La Verne Lutheran falls short, 72-62

Outstanding piece, thanks for sharing!

Your place is valueble for me. Thanks!…

Your blog provides a fresh look at the subject. Great job mate!

Not agree on several issues but the whole thing, so impressive. Successful year!

This post was a great read! I couldn't have explained the topic better myself.

Recruiting or questionable transfers, same result. Long Beach league update- Upland player is Wilson big plays strong, not sure on Damien guard but not Adams, this player is very quick with handles, Bonita guard is Nortrop very quick, solid on both ends, Cooper is working hard, good shooter, 8th grade kid is a tweener not sure where he plays, not fast, moves ok, front court?

Best player in Glendora basketball history: Tracy Murray from San Dimas. Third best player: Cameron Murray from San Dimas. Tiger-Cortes transfered in midway through his freshman year, and last seasons best player Kos Russel from Charter Oak school district and Royal Oak middle school. Glendora's greats dont even live there

As a future HS parent, these blogs have been very interesting. Because of them, I have decided to pull my kids applications from two schools. I would never send my kids to a school where the adults who represent them have no integrity or character. I wonder if the administration at these schools know how you negatively showcase their school. When I send my letter to decline my kids acceptance, I will make sure they know exactly why I'm declining.
Thank you for introducing me to a school, I hadn't even looked at for my kids!
FYI: when you blackball a school, it only makes the blackballer schools look bad, not the school being black balled.

Facts:
As someone said before, "when you point a finger, 3 point back at you."
I know students who currently attend GHS & BA and attended 20 & 40 yrs ago - THEY RECRUIT and always have!
A few examples: When students drive in from Sunland to play BB at GHS - that's not an inter-district transfer. Bishop totally recruits, they have students drive in from Rancho Cucamonga, get full scholarships to play Football & Basketball. 2 incoming freshman, come from same middle school, both from single-parent families, neither are catholic, 1 is an athlete, the other is not. The "athlete" gets $ knocked off their tuition up front, even before accepted, the "non" athlete doesn't.
This is just the "tip of the iceberg" of recruiting info. Maybe CIF needs to take a look at GHS & BA and find out they aren't so clean, or as clean as they want all you bloggers to believe!

Oh I am soooooo sad! Good luck in state. Oh yeah you didn't make it to state. Again, so sad

my son played against both I'll ask him

sounds like bryan is a good kid good grades will open many doors for him, what club level has he played in? can he play other positions, the best of luck to him, pick the right school first BB program second!

i thought so...and now is 6'1 just like bryan. funny thing is bryan was a straight A student so it's surprising how they did that.
anyone have an opinion which player is better?

What aboit sean rook's son cameron...where's he going? He's got a cousin who's tough from what i hear as well

LVL dose not need a pg cj cooper two time mvp in league and 1st team cif will be the pg the next two yrs his cousin Eric Cooper jr is the top pg 8th grader should challenge cj for playing time,Nick Coleta is a shooting foward perfect fit for LVL,nick is a held back 8th grader.

I wonder how much of an influence the Murrays have on Nick Coleta? He follows Cameron around everywhere and is seen at allot of LVL games? The Murrays have really begun to flex some local muscle around town with so many kids using their camps and techniques to develop quickly. Bonita's freshemen players are Cameron's latest group to shine. Best of luck figuring it all out. Wonder why the Murruays didn't send the kids to Le Duc? Any one know the skinny on that one? Not digging, just asking?

"small guard from Damien"...do you mean Chris Adams?

My son played against Nick last year at a local fitness cebter and did well against him for what i'm told. Is he like Brayn and was held back or is he a a straight thru 8th grader?

As far as Bryan and Nick and where they are going, it's interesting on many levels.

Seeing as both these players are "fit" players...meaning they are looking for teh best "fit" for them "today" I'd say look at the PGs you'll be working with.

LVL has Cooper and a Big man in Salley and another player who's tall who I don't know by name. Bryan on LVL and it's ligts out, spot up and drain threes and slah to the basket. He'll also be well conditioned basketball wise.

If he goes to Damien he might end up as the PG on that team seeing as they have no one that's anywher near Bryan caibre except maybe Adamas and to my knowledge Adams is not a PG. Damien does have size though and that helps a shooter on the kick out.

Glendora for a shooter like Bryan is a natural fit. He'd be well coached, work in a proven system and their freshemen team looked strong, plus maybe WG comes back on the team next year.

For those that know both players aren't they essentially the same? I know for a fact Bryan has tremendous handles and can create his shot but how about Nick? Can he dribble? Or run the Point?

Ayala has a Freshmen playing Varsity this year is Nick better the Ayala Freshmen?

Coopers comments came off as sincere,with all that young talent returning next yr LVL should have high expectations,lets see what happens.I commend all the above posts with great insight of the local areas basketball programs instead of all the hate from some of the posters,please be mature and responsable on your comments.

the word in the street that the top eight grader in the area nick coletta is coming either to Damien or La Verne Lutheran,that could be intresting ? any comments?

Sincerity shows class.

Coopers note showed class, thank you. Recruiting can take place in all private schools, BHS had a taste of that, CHills could soon too. Poaching is not right and who is policing the public schools? It adds to the playoff picture mess.
Coop's comment about local talent is right, FCP league in Long Beach...big man from Upland is strong, small guard from Damien looks good, combo guard from Bonita is too tough/strong on both ends, Lil' Coop is competing with upper classman. A few others too, the sgv future is strong.

joe, you and "the basics" have to get your eyes checked. if though our minds are still sharp the eyes are shot as all get out.

when CIFSS made the criteria that they would 4 spots for SS,that made it automatic no matter what happened the the champs of the 5AA,5A,5AA,6A would take those 4 spots imagine if the #1Windward would have lost to LL? When CIFSS made the two div6 divisions, they are sending to very weak teams to state.

Both the LVL (not LLV) and Windward coaches knew that the loser would probably be left out of State since CIF added the Div 6 schools this season. This will be remedied next season. Drop your vendetta joe. It makes you look shallow.

facts, I apologize. I saw the loss with the exact same score but I was on MP's Page - not LVL's .

What through me for a loop is that makes it even more interesting, doesn't it? MP didn't win their championship either, was a runner-up in the Central Section AND they lost to LLV. yet LLV doesn't get a state bid and MP does?

slight correction La Verne Lutheran 70 Mission Prep 49 at the max preps classic in Dec. ps thanks for all your insight!

CH @ MD. CH will have a great game and will enter the game (as you said earlier) fearless. They lost to King by a few in last years finals, and MLK got the Monarchs by double digits last night, so they gotta think they've got a chance.

I got to the Honda Center to see the evening games yesterday and the best player on the floor for Mater Dei for most of the night was Tyler Lamb, who committed to UCLA. I think CH will use Derek Brown to matchup with him, so that should be a good one. I'm sure they've gone against each other on the travel circuit a bundle of times, so that should be a good one. The MD game replays tonight on Prime Ticket if you want to take a look.

The frustrating thing about that is Lamb was set to be a Lancer. His dad played in the '80s and it was common knowledge that he was on his way to play for our last coach. Administration needs to bend over backwards to keep good coaches. Imagine Lamb and Jordan Salley in the same class. You don't think more would have followed if that happened. I know a couple from Nogales were on their way too and, from what I've heard, some very recent Spartans were considering Amat until the last coaching change. As I've said... that program has been a mess since then.

Coaching Matters.

Windward plays the wild-card winner of the SS DVI champ and Mission Prep - who put the wood to La Verne Lutheran over the holidays by 20+. They'll probably face one of the two San Diego Christian schools in the SoCal finals. Especially at D5 and D6 - players matter too!

Joe where will the games be held? Who gets Windward? Chino Hills and Mere Dei is where?

Joe see any of the games this wekend?

And how about this eMustangs?

Pretty cool that Salesian and Baldwin Park chose the high road for their game and even cooler that salesian"s Coach Johnson came on THIS blog to congratulate and inspire the Baldwin Park community.

I'll try and see if I can help schedule an annual game between the two and Damien as well. When I saw Damien's Nationally Ranked team play in the playoffs during their Championship run I thought...I wonder how "we" would do against them?

Damien's tough but I'd put my money on the Mustangs. Styles make fights and I think Salesian's is more fluid and more creative.

Either way nice to see Chino Hills play against Mater Dei. Love Derek Brown's game. Interesting to see "them" go against the Monarchs.

PLAY THE BEST ..RIGHT JOEY?

State Playoffs, Chino Hills at Mater Dei tomorrow night. The Sierra League champ is the closest thing to the SGV that we've got. The committee chooses to leave LLV out of the state playoffs, when they could have played an additional wild-card game in Monday (they are already playing one - and the winner gets Windward).

As stated below, the respect of the CIF tends to work in your favor in the long run. Especially in situations like these when a decision is needed to be made behind closed doors.

sgv basketball than why did your son not play for Le Duc. I mean, you live in Glendora, and have a son who played for the Glendora teams prior to high school. why iot play for Glendora and Le Duc in HS?

Very good post below.

Racism? Maybe a little bit. More than that,I think some of these Glendora fans can't fathom that a basketball power is building in their backyard.

I know Glendora fans are fervently religious about basketball. The local youth basketball program is huge and the Glendora Youth Basketball Camp always fills up early. Glendorans are proud of their football, baseball and other sports, but basketball gives them a sense of superiority.

The Murrays, the Jacobsens, Tiger-Cortes and, this season, Kos Russell have carried forth the pride of Glendora High School fans and alumni. It is a pride the entire community shares.

Coach LeDuc is a legend. His record speaks for itself. I have seen many Tartan games over the last 10 years and never am I disappointed.

Five players on the Tartan roster this season, Russell, Curtis Brothers, Eryk Hollembaek, Juan Martinez and Aaron Stockham have played for me in various sports. I have made sure to tell them how proud I am each and every time I see one of them.

However, I have latched on to Coach Coopers program over at LaVerne Lutheran. Two years ago, I had never heard of the school although I have lived here in Glendora for 16 years.

In Coach Cooper, I see a man who is teaching young men not only how to play basketball, but also how to compete in the real world. I know he preaches about school, homework, getting to class on time and getting good grades. I know he will push his kids to be better athletes and also better human beings.

His players are very respectful, well spoken young men. Whenever I talk to one of them it's always, "Yes, sir." "Thank you, sir."

I will always be a fan of Glendora basketball. I appreciate what many other programs have become or are becoming. But for the foreseeable future, I will be in the gym at Lutheran watching these Trojans get after it night after night.

Hopefully, I can see them play some of the local teams in the near future.

Unfortunately, this post will probably be followed by some anonymous, mindless attacks. It seems to be the norm on this website lately. Oh well. Rest assured, your sniping won't bother me or alter my opinion.

OTOH, you should be ashamed that Fred has given us this forum and you choose to grafitti on it. Try adding to it as opposed to taking from it.

just for the record CJ Cooper is the nephew of coach cooper,his son little E Cooper will be coming next yr as a frosh, considered one of the top point guards in the area rumors have it that Nick Coleta is also coming to Lutheran sounds like talent reload.

why do people hate on LVL? I think it's racial, at least in some level? A

Maybe I'm wrong but I'd love to hear another more fact based reason that doesn't hate on kids and parents doing what's in their best interest. Coach Cooper, like many coaches, put themselves in positions to help their kids. Nothing wrong with that on some level as they have "helped" many kids along the way, even taking much valued time from their own families. Call it a professional courtesy.

Woodland, Hile, Pucci, Lucero, ect have done it at Damien. Roddy at DR and Canales at Bishop Amat as well as Hamlow at Rowland. There is nothing inherently wrong with it except the player that plays the same position as their son might have a different opinion on this.

Either way, it makes it tough to coach at one school and have your kid at another but it is done as a recent article made mention about the Azzim's from Weschester and Math Academy. Worls for them!

I went to the LVL game last year and kind of bought into the nonsense. After seeing them play in the Championship Game this year I think differently.

Look at the Windward bench. Ninety-five percent white while the starters and "ballers" are all black? The same happened last year with LVL. All Black starters all white "scrubs" (basketball term not personal attack) yet this year the bench and players are 95% Black. In La Verne that's a little strange seeing as the community has less than 10% Black.

This isn't racial baiting it's just a point of view from the sidelines. The new deal is travel ball coaches and personal trainers can't break into the hS coaching system. They go the long route. Travel ball. Get them early. People with money pay and kids with talent play for free or are subsibized. Then there's the personal training fees and time commitment.

Then after 4 or so years the parents start thinking about schools and since powerhouse schools already have their feeders the "travel" kids follow the coaches to "small privates" and get "noticed". Goes both ways ,..for the players and the coaches.

I spoke to a local coach after seeing the follow up game to the LVL/Windward game after telling him his team would be there next year said ..."if I had these three players I would!". Nothing wrong with that is there? Same goes for the Big Three that might come to Damien. They are coming becaue they don't want to play "down" for a year or two and more importantly "see" themselves within a system....and by system I mean..."I CAN START OVER ANYONE THEY HAVE CUURENTLY" ...LOL Anything wriong with thatt?

Peopel have mentione dthat players are following "great coaching" when in fact that's not true. It's no mystery who are the great coahces and raely if ever do "great" players go there...they go where they can play immediately.

Coaches roiutinely search for players or players seek out programs but that's old school. Now Coaches "poach" players from small schools after they've played Varsity right away there Freshmen year and shown they can handle the speed and pressure of Varsity.. Is there anything wrong with that?

There has been a pardigm shift in the way players get noticed, coaches get hired and finally how coaches "will keep their jobs".

I saw at least 5 Cham[pionship games and to a team most looked identical. Fast, great handles and very very athletic...oh and did I mention fearless? ALL WERE FEARLESS!!

Etiwanda beat a better, stronger and taller Loyola team with fearlessness and more fearlesness. One kid shooting and making 3's that were insanely deep and if missed "clearly" bad shots, when they went in...the coach was jumping higher than his players! That "fearlessness" is learned early on before they get to high school and travel ball coaches teach them that! Left hand in and out dribble at full speed, cross over and pull back and pause ...and blow by them or pull back and hit it in their face!!! Thats' way travel ball coaches teach and it was in FFULL DISPLAY THIS CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES.

The days were a Le Duc or a Gregory or even a Mc Knight is holding all the cards is are shrinking as they fade into retirement. That's why the Association Rule was changed...to limit travel coaches' influence. One day very soon a player will get a DIV i full ride having never played for any high school, when that happens ..WATCH OUT!

Maybe it's time to look at LVL for what it is. A SGV "team" of ambitious kids and coaches who are single minded in their goal. To build a powerhouse and move on, GET NOTICED AND MOVE ON. But make no mistake the point guard COOPER is as good as Guerro and Brown and far better than any other Sierra League PGs by far. Same goes for Salley who might be the best player in the Sierra League by far if he was in the league. Salley at a school like Damien or Chino Hills and they win it all. Kid is real.

After seeing Le Duc and Dunn this weekend I think they've seen the future. One probably thinks...so what I'll be ready...while the other might be thinking...what if?

Either way I think this thing is less about LVL than it is about "wishing" those players came to Damien, Chino Hills or Glendora. If they transfered they would be welcomed with open arms at any Sierra League school.

Just something to chew on. LVL was very very good. Best of luck to the Coopers...restored my faith in father /son Varsity combos.

La Verne Lutheran = private school religious hypocrites

Glendora Tartan = public school religious basketball fans

To compare La Verne Luteran's basketball history to the Glendora Tartan history is like comparing the Clippers to the Lakers.

We've never had to recruit for athletes instead athletes have recruited us!

and Coop-another thing-LeDuc has 700 wins!
That's TWENTY-EIGHT wins a year for TWENTY-FIVE years.
Come back and post in 2034

Sorry dude. Know EXACTLY what I'm talking about. They were wearing CIF polo shirts and LeDuc (and much of his Glendora staff and friends) have worked the finals for years, since the days that Ray Plutko was Commissioner of CIF (whose sons played and coached for LeDuc). They get paid relatively well for a couple days to walk around with walkie-talkies- and it has nothing to do with Chuck - he's hired just like them - and he does not do the hiring- (BTW they were at the Honda Center yesterday doing the same thing). Good effort though.

L-I-A-R

Dunn (current Damien coach)and LeDuc (former Damien coach)were there because both are friends of Damien teacher Chuck Ballingall who is the P.A. guy for CIF Finals games. Mr Ballingall could have hired anyone he wanted to help.

It had nothing to do with the CIF respecting them. They were runners, they moved tables, they handed out stats...hardly duties for honored coaches. They were there helping out a friend (Ballingall) and watching championship games for free.

Once again you don't know what you are talking about.

FredJ

I have a question.... I was wondering about Anthony Stover from L. A. Windward; Is this the same student who played at Renaissance Academy in Pasadena last year?

Just Wondering?

sorry socal hoops fan-at this stage of his career LeDuc would actually rather rather enjoy the games he's playing against coaches that he respects that run their programs the right way. Do you think it's a secret why guys like LeDuc, Dunn, Wiard, Hamlow, and the like work for CIF at the finals? They are respected members of the coaching community. It'll be a cold day you know where when Cooper is bestowed with that honor. LLV would have helped GHS prepare for Luezinger? I've seeen Luezinger-and LLV is no Luezinger.

There is no way LeDuc would schedule LVL in a preseason game. He would rather play teams like Ganesha,Colton(0-21),and Ontario Christian. LeDuc should get the tartens ready for the cifss playoffs by scheduling teams like Eisenhower,Corona Centennial,Colony or Los Osos. This would have helped prepare for a game vs Leuzinger.

Has LVL called them about a game?

Instead of popping off, go ask LeDuc to schedule a game vs LVL. Beat us...then we'll shut up.

Trust me, you guys are NOT Windward.

We know LeDuc and Dunn were there working for CIF. Ask them if they were impressed.

You won't since you don't know either of them and you are just popping off from the safe anonymity of your computer.

These kids look pretty good to me, if they really are freshman.

that post makes me wanna puke! "as a staff-yada-yada-yada"

and don't act like LeDuc and Dunn went to watch and support/respect LLV-they were there working for CIF. guaranteed if they weren't getting paid they'd rather be at home watching Friday Night Lights instead of LLV.

that post makes me wanna puke! "as a staff-yada-yada-yada"

and don't act like LeDuc and Dunn went to watch and support/respect LLV-they were there working for CIF. guaranteed if they weren't getting paid they'd rather be at home watching Friday Night Lights instead of LLV.

Here is a link to Josh Thompson's highlight video. Currently Josh holds no offers but is certainly garnering attention from many DIV. I schools. As a staff we take pride in getting our student athletes "looks" at the next level and look to use athletics as merely a tool to succeed in life

Josh Thompson #1

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dsqiwnjvPpk&feature=channel

Nate Shaw #3

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cp0ID1mQ-a0&feature=channel

RECRUITING ALERT!

And now after my rant please transfer to my school as continue to recruit kids and take over this Valley. I am one day very soon the best coach to play for.

The joke is on you if you think this guy is being sincere because really what he's trying to say is he's trying to win Fred over and the parents and then the networking will continue and his ego will complete him and his world.

What coach goes and posts on a blog except for when he's trying to manipulate the system. Your not fooling anyone coach. Absolutely ridiculous that you post your website too. I've seen some dirty tactics before but this is just wrong!

RECRUITING ALERT!

What would C.I.F. say about this?

waah waaah waah
we lost waaah waaah waah
but no one want to play us waah waah waaah

This guy just below is a real class act.

SGV basket BALLER

Waah waah waah

You lost, get over it, your not the best team, so deal with it, just shut up.

I want to commend coach cooper for showing class when you lose a tough game, to the better team,thanks for all your efforts you have given to the boys, looking forward to a very promising next yr,to all our returning starters and make another cif run go trojans!

A note from Coach Cooper, La Verne Lutheran....

I just want to thank you Fred for coming to watch us play. I think that you do a good job of looking at both sides of the coin.

In my evaluation: Windward is a great team. They are good at all 5 positions and they have a good mix of veteran and young players. Windward's coaching staff did a great job and deserved the Trophy.

We will have to get back into the Lab and come back next season much improved. Our deficiencies had to do with simple fundamentals. We need to practice on dribbling, passing, shooting, defensive slides, rebounding and much more.

As a coaching staff we are committed to staying in the gym from now until next year. If our kids want to step up to the challenge that is hurting their hearts tonight because of the loss, they will get into the gym and work for next season.

This is the time that we will all find out what the LHS players are made of. I am proud of them all. They worked very hard on the court and in the classroom.

I am also proud of our local Coaches and Schools: Coach Dunn at Damien, Coach Eckler at Bonita, Coach LeDuc at Glendora, Coach Gregory at Ayala, Coach Grant at Chino Hills all did very well in this years playoffs and showed that we have a great deal of talent in our area.
Lutheran should not be mentioned in the same sentence with theses schools because we are the new kids on the block. I respect all of these men and look up to them because of the many years that they have put into developing and helping kids succeed.

I hope to have 600 wins under my belt one day like Coach LeDuc. He is a genius of Hoop.

I hope that this message board and many others like it can be a way to show respect and honor to our coaches and players who work so hard throughout each year. Thanks for a great season SGV.

A note from Coach Cooper, La Verne Lutheran....

I just want to thank you Fred for coming to watch us play. I think that you do a good job of looking at both sides of the coin.

In my evaluation: Windward is a great team. They are good at all 5 positions and they have a good mix of veteran and young players. Windward's coaching staff did a great job and deserved the Trophy.

We will have to get back into the Lab and come back next season much improved. Our deficiencies had to do with simple fundamentals. We need to practice on dribbling, passing, shooting, defensive slides, rebounding and much more.

As a coaching staff we are committed to staying in the gym from now until next year. If our kids want to step up to the challenge that is hurting their hearts tonight because of the loss, they will get into the gym and work for next season.

This is the time that we will all find out what the LHS players are made of. I am proud of them all. They worked very hard on the court and in the classroom.

I am also proud of our local Coaches and Schools: Coach Dunn at Damien, Coach Eckler at Bonita, Coach LeDuc at Glendora, Coach Gregory at Ayala, Coach Grant at Chino Hills all did very well in this years playoffs and showed that we have a great deal of talent in our area.
Lutheran should not be mentioned in the same sentence with theses schools because we are the new kids on the block. I respect all of these men and look up to them because of the many years that they have put into developing and helping kids succeed.

I hope to have 600 wins under my belt one day like Coach LeDuc. He is a genius of Hoop.

I hope that this message board and many others like it can be a way to show respect and honor to our coaches and players who work so hard throughout each year. Thanks for a great season SGV.

SGV BB

Glendora and Damien would get their butts beat by the boys at Lutheran.

Both coaches have zero nuts to play them..

congrats to all the Lutheran boys for a hard fought game played with a lot of heart to a outstanding Windward team with there four seniors they showed great poise and was the better team today even tough Lutheran did make runs and came as close within 3 pts in the third qt, next yr should be a very promising with our entire staring five coming back.

sgvblubberer...let go of your hate.

Why don't La Verne Luthern and Workman play each since nobody will play them they can play each other and showcase their players.

Will see who has the best team err........travel ball players.

Here is my re-cap...

Windward 72
LaVerne Lutheran 62

Windward, a senior dominated team, made the plays when they had to.

The game is much closer if Lutheran makes their free throws. I'd venture to say it was winnable if they had made 60-70%.

The Trojans played well in stretches, but everytime it got close, the ball seemed to bounce Windward's way. Long rebounds, errant passes and crazy bounces seemed to find their way into Windward hands all night.

Windward's Stover utilizes his 6-10 frame well on the defensive side against smaller players. LVL's 6-8 freshman Grant Jerrett, coming back from a broken foot, played him well in limited minutes.

LVL's backcourt of sophomores Cooper, Payne and English all had moments of brilliance. They also had miscues. Credit Windward's guards who also played spectacular at times. Denzel's kid is very fast with a nice outside shot and 6-4 Michigan-bound guard Darius Morris is the real deal.

I'm proud of the Trojans. For a team that relies on 1 senior, 1 junior, 4 sophomores and 4 freshmen they held their own. The future looks extremely bright.

The only real negative...Glendora's Coach LeDuc and Damien's Coach Dunn were there. Both were impressed. After tonight, there is no way that either will schedule Lutheran. You can bet on that.