The Scouting Guru on full summer workload with lots of inside info to digest as fall nears

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 in the San Gabriel Valley.

Random musing and notes while on the Passing League circuit for the next two weeks….(to read all of it, click thread).

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Gang Green: South Hills duo Dakota Behr and Melinda Gomez earn athlete of the year honors

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
It would take multiple letterman jackets to sew on all the accomplishments of South Hills High School standouts Dakota Behr and Melinda Gomez, who have been selected the 2009-10 Tribune athletes of the year. Not only did the duo finish their senior season in style, but the two shared a brilliant prep career that shows the multiple-sport athlete is alive in well during an era of specialization in high school sports. (To continue, click thread).

Continue reading “Gang Green: South Hills duo Dakota Behr and Melinda Gomez earn athlete of the year honors” »

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What will the top ten look like in the fall?

In June, these were Aram’s 2010 top ten predictions … we’re about to finalize the top ten for the football magazine preview, is he close, and what adjustments should be made…I’m listening.

1. Bishop Amat — The gap between Amat and the rest has narrowed thanks to Anderson’s departure. Hey, did you know Tom Salter is back?
2. Charter Oak — Anyone thinking CO has slipped may change their mind when the Chargers go four wide with no receiver under six-feet tall.
3. South Hills — Strong along the line and loaded with skill. But Jamie Canada’s knee injury is a concern.
4. Glendora — Excellent coach + good QB is a nice formula in HS football.
5. Chino Hills — The Huskies ranked below CO and South Hills? I’ll admit it doesn’t sound right. But Nate Harris and who ….?
6. West Covina — Bulldogs have to get thru rough Hacienda before they can even think about the Southeast.
7. Damien — When Coach Gano is mum, I get a bit concerned.
8. Diamond Ranch — Are we looking at the weakest Panthers team of the Roddy era?
9. San Dimas — Deep at QB, strong along both lines, but I haven’t heard much about the running backs.
10. Rowland — A one-man show won’t get it done in the Hacienda. Just sayin …

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Lebron James is headed to New York! Probably not, word is The Three Egos are teaming up in Miami to form the Super Heat … I’m still hoping he says in Cleveland with Byron Scott

Multiple sources this morning are predicting the Super Friends are teaming up in Miami to form the Miami Super Heat. So this is how it goes, Lebron’s hour-long special tonight on ESPN will announce that the Three Egos are going to Miami, a made-for-TV event showing Lebron driving his decision into the heart of Clevelanders on live national television with split-screens showing Cleveland fans crying as Prince James announces his decision. What a guy! BTW, they still won’t beat the Lakers.

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Our September magazine’s “Prep Extra” will feature a Tribune pre-season All-Valley team

This ought to be interesting and I will be curious to see how different our pre-season all valley team is compared to our final one in December. This will be a first-team offense and defense, so we’re taking suggestions. If you want to fill in the blanks, this is what we’re looking for …
Offense
QB, RB, RB, WR, WR, TE, OL, OL, OL, OL, OL, K
Defense
DE, DE, DT, DT, LB, LB, LB, DB, DB, S, S, Punter

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Damien football camp this weekend

Damien High School’s Prepare for Glory football camp is on Friday and Saturday at Damien for kids in the third through eighth grade. The camp runs from 3-8 p.m., on Friday and 8-11:30 a.m. on Saturday, which will include a tshirt and lunch. For more information, contact coach Greg Gano at 626-260-1917.

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The best high school football coach in the East San Gabriel Valley? That’s a tough one, but if you could choose, who would you take?

There are a few things to think about. Do you pick the best x’s and o’s coach or the coach you would most like your kids to play for? Do you pick a coach with the best track record for winning, or an underachiever you think could win with the same players? Do you want a coach with a history of working the phones with college recruiters, or working your son’s tail off to be the best he can be. Do you want a disciplinarian or a players’ coach. So much to think about and I know you want a top ten, but I’m not that foolish, I have to work with these coaches all year. But I will name my top 13 in no particular order, so here you go……

In no particular order ….
Roddy Layton, Diamond Ranch — Have always loved his passion, work ethic and player relationships.
Steve Hagerty, Bishop Amat – Is the best Amat coach since my all-time favorite Mark Paredes, who led Amat to an 84-14 record in eight years, including a 15-0 campaign in 1992. Plus, I get the feeling Hagerty bleeds Amat blue.
Greg Gano, Damien — Not afraid of challenges, brilliant with star players, a proven winner, and always assembles a great staff. What more could you ask?
Mark Pasquarella, Glendora — Look at his history, wherever he’s coached, he’s turned them into winners, especially at places that are tough to win at. He has a great offensive mind, certainly among the best game planners.
Lou Farrar, Charter Oak – The Godfather of the SGV. The most consistent over the long haul and smart enough to know that coaching staffs, not individual coaches, win championships.
Bill Zernickow, San Dimas — The Wizard of the Wing T joined the coaching elite with last year’s championship. Prior to that title, when I asked other coaches who was the most underrated coach in the Valley, Zernickow’s name came up most often.
Craig Snyder, Rowland – He’s one of my most underrated. He’s done more with less and in a tough situation going against West Covina and South Hills all these years. Truly an intense coach on the sidelines who speaks his mind and is loyal to his players.
Mike Maggiore, West Covina Consistently in the hunt every season and with a CIF title on the resume. Don’t know a single player that didn’t enjoy playing for him. Plus, we went to high school together, so I know what a great person he is.
Jim Singiser, Arroyo — One of my Valley favorites, doesn’t always have the weapons other prominent coaches enjoy, but when he does, such as the next two years with Steven Rivera at QB, watch what happens.
Steve Bogan, South Hills – Arguably one of the best in Valley history, no better game planner than Bogan. His four titles in the last ten years earned him Valley coach of the decade.
Matt Koffler, Rosemead — His teams always over-achieve and he has great relationships with players. His M.O. is defense first, and that has worked for him over the years.
Eric Podley, Bonita — One of the great offensive minds over the years, and when he has talent, they win. Has had bad luck in recent years, especially in the Smudge Pot, but he will be back.
Joe Scherf, Azusa-– All he’s done in his first two years as a head coach is go 21-4 with back-to–back Montview league titles with a quarterfinal and semifinal appearance in the playoffs. Maybe one of the greatest coaching debuts in Valley history.

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