I’m on the fence for No. 1, but it will be either Bishop Amat or South Hills, with Glendora, San Dimas and Damien not far back. Then there are the usual’s like Northview, Bonita and those expected to do well also like Diamond Bar, Walnut, Los Altos, Charter Oak, etc. I would also love to hear from you who might be this years sleepers, like maybe a Sierra Vista, Wilson, or Baldwin Park.

Chino High needs a team: Due to a schedule conflict Chino needs one baseball team for the Chino pre-season tournament. The dates are March 3,8,10,12 and 16th. Those interested should contact Bob Sheehan at 909-627-7351 ext. 3706.

That’s Mr. Kevin Smith: Wonder if I will get hammered for using this photo too? Hey, he’s our reigning coach of the year, and I personally can’t wait for the Huskies to meet-up with Bishop Amat this season. Both teams are also in the National Classic.

Jon Mack has agreed to become the football coach at Encino Crespi after three years of being the head coach at Ventura College. He will be introduced to players at an afternoon meeting.

By John Honell, Correspondent
The San Gabriel Valley lived up to its reputation as the birthplace of girls high school wrestling at the 2010 CIF Girls Southern Regional on Friday and Saturday at Northview High School. West Covina had two individual champions in Samantha Ortiz at 114 pounds and Alyssa Luna (118). West Covina, Northview and Baldwin Park finished third, fourth and sixth, respectively, in the team standings as Pacifica edged Pioneer Valley, 177-176, for first place. (To read story, click thread)

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It appears that Bishop Amat is making big changes to its football schedule. The CIF-SS games wanted list shows that Bishop Amat is looking for opponents in Week 0, 2, 4, 5 & 9, which would mean almost a complete overhaul of its nonleague schedule. Athletic Director Mike Manzo confirmed for us that the school is making adjustments to its schedule, but said it would be more appropriate for coach Steve Hagerty to explain the reasons, so we will wait for his call. Assuming the Lancers play St. Bonny in week one, their contract with Damien in week 3 is still on, Spartans coach Greg Gano said. But what happens to games against St. Paul, Dominguez, and perhaps West Covina? We’ll keep you posted when we get more information. BTW, In addition to playing Diamond Ranch in week 1, Damien has secured a game with El Dorado in week 4, but still needs a week 5 game.

Saturday’s SoCal Shootout Scores
Baldwin park 79, Flintridge Prep 71
La Canada 59, Brea 51
Murrieta Valley 52, Diamond Ranch 40
Upland 67, Vista Murrieta 55
Glendora 62, Walnut 59
Los Osos 61, Ventura 59
Colony 80, Oxnard 65
Etiwanda 58, Damien 57, OT
Rowland 56, Ontario Christian 26

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
LA PUENTE - The buzz at Workman High School hasn’t been the same since highly-touted guard Cezar Guerrero decided to pack up and head back to St. John Bosco. Guerrero, who won a state appeal to become eligible at Workman last season after transferring from St. John Bosco, is all over YouTube because of his incredible ball-handling skills and no-look passes. To continue click thread

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Word is trickling in that West Covina beat South Hills 32-28 Thursday night to claim control of the San Antonio League race. This is the Bulldogs’ biggest win over the Huskies since edging them out, 207-186.5 to claim the 2007 Coastal Division team title.

The Scouting Guru has been all over the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, and like always, he’s offered to share his thoughts, free of charge. Don’t hate, enjoy it for what it’s worth, which is one man’s opinion on the talent and teams in the San Gabriel Valley and surrounding areas.

Guru Says: It’s off to your questions and or remarks you have for “the guru” during the past month. I apologize for not getting to them sooner…(To continue reading, click thread
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Charter Oak coach football coach Lou Farrar confirmed today that the athletic directors for both schools have agreed to meet for the first time since 2007. “All we need to do is sign the contract,” Farrar said. In other non-league games, Charter Oak will face Gardena on the road, followed by Esperanza at home, Rancho Cucamonga on the road and Santa Fe at home before beginning its first year in the Sierra League, where they will face Damien, Claremont, Chino Hills, Ayala, and South Hills.

YouTube Archive: Charter Oak’s game-winning touchdown in 2007 that gave the Chargers a 13-7 victory over Glendora in the final minute.

More YouTube: Or, how about the 2006 “Drive” that led to Glendora’s 14-7 victory

By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer
Longtime San Gabriel Valley official Joe Conte, also a liaison to the CIF-Southern Section, has filed a report to the CIF-Southern Section recommending that Monrovia High School suspend girls basketball coach Basil Woodruff for the rest of the season after a postgame incident last week resulted in Woodruff’s ejection. (To continue, click thead)

Time for a poll: Basketball coaches work officials more than any other sport. In last night’s girls basketball game against Diamond Ranch, Bonita coach Darren Baumunk is restrained as he argues a call with a referee. I’m not singling out Baumunk, this goes on all over the place, we just happened to have our cameras at the game. Last week San Dimas boys basketball coach Bruce Robbins was suspended a game for a post-game incident in which he chased down officials leaving the building, and now this episode at Monrovia. I’m not saying coaches shouldn’t argue calls with officials, because it’s a part of the game and will always be a part of the game. But you have to know when enough is enough, and when the line is crossed between arguing for your team, and setting a bad example, right?

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By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
The road to a regional title will run through Northview High School this weekend.
The Covina school will host the CIF State Southern Region girls wrestling individual championships on Friday and Saturday. The meet, which begins Friday at 2 p.m. with preliminary bouts, will feature close to 400 competitors in 14 weight classes. Champions will be crowned Saturday, with competition beginning at 9 a.m. (To continue, click thread)

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By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
LA VERNE - Diamond Ranch High School might be without standout Janelle Kearney, but the Panthers still are quite formidable. Chelsea Barnes scored a game-high 15 points and Erika Williams had 13, and visiting Diamond Ranch took control of a tight game in the fourth quarter en route to a 44-31 victory over Bonita in a key Miramonte League game Wednesday. (To continue reading, click thread)

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By John Honell, Correspondent
SOUTH EL MONTE - The South El Monte boys basketball team, showing the heart of a two-time defending champion, overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to pull out a 48-45 win over Arroyo on Wednesday night. (To continue click thread)

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By Fred J. Robledo Staff Writer
Glendora game story: If ever the Chino Hills high school boys basketball team needed a stop-the-bleeding 3-pointer, it came with just under three minutes left with host Glendora on the verge of rallying from 20 points down in the fourth quarter.
The coolest kid in the building didn’t panic, waving off coaches trying to set up a play while the Tartans cheering section turned up the decibels. (To continue, click thread)

Sierra League
Chino Hills (17-2, 2-0) at Glendora (13-4, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Chino (8-10, 0-2) at Damien (13-4, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Ayala (11-8, 1-1) at Diamond Bar (3-14, 1-1), 7 p.m.
Notes: The league is rooting for the Tartans, who can create a mess at the top with a win over Chino Hills at home, potentially creating a three-way tie for first should Damien and Ayala win as expected.

San Antonio League
Nogales (12-7, 0-1) at Walnut (11-6, 2-0), 6:30 p.m
Rowland (6-12, 0-1) at West Covina (1-15, 0-2), 6:30 p.m.
Non: South Hills (13-3, 2-0) at Los Altos (10-9), 6:30 p.m.
Notes: Walnut can really put defending champ Nogales in a hole tonight, and more important, a win sets up a meeting at South Hills on Friday for first place.

Valle Vista League
Pomona (1-10, 0-1) at Northview (12-7, 2-0), 6:30 p.m.
Baldwin Park (15-2, 1-1) at Ganesha (1-12, 0-1), 6:30 p.m.
Covina (7-7, 1-1) at San Dimas (10-8, 1-1), 6:30 p.m.
Notes: Assuming confidently that Northview, Baldwin Park and San Dimas all win, Baldwin Park will host Northview on Friday, which could create a three-way tie for first if the Braves win. Otherwise, the Vikes are well on their way to fours straight league titles.

Mission Valley
Arroyo (7-7, 2-0) at South El Monte (8-7, 2-0), 6:30 p.m.
Mountain View (6-8, 1-1) at Gabrielino (2-15, 0-2), 6:30 p.m.
Rosemead (1-8, 1-1) at El Monte (5-13, 0-2), 6:30 p.m.
Notes: Quite simple, Arroyo and South El Monte meet for sole possession of first, and it appears there are no real challengers so tonight is the game of all games in the MVL

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By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
With the Feb. 3 national letter of intent day approaching, high school football players are finishing their final visits and making verbal commitments. Just last week, Charter Oak High School running back and Tribune player of the year Adam Muema announced he’ll attend San Diego State. On Sunday, all-purpose Bishop Amat standout Darien Johnson, an All-Pac-5 Division first-team cornerback who returned five punts and three kickoffs for touchdowns, announced he’ll attend New Mexico State, where former UCLA defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker is head coach. (To continue, click thread)

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Video chat rooms at Ustream

The Smudge Pot could be bigger than ever, in week zero, defending Mid-Valley champ San Dimas is at Bonita, Saints coach Bill Zernickow told me recently. The crowd is big enough when its a third or fourth week game, I can’t imagine how packed it will be with half the Valley off and able to attend. In week one, you have to love Damien at Diamond Ranch, coach Roddy Layton confirmed today, which essentially replaces the DRanch-Bishop Amat game.

Above: Glendora needs to apply the pressure on Wednesday against Chino Hills

Boys Basketball top ten
1. Bonita (16-3) - They’re starting to hit full stride, and virtually have no worthy competition in league; not even Diamond Ranch.
2. Damien (13-4) – Beats Glendora, loses to Chino Hills, now must continue to win until they get Chino Hills again at home.
3. Glendora (13-4) - All the Sierra League contenders are hoping they can knock off Chino Hills Wednesday at home.
4. South Hills (13-3) – One of the hottest teams of late has won six straight with big game against Walnut on Friday.
5. Bishop Amat (14-5) – After a Del Rey League opening pounding from Serra, they bounce back with win over Cathedral.
6. Baldwin Park (15-2) - Lost to San Dimas stopped momentum, but can regain it at home against Northview Friday.
7. Nogales (12-7) – They didn’t just lose to South Hills, they got smacked by 30.
8. Charter Oak 12-5 — As well as they have played, they still lost by 18 to Bonita. Followed with two-point win over Diamond Ranch.
9. Northview (12-7) – Just like that, the Vikes are 2-0 in the VVL with big game at Baldwin Park on Friday.
10. San Dimas (10-8) – After starting with big win over Baldwin Park, loses to Northview in an ugly way.

Above: San Dimas’ Brooke Lambert against Northview last week.

Girls Soccer Top Ten
1. Bishop Amat (18-0-1) - Notch on two more wins, but the big game comes on Thursday at La Salle.
2. Los Altos (17-1-1) - After outscoring their opponents 64-6, maybe Los Altos and Bishop Amat should be 1A and 1B, they’re that close.
3. Walnut (11-3-2) - Working on four straight shutouts, a span in which they outscored opponents, 17-0
4. St. Lucy’s (9-5-2) — Followed win over Glendora with another big win over Chino Hills.
5. Bonita (7-5-2) – When all is said and done, they should finish second behind Los Altos in Miramonte, just ahead of Charter Oak.
6. Charter Oak (14-3) – Lost to Bonita, then pounded Diamond Ranch 4-0.
7. San Dimas (7-3-2) – They tied Northview, but still haven’t lost in the VVL in a long, long time.
8. Sierra Vista (14-2) — Vanessa Carlos is on fire, she has 17 goals and 15 assists to pace the Dons.
9. Glendora (6-7-3) – Played better than St. Lucy’s but still lost, then beat Diamond Bar. I’m telling you, they’re better than this record.
10. Northview (9-4-1) — Vikings forward Khalalah Todd has 37 goals, 13 shy of the big 50, which would put her in rare company. After tying San Dimas 2-2 on the road, the Vikes have the inside track to the VVL too.

Girls Soccer standings, schedules and leaders
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

Above: This was such a good picture I had to post it of San Gabriel High School goalie Edgar Marquez (1) against Alhambra last week.

Boys Soccer Top Ten
1. Baldwin Park (12-0-2) – Braves are an incredible 35-2-4 since last season, and might not lose a Valle Vista league game.
2. Glendora (11-3-3) – Jumping to No. 2 because of quality wins. Beat Damien and Diamond Bar to start 2-0 in the Sierra.
3. Los Altos (12-2-3) – Schedule looks better now that it’s updated. Has outscored opponents, 40-18
4. Rosemead (9-1-4) – Hoping to wrestle Mission Valley League from Mountain View.
5. La Puente (7-2-3) – Off to a huge 4-0 start in the Montview, one of the most competitive leagues from top to bottom.
6. Rowland (6-3-2) – Remember, one of two teams that tied Baldwin Park and played Rosemead and Los Altos close.
7. Sierra Vista (7-4) – Already 1-1 in Montview after a 3-0 loss to Duarte. Idle last week.
8. Wilson (7-5-1) – Hung tough with Los Altos, but still lost, 3-2.
9. Duarte (9-2-2) – Continues to win games, beating Bosco Tech for a good nonleague win last week.
10. Mountain View – (5-5-1) – Let’s face it, it has been a struggle for the defending Division VI champions.

Boys Soccer standings, schedules and leaders
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

Above: Duarte’s Imari Brown (1) drives to the basket past Sierra Vista’s Estrella Rivera (2)

Girls Basketball top ten
1. Diamond Ranch (14-2) — In Saturday’s showcase of public vs. private, the Panthers fall to Alemany, 47-46.
2. Bishop Amat (14-4) – Nice 2-0 start in the Del Rey, but next three league games are on the road.
3. Bonita (17-1) – Finally, the Bearcats get to measure-up at home against Diamond Ranch on Wednesday.
4. Walnut (13-3) - Opened with wins over Rowland and West Covina to begin 2-0 in the San Antonio.
5. South Hills (12-4) – Also 2-0 in the San Antonio, with the big game on Friday against Walnut.
6. Glendora (15-3) — Not only 2-0 in the Sierra, but it pounded neighboring St. Lucy’s 68-48.
7. Sierra Vista (11-5) - Already 5-0 in the Montview and this should continue. Don’t see them losing a league game.
8. Rosemead (11-4) – Will anyone compete with them in the Mission Valley League? Maybe Arroyo at 10-8 and 2-0.
9. Wilson 11-7 – If they were in the Valle Vista this year instead of next, they would probably win the league title.
10. San Dimas (12-6) – Who’s the favorite in the Valle Vista. Covina, Northview, Ganesha or San Dimas? We’ll still say San Dimas for now.

By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
A.J. Guardado considers himself just a wrestler, nothing more. But he also understands the importance of being the first West Covina High School graduate to receive a scholarship to Duke University, one of the top private institutions in the country, and what that may mean to others at West Covina or any other area school who one day may want to follow in his path. (To continue click thread)

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By John Honell, Correspondent
RANCHO CUCAMONGA - Winning was only secondary in the “MLK I Have a Dream Classic” at Los Osos High School Monday as teams celebrated Martin Luther King Jr.’s birthday. The Foothill-Citrus Officials Association handled all nine games of the Classic and donated their checks to the Jimmy V Foundation for Cancer Research. After a close first quarter, Bishop Amat gradually pulled away from Charter Oak for a 65-52 win in a Monday morning game. (To continue reading click thread)

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Bishop Amat corner/receiver Darien Johnson gave a verbal commitment to New Mexico State on Sunday, ESPN reported.

“It was great, I went ahead and committed,” Johnson told ESPN’s Greg Biggins. “I loved the visit and really liked everything about the school. They have a great coaching staff and DeWayne Walker is a great guy and is going to build the program to be very good there. “