Chino linebacker Niko Johnson transfers to West Covina … and from what I hear he’s a good one …


Photo courtesy of MaxPreps or BeRecruited.com

Former Chino linebacker Niko Johnson has transferred to West Covina where he looks like a good bet to land a starting spot in the Bulldogs’ front seven.

Johnson, a senior to be, recorded 35 tackles at Chino in 2010 and 18 tackles in 2011. At 6-foot, 200 pounds, he could be quite a force for head coach Mike Maggiore’s defense, which has to replace several key starters like leading tackler Dorrin Turner and Tribune Defensive Player of the Year Justen Meaders.

The good news is there’s also a good group of experienced players returning and Rancho Verde transfer Justin Hornsby, who had to sit out last season, will be eligible to play.

Aram’s take:
Heckuva a nice pick up for the Bulldogs. As I’ve said before, WestCo and M-Town are the two programs with all the juice now. These programs are where kids want to be, and you can’t blame them — CHAMPIONSHIPS AND SCHOLLYS — that’s what everyone from fans to players to want. Johnson was a West Covina Bruin back in the day, hence the return to WestCo.

Your late-in-the-game recruiting update …

Arroyo’s Steven Rivera is deciding between Whittier College and Cal-Lutheran.

West Covina’s Justen Meaders has an offer from D-2 Western New Mexico, some interest from APU and Menlo.

West Covina’s Jimmy Frazier and Dorrin Turner appear to be going the JC route.

That’s all I gots for now …

PREDICTION: Former Glendora football coach Mark Pasquarella will be the next principal at South Hills …

Disclaimer: This is merely a prediction. Not a rumor. Not something a source told me. Just a vibe.

I’m gonna take a shot and say that former Glendora football coach and current Covina High asst. principal will be the next principal at South Hills.

As most of you know, South Hills principal Steve James resigned a week ago. Hoops coach Paul Reed also resigned. Football coach Steve Bogan resigned. So, you almost have to bring in a sports/football guy like Pasqy to stop the bleeding, right?

He’s already in the district. He’s a sharp dude. The only knock is he would have only one year of experience at the administrative level. But if South Hills wants to save its athletics program from falling off the face of the earth, you gotta make a move like this.

Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell retires at age 70 …

Add another to the long list of Valley coaches who have resigned/retired this offseason.

Anyway, yeah, the L.A. Times’ Eric Sondheimer is reporting that Oaks Christian coach Bill Redell is retiring at age 70 after 12 seasons at the school.

Aram’s take:
Gee, and just when Oaks Christian had been moved to the PAC-5. Oh yeah, Redell is a San Marino High graduate.