Baseball Rankings: Bishop Amat, Glendora and South Hills still stand out, but Bonita and Northview are in command of league races

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Tribune Baseball Rankings
1. Bishop Amat (17-2) — We still have a week to wait for the South Hills game at Mt. SAC, otherwise, they just keep pounding on teams in the Del Rey League. Other than St. Paul, they don’t get tested. Then again, how many tests do you need with the tournaments and nonleague games they have taken on. Kudos to Nieto for taking on the best of the best.
2. Glendora (15-1-1) — I’m convinced that the Tartans are the second best team in the Valley after watching a couple wins against Diamond Bar last week. There’s no weakness, great pitching, hitting and defense. I won’t be surprised at all if they sweep Damien this week too.
3. South Hills (11-3) — What I learned about the Huskies in the National Classic is that their pitching is deeper than I thought, and they’re a tough bunch of kids, battling back from an 0-2 start to win two straight. Mentally, that’s going to help them a lot the rest of the way.
4. Bonita (13-2-1) – When you think of coaches of the year, certainly Glendora’s Dan Henley and Bishop Amat’s Andy Nieto come to mind, but what about the job John Knott is doing? If anything, the Bearcats are the biggest surprise by far, and their coach is a big reason for it after an impressive sweep over Charter Oak last week.
5. Damien (12-4) – This team has a lot of toughness, beating Chino Hills twice to get back in the Sierra League title hunt. They have their chance to take over first with back-to-back games against Glendora, but will they be able to swing the bat against the Tartans like they did the Huskies? I don’t think so, but I wanna see if they can.
6. Northview (11-4-2) — Quietly and efficiently, the Vikings continue to win, and like Knott, coach Darren Murphy is doing a great job after graduating so many talented players. Catcher Arman Valenzuela is swinging the bat well, and they’re guaranteed a win every week when Pedroza is pitching.
7. Diamond Bar (10-7) – One of the best teams in the Valley with Mathews, a very ordinary team when he’s not pitching, that’s what I learned about the Brahmas last week. I’ll tell you what, if they sneak into the playoffs, I wouldn’t want to be the league champion who gets them in the first round.
8. Los Altos (13-5) – The Conqs have a slim chance of getting back in the Miramonte title hunt, but they will need a sweep over Bonita, which isn’y likely. Still, they have an impressive overall record and are dangerous.
9. Charter Oak (9-8) — That Northview tourney title seems so long ago after getting swept by Bonita to fall three games out of first place. The Chargers have been on a roller-coaster ride of streaks, so can’t wait to see what’s next.
10. Sierra Vista (11-4) – They’re coming on strong and senior pitcher Christian Huerta leads the way, batting over .500 with a 6-1 record on the hill. It will come down to Sierra Vista and La Puente at the end of the season, but can both stay undefeated in league until then?

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  • Frank

    Monrovia is 13-2 why are they not in the top ten, charter choke 9-8 common?

  • Around the horn

    There is no doubt that John Knott and his staff is doing a great job. It takes a special coach to bring together a group of kids that “buy in” and go out an execute, especially after last year!

    Don’t think Henley or Neito could pull this off! Henley record is especially poor in his league over the last five years with better than average talent and Amat league, we’ll its just poor! BA plays other tough games but going up and down doesn’t work in the long run! Cif last year proved that against SD.

    The Sierra is tough but I believe Bonita and Northview could play with any of these teams day in and day out. CH, Damien, DB are average with a couple of players that makes their teams click. Ayala and Chino not impressive at all!

    If you travel a little east, the baseline league is loaded with talented kids and G-town might find out in due time! Would love to see a Reed, Frazier match up against Pluko or Mathews. Wow, Upland sure can hit but errors are killing them! Not convinced G-town bats are strong enough for the end, but pitching will kept them around.

  • What?

    Around the horn- You write “BA plays other tough games but going up and down doesn’t work in the long run!” What up and down do you speak of?
    Amat is a much better team than last year, SD wont happen again!

  • The Real Ranking

    1. (1) Junipero Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) 18-1
    2. (2) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 19-1
    3. (7) Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.) 17-2
    4. (4) Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) 19-2
    5. (5) St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.) 17-2
    6. (3) Lakewood (Lakewood, Calif.) 18-3
    7. (9) Redlands East (Redlands, Calif.) 17-3
    8. (6) Crespi (Encino, Calif.) 17-4
    9. (12) Mission Viejo(Mission Viejo, Calif.) 16-3
    10. (13) Camarillo (Camarillo, Calif.) 14-3
    11. (15) Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) 19-3
    12. (16) JSerra(San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) 15-4
    13. (10) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) 14-4
    14. (17) Santa Barbara(Santa Barbara, Ca) 15-1-1
    15. (NR) Glendora (Glendora, Calif.) 15-1-1
    16. (NR) Clayton Valley (Concord, Calif.) 12-2
    17. (11) Royal (Simi Valley, Calif.) 15-4
    18. (8) Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) 13-5
    19. (NR) Rancho Buena Vista (Vista, Calif.) 12-5
    20. (NR) Edison (Huntington Beach, Calif.) 12-6

  • socal baseball fan

    Here are the latest cifss D2 polls.
    1. Glendora
    2. Redlands East Valley
    3. Chaminade
    4. Crespi
    5. Yucaipa
    6. Cypress
    7. Santa Barbara
    8. Mayfair
    9. Los Osos
    10. Arcadia

    Problem for Diamond Bar if they finish 3rd they would have to play a wild card game first. Do you use your ace in this game or go with your #2 pitcher and save you ace vs a league champion. I would try to win the wild card game vs another 3rd or 4th place team with my #2 pitcher.
    I still believe Crespi if they get back ace pitcher Ryon Healy will be the favorite. Upland better start winning some league games to make the playoffs as they are 2-4 in the baseline league. REV will eventually miss rph-ss Tyler Shreve as they could use his bat and would have been a strong #2 starter.

  • Frank

    Max preps has Monrovia(13-3) and Arcadia (13-4) ranked way higher then charter oak and even Northview, I dont know how you have come up with your top ten in the SGV, most of them belong there but a couple don’t. You gotta spread the love Fred.

  • Frank

    Max preps has Monrovia(13-3) and Arcadia (13-4) ranked way higher then charter oak and even Northview, I dont know how you have come up with your top ten in the SGV, most of them belong there but a couple don’t. You gotta spread the love Fred.

  • Frank

    Max preps has Monrovia(13-3) and Arcadia (13-4) ranked way higher then charter oak and even Northview, I dont know how you have come up with your top ten in the SGV, most of them belong there but a couple don’t. You gotta spread the love Fred.

  • Don

    To socal baseball fan and Real Ranking,

    Freds ranking is what it is: local teams based upon what he knows. When you try and compare local schools with the entire state you might as well use this ranking:

    1. Sarasota, Fla
    2. Menchville, Newport News, Va
    3. Rockwall (Texas) Heath
    4. Sumrall, Miss
    5. Walsh Jesuit, Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio
    6. Pelham, Ala.
    7. Heritage, Colleyville, Texas
    8. Hamilton, Chandler, Ariz.
    9. Wando, Mount Pleasant, S.C
    10. Junipero Serra, San Mateo, Calif.

    Or how about these standings:

    1. Tampa Bay
    2. New York
    3. Toronto
    4. Boston
    5. Baltimore

    Better to keep it in context. If you want to compare schools that will be in the playoffs together, thats fine too. Just be sure you dont lend too much credence to the CIF SS polls which frankly mean nothing until the last week or two of the regular season

  • feel sorry for kh

    Bonita is overrated. Ken needs to spend more time
    teaching his kid how to run out ground balls…then reading these blogs. Apple does not fall far.

  • shinfo

    yo Don- Its just information. relax blog cop!

  • BullPen

    Big week in the Sierra League. On paper it looks like Glendora should sweep Damien, but Damien is a scrappy team and I wouldn’t count them out. Plus, it’s Damien vs Glendora. Anytime these two teams square off you can count on some exciting action. This will be a fun series to watch. This is why the SL is the best.

  • BullPen

    Hey, Around the Horn. I’d like to read your line of thinking behind your thought on Bonita an NV playing in the Sierra and being successful. Please share.

  • VVL Scout

    Ya charter oak loses to Covina and they’re in the top 10? Really balanced rankings Robledo. This isn’t favorites. Pick the right teams!

  • socalbaseball fan

    The cifss D2 polls this week are fine.
    1. Glendora 15-1-1 with 3 good pitchers they can advance to the semi-finals.
    2. REV 17-3 with sr lhp Griffen Murphy on the mound they are nearly unbeatable with good bats from 1-9 and good defense.
    3. Chaminade 16-3 coming out of the tough mission league they will be battle tested
    4. Crespi 17-4 winner of the national classic w/o their ace Ryon Healy still the favorite with 6 deep pitching staff
    5. Yucaipa 16-4 pitching staff may not get them out of round 2. Injury to p-3b Kevin Davidson hurts although he is DH and presently playing with a ACL injury.
    6. Cypress 15-4 long time OC power and if they beat El Toro for the league title they are good
    7. Santa Barbara 15-1-1
    8. Mayfair 15-2 they must get Lakewoods leftovers
    9. Los Osos 12-3 baseline favorite
    10. Arcadia 13-4 may not deserve top 10 ranking with teams like El Toro,Arlington,Alemany,Damien,Upland.

  • Update

    Wilson beats Rowland 14-2 Steven Baltierra 12 k’s no hitter

  • Bearcat ?

    Can someone tell me if Bonita lost to Los Altos.

  • lafan

    yes, la won 6-4.

  • BHS Dad

    Bonita won the rainout make-up game on Sat at BHS. Bonita 11, LA 1. 2 games for Bonita next week against D.Ranch.