High Schools: January 2008 Archives

Victor Rudd, one of California's top juniors according to various scouting sites, has been declared eligible to play for Van Nuys after sitting out nearly the entire season awaiting his fate. The decision follows favorable rulings last week for Mat Hankins and Willie Hankins, who transferred before the season with Rudd from Sylmar to Van Nuys. They were first ruled ineligible by City commissioner Barbara Fiege under a new rule that disallows transfers to follow a former coach; former Sylmar assistant Charles White is Van Nuys' new coach.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

By Gerry Gittelson
Staff Writer

North Hollywood's talent wore down Verdugo Hills tonight. Final: Huskies 64, Dons 57.

North Hollywood's Julio Mejia said he was never worried when Verdugo Hills opened its 15-point lead.

“You always have to keep the mentality that you’re going to win,” he said.

Verdugo Hills pulled to within 57-52 on Bobby Blake’s two free throws with 2 minutes, 51 seconds remaining. But Mejia scored six points over the next minute on a three-point play, followed by three free throws, and the cold-shooting Dons managed just one field goal the rest of the way.

“It’s the same thing again. My team doesn’t contain for a whole game – just spurts,” first-year coach Gregory Gibson said. “It’s almost like we’re schizophrenic to tell you the truth. North Hollywood is a good team, and they adjusted to what we were doing.”

North Hollywood’s Jesse Zarate scored 20, and Mejia and Jordin Carroll both added 15.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

The Ventura County Football Coaches Association will again sponsor a luncheon to honor high school football players in the county who will sign National Letters of Intents. The ceremoney/lunch is Wednesday, Feb. 6 at 11 a.m. at the Clarion Palm Garden Hotel at 495 N. Ventu Park Road in Thousand Oaks.

The cost is $21 per person.