Top Ten Best Stories of 2008
1. Northview Baseball wins CIF championship
Northview's 37-year drought ended in a 1-0 victory over Diamond Ranch to claim the CIF-Southern Section Division IV championship at Dodger Stadium, giving the top-ranked Vikings their first title since 1971. It was the Vikings' 12th straight win, finishing the season 26-4. "I've always been a Northview guy, I went to Northview and it's always extra special when you win at your alma mater," said Northview coach Darren Murphy. "When I became head coach all I wanted was for Northview to win a championship. We've had some good teams and we've been close, but we could never get here and win it. I'm going to enjoy this for a long time." And how fitting that in a season defined by pitching and defense, the Vikings' big three of Aaron Elias, Eddie Pedroza and closer Marc Andrade all got a turn, and one-by-one, they combined to give the Vikings their 12th shutout of the season. "It wasn't just us, it was everyone behind us on the field and in the dugout," Elias said. "This is a memory than none of us are ever going to forget."
2. Charter Oak football goes undefeated to win Southeast football title 
Charter Oak's 30-14 victory over Diamond Ranch to claim the Southeast Division championship capped a 13-0-1 campaign, a remarkable accomplishment considering the Chargers lost nine starters on defense from last year's semifinal team. It was Charter Oak's fourth CIF-SS title under 62-year-old coach Lou Farrar, completing only its second undefeated season since winning the school's first title in 1985. Farrar joins Los Altos' Dwayne DeSpain (7), South Hills' Steve Bogan (4), Diamond Bar's Terry Roche (4) and
3. Bishop Amat baseball wins CIF championship
The Bishop Amat baseball won the CIF-Southern Section Division V baseball title for the second consecutive season, beating St. Paul 6-2 at U.C. Riverside. Amat becomes just the fifth area team to score back-to-back CIF-SS titles, joining Bishop Amat teams in 1968-69 and 2001-02, Edgewood in 1976-77 and South Hills in 1997-98. "The team that throws the best strikes, plays the best catch and puts the ball in play the best, has the best chance to win," said Bishop Amat coach Andy Nieto, whose Lancers won their 17th consecutive game to finish 27-4. "There are those who put too much credence on divisions I, II, III or V. Of course, (the teams in those divisions) may have a bigger talent pool, but it doesn't change the formula of the game. The formula is easy. What these kids have done in two years is phenomenal. They haven't lost a Division V game in two years. They are 34-0 in Division V games. So for these guys to do what they've done in two years is truly amazing and I'm proud of them."
4. Bishop Amat football coach Matt Verti resigns, leading to hiring of Lancers coach Steve Hagerty in early February:
Matt Verti's reaction after stepping down: "I wish things could have been different," said Bishop Amat coach Matt Verti, who resigned on Thursday after two years, and an 8-12 overall record. "But in the end, and after months of thinking about it, I think it was the best thing to do for Bishop Amat and myself. I knew coming here there was pressure to win, and win now. Previous coaches had told me that, and I knew it. But it's a little different when you're actually here. We had some great victories and made some strides. But there were lots of ups and downs, and obviously some really tough weeks that build on you and your family."
5. Los Altos football coach Greg Gano resigns in April, resurfaces at Damien in December
Greg Gano's reaction after leaving Los Altos: "It was a difficult season, but the last few season's kind of wore on me. But when you put it all together, coaching softball, being the athletic director and coaching football, it was just too much. Football is for somebody who can put in the time all year round. It's every day and to be honest, I just don't have the energy to do all three and do a good job." Gano's reaction on taking over at Damien: "The only way I was going to come back is if the right opportunity opened up, and this was it. The year away showed how much I missed it. Life is a bunch of challenges, and something like this gets the motor running again."
6. Glendora's Dominic Tiger-Cortes' magical CIF playoff run for the Tartan's boys basketball team
The Glendora sharpshooter and Tribune MVP helped the Tartans go on a magical run in February, leading the Tartans to the CIF-SS Division I-A semifinals with a 58-56 victory over J.W. North. He hit a game-winning shot in the second-round, and had a game winning stop again. Reporter Steve Ramirez wrote; 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.
7. Northview baseball beats Bishop Amat, 4-2, to win Glendora tournament
In the championship game of the Glendora baseball tournament, more than a 1,000 fans packed Henderson field on a chilly night to watch Northview beat Bishop Amat in a baseball game between the area's two best clubs. Both teams went on to win CIF championships, leaving Northview the undisputed champion of the area. Said Vikings coach Dareen Murphy, who got ejected after bumping with Lancers coach Andy Nieto: "We built this program to be in games like this," said Murphy, whose Vikings improved to 4-0. "We're in a different mindset now. You know you're not going to win every game, but at least we have the mindset where we expect to win every game. We came out a little tight and made some fundamental mistakes. Some of that was the hype of tonight's game and some of that was playing a team like Bishop Amat and all of that mystique. But we'll take it. This is the best tournament in the area and our kids dug down and won the championship."
8. Gladstone baseball coach Rich Remkus wins 500th
Remkus won his 500th game on Wednesday in his 24th season with the Gladiators with a 7-4 victory over Pomona. "It'll take a while to sink in," Remkus said. "I've always felt for a high school team to win 20 games in a season is sort of a benchmark of excellence and success. If you sit back and think, you have to win 20 games a year for 25 years to get there. The years just go by and you don't realize it. I guess I'm older than I thought."
9. Northview baseball's improbable 3-0 win over Covina in 11 innings:
Northview took over first place in the Valle Vista league with a 3-0 victory over Covina in 11 innings, which followed Wednesday's 1-0 win at San Dimas in eight innings. Covina pitcher Tyler Pill was magnificent, going nine innings, allowing three hits and retiring 15 of the last 16 batters he faced. Pill was about to earn the victory when the Colts loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth with one out. Freshman Matt Munoz appeared to hit a long scoring fly-out to right-center, but all the Colts runners were going on the play, so the Vikes got the easy double-play force at second to end the inning. In the 11th, the Vikings took the lead on Ruben Ramirez's scoring fly that brought home Gabe Jaramillo from third, then Vikings catcher Robert Williams provided the exclamation with a towering two-out, two-run homer for the 3-0 win. Northview's starting lefty sophomore Eddie Pedroza threw five innings and allowed just one hit, and Marc Andrade earned the victory by going the final six innings, giving up just two hits. Said Covina coach Scott Root, "We gave them the game; we should have won it. They're a good team, but I really believe we won the game. I don't know what happened. It was one of those things where the wheels fell off and we didn't know what to do. I told them on a fly get back and tag, but I think someone yelled `go,' and they (all) took off."
10T. Karynn Dunn of Diamond Ranch wins three CIF titles in track; Gretchen Jacques, Glendora wins two swim titles:
Dunn doing her thing for Diamond Ranch in the the Division III track finals, won the long jump, triple jump and 100-meter low hurdles. Jacques, the Glendora freshman swimmer, won a pair of CIF-SS Division II swimming titles in the muscle events, winning the 50 and 100 yard sprints.
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check out the story with Avalon High School baseball and what happened during the CIF D7 playoffs. they had a great team. it was really unfortunate. definitely worthy of making the list.
Great job Fred on your top 10 stories of 2008. I'm a SGV fan rather than a one school or sport fan, so I go see teams or kids that I read about here and I got a heads up last year about the Northview Baseball team and how there was just something special about them from a friend, so I went to Santa Monica and saw them lose an agonizing one run ball game in the semi finals in 2007. I saw there pain and could see that special something that my friend told me about, so I was hooked and went to about 10 games in 2008 and you hit it on the nose Fred with this being the #1 story, not just because they won, but the following, the atmosphere around this group,and the way they play the game...HARD and I like that as a former athlete and now prep sports fan. I will follow this team again this year because they're going to be right there again. Big thumbs up to Amat winning two in a row. Another thumbs up to Northview Wrestling and their continued success and to all the lady athletes out there who bust their butts too to be all they can be.
Hey Fred;
I have a request, why don't you make a 2nd list. After all there is a 2nd team list. This is good stuff Fred! Seems like NV had a great year in 2008! Congrtas Mark Andrade, your father would have been real proud of you! and so is the City of Azusa! I remember when you played for the AZUSA RAIDERS, AND THE YANKEES and I hope you make the pros.
Happy New Years FRED!
AZTEC PRIDE!
We have been a part of NV's great ride the last few years so needless to say, we are thrilled that it was the top story. It sure was for us as well. It looks like they may be that strong again. Good Luck Vikings. Like all true Viking fans, we will see you in March
Very sad looking at that Mark Verti picture with the Amat team. Had he chose a better staff he may have been sucessful, no one will ever know. I hope Mark pops up again as a head coach and does not make the same mistake twice. He overall is a good Gentleman and has a great heart. The saddest part goes out to the players and their parents that went through this transition period of Amat Football. These players and their parents will always be thought of in my mind as the strongest, to stay the course of the program knowing it was not the best coaching staff to play for. They stayed loyal and true to Amat not like some that left for what they thought were greener pastures over at Los Altos only to not make the playoffs themselfs. This Amat team did win some games and beat St. Paul twice so it was not like they were the Detroit Lions of the Pac 5. Had they had a All Star Cast of Coaches there is no telling what could have happened to that talent given the right direction.
I must admit, the Bishop Amat comeback over Orange Lutheran, and the remarkable season the Azusa football team had should have been on this list. You called me and you're right, I rushed through it a little too quickly.
How about if Amat who have gone 1-6 and played in the Championship Game would that have qualified as a great accomlishment....as oppsoed to a great team? My thoughts were it was a great accomplishment given how rare it was. As far as them being a great team I would think so. Remember it's not how you start that matters it's how you finish. Like Amat. They "finished" well...even though they lost. As far as "only one way to go when you're 1-6"...actually that not true. There are other ways things could have gone...1-8and 1-9 !
Anyway to late in the year to split hairs. Just my opinion given their schedule and all.
Come on DR fan -- ONLY one place to go when you start 1-6.. (if you are a decent team to begin with)
Good job on the rebounding BUT losing 6 of the first 7 DOES NOT make for a great team. Keep it in perspective.
Fred Diamond ranch and any onther team can only deal in what is and not what should have been. Name another team that could have gone 1-6 and still played in the championship Game.
You're a news guy...how many times has it happened before in the San Gabriel Valley? Going 1-6 is comparable to what the Chargers did thsi weekend.
The Chargers were written off many times this year. In fact some players talked as if the seaosn was alreday over. Should the Chargers have been in that position?
Doesn't matter. They were. Look at the Cowboys. Look at the Broncos. DR had a remarkable run no matter what they did in league. Look at Muir? One and out!
Northview's wrestling and Amat's OLu win should have made the list...along with the playoff runs of DR teams and Azusa's incredible "community" win.
But a list is a list is a list.
We have a better one...or so we think.
Great job Fred.
I couldn't agree more, this has been a great few years for success in the SGV. What a thrill it has been to watch San Dimas and Charter Oak in football with the close competition, I have enjoyed the Bonita and Northview baseball seasons. Sorry, I don't really follow basketball, but I know Glendora is rich in tradition. Congratulations to the schools, the coaches and especially the players for making us proud here in the SGV.
Fred, no mention of AZUSA'S winning season this year? Since 1975 AZUSA hasn't won a C.I.F game. Come on Fred you were at the game, and have you ever seen a better performance from a football player in a game? Four interceptions,two for for return touchdowns and one on offense. RAULEY ZARGOSA, almost single handled won the game for AZUSA.
San Dimas is better than Bonita in sports? I read that somewhere...football- Bonita beat San Dimas for a few years straight there til last 2 years= Even. Basketball- Bonita and Ekler are way better= Bonita. Baseball- Bonita is better.= Bonita. Girls Volleyball- Bonita. Softball- probabally San Dimas,,yes I'd say Saints in that one. Who is it that said San Dimas was better. Boy, you crazy.
Fred,
Great list of memories for the SGV with your list of 2008's year end best. I am especially happy to see Northview Baseball at the #1 spot. It was just a year to remember from start to finish with that team. Congrats to Coach Murphy, his staff, and his players and the loyal fans. Congrats to Diamond Ranch on a great overall year in sports. Congrats to Amat and their victory over Orange Lu and congats to C. Oak and Coach Farrar and a great story on the Perri boy who lost his father years back. Great year for the SGV.
MK_47
Thats why they call it America.
Bonita is a girls name
Bonita might be the only public school in LV but LV is small and not to many kids, add the fact that you have Glendora, San Dimas and Damien, all in the area and ALL considered better schools (sports wise) than Bonita. SO for Bonita to even be competetive is a PLUS. You can't expect a school in the top 2% (Newsweek) in overall academics to also be a power house in sports...
So if there is no bias, why is there no mention of Bonita's basketbal this year?
IMO - Bonita falls into that tough territoy of INLAND EMPITE TURF OR SGV TURF....I am pretty sure Eckler would love more exposure from the Trib, especially being a Northview grad, it is probably a paper Eckler grew up reading. Tacky comment about the 'other' schools puckering up - HOW WOULD U KNOW? What coach wouldn't want more exposure IF it is all about the kids - am I right??
Haven't you heard? The SGVT dislikes Bonita and in particular their basketball coach apparently because he doesn't pucker up for the Trib as others (read: Northview,Damien, Amat, etc)
So far as DiaRanch is concerned, I don't think you should ever make CIF if you finish 3rd in any league. They did well, but IMO they should have never gotten the chance.
THE CITY OF COVINA JUST PRODUCES GOOD ATHLETES, ESPECIALLY IN BASEBALL BUT OTHER SPORTS AS WELL.
NAME ANOTHER SMALL CITY THAT HAS THAT MANY HIGH SCHOOLS THAT CLOSE AND CAN POUND OUT SOME GREAT ATHLETES. GOTTA ADMIT - IT IS PRETTY IMPRESSIVE.
Why SHOULDN'T Bonita be considered a SPORTS SCHOOL?? Come on man -- it is the only public high school in the city. They should be way stronger than they are - what gives?
Hey Fred, what's up with your comment about "what happened against Bonita?" Dude come on now, I know Bonita is not know for football or for that matter for sports, but give us a little cred, we did end up 2nd and made the playoffs AGAIN, and our basketball team is not doing half bad, we also do have two baseball players go to D1 schools... where's the love???
Yeah I know, it's Bonita, but hey for not being a "sports" school we are not doing half bad...
Good point Fred -- maybe Diamond Ranch shouldn't have finished so WEAK in league. 3rd place is not worth bragging about, but I give them kudos for how they played NV in the championship game. Both teams played championship ball that day.
Hey DBL is better,
Dranch did live up to expectations. They ran into Covina Charter Oak in football, and Covina Northview in Baseball . Looks like Covina area teams surpass Pomona Diamond bar.
Your only hope for now is Basset ball
Diamond Ranch wasn't a huge surprise in football, they shouldn't of been 1-6 in the first place. What happened against Bonita? I'd say they finally lived up to expectations getting that far.
As they say Diamond Ranch came close, but no Cigar. Maybe they should do better than third in league, right?
Diamond Ranch's Baseball and Football teams both finished 3rd in league and made outstanding runs to get to the Championship game in both sports. That's quite the accomplishment especially for the football team that started out 1-6.
The Bulletin out did you guys again.
Maybe you guys should "read" their papre every once in a while.
Amat winning the Division 1, 2, 3, 4, oh yeah 5 title is not news. Maybe if someone BEAT them it would merit distinction. Any team that plays against Div 1 athletes in football has no business beating Div 5 athletes in Baseball and thinking that's anything more than CIF spreading the wealth. Hard to argue when Nothview beating Amat ranks as No.7?
Now Amat beating OLU should have made the list. That was an incredible accomplishment and should have bumped anything to do with Verti. Especially in the manner and fashion that teh Lancers got it done...especially in frnt of the OLu fans.
Fred now how did that game NOT make the list but Covina and Northview...in a BASEBALL GAME of all things (tongue in cheek) make the list!
Northview really is something special. Time they get some recognition...hey that reminds me...NO WRESTLING!!!!!!!!!