Gerry Gittelson: February 2008 Archives

SOUTHERN SECTION PLAYOFFS

All games 7:30 tonight

Div. I-AA

Thousand Oaks at J Serra

Loyola at Santa Margarita

Simi Valley at LB Wilson

Mater Dei at Harvard-Westlake

Div. II-AA

Eisenhower at West Ranch

Cajon at Hoover

Saugus at Bishop Montgomery

Div. II-A

Northview at Highland

Santiago Corona at Lancaster

Knight at Roosevelt

Div. III-AA

Campbell Hall at Montebello

St. Joseph at Oaks Christian

La Canada at Morro Bay

Schurr at Oak Park

Div. III-A

Renaissance at Notre Dame

Div. IV-A

29 Palms at Viewpoint

Div. V-A

Malibu at Kern Valley

PHOTO OF HARVARD-WESTLAKE'S RENALDO WOOLRIDGE

Former Hart girls' coach Dave Munroe will be inducted into the Southern California Interscholastic Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame on March 1 at a ceremony in Long Beach, according to a story in the Signal.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com.

Div. V-A program Malibu is on the verge of its best season, as the Sharks look to advance to the semifinals for first time with a victory tonight at Kern Valley.

"I'm excited about the chance to help bring Malibu further than ever before," senior Ryan Walczuk said. "I think we definitely have a shot. We have depth this year, and that's been key."

Walczuk acknowledged there is a negative stigma associated with Malibu sports because it's a vacation town and home -- and playground -- for the rich and famous.

"I don't think people take us seriously. I would love if we can change all that by winning," he said.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

No team has been able to clamp down defensively like Div. III-A top seed Renaissance Academy of La Canada, coming off a 77-19 victory over Estancia of Costa Mesa that lowered the Wildcats' points-allowed average to 44.2 per game.

Just one of Renaissance Academy's past eight opponents has scored more than 50 points.The Wildcats, who have lost in the section finals three years in a row, play tonight at Notre Dame of Riverside in the quarterfinals. Justin Cook leads Renaissance Academy with an average of 18.7 points.Renaissance Academy is 74-11 over the past three seasons.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Eagle Rock football players and supporters demonstrated in Eagle Rock today, protesting the firing of coach Jerry Chou, who won four league title and City Invitational titles in four seasons. The players want principal Salvador Velasco removed. No new coach has been named, but Velasco has said Chou is not welcome back, though Chou remains a campus teacher. Here's a photo from today's activities, sent by one of the players.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Give Westlake High of Westlake Village some credit for not being intimidated .

After surviving a wild-card victory three days earlier, the underdog Warriors gave Harvard-Westlake all it could handle in the first quarter, hitting five 3-pointers in the opening minutes in a Southern Section Div. I-AA first-round matchup.

But Westlake went scoreless for nearly five minutes to begin the second quarter, as Harvard-Westlake (21-7), taller and more athletic, steadily pulled away in an 81-49 victory.

“You can’t shoot like that forever. Eventually you cool down,” Westlake’s Adam Kalodney said. “We just couldn’t keep pushing them, and we got outrebounded.”

Harvard-Westlake faces Mater Dei of Santa Ana in the second round Tuesday.

The Wolverines received a huge boost Friday from sophomore Austin Kelly, who scored a career-high 22 points (15 in the first quarter) and impressed defensively.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Westlake shot the ball great in the first quarter, hitting five 3-pointers while scoring 25 points in the first quarter. But the Warriors went scoreless for nearly five minutes of the second quarter, as Harvard-Westlake went on a 13-0 spree and leads 45-27 at the half.

HW sophomore Austin Kelly is putting on a show. He scored 15 points in the first quarter, 17 at the half, and he has looked terrific on defense with several steals and fast-break layups.

I would be SHOCKED if Westlake can even make a game of this thing in the second half. Harvard-Westlake looks extremely focused.

Stay tuned ...

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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That's the compelling issue, in what otherwise figures to be a fairly easy evening for Harvard-Westlake (20-7), which has won seven section titles but has slipped to the No. 15 seed in Div. I-AA.

Nine days is a long time in high school basketball, especially when you consider Westlake (18-9) is brimming with momentum after coming back Tuesday from a 12-point deficit to defeat El Segundo in a wild-card game.

"The nine-day layoff, I've seen it go both ways," Harvard Westlake coach Greg Hilliard was saying a minute ago. "I'm seen it be an advantage, and I've seen it be a disadvantage. It's one of those things where you just have to wait to see what happens."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Vernon "Doc" Simpson, founder and executive director of Montclair Prep of Panorama City, died Tuesday at Cedars-Sinai, one year after celebrating the school's 50-year anniversary.

An avid supporter of local sports, Simpson helped build Montclair Prep into a sports power, winning multiple Southern Section titles through the years in football, basketball and baseball.

A two-hour memorial service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Feb. 22. For those who wish to speak at the memorial, call the school: (818) 787-5290, Ext. 15.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

The ongoing conflict between public and private schools could soon reach a head, according to a story in the L.A. Times. There is a movement toward dividing prep playoffs into public vs. private competition.

One man in the the middle of the situation is Bill Redell, head coach at Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, a private school that has dominated in the Tri-Valley League, consistenting of all public schools except for Oaks Christian.

"I know there are a lot of tensions because everyone thinks private schools have an advantage and that we give out athletic scholarships, but that's not true," Redell said. "Think about it: Every kid at a public school is on scholarship because it's free, while Oaks Christian costs $20,750 a year. Should we be in the Tri-Valley League? Probably not, but you've got to put us somewhere. I'm tired of all the complaining."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

The "de-committment" phase seemed to reach an all-time high this year, with countless top football prospects -- both local and national -- breaking their non-binding verbal committments to change their minds.

But don't take my word for it. Just look at what Allen Wallace of SuperPrep.com said to USA Today: "The story about oral commitments isn't really a story anymore. It's just a non-event because (switches) happen on a constant basis."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Westlake plays host to El Segundo tonight in a Div. I-AA wild-card game -- the winner plays at Harvard-Westlake on Friday in the first round -- and Westlake needs to contain El Segundo's star player, 6-foot-7 Kevin Ryan, who is averaging 20.6 points and 13.9 rebounds. Tipoff is 7:30 p.m. at Westlake.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Taft is seeded No. 1 in the City Section, but eventually the Toreadors could face opponents with much taller players.

Eugene Phelps (6-foot-6) and Terran Carter (6-5) are the tallest starters, and an opposing post player such as 6-10 Renardo Sidney of Fairfax of L.A., could pose problems. But there’s a catch: Phelps and Carter play “tall.”

Phelps might be the best jumper in the San Fernando Valley, and Carter is a top rebounder, averaging 9.8 rebounds, including 18 in one game.

“We’re big enough,” coach Derrick Taylor said. “High school basketball games are won in the backcourt because it doesn’t matter if you have big guys if you don’t have anyone to get them the ball.

"The X-factor is the point guard, and we’ve got Larry Drew, and he gives us an advantage over everyone because no one can stop him.”

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

When you’re the best, you should expect the best from everyone else. That’s state power Campbell Hall of North Hollywood’s mentality heading into the playoffs.

Southern Section playoff pairings were released Sunday, and as expected, the Vikings (21-5) are seeded No. 1 heading into a first-round Div. III-AA matchup Friday against visiting Azusa.

Defending state champion Campbell Hall has won two Southern Section titles and two CIF State titles over the past three years, and with star guard Jrue Holiday and several other top scorers back, a lot is expected.

“I don’t know. The seedings and all the stuff doesn’t really matter,” forward James Johnson said. “We practice the way we play – hard – so that’s what we’re going to keep doing.

“I guess everyone thinks because the playoffs are do-or-die that it’s stressful, but I don’t care. I just play through it. … I think we’re pretty good.”

Simi Valley is seeded No. 3 in Div. I-AA, the section’s highest division. The Pioneers open against either Servite of Anaheim or Lawndale, and they know because of their flashy 25-1 record, the Pioneers will have a target on their back.

“We’ve been ready for this from the start of the season, so we’re just going to keep playing hard,” Simi Valley’s Michael Meza said. “Yes, there’s a target on our back, and I think that’s why a lot of teams have their best games against us. We just have to match the intensity.”

Harvard-Westlake of Studio City, ranked among the division top 10 for most of the season, lost three in row and finished second in the Mission League. As a result, the Wolverines dropped to the No. 14 seed and could face national power Mater Dei of Santa Ana in the second round.

Photo by Gerry Gittelson

SOUTHERN SECTION BOYS’ BASKRTBALL
Friday

DIV I-AA
Chaminade at Dominguez
Mission Viejo at Thousand Oaks
Agoura at Loyola
Servite or Lawndale at Simi Valley
Crespi at LB Wilson
Westlake or El Segundo at Harvard-Westlake

DIV. II-A
West Ranch at Chaffey
Hoover at Bonita
Burroughs at Saugus
Esperanza or Damien at Valencia
Camarillo at Highland
Antelope Valley at Righetti
Lancaster at Victor Valley
Atascadero at Knight

Div. III-AA
Azusa at Campbell Hall
Oaks Christian at Ribet Academy
Montclair Prep at Magnolia
Brentwood at La Canada
Rolling Hills Prep at Oak Park

Wednesday

Div. IV-AA
Antelope Valley Christian at Patriot

Div. V-AA
New Community Jewish at Lone Pine
Wildwood at Highland hall
L.A. Adventist at Tarbut V’Torah
Valley Torah at Silver Valley

Div V-A
Packinghouse Christian at Newbury Park Adventist
Sierra Canyon at Immanuel Christian
Ventura County Christian at Malibu
Pioneer Baptist at Desert
SF Valley Academy at Hope Centre
Filmore at First Lutheran

Taft has earned the No. 1 seed at the playoff meeting today, followed by No. 2 Westchester, No. 3 Fairfax and No. 4 Fremont. Check back for complete brackets.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Saugus High came up short again.

Agonizingly short.

Seeking its first boys’ basketball league championship in 25 years, all the Centurions needed to do Friday was defeat fourth-place Hart to finish in first place for the first time since 1983.

Instead, visiting Saugus lost 57-53 to fall into second behind Valencia, ending another season in tears instead of cheers.

Hart did the same thing to Saugus three years ago, defeating the Centurions in the finale in 2004-2005 to play spoiler.

Back then, the drought was 22 years, and Hart’s Marcus Moloznik was a freshman reserve. On Friday, with Hart (19-8, 5-5) protecting a one-point lead with 20 seconds remaining, his 3-pointer from 22 feet proved decisive.

“The shot clock was winding down, and I knew I had to shoot it,” Moloznik said. “We’ve played in a lot of close games, so I wasn’t nervous.”

The victory was Hart’s second in a row after a wobbly stretch in which the Indians lost 4 of 7 games since top player Michael Montgomery was dismissed from the team Jan. 11.

Saugus was down by as many as 19 and twice cut the advantage to one point but was never ahead. It figures to take some time for Saugus (21-5, 7-3) to get over this one. The Centurions have a week to regroup before the Southern Section playoffs begin.

“The first quarter, we just didn’t play our game. We were out of it,” Saugus’ Mike Cassio said. “I think we were more into the hype than into the game. It’s a heartbreak loss.”

Hart’s Levi Wenrick scored 18, Molozik added nine and Chris Gill scored eight. Mario Wright led Saugus with 17 points.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Hart is looking to play the spoiler role, surging to a 19-point lead before Saugus roared to make it 31-24 at the half at Hart. Saugus must win to earn a league title for the first time in 25 years, but Hart isn't going to roll over.

This place is rocking -- packed to the back, standing-room only. And you know it's going to come to the wire ... It's one of those nights.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Saugus (21-6, 8-2) dominated the Indians on their own court Friday to tie Hart (17-8, 8-2) for first place in the Foothill League, though the Indians won a post-game coin flip to earn the higher seed in the Southern Section playoffs.

The victory avenged a one-point loss Jan. 22.

“We’re just a better team right now. We expected this,” said Saugus’ Lauren Lafat. “I’m really excited because I went to Hart as a freshman. I know all these girls.”

Lafat scored 24 points, and teammate Daniel Mofsowitz added 12 – on four 3-pointers.

Hart’s Megan Ford scored 20 points, but Hart fell behind by 18 points in the first half and could get no closer than 10.

Saugus is in position tonight to win a league title for first time since 1983, a dry spell that began in the Golden League before the Centurions joined the Foothill League in 1992. All visiting Saugus (20-4, 7-2) needs to do is defeat Hart in the finale.

“That would be true, and we’re happy for the opportunity, but we’re not going to be defined by this game,” Saugus coach Jeff Hallman said. “It’s an important game, but it’s not all about beating Hart. Had we lost the first game and defeated Hart in the last game, we’d be in the same position.”

The one bad omen for Saugus is the Centurions were in the exact same position three years ago, when Hart played spoiler with a victory in the 2004-2005 finale.

“Hart’s always tough, and I’m sure it’s going to be an emotional game,” Hallman said. “Mario Wright and Joey Dietrich have been real consistent and haved played well, but we’re not a team of stars. We just need to execute, do what we do and give it our best shot.”

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Steve Hagerty, who won three consecutive Southern Section football championships at Paraclete in the late 1990s, has been named head coach at Bishop Amat, according to an L.A. Times blog.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Steve Hagerty, who won three consecutive Southern Section football championships at Paraclete in the late 1990s, has been named head coach at Bishop Amat, according to an L.A. Times blog.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Michael Lien, a top linebacker at Valencia, has committed to South Dakota State, according to The Signal.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Crespi running back Austin Shanks, perhaps the San Fernando Valley's fastest football player, has signed with Northern Arizona, a Div. I-AA program. After placing fifth in the state in 200 meters, Shanks rushed for 1,386 yards this past season to help carry Crespi to the Southern Section Pac-5 title game.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Quarterback Austin Heyworth of St. Francis and receiver Chris Abraham of Monroe of North Hills have signed with Div. I-AA UC Davis.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Van Nuys High finally has its whole team together now that transfers Victor Rudd, Will Hankins and Mat Hankins finally are eligible, and the Wolves won their third game in a row tonight, a 64-49 victory at North Hollywood that puts Van Nuys (12-15, 7-2) in position to tie first-place North Hollywood (19-7. 8-1) for the Sunset Six League championship with one game remaining.

Van Nuys needs to defeat Poly on Friday, while North Hollywood must lose at Verdugo Hills of Tujunga.

With Rudd, whose arrival has coincided with Van Nuys' winning streak, Van Nuys has its final piece. The 6-foot-8 junior scored 23 points, putting an exclamation point on the performance with nine points in the final minute -- a jumper and two free throws, followed by a double-pump reverse slam dunk, then a 3-pointer from the corner as time expired.

Will Hankins added 23 points, and freshman Dominique Evans scored nine, as Van Nuys finished with a 20-7 run over the final six minutes after North Hollywood, down by as much as 19, had pulled to within 44-37 on Jordin Carroll's 3-pointer.

"North Hollywood isn't the best team in the league anymore. We are," Hankins said. "It's a great feeling to finally have everyone together."

North Hollywood was without third leading scorer Julio Mejia (flu), while returning All-City guard Jesse Zarate, who said he also was sick, was held to nine points, going scoreless over the final 14 minutes. It was the first time this season Zarate didn't manage to score in double digits.

"I don't know what happened. I just tried to do everything possible to get the victory," Zarate said.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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This thing is getting out of hand: Van Nuys is ahead 33-17 at the half, as the Huskies, shorthanded without key starter Julio Mejia (flu), must serious regroup.

Mejia is the second Sylmar starter to be stricken with the flu, the latest in a series of illnesses and absences for the Huskies.

"What's up the flu vaccinations? That's a good question," North Hollywood coach Rob Bloom said beforehand. "We will really need to pick up the slack."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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North Hollywood (19-6, 8-0) already has clinched a share of the Sunset Six League title, but style points are on the line tonight. Not just for the Huskies, who want to remain undefeated in league with a win over visiting Van Nuys, but for Van Nuys, too, as the Wolves (11-16, 6-2), now fully together with transfer Will and Mat Hankins and Victor Rudd, want the other share -- plus a favorable City tournament seed (read: not bottom four).

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Canyon quarterback Sean Gavin signed Wednesday with Colorado State Pueblo, a D2 program that has resurrected its football team for the first time since 1983.

Which begs the question: Hey Sean, have you ever played in snow?

"No, I haven't actually," Gavin said. "But I'm excited. it's all brand new, they're bringing back football, and it's a good opportunity."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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"

Another easy basketball victory for Campbell Hall of North Hollywood, another milestone for Jrue Holiday.

Holiday scored 38 points Tuesday in a 73-43 victory over visiting Montclair Prep of Panorama City, eclipsing former Simi Valley standout Don MacLean (2,243 points, 1986-88) as the San Fernando Valley area’s third all-time scorer with 2,281 points, according to Cal-Hi Sports.

With one Olympic League game remaining, plus the Southern Section playoffs (and probably the CIF State playoffs), Holiday trails only Mitchell Butler (2,682 points, Oakwood, 1986-89) and Greg Goorjian (2,506 points, Crescenta Valley, 1976-78).

Holiday added 17 rebounds, nine steals, four assists and a blocked shot, helping the Vikings to their 112th victory in 124 games since his arrival four years ago. Teammate Dallas Rutherford scored 18 points, and James Johnson chipped in 10 points, nine rebounds and seven blocks.

“It was a good night,” Campbell Hall’s Max Rose said. “It’s the last game here for the seniors, so I got to play more minutes than usual.”

Montclair Prep (13-8, 5-4) committed 32 turnovers but fared than its last game against the Vikings, who defeated the Mounties by 46 points three weeks ago.

A scuffle broke out in the second quarter. Montclair Prep’s Padraic Kane, who appeared to throw a punch, was called for technical and ejected from the game, while Campbell Hall’s Johnson was cited for a technical.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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.

Considering Campbell Hall defeated Montclair Prep by 46 points three weeks, this one is a lot closer than you'd think -- with Campbell Hall up just 17-15 after one quarter. But Campbell Hall has reeled off a 10-0 run to begin the second quarter, so it could be another long night for the Mounties.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Two of the San Fernando Valley’s most successful programs go head to head tonight in this Olympic League matchup between the visiting Montclair Prep Mounties against host Campbell Hall of North Hollywood. Stay tuned ….

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Football coach Jeremiah Ross won’t leave Crespi of Encino to coach at state power Clovis West, despite reports he was the top candidate to fill the Clovis West vacancy created when Marty Martin (ex-Village Christian) was fired last month.

“I pulled my name out of the job. I’m staying at Crespi,” Ross said today (Tuesday). “I owed it to my family to look into it at Clovis West, but the deciding factor was I love the kids at Crespi and I love the school. It would be too hard to leave. This is where my heart is.

"I don’t plan on going anywhere soon. There are too many good people at Crespi and too many good things going on.”

In three years, Ross, 31, is 28-11, winning the Southern Section Div. X title in his first season in 2005, and finishing as the Pac-5 runner-up this past season. Standout quarterback Bryan Bennett is among Crespi's returning starters for next season.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Running back Milton Knox of Birmingham of Lake Balboa has been named EA Sports second-team All-American as a multi-purpose player.

The third-team selections included quarterback Dayne Crist (Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks) and running back Delano Howell (Hart of Newhall).

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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According to an AP story in USA Today, a a high school wrestling coach in Pittsburgh accused of biting a wrestler in the leg has agreed to resign rather than face possible criminal charges, police said.

Mike Marshall bit the wrestler from Central Cambria High at practice Jan. 21, according to officials.

The bite reportedly caused bruising, but did not draw blood, McGough said. The unidentified student did not want to prosecute and opted to drop the matter if Marshall agreed to resign, police said.

Trevor Matern, a three-year starting infielder for Hart of Newhall, has committed to a USF scholarship, picking the Dons over Westmont College, Loyola Marymount and Harvard.

He's the fourth Hart returnee to commit to a four-year college, following Mike Montgomery (Cal State Fullerton) and Bryan Lucas (Cal Poly Pomona) and Jenzen Torres (Cal Poly Pomona).

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Ian Francis has been going off for tiny Discovery Prep of Pacoima, a City Section small school. Francis, a 6-foot-8 senior, is averaging 30.5 points, and get this: He's a point guard.

"Oh my god, he's unbelievable," said coach Shawn Bankhead, a former Cleveland of Reseda standout in the early 1990s. "I think he's going to be real special. I let him run the point."

Playing a part-time schedule, Discovery Prep is 6-7 with two games remaining, including tonight's 6:30 matchup against seniorless Vaughn Learning Center at Van Nuys High.

"Vaughn doesn't have anyone over 6-feet tall, so Ian might score 50 tonight," Bankhead said. "He's a good prospect, and he has a 3.5 GPA and 1500 SAT score."

Francis, a fifth-year senior, transferred from Granada Hills, where he averaged 5.7 points and 2.6 rebounds last season in limited minutes.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Joey Sandfrey, an Antelope Valley offensive lineman, has committed to a full scholarship at Quincy University, an NAIA school in Illinois. He is slated to sign Wednesday.

"It's a full ride, so Joey won't have to pay for anything -- and it's a private school, so that's a heck of a lot of money," Antelope Valley coach Brett Pape said. "He is really excited. He's a real good high school football players but not a DI kid, so this gives him an opportunity to go somewhere and still play. it's kind of the best of both worlds."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Our very own Scott Wolf reports Birmingham receiver De'Von Flournoy, a junior, has made an early verbal committment to USC. Running back/linebacker Patrick Hall of St. Bonaventure also committed to the Trojans.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Milton Knox said he loved his visit to Notre Dame this past weekend, according to scout.com, though he did not commit. He said he wil announce his college choice Wednesday.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Cleveland kept things competitve for about as long expected -- Taft was up by four midway through the first period -- but it didn't take long for Taft's expansive talent to overwhelm the host Cavaliers, and it's 51-28 at the half.

You can pretty much put this in the fridge. Taft is on its way to clinching the West Valley League title tonight. Will check in again if things get crazy ...

gerry gittelson@dailynews.com
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Crespi coach Jeremiah Ross is a candidate to be the new coach at state power Clovis West, replacing Marty Martin (ex-Village Christian of Sun Valley), who was fired Jan. 22.

"They contacted me. I have not interviewed," Ross said. "They know I lived in Fresno. All they've done is contact me."

Check the Daily News tomorrow for more coverage.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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The Taft-Cleveland series is always one of the San Fernando Valley's most anticipated showdowns, as the area's top two City teams go to head to head.

Tonight, Taft can win the West Valley League title for the seventh time over the past eight years -- last year's title was forfeited -- so there is plenty on the line in this attractive matchup between the high-powered Toreadors (18-3, 7-0) and the host Cavaliers (17-6, 6-1).

Taft, led by Larry Drew, has defeated Clevelan six times in a row since late 2004.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Dennis Hughes has been fired as the football coach at Hoover in Glendale, according to a story by Grant Gordon in the Glendale News-Press.
Hughes was 1-19 over the past two seasons and 30-118-3 over two stints at the school.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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Birmingham tight end Rafael Lopez, an early Nevada commit, has changed his mind and has committed to Columbia, according to scout.com.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
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