Gerry Gittelson: January 2008 Archives
Several local high school football coaches are considering asking the Southern Section to investigate possible recruiting violations by Alemany High and its principal, Frank Ferry.
Saugus coach Jason Bornn, Canyon coach Chris Varner and Valencia coach Larry Muir have complained over the phone to Southern Section commissioner Rob Wigod. Muir said he is attending a meeting today to decide whether or not to file an official complaint, and he believes the other two will file, too, if possible.
There is also a district meeting scheduled soon to discuss the William S. Hart district filing against Alemany, according to Bornn.
Southern Section representative Thom Simmons said he is aware about the allegations, but nothing is official.
At issue is a group meeting at Alemany in December, consisting of 17 youth-football players from Santa Clarita and their families. Bornn and Muir said Thursday that the meeting constituted undue influence.
"I dont agree with it. I just don't like it," Muir said. "I think we're going to lose kids, and obviously we don't want that to happen."
Ferry and Alemany head coach Dean Herrington said Thursday they have done nothing wrong, and Ferry said he had even called Southern Section commissioner Jim Staunton beforehand to warn him about possible future complaints.
Ferry also said the hiring Tuesday of longtime Hart of Newhall defensive coordinator Rick Herrington, Dean's older brother, has other programs worried.
"When Alemany was going 0-10 and 2-8, everyone loved us," Ferry said. "Now I have two of the best coaches in California on one staff, and every one is upset we're getting interest from eighth-grade kids, not just from Santa Clarita but the San Fernando Valley, Simi, Antelope Valley, all over."
Bornn sent a mass e-mail Thursday urging anyone with information about Alemany wrongdoing to contact the Southern Section.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Wow, on the heels of H.W.'s upset loss Monday at Crespi, this one is real shocker:
Chaminade 66, Harvard-Westlake 54
We had our hot new reporter, Jahmal Corner, covering the game, so read all about it in tomorrow's Daily News.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
According to a story in the Antelope Valley Press, Lemuel Galvao has resigned as AVC's women's soccer coach. though he will remain Highland High of Palmdale's boys' coach.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Hot-shooting Dovie Hoffman has helped lead Valley Torah of Valley Village to a five-game winning streak. He is averaging 20.8 points, including 22 with 13 rebounds Saturday in a 59-50 victory over West Valley Christian.
Jermaine Dansby, a top sophomore for Community Charter in Lake View Terrace, has given a non-binding verbal committment to UC Santa Barbara, even though he plays for a City Section small school with just 265 students.
He's averaging 19.3 points and 12 assists, albiet mostly against light competition.
"Jermaine Dansby is the most underrated, under-the-radar player in Southern California," Community Charter coach Les Bean said. "He's a superb ball-handler and very poised with an excellent feel for the game. And he's one of the best ball defenders in Southern California. We scored 31 points in a loss to Santa Margarita, one of the top two teams in the state, and Jermaine scored 22. That gives you an idea of how good he is."
Lancaster coach David Humphreys, who played at The Master's College and has remained in good shape through the years as a private shooting coach, has yet to meet a player who can outshoot the master.
"My players think they can beat me, but they never will. You can't outshoot a shooting coach," Humphreys said. "Once in a while, I have to show them they have no chance to beat me."
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
(818) 713-3691
Spotted in the stands Tuesday at the Valencia-Hart game was baseball Hall of Famer Eddie Murray and renowned rock drummer Carmine Appice, who has played with everyone from Vanilla Fudge to Ozzy to Rod Stewart.
No, they were not together ...
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Terrez Scott knew he had it in him. The Valencia guard was coming off a two-point performance and had not come through with a game-winning shot in the final seconds since he was a little kid, but he scored two baskets in the final minute Tuesday– including a short jumper with six seconds left – to lift the Vikings to a 62-60 boys’ basketball victory at rival Hart to all but eliminate the Indians (17-7, 3-4) from Foothill League championship contention with three games remaining.
“This feels amazing,” Scott said. “We had to come together at the end, and my team was there for me. It was a team win.”
Hart trailed by as much as 12 in the first half and was down by 10 at halftime before roaring back before a near-capacity crowd that was on its feet for much of the fourth quarter.
The last minute belonged to Scott, and that was the difference.
“Terrez just willed us to win,” teammate John Otavka said.
Scott, a 6-foot senior, finished with 11 points. Skyler Seymour added 17 points and 10 rebounds, Otavka scored 12, and Lonnie Jackson and Brandon Thrush added eight.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
(818) 713 3691
This one looks like it might come down to the wire. Packed house, lots of excitement. Wyche hit another 3-pointer, and here comes Hart.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
(818) 713-3691
Fifteen days after defeating Hart by 27 points, Valencia is rolling again. The Vikings lead 40-30 at halftime in a key Foothill League game. Hart's Brad Wyche has been most impressive, scoring 13 points with three 3-pointers, including a couple of 24-footers that would have been NBA 3-pointers.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
(818) 713-3691
There's a buzz in the air about Hart's longtime football assistant, Rick Herrington, resigning today to take the defensive coordinator job at Alemany of Mission Hills. Meantime, there is basketball to be played against visiting Valencia (16-6, 5-1), and it's a big one. With four games left, Valencia can put a stake through Hart's heart by all but eliminating the Indians (17-6, 3-3) from Foothill League championship contention.
Stay tuned ...
Jenna Novelli, a Pierce College volleyball player by way of Paraclete High in Lancaster, has accepted a scholarship to Div. II Truman College, according to a story in the Antelope Valley press.-- gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Crespi of Encino could challenge annual power Chatsworth for San Fernando Valley baseball supremacy this spring, based on the presence of five Division I-bound returnees: pitcher/outfielder Ryan Hawthorne, second baseman Carlos Lopez (Fullerton), pitcher/outfielder Sean Gilmartin (Florida State), catcher Jeremy Rodriguez (Cal State Bakersfield) and pitcher Tyler Johnson (Stony Brook).
The defending Southern Section Div. III semifinalist Celts almost certainly will be the division’s preseason No. 1 team, and this might turn out to be Crespi’s most talented team ever.
“We’ll have to wait about that, but it looks like it stacks up pretty well,” said coach Scott Muckey, in his 22nd year.
Crespi also is primed to unleash Ryan Healy, a 6-foot-3 sophomore with a huge upside: He was the junior-varsity team’s top hitter and pitcher as a freshman, and his fastball has been clocked at 85 mph.
“He’s a pretty good hitter, and he throws pretty hard,” Muckey said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
HS FOOT: Rick Herrington: “It was a tough decision.”
Hart defensive coordinator Rick Herrington said he nearly broke down today while delivering the news that he is leaving the Indians and his brother, Mike, to join Alemany’s staff and their other brother Dean.
“I told our principal today, and it was very emotional,” Herrington said. “I wasn’t quite in tears but I was feeling it. I’m feeling it now. Emotionally, it’s not very fun.”
Herrington said he talked to Mike on Monday about leaving.
Mike, who will be 50 in March, is the eldest brother. Rick is 47 and Dean is 44. They started to together at Hart and were together from 1989 to 2000, when Dean left.
“I’ve been doing the same thing for 30 years. This is a chance to do something different,” Rick said. “I need to see if my defense can work with a new program, and I want to help Dean out. I just needed a change. I just needed to be somewhere else. I’m sure Mike is upset and OK with it at the same time. I don’t know how much longer I’ll be doing this.”
Rick will remain at Hart as a teacher.
Alemany principal Frank Ferry believes Herrington’s arrival will prove a major turning point in local high school football.
“You put Dean’s offensive mind and Rick’s defensive mind together, and it’s puts Alemany to a whole other level and makes us one of the top football programs in California,” Ferry said. “Plus, Rick is a great guy. I couldn’t ask for anything better.”
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Rick Herrington, Hart’s longtime defensive coordinator, has left one brother to join another. He has resigned Tuesday as Hart’s top assistant under 19-year coach Mike Herrington to join Alemany of Mission Hills coach Dean Herrington as Alemany’s new defensive coordinator.
“It’s great. Rick is one of the top defensive coordinators in the the CIF,” Dean said.
Mike isn’t ready to comment. Stay tuned:
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
You would think David Green, who intercepted 12 passes this past football season for Paraclete in Lancaster -- a relatively respected program that once won five Southern Section titles in a row and has seen numerous graduates play major-college football – would have some scholarship interest, but so far it’s not happening.
“I don’t know why, to be honest. It’s probably because Paraclete isn’t as well known as it was,” Green said.
It doesn’t help toiling in the distant High Desert, which has long been a hot bed for underrated talent.
With National Signing Day looming next Wednesday, Green, who is 6-foot-2, 180 pounds, plans to walk on San Jose State if a late offer does not come through.
Paraclete’s coach, Norm Dahlia, thinks it’s a travesty.
“His film looks really good,” Dahlia said. “I’m not just saying this because he’s on my team, but David is one of the best safeties I’ve ever seen. I think they’re missing the boat on this kid. Maybe he doesn’t run a 4.6 40-yard dash, but throw in the field and nobody can catch him.”
There is hope. Division I-AA Northern Arizona and NAIA school Kansas Wesleyan have expressed interest, and Arizona and Arizona State requested tape.
“He’s going to fit in somewhere,” Dahlia said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Larry Drew (Taft), Jrue Holiday (Campbell Hall) and Justin Cook (Renaissance) are among the locals nominated for the annual McDonald's All-American Basketball Team.
Chatsworth's Kim Brandon has been nominated for the girls' team. The top 24 boys and girls play in the annual McDonald's All-Star Game on March 26 in Milwaukee.
Proceeds from the Game will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin.
Find the full list here:
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
According to scout.com, Notre Dame running back Thaddeus Brown, a soft Boise State commit, has been offered by Washington while on a visit there Friday, and he is taking another visit to Nevada this weekend. Those are the three schools in the running for Brown, who has rushed for more than 1,000 yards two seasons in a row.
He said he will announce his decision next week.
image from scout.com
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Austin Shanks, a running back/return specialist from Crespi High of Encino who is perhaps the San Fernando Valley's fastest football player, could soon commit to Division I-AA Northern Arizona, according to Crespi coach Jeremiah Ross.
"I think he'll end up committing there. He has taken a visit, and I think he feels most comfortable there," Ross said. "There are some DI schools interested, too, like San Jose State and Colorado, but Northern Arizona wants him in an every-down role. He'll have to earn out, but I think at Northern Arizona he can be on the field all the time It's his No. 1 choice right now."
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Twin linebackers Ryan and Justin McKillop of Saugus have committed to Wagner College, a D-I program in Staten Island, N.Y.
"They'll be playing football together. I think it's a good choice for them," said their father, John.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Boys_Bball.Poll[1].docCampbell Hall of North Hollywood (Div. III-AA) and Renaissance Academy (Div. III-A) are ranked No. 1 in their respective divisions in the latest CIF Southern Section poll. Here is poll:
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Agoura's Doug Shumway has committed to Cal Poly SLO, the first Agoura quarterback since Ryan McCann in 1997 to commit to an NCAA Division I scholarship.
Shumway committed Tuesday after a weekend recruiting visit. He passed for 2,023 yards and 19 touchdowns this past season.
"Cal Poly is getting an outstanding player," said Charlie Wegher, Agoura's 14-year head coach. "I tell you what. I wish I could have had him for a few more games because he was just hitting his stride."
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
With National Signing Day looming a week from this Wednesday on Feb. 6, there continues to be a lot of movement, the latest Oak Park DB Sean Westgate's committment to UCLA atter earlier committing to Arizona. Check out the story on scout.com.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
After a year off to pursue other interests, former Grace Brethren of Simi Valley coach Ted Gourley is back, according to the Ventura Star. He replaces Mark Hofler, who went 4-6 last season.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Here's an update to the Eagle Rock situation: Principal Salvador Velasco did call back a few moments ago, agreeing with my suggestion there might be two sides to the story -- but he couldn't talk much about ex-coach Jerry Chou, fired two weeks ago,
"At this time I'm not able to talk to a newspaper because any situation with an employee is confidential," Velasco said. "I can't talk about employee relations."
Velasco confirmed the walkout and plans to regroup with the players during a lunch meeting today.
"We want the kids to have their concerns heard. i don't want them thinking they don't have someone to listen to and to talk to them," he said. "My door is always open to talk to them, and they know that. But it's got to be done systematically because there are so many who can fit into my office at one time."
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
As planned, Eagle Rock football players and hundreds of supporters walked out of homeroom class at 9 a.m. today and gathered in the school quad, chanting "Hell no, Chou won't go!" in support of former coach Jerry Chou, fired two weeks ago by principal Salvador Velasco.
"There were a lot of people out there ... Velasco came out and said coach Chou will never coach at Eagle Rock again," said one player, requesting anonymity. "He said the administration has no say in the matter. It's (Velasco's) decision."
The player said he and the students chanted: "Hell no, Chou won't go!"
Chou was fired two weeks ago after going 43-7 with two City Invitatonal championships in four years. He remains on campus as a teacher.
A meeting has been set up at lunch today in the auditorium to discuss the matter further, the player said.
Velasco has not returned a phone call seeking comment.
Stay tuned. We'll keep you updated ...
Eagle Rock, one of the area's most successful high school football programs, might find difficulty fielding a team next season if former coach Jerry Chou, fired two weeks ago after going 43-7 with two City Invitational titles in four years, is not reinstated.
One of Eagle Rock's top returning players, requesting anonymity, said every returning player on the team, along with most graduating seniors, has signed a petition - 187 signees in all - and presented it to principal Salvador Velasco, demanding Chou's return.
If not, they say, the players will have "nothing to do" with Eagle Rock football. They have organized a walkout for all students at 9a.m. today.
"We won't be there on the team anymore," the player said. "We think the principal has fired coach Chou for the wrong reason. It's all personal. He just wants to get rid of him. We know the school makes money based on how many kids show up for the home-room class (at 8:56a.m.), so we're walking out so they won't make any money. That way, Velasco will have an idea of what we're capable of doing, and how badly we want coach Chou back."
Chou, 46, said he was fired because of the after-effects from an incident in November, when he briefly resigned and was re-instated after supporting a fellow coach in a dispute with Velasco. Chou remains a teacher at the school.
"Velasco said he felt like he couldn't trust me anymore, that I could do this again at any time," Chou said. "Basically, Velasco forced my colleague to re-instate a player who had quit, and I didn't feel it was right to overrule a coach like that."
FOR MORE, CLICK HERE:
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
The annual East-West All-Star Football Game is set for June 15 -- Father's Day -- at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa. Coaches should be announced soon. Information: (818) 999-5197.
Harry Welch, a former longtime coach at Canyon High who's now at St. Margaret's of San Juan Capistrano, is coaching in the Southern California Bowl, an all-star game set for Saturday at 1:15 p.m. at Cal State Fullerton. ESPNU is televising.
"It's going to be terrific," Welch said.
Welch might not be his fiery self, however, because he is recovering from throat surgery --his fourth surgery to repair his voice -- about one month ago.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
NFL quarterback Matt Moore, formerly of Hart High of Newhall, spoke to students today at Rio Norte Junior High in Santa Clarita as a part of career day.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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
Sylmar transfer Willie Hankins, who along with brother Mat joined Van Nuys' team last week after waiting out an eligibility appeal process, is averaging 19 points and appears to have retained his outside shooting touch.
“I did a lot of shooting on my own while I was waiting,” Hankins said. “The gym, the YMCA, the park, my backyard. I pretty much shot about 300 shots per day.”
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Since Palmdale standout Justin Haynes left the team after a loss to Quartz Hill on Jan. 2, the Falcons (7-12, 2-6 in Golden League) are 2-5, including three consecutive defeats heading into tonight’s game against Knight of Palmdale.
Haynes, who leads the league with an average of 21.6 points, is not expected to return.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Campbell Hall seeks its 50th league victory in a row Friday night at Crossroads.
The Vikings also have won 50 home games in a row after defeating Brentwood on Jan 12. The only rub is the Vikings have not or practice since because of final exams.
“It’s the longest we’ve gone, even during winter break,” coach Terry Kelly said.
Jrue Holiday, who has career totals of 2,146 points and 1,039 rebounds, is on pace to finish among the Southern Section top 10 in both categories.
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
Down 15, North Hollywood went on a 26-2 spree to pull ahead by nine midway thru the third against visiting Verdugo Hills, and now it's 57-50 North Hollywood with just over three minutes remaining in the game ...
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Verdugo Hills' 6-foot-8, 285-pound center Oscar Martinez has proved a dominant force with 13 points, as the Dons opened a 15-point lead. But North Hollywood closed the half with a 15-2 spurt, and here we are at halftime with Verdugo up by two. Stay tuned.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
North Hollywood is looking for its fifth victory in a row, and visiting Verdugo Hills needs a win to remain in the hunt for a league title. Really rainy out there, so the refs just arrived ... Will keep ya posted ...
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Fresh off a dramatic comeback in a one-point win over West Ranch High of Stevenson Ranch four nights earlier, Hart of Newhall couldn’t pull off another miracle.
The Indians cut a 20-point fourth-quarter lead to six in the final minute Tuesday at Saugus, but the Centurions made four free throws down the stretch to preserve a 74-66 victory.
Hart (16-6, 2-3) could have forged a tie with Saugus (17-3, 4-1) for first place in the Foothill League. Instead, the Indians are left to wonder if guts alone are enough to keep pace over the final two weeks.
“I wonder what would happen if we played hard the whole game and not just the fourth quarter?” Hart coach Tom Kelly said. “It’s a 32-minute game, and I think we played hard for 12 minutes. We’re going to go back to practice for two days and see these kids can play a whole game.”
It was the most points scored all season against Saugus, which has allowed an average of fewer than 49 per game. But it was the bottom line that mattered, and there remain serious questions about whether Hart can cope without the league’s most dominant returning player, Mike Montgomery, who was dismissed from the team 12 days ago.
Since Montgomery left, Hart is 1-2, and it could have been 0-3 if not for a furious comeback last game against West Ranch, as the Indians rallied from 14 points in the final three minutes, 22 seconds.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Saugus continues to rely on its defense, holding down Hart in a big way while opening a 41-19 halftime lead -- part of a pattern for the Centurions, who have allowed fewer than 50 points per game this season.
Cameron Diorio leads the way for Saugus with 11 points, including two 3-pointers, as Saugus has totaled five 3-pointers and scored on numerous easy backdoor layups.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
What a smooth transition from the wrestling mat to the octagon for former Palmdale High wrestler Cameron Froede, a rising Mixed Martial Arts combatant who is 2-0 after soundly defeating Mike Penifeil in three rounds Friday at a cage-fighting event at Antelope Valley Fairgrounds in Lancaster.
Four years after qualifying for the Southern Section Masters meet and falling just one victory shy of state championship berth, Froede, 23, has learned to use his fists – bloodying and bruising Penifeil to win a unanimous decision in one of the most entertaining – though one-sided – bouts of the evening.
“The guy just wouldn’t go down, but it was good win,” said Froede, 166 pounds. “I thought I’d try cage-fighting just for fun, and it’s become something I just love do.”
Meantime, another promising Palmdale cage-fighter, Daniel McWilliams lost Friday for the second time in a row by referee stoppage to fall to 2-3, and it might be time for McWilliams, 171, to consider other pursuits. …
First place in the Foothill League on the line tonight, as Saugus (16-3, 3-1) takes on visiting Hart (16-5, 2-2) in what figures to be a close and compelling game. Will try to keep ya'all updated thru the night ....
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
You won’t find a more well-rounded athlete than Stephen Wirthlin, a Canyon senior who has played just about every sport – and played them well.
First and foremost, Wirthlin is a top football player, a two-year starter at receiver and defensive back for one of the area’s most respected programs. He played basketball for two years and has run track for three, and this past Friday he started the day by making the final cut for the boys’ volleyball team before scurrying off for a soccer game, scoring his second goal of the season in a 2-1 victory over Valencia.
“Actually, soccer used to be my favorite sport, but I haven’t played since the eighth grade,” Wirthlin said. “After soccer season, I think I’ll play volleyball and try to run track whenever I can.”
Wirthlin is hoping to play football at BYU – his brother, Richie, is a walk-on for the Cougars but is taking a break to complete a two-year Mormon mission in Moscow – but so far Stephen has received only minor interest from a couple of other universities.
“For me, it’s BYU or bust,” the younger Wirthlin said. In other Canyon football news, defensive lineman Mike Spagnola is leaning toward Idaho State after an official visit this past weekend. National Signing Day is Feb. 6.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Check out a nice story about about Glendale coach Brian Beauchemin, who has 496 victories since taking over in 1979.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Looks like Milton Knox might be headed to Notre Dame, or at least he's taking an official visit to South Bend Feburary 3rd - or three days before official signing day. Knox is a soft commit to UCLA, but is also considering Florida. Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks QB Dayne Crist and LB Anthony McDonald and Crespi of Encino TE Joe Fauria are all committed to Notre Dame, and have been putting a hard sell on Knox to join them.
Eagle Rock High football coach Jerry Chou, who has won two City Section Invitational titles and four Northern League championships in four years, was fired Friday by principal Salvador Velasco, Chou said.
“I was called into the office and asked if I’d like to re-apply, and I said no, I said I’ll go somewhere else. I was just speechless,” Chou said. “Then (Velasco) asked if I’d be transferring out after the semester or after the school year, and I said I’d be gone in 10 minutes, that I’m leaving right now.”
Velasco wasn’t available for comment.
Chou, 46, of Alhambra, was 43-7, including Invitational titles in 2005 and 2006. He said he will not consider returning to Eagle Rock.
“I feel betrayed. I don’t know how to take this,” Chou said. “(Velasco) didn’t even give me a reason.”
Chou said he has talked to most of his assistants, none of whom plan to apply for the job. Instead, Chou said, they will follow him.
“We’re going to try to stay together and coach somewhere else,” Chou said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Harvard-Westlake of North Hollywood's Ryan Merkle hasn't played in nearly a month while resolving "personal issues," according to coach Greg Hilliard, and it remains unclear when, or if, Merkle will return, though Hillard expects him back by the end of the month.
"Ryan has some personal issues, but it needs to be a private matter, and we're trying to keep it that way," Hilliard said. "Hopefully, he'll be back. We just don't know when. There's no timetable but we're all behind him and we all love him. We hope it works out."
Merkle, who has committed to UC San Diego, was averaging 5.7 points.
Hilliard said Merkle was not suspended from school.
"He didn't do anything bad," Hilliard said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
George Hurley has resigned as football coach at Newbury Park, announcing his decision Wednesday at the team banquet after hinting at retirement in last month following a Northern Division semifinal loss to Hart of Newhall.
In December, Hurley, 59, told the Daily News: “I’m just tired. I don’t know what I’d do with myself, but I’d like to find out. … If you’re going to quit, then after a semifinal season is a good time."
In 19 years as head coach, Hurley finished 130-81-2 with six Marmonte League titles and one Southern Section title.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Freshman Reggie Coates is making quite an impact at Crespi, not just as a basketball player – he’s the Celts third-leading scorer – but as a football player, too. After an impressive first year as a running back/defensive lineman on the freshman team, Coates, a 6-foot, 200-pounder, is averaging 7.3 points and 5.9 rebounds on the hardwood.
“We’re happy to have him. Reggie has great instincts,” coach Russell White said. “He’s not really looking to shoot outside yet, but he handles the ball well and he’s strong. He’s going to be pretty good.”
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
All six Foothill boys' teams entered league competition .500 or better. Hart (15-3) and surprising West Ranch (12-4) have won seven in a row.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Simi Valley has been forced to reschedule tonight's Marmonte League boys' game vs. Newbury Park because of an electrical problem in Simi's gym. The game has been switched to Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
"It's the transformers. We've got some of the little things working but not the big things," Simi Valley coach Christian Aurand said. "All games here have been canceled and will be replayed Saturday."
-- Gerry Gittelson
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