South Hills wins big: The Huskies jumped all over visiting Rancho Verde for six runs in the first inning and didn’t look back in a 10-1 victory.

Diamond Bar blows late lead: Timmy Robinson hit a two-run homer in the seventh inning and the visiting Ocean View Seahawks rallied for a 4-3 victory over the Brahmas in a Division 3 wild-card game Tuesday.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
Thanks to its biggest scoring outburst of the season, the St. Lucy’s High School softball team doesn’t have to dwell over its near collapse in Tuesday’s CIF-Southern Section playoff game.
When you win, everything is forgiven.
Visiting Fillmore scored five runs in the seventh and sent the tying runner to the plate, but St. Lucy’s pitcher Danielle O’Toole got a strikeout to end the game and St. Lucy’s held on for an 11-9 victory in a Division 3 wild-card game. (To continue, click thread).

Today’s predictions: Damien, South Hills and Diamond Bar should all advance to the first round, but that’s it. Northview has a chance at home, but don’t see Walnut, Baldwin Park, Nogales or any of the teams in Division 5 winning with the exception of the El Monte-Gladstone game, someone has to move on, probably Gladstone. In softball, Glendora will go down at Valencia, but I like St. Lucy’s and Los Altos to move on and possibly Covina. As for everyone else, it’s one and done I’m afraid.

Baseball
Today’s wild card results
Division 2
Damien 3, Redondo Union 1
South Hills 10, Rancho Verde 1
Division 3
Ocean View 4, Diamond Bar 3
Walnut at Knight, 3:15 p.m.
Division 4
Grace Brethren 3, Northview 0
Bishop Montgomery 2, Baldwin Park 0
Nogales at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.
Division 5
Gladstone 13, El Monte 1
Duarte 11, Rubidoux 6
Paraclete 2, Azusa 1 (9)
Mountain View at Linfield Christian, 3:15 p.m.

Softball
Today’s wild-card results
Division 1
Glendora at Placentia Valencia, postponed Wednesday
Division 2
Los Altos 2, Rancho Verde 0
Division 3
St. Lucy’s 11, Fillmore 0
Division 4
Nogales at Culver City, 3:15 p.m.
Coachella Valley at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Division 5
Sierra Vista at Ramona Convent, 3:15 p.m.
Rosemead at Hemet, 3:15 p.m.
La Puente at Lompoc Cabrillo, 3:15 p.m.

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If you’re not excited about high school track, you never will be. The San Gabriel Valley is known for a lot of things, but producing sprint champions is not one of them. That’s what makes the next couple weeks so exciting. Think of it, if Covina’s Remontay McClain goes on and wins back-to-back state titles in the 100 and 200 meters, he will become the first ever to win back-to-back in both events in consecutive years. Think about that. In the history of California, which has produced some of the best sprinters in history, it’s never been done? This is some great history he’s chasing. Hallowed history. And who would have thought one of the guys who could upset him is in our backyard too, West Covina’s Beejay Lee. It’s unbelievable, and why there is no way I’m missing the CIF track finals on Saturday at Cerritos College. McClain and Lee should win their respective divisions, then will square off next week in the Masters, and if they continue, in state. Bishop Amat’s Kylie Price has the state’s leading time in the 100 meters (11.75). Could the SGV actually produce the top boy and girl sprinter in the state? Price also could double. She’s one of the top long jumpers in the state and could get to the state finals in the 200 meters as well. San Dimas’ Katherine Salcido also could advance to the state finals, and could win a CIF title in the 100 hurdles on Saturday. I’m telling you, it’s a great three weeks for track, and it doesn’t happen very often like this, so enjoy the ride.

Fred’s thoughts: Makes you wonder how important the Masters Meet is when so many of the best individuals back out of the big races. What Jaques and Grant are doing is not a surprise. Several top swimmers have not raced in what is supposed to be the biggest meet of the season. It’s not, the CIF finals are what everyone shoots for, maybe it’s time they get rid of the Masters Meet, or tinker with it so that it’s more meaningful. As one swim coach pointed out, they don’t keep team scoring. The coach said if they did, top swimmers would be more likely to swim in it … just a thought.

By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
Glendora High School’s Gretchen Jaques and Walnut’s Andrea Grant won CIF-Southern Section individual swimming titles over the weekend. The duo will not add CIF-SS Masters championships to their resumes. Each backed out of individual competition for today’s Master’s Meet, scheduled for 5 p.m. at William Woollett Aquatic Center in Irvine. They will compete on their team’s respective relay teams, which will include top-qualifier Glendora in the 200-yard medley relay. Walnut is the No. 4 qualifier.

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We don’t publish “Where are there now?” anymore, but here’s a story of a former area player, Glendora’s Wes Roemer, who is having a solid season for the Mobile BayBears, the Double-A affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks.
The former Glendora star, who also pitched for nearby Cal State Fullerton, flirted with a no-hitter, going into the eighth inning before giving up an RBI double to former West Covina star James Skelton. Here is the the story from MLB.com.

Eric Sondheimer writes: Junior pitcher Justin Garza is 11-0 with an ERA of 0.60 for Bonita. He doesn’t walk batters, so the only way to beat him is to hope for errors and be patient. Of Bishop Amat, he wrote: There’s no way Palm Desert and Bishop Amat won’t get to the final, right? Palm Desert has pitcher Brooks Kriske and top hitters, led by Ryan Garvey. Bishop Amat has an abundance of effective no-name pitchers, plus future first-round draft pick Rio Ruiz. But Torrance owns a win over Bishop Amat and has talented infielder Trent Gilbert. … Go check it out, Eric handicaps all the divisions.

“It’s a slap in the face to the (Sierra). Are we the Rodney Dangerfield’s of the division? I’ll never understand the process, but it just doesn’t make sense. But as much as I want to complain, cry and moan, I can’t do that. It is what it is, we’ll line up and we’ll go play. “ — South Hills coach Kevin Smith after his Huskies finish 20-4 and have to play a wild card on Tuesday.

Click here for CIF baseball pairings

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
South Hills High School baseball coach Kevin Smith was shocked when the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 baseball playoffs were announced Monday. After finishing 20-4 overall and tied with Chino Hills for the Sierra League title, South Hills lost the head-to-head tiebreaker with Chino Hills for the league’s top playoff entry, but Smith never thought entering the playoffs as a second-place team with an impressive resume would result in a wild-card game. There are 48 teams in Division 2, with 16 teams in the first-round and 32 playing wild card games. Of the 16 teams in the first round, 12 are league champions and four finished second. (To continue story and view playoff pairings, click thread)

Tuesday’s wild card schedule
Division 2
Damien at Redondo Union, 3:15 p.m.
Rancho Verde at South Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Division 3
Ocean View at Diamond Bar, 3:15 p.m.
Walnut at Knight, 3:15 p.m.
Division 4
Grace Brethren at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
Baldwin Park at Bishop Montgomery, 3:15 p.m.
Nogales at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel, 3:15 p.m.
Division 5
Azusa at Paraclete, 3:15 p.m.
Mountain View at Linfield Christian, 3:15 p.m.
El Monte at Gladstone, 3:15 p.m.
Duarte at Rubidoux, 3:15 p.m.

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Click here for CIF-Softball pairings

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
There weren’t too many surprises when the CIF-Southern Section softball playoffs were announced Monday, except that Glendora is in the playoffs a a wild card.
Bonita (22-4), which finished in a tie with Diamond Bar for the Hacienda League title, earned the second-seed in the Division 2 playoffs. Bonita will be home in Thursday’s first-round against the winner of today’s wild card between Ontario (10-8) and San Bernardino (13-9), both of which finished fourth in league play. (To continue story and view CIF playoff pairings, click thread)

Tuesday’s wild-card schedule
Division 1
Glendora at Placentia Valencia, 3:15 p.m.
Division 2
Rancho Verde at Los Altos, 3:15 p.m.
Division 3
Fillmore at St. Lucy’s, 3:15 p.m.
Division 4
Nogales at Culver City, 3:15 p.m.
Coachella Valley at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Division 5
Sierra Vista at Ramona Convent, 3:15 p.m.
Rosemead at Hemet, 3:15 p.m.
La Puente at Lompoc Cabrillo, 3:15 p.m.

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The La Verne Lutheran Boys Basketball team, the two-time defending state champions, are expected to leave the Arrowhead League, according to sources, and will go independent. A decision is expected soon, I’m told. This is great for Lutheran, who was too powerful for the Arrowhead, and good for the Arrowhead, who will have more competitive games now that Lutheran is gone. Lutheran be able to play in more showcase games, and will be able to set up key marquee non-league games, which means the Valley may finally get a Lutheran-Damien game next season, which is huge next year with both big men (Chris Reyes and Grant Jerrett) back. Lutheran, I’m told, is also willing and would schedule any area teams the first two weeks of December that would wants a game, so I’m waiting for Bishop Amat, Bonita, Glendora, and perhaps Los Altos or Walnut to step up and welcome it. You want competition, here it is, all you have to do is make the calls…..

For baseball this is too easy, I can’t think of anything better than third-place Northview drawing Bishop Amat in the first round of the Division 4 playoffs. Wouldn’t that bring back memories from 2009? Nieto vs. Murphy round II. In softball, I’m not sure Bishop Amat would want it, but what if the Lancers drew St. Lucy’s, third from the Sierra League in the first round of Division 3. I’d love to see St. Luyc’s lefty Danielle O’Toole against the seeded Lancers.

Final CIF Polls:
Baseball
Division 2: 1. Trabuco Hills, 2. Cypress, 3. Chaminade, 4. Arcadia, 5. Crescenta Valley, 6. Redlands, 7. Santa Barbara, 8. Harvard Westlake, 9. Glendora, 10. Pacifica …Others, Chino Hills, South Hills.
Division 3: 1. Bonita, 2. Quartz Hill, 3. Alhambra, 4. Beckman, 5. Colton, 6. Paramount, 7. Temescal Canyon, 8. San Gorgonio, 9. Gahr, 10. Los Altos.
Division 4: 1. Palm Desert, 2. Bishop Amat, 3. Torrance, 4. Laguna Beach, 5. Oaks Christian, 6. Indio, 7. San Dimas, 8. La Quinta, 9. Sonora, 10. Colony.

Softball
Division 2: 1. Don Lugo, 2. Bonita, 3. Laguna Hills, 4. Chino, 5. Valley View, 6. Colton, 7. Adolfo Carillo, 8. Arlington, 9. Oxnard, 10. Lakewood.
Division 3: 1. Oaks Christian, 2. Bishop Amat, 3. Warren, 4. Chino Hills, 5. South Hills, 6. Downey, 7. Highland, 8. Knight, 9. Burroughs, 10. Crescenta Valley.
Division 5: 1. La Canada, 2. Beaumont, 3. Savanna, 4. Duarte, 5. San Marino, 6. Marlborough, 7. Schurr, 8. Katella, 9. Keppel, 10. Calvary Chapel.

By Steve Ramirez
WALNUT - It’s on to Bakersfield for the Mt. San Antonio College softball team.
Alyssa Gonzales went 4 for 5, including a three-run home run and five RBIs, and the host Mounties punched their ticket to next weekend’s California Community College Athletic Association Final Four at Bakersfield College with a 9-5 victory over Cerritos in Sunday’s championship game of the Southern California Super Regionals.
Mt. SAC, also getting two RBIs from Cya Neal and a solid effort in the circle from Alexa Limon, improved to 41-4 and will open the CCCAA Final Four on Friday at 8 p.m. against an opponent to be determined. The Mounties, who lost in the state title game last season, are seeking the school’s fifth CCCAA softball championship after winning in 2003, ’05, ’07 and ’09.

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By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
You could tell the hugs were more meaningful for Glendora High School’s Gretchen Jaques, who completed another double and finished a career sweep at the CIF-Southern Section Division 2 swimming finals at the Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach on Saturday.
More meaningful because this time she wasn’t celebrating alone, she celebrated with her Glendora teammates, who won the team title they desperately wanted after finishing second a year ago.
The Tartans set the tone in the opening race, Courtney McCadden, Kelly Corso, Rosemary Garcia and Jaques winning the 200-yard medley relay in 1:46.69, breaking the meet record they set last year. After winning the 200 free relay in 138.64, the Tartans
finished the night sweeping the relays, winning the closing 400 relay with Jaques on the anchor, who rallied from third to lead the Tartans to victory in 3:32.50, a team that included McCadden, Garcia and her younger sister, sophomore Ellie Jaques.
Glendora finished with 234 points to claim the title, finishing ahead of second-place Walnut (158), denying the Mustangs’ back-to-back championship bid. (To continue click thread)

RESULTS HERE: For complete results of the CIF-Southern Section Division 1 through Division 4 from the Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach, click here.

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Remontay’s 10.28 on video, check it out!

Division 1 prelim results

Division 2 prelim results

Division 3 prelim results

Division 4 prelim results

Serra’s George Farmer, McClain and Lee’s biggest threat in the 100 and 200 meters, turned his ankle and scratched from both races at the D-4 meet today.

By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
It wasn’t so much about what 100-meter dash defending state champion Remontay McClain of Covina High School did on Saturday afternoon during the CIF-Southern Section prelims, it’s what his main rival — Serra’s George Farmer — didn’t do. And that’s run. McClain easily won the 100 in Division 3 in a wind-aided time of 10.28 seconds to qualify for next week’s championship. But Farmer, who had formed a major rivalry with McClain after finishing second to him in last year’s state championship race and beating McClain at this year’s Arcadia Invitational, injured his ankle and was unable to run in the Division 4 prelims, thus ending his season. The defection of Farmer means that West Covina’s Beejay Lee, who won the Division 1 prelim in 10.48 on Saturday, will now become McClain’s biggest threat later in the season. Lee also won the 200-meter dash in a time of 21.00. (to continue click thread)

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In a few short weeks, it’s back to football 24-7. We got the go on another fall PrepXtra Football Preview Issue, so the work is about to start, and boy do I need something to do after the Lakers disaster. Any thoughts on the cover or new feature to add is always welcome, just be realistic, personal bio’s on every player is not happening. We’ve got the Inland Insider Tom Kiss and your Coveritlive correspondent Mike “The Cousin,” ready to go. When all the schedules are available, I’ll post the week by week area schedule, but let’s start here: What’s the biggest Week 0 game, Glendora and the debut of coach Todd Quinsey at Charter Oak or West Covina vs. Covina, which might finally explain if West Covina’s lone loss to the Colts was a fluke or not? Or the Smudge Pot, as someone pointed out. Thanks to the scheduling Gods, we don’t have to choose. Bonita-San Dimas is on Thursday, Glendora-Charter Oak on Friday, and West Covina vs. Covina on a stage by itself on Saturday night at the District. Now how’s that for starting 2011?

From everything I’m hearing, West Covina should be better in 2011. Not Bishop Amat good, but good. Thank goodness Tom Kiss covered last year’s championship, great having video of one of the best finals in SGV history.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
In terms of feel-good endings, it doesn’t get much better than this. Diamond Bar High School softball coach Rebecca Garcia-Uyemura’s father passed away on Sunday and his funeral was Thursday, but she returned Friday with her Brahmas softball team having an opportunity to finish in a tie for the Hacienda League title, almost unthinkable considering the Brahmas were 0-10 in the Sierra League last year and hadn’t sniffed the playoffs since 2006. Then there is Stephany La Rosa, the UCLA-bound shortstop who has been one of the Southland’s best since her freshman year, but on teams that always struggled — until now.
And how fitting is it that La Rosa’s eighth homer of the season, a first-inning blast that cleared the scoreboard in right, would be the difference in Diamond Bar’s dramatic 1-0 victory over West Covina on Friday. (To continue click thread)

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By John Honell
A wild slugfest seemed to be the perfect way to end the regular season for the Glendora High School baseball team. The Tartans, with a .346 team batting average and ranked fourth by the Tribune, pounded out 16 hits in a 17-12 victory over Upland on Friday afternoon.

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Northview rallies: Northview High School’s late-inning magic, which catapulted the Vikings to the CIF-Southern Section semifinals in 2007 and the Division 4 baseball title in 2008, made a triumphal return Thursday. Michael Carlos’ two-run single scored Jake Grijalva and Tony Briones and Northview rallied for five runs in the seventh inning to score a 7-6 victory over host Baldwin Park in a battle for third place in the Valle Vista League.

Above: It’s been a long time since Northview felt this good. Today the Vikes are at Baldwin Park for the third in the Valle Vista.

Final week situations ….
Baseline: Glendora (16-6-1, 11-3) needs to defeat Upland on Friday at home to secure sole possession of first. If they lose, they finish in a tie with Los Osos (17-5, 10-4) and a coin flip would decide who goes in as No. 1 from league in the playoffs.

Hacienda: Bonita (22-4 and 9-1) already wrapped up the league title, but Los Altos earned a split with Diamond Bar in a 6–5 win over the Brahmas on Wednesday. Los Altos (17-9, 8-3) is tied with Diamond Bar (14-11, 8-3) for second with a game left. All three will advance to the playoffs.

Valle Vista: San Dimas (18-8-1, 10-1) won the league title with a 13-5 win over Covina. The Colts (16-10, 9-3) will finish second and today, Northview (11-13, 6-5) will be at Baldwin Park (13-11, 6-5) for sole possession of third. The game is at 3:15 p.m.

Sierra League: Chino Hills (17-8, 11-3) and South Hills (19-4, 11-3) are tied for first entering today’s final games. South Hills is at Charter Oak and Chino Hills is home against Ayala. If they finish tied, Chino Hills wins the tiebreaker, having won two out of three. Damien (13-11, 8-5) already has clinched third and finishes at home today against Claremont.

Montview: Sierra Vista (18-4, 11-2) already clinched league and finishes with Ganesha today. La Puente (15-7, 10-3) finishes second with Gladstone (14-6, 9-3) finishing third.

Mission Valley: Arroyo (13-7, 10-3) is at Rosemead today and Mountain View on Friday, needing just a win over either to clinch the league title. Gabrielino (9-11, 9-4) will likely finish second while El Monte (10-9, 8-6) and Mountain View (10-10- 7-6) have work left to finish third.

Del Rey: Bishop Amat (24-4, 12-0) won league long ago, all they have left is Monday’s CIF-Division 4 pairings.

By Fred J. Robledo
Diamond Bar High School softball coach Roberta Garcia-Uyemura watched from a distance as the Brahmas’ beat Los Altos 6-5 on Wednesday to move into a three-way tie for first in the Hacienda League with West Covina and Bonita heading into Friday’s final league games. It has been a trying week and year for the Diamond Bar coach. (To continue, click thread)

Above: Diamond Bar great Stephany La Rossa can win a league title in her final league game.

Hacienda: Well, well, well, thanks to Diamond Bar, there is a three-way tie for first heading into Friday’s final games. Diamond Bar beat Los Altos 6-5, to create it all. Diamond Bar (14-9, 9-2) will host West Covina (17-7, 9-2) on Friday, the winner getting at least a share of the title likely with Bonita (21-4, 9-2), who will probably beat Diamond Ranch. If Diamond Bar wins, they own the tiebreaker over Bonita if both finish in first.

Baseline: Glendora (13-11, 6-8) can finish in a tie for third if they can beat Upland (15-8, 7-7) today, but Upland wins the tiebreaker for the playoff spot, having already defeated Glendora twice. The Tartans will apply for a wild-card berth in D-2. Etiwanda won league with Los Osos finishing second.

Del Rey: Bishop Amat (22-3, 11-1) wrapped up the league tile and is already finished.

Sierra: Chino Hills (21-5, 12-2) wins the league title with a 15-2 win over Ayala while South Hills lost to Charter Oak 12-7 on Wednesday. South Hills (16-7, 10-4) will finish second and St. Lucy’s (12-12, 7-7) could finish third if they beat Claremont today and Chino Hills beat Ayala (10-13-1, 7-7) as expected at home. Wouldn’t that be something, Ayala goes from CIF champ to missing the playoffs.

Valle Vista: San Dimas (19-7, 11-0) wrapped up league last week. Northview (16-9-1, 8-3) will finish second with a win at Baldwin Park today and Covina (12-11-1, 7-4) already has third locked up.

Montview: Duarte (17-3, 11-1) Needs to beat Workman and Gladstone to secure league all alone with Azusa (14-7-1, 11-2) behind the great Veronica Ramirez, batting .537 with 32 RBIs. Sierra Vista (14-8, 8-3) locked up third.

Mission Valley: Arroyo (15-6, 13-1) won league long ago with South El Monte (12-10, 10-4) finishing second and Rosemead (11-8, 8-5) third.

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By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
If there was a defined blueprint for the path that standout high school swimmers need to take to reach the Olympics, it would probably look a lot like the one Glendora’s Gretchen Jaques is following. Of course, talent and ability to swim at such a high level would be the first ingredients, and few people have them. Jaques does, and as she gets ready to put the exclamation point on what’s been a stellar prep career, one can’t help but think ahead.
Beginning with Friday’s prelims, Jaques will go for a career sweep of her individual events at the CIF- Southern Section Division 2 championship meet at Belmont Plaza Pool in Long Beach. Finals are set for Saturday. (To continue click thread).

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I may have to make more phone calls than normal to sort out this year’s all-area, especially when it comes to pitching. Picking two, and possibly three first-team pitching spots out of the players available is tough, I can think of five to seven deserving of first team.
The field spots also will be tough, only four with South Hills, Sierra Vista, Bishop Amat, Bonita, Glendora and Chino Hills having solid years, plus other individuals having great years on so-so teams. In any case, I’ll give you a first shot at it….There are 12 spots, which include player of the year and a coach of the year….

Baseball First Team?
Coach of the year:
Player of the year:
Pitcher:
Pitcher:
Catcher:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Outfield:
Outfield:
Outfield:
Utility:

In all my years covering softball, I can’t think of an all-area team where a pitcher wasn’t player of the year. Last year it was Bonita’s Chloe Wurst, year before that Glendora’s Dana Waldusky, before that Los Altos’ Diana Lynn-Patterson, and so forth.
In four years at the Star-News, a pitcher won every year too, mainly because pitchers, who can pitch every game, have an unbelievable impact on the success of a team. Although still true, pitchers are not nearly as dominant, which has opened the player of the year discussion to several outside the circle.
You can agree or disagree, but the player of the year chase could be anyone with playoffs having a big impact on final decisions. But to this point, if you were filling out first team all-area, 12 spots and a coach, how would it look?

Softball First Team?
Coach of the year:
Player of the year:
Pitcher:
Pitcher:
Catcher:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Infielder:
Outfield:
Outfield:
Outfield:
Utility:

California Track and Field State Leaders List

Saturday’s CIF-SS Division Track preliminary locations.
Division 1 Heet Sheets, set for Trabuco Hills High School

Division 2 Heet Sheets, set for Moorpark High School

Division 3 Heet Sheets, set for Estancia High School

Division 4 Heet Sheets, set for Carpinteria High School

Covina High School’s Remontay McClain, the defending state champion in the 100 and 200 meters, begins his three-week journey to repeat as champion with the CIF-SS preliminaries on Saturday at separate locations, with the finals the following week at Cerritos College followed by the Masters and State meets the ensuing weeks. (to continue click thread).

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For the second straight year the San Gabriel Valley high school all-star baseball game will be held at Alhambra High School, an all-star game put on by Nogales coach John Romano and Alhambra coach Steve Geiwecke. The game will be held on Sunday, June 5 at 2 p.m.

Fred’s reaction: The all-star game is not at Mt. San Antonio college anymore because Mt. SAC baseball coach Stacy Parker complained that his Mounties baseball team is not getting enough of the proceeds from the gate or snack bar, according to SGV all-star officials. I spoke with Romano about it earlier this month, and he was upset and said he preferred to play at Mt. SAC, but the school’s continued bickering over money made them move to Alhambra. Romano said he would be open to a reasonable split of the revenue, but he did not like being approached a day prior to the event about it and the manner in which he was approached. It’s not the first time Parker has complained about not making enough money. At the RJs Foundation charity game between Bonita and Bishop Amat last month, Parker approached tournament officials on the day of the game about how money would be split at the gate and snack bar, even though Bishop Amat already had a contract signed for the use of the field. At one point Parker even threatened to cancel the game, which obviously never happened, avoiding a Public Relations nightmare for the school. Eventually, Parker backed off and the proceeds from the gate and snack bar went to charity with Mt. SAC collecting money from parking. I spoke with Parker the day after the RJ’s charity game to confirm all information, but he didn’t want to be quoted. Maybe Mt. SAC could take a page from Citrus, who generously offered their facility free of charge for the softball game in the honor of the RJ’s Foundation a few days after the baseball game. Hopefully Mt. SAC gets this right next year, having an all-star game and charity game with the amount of fans that attend is good publicity for Mt. SAC, it should not be complaining over a few dollars, especially when money benefits charities like the Children’s Hospital of Los Angeles. In terms of the all-star game, I got the impression from Romano and Geiwecke they would still love to play at Mt. SAC, which is where the game should be. It’s a great facility named after the great Mazmanian. Hopefully Mt. SAC officials revisit and become more gracious hosts in the future. Like I mentioned, having an all-star game of seniors is great publicity for Mt. SAC. They already make money from all the parking, why bicker over a few more dollars?

The Why Knott Dream Big Foundation Football Camp, hosted by nine-year NFL coach Ty Knott, will be held at Diamond Ranch High School on Saturday, May 21, from 8 a.m., to 2 p.m. for kids ages 7-17. Knott, a former assistant coach with the Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars and New Orleans Saints, created his foundation to help support families of children with Autism and Apraxia. The foundation’s mission is to help organizations and individual families through financial support.

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By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
The second-annual RJ’s Legacy Foundation baseball and softball games held at Mt. San Antonio College and Citrus respectively last month, raised $2,200 for the foundation, Bishop Amat athletic director Mike Manzo said. The foundation was set up in honor of former West Covina resident RJ Gonzales, who was born with a Congenital heart disease and died in 2009 and age 14.
There were two games, a baseball game between area powers Bonita and Bishop Amat at Mt. SAC, and a softball game between Bishop Amat and Santa Margarita at Citrus, with proceeds from both games going to the RJs Foundation charity, which also supports the Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. (To continue click thread)

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Bella Kennedy, the two-year-old sister of Bonita High School girls basketball junior standout Brianna Kennedy, was diagnosed with stage 4 neuroblastoma last August, which is a cancer of the sympathetic nervous system, and has been in and out of the Childrens Hospital in Los Angeles for the past year with several surgeries.
Bella Kennedy had a tumor in the adrenal gland removed from her kidney in January and has completed seven rounds of chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant in March.
However, following her transplant, she suffered acute liver and kidney failure because of the high doses of chemotherapy, and will need several blood transfusions.
Bonita High School is conducting a “Blood Drive,” for Bella Kennedy on Tuesday, May 17 at the Bonita High School gymnasium from Noon to 6 p.m, for those at least 17-year-old and over 120 pounds with a valid identification.
For more information on how you can help donate blood, email bonitablooddrive@gmail.com, or call 626-471-7171 or 323-361-2441.