August 2008 Archives

Diamond Ranch senior forward Chris Cunningham has committed to play basketball at Santa Clara University, reports sectionsports.com.

He also attracted interest from Cal and Stanford, the Web site said.

"I believe coach (Kerry) Keating is a great coach who will help develop my game," Cunning told sectionsports. "He is going to take us to the tournament and make Santa Clara a competitive program year in and year out."

Santa Clara is best known in basketball circles for having produced Lakers forward Kurt Rambis and Warriors center Kenny Sears.

Sectionsports.com has released its Top 10 Cali prep football teams. It has Concord De La Salle No. 1 and Corona Centennial checking in at No. 2.

Redlands East Valley gets a mention, at No. 10. Here's what the site has to say about the Wildcats:

"Inland Division semi-finalist looks tough with QB Tyler Shreve and several offensive linemen returning. However, Shreve will miss the ability of last year's receiving corps. The defense is expected to be even strong than last year. Finding somebody to catch Shreve's passes will be the key for the Wildcats."

What do you think? Is that about right for REV, or too high? Did the Web site miss anyone?

Stanford wins 36-28 on The Farm as Oregon State fumbles on 1-yard line with less than a minute left.

Not sure how many yards Gerhart had ... 140-and-change, I think.

My gut feeling is USC has nothing to worry about against either of these teams, but then everyone thought that last year, too.

Stanford coach Harbaugh was interviewed post-game and called Gerhart "the real deal." Also, in a post-game close-up, Gerhart mouthed "hi mom" to the camera. Awww.

Stanford ahead by 16 with four minutes left. I'm signing off soon, though I don't consider this game in the bag. I've been watching the Cardinal since they were the Indians and if anybody can blow a 16-point lead in four minutes, it's Stanford.

This is unofficial, but I believe Norco grad Toby Gerhart has more than 140 yards rushing and should eclipse his single-game college best of last season, set against San Jose State.

Gerhart was impressive - decisive, fast and strong. If he stays healthy, he'll do some damage this season.

Update: Oregon State just scored a TD and made the 2-point conversion. It's now an eight-point game. Memo to Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh: Keep handing Gerhart the rock.

Toby Gerhart continues to pile up yards for Stanford, despite just sharing tailback duties. He has to be in the 110- to 120-yard range, though I've heard nothing official. Included was a 46-yard TD run.

The announcers have likened Gerhart to former Stanford and Chicago Bears running back "Touchdown" Tommy Vardell and former SMU great Craig James. James, who later became an announcer, was one-half of SMU's famed "Pony Express" - the other half being Eric Dickerson, later of the L.A. Rams.

Stanford leads 22-20 after scoring a safety on a backwards Oregon State pass that went out of the end zone.

The game is being televised on espn2.

Update: Gerhart just ran for a first down and has more than 140 yards on 14 carries with one TD. End of third quarter, 22-20 Stanford.

Add a 46-yard TD run on a draw play to Toby Gerhart's evening. Stanford now leads 17-10 and it's almost halftime, but Oregon State is in scoring position.

Gerhart, the Norco grad, bounced out of the grasp of two Oregon State defenders. With a 36-yard run and a 46-yarder, looks like Gerhart's knee (badly injured last season) is doing OK.

I've been poking around on the Internet, trying to find out what happened to Alexis Serna, the Miller grad who won the Lou Groza Award for best placekicker in the nation while at Oregon State. I know Serna didn't get drafted by an NFL team and didn't get picked up by anyone right away. Does anyone know his whereabouts?

I'm answering my own question ... my Internet seach shows Serna signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL and helped the Bombers defeat Montreal 19-16 with a 17-yard field goal with one second left in the game.

I'm watching Oregon State at Stanford football on TV and I'm going to go out on a limb and predict neither team makes the BCS title game. it's a 10-10 tie at the moment.

Norco grad Toby Gerhart had a 36-yard run for Stanford and Aquinas grad Chike Amajoyi has made his presence felt on defense for the Cardinal.

But the real star among local guys is Eisenhower grad Victor Butler who is all over the place from his defensive end position. He has 3-4 tackles with four minutes left in the half.

Last season Butler had 10 1/2 sacks, third in the Pacific-10.

Otherwise, the new Stanford Stadium looks beautiful - shades of Kezar Stadium the way Stanford has incorporated the old pillars and archways into the design. Too bad it looks like half the stadium is empty. But then it was a 6 p.m. Thursday start, the game is on espn2 and I'm thinking Oregon State didn't bring a ton of people.

Here are the CIF-SS pre-season football polls ... what do you think? Leave a response below.

2008 CIF SOUTHERN SECTION PRESEASON FOOTBALL TOP TEN POLLS
(as of 8-25-08)
CENTRAL DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Colton (San Andreas) 9-4
2. Colony (Mt. Baldy) 12-2
3. Upland (Baseline) 7-4
4. Chaffey (Mt. Baldy) 9-2
5. Paloma Valley (Sunbelt) 7-4
6. Glendora (Sierra) 9-3
7. Los Osos (Baseline) 8-3
8. Cajon (San Andreas) 5-6
9. Damien (Sierra) 5-5-1
10. West Valley (Sunbelt) 6-5
OTHERS: Hemet (Sunbelt), 5-5; Etiwanda (Baseline), 6-5; Arroyo Valley (San Andreas), 7-3-1;
Ayala (Sierra), 7-4; Chino Hills (Sierra), 6-3-1; Elsinore (Sunbelt), 5-6.

EASTERN DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Citrus Hill (Mountain Pass) 14-0
2. La Quinta/La Quinta (Desert Valley) 8-3
3. Serrano (Mojave River) 11-1
4. Hesperia (Mojave River) 9-2
5. Palm Desert (Desert Valley) 10-4
6. Kaiser (Sunkist) 5-7
7. San Jacinto (Mountain Pass) 11-3
8. Silverado (Desert Sky) 6-3-2
9. Palm Springs (Desert Valley) 6-7
10. Notre Dame/Riverside (Mountain Pass) 8-5
OTHERS: Apple Valley (Mojave River), 6-4; Victor Valley (Desert Sky), 0-9; Jurupa Valley
(Sunkist), 7-4.

EAST VALLEY DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. St. Margaret's (Academy) 14-0
2. Maranatha (Alpha) 8-4
3. Twentynine Palms (De Anza) 8-3
4. Brentwood (Alpha) 12-2
5. Big Bear (De Anza) 8-3
6. Ontario Christian (Christian) 9-3
7. Desert (High Desert) 9-2
8 Aquinas (Christian) 7-5
9. Bishop (High Desert) 7-6
10. Grace Brethren (Frontier) 4-6
OTHERS: Fillmore (Frontier), 4-6; Calvary Chapel/Downey (Alpha), 5-4; Sage Hill (Academy), 8-
3; Santa Paula (Frontier), 4-6; Brethren Christian (Academy), 4-6; Kern Valley (High Desert), 5-6.

INLAND DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Centennial/Corona (Big 8) 13-2
2. Chaparral (Southwestern) 9-4
3. Redlands East Valley (Citrus Belt) 12-1
4. Rancho Verde (Inland Valley) 9-3
5. J.W. North (Big 8) 13-1
6. Vista Murrieta (Southwestern) 11-1
7. Santiago/Corona (Big 8) 8-5
8. Moreno Valley (Inland Valley) 10-3
9. Murrieta Valley (Southwestern) 6-5
10. Redlands (Citrus Belt) 3-7
OTHERS: Norco (Big 8), 9-3; Arlington (Inland Valley), 5-6; A.B. Miller (Citrus Belt), 10-2.

MID-VALLEY DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Paraclete (Olympic) 12-1
2. San Dimas (Valle Vista) 9-2
3. South El Monte (Mission Valley) 7-5
4. Temple City (Rio Hondo) 5-7
5. Monrovia (Rio Hondo) 6-6
6. La Puente (Montview) 7-4
7. Valley Christian/Cerritos (Olympic) 7-6
8. Northview (Valle Vista) 7-4
9. Duarte (Montview) 8-3
10. Rosemead (Mission Valley) 7-4
OTHERS: Covina (Valle Vista), 5-5; San Marino (Rio Hondo), 5-4-1; Whittier Christian (Olympic),
6-6; Azusa (Montview), 5-6; Gabrielino (Mission Valley), 2-8.

NORTHEAST DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Saddleback Valley Christian (San Joaquin) 12-1
2. Calvary Murrieta (Big Sky) 9-4
3. Mammoth (Desert Mountain) 7-4
4. Linfield Christian (Big Sky) 8-4
5. Boron (Desert Mountain) 6-5
6. Rio Hondo Prep (Prep) 5-6
7. Flintridge Prep (Prep) 7-4
8. Salesian (Santa Fe) 3-7
9. Fairmont Prep (San Joaquin) 7-4
10. Bell-Jeff (Santa Fe) 9-2
OTHERS: Silver Valley (Desert Mountain), 4-6; Poly/Pasadena (Prep), 3-6; St. Anthony (Santa
Fe), 7-4; Bloomington Christian (San Joaquin), 3-6.

NORTHERN DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. St. Bonaventure (Channel) 10-2
2. Valencia/Valencia (Foothill) 7-4-1
3. Westlake (Marmonte) 8-4
4. Moorpark (Marmonte) 6-5
5. Hart (Foothill) 12-1-1
6. Newbury Park (Marmonte) 11-2
7. Saugus (Foothill) 10-3
8. Atascadero (PAC-7) 9-3
9. Paso Robles (PAC 7) 9-3
10. Oxnard (Pacific View) 8-3
OTHERS: Thousand Oaks (Marmonte), 5-6; Adolfo Camarillo (Pacific View), 7-4; Rio Mesa
(Pacific View), 4-6.

NORTHWEST DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Oaks Christian (Tri-Valley) 15-0
2. Serra (Del Rey) 9-3
3. St. Joseph/Santa Maria (Los Padres) 9-3
4. Santa Clara (Tri-Valley) 11-1-1
5. Oak Park (Tri-Valley) 9-4
6. Torrance (Pioneer) 7-4
7. Harvard/Westlake (Del Rey) 8-4
8. Morro Bay (Los Padres) 11-1
9. Carpinteria (Tri-Valley) 4-6
10. La Salle (Camino Real) 6-6
OTHERS: Verbum Dei (Camino Real), 2-8; North Torrance (Pioneer), 4-7; Bishop Montgomery
(Camino Real), 1-9.

PAC-5 DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Long Beach Poly (Moore) 13-1
2. Orange Lutheran (Trinity) 10-2
3. Crespi (Serra) 11-3
4. Mater Dei (Trinity) 9-2
5. Edison (Sunset) 8-4
6. Mission Viejo (South Coast) 6-4-1
7. Servite (Trinity) 8-4
8. Los Alamitos (Sunset) 7-4
9. Newport Harbor (Sunset) 6-4
10. Esperanza (Sunset) 10-2
OTHERS: Bishop Amat (Serra), 3-7; Lakewood (Moore), 7-4; Tesoro (South Coast), 7-4; Notre
Dame/Sherman Oaks (Serra), 11-1; San Clemente (South Coast), 8-3.

SOUTHEAST DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. South Hills (San Antonio) 10-3
2. Charter Oak (Miramonte) 10-2-1
3. Diamond Ranch (Miramonte) 7-3
4. Schurr (Almont) 8-5
5. Santa Fe (Del Rio) 5-6
6. California (Del Rio) 11-2
7. Muir (Pacific) 9-3
8. Burroughs/Burbank (Pacific) 4-7
9. Alhambra (Almont) 7-4
10. West Covina (San Antonio) 6-6
OTHERS: Los Altos (Miramonte), 5-5; Burbank (Pacific), 3-7; Rowland (San Antonio), 3-8.

SOUTHERN DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Laguna Hills (Pacific Coast) 6-3
2. Westminster (Golden West) 8-4
3. Mayfair (Suburban) 7-4
4. Bellflower (Suburban) 7-4
5. Garden Grove (Garden Grove) 6-5
6. Orange (Golden West) 3-7
7. Santiago/Garden Grove (Garden Grove) 8-3
8. University (Pacific Coast) 10-1
9. Laguna Beach (Orange Coast) 2-8
10. Estancia (Orange Coast) 5-6
OTHERS: Rancho Alamitos (Garden Grove), 5-5; Irvine (Pacific Coast), 8-3; Segerstrom (Golden
West), 5-5; Costa Mesa (Orange Coast), 3-8; La Mirada (Suburban), 4-7.

SOUTHWEST DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. El Dorado (Century) 13-1
2. La Habra (Freeway) 13-0
3. Trabuco Hills (Sea View) 12-2
4. Fullerton (Freeway) 9-4
5. Pacifica/Garden Grove (Empire) 10-3
6. Western (Orange) 9-2
7. Foothill (Sea View) 9-3
8. Valencia/Placentia (Empire) 8-3-1
9. Kennedy (Empire) 8-4
10. Cypress (Empire) 10-3
OTHERS: Troy (Freeway), 7-2; Santa Ana Valley (Orange), 7-4; Canyon/Anaheim (Century), 8-3;
Tustin (Century), 4-6.

WESTERN DIVISION
RK. SCHOOL (LEAGUE) 2007 W/L
1. Palmdale (Golden) 12-2
2. Dominguez (San Gabriel Valley) 10-3
3. St. Paul (Mission) 10-4
4. Gahr (San Gabriel Valley) 10-3
5. Palos Verdes (Bay) 8-3-1
6. Alemany (Mission) 8-4
7. Beverly Hills (Ocean) 4-6-1
8. Quartz Hill (Golden) 8-3
9. Redondo (Bay) 8-4
10. Santa Monica (Ocean) 6-5
OTHERS: Highland (Golden), 5-6; Chaminade (Mission), 6-4; St. Francis (Mission), 4-6;
Inglewood (Ocean), 4-6; Culver City (Ocean), 11-1.

Arroyo Valley offensive lineman Michael Philipp and Cajon defensive back Marlon Pollard have made the all-state pre-season football team just released by maxpreps.com.

Philipp has been recruited by nearly all of the Pac-10 teams.

Pollard committed to Notre Dame after de-committing to UCLA. He transferred into Cajon after last season.

Also making the team were linebacker Maurice Cox of Riverside North and linebacker Vontaze Burfict of Corona Centennial.

Concord De La Salle is ranked No. 1 in the state in football by calhisports.com. De La Salle went 13-0 last season and defeated Corona Centennial in the state playoff bowl game.

Long Beach Poly is ranked second.

Here are the area teams ranked in the Top 50:

6. Corona Centennial (13-2 last season). The Huskies have seven potential D-I kids, the Web site said.

30. Riverside North. Former Yucaipa coach Scott Pearne takes over the Huskies. They are 27-1 over the last two seasons.

40. Corona Santiago. The Sharks went 9-5 last season, defeated REV in the playoffs and made the CIF-SS Inland Division title game, where they lost to Centennial.

42. Redlands East Valley. The Wildcats won their first 12 games last season before getting upset by Santiago. Junior Taylor Shreve returns at QB to lead the WIldcats. Running back/wideout Gary Walker - a transfer from Rialto recently cleared by CIF - should help.

45. Los Osos. The Grizzlies look stout with UCLA-bound recruit Richard Brehaut at quarterback and RB/DB Arby Fields making his presence felt.

49. Norco. The Cougars went 9-3 last season and again appear tough, despite the transfer of talented linebacker Brandon Brown to Centennial.

Byron Wesley is out as the boys basketball coach at Rialto High School, the victim of teaching cuts, Wesley said.

"They didn't bring back a lot of people," Wesley said. "I was not retained."

Wesley said nothing was stated about his basketball coaching job, but he assumed he would not be back.

"I'm going to be assisting (Quincy) Brewer at (San Bernardino) Valley College this year," said Wesley, a Highland resident.

New Rialto athletic director Dan Williams was not immediately available for comment.

Wesley now teaches at a middle school in Perris.

He coached at Rialto for just one year. Before that, he coached at Colton and Aquinas.

Wesley also said his son, 6-foot-4 Byron Wesley Jr., has transferred to Cajon. Byron Jr. started for Rialto on varsity last season as a freshman, averaging 11 points and 10 rebounds per game.

Bob Clarendon has retired as the baseball coach at Eisenhower, Eagles athletic director Steve Johnson told the Prep-dog.

Gilbert Pulido is the new coach, though Clarendon still plans to be involved in the program, Johnson said.

Pulido assisted Clarendon for several years. He played baseball at Rialto High School and UC-Riverside. He is a health teacher at Eisenhower.

Clarendon was the the Eisenhower coach for 11 years.

Also, Gary Djonne is the new Eisenhower water polo and swimming coach, though former head coach John DeVries will still be involved in the program, Johnson said.

Gary Walker has been cleared to play football at Redlands East Valley, REV athletic director Rhonda Fouch said.

"He's eligible to compete," Fouch said. "The CIF commissioner (James Staunton) has reviewed it and has declared him eligible for football."

Walker transferred from Rialto to REV after last season. REV did an internal investigation after questions arose regarding Walker's transfer and determined there was no wrong-doing. The CIF-SS also looked into the matter and has declared Walker eligible.

Walker was a utility player last season for Rialto and projects as a starter for the Wildcats, which will need to replace the likes of running back Chris Polk, now starting on offense as a freshman for the University of Washington.

Playing a variety of positions including quarterback and running back, Walker ran for 222 yards last season, including a 40-yard jaunt; caught 22 passes for 210 yards and passed for 84 yards.

Notable early-season prep football games:

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4
Upland at Colony
Highly touted Highlander QB Josh Nunes tackles two-time defending section champions.

Pacific at Summit
Pirates try to snap 20-game losing streak against fledgling SkyHawks.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5
Palm Springs at Miller
A chance for David Dash to make headlines for something that happens on the field.

Vista Murrieta at Redlands
The Terriers play their first-ever varsity football game at Dodge Field, prompting home-made signs that say "Get outta Dodge" and "Dodge Ball."

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12

Big Bear at Aquinas
Is there a Proctor in the house? No, but this should be a head-knocker anyway.

Los Osos at Cajon
Interesting battle between Richard Brehaut-led Grizzlies and Cajon, paced by RB Walter Kazee and DB Marlon Pollard.

Silverado at Serrano
No love lost between these schools.

Apple Valley at Kaiser
Coach Dick Bruich opens the new Cat stadium and his final season as coach against his old acquaintance, Sun Devils coach Frank Pulice.

North at Redlands East Valley
New Huskies coach Scott Pearne returns to his old stomping grounds.

Junior transfer Nick Montana, the son of Joe Montana, will start at quarterback for Westlake Village Oaks Christian this season, said an L.A. Times blog.

Montana, who transferred from national prep powerhouse Concord De La Salle, beat out Tony Macarena. Macarena was also a transfer, from Ventura St. Bonaventure.

Joe Montana, the Hall of Fame San Francisco 49ers quarterback, was a football, basketball and baseball standout in high school in Pennsylvania.

Montana has another son who played at both Santa Rosa Cardinal Newman and De La Salle, who is now a quarterback on the roster at the University of Notre Dame, Joe's alma mater.

Desert Hot Springs is seeking a girls basketball coach.

Golden Eagles coach Brian Davis resigned recently due to a conflict with his regular job, said athletic secretary Heather Egtvedt.

More information: Todd Diliberto 760-288-7026

Here are the Week Zero games for area teams:
(Not all teams submitted schedules. Let me know if you have a Week Zero game and you're not listed).

Thursday, Sept. 4
Upland at Colony
Pacific at Summit

Friday, Sept. 5
Arroyo Valley at Pasadena
Don Lugo at Alta Loma
Ontario at Claremont
Bishop Amat at Los Osos
Rancho Cucamonga at Damien
Arroyo Valley at Pasadena
San Bernardino at Rialto
Ayala at Duarte
Highland at Barstow
Serra at Silverado
Paraclete at Serrano
Estancia at Aquinas
Indio at Twentynine Palms
Yucca Valley at El Centro
Eisenhower at Patriot
Palm Springs at Miller
Vista Murrieta at Redlands*
Muir at Diamond Ranch
Cajon at El Toro
Compton at Bloomington

Saturday, Sept. 6
Santa Ana Valley at Garey
Grace Brethren at Big Bear

*First-ever varsity football game at Dodge Field

Corona Centennial is ranked first and Redlands East Valley sixth in the CIF-SS pre-season football ratings released today by sectionsports.com.

Cajon transfer Taylor Martinez will quarterback Centennial. Tyler Shreve will be at the controls for REV.

Other area teams ranked among the Top 25: 10. Corona Santiago, 12. Temecula Chaparral, 16. Riverside North, 18. Vista Murrieta, 20. Los Osos, 21. Moreno Valley Rancho Verde, 22. Norco, 25. Perris Citrus Hill.

Redlands East Valley is ranked 28th in the nation by prepvolleyball.com.

The Wildcats won the CIF-SS Division II-A title last season and return sophomore outside hitter Krista Vansant, junior setter Johnna Fouch, junior libero Kyla Oropeza, 6-4 middle Tori Brummett, senior middle Casey Tidwell, junior right side Danielle Newcomb and senior outside Monica Gardner. Newcomb is a cousin of former Rim of the World and current Oregon standout Sonja Newcomb. Also, 6-foot-2 freshman Alyssa Mason should help.

REV, which went 33-3 last season was ranked 429th in the nation at the end of the season.

Carlsbad La Costa Canyon is ranked first, followed by San Jose Archbishop Mitty (Kerri Walsh's alma mater).

Arroyo Valley offensive lineman Michael Philipp attended USC practice on Saturday, reports rivals.com.

"I've never seen USC practice before, but that was probably one of the best scrimmages I've been to,' said Philipp to rivals.com. "The one thing I noticed about SC, is that even their second string players are good."

Prior to Philipp's attendance at the Trojan practice, he had been offered a scholarship by every Pacific-10 school except USC.

Philipp is ranked the No. 1 guard in the nation by rivals.

Steven Jackson has been named the new Claremont High School baseball coach.

Jean Smith, an administrative secretary in human resources for Claremont Unified, said Jackson was approved at Monday night's board meeting.

Jackson replaces Mike Lee.

San Bernardino High School graduate Kyle Kopp earned a silver medal as assistant coach of the U.S. women's water polo team at the Olympics in Beijing. The U.S. fell to the Netherlands 9-8 today in the Gold Medal match.

Kopp was a Ken Hubbs Award-winner during his prep days.

He played on the U.S. Olympic team in Atlanta in 1996 and in Sydney, Australia in 2000.

He was also the all-time leading scorer and single-season scoring leader at Long Beach State and a three-time All-America and Big West selection.

At 6-foot-8, Kopp originally attended UC-Riverside on a basketball scholarship, but switched to swimming and water polo at Long Beach State, due to stress fractures.

FSN Prime Ticket has released its prep football TV schedule, said a Los Angeles Times blog entry.

Among the confirmed games are Mater Dei vs. Corona Centennial on Sept. 19 and Chaparral vs. Temescal Canyon on Oct. 31.

Among the tentative games are Los Osos vs. Upland on Oct. 24. The Los Osos-Upland matchup would be a showdown of top quarterbacks Richard Brehaut (Los Osos) and Josh Nunes (Upland).

Another veteran area wrestling coach is out of a coaching job.

Last spring it was Pacific High School's Rick Castro who wound up resigning after all the hubbub over there.

Now it is John Abad, who has been fired as coach at Miller after 12 successful years.

"It's a personnel thing and I can't go into it," said Miller athletic director Dwight Berry, who did say that Abad was "removed" as coach. Abad is still a teacher at Miller.

"The job is open and we're flying it," Berry said.

In an overall sense, the bigger story is probably that the person who made the change, principal Tim Sullivan, is no longer at Miller.

Sullivan, who became principal at Miller last spring, has "taken another position" - said acting principal Kimberly MacKinney.

MacKinney said she would check into Abad's removal and get back to me, but she has not called yet.

"There was a new principal (Sullivan) and he made some changes," Abad said. "I really can't say anything more about it."

Pacific's Castro was taken aback by the move.

"They're losing an excellent coach who was always there for the kids," Castro said. "He always had guys move on (in the post-season). Losing him would be a loss for anyone's program."

Abad was a CIF-SS wrestling champion at Pacific. He also wrestled at UCLA.

Rivals.com has ranked Corona Centennial fourth among its West Top 20 and has Upland ranked 20th.

Concord De La Salle is ranked first and Long Beach Poly second.

Not making the cut was San Jose Bellarmine College Prep, which has four DI prospects in its starting lineup and is coming off a league title.

In the rivals.com national Top 100, Centennial is ranked 25th and Upland 75th.

Area athletic directors should send fall sports schedules and a phone list for coaches for the 2008-2009 school year to one of these places: berdooman@aol.com, 909-885-8741 (fax) or to the new San Bernardino Sun building at: John Murphy, 4030 N. Georgia Blvd., San Bernardino, Ca., 92407.

Regarding the coaches' phone list, please include a home number and a cell number. A school phone number for coaches will not suffice. Our ability to reach coaches will improve their team's chances of getting exposure.

Hard copies of schedules are desired. Please e-mail, fax or snail-mail them to us. When we go to assign photos or provide general coverage of events, we look at hard copies of schedules first.

Do you have story tips on your team ... a standout foreign-exchange student, an athlete battling some sort of adversity, someone being heavily recruited or committing to a college, a coach about to reach a milestone, a new venue, etc.? Contact John Murphy at berdooman@aol.com or 909-633-4829. Thanks.

Joe Dort has resigned as the Carter baseball coach and the school is in the process of hiring someone new, Dort said today.

"There was no teaching positition there for me (for 2008-2009), so I left," Dort said.

Dort, who coached the Lions for just one season, will teach at Kucera Middle School.

Dort said it was mutually understood that if he did not have a physical education job at Carter - as he did last year - that he would not return as coach.

He was also the coach at Artesia High School for five years in the 1990s.

It looks like Carter aquatics is on its way back.

On Wednesday district spokesperson Syeda Jafri said the program had been dropped due to budgetary concerns, but today she said the district is re-considering its decision and hopes to restore water polo and swimming.

"When students are involved we have to look at all angles," Jafri said. "It's not just the Rialto district that is hurting financially; many are hurting. There was a slight communication issue, but we are going to sit down at the table and do what we can to make it work for our young athletes."

About 10 parents, 25 Carter athletes and some former Lions spoke at the Rialto Unified School District board meeting on Wednesday night. The passion showed by the athletes, former athletes and parents in attendance seemed to sway the board, those present have indicated.

The restoration of the aquatics program is not official yet, but things are looking good for the Lion swimmers and poloists.

Riverside Poly rising senior outfielder Jacob Marisnick will play in the Under Armour All-America Game on Sunday at Wrigley Field.

This was formerly known as the Cape Cod School Classic.

Carter High School has dropped water polo and swimming, Rialto Unified School District spokesperson Syeda Jafri said today.

It is a budgetary move, Jafri said.

Thom Simmons, spokesperson for the CIF-SS, said students from Carter who would like to participate in aquatics may receive a hardship waiver (based on Carter dropping water polo and swimming) and transfer to Eisenhower, which still has aquatics.

"They could transfer with no penalty," Simmons said.

If you're involved in Carter aquatics, what do you think of this decision to drop the program? Contact John Murphy at 909-633-4829.

Concord De La Salle is ranked third in the nation in the calpreps.com national Top 100 football rankings that came out recently.

Duncan (S.C.) Byrnes is first and Ramsey (N.J.) Don Bosco Prep is second. De La Salle and Don Bosco play each other in the non-league season.

Long Beach Poly is the top-ranked SoCal team in the national Top 100, checking in at seventhy. Corona Centennial is ninth, Encino Crespi 22nd and Oceanside 23rd.

Rounding out the Top 50 among Cali schools is San Jose Bellarmine Prep at 47th.

Also, Orange Lutheran ranks 73rd; Jeff Garcia's alma mater, Gilroy, is 81st; Corona Santiago 84th; and Westlake Village Oaks Christian 92nd. .
. .

Darren Goodman is the new athletic director at Oak Hills High School, Goodman told the Prep-dog today.

Oak Hills is a new school in the Hesperia area, set to open in 2009-2010.

Goodman is the second A.D. to be named recently. As previously reported, Dan Williams is the new A.D. at Rialto, replacing Frank Camacho, who is now an assistant principal at Rialto.

Goodman, 39, will move over from Hesperia in 2009-2010. Until then, he will serve double duty, acting as A.D. at both schools (setting up Oak Hills' schedules, ordering equipment, etc).

"A main reason is Mr. (Larry) Porras is moving over to Oak Hills as principal and he asked me to come over too. He's a big supporter of athletics, although the guy getting the principal's job at Hesperia, Bob Schnebeck, also is. It will be interesting to start a program from the ground up."

A native of England, Goodman was reared in San Bernardino and graduated from Cajon High School, Riverside Community College and Idaho State, where he played football.

He was an assistant football coach at Pacific High School under Chuck Pettersen and also coached boys soccer there. At Hesperia, he has been the A.D. as well as the girls soccer coach.

Goodman's father, Robin Goodman, coached soccer at Cajon.

Oak Hills will have a lighted football field with an all-weather track; the venue is almost completed. It will also have a triple-gymnasium, similar to Great Oak and Temecula Valley's.

No mascot or colors have been selected for the school yet and no coaches have been lined up.

As reported in Prep-dog this morning, Miller football player David Dash has been declared eligible to play after a hearing today in Superior Court in Needles.

What do you think of the decision - is it just?

Prep-dog began last year, maybe a few weeks after the Western Regional Little League tournament ended.

Since then, we have had 800 entries and 350 comments. Thanks to all those readers who have contributed. Condolences to San Bernardino Unified School District types who can no longer read the Prep-dog at work.

The prep sports season is approaching, so we invite everyone to respond to our many postings. You can begin today by offering your opinion on the David Dash decision, if you like.

Thanks once again for your interest in prep sports.

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

Miller junior football standout David Dash Jr. has been declared immediately eligible to play sports, said Dash and his parents David Sr. and Lois Dash.

The family went to Superior Court in Needles this morning, where the family said a judge has restored Dash's eligibility to play sports this year (he would previously not have been eligible until early 2009).

"I feel good," David Jr. said. "I just thank God. Nobody believed what we had to say (throughout the ordeal). I'm just glad that it's over with and I can play."

Dash said he has been working out with the Miller team and has stayed in shape throughout his unusual odyssey.

The Dashes were reached via cell phone as they returned from Needles. Both parents were overjoyed, though David Sr. could not speak because he was driving.

"I just praise God that it turned out the way it did," Lois Dash said. "This thing has been horrible for us."

Lois Dash said the process in court only took about 20 minutes.

"The writ of mandate was granted," Dash's attorney Christian Anyiam of San Bernardino said. "We filed a motion asking the judge for immediate eligibility and the court granted it. They (CIF) did not meet the burden of proof required to make a student ineligible. The reasons they gave were declined and (ruled) not sufficient."

Anyiam said CIF can appeal the decision, but unless this decision is overturned by an appeals court, then Dash will remain eligible.

Dash was a star running back the past two seasons at Fontana, rushing for 1,211 yards and seven touchdowns last season. He transferred to Miller after last season and filed a hardship appeal to CIF-SS to allow him immediate eligibility, based on a family situation.

The hardship was granted by CIF-SS, but then later rescinded by the section after Fontana High School officials brought more information to light. In addition, the CIF-SS gave Dash a two-year ban from playing athletics (the rest of his career) for "not being forthcoming" on his hardship paperwork.

The Dashes appealed that ruling to CIF-State and the ban was reduced to one year. Then they went to court, resulting in today's decision.

Here is a story from the L.A. Times on former Rim of the World wrestler Marcie Van Dusen, who is at the Olympics in Beijing:

Los Angeles Times

BEIJING--When U.S. wrestler Marcie Van Dusen upset Olympic champion Saori Yoshida in the World Cup earlier this year, handing the Japanese athlete her first loss in 120 matches, it was front-page news in Toyko.

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Dan Williams is the new athletic director at Rialto High School, said district spokeswoman Syeda Jafri.

Williams has been at Carter and also formerly coached wrestling and was an assistant football coach at Rialto.

Williams replaces Frank Camaco, who is now an assistant principal.

Dan Williams' brother, Rob Williams, was formerly the Rialto A.D.

Patriot High School is seeking a baseball coach, athletic director Ray Marisnick said.

Marisnick said Tim Kleveno, the coach since 2003, has resigned. Kleveno is headed for Corona Centennial.

"It's a great position," Marisnick said. "We'll have some good players back."

Patriot won the Sunkist League last season and made the CIF-SS semifinals.

The program also received notoriety last season when now-graduated star catcher Kyle Skipworth managed a rather amazing 18 consecutive hits in as many at-bats.

American Sports University athletic director/football coach Don Markham left a voicemail on my office phone today, saying his team plays its first game at 7 p.m. Saturday at Colton High School against Cobra of Las Vegas, presumably a semi-pro team (not sure about that). .

ASU is the new college that is located in downtown San Bernardino, on the former site of the San Bernardino Sun.

In searching for a schedule on the ASU Web site, I discovered some interesting facts. Namely, that former Victor Valley College men's basketball coach Bruce Victor is now the men's hoops coach at ASU. Also, the school's Sports Information Director is Lenny Randle, the former major league baseball player.

Bloomington senior center fielder Ashley Carter has made a verbal commitment to play softball at Cal State Fullerton, said Bruins coach Bobby Flores by email.