Girls Softball rankings: Glendora holds on to No. 1, but Los Altos is making a strong argument

Girls Softball top ten rankings
1. Glendora (14-2) – Out of respect for winning the San Dimas and Charter Oak tournaments, and for beating every area team that’s challenged them, the Tartans remain on top despite Los Altos’ big result over the weekend. It wasn’t just the win over San Dimas, it was how easily they did it.
2. Los Altos (12-5) – Oh my goodness, this is what I’m talking about, quality wins. I almost jumped the Conq’s to No. 1 simply because when you defeat powerful Mater Dei, 4-3, that’s making a statement. The Monarchs were the No. 4 team in Division I, and they beat their No. 1 pitcher Matthews in the process on Saturday in the Santiago tournament. Forget the 14-5 loss to Bishop Amat afterward, Patterson was sick and didn’t pitch. The swagger is back.
3. Bonita (16-3-1) – After easy wins over Diamond Ranch and Wilson, the Bearcats have one more tune-up against Charter Oak before hosting Los Altos on Thursday in the most anticipated softball game of the year. I’ll hold my prediction until then.
4. San Dimas (15-4) – It is clear the Saints are not ready for the top three but still a strong number four. I wonder what an 8-0 loss to Glendora will do to their confidence? They had a chance to prove they belonged with the area’s heavyweights, but played like it was their first game of the season.
5. Bishop Amat (12-11) – They defeat Los Altos without Diana-Lynn Patterson, which isn’t the same as beating Los Altos but still a nice result. The big win came in a 2-1 win over St. Paul.
6. South El Monte (12-6) – Reina Gaber is tough as nails, in the circle, at the plate, she can do it all. But South El Monte still loses games that make you go hommm, like that one to Ontario Christian
7. Sierra Vista (13-3) – How impressive is it that the Dons have compiled this record without standout pitcher Brittney Flores in the circle most of the season. This is a dangerous Div. V team is she’s healthy.
8. Walnut (12-6) – I know they lead the San Antonio, which is an improving league, but not there yet. What’s disturbing is a 2-0 loss to Diamond Bar, which shows outside of league, San Antonio teams still struggle.
9. South Hills (10-7-1) – The Huskies were idle last week, but overall record is encouraging.
10. Northview (9-7) – Not the same dominating Vikes, but a big win over rival Covina basically ties them for second with the Colts behind San Dimas. And since the Vikes won the recent head-to-head with the Colts, they land at No. 10.

Softball Standings and Schedules
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

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Canada’s mom speaks out

Miguel Melendez posted this quote from Gala Canada, who is the mother of Jordan and Jaime Canada. Jordan and Jaime left Duarte High and are now enrolled at South Hills. With so such speculation surrounding her son’s transfers, Gala Canada contacted the newspaper to give her reasons for the move. Melendez left messages for Duarte officials seeking reaction, and if they choose to do so, we will give you their response.

“I need to make the statement clear, that’s partially the reason,” said Gala Canada in reference to the firing of coach Wardell Crutchfield, who has since been replaced by Tip Sanders. “That’s the only reason (Jordan and Jaime) were at Duarte was because of Wardell, but they’re leaving for a number of things. The athletic programs need help and someone needs to look at that. I have spoken to (Duarte) principal (Eric Barba) and athletic director (Robyn Garcia). The program needs a lot of help. I volunteered all last year to bring as much assistance I could, but I’m one person. They didn’t leave just because of the firing. We love coach Crutchfield but this (lack of support) started last year with the principal. This has been going on for a long time and I’ve had enough. (South Hills) had a little bit of everything. I looked at a lot of schools. This wasn’t just a decision we were going to make out of the blue. There was research that went into it and I evaluated a lot of schools.”

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Softball: If you took away the pitcher, who has the area’s best team?

While discussing all-area and player of the year on another thread, you realize how important a dominating pitcher is to the success of your team. But let me ask you this: If you took away the pitcher from the equation, who has the best softball team in the area? Who is the most complete from a defensive and offensive standpoint. In other words, using reigning player of the year Diana-Lynn Patterson as an example, if you put Patterson on (blank) team, they would become the best in the area.

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Steve Ramirez: Say it ain’t so, Brigham Harwell signs with the hated Washington Redskins


Above: Former Area Player of the Year Brigham Harwell
signed with the Washington Redskins.

There was good news and bad news over the weekend, at least for this reporter, who is a fan of our former area stars. The good was that after failing to be picked in the seven rounds of the NFL Draft, 2003 Area Player of the Year Brigham Harwell of Los Altos signed a free-agent contract. The bad news, at least for this reporter, who is fan of the Dallas Cowboys, was that he inked with the hated Washington Redskins, and will turn his blue and gold in for cardinal and gold. Here’s the rest of my post on the Prep Stars: Where are you now? blog.
Also I have news on Damien’s Freddie Brown and Ian Johnson, Charter Oak’s Aaron Perez and Bret Lockett. All will get their shot in the NFL.

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The Aram Tolegian anniversary tour: Looking back at the resurrection of Bishop Amat football

As we celebrate the fourth-anniversary of the blog originator, Aram Tolegian, we’re looking back at some of his best topics throughout his one-year plus reign on the blog (2006-07), which brought out the best and worst of bloggers. On July 2, 2006, Aram wrote the five things Bishop Amat needed to do to turnaround its football program. It’s interesting how everything has unfolded since, and fun to look back now. At the time, Mark Verti was replacing Mike DiFiori after the Lancers went 6-4, but were 2-3 in the Serra league and missed the playoffs. Here is Aram’s No. 1, click the thread for 4-5.

Aram, July 2, 20061 . Hire a name coach – This one is completely off the books now, but it’s worth repeating. I am not saying Mark Verti isn’t going to do a good job. Nobody has a clue about him yet. But the school had a wide open door of opportunity after Mike DiFiori resigned, and they hired from within. Great.
Verti could either be the find of a lifetime or a 20-something-year-old gamble that sends Amat fans off the deep end. Not exactly the predicament most fans wanted to be in, but hey. Here’s the thing Verti has going for him. His youth can be played two ways. He’s either too young to handle such a position or he’s the young guy who relates to the players. No matter how you feel about himt, Verti is a former UCLA football player and he’s got that on any other local coach. He knows what it takes to go from Amat to the big-time. He can wield his connections to the next level as something that gets kids to Amat because the coach can help them to the next level.
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The releaguing appeals process; a note from CIF commisioner of athletics, Jim Staunton

Note: South Hills, Charter Oak, Glendora and Rowland have filed appeals to the recent Mt. SAC area realignment. Here is a note today from CIFSS-Commissioner Jim Staunton on what happens next.

The nine areas in Southern Section are finalizing their area configurations for the 2010-2014 releaguing cycle. The Section office recognizes that there may be schools dissatisfied with their placement. In accordance with Bluebook Article 3, Rule 32.5, number 2, the appeal process shall begin with a hearing before the Releaguing Committee. Any school seeking an appeal “is directed to forward a copy of the appeal to the CIF Southern Section office, a copy to the Area Releaguing Chairperson(s) and a copy to the principals of all schools assigned to the respective area(s). The appeal committee will meet May 6, 2009, beginning at 10:00 a.m. to hear appeals in the Southern Section office. Continue reading, click thread

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