Sierra Opener: Diamond Bar beats Glendora

Yes they did: Diamond Bar served notice that they have to be dealt with by going to Glendora and winning the league opener, 9-3.

Today’s Featured Game: Diamond Bar (3-3) at Glendora (3-1), 3:15 p.m. — The Sierra League is by far the most interesting because of the parity from top to bottom. I will not be surprised by whoever wins it, that’s how close it is. At home, though, I’m taking the Tarts.

Did you know: That Bonita is No. 5! in the LA Times poll. Thanks for the reminder Don, I skipped right past this. As Don said, when is the last time the Cats have been ranked this high? Looks like the Times people are listening to me.

You’re welcome coach: After writing that Nogales is the “Redeem Team,” on this blog, it sparked a fire in Nogales, apparently. After their 2-1 victory over South Hills Tuesday, Nobles coach John Romano said. “(The newspaper) is what spurned this team on for the comments that we’re `Team Redemption. How can we be `Team Redemption?’ We’ve been first or second in the last 20 years. Yeah, (South Hills) has won seven straight (San Antonio League) championships, but one of those years they tied with us (in 2005) and the other six we finished second. Calling us `Team Redemption’ got us fired up.”

A Big Thanks: To the Glendora tournament officials. If you’re wondering why that tournament was covered so well, it’s because officials emailed boxscores to our desk and me as soon as the games were over. It’s the most well-run and well-organized tournament around. Other tournaments should take note, you want better exposure, then get us results and update the pairings so we can get it to the readers.

Today’s games
Valle Vista League
Northview at Pomona, 3:15 p.m.
Baldwin Park at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Ganesha at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Chino Hills at Damien, 3:15 p.m.
Diamond Bar at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Ayala at Chino, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday’s results called or emailed to us
Charter Oak 18, Diamond Ranch 4
Nogales 2, South Hills 1
San Marino 4, Gladstone 0
Sierra Vista 13, Mountain View 3

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UCLA will win tonight because …

Tonight: UCLA vs. Virginia Commonwealth, 6:40 p.m., Channel 2. I’m covering a Bonita-Los Altos softball game tonight. Please girls, make it quick 🙂


President Obama fills out his bracket and picks UCLA to lose. What is he thinking?

“Everybody is saying we’re going to lose the first game. Right there is enough motivation for myself.” — UCLA point guard Darren Collison.

President Obama filled out his bracket and picked the Bruins to lose…
I thought it was because we beat Oregon State twice,” said Bruins freshman guard Jrue Holiday, referring to Oregon State coach Craig Robinson, Obama’s brother-in-law. ”

Then it was Collison’s turn again … “When you have the President of the United States going against you, and Dwyane Wade also said VCU was going to beat us. That’s enough motivation. I don’t know what it is, but that’s enough right there.

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Baseball: It happened, Nogales knocks off South Hills in the bottom of the 7th

Big game update: It’s almost like live blogging, Stevie R., texted that South Hills and Nogales are tied, 1-1, bottom of the seventh. Update II Word from Stevie is that Nogales scores on a wild pitch, wins it 2-1. I would put a picture of Nogales, but I couldn’t find one in the archives…shame on us? But ones coming… Here it is


Nogales pitcher Andrew Melchor is off to a great start after sitting out his junior season because of injuries.

YESTERDAY: First lets note that our new No. 1 Bonita showed why again with a 6-2 win over San Dimas on Tuesday. Believe me when I tell you the Bearcats are going the distance. I feel the same way about them as I did Northview last year. They have seniors who have been through it and are hungrier than anyone else

DID YOU KNOW: Gladstone is the “only” undefeated team in the Valley and will put their 6-0 record on the line today at San Marino.

TODAY: Is Nogales the team to finally dethrone seven-time defending San Antonio league champion South Hills. The time has never been better, and I’m guessing the first step happens today. They will also play on Friday at South Hills so if the Nobles don’t get them now, they have a tough road to climb … again.

Today’s games
San Antonio League

South Hills at Nogales , 3:15 p.m.
Miramonte League
Charter Oak at Diamond Ranch, 3:15 p.m.
Nonleague
Gladstone at San Marino
Walnut at Diamond Bar, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra Vista at Mountain View, 3:15 p.m.

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Is San Antonio softball on the rise?

This is going to sound horrible, but I don’t remember covering a San Antonio league softball game last year. The teams were average at-best, and so was the pitching. Is this changing? We covered West Covina’s 4-3 victory over Montebello in the Arroyo Tournament on Tuesday, and now the Bulldogs are 6-2. South Hills is 3-1, Walnut 2-1, and Rowland 3-3. You tell me, where does the San Antonio rank with the other leagues in our area?

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Baseball: Baldwin Park mercies Covina, 10-0

Baldwin Park scored eight unearned runs in the bottom of the fourth, capped by a grand slam by Gerardo Arias to give the Braves a 10-0 victory in their Valle Vista league opener against Covina to go to 4-1. Braves pitcher Andy Salcido allowed just two hits and had five strikeouts.

“It was kind of a statement game. We want to let other teams know that we’re not just going to roll over. Obviously when we get to San Dimas, Northview, they’re very good, don’t get me wrong. But we’re coming to compete and we want to win, there’s no doubt about it.” Baldwin Park coach Jake Barendregt on his teams 4-1 start.

“It’s just frustrating. I know it’s my job not to be frustrated, it just is. I told myself before the season we would go through this (learning curve) because we’re so young. Everybody wants to win and put out a good product. But it’s tough when you make mistakes that come back and bite you. But that’s part of learning.”— Covina coach Pete Loaiza on losing and giving up eight unearned runs in the fourth inning.

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Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic

The sixth annual Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic is coming soon. Players have been selected and are being contacted by coaches. I will release the rosters next week. Nogales coach Ricky Roper will coach the boys, and Sierra Vista’s Keith Locklear will coach the girls.


Above: Pasadena’s Keion Bell throws down one of his four perfect 10’s in last year’s dunk contest.

When: Saturday, April 4
Where: Azusa Pacific University
Girl’s game: 5:30pm
Boy’s game: 7:30pm
Admission: $8 adults, $5 students/children
Girls 3-point contest: Three Girls from each team.
Boys Slam Dunk contest: Three boys from each team.
Boys 3-point contest: Three Boys from each team.

Series Record
Boys: Star-News leads series, 4-1
Girls: Tribune leads series, 3-2

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