June 2009 Archives

St. Paul's Gabe Encinas (18-U), Bishop Amat's Rio Ruiz (16-U) and Diamond Bar's Kenny Mathews (16-U) were the only area players invited to participate for spots on the U.S. National teams. Who else should have been considered locally? USA 18-U story, 18-U Roster, 16-U story, 16-U Roster

We're actively pursuing story ideas for the summer, and would like to know what you're interested in reading about. Summer Passing League's, Volleyball and Soccer summer leagues. Do you want football notebooks on players to watch out in the fall? Babe Ruth and American Legion baseball? Little League playoffs? Features on past or current players getting ready for the fall. Also, if you have information to tournaments, post them here to help track down schedules.

Based on last year, here is a look at the leading candidates for the 2010 Tribune All-Area team. Of course this will change during the season, you never know what will unfold. But for now, this is the preseason team. I will do the preseason defense later in the week.

Above: What will West Covina's Ricky Johnson do for an encore?

First Team Offense
QB: Michael Ball, Rowland, Jr
RB: Adam Muema, Charter Oak, Sr
RB: Ricky Johnson, West Covina, Sr.
AP: Leonard Rhodes, Walnut, Sr.
WR: Geoffrey Vaughns, South Hills, Sr.
WR: Wallace Gonzales, Glendora, Jr.
WR: Aaron Stockham, Glendora, Sr.
OL: Michael Wells, Diamond Ranch, Sr.
OL: Richard Tejada, West Covina, Sr.
OL: Siasi Aiono, South Hills, Jr.
OL: Raymond Raygoza, Baldwin Park, SR
OL: Andy Orozco, Charter Oak, Jr.
PK: Henry Calistro, Rowland, Sr.

Above: Don't be surprised if Walnut's Rhodes has a monster season along with the Mustangs.

By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
LA PUENTE - There were members of the East who believed the West's victory in last year's San Gabriel Valley Hall of Fame Game was a fluke.
They proved the point Friday.
Charter Oak's Chris Allen and Kiely Rycraw accounted for four touchdowns between them, the Chargers' Evan Williams had an interception for a score and Rowland's Brandon Stansell returned a punt for another as the East cruised to a 34-9 victory in the 30th Hall of Fame Game at Bassett High School. It's the largest margin of victory by either side since the West scored a 26-0 victory in 2001.

Boys Tennis player of the year: Sammy Ho, Arroyo, Freshman
Coach of the year: Anthony Lim, Arroyo

Boys Tennis Tribune All-Area
First team Singles: Joshua Barnard, Glendora; Marcelo Bautista Rowland; Tim Chhay, S. Dimas. Doubles: Paul Bakahit/David Scheibe Bonita; Austin Chen/Maiki Kitagawa Diamond Bar;
Frank Peng, Josen Corpuz, Walnut
Second Team Singles: James Beardsley, San Dimas; Thach Do, El Monte; Kevin Ng, Wilson. Doubles: Brian Ledyard/Josh Thompson, San Dimas; Bob Huynh/Hansen Luong, Rosemead; Armando Rosales/Jesus Rosales Workman

To all athletes, coaches, parents and high school sports fanatics, if you have a Twitter account follow us on Twitter. This could be great for future "Breaking News," and an easy way for athletes to reach other, share what's going on, and make it easier for us to reach you. We will follow your twitter page too, let's have some fun with it.

Yes, that's my infamous 1986 vintage Edgewood letterman jacket

Robledo's response: That is what Rosemead coach Matt Koffler told Star-News reporter Miguel Melendez after I promptly predicted a 35-14 East victory tomorrow night in the Hall of Fame game. So Koffler, err Coughler called me out, well Koffy should know I make these predictions when you have guys from the East who compete for CIF championships in bigger divisions and win, and because the East had won six straight until last year and is 17-10-2 overall. Besides, is it any secret the football on the East side of town is not only stronger at the top, but has more more parity than its west counterparts? To say the east should be favored is a no-brainer.

Northview coach Jim Arellanes on Rosemead's Matt Koffler relishing the role of underdog: "I'm sure he is saying that, that's his deal. He did that when we were at Rosemead (as teammates) and I'm sure he's going to continue to do that. But I don't buy it, they have some significant talent on that side. We talked the other day, we didn't have as sharp a practice as we have been. We're like 'Hey guys, we're not just going through the motions, we want to have fun, but at the same time we want to win.' Our guys understand that, they want to represent our side of the Valley. I don't buy into that underdog role at all, they have some players."

Robledo's prediction: East wins, 35-14
Melendez's prediction: West wins, 21-17

There won't be a better opportunity to watch more local teams go at it than on Friday and Saturday at Bonita High School in the Air Assault tournament. The tournament will start on Friday afternoon at 3 p.m. with 12 fields going at once, finishing with the championship game on Saturday night at 7 p.m. The Pools are as follows:
Pool A: Bishop Amat, Los Altos, Glendora, Jurupa Valley, Montclair, Riverside Poly
Pool B: Arroyo, Culver City, Carson, Santiago, Covina, Santa Fe
Pool C: Ayala, Hart, Monrovia, Workman, Walnut, Wilson
Pool D: Corona, Damien, Lakeside, Rancho Cucamonga, San Dimas, San Gorgonio
Pool E: Bonita, Maranatha, La Serna, Roosevelt, Lynwood, Upland

Tuesday night under the lights: Can we get a what, what? Bishop Amat, South Hills and Charter Oak will be at host Upland on Tuesday night in a four-team square off featuring three of our Valley's best at 7 p.m, sharp.

Bishop Amat quarterback Jerry McClanahan

Photo courtesy of Ted Aguirre

30th HALL OF FAME GAME
WHEN: Friday, 7:30 p.m.
WHERE: Bassett High
WHO: East (coached by Northview's Jim Arellanes) vs. West (coached by Rosemead's Matt Koffler)
LAST YEAR: The West snapped the East's six-game winning streak last year, winning 34-14 behind South El Monte wide receiver Tommy Cogburn, who stole the show with three touchdowns.
SERIES: East leads, 17-10-2

By Steve Ramirez
Friday's 30th Hall of Fame Game will be the final high school football game for the Valley stars. But unlike some of his teammates and competitors, it will be even more special for Charter Oak High School's Chris Allen, who will suit up in a football uniform for the final time on Friday at Bassett High School. Allen, the East Valley Player of the Year and CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division Offensive Player of the Year, received a Division I scholarship to play baseball for Cal State Northridge. The Matadors
don't field a football team. Keep reading, there is more on Bishop Amat running back DeShawn Gaisie

Here it is, more prestigious than All-League, tougher to crack than All-CIF, it's the infamous, non-political Tribune All-Area softball team, which represents the top 23-players in the East San Gabriel Valley for the 2009 season.

To purchase reprints of the all-area cover, click link

Softball
Player of the year: Dana Waldusky, Glendora, Sr.
Coach of the year: Dean Bunting, South El Monte
First team
Pitcher: Diana-lynn Patterson, Los Altos, Sr.
Pitcher: Reina Gaber, South El Monte, Sr.
Catcher: Kelly Nolan, Glendora, Sr.
Infielder: Courtney Gano, Los Altos, So.
Infielder: Brittney Flores, Sierra Vista, Sr
Infielder: Stephany LaRosa, Diamond Bar, So.
Infielder: Gipsy Ramirez, San Dimas, Sr.
Outfielder: Ariel Shore, San Dimas, Sr.
Outfielder: Brandi Andrews, Glendora, Sr.
Outfielder: Breeanna Sandoval, Bonita, Jr.
Utility: Ariel Whiteman, Bishop Amat, Sr.

Second team
Pitcher: Chloe Wurst, Bonita, Jr.
Pitcher: Kortnie Clark, San Dimas, Jr.
Catcher: Heather Harrison, Northview, Sr.
Infielder: Shelby Dopps, San Dimas, Sr.
Infielder: Latisha Dedeaux, Los Altos, Sr.
Infielder: Britney Rodriguez, South Hills, Fr.
Infielder: Vanessa Bracamonte, Wilson, Jr
Outfielder: Amber Bachman, Bonita, Sr.
Outfielder: Asha Prithviraj, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Outfielder: Lauren Salgado, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Utility: Laura Banuelos, Rowland, So.

"We finally came to a deal," Mier told MLB.com. "I'm glad we came to a conclusion and my (agents) got it done. I'm trying to get out there and play."

Bonita's High School's Jiovanni Mier, the Astros' top pick and new Million Dollar Kid in the neighborhood, told MLB.com today that he has reached a deal with the Houston Astros, who selected him in the first round and 21st overall in this month's Major League Baseball amateur draft. Mier reportedly will receive a $1.358 million signing bonus, and will make it official pending a physical, opting to skip his verbal commitment to attend USC. The 6-foot-2 Mier batted .394 with 10 doubles, five homers and 18 RBIs in leading the Bearcats to the Miramonte League title and Division III quarterfinals.

The Northview High School baseball team will host the Australia Expos in a three-game Goodwill Series beginning Saturday. There are four teams consisting of a Northview older and younger team, and an Australian older and younger team. All games are at Northview High School; Saturday (10 a.m., 12:30 p.m.); Sunday (Noon, 2:30 p.m.), Tuesday (1 p.m. at 4 p.m.). The Australia Expos are celebrating their 20th consecutive year touring California and playing games. Covina Mayor Kevin Stapleton will officially welcome the Australian team on Saturday morning. "I'm still learning on the protocol and what is customary when you host a foreign team, but we're excited for the weekend." Northview coach Darren Murphy said.

Below: Does anyone remember this big Vikings victory?

ASSOCIATED PRESS - A 24-year-old former high school football player walked into the school's weight room Wednesday morning and fatally shot his former coach, before sheriff's deputies arrested him at a nearby home a short time later, authorities said. Mark Becker shot Aplington-Parkersburg High School football coach Ed Thomas several times with a handgun after walking into the room at about 8 a.m., authorities said. Thomas was rushed to nearby Waterloo hospital, where he died.

About a year ago, ESPN did a nice piece on Ed Thomas ...

The United States' win over the world's top-ranked Spaniards ended their 35-game unbeaten streak since winning the European Championships in 2008. Spain's world-record unbeaten streak had equaled Brazil's 35-game win streak set between 1993-95. Even bigger, the United States snapped Spain's 15-game winning streak, another world record, launching the U.S. into Sunday's championship against Brazil. Spain hadn't been beaten since a loss to Romania in November 2006. Is this the biggest win in U.S. history? Not quite, nothing will ever touch the United States' shocking 1950 victory over England in the World Cup. But there are others to compare it with, like the United States' win over world No. 4 Colombia 2-1 in the 1994 World Cup and the 1998 CONCACAF Gold Cup win over Brazil. There is also the 3-2 win over Portugal in the 2002 World Cup in South Korea, or the 2-0 win over Mexico in the same 2002 World Cup that launched the U.S. into the World Cup semifinals for the first time ever? Folks, today's win is No. 2. Never has the United States been to a FIFA final and beat the No. 1 team in the World in a non-friendly, and they did it after the most improbable of circumstances to reach the semifinals, needing a 3-0 win over Egypt coupled with Brazil's 3-0 win over Italy. Do you believe in Miracles? Yes.

Staff photographer Walt Mancini's famous image following the 1994 World Cup final at the Bowl. This is Old Town Pasadena partying afterward..

The L.A. Times' Bill Plaschke thinks Manny Ramirez's suspension should keep him out of his minor league assignment with Albuquerque. TJ Simers admits that he can't stay mad at him. What's all the fuss, it's like serving a sentence then finishing the rest of your time at a halfway house before your official release. It's not the bigs so it's not a big deal. People like Plaschke think the Dodgers should trade him away, but the people who pay money to go to Dodgers games and sit in front of their television and cheer the Dodgers want him to stay, and can't wait to welcome him back. Plaschke even pleaded with the Lakers to trade Kobe two years ago. That's why you don't listen to sportswriters, you listen to the beating heart of loyal fans, like the one I saw wearing a shirt that read, "Stand by your Manny."

(Photo by Craig Fritz/The Associated Press)

Here it is, more prestigious than All-League, tougher to crack than All-CIF, it's the infamous, non-political Tribune All-Area baseball team, which represents the top 23-players in the East San Gabriel Valley for the 2009 season.

To purchase a reprint of the all-area cover page, click here.

TRIBUNE ALL-AREA
Baseball
Player of the year: Josh Leyland (San Dimas, Sr.)
Coach of the year: Kevin Smith (South Hills)

First team
Pitcher: Erik Salcido, San Dimas, Sr.
Pitcher: Derek Klena, South Hills, Sr.
Catcher: Jerry McClanahan, Bishop Amat, Jr.
Infielder: Richy Pedroza, Northview, Sr.
Infielder: Jiovanni Mier, Bonita, Sr.
Infielder: Thomas Jenson, San Dimas, Sr.
Infielder: Erik Lewis, Damien, Jr.
Outfielder: Kevin Ponzo, San Dimas, Sr.
Outfielder: Jacob Smigelski, Glendora, Jr.
Outfielder: Mark Garcia, Damien, Sr.
Utility: Andrew Melchor, Nogales, Sr.

Second team
Pitcher: Nico Calderaro, Bonita, Sr.
Pitcher: Brady Zuniga, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Catcher: Jake Bailey, Charter Oak, Sr.
Infielder: Christian Ibarra, South Hills, Jr..
Infielder: Jason Plowman, Bonita, Sr.
Infielder: Ryan Arnold, Northview, Sr.
Infielder: Nick Bergara, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Outfielder: Chris Allen, Charter Oak, Sr.
Outfielder: Chester Pak, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Outfielder: Jon Hernandez, West Covina, Jr.
Utility: Christian Huerta, Sierra Vista, Jr

To read stories, click thread

30th Hall of Fame Game, Friday, 7:30 p.m.
Bassett High School, $8 admission
East leads series, 17-10-2

Above: Azusa's Rauley Zaragoza returning an interception for a touchdown in the Aztecs' playoff win over Covina.

This is a sneak preview for Wednesday's newspaper.
By Fred J. Robledo ..
When Sierra Vista High School's Daniel Limon told Mt. San Antonio College coaches he would like to try out at slot receiver this fall, they told the generously listed 5-foot-10, 173-pounder they were more interested in him as a kicker. After all, he did make 12 field goals for the Dons.
"They laughed to be honest with you," Limon said. "But that's alright. You come from Sierra Vista, you're going to have doubters. It's nothing new to me." To continue reading with more from Miguel Melendez on the West practice, click thread. West coach Matt Koffler calls RB Tra Sumler the best player in the SGV

South El Monte High School's Manny Acosta and San Dimas' Ariel Shore bucked the trend of specialization in high school sports and once again showed the multiple-sport athlete is alive and well. After earning several accolades during their senior years in multiple sports, Acosta and Shore can add the 2008-09 San Gabriel Valley Tribune Athlete of the Year award to their collection as well. To continue reading, click thread

30th HALL OF FAME GAME
WHEN: Friday, 7 p.m.
WHERE: Bassett High
WHO: East (coached by Northview's Jim Arellanes) vs. West (coached by Rosemead's Matt Koffler)
LAST YEAR: The West snapped the East's six-game winning streak last year, winning 34-14 behind South El Monte wide receiver Tommy Cogburn, who stole the show with three touchdowns.
SERIES: East leads, 17-10-2

Practice: The Beasts from the East are practicing Monday-Thursday at 3:30 p.m., at Northview. Drop by to check it out.

Miguel Melendez says: Alright guys, you've asked for it so here it is. The 30th Hall of Fame game is Friday night and as the game approaches we'll be bringing you reports from the East and West practices. Both teams already have been practicing in preparation for the 30th anniversary of the senior game, and once again, the East appears to have a star-studded roster for Arellanes. Charter Oak quarterback Chris Allen, the Tribune player of the year and Southeast Division MVP, will be joined by Chargers teammates Tyler Perri (DT), Evan Williams (DE), and Kiely Rycraw (WR) - all of whom won a section title the last time they played. "Those Charter Oak kids are the real deal," Arellanes said. "They're as good as advertised. They obviously have been coached well. Their knowledge of the game is unbelievable, and they have been flying to the football with a passion." The East is loaded in the backfield with Bishop Amat's Deshawn Gaisie, Rowland's Brandon Stansell and San Dimas' Daniel Joseph, who has transitioned well from the Winged T to an I formation.

Miguel continues ... Call it a dis or call it motivation, but If memory serves me right, it was the folks over on the East (cough cough, Robledo) who predicted San Dimas would handily beat Rosemead in the quarterfinals. Uh, no. Rosemead came out burning on all cylinders and took care of business and reached the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division finals. Koffler said he's looking forward to Friday's game and the West has practiced like it's a championship game. "I know on our side we're approaching this game like it's going to be very physical," he said. "I'm not sure what's going on on the other side, but our practices are very physical; that's the way we coach and that's the only way we coach. We're not slowing down just because it's an all-star game. We're picking up the pace and showing the rest of the San Gabriel Valley how we do things at Rosemead."

We begin with the Tribune postseason-awards on Tuesday, beginning with the Boys/Girls athlete of the year award. Baseball is on Wednesday and Softball on Thursday. The rest is as follows.

Boy/Girls athlete of the year, June 23
Baseball, June 24
Softball, June 25
Boys Tennis, June 26
Boys Track, June 30
Girls Track, July 1
Boys Swimming, July 2
Girls Swimming, July 3

Last chance: It's a chore getting everyone in for pictures after school is out. We have almost everyone, but we're missing Charter Oak's Uchechi Anunkor, Bonita's Amber Pezzolla, Bonita's Paul Bakahit and David Scheibe and Walnut's Josen Corpuz. If anyone can contact these athletes, ask them to get in touch with me at fred.robledo@sgvn.com. I will do what I can to set up a last-minute pictures.

Someone asked if Bishop Breakdown will be back in the fall ... Absolutely.

More Amat highlight video's....Don't hate, if you have a school highlight video, send it here and I will post it too. By the way, this is long, but it's fantastic

Amat HighLights from Chris M on Vimeo.

Okay, so that's a lame headline, but I had to come up with something. I wish it was more of an East-West underclassman game so I could brag how much better the East side of the Valley is over the slumping West. But we already knew that, right?

By Miguel Melendez
PASADENA - The heavy, dark clouds threatening rain could not dim the spotlight from the future baseball stars in San Gabriel Valley. The second annual Underclassman All-Star Game set the stage for the North to shine with a 15-5 victory over the South on Saturday night at Jackie Robinson Stadium. Glendora junior Jacob Smigelski earned MVP honors after striking out three in two innings and allowed just one run on three hits. He also also walked, stole a base and scored a run. "I tried to fire it out there and try my best," Smigelski said. "It was fun playing with all the guys."

Anything and anyone you want to talk about.

With most of the All-Area packages just about finished and the Underclassman All-Star Baseball Game done Saturday, we'll dive into football coverage and bring you live reports from the East and West practices as they get ready for the Hall of Fame Football Game.
Or you can talk about this: Here's the story Steve Ramirez wrote for Saturday's paper about the Rose Bowl being on ESPN, beginning in 2011

Above: Northview shorstop Richy Pedroza

Valle Vista All-League
Baseball
MVP: Richy Pedroza (Northview)
First Team
Eddie Pedroza, Northview, pitcher
Eric Salcido, San Dimas, pitcher
Kevin Ponzo, San Dimas, pitcher
Erick Ruvalcaba, Northview, pitcher
Josh Leyland, San Dimas, catcher
Thomas Jenson, San Dimas, infielder
Ryan Arnold, Northview, infielder
Fernando Gonzalez, Baldwin Park, infielder
Shane Fraijo, Northview, infielder
Efren Aguilera, Baldwin Park, outfielder
Tim Brooks, San Dimas, outfielder
Gabe Jaramillo, Northview, outfielder
Kevin Jones, Northview, outfielder
Julian Garcia, Ganesha, utility

Above: San Dimas leadoff hitter Ariel Shore

Softball
MVP: Ariel Shore (San Dimas)
First Team
Kortnie Clark, San Dimas, pitcher
Chrissy McPhail, Northview, pitcher
Ariel Martinez, Covina, pitcher
Yumiko Hiroto, San Dimas, catcher
Heather Harrison, Northview, catcher
Gipsy Ramirez, San Dimas, infielder
Makaila Garcia, Northview, infielder
Shelby Dopps, San Dimas, infielder
Jazzmin Arrant, Covina, infielder
Karolina Arteaga, Northview, infielder
Suzette Ortega, Northview, outfielder
Victoria Quintana, San Dimas, outfielder
Candice Orozco, Covina, outfielder
Candice Nunuez, San Dimas, Utility

South Hills football camp: South Hills High School Football 5th Quarter Club and Coach Steve Bogan's Youth Football Fundamental Mini-Camp at South Hills HS
When: July 10, 4-7 p.m.
Cost: $30.00 (If pre-registered by July 3rd); $40.00 if you pay on the day of the camp. Camp T-Shirts will be given to the first 50 players to pre-register. All checks are the to be made payable to: South Hills 5th Quarter Club. Press release: What better way to get your kids ready for the upcoming football season than to spend a day with four-time CIF Champion Head Coach Steve Bogan and his staff as they teach you the fundamentals of championship football. If you have any questions regarding the camp; please call the football office at 626-974-6214.

Volleyball Camp: Bishop Amat is conducing a volleyball camp from July 6-9 from 2-4 p.m. at Bishop Amat High School. This is for 4-9 graders and space is limited. Please wear comfortable workout attire and proper tennis shoes. the cost is $80 and includes a volleyball camp t-shirt. If you have further questions or concerns, please contact Coach Rich Huynh at coachrichardh@gmail.com

BOYS HOOPS: Los Altos' 24 team Summer Boys Basketball tournament begins on Thursday, June 18. To look at the complete schedule, click thread

The 2009 football schedules are on Calpreps. What are the most intriguing games? What games have to be covered? In any case, I decided to rank the leagues with Serra on top, and the San Antonio getting a slight edge over the Miramonte.

1. Serra League
2. Sierra League
3. San Antonio League
4. Miramonte League
5. Valle Vista League
6. Mission Valley League
7. Christian League
8. Montview League

San Antonio All-League teams
Baseball
MVP: Andrew Melchor, Nogales, Sr
First Team
Derek Klena, South Hills, Sr., Dakota Behr, South Hills, Jr., Jason Kerr, Walnut, Sr., Cody Doyle, South Hills, Jr., Eric Paterson, Walnut, Sr., Ty France, South Hills, Fr., Rene Felix, Nogales, So., Francisco Aguilera, Nogales, Sr., Christian Ibarra, South Hills, Jr., Roland Cruz, Walnut, Jr., Jon Hernandez, West Covina, Jr., Hugo Atienzo, South Hills, Sr., Danny Davis., Rowland, Sr., Derek Ybarra, Nogales, Sr., Tommy Rodriguez, South Hills, Sr.

Softball
MVP: Laura Banuelos, Rowland, So.
Codi Arends, Sr., Delilah Arenas, Jr., Justine Chavira, So., Deanna Alfaro, So., Amid Ordorica, Fr., Dekota Monarrez, So., Calille Herrera, Jr., Hailey Balk, So., Yvette Cano, Jr., Mercedez Cardiff, So., Rae Anne Redman, Sr., Tina Quon, Sr., Britney Rodriguez, Fr., Annette Diaz, Sr.
Vanessa Molina, So.,

The CIF-Southern Section softball teams have been released, with San Dimas High School's Ariel Shore, who set a CIF-Southern Section stolen base record with 76, being selected the Division V player of the year. Other first team players included ...Division III: Dana Waldusky (Glendora), Diana-Lynn Patterson (Los Altos), Stephany LaRosa (Diamond Bar), and Brandi Andrews (Glendora). Division V: Kortnie Clark (San Dimas), Britney Rodriguez (South Hills), Camile Herrera (West Covina). Division VI: Reina Gaber (South El Monte), Jessica Hernandez (South El Monte). For all CIF-SS teams, click thread

Many of you have asked the publication dates for the Tribune All-Area teams. This is tentative, but if everything runs as scheduled, these are the dates:

Boy/Girl athlete of the year, June 23
Baseball, June 24
Softball, June 25
Boys Tennis, June 26
Boys Track, June 30
Girls Track, July 1
Boys Swimming, July 2
Girls Swimming, July 3

LAST CHANCE FOR PICTURES: Finally, almost all of you have taken your pictures, but some we have not been able to track down through the schools. So, without mentioning the sports, those athletes include: Taylor Herrera (Damien), Uchechi Anunkor (Charter Oak), Sarah Barnum (St. Lucy's), Alexis Brown (St. Lucy's), Marissa Horton (St. Lucy's), Amber Pezzola (Bonita), David Scheibe (Bonita), Josen Corpuz (Walnut), Maiki Kitagawa (Diamond Bar). We will have a final make-up day for pictures on Wednesday, June 17 at the Tribune office between 2-3 p.m. I'm posting it here to make every effort to get a hold of these athletes, and if you're reading this and know one of the athletes, please let them know. Those mentioned can email me for more information ... fred.robledo@sgvn.com

FOR SALE: After the all-area team comes out, you can visit our photo galleries to purchase reprints of the page that look just like this....

By Jim McConnel
When Bonita High's Jiovanni Mier was the 21st player selected in this year's amateur draft, it raised the question: Has a local player ever been drafted higher?
The answer is yes. In the first 20 years (1965-84) of baseball's June amateur draft, several locals were selected in the first round. Last week's column mentioned Chuck Minnott, a left-handed pitcher out of Covina's Royal Oak High School who was the St. Louis Cardinals' first-round selection in June 1969. He was the 20th player selected that year. It also mentioned Minnott never played in the majors, but there is far more to the story than that.

The Scouting Guru ranks the top ten prospects of juniors and seniors for the coming season. Now remember, these arent the players expected to have the best football seasons or make the most impact to their football teams. These are players he believes have the best potential of making an impact at the next level.

Above: Charter Oak's A.J. Powell

The Scouting Guru: Before we get started, a little clarification is needed here. The symbols used for our forty times goes as follows. If it's a straight 40 time, that means it was electronically timed either at a Nike Combine or a Scout.com combine. When you see HT next to the time, that means it was hand-timed. And if you an "e" next to the time, than means it's an estimated electronic 40 time based either off of watching film and watSiching him in track this season. We use a lot of sources to get our forty times. The ones that we use the most are the NIKE combine times, but we also use scout.com combine results, National Football Foundation of San Bernardino Combine results, nationalunderclassman.com combine results, 2009 Under Armour combine results, 2008 and 2009 Prepstar.com combine results. So there are more than eight sources that we use to get our combine results.

And now our overall underclassman Top-10 College Recruiting Prospects for the Class of 2010 and 2011 for the East San Gabriel Valley. At the end of the column will be our notes section.

1. Siaosi Aiono (6-3e, 285e, 5.4e, OLT, South Hills, 2011) -- This is best lineman in the area, in the IE and will be one of the top lineman in all of Southern California by the time this season is done. A huge performance at the USC Lineman Camp on Sunday had him talking with OL coach Pat Ruel and HC Pete Carroll afterward about keeping SC in the recruiting picture. Let's play the numbers game right now. He has two offers from BYU and San Jose State and at this time next year, he will have 22 offers minumum. Not much separates from our next guy.

2. Dennis Rufus (6-1, 181, 4.6e, DB, Charter Oak, 2011) -- Toyed with the idea making him tied with Aiono, but since he doesn't have any offers right now, couldn't do it. Don't be mistaken, he will have offers at this time next year. Would have loved to have seen him at the Skills Camp at SC last Saturday. But, for one of the top corners in So Cal right now, he has a lot going for him. Very recruitable.

3. Adam Muema (5-9.5, 180, 4.62HT, RB Charter Oak, 2010) -- Clearly the top RB in the East SGV. Now he is better than St. Francis RB Deitrich Riley....not on my watch. And apparently the Pac-10 feels the same way.

4. Jordan Canada (5-9e, 180e, 4.7e, RB/CB, South Hills, 2010) -- Made the recruiting headline of the week with his first offer from New Mexico State. Interesting that NMSU offered Canada and not Muema?....Hmmm......

5. Wallace Gonzales (6-5, 221, 4.7e, WR, Glendora, 2011) -- Ok, so this kid would be third on my list if I knew that he wants to play football in college. Right now, baseball scouts are screaming his name out and have him projected as an early round draft prospect next year. Hey, baseball is a lot less physical than football. Love his game on the football field though.

6. Ify Umodu (6-2, 198, 4.98, WR, South Hills , 2010) -- Many colleges have him projected as a mid major conference type of player. Can't disagree with that assessment. Great family pedigree!

7. A.J. Powell (5-7, 175, 4.79HT, Charter Oak, 2010) -- Football is a big man's game and even though they kid grades out really well on the football field, the size is going to be a major issue with BCS colleges. He does have offers though.

8. Peter Nonu (6-03, 285e, 5.4e, South Hills, 2011) -- A one gap defensive tackle that is a terror on the D-line. A proto typical 1-tech defensive tackle that also excels on the wrestling mat. Solid propsect here.

9. Keith Smith (6-1, 216, 4.90e, Charter Oak, 2010) -- A ball-hawk to the ball, he have some questions on his speed, but not his ability. Has several offers...hey Charter Oak just might be busy on signing day this year. Good to have them back in the mix.

10. Darian Johnson (5-8.5, 175, 4.80e, Bishop Amat, 2010) -- Thought he showed up really well at the SC camp last Saturday. Will be heading up to Oregon this weekend. Great ball skills.

For more notes, click thread

Sports Illustrated cover boy Bryce Harper is skipping his final two years of high school to play for the College of Southern Nevada. Read why this writer supports his decision.

Below: Harper on the cover of Sports Illustrated

WHEN: Saturday (Skills competition begins at 3:30 p.m.; Game follows at approx. 6 p.m.)
WHERE: Jackie Robinson Stadium at Brookside Park
WHO: North vs. South

The skills competition (60 yard dash, agility courses, ground balls at short and fly balls at center field, etc) will start at 3:30 p.m. with the North team and 4:30 p.m. with the South. The game is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. The North team will be coached by Glendora's Dan Henley and the South team will be coached by South El Monte's Gil Adame. The game is put together by KG Sports Training Foundation, a non-profit set up to help kids off the street.

NORTH ROSTER
Brian Tuttle (Bonita); Evan Highley (Bonita); Mark Sattzer (St. Francis); A.J. Berglund (St. Francis); James Bonds (St. Francis); Matt Chavez (Maranatha); Dylan Covey (Maranatha); Danny Beckwith (Maranatha); Mark Jebbia (Maranatha); Shafer Chulay (Maranatha); Cole Kendall (La Canada); Dusty Sanderson (Temple City); Brandan Pultz (Temple City); Nick Bueno (Monrovia); Justin De La Nuez (Monrovia); Chris Warren (San Marino); Wallace Gonzalez (Glendora); Clint Harwick (Glendora); Brett Smith (Blair); Chris Rucker (Pasadena); Robert Lain (Pasadena); Keon Seymore (Muir); Gabriel Valencia (Muir); Garret Tuck (Arcadia); John Larson (Arcadia); Haram Park (Arcadia); Luis Martinez (Gladstone).

SOUTH ROSTER
Jonathan Beltran (Alhambra); Greg Saldate (Alhambra); Dennis Orozco (Bell Gardens); John Calderon (Bosco Tech); Brennon Martinez (Bosco Tech); Lonnie Kapila (Burbank); Chase Mersola (Burbank); Josh Ibarra (Cathedral); Angel Acosta (Gabrielino); Manuel Pantoja (South El Monte); Christian Huerta (Sierra Vista); Adrian Ramirez (El Monte); Anthony Milan (Montebello); Christian Madrid (Schurr); Carlos Arredondo (Schurr); Brett Bonilla (Walnut); Jon Hernandez (West Covina); Mark McMahon (Whittier Christian); C.J. Beatty (Whittier Christian); Mark Roche (Arroyo); Matt Lee (San Dimas); George Holland (San Dimas); Shaun Kennedy (San Dimas); Carlos Martinez (Nogales); Alberto Lopez (Nogales); Arman Valenzuela (Northview); Eddie Pedroza (Northview)

Anyone that knows me knows that I always have been a big Kobe fan. What separates the greats and the ones we argue are the greatest ever is the will to win, and the practice and preparation it takes to reach that level. We know how much it meant to Magic, Michael, Larry, and now Kobe. It's written on their face every game. They all were great, but didn't settle for being great, they maximized their greatness, which separates them from the rest in terms of the all-time greats. That's why Shaq's not on this list. He could have won ten championships if he had the will to work on his weight or his game over the summers. I heard the TNT crew talk about Kobe barely cracking the all-time top ten list. Give me a break, he's No. 3 as far as I'm concerned.

My All-Time top five
1. Magic Johnson - He was the greatest in the greatest era of basketball, the 80s. He beat Dr. Js 76ers (twice), Larry Bird's Celtics (twice) and Detroit's Bad Boys -- all teams that won championships. Not only did Magic win five, but he was in 9 NBA finals and had a career cut short by health problems before he could come back and avenge his loss against the Bulls.
2. Michael Jordan - Six NBA titles, Six MVP's, and Six NBA Final's MVPs. An almost impossible resume to argue against, except Jordan's Bulls never beat a team with a championship pedigree except for the Lakers in Magic's final season.
3. Kobe Bryant - When all is said and done, he has a chance to be the greatest. If he gets to six championships, it will be greater than Jordan's six because he also will have been in eight NBA finals. Jordan lovers like to talk about him winning without a dominant center or great team around him. But Pippen is a Hall of Famer. In the year after Jordan retired after the first three-peat, Pippen led the Bulls to 55 wins and the Eastern Conference finals, just two fewer wins than Jordan's three-peat Bulls the year before. So don't tell me he had a weak supporting cast.
4. Kareem Abdul Jabbar - Most underrated in the greatest ever category. Six NBA titles, Six MVP awards and ten NBA finals appearances. Oh yeah, he also had the most unstoppable shot in league history and is the all-time leading scorer.
5. Larry Bird - With no apologies to 11-time champion Bill Russell, Larry Bird was the greatest Celtics player ever. Russell won during an era when there were a handful of teams in the league and his Celts had all the great players. As a Lakers fan, Bird was the most feared player ever because he had the killer instinct and the talent to match it.

Montview All-League
Baseball
MVP - Christian Huerta, Sierra Vista, pitcher
First Team
Luis Martinez, Gladstone, pitcher
David Serrano, Sierra Vista, pitcher
Aaron Martinez, Azusa, catcher
Hector Mojica, Azusa, catcher
Danny Roble, Azusa, infielder
Efren Landeros, Duarte, infielder
Carlos Rosales, La Puente, infielder
Danny Ulloa, La Puente, infielder
Michael Lomeli, Sierra Vista, infielder
Jaime Aparicio, La Puente, infielder
Jesus Espinosa, Workman, infielder
Eric Quiroz, Sierra Vista, Utility
Adrian Gaeta, Azusa, DH
David Munoz, Sierra Vista DH

Softball
MVP - Brittany Flores, Sierra Vista
First Team
Veronica Ramirez, Azusa
Olivia Rosales, Azusa
Marissa Chavez, Azusa
Kaysle Gatlin, Duarte
Auryanna Erhadt, Duarte
Lucy Medina, La Puente
Ashley Solis, La Puente
Jackie Ortega, La Puente
Monica Gomez, Sierra Vista
Arielle Romero, Sierra Vista
Alyssa Lozano, Sierra Vista
Ana Mandujano, Workman
Ericka Valenzuela, Workman
Raquel Hernandez, Workman

Anything and anyone you want to talk about. I read a lot of blogs and think our bloggers are somewhat tame compared to others (well, let me think about that again), but the blog moderator for the Orlando Sentinel is a nutcase. He wrote this after the Magic were down 2-0. I wonder what he's thinking the morning after going Fishing.

Tonight is the one and only hockey game I will watch all year. In fact, I might not even tune in until the third period. The Stanley Cup Finals. Game 7. Detroit-Pittsburgh. 5 p.m. Here's hoping for the ultimate prize, sudden-death.

The word about the Underclassman All-Star Game apparently has gotten around. KG Sports Training Foundation founder Kiko Garcia made calls to local high school baseball coaches when putting together the inaugural game in 2008. This year, his phone is ringing with local coaches on the line. The second annual game is set for Saturday, June 20 at Jackie Robinson Stadium at Brookside Park. The skills competition - featuring 60-yard dash timing and agility courses - at 3:30 p.m. and the game will follow at 6. Glendora's Dan Henley will coach the North and South El Monte's Gil Adame will coach the South. The rosters will be finalized this weekend.

I got an email from Northview and East coach Jim Arellanes that basically said after we published the rosters for the Hall of Fame game yesterday, two huge players missing, Diamond Ranch's Bryan Bonilla and West Covina's Albert Cid, both will likely play now. When we get the final word, we will let you know.

I have every area all-league list with the exception of the Sierra League, which I have put in several calls for, but still haven't received it. I will continue posting a new league everyday continuing on Monday with the Montview League, followed by the others.

Miramonte All-League Teams
Baseball
MVP - Nico Calderaro, Bonita, pitcher
First Team
Jason Plowman, Bonita, utility
Kenny Kissell, Charter Oak, pitcher
Ronnie Blagg, Los Altos, pitcher
Jake Bailey, Charter Oak, catcher
Jiovanni Mier, Bonita, infield
Chris Allen, Charter Oak, infield
Jonah Northrop, Charter Oak, infield
Joel Licon, Diamond Ranch, infield
Matt Sanchez, Wilson, infield
Corey Hare, Bonita, outfield
Jeff Gelalich, Bonita, outfield
Josh Surdo, Charter Oak, outfield

Softball
MVP - Diana-Lynn Patterson (pitcher) Los Altos; Courtney Gano (shortstop), Los Altos
First Team
Amber Bachman, Bonita, utility
Vanessa Bracamonte, Wilson, utility
Chloe Wurst, Bonita, pitcher
Roxy Avalos, Los Altos, catcher
Clarice Spathais, Bonita, infield
Crystal Venegas, Charter Oak, infield
Monique Villasenor, Charter Oak, infield
Latisha Dedeaux, Los Altos, infield
Lexi Garcia, Los Altos, infield
Breeanna Sandoval, Bonita, outfield
Andrea Sprague, Charter Oak, outfield
Victorea Contreras, Los Altos, outfield

For Second team and honorable mention, click thread

I admit it, I turned into somewhat of a Fisher-hater during the playoffs. I say no, no, no, every time he launches a three ... Thought he was too old, too slow, lost his touch ... Never again. Live with it, die with it, Fish can take it wheneverrrrrr he wants.

The CIF-Southern Section does not release this list for another week or so, but the word is already out. The Orange County Register had it posted on their webpage, so click here and congrats to all the honorees... There is one huge omission, where is Jiovanni Mier in Division III? Gets drafted 21st overall, but he is not on the first or second team list.

Above: Charter Oak's Chris Allen will quarterback the East.

I know the teams already are practicing for the San Gabriel Valley Hall of fame All-Star football game on Friday, June 26, which will be coached by Rosemead's Matt Koffler (West) and Northview's Jim Arellanes (East). So what took so long to post the rosters? The tournament organizers never sent them, so I hounded the coaches today and have them posted here. The East looks strong, South Hills' Cameron Deen and Charter Oak's Chris Allen at quarterback with Rowland's Brian Stansell, Bishop Amat's Deshawn Gaisie and Diamond Ranch's Brian Spirlin in the backfield -- that's going to be tough to beat. The West counters with Rosemead'sTra Sumler and Monrovia's Marquise Williams in the backfield. Rosemead's Angel Alejandre and South El Monte's Jose Garay will share time at quarterback. At first glance I will establish the East as a favorite by a touchdown. Last year I predicted an East blowout and they got blownout, so who knows. Click the thread for the rosters

Below: Rosemead running back Tra Sumler will lead the West.

Bonita High School's Jiovanni Mier, who was drafted in the first-round and 21st overall by the Houston Astros, wasn't the only area player drafted in Major League Baseball's Amateur Draft. Former South Hills pitcher Brian Slover (CS Northridge) was taken in the eighth round (250th overall) by the Toronto Blue Jays. Former Charter Oak shortstop Scott Lyons (Arkansas) was taken in the 15th round (452nd overall) to the Kansas City Royals, and fresh off of winning the CIF-SS Division IV title, San Dimas' Josh Leyland was selected in the 16th round (483rd) by the Oakland A's.

To sign or not to sign: This question was asked by several people yesterday. If you were Jiovanni Mier, would you go to USC or sign, and probably get a signing bonus in the range of $1.5 to $2 million? With that much on the table I would sign, no question about it. My feeling is you can always put $150,000 grand away for college if baseball doesn't work out. Your dream is to play pro baseball, and someone is giving you life-changing money to pursue it? Take it, be smart with the money, and chase your dream. The bigger question is what will Josh Leyland do? He signed a letter of intent with Washington State. He has a scholarship on the table. My answer to that is it is completely up to him. Is it more risky to sign? Yes, because the financial value of the scholarship is more than will be offered by the A's. This is probably the hardest decision for families to make, but you know what, it's not a bad situation to be in is it?

Below: San Dimas' Josh Leyland

No, we're not the Bishop Amat Tribune, just doing our part to spread the word. Anyone who wants their high school camps posted can send them to me ...

Girls Basketball: Bishop Amat High School girls' basketball coach, Richard Wiard (yes he's back), is holding his annual Lady Hoopster Basketball Camp June 22-25 from 1:30-5:00 daily. The camp is open to girls entering the 5th-9th grades. Girls will receive instruction in basketball fundamentals, a camp t-shirt, and the chance to win daily prizes. The cost of the camp is $80. For more information, contact Coach Wiard at 626-962-2495 ext. 5868.

Football: Bishop Amat's Hit & Hustle Football Camp is at Bishop Amat on Saturday, June 20th from 9 am-3 pm. Registration is $75 and begins at 8:30 am and includes lunch, t-shirt, and camp photo, and instruction in tackling, take-aways, and offensive & defensive techniques. The Amat coaching staff will be instructing at the camp along with several varsity players. For more info, contact coach Steve Hagerty at at 626-962-2495 Ext. 6001 or email hitandhustlecamp@yahoo.com for registration materials and/or questions.

When is a "New Direction," no direction? When you're the Duarte High School football program. I don't blame this on new coach Tip Sanders, this isn't about him, he can coach. I blame it on the school for for the ridiculous firing of Wardell Crutchfield, and now they're paying the price. Miguel Melendez talked to Sanders yesterday, and reports back that they have a roster that more resembles a basketball team than a football team.

Miguel wrote: I put in a call to Falcons coach Tip Sanders. Rumor had it the team was fielding just seven players during spring ball. Turns out that wasn't all that far fetched. Duarte is averaging 10-15 players during spring ball. Sanders doesn't know why that's the case but notes he went through the same situation while at Marshall and Blair before building them into a successful program. Today is the last day of spring ball and the team will begin practice again on June 22 at 5 p.m. at Duarte. Sanders' focus right now is working with the incoming freshman and build his program from the ground up. I asked Sanders if he's hired any assistants. "As soon as I find more players," he replied. Sanders said five coaches he retained from last year's staff changed their minds and have since left Duarte.

Lets congratulate Jiovanni Mier, who was drafted in the first-round and 21st overall by the Houston Astros in today's Major League baseball amateur draft. Read today's Houston Chronicle

"This is overwhelming," Mier said. "I mean, I saw my name and I even got a phone call (from the Astros), but it really hasn't sunk in yet."

"We thought he was the best baseball player in the draft," said Bobby Heck, Houston's director of scouting. "We were elated that he was still available at 21."

Bonita High School shortstop Jiovanni Mier didn't play in last night's San Gabriel Valley all-star game, though he was there to cheer on all his teammates. There is no sense in chancing anything when you're expected to be a first or second-round selection in today's Major League Baseball Amateur draft. Mier has signed a letter of intent to attend USC, but today could change everything. I googled his name this morning and found him on all kinds of draft boards and mock draft's. MLB.COM breaks it down with a flattering summary that reads: "Mier looks like a young Nomar Garciaparra on the field. He's a free swinger that should generate a little pop as he matures. Defensively, he's very smooth and makes up for below-average speed with excellent instincts that should allow him to remain at shortstop. He has a quiet confidence on the field and his intangibles are off the charts. He should be one of the better high school shortstops in this year's Draft class." This MLB Outsider draft has him at No. 21 to the Houston Astros. Check out this video of Mier, and the Sporting News mock draft.

By Andrew J. Campa, Staff Writer

Bonita High School senior Jiovanni Mier wore No. 3, but he may have a new favorite number. The Bearcats shortstop was drafted 21st by the Houston Astros in the first round of baseball's amateur draft Tuesday in New Jersey. Mier was the 11th high schooler and sixth player from California drafted. "This is overwhelming," Mier said. "I mean, I saw my name and I even got a phone call (from the Astros), but it really hasn't sunk in yet."

Can you believe that Steve Ramirez scheduled a camping trip this week, leaving me to make all the phone calls and photo assignments for the Tribune all-area teams? Who would schedule a camping trip during the NBA Finals anyway? BTW, for those wondering, the All-Area teams will begin to publish after the Lakers win the NBA title, which I'm guessing could come as early as Sunday. While I sort through all this, the Scouting Guru dropped in and dropped his 2010 East San Gabriel Valley player rankings. Check it out

The Guru Says: While it was nice to enjoy some good baseball on Saturday at Angels Stadium, its time for football. After all is said and done, here is our first top-10 list of players for the class of 2010. Next week, we will co-mingle the class of 2010 with the class of 2011. You just might be surprised how the 2011 class measures up to the class of 2010. The designation of HT next to the 40 time indicates that the time was hand timed.

Class of 2010 East SGV Top-10

1. Adam Muema (RB, Charter Oak, 5'9.5, 180, 4.62HT) -- Clearly the top player in the area with four mid-major conference offers. Can he get an offer from a BCS school? Yes. Will he? Most likely not.
2. Jordan Canada (RB, CB, South Hills {Duarte}, 5'9e, 180e, 4.70e) -- Has been gaining a lot of steam this spring. A more versatile player than Muema in that schools are looking at his as a RB, CB and S. Intriging.
3. Ify Umodu (WR, South Hills, 6'2, 198, 4.98) -- In a year of the WR, this prospect has to be in the conversation. Showed up well at UCLA. Projects to being a mid-major level offer kid in the fall.
4. A.J. Powell (S, Charter Oak, 5'7, 175, 4.79HT) -- If he was 6'0, he'd be a no-brainer. Needs to show up well on senior film. But he has landed on a lot of boards.
5. Darian Johnson (CB, Bishop Amat, 5'8.5, 175, 4.80e) -- Grades out well on tape, another player with size questions. You can't argue that he had a great spring in track. We can vouch for him.
6. Keith Smith (LB, Charter Oak, 6'1 216, 4.90e) -- Owns offers from Reno and Air Force. We have questions about his speed, but he's hard not to find on tape. A ball-hawk to the ball.
7. Geoffrey Vaughns (WR, South Hills, 5'10, 166, 4.58HT) -- Best route runner in the area. A true athlete that can also play corner. How solid was his junior year? He was voted 1st team All-CIF. That says a lot.
8. Leonard Rhodes (DE, Walnut, 6'3, 226, 4.62HT) -- Had a solid season last year. But didn't look great against SH or Rowland. League coaches voted him in front of Johnson. We concur.
9. Ricky Johnson (RB, West Covina, 5'11, 174, 4.75e) -- Has to show that he is more than a good wing-t RB. Didn't like seeing that 15.00 in the hurdles at CIF several weeks ago. Still with a lot of questions!
10. Brandon Golden (CB, RB, Charter Oak, 5'9.5e, 170e, 4.85e) -- He has found himself on a lot of boards...as a corner. Size another issue with him, but he is very intriguing and a senior evaluation kid.

Others: Tre Hale (Damien), Christian Lazaro (Baldwin Park), Michael Wells (Diamond Ranch), Amari Staten (Diamond Ranch), Elijah Henley (Diamond Ranch), Andre Holmes (Glendora), Tim Manning (Glendora), Miles Bevel (South Hills), Leon Washington (Charter Oak). Jerry McClanahan (Bishop Amat)

Several other items of notice that we over heard this weekend at Angels Stadium and parts beyond: Click thread to keep reading

Do you remember when we tried to do a live streaming video broacast of the Los Altos-Northview football game last fall, only to get reprimanded by the CIF-Southern Section, who prohibits newspapers from doing live-streaming video because they claim to have the exclusive rights because of contracts signed with Fox Sports and Vootage, etc. The Chicago Tribune is covering a story of a Wisconsin newspaper challenging the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association over this very thing, titled : Lawsuit may decide papers vs. preps. We also are hearing rumors that CIF is considering prohibiting us from doing live blogging of championship events next year. What's next, we can't twitter either?

You can argue all you want about how great Orange County baseball is, but over the last three years, the San Gabriel Valley has produced the most champions. Not only has the SGV produced seven champions, three more have lost in championship games when you think of Monrovia (2007) and Diamond Ranch and South Hills (2008). In Division IV, the SGV has dominated, winning three straight, Charter Oak, Northview and San Dimas. Add them up and since 2007, the SGV has won seven championships to Orange County's two.

2009
Division I, Capistrano Valley, Orange County
Division II, South Hills, San Gabriel Valley
Division IV, San Dimas, San Gabriel Valley
Division V, Maranatha, San Gabriel Valley

2008
Division II, El Toro, Orange County
Division IV, Northview, San Gabriel Valley
Division V, Bishop Amat, San Gabriel Valley

2007
Division IV, Charter Oak, San Gabriel Valley
Division V, Bishop Amat, San Gabriel Valley

While I'm up early reading every Lakers story possible, and thanking the Heavens that Courtney Lee didn't may that lay-up with sixth-tenths left, how about discussing the final event of the season, the All-Star game tonight at Mt. SAC, and some baseball awards that we don't hand-out, but are worthy of our discussion....

Most Improved? Best Closer? Best Fielder? Best Outfielder? Most Clutch? Best Hitter?

Red Wins, 7-1
By John Honell
Forty-eight of the best high school seniors met at Mt. SAC's Mazmanian Field for the San Gabriel Valley Senior All-Star baseball game on Monday.
Eighteen previous players in the game have reached the major leagues.
The Red team, coached by Dan Henley of Glendora, scored a pair of runs in the first inning and went on to beat the Blue team, coach by Bishop Amat's Andy Nieto, 7-1.
"It's a nice honor," Henley said. "You get to see the best seniors at the end of their high school career. Guys that have been previously competing against each other, like San Dimas and Northview kids, now have to get their pictures taken together."

Division IV
San Dimas 4, Torrance 2
It just wouldn't be a CIF-Southern Section playoff game without the San Dimas High School baseball team rallying for a victory. And Saturday the Saints did on the biggest of stages to win the Division IV championship with a 4-2 victory over Torrance. Kevin Ponzo and Matt Thrall highlighted a four-run rally with back-to-back RBI singles as the Saints won their first CIF-SS title since 1985 and their second overall. San Dimas also became the third consecutive area team to win the Division IV title, joining Northview, who wonit last year, and Charter Oak, who won it in 2007.
San Dimas coach Mike Regan: "Our guys never quit. Theyre just unbelievable. It was a little frustrating we couldn't score in the first inning, but I brought them up and said, 'It's just two runs, we've done it all year. You just have to fight back,' and they did it. These kids never give in and they believed. We had so many games where we came back and didn't quit. I'm just esastic. I love these kids so much, and they have more heart than anyone I ever coached. They are prideful and they battle and they are fighters. They never quit and we took it home."
Pitcher Kevin Ponzo: "We still needed to get the go-ahead run. (Leyland's) hit gave me the momentum and the courage to get mine, and then Thrall got his."

Division III championship
South Hills 8, Beckman 2
The Huskies completed the Valley's dominance with an impressive victory to score the school's fifth CIF-SS title with an easy win in the Divsion III title game at Angels Stadium.
Junior catcher Cody Doyle had three hits with two RBIs and Hugo Atienzo and Tyler France had two RBIs as South Hills took apart the division's top seed. Pitcher Derek Klena was solid, giving up six hits and striking out four. The Huskies led 3-0 in the first, 5-1 after the second and 7-2 after the fourth.
The title was Kevin Smith's first as South Hills coach. He also credited long-time Mt. San Antonio College coach Art Mazmanian, who has helped out with the team down the stretch.
South Hills coach Kevin Smith: "I'm numb, just numb. After what happened to us last year ... but I don't want to talk about last year, it's such a bad taste in our mouth. I didn't have any idea this team would come together the way it did, especially after our Nogales loss (to end the regular season). We just played horribly. But something clicked on and they said, 'It's time to get going. We just came alive, the bats came alive today. It was just a total team effort. Derek pitching great. Coach Mazmanian has made a huge difference.He put us on our toes. He kind of lit the fire.
But I can't say enough about our kids. For them It's been like, 'Who do we play next? The Bonita win (in the quarterfinals) was huge, it was like we have a shot at this after that."
Cody Doyle:"Tyler France had that big hit (in the first inning) with the double, which brought in me and (Atienzo). After that, momentum stayed with us."
Derek Klenaa: "I felt like we really earned it this year. You can't let the umpires determine the game. We put together a lot of hits, 13 hits, you can't ask for more. We scored a lot of runs, a lot of earned runs. We came to play today and everybody did their job."

Division III
Tesoro 4, Glendora 0 -- In almost a replay of what happened to the Glendora High School softball team in last year's title game, the Tartans fell behind early against Tesoro in Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Division III championship at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine, and never recovered. Tesoro jumped on Tartans pitcher Dana Waldusky in the first inning, scoring three runs -- two unearned on two Tartans errors -- and that was more than enough as the Titans went on to win 4-0 behind pitcher Samantha Pappas, who threw her sixth straight shutout of the playoffs.
In the Division II final last year, the Tartans fell behind 5-0 in the first inning against El Dorado and lost 12-4. If last year's loss hurt, this was twice as painful. "Last year we weren't expected to get past the second round, this year I expected us to get to the finals and win it," Waldusky said. "It's hard to take, I'm a CIF runner-up twice. I wish I could have had a ring and did it my senior year, but unfortunately we have to settle for this."

Division V
Whittier Christian 3, San Dimas 2, 8 innings-- San Dimas' Ariel Shore scored twice and set a single-season CIF-Southern Section stolen base record with three steals, giving her 78 for the season. But the Heralds rallied to win it. Whittier's Bekah Kikuchi led off the eighth inning with a single to left-center. On Natalie Sanchez's sacrifice bunt, the throw to first was low for an error, everyone was safe. Julia Lupericio hit an easy grounder to second that rolled through the second baseman's legs, Kikuchi scores to make it 3-2 for the game-winner. With San Dimas leading 1-0 on Shore's first-inning run, the Heralds Julie Bohlen and Danielle Zapien opened the 5th inning with singles. On Alexis Beattie's sacrifice bunt toward first to move the runners over, Saints first baseman Kaylie Norrie never hesitated, gunning Bohlen at third by a half-step for a huge force out. Then pitcher Kortnie Clark got a strikeout for the second out. But Rachelle Coberly singled up the middle to drive in Zapien, tying the score 1-1 with runners on first and third. Then the back-breaker, Mandi Perez slapped a chopper to Gipsy Ramirez at third charging, she couldn't handle it, Robinson (running for Beattie) scores to make it 2-1. In the bottom of the 5th, Shore swung at a third strike but reached first when the throw got away from the catcher. After she stole second and third for her CIF record 77th and 78th of the season, she scored on Shelby Dopps' ground out to tie it, 2-2.

"It hurts, we were so close. There is always a winner and loser in softball. The (stolen-base) record doesn't really matter right now. We fought so hard, and we tried our best. It just happens." -- Ariel Shore.

"We were really anxious at the plate today, we didn't hit the ball well. It was great to be here, but it feels terrible to win. This is the best high school team I have been on for four years, but all I'm feeling now is I wish we could go again." -- Gipsy Ramirez.

Below: Shore, who had three steals, set a CIF-SS record with her 76, 77 and 78th of the season.

Here's the deal, we will do live blogging for all four championship games on Saturday. I will set up a softball and baseball game thread on Saturday morning. I will be at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine to cover Glendora at 12:30 p.m., and San Dimas at 3:30 p.m. Steve Ramirez will be at Angel Stadium covering San Dimas at 10 a.m., and South Hills at 1 p.m. And check this out, we will have photo galleries for all four championships as well. It's too bad we can't be everywhere at once, but at least we have back-to-back games for fans of softball and baseball. We will do our live blogging in the COMMENTS SECTION, so maybe we can answer a question or two from the bloggers during the games. I will Twitter the final scores as soon as they're finished as well. Enjoy it, and lets hope it doesn't rain. For all our local teams, bring it home. You need a pre-game speech to pump you up, I got just the one ...

Saturday's weather update: Chance of Rain 30%

Don is one of our better commenters, always doing a splendid job of telling us what's going on in the foothill's. Yesterday he weighed in on Bonita football, so I thought I would share his comment for discussion.....Anyone who has an opinion they want shared can email it to me, and who knows, maybe you will be the next "Don" for discussion. Here is his comment.

While I wouldn't consider anyone other than Charter Oak a favorite in the Miramonte, Coach Podley seems to have added some new wrinkles to that Spread O. Many QB's, and a finalist probably won't be decided before summer practice ends but Garrett Pendleton, a 6'5" Junior (to be), looks like the favorite but there are couple of shorter guys who look solid too. Lots of receivers, Moderow, and Yepez are back from baseball to join in and some good looking RB's as well; Kenny Calvin, Giamini Johnson, Casey Horine and a couple more to be named later. Line looks bigger than that of recent teams and athletic to boot. Defense is where the fun will be. Remember these names: Tarez Lemmons, Daniel Harriman, Cody McKenzie, and K.C. Huth, youngin's who like contact. They'll be there with All-Leaguer Tyler Cortez and AL-HM Corner Matt Gelalich to provide some fun for we who love collisions.

Forgive South Hills High School pitcher Derek Klena if he changes his pregame ritual for Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Division III baseball final at Angel Stadium. The senior, who started for the Huskies in the divisional final at Dodger Stadium last year, also sang the national anthem. While he wouldn't turn down the request, he's not exactly volunteering for the duty this weekend. To continue reading, click thread

After three trips to the semifinals, the Saints' senior foursome of Shelby Dopps, Ariel Shore, Gipsy Ramirez and Yumiko Hiroto will finally get a chance to bring home the big prize.

Glendora High School's first trip to Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine last season was a nightmare. The Tartans fell behind 5-0 during an error-filled first inning against El Modena in the CIF-Southern Section Division II championship game and were never the same, losing 12-4. It's rare to get a second opportunity, but the Tartans (22-4) have just that. They will take make the trip to Irvine again on Saturday to take on Tesoro (26-4) in the Division III championship at 12:30 p.m. To continue reading, click thread

The 2009 CIF State Track & Field Championships will be contested Friday-Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium, on the campus of Buchanan High School in Clovis.

CIF-State track and field results posted here

CIF-State track heet sheets.

Diamond Ranch standout Karynn Dunn hoping for her first state title after six CIF-SS Invividual titles.

By Andrew Campa
The area is down to its final four athletes for this weekend's CIF-State Track and Field preliminaries and finals at Buchanan High School in Clovis. Friday's first event for a local athlete is the boys long jump at 3 p.m. That's where Bishop Amat High School senior Sheldon Price will take flight. The UCLA-bound Price hit 22 feet, 10 inches at last week's Masters Meet in his third attempt as he criss-crossed between that event and the 100- and 200-meter races. To continue reading, click thread

I have never faced this situation, but there is a 30 percent chance of rain Friday and a 20 percent chance on Saturday. In the event games are rained out on Saturday, the championships would be pushed back to Monday, and will be played at the schools that are designated home teams for Saturday's championships. That would mean Glendora softball would be at Tesoro, and San Dimas softball would be home against Whittier Christian. In baseball, South Hills would be at Beckman and San Dimas would be at home against Torrance. Hmmm, I wonder if San Dimas is secretly doing a rain dance. Two home games in the finals? Would you prefer that, or games at Angel Stadium and Deanna Manning in Irvine?

CIF media relations and best person in the business Thom Simmons said.
"Barring any lightning they'll play in the rain. It'll be the umpire's call. In the event it's postponed they'll pick up right where they left off (Monday) at the home team's site. If (the) grounds crews deem play is unplayable then we'll defer to them. I don't know that it's happened in baseball but it has happened in football." -- Thom Simmons

Entering the final weekend of the high school season, Steve Ramirez and I agree that the baseball and softball coach of the year and player of the year for baseball and softball are still up for grabs. We will make those decisions early next week. There are some not still playing in consideration, but of course a lot depends on what happens in the championships. Care to weigh in?

Below: How's this for a politically correct photo? San Marino players just as dazed and confused about all this as I am.

Big News: Former Los Altos and UCLA standout Brigham Harwell, the 2003 Tribune player of the year, will coach the Conquerors' freshman team this fall, head coach and former teammate Felipe Aguilar announced last night. Harwell recently signed a free agent contract with the Washington Redskins, but it didn't pan out. All they're missing now is Shaun Cody. Harwell could have joined up with former coach Greg Gano at Damien, but he showed his loyalty to his alma mater. "Brigham had a great career at UCLA," Aguilar said. "Just to have him come back is a great opportunity for all the kids and the community. At UCLA he was their team MVP, so we're very fortuante. He's going to be a great influence on our program. On Friday nights he will help us (varsity) out. He will probably be up in the booth contributing for us, which is a huge benefit."

Aguilar on the spring: We had a lot of great workouts, there is a lot of energy out here. Things are a little different than last year, a lot more intensity, a lot harder work, and I feel like I have my feet planted a lot better this time around."

Aguilar on future after two missed playoffs: We're driven and I'm driven to get us back on the map. We're expecting great things in the near future. We expect to be one of the top teams in the Valley again. Last year I came in a lot later, and was kind of thrown into it, everything was going a 100 miles an hour. Now with a whole season and time to implement our offense and other things we want to do defensively is a huge advantage."

Did you know: That Harwell was only the second player in the history of the Tribune's player of the year award to win it as a pure defensive player. West Covina High's Bob Epps was the other, winning in 1976. Cody might have been another, but as we all now by now, that went to Aguilar in 2000 instead.

Who to look for in 2009? While we're on the subject of defense ends, linebackers and tackles, who will be the best returning this fall? This is always an area where we need help identifying the best.

WALNUT - The San Gabriel Valley Senior All-Star softball game was a fitting end to the high school careers of 41 girls who have been standouts at their respective schools.
The South, coached by Kendra Navarro (El Monte), came from behind to post an 11-3 win over the North, coached by Pamela Crampton (St. Lucy's).
"This bunch of girls on the South team are fantastic girls," Navarro said. "They hustled in practice and they all got along really well." To continue reading, click thread

San Dimas baseball will play Torrance, a 3-0 winner over Kaiser. Read today's story from the Daily Breeze...."This is my first year on varsity and we're going all the way, the first Torrance team to do it. It's very exciting." -- Torrance sophomore pitcher Ralph Ramirez.

South Hills baseball will play top-ranked Beckman, a 15-3 blowout winner over Lancaster. Read today's Orange County Register story. "Sometimes as a coach, you want your guys to relax a little bit, but these guys were so ready to play, we would have played it in the parking lot." -- Beckman coach Kevin Lavalle.

Below: Torrance, San Dimas' opponent, celebrates 3-0 semifinal win over Kaiser

Glendora softball will play Tesoro, an 8-0 winner over Los Altos. You have read our story, but take a look how the Orange County Registered covered Tuesday's game. "We're so excited. This is what we've been working for all year. We've just been taking it one game at a time and we're finally here." - Tesoro player Kasey Lange

San Dimas softball will play Whittier Christian, a 2-0 winner over Heritage. Our very own Roger Murray tells the story in the Whittier Daily News. "(Pitcher) Courtney (McGee) (5-3) was exceptional again today. We're really pleased with the way the team is playing together and how the kids are reacting to the coaching." -- Whittier Christian coach Dale Van Duyn

Below: Whittier Christian celebrates semifinal victory.

Anything and anyone you want to talk about. But mainly this is for football folks to talk about what went down in spring football. Steve and I will be busy on features and advancing the baseball and softball championship games, so have fun. BTW, tonight is the San Gabriel Valley all-star softball game at Mt. SAC at 6:30 p.m.. I will attach the rosters to this thread, and remember, players from San Dimas and Glendora are not eligible since they are playing for title games on Saturday.

And coming Thursday ... The Mamba, Lakers in Six!

....And coming Friday ....I like the Titans in a sweep. Next stop, Omaha!

Once the softball schedule comes out this afternoon, I will post the times for this weekend's championships. This is the first time I can remember having to cover four championships, hopefully CIF does us a favor and puts the softball games on Friday with the baseball scheduled for Saturday. BTW, lets give it up for San Dimas, I will have to check, but has the area ever had a baseball and softball team win a CIF championships the same season?

Breaking schedule update: I just got word that Glendora will play on Saturday at 12:30 p.m. followed by San Dimas softball, also on Saturday at 3:15 p.m. This means four championships, all on Saturday, plus the state track finals in Fresno. Dang it, we will do our best to do all championship games justice, but it will be tough.

CIF-Southern Section
Baseball Championships
Division III
South Hills (23-8) vs. No.1 Beckman (26-4), 1 p.m., Angel Stadium
Division IV
No. 4 San Dimas (23-5) vs. No. 3 Torrance (25-7), 10 a.m., Angel Stadium.

Softball championships
At Deanna Manning Stadium, Irvine
Division III
Tesoro (26-4) vs. Glendora (22-4), Saturday, 12:30 p.m.
Division V
San Dimas (25-4) vs. Whitter Christian (23-6), Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

"With these guys I feel like it's never over. They compete like no other team I have ever been around. I just love them to death, they're a bunch of fighters who don't know the word quit." -- San Dimas coach Mike Regan

"It was exactly how we expected it and a lot of people expected it, it just didn't go our way. When you get so close to fighting for that ring and you come back and take the lead the way we did, that's the part that hurts the most. You never want to come up short in a game like this, but we have been fortunate to be on the other end of it the last two years. You just have to tip your hat, they got it done when it mattered the most." -- Bishop Amat coach Andy Nieto.

CIF-Southern Division IV
San Dimas 6, Bishop Amat 5 -- Unbelievable. After Bishop Amat had broken a 4-4 tie by going ahead 5-4 in the top of the 7th, relief pitcher Kevin Ponzo, who gave up a 4-2 lead in the sixth inning and the go-ahead run to in the 7th, knocked in the game-tying and winning runs with a bases loaded single to center in the bottom of the 7th, scoring Thomas Jenson and Aaron Orona to send the Saints to their first championship game since 1985.
Division III
South Hills 9, Corona del Mar 3 - Hugo Atienzo hit a three-run homer and freshman Tyler France hit a two-run homer as the Huskies marched back to their secon straight championship game.

DIVISION III
Beckman 15, Lancaster 3
South Hills 9, Corona del Mar 3
Saturday's Championship: South Hills vs. Beckman, 1 p.m., Angel Stadium
DIVISION IV
San Dimas 6, Bishop Amat 5
Torrance 3, Kaiser 0
Saturday's Championship: San Dimas vs. Torrance, 10 a.m., Angel Stadium.

CIF-Southern Section Playoffs
Tuesday's semifinal results
Division III
Tesoro 8, Los Altos 0
Glendora 3, Chino Hills 0
Division V
San Dimas 2, Village Christian 0
Division VI
La Salle 3, South El Monte 2

Today's feature: Courtney Gano's playoff run with Los Altos brings back memories of Workman High School's dream run in 1983, led by Gano's mother, Rhonda Wheatley.

All-Star Game: Do not forget that the San Gabriel Valley all-star softball game is Wednesday at Mt. SAC at 6:30 p.m. Sorry we couldn't do more in advance of the game, the timing of the all-star game makes it tough with so many teams still alive in the playoffs.

Today's Advance: Steve Ramirez's writes about the four teams left in today's semifinals.

Predictions: I hope I don't jinx this, but I really like all four teams chances of reaching the show. Los Altos and Glendora would be a dream final, maybe the best final in area history. I feel better about Glendora's chances having swept Chino Hills 4-0 and 5-3 already, but its tough to beat a good team three times, especially at their place. Los Altos has an even tougher task. Tesoro beat Ayala twice and enters the semifinals with four straight shutouts, but the Conq's have done the things that make dream season's come true, so I'm banking they have some magic left. San Dimas is peaking, winners of nine straight. I love a team with experienced seniors, and feel like this is their moment after knocking on the door the two previous years. South El Monte has been on a mission since day one, and today they topple the top seed. This is the game I feel strongest about. La Salle isn't the giant they were a few years ago, they're very beatable, but still have to be respected.

Our favorite college baseball team - Cal State Fullerton, which roster features former area stars Gary Brown of Diamond Bar, Tyler Pill of Covina and Noe Ramirez of Alhambra, swept through their regional and will now face either Louisville or Vanderbilt in the Super Regionals, which will be held this weekend at Fullerton.
The Titans swept through with wins of 18-2 over Utah on Friday, 7-4 over Gonzaga on Saturday and 16-3 over Utah on Sunday.
Brown, Pill and Ramirez made the All-Regional team.
Six of the 16 regionals will be decided tonight, but I did pretty good on my predictions. I correctly picked: Fullerton, Texas, Florida, Arizona State, North Carolina, Arkansas and LSU. I missed on Georgia, UCI, Oregon State, and still have Rice, South Carolina, Louisville, Clemson and Georgia Tech still alive today.
I did, though, go against my heart and picked UCI to win the whole thing. I guess you can rack that up with Anteater coach Mike Gillespie suffering another classic meltdown.
UCI is the only team of my College World Series elite eight to be eliminated, although Georgia Tech and South Carolina could lose tonight.
But it was a good weekend for Titan an area fans, because in addition to Cal State Fullerton advancing, Arkansas, which roster features former Charter Oak and Mt. San Antonio College infielder Scott Lyons, also advanced, beating Oklahoma 11-0 on Sunday. Former South Hills infielder Kevin Mort is also still alive with his Mississippi team that plays Western Kentucky tonight.

On a personal note, here's what a NCAA ball looks like. We caught this on Saturday.

Last year we re-introduced the boys and girls athlete of the year, which was awarded to Northview's Hannah Fraijo and Glendora's Michael Edwards. With so many athletes zeroed in on one sport and specialization, this award is designed to celebrate the multi-sport athlete.

With South Hills at Corona del Mar in baseball and Los Altos, Glendora, San Dimas and South El Monte hoping to punch tickets to the mecca of high school softball, a trip to Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine this weekend, there is only one absolute certainty: The winner of Tuesday's Bishop Amat-San Dimas baseball game will play for the Division IV title on Saturday at 10 a.m. at Anaheim Stadium. I know I will be there, but who is going to join me? When the playoffs began I said I feel the same way about San Dimas that I did Northview last year. Destiny, Karma, it's all in their favor. But Bishop Amat, mannn, that's one hard out. As Vinny would say, pull up a chair and enjoy it.

A PICTURE IS WORTH A 1,00O WORDS: Here is the hometown homer call San Dimas' Mike Regan was talking about in Friday's 11-8 win over El Segundo. San Dimas' Sean Kennedy was called out at home on a force by the home plate umpire. As you can see, it wasn't even close. Regan's words again, "It's karma. That's what happens, man. (The umpire) tried to homer us, and our guy hit a grand slam. That's how it works. ... That was the worst call I've seen in my whole life of baseball. That was just ridiculous, man. Zero integrity. He knew in his heart that was the wrong call, and that's what happens, man. The baseball gods, right there."

Also, this is Tuesday's Schedule. We will have coverage of all the games, but which are the most important? Which games should we "play up," as we say in the newspaper business? If you tweet, you can follow what's happening everywhere as it happens because once again, I will be in Twitter mode with updates on everything.

CIF-Southern Section Baseball Playoffs
Tuesday's Semifinals games
Division IV
Bishop Amat at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
Division III
South Hills at Corona del Mar, 3:15 p.m.

CIF-Southern Section Playoffs
Tuesday's Semifinals
Division III
Tesoro ( 25-4) at Los Altos (23-6)
Glendora (21-4) at Chino Hills (23-10-1)
Division V
Village Christian (26-5) at San Dimas (24-4)
Division VI
South El Monte (21-6) at La Salle (24-5)

This is the final week of the prep season, which means next week we turn our attention to all-league, all-area and a summer filled with football leading to the fall. That's my schedule, but you can start by sharing with us your top ten running back prospects for 2010? Charter Oak's Awesome Adam is the easy consensus No. 1, but the rest is up for debate.