Hello all from beautiful downtown Bakersfield. I can report that through three rounds, area competitors are enjoying a solid day, with 15 of the 22 who qualified for the state meet still alive for a state title.
They are:
La Habra's Aaron Le Farge (103); Northview's Steven Salinas (112), Frank Martinez (130), Jesse Cruz (145) and Robert Alcantar (215); South Hills' Thomas Williams (119); Bishop Amat's Andrew Ortega (125) and Julian Silva (215); San Dimas' Angel Garcia (125); Rosemead's Adrian Marquez (130); Bonita's David Stupplebean (145): Santa Fe's Marcus Orona (119) and Daniel Couts (145); California's Matt Melendrez (145) and Schurr's Julian. Zuniga (215). UPDATE (4:35 p.m.) So far, six have advanced to tonight's quarterfinals: Northivew's Steven Salinas at 112; South Hills' Thomas Williams and Santa Fe's Marcus Orona at 119; Bishop Amat's Andrew Ortega and San Dimas' Angel Garcia at 125 and Rosemead's Adrian Marquez at 130. UPDATE (6:05 p.m.): Eight area wrestlers have advanced to the quarterfinals. In addition to those listed above, Northview's Jesse Cruz (145) and Schurr's Julian Zuniga scored third-round wins to advance.
FRIDAY FINAL UPDATE: Five area wrestlers advanced to the semifinals: 112 - Steven Salinas (Northview); 119 - Thomas Williams (South Hills), Marcus Orona (Santa Fe); 125 - Angel Garcia (San Dimas) and 145 - Jesse Cruz (Northview)....Five are still eligible to score a top-8 medal: 125 - Andrew Ortega (Bishop Amat); 130 - Adrian Marquez (Rosemead), Frank Martinez (Northview); 145 - David Stupplebean (Bonita); 215 - Julian Zuniga (Schurr). All five need to win their first match on Saturday to receive a top-eight medal...Ortega just missed making it six semifinals, losing 9-7 in triple overtime. He scored an escape with a second left in the second overtime only to give up a reverse with just 22 seconds left in the third extra period...I was also impressed with Marquez's performance. He advanced to the quarterfinals a day after long-time Rosemead coach Louie Madrigal passed away. I will be rooting for him to earn an eighth-place medal. - Steve Ramirez
Going long: Bonita's Jiovanni Mier getting high-fived after his two-run homer in the first inning on Friday. Bonita beat Colony 9-1 in the opening game of the Glendora tournament.
I love the spring, the warm-weather, and the beginning of the high school baseball and softball season. There's nothing like spending a few hours in the office, then heading out for an afternoon game. Got my sunflower seeds, water, lawn chair and shades, so I'm ready to go. I thought I would start in the Glendora tournament, where so many of the valley's best teams start this season. I watched Bonita beat Colony 9-1 on Friday, but tonight is special. Defending champs Bishop Amat and Charter Oak meet at Henderson Field at 7 p.m. Don't miss it.
Remember this: Bonita returns to action for the first time since "The shot heard around the SGV," which Aram playfully called it. Northview's R.J. Arnold belted a walk-off three-run homer in the bottom of the seventh inning to lift the Vikings to a 4-3 playoff victory over the Bearcats. Northview and Bonita will meet again on Tuesday.
Glendora Tournament
Friday's results
Bonita 9, Colony 1
Alta Loma 2, Glendora 0 Saturday's results
Northview 10, Diamond Ranch 3
Murrieta Valley 7, Crescenta Valley 3
Bishop Amat 5, Charter Oak 0 Monday's Schedule
Alta Loma vs. Murrieta Valley at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Colony vs. Charter Oak at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Glendora vs. Bishop Amat at Henderson, 7 p.m. Tuesday's Schedule
Bonta vs. Northview at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Crescenta Valley vs. Diamond Ranch at Henderson, 7 p.m. Wednesday's Schedule
Bishop Amat vs. Colony at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Glendora vs. Charter Oak at Henderson, 7 p.m. Thursday's final round robin
Northview vs. Alta Loma at APU, 7 p.m.
Murrieta Valley vs. Diamond Ranch at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Bonita vs. Crescenta Valley at Henderson, 7 p.m.
A sad day for area wrestling - Rosemead's Madrigal dies
On the eve of what might have been one of the more enjoyable weekends in Valley wrestling history, turned sad Thursday as long-time Rosemead coach Louie Madrigal, truley one of the good guys in the coaching circles died.
Here's the story I wrote for Friday's edition:
Louie Madrigal, the longtime Rosemead High School wrestling coach who helped build the Panthers into one of the top programs in the CIF-Southern Section, has died.
He was in his early 50s.
“It’s sad. I don’t know what else to say,” said Adrian Marquez, Rosemead’s 130-pound wrestler who is expected to compete in this weekend’s CIF-State championships, which begin today at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. “I wish he could be here.”
Rosemead athletic director Marc Harisay said Madrigal was scheduled to drive up with his assistants and Marquez to the state championships.
“I really have no details,” Harisay said. “I was told that they drove over to his home when he didn’t show up at the school and that’s when they found out he had passed away.”
Madrigal guided one of the top programs in the area for much of the past two decades.
He took over for Curt Nichols in the late 1980s and built a program that was one of the most-recognized in the CIF-SS.
He led Rosemead to CIF-SS individual team titles in 1988 and 2004 and a dual championship in 2002. During his tenure, the Panthers produced 17 CIF-SS champions, three CIF state champions (Michael Kawamura, ’95; Hector Torres, ’97-98) and one senior national champion (Manuel Rivera, ’03).
Kawamura was one of just three Valley competitors to earn four top-eight finishes at the state championships, and Rivera, now at Minnesota, is one of the top competitors in the Big 10 Conference.
Marquez is his latest prodigy. He won the 130-pound division at the CIF-Southern Coastal Division championships two weeks ago, then followed it up by winning a CIF-SS Masters title last weekend.
He is ranked second in the state at 130 pounds. - Steve Ramirez
Steve's take: This is truely a sad day. I will miss the guy. He was someone who always made himself available for us media types and was the first to support the area as a whole, even propping up other team's competitors. I know the West Coast Classic will not be the same without him. Louie truely was the West Coast Classic, and made sure it was always the top tournament in the Valley.
Rosemead won't be the same without him, and either will the Valley.
Steve Ramirez's top ten preview Tribune's Top Ten
1. Los Altos (21-5)
2. Charter Oak (25-8)
3. San Dimas (24-5)
4. Bishop Amat (14-14)
5. St. Lucy's (20-3)
6. Northview (17-8)
7. Rowland (15-12)
8. South El Monte (17-5)
9. Diamond Bar (8-19)
10. Wilson (13-12) Note: Records are from 2007 Others to watch: The rest of the Valley contenders include Walnut, which is expected to challenge Rowland in the San Antonio League; Covina, a strong third in the Valle Vista League last season and Glendora, a contender in the Sierra League.
* I will post tournament schedules later this afternoon
CIF-Southern Section Division V-AA championship Thursday's result
La Verne Lutheran 57, Pacific Hills 56.
Note: Jordan Sally hit the game-winning basket with 15 seconds left. The Trojans complete the perfect season, going 28-0. Next up, state playoffs. Read Today's story: Sally helps Lutheran to division title, 57-56 Above: 6-foot freshman guard Bruce English is averaging nine points for the 28-0 Trojans.
Fred's take before Thursday's final: No more Glendora? The basketball season is over, right? Stop right there, we've got La Verne Lutheran. Our La Verne Lutheran. Stop rolling your eyes, I already know what you're thinking. How did a team go from 7-12 and sixth in the lowly Arrowhead League in 2007 to an undefeated small school power (27-0) in 2008. Well, to be blunt, some talent enrolled at the school, which includes five freshman, three sophomores and obviously a coach they wanted to play for in Eric Cooper, whose nephew Carl Cooper is the best freshman of them all, averaging 19 points. There are only two players left from last season, and they're both seldom-used role players. Before the season started I told you this was the beginning of the next Price, Verbum Dei or the east side version of Renaissance Academy, which proved to be the best Pasadena Star-News area team this past season. And I still say, what's wrong with it? More power to them if great players all want to go to the same place. This is what should have happened at Bishop Amat after building the crown jewel of high school gyms in the San Gabriel Valley, but it didn't happen. It's happening at Lutheran. If this was happening at Amat, area fans would probably embrace them like they did for those state-championship winning girls basketball teams. But because it's Lutheran, let's just say there is not a lot of love in the air. I can tell you with absolute certainty there are several area coaches who are not fond of what's happening at Lutheran, with one coach constantly refereeing to them as "the cheaters." News flash, they've never been caught cheating, nor have they been under investigation, and until or unless that happens, we shouldn't be rushing to judgment. So they became great overnight. So what, that happens at private schools. If this was happening at Sierra Vista, then you can start rolling those eyes and waving the red flags. For now, I'm going on record saying I'm rooting for these guys. I know they will never be the SGV's favorite sons, that title still, and probably always will belong to Glendora. But will they be embraced? Is this a team that San Gabriel Valley basketball fans will follow when other teams are eliminated? Will other area coaches grow to respect them or even schedule them? Guess we'll find that out in the years to come because La Verne Lutheran isn't going away, they're only going to get better.
Here's my story that will be in our Wednesday edition:
LA VERNE - Glendora High School had ridden its heart, guile and the shooting of senior Dominic Tiger-Cortes to advance to the CIF-Southern Section Division I-A basketball semifinals.
But Etiwanda possessed one trait the Tartans had little answer for - speed.
The Eagles, using quickness on defense and solid efforts from guards Rome Draper and Jordan Finn, jumped to a double-digit lead and held off another patented Glendora charge for a 53-48 victory Tuesday night in front of a standing-room only crowd at Damien.
The Eagles (29-1), who received 13 points from Draper and 10 from Finn, advanced to face Riverside King, a 62-57 winner over Chino Hills, in Saturday's championship game at Honda Center.
Glendora, which missed a chance to tie the score with 10 seconds left when Calvin Smith missed a 3-pointer, slipped to 21-11.
"Deep down, we're satisfied," said Tiger-Cortes, who had a game-high 35 points. "Of course, you want to make it to the finals, but coming this far is a great accomplishment."
But that dream for a championship began to fade when Etiwanda closed the first half with a 15-1 run to take a 29-20 lead. The Eagles then pushed the advantage to 44-34 with just over six minutes left in the game.
"We tried," Tiger-Cortes said. "We have confidence that we can come back. We feel we can play with anybody."
Glendora, fresh off a comeback win last week over El Toro, started to prove it late by rallying again for the second time in three games.
Kos Russell (six points) first cut the deficit to 47-41 on a 3-pointer with 2:46 to play, then got Glendora within two at 50-48 with just 28 seconds left after another 3-pointer.
The Tartans then got a break when Finn made just one of two free throws with 22 seconds to go.
Tiger-Cortes pushed the ball up the floor and passed to a wide-open Smith in the corner, but his 3-pointer with 10 seconds to play was long.
Draper grabbed the rebound, was fouled and made both free throws to seal it at 53-48 with 10 seconds left.
"I'm just real proud of these guys," Glendora coach Mike LeDuc said. "We had a shot to tie the (score) with 10 seconds left against a great team. They were quicker than us, stronger than us and we just hung in there."
My take: There's just no quit in these guys. I hope they some how get picked for the CIF State Tournament, because their season doesn't deserve to end. They showed it tonight, and like Gene Hackman said as coach Norman Dale in that "Hoosiers" clip Fred posted earlier, they walked off the court as winners.
I kept telling myself throughout the game, 'They're (Etiwanda) too quick." But Tartans - mainly Tiger-Cortes - just kept coming back and low an behold, the team that doesn't quick found a way to get its look at the game. But Smith's jumper had just one revolution too many.
I've covered a lot of prep basketball over the years, and never had more fun covering a team than this one. This may not have been the most-talented Glendora squad, but no team was more thrilling to watch. - Steve Ramirez
Twin Towers: The answer is yes, they were all this big
CIF-SS Div. II semifinal: Thousand Oaks 1, Walnut 0 Game notes: The Walnut High School girls soccer team was hoping the moment would never come, but Thousand Oaks’ size, speed and aggressiveness couldn’t be denied forever.
After living in the Mustangs’ final third for most of the afternoon with nothing to show for it, Lancers forward Rachel Morris watched Alyson Birgel’s curling free kick into the penalty area get poked straight to her running free at the top of the box.
Morris didn’t waste it, re-directing a right-footed shot off the back of the net in the 77th minute to give the Lancers a 1-0 victory and their first-ever appearance in a championship game after eliminating the Mustangs (19-4-2) in the CIF-Southern Southern Division II semifinals on Tuesday.
It was a bitter defeat for the Mustangs, who were hoping to play for the school’s fourth championship this weekend after winning three straight titles from 2003-05.
While the visiting Lancers had two-to-three times as many scoring opportunities, which included a breakaway in the third minute that was turned away by Mustangs goalkeeper Megan Allaire — a breakaway saved by a last second tackle from defender Talia Banda in the 47th minute — and another Lancers shot that ricocheted off the the crossbar in the 62nd minute — the Mustangs were still clinging to life.
Then the Mustangs had their big chance when forward Nadia Link snuck behind the Lancers defense and ran down a through ball for a breakaway in the 64th minute, but Link’s shot sailed over the crossbar.
“CIF domes down to who makes the least mistakes and who capitalizes on their opportunities,” said Mustangs coach Lorraine Hansen. “They capitalized on our bad clearance and we couldn’t capitalize when we got behind them. But I’m still proud. Getting to the semifinals in this division is not easy to do.”
Above: Mountain View's purple people eaters come up short.
CIF-SS Div. V semifinal: Hesperia 1, Mountain View 0 Game Note: Hesperia’s Mario Cisneros scored on a 25-yard free kick in the 24th minute.
It was the only goal of the match, lifting host Hesperia to a 1-0 victory in the CIF-Southern Section Division V semifinals on Tuesday. The Scorpions (18-2-11) beat La Puente 1-0 in four overtime’s in Friday’s quarterfinal, and was opportunistic again in a match that Vikings coach Felipe Corona described as painful to watch.
“They were a team that sat back and counter attacked,” Corona said. “I thought we outplayed them. But it was tough creating chances because they had so many guys behind the ball.
Game of the week: Saturday, champions night, Bishop Amat vs. Charter Oak in the Glendora Tournament at Henderson Field, 7 p.m.
Top Ten feature Tribune Baseball rankings
1. Charter Oak (20-7)
2. Northview (23-6)
3. Bishop Amat (27-4)
4. San Dimas (21-7)
5. Bonita (18-8)
6. Covina (16-8)
7. South HIlls (19-6)
8. Nogales (19-10)
9. Damien (10-13)
10. Glendora (13-12) Others to consider: Diamond Bar, West Covina, Baldwin Park Softball: The Softball preview will run on Thursday
Glendora Tournament Friday's Schedule
Colony vs. Bonita at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Alta Loma vs. Glendora at Hendreson, 7 p.m. Saturday's Schedule
Northview vs. Diamond Ranch at Henderson, 11 a.m.
Murrieta Valley vs. Crescenta Valley at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Charter Oak vs. Bishop Amat at Henderson, 7 p.m. Monday's Schedule
Alta Loma vs. Murrieta Valley at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Colony vs. Charter Oak at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Glendora vs. Bishop Amat at Henderson, 7 p.m. Tuesday's Schedule
Bonta vs. Northview at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Crescenta Valley vs. Diamond Ranch at Henderson, 7 p.m. Wednesday's Schedule
Bishop Amat vs. Colony at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Glendora vs. Charter Oak at Henderson, 7 p.m. Thursday's final round robin
Northview vs. Alta Loma at APU, 7 p.m.
Murrieta Valley vs. Diamond Ranch at Henderson, 3:30 p.m.
Bonita vs. Crescenta Valley at Henderson, 7 p.m.
Tuesday's semifinal games
Boys Basketball
Division I-AA
Etiwanda vs. Glendora at Damien, 7:30 p.m. Boys Soccer
Division V
Mountain View at Hesperia, 3 p.m. Girls Soccer
Division II
Thousand Oaks at Walnut, 3 p.m.
Thursday's boys basketball
Division V-AA championship
At Colony High School
Pacific Hills vs. La Verne Lutheran, 6:30 p.m.
This is great news for football fans. I received an email last week about a new "Scouting Service" for the San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire that will be called, "The San Gabriel Valley/Inland Empire Scout Service." Although this is only available to Div. I and II college's on a subscription basis, I'm told they will share a lot of information that we can put on the blog. Next week, they will share the top ten college prospects in the San Gabriel Valley. Let me share the nuts and bolts of this letter.
The goal of the service is to be the "middle man"
between the high school and the colleges. Our service
will only be available to Division 1 and Division 2
colleges on a yearly subscription basis. What our
service will entail are as follows...
1) We will be getting raw high school football game
films from the high school of the potential prospect
to the colleges that are on our service.
2) We will be making "evaluation tapes" (or otherwise
known as highlight tapes) on area prospects so that
colleges can view those tapes on file for usage at
anytime.
3) We will be making sure that colleges are getting
unofficial transcripts daily so that they know the
academic standing of their prospects.
4) We will be providing for the colleges a list of
players that we feel are prospects in the area. They
will be categorized accordingly by our service with
recommendations on whether they are Division 1 or
Division 2 players. Our recommendations are solely to
be shared with the colleges only. They are not to be
viewed by a high school coach.
5) We will be providing for the colleges a complete
evaluation of the prospect from head to tow using the
same scouting forms that are used by National Football
Scouting (one of the two scouting services for the
National Football League). Again, our evaluations are
for usage by the colleges only and not the high school
coaches or their programs.
In ended with this ... After speaking with many colleges this past year, they
continually informed me that they were finding it very
frustrating that many of the players in the area were
not getting properly evaluated because of the lack of
cooperation from several high schools. With this
service it is our hope that we can make their jobs a
lot easier so that players from our area can get
themselves in position to get a possible football
scholarship.
IN CLOSING: I talked to Wilson athletic director Dave Merrill about the head football coaching position, and though he didn't talk about candidates by name, he did said he was surprised with how many of the candidates were from out of the area. He also confirmed that former Amat coach Mike DiFiori is not among the list that have dropped off resumes, and that they hope to name a coach soon.
Twenty-one area wrestlers qualify for State
By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
RIALTO - Area wrestlers proved to be the masters of the mat Saturday - the CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet to be more specific.
Defending CIF State champion Thomas Williams of South Hills High School led a group of five local competitors to secure individual titles in their respective weight classes at the CIF-SS Masters Meet at Carter High School in Rialto.
Northview's Steven Salinas (112 pounds), San Dimas' Angel Garcia (125) and Adrian Marquez (130) and Schurr's Julian (215) also won titles. To continue reading, click thread
Williams, reigning state champion at 112, won Saturday at 119.
The area had six finalists - Santa Fe's Nikolai Crouch lost to Temecula Valley's Jake Merideth in the 171 final - and will send 21 to next weekend's state meet.
Williams was the only area competitor to win a state title last year and is a good bet to repeat after a solid performance this weekend, which he capped with a 1-0 victory over Mayfair's Richard Alarcon in the 119 final.
"This is huge to me because this will set me up for a better draw at state," Williams said. "I wrestled a lot of tough guys to win here, so I'm really ready for next week."
But Marquez also made a statement by winning Saturday since he wasn't ranked coming into the tournament.
"It's a good feeling," said Marquez, who defeated Irvine's Scott Chene in the 130 final. "Last year, I was two and out. It was great to come back this year and win."
Garcia, meanwhile, continued the solid performances. He won Masters after being the first area wrestler to win four divisional titles, accomplishing that feat last week.
"It's nice to win divisional titles," said Garcia, who beat Hesperia's Daniel Gudino, 11-7. "But now, I'm the best of the Southern Section."
Salinas, who beat Santa Ana Calvary Chapel's Zane O'Bourke 11-5, also is pointed toward next weekend.
"This is not my goal," he said. "State is. I'm glad I won, but this really doesn't mean anything to me."
It's the same for Zuniga, who fought back for a 6-4 victory in the 215 final.
"This is just a step," he said. "I'm more concerned about next week."
Other qualifiers for the state championships included West Covina's Jeremy Dizon (119); Northview's Jacob Delgado (103), Frank Martinez (130), Jesse Cruz (145), Matt Lopez (189) and Robert Alcantar (215); South Hills' Joel Camacho (130) and Josh Pearson (171); Bishop Amat's Andrew Ortega (125) and Julian Silva (215); Bonita's David Stupplebean (145); Santa Fe's Marcus Orona (119), Daniel Couts (145) and Crouch (171); California's Matt Melendrez (140); and La Habra's Aaron La Farge (103).
UPDATE:Glendora will have the home game against Etiwanda on Tuesday. I'll post the location when I get it.
Steve Ramirez will update this thread later, but he tells me the Tarts won another thriller, and some guy named Dominic Tiger-Cortez didn't hit the game-winning shot, he had the game winning strip instead.
Mr. Playoff: What is it about Mike LeDuc coached teams in the playoffs? Nobody, and I mean nobody, expected the Tartans to be in the semifinals this year. I wasn't sure they would get out of the first round, but you know me, I've been wrong before. But I'm not doubting Mr. Playoff anymore.
My take: I'm beginning to think Glendora is the team of destiny. They win another nailbiter, except this was almost the reverse of Tuesday's come-from-behind win at El Toro. This time the Tartans, playing in a "Hoosiers" type atmosphere with a standing-room only crowd, were on the ropes....enter Dominic Tiger-Cortes, who once again saved the Tartans, except it wasn't a thrilling 3-pointer, or drive to the hoop and score. No, he showed he can also play some 'D.' He went on 1-on-1 with a kid - North's Malcolm Lee - who will be playing for Ben Howland at UCLA next year. And he stepped up, blocking Lee's path to an easy deuce and forcing a travel that clinched it for the Tartans.
Fred gets to decide who is player of the year, but Tiger-Cortes gets it in my book, for that one play alone.
Etiwanda is next up, but there's no way I'm picking against the team of destiny. - Steve Ramirez
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! The fifth annual Tribune/Star-News boys and girls senior all-star game is set for April 21 at Azusa Pacific University.
Friday's schedule
Div. I-A quarterfinals
Glendora 58, J.W. North 56 Div. IV-AA semifinals
Patriot 78, South El Monte 58 Div. V-AA semifinals
La Verne Lutheran 39, Maranatha 37
GOAAAALLLLLL! Mountain View's super striker Jairo Aquino came through again.
The Thriller: In Thursday's CIF-SS Division V boys soccer semifinal, Mountain View's Jairo Aquino scored his 33rd goal of the season, converting in the 65th minute to give the Vikings a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over visiting La Canada.
The Heartbreaker: Just four minutes from taking its playoff chances to penalty kicks, the La Puente boys soccer team found themselves in disbelief after Hesperia’s Wualfre Gomez scored the game-winner in the fourth overtime, converting a corner kick from Mario Cisneros in the 117th minute to give the Scorpions a 1-0 quarterfinal win. I felt terrible watching it, the Warriors played their hearts out.
Heartbreak II: Sierra Vista was seconds away from advancing to the semifinals. Then Andrew Bierschenk stepped into the picture. Bierschenk scored from the middle of the penalty area with 10 seconds to play to force overtime and Oaks Christian then got goals from JP Herold and Aidan Leonard to score a 4-3 victory over the Dons.
If the Glendora basketball team's comeback against El Toro was the thrill of victory, then what Sierra Vista experienced today was definitely the agony of defeat.
- Steve Ramirez
Thursday's Results
Division V quarterfinals
Mountain View 2, La Canada 1
Hesperia 1, La Puente 0, 4OT's
Oaks Christian 4, Sierra Vista 3, OT
Tuesday's semifinal:
Mountain View (20-4-5) at Hesperia (17-2-11), 3 p.m.
Wish I was here last year to have a feel for some of these guys, but everything I hear suggests this being a great season for pitchers. With the top ten baseball preview coming out next week, I'd like to hear your top five or top ten rankings for hurlers.
SUPER SIX
1. Tyler Pill (Covina)
2. Tyler Garkow (Charter Oak
3. Brady Zuniga (Bishop Amat)
4. Andrew Melchor (Nogales)
5. Marc Andrade (Northview)
6. Kevin Ponzo (San Dimas)
Above: Ella Rodriguez has huge game in Mustangs' win.
Ella Rodriguez scored 16 points and Kellie Komoda dropped in 14 for the Walnut High School girls basketball team, who advanced to the CIF-SS Division III-A semifinals for the first time since 1985, beating host Twentynine Palms, 64-54, on Wednesday.
Stephanie Mayekawa scored 10, and Richelle Najera chipped in with eight points as the Mustangs led by as many as 15 points in the third quarter, then cruised to the finish.
“This group of seniors is special,” Mustangs coach Lori Huckler said. “They advanced to to the quarters last year, and were disappointed they didn’t go further.
“Every night it’s been someone different, and tonight it was Ella who had the hot hand.”
Valencia Holmes and Haly Herrera each had eight points for Twentynine Palms, who finished 20-6.
Wednesday's results
Division I-AA
Second Round
Ventura 60, Bishop Amat 52 Division II-AA
Second Round
Norco 51, Wilson 38 Division III-A
Quarterfinals
Walnut 64, Twentynine Palms 54 Division IV-A
Quarterfinals
Flintridge Prep 61, Azusa 50
University 60, Sierra Vista 29
She's got hops: Veronica Ramos has been on fire in the playoffs, scoring two more goals in Friday's 2-1 win over Canyon. Ramos now has four goals in the postseason. The Mustangs will host Thousand Oaks in Tuesday's semifinal, just a game away from playing for their fourth championship this decade.
Friday's quarterfinal result
Division II
Walnut 2, Anaheim Canyon 1
He's Greaaaaat: Tiger-Cortes overcome with emotion after Tartans win in overtime.
Vintage Glendora! Ramirez tells me Glendora trailed El Toro by ten points with five minutes left, then trimmed it to 50-47 when Mr. Smooooth, Dominic Tiger-Cortes, drained a 3-pointer with two seconds left to send it into overtime, and you know what happened after that. Another LeDuc masterpiece. Is this the year Tartans fans? You've got four, how about one for the thumb.
Boys Basketball
Tuesday's results
Division I-A
Second Round
Glendora 56, El Toro 53, OT Division II-AA
Second Round
Serra 66, Diamond Ranch 57 Division II-A
Second Round
Highland 67, Northview 53 Division III-A
Quartefinals
Perris 67, Nogales 62 - Guillory scores 27 points in loss Division IV-A
Quarterfinals
South El Monte 45, Capistrano Valley Christian 41 Division V-AA
Quarterfinals
La Verne Lutheran 72, Calvary Murrieta 45, four Trojans in double figures.
QUICK LOOK AT FRIDAY Div. I-A quarterfinals
Glendora (20-10) at J.W. North (20-8), 7:30 p.m. Div. IV-AA semifinals
Patriot (18-9) vs. South El Monte (18-8) at Mountain View HS, 7:30 p.m. Div. V-AA semifinals
La Verne Lutheran (26-0) vs. Maranatha (20-7) at Occidental College, 7:30 p.m.
The set-up man: Azusa's Diego Rodriguez (6) set up the lone goal in Tuesday's win, sending an errant shot that turned into an assist when Omar Rodriguez got his head on it, scoring at the near post in the 67th minute for the 1-0 win.
From Azusa: I'm the only person standing on the Azusa sidelines 20 minutes before the match, wondering where these guys are while Mountain View is warming up. Them from a distance, I see the Aztecs making their way toward the field, led by the Aztecs band. It was priceless. The Aztecs sideline filled up quick, with an estimated 300 fans and nearly 150 on Mountain View's side, creating a great atmosphere. Mountain View had more scoring opportunities, but the Aztecs had three or four dangerous chances too. In the end, a 1-0 victory for the Vikings was just, coming on Omar Rodriguez's header in the 67th minute. But I left thinking about one player, and that's Mountain View attacking midfielder/forward Jairo Aquino. He's got 32 goals this season, but watching him in person was impressive. He's bigtime. The chances he creates for himself and others with his speed, control, crosses, and cutbacks is a thing of beauty. He could play division one college soccer right now. Above: If you haven't seen Mountain View's Jairo Aquino (10), go watch him when the Vikings host La Canada's in Thursday's quarterfinal at Mountain View. He's the real deal.
Boys Soccer
Tuesday's second round games and predictions
Division III
El Rancho 2, Walnut 1 Division IV
Kaiser 3, Bishop Amat 0
Bloomington 2, Baldwin Park 1, OT Division V
Mountain View 1, Azusa 0
La Puente 2, Arroyo Valley 1
Sierra Vista 1, San Jacinto 0
QUICK LOOK AT THURSDAY'S QUARTERFINALS
Division V
Oaks Christian (16-4-3) at Sierra Vista (14-7-2), 3 p.m.
Hesperia (16-2-11) at La Puente (16-4-2), 3 p.m.
La Canada (14-5-5) at Mountain View (19-4-5), 3 p.m.
This is your chance to talk about anything football. We'll do a weekly football thread on Monday, which we should probably call, "Bishop Amat conversation," since most of you will go on and on about the hiring of Steve Hagerty, and who's he's thinking about bringing on staff. Steve had no idea we had this blog when he was hired. I told him how Verti and his staff hated it, and that there are fanatical Amat bloggers that will dissect his every move. We laughed about it, then I told him where to find it, so hopefully he's not taking it too seriously. Above: Not exactly a town-hall meeting, but here's Hagerty explaining to the guys how he's going to bring the glory days back.
Other things to discuss
When will Wilson name a head football coach?
Now that the signing date has passed, where are others thinking about going to college?
Who should be in this year's Hall of Fame all-star game?
Have any significant players changed schools?
Will Los Altos make the playoffs next season?
And who or what will be the next, "Breaking News" thread.
Some shameless promotion: Don't really know what a widget is, but I'm told it's a great way to share this blog on myspace, or any other social networking site. Just click on the "Get Widget" and follow the directions.
South Hills senior Thomas Williams, right, hopes to continue his road towards a second CIF state championship.
The road to the CIF State wrestling championships makes its final stop this weekend as 39 area competitors travel to Carter High School in Rialto for the CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet. The top placers at this weekend's meet will advance to the state championships, which are scheduled for next weekend at Bakersfield's Rabobank Arena.
Who will advance?
I like the 12 competitors who scored divisional titles last weekend, plus a few others:
Here's the champions list: Northview - Jacob Delgado (103 pounds), Steven Salinas (112), Frank Martinez (130), Jesse Cruz (145), Robert Alcantar (215). San Dimas - Angel Garcia (125). South Hills - Thomas Williams (119), Josh Pearson (171). Bonita - David Stupplebean (145). Bishop Amat - Andrew Ortega (125), Julian Silva (215). Rosemead - Adrian Marquez (130).
Who do you like?
Boys Basketball
Tuesday's games Division I-A
Second Round
Glendora (19-10) at El Toro (26-1), 7:30 p.m. Division II-AA
Second Round
Diamond Ranch (18-8) at Serra (21-4), 7:30 p.m. Division II-A
Second Round
Northview (23-5) at Highland (20-8), 7:30 p.m. Division III-A
Quartefinals
Nogales (22-7) at Perris (23-5), 7:30 p.m. Division IV-A
Quarterfinals
South El Monte (17-8) at Capistrano Valley Christian (23-5), 7:30 p.m. Division V-AA
Quarterfinals
Calvary Murrieta (11-13) at La Verne Lutheran (25-0), 7:30 p.m.
Boys Soccer
Tuesday's second round games
Division III
El Rancho (17-4-3) at Walnut (14-8-2), 3 p.m. Division IV
Bishop Amat (11-11-5) at Kaiser (16-7-3), 3 p.m.
Bloomington (11-10-3) at Baldwin Park (14-7-1), 3 p.m. Division V
Mountain View (18-4-5) at Azusa (12-10-1), 3 p.m.
La Puente (15-4-2) at Arroyo Valley (12-8-3), 3 p.m.
Sierra Vista (13-7-2) at San Jacinto (15-5-4), 3 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Wednesday's games
Division I-AA
Second Round
Bishop Amat (20-7) at Ventura (25-2), 7:30 p.m. Division II-AA
Second Round
Wilson (23-4) at Norco (20-7), 7:30 p.m. Division III-A
Quarterfinals
Walnut (21-6) at Twentynine Palms (19-5), 7:30 p.m. Division IV-A
Quarterfinals
Azusa (21-4) at Flintridge Prep (21-5), 7:30 p.m.
University (19-8) at Sierra Vista (21-8), 7:30 p.m.
Girl Soccer Wednesday's Second Round games
Division II
Walnut (18-4-1) at Redlands (8-14-3), 3 p.m. Division III
Diamond Ranch (15-7-2) at San Luis Obispo (26-0-2), 3 p.m. Division V
San Dimas (12-9-4) at Beaumont (19-1-6), 3 p.m.
Girls Soccer: Walnut on a mission; Dranch, San Dimas win too
Above: Walnut's Veronica Ramos (2) celebrates after scoring two goals with one assist in Saturday's 4-0 win over Newbury Park. The Mustangs are looking for their fourth championship this decade, and are the most complete team I've seen this season. Ramos and Nadia Link are a great combination up top, and central midfielder Natalie Martin is outstanding. And if there's a better goalkeeper than Megan Allaire, I haven't seen her. After watching Arcadia the past few years working at the Star-News, I would love to see both teams win second round games, and meet up in the quarterfinals.
Girls Soccer
Saturday's CIF-SS Playoff results Division I
First Round
Long Beach Poly 3, St. Lucy's 2, 2OT Division II
First Round
Walnut 4, Newbury Park 0
Agoura 4, South Hills 1 Division III
First Round
Arroyo Grande 2, Los Altos 1
Costa Mesa 2, Bonita 1
Diamond Ranch 2, Cajon 0 Division V
First Round
Rancho Alamitos 2, Mountain View 0
San Dimas 2, Village Christian 1
Torrance 1, Arroyo 0
Notre Dame Academy 10, Covina 0 Division VI
First Round
Arrowhead Christian 1, Sierra Vista 0
Alverno 4, Duarte 0
Boys Basketball: Tiger-Cortes drops 37 in Tartans win
Payback: Dominic Tiger-Cortes goes crazy, scoring 37 points in Tartans' 80-69 payback win over Ventura, the school that knocked the Tartans out of the 2006 semifinals.
CIF-SS Boys Basketball Playoffs
Friday’s games
Division I-A
First Round
Glendora 80, Ventura 69
Etiwanda 66, Diamond Bar 43 Division II-AA
First Round
Hoover 63, Bonita 48
Bishop Montgomery 66, Charter Oak 42
Diamond Ranch 87, Redlands East Valley 70 Division II-A
First Round
Northview 86, Barstow 65
Covina (11-15) at Corona Santiago (19-7), 7:30 p.m.
Canyon Springs (14-10) at Baldwin Park (16-8), 7:30 p.m. Division III-AA
First round
Montebello 79, Sierra Vista 48
Campbell Hall 91, Azusa 33
Morro Bay 57, Workman 44
Carpinteria (15-10) at La Puente (16-8), 7:30 p.m. Division III-A
Second Round
West Valley 90, Rowland 42
Serrano 71, West Covina 56
Nogales 48, Laguna Beach 44 Division IV-A
Second Round
South El Monte 60, Garden Grove 50 Division V-AA Second Round
La Verne Lutheran 84, Highland Hall 53
Boys Soccer: Our locals come through, eight advance
Above: Diamond Ranch and Wilson battling earlier this season. Both are playing first-round playoff games this afternoon.
Boys Soccer
Friday's CIF-SS playoff games
Division III
First Round
South Hills 1, Sunny Hills 1 (Sunny Hills wins on PKs)
Century 1, Wilson 0
Walnut 3, Diamond Ranch 1
La Habra 3, Nogales 2
Saddleback 3, Los Altos 1 Division IV
First Round
Baldwin Park 3, Indio 2
Bishop Amat 3, Perris 2, OT Division V
First Round
Azusa 1, Carpentiria 0
Mountain View 3, Campbell Hall 2
Sierra Vista 2, Arroyo 0
Colton 2, Workman 0
Hesperia 2, El Monte 0
La Puente 5, Brentwood 2
Girls Basketball: Give it up for the Montview; Azusa, Sierra Vista, both advance to quarterfinals
When they're not facing each other, they're winning playoff games: Montview League champ Azusa beat Pasadena Poly 38-33; and Sierra Vista blew past Thacher, 56-28.
Saturday's playoff results Division II-A
First Round
Rancho Cucamonga 72, Diamond Ranch 53
Corona Santiago 71, Charter Oak 29
Wilson 71, Harvard-Westlake 63 Division III-AA
Second Round
Arroyo Grande 44, Covina 31 Division III-A
Second Round
Walnut 49, Barstow 45
Don Lugo 47, South Hills 44, OT Division IV-A
Second Round
Azusa 38, Pasadena Poly 33
Sierra Vista 56, Thacher 28
Irvine 57, Gladstone 36
Since it's playoff time in high school basketball, I thought I would post this little tidbit about a sports movie I stumbled onto the other night - "Believe in Me." It stars Jeffrey Donovan as basketball coach Clay Driscoll, who thought he was coach of the boys basketball team in a rural Oklahoma town in 1964 only to find out he's the girls coach. He makes it work and leads a group of underachievers to greatness. It's kind of the girls version of "Hoosiers." Although it doesn't have the catch-phrase lines at "Hoosiers," it's still a must see, especially this time of year. Does Jeffery Donovan as coach Clay Driscoll, right, remind you of anybody?
It's based on the true story of Oklahoma coaching legend Jim Keith with a little Hollywood flair. Plus, doesn't Driscoll remind you of anybody?
It's also a story that shows the sacrifices those in the past made so now we can enjoy the talents of Kristen McCarthy, Melinda Gomez, Chantel Diaz and many others .
- Steve Ramirez
Too all the basketball folks: If you're going to charge $8 bucks to get in a CIF playoff basketball game, at least provide a copy of rosters at the entrance. Is that too much to ask? Not asking for a full program, which should be available anyway, just a plain sheet of paper with both rosters on it. It's bad enough you can't eat a hot dog or drink a soda in most of these gyms anymore, but it's even more ridiculous that school's don't provide the players' names for fans attending the games. I know, I know, this is just a reporter who gets in free complaining. But more and more schools are getting lazy, and I'm wondering if it ticks you off too.
Boys Basketball: San Antonio League goes 3-for-4 in first round
Above: Nogales' Randal Guillory scores two of his game-high 20 points, leading the Nobles to a 57-56 win over Apple Valley in the first round of the CIF-Division III-A playoffs. Apple Valley's Daryon Mosley had a chance to win it at the buzzer. He took the inbounds and went the length of the court in five seconds, but Guillory altered his shot, forcing him into a tough banker off the glass as time expired. Wednesday's full playoff scoreboard
Wednesday's playoff results Div. I-A
Wild Card
Esperanza 58, Damien 37
Diamond Bar 80, El Modena 50 Div. II-A
Wild Card
Crescenta Valley 59, Los Altos 51 Div. III-A
First Round
Rowland 49, Citrus Hill 47
West Covina 71, Laguna Hills 57
Nogales 57, Apple Valley 56
California 59, South Hills 51 Div. IV-A
First round
Brethren Christian 54, Mountain View 44
FREE WILLIE: Muir star running back Willie Youngblood arrested on Tuesday; cleared on Friday
PASADENA - Police went to John Muir High School on Tuesday and arrested star running back Willie Youngblood in connection with a melee that broke out at the campus in December, officials said.
Youngblood, a 5-foot 8-inch, 202-pound running back, who rushed for 1,280 yards and scored 19 touchdowns last season, was booked on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon - his hands and feet, police said. Read more on Youngblood
What I said on Tuesday: Several of you asked last week if Willie Youngblood was signing a letter of intent. Sadly, he has legal troubles to worry about now. Interesting story though, back in my day, this was just a big fight on campus. You all got sent to the principals office, and were suspended a few days. But with the latino-black racial wars continuing to worsen, nothing should be taken lightly, especially considering the recent events in Monrovia, Duarte, and the ongoing problems in Pasadena.
My reaction on Friday: A district attorney spokesperson said the county declined to file any case against Youngblood, citing insufficient evidence. Why would the police go to the school two months after this incidenct, arrest and embarrass this young man, then say they didn't have enough evidence three-days later to proceed? I know Muir gets a bad wrap, but this is why athletes and students at Muir feel they don't get a fair shake. What a joke, someone needs to publicly apologize to the young man.
Softball Division III
1. Beckman, 2. California, 3. La Serna, 4. Charter Oak, 5. Fullerton, 6. Oak Park, 7. Laguna Hills, 8. Kaiser, 9. Oaks Christian, 10. Los Altos. Note: Charter Oak and Los Altos were only teams ranked in preseason polls.
Above: Is it time for Glendora and Damien to be in separate playoff division's?
Century League representatives have sent a proposal to the CIF-Southern Section, asking for separate playoff divisions for public and private school's in all sports. The proposal is expected to be introduced at the next CIF council meeting on March 6, and if voted on at the April meeting, could be implemented this fall. Jim Staunton, the section's commissioner, is seeking legal counsel to see if the proposal violates CIF bylaws. I would love to see the section move to separate playoff divisions for public and private. I would further suggest that public and private school champions meet for a Southern California title, or a state title, but only after the CIF championship games. Certainly, private school's have a huge advantage over public schools in terms of budgets, and boundaries in which to choose players from, which fundamentally makes it an unfair playing field for public schools. This proposal is long overdue. Look at football as a prime example. There's no way San Dimas should have played Oaks Christian in a CIF playoff game. I remember a few years back when Keppel had a great basketball team, and had to meet Mater Dei in the quarterfinals. It's simply not fair, so hopefully public schools rally behind this proposal and make it happen.
"It's going to be very controversial and generate a lot of talk, but I think it's long overdue," said Carl Sweet, athletic director at Placentia's El Dorado High.
"I understand because there are no [attendance] boundaries it makes a difference, but I don't think it's a good thing for them, or for us, to split up the playoffs," Notre Dame football Coach Kevin Rooney told the L.A. Times.
Schedule
Division I
Saturday's first round
St. Lucy's (13-2-5) at Long Beach Poly (14-4-4), 3:15 p.m. Division II
Wednesday's wild card
Rialto (8-11-3) at Rowland (6-15-2), 3:15 p.m. Saturday's first round
South Hills (13-6-2) at Agoura (15-2-5), 3:15 p.m.
Canyon-Newbury Park winner at Walnut (17-4-1), 3:15 p.m. Division III
Saturday's first round
Los Altos (11-5-2) at Arroyo Grande (14-7-3), 3:15 p.m.
Bonita (9-9-4) at Costa Mesa (12-7-3), 3:15 p.m.
Cajon (9-12-3) at Diamond Ranch (14-7-2), 3:15 p.m. Division V
Wednesday's wild card
El Monte (9-10-1) at Rancho Alamitos (11-8), 3:15 p.m.
Pomona (7-9-4) at Schurr (7-6-6), 3:15 p.m. Saturday's first round
Village Christian (14-6-2) at San Dimas (11-9-4), 3:15 p.m.
Covina (13-10-3) at Notre Dame Academy (17-4-1), 3:15 p.m. Division VI
Wednesday's wild card
La Puente (7-11) at Western Christian (16-7-2), 3:15 p.m.
Cantwell Sacred Heart (3-7-1) at Duarte (11-6-2), 3:15 p.m.
Azusa (6-12-5) at San Gabriel Mission (8-5), 3:15 p.m. Saturday's first round
Arrowhead Christian (14-6-9) at Sierra Vista (16-4-1), 3:15 p.m.
Also: This is also the time we start putting together the Tribune all-area team. Start with your nominees for players of the year, and who should be on our first team.
Player of the year (1)
Forwards (3)
Midfielders (3)
Defenders (4)
Goalkeeper (1)
Football: Wilson still searching for football coach
Now that Bishop Amat has hired Steve Hagerty to succeed Mark Verti, when Wilson name its replacement for Robert Oviedo? The only name I've heard mentioned, and I've heard it a few times, is former Amat coach Mike DiFiori. They better make a decision soon, I would hate to see Wildcats running back Tim Gilmore leave town. I keep hearing the Gilmore to St. Paul rumors, I just don't know how serious they're.
Boys Soccer pairings Schedule
Division III
Wednesday's wild card
Burbank (10-5-3) at Los Altos (9-6-6), 3:15 p.m.
Nogales (10-12-2) at Westminster (10-8-3), 3:15 p.m.
Hoover (5-7-5) at Walnut (12-8-2), 3:15 p.m. Friday's first round
Century (14-6-3) at Wilson (12-5-5), 3:15 p.m.
Walnut-Hoover winner at Diamond Ranch ((14-4-4), 3:15 p.m. Division IV
Friday's first round
Baldwin Park (13-7-1) at Indio (18-3-2), 3:15 p.m.
Pomona (9-5-1) at Norte Vista (12-8-4), 3:15 p.m.
Kaiser (15-7-3) at Ganesha (16-3-1), 3:15 p.m. Division V
Wednesday's wild card
Sultana (11-10-3) at Sierra Vista (11-7-2), 3:15 p.m.
Azusa (10-10-1) at Verbum Dei (6-3-1), 3:15 p.m. Friday's first round
Colton (10-12-3) at Workman (10-5-4), 3:15 p.m.
Sierra Vista-Sultana winner at Arroyo (13-1-6), 3:15 p.m.
Hesperia (14-2-11) at El Monte (10-5-5), 3:15 p.m.
Oak Park-Brentwood winner at La Puente (14-4-2), 3:15 p.m.
Campbell Hall (11-10-3) at Mountain View (17-4-5), 3:15 p.m. Division VI
Wednesday's wild card
Laguna Blanca (7-6-1) at Western Christian (14-8-2), 3:15 p.m.
Also: This is also the time we start putting together the Tribune all-area team. Start with your nominees for players of the year, and who should be on our first team.
Player of the year (1)
Forwards (3)
Midfielders (3)
Defenders (4)
Goalkeeper (1)
Playoff Schedule Div. I-AA
Thursday, First round
Sonora (13-11) at Bishop Amat (19-7), 7 p.m. Div. II-AA
Saturday, First round
Rancho Cucamonga (15-12) at Diamond Ranch (19-7), 7:30 p.m.
Charter Oak (12-13) at Corona Santiago (18-8), 7:30 p.m.
Harvard-Westlake (16-10) at Wilson (22-4), 7:30 p.m. Div. II-A
Thursday, First round
Glendora (14-12) at Santa Maria St. Joseph (24-1), 7:30 p.m. Div. III-AA
Thursday, First Round
Cerritos Valley Christian (13-13) at Covina (25-1), 7:30 p.m.
San Dimas (10-16) at Summit (23-1), 7:30 p.m.
Montclair Prep (21-5) at Northview (13-13), 7:30 p.m. Div. III-A
Thursday, First round
Big Bear (7-18) at South Hills (19-4), 7:30 p.m.
Santa Fe (16-12) at South El Monte (12-9), 7:30 p.m.
West Covina (11-15) at Orange (21-5), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Second round
Barstow-Segerstrom winner at Walnut (20-6), 7:30 p.m. Div. IV-A
Thursday, First Round
Cal Lutheran (9-11) at Sierra Vista (20-8), 7:30 p.m.
Gladstone (10-11) at Hamilton (17-5), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Second Round
Cate-Pasadena Poly winner at Azusa (20-4), 7:30 p.m.
For more on pairings, click thread
Covina, South Hills, Walnut, Azusa, Sierra Vista and Wilson High Schools all earned top ten seeds in its respective divisions when the CIF-Southern Section girls basketball pairings were released on Sunday, while Bishop Amat had its worst seeding since 2003.
The Lancers (19-7), which have advanced to either a CIF-SS divisional or state final every year since 2003, will have a tough road getting back.
The Lancers were given a No. 11 seed in Div. I-AA after finishing second in the Del Rey league and will host Sonora (13-11) in a first-round game on Saturday.
If the Lancers win, they will likely face No. 6 Ventura (24-2) in the second round.
Covina (25-1), No. 2 in the Tribune rankings behind Bishop Amat, won the Valle Vista League and is No. 8 in Div. III-AA. The Colts will be home in a first-round game on Thursday against Cerritos Valley Christian (13-13) — an at-large from the Olympic League.
Northview (13-13) will host No. 11 Montclair Prep (21-5) while San Dimas (10-16) heads to No. 4 Summit (23-1) in Div. II-AA first-round games on Thursday.
Walnut (20-6), winners of the San Antonio League, has the area’s lowest seed with a No. 4 in Div. III-A.
The Mustangs have a first-round bye, and will play the winner between Barstow (15-10) and Segerstrom (19-7) in the second round on Saturday.
South Hills (19-4) was given a No. 8 seed in Div. III-A and will host Big Bear (7-18) in the first-round on Thursday.
In other first-round games, West Covina (11-15) will be at No. 11 Orange (21-5), while South El Monte (12-9) hosts No. 18 Santa Fe (16-12).
Wilson (22-4) tied with Diamond Ranch (19-7) for the Miramonte League title, but the Wildcats enter as the league’s No. 1 entry in Div. III-A, and earned the No. 10 seed.
The Wildcats will host Harvard-Westlake (16-10) in the first round on Saturday while No. 15 Diamond Ranch hosts Rancho Cucamonga (15-12).
Charter Oak (12-13) opens on the road against No. 5 Corona Santiago (18-8).
Azusa (20-4) was given a hefty No. 5 seed in Div. IV-A and will have a first round bye.
The Aztecs will the play the winner between Cate (7-6) and Pasadena Poly (15-10) in the second round on Saturday.
On Thursday, No. 7 Sierra Vista (20-8) is at home in the first round against California Lutheran (9-11) while Gladstone (10-11) hits the road against No. 11 Hamilton (17-5).
Glendora (14-13) finished third in the Sierra League and will be on the road in the first round of the Div. II-AA playoffs against No. 4 St. Josephs (24-1) on Thursday.
Playoff Schedule Div. I-A
Wednesday, Wild Card
Damien (19-9) at Esperanza (16-11), 7:30 p.m.
El Modena (12-13) at Diamond Bar (13-14), 7:30 p.m. Friday, First round
Ventura (17-9) at Glendora (18-10), 7:30 p.m. Div. II-A
Wednesday, Wild Card
Los Altos (16-11) at Crescenta Valley (17-9), 7:30 p.m. Friday, First round
Hoover (15-11) at Bonita (24-3), 7:30 p.m.
Redlands East Valley (20-7) at Diamond Ranch (17-8), 7:30 p.m.
Charter Oak (11-15) at Bishop Montgomery (19-6), 7:30 p.m. Div. II-A
Friday, First round
Barstow (9-16) at Northview (22-5), 7:30 p.m.
Covina (11-15) at Corona Santiago (19-7), 7:30 p.m.
Canyon Springs (14-10) at Baldwin Park (16-8), 7:30 p.m. Div. III-AA
Friday, First Round
Azusa (9-17) at Campbell Hall (22-5), 7:30 p.m.
Sierra Vista (8-16) at Montebello (18-9), 7:30 p.m.
Morro Bay (19-7) at Workman (13-12), 7:30 p.m.
Carpinteria (15-10) at La Puente (16-8), 7:30 p.m. Div. III-A
Wednesday, First Round
Citrus Hill (12-12) at Rowland (15-13), 7:30 p.m.
West Covina (19-8) at Laguna Hills (9-15), 7:30 p.m.
Apple Valley (14-7) at Nogales (21-7), 7:30 p.m.
South Hills (12-12) at California (16-9), 7:30 p.m. Div. IV-A
Wednesday, First round
Brethren Christian (13-10) at Mountain View (13-10), 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Second Round
Garden Grove-Joshua Springs at South El Monte (16-8), 7:30 p.m. Div. V-AA
Friday, Second Round
Highland Hall-Wildwood winner at La Verne Lutheran (24-0), 7:30 p.m.
For more on local teams, click thread.
Bonita, Nogales, Northview and Glendora High Schools headline of group of 21-area teams that qualified for the CIF-Southern Section boys basketball playoffs, which begin on Wednesday and continue on Friday.
Nogales (21-7) earned a No. 7 seed in Div. III—A after winning the San Antonio League title, and will host Apple Valley (14-7), a Mojave River at-large in the first round on Wednesday.
Rowland (15-13), which finished second in the San Antonio, was awarded a No. 11 seed and will be at home against Citrus Hill (12-12) in the first round.
In other Div. III-A first round games on Wednesday, 12th-seeded West Covina (19-8) will be at Laguna Hills (9-15), and South Hills (12-12) will be at Del Rio League champion California (16-9).
Miramonte League champion Bonita (24-3) grabbed a No. 8 seed in Div. II-AA and will be at home in the first round on Friday against Hoover (15-11), a Pacific No. 3.
In other Div. II—AA first-round games, Diamond Ranch (17-8) will host No. 16 Redlands East Valley (20-7), and Charter Oak (11-15) will be at No. 6 Bishop Montgomery (19-6).
Los Altos (16-11) advanced to the Div. II-AA playoffs as a wild card, and will be at Crescenta Valley (17-9) on Wednesday.
Glendora (18-10) lost four of its last five games, and the second-place finish in the Sierra League cost them a healthy seeding.
The Tartans fell to No. 14, and will host Ventura (17-9) in the first-round of the Div. I-A playoffs on Friday.
If the Tartans win, they will likely face No. 3 El Toro (25-1) in the second round.
Diamond Bar (13-14) and Damien (19-9) both earned at-large berths in Div. I—A and will play wild-card games on Wednesday.
The Spartans will be at Esperanza (16-11) while the Brahmas host El Modena (12-13).
Valle Vista league champion Northview (22-5) earned a No. 9 seed in Div. II-A, and will host Barstow (9-16) in a first-round game on Friday.
Baldwin Park (16-8) is also at home, but will face No. 8 Canyon Springs (14-10) while Covina (11-15) hits the road and takes on No. 4 Corona Santiago (19-7).
In Div. III-AA, Montview League champion La Puente (16-8) will host No. 16 Carpinteria (15-10), a fourth-place team from the tough Tri-Valley League, in a first-round game on Friday.
Workman (13-12), second in the Montview, will host No. 13 Morro Bay (19-7).
Meanwhile, Sierra Vista (8-16) will be at No. 14 Montebello (18-9), and Azusa (9-17) will make the long haul to face top-seeded Campbell Hall (22-5).
Mission Valley League champion South El Monte (16-8) has a first-round bye in Div. IV-AA, and will await the winner of Wednesday’s first-round game bewtween Garden Grove (21-5) and Joshua Springs (14-10).
Mountain View (13-10) will host No. 8 Brethren Christian (17-8) in a first-round game on Friday.
Pollsters weren’t impressed with La Verne Lutheran’s (24-0) undefeated record.
Lutheran was only a No. 5 seed in Div. V-AA, but did receive a first-round bye.
La Verne will host the winner between Highland Hall (13-6) and Wildwood (11-12) on Friday.
Breaking News: Bishop Amat hires Steve Hagerty to take over football program
Bishop Amat named Steve Hagerty as its next head football coach, succeeding coach Mark Verti, who resigned in January. Hagerty is a 1980 graduate of Bishop Amat, and later returned to the school as an assistant under former coach Mark Paredes. Hagerty left Amat to become the head coach at Paraclete High School, where he won three CIF-SS Divisional titles, then left in 2000 to become an assistant with Paredes at J.W. North High School. In 2002 Hagerty became the head coach at North after Paredes moved on, and led North to the CIF finals. He left North to become the head coach at Riverside Poly, where his children attended school. After four unsuccessful years at Poly (10-27-3), he resigned to become the offensive coordinator at Citrus Hill, who won the 2007 East Valley Division title. Hagerty returns home
Congrats to our area football standouts who signed their national letters of intent on Wednesday.
Dominique Austin, Bishop Amat, (Arizona)
Oscar Molina, Baldwin Park, (Utah State)
Chris Harris, Duarte, (Utah State)
Dorian Wells, South Hills (Villanova)
Kebin Umodo, South Hills (Air Force)
John Rabe, Damien, (University of Nevada Reno)
Raymond Rodriguez, Los Altos, (San Jose State)
BOYS BASKETBALL
Tribune rankings 1. Bonita (22-3)
Still perfect in Miramonte 2. Nogales (20-7)
Already clinched San Antonio 3. Glendora (18-8)
Can still win Sierra 4. Damien (18-8)
At Glendora on Thursday 5. La Verne Lutheran (22-0)
Can it win a divisional crown? 6. West Covina (17-8)
Wins over Glendora, Nogales 7. Diamond Ranch (15-10)
Expected better than this 8. Northview (20-5)
Cruised to Valle Vista title 9. Rowland (14-12)
Won five of six 10. Los Altos (15-10)
Collapsed in Miramonte
Final CIF rankings before Sunday's pairings Div. I-A
1. ML King, 2. Etiwanda, 3. El Toro, 4. Anaheim Canyon
Others: 7. Chino Hills, 11. Glendora, 16. Damien Div. II-AA
1. Redlands, 2. Eisenhower, 3. Serra, 4. Pasadena
Others: 8. Bonita Div. III-A
1. Renaissance Academy, 2. Cathedral City, 3. Perris, 4. West Valley
Others: 7. Nogales, 12. Rowland, 13. West Covina Division V-AA
1. Pacific Hills, 2. Woodcrest Christian, 3. Maranatha, 4t. Marshall, 4t. La Verne Lutheran.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Tribune rankings 1. Bishop Amat (18-6)
B.Montgomery here on Thursday 2. Covina (23-1)
Makes winning look easy 3. Walnut (18-6)
Another San Antonio title 4. Wilson (20-4)
Huge 40-35 win over DRanch 5. Diamond Ranch (19-7)
Shocked by loss to ‘Cats 6. South Hills (17-4)
Overall record is impressive 7. Sierra Vista (18-8)
Played well since win over Azusa 8. Azusa (17-4)
Can wrap up Montview this week 9. Glendora (12-11)
Battling for playoff spot 10. Northview (12-12)
Solid 6-2 in Valle Vista
Final CIF rankings before Sunday's pairings Div. I-AA
1. Long Beach Poly, 2. Millikan, 3. Brea Olinda, 4. Mater Dei
Others: 10. Bishop Amat Div. III-AA
1. Magnolia, 2. South Torrance, 3. Marlborough, 4. Pacific Hills
Others: 8. Covina Div. III-A
1. Colony, 2. Silverado, 3. Chaffey, 4. Walnut
Others: 9. South Hills Div. IV-A
1. Laguna Hills, 2. Beaumont, 3. University, 4. Flintridge Prep
Others: 6. Sierra Vista, 7. Azusa, 16. Bassett
