December 2010 Archives

For the second time in a calendar year, the Morningside boys basketball team found itself involved in a bench-clearing, game-ending brawl.

This time it cost the Monarchs a shot at a tournament title.

The Modesto Christian Tournament final between Morningside and Sacramento Burbank was called with 1:42 left in the third quarter late Thursday night as both benches emptied following an on-court skirmish.

"Basically it was an all-out brawl," Morningside coach Donnell Meekins said Friday. "And there were no signs of a fight occurring until it occurred."

Morningside had also been involved in a bench-clearing, game-ending brawl Jan. 27 against cross-town rival Inglewood. This time, Morningside found itself in a volatile situation almost 325 miles away.

Burbank led, 42-37, when a jump-ball situation occurred underneath the Burbank basket and both players refused to let go.

The Modesto Bee reported that players from both sides stepped in and fists began to fly. When the benches cleared, the newspaper said the fight moved to the gym's south foyer.

"When their bench cleared, it became a matter of survival," Meekins said. "We were on the road, the incident occurred under their basket and their bench cleared first. Our players were intervening to help a teammate."

Coaches from both sides restored order in about two minutes, but the game ended in a double-forfeit and the tournament title will remain vacant.

Meekins said he was working "hand in hand" with CIF officials and expects suspensions to be handed down for both teams on Monday. Meekins said he might also implement his own punishments.

Morningside (8-4) has games against Ribet Academy, Chatsworth and Valencia. Meekins said this is his best team since taking over the program.

"Afterward the players were saying we have too much to lose to be in situations like this," Meekins said. "When I heard them say that, I knew they understood. This is not the example we want to be setting for our school, our league or our fans.

"I don't think there will be another fight."

Serra lost its CIF State Division II Bowl in shocking fashion, losing 48-20 to Folsom on a stormy Saturday at Home Depot Center.

Serra led, 20-14, in the second quarter and trailed just, 21-20, entering the fourth. Folsom scored three touchdowns in a span of 25 seconds to break the game open.

The loss snapped Serra's 29-game winning streak, which had been the longest in the state.

Serra trails Folsom, 21-20, at halftime in Saturday's CIF State Division II Bowl.

Serra rallied from a 14-0 deficit, but penalties have been costly and its special teams have been a surprising negative.

Receivers Marqise Lee and George Farmer had spectacular touchdown catches, and running back Shaquille Richard added a strong scoring run.

Yet normally reliable kicker Francisco Olloqui missed an extra point (hit the cross bar) and a field goal (wide right) to allow Folsom to a narrow halftime lead.

The first game of the CIF State's bowl tripleheader is about to get underway, but the big game for the South Bay will be when Serra tries to complete a remarkable second straight 15-0 season.

After Escalon takes on San Diego Madison in the Division III game, Serra will take the field against Folsom, a team strikingly similar to Serra. That means explosive offenses, speedy defenses and athletes all over the field.

It's been raining steady throughout the morning, but it's overcast right now. Let's hope the weather holds up for what should be an instant classic for Serra.

And the De La Salle-Servite game should be a treat tonight at 7 p.m. too.

Six-time all-star and former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Kenny Lofton is coming to the South Bay to host a charity baseball clinic for kids at the Beach City Baseball facility in El Segundo.
Lofton, who holds the Major League Baseball record for postseason stolen bases and was the American League leader in steals five times, will give tips and suggestions on improving participants' baseball skills and batting form.
Lofton hit .299 with 1,528 runs and 2,428 hits in 17 seasons, doing most of his damage with the Cleveland Indians.
Reserve a spot by calling 310-322-3955. The cost is $200 per person and payment must be made in advance. Beach City Baseball will donate all proceeds from the event to local charities.