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.”

Continue reading “APU wins NAIA women’s basketball title, earns sweet revenge over Union, 65-59” »

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 Caada 47

Miguel Melendez by the quarters…

FIRST QUARTER

La Caada’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 Caada’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 Caada 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 Caada intact. I just wonder if La Caada 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 Caada 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 Caada. 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 Caada’s 55 percent. Say no more…

THIRD QUARTER

La Caada 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 Caada 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 Caada 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 Caada, which got a roaring ovation as the starters headed to the bench.