July 2008 Archives

The Area Codes games will be held in early August at Long Beach's Blair Field. Here are the local players who will be on one of two Milwaukee Brewers' teams:

Evan Brock, Ayala; Matt Hobgood, Norco; Cameron Garfield, Murrieta Valley; Jake Hernandez, Los Osos; Matt Davidson, Yucaipa; Jake Marisnick, Riverside Poly; and Brooks Pounders, Temecula Valley.

Davidson has already committed to USC.

James Cordes has been named the new baseball coach at Redlands East Valley, athletic director Rhonda Fouch said today.

Cordes replaces Steve Hernandez, who retired as coach after last season.

"We're excited," Fouch said. "He's familiar with the program, having been a volunteer under Steve (Hernandez). It should be a smooth transition."

Cordes was an assistant to Hernandez from 2004 through 2006. He was also an assistant at the University of Massachusetts and coached at Boston College High School, as well.

Cordes, 26, will be starting his first year as an English teacher at REV.

He played high school ball in Idaho and was the starting shortstop at the University of Redlands, graduating in 2004.

"It (REV) is a strong, talented program and I just want to come in and pick up where they left off last season," Cordes said. "We want to play aggressive baseball. We want to get hitters' counts and jump on fastballs and go from first to third on the basepaths and second to home. We think at REV that we have the components to do that."

REV is the two-time defending Citrus Belt League season. It went 26-4 and made the CIF-SS title game for the first time last season, losing 7-0 to Lake Forest El Toro in the championship game.

Also taking over programs at REV are Emily Abbott, who is the new boys and girls swimming coach and Katie Husband, who takes over the girls soccer program.

Abbott is a teacher at REV. She swam and played water polo at Redlands High School.

Husband has been the junior varsity soccer coach and also coaches track and field. She replaces Cristina Ballard, who has moved to the Bay Area with her husband Ben and will be coaching at Walnut Creek Northgate High School. .

Ballard was the All-Sun County Coach of the Year at REV for the 2006-2007 season.. .

Story tips? Contact John Murphy at 909-633-4829 or berdooman@aol.com.

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Cajon won the San Diego Classic girls basketball summer tournament, calhisports.com has reported.

There were 336 teams involved in four divisions. .

The Cowgirls wrapped up the title with a 54-45 victory against Santa Monica. Senior Layshia Clarendon was named Most Valuable Player and received a shoe autographed by Candace Parker of the WNBA. .

The Cowgirls won seven games in four days.

Clarendon scored 19 points, had nine rebounds, six assists and three steals against Santa Monica; and Burnside had 18 points, 16 rebounds and five blocked shots.

"I'm used to having to play a lot of minutes so at the end I knew I could finish and bring home the championship," Clarendon told the Web site.

Calhisports.com also lauded the play of Ayala's Rhema Gardner and Chino Hills' Lindsey Crawford and Erica Norman.

San Luis Obispo Mission Prep junior runner Jordan Hasay was named the calhisports.com state girls athlete of the year.

Hasay won her third straight state cross country title last fall and her third straight 3,200 meters last spring, at the CIF-State track and field meet.

Hasay also ran in the U.S. Olympic Trials.

Named as a top Division I athlete by calhisports was Serrano's Kauren Tarver (cross country, soccer, track, tennis).

Picked as a top junior athlete was Cajon basketball player Layshia Clarendon, who led the Cowgirls to their first section title.

Story tips? Contact John Murphy at 909-633-4829 or berdooman@aol.com.

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Dick Bruich has been named the new athletic director at Kaiser, and one of his first duties will be to hire a new boys basketball coach.

Bruich said today that Bill Hughes, the Cats basketball coach of the last two seasons, resigned Monday. Hughes led the Cats to a CIF-SS title game two years ago and the semifinals last season.

As for Bruich, he will continue to coach football and softball.

"I'm excited," said Bruich, who this fall will begin his 34th year as a head football coach in the district (he formerly coached at Fontana). "The A.D. doesn't have to teach and I enjoy teaching, so that will be a little hard to put up with. But now I can teach the coaches."

Bruich replaced John Ross, who retired after last school year.

ESPN RISE magazine has announced the selections for the Elite 11 quarterback event, reported studentsports.com.

It includes Los Osos' Richard Brehaut, a UCLA recruit.

The event gives the nation's top prep quarterbacks high-level instruction and will be held July 21-24 in Southern California.

Brehaut (6-2, 206) captured the Golden Gun Accuracy Challenge title at the Berkeley EA Sports Elite 11 regional camp last spring. He was also named the quarterback MVP at the Stanford Nike Camp.

He chose UCLA over offers from Colorado, Oregon State, Arizona and others.

The senior completed 156 of 241 passes last season for 2,248 yards and 22 touchdowns, with eight interceptions in 11 games. He also rushed for 556 yards and five scores.

News tips? Call John Murphy 909-633-4829 or write to him at berdooman@aol.com

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Valencia's Jessica Spigner was named today as the EA Sports/studentsports.com Player of the Year.

Making the 30-person first team was junior utility player Kamerin May of Corona Santiago. She went 26-4 in the circle with a 0.73 ERA and 17 shutouts. She also hit .400 with six homers and 30 RBI.

Earning second team mention was Norco junior utility Teagan Gerhart. Gerhart has already committed to Stanford.

Silverado has reached into the past to hire its new principal.

He is Art Sanchez, who coached the crosstown Victor Valley High School football team from 1993 through '98.

"Things are going good so far," Sanchez said. "I can't complain. I'm looking forward to the challenges."

Sanchez had a successful stint as the Victor Valley coach, including winning the Bell Game (versus rival Apple Valley) four of five times. Then he left the High Desert to become the assistant principal at Corona.

Sanchez, after three years at Corona, became the principal at Montebello Schurr High School, his alma mater. He was there for five years before being rehired by the Victor Valley Unified School District.

Sanchez replaces interim principal Terry Colvin, who is moving over to become the principal of Silverado's new ninth-grade campus.

Story tips? Contact John Murphy at 909-633-4829 or berdooman@aol.com.

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Tim Beckham of Griffin High in Griffin, Ga., the first pick in the June Amateur Baseball Draft, was named the EA Sports All-America Player of the Year.

Making the 30-man first team were Riverside Patriot catcher Kyle Skipworth, Norco utility player Matt Hobgood and Redlands East Valley pitcher Tyler Chatwood.

Skipworth hit 543 with 13 home runs and 47 runs batted in. Early in the season, Skipworth set a state record with 18 hits in 18 at-bats.

Chatwood went 9-1 on the mound with a 0.81 earned run average. He also hit .521 with 23 runs batted in.

Hobgood, a junior, went 10-0 as a pitcher with a 1.34 ERA. He also hit .489 with 15 home runs and 45 RBI. He has already committed to Cal State Fullerton.

Steve Wishek is the new athletic director at Webb, Wishek said.

He replaces Ann DeBoe, who has taken a similar job at a junior high school in Colorado.

Wishek was formerly the Gauls' baseball coach, but will give that up to become A.D.

The Claremont school is now seeking a baseball coach and an assistant. It is also seeking a girls basketball coach and an assistant, a junior varsity girls tennis coach and an assistant wrestling coach.

More information: Steve Wishek 909-482-5257.

Pacific High School rising senior baseball shortstop/pitcher David Kiriakos has been offered a scholarship and has made a verbal commitment to Cal State Fullerton, said Pirates coach Jake Barendregt.

Kiriakos hit .551 with four home runs and 13 runs batted in last season. He is the first Pirates baseball player to earn a college scholarship in recent memory.

Do you know of any other prep athletes to make a college commitment or sign recently, or of any recent coaching changes, venue upgrades or other story tips? Please contact John Murphy at 909-633-4829 or berdooman@aol.com.

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Victorville, according to a story in The Sun by my esteemed colleague Stacia Glenn, is the second-fastest growing city in the nation. Right behind New Orleans.

The only thing The Vic lacks is Reggie Bush.

Well, maybe not the only thing.

When I was offered a job at the Victor Valley Daily Press in 1992, I really didn't know where Victorville was. I had to look it up on a map. My shoulders slumped when I learned it was smack dab in the Mojave Desert. I had visions of old wagon wheels and cow skulls, blowing in a fierce desert wind.

The wind part was accurate, but few of my other pre-judgments were. The first thing that struck me driving up I-15 into The Vic was how built up it was. Downright civilized. Red Robin. Olive Garden. Scandia Play Center. Even a Roy Rogers and Dale Evans Museum.

Well, the museum is gone now, packed up and moved to Branson, Mo. But the progress the High Desert has made in the interim has compensated. Back in '92, I used to drive all the way to Barstow to watch 49er games at a little sports bar called Hooz on First. Now I could watch Alex Smith throw interceptions at any assortment of sports bars spread throughout the High Dez.

As time passes, I'm sure I remember my four years living in The Vic through rose-colored glasses. It was a mostly enjoyable time - covering the High Desert Mavericks, watching tinhorns line dance at the Cocky Bull and eating "garbage burritos" at some taco emporium whose name I've long since forgotten.

One thing I haven't forgotten is the Daily Press editor at the time, Steve Williams, announcing "Our Christmas party will be at the Blue Danube, or whatever that place next door is called." He meant the Blue Parrot, which has since been renamed. I miss that curmudgeonly wordsmith, Steve Williams.

The Vic has its negatives, but I choose not to remember them. I'm just happy so many people are moving there, and hope some of them subscribe to The Sun.

- John Murphy
berdooman@aol.com
909-633-4829

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdpog

News item: San Francisco 49ers back-up quarterback Trent Dilfer retiring after 13 years in NFL.

The first time I saw Trent Dilfer he was in an Aptos Little League uniform, playing the field in a batting helmet that had - appropriately enough - a football facemask.

Young Trent had injured his jaw, as I recall, and the facemask was preventing it from further injury.

As the sports editor in Watsonville, I followed Dilfer's progress from gangly Little Leaguer to confident quarterback of the Aptos High Mariners.

The offensive coordinator of the Mariners was a Catholic priest and he tutored Trent on everything from taking the snap to press relations. I'm sure I did the first full-length interview of the fledgling prospect when he was a sophomore. And I'm sure he didn't stick his foot in his mouth and graciously complimented his offensive linemen, as the good Father insisted.

I also coached Trent one year - and coached against him another year - in the Aptos Youth Basketball Association. He was in junior high school at the time.

As his coach, I don't think I taught him much ... maybe a little defense.

By the time Trent had emerged as a star college quarterback, I was working in Victorville. One Saturday I was watching the highlights and it was mentioned that "Fresno State quarterback Trent Dilfer threw for three touchdowns." I knew there wasn't more than one Trent Dilfer, so it had to be him.

Although I had done virtually nothing to mold his athletic career, it was still cool to watch Trent get drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and eventually lead the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl title.

My heart also ached for him during his stint with the Seattle Seahawks when Trent's 5-year-old son, Trevin, died of a heart ailment. Here is what a poster on a Seahawks' blog said regarding that difficult period.

"Yeah, the greatest moment of the 2004 season was when (Dilfer) threw that TD pass in the preseason and pointed to the sky for his son Trevin...I don't think any of us had a dry eye in the stadium after that."

My source up in Santa Cruz tells me Trent may now have a chance to coach at Cal, a school that recruited him to play tight end as a prep.

If Trent winds up there, I'm sure he will teach the Golden Bears more than I taught him in youth basketball. Let's hope so, anyway.

- John Murphy
berdooman@aol.com
909-633-4829

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Upland cornerback Osahon Irabor has committed to Arizona State, rivals.com recruiting expert Richard Kimbrel has reported.

Irabor had 15 offers, with seven of them from the Pacific 10, including a recent one from UCLA.

"I decided to commit to ASU because I want to compete at the highest level and play for a great coaching staff," Irabor told Kimbrel. "Coach Dennis Erickson is a coaching legend. Coach Greg Burns and coach Matt Lubick are great people as well as great coaches and I'm looking forward on playing for them after my career is done here at Upland."

Here are the area players who made the balance of the calhisports.com all-state baseball team. The first- and second teams were already announced.

Medium-sized schools: Senior catcher Kyle Skipworth (Riverside Patriot), senior infielder Nick Greene (Diamond Ranch), senior infielder Matt Lollis (Riverside Patriot).

Small schools: Senior infielder Ethan Chapman (Upland Christian), senior infielder Sal Estanisiao (San Jacinto), senior outfielder Andrew Darwin (San Jacinto), senior outfielder Matt Werblak (Beaumont).

Underclassmen (first team:) Junior catcher Cameron Garfield (Murrieta Valley), junior outfielder Jake Marisnick (Riverside Poly), junior utility Matt Davidson (Yucaipa), junior utility Matt Hobgood (Norco), junior utility Brooks Pounders (Temecula Valley). (Second team:) Junior outfielder Wes Hatton (Norco).

Four area players have made calhisports.com first-team all-state baseball and five more have made the second team.

Making the first team were senior catcher Kyle Skipworth (Riverside Patriot), senior outfielder Zach Collier (Chino Hills), senior utility player Tyler Chatwood (Redlands East Valley), junior utility player Matt Hobgood (Norco).

Earning second-team honors were senior pitcher Cole Sulser (Riverside Ramona), senior pitcher Brian Valenzuela (Vista Murrieta), senior infielder Derek Legg (Vista Murrieta), senior utility player Aaron Brooks (Cajon) and senior pitcher John Pecoraro (Menifee Paloma Valley).

- John Murphy
berdooman@aol.com
909-633-4829

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

The Prep-dog is on vacation for a bit, beginning the respite in Oakland, of all places.

I am writing this from the Motel 6 near the McAfee Coliseum, which is what they now call the place where the A's and Raiders play.

Speaking of the Raiders, Raider fans, bikers and truckers represent the majority of inhabitants here at the Motel 6. Attempts to take an afternoon nap today were fruitless.

I'll be back soon, after I'm done cheering people up about this whole Baron Davis deal.

Citrus Valley High School in Redlands is scheduled to open in fall of 2009.

The school will be the third comprehensive high school for Redlands.

In fact, today was the first day on the job for new Citrus Valley principal Bernie Cavanagh, who has moved over from the top administrative spot at Yucaipa High School.

Scott Bohlender, the assistant superintendent of educational services for the Redlands Unified School District, said some staff should be moved into the new school by the winter.

The address for Citrus Valley is 800 W. Pioneer Road in Redlands.

The proposed boundaries for Citrus Valley begin at Brockton Avenue to the south, between Church and Alabama streets to the east and west and into Highland to the north.

The school's mascot is "Blackhawks" and its colors will be black and gold.

Prep-dog aside: Hmmm, "Packers" seems like a better option, but maybe that was frowned upon because there are hardly any orange groves left in the area.

Bohlender said the CIF-SS has been contacted about Citrus Valley's intent to compete in 2009-2010. He said it is unknown at this point if the school will just have freshmen in the fall of 2009 or freshmen and sophomores.

What do you think of the re-drawn boundaries for the new high school, as well as Redlands and REV?

- John Murphy
909-386-3853
berdooman@aol.com

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Sean Sers has returned to Apple Valley High School, said Sun Devils football coach Frank Pulice.

Sers, formerly the Apple Valley baseball coach, was the baseball coach at Barstow High School last season. But he's back at Apple Valley now, and has joined the Sun Devils football coaching staff, Pulice said.

Sers coached the Barstow baseball team for just one year.

Barstow athletic director Vince Williams said Barstow is now seeking a baseball coach.

It is unknown if Sers will be involved in the baseball program at Apple Valley, Pulice and Williams said.

Rancho Cucamonga junior Robbie Horrell earned the snapping championship at the Chris Sailer sixth annual national kicking and snapping spring event May 17-18 at UNLV, reported rivals.com.

The Web site reported that more than 250 athletes from around the nation competed.

Jason Dann of Lake Highlands (Texas) HS was the field-goal champ and Derek Heltond of Fort Scott (Kansas) Junior College was the punting champ.

Miller High School football player David Dash, faced with the possibility of being relegated to junior varsity this season due to a CIF-State ruling, is going to court August 7 to try to overturn the decision, with a lawsuit possibly to follow, his attorney said.

Dash is the star junior running back who transferred from Fontana to Miller after last season. He was given a two-year ban - the rest of his career - by the CIF-SS for "not being forthcoming" (according to CIF-SS commissioner James Staunton) on hardship papers. That ban was reduced to one year after an appeal was made to CIF-State.

Christian Anyiam, the San Bernardino attorney representing Dash and his family, has filed a writ of mandate with the Superior Court of San Bernardino County regarding the CIF-State ruling in an attempt to get it overturned.

There is a hearing at 9 a.m. Aug. 7 in Needles regarding the subject.

Asked if a lawsuit had been filed, Anyiam said it is "on the table." By that, Anyiam said the family had "not filed one" but that it is "under consideration."

Dash is viewed by many area football observers as a talented but slightly undersized running back with scholarship possibilities, albeit not necessarily on the NCAA Division IA level. Not being able to play varsity his junior season could have an adverse effect on his prospects, the thinking goes.

Hemet West Valley shooting guard Eric Lawton has made a verbal commitment to San Diego State, espn.com has reported.

Here's what espn's Joel Francisco said about Lawton during the postseason:

"Before that game I had never heard of Lawton, but after his electrifying performance at the Honda Center, he must now be considered one of the elite two-guards in the West and a sure-fire Division I talent. Lawton does have a slight frame and there is question on how much weight he could add, but his Allen Iverson-esque scoring ability will attract many D-I programs. He has an explosive first step to the basket and remarkable hang-time as well. His jump shot is good and he gets great lift on it. Although he's a great scorer, he does have the passing savvy to one day play the point guard. In addition to all his offensive attributes he has the intangibles, including quick feet and long arms, to defend along the perimeter."

Do you have news of a player from San Bernardino or Riverside County who has made a commitment or signed with a college or university? Or do you know of a coaching change or other news tip? Contact the Prep-dog at berdooman@aol.com or 909-386-3853.

- John Murphy
909-386-3853
berdooman@aol.com

www.insidesocal.com/sb/prepdog

Former Redlands East Valley star Will Roraff is the new girls soccer coach at Arrowhead Christian Academy, said ACA athletic director Richard Yaross.

Roraff has previously coached the Eagle boys. He replaces Jack Avakian, who resigned to spend time on other projects.

ACA is still seeking a softball and girls tennis coach.

Eisenhower Wide receiver/free safety Alex Jeffries received a scholarship offer from UTEP on Monday, Eagles coach John Rice said.

A few weeks ago, Jeffries received his first offer, from Utah.

Rice said Jeffries was invited to last Wednesday's USC Rising Star Camp and that he worked with the first group of receivers in one-on-one and 7-on-7 drills.

Jeffries is also being recruited by Arizona, Arizona State, Boise State, Washington State and Colorado State.