in Fresno, finishing with 18 points and clocking an impressive team time of 91 minutes, 27 seconds on the 5-kilometer layout.

Saugus clocked a course-record 90:49 at last year's state meet to win its second straight Div. I title.

Sophomore Kaylin Mahoney won in 17:50, with senior Brianna Jauregui taking second in 18:08, validating their status as the top two runners in the state in Div. II, according to Dyestatcal.com.

Amber Murakami finished fourth in 18:28 and Randall, a senior who has been an instrumental part of Saugus' past two state titles, enjoyed a breakthrough effort after struggling the first month of the season by taking fifth in 18:30.

Senior captain Keri Molt was sixth 18:31 and Courtney Wilson clocked 20:01 to finish 39th.

Thousand Oaks' Allie Lopez finished 33rd (19:52) for the Lancers with 191 points.