The Gahr High boys basketball team was the only one from the area, which was very good this year in this opinion, to make the CIF-SS championship game.
The Gladiators will face Harvard-Westlake in the Division IIIA championship game Saturday at the Honda Center. A game time has been announced, but it will likely be one of the first games on the slate that morning.
Jose Lopez of Glenn High is certainly a Master. The heavyweight won the Masters Meet title Saturday afternoon, upping his record to a monstrous 44-0 with 39 pins.
He is headed for the CIF State Meet in Bakersfield, which begins Friday and concludes Saturday.
Lopez will be joined in Bako by three other area grapplers.
Steven Joyce of Norwalk finished 9th in Masters at 103 pounds.
Bradford Gerl of Downey Calvary Chapel placed 4th in Masters at 112 pounds.
Nick Pereira of Los Alamitos took 9th in Masters at 140 pounds.
The top nine finishers at Masters qualified for States.
There is definitely something in the water over at Cerritos High.
The top-ranked Dons won their second CIF water polo championship of the season Saturday morning, this time the girls team defeating Warren, 10-9, in overtime to claim the Division VII title at the William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center.
The girls' championship, their first since the program started in 2001-02, comes on the heels of three straight CIF title runs by the boys' team.
Raquel Gabayeron scored seven goals for the Dons.
The CIF championship game was a rematch of a highly competitive game that decided the San Gabriel Valley League title back on Feb. 3. Cerritos won that game, 9-7, in overtime.
Cerritos will get an invitation to the Masters Tournament, but it's uncertain if Warren will.
Also, Los Alamitos was among the best teams in CIF this season, but was upset early in the playoffs. The Griffins, the defending Masters champs, could possibly get a nod.
Poly High senior forward Monique Oliver has been honored as a
McDonald's All-American and will play in the prestigious all-star game April 1 in Miami.
Oliver averaged 12.2 points, 2.5 blocks and 9.4 rebounds per game this season. Those numbers aren't the most impressive but Poly's lineup goes 10-11 deep and Oliver found herself on the bench toward the end of many blowout victories.
The McDonald's All-American game will be played at 2:30 p.m. on the West Coast and will be televised live on ESPNU. Oliver has also been selected to play in the Women's Basketball Coaches Association all-star game on April 4 in St. Louis.[ep
This just in from staffer Robert Morales...
CIF State commissioner Marie Ishida could decide today whether to grant Jordan Hamilton, a 6-foot-7 wing from Dominguez High, a fourth season of playing eligibility. This is his fifth year of high school.
If Hamilton is successful, he will play tonight when the third-seeded Dons play at Poly in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division I-AA playoffs.
Hamilton suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, which had not been diagnosed when he entered the ninth grade at Dorsey High. His poor grades rendered him ineligible his freshman year. He did play two subsequent years at Dorsey, and then last year at Dominguez after transferring.
It's the contention of Hamilton's legal team that pleas to Dorsey officials from Hamilton's parents to have their son tested during his 3 1/2 years at Dorsey were ignored. Once he arrived at Dominguez in 2008, Hamilton received the proper testing, his lawyer, Reggie
Joseph, wrote in an e-mail.
Hamilton's request has already been denied by the Southern Section, whose decision was also upheld on appeal.
If Hamilton is successful today, he will be in uniform tonight and would come off the bench, Dons coach Duane Cooper said.
Don't be late. ... Poly's tipoff time for its boys bb game at home vs. Montebello on Wednesday night has been switched to 7 p.m.
The reigning CIF, State and national champion Bruins were stripped of four wins for use of an ineligible player.
The result is that Wilson has gone from Moore League co-champ to the league's fourth-place entry and will open the Division I playoffs in a wild-card game Tuesday at 3 pm against Chaparral at Wilson HS.
The ineligible player was not named, but coach Jason Kirkwood did say that the player in question was caught in photos playing an "Hispanic league games," a CIF rules violation.
Kirkwood, who was unaware of the situation until is was brought to his attention, was livid in that rival coaches (who will not be named as not to start a mud-slinging war until there are sources to back up any accusations) had the photos of the ineligible player and didn't turn the pictures over until three weeks after the fact, causing a lot of turmoil on the days leading up to the playoffs.
If Kirkwood's accusations are true, it would seem ethical to turn the evidence over to CIF, the Moore League, whomever in a timely manner or not at all.
CIF-SS GIRLS BASKETBALL
Final 2008-09 Standings
Moore League
Lge. Overall
Poly 12-0 23-2
Millikan 9-3 22-4
Wilson 7-5 12-16
Jordan 6-6 13-14
Cabrillo 6-6 17-9
Lakewood 2-10 7-15
Compton 0-12 2-17
San Gabriel Valley League
Lge. Overall
Lynwood 10-0 17-7
Warren 7-3 16-10
Downey 5-5 12-14
Paramount 2-8 11-16
Gahr 5-5 14-11
Dominguez 1-9 2-16
Suburban League
Lge. Overall
Bellflower 12-0 21-6
Cerritos 9-3 12-12
Mayfair 8-4 17-9
Norwalk 6-6 14-12
Artesia 5-7 8-15
Glenn 2-10 10-17
La Mirada 0-12 3-26
Other Local Teams
Lge. Overall
Centennial 10-0 24-2
Whitney 7-3 11-13
St Paul 6-2 17-9
Avalon 6-4 11-10
St Anthony 4-4 14-10
Valley Chr. 4-6 15-11
Mary Star 3-5 14-12
Serra 3-5 14-13
CAMS 2-6 9-15
St Matthias 2-6 12-13
Los Alamitos 2-8 8-17
Downey CC 2-8 5-19
St Joseph 0-8 7-19
CIF-SS BOYS BASKETBALL
Final 2008-09 Standings
Moore League
Lge. Overall
Jordan 10-2 22-5
Poly 9-3 21-5
Wilson 7-5 19-8
Lakewood 6-6 14-12
Millikan 6-6 14-11
Compton 4-8 10-16
Cabrillo 0-12 4-19
San Gabriel Valley League
Lge. Overall
Dominguez 10-0 21-5
Lynwood 6-4 17-6
Paramount 5-5 15-12
Downey 4-6 15-12
Gahr 5-5 13-14
Warren 0-10 13-13
Suburban League
Lge. Overall
La Mirada 11-1 24-3
Mayfair 11-1 18-6
Cerritos 8-4 18-9
Artesia 6-6 12-13
Norwalk 4-8 13-11
Bellflower 2-10 7-19
Glenn 0-12 1-22
Other Local Teams
Lge. Overall
Los Alamitos 10-0 24-1
St Paul 10-0 21-5
Centennial 9-1 15-9
CAMS 7-1 17-5
Downey CC 6-4 18-8
Avalon 6-4 13-11
Serra 6-2 20-7
St Anthony 5-4 15-11
Verbum Dei 5-9 8-17
SJ Bosco 4-6 10-12
Valley Chr. 3-7 13-13
Mary Star 1-9 4-21
Wednesday
Boys Soccer - Millikan at Wilson, 3 p.m.
The top-ranked Rams and the upstart Bruins, who trail in the standings by just one point, meet with the Moore League title on the line. Wilson needs a victory to claim the title; Millikan can do it with a draw or better.
Girls Water Polo - Los Alamitos at Newport Harbor, 5 p.m.
Two of the top teams in the CIF-SS - the Griffins are No. 3 and the Sailors are No. 4 in the Division I rankings - square off with the Sunset League championship at stake. This is the rubber match, as both teams own a nonleague win over each other this season.
Thursday
Boys Basketball - Jordan at Millikan, 6:30 p.m.
The Moore League-leading Panthers, who have won seven in a row coming into the week, can ill afford to slip up if they want to claim the league championship, and the Rams have proven to be tough.
Friday
Girls Basketball - Mayfair at Cerritos, 5 p.m.
Second place in the Suburban League will be at stake when the Monsoons (8-3) visit the Dons (7-3), who play last-place La Mirada today. Cerritos came out on top, 57-54, when the teams met Jan. 23.
Girls Water Polo - Wilson vs. Los Alamitos, 3 p.m.
The Moore League champion Bruins will get to see just where they stand before next week's CIF-SS playoffs against one of the top teams in Division I. The game will be played at the Joint Forces Base in Los Al.
Saturday
Wrestling - CIF Southern Section Dual Meet Tournament
Top teams from SoCal square off in dual-meet format. CIF will release pairings Thursday. Most of the area's teams will be in Alta Loma and Montclair.
WRESTLING TOP 10
1) Lakewood
2) St. John Bosco
3) Downey
4) Glenn
5) Norwalk
6) Los Alamitos
7) Warren
8) Millikan
9) Paramount
10) Wilson
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
1. Los Alamitos (24-1)
2. Dominguez (20-5)
3. Jordan (20-5)
4. La Mirada (22-3)
5. Poly (20-5)
6. Serra (19-6)
7. Wilson (18-7)
8. Mayfair (18-7)
9. Cerritos (18-7)
10. Lynwood (16-5)
Records through Feb. 8
GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10
1. Poly (22-2)
2. Millikan (20-4)
3. Lynwood (13-7)
4. St. Paul (16-9)
5. Bellflower (20-6)
6. Wilson (10-16)
7. Centennial (14-2)
8. Jordan (12-13)
9. Cabrillo (17-8)
10. Mayfair (17-8)
Records through Feb. 8
Millikan's 1-0 loss to last-lace Poly on Wednesday will make the end of the Moore League boys soccer race interesting.
The Rams have a bye today and face second-place Wilson next week. If the Bruins beat Lakewood as they did the first time through the schedule, which would leave them just one point shy of Millikan, it would set up a showdown for the league title Wednesday at Wilson at 3 p.m.
But maybe showdown might be too strong a word, especially if Millikan and Wilson's first meeting is any indication - a 3-0 Rams win. Either way, the build up would be good.
This is the CIF-SS Girls Division I soccer rankings for this week. Take a good hard look.
1. Aliso Niguel
2. Los Alamitos
3. San Clemente
4. Esperanza
5. Mission Viejo
6. Mater Dei
7. Wilson/LB
8. El Toro
9. Mira Costa
10. Trabuco Hills
OK. See anything surprising? Actually, it's what I don't see that is surprising.
In a word: Poly. How and heck can't Poly not be in the top 10 rankings. I know that girls soccer in Division I is fantastic, and the top 10 hard to crack. But not having the Jackrabbits there is hard to fathom.
Poly has just two losses this year a 4-2 setback vs. No. 4 Esperanza and a 2-1 loss to No. 7 Wilson (a game Poly shouda, coulda won). Oh, and the 'Rabbits also beat Wilson, 3-2, the second time around. They also have a draw vs. No. 10 Trabuco Hills.
Maybe it'll be better for coach Teri Collins' team not to get any respect now. That would leave them hungry and other highly ranked teams complacent. If I were coaching, I wouldn't want to draw Poly in the first round of CIF playoffs, which begin in less than two weeks.
Girls soccer signees included:
Lauren Cope M La Mirada New Mexico State
Brittany Corcoran D St. Joseph Kansas Wesleyan
Arielle Rodriguez M St. Joseph Houston Baptist
And girls basketball signees included:
Monique Oliver F/C Poly USC
Kellie Thompson G/F Poly UNLV
Sweets Underwood G Centennial UC Santa Barbara
(Underwood signed earlier in the year, but her info fell through the cracks).
Good luck girls
Jonathan Perkins DB Gardena UC Davis
Hanipale Suega LB Banning Northern State
Sione Tuihalamaka OL Serra Arizona
George Daily-Lyles LB Poly Hawaii
Matthew Jones LB Poly Air Force Academy
Kenny Tuiloma LB Poly Stony Brook State (N.Y.)
Lazarri Middleton DB Poly Nebraska
Juwuan Brown DL Poly Southern Oregon
Iosia Matauaina LB Poly Langston University
If we are missing someone or if someone you know signs later this week or next month or whenver, please contact us at dave.werstine@presstelegram.com
Jamaal Burrell OL Dominguez Oregon
Coach Willie Donerson said there could be a few more Dons signing on with smaller schools in the coming days.
Anthony Carpenter DB Serra Washington State
Carl Winston RB Serra Washington State
Chris Hill DB Carson San Jose State
The first of girls soccer signings have been submitted....
Katie Peterson D Los Alamitos Long Beach State
Jessica Yukihiro D Los Alamitos Southern Utah
Kylie Bay D Los Alamitos Humboldt State
Brittany Corcoran St. Jospeh Kansas Wesleyan
Arielle Rodriguez St. Joseph Houston Baptist
As the signings continue to trickle in...
Stan McKay DB Poly UCLA
Josh Moten QB Narbonne Colorado
Tim Tucker LB Narbonne Washington
Interesting situation in Colorado, where two of the area's top QBs - Clark Evans of Los Alamitos and Moten - will be battling for the same spot. Some had suggested that Evans would be a TE at Colorado, but Los Al coach John Barnes said that is nonsense that Evans is going there to play QB.
These solid commits have been known for a while, and they are signing today.
Morrell Presley TE Carson UCLA
Marquis Simmons LB Dominguez USC
Vachel Samuels DB Lynwood California
Clark Evans QB Los Alamitos Colorado
Corey Nielsen QB Gahr Hawaii
Deondre Powell WR Gahr Hawaii
Linebacker Taniela Maka of Jordan (UCLA)
Linebacker Trevor Erno of Lakewood (Arizona)
Defensive lineman Talia Crichton of Lakewood (Washington)
Defensive back Aaron Aviles of Lakewood (Humboldt State)
Defensive lineman Jay Young of Lakewood (Azusa Pacific)
Defensive lineman Justin Brown of Compton (Oregon)
Defensive back Chris Metcalf of Compton (USC)
QB Jerry Maluia of Compton (Humboldt State)
Linebacker James Randall of Compton (Idaho)
Wide receiver Jemari Roberts of Wilson (Stanford)
Defensive lineman Iuta Tepa of Poly (UCLA).
There will be more to come....Stand by
DB Byron Moore of Narbonne de-committed to USC last month, giving the likes of Notre Dame and Colorado a serious look while citing a desire to leave the state.
But on Wednesday morning he chose... USC
When the 2008 season began, St. John Bosco QB Keith Price and WR/DB Will Shamburger had already made verbal committments to Washington and Boise State, respectively.
But Washington under went a coaching change, with Tyrone Willingham moving out and Steve Sarkisian moving in. That didn't change anything for Price, who is among the Huskies' signings today. Price won't be going alone, because Shamburger is headed there too.
Also, SJB WR Leon McFadden signed with San Diego State.
WR Jakob Johnson, a three-sport star at Mayfair HS, is signing with UC Davis to play football.
And Millikan defensive end Elias Martinez will be heading to Stony Brook State in New York.
Congrats!
Local student-athletes will be signing national letters-of-intent on Wednesday, the first day of the signing period, to continue their sports careers at the collegiate level.
Check the blog for update information on Wednesday.
Also, to report a signing, send and email with all the information to dave.werstine@presstelegram.com
WRESTLING TOP 10
1-Lakewood
2-Downey
3-Glenn
4-St. John Bosco
5-Norwalk
6-Warren
7-Los Alamitos
8-Millikan
9-Paramount
10-La Mirada
BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
1. Los Alamitos (21-1)
2. Dominguez (18-4)
3. La Mirada (21-2)
4. Poly (19-3)
5. Wilson (18-6)
6. Serra (18-6)
7. Jordan (16-5)
8. Lynwood (16-3)
9. Mayfair (15-7)
10. Cerritos (15-7)
Records through Jan. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10
1. Poly (19-2)
2. Millikan (20-2)
3. Lynwood (11-6)
4. St. Paul (14-7)
5. Wilson (9-14)
6. Bellflower (17-6)
7. Centennial (13-1)
8. Mayfair (15-7)
9. Jordan (10-11)
10. Warren (13-9)
Records through Jan. 31
