By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Baldwin Park High School’s boys basketball team won its first tournament in 26 years on Saturday by beating Firebaugh 63-59 in the championship of the Don Bosco Tournament.
The Braves’ Eddie Gamboa scored 16 points in the final and Joe De La Torre had eight rebounds.
But the Braves duo of Fernie Morelos and Tomas Montes were named tournament co-MVPs. to continue, click thread
“Fernie is so versatile he can play any position on the floor for us and guard any position, so as a coach it is a nice luxury to have,” Braves coach Marc Hart said. “Tomas is one of the best shooters in the Valley. He set a single-season record at the school with 58 three’s last year. It is a nice luxury as well to have such a great shooter on your team. It really stretches out the defense.”
The Braves already are 5-0 after going 16-9 the past two seasons.
“It makes us feel proud that we are starting a winning tradition at Baldwin Park,” Hart said. “The confidence that we have now we are hoping to build on and our goal is to improve everyday.
“We are hoping for bigger and better things this year in league and in the playoffs. What we are most proud of is we have built something here at Baldwin Park that when we play other teams they know they are in for a battle.”
Wiard is back
After taking a year off to pursue his Masters Degree at Azusa Pacific, Bishop Amat girls basketball coach Richard Wiard returned. And so has the Lancers’ success.
The Lancers beat Rialto, 62-47, in the championship of the Rialto Tournament on Saturday behind a game-high 28 points from Leticia Galarza and 20 from Ariel Wideman.
The Lancers improved to 5-0 and are hoping to add the Arroyo tournament title when it begins next week.
Soccer showdown
The area’s top-ranked Bishop Amat (5-0) girls soccer team will host Los Altos (5-0) on Thursday in a highly anticipated nonleague game at 3:15 p.m.
The Lancers followed a 2-1 victory over La Habra with a 1-0 win over Kennedy in the championship game of the Artesia tournament and outscored their opponents, 11-1.
The area’s fourth-ranked Conquerors have been even more impressive in beating La Mirada 2-0 in the championship of the La Mirada tournament.
The Conquerors have not allowed a goal this season and have outscored five opponents, 14-0.
Coaching vacancies
Bassett High School announced it is parting ways with football coach Leon Ward after three years and a 6-24 record.
Ward finished his best season at the school, 4-6, but the Olympians missed the playoffs and are ready to move in a new direction.
Nogales, which moves to the Valle Vista next year, also is looking for a new head football coach after not renewing the contract of coach Vito Saracino.
fred.robledo@sgvn.com
(626) 962-8811, Ext. 2161
