It won't be the same without him ...

What will we do without the General? Bishop Amat's Richard Wiard, the most successful high school girls basketball coach in the history of the San Gabriel Valley, is taking a sabbatical leave of absence for the 2008-09 season to pursue a second Masters Degree at Azusa Pacific University. Wiard's assistant coach Chris Morrison, who has coached at Long Beach Poly and played professionally in Europe and Australia, has been named the interim coach until Wiard returns.
Wiard, a five-time Tribune girls coach of the year, will not be on the sidelines after 26-straight years of coaching, and his 13th consecutive at Bishop Amat. During Wiard’s tenure the Lancers have won eight Del Rey league titles, four CIF-SS championships, three Southern California Regional titles and two state championships.
“To coach for as long as I have and to not be coaching next year is going to be different," Wiard said. "It takes a lot of time to go back to school, and it would have caused some headaches if I tried to do both. Like I told the girls, I’ve always demanded a 100 percent commitment, so it would have been unfair of me not to commit 100 percent to them next season, and fortunately, our school officials were very understanding and said that when I’m ready to come back, the job is mine.”

Allen resigns: Wilson High School boys basketball coach Willie Allen has resigned following his eighth season, opting to spend more time with his family while remaining at the school as a teacher. The highlight of Allen’s tenure came in 2003 when the Wildcats won the Miramonte League title and advanced to the second round of the CIF-Southern Section divisional playoffs, where they lost to powerful Mater Dei. Wilson athletic director Dave Merrill said the school is accepting applications for the head boys basketball coaching position, which comes with a full-time teaching job. To be considered contact Merrill at the school, 626-934-4488.