Check it out, the LA Times has a blog with not one, but four authors.
You gonna argue with these guys?
I’m gonna do it (no, don’t) … I’m gonna go for broke (will you please leave), I’m gonna step back from my day job and discuss LA preps sportswriters (you are so odd). But first …
This whole blog phenomena is amazing. The LA Times has a blog, the OC Register has a blog and the LA Daily news has a blog. Blog, blog, blog. Who the heck needs fish wrap?
Back to the topic at hand
OK, I have to read a lot of other sports sections to stay up on the overall scene and do research. I’m also a fan and I like to see any/all prep sports coverage that there is, time permitting. Obviously, the prep sports world and its coverage by the media has exploded this decade, so there’s lots to choose from. I like to think I’ve tried it all. There will be some names left off of this list, but that’s what your comments are for. I am only rating those who I have read, watched or shared a press box with.
In no particular order …
Eric Sondheimer, LA Times – I like his spots on the Fox Sports West HS sports show. There’s alway some interesting nuggets. One of the very best feature writers around, Sondheimer is kind of the dean of LA high school sports writers. I saw him honored at the Shrine Game a couple of years back, and his accolades were pretty impressive.
Steve Fryer, OC Register – Does anybody get after it better than Fryer? He’s not scared to speak his mind and his readership is one of the most involved/vocal groups that there is. “Frankly Fryer” is an excellent column and no matter what OC fans think of him, they seemingly always read Fryer just to see what he said.
Martin Henderson, LA Times – Have you seen a better game story writer? I often cover the same games as Martin, and he usually gets to work with considerably less space, but everything you’d want to know about the game is somehow put into a paragraph or two when it’s his byline. And as Amat girls hoops coach Richard Wiard will tell you, I love to just sit back and listen to Martin conduct his interviews. He’s not afraid to ask the hard questions, even under difficult circumstances.
Dan Albano, OC Register – You can’t read the Register and not catch an Albano byline. It seems like he’s everywhere. Like Fryer, Albano writes for a very sharp readership and delivers constantly. I’ve covered CIF swim finals with him and am always astonished how he knows records and times off the top of his head. Albano has the ability to get deep into whatever it is he’s covering, which isn’t easy on this job.
Lindsay Soto, Fox Sports West – Ahh yes, the first lady of prep sports coverage on television. I really respect that Lindsay can do the same good job covering preps that she does covering USC, UCLA or whatever other downtown assignments she might have. You get the vibe watching her that she’s enjoying her work.
John Jackson, Fox Sports West – As a former Amat and USC standout, Jackson has street cred as the main attribute on his resume. It seems like Jackson has been dabbling in preps sports coverage forever and that’s probably why, like Soto, he’s just as good doing a prep sporting event as he is handling a downtown assignment.
Reginald Miller, Time Warner – Miller is the local TV icon to the foothill communities and he finds time to show up in other places, too. “Big Reg” has the enthusiasm needed to do good work and it shows. Not only does he have to produce, he also often hosts, does play-by-play and even films games himself. You don’t do all of that without having your heart in it.
Pete Marshall, Daily Bulletin – A prep sports editor’s prep sports editor. Marshall has been moved to the desert baseball beat (minor leagues), which means he’s not technically on the prep scene anymore. But he does pop up from time-to-time and is always well informed about what he’s covering.
Jeff Gluck, Daily Bulletin – Gluck is Marshall’s replacement and he’s just starting to come into his own. Still learning his beat, which believe me can be an experience in itself, Gluck is likely to make sure things don’t skip a beat (no pun intended).
Lauren Peterson, LA Times – A no nonsense reporter, Peterson, like most of the Times’ team, is always on top of what she covers and finds a way to get to the point quickly and inform readers without wasting space.
Dan Arritt, LA Times – Does it all and does it well. A key part of the Times’ very good team. I don’t think most people realize how many teams the Times covers. It can’t be easy to be up to date on everything and everybody, but somehow Arritt does it and does it well. Plus, I had a good conversation with him two years ago in the press box at Anaheim Stadium during CIF baseball finals.
Bob Holtzman, Daily Breeze – Holtzman is the man in the South Bay. He’s seemingly everywhere when it comes to that region’s prep sports scene. Always a good personality in the press box, Holtzman backs things up with good overall coverage of his area.
I’m going to keep working on this list, but please comment and tell me if there’s somebody you like or somebody you feel that I missed.
