Gerry Gittelson: July 2008 Archives

Nik Turley, a top pitcher from Harvard Westlake, has signed with the New York Yankees as a 50th round draft choice, bypassing a BYU scholarship.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Ex-Saugus standout Tyler Brubaker hit a game-winning home run in the 10th inning Sunday in a Connie Mack League state-playoff final, propelling Playa Vista into the Western Regionals beginning Wednesday in Long Beach (also games in Huntington Beach)..

The tournament winner advances to the Connie Mack World Series in New Mexico.

Other top players for Playa Vista include Nik Turley (Harvard-Westlake), Jack Marder (Newbury Park), Bryan Berglund (Royal), Shon Roe (Quartz Hill) and Brandon Van Dam (Quartz Hill).

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Thousand Oaks' Tom Hocutt has committed to Biola after batting .363 with four home runs, 28 RBIs this past season.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

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Limited to five games last year because of a leg injury, linebacker Ace Ward is coming on strong this summer for Notre Dame, and the 6-1, 210-pounder with 4.58 speed has raised his recruiting profile considerably, according to scout.com.

Several programs are interested -- including UCLA -- and Ward is slated to take some unofficial visits soon. Still no official offer, but the kid can play.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Drew Sandler, a top returning catcher/pitcher at Simi Valley, has committed to UC Irvine.

Sandler played a key role in Simi Valley's Div. I championship run this past season, finishing with a .343 batting average, four home runs and 25 RBs, plus a 6-3 record with a 2.76 ERA.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

According to The Signal, Bob Shults is the new softball coach at West Ranch, replacing Cassandra Perez, who went 5-12 this past season.

Shults is the father of Jessica Shults, a returning standout at Foothill League rival Hart.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Jim Stueve, who went 8-23 at Oaks Christian this past season, is the new baseball coach at Thousand Oaks, replacing Frank Mutz, now at Chaminade.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Just got a scoop: Giovannie Dixon, a top running back at Reseda, is headed to Arizona State as a recruited walk-on.

"He just needs to finish one course, and he is all set," Reseda coach Alonzo Arreola said.

Dixon, also one of the City Section's top sprinters, is among the Valley area's fastest football players. He rushed for 1,828 yards and scored 18 touchdowns in nine games as a senior this past season.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Christopher Coyle, a top returning tight end for Oaks Christian, has committed to Arizona State, according to rivals.com. He had several offers.

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Langston Jackson, a Simi Valley running back who is among the area's top graduating seniors not to receive a football scholarship, has decided to walk on at Cal. His twin brother Lorne is headed to Pepperdine on a basketball scholarship.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Northridge Little League, consistently among Southern California's top programs through the years, went 5-0 to win the District 40 baseball championship - beating host Sherman Oaks 7-3 on Wednesday in the final to qualify for the Section 2 tournament in Quartz Hill beginning on Saturday.

Nick Ortega, Nick Milone and Renee Deleon have supplied pitching and lots of home run power - Ortega hit what league rep George Frangie swears was a 300-foot home run a few games back - but the competition figures to get a lot tougher in the coming weeks.

After sectionals, there is the 10-team Southern California Divisionals, the Western Regionals, then the World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

Granada Hills remains the only San Fernando Valley-area program to win a Little League World Series, and that was back in 1963. David Sehnam, now a Crespi assistant, was the winning pitcher in the championship game, the first televised nationally by ABC.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Brian Owusu is following in the footsteps of his brother, Chris, both top receivers/defensive backs at Oaks Christian.

Now that Chris has graduated and is playing at Stanford beginning this season, the younger Owusu, a returning starter for the Lions, has been offered a Duke scholarship -- with more offers to come, i would figure, if all goes well this coming season.

"Duke offered about two weeks ago," Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell said.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Cole Huff, a 6-foot-4 incoming freshman with vast potential, is coming to Campbell Hall and might be good enough to earn a starting spot at shooting guard or small forward, coach Terry Kelly said.

"He's going to be very good. He's very skilled," Kelly said. "And everyone knows I've started freshmen before, so you never know."

There is one spot up for grabs. The others belong to returnees Austin McBroom (point guard), Bryce Brady (guard/forward), Keegan Hornbuckle (forward) and James Johnson (center). Also in the mix are Aaron Curry, a 6-foot-3 junior, and Nick Bayz, a 5-10 senior.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Nicholas Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana, impressed in his first day of practice Tuesday at quarterback at Oaks Christian after transferring from Concord De La Salle.

"He's very talented ... and he's taller than his dad," Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell said. "I told him he would have to compete for the position."

Another transfer, Tony Macarena from St. Bonaventure, had been named Oaks Christian's starter "but that was before Montana got here," Redell said.

Montana, a junior, has been tutored privately by Steve Clarkson, considered one of the nation's top quarterback coaches.

Meantime, another Oaks Christian quarterback, senior Anthony Vitto, transferred out prior to Montana's arrival.

"How many quarterbacks do I have? I don't know. What time is it?" Redell joked.

Yet another quarterback transfer, Jelani Williams from Sierra Canyon, could fit at cornerback, Redell said, though Williams, a sophomore, wants to remain a quarterback and could do so on the JV level.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

A couple of intriguing transfers have arrived at Crespi -- junior receiver Brandon Graves, who totaled 28 receptions last season at Los Alamitos, and 6-foot-8, 400-pound Sergio Sevester from St. Bernard.

Both are expected to begin practicing Thursday, said Crespi coach Jeremiah Ross, though nothing is official.

Meantime, Crespi receiver Kevin Williams, a top prospect, is recovering from a broken leg. He has been fitted with a boot and should return later this summer.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

With tempreatures approaching 110 degrees and no stadium lights, the heat is on at Paraclete in Lancaster, as the Spirits have been coping with practices in extreme conditions.

"We get a breeze that starts at about 3:30 p.m., and today I'm pushing the practice forward an extra hour. I figure we have until about 8:45 p.m.," coach Norm Dahlia said. "We've put air conditioning in the weight room, and we make sure the kids are hydrated because that's the biggest thing. We have drink 80 ounzes of water."

After finishing 12-1 last season, Paraclete should have another strong team, led by linebacker Kyle Swanson, running back Brandon Buteyn and offensive lineman A.J. Culver.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Dana Potter has resigned as Oaks Christian's quarterback coach, replaced by Casey Clausen.

Potter, 55, is a former record-setting quarterback at Granada Hills and the father of Chris Potter, who graduated from Oaks Christian this past June and is competing for playing time as a freshman wide receiver at Boise State.

On a side note, Potter said he has heard good things about Nicholas Montana, an incoming quarterback transfer from Concord De La Salle and the son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana.

"I think he's the kind of player who will be a Division I scholarship type guy," Potter said.

Clausen coached on the frosh-soph level last season.

Nicholas Montana, son of NFL Hall of Famer Joe Montana and a backup at national power Concord De La Salle last season, is planning to transfer to Oaks Christian, according to the L.A. Times.

gerry,gittelson@dailynews.com

Third baseman Trevor Nathanson, a graduating senior from Calabasas, has committed to Div. III Cal State East Bay in Hayward, according to the Ventura County Star.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

San Diego State has always been hot on Valley area prospects, and the latest is Walter Woods, a returning linebacker from Palmdale who has been offered by the Aztecs, according to Palmdale coach Jeff Williams.

Woods is one of several top returning players for Palmdale, which advanced to the Western Division finals this past season. Others include running back Marquell Jefferson, quarterback Brandon Mims, tight end Anthony Crane and receiver/linebacker Tony Castillo.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Aaron Hicks, the former Long Beach Wilson who you'll remember as a playoff opponent against Hart and Simi Valley in the Southern Section Div. I playoffs this past season, is tearing it up in the Gulf Coast rookie league.

The Twins' first-round draft choice is 7 for 12 with a home run over the past two games, raising his average to .354 with 10 RBIs in 11 games. It looks like the plan is for Hicks to be a full-time outfielder even though he throws 95 mph.

Also, Calvin Culver, formerly of Quartz Hill and Pierce College, is performing well in the Gulf Coast League for the Braves' affiliate. Culver, who I've covered since his Little League days at Park View in Lancaster (oh what a player he was, even as a 12-year-old) is batting .288 with one home run in 15 games.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

PLAYER OF THE YEAR:

Jonathan Meyer, Simi Valley, INF, Jr. - Meyer was the star slugger and top relief pitcher in leading the Pioneers to the Div. I championship. He batted .386 with nine HRs and 43 RBIs, and also was 2-1 with a 2.19 ERA and five saves.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound Meyer is an intimidating presence in the batter's box, and with the ability to hit a home run at any time, he strikes fear into opposing pitchers.

Defensively, he shows good range and improved as the year moved forward, often coming through with spectacular plays that no one but Meyer could have made.

It will be fun charting Meyer's success as his career continues. He already has committed to Cal State Fullerton, but many agree Meyer has the makings of a Major Leaguer.

FIRST TEAM

Jett Bandy, Thousand Oaks, C, Sr. - Mission League MVP batted .373 with nine HRs, 26 RBIs and .827 slugging percentage. Also walked 22 times and was hit by a pitch 18 times, and he was a top defensive player.

Trevor Bauer, Hart, P, Jr. - Among California's top underclassmen, Bauer's fastball has been clocked at 94 mph. Bauer (12-0, 0.79 ERA) set the school win record and struck out 106 in 70 innings.

Cutter Dykstra, Westlake, OF, Sr. - Dykstra, son of former Major Leaguer Lenny Dykstra, was one of the Marmonte League's most feared hitters, drawing 21 walks. Finished with a .473 average, five HRs and 18 RBIs.

Carlos Gonzalez, Kennedy, P/3B, Sr. - One of the City Section's top players, Gonzalez shined as a hitter and pitcher in carrying the Cougars to City semifinals. Batted .435 with eight HRs and 43 RBIs, and also won eight games on mound.

Tyler Johnson, Crespi, P, Sr. - Johnson was 10-0 with a 1.06 ERA to finish his three-year career 20-0, one of the few pitchers to Southern Section history never to lose a game. Johnson had a 1.06 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 66 innings.

Kris Kauppila, Crescenta Valley, INF, Sr. - Terrific with his bat and his glove, Kauppila was one of the area's most dazzling talents. Finished with .500 average, four home runs and 30 RBIs, and was a top shortstop.

Christian Lopes, Valencia, INF, Fr. - Lopes is a star on the rise, one of the few freshmen ever to earn first-team All-Daily News honors. He finished with a .408 average, 10 HRs (seven over final 10 games), 33 runs and 24 RBIs, hitting two HRs in final game vs. Simi Valley.

Jack Marder, Newbury Park, INF, Jr. - Few players could match Marder's numbers, as the junior led the Marmonte League with a .519 average. He also hit 14 doubles and scored 29 runs.

Michael Montgomery, Hart, P, Sr. - A dominant left-hander who throws 93 mph with pin-point control, Montgomery finished 8-2 with a 1.41 ERA and 99 strikeouts and just 25 walks in 69 innings.

Nik Rodarte, Notre Dame, UTIL, Sr. - Excelling as a pitcher, hitter and first baseman, the Mission League MVP was winning pitcher in Div. III championship, finishing11-1 with 2.06 ERA, along with .343 average, three HRs and 32 RBIs.

Nick Russo, Simi Valley, P/UTIL, Sr.- Russo (9-2, 1.74 ERA) was at his best in Div. I championship, earning the win and contributing key two-run double at Dodger Stadium. Batted .386 with three HRs and 19 RBIs in just 44 ABs.

Trevor Takeyama, Chatsworth, P, Sr. - Takeyama (14-1, 1.81 ERA), was at his best during the playoffs, earning the win in final three games, including 7-2 win in final. City Player of Year.

Brandon Van Dam, Quartz Hill, Util, Sr. -- A top threat as a hitter and a pitcher, the 6-foot-7 Van Dam helped carry Quartz Hill to the Div. III semifinals. Batted .390 with six HRs and 26 RBIs, and finished 10-2 with 2.21 ERA.

Zach Vincej, Saugus, INF, Jr. - A three-year standout, Vincej had another banner season, batting .447 with 30 runs and a .580 on-base percentage, while committing just three errors at shortstop.

NEWCOMER TO WATCH: Matthew Troupe, P, Granada Hills, Fr.. - Troupe was the star in a 1-0 victory over Bell in the City Invitational championship at Dodger Stadium, pitching a four-hit shutout and contributing two hits.

COACH OF YEAR: Tom Meusborn, Chatsworth - The Chancellors weren't supposed to as strong as usual because of the graduation of four-year standouts Mike Moustakas and Matt Dominguez, both first-round draft choices, but Meusborn's business-like approach and building focus worked wonders.

Even without its usual star power, Chatsworth dominated in the City playoffs, culiminating in a 7-2 victory over Narbonne in the City Championship at Dodger Stadium, Chatsworth's second consecutive title and eighth overall (seven under Meusborn).

SECOND TEAM
Malcom Culver, Palmdale, INF
Kelly Dugan, Notre Dame, INF
Trevor Gee, Notre Dame, INF
Sean Gilmartin, Crespi, UTIL
Shane Kroker, Westlake, INF
Jacob Mahan, Camarillo, INF
Alex Mejia, ECR, INF
Edgar Olmos, Birmingham, P
Jeremy Rodriguez, Crespi, C
Shon Roe, Quartz Hill, INF
Greg Selarz Calabasas, P
Steve Selsky, Loyola, UTIL
Chad Smith, Thousand Oaks, P
Eric Smith, La Canada, INF
Richard Stock, Agoura, OF
Michael Tonkin, Palmdale, P
Jenzen Torres, Hart, INF
Mike Vinyard, Royal, C
Christian Yelich, Westlake, 1B
James Wharton, Chatsworth, IB


HONORABLE MENTION:
Ricky Alvarez, San Fernando, INF; Greg Armendarez, Cleveland, UTIL; Alex Birgel, Thousand Oaks, OF; Michael Booth ECR, UTIL; Tyler Brubaker, Saugus, OF;
Chance Cross, Simi Valley, OF; Dewey Gratton, Moorpark, IB; Ryan Hawthorne, Crespi, UTIL; Tom Hocutt, Thousand Oaks, IB; Matt Hartunian, Montclair Prep, UTIL; Dylan Jones, Valencia, OF; Carlos Lopez, Crespi, INF; Travis McBride, Quartz Hill, C; Robbie Mousselli, Valencia, UTIL; Drew Sandler, Simi Valley, UTIL; JoJo Sharar, Newbury Park, C; Danny Susdorf, Hart, OF; Karl Turner, Alemany, IB; Nik Turley, Harvard-Westlake, P; Greg Zebrack, Campbell Hall, OF.



League champions

Alpha: Whitter Christian
Foothill: Hart
Frontier: Bishop Diego & Carpinteria
Golden: Quartz Hill
Heritage: Santa Clarita Christian
Liberty: Viewpoint
Marmonte: Simi Valley & Thousand Oaks
Mission: Crespi
Northern: Marshall
Olympic: Campbell Hall
Pacific: Crescenta Valley
Pacific View: Oxnard
Prep: Pasadena Poly
Rio Hondo: Monrovia
Santa Fe: St. Anthony
Sunset Six: Verdugo Hills
Tri-Valley: St. Bonaventure
Valley: Arleta
Valley Mission: Kennedy
West Valley: Chatsworth

SECTION CHAMPIONS
Div. I: Simi Valley
Div. III: Notre Dame
Div. VII: Viewpoint
City Championship: Chatsworth
City Invitational: Granada Hills

DAILY NEWS FINAL TOP 10

1. Notre Dame (27-4) - Won Div. III championshiop at Dodger Stadium
2. Simi Valley (25-8) - Dethroned defending Div. I champ Long Beach Wilson in final
3. Chatsworth (29-5) - Won second City title in row, eighth overall
4. Hart (23-7) - Led by star pitchers Michael Montgomery and Trevor Bauer
5. Quartz Hill (25-6-2) - Team loved to hit home runs in windy Antelope Valley
6. Valencia (22-8) - Another strong season for talented Foothill League program
7. Crespi (23-6) - A great season until surprise second-round Div. III playoff loss
8. Thousand Oaks (20-10) - Led by slugger Jett Bandy, Lancers could swing with best of 'em.
9. Kennedy (22-11-1) - Caught fire at end of season until loss in semi's to eventual City champ Chatsworth
10. Cleveland (25-8-1) - Rode its deep pitching staff to City semifinals
OTHERS: Crescenta Valley (19-6); Saugus (17-10); Camarillo (19-8); Royal (19-9); Loyola (18-13).

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Michael Montgomery signed for close to $1 million and he's pitching like it.

The No. 36 pick overall in the first round supplemental by the Royals, the recent Hart grad, a 6-foot-5 left-hander, has yet to allow a run in three pitching performances in Rooke League in Arizona. In 5 1/3 innings, Montomery has a 0,00 ERA and six strikeouts with two hits allowed and one walk..

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Just returned from the Hart passing tournament at College of the Canyons, and Valencia looked very sharp in a 36-12 championship victory over Crescenta Valley.

The Vikings feature a promising quarterback in Domenic Solley, a coterie of fast receivers led by returning standout Zack Tartabull, and a proven running back in returning starter Jordan Thompson.

Solley, also a varsity baseball player, played just two football games last year because of an injury.

In the final, Valencia spotted upset-minded Crescenta Valley 12 points before scoring 36 unanswered points to win going away.

Valencia defeated Alemany in the semifinals.

Just getting back in the swing of things. I'll have more in Sunday's Gittelson Bits column.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com