February 2011 Archives

While we wrap up CIF championships this week, time to start discussing the big decisions. Who is your boys and girls basketball player of the year? Who are the boys and girls coaches of the year? And finally, the Tribune first-team is made up of the player of the year plus five players, so start your nominations. Should look like this
Player of the year:
Coach of the year:
First team (any combination of five, can be three guards, two forwards; two guards, three forwards or a traditional two guards, two forwards and a center).

Bonita photo gallery, last team standing: The Bonita girls basketball team will face Orange Lutheran in the CIF-SS Division 3A championship on Wednesday at the Anaheim Arena, 8:30 p.m.

Don't get me started with this, if CIF is concerned with behavior, they should start with head basketball coaches, by far the most animated, brutal on officials and capable of inciting a crowd more than any other sport. Baseball is probably second, yet they go on how brutal soccer coaches are on refs. Talk about a double standard? Soccer, more than any other sport, has strict rules when it comes to cautions and ejections, which obviously leads to more ejections than any other sport. If a player fouls out in basketball with five fouls, that's the equivalent of a soccer player getting a yellow, then a red for persistent fouling. Also, when a basketball player gets called for a flagrant foul, or a football player a 15-yard penalty for an unsportsmanlike conduct, that's nearly the equivalent of a soccer player getting tossed for a hard foul. Show me the stats of how many basketball players foul out, or football players receiving unsportsmanlike penalties, then we can discuss this. And before they single out players and coaches so quick, maybe they should consider the quality of officiating too. In my opinion, this release shows a lot of unfair bias toward soccer, not intentionally -- more a misunderstanding and overreaction to something that isn't as serious as they think. Maybe CIF should impose rigid soccer-type penalties on coaches and players in other sports for berating officials, you would see the ejections increase rapidly. If anything, soccer has the strictest rules of all sports when it comes to penalizing behavior, that should be applauded, not threatened with probation.

CIF Press Release:
WHERE'S THE LOVE FOR SOCCER?
High School soccer is flourishing in the Southern Section: fully 80% of our schools field boys and girls teams. We're delighted so many students participate in a sport that is rigorous and demanding. We now offer a Southern California Regional Championship. One would think that the sport is enjoying strong, positive support from our school administrators. That is not necessarily true. (To continue click thread).

CIF-SS girls basketball semifinals
Division 3A
Bonita 65, Bishop Amat 53
Division 3AA
Serra 82, Diamond Ranch 70, OT

Championship
Wednesday
At Anaheim Convention Center, 8:15 p.m.
Bonita vs. Orange Lutheran

Bonita's Nikki Wheatley might be the best freshman I've ever seen. At least it feels like that after the performance she delivered tonight. Wheatley helped the Bearcats rally from a 30-26 halftime deficit, scoring 19 of her game high 26 points in the second half to lead the Bearcats to a 65-53 win over Amat and their first appearance in a championship game next week. Bonita won with a solid effort from their big four, who all finished in double figures. Taylor Anderson poured in 17 points and Madison Zylstra and Brianna Kennedy scored 11 each. Amat was paced by Vianai Austin (17 points) and Leeah Powell (16 points). Andrea Villanueva chipped in with 13 and Leticia Galarza had 7. That was it, four players from both teams providing all the scoring. When it was over, I followed the celebration on my little flip cam and talked to Wheatley, Anderson and Bonita coach Darrin Baumunk. It's great stuff, check it out.

By Steve Ramirez
Staff Writer
TEMECULA -- South Hills' Vincent Herrera, Glendora's Haydn Scharbrough and Santa Fe's Joey Davis had the CIF State wrestling championships as their seasonl ong goal.
They achieved it Saturday, while also adding the tile of CIF-Southern Section Masters champion after scoring individual titles at the CIF-SS Masters Meet at Temecula Valley High Schoolon Saturday.
The trio topped a list of 18 locals who earned trips to next weekend's state meet, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
The three champions followed up victories at the divisional finals with Masters titles, with Herrera winning at 119 pounds, Scharbrough at 145 and Davis, the No. 1 wrestler in his weight class, at 152. La Habra's Elder Cruz was runner-up at 215, losing to state No. 1 Tank Knowles of Calvary Chapel/Santa Ana.
Also qualifying for the state meet were South Hills' Thomas Morales (sixth at 130), Jeff Vargas (sixth at 215) and Peter Nonu (sixth at 285); Northview's Gilbert Nakatani (seventh at 119) and Bryan Salinas (seventh at 135); Chino Hills' Christian Martin (sixth at 103) and Brody Goens (seventh at 171); Rosemead's Matt Fregoso (fourth at 125) and Alberto Flores (ninth at 135); Arroyo's Christian Betancourt (fourth at 112); Alhambra's Hugo Perez (eighth at 112); Covina's Kyle Acevedo (fourth at 130); West Covina's Brad Ojala (eighth at 152); and Diamond Bar's Brian Ryu (fourth at heavyweight).

By Steve Ramirez
Staff Writer
West Covina High School made history Saturday.
The Bulldogs, paced by junior Samantha Ortiz, won the first CIF State girls wrestling championship at Lemoore High School.
Northview finished third.
"It's a pretty cool feeling," West Covina coach Sergio Ortiz said. "They worked really hard. They wrestle just like the boys.
"We're all pretty excited and stoked. It's history for West Covina."
Samantha Ortiz, one of the top competitors in the state the past few seasons, was the only area wrestler to win an individual title.
The junior had two victories by fall before getting a 4-2 victory in the 114-pound weight class finals. She scored a takedown with 10 seconds left in the third period to secure the title.
West Covina's path to the title was also paved by Jessica Vasquez (146), who upset the No. 1 seed before losing in the finals.
"She was our surprise star," Sergio Ortiz said. "She did something exciting."
Northview's Vanessa Gomez was second at 105.

CIF-SS Girls Water Polo
Championship
Division 5
Temescal Canyon 11, Bonita 10 (OT)
Division 3
Murrieta Valley 8, St. Lucy's 7

Boys Hoops Semifinals
Division 3AA
Price 63, La Verne Lutheran 58
Division 3A
Harvard Westlake 59, Damien 56

Damien misses 3 at buzzer: Harvard-Westlake's Damiene Cain and Jordan Butler scored 17 points each and Zena Edosomwan blocked a Calvin White 3-pointer at the buzzer as the Spartans lost in the semifinals for the third consecutive season with a 59-56 setback to the Wolverines in a Division 3A game at Calabasas High School.

By Fred J. Robledo
La Verne Lutheran staged a furious fourth-quarter rally against visiting Price in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA boys basketball semifinals at Citrus College on Friday, but the Trojans attempt to advance to a fourth straight divisional final came up short, 63-58. (To continue click thread).

Friday, as far as area wrestlers were concerned, was a luke-warm day at the CIF-Southern Section Masters Meet.
Eight competitors, including those from the East and West San Gabriel Valley and the Whittier area, advanced to the semifinals of their respective weight classes, and have clinched spots for next weekend's CIF State Championships in Bakersfield. There are another 17 area wrestlers who are still alive to earn their state-meet bid. All must win fourth-round consolation matches Saturday morning to advance to next week. If they lose, they would drop into the ninth-place semifinals and would need to win two matches to advance.
Here's the list:
103
Christian Martin, Chino HIlls (SEMIS)
Richie Taira, Walnut
112
Christian Betancourt, Arroyo (SEMIS)
Hugo Perez, Alhambra
119
Vincent Herrera, South Hills (SEMIS)
Miguel Rosales, Cal
Gilbert Nakatani, Northview
125
Matt Fregoso, Rosemead (SEMIS)
130
Thomas Morales, South Hills (SEMIS)
Mario Lopez, Rowland
Kyle Acevedo, Covina
Michael Sill, Walnut
135
Torrey Moreno, Cal
Bryan Salinas, Northview
Alberto Flores, Rosemead
140
NONE
145
Haydn Scharbrough, Glendora (SEMIS)
152
Joey Davis, Santa Fe (SEMIS)
Brad Ojala, West Covina
160
NONE
171
Brody Goens, Chino Hills
Kevin Kim, Diamond Bar
189
NONE
215
Jeff Vargas, South Hills (SEMIS)
Elder Cruz, La Habra (SEMIS)
Chris Auxier, Northview
HWT
Peter Nonu, South Hills
Brian Ryu, Diamond Bar

CIF-SS Boys Soccer
Tuesday's semifinals at 3 p.m.
Division 2
M.L. King at Claremont
Division 4
Ganesha at El Rancho
Division 5
Baldwin Park at Animo Leadership

Braveheart: For the third time in the past four years, the Braves have advanced to the CIF-Southern Section playoff semifinals, using a goal by senior forward Jaime Reyes to beat previously unbeaten Los Amigos 1-0 in a Division 5 quarterfinal game Friday.

Boys Soccer CIF semifinals
Friday's results
Division 2
Claremont 2, Foothill 0
Division 4
Ganesha 1, Cathedral 0
Division 5
Baldwin Park, 1, Los Amigos 0

Claremont advances to semifinals

Note: Looks like I've got a road trip somewhere on Tuesday ..
CIF-SS Girls Soccer
Tuesday's semifinals
Division 3
Ayala at Santa Maria Righetti, 3 p.m.
Bishop Amat at Granite Hills, 3 p.m.
Division 6
San Dimas at Hemet, 3 p.m.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
For a good part of Thursday afternoon's CIF-Southern Section Division 3 girls soccer semifinal, visiting Serrano was much more physical than second-seed Bishop Amat, so much that the frustration started wear on the Lancers' faces. The Diamondbacks sported a pair of imposing forwards in Kellsie Gleason and Katie Pound, but the Lancers stood their ground for the most part, getting a solid effort from goalkeeper Alexis Carillo, who came in an out of the penalty area to continually knock away crosses and keep the game scoreless long enough for the Lancers to get going. (To continue click thread).

CIF-SS Girls Soccer quarterfinal results
Division 3
Bishop Amat 2, Serrano 0
Ayala 3, Flintridge Prep 1
Division 6
San Dimas 2, Tahquitz 0
Division 7
Sierra Canyon 4, Arroyo 0

Inland Insider on Ayala's big win. Ayala rematch with Bishop Amat a game away from fruition..

For all of our (my) complaining that you have three of the best teams in La Verne history not scheduling each other during the season and wasting all the money and excitement that comes with it, thank goodness for the playoffs. The Bonita-Damien game on Tuesday is why those two should play every year. It's hard enough drumming up excitement for the boys basketball season, we don't need top teams making it any harder by not scheduling each other. The Damien-Bonita game was by far the most packed and gut-wrenching game of the season. And we might not be done, with Lutheran and Damien still in the hunt (not guaranteed yet) for a Division III state playoff berth by reaching the divisional semifinals, wouldn't that be something if their paths crossed in the state playoffs. ... They can all hide all they want from each other during the season, but you can't hide now ...

If you were voting now, St. Lucy's girls water polo sure looks good, so does Bonita girls water polo, which wasn't on the list. But the favorites that most selected are still in play, Damien boys basketball, Bishop Amat girls soccer, Bonita girls basketball. Curiously, not many picked Lutheran, maybe it's that smaller school Price they're worried about. P.S. - For Saturday's Amat-Bonita game, I vote they play down the street at Edgewood, my alma mater. Covina or Northview are very good new gyms too. I here that Arroyo is probably out, let's just hope they keep it close, it's going to pour on Saturday night...

By Fred J. Robledo
he Bishop Amat and Bonita High School girls basketball teams will meet for the second time this season in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A semifinals on Saturday night after advancing in Wednesday's quarterfinals on the road. (To continue click thread).

Duarte finished: The best season in Duarte High School girls basketball history came to an end Wednesday. The fifth-seeded Falcons (25-2) made their first trip to the CIF-Southern Section Division 4A quarterfinals but dropped a 54-45 decision to fourth-seeded Valley Christian.

CIF-SS Girls Hoops
Tonight's quarterfinal results
Division 1A
Troy 42, Chino Hills 34
Division 3AA
Diamond Ranch 40, Arroyo Grande 36
Division 3A
Bishop Amat 54, Temescal Canyon 48
Bonita 53, Palos Verdes 43
Division 4A
Cerritos Valley Christian 54, Duarte 45

Sierra Vista offensive coordinator Don Le Gro has replaced Keith Locklear as the head football coach, Dons athletic Director Brett Stevens confirmed. Le Gro, who was hired last week, already has let go of a few assistants, according to sources. At Ganesha, coach Dave Fleming resigned and sources at the school confirmed several applicants have applied, though you can eliminate alum Roddy Layton, who was given a cursory call to see if he was interested, but he's staying at Diamond Ranch.

Boys Soccer CIF semifinals
Friday's games, 3 p.m.
Division 2
Claremont at Foothill
Division 4
Ganesha at Cathedral
Division 5
Los Amigos at Baldwin Park

Just got word that Baldwin Park scored twice in final ten minutes of regulation to force overtime, then won in suddent death, 4-3 .. Ganesha scored twice in the first six minutes and held on for a 3-1 win over Bonita ....La Puente lost a heartbreaker at home to top-seed Santa Monica, losing in a penalty shootout, 6-5, after a 1-1 tie in regulation and overtime. Also heard that Pomona lost in overtime at Cajon, 3-2. Glendora's dream run in Division 1 ended in a 1-0 loss to Edison. Claremont scored a huge 2-1 victory over Valle View. Chino Hills couldn't get anything going against La Habra, loses 2-0, and Diamond Ranch goes down 3-1 to Artesia.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
There was never a feeling out process during Wednesday's CIF-Southern Section Division 4 boys soccer quarterfinal between Ganesha and visiting Bonita, a match-up of the Montview and Hacienda League champions, respectively. The Giants made sure of that, scoring twice in the first six minutes, and again three minutes into the second half, which was too much for the Bearcats to overcome. (To continue, click thread)

CIF-SS Boys Soccer Playoff Results
Wednesday's second-round
Division 1
Edison 1, Glendora 0
Division 2
Claremont 2, Valle View 1
La Habra 2, Chino Hills 0
Division 4
Santa Monica 1, La Puente 1, Santa Monica advances in PKs, 6-5.
Artesia 3, Diamond Ranch 1
Ganesha 3, Bonita 1
Division 5
Cajon 3, Pomona 2, OT
Baldwin Park 4, Lakeside 3, OT

Inland Insider Tom Kiss reporting on Chino Hills' loss to La Habra

Below: Quick highlights from Claremont's 2-1 win over Valle View ... man I'm quick finding this stuff. Listen to the announcer, he was calling a play-by-play .. never heard that before.

CIF-SS Girls Water Polo Semifinals
Division 3
St. Lucy's 16, South Pasadena 8 -- Emily Donohoe scored five goals and Sabrina Kaefer had four, and St. Lucy's ended its final-four jinx with a 16-8 victory over South Pasadena in a CIF-Southern Section Division 3 semifinal at William Woollett Jr. Aquatic Center.
Division 5
Bonita 9, Redlands East Valley 8 - Redlands East Valley High School girls water polo coach Troy Delmonico had a pretty simple formula for success before his top-seeded Wildcats took on Bonita on Wednesday at Mt. San Antonio College in the semifinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 playoffs.

Shortstop Courtney Gano, who signed a national letter of intent with the University of Washington, has been granted a valid change of address transfer by the CIF-Southern Section after transferring from Los Altos to Bonita earlier this month. The softball season begins on March 5.

Boys Hoops Semifinals
Division 3AA
No. 1 Price (21-6) vs. No. 4 La Verne Lutheran (21-4) at Citrus College, 7 p.m.
Division 3A
No. 4 Damien (26-3) vs. No. 1 Harvard Westlake (25-4) at Calabasas High School, 7 p.m.

Okay folks, check out the video highlights and interviews from Damien's thrilling 52-44 win over Bonita...

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Meeting for the first time in playoff history and in front of an overflow crowd bursting with energy, fourth seed and host Damien held off fifth-seeded Bonita, 52-44, in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A boys basketball quarterfinals Tuesday to advance to the semifinals for the third straight year. (To continue click thread)

Northview rough up: Gabe York scored 22 points and James Douglas had 19, and Orange Lutheran overwhelmed the host Vikings en route to a 78-57 victory in a Division 4AA quarterfinal.

Lutheran advances to meet Price: Fourth-seeded La Verne Lutheran High School had to come from behind to knock off No. 5 seed Corona del Mar, 53-49, in a CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA quarterfinal game at Chaffey College on Tuesday night.

Amat, Walnut season's over: Bishop Amat High School's boys basketball team saw its run end one win shy of reaching the semifinals for the second consecutive season, after a bad second half did in the Lancers in a 85-59 loss at Alemany in the CIF-Southern Section Division 4A quarterfinals Tuesday night.

CIF-SS Boys Basketball playoffs
Tonight's quarterfinals, 7 p.m.
Division 1A
Aliso Niguel 73, Walnut 64
Division 3AA
La Verne Lutheran 53, Corona del Mar 49
Division 3A
Damien 52, Bonita 44
Division 4A
Alemany 85, Bishop Amat 59
Orange Lutheran 78, Northview 57

CIF-SS Girls Soccer quarterfinals set
Division 3
Flintridge Prep at Ayala, 3 p.m.
Serrano at Bishop Amat, 3 p.m.
Division 6
San Dimas at Tahquitz
Division 7
Arroyo at Sierra Canyon

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
The better the opponent, the more Maribel Duran feels she rises to the occasion. Just from her body language and the way she was fighting defenders on fifty-fifty balls, the junior wasn't going to leave anything for chance, delivering a dominating performance with a hat-trick against fourth-seed Alverno in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 6 girls soccer playoffs on Thursday. Not only did Maribel Duran score three goals, her freshman sister Daisy Duran scored the other, leading the Saints to a 4-1 victory and into the quarterfinals on Thursday, where the Saints (18-2-2) will be on the road against the Tahquitz-La Canada winner. (To continue reading click thread)

Below: Maribel Duran's sick step-over left her defender in the ..... you get the picture. It led to the first of three goals.

Today's CIF-SS Second Round Results
Division 2
Sunny Hills 3, Glendora 2
Division 3
Ayala 4, Lakewood St. Joseph 0
Righetti 1, Bonita 0
Garden Grove Pacifica 1, Los Altos 0
Serrano 1, St. Lucy's 0
Bishop Amat 1, Santa Maria St. Joseph 0
Division 6
Ocean View 1, Northview 0
San Marino 1, Sierra Vista 0
San Dimas 4, Alverno 1
Division 7
Arroyo 3, Bell Gardens 2

Coin-flips to determine the home teams for the semifinal round of boys and girls basketball have been completed. However, in the semifinals teams are not allowed to play at their home venues, but are allowed to choose a site as close to their school as long as they can show it can accommodate a visiting crowd.

Semifinal coin-flips finished
Boys Basketball
Division 1A - Walnut would be home against Silverado or Capistrano Valley
Division 3AA - Lutheran home against Price, road against La Habra
Division 3A - Bonita-Damien winner at Harvard Westlake or Cerritos
Division 4AA - Northview home vs. Atascadero; on road against St. John Bosco; Bishop Amat home against Windward, on road agaisnt El Segundo.
Girls Basketball
Division 3AA - Diamond Ranch home against Muir, on road against Serra.
Division 3A - Bishop Amat home against Bonita and Palos Verdes; Bonita home against Temescal Canyon.
Division 4A - Duarte home against Oaks Christian; on the road at Mission Prep

Coaches hate when we talk about the next round, so for all you players, here's a reminder that Tuesday and Wednesday are all that matters...

There's no player in Southern California who means more to his team than Bellflower St. John Bosco guard Cezar Guerrero. Guerrero is averaging 27.9 points and has helped the Braves (21-8) reach the Southern Section Division 4AA quarterfinals. If Northview somehow upsets Orange Lutheran, they would likely meet St. John Bosco in the semifinals. If Bishop Amat somehow gets to the championship, they might meet Guerrero and Co. in the finals. Yes, the former Workman guard who so many of you thought was nothing more than a show, also knows how to help his team win too. He scored 46 in a game against Mater Dei earlier this season.

CIF championships are the best, but the week before championships are the most exciting to me. I absolutely love the quarterfinals and semifinals, the crowds are more intimate and you see the passion up close and personal. So, here is what we got going this week...

Above: This is what we usually do this time of year, follow the Amat girls basketball team and Wiard deep in CIF and in the state playoffs. But it's been tough following them lately, it seems like the Amat boys and girls hoops teams are living on the road, and will be on the road again in the quarters....

Boys Hoops note: Bonita at Damien might be the biggest area playoff since what? It has all the intrigue, two teams with great records in the same city meeting for the first time this year. Not only that, this could be the best teams both schools have ever had, plus it's at Damien, the perfect venue where the "Pit" will likely be shouting from start to finish. Walnut, love what they're doing, and Bishop Amat, they have a real shot at reaching the finals. Northview is a feel-good favorite because anyone who follows hoops in this area would love to see coach Rice go as far as he can. And uh, Lutheran, we'll have more when they place Price on Friday night.
CIF-SS Boys Basketball playoffs
Tuesday's quarterfinals, 7 p.m.
Division 1A
Walnut (18-10) at No. 2 Aliso Niguel (25-2)
Division 3AA
No. 5 Corona del mar (19-9) at No. 4 La Verne Lutheran (20-4)
Division 3A
No. 5 Bonita (26-3) at No. 4 Damien (25-3)
Division 4A
No. 1 Orange Lutheran (23-6) at No. 8 Northview (23-6)
No. 6 Bishop Amat (21-7) at No. 3 Alemany (19-10)

Girls Soccer note: You gotta love Glendora still fighting in D-2, who beat Upland late in the year. In D-3, Amat, Los Altos and Bonita all should be fearful, they're all on the road and I guarantee not all will survive it. You want surprises? How far will Northview, San Dimas or Sierra Vista go in D-6? It's one of those divisions where you won't be surprised if any of them go all the way.
Tuesday's CIF-SS Second Round Schedule
All games start at 3 p.m.
Division 2
Sunny Hills at Glendora
Division 3
Bonita at Righetti
Los Altos at Garden Grove Pacifica
St. Lucy's at Serrano
Bishop Amat at Santa Maria St. Joseph
Division 6
Ocean View at Northview
Sierra Vista at San Marino
Alverno at San Dimas
Division 7
Bell Gardens at Arroyo

Girls hoops note: No home love, everyone on the road except for Chino Hills. Obviously, would love to watch Amat and Bonita go at it again in semifinals. Or how about a Diamond Ranch-Muir semifinal, which could happen too. But I gotta tell you, my feel-good team is Duarte, which is where I will be on Wednesday night.
CIF-SS Girls Hoops
Wednesday's second round schedule
All games at 7 p.m.
Division 1A
Troy at Chino Hills
Division 3AA
Diamond Ranch at Arroyo Grande
Division 3A
Bishop Amat at Temescal Canyon
Bonita at Palos Verdes
Division 4A
Duarte at Cerritos Valley Christian

Boys Soccer: I have had it wrong all year, Glendora is the area's best team, they win the Baseline and are still around in D-1, by far the toughest of the divisions. If they win again, and they're at home, that would be something special. Best game of the day is Bonita at Ganesha, and I'm picking the Giants. Baldwin Park is still alive too. Hey, wouldn't that be something in the year you don't expect the Braves to go far, they go all the way.
CIF-SS Boys Soccer Playoffs
Wednesday's second-round schedule
All games at 3 p.m.
Division 1
Edison at Glendora
Division 2
Valle View at Claremont
La Habra at Chino Hills
Division 4
Santa Monica at La Puente
Artesia at Diamond Ranch
Bonita at Ganesha
Division 5
Pomona at Cajon
Lakeside at Baldwin Park

Girls water polo note: How silly is it that two San Gabriel Valley based teams have to go to Irvine to play a semifinal at 5 p.m.? They should call CIF-SS and say thanks, but no thanks, we'll do it right here at PCC where we can play in front of big home crowds, right? Well, I tried anyway. FYI, sorry South Pas, this St. Lucy's team is gonna roll...Let's also not forget Bonita, which won a CIF-SS title in 2008. The Bearcats face Division 5 top seed Redlands East Valley at 7:30 p.m. at Mt. SAC. The Bearcats are the No. 4 seed.
Girls Water Polo
Wednesday's semifinals
Division 3
No. 1 St. Lucy's vs. No. 4 South Pasadena at William Woollett Aquatic Center, Irvine, 5 p.m.
Division 5
No. 4 Bonita vs.No. 1 Redlands East Valley, at Mt. SAC, 7:30 p.m.
Wrestling Note: The Valley brings one of its bigger contingents to the CIF-SS Masters Meet at Temecula Valley. It will include 43 competitors, 10 of which won divisional individual championships last week.
CIF-SS Masters Meet
Friday and Saturday at Temecula High School

On Tuesday, the family of Glendora High School baseball senior Nicholas Wagner is planning to picket in front of the CIF-SS offices in protest of the section's decision not to waive the eight-semester rule, denying Wagner's hardship request to CIF-SS officials for what Wagner's attorney claims was a decision based on an "athletically motivated," transfer. I will have a story in Tuesday's newspaper, but for now I will share the letter the Wagner family attorney sent to the media, along with a written response from CIF-SS spokesperson Thom Simmons.

To continue reading, click thread

Tuesday's story: The family of Glendora High School baseball player Nicholas Wagner is planning to picket in front of the CIF-Southern Section office in Los Alamitos today (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.) after he was ruled ineligible to participate in his senior year because of the eight-semester rule. After exhausting appeals with the section and state appeals panel board to waive the eight-semester rule under the category of a hardship, the Wagner family's last hope is to win its battle against CIF through the Orange County Superior Court.

Not only did the Bearcats reach the CIF-Southeast Division title game in football, but girls cross country and volleyball were solid too. And they've only grown stronger in the winter, with the boys and girls soccer teams, boys and girls basketball and girls water polo still alive as we enter the second week of the playoffs . That's five for five. Plus, we know how great their baseball, softball, track and swimming teams will be in the spring. One thing is absolutely certain, while Charter Oak, South Hills and Glendora are suffering the most from releaguing, Bonita is thriving in all sports across the board. When releaguing was voted on, voters were supposed to consider all sports, not just football. Well, you're seeing the results of voters who voted with their blinders on, considering just football in making their decisions while ignoring how dominant a school might be in other sports. But this is Just Tribbin, you can talk about anything you want ...

CIF-SS Girls Hoops
Wednesday's second round schedule
All games at 7 p.m.
Division 1A
Troy at Chino Hills
Division 3AA
Diamond Ranch at Arroyo Grande
Division 3A
Bishop Amat at Temescal Canyon
Bonita at Palos Verdes
Division 4A
Duarte at Cerritos Valley Christian

By John Honell, Correspondent
The Bonita High School girls basketball team has been on a mission since losing in the semifinals of last year's CIF-Southern Section Division 3A playoffs. The Bearcats' mission of winning a championship remains on track after an easy second-round win, 77-38, over Jurupa Valley on Saturday. (to continue click thread)

Northview coach Jeff Butler retires following loss: The Orange Lutheran High School girls basketball team showed its fans exactly why it is the No.1-seeded team in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A playoffs as the Lancers beat Northview 63-31 in a second-round game.

Workman goes down: The Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy girls basketball team scored 51 points in the first half of its CIF-Southern Section Division 5AA second-round playoff game en route to a 77-50 victory over visiting Workman on Saturday.

More on Amat, Duarte, Wilson: Bishop Amat High School's girls basketball team once again had to count on its defense to advance to the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A playoffs with a 40-38 win at Irvine on Saturday.

CIF-SS Girls Hoops Playoffs
Saturday's Second Round results
Division 1A
Chino Hills 52, Ventura 35
Division 3AA
Diamond Ranch 55, North Torrance 43
Division 3A
Orange Lutheran 63, Northview 31
Bishop Amat 40, Irvine 38
Temescal Canyon 61, Wilson 38
Bonita 77, Jurupa Valley 38
Division 4A
Windward 78, Azusa 21
Sierra Canyon 72, Gladstone 28
Division 4A
Duarte 60, Estancia 48
Division 5AA
Flintridge Sacred Heart 77, Workman 50

By Steve Ramirez Staff Writer
BREA -- Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Southern Division wresting championships at Brea Olinda High School felt more like the San Gabriel Valley Invitational.
Area athletes were that dominant.
Valley competitors scored eight of the 14 class titles and qualified 29 for next week's CIF-SS Masters Meet at Temecula Valley High.
The contingent was led by Northview, which won its 12th divisional team title, with West Covina (third), Rosemead (sixth), Walnut (eighth) and Diamond Bar (10th) finishing in the top 10. Arroyo was 11th.
"If you look at the champions and the finalists, I think we did a very good job as a Valley representing our area," Northview assistant Bobby Bellamy said. "I take my hat off to these other programs. These other programs are well-coached, their kids are disciplined and they have a lot of heart.
"To win this championship, it stands out. It stands out from the previous ones because (we) had some very stiff competition. Our young group had to perform, and they had to build on last week (when Northview, along with West Covina, won dual titles)."

Note: Damien and Bonita will be meet for the first time since last season. Bonita won last year's game, 57-52. In 2009, the teams split. Can't wait to see what the "Pit" comes up with for this one.

CIF-SS Boys Basketball playoffs
Tuesday's quarterfinals, 7 p.m.
Division 1A
Walnut (18-10) at No. 2 Aliso Niguel (25-2)
Division 3AA
No. 5 Corona del mar (19-9) at No. 4 La Verne Lutheran (20-4)
Division 3A
No. 5 Bonita (26-3) at No. 4 Damien (25-3)
Division 4A
No. 1 Orange Lutheran (23-6) at No. 8 Northview (23-6)
No. 6 Bishop Amat (21-7) at No. 3 Alemany (19-10)

All Scores Posted: Overall it was a big night for boys hoops, Northview and La Verne Lutheran also win, even Rowland gave one-loss Peninsula all it could handle before losing by ten, and La Puente lost in overtime to JSerra. Our Inland friends, Ayala and Chino Hills, both lost.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
For a team that hadn't led the entire night, Maranatha's 6-foot-5 senior forward Stephen Van Spronsen calmly turned to Minutemen coach Tim Godley as the third quarter ended and told him not to worry, that he would find a way to get it done. With point guard Jeremy Major fouled out with nine points an all-everything guard Josh Chamberlain struggling to get open looks, Van Spronsen delivered on cue, hitting a running banker in the lane off glass with 25 seconds left to lead Maranatha to a 54-52 come-from-behind victory over Covina in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 4A playoffs on Friday. (To continue, click thread).

CIF-Southern Section Boys Basketball playoffs results
Friday's second round
Division 1AA
Etiwanda 86, Chino Hills 54
Division 1A
Walnut 56, Quartz Hill 52
Division 2A
Palos Verdes Peninsula 59, Rowland 49
Gahr 77, Ayala 57
Division 3AA
Price 72, Nogales 50
La Verne Lutheran 80, Moorpark 39
Division 3A
Bonita 60, San Marcos 46
Damien 54, Woodbridge 27
Division 4AA
Northview 66, St. Francis 54
Bishop Amat 71, Palos Verdes 59
Division 4A
JSerra 64, La Puente 58, OT
Morningside 78, Wilson 72
Maranatha 54, Covina 52

Here's some first-day results at the four CIF-SS divisional sites involving area competitors. Some 35 area athletes have advanced to the championship semifinals and are still in the running for CIF-SS titles.One of the better days was turned in by Northview's 215-pounder Chris Auxier, who won all three of his matches by fall, with two pins coming in less than a minute. Northview leads after one day in the Southern Divisional, with West Covina third. South Hills is fourth in the Northern Divisional. The tournaments conclude today at the selected sites. Final rounds are scheduled for 5 p.m.

SOUTHERN
103: Richie Tiara, Walnut; Devin Ng, Rosemead
112: Christian Betancourt, Arroyo
119: Danny Arceo, WCovina; Gilbert Nakatani, Northview
125: Matt Fregoso, Rosemead
130: Daniel Valles, Northview; Kyle Acevedo, Covina; Jacob Depraect, West Covina
135: Chris Caballero, West Covina; Alberto Flores, Rosemead; Bryan Salinas, Northview
140: Javier Arellano,Northview
152: Brad Ojala, West Covina
160: Joaquin Ramos, Baldwin Park; Anthony Escarcega, Rosemead; Steven Lopez, Northview
171: Kevin Kim, Diamond Bar; Daniel Amaya, West Covina
189: Denis Ruan, Diamond Bar
215: Chris Auxier, Northview
Hwt: Brian Ryu, Diamond Bar
NORTHERN
103: Christian Martin, Chino Hills
112: Andrew Delgado, Ayala
119: Clint Stark, Chino Hills; Vincent Herrera, South Hills
125:Tim Tran, South Hills
130: Thomas Morales, South Hills
145: Trevor Behr, South Hills
171: Colin Dorner, Damien; Brody Goens, Chino Hills
215: Jeff Vargas, South Hills
Hwt: Peter Nonu, South Hills
EASTERN
103: Mike Madrid, Bishop Amat
CENTRAL
145: Haydn Scharbrough, Glendora

CIF-SS Boys Soccer Playoffs
Wednesday's second-round schedule
All games at 3 p.m.
Division 1
Glendora vs. Edison, site TBA (coin flip)
Division 2
Claremont vs. Valley View, site TBA (coin flip)
La Habra at Chino Hills
Division 4
Santa Monica at La Puente
Diamond Ranch vs. Artesia, site TBA (coin flip)
Bonita vs. Ganesha, site TBA (coin flip)
Division 5
Cajon vs. Pomona, site TBA (coin flip)
Lakeside vs. Baldwin Park, site TBA (coin flip)

CIF-Southern Section Boys Soccer Playoffs
Friday's first round results
Division 1
Glendora 1, Aliso Niguel 0
Division 2
Chino Hills 2, Kennedy 1
Claremont 1, Indio 0
Capistrano Valley 2, Damien 1
Division 4
Oak Hills 4, Los Altos 3
La Puente 3, Burroughs Burbank 1
Bonita 3, Glendale 1
Crescenta Valley 3, Diamond Bar 2
Ganesha 2, Saddleback 1, OT
Diamond Ranch 1, La Serna 0
Division 5
Oaks Christian 1, Mountain View 0
Baldwin Park 5, Maranatha 2
Monrovia 1, South El Monte 0
La Canada 9, Nogales 3
Carpinteria 3, El Monte 0
Pomona 2, San Luis Obispo 1
Victor Valley 2, Northview 1

Everyone knows Amat has the best arsenal of hitters in the Valley, and perhaps the Southern Section, so adding a home run fence makes perfect sense. Only the pitching is suspect, though Nogales coach John "the legend" Romano told me recently that coach Beck is the best pitching coach in Southern California. In any case, I told head coach Andy Nieto the over/under on the length of Amat baseball games is 3 1/2 hours. When you consider their hitting, questionable pitching and the fact Nieto will call timeout roughly ten times a game, you know you're in for a long afternoon. Maybe they can start games at 2:30 and give everyone a break. At least until daylight savings time.

According to the CIF-SS website, Northview catcher Stephen Zavala's request for a hardship transfer to Northview was denied by CIF-Southern Section officials.
Zavala was the third player from Whittier to transfer to Northview in three years. The previous two were ruled eligible. Zavala, who batted .441 with 10 RBIs as a junior, transferred mid-year to Northview.

There were rumors that Glendora coach Mark Pasquarella was going to resign since the football season ended, but it finally became official today. One of the early front runners rumored to take over is La Puente coach Brandon Rohrer, an assistant at Glendora under Pasqy before he left for La Puente. For more reaction, visit Aram's blog In the Huddle.

Tuesday's CIF-SS Second Round Schedule
All games start at 3 p.m.
Division 2
Sunny Hills at Glendora
Division 3
Bonita at Righetti
Los Altos at Garden Grove Pacifica
St. Lucy's at Serrano
Bishop Amat at Santa Maria St. Joseph
Division 6
Ocean View at Northview
Sierra Vista at San Marino
Alverno at San Dimas
Division 7
Bell Gardens at Arroyo

By Fred J. Robledo
If anyone is going to beat you, one would expect it to be Bishop Amat's April Juarez, the one with 39 goals and 17 assists. But Bishop Amat coach Ruben Gonzalez noted how visiting Walnut loves to play on offside trap, so he turned speedy sophomore Natalie Rivas loose and she was off to the races. Rivas scored all three goals in Bishop Amat's 3-1 victory over Walnut in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 girls soccer playoffs on Thursday. (To continue, click thread).

Below: Bishop Amat's Natalie Rivas showing her stuff in a previous match.

Thursday's CIF-SS playoff results
Division 2
Glendora 2, Great Oak 1
Division 3
Ayala 4, Knight 0
Bonita 3, Sultana 1
Quartz Hill 1, Claremont 0
Los Altos 2, Arroyo Grande 1
St. Lucy's 1, Yorba Linda 0
Bishop Amat 3, Walnut 1
Flintridge Prep 3, Diamond Bar 1
Division 6
Cate 3, Gladstone 1
Beaumont 4, Wilson 0
Northview 3, San Jacinto 1
Sierra Vista 2, Sage Hill 1
San Dimas 8, La Puente 0
Segerstrom 3, Nogales 1
Garden Grove 1, Ganesha 0
Beverly Hills 1, Workman 0
Division 7
Sierra Canyon 2, Mountain View 0

Over/Under 8 first-round prediction: I guess I owe the Inland Insider Tom Kiss an In N Out lunch. I bet that less than eight teams would advance past the first round with 23 games on the schedule. Ten teams advanced, so the over's win.

CIF-SS Girls Hoops Playoffs
Saturday's Second Round
All games start at 7 p.m.
Division 1A
Chino Hills at Ventura
Division 3AA
North Torrance at Diamond Ranch
Division 3A
Orange Lutheran at Northview
Bishop Amat at Irvine
Temescal Canyon at Wilson
Jurupa Valley at Bonita
Division 4A
Azusa at Windward
Gladstone at Sierra Canyon
Division 4A
Estancia at Duarte
Division 5AA
Workman at Flintridge Sacred Heart

By Steve Ramirez
La Canada High School's girls basketball team finished fourth in the Rio Hondo League and was under .500 during the regular season.
St. Lucy's Priory's, meanwhile, enjoyed one of its better seasons in recent years, finished a strong second in the Sierra.
But the CIF-Southern Section playoffs often offer up surprises and Thursday's opener was no exception. (To continue click thread)

Thursday's Girls Basketball playoff results Schedule
Division 1AA
Cajon 84, Ayala 22
Division 1A
Valencia 45, Diamond Bar 28
Los Alamitos 52, Walnut 42
Chino Hills 60, Redlands East Valley 29
Division 2AA
Inglewood 97, West Covina 51
Division 2A
Beverly Hills 36, Arroyo 33
Division 3AA
Torrance 52, Rowland 43
Sonora 58, Sierra Vista 44
Agoura 68, Baldwin Park 32
Peninsula 59, Rosemead 18
Diamond Ranch 53, Beaumont 46
Division 3A
Orange Lutheran 79, Los Altos 31
Northview 53, Glenn 36
Bishop Amat 53, Buena Park 33
Wilson 44, San Jacinto 33
Bonita 71, Palm Springs 38
Division 4AA
Azusa 47, Rubidoux 19
Gladstone 59, Desert Mirage 58
L.A. Baptist 37, Covina 28
La Canada 52, St. Lucy's 40
Division 4A
Duarte 64, El Segundo 41
29 Palms 65, San Dimas 62
Division 5AA
Workman 84, St. Monica Cathedral 67

On Yahoo now: An Iowa high school wrestler who was one of the favorites to win his weight class defaulted on his first-round state tournament match rather than face one of the first girls to ever qualify for the event.
"I have a tremendous amount of respect for Cassy and Megan and their accomplishments. However, wrestling is a combat sport and it can get violent at times," wrote Northup. "As a matter of conscience and my faith I do not believe that it is appropriate for a boy to engage a girl in this manner. It is unfortunate that I have been placed in a situation not seen in most other high school sports in Iowa."

Survive and advance: Damien's Chris Reyes hit a shot at the buzzer to avoid a mammoth upset in the first round of the Division 3A playoffs. The fourth-seed Spartans squeaked out a 58-56 overtime victory over Agoura.

Nogales lines up Arroyo, 59-45

Glendora goes out the exit door early

Diamond Bar can't stay with Cajon in 64-37 loss

Bonita wins ..
By Fred J. Robledo
Calling three timeouts in the first five minutes was Temple City High School boys basketball coach Rich Hollinger's best way of trying to slow high powered Bonita in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A playoffs on Wednesday. All that did, however, was prolong the inevitable as Bonita's inside tandem of Garrett Pendleton and Garett Horine set the pace running the floor and dominating the paint in an 81-38 first-round victory for the fifth-seed Bearcats (25-3), who will have a home game in the second round on Friday against 12th seed San Marcos. (To continue, click thread).

CIF-SS Boys Basketball Playoff results
Wednesday's first round
Division 1AA
Chino Hills 71, Leuzinger 62
Division 1A
Cajon 64, Diamond Bar 37
Capistrano Valley 59, West Covina 35
Walnut 57, Tesoro 51
Division 2A
Rowland 64, Ontario 57
Eastside 72, Glendora 65, OT
Foothill 79, Baldwin Park 37
Ayala 67, Don Lugo 60
Division 3AA
Nogales 59, Arroyo 45
La Verne Lutheran 66, Claremont 48
Division 3A
Calabasas at Diamond Ranch
Bonita 81, Temple City 38
Damien 58, Agoura 56, OT
Division 4AA
St. Francis 62, Sierra Vista 55
Northview 77, Northwood 76 2 OT
South El Monte at Atascadero
Bishop Amat 59, San Luis Obispo 47
Servite 69, San Dimas 53
Tahquitz 48, Mountain View 42
Division 4A
Whittier Christian 57, Workman 41
La Puente 49, Rubidoux 39
Wilson 63, Desert Hot Springs 57
Ontario Christian 67, Ganesha 50
Covina 73, Morro Bay 60

Below: Hey look, Bonita's Greg Eckler has a new look. The locks are gone

Here's Friday's schedule for the CIF-SS Girls Water Polo quarterfinals:

Division 3
La Serna vs. St. Lucy's at Damien
Ayala at Arroyo Grande
Division 5
Pasadena at Bonita
Crescenta Valley vs. Walnut at Mt. SAC, 3:15 p.m.
Los Altos at Temescal Canyon
Game times are 3 p.m., unless noted

CIF press release: Four divisions of the CIF Southern Section-Ford Baseball Championships, presented by Farmers, will be held at Dodger Stadium over two nights in June. Divisions 1, 2, 3 and 4 will be held Thursday or Friday nights (specific divisions, times and dates to be determined), June 2-3 at the historic ballpark in Chavez Ravine. CIF-SS championship baseball will conclude on Saturday, June 4 with Divisions 5, 6 and 7 title games taking place at The Riverside Sports Complex on the campus of the University of California, Riverside.

Bonita athletic director Eric Podley said the Bearcats girls basketball team will face Palm Springs in the first round of the CIF playoffs at 5 p.m., instead of the regular 7 starting time on Thursday. One of the Palm Springs coaches had a death in the family and has a flight that leaves town at 9. Classy move by the Bearcats, that's what pursuing victory with honor is all about.

By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
As a heavyweight, Northview High School wrestler Chris Auxier was one of the best in the CIF-Southern Section. As a 215-pound competitor, he's so much more. The senior now looks to prove it as he takes another step toward a CIF State title when he competes at this weekend's CIF-Southern Section Southern Division Championships, scheduled for Friday and Saturday at Brea Olinda High School. (To continue, click thread)

Los Altos football coach Jim Arellanes has been relieved of his coaching duties, Los Altos AD Steve Garcia told our Fred Robledo a few moments ago. "Obviously, I am very disappointed and disagree 100 percent with the decision," Arellanes said Tuesday night. For more reaction, read Aram's In the Huddle blog.

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
You'll have to excuse the Duarte High School girls basketball team for feeling a little overlooked this week after the pairings for the CIF-Southern Section Division 4A playoffs were announced. The Falcons have a 23-1 record and 21-game winning streak but were not made one of the top-four seeds in the playoffs. They instead were assigned the No. 5 seed and a home game with El Segundo on Thursday night. (To continue, click thread)

By Fred J. Robledo
Walnut High School girls soccer coach Lorraine Hansen set the table for Tuesday's CIF-Southern Section Division 3 wild-card against visiting Highland by sporting the bling, wearing all three CIF championship rings from the Mustangs' three-peat from 2003-05.
"She showed us and it got us going," Walnut midfielder Nikki McKee said. "It was like an extra motivator to think we can get one of those for our finger too. Forget everything that happened before, that's what we're playing for now." The Mustangs ended what felt like a season worth of missed chances and opportunities by routing visiting Highland 7-0 behind three goals from junior forward Stefanie Catone and two goals from McKee. (to continue click thread)

Thursday's CIF-SS playoff schedule
All games start at 3 p.m.
Division 2
Glendora at Great Oak
Division 3
Knight at Ayala
Sultana at Bonita
Claremont at Quartz Hill
Arroyo Grande at Los Altos, 3:30 p.m.
Yorba Linda vs. St. Lucy's at Damien
Walnut at Bishop Amat
Division 6
Cate at Gladstone
Wilson at Beaumont
San Jacinto at Northview
Sage Hill at Sierra Vista, 5 p.m.
La Puente at San Dimas
Nogales at Segerstrom
Ganesha at Garden Grove
Division 7
Mountain View at Sierra Canyon

Saturday's CIF-SS Dual Meet Wrestling Finals
Division 2
Northview 39, Servite 27
Division 4
West Covina 31. Ventura 28

By Steve Ramirez
It was a crowning achievement for two of the area's premier high school wrestling programs. But in a way, it was more than that for Northview and West Covina, who each won CIF-Southern Section dual division titles Saturday. The Bulldogs girls team also dominated en route to winning the CIF Southern California Regional championship.
"It's, overall for our program, the greatest day in our program, to have both our boys and girls win CIF," West Covina coach Donnie Stephens said. "We're one big family. It was a pretty awesome feeling to see one team running off the bus to meet the other who was running out of the gym. It was a great day." (To continue, click thread)

Above: West Covina wrestlers Adam Caballero, Chris Caballero, Eddie Lagarda and Danny Arceo celebrating the Bulldogs' wrestling title.

"This is my 32nd year going to the playoffs and I've seen everything. Playoffs come down to being ready to play and play well, playing the teams you match up well against and getting lucky. I'm not sure if our league is going to prepare us or not. If this team (Eastside) is a lot like Rancho Cucamonga, Upland, Los Osos or Alta Loma, then yeah, the league helped us because we're ready." -- Glendora coach Mike LeDuc

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
Last season marked only the second time since 1981 that Glendora High School's boys basketball team failed to make it out of the first round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. But don't expect the sting of that statistic to mean much to this year's Tartans when they take the court on Wednesday in the first round of the Division 2A playoffs against Eastside. "Last year doesn't matter at all," Glendora coach Mike LeDuc said after practice on Monday. "We've already practiced for today, we've talked for today and it never came up in our talk. For a lot of years we won a lot of games because we had the best players. "Last year, I thought both the team we played (Burbank) and ourselves were fairly equal. I thought they played fairly well against us and I don't think we played well at all, but I don't think that carries into this year at all."

Since anonymous comments now require typing in captcha (tiny squiggly words) before posting a comment, several commenters have complained that it's too sensitive, and they have to copy and paste some comments over again to post a comment. There is an easy solution, create a permanent screen name under the sign-on option, then once you sign on, you can post comments without having to type captcha. The sign-on option is still completely anonymous, we're not asking you to post under Twitter or Facebook, just create an anonymous screen name, a password, email (like you do for anonymous posts anyway) and you're in. Commenters like Joe Amat have been doing it forever and we still don't know who the heck he is, so try it, it makes commenting much easier.

"We have to play well to win," Ertle said. "We don't have a team who can just show up and win games this year. Hopefully, the potential is there, but we're just looking at one game at a time right now." -- Bishop Amat coach Brandon Ertle

By Aram Tolegian
Bishop Amat's run to the semifinals of last year's Division 4A playoffs took a lot of area fans by surprise, and the Lancers are looking to do the same thing again this season.
Amat, which finished 19-7 overall and second in the Del Rey League, gets the luxury of a home game against San Luis Obispo in Wednesday's first round.
The good news for the Lancers is Price, which knocked out Amat last year before winning the division, has been moved out of 4A.

Robledo: Remember what I wrote about Walnut a couple weeks back. I still feel the same way, they can beat anyone.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
With Walnut High School, one of the traditional girls soccer powers over the last decade fading to fourth in the Hacienda League after several closes losses down the stretch, Bishop Amat coach Ruben Gonzalez feared his league champion Lancers might pay the price when the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 pairings were announced on Monday.
Turns out he was right. Walnut lost four of its final five games by a goal, but it finished 12-9-2 overall, which included a penalty shootout victory over Glendora to win its own tournament in January. (To continue story and view pairings, click thread).

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
After winning back-to-back CIF-Southern Section Division 6 title, the Mountain View High School boys soccer team will try to win its third straight title in the Division 5 playoffs, where it earned the fourth seed when the playoff pairings were announced on Monday. Mission Valley League champion Mountain View will open the playoffs on Friday against the winner from Wednesday's wild-card game between host Garden Grove and Oaks Christian. (To continue reading and to view pairings, click thread).

Playing an extremely tough non-league and tournament schedule, check that again, by far the toughest non-league and tournament schedule of any team in the San Gabriel Valley did not reward La Verne Lutheran(18-4) in the Division 3AA playoffs, where they were seeded fourth, which means they will likely have to face No. 1 Price, whom they already faced, in the semifinals. CIF screwed this up, lets leave it at that. No. 3 La Canada (23-3) should NOT have been seeded ahead of Lutheran. Not only was the Rio Hondo League one of the worst in decades, La Canada's tournament schedule was one of the easiest around, staying in the SGV to compete in three area tournaments, where their biggest non-league win of the year is against Bonita, who they beat at home in their own tournament. The Spartans' other tough nonleague games were against Montebello, who they lost to twice. We see this time and time again, CIF not factoring in strength of schedule as much as they should, instead looking at wins and losses. I know CIF has a tough job, especially when you consider how many divisions they have to seed, but time and time again we learn that tough schedules aren't rewarded. My advice to Lutheran next year is to compete right here in the valley, whip everyone and get a high seed come playoff time.

The Southern Section Division 4AA playoff pairings are out, and missing is Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, the No. 7-ranked team in the division. Notre Dame Coach Bill Bedgood says he saw his school athletic secretary fax the request for Notre Dame to be an at-large team. The Southern Section says it never received the fax.

The CIF-SS boys and girls soccer pairings will be released from Noon to 1:30 p.m, click the link to check the CIF website to view the brackets when they're released. I will post the pairings later in the afternoon.

We hope to cover at least three games, maybe more in the first round on Thursday, so let us know which games you think deserve the most coverage. For those on the road and games we can't cover, we will have someone on the desk writing a round-up of the games on the phone so coaches please call in your results soon afterward to 626-962-8811, ext. 2233 or 2242. You can also email your results to scores@sgvn.com, but if you do, please leave a phone number where you can be reached in case we have questions.

Below: The area's top two-ranked teams, Bishop Amat and Bonita, could be on a collision course in the 3A playoffs. If all goes to form, No. 3 Amat would meet No. 2 Bonita in the semifinals on Feb. 26.

CIF-SS Girls Basketball Playoff Schedule
All games start at 7 p.m.
Thursday's first round
Division 1AA
Ayala at Cajon
Division 1A
Diamond Bar at Valencia
Los Alamitos at Walnut
Redlands East Valley at Chino Hills
Division 2AA
West Covina at Inglewood
Division 2A
Beverly Hills at Arroyo
Division 3AA
Rowland at Torrance
Sonora at Sierra Vista
Baldwin Park at Agoura
Peninsula at Rosemead
Beaumont at Diamond Ranch
Division 3A
Los Altos at Orange Lutheran
Glenn at Northview
Buena Park at Bishop Amat
San Jacinto at Wilson
Palm Springs at Bonita, 5 p.m.
Division 4AA
Rubidoux at Azusa
Gladstone at Desert Mirage
Covina at L.A. Baptist
La Canada at St. Lucy's
Division 4A
El Segundo at Duarte
San Dimas at 29 Palms
Division 5AA
Workman at St. Monica Cathedral
Division 5A
Bishop Diego at Pomona Catholic

To view the CIF-SS Boys Basketball Pairings, click link or thread.

A late-season loss to Ayala didn't keep the Damien High School boys basketball team from a top-four seed when the pairings for the CIF-Southern Section Division Division 3A playoffs were announced on Sunday.
The Spartans, this area's top-ranked team, finished the regular season 23-3 and were awarded the No. 4 seed. Damien will host Agoura in Wednesday's first round.
"We play a team from a really good league, which is always challenging," Spartans coach Matt Dunn said. "I guess it's kind of where we expected to be in terms of the seeding. Being at home is always a great thing, especially when you have to play a team that has to travel a little bit."

To view the CIF-SS Girls Basketball pairings, click link or thread.

It won't take long for local girls basketball fans to see the CIF-Southern Section Division 3A playoff brackets and spot the potential for a rematch between this newspaper's top two teams, Bishop Amat and Bonita high schools.
Should they meet again, the Bearcats and Lancers would be playing for the right to be in the Division 3A championship game.
Bonita was awarded the No. 2 seed in the division after rolling through the Hacienda League and finishing with a 24-2 record. Amat was made the No. 3 seed after winning the Del Rey League and finishing 21-6.
The Lancers beat Bonita, 57-55, on Jan. 22 at Azusa Pacific, thanks to a last-second shot by Leeah Powell. Amat lost three times since that game, thus was seeded lower than Bonita. Amat, which has been to the state finals in five of the past seven seasons, was awarded a home game in Thursday's first round against Buena Park.

CIF-SS Girls Water Polo Pairings
Division 3
Tuesday's wild card
A--Hueneme at Atascadero
B--Claremont at Whittier
C--Camarillo at Chaparral
D--California at San Marino
E--La Canada at Charter Oak
F--Righetti at Oxnard
Wednesday's first-round
Top Bracket
WC A at #1 St. Lucy's
Vista Murrieta at La Serna
WC B at Rio Mesa
San Luis Obispo at #4 South Pasadena
Bottom Bracket
WC C at #3 Arroyo Grande
WC D at Ayala
WC E at El Rancho
WC F at #2 Murrieta Valley

Division 5
Tuesday's wild card
A- Burbank Burroughs at Perris
Wednesday's first-round
Top Bracket
WC A at #1 Redlands East Valley
Glendale at La Sierra
Elsinore at Pasadena
Jurupa Valley at #4 Bonita
Bottom Bracket
Yucaipa at #3 Crescenta Valley
Walnut at Arlington
Redlands at Los Altos
Burbank at #2 Temescal Canyon

The CIF-Southern Section boys and girls basketball pairings will be released on Sunday. Check the CIF website for all your pairings, will update later that evening.
Boys and girls basketball pairings announced Sunday: 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
It seemed only fitting that a chaotic year atop the Mission Valley League boys basketball standings would end dramatically. That's exactly what happened Friday night, thanks to Gabrielino High School's Ryan Lam. Lam's 3-pointer as time expired capped a stirring rally, and the Eagles posted a 52-50 victory over host Arroyo and clinched a share of the league championship with Mountain View.
The Eagles hit four 3-pointers in the final 1:01, two by Lam, including one that banked in, but Lam's second 3, a buzzer-beater on the run as time ran out, hit nothing but net.

Fred's pre-game prediction: Diamond Ranch, while I think Bonita is deeper and has more weapons, the Panthers arguably have the two best players on the floor in juniors Chelsea Barnes and Erika Williams?
Fred wrong again: Bonita defeated nemesis Diamond Ranch on Friday night 66-58 to earn its second win over the second-place Panthers this season and finish undefeated in the Hacienda League.

Editor's note in today's newspaper :Because of major technical problems, your Friday newspaper might be missing certain regular items. Also, Thursday's articles will not be online until later this afternoon.

Inland Insider on the game: The Ayala Bulldogs (7-3, 18-8,) defeated their Cross town rivals the Chino Hills Huskies,( 7-3, 21-6), 50-41 behind Andrew Ortiz's 27 pts. Both teams end up tied for 2nd in the Sierra league and will enter the playoffs next week, Ayala in the 2A division and Chino Hills in 1A.

Mountain View wraps up Mission Valley League title

Conquerors gut out inaugural Hacienda League title ...

Bishop Amat football has a new opponent in Week 2. Coach Steve Hagerty said Long Beach Jordan backed out of its commitment to play Bishop Amat at home in Week 2, but the Lancers quickly found a replacement, setting up a game with La Mirada at Kiefer Stadium, instead. I don't know how good La Mirada will be next season, the Suburban League champions sent five players to Division I schools, including Isaac Luatua, who's going to Alabama. La Mirada faded in the Southeast playoffs, however, losing in the first-round against Muir. But they did give Southwest Division champ La Habra all it could handle, losing 23-17. In any case, La Mirada typically travels well, so this is a good pick-up for the Lancers. Also, Bishop Amat's game on the road against Venice in Week 5 has been moved to Thursday instead of Friday. For those curious about Amat, a Thursday night game allows the rest of the Valley to take a sneak peak.

"It would be incredibly intriguing for the community, and for (Bonita) coach (Greg) Eckler and myself. It would be a really tough game to play. If it happened, hopefully it would be in the finals." -- Damien coach Matt Dunn on possibility of meeting Bonita.

One of the intriguing possibilities in the 3A playoffs is a potential matchup between No. 3 Damien (22-3, 8-1) and neighboring Bonita (23-3, 11-0 Hacienda). Bonita is ranked fifth in 3A, has won 11 in a row and can finish unbeaten in league if it wins out this week.
Damien and Bonita haven't met this season, but with only six losses between them a meeting in the playoffs would create one of the most exciting games in La Verne history.

"It would be incredibly intriguing for the community, and for (Bonita) coach (Greg) Eckler and myself," Dunn said. "It would be a really tough game to play. If it happened, hopefully it would be in the finals."

Dunn went on to give a quick preview of what might happen should they meet up.

"Because we're so close, we know each other pretty well, even though we haven't played," Dunn said. "They do such a great job and it would be such a tough game to play. Hopefully when the pairings come out we're on different sides of the bracket, because we would hate to face them anytime before the finals. That's if we're both fortunate enough to go on a (playoff) run."

By John Honell, Correspondent
Senior Night emotion wasn't enough for the Rowland High School boys basketball team to pull off an upset against Bonita on Wednesday night. The Raiders led at the end of the first quarter but the Bearcats, who already had clinched the Hacienda League championship, came from behind for a 60-44 win. The win was the 11th consecutive for the Bearcats (23-3, 11-0), who remained undefeated in league play with one game left at Diamond Ranch on Friday.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Los Altos High School girls soccer coach Chris Reeder wasn't sure what to expect in the newly formed Hacienda League, which combined former Miramonte League powers Los Altos and Bonita with Walnut, which had won four consecutive San Antonio League titles.
Add a team like Diamond Bar from the Sierra League, and what you have is a playoff atmosphere every week.
Reeder hopes it pays off for the CIF-Southern Section Division 3's eighth-ranked Conquerors when playoffs start next week. There have been many close games, but Los Altos has been the most consistent in its durability. It won another grind-it-out game on Tuesday at Diamond Bar, 2-1, and clinched at least a share of the league title with a chance to win it outright on Thursday against Walnut.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
For those who don't know South Hills High School football coach Steve Bogan, his belief in God and involvement with the Christian church is a huge part of his life.
That's why it was no surprise Bogan was intrigued with the possibility of leaving South Hills for Maranatha, a Christian school in Pasadena with a highly touted sophomore quarterback in Andrew Elffers who could help the Minutemen compete for the Mid-Valley Division title over the next two years. But Bogan, who's been teaching at South Hills since 1985 and has won four CIF-Southern Section division titles since taking over as head football coach in 1992, decided to remain at South Hills after weighing his options over the weekend.

From ESPN: The Lakers and the Denver Nuggets have had preliminary discussions about a blockbuster trade that would send Carmelo Anthony to Los Angeles, according to league sources. The Lakers' package would be built around Andrew Bynum.

Tribune rankings
Boys Basketball
1. Damien (22-2) - Dominated the Sierra
2. La Verne Lutheran (16-4) - Ready for playoff run
3. Glendora (20-5) - Better than expected
4. Bonita (21-3) --10 game win streak
5. Chino Hills (20-5) -- Lost twice to Damien
6. Ayala (12-3) -- Solid third in Sierra
7. Northview (20-6) -- Valle Vista champs
8. Bishop Amat (17-8) -- Lost two of three
9. Walnut (15-10) -- Second in Hacienda
10. Rowland (16-9) -- Solid overall record

Girls Basketball rankings
1. Bishop Amat (20-5) - Still best of the rest
2. Bonita (22-2) - Facing Diamond Ranch in finale
3. Duarte (20-1) - Young and scary good
4. Chino Hills (19-6) -- Won nine straight
5. Diamond Ranch (13-9) -- Waiting for Bonita rematch
6. Wilson (18-6) -- Valle Vista champs
7. Sierra Vista (15-5) -- Two losses to Duarte
8. St. Lucy's (12-10) -- Third in tough Sierra
9. West Covina (13-9) -- Tie for third in Hacienda
10. Walnut (15-9) - Lost three of four

Tribune Soccer Rankings
Boys Soccer
1. Claremont (16-0-5) - Undefeated and new No. 1
2. Mountain View (9-2-5) - Back-to-back ties
3. Bonita (14-3-5) -- Surges ahead in Hacienda
4. Glendora (14-6-5) -- Dominated Baseline League
5. Damien (10-3-6) -- Solid second in Sierra
6. Ganesha (12-5) -- Montview league champs
7. Pomona (16-3-2) -- 9-1 in Valle Vista
8. Baldwin Park (14-2-2) -- Split with Pomona
9. Los Altos (10-5-3) -- Fighting for playoff spot
10. Diamond Ranch (9-3-3) -- Add to tough Hacienda teams

Girls Soccer rankings
1. Bishop Amat (20-1) -- April Juarez with 37 goals
2. Ayala (16-4-3) -- Beat St. Lucy's, wins Sierra
3. Los Altos (16-3-4) -- Clinging to lead in Hacienda
4. St. Lucy's (10-5-2) -- Solid second in Sierra
5. Glendora (14-6-4) -- Still in playoff hunt
6. Bonita (15-4-2) -- Finds ways to win
7. San Dimas (14-2-2) -- Split with Northview
8. Northview (18-4) -- Khalalah Todd with 45 goals
9. Diamond Bar (13-6-1) -- Surprise team of Sierra
10. Claremont (15-6-2) -- Another good Sierra team

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
There's an empty space on the Wilson High School girls basketball team's bench where longtime head coach Ed Bruyninckx used to sit. His chair has a cover that reads "Coach Ed," and although nobody sits there anymore, everybody in the Wildcats' gym can still see him, like he always was, intently watching his girls play. This year's team believes Bruyninckx, who died unexpectedly of a heart attack at his home in September, is still watching them and is very proud of what's taking place.

Ayala High School senior goalie Alicen Wright wasn't going to allow her Bulldogs to surrender a late score to ruin the second matchup with Sierra League rival St. Lucy's. On Jan. 21, the Regents scored a goal with three minutes remaining to send the game into overtime for what ended in a 1-1 tie.
But on Monday, Wright made 10 saves, several of which looked to be headed for the back of the net, to lead Ayala to a 1-0 victory over St. Lucy's at Damien High School.

Over the next month we're taking those vacation days you sort of have to take, but it worked out perfectly today, my dad turned 70 and we're playing golf. Love you pop. Steve Ramirez is the one I'm jealous of, he's using his days on a cruise this week and will be back for the basketball playoffs. In any case, thought it would be a good day to post a Just Tribbin, where you can talk about any topic you wish. See you tomorrow.

Wrestling's Road to Bakersfield began in earnest Saturday, which was league finals day.
The area's best punched their ticket to the CIF-Southern Section divisional round, which will be in two weeks on Feb. 18-19 at selected sites.
Here's my recap of some of the area's league finals, including Sierra Vista ruling the Montview League with five champions

South Hills football coach Steve Bogan is considering the possibility of coaching at Maranatha, but nothing has gone further than a conversation between both parties. There are plenty of factors that play in for both sides, but there is nothing more we can share at the moment. Obviously this would be an absolute steal and great hire for Maranatha, but nothing is imminent. Giving coach Bogan's strong Christian background, it's not a surprise the two sides have talked.

The family of former Northview High and Rio Hondo College wrestler Jesse Cruz is holding a fundraiser this Saturday (Feb. 5) on what would have been his 21st birthday. Cruz died on the mat in September as he competed for Rio Hondo at a tournament at Mt. San Antonio College.
The family has set up two scholarship funds that will help both Northview High and Rio Hondo wrestlers attend college. Cruz's family invites all to the American Legion Post at 330 N. Azusa Avenue in West Covina from 6 p.m. to midnight.

By Fred J. Robledo
The Northview High School boys basketball should have made winning the Valle Vista League title a formality long ago, but dropping three of its last four left the Vikings in danger of falling out of first entering Friday's game at surging Nogales, which had won four straight and was just a half game out of first -- both teams with three league losses.
It was almost surreal, after starting 18-3 and 6-0 in the VVL, the Vikings dropped games against San Dimas, Covina and Wilson, teams few expected them to have problems against. Making the situation even more dire, the Vikings might have lost starting point guard Nick Fuentes for the season in their previous loss to Wilson. The junior guard injured his knee and will have an MRI in the coming days.
In a dizzying 32 minutes, those problems seem long ago for the CIF-Southern Section Division 4AA's eighth-ranked team.
With its backs against the wall Northview delivered its best performance of the season, routing Nogales 69-47 to claim at least a share of the the Valle Vista League title, improving to 20-6 and 8-3 while the Nobles dropped to 13-12 and 6-4.(to continue click thread)

Friday's Boys Basketball results
Baseline League
Rancho Cucamonga at Glendora, 6:30 p.m.
Del Rey League
Cathedral at Bishop Amat, 7 p.m.
Hacienda League
Rowland 62. Diamond Bar 53
Mission Valley League
Mountain View 41, El Monte 31
Arroyo 46, Rosemead 37
Montview League
La Puente at Ganesha, 6 p.m.
Sierra Vista 45, Gladstone 32
Sierra League
Damien 51, Charter Oak 30
Valle Vista League
Northview 69, Nogales 47
Baldwin Park 60, Wilson 48

South El Monte football promoted former Eagles assistant Ibis Aguilar to take over as its next head coach. Aguilar replaces Ray Hernandez, who resigned earlier this year. Aguilar's most recent position was an assistant at the University of La Verne.

Read Aram,"Inside the Huddle" ... Just when things couldn't be going any better for former Charter Oak High School running back Adam Muema, it all came crashing down. Muema, while attending a party at a home in Covina last May, intervened in a fight taking place between the home's owner and some unwanted guests. Next thing he knew, he was on his way to an emergency room after somebody hit him on the head with a baseball bat.

Robledo's breakdown: This might sound crazy, but in terms of creating chances and work through the run of play, Walnut is the best team I've seen. I can't recall a team missing as many point-blank opportunities as them, but I'll take my chances with a team that creates that much. They're clearly frustrated, but once the goals start falling, they will come in bunches, but It better happen soon or they will miss the playoffs. But if they get in, they can win a CIF title. I would roll the dice with them over any team in the area. Their forwards are great, they're quick, they hold the ball well, but on breakaways they need to slow down and gather themselves on their final touch, it appears they're rushing everything in front of the goal and it has snowballed on them. It's like they're firing away hoping it goes in instead of concentrating on the final shot. But hey, creating opportunities is a good problem to have. Bonita was very lucky yesterday, why they ran an offside trap that much I don't understand. When you're defenders aren't as quick as the opposing forwards, your inviting trouble. They got away with it this time, but you can't rely on a team missing nine breakaways in the future.

GAME STORY
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
The Bonita High School girls soccer team pushes forward at every opportunity, forcing its opponents to play on a small field and creating a more physical game, much to its liking. It's risky, especially because it invites counter-attacking opportunities, but given Walnut's track record of missing breakaways this season, it wasn't such a bad game plan after all.
Bonita only had four legitimate scoring chances against visiting Walnut on Thursday, but the Bearcats converted twice, and that was enough to sneak away with a 2-1 victory that keeps their Hacienda League title hopes alive while leaving the Mustangs on the playoff bubble with a week left before the postseason begins. (To continue, click thread).

I received an anonymous letter from someone who claims to be a Whittier High baseball supporter over recent transfers from Whittier High to Northview. Transfers happen, but when they happen from the same school, it is fair to point out. I won't post the letter or accusations that came with it, especially from someone anonymous, but I will point out the facts: In 2009, Whittier pitcher/utility Eric Ruvalcaba transferred to Northview, the same year they won a title. in 2010, Jesse Avila transferred from Whittier to Northview and competed for the Vikings baseball team. And though a roster hasn't been finalized for the 2011 season, Whittier catcher Stephen Zavala, who batted .441 with 10 RBIs as a junior, transferred mid-year to Northview and is expected to play baseball for the Vikings once his transfer paperwork is submitted to the CIF Southern Section and approved.

I could not find a link to the artice, but the February, 2011 edition of Sporting News ranks the top 25 high school baseball teams in the country, with Bishop Amat at No. 17 and the lone area team on the list. Look, I know Amat is good, they probably have the deepest fielding and hitting team in the area by far, but pitching wins championships and other area teams are deeper on the hill. In any case, here is what Sporting News wrote about the Lancers, who had some flattering words for the Big River, AKA, Rio Ruiz, who may have to help on the mound this season. That's a scary thought for anyone who's been on the receiving end of one of his passes in football. And if you ever shake his hand, you better shake it like a man or it's going to hurt.

From the SPORTING NEWS: Putting runs on the board in 2011 should not be a problem for Bishop Amat, which returns one of the most talented teams in Southern California. The Lancers reached the traditionally tough CIF Southern Section quarterfinals last year and return USC-bound third baseman Rio Ruiz (.528-4-34), who has a chance to be a very high draft pick in 2012 as either a hitter or pitcher. He will have plenty of support in the batting order with senior first baseman Adrian Franco (.337-2-29) and junior outfielder Jordan McCraney (.333-3-21), who have committed to San Diego State and USC, respectively. Senior third baseman Bernardo Zavala (.327-4-30) and senior outfielder Jay Anderson (.340-4-23) also return. Pitching depth may be the key for Bishop Amat. Junior lefthander Daniel Zamora (5-1, 2.86) is the top returning hurler, but Ruiz has shown flashes of becoming a high-level pitching prospect, and his development could be the difference between a good or great season.

I can tell you right now Bonita won't be No. 1, one of the teams mentioned above will...

I joined Reginald Miller for their Time Warner telecast of tonight's game and came away impressed with Damien again. When they played undefeated Mission Viejo a couple weeks back at APU, I thought Chris Reyes dominated their bigs in stretches in a game they could have won. When he's aggressive on both ends, the Spartans are unstoppable. When they feed him in the post, he's unguardable against undersized players. The Spartans have solid complimentary players but Reyes is the one who can carry them to a championship. Sometimes I get the impression he doesn't realize how good he is or how good he can be. The Inland Insider Tom Kiss was at tonight's game too, check out his video highlights and interviews.

I of course played soccer, tennis and golf, what else can you do when you're 5-5, 120 with guys like Mike Maggiore next to you at Edgewood. Andrew Campa to the far right I have nothing to tease about, he's one of the hardest working guys in preps, I'm just not sure if he's athletic ... All we're missing is legendary Steve Ramirez, who ditched us to spend an afternoon with golfer Cristie Kerr who will be in the Kia Classic at Industry Hills in March.

FULL PHOTO GALLERY OF WEDNESDAY'S NATIONAL SIGNING DAY.

Caption: From left, Athletes Katherine Salcido (San Dimas/UCLA), Heather Jackson (Bonita/Utah Valley), Kylie Price (Bishop Amat/UCLA), Jessica Smetherman (Glendora/Cal State, Fullerton), Lauren Stupin (Los Altos/Cal State, Fullerton), and Khalalah Todd (Northview/New Mexico State)

Girls signees: High-profile college sports such as football and basketball generate the most revenue and hand out the most scholarships, though earning an athletic scholarship of any kind is difficult. That's why Wednesday wasn't just a day to celebrate the football signees on national signing day across the country. It was also a day to recognize the hard work of track standouts such as Bishop Amat's Kylie Price and San Dimas' Katherine Salcido, both of whom were offered full athletic scholarships and signed to compete for the prestigious UCLA track and field team.

Caption: Left to right:Baldwin Park's Wardell Crutchfield (Georgetown) ,Chino Hills' Ifo Ekpre-Olumu (Oregon) ,Glendora's Chad Jeffries (San Diego State),Charter Oak's Dennis Rufus (San Jose State),South Hill's Sioasi Aiono (Utah),San Dimas's Allen Brown (Fresno State),Diamond Ranch's Chase Price (San Diego State),Diamond Ranch Jacoby Carter (Sacramento State),Chino Hill's Nate Harris (Montana) and Baldwin Park's Demetrius Jackson (Portland State).

Football signing story: Chino Hills standout defensive back Ifo Ekpre-Olomu signed with Oregon while teammate Nate Harris chose Montana. "I envision actually playing on the field, but I can't say right now whether I'm going to red-shirt," Ekpre-Olomu said. "But I envision going to practices and playing with the best players in the nation. It's a dream come true."

And here's where our area community college players will go. They include Mt. San Antonio Colleges' Nick Lamaison, who prepped at South Hills, and Michael Edwards, who prepped at Glendora. Both signed with Texas-El Paso.

We know how special signing day is for players and their families and we do our best to make it special for them. In tomorrow's paper, we've got a special spread we think everyone is going to enjoy, full of pictures and recognition for all the athletes that signed in football and other sports. In football, I'd like to share what we did in preparation for today's events. We invited football signees from the Whittier, Pasadena and Tribune coverage areas to the best stadium in all of college football, the Rose Bowl, for pictures and some Q&A. Here is a sneak preview of what we did, and a special thanks to the Rose Bowl for being so gracious with us.

Below: A group shot of signees from the Whittier Daily News, Pasadena Star-News and San Gabriel Valley Tribune ciruclation areas. Congrats all.

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
Glendora High School quarterback Chad Jeffries finally got the attention from college recruiters he wanted, but unfortunately for schools making a late bid at Jeffries, their overtures were too late. Jeffries, despite recent offers from Washington and Fresno State, is sticking with his decision to attend San Diego State. He is one of several area football players who will finalize their college choices today.

Send us your pictures: If you have pictures from today's signings at the school, I will post them if you send them to me at fred.robledo@sgvn.com ... Congratulations to the San Dimas saints duo below, Allen Brown signing a letter of intent to play football at Fresno State while track star Katherine Salcido signs her letter to compete at UCLA.

2011 FOOTBALL SIGNEES
Allen Brown, San Dimas (Fresno St.)
Chase Price, Diamond Ranch (San Diego St.)
Ifo Ekpre-Olumu, Chino Hills (Oregon)
Chad Jeffries, Glendora (San Diego St.)
Sioasi Aiono, South Hills (Utah)
Wardell Crutchfield, Baldwin Park, (Georgetown)
Jacoby Carter, Diamond Ranch, (Sacramento State)
Demetrius Jackson, Baldwin Park (Portland State)
Dennis Rufus, Charter Oak, (San Jose State)
Nate Harris, Chino Hills, (Montana)
Tarez Lemmons, Bonita, (University of San Diego)

2011 GIRLS SIGNEES
Lauren Stupin, Los Altos, soccer, (Cal State Fullerton)
Heather Jackson, Bonita, cross country, (Utah Valley University)
Kylie Price, Bishop Amat, track, (UCLA)
Katherine Salcido, San Dimas, track (UCLA)
Khalalah Todd, Northview, soccer, (New Mexico State)
Jessica Smetherman, Glendora, soccer, (Cal State Fullerton)
Kaitlyn Curley, St. Lucy's, soccer, (Eckerd College)

By John Honell
Never underestimate the heart of a champion. The San Dimas High School girls soccer team had to come from behind to knock off first-place Northview 2-1 in a Valle Vista League showdown Tuesday. The three-time defending champion Saints (14-2-2, 9-1) moved into a first-place tie with the Vikings (17-4. 9-1) with two games left in the regular season.

By Tyler Drohan
Visiting Etiwanda rallied from a 24-22 halftime deficit to secure at least a share of the Baseline league title with a for a 53-42 win over Glendora High School on Tuesday night. Etiwanda opened the third quarter with a 10-0 run spurred on by eight points from senior Byron Wesley. The USC commit opened the quarter with a 3-pointer to give Etiwanda a 25-24 advantage and, following another Etiwanda three, Wesley scored on consecutive possessions to put the Eagles up 32-24 with 4:50 to play in the quarter.

Some great boys basketball games over the next two nights, Glendora hosting 22-1 Etiwanda tonight at 6:30 p.m., followed by Damien hosting Chino Hills on Wednesday night. By the way, what happened to Northview, how do you start 19-3, beat Baldwin Park to stay unbeaten in league then lose to Covina and Wilson?

Boys Basketball rankings
1. Damien (20-2) - Gets CHills at home tonight
2. La Verne Lutheran (13-4) - 9-0 in Arrowhead League
3. Glendora (19-4) - Hanging tough in Baseline
4. Chino Hills (19-4) - Still better than expected
5. Bonita (19-3) - Rounds out a solid top five
6. Bishop Amat (17-6) - Can still win Del Rey
7. Ayala (14-8) - Tough competing in Sierra
8. Northview (19-5) - Big losses to Covina, Wilson
9. Mountain View (17-5) - On way to MVL title
10. Baldwin Park (16-7) -- Can still win Valle Vista, must thank sinking Vikings

Girls Basketball rankings
1. Bishop Amat (18-4) - Tough loss to Redondo Union
2. Bonita (19-2) - Capable of so much
3. Duarte (17-1) - Beat Sierra Vista again
4. Chino Hills (16-6) - Perfect 6-0 in Sierra
5. Diamond Ranch (11-9) - Have to respect its talent
6. Wilson (16-6) - Inspiring season from 'Cats
7. Walnut (14-6) - Always plays hard
8. St. Lucy's (12-9) - At Chino Hills tonight
9. Sierra Vista (14-4) - Two losses to Duarte
10. West Covina (12-8) - Big win over Walnut

In girls soccer, two huge games today. Northview is hoping to beat San Dimas for the second time, which would all but assure the Vikings the Valle Vista League title. Los Altos can all but clinch the Hacienda with a victory against second-place Bonita at home today. Both games are at 3:15 p.m.

Below: Mountain View might be are top-ranked team, but Claremont is the lone undefeated team.

Boys Soccer Rankings
1. Mountain View (9-2-3) - Dominating 6-0 in MVL
2. Claremont (13-0-5) - Unbeaten late in the season
3. Bonita (11-3-5) - Surging ahead in Hacienda
4. Glendora (11-6-5) - Closing in on Baseline title
5. Ganesha (11-4) - In control of Montview
6. Damien (8-2-6) - Solid 0-0 tie at Claremont
7. Diamond Ranch (9-3-2) - Making late-season charge
8. Pomona (15-3-2) - In firm control of Valle Vista
9. Los Altos (9-4-3) - Chasing Bonita in Hacienda
10. Baldwin Park (12-2-2) - Hangs on to final spot

Girls Soccer rankings
1. Bishop Amat (18-1) - 80 goals, just 12 against
2. Ayala (14-4-2) - Still leading Sierra race
3. Los Altos (14-2-4) - Living up to pre-season hype
4. St. Lucy's (7-4-3) --Closes with Ayala, Claremont
5. Bonita (12-4-2) - Keeps improving each week
6. Glendora (11-6-4) - Might not make playoffs
7. Northview (17-3) - Proving they play defense too
8. Diamond Bar (11-6-1) - Fighting for playoff spot
9. Claremont (14-6-1) - Dropped to third in Sierra
10. San Dimas (13-2-2) - Still in Valle Vista hunt