March 2009 Archives

Press-Telegram Baseball Top 10
1. Lakewood
2. Gahr
3. Downey
4. Los Alamitos
5. Paramount
6. St. John Bosco
7. La Mirada
8. Norwalk
9. Millikan
10. Jordan

I've heard how Gahr isn't good enough to be ranked No. 2 in the area, and how Paramount is being underappreciated despite its sub-.500 record.
Can't argue with that now.

Read Brian Baiotto's story from Tuesday's game.

CERRITOS -- Its been said in sports that to be the man, you have to beat the man.

Heading into Tuesday's San Gabriel Valley League baseball game between Gahr and Paramount, the Pirates had won 32 of their last 33 league games and back-to-back
titles.

But Gahr junior right-hander Sonny Burgueno threw a three-hit complete game and allowed just one run to defeat visiting Paramount, 5-1, to put the Gladiators atop the SGVL standings.

To make it more special, Burgueno (4-1) won the head-to-head duel with Paramount's Dream Team pitcher, Eddie Magallon.

Burgueno walked just one batter and struck out eight, including the final four batters of the game to earn the victory. He didn't allow a hit until the fifth inning.

Magallon (1-3 ) went five-plus innings, allowing three runs on three hits, but had trouble
with his control and walked six batters. The senior right-hander stuck out six.

Gahr (9-2, 4-0) struck early when Broderick Vanwjngaerde and Michael Lugo both walked in the first inning and scored on a two-run single off the bat of Marcus
Tomlin.

Paramount (4-6, 3-1) got to within 2-1 in the top of the fifth inning when Cristian Sanchez doubled and scored on a bunt single from Gabriel Lopez.

The Pirates nearly tied the score in the sixth inning when Jaime Valle singled and Ramon
Becerra hit a shot to deep right-centerfield, but Vanwjngaerde made a great catch that saved the Gladiators' lead.

Gahr then scored three runs in the bottom of the sixth to put the game away when they took advantage of two Paramount errors and had RBIs from Daniel Lack and
Josh Cabula.

"They deserve a lot of credit," Paramount coach Cameron Chinn said. "They played better and had the better pitcher today. We hit the ball hard at times and had
tough luck with some hit-and-runs."

Gahr's skipper wasn't ready to celebrate.

Said Gerardo Perez: "This is just one win and they're still the back-to-back champions, but this was an important win because we got better and got a great performance from Sonny Burgueno. We have another tough game on Friday when we go to Downey."

Burgueno recalled the last time he saw Paramount. The Pirates were celebrating its second SGVL title on their field last April 29.

"It was tough to see last year and we started the mental process of preparing for the game
yesterday and I think it was real important to get ahead early in the count," Burgueno said. "Broderick made a huge play in center to pick me up and the reason
we've been winning is because so many guys are contributing."

Gahr has scored 131 runs in 11 games and are just one run shy of last year's total (132).

Most Valuable Player
Monique Oliver (Poly)

Coach of the Year
Karen Candelaria (Cabrillo)

First-Team
Thaddesia Southall (Poly)
Jazmyne Porter (Wilson)
Ashley Mitchell (Millikan)
Brittany Wilson (Poly)
Jaslyn Cosey (Millikan)
Micaela Pickens (Cabrillo)
Montanique Washington (Jordan)
Ariya Crook-Williams (Poly)
Tiffany Bailey (Wilson)
Candace Menefee (Millikan)
Ciarra Wood (Wilson)
Tiffany Bailey (Millikan)

Honorable Mention
Danesha Long (Jordan)
Jasmine Balangue (Lakewood)
Jamie Robinson (Cabrillo)
Armani Wiley (Jordan)
Sequoia Hernandez (Millikan)
Lisa Burtzlaff (Lakewood)
Desirae Moore (Cabrillo)
Artavia Gilliard (Jordan)
Cheyenne Butler (Wilson)
Irene Moore (Cabrillo)
Ariel Shipp (Lakewood)

Co-Players of the Year
Michael Wilder (Wilson)
Stephan Heard (Jordan)

Coach of the Year
Ron Massey (Jordan)

First-Team
Kierre Beverly (Millikan)
Will Erving (Jordan)
Allan Guei (Compton)
Joel Bitonio (Wilson)
Julian Camper (Poly)
Cliff Sims (Compton)
Michael Mays (Poly)
BJ Tyler (Jordan)
Raynard Tyler (Jordan)
Christian Verdugo (Cabrillo)
Jared Garber (Lakewood)
Josh Bell (Wilson)

Honorable Mention
Ronald Nezey (Poly)
Reggie Givens (Millikan)
Jared Grimes (Wilson)
Darius Williams (Jordan)
Tony Bell (Cabrillo)
Alexis Moore (Poly)
Justin Elliot (Compton)
Anthony January (Compton)
Jonathan Snagg (Lakewood)
Andrew Scott (Millikan)
Shelton Boykin (Poly)
Ryan Anderson (Poly)
Victor Oragwu (Lakewood)

Most Valuable Player
Jose Torres, Sr. (Millikan)

Offensive Player of the Year
Manuel Espinosa, Sr. (Millikan)

Defensive Player of the Year
Cesar Ramirez, Sr. (Millikan)

First-Team
Jose Torres, Sr. (Millikan)
Manuel Espinosa, Sr. (Millikan)
Edgar Melendrez, Sr. (Millikan)
Cesar Ramirez, Sr. (Millikan)
Jonathan Garcia, Sr. (Millikan)
Ricardo Alvarado, Sr. (Wilson)
Javier Torres, Sr. (Wilson)
Spencer Hungerford, Sr. (Wilson)
Bryan Arguello, Sr. (Wilson)
Julian Salas, Jr. (Lakewood)
Giovanni Rodriguez, Sr. (Jordan)
Jesse Castaneda, Sr. (Jordan)
Juan Gonzalez, Sr. (Jordan)
Miguel Hernandez, Sr. (Cabrillo)
Charlie Guarneros, Sr. (Cabrillo)
Kevin Jimenez, Sr. (Poly)

Second-Team
Manuel Estrada, Sr. (Millikan)
Nelson Preciado, Sr. (Millikan)
Jorge Becerra, Jr. (Millikan)
Tanner Perkins, Sr. (Wilson)
Carlos Quinones, Sr. (Wilson)
Hunter Campbell, Sr. (Wilson)
Victor Duran, Sr. (Jordan)
Christian Jimenez, Sr. (Jordan)
Derick Mejia, Sr. (Jordan)
Evan McCarty, Jr. (Lakewood)
Martin Enriquez, Sr. (Wilson)
Luis Godinez, Sr. (Cabrillo)
Phillip Regalado, Sr. (Cabrillo)
Christopher Viray, So. (Poly)

Honorable Mention
Gerardo Hidalgo, Jr. (Millikan)
Kyle Watwood, Fr. (Wilson)
George Gomez, Sr., (Jordan)
Jose Duron, Sr., (Cabrillo)
Jesus Orozco, Sr. (Lakewood)
Chris Pleitez, Sr. (Lakewood)
Jonathan Gonzalez, Jr. (Poly)
Robert Dominugez, So. (Poly)

Offensive Player of the Year
Emily Dillon, Jr. (Wilson)

Defensive Player of the Year
Keyana Thompson-Shaw, Sr. (Poly)

Goalkeeper of the Year
Leslie Navarro, Jr. (Cabrillo)

First-Team
Jocelyn Reist, Sr. (Poly)
Kasia Johnson, Sr. (Poly)
Allison Whalen, Sr. (Poly)
Claire Liivoja, Sr. (Poly)
Matti Sandoval, Sr. (Poly)
Keyana Thompson-Shaw, Sr. (Poly)
Alexis Leyba, So. (Poly)
Yesenia Larios, Sr. (Jordan)
Sarahvanni Bunma, So. (Lakewood)
Marissa Marsh, Jr. (Lakewood)
Kendahl Fisher, Fr. (Lakewood)
Kassidy Hause, Jr. (Lakewood)
Claudia Toledo, Sr. (Cabrillo)
Mabel Chacon, So. (Cabrillo)
Jeaneet Ramirez, Sr. (Cabrillo)
Kaitlin Hellmann, Jr. (Wilson)
Emily Dillon, Jr. (Wilson)
Kim Marshall, So. (Wilson)
Brittny Vaughn, Jr. (Wilson)
Kristyn Benavidez, Jr. (Wilson)
Maryann Jones, Sr. (Millikan)
Lexi Braner, So. (Millikan)

Second-Team
Megan Brock, Jr. (Poly)
Jazmine Rhodes, Jr. (Poly)
Ebonie Buenrostro, So. (Poly)
Corrin Villasenor, So. (Poly)
Emily Pulido, Fr. (Jordan)
Alyssa Gaitan, Fr. (Jordan)
Marissa Macias, So. (Lakewood)
Kimberly Pearson, Sr. (Lakewood)
Laura Ropp, Sr. (Lakewood)
Kathren Gonzalez, Jr. (Cabrillo)
Maria Lopez, Sr. (Cabrillo)
Leslie Navarro, Jr (Cabrillo)
Kim Albeno, So. (Wilson)
Marissa Wiegelman, Sr. (Wilson)
Kelli Boyle, Sr. (Wilson)
Breegan Saller, So. (Wilson)
Carrie Holzhauer, Sr. (Wilson)
Kelly Johnson, Fr. (Millikan)
Molica Sim, Sr. (Millikan)

Co-MVPs
Jaime Williams, Jr. (Wilson)
Melissa Matheson, Sr. (Millikan)

First-Team
Annie Phung, So. (Lakewood)
Nicole Van Derhoff, Jr. (Poly)
Oria Brazeil, Jr. (Poly)
Hayley Berryhill, Sr. (Poly)
Emily Brooks, Sr. (Millikan)
Kalani Durham, Sr. (Millikan)
Jesslyn Salas, Sr. (Millikan)
Ghita Bouzarif, Jr. (Millikan)
Kelly Ringle, Jr. (Wilson)
Andrea McKinney, Jr. (Wilson)
Erica Beebe, So. (Wilson)
Christin Baker, So. (Wilson)
Alexandria Loveless, Fr. (Wilson)

Second-Team
Alyssa Lindahl, Sr. (Lakewood)
Megan Gil, Jr. (Poly)
Romaliza Rizalado, So. (Poly)
Allison King, Sr. (Poly)
Christine Maclennan, So. (Millikan)
Emily Matheson, Fr. (Millikan)
Caroline Nash, Jr. (Millikan)
Aubrey Johnson, Sr. (Wilson)
Allie Welty, Jr. (Wilson)
Paige Huntley, Jr. (Wilson)
Sabina Ochoa, So. (Jordan)
Nereyda Angulo, Jr. (Jordan)

Wrestler of the Year
Oscar Rivera, Sr. (Lakewood)

Coach of the Year
Andy Miramontes (Lakewood)

Moore League Champions
James Kuwata, Jr. (Millikan) 103
Ryan Bautista, Jr. (Lakewood) 112
Sergio Preciado, Jr. (Poly) 119
Kimo Napohaku, So. (Lakewood) 125
Stephen Araujo, Sr. (Lakewood) 130
Jesus Preciado, Jr. (Poly) 135
Abel Moran, Sr. (Millikan) 140
Nick Pena, Jr. (Millikan) 145
Martinez, Sr. (Lakewood) 152
Ryne Griswald, Sr. (Lakewood) 160
Chase Mirassou, Sr. (Lakewood) 171
John Barrera, Sr. (Lakewood) 189
Oscar Rivera, Sr. (Lakewood) 215
Carlos Rivera, Sr. (Lakewood) 285

Runner-ups
Jimmy Sammon, So. (Poly) 103
Richie Touch, Jr. (Poly) 112
Frank Lobato, Jr. (Lakewood) 119
Ricky Touch, Jr. (Poly) 125
Jake Wallace, Jr. (Millikan) 130
Tyler Gay, Sr. (Wilson) 135
Alexis Jamie, Sr. (Lakewood) 140
Tabe Noipagbor, Sr. (Poly) 145
Elliot Nunez, Sr. (Millikan) 152
Emilio Castellano, Sr. (Millikan) 160
Miguel Peralta, Jr. (Wilson) 171
Cameron Shepherd, Sr. (Wilson) 189
Ignacio Mundo, So. (Wilson) 215
Servando Marquez, Jr. (Compton) 285

This story was inadvertantly left out Thursday, so I thought I'd put it here for you all to check. Two pretty good teams what should be in the hunt in their respective leagues. So, without further adieu ...

LAKEWOOD - In his first season at the helm of the once heralded St. Joseph High softball program, coach Ralph Armenta concentrated on hitting and offense and received moderate success.

This year, he has done a 180 on his philosophy and the Jesters are beginning to show signs of yesteryear.

"Pitching and defense are our focus," he said, "and it's starting to pay off."

Behind a strong performance from senior pitcher Gabby Villarreal, sound defense and a timely hit, St. Joseph defeated cross-the-street rival Mayfair, 1-0, in a nonleague game Thursday afternoon, improving the Jesters' record to 10-2.

"That's our best start in a long time - maybe 15 years," Armenta said.

Villarreal (6-1) threw a two-hit shutout with a walk and three strikeouts, never allowing Mayfair (8-3) a runner past second base.

"She was in and out, high and low, and that keeps batters guessing," said Monsoons coach Erin Caskey.

The defense behind Villarreal made a huge difference, playing error free, smartly cutting down lead runners and making a possible game-saving double play late in the game.

Jessica Roper led off the top of the sixth with a double off the fence in straightaway center field, giving the Monsoons a runner in scoring position - the tying run 120 feet away. But second baseman Rosella DeAlva made a nice stab for a line shot and doubled up Roper to end the threat.

Villarreal came back for the seventh inning and got the Monsoons 1-2-3 to close out the win.

"Good defense helps pitching," Armenta said. "We made key plays at the right time."

And it was a good thing, because Mayfair starter Kristin Jaeger (7-1) pitched a strong game as well, allowing just five hits, two walks while striking out seven.

But it was one of those walks that did her and the Monsoons in. Samantha Garcia led off the bottom of the first with a walk and Natalia Garcia followed with a run-scoring double into the gap for the game's lone run.

The Jesters put runners at second base in the third, fourth and fifth - all with two out -- but Jaeger made sure they didn't get that key hit again.

It was a solid win for St. Joseph, which is located across Woodruff Avenue from Mayfair. So close that the Monsoons walked to the game.

"We are right across the street, so I guess we have Woodruff bragging rights," Armenta said. "But anytime a Division IV team like us can beat a Division III team like Mayfair, it's a good win. We are just starting to believe in ourselves. We hope we can win (the Del Rey) league. We have been putting those thoughts in their heads."

Caskey was pleased, too, with her team, which should make a run for the Suburban League title.

"This was a big game, not because of the location (of the two schools), but because they have a quality program," she said. "We had a good game, and I'm really happy with the way we played."

I was looking up something on Poly LB George Daily-Lyles and found this video:

Just cut and paste and watch:

http://www.maxpreps.com/FanPages/maxprepstv.mxp/videoid-0ff346b1-4a36-4d75-a210-3330ac956f79

Boys Volleyball Top 5

1. Wilson
2. St. John Bosco
3. Los Alamitos
4. Downey
5. Mayfair

The National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame (NFF) announced today that George Daily-Lyles, a senior linebacker from Poly, has been named the Play It Smart National Student-Athlete of the Month for February.

A four-year member of Play It Smart, Daily-Lyles has been an active participant in the program, inspiring his teammates to balance their powerhouse status on the field with equal success in the classroom and as leaders in the community.

"[Play It Smart] has taught the whole Poly family, about family and
that there are no individual successes without family success," said
Daily-Lyles. "So this honor is a team honor, not an individual honor."

Daily-Lyles, who has received numerous football accolades, recently signed
a letter of intent with the University of Hawai'i to play football in
the fall. On the field, the team captain led his team to a 14-1
record, a CIF Southern Section title (the school's 18th), and a runner-up finish in the CIF Open State Championships.

"Play It Smart is like a big brother standing over you and encouraging you to perform on and off-the-field," said Daily-Lyles. "While my friends from other schools were fumbling around trying to keep up with the recruiting process, I was already set thanks to Play It
Smart."

"George's leadership skills have been invaluable to the football
program," said Poly academic coach Monica Kim. "As team
captain, he has taken on his younger teammates and stressed the
importance of academics and discipline."

"Coach Kim has helped me get to where I am today," said Daily-Lyles.
"Without Coach Kim, I don't know where I would be."

"Each month we honor student-athletes who demonstrate excellence on
the field, in the classroom, and in service to others," said NFF
Chairman Archie Manning. "George is one these extraordinary
student-athletes. We look forward to following the bright future of
this remarkable young man."

Daily-Lyles recorded over 150 tackles this season and was named to several
All-State teams. In addition, he was crowned Moore League and CIF
Southern Section PAC-5 defensive MVP. Even with all the accolades on
the field, Lyles found the time to give back to his community,
volunteering with Habitat for Humanity, the Long Beach Rescue
Mission, Foundation for Kids' Long Beach One Million Toy Benefit,
Miller's Children's Hospital, and reading and mentoring local
elementary school children.

"Volunteering at the soup kitchen was one of the most beneficial
activities we did," said Daily-Lyles. "It really put life into perspective,
it reminds you to be humble."

"George is just a great kid, a hard worker, and an awesome leader,"
said Jackrabbits football coach Raul Lara. "He is a real student of the
game, and that's because his classroom ethics transfer over to the
football field."

"This young man is a tremendous talent on the field and he has become
a valuable asset to his community through his volunteer work," said
Len Stachitas, Play It Smart Executive Director. "Hawai'i is getting
a great football player but an even better young man."

Each month the National Football Foundation & College Hall of Fame
honors one student-athlete as the Play It Smart Student-Athlete of
the Month. Winners are selected from nominations received by academic
coaches from 160 schools in 33 states. At the end of the school year
the "Student-Athlete of the Year" will be selected from the monthly
winners to be honored at the annual Play It Smart National Conference.

Take a look at this website to see the latest and greatest in baseball park food. Bring it to Blair Field. People might just come for this:

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/29879843/?GT1=43001

Boys
Gabriel Lopez, Sr.,
Jose Lopez, So., Paramount
The brothers bashed Downey, 12-3, in an SGVL opener last week. Gabriel hit a two-run homer, added double, four RBI, two runs scored and a pair of stolen bases, and Jose knocked in four runs with a triple and single and scored three runs.

Girls
Poly girls basketball team
The Jackrabbits defeated Danville Monte Vista, 57-33, on Saturday for their fourth straight CIF State Division I championship. It was just the third time a team has accomplished such a feat, and the first in the premier division.

If you have a high school athlete you would like to nominate for the Athlete of the Week, send an email with the information to dave.werstine@presstelegram.com

Tuesday
Softball - Lakewood vs. Wilson at Joe Rodgers Field, 3:15 p.m.
The Bruins think they have a shot at their first Moore League title in more than a decade, but the defending champion Lancers will certainly have a say in who finishes atop the standings.

Softball - Los Alamitos at Gahr (DH), 3 p.m.
Another highly touted opponent for the Gladiators, who come into the doubleheader against the area's top-rated team with just one win. Gahr has been in every game, and these games shouldn't be any different.

Baseball - Wilson vs. Lakewood at Blair Field, 6:30 p.m.
The Moore League's top two teams battle for an early edge in the standings. The game, the first of three meetings, should be high-scoring if all goes as expected.

Wednesday
Baseball -La Mirada at Glenn, 3:15 p.m.
In the first of two meetings this week, the Eagles will try and assert themselves against the Suburban League favorite Matadores. With four teams vying for the league crown, these two games will be huge.

Baseball - Santa Margarita at St. John Bosco, 3:15 p.m.
The surprising Braves, who have cracked double-digits in four of their six wins, will open Trinity League play against a Santa Margarita pitching staff that allows just four runs per game.

Thursday
Softball - Mayfair at St. Joseph, 3:15 p.m.
Call it the "War on Woodruff" or whatever you want, because the across-the-street rival Monsoons and Jesters will go full tilt for bragging rights in their only matchup of the season.

Saturday
Track & Field - Percy Knox Invitational at College of the Canyons, 9 a.m.
The meet will feature a matchup between CIF State girls team title contenders Poly, Serra and Logan. Lynwood, Artesia and Carson are other area entrants.

Press-Telegram Baseball Top-10
1. Lakewood
2. Gahr
3. St. John Bosco
4. Downey
5. Wilson
6. Norwalk
7. Los Alamitos
8. Paramount
9. Glenn
10. La Mirada

Press-Telegram Softball Top 10
1. Los Alamitos
2. San Pedro
3. Downey
4. Wilson
5. Lakewood
6. St. Joseph
7. La Mirada
8. Carson
9. Mayfair
10. Warren

The Poly High girls basketball team won its fourth straight CIF State Division I title Saturday night, defeating Danville Monte Vista, 57-33, at Arco Arena in Sacramento.

It's only the third time a team has won four straight CIF State titles, and the first in Division I. Brea Olinda (1991-94) and Bishop Montgomery (2000-03) are the only other schools to win four consecutive titles.

Kelli Thompson became the only Poly athlete to ever win four consecutive state titles and is
the first in the state to do so since current WNBA player Noelle Quinn starred at Bishop Montgomery.

The Jackrabbits (32-3) got 12 points from Ta'Nitra Byrd and 10 from Monique Oliver, and a total of nine different players scored for Poly in yet another total team effort.

Jazzmine Shirley won the Sportsmanship Award for Poly.

Props to the Jackrabbits!

SUNSET LEAGUE
Los Alamitos coach Mark Clabough feels Marina is the team to beat in the Sunset League, but he always likes the Griffins' chances when senior lefty Beau Wright takes the mound.

Wright (10-1) is an all-CIF big-game pitcher who always seems to find his way out of jams and wins even on days when he doesn't have his best stuff.

Senior right-handed pitchers Clay Sanders and Will Olsen will be key if the Griffins are able to win a third consecutive Sunset League title.

Senior first baseman Ken Uyetake (.358, 22 RBI) returns after an all-league season, and Jack DeAngelis, Mickey Lorenzini, Nick Vitter and Nick Vitter are returning position players.

Top newcomers include junior catcher Brad Hartong, junior pitcher Kyle Ferramola and senior outfielder Dillon Randolph.

"Marina has the most talent in the league and Edison has some quality returning players, but if the kids all buy into their roles, we can absolutely win the Sunset League," Clabough said.

TRINITY LEAGUE
St. John Bosco coach Mario Cordero expects a dramatic improvement from a disappointing 6-18 season and for his team to vie for a playoff spot in the Trinity League.

Cornell-bound senior catcher Phil Mullan (.300, 24 hits, 8 RBI) leads a group of returning Braves starters. Senior first baseman George Thomas, senior centerfielder Ian Sakry, sophomore infielders Dante Flores, Joe Grajeda and Taylor Sparks will all play key roles for Bosco.

On the mound, sophomore right-handed pitchers Koby Gauana and David Meza will team with senior all-Trinity League selection Joie Dunyon to eat up most of the Braves' innings.

"This year we are looking to compete with perennial Trinity League powers Mater Dei, JSerra, Servite, Santa Margarita and Orange Lutheran for one of the three playoff spots," Cordero said.

DEL REY LEAUGE
St. Paul junior shortstop Andrew Chico is coming off an amazing sophomore campaign in which he hit .414 with 46 hits and 34 runs scored for a Swordsmen team that is hoping to challenge perennial Del Rey League champion Bishop Amat.

Junior pitcher-outfielder Gabe Encinas (.340, 33 hits and 20 RBI) and junior third baseman-outfielder Evan Sanchez (.303, 23 hits, 13 RBI) will be the core of coach Casey Morales' club. Encinas and junior Chris Wilson were a combined 12-5 on the hill for the second-place Swordsmen.

ALPHA LEAGUE
Downey Calvary Chapel's junior right-handed pitcher Spencer Troutman is 2-0 thus far with 15 strikeouts in 10 innings and is also a big bat for the Grizzlies.

Senior centerfielder Caleb Soto is hitting .530 to start the season and senior catcher Schyler Chandler is off to a quick start with a .500 average for a team expecting to challenge Maranatha and Paraclete for the Alpha League title.

Downey transfer Jonathan Lopez, a pitcher-third baseman, could play a key role for the Grizzlies.

Calvary Chapel coach Steve Jahnkow is back for his second stint with the Grizzlies and likes his team's chances.

"If we cut down on mental mistakes, we're going to be tough to beat," Jahnkow said. "We're pitching and hitting well, but in the two games we've lost, we've shot ourselves in the foot."

SANTA FE LEAGUE
St. Anthony is off to a nice 4-1 start and will battle Salesian and Bell-Jeff for the Santa Fe League title.

Senior pitcher-shortstop Sunny Montoya and junior Jeff Curran will anchor the Saints' pitching staff. Curran, a 6-foot-2 lefty, was the Santa Fe League's MVP last season.

Junior third baseman Robert Yates is the St. Anthony clean-up hitter, and sophomore outfielder Greg Ahle is potentially a big bat for Saints coach Roger Penticoff.

St. Anthony is coming off a league title last season after going 14-1.

"If we can move runners along and do some good situational hitting, we'll be successful," Penticoff said.

OLYMPIC LEAGUE
Valley Christian's Brett Struiksma, a senior third baseman-pitcher, is a four-year starter. He set a school record with 11 home runs and 38 RBI, and led the Olympic League in every offensive category and has three home runs and two doubles to start the season. Texas-Arlington, Northwestern Oklahoma State are among four college's vying for his services.

Senior catcher-shortstop Kyle Cameron is a key defensive player, and will go to Concordia to catch next season. Senior infielder Greg Saarloos is the Crusaders' clean-up hitter and a lot is expected offensively after a .350 junior season.

Junior pitcher Brad Vandergrift is the Crusaders' ace and is expecting a huge season.

Freshman outfielder-pitcher Chase DeJong is coming off a starring role for the Long Beach World Series champion Pony team and is fitting in nicely with the Crusaders. DeJong has started the season as the No. 2 hitter and is batting .500 and will see his share of time on the mound.

Valley Christian will battle Montclair Prep and Campbell Hall for a league title.
-Brian Baiotto

Despite a slow start in nonleague play, La Mirada High is the consensus team to beat by other Suburban League coaches because the Matadores return eight starters.

Senior pitchers Adam Inzunza (2-0) and Mike Piazza (1-1), juniors Kyle Harper and Daniel Poncedeleon are all expected to have a big impact on coach Kim Brooks' rotation.

Sophomore shortstop Andres Rodriguez (.333, 32 hits, 27 RBI) leads a group of talented returning players that include senior outfielder Christian Peruzzi and junior catcher Nick Mandry.

Senior third baseman Chasen Holland is a key newcomer for La Mirada and will close out some games, as well as sophomore outfielders Max Gama and Niko Lancaster, who bring new blood to the Matadores lineup.

"I don't know why all the coaches picked us to be first, but thanks for the bull's eye," Brooks jokingly said. "The reason why we have won 10 of the last 13 Suburban League titles is because we take every team as a threat to beat us."

Junior pitcher Juan Vera will be Glenn coach David Cruz' ace to start the season after a 3-4 sophomore season with a 4.40 ERA for an Eagles team that's expected to make the playoffs.

Efrain Ramirez will be a key newcomer on the mound for Glenn.

Senior catcher Enrique Medina comes back after an impressive .369 showing last season with 31 hits and 16 RBI.

Junior shortstop Davon Foggie and second baseman Josh Carr are returning starters, and new faces on the scene with potential are freshman utility player John Lemo and senior first baseman Luis Ruezga.

"This season will all come down to whoever gets the best pitching, so we'll see what happens," Cruz said.

Mayfair returns four starters from its 2008 Suburban League championship team.

Mike McCurdy's club is considered an underdog after losing key pitchers Garrett Carpenter and Nick Quezada to graduation, but within the Suburban League coaching fraternity, no one is counting the well-coached Monsoons out.

Junior shortstop Derrick Garcia (.345, 15 RBI) joins junior first baseman Raymond Patchen (.325, 12 RBI) and senior outfielders Luis Garcia and Caleb Pitts.

Senior Victor Reveles has moved from the infield to behind the plate, and key newcomers expected to contribute are pitchers Bob Webb, Austin Henderson and Eric Humbert, all sophomores.

Freshman Jordan Aboites will play in the Monsoons' infield and is someone McCurdy believes could be an impact player very early on.

"We lost a lot of talent and I know there isn't much expected of us, but we'll battle and see what happens," McCurdy said. "I believe La Mirada has the most returning talent and are very well coached."

Norwalk might be the biggest surprise this year with a 4-0 start, a Montebello Tournament title and an early victory over league rival Glenn.

The Lancers have gotten two complete-game performances each from senior Jerry Gonzalez and junior Johnathan Villalpando.

Senior catcher Nick Landeros is off to quick start with six hits and five RBI, and senior outfielder Randy Garcia is expected to have a big season for first-year coach Ruben Velazquez.

Junior shortstop Moises Acosta is off to a good start at the plate and in the field.

"Its fine with me to be a sleeper in league because we hadn't done too much the last two seasons, but this (early success) is the fruits of their hard work," Velazquez said. "This will be a four-team race and should be very interesting."

Artesia and Cerritos are not considered league contenders.
- Brian Baiotto

The San Gabriel Valley League looks to be a two-team race between Downey and back-to-back league champion Paramount. The Pirates are 29-1 in SGVL games over the past two years, but Downey is returning more talent.

The Vikings bring back Dream Team outfielder Ivory Thomas (.429, 39 hits, 28 RBI) and pitcher-infielder Michael Mazzara (.343, 37 hits, 18 RBI) for coach Jess Gonzalez and a Downey team that made an impressive playoff run last season.

Cesar Valtierra (.316, 24 hits) and Bryant De La Campa (.300, 15 hits) are expected to have big seasons at the plate and on the mound for Downey. Also expected to pitch for Gonzalez are Jeremy Ruiz and Mazzara.

"We have a lot of good players coming back, but a lot of our success will depend on what kind of pitching we get," Gonzalez said. "We did have a great summer, but Paramount still has Eddie Magallon and he's the best pitcher in the league."

Paramount is led by Magallon, its right-handed Dream Team pitcher, but lost their core to graduation. Magallon is 18-2 over the last two years, but will need help from outfielder Gabriel Lopez (.333, 27 hits), infielder Mark Silva and infielder-outfielder Ramon Becerra.

Magallon's younger brother, Osbaldo, will pitch for Pirates coach Cameron Chinn, who also needs key performances from catcher Jaime Valle and third baseman-pitcher Jose Lopez.

"Downey is very talented, especially up the middle of the field," Chinn said. "We have Eddie and some good athletes that, if we learn to play catch, can be pretty good."

Said Magallon: "This is going to take some time to replace everything we lost from last season, but I have a lot of confidence in my teammates and a great coaching staff."

Long Beach baseball Hall of Famer and former Long Beach State coach John Gonsalves is on the bench this season to assist Chinn.

Gahr will be led offensively by senior catcher Brandon Krause (.297, 16 hits, 12 RBI) and junior pitcher-first baseman Sonny Burgueno (.282) and will be looking to continue its annual postseason run.

Senior pitchers Jason Sierra, Ruben Resendez and juniors Michael Lugo, Chris Salmones and Burgueno will all have to come up big for coach Gerardo Perez.

Warren has started the season 0-3 and will need pitchers Gene Gonzalez, Gerardo Hernandez, Christian Rodriguez, Alex Solis, Daniel Catalan and Chris Cota to step up if the Bears are to compete for a playoff spot.

Lynwood and Dominguez will likely be at the bottom of the SGVL standings.
- Brian Baiotto

Defending Moore League champion Lakewood is the consensus top team in the Long Beach area after returning seven starters and has 12 consistent bats in coach Spud O'Neil's lineup.

The Lancers are coming of an impressive 11-1 Moore League mark a year ago, and are looking to improve on a second-round exit from the CIF Southern Section Division I playoffs.

All-CIF senior shortstop Matt Duffy (.409 average, 47 hits, 28 RBI) leads an offense that will need to aid an unproven pitching staff.

Others expecting big years are junior third baseman Jeff Yamaguchi (.393, 34 hits, 24 RBI), senior first baseman Steven Luna, outfielders Anthony Razo, Jonathan Worrell, David Peters, Alex Padilla and Cole Phillips.

Andrew Reis, Danny Ittner, Brandon Gillilan and Josh Schoenberger will join Yamaguchi, Duffy and Worrell on the mound for Lakewood.

"Our pitching staff is inexperienced but will improve throughout the season," O'Neil said. "We expect to do well. The Moore League is a five-team race, but coach (Erick) Bryant has his team improved at Cabrillo."

Wilson (60-9-1) has won more games over the past two seasons than anyone in the Long Beach area and has a CIF-SS Division I title and a national championship to its name, but the Bruins lost the 2008 Press-Telegram Player of the Year, Aaron Hicks to the Minnesota Twins and standout third baseman, Zach Wilson to Arizona State.

Bruins skipper Andy Hall realizes he's down some talent but has confidence if key players can get healthy that Wilson will compete for another league title.

Senior pitcher Tommy Nance (9-1, 2.30 ERA) and junior Cody Harris (1-2, 4.12 ERA) will be the heart of the pitching staff, if healthy. Junior lefty Chris Hubbard, senior right-hander Josh Perez, Kyle Ritter and J.T. Mazalewski will all get big innings for Wilson.

Brian Haver, Lester Salcedo, Phillip Visico, Trevor Mowad, Tanner Perkins and Harris will need to produce for the Bruins offensively.

"We return enough talent and have enough new players up from the JV to give us a chance to compete for the Moore League crown," Hall said. "We need to get Nance and Harris healthy to be at our best, but I think if healthy, Nance is the best pitcher in the league."

Millikan returns one of the Moore League's premier hitters in Jonathan Singleton (.368, 32 hits, 24 RBI). The senior first baseman was an all-Moore League selection last season and will play for the Dirtbags next year.

The Rams also expect senior outfielders Brandon Sadler and Cody Hazel to push coach Scott Glasser's lineup into postseason contention.

Senior Andrew Culver (3-3, 1.98 ERA) will anchor the Millikan staff, along with junior newcomer Josh Frye.

Poly senior right-hander Mario Gordon (4-4, 3.94 ERA) will be key if the Jackrabbits are to return to the playoffs. Coach Toby Hess calls Gordon "the best pitcher in the Moore League." Gordon's stats are not nearly as telling as his big-game performances.

Senior outfielder Kevin Nanbara hit .345 last year and will do some pitching for Poly.

Hess' "Party of Five" sophomores will need to produce for the Jackrabbits to stay in contention. Sophomore infielders Thomas Walker and Henry Severson will join outfielders Tyler Maxwell and Daniel Cook in the starting lineup as will pitcher Jordan Wilcox.

"If Mario Gordon pitches like he did last year, we will definitely make the playoffs, because he's that good," Hess said. "If he gets injured, our chances are not good at all."

Marc Prager's Jordan squad missed out on a playoff berth last season after losing a dramatic play-in game with Poly, but many expect the Panthers to be much improved this year.

Senior pitcher Marcos Lara (6-3, 2.20 ERA) has been clocked as high as 94 mph and has a strikeout ratio of better than 3-to-1. Lara also hit .390 at the plate.

Outfielder-pitcher Danny Puente is the only Panthers all-Moore League returning player after picking up three wins and hitting .340.

Senior Pedro Torres will catch for Prager and is a leader who will need to have a big season for Jordan to make the playoffs.

Junior Robbie Hurtado will be a key newcomer and fill some big shoes when he leads off and plays shortstop after unanimous all Moore-League and Dream Team shortstop Alfredo Lopez graduated.

"We are going to get our wins this year and should be a playoff team," Prager said. "We aren't going to score a lot of runs, so we'll need to count on our deep pitching."

Junior outfielder Armondo Perez (.292, 21 hits) will lead a Jaguars team that could play spoiler in the Moore League.

Senior pitchers Isreal Rodriguez, Jalontae Johnson, Victor Correa and juniors Daniel Martinez and Ramiro Rosalez will anchor the Cabrillo pitching staff.

Compton will certainly spend all season in the basement, and has started the season 0-2, scoring once while giving up 33 runs.
- Brian Baiotto

Press-Telegram Baseball Top 10
1. Lakewood
2. Downey
3. Wilson
4. Norwalk
5. La Mirada
6. Gahr
7. Glenn
8. Los Alamitos
9. Paramount
10. Jordan

The Poly girls basketball team played a tremendous second half and overcame Colony, 67-54, to win the CIF Southern California Division I Regional tite at UCLA's Pauly Pavilion on Saturday night.

The Jackrabbits (31-2) will face Danville Monte Vista (29-2) for the State championship next Saturday at the Arco Arena in Sacramento. Game time is 6 p.m. If Poly wins that game, it would become just the first Division I team to win four straight CIF State titles.

The Poly girls basketball team's streak of state titles is in jeopardy at halftime of the Jackrabbits' CIF SoCal Regional final. They trail Colony, 25-21.

The 2009 PT baseball preview and area Top 10 will be revealed this week, as I know many of you have been waiting for.

Wednesday is the tentative date.

Some surprising early results. Who belongs in the Top 10, and who will end up there in the end?

When I first heard about the CIF starting the SoCal Regional soccer tournament (it couldn't be a State tournament because NoCal plays the sport in the fall, not winter like down here), I thought it was a good idea. The CIF has State events in several other sports, so why not soccer.

But a couple of years in and I think the CIF has to rethink the whole idea. And here's why:

Too many players, elite-level players, bailed out on their high school teams to rejoin their club teams this last week, leaving their school, coach and teammates hanging.

It's a rule that a player can't play club, academy, etc. and high school at the same time, so several players have to make a decision on what to do. And if it were me or my child in the situation, it'd be a tough choice.

A tough choice because college coaches are not combing the HS fields looking for talent. They pay predominant attention to club soccer, the premier-league teams and players. If you want a chance to grab a college coach's attention and hopefully a scholarship, you need to be with your club team and play in showcase tournaments, which is where several of those players who left their HS teams are this weekend.

That said, if you are a college-level player, you will be noticed, no doubt about that. Missing one showcase wouldn't be the end of the world.

If I were a college coach, one trait I would want in my recruit is commitment. Any of those players who left their teams this week in what should have been one of the biggest weeks of their prep careers, playing for a regional title, certainly didn't show commitment. In fact, it was a very selfish move.

No "I" in team, right? But there is a "me."

Bottom line in this opinion is that if you start something, you need to see it all the way through.

If players continue to exit their school teams for their club teams, the regionals are a waste of time, because the team that got to that point isn't the one that was left playing in too many instances.

The CIF has to rethink the idea, maybe shorten the preseason by a week to get the whole season in before the exodus back to club soccer.

Los Alamitos lost 2-0 to San Clemente - like the Griffins did in the CIF-SS finals - in the CIF SoCal Regional girls soccer Division I semifinals. What a great season for a such a young team.

Valley Christian also lost, falling 2-1 on a late goal to S.D. Section's Parker High in a Division III semi. A great run for the Crusaders this year, and a heckuva coaching job by Kim Looney.

Speaking of great runs, the Gahr boys basketball team, an at-large team in the CIF-SS Division IIIA playoffs, made the CIF finals and SoCal regionals. However, that run came to an end with a 97-77 loss to Harvard-Westlake, which beat the Gladiators for the CIF title by a much closer score.

The Poly girls basketball team defeated Troy, 44-38, to advance to Saturday's CIF Southern Regional Division I final at 6 p.m. at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion. The Jackrabbits are looking to become the first Division I team to win four straight state titles.

The road to that goal was made a little easier, as Cajon, which topped Poly in the CIF-SS Division IAA title game, was upset by CIF-SS Division IA champ Colony, 59-56, in the other SoCal semifinal Thursday.

In the finals in NoCal are No. 1 Danville Monte Vista and No. 2 Sacramento Kennedy.

Monte Vista seems like the legit team from up north, but is the SoCal final a toss up?

The Poly girls defeated Stockdale, 76-47, in a Division I basketball game, setting up another game against Troy, which the Jackrabbits defeated in the CIF-SS semifinals.

In boys basketball, Dominguez fell to Taft, 54-52, and Gahr, like has all year, turned in a nice surprise by hammering Hanford West, 75-54, to advance to the Division III semifinals on Thursday, likely a remach with Harvard-Westlake.

The girls soccer teams from Los Alamitos and Valley Christian advanced to the SoCal Regional semis on Thursday.

The Griffins beat Torrey Pines, 1-0, and will face San Clemente in a CIF-SS title game rematch in Division I.

The Crusaders dominated Foshay but only managed a 1-0 win. They will play host to S.D. Section's Francis Parker in the semis.

It was a tough day for boys soccer, as Millikan lost to El Camino Real, 2-1, in OT and Avalon fell to Salesian, 4-0.

Boys
Jose Lopez, Sr., Glenn
The heavyweight took his first loss of the season, a triple-OT heartbreaker, but responded with four consecutive wins to finish in third place at the CIF State Wrestling Championships over the weekend. Lopez finished with an awesome 51-1 record.

Girls
Hayley Haagsma, Jr., Valley Christian
The midfielder willed the Crusaders into the CIF Southern Section Division V championship game. After scoring the game-winner in the quarterfinals, she netted a pair of second-half goals to rally V.C. to a 2-1 semifinal win over El Segundo

If you would like to nominate a high school athlete for the the weekly honors, please email me who and why by noon on Mondays at dave.werstine@presstelegram.com

The Poly High girls basketball team defeated Santa Monica, 63-35, in the first round of the CIF Southern Regional Division I playoffs on Monday night. The Jackrabbits will host Stockdale, a 66-46 winner of Taft, on Tuesday at 7 pm in a second-round game.

Other second-round games are: Cajon vs. Perris; Chatsworth vs.Colony; and Troy vs. Canyon Springs.

The Dominguez High boys basketball team beat Santa Monica, 64-51, in Division I, and will travel to Taft, which defeated Ventura, 68-55, on Tuesday at 7 pm for a second-round game.

Other second-round games are: ML King vs. Tesoro; Mater Dei vs. Fairfax; and El Camino vs. Westchester.

Gahr visits Hanford West in a first-round Division III game on Tuesday.

All four local teams - Millikan and Avalon boys and Los Alamitos and Valley Christian girls - that made CIF-SS soccer finals made the CIF State field. And for the most part, they received rather good treatment in the bracketing.

All first-round games are Tuesday at 5 p.m. The second round is Thursday at 5 p.m. and the finals are Saturday at Warren HS.

Millikan was given the No. 4 seed and will host El Camino Real in Division I, while Avalon got the No. 8 seed and will play at No. 1 Salesian in Division III.

Los Alamitos received the No. 4 seed and will be at home against Torrey Pines in Division I, while Valley Christian was awarded a No. 2 seed and will host Foshay in Division III

Despite losing the CIF-SS Division IAA title game to Cajon, the Poly girls basketball team was awarded the No. 2 seed in the CIF State Division I SoCal Regionals. The Jackrabbits will be at home Monday at 7 p.m. against Santa Monica.

Gahr, which lost the boys CIF-SS Division IIIA final to Harvard-Westlake, was given the No. 6 seed and will have to travel to No. 4 Hanford West, the Central Section champ on Monday night.

Our esteemed BB guru Frank Burlison thought Dominguez, despite its semifinal loss in the CIF-SS Division IAA playoffs, would make the the state field. And the Dons did, getting the No. 5 seed and a first-round home game Monday against Santa Monica.

The second round is Tuesday, the third round Thursday and the Regional finals Saturday at UCLA's Pauley Pavilion.

Which local team has the best chance to reach the state finals?

Less than 18 hours after losing his first match this season, Glenn High heavyweight Jose Lopez rallied for four more wins to place third at the CIF State Wrestling Championship in Bakersfield.

Lopez finished his senior season 51-1 and improved on his fifth-place showing from a year ago. He was the Long Beach area's only state placer.

There were six local teams vying for CIF championships this weekend and they all came up short.

In basketball, the Poly girls and Gahr boys fell. In soccer, the Millikan and Avalon boys losts, and the Los Alamitos and Valley Christian girls were beaten.

The only winter sports team from the area to win a CIF title was the Cerritos girls water polo team.

But the winter sports season will continue....The CIF State playoffs begin early next week. The pairings for basketball and soccer are set to be released around noon on Sunday. Check back for the pairings.

CIF champs get automatic bids to States, and runners-up usually make it, too. But it's not always the case. We'll see how things shape up Sunday.

The Valley Christian girls soccer team and the Avalon boys soccer team lost in CIF championship games that could have gone either way.

The Crusaders fell to South Torrance, 1-0, in overtime in the Division V final, and the Lancers were undone in penalty kicks, 5-4, by Rosamond after a 1-1 match through regulation and OT in the Division VII title game.

The Long Beach area has two more chances later tonight. Millikan takes on El Toro in the Division I boys title match at Warren HS, and Los Alamitos meets San Clemente with the Division I girls title on the line at Mission Viejo HS.

Cajon upset the Jackrabbits, 52-44, for the CIF-SS Division IAA girls basketball title. Poly played from behind all night. The 'Rabbits got to within five points with 20 seconds to play, but in the end couldn't overcome Cajon.

The Jackrabbits are trying to make a game of it, but time is running out. They pulled to within 5 points with 5:43 left in the third, but Cajon went on another nice run, this time 9-2, to take a 39-27 lead heading into the 4th quarter.

The Jackrabbits closed to within a point early in the second quarter, but Cajon went on a 14-4 run to take a 30-19 lead at halftime.

Poly's run of CIF titles could be coming to an end tonight.

After the first quarter of the CIF-SS Division I-AA championship game, the No. 1-ranked Poly girls basketball team is down to No. 2 Cajon, 16-11. The Jackrabbits started slowly, falling behind 9-2 after the first five minutes.

Top-seeded El Toro, which defeated Loyola, 2-1, on Wednesday in a CIF-SS Division I semifinal.

The Division I title game, which will be played Saturday at 8 pm at Warren High, will pit the No. 1 vs. No. 2 seed.

The Rams have caught a few breaks through the course of the playoffs. I guess we'll see if they have a couple left in the championship game against one of the top teams in the nation. El Toro is ranked No. 10 in the latest NSCAA/adidas National Rankings.

Millikan fell out of the top of the national rankings with their late-season upset loss to Poly. If the Rams play like they can, they can definitely take the championship.

The CIF has just released the schedule for the boys' and girls' soccer finals.

The Millikan (8 pm) and Avalon (2 pm) boys teams and the Valley Christian (9am) girls team will play Saturday at Warren High. The Los Alamitos (8 pm) girls team will play Saturday at Mission Viejo High.

Here is the complete schedule:

At Mission Viejo HS
Friday
4:00 p.m. - Girls Div. VII
Home: *Vasquez
Visitor: Alverno
7:00 p.m. - Boys Div. II
Home: *Valencia/Placentia
Visitor: Santa Ana

Saturday
11:30 p.m. - Boys Div. V
Home: * Baldwin Park
Visitor: Salesian
2:00 p.m. - Girls Div. VI
Home: * Desert Christian/ Lancaster
Visitor: San Jacinto
5:00 p.m. - Girls Div. III
Home: * Sunny Hills
Visitor: Troy
8:00 p.m. - Girls Div. I
Home: * San Clemente
Visitor: Los Alamitos

At Oxnard Pacifica
Friday
6 p.m.- Boys Div. IV
Home: * Rio Mesa
Visitor: Channel Isands

At Warren HS
Friday
4:00 p.m. - Girls Div. IV
Home: * Granite Hills
Visitor: Sultana
7:00 p.m. - Girls Div. II
Home: * Saugus
Visitor: Harvard-Westlake

Saturday
9:00 a.m. - Girls Div. V
Home: * South Torrance
Visitor: Valley Christian
11:30 p.m. - Boys Div. VI
Home: * Silverado
Visitor: Mountain View
2:00 p.m. - Boys Div. VII
Home: * Avalon
Visitor: Rosamond
5:00 p.m. - Boys Div. III
Home: * Coachella Valley
Visitor: Great Oak
8:00 p.m. - Boys Div. I
Home: Millikan
Visitor: El Toro-Loyola winner

The Millikan and Avalon boys soccer teams, ane the girls teams from Los Alamitos and Valley Christian advanced to CIF championship matches this weekend.

The games are set for Friday and Saturday. The CIF should have exact date, time and location on Wednesday. It'll be posted here as soon as we find out.

ATHLETES OF THE WEEK
Boys
Gipson Lyles, Sr., Gahr
The forward scored a team-high 31 points, more than double his season average, to lead the Gladiators to a 96-87 win over Golden Valley and on to the CIF-SS Division IIIA championship game at Honda Center this weekend.

Girls
Raquel Gabayeron, Sr., Cerritos
The standout utility player scored seven goals, including the game-winner with 8.98 seconds left in the second overtime, to lead the Dons to their first-ever CIF-SS girls water polo title with a 10-9 win over Warren in the Division VII final.

GIRLS BASKETBALL TOP 10
Final
1. Poly (27-2)
2. Millikan (24-5)
3. Lynwood (19-8)
4. Centennial (25-3)
5. St. Paul (19-10)
6. Bellflower (22-7)
7. Wilson (13-17)
8. Jordan (13-15)
9. Cabrillo (17-10)
10. Cerritos (13-13)

BOYS BASKETBALL TOP 10
Final
1. Dominguez (25-6)
2. Los Alamitos (27-2)
3. La Mirada (27-4)
4. Poly (23-6)
5. Jordan (23-6)
6. Gahr (18-14)
7. Mayfair (21-8)
8. Serra (23-8)
9. Wilson (20-9)
10. Lynwood (19-7)

Here's what we've been waiting for:

The Poly girls will face Cajon in the CIF-SS Division IAA title game on Friday at 8:30 p.m. at Mater Dei HS.

The Gahr boys will face Harvard-Westlake in the CIF-SS Division IIIA title game on Saturday at 9 a.m. at Honda Center.

Tickets should be available at participating schools as early as today or as late as tomorrow.

Here is the complete schedule:

At Colony High on Thursday
4:30 p.m. - Boys Division VAA - Pacific Hills vs. Morningside
6:30 p.m. - Boys Division VIAA - Tarbut V'Torah vs. Desert Chr/Bermuda Dunes
8:30 p.m. - Boys Division IVA - Chaminade vs. Price

At Colony High on Friday
4:30 p.m. - Boys Division VA - Windward vs. Lutheran/La Verne
6:30 p.m. - Boys Division VIA - Besant Hill vs. Hope Centre
8:30 p.m. - Girls Division IIA - Mater Dei vs. Beverly Hills

At Honda Center on Saturday (Early session)
9:00 a.m. - Boys Division IIIA - Gahr vs. Harvard-Westlake
10:45 a.m. - Boys Division IIA - Loyola vs. Eisenhower
12:30 p.m. - Boys Division IIIAA - Canyon/Anaheim vs. Santa Margarita
2:15 p.m. - Boys Division IIAA - Thousand Oaks vs. Leuzinger

At Honda Center on Saturday (Late session)
6:30 p.m. - Boys Division IAA - Mater Dei vs. M.L. King
8:15 p.m. - Boys Division IA - Ventura vs. Tesoro

At Mater Dei High on Thursday
4:30 p.m. - Girls Division VIA - Packinghouse Chr vs. (Tarbut V'Torah/Cuyama Valley)
6:30 p.m. - Girls Division IIIA - Foothill vs. Inglewood
8:30 p.m. - Girls Division IVAA - Lutheran/Orange vs. Notre Dame/Sherman Oaks

At Mater Dei High on Friday
4:30 p.m. - Girls Division IVA - Harvard-Westlake vs. Pacific Hills
6:30 p.m. - Girls Division IIIAA - Woodbridge vs. Marlborough
8:30 p.m. - Girls Division IAA - Poly vs. Cajon

At Mater Dei High on Saturday (Early session)
9:30 a.m. - Girls Division VIAA - Sierra Canyon vs. Hesperia Christian
11:15 a.m. - Girls Division VA - Bellarmine-Jefferson vs. Santa Clara
1:00 p.m. - Girls Division VAA - St. Joseph/Santa Maria vs. Serra
2:45 p.m. - Boys Division IVAA - Inglewood vs. Ocean View

At Mater Dei High on Saturda (Late session)
6:30 p.m. - Girls Division IA - Colony vs. Canyon Springs
8:15 p.m. - Girls Division IIAA - Brea Olinda vs. Edison