March 2011 Archives
South Hills, Charter Oak game story ...
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
After dropping a pair of fly balls the previous inning -- one on a difficult play on the dead run, the other slipping off his glove fighting the sun, South Hills left-fielder Michael Dlugos returned to the dugout and heard a mouthful from Huskies coach Kevin Smith.
Or were they words of encouragement?
"I guess you can say that," Dlugos smirked. "In his own kind of way, I'd say."
Whatever was said, Dlugos responded with a grand slam on his next at bat, a towering shot to left in the fifth inning that proved the difference in South Hills' 7-3 victory over host Charter Oak on Thursday.
L.A. Times prep legend Eric Sondheimer pointed out in a recent article that 17 of 20 teams that participated in last week's state basketball finals in Sacramento were private schools. It raises the age-old argument of whether public and private schools should have separate playoff divisions. I always have maintained that the CIF-Southern Section playoffs should separate public vs. private, simply because public and private schools have a far different set of rules in terms of acquiring students. Public schools must take players from within certain geographic boundaries, whereas private school boundaries are limitless. Because of this, enrollment figures don't mean anything. I'm sure Cal Poly Pomona has more students than Duke, but that doesn't give them an advantage. Maybe a bad example, but you get the point. There are several other differences, some of which cancel each other out in a debate, but the bottom line is the playing field isn't level. The only time public and private should meet in the postseason is during the state playoffs, because as a fan, at this point I do want to watch the best-of-the best go at it to crown a true state champion. But in the CIF-SS playoffs, public schools deserve to face public schools in divisions where enrollment and school boundaries should mean something. Plus it might help heal the animosity some public school coaches have with private school powerhouses. The system is what's at fault here, not the powerhouses. In this week's CIF press release, the Southern Section sent out statistical data of how private schools have done in CIF-SS championships over the past ten years ...
From CIF
CIF-SS private school basketball championship results over the past ten years.
Boys
- 60 titles won out of a possible of 106 (57%)
- 31 different private schools have won titles over that time (15% of all private schools)
- 15 of those schools have won multiple titles (48% of the 31 and 7% of all private schools)
- 7 of those schools have won more than 3 titles during that time (23% of the 31 and 3% of the private school membership)
- 47 of the 60 private school titles have come in Division 3A or below (78%).
- In 2011, 128 schools of the 208 total schools in those divisions were private (61%).
Girls
- 57 titles won out of a possible of 106 (57%)
- 33 different private schools have won titles over that ti me (16% of all private schools)
- 17 of those schools have won multiple titles (51% of the 31 and 8% of all private schools)
- 4 of those schools have won more than 3 titles during that time (12% of the 31 and 2% of the private
school membership)
- 45 of the 57 private school titles have come in Division 3A or below (79%).
- In 2011, 113 schools of the 192 total schools in those divisions were private (59%).
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
South Hills high school baseball coach Kevin Smith knew he was chasing a milestone on Tuesday, but it was hard to feel sentimental knowing this was a make-or-break week in the competitive Sierra League.
The Huskies didn't let him down, Adrian De Horta pitching a complete game shutout in a 6-0 victory over Claremont to give Smith his 400th career win.
Afterward, Huskies players autographed the game ball for Smith, who has an impressive 400-162 overall record, which includes 11 league titles and a CIF championship in just the past 12 years. Smith has coached high school baseball for more than two decades.
By John Honell, Correspondent
Taking advantage of a fielding error in the first inning and getting another strong pitching performance from freshman Anissa Sanchez was enough for Bonita High School to stop the five-game winning streak of Hacienda League rival Los Altos on Wednesday. The Bearcats (13-2, 1-0) scored four unearned runs in the first inning and went on to beat the Conquerors 7-0.
There's very few days like baseball's Opening Day, where everyone's a pennant winner, and that includes the Dodgers, who like me, will be at Dodger Stadium when they open up the season against, as our pal Vic "The Brick" Jacobs calls them, the Hated Ones, the Giants.
The Dodgers begin the season, arguably, as the third-best team in the NL West. But they don't play the season on paper.
Play Ball!
All Mission Valley League Basketball
MVP: Mark Roche, Arroyo
First Team
Erick Martinez, Mountain View
Jeremy Acosta, Mountain View
Tyler Shimamoto, Gabrielino
Ryan Lam, Gabrielino
Anthony Villacis, South El Monte
Danny Villalobos, Rosemead
Girls Basketball
MVP: Melody Gauthier, Rosemead
First Team
Joann Chac, Gabrielino
Amanda Duenas, El Monte
Aileen Giang, El Monte
Sydney Hua, Rosemead
Arlene Reyes, Arroyo
Michelle Trieu, Arroyo
For second and honorable mention, click thread.
All Montview League Basketball
Boys Basketball
MVP: German Pompa, La Puente
First Team
Marco Ponce, La Puente
Bernardo Pagovich, Sierra Vista
Anthony Whiteside, Ganesha
Fernando Hernandez, Sierra Vista
Samuel Mejia, Bassett
Junior Pena, Duarte
Brandon Rios, La Puente
Girls Basketball
MVP: Evelyn Herrera, Workman
First Team
Alexis Arnold, Azusa
Imari Brown, Duarte
Danielle Simmons, Azusa
Estrella Rivera, Sierra Vista
Alex Cano, Gladstone
Jessica Rivera, Sierra Vista
Yasmine Wilson, Duarte
For second team, click thread
So, this is what I do each day, knowing we have two reporters to send to games this afternoon, it's left for me to pick the best two. The one that stands out the most is Los Altos at Bonita softball. Not just because Bonita's Courtney Gano is facing her old team, but her old team is on roll, having just won the Whittier tournament. Los Altos is 7-2 and 1-0 in the Hacienda while the Bearcats are 12-2 and playing their first Hacienda league game. This game was originally scheduled for Los Altos, but I got an email today saying it was switched to Bonita. In baseball, we're covering Los Osos (4-3, 0-2) at Glendora (6-2, 3-0), simply because we haven't had a chance to cover the Tartans, and obvioulsy they're playing well in the Baseline and deserve coverage. Plus, it's nice to watch the Tartans roll through the Baseline, a league they shouldn't be in, but if it has to be, nothing better than sticking it to them with Ws. BTW, here's a teaser, tomorrow I'm all over South Hills at Charter Oak baseball.
Below: How time flies, this was Courtney Gano after hitting a home run for Los Altos as a freshman. Today the senior will be wearing Bonita green against Los Altos.
HIGH SCHOOL SCHEDULE
Baseball
Today's games
Baseline League
Los Osos at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Hacienda League
Bonita at Los Altos, 3:30 p.m.
Walnut at Diamond Bar, 3:30 p.m.
Rowland at Diamond Ranch, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
El Monte at Arroyo, 3:15 p.m.
Rosemead at Gabrielino, 3:15 p.m.
South El Monte at Mountain View, 3:15 p.m.
Softball
Today's games
Del Rey League
Bishop Amat at Bishop Montgomery, 3:15 p.m.
Hacienda League
Los Altos at Bonita, 3:30 p.m.
Walnut at Diamond Bar, 3:30 p.m.
Rowland at Diamond Ranch, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
El Monte at Arroyo, 3:15 p.m.
Rosemead at Gabrielino, 3:15 p.m.
South El Monte at Mountain View, 3:15 p.m.
BASEBALL
AREA HITTING LEADERS
Player, school ... BA, AB H 2B 3B HR GP
1 Nick Hynes Covina .609 23 14 4 0 2 10
2 Nohlan Hernandez Charter Oak .571 21 12 0 0 0 8
3 Joe Munoz Los Altos .550 20 11 2 1 1 8
4 Pena Raymond Bassett .524 21 11 6
5 Josh Luevanos Glendora .522 23 12 3 8
6 Adam Alcantara Bishop Amat .517 29 15 1 9
7 Matt Gelalich Bonita .500 24 12 1 9
8 Peter Lopez South El Monte .500 14 7 1 6
9 Chandler Duffy Glendora .500 16 8 2 0 0 6
10 Giovanni Rivera Sierra Vista .484 31 153 10
11 Nick Simons Covina .474 19 9 3 1 1 9
12 Jimmy Jacobo La Puente .471 17 8 1 1 6
13 Rio Ruiz Bishop Amat .464 28 13 5 1 1 9
14 Auston Ingram Claremont .462 13 6 1 0 1 4
15 Kenny Mathews Diamond Bar .462 26 12 4 9
16 Aaron Caldron Damien .462 13 6 1 1 7
17 Brandon Yepiz San Dimas .458 24 11 1 9
18 Robert Longtree Ayala .444 27 12 4 1 9
19 Rouric Bridgewater Diamond Ranch .433 30 13 1 2 2 9
20 Andres Hernandez Sierra Vista .429 35 15 2 1 10
I finally received the Montview and Mission Valley all-league teams, which I will post Thursday followed by all-league soccer teams next week. Tribune winter all-area teams are scheduled to run April 11-16, and we're still finalizing a date on the annual Tribune/Star-News all-star basketball game, which will either be on April 15 or 16 or April 23 it appears. Now, I know I made a big stink about freshman Nikki Wheatley not being on the the Hacienda League first team, but the Montview League voting had its share of controversy too. Duarte was 25-3 and blew through league with an 11-0 record with a sophomore named Imari Brown who nearly averaged a quadruple double. Brown averaged 17 points, 14 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 steals a game, but was not named the league MVP .... The MVP went to Workman's Evelyn Herrera, who makes a strong argument averaging 25 points and 10 rebounds, but the Lobos finished fourth and missed the playoffs. I'll let you decide whether the Montview voters got it right, but in my books you give it to the best player on the best team, especially when they win league by such a lopsided margin. But also, lets be fair to Herrera, anytime you average 25 points, that's special too.
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Senior pitcher James Comaroto had a breakthough game in what is fast becoming a breakthrough season for Covina high school's baseball team. Comaroto gave up a lone double and run in the fourth, but was otherwise solid in a 5-1 victory over visiting Nogales on Tuesday. His one-hitter ended with his sixth strikeout -- an 87 MPH fastball. (To continue click thread).
Blown call? -- Covina's Nick Simons ruled safe at third on a one-out double steal in the fifth. He looks out in the picture and looked out watching it. I thought Nogales coach John Romano might blow up when I asked him about it later because it led to the Colts scoring five runs with two outs. But instead, Romano gave a very classy response: "He (umpire) calls them, I coach them," Romano said. "They're doing the best they can and I'm doing the best I can."
LA PUENTE -- Bishop Amat High School didn't exactly look like the best softball team in the area Tuesday afternoon.
But as far as the Lancers are concerned, winning is the top priority, and Bishop Amat lived up to that billing against Northview.
Sophomore Alexis Gonzalez lined an RBI single to right field to score Alma Cortez in the bottom of the seventh inning to give the Lancers a 2-1 victory over the visiting Vikings in nonleague game.
Senior Natalie Sanchez gave up six hits and struck out 10 to help Bishop Amat, ranked No. 1 in the Valley and in CIF-Southern Section Division 3, improve to 8-1.
Northview, which had tied it at 1 on an RBI single by Mercedes Menchaca in the fifth, slipped to 8-5.
Here's the post-game interviews from the Bishop Amat side:
The interview with Northview coach Jeff Butler is after the jump:
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Sierra Vista High School baseball coach Brett Stevens is pulling another one of his magic tricks, and it all starts with pitching. After winning the Montview League title and finishing 19-6 overall in 2010, the Dons graduated eight starters, the most notable being pitcher Christian Huerta, who was 10-2 with a 1.88 ERA and 126 strikeouts. (To continue click thread)
1. Bishop Amat ( 7-2) - Pitching doesn't look like a concern anymore, Lancers allowing just three runs in last four, and have won seven straight since opening 0-2. They're also No. 1 in D-4, and near the top of several Southland polls.
2. Bonita (7-2) -- I finally discovered junior pitcher Justin Garza, who is one of the big reasons the Bearcats are No. 1 in D-3. What impresses me though most is the mojo, I still believe the Bearcats are the best sports school, and that this might be the team that finishes the job come championship time.
3. Glendora (6-2) -- The Tartans' 3-0 start in the Baseline is mighty impressive considering every Baseline League team has an overall winning record.
4. Chino Hills (8-2) -- Already 3-0 in the Sierra win wins over Damien and South Hills, but can they hold on for the long haul? I'm not so sure.
5. Charter Oak (5-2) -- Four game win streak snapped in 6-5 loss to Damien, but it's early, Chargers will chase Sierra title to the end.
6. South Hills (5-3) -- Without steady pitching in the Sierra League you're asking for trouble. The Huskies have lots of talent, but not enough talent on the hill it appears.
7. Nogales (8-2) -- Suffered a loss to San Dimas, but otherwise still an impressive overall record.
8. Covina (7-3) -- The Colts are off to their best start in years, 3-0 in the Valle Vista with a chance to surge ahead against Nogales today.
9. San Dimas (6-4) -- Covina and Nogales might be the feel-good favorites in the Valle Vista, but my money's on the Saints when all is said and done.
10. Diamond Bar (4-5) - Pitchers Kenny Mathews and Henry Omana can only do so much. At some point, the Brahmas need to score runs.
Softball Rankings
1. Bishop Amat (7-1) -- Because of all the rainouts, the Lancers have five games in five days, starting with Northview today, La Salle Wednesday, Bishop Montgomery Thursday and a pair on Saturday against, Saugus and Corona Santiago. Let's see how they come out of that?
2. Bonita (12-2) - After playing nearly every day, the 'Cats finish a rest week with the start of the Hacienda League, and they start with Los Altos Wednesday. That should be interesting with Bonita's Courtney Gano going against her former team, which is 7-2 without her.
3. South Hills (8-3) -- Impressive four-game win streak with victories over St. Lucy's, Covina, San Dimas and Ayala. They're at home against 8-2 Claremont today.
4. Glendora (7-4) -- Could be a long season in the Baseline for the Tartans, who already are 0-1 with undefeated Etiwanda (10-0) next
5. Los Altos (7-2) -- Despite losing Washington-bound stud Courtney Gano, the Conquerors are enjoying a great start after winning the Whittier tournament with a 6-5 win over San Pedro in the championship.
6. Chino Hills (4-2) -- Huskies rested with three big games this week against Charter Oak, St. Lucy's and Ayala.
7. West Covina (5-3) -- Already 2-0 in the Hacienda League with an impressive win over Walnut on the road. The Dogs can swing the bat, and have enough pitching to be competitive.
8. Duarte (7-1) -- The biggest surprise of the week came when the CIF polls were released on Monday wit the Falcons on top in Division 5.
9. Charter Oak (8-5) -- The Chargers have struggled with consistency for a few years now. Although they're 8-5 overall, they're only 1-2 in league.
10. Claremont (8-2) -- The only thing that keeps the Wolfpack in the top ten is their overall record. In the Sierra they're last at 0-2.
MAXPREPS MADE EASY
Area League Standings, Rosters, Leaders
Baseline League
Del Rey League
Hacienda League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League
I apologize if we never post Mission Valley or Montview all-league teams, I called the league coordinators and left messages, but all-league teams were never sent to us. You may have to contact the schools for all-league info, if they don't share it, I can't post it....
Soccer next: I will start posting soccer all-league teams in the coming days.
All Valle Vista League
Boys Basketball
MVP: Brian Johnson, Northview, Sr.
First Team
Treavon Francis, Northview, Jr.
Ray Sanos, Nogales, Sr.
Jeff Nibo, Wilson, Sr.
Jimmy Ramirez, Baldwin Park, Sr.
Kevin Kolbeck, San Dimas, Sr.
Marcus Colbert, Pomona, Jr.
Mike Peters, Covina, So.
Nick Fuentes, Northview, Jr.
Joey Ng, Nogales, Sr.
Nino Harrell, Covina, Jr.
Girls Basketball
MVP: Jamie Hou, Wilson Jr; Kelli Calton, Wilson, So.
First Team
Claudia Ramirez, Northview, Sr.
Tatyana Warren, Baldwin Park, Sr.
Taylor Jackson, Jr., San Dimas
Kaci Calton, Wilson, Sr.
Marissa Clark, Covina, Jr.
Cassie Ramirez, Northview, Jr.
Ashli Baddorf, Covina, Jr.
Franchesca Laza, Nogales, Sr.
Karissa Connor, San Dimas, Jr.
Jasmin Molina, Baldwin Park, So.
For honorable mention, click thread
All Del Rey League
Boys Basketball
MVP: Daniel Rodriguez, Bishop Amat, Sr.
First Team
Jacob Caropino, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Tyler Hill, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Justin Bibbins, Bishop Montgomery, Fr.
Tyler Harvey, Bishop Montgomery, Sr.
Lamond Murray, Bishop Montgomery, So.
Larry Taylor, Bishop Montgomery, So.
Chris Spears, Cathedral, Jr.
Israel Lacy, La Salle, So.
Kishon Sanders, La Salle, Sr.
Girls Basketball
MVP: Andrea Villanueva, Bishop Amat, Sr.
First Team
Vianai Austin, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Leticia Galarza, Bishop Amat, Jr.
Chelsey Aaron, Bishop Montgomery, Sr.
Kristen Ale, Bishop Montgomery, Sr.
Devon Brookshire, Bishop Montgomery, Jr.
Bria Richardson, Serra, Sr.
Rejane Verin, Serra, Jr.
Lajahna Drummer, St. Benard, Fr.
Marissa Rendon, St. Paul, Sr.
For second team click thread
All Baseline League
Boys Basketball
MVP: Byron Wesley, Etiwanda, Sr.
First Team
Jordan Daniels. Etiwanda, Sr.
Nick Colletta, Glendora, So.
Michael Doering, Glendora, Sr.
Barry Cheaney, Los Osos, Sr.
Omar Ajanovic, Los Osos, Sr.
Royal Mathews, Rancho Cucamonga, Sr.
John Gilliam, Upland, Sr.
Myles Pearson, Upland, Jr.
Girls Basketball
MVP: Jada Blackwell, Etiwanda, Sr.
First Team
Leilani Mamea, Alta Loma, Jr.
Briana Baker, Rancho Cucamonga, Sr.
Shelby Young, Upland, So.
Methlyn Onogomuho, Etiwanda, Sr.
Angelique Bailey, Etiwanda. Sr.
Kourtney Ainsworth, Rancho Cucamonga, Sr.
Jessica Whitfield, Los Osos, Jr.
For second team click thread
Note: Only three area teams ranked, but Bonita and Amat are both No. 1. It's kind of shocking, I can't remember the last time the area only had three ranked teams. The other was Nogales at No. 10 in Division 4. Glendora was unranked in Division 2.
CIF-SS Rankings
Division 3: 1. Bonita, 2. Beckman, 3. Temescal Canyon, 4. Corona del Mar, 5. San Gorgonio, 6. Quartz Hill, 7. Lakeside, 8. Alhambra, 9. Paramount, 10. Rancho Alamitos.
Division 4: 1. Bishop Amat, 2. Palm Desert, 3. Oaks Christian, 4. Torrance, 5. Laguna Beach, 6.Chino, 7. Indio, 8. La Quinta, 9. Troy, 10. Nogales.
Like baseball, not a lot of strong representation in the polls, except at the top. To have Amat, Bonita and Duarte all No. 1 is impressive. However, the only other ranked team is South Hills in Division 3 at No. 3.
CIF-Southern Section Softball polls
Division 2: 1. Bonita, 2. Oxnard, 3. Rancho Verde, 4. Cerritos, 5. Don Lugo, 6. Laguna Hills, 7. Lakewood, 8. Cajon, 9. Chino, 10. Arlington.
Division 3: 1. Bishop Amat, 2. South Torrance, 3. South Hills, 4. Highland, 5. Downey, 6. La Serna, 7. Mira Costa, 8. Warren, 9. Crescenta Valley, 10. Oaks Christian.
Division 5: 1. Duarte, 2. La Canada, 3. Savanna, 4. SA Calvary Chapel, 5. Hemet, 6. St. Monica, 7. Temple City, 8. Lompoc Cabrilo, 9. San Jacinto, 10. Montebello.
Hacienda All-League
2010-11 Season
BOYS BASKETBALL
MVP: James Northup, Bonita
FIRST TEAM
Jordan Butler, Bonita, Sr.
Bryan Gholar, Walnut, Sr.
Sharif Watson, Rowland, Sr.
David Kretschmar, Diamond Ranch, Sr.
Alvin Tran, Los Altos, Sr.
Shawn Yamamoto, Walnut, Sr.
Jonathan Munoz, Diamond Bar Sr.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
MVP: Taylor Anderson, Bonita
FIRST TEAM
Chelsea Barnes, Diamond Ranch, Jr.
Erika Williams, Diamond Ranch, Jr.
Amy McDill, Walnut, Sr.
Nnenna Abaeze, Walnut, Sr.
Amber Del Real, West Covina, Sr.
Natalie Lam, West Covina, Jr.
Madison Zylstra, Bonita, Sr.
FOR SECOND TEAMS, CLICK THREAD
Sierra All-League
2010-11 Season
BOYS BASKETBALL
MVP: Chris Reyes, Damien, Jr.
FIRST TEAM
Andrew Ortiz, Ayala, Sr.
Josh Ramirez, Ayala, Jr.
Josiah Thropay, Charter Oak, Sr.
A.J. Hecox, Chino Hills, Sr.
Warren Ondatje, Chino Hills, Sr.
John Paul Chakbazof, Damien, Sr.
Gian-Franco-Demano, Damien, Sr.
Clayton White, Damien Jr.
FOR SECOND TEAM, CLICK THREAD
Sierra All-League
2010-11 Season
GIRLS BASKETBALL
MVP: Savannah Selby, Jr. St. Lucy's
FIRST TEAM
Christa Carrillo, Ayala, So.
Sharon Lee, Ayala, Sr.
Lindsey Crawford, Sr.
Chariah Harris, Chino Hills, Sr.
Casey Zinn, Chino Hills, Sr.
Faith Song, Claremont, Sr.
Imani Payton, South Hills, So.
Nicole Zugasti, St. Lucy's, Sr.
By Keith Lair, Staff Writer
Suffering and trials can lead to jubilation. La Verne Lutheran High School senior Kevin Payne Jr. lost his father in August in a horrific freeway accident. Xavier Jones collapsed during a November practice this season, suffering from heart issues. Saturday afternoon, in the biggest game of his life, Payne found that a pair of 3-point baskets can overcome all that pain and suffering.
He hit key back-to-back 3-pointers to help give the Trojans the CIF State Division III title with a 64-59 victory over Northern California champion Bishop O'Dowd of Oakland at Power Balance Pavilion. (To continue click thread)
Robledo's reaction: I hope Lutheran is enjoying commenters who still don't want to give them their just due. For those who still don't get it, Lutheran didn't buy there was to anything, they earned it. What they did as an at-large is a remarkable and incredible accomplishment. If you think you can just throw out a basketball to bunch of talented players and win back-to-back state titles you're mistaken. Just look at your NCAA tournament bracket if you don't understand, talent only gets you so far, the rest is desire and coaching. At the state level everyone has talented players and D-3 had one of the more stacked brackets of all the divisions. Lutheran worked their butts off and their coaching staff worked their butts off to pull off one of the more remarkable titles in Valley history. Those who don't appreciate it were never going to appreciate it, they're mostly haters and a bunch of sour grapes. I don't care if nobody likes Goliath - but this was no Goliath. Nobody thought Lutheran could win a D-3 title after sneaking into the tournament, and they did it without a home game. They OVER-ACHIEVED to the tune of a SoCal Regional and State title.
Bonita's Justin Garza looks looks more like a freshman than a junior, generously listed at 5-10, 150 pounds. But I wanted to know about the 3-0 start and 0.37 ERA that people kept raving about on the blog. And I wanted to know how he would respond going against Kenny Mathews, the savvy senior from Diamond Bar who Bonita coach John Knott called, "a once in a decade type pitcher." Well how's this for a confidence builder, Garza went the distance against Mathews, pitching a complete game 2-1 victory. He almost had a shutout, giving up his lone run in the seventh. But then he showed his toughness, getting a ground-out to end the game with the tying run on second. Mathews wasn't a sharp as he normally is. He continually got behind in counts, gave up seven hits and struck out just three, but he was still in the game. Diamond Bar committed four errors, but it was the play that got away that cost them. Mathews' pick-off attempt with two outs in the fourth inning beat Bonita's Mark Lindsay back to first, but the ball was dropped. That new life allowed Conor Vislay to answer with a double that scored Lindsay, followed by Thomas Castro's single that scored Vislay. It wasn't much, but thanks to Garza, it was enough. It also makes you wonder, whenever towering 6-8 Adam McCreery gets the green light, they'll have 1 and 1A. That's scary with the offense they already have.
COVERAGE COMPLAINERS: Johnny "Nut & Honey" Honell covered yesterday's game and sent me another laughable email of his pregame conversations with fans watching with him, Honell emailing to me: "I had two people from Charter Oak and one from Damien ask me what the (bleep) we were doing covering spring football. One said something like: 'you used a third of the page for spring football and we can't get any spring sports like baseball and softball, you guys are idiots.'" ... You know you can't win when people complain about coverage at a game you're covering ...
GAME STORY
By John Honell, Correspondent
Even Ernie "Let's play two" Banks would have hesitated to play two in the frigid weather at Damien High School on Thursday afternoon. The Spartans baseball team (4-4 overall, 2-1 league), ranked sixth by this newspaper, had to go extra innings to pull out a 6-5 win over No. 2 Charter Oak. The teams are now tied for second place in the Sierra League, one game behind Chino Hills.
Glendora is keeping mum on its next coaching hire after Mark Pasquarella's recent resignation. Soon after the football season ended, I heard that La Puente coach and former Glendora assistant Brandon Rohrer was a lock to be named the next coach, but the school is dragging its feet. Apparently, the school might be waiting on Pasquarella to make another decision, which could be leaving the school entirely for an administrative position elsewhere, which would free up a teaching position to go with the football job. If Pasquarella remains at Glendora, it's possible the Tartans may have to hire a walk-on, which is probably why a coach hasn't been named yet. If the Tartans go the walk-on route, I can't think of a better person than former Monrovia coach Steve Garrison, who took the 'Cats to three straight title games in the 90s and knows his stuff as well as anyone. Garrison coveted the Glendora position a few years back and lives in Glendora. He still teaches at Monrovia but is currently a walk-on assistant at Northview, but should that opportunity at Glendora become available, he would be a good fit given the Tartans situation.
In other games of note ...Diamond Bar beat Diamond Ranch 6-1 in preparation of Friday's showdown against Bonita. West Covina edged Walnut 2-1...In the MVL, Arroyo clobbered Rosemead 11-0 (Mark Roche with a homer and pitched a two-hitter) and Mountain View beat El Monte 6-3.
By Miguel A. Melendez, Staff Writer
Just about every element was covered Tuesday afternoon at La Salle High School - from first-inning controversy to sixth-inning comedy to a bizarre ending in the seventh. The same could be said about the weather - cold, dry, windy and wet. It culminated when the umpire suspended the game for the second time because of rain, leaving Bishop Amat's 9-4 lead over La Salle to be settled in three weeks with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
Continue reading Baseball: To be continued, Amat leads 9-4 with game suspended in the 7th.
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Dekota Monarrez isn't going to overwhelm anyone with her velocity, but on a cold, rainy afternoon in which it was a challenge just to get a good grip on the ball, the West Covina High School pitcher didn't seem bothered at all. Monarrez gave up a run in the first inning and scattered three hits, and that was good enough as West Covina overwhelmed host Walnut for a 14-1 victory in a mercy-rule-shortened five- inning game.
Hi all: Today, I'm taking a break from the preps, and helping with the coverage of the LPGA's Kia Classic at Industry Hills Golf Club.
Here's a video I shot of second-year pro Amanda Blumenherst while speaking to the media after taking the early lead, firing a seven-under par 66 for the early lead.
High School State Leaders on Dyestat
By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
Remontay McClain made history last year, and the Covina High School senior, who scored a rare double in winning the 100- and 200- meter runs at the CIF State track and field championships, plans on making more this season. "I think he's naturally motivated," Covina coach Kevin Glaspy said. "He understands that winning last year did not come easy. If anything, he's even more hungry this year and works as hard as anyone. "We've had talks about it, and he wants to do it again. He's up for the challenge."
CIF-Southern Section Teams
Division 3
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - April Juarez, Jr. Forward, Bishop Amat
COACH OF THE YEAR - Ruben Gonzalez, Bishop Amat
FIRST TEAM
Players Name Grade Position School
Makenzy Doniak 11 Fwd Ayala
Alexis Weaver 12 Mid Ayala
Alicen Wright 12 GK Ayala
Alyssa Cabral 11 Def Bishop Amat
Jessie Gener 11 Def Bishop Amat
April Juarez 11 Fwd Bishop Amat
Yazmin Montoya 10 Fwd/Mid Bishop Amat
Haillee Worrell 12 Mid Bonita
Brooke Elby 12 Fwd/Mid Flintridge Prep
Connell Studenmund 11 Def Flintridge Prep
Kristine Pasek 12 Fwd Granite Hills
Rayana Speight 11 Fwd Granite Hills
Jill Wierzbicki 12 Def Granite Hills
Rebecca De Iorio 12 Def La Mirada
Kimberly Griffin 12 GK Pacifica/Garden Grove
Rachel Webb 12 Def Quartz Hill
Sierra Duarte 12 Fwd Righetti
Lara Wilson 12 Mid Righetti
Alex Magnifico 12 Def Serrano
Katie Pound 12 Fwd Serrano
Taylor Will 12 Fwd St. Joseph/Santa Maria
Victoria Camaj 11 Fwd St. Lucy's
Above: Claremont coach Fred Bruce-Oliver raising Division 2 trophy
CIF-Southern Section Boys Soccer Teams
Division 2
PLAYER OF THE YEAR - Cory Hodge, Sr. Defender, Claremont
COACH OF THE YEAR - Fred Bruce-Oliver, Claremont
FIRST TEAM
Players Name Grade Position School
Eduardo Morales 12 Fwd Arlington
Alex Wixted 12 Def Canyon/Anaheim
Michael Salazar 12 Fwd Canyon Springs
Felix Espinoza 12 Fwd Capistrano Valley
Jensen Lee 12 Def Capistrano Valley
Ben Manko 12 Def Capistrano Valley
Alex Sanchez 10 Mid Chino Hills
Troy Ford 11 Mid Claremont
Cory Hodge 12 Def Claremont
Alberto Villa 12 Fwd Coachella Valley
Cam Waymire 12 Fwd El Modena
William Bobo 12 Mid Foothill
Paul Malherbe 12 Def Great Oak
Evyn Hewitt 12 Mid Kennedy
Earvin Aleman 12 Def La Habra
Santiago Garcia 12 GK La Habra
Tylor Magdeleno 12 Mid La Habra
Giovanni Acosta 12 Def ML King
Andy Ho 12 Mid ML King
Ryan Felix 12 Def Santiago/Corona
Sung Moon 12 Fwd Sunny Hills
Alex Turkson 11 Fwd Valley View
Look at the high-scoring games above, that's how it's been this year. How much has moving the rubber from 40 to 43 feet changed the game? I can't recall ever seeing so many softball boxscores that look like baseball boxscores. In a quick unscientific look at MaxPreps, the 20th ranked strikeout leader in the Southern Section last year finished with 223 strikeouts. This year No. 20 is at 53 strikeouts. In previous years I get texts all the time about so and so throwing a no-hitter or striking out 14, 15, 16 batters in a game. This year, not one text like that. While pitching is still the most important position, you can tell that hitters have a more even playing field now, and your defense needs to be much more accountable. You can't rely on a dominant pitcher like previous years, you have to make plays now...I don't know about you, but I like it.
MAXPREPS MADE EASY
Area League Standings, Rosters, Leaders
Baseline League
Del Rey League
Hacienda League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League
Covina High School's baseball team has lived in the shadow of rival Northview in recent years.
Tuesday the Colts emerged from darkness.
Nick Simons hit a home run and drove in four runs and Nick Hynes had three RBIs and Covina routed their intra-city rivals, 13-0 in a Valle Vista League game that was halted after five innings due to the 10-run rule.
Covina, also getting a one-hitter from James Comarotto, improved to 5-3 overall and 1-0 in league play. Northview slipped to 4-4 and 0-2.
Covina coach Pete Loaiza: "I think it's important to keep things in perspective. This is just one game. We just happened to open up with Northview. But our goal is not to beat Northview, it is, but our goals are bigger than just one game."
Northview coach Darren Murphy: "It was an emotional game, a rivalry game. One team showed up and one team didn't. I can't say more than that. We put a lot of guys on base with free passes, but to (Covina's) credit, we left the door open and they slammed it shut."
All the Azusa Pacific Univeristy women's basketball team wanted was a second chance, another shot to prove it was the best,
Tuesday night the Cougars showed why.
Junior guard Eboni Sadler and senior swing player Alex Moore-Porter scored 17 points each and junior Briana Hall had a steal and layup during a key stretch in the second half as APU scored some redemption from a loss in the championship game a year ago with a 65-59 victory over two-time defending titlist Union for the school's first NAIA
basketball title in Jackson, Tenn.
The Cougars, who closed the season by winning 22 of their final 23 games, finished a program-best 33-5. Union, of Jackson, which got 21 points from Zeinab Chan and 17 from Kayla Hudson, finished 34-2.
"It's just awesome," APU coach T.J. Hardeman said. "Since losing here a year ago, we pointed to getting back here.
"Its huge. It's a mindset. As a coach, as much as you want to say were not just happy to be here, we were pretty just happy to be (in the championship game last year). This year, it was totally different. We said, 'We've been here, and it's not that fun to lose
this game. Let's go ahead and win it.' They did. It says everythingfor the program and the girls."
1. Bishop Amat ( 6-2) - Lancers allowed just two runs in last three wins, which includes a 5-0 blanking over Chatsworth. They've won six straight since starting 0-2 to let the SGV know who's at the top of the chart.
2. Charter Oak (4-1) -- After opening the Sierra with a big 4-1 win over Ayala, the Chargers get Claremont at home today hoping to leave a big imprint in the new league.
3. Bonita (5-2) -- Suffered 10-4 loss to Long Beach Poly and opens Hacienda with a huge one at Diamond Bar on Friday, most likely against Mathews.
4. Glendora (4-2) -- Opened the Baseline with back-to-back wins over Upland and Rancho Cucamonga and gets Alta Loma on Friday. You find out how good teams are when tournaments are over with.
5. Nogales (7-1) -- The area's biggest surprirse beat Northview to open the Valle Vista and swept Arroyo on Saturday. They get San Dimas next.
6. Damien (3-3) -- Spartans look great in Sierra opening with over South Hills. If they can pitch, they have the bats to swing with anyone.
7. South Hills (4-2) -- Opened the Sierra with a 7-4 loss to Damien, showing once again if you don't have the pitching in the Sierra, each game is a fight.
8. Claremont (4-1) -- After looking so great, Wolfback humbled in Sierra League opener in 5-0 loss to Chino Hills.
9. Chino Hills (5-2) -- Beat previously unbeaten Claremont 5-0 for their fourth straight wins.
10. Diamond Bar (3-4) - The preseason No. 1 is slowly crawling back after Hacienda League opening win over West Covina. The proof comes Friday at home against Bonita.
Above: You won't find many better defensive catchers than Amat's Jackie Carlin
1. Bishop Amat (7-1) -- Not sure who can hang with them in the Del Rey and already off to a great start after going .500 last season.
2. Bonita (11-2) - The 'Cats haven't had many days off, already competing in three tournaments and winning twice. Looks like nothing's wrong with them at all.
3. South Hills (7-3) -- Since their shocking 3-2 loss to Northview in the Charter Oak tourney they've looked great, beating St. Lucy's followed by wins over Covina and San Dimas.
4. Glendora (7-3) -- Covered one game last week and already sensed a little friction in a loss to La Serna. The Tartans are too good for that, hope they get it together quick.
5. Ayala (3-3) -- The Bulldogs played a tough nonleague schedule, but are 1-0 in league after beating Charter Oak, 5-3.
6. Charter Oak (7-4) -- The Chargers can swing the bat and do enough in the circle to be competitive. They're the type of team that can beat top contenders, but also lose to teams you never thought they would.
7. Claremont (8-1) -- I kept hearing I had the Wolfpack ranked too high because they hadn't played anyone. They finally played a good team in Chino Hills and lost 9-0. Shows what I know.
8. Chino Hills (4-2) -- Huskies open league with a 9-0 win over Claremont.
9. West Covina (4-3) -- After a slow start, Bulldogs have won three straight in getting ready for a wild Hacienda league race.
10. Northview (6-4) -- You have to give it to them for knocking off South Hills, but the Vikes are like the rest of the Valle Vista. Good, but nothing great.
Well after a week in Arizona for some MLB spring training, I'm back, and I return with a big week in baseball and softball. One of the bigger matchups featues the South Hills softball team facing stalwarts Ayala and Chino Hills in back-to-back games. Other key games in baseball feature Covina at Northview in the Valle Vista League on Tuesday, with Charter Oak and Damien going at it in the Sierra League on Thursday.
Here's this week's schedule:
TUESDAY
BASEBALL
Nonleague
La Salle (Milwaukee, Ore.) at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Del Rey League
Bishop Amat at La Salle, 3:15 p.m.
Montview League
Sierra Vista at Duarte, 3:15 p.m.
Azusa at La Puente, 3:15 p.m.
Workman at Gladstone, 3:15 p.m.
Ganesha at Bassett, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Claremont at Charter Oak, 3:15 p.m.
Damien at Chino Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Ayala at South Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Valle Vista League
San Dimas at Nogales, 3:15 p.m.
Covina at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
Pomona at Baldwin Park, 3:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Del Rey League
Bishop Amat vs. La Salle at Victory Park, Pasadena, 3:15 p.m.
Montview League
Sierra Vista at Duarte, 3:15 p.m.
Ganesha at Bassett, 3:15 p.m.
Azusa at La Puente, 3:15 p.m.
Workman at Gladstone, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Ayala at South Hills, 3:30 p.m.
Claremont at Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m.
St. Lucy's at Chino Hills, 3:30 p.m.
WEDNESDAY
BASEBALL
Hacienda League
Diamond Bar at Diamond Ranch, 3:30 p.m.
Los Altos at Rowalnd, 3:30 p.m.
West Covina at Walnut, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
Mountain View at El Monte, 3:15 p.m.
Arroyo at Rosemead, 3:15 p.m.
South El Monte at Gabrielino, 3:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Hacienda League
West Covina at Walnut, 3:30 p.m.
Diamond Bar at Diamond Ranch, 3:30 p.m.
Los Altos at Rowland, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
South El Monte at Gabrielino, 3:15 p.m.
Arroyo at Rosemead, 3:15 p.m.
Valle Vista League
Pomona at Baldwin Park, 3:15 p.m.
San Dimas at Nogales, 3:15 p.m.
Covina at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
THURSDAY
BASEBALL
Montview League
Duarte at Sierra Vista, 3:15 p.m.
Bassett at Ganesha, 3:15 p.m.
La Puente at Azusa, 3:15 p.m.
Gladstone at Workman, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Charter Oak at Damien, 3:15 p.m.
Ayala at Claremont, 3:15 p.m.
South Hills at Chino Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Valle Vista League
Wilson at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Northview at Pomona, 3:15 p.m.
Baldwin Park at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL
Montview League
La Puente at Workman, 3:15 p.m.
Bassett at Duarte, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra Vista at Azusa, 3:15 p.m.
Gladstone at Ganesha, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra League
Charter Oak at St. Lucy's, 3:30 p.m.
South Hills at Chino Hills, 3:30 p.m.
Valle Vista League
Northview at Nogales, 3:15 p.m.
FRIDAY
BASEBALL
Baseline League
Alta Loma at Glendora, 3:15 p.m.
Del Rey League
St. Monica at Bishop Amat, 3:15 p.m.
Hacienda League
Bonita at Diamond Bar, 3:30 p.m.
Rowland at West Coivna, 3:30 p.m.
Diamond Ranch at Walnut, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
El Monte at South El Monte, 3:15 p.m.
Gabrielino at Arroyo, 3:15 p.m.
Rosemead at Mountain View
SOFTBALL
Hacienda League
West Covina at Rowland, 3:30 p.m.
Bonita at Diamond Bar, 3:30 p.m.
Diamond Ranch at Walnut, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
El Monte at South El Monte, 3:15 p.m.
Gabrielino at Arroyo, 3:15 p.m.
Valle Vista League
Northview at Pomona, 3:15 p.m.
Wilson at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Baldwin Park at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
CIF STATE DIVISION III
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
La Verne Lutheran 57, La Cañada 47
Miguel Melendez by the quarters...
FIRST QUARTER
La Cañada's first three possessions: block, block, shot clock violation. Mike McGlashan, of course, scores the Spartans' first bucket on a drive-in layup. Lutheran's CJ Cooper scores the final bucket on a steal and jumper to pull Lutheran within 11-10 heading into the second quarter. La Cañada's finding success with constant movement and finding the open man inside. However, they can't seem to buy a 3-pointer. So far they are 0 for 3. Lutheran is commiting uncharacteristic turnovers to keep the Spartans in the game.
SECOND QUARTER
And a HUGE ovation in the pro-La Cañada crowd here at the Galen Center, where the Spartans take a 25-22 lead at the half after McGlashan's trademark fade-away jumper. Backdoor passes for the Spartans are a thing of beauty. It's what's keeping La Cañada intact. I just wonder if La Cañada would have converted its first 3-pointers in the first quarter, because if it did you know La Verne Lutheran now is forced to defend the perimeter, leaving lanes open for easy buckets. It's how La Cañada plays, and it's how the Spartans shocked Price in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA championship. La Verne Lutheran vowed it wouldn't fall victim to the Spartans' drawn-out offense, but so far the edge goes to La Cañada. Grant Jarrett leads the Trojans with eight points in the first half on 4 of 7 shooting. McGlashan's scored a game-high 12 points on 6 of 9 shooting and fellow senior Matt Faber has 10 points. La Verne Lutheran shot 37.5 percent from the field in the first half to La Cañada's 55 percent. Say no more...
THIRD QUARTER
La Cañada went 1 for 7 in the third quarter until Dario CiVon converted the game's first 3-pointer in the game with 51.2 seconds left. The Spartans played for the last shot and Mason Holle laid in a beauty of a scoop as time expired to pull the Spartans within 34-32.
FOURTH QUARTER
Mason Holle scores opening bucket on a layup with 7:15 left to tie the game at 34-34. Grant Jarrett's tip-in gave the Trojans a 40-34 cushion with 5:26 left in the game, prompting La Cañada coach Tom Hofman to call a timeout. Spartans come out of timeout with yet another backdoor pass, this time to Matt Faber who converts the layup to pull the Spartans within 40-36. On the ensuing possession Jarrett is at it again to keep the lead at 42-36 on a jumper. McGlashan's 8-footer brings the Spartans within 42-38 with 4:12 left in the game. It's his first shot of the entire second half. Jarrett's getting a bunch of tip-in baskets. He gets a 13-foot jumper to fall with 2:32 left to give the Trojans a 46-40 cushion. Eric Cooper hits a clutch 3-pointer with 1:39 left in the game to put the Trojans ahead 49-40 for the game's biggest lead. Mason Holle steals the inbounds pass, dishes it out to McGlashan who hits a 3-pointer with 1:23 left to pull the Spartans within 49-45. La Verne Lutheran turns it over on the ensuing possession, but so did La Cañada before Bruce English converts the layup to give the Trojans a 51-45 lead with 59.6 seconds left. McGlashan misses 3-pointer and is forced to foul Bruce English, who goes to the line with 45 seconds left. English converts the first free throw, misses the second but gets another try after the Spartans are called for a lane violation. With 10.7 seconds left, Hofman empties the bench. The clock finally struck midnight for La Cañada, which got a roaring ovation as the starters headed to the bench.
Charter Oak Tournament semifinals
Bonita 13, Northview 3
Charter Oak 9, La Serna 4
Today's championship at Big League Dreams
Bonita vs. Charter Oak, 3 p.m.
Friday's games
Baseline League
Glendora at Rancho Cucamonga, 3:15 p.m.
Del Rey League
St. Paul at Bishop Amat, 3:15 p.m.
Hacienda League
Rowland at West Covina, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
El Monte at Rosemead, 3:15 p.m.
Mountain View at Gabrielino, 3:15 p.m.
Valle Vista
Northview at Nogales, 3:15 p.m.
Nonleague
San Dimas at Los Altos, 3:15 p.m.
Charter Oak Tournament semifinals
Friday at Big League Dreams, West Covina
Bonita vs. Northview, 3:30 p.m.
Charter Oak vs. La Serna, 3:30 p.m.
Championship, Saturday, 3 p.m.
By next week we should have our full staff back, but there are a couple baseball games that we must cover. Thursday's Sierra League opener with Damien going to South Hills and Friday's Valle Vista League opener with Northview heading to Nogales are two great games to start the league season. It will be South Hills and Nogales' first introduction to their new leagues, and both have a great chance of competing for titles. Other good games to note, Glendora opens the Baseline with a 7-1 thumping of Upland and Diamond Bar appears headed back on the right track with a 5-1 win over West Covina to open the Hacienda. Kenny Mathews pitched six solid innings for Diamond Bar, allowing just two hits. Henry Omana closed the 7th, and had a home run. Baseball's version of the smudge went to Bonita, who beat San Dimas 3-1 under the lights Wednesday. Bishop Amat opens the Del Rey on Friday at home against rival St. Paul. The rest of the week's schedule is below. Please updates games where you're at, and I will update results as soon as I can.
Above: Nogales coach John Romano will have his boys ready for the Valle Vista league opener on Friday against Northview.
Baseball
Wednesday's games
Baseline League
Glendora 7, Upland 1
Hacienda League
Diamond Bar 5, West Covina 1
Nonleague
Bonita 3, San Dimas 1
Thursday's games
Sierra League
Damien at South Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Chino Hills at Claremont, 3:15 p.m.
Charter Oak at Ayala, 3:15 p.m.
Friday's games
Baseline League
Glendora at Rancho Cucamonga, 3:15 p.m.
Del Rey League
St. Paul at Bishop Amat, 3:15 p.m.
Hacienda League
Rowland at West Covina, 3:30 p.m.
Mission Valley League
El Monte at Rosemead, 3:15 p.m.
Mountain View at Gabrielino, 3:15 p.m.
Valle Vista
Northview at Nogales, 3:15 p.m.
Nonleague
San Dimas at Los Altos, 3:15 p.m.
With La Serna knocking out Glendora (7-4), they will join Northview, Bonita and Charter Oak in Friday's semifinals of the Charter Oak tournament at the Field of Dreams in West Covina. Northview advanced with a feel-good 3-2 win over South Hills -- a mild surprise, and Bonita moved past San Dimas, 4-1. Charter Oak will meet La Serna and Bonita will face Northview in Friday's semifinals at 3:30 p.m., with the winners advancing to Saturday's championship.
By Fred J. Robledo
Glendora blows lead: Glendora high school pitcher Carly Argyle usually knows what to do late in games with a cushion, which made La Serna's come-from-behind 7-4 victory in the final game of round robin play in the Charter Oak tournament on Wednesday at the Field of Dreams park in West Covina even more remarkable. (To continue click thread)
2011 CIF STATE BOYS DIVISION III
Boys Basketball Southern California Regional Final
Saturday's game at the Galen Center
La Canada vs. La Verne Lutheran, Noon
"The years that Glendora was great, when they had Tracey Murray, when they had my assistant coach Brandon Lee, when they had all those great players, do you think all those great players lived in Glendora? Where did they come from? They all came from different places." -- La Verne Lutheran coach Eric Cooper.
"I'm proud of the way we do it at La Canada. I'm not taking anything away from anybody else, but I think we've done it right and I'm not saying that they don't. I never look at it as a bad vs. evil type of situation. We're different, and again, it's not because of right or wrong. It's public/private. We get who we get. It's just another opponent. I respect Lutheran and what they've done." -- La Canada coach Tom Hofman
By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
On one end of the Valley is the La Canada High School boys basketball program, led by a coach whom most people from Flintridge to La Verne and beyond have heard of. On the other end of the Valley is La Verne Lutheran's program, led by a coach whose number is on speed dial by several college coaches but whom few people from his school's surrounding area could pick out of a crowd.
The difference between the two programs, their players and the two men who lead them could not be any more pronounced. On Saturday at noon, they'll meet at USC's Galen Center to decide the CIF State Division III Southern California Regional championship. (To continue click thread).
The final round robin games in the Charter Oak tournament at Big League Dreams in West Covina are today with semifinal games set for Friday at 3:30 p.m., and the championship on Saturday at 3 p.m. I will post the semifinal schedule tonight, but the Chargers already have punched their ticket.
Charter Oak Tournament
At Big League Dreams, West Covina
Wednesday's games
La Serna vs. Glendora, 3:30 p.m., Edison
Bonita vs. San Dimas, 3:30 p.m., Dodger
Covina vs. La Salle, 3:30 p.m.
South Hills vs. Northview, 3:30 p.m.
Tuesday's results
Charter Oak 17 La Salle 4 (C.O. wins Pool C)
Northview 6 Monrovia 5
South El Monte 5 Sierra Vista 2
Temple City 6 Alhambra 4
I won't release the all-league teams until next week, but I have most of them with a couple of shocking decisions that stand out, both from the Hacienda League. How Cal State Fullerton bound midfielder Lauren Stupin wasn't the player of the year in girls soccer is outrageous, she was far and away the best player on the best team in the Hacienda. That almost always results in an MVP, so not sure how they screwed that up. I guess politics as usual. Speaking of politics, I almost fell out of my seat looking at the Hacienda selections in girls basketball. I have to tell you, Bonita freshman guard Nikki Wheatley is getting strong player of the year consideration from us, but she's not even on the first team in the Hacienda. Are you kidding me? I know she's a freshman, but don't penalize her for it, she's obviously one of the best five players in the Valley, so for her not to be on a Hacienda first-team list (that includes seven players) is pure robbing the freshman of her just due.
1. Claremont (4-0) -- Out of nowhere, we got a new No. 1. The winners of the Glendora tournament pounded Ayala 14-1 in the championship with big wins along the way against Crescenta Valley, La Serna and El Rancho. Hey, they're undefeated, so they're on top.
2. Bonita (4-1) -- Only loss to a very good Yucaipa squad in the Bonita-Northview tournament. Great wins over Damien and West Valley. Let's see if the trend continues in a nonleague games against San Dimas this week.
3. Bishop Amat ( 4-2) - Early-season jitters are gone after a huge 5-0 win over Chatsworth on Monday. Pitcher Daniel Zamora looked the best he has all season. If the Lancers continue to pitch well, the wins will pile up.
4. South Hills (4-1) -- a loss to undefeated Alta Loma, but a solid 7-1 win over Redlands East Valley, and wins over Covina and West Covina. Now, lets see how they do against Damien in the league opener on Thursday.
5. Charter Oak (3-1) -- Only loss was a big one, a 7-0 blanking by Crescenta Valley, other than that they look sharp and dangerous.
6. Ayala (4-2) -- Solid 8-4 win over Glendora before getting pounded by Claremont in the Glendora tournament finale. Another tough Sierra League team to keep an eye on.
7. Nogales (4-1) -- You gotta love the start Nobles fans. In five games they only allowed 11 runs, which is terrific during tournament season. Coach John Romano's group might just be the Valle Vista League favorites, and they open with Northview on Friday.
8. San Dimas (4-1) -- Great start in the Arcadia tournament, their only loss a 3-2 setback against the host Apaches. However, not too many dangerous teams in the tournament, so jury is still out.
9. Glendora (2-2) -- Ended own tournament with losses to Ayala and Crescenta Valley. The Baseline will be rough too, if you take out Glendora, the Baseline has an overall record of 24-3. That's downright scary.
10. Diamond Bar (1-4) - Never has a preseason No. 1 fall this far after the first week, but not surprised during tournament season, either. They're a team built for league and CIF. And I'm certainly not ready to give up on them just yet, three of their four losses were by a single run to San Clemente (4-3), Marina (3-2), and Millikan (2-1). They're getting great pitching, once they score runs they will be fine. I still think they're the favorites in the Hacienda.
South Hills wins opener in Charter Oak tourney: The offensive prowess of the South Hills High School softball team was on display in Monday's opening-round game of the Charter Oak Tournament at Field of Dreams as the Huskies defeated Monrovia 11-1 in six innings.
1. Bishop Amat (6-1) -- I love it when I go out on a limb and start a team No. 1 that had a .500 record last year, and then they start off like this. This is because I knew Amat was legit and they showed it in Arizona, going 6-1 in the Tournament of Champions, plus starting the year with an easy 9-0 win over Covina.
2. Glendora (6-1) -- For a change the Tartans had an easy road to the San Dimas title game, but they do boast solid wins over La Canada and Northview. The bottom line is as long as pitcher Carly Argyle is doing her thing, the Tartans are in good shape.
3. Claremont (4-0) -- The Wolfpack won a tournament in Upland, but haven't beaten anyone worth bragging about. Let's see how they fare in the Arroyo tourney.
4. South Hills (4-2) -- Crushed Bonita and St. Lucy's with losses to very good teams in the Brea Tournament, La Mirada and Northwood. The Huskies swing the bat with the best of them. Moving the rubber back a few feet might pay off for them the most.
5. Charter Oak (5-2) -- You can throw out the 18-7 loss to Don Lugo in the second game of a doubleheader. They still score a lot of runs and beat Bonita and Covina most recently.
6. Bonita (7-2) - The 'Cats win the Palm Springs tournament every year, so I don't put too much stock in it. I thought they would roll through the San Dimas tournament, but they got pounded by South Hills (12-2), lost to Charter Oak and squeaked out a one-run win over San Dimas. Hmmm.
7. Ayala (2-3) -- Just finished a very tough tournament in Corona, so don't put too much stock in their record. You know when the Sierra rolls around, they will be one of the favorites.
8. Chino Hills (3-2) -- Only losses to powerful Valencia and Corona with a notable win over Los Osos. The Huskies are another team that make the Sierra League extremely difficult.
9. Northview (4-2) -- Surprising finalist in the San Dimas tournament, but lost in the final to Glendora, 8-3.
10. Duarte (4-1) -- After a season-opening loss to Wilson (1-0) in their own tournament, the Falcons won four straight to win the consolation title. Haven't played too many toughies yet, though.
Note: St. Lucy's not ranked, full record not updated.
Monday's Charter Oak Tournament Results
At Big League Dreams, West Covina
La Serna 9, South El Monte 0
Glendora 8, Sierra Vista 0
Bonita 6, Alhambra 3
San Dimas 7, Temple City 0
Charter Oak 6, Covina 1
South Hills 11, Monrovia 1
Tuesday's games
La Salle vs. Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m. (Dodger Field)
Monrovia vs. Northview, 3:30 p.m., (Tiger Field)
Yes, I picked Kansas and already in the office they're calling me the, "Dodo that picked Toto." Whatever, the last office pool I won was in 2008 with Kansas and every year I'm usually in the hunt going into the final weekend. Don't look for me to go out on a limb, I like the top four seeds to reach the Final Four, and while that may seem boring, that's how you win office pools, not trying to be too cute. I use to ask horse racing handicapper Jack Karlik why he always picked favorites, he would say, "you want the winners or not kid." That goes for the NCAA tournament too, trying to pick too many upsets can ruin your bracket really quick. When picking the champion, don't go with the most popular choice, go with the third, fourth or fifth most popular pick, which is why I like Kansas -- again...
March Madness isn't just about the upsets, buzzer beaters or Dick Vitale screaming through your television. It's not just about tournament heavyweights Duke, Ohio State, Kansas and Pittsburgh walking a tightrope through early rounds or George Mason, Belmont, Oakland or USC hoping to become the next Cinderella at the dance.
March Madness is about everyone.
Whether you're at work, home or by a computer or television, chances are you're filling out your NCAA men's basketball tournament bracket this week and will have it somewhere by your side over the next three weeks until a champion is crowned April 4 in Houston. Although gambling on NCAA tournament pools is technically illegal, it's what Americans do this time of year.The FBI estimates that $2.5 billion was wagered worldwide on the NCAA tournament last year. There are also estimates that March Madness will cost employers roughly $1.8 billion in "unproductive wages," unless of course if you work in sports and have the designated task of breaking down the field from 68 to one. So, pay attention, if you're filling out the bracket: There are four play-in games that start tonight so move Alabama State, Arkansas Little Rock, Clemson and USC into the field of 64. Now, let's get started. (To continue, click thread).
Charter Oak Softball Tournament
At Big League Dreams, West Covina
Game, team vs. team, time, field
1. La Serna vs. South El Monte, 3:45 p.m., Dodger
2. Sierra Vista vs. Glendora, 3:30 p.m., Edison
3. Bonita vs. Alhambra, 3:30 p.m., Wrigley
4. San Dimas vs. Temple City, 3:45, Yankee
5. Covina vs. Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m., Fenway
8. South Hills vs. Monrovia, 3:30 p.m., Tiger
Tuesday's schedule
6. La Salle vs. Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m., Dodger
9. Monrovia vs. Northview, 3:30 p.m., Tiger
When you take a week off and force yourself to stay away from all things prep sports, when you get back it feels like you've been gone for a month. Biggest surprise? La Verne Lutheran still in the state playoffs. All year we talk about Bonita, Damien and Bishop Amat and Bonita girls and Lutheran is back where they were last year, a game away from the state finals against La Canada, probably the best coached team in the Valley. Biggest disappointments, SGV baseball, Los Osos and Alta Loma in the final of the Covina/Northview tournament? Our preseason No. 1, Diamond Bar, 1-4? What happened to South Hills, Bonita, Los Altos and Damien? What's going on with Bishop Amat, from what I can gather on MaxPreps they're 3-2-1 with a couple games not reported? I'm scratching my head in softball too, Bonita dominated in Palm Springs, but couldn't even beat Charter Oak for third in the San Dimas tournament? Give it up for Glendora, they won the San Dimas tourney after losing in previous years finals. I should have known with Argyle that they can beat anyone. I won't apologize for our preseason No. 1, Bishop Amat, who is 6-1 after competing in the tournament of champions in Arizona. That's a big-time result considering the teams in that tournament. So now that I'm back, what's next?
Citrus guard Lateef McMullan was long on this desperation trey as time expired in Saturday's 83-81 loss to City College of San Francisco in the CCCAA title game at Ventura College. (Staff photo by Keith Birmingham)
VENTURA - In time, the Citrus College men's basketball team will look at the 2010-11 season as a success after advancing to the California Community College Athletic Association championship game for the second time in four years and the third time in school history.
But not today.
The Owls will, most likely, reflect on what might have been after City College of San Francisco's De'End Parker tipped in a miss by Fred Sturdivant with 2.5 seconds left to give the Rams their first title in 49 years with an 83-81 victory Sunday at the Ventura College Athletic Event Center.
The Owls, getting 23 points from Lateef McMullan and 13 from Donte Archie, had a chance to win it, but McMullan's 3-point attempt from 25 feet was long at the buzzer.
CCSF, led by 24 points and 12 rebounds from Sturdivant and 17 points from Collin Chiverton, finished 31-2 in securing its second state title. Ironically, the first came at Citrus' expense in 1962.
"I thought we had some good looks at the end," said Citrus coach Chris Victor, whose Owls finished 27-6. "We were unable to hit them.
"All you can ask is for a good opportunity, and we had that. We played hard toward the end, and unfortunately they hit the shot at the end. Box-outs hurt us all (game), offensive rebounds hurt all (game), and it came down to that last bucket."
But at one point it looked like CCSF might run away and hide after taking a 49-40 lead early in the second half.
Continue reading Area Colleges: Late bucket sinks Owls in CCCAA title game, 83-81.
Grant Jerrett was all over Harvard-Westlake, helping La Verne Lutheran advance to next weekend's CIF Southern California Regional Finals at the Galen Center.
State playoffs
Boys
Southern California Regional
Semifinals
Division 3
La Verne Lutheran 61, Harvard-Westlake 45 -- The Trojans face La Canada in a battle between two schools that are on the furthest ends of the SGV, geography-wise.
Girls
Southern California Regional
Semifinals
Division 3
Serra 59, Bonita 49 -- The careers of Madison Zylstra, Taylor Anderson and Jaclyn Smith come to an end. But what an outstanding run!
Here's the Los Angeles Daily News story on La Verne's big win
....and from the South Bay Daily Breeze, Serra's win over Bonita.
Carly Argyle leads Glendora to the San Dimas Tournament title, 8-3 over Northview.
Here's some scores from the area baseball and softball tournaments:
BASEBALL
Clint Harwick Tournament
At Henderson Field
Championship
Claremont 14, Ayala 1
3rd Place - Crescenta Valley 11, Glendora 3
5th Place - Charter Oak 5, El Rancho 2
Consolation
San Marino 17, La Serna 5
MVP - Kenny Chapman, Claremont
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Championship
Glendora 8, Northview 3
3rd Place - Charter Oak 4, Bonita 3
Brea Olinda Tournament
Consolation
South Hills 13, St. Lucy's 0, 5 inn.
I'm up here in beautiful Ventura for the California Community College Athletic Association basketball championships at Ventura College.
The Citrus College men's team, which won a state title in 2008, advanced to the championship game with a convincing 94-84 victory over Fresno City on Friday. Now the Mt. SAC women's team, arguably the top JC basketball program in the state over the past decade, fell to Santa Rosa at the state tournament for the second consecutive season, losing 56-55.
Let's see if the Owls can bring home state gold on Sunday.
Bonita keeps rolling in state!
Boys
Division 3
Second Round
La Verne Lutheran 75, Orange Lutheran 58 -- Trojans were up 40-15 at halftime! As I've told Robledo and Ramirez, Division 3 was the best and deepest division in boys hoops this year. This is what happens when a D-3 team (La Verne Lutheran) plays a D-4 team (O-Lu). It should be noted that O-Lu pulled within 61-52 with about 5 minutes left before a 6-2 run sealed it for the Trojans.
Girls
Division 3
Second Round
Bonita 67, Bell-Jeff 52 -- Nikki Wheatley scores eight of her team's first 12 points of the fourth to send the Bearcats to the semis. Bonita led 40-27 in the third, then fell behind 43-42 before going on a 23-4 tear.
Bearcats fans should see a lot more of their starting five tonight.
Here's the scores and schedule:
Thursday's Scores
Southern California Pre-Season Tournament presented by Dick's Sporting Goods
Semifinals
Alta Loma 12, Northview 2
Los Osos 6, Damien 1
Consolation
South Hills 7, Redlands East Valley 1
Bonita 6, Rancho Cucamonga 1
Paloma Valley 3, West Covina 2
Yucaipa 8, Los Altos 7
Covina 10, Keppel 4
Clint Harwick Tournament
At Henderson Field
Claremont 6, El Rancho1
Crescenta Valley 4, La Serna 0
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Northview 14, Walnut 2
Los Altos 19, Ontario Chrs. 0
Charter Oak 11, South El Monte 3
Glendora 3, La Canada 2
West Covina 4, Alta Loma 1
Burbank 5, Nogales 4
Bonita 7, San Dimas 6
SATURDAY'S SCHEDULE
BASEBALL
Southern California Pre-Season Tournament presented by Dick Sporting Goods
Championship - 7 p.m.
Los Osos vs. Alta Loma, TBA
Third place - 3 p.m.
Northview vs. Damien, TBA
Clint Harwick Invitational
At Henderson Field, unless noted
Championship - 7 p.m.
Ayala vs. Claremont
Consolation
San Marino vs. La Serna, at Glendora HS, 11 a.m.
El Rancho vs. Charter Oak, 11 a.m.
Crescenta Valley vs. Glendora, 3:30 p.m.
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Championship - 2 p.m.
Northview vs. Glendora, SDHS Varsity Field, 2 p.m.
3rd Place - Charter Oak vs. Bonita, SDHS Varsity Field, noon
5th Place - La Canada vs. Los Altos, SDHS JV Field, noon
7th Place - San Dimas vs. West Covina, SDHS Varsity Field, 10 a.m.
Ninth Place - Burbank vs. Walnut, SDHS JV Field, 10 a.m.
11th Place - Alta Loma vs. South El Monte, SDHS Varsity Field, 8 a.m.
13th Place - Ontario Christian vs. Nogales, SDHS JV Field, 8 a.m.
Saturday could be a big day in the area, with locals all in the running to play for the championship of the Clint Harwark Invitational and the Southern California Pre-season Tournament presented by Dick's Sporting Goods baseball tournaments and the San Dimas softball tournament.
Here's my story on Charter Oak's 9-3 victory over San Marino in the Clint Harwick Invitational on Wednesday.
Here's Wednesday's scores and today's schedule:
WEDNESDAY'S SCORES
BASEBALL
CLINT HARWICK INVITATIONAL
At Henderson Field
Charter Oak 9, San Marino 3
Ayala 8, Glendora 4
Southern California Pre-Season Tournament presented by Dick's Sporting Goods
Alta Loma 10, South Hills 8
Northview 7, Fullerton 2
Los Osos 16, Keppel 0
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Northview 10, Ontario Christian 2
Los Altos 11, South El Monte 2
Charter Oak 15, Nogales 0
La Canada 2, West Covina 1
Glendora 3, Alta Loma 0
Bonita 4, Walnut 2
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
BASEBALL
Clint Harwick Inviational
Claremont vs El Rancho, 3:30 p.m.
La Serna vs. Crescenta Valley, 7:00 p.m.
Southern California Pre-Season Tournament presented by Dick's Sporting Goods
Semifinals at Bonita HS
Northview vs. Alta Loma, 3:15 p.m.
Damien vs. Los Osos, 7 p.m.
Consolation Bracket
South Hills vs. Redlands East Valley, at Citrus College, 3:15 p.m.
Rancho Cucamonga vs. Bonita at Damien HS, 3:15 p.m.
West Covina at Paloma Valley, 3:15 p.m.
Yucaipa vs. Los Altos at Alta Loma HS, 3:15 p.m.
Keppel at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Fullerton at Elsinore, 3:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Walnut at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
Los Altos vs. Ontario Christian at SDHS Varsity Field, 3:15 p.m.
South El Monte at Charter Oak, 3:15 p.m.
Nogales vs. Burbank, at SDHS JV Field, 3:15 p.m.
La Canada vs. Glendora, at SDHS Varsity Field, 5:15 p.m.
Alta Loma vs. West Covina, at SDHS JV Field, 5:15 p.m.
Bonita at San Dimas, 7:15 p.m.
CLAREMONT - The only thing better than playing for two championships in two years is playing for three.
For two seasons in a row the Oak Hills High School boys soccer team has lost in the CIF-SS finals. But thanks to Wednesday's hard-earned 1-0 semifinal victory over top-seeded Claremont in the Southern California Regional Championships, the Bulldogs will play for the Division II championship on Friday against third-seeded Santa Barbara at 7:30 p.m. at Warren High.
"We weren't thinking about a title today, just thinking about beating a very good team," Oak Hills coach Darren Goodman said.
"Nobody seems to give us much credit down the hill. We were ranked ninth in our own CIF division and here we are beating the Division 2 champ. If we win Friday we'll get that respect."
Wednesday's victory, courtesy of Chazz Cameron's counter-attacking goal in the 25th minute, marked the fifth win in six postseason games for Oak Hills, the lone exception a 4-2 loss to El Rancho on March 5 in the CIF-SS Division 4 final. CIF-SS Division 2 champion Claremont carried just one loss into the semifinal meeting with the fifth-seeded Bulldogs (24-2-3).
GIRLS
Division II
La Jolla 2, Bishop Amat 0
Consecutive bus trips to Bakersfield and San Diego finally got the best of the Lancers, who had no answer for the Vikings (17-3-3) and Callan Parra, who scored two goals.
Bishop Amat (28-2) had three chances to score in the final 15 minutes but came up empty.
"We didn't play one of our better games," Bishop Amat coach Ruben Gonzalez said. "All the credit goes to La Jolla. But we just ran out of gas.
"Our goal at the beginning of the season was to win (a CIF-Southern Section title). The rest was extra. But to play Friday, then turn around with trips to Bakersfield on Monday and here today finally caught up with us."
The South Hills softball team was one of the top hitting teams in the area last year, and the Huskies showed their prowess to Bonita last season, pounding the Bearcats, 12-2, in a nonleague game at Mt. San Antonio College
Britney Rodriguez and Sam Nieves had the big games for South Hills. Rodriguez had a home run and four RBIs, while Nieves had a triple and four RBIs. Keira Portell also had a home run for the Huskies, who improved to 1-1. Bonita slipped to 4-1.
Here's the scores and schedules for the baseball and softball tournaments:
TUESDAY'S SCORES
BASEBALL
Bonita-Northview Tournament
Rancho Cucamonga 9, Los Altos 3
Damien 10, Arroyo 0
Yucaipa 6, Bonita 4
Covina 10, West Covina 5
Glendora Tournament
At Henderson Field
Claremont 8, La Serna 2
Crescenta Valley 7, Charter Oak 0
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
San Dimas 9, Alta Loma 3
La Canada 9, Nogales 4
Walnut 3, Burbank 2
TODAY'S SCHEDULE
BASEBALL
Bonita-Northview Tournament
South Hills vs. Alta Loma, at Mt. SAC, 4 p.m.
Fullerton vs. Northview, at Mt. SAC, 7 p.m.
Keppel at Los Osoa, 3:15 p.m.
Glendora Tournament
At Henderson Field
San Marino vs. Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m.
Ayala vs. Glendora, 7 p.m.
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Ontario Christian at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
Nogales at Charter Oak, 3:15 p.m.
West Covina vs. La Canada, at San Dimas, JV Field, 3:15 p.m.
Glendora vs. Alta Loma, at San Dimas Varsity Field, 3:15 p.m.
South El Monte vs. Los Altos, at San Dimas, JV Field, 5:15 p.m.
Walnut vs. Bonita, at San Dimas, Varsity Field, 5:15 p.m.
Burbank at San Dimas, 7:15 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Division III
La Verne Lutheran 60, University City/San Diego 58 -- CJ Cooper hit a 3-pointer with 12 seconds left to break a 55-55 tie. Lutheran plays, who else, Orange Lutheran in Thursday's second round.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Division III
Bonita 70, Cathedral Catholic 56 -- Bonita coach Darren Baumunk played a lot of his roster early to keep the Bearcats fresh for what could be a long week. Nikki Wheatley had 24 for Bonita, which pulled away in the second half.
Mt. Miguel 48, Bishop Amat 40 -- The Lancers led 34-25 going into the fourth quarter, but were outscored 23-6 in the final period.
Division IV
Oaks Christian 73, Duarte 35
BOYS SOCCER
Thursday's first round
Division I
Buchanan (Clovis) 2, Baldwin Park 0 -- The Braves were down 2-0 in the first 20 minutes ... but they still won CIF!
GIRLS SOCCER
Thursday's first round
Division I
Torrey Pines 4, Ayala 1 -- Bulldogs coach Jeff Allen said it felt like his team was down 2-0 before it got off the bus. 'Nuff said.
The CIF Southern California Regional soccer playoffs continue with play in Divisions I and III today.
The Valley will be represented by the Baldwin Park boys, who are Buchanan of Clovis in a Division I clash, and the Ayala girls, who are at Torrey Pines. Both games start at 4 p.m.
Here's the roundup from Claremont and Bishop Amat's big wins in Division II. It also includes San Dimas ending its best season ever with a tough 1-0 loss on the road.
Here's the schedule
Today
BOYS
Division I
Baldwin Park at Buchanan/Clovis
GIRLS
Division I
Ayala at Torrey Pines
Wednesday
BOYS
Division II
Oak Hills at Claremont
GIRLS
Division II
Bishop Amat at La Jolla
All games begin at 4 p.m.
Here's the schedule and Monday's scores from the Glendora and Bonita-Northview baseball and the San Dimas softball tournaments. I also have been reminded that there is a big softball game between South Hills and Bonita, slated for tonight at 5:30 p.m. at Mt. San Antonio College. That's a game I would like to cover, but unfortunately it comes on a big basketball night. I'll be at the Azusa Pacific-Concordia game, which is for the GSAC title, while Aram will be at the Bonita girls basketball game against Cathedral Catholic. We'll get our spring coverage rolling on Wednesday, when I will cover the Charter Oak-San Marino game at the Glendora Tournament. The rest of the spring coverage for the week will be determined by how our basketball teams do tonight.
TODAY'S TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
BASEBALL
Glendora Tournament
At Henderson Field
Claremont vs La Serna 3:30pm
Charter Oak vs, Crescenta Valley 7:00 pm
Bonita-Northview Tournament
Los Altos vs. Rancho Cucamonga, Citrus College, 3:15 p.m.
Arroyo at Damien, 3:15 p.m.
Yucaipa at Bonita, 3:15 p.m.
Covina at West Covina, 3:15 p.m.
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Alta Loma at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
Burbank vs. Walnut, at SDHS, 5:15 p.m.
La Canada vs. Nogales, at SDHS, 7:15 p.m.
MONDAY'S SCORES
BASEBALL
Glendora Tournament
Ayala 9, San Marino 6
Glendora 3, El Rancho 2
Bonita-Northview Tournament
South Hills 13, West Covina 4
Arroyo 8, Keppel 0
Paloma Valley 4, West Valley 0
Redlands East Valley 7, Elsinore 5
Rancho Cucamonga 7, Fullerton 6
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Northview 4, South El Monte 0
Glendora 3, Los Altos 0
Charter Oak 5, West Covina 2
The Bishop Amat girls team, getting goals from Natalie Rivas and Kathleen Zamora, scored a 2-0 victory over No. 3 seed Frontier of Bakersfield in a SoCal Regional Division II first-round game on Monday.
San Dimas, playing in its first regional, wasn't so looking dropping a 1-0 setback to No. 2 seed La Jolla. The Vikings will host the Lancers on Wednesday.
In the boys bracket, Claremont got an over-time goal from Hugo Lepe to beat Coronado, 1-0.
CIF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONALS
Boys
DIVISION II
Claremont 1, Coronado 0
Girls
DIVISION II
Bishop Amat 2, Frontier/San Diego 0
La Jolla 1, San Dimas 0
With several winter teams advancing to their respective CIF State tournaments, let's not foget that there is some solid spring tournament games this week.
South Hills continues its rivalry game against West Covina tonight at 7 at Maverick Field in West Covina. Charter Oak faces La Serna at Henderson Field in Glendora in the Glendora Tournament. The San Dimas softball tournament also begins today, with an intriguing game between Los Altos and Glendora at 3:15 p.m. at San Dimas. Charter Oak also hosts West Covina at 3:15 p.m.
Here's today's schedule
BASEBALL
Bonita-Northview Tournament
Arroyo at Keppel, 3:15 p.m.
South Hills vs. West Covina at Maverick Park, 7 p.m.
Glendora Tournament
Ayala 9, San Marino 0
Glendora 3, El Rancho 2
SOFTBALL
San Dimas Tournament
Los Altos vs. Glendora at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
West Covina at Charter Oak, 3:15 p.m.
Northview vs. South El Monte, at San Dimas, 5:15 p.m.
I just received pairings for the CIF State Southern California Regional basketball playoffs and there were some surprises, mainly Damien and the Diamond Ranch girls team missing the cut. La Verne Lutheran, which like Damien lost in the CIF-Southern Section semfinals,made the cut and received the No. 11 seed in Division 3. The Trojans open the playoffs at University City of San Diego on Tuesday. La Canada is the division's top seed.
On the girls side, Bonita, which lost in the divisional finals, received the No. 4 seed in Division III and will host Cathedral Catholic of San Diego,also on Tuesday. Bishop Amat, which lost to Bonita in the CIF-SS semifinals, is the division's No. 10 seed and will travel to No. 7 Mt. Miguel on Tuesday. The Lancers and Bearcats can't meet before the regional finals. Duarte received the No. 10 seed in Division IV and travels to Oaks Christian on Tuesday.
The CIF State office has just released parings for this week's Southern California Regional soccer playoffs, and the big winners for the area were the Claremont boys, who received the No. 1 seed in Division II. The Wolfpack opens at home against Coronado on Monday. Also receiving bids were were the Baldwin Park boys team and the Bishop Amat and Ayala girls teams.
The Braves are the No. 8 seed and travel to No. 1 Buchanan of Clovis on Tuesday. Bishop Amat, which won the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 title on Friday, is the No. 6 seed in Division II and travels to Frontier of Bakersfield on Monday. San Dimas is the No. 7 seed in the division and travels to La Jolla, also on Monday. Ayala is the No. 7 seed in Division I and travels to Torre Pines on Tuesday.
It's my turn to take one of those mandatory vacations you have to take, so I'm gone for a week and leaving Stevie R., and Aram in charge of all things, including the blog. The CIF State boys and girls basketball, and girls and boys soccer pairings will be released today on the state website. Steve Ramirez will post the pairings later, and will update most scores, including baseball, softball tournaments and schedules on the blog. In soccer, Baldwin Park (boys), San Dimas (girls) and Bishop Amat (girls) are all locks for the state tourney, and you might even see Amat face San Dimas in the D-2 playoffs. In girls baketball, I'm hearing that Diamond Ranch, Bishop Amat and Bonita will all make it, though not as confident about La Veren Lutheran and Bonita boys, but we shall find out. See ya in a week.
STATS: Just created a MaxPreps made easy widget for area baseball fans which I will post throughout the season. Now if baseball coaches update rosters, stats and schedules, this widget will be golden, and if there is enough participation, I will run leaders each week in the Tribune. As it is, very few teams are updating scores or providing rosters, not to mention stats, which makes it very hard to follow your local teams, especially when we have more than 35 in the area. I can't do it alone, if you want to see your team stats updated in the paper, start with your head baseball coach before you send emails my way. Stats and information has become so secretive not even Amat has a baseball roster posted yet.
Bonita/Northview Tournament
Saturday's Results
West Valley 3, Elsinore 1
Los Osos 6, Redlands East Valley 1
Alta Loma 6, Covina 1
Damien 7, Yucaipa 0
Los Altos 2, Northview 0
Bonita 10, Paloma Valley 2
Monday's games
Rancho Cucamonga at Fullerton, 3:15 p.m.
West Covina vs. South Hills at Maverick Park, 7 p.m.
Paloma Valley vs. West Valley at UC Riverside, 4 p.m.
REV vs. Elsinore at UC Riverside, 7 p.m.
Arroyo at Keppel, 3:15 p.m.
For earlier results, click thread
Continue reading Sunday Tribbin: Not goodbye, it's see you later.
Division 2 championship at Mission Viejo
Claremont 2, vs. Capistrano Valley 1, sudden death overtime
Baldwin Park's championship photo gallery.
By Fred J. Robledo, staff writer
Baldwin Park's sweet moment finally arrived.
Not long after Baldwin Park boys soccer coach Ricardo Mira took the championship plaque and raised it following the Braves' 1-0 win over Carpinteria in the CIF-Southern Section Division 5 championship at Warren high school in Downey on Saturday, he turned and stared at Eagles players picking themselves off the turf - a surreal appreciation of what they just accomplished, and how unlikely it was. (to continue click thread)
Note: For those El Rancho fans, El Rancho beat Oak Hills 4-2.
Video highlights and interviews with the Inland Insider from Bishop Amat's 1-0 victory over Ayala in the Division 3 title game Friday night.
Amat wins first title: It was payback time for Bishop Amat. After being thoroughly dominated every way imaginable in a lopsided loss to Ayala in December, the Bishop Amat girls soccer team avenged its only blemish with a flawless performance in the CIF-Southern Section Division 3 championship at Warren High School in Downey on Friday. Amat sophomore Natalie Rivas' first-half goal stood up and Amat's defense did the rest in a 1-0 victory that gives the Lancers (27-1) their first championship ever. (To continue, click thread or click link).
Saints lose, 2-0: In advancing past the second round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs for the first time, the San Dimas High School girls soccer team willed itself to explore a brave new world this season and liked what it found, even if its world came crashing down in Friday's Division 6 championship game.
The Saints' unprecedented success and first foray into a CIF-SS title game culminated with a harsh conclusion as they were held to four shots and blanked 2-0 by top-seeded St. Margaret's at Mission Viejo High School.
Note: If my sources are good Saints fans, I'm hearing that the Saints will make the Division 2 Southern California Regional playoffs along with Bishop Amat, which start Monday. The pairings are announced Sunday on cifstate.org
Girls Soccer
Tonight's games
Division 6 championship
St. Marget's 2, San Dimas 0, final
Division 3 championship
Bishop Amat 1, Ayala 0, final
By Steve Ramirez
BAKERSFIELD -- Glendora High School's Haydn Scharbrough came
north with no expectations.
He returns home as one of the top high school wrestlers in the
state.
The senior took fourth place at 145 pounds to lead a group four area
competitors who earned top eight medals during the final day of the
CIF State championships at Rabobank Arena.
Also placing were Arroyo's Christian Betancourt, who was sixth at
112; Northview's Gilbert Nakatani, who was seventh at 119 and South
Hills' Thomas Morales, who was eighth at 130.
South Hills' Vincent Herrera (119) and Northview's Bryan Salinas
(135) lost in the consolation fifth round and did not place.
Scharbrough, who was ranked No. 5 in the state coming into the
tournament, is Glendora's first state medalist.
"I'm very satisfied," said Scharbrough, who went 1-2 on Saturday
after winning four matches on Friday. "Before CIF, I was ranked 22,
after CIF, I was 12th, after Masters fifth. I very pleased."
After falling to Palm Desert in the opener, Esperanza dealt Bishop Amat a 7-5 loss on Saturday. They take on Orange Lutheran Monday at Hart Park, 7 p.m.
The Dick's Sporting Goods Bonita-Northview Tournament -- Click the link for a great tournament website with updated scores, rosters, etc. Now, that's how you promote a tournament, hope others are paying attention.
Friday's Results
Bonita-Northview Tournament
South Hills 10 - Covina 3
Bonita 8 - Damien 1
Yucaipa 4 - Rancho Cucamonga 2
Northview 5 - Arroyo 2
REV 6 - Paloma Valley 1
Los Altos 6 - Fullerton 1
Alta Loma 11 - Elsinore 6
West Covina 12 - Mark Keppel 0
Los Osos 3 - Valley 1
Glendora Tournament
Glendora 16, San Marino 0
Ayala 8, El Rancho 5
Loara Tournament
Diamond Bar 3, Anaheim Canyon 1
Nonleague
Palm Desert 5, Bishop Amat 1
Northview/Bonita Tournament
Saturday's games
Elsinore vs. West Valley at UC Riverside, 10 a.m.
REV vs. Los Osos, at UC Riverside, 1 p.m.
Alta Loma vs. Covina at UC Riverside, 4 p.m.
Damien at Yucaipa, 1 p.m.
Keppel at Northview, 1 p.m.
Alta Loma at Covina, 1 p.m.
Paloma Valley at Bonita, 4 p.m.
Arroyo at Los Altos, 1 p.m.
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Anyone who follows high school softball knows that pitching is the great equalizer: Find a quality pitcher, and normally you have a competitive chance. This year, however, offensive production may have more of an impact than ever. With the high school softball season set to begin today, the big rule change is moving the pitching circle from 40 to 43 feet away from home plate, giving hitters a fighting chance against dominant pitching. "It's going to create parity for a lot of teams," Bonita coach Ken Carlson said. "You have some pitchers (club circuit) used to throwing at 43 feet, but many of them have not. "Forty feet was kind of cool because it really favored the fastball. Moving it back a few feet could change everything." Even with the rule change, though, several area teams are expecting big years, starting with Bishop Amat, which starts the season as the Tribune's top-ranked team. (To continue, click thread)
2011 Tribune Preseason
1. Bishop Amat (14-14)
2. Bonita (25-5-1)
3. Ayala (29-5)
4. St. Lucy's (17-12)
5. South Hills (23-8-1)
6. Glendora (22-6)
7. West Covina (19-8)
8. Charter Oak (17-13)
9. Northview (20-7)
10. Diamond Bar (6-18)
BAKERSFIELD -- Santa Fe High School's Joey Davis has thought
about it since losing in the finals last March.
Glendora's Haydn Scharbrough and Arroyo's Christian Betancourt had
only recently put it on their radar. But it all points to same goal
-- win a California wrestling title, and the trio put themselves to
live up to the billing Friday, winning quarterfinal matches at the
CIF State championships at Rabobank Arena.
Davis, the top-ranked competitor at 152 pounds; Scharbrough (145)
and Betancourt (112) face semifinal bouts this morning for a shot at
tonight's matches, scheduled for 7.
Four other area competitors are still alive for a top-eight medal.
They are South Hills' Vincent Herrera (119) and Thomas Morales (130)
and Northview's Gilbert Nakatani (119) and Bryan Salinas (135). They
face fifth-round consolation matches this morning and need win to
guarantee at least an eighth-place finish.
Here's a look how the area' competitors did:
103
Christian Martin, Chino Hills: 1st round - Beat Chris Caldwell, f-3:51; 2nd round- lost to Juan Garza, 3-2; 2nd cons.-lost to Chris Tamez,Clovis East, 6-0.
112
Christian Betancourt: Arroyo: 2nd round-Beat Pablo Rodriguez, Mt. Pleasant, 10-4; Rd. 16: -def Vincent Gomez,Frontier (CS), 6-4, OT; Quarterfinals-beat Andres Torres, Windsor, 12-2. Faces Josh Rodriguez, Righetti in semifinals,
Hugo Perez, Alhambra: 1st round-Lost to Micah Perez, Central Union, 9-4; 2nd cons.-lost to George Torrez, La Quinta/LQ, f-219..
119
Vincent Herrera, South Hills: 2n rnd.-def. Martin Sandoval, Porterville, 9-2; Rd.. 16-Def. Victor Lopez, Calexico, 2-0; Quarterfinals-lost to Stevan Knoblauch, Clovis West, 13-2.
Gilbert Nakatani, Northview: 2nd rnd.-beat Ty Stevenson, McKinnleyville, F-3:12; Rd. 16-def. Andre Delagnes, Menlo Atherton,14-0; Quarterfinals-lost to Ray Delgado, Oak Hills, 3-1.
125
Matt Fregoso, Rosemead: 2nd Rd.-def.Brian Ha,El Camino (CC), 11-4; Rd. 16-lost to Fabian Garica, Turlock, TF, 18-1; 3rd rd. cons.-lost to Ken Gerardi, Dougherty Valley, 7-4.
130
Kyle Acevedo, Covina: Disqualified.
Thomas Morales, South Hills: 2nd Rd.-lost to Natrelle Damon,Bakersfield, f-347; 1st rd. cons-def. Zach Wiley, Freedom, 12-0; 2nd rd.cons.-winner by default;3rd rd. cons-def. TJ Grisafe, La Costa Canyon, 4-1; 4th rd.cons.-def. Zach Contreras, Archbishop Riordan, 2-0. 5th rd.cons.-Faces Oscar Lizarraga, Brawley.
135
Bryan Salinas, Northview: 1st. Rd-def. Nick Rodriguez (SJ),7-4; 2nd rd.-lost to Miguel Gallegos, San Fernando, 11-7; 2nd rd. cons-def. Kimo Napohaku, Lakewood,3-0; 3rd rd.cons.-def. Devin Everk, Clovis North, 4-3; 4th rd. cons-def. Nico Serrano, Liberty, 6-2.
Albert Flores, Rosemead: 2nd rd.-lost to Blake Kastl, Gilroy, F-358: 2nd rd. cons.-lost to Eric Dunlap, Cajon, 8-1.
145
Haydn Scharbrough, Glendora: 1st rd.-def. Nate Vincent, Dublin,5-2; 2nd rd.-def. Ray Lomas, Central Catholic (SJ),5-4; Rd. 16-def. Brodie Chenworth, Ramona (SD), 7-0; Quarterfinals-def. Chase Boontjer,Foothill (NS), 6-4, OT. Semifinals-faces Jake Elliott,Oakmont.
152
Joey Davis, Santa Fe: 2nd rd.-def. Freeman Dillon, Granada Hills, TF,21-5; Rd. 16-def. Ian Messaros, Cupertino by fall, 5:21; Quarterfinals. def. Shirvin Iraniha, Monte Vista, 12-3. Semifinals-faces Adam Fierro, Bakersfield..
Brad Ojala, West Covina: 2nd rd.-def. Ryan Pickering, Pleasant Valley, 6-1; Rd. 16-lost to Shervin Iraniha, Monte Vista by fall, 1:54; 3rd. rd. cons-Def. Carlos Lazo, Crespi, 5-0; 4th rd. cons.-lost to Adam Wagner,Granite Bay, 6-4.
171
Brody Goens, Chino Hills: 1st rd.-lost to Trent Noon, 10-1; 1st rd. cons.-def. Anthony Navarro, Rancho Cotate (NC), 12-7; 2nd rd. cons.-def. Dan Cerrillo, Bellarmine Prep, 11-3; 3rd. rd. cons-lost to Devin Rhodes, Ramona, 7-0.
215
Jeff Vargas, South Hills: 2nd rd.-def. Kyle Clark, Antioch, 10-8; Rd. 16-lost to AC Brown,Oakdale, 3-2; 3rd. rd. cons.-def. Marshal Thrasher by fall, 2:11; 4th rd. cons-lost to David Ali, Porterville, 3-1.
Elder Cruz, La Habra: 1st. rd.-def.Vincent Ford, Roybal (LA), 9-3; 2nd rd.-def. Joey Ramos, Rocklin (SJ),14-3; Rd. 16-lost to Porfi Sosa, Poway by fall, 4:51; 3rd rd.cons.-lost to JJ Everard,Etiwanda by fall, :51.
Hwt
Brian Ryu, Diamond Bar: 1st. rd.-def. Jose Cortez, Orange Glen (SD),9-2; 2nd rd.-def. Jordan Olgin, Foothill (CS),5-1; Rd. 16-lost to Johnny Schupp, Vacaville, 6-3; 3rd rd. cons-lost to Wyatt Baker, Servite by fall, 1:33.
Peter Nonu, South Hills: 2nd rd.-def. Jonathan Tuiolosega, Seaside(CC),8-0; Rd.16-lost to Nick Nevills, Clovis, 6-2; 3rd rd. cons-lost to Carl Hulick, Esperanza, 4-0.
The schedule for the Bonita/Northview baseball tournament is below, and you can view the rest of the schedule by clicking the thread. Also, Bishop Amat has a big non-league game at home today against Palm Desert at 3:15 p.m. Coaches, call scoring results to 626-962-8811, ext. 2242, 2296 or 2233. Or, you can email boxscores to scores@sgvn.com, but make sure you leave your name and contact info.
Northview/Bonita Teams
Pool A: Northview, Fullerton, Rancho Cucamonga, Los Altos, Keppel
Pool B: Bonita, Damien, Arroyo, Yucaipa
Pool C: Covina, Alta Loma, West Covina, South Hills
Pool D: Paloma Valley, West Valley, Redlands East Valley, Los Osos, Elsinore
Today's Round-Robin games
Friday, March 4
Covina vs. South Hills, 4 p.m., Mt. SAC
Bonita vs. Damien, 7 p.m., Mt. SAC
Fullerton at Los Altos, 3:15 p.m.
Arroyo at Yucaipa, 3:15 p.m.
Rancho at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
REV at Paloma Valley, 3:15 p.m.
Los Osos at West Valley, 3:15 p.m.
Elsinore at Alta Loma, 3:15 p.m.
Keppel at West Covina, 3:15 p.m.
To view the rest of the tournament schedule, click thread
Feature on South Hill's Herrera and Glendora's Scharbrough: South Hills High School's Vincent Herrera and Glendora's Haydn Scharbrough took nearly identical paths to today's CIF State wrestling championships at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield.
Above: Diamond Bar has the best one-two punch in pitchers Kenny Mathews and Henry Omana, who have the Brahmas No. 1 in the Tribune
By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
Pitching will be at a premium among area high school baseball teams this season, which begins Friday with a handful of teams playing tournament and nonleague games.
The exception may be at Diamond Bar, where the Brahmas return both starters, including arguably the Valley's best hurler - senior Kenny Mathews. He, along with junior Henry Omana, give Diamond Bar a top one-two punch, which has the Brahmas thinking about a Hacienda League title and beyond. (To continue, click thread)
Tribune preseason top ten
1. Diamond Bar (15-11)
2. Bishop Amat (27-4)
3. South Hills (20-7)
4. Bonita (24-5)
5. Damien (20-7)
6. Glendora (27-2)
7. Northview (18-7-1)
8. San Dimas (17-8)
9 Charter Oak (16-9)
10. Nogales (16-12)
By Fred J. Robledo
Bonita High School hasn't had a good track record in championship games, losing divisional finals in baseball last spring, football in the fall, and girls water polo last week.
You can add the girls basketball team to that list too.
Bonita's first trip to a CIF-Southern Section Divisional girls basketball final ended with a 59-42 loss to Orange Lutheran in Wednesday's Division 3A final at the Anaheim Arena Convention Center, marred by foul trouble to Bearcats freshman sensation Nikki Wheatley, and despite a huge effort from Loyola Marymount-bound senior Taylor Anderson, who finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds. (To continue click thread)
I know it was a loss, but Tom's wrap-up was great, check it out....
Aram called to report that Dale Ziola has been named the head football coach at Los Altos, replacing Jim Arellanes, who was fired last month. Ziola was an assistant at Los Altos. Aram will have more later. For more info, to Aram's "In the Huddle" blog.
Check out the video of San Dimas' 3-1 win over Hemet .. Freshman Daisy Duran scored a beautiful goal and Jamie Quaternik finished the job with two more.
CIF-Southern Section Divisional finals schedule
Girls Soccer
Friday's games
Division 3 championship
Bishop Amat vs. Ayala at Warren High School, Downey, 7:30 p.m.
Division 6 championship
San Dimas vs. St. Margaret's at Mission Viejo HS, 5 p.m.
Boys Soccer
Saturday's games
Division 5 championship
Carpinteria vs. Baldwin Park, at Warren High school, Downey, Noon.
Division 2 championship
Claremont vs. Capistrano Valley at Mission Viejo HS, 7:30 p.m.
UPDATE: Explosive video shown by NBC's Fred Roggin shows that No. 32 had five fouls ...
View more videos at: http://www.nbclosangeles.com.
UPDATE: Serra answers questions in today's Daily Breeze story...Serra coach McKinsey Hadley describes what happened at the scoring table ... Read the full story: "There was some discrepancy at the referee's table," Hadley said. "The ref said she had five fouls, so I took her out. Then they came back to me and said she doesn't have five fouls, so I put her back in the game."
TODAY'S TRIBUNE STORY
By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
Diamond Ranch High School's girls basketball team is painfully coming to grips with the fact that nothing can be done about what the Panthers feel was a gross injustice that likely cost them a chance to play in Friday's CIF-Southern Section Division 3AA championship game at Anaheim Convention Center. At issue is the final minute of regulation in Diamond Ranch's 82-70 loss to Serra of Gardena on Saturday night in the semifinals of the 3AA playoffs at North Torrance High. With 32 seconds left to play in regulation and Diamond Ranch ahead 63-62, Serra's Sierra Thompson picked up what Diamond Ranch officials believed to be her fifth foul, thus disqualifying her from the game. (To continue click thread)
Fred's reaction: The only part that I question about Serra coach McKinsey Hadley's comments is that one, coaches know when players are in foul trouble, they are constantly checking with assistants and scorekeepers during the game. In reading his comments it sounded to me that he was not interested at all in going over the video and finding the truth, he's probably more concerned with preparing for Serra's championship. If Hadley looked at the video and knows for sure whether his player fouled out or not, which is Diamond Ranch's assertion, at the very least he and Serra should offer Diamond Ranch an apology. After all, if it was simply a mistake, it was a home team's mistake that might have robbed the visitors of an opportunity to play for a title. Pursing victory with honor? This is what it's all about.
Former Monrovia head football coach Steve Garrison, who led the Wildcats to three consecutive divisional finals in the 1990s, will coach the offensive line at Northview. Garrison was with Damien last year, but following the season, was set to join San Dimas' staff for the 2011 season. Apparently, he has switched teams again.
Note: Will post stories on other games in the morning along with the CIF finals schedule.
By Fred J. Robledo
As cruel as last year's CIF-Southern Section divisional semifinal loss was for the Bishop Amat high school girls soccer team, redemption came in the sweetest and dramatic of ways.
Granite Hills, on the other hand, will have a tough time forgetting it.
After Bishop Amat's April Juarez scored just minutes from her team being eliminated on one of the best finishes you'll ever see, Miranda Joya's shot in sudden-death overtime ricocheted off a Granite Hills defender and snuck in, giving Bishop Amat a come-from-behind 2-1 victory in the Division 3 semifinals on Tuesday, sending the Lancers (26-1) to their first championship ever. (To continue click thread)
Check out the video capturing Amat's victory celebration with interviews with coach Ruben Gonzalez and Joya.
CIF-SS Girls Soccer
Today's semifinals
Division 3
Ayala 4, Santa Maria Righetti 0
Bishop Amat 2, Granite Hills 1 sudden death OT
Division 6
San Dimas 3, Hemet 1 -- San Dimas takes down Hemet, advances to division final
CIF-SS Boys Soccer
Tuesday's semifinals
Division 2
Claremont 1, M.L. King 0 -- Hodge comes through for Claremont in double OT
Division 4
El Rancho 1, Ganesha 0 -- Lara helps El Rancho end Ganesha's season
Division 5
Baldwin Park 2, Animo Leadership 1
Ganesha-El Rancho photo gallery.
Scorebook error?: In Diamond Ranch's 82-70 overtime loss to Gardena Serra in Saturday's Division 3AA girls semifinal at North Torrance HS, there were controversial scorebook issues that may have had a direct outcome in the game. In fact, in a letter addressed to Serra principal Mike Wagner on behalf of several Diamond Ranch parents (which I obtained), they want an apology, even suggesting that Serra should forfeit over what they feel was a huge injustice. Diamond Ranch coach Mike James explained what happened to me on Monday, but said the school is not protesting, though he is upset at how the events unfolded.
Clarification: coach Mike James filed a protest after the game, which was immediately turned down, he said. When I called CIF on Monday to ask if anything had been filed in regards to the game, they said no. What I gather from this is there was obviously a decision made after the game, and it ended there.
What happened: James said that Serra's leading scorer Sierra Thompson (28 points) fouled out with just under a minute to play in Saturday's game. James said Thompson left the game, sat on the bench, and put a jacket on looking distraught. At that time Serra's scorekeeper alerted the Serra bench, saying it only had Thompson for three fouls. James immediately challenged, noting his scorekeeper and bench scorekeeper had Thompson for five fouls. James said while looking at Serra's book, he also noted Serra had Diamond Ranch players marked with fouls who never played in the game. The officials gathered and determined the "home" book was the book of record, allowing Thompson back into the game with only three fouls. Thompson then hit a 3-pointer with 13 seconds left to give Serra a two-point lead. Chelsea Barnes scored in the closing seconds to send the game into overtime. Thompson then scored 10 points in overtime to seal the victory. James knows there is nothing he can do now, but he said his athletic director watched the game on video and sure enough, he claims Thompson had five fouls.
Coach Mike James responds: Just to make sure that everyone is clear on this situation. There was a protest filed by Diamond Ranch. It was turned down. The ruling was that it was an officials judgment to allow this player to re-enter the game. The Diamond Ranch scorekeeper was checking with the official book to make sure that they matched up. All of a sudden they didn't match up in the 4th quarter with 32 seconds left in the game. There were players from Diamond Ranch who had fouls and didn't even play in the game. There were also players that fouled out who only had 3 fouls. This was a great game between 2 great teams. Someone has to win and someone has to lose. The bigger question is are we really to the point where winning at all cost is more important than sportsmanship and integrity. For these kids to have to lose in this manner just makes for a hard pill to swallow. Especially when the video clearly shows this player had fouled out.
CIF can't just turn a blind eye to situations like this. Once you get to this level of the playoffs we have 3 man officiating crews and neutral sites. They need to take the next step and have a neutral party as the official scorer. This will of course will not help us this season since what is done is done. I just want people reading this to know that Diamond Ranch did talk to CIF officials about this situation. With all the evidence that was presented to them they have to think that at the very least there is SOMETHING there, and they need to make some changes in the near future.
Sincerely,
Michael James
Diamond Ranch Girls Basketball
By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
Taylor Anderson's role on the Bonita High School girls basketball team is easy to define: do a little bit of everything and do it well. Anderson, a senior who will play next year at Loyola Marymount University, has done her job to perfection this season for the Bearcats and is a big reason why the school's girls basketball program will play in its first-ever CIF championship game on Wednesday against Orange Lutheran at the Anaheim Convention Center. Tip-off is 8:15 p.m. (To continue, click thread).
Links
Tribune Prep Sports
Miguel Melendez's prep blog
In the Huddle
ESPN
OC Varsity
San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
Daily Bulletin Preps
Whittier Daily News Preps
LA Daily News Preps
Long Beach Press Telegram Preps
Daily Breeze Preps
Dyestat Track and Cross Country
MaxPreps
Rivals.Com
College Level Athletes
Miguel Melendez's prep blog
In the Huddle
ESPN
OC Varsity
San Bernardino Sun Preps
LA times Varsity Blog
Daily Bulletin Preps
Whittier Daily News Preps
LA Daily News Preps
Long Beach Press Telegram Preps
Daily Breeze Preps
Dyestat Track and Cross Country
MaxPreps
Rivals.Com
College Level Athletes
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