La Verne Lutheran head coach Eric Cooper has a talented team featuring the likes of Cameron Osorno (15), Grant Jerrett (33) Eric Cooper Jr. (21) McKay Anderson (20) and Brian Beard Jr (1). The Trojans are seeking their third consecutive state championship. (Keith Birmingham / Staff Photographer)

The new CIF-Southern Section Division realignment will benefit some teams more than others for the 2011-12 boys basketball season, but there is no doubt the area is in for an exciting season with back-to- back state champion La Verne Lutheran boasting one of the best teams in the country and Damien in position to make a run at the Division 3AAA title with St. Mary’s-bound senior Chris Reyes topping a deep Spartans roster that includes two heralded freshmen. (To continue reading Top Ten preview, click thread)

Tribune boys hoops preseason top ten (2010 record)
1. La Verne Lutheran (23-5)
2. Damien (26-4)
3. Glendora (21-7)
4. Ayala (19-9)
5. Chino Hills (22-7)
6. Northview (23-7)
7. Covina (17-12)
8. Bishop Amat (21-8)
9. Rowland (17-12)
10. Bonita (26-4)

Continue reading “Boys Hoops Preview: Lutheran, Damien and Glendora are loaded, get ready for a super 2011-12 season” »

Aram and I will go head-to-head in Tribskin Pick’em throughout the season with the loser buying lunch in December.

Last week: Robledo (15-0); Tolegian (13-2)
Season standings: Robledo (188-49); Tolegian (187-50)

Last Week: I was first-round playoffs clutch, going 15-0 to turn Aram’s one-game lead into my one-game lead heading into the quarterfinals. I got Aram on two big picks, taking Los Altos over fourth-seed Burroughs, and with Azusa’s big win over Cerritos Valley Christian.

This week: I know everyone wants to dismiss Charter Oak’s chances against Upland, but even Calpreps has it a close game, picking Upland 38-31. I realize the Chargers need to play the perfect game, and if they get on top early, I’m not sure Upland’s the comeback type. The first quarter is everything and if this is going to work, Charter Oak can’t be intimidated, they need to swing first, forget they’re on live television and slug it out. The way people are talking, you would think they’re facing the ’85 Bears, but it’s just Upland. Charter Oak won’t be able to stop them consistently, but the Chargers can score and they’re so much better than when they faced Rancho Cucamonga earlier in the season. If my money’s on anyone, it’s on Travis Santiago. He’s a winner, and I’m riding him to the finish line. Momentum swings once you get to the playoffs, and so do our picks from week to week. That’s why I like Azusa over San Dimas, I love the way they’re playing, and the fact San Dimas smoked them 41-16 earlier in the year and is a 20-point favorite on Calpreps is more reason for me to believe the Aztecs will get it done in the rematch. After what Muir did to No. 2 Santa Fe doesn’t mean I’m picking the Mustangs over DRanch, but it does mean I’m taking Los Altos over La Serna because I have no faith in the Del Rio League teams. DRanch is not Santa Fe, and will do enough to get back in the semifinals again over Muir. Arcadia-La Mirada coud be epic, but I’ll take the Apaches in a close one and West Covina rolls over PHS. I like Covina and Monrovia big, and our other feel good story with Arroyo, who I picked to go to the finals in the Mid-Valley, getting it done at home against feisty San Gabriel.

This week’s games and predictions
Inland Division
Charter Oak (10-1) at Upland (11-0) — Robledo (Charter Oak); Tolegian (Upland)
Southeast Division
West Covina (10-1) at Pasadena (6-5) — Robledo (WC); Tolegian (WestCo)
La Mirada (7-4) at Arcadia (9-2) — Robledo (Arcadia); Tolegian (Arcadia)
La Serna (8-3) at Los Altos (8-3) — Robledo (Los Altos); Tolegian (Conqs)
Diamond Ranch (6-5) at Muir (7-4) — Robledo (DRanch); Tolegian (Muir)
Mid-Valley Division
Covina (10-1) vs. Alhambra (8-2) — Robledo (Covina); Tolegian (Colts)
Monrovia (8-3) vs. Whittier Christian (7-4) — Robledo (Monrovia); Tolegian (M-Town)
San Dimas (9-2) vs. Azusa (8-3) — Robledo (Azusa); Robledo (Saints)
San Gabriel (7-4) at Arroyo (10-1) — Robledo (Arroyo); Tolegian (Arroyo)

By John Sherrard, Correspondent
The Wilson High School girls tennis team was in unchartered territory in Monday’s CIF-Southern Section finals. For the first time in school history the Wildcats captured the CIF-SS Division 5 title at The Claremont Club by defeating Carpinteria, 14-4. Wilson never had advanced past the third round. It lost in last year’s quarterfinals to Aquinas. (To continue click thread)

Continue reading “Wilson girls tennis make history, win first CIF-Southern Section title ever” »

After defeating La Salle in straight sets to claim its second straight CIF-Southern Section Division 2AA title, St. Lucy’s beings the CIF-State Division II playoffs as the No. 2 seed in the Southern California bracket. St. Lucy’s (27-6) will face the San Diego Section’s Bonita Vista (30-5) Tuesday night at 7 p.m., at Damien High School.

Southern California bracket
Top Half
Whittier Christian at La Costa Canyon
La Salle at Palisades Charter
Bottom Half
Downey at Madera
Bonita Vista at St. Lucy’s

The winter season is already here, a week earlier than usual. Boys and girls basketball, boys and girls soccer, and wrestling begin on Monday. Our boys basketball preview will run on Tuesday and girls on Wednesday. Boys and Girls soccer will run the following Tuesday and Wednesday, Nov. 29 and 30, followed by wrestling. I’m asking that all coaches, athletic directors or tournament directors to email tournament brackets to fred.robledo@sgvn.com so that we can run schedules and cover games. Also, instead of boxscores for boys and girls basketball and soccer, we are writing roundups like we did in girls volleyball, so that we can give you more information on games and how they unfolded. The more of you than call in results, the more stories we will have online and in the paper to share with the area. Please call in your results to 626-962-8811, ext. 2242, 2233 or email to sports@sgvn.com. If you email results, please leave a phone number so that we can call back if we have questions, thanks.

Arroyo quarterback Steven Rivera will rank as the best quarterback statistically in San Gabriel Valley history when his career is finished. His 35 touchdowns this season leaves him 7 shy of the Valley record of 42 shared by Bishop Amat’s Pat Haden and Los Altos’ Felipe Aguilar. Aguilar, who finished with nearly 6,000 yards and 75 TDs in his three-year career, had 42 touchdowns in 2000 during an undefeated 14-0 championship campaign. Rivera’s four-year total of 8,295 passing yards and 91 TDs ranks him among the best all-time in the CIF-SS record books and the season isn’t done yet. I posted the CIF all-time record holders to show where Rivera ranks all-time. He is already in the top ten all-time for touchdowns in a career (7th), and needs 180 yards to move into 10th all-time on the career passing list.

Rivera through the years
2011 – 3,191, 35 TDs
2010 – 1,963, 21 TDs
2009 – 1,941, 25 TDs
2008 – 1,200, 10 TDs
Career total: 8,296 yards, 91 TDs

CIF-CAREER PASSING YARD LEADERS
11,003 Michael Herrick, Valencia/Valencia 2003-05
10,764 Jimmy Clausen, Oaks Christian 2003-06
9,971 Keith Smith, Newbury Park 1991-93
9,821 Chris Czernek, Newbury Park 1994-96
9,471 Matt Barkley, Mater Dei 2005-08
9,182 Todd Marinovich, Mater Dei (2 yrs.);
Capistrano Valley (2 Yrs.) 1984-87
8,873 Aaron Flowers, Artesia 1990-92
8,634 Matt Engel, El Segundo 2000-02
8,617 Chris Lewis, Long Beach Poly 1996-98
8,475 Jamie McGee, Sage Hill 2004-07

TOUCHDOWN PASSES CAREER
No. Player/School Years
146 Jimmy Clausen, Oaks Christian 2003-06
134 Robert Del La Cruz, Cathedral 1997-99
107 Chris Lewis, Long Beach Poly 1996-98
104 Darius Banks, Culver City 2005-07
95 Matt Engel, El Segundo 2000-02
93 Sean Sudol, La Sierra 2003-05
91 Steven Rivera, Arroyo 2008-11
90 Zac Wasserman, Westlake 1997-99
90 Jason Whieldon, Orange Lutheran 1997-99
90 Jamie McGee, Sage Hill 2005-07
87 Keith Smith, Newbury Park 1991-93

What would you consider the game of the week, and where would you send MIke the Cousin for this week’s Coveritlive

Rancho Cucamonga’s Hail Mary win over Chino Hills with the Inland Insider, Tom Kiss

CIF-SS Playoffs
Friday’s Quarterfinals, 7:30 p.m. (subject to change)
Inland Division
Chaparral (7-4) at Corona Centennial (10-1)
Rancho Cucamonga (10-1) at Redlands East Valley (11-0).
Charter Oak (10-1) at Upland (11-0)
Vista Murrieta (6-5) vs. J.W. North, (10-1) at Riverside CC

Southeast Division
West Covina (10-1) at Pasadena (6-5)
La Mirada (7-4) at Arcadia (9-2)
La Serna (8-3) at Los Altos (8-3)
Diamond Ranch (6-5) at Muir (7-4)

Mid-Valley Division
Covina (10-1) vs. Alhambra (8-2) at Moor Field
Monrovia (8-3) vs. Whittier Christian (7-4) at Whittier College
San Dimas (9-2) vs. Azusa (8-3) at Citrus College
San Gabriel (7-4) at Arroyo (10-1)

Video highlights and interiews with TDro in Arcadia’s first-round win over Bonita..