Bonita’s Nikki Wheatley scores 23 points to lead ‘Cats to 53-43 win over Diamond Ranch

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
LA VERNE — Diamond Ranch coach Mike James lost count of how many times Bonita High School’s Nikki Wheatley grabbed a rebound, sped down court and converted an easy basket.

Wheatley scored 12 of her game-high 23 points on fast-break buckets, and also had seven rebounds to lead Bonita to a 53-43 win over Diamond Ranch, giving the Bearcats (19-3, 7-0) firm control of the Hacienda League with a season sweep over the Panthers (17-6, 5-2).

“Those kill you,” James said of Wheatley’s coast-to-coast baskets. “Our game plan was to not give up those type of baskets to her in transition. But she keeps coming, you have to always get back. And every time you relax, there she goes again.

“One of the best parts of her game is she gets rebounds. And when she gets them she goes by everybody, by our team and by her team. She’s just fast and under control. When she’s going to the basket she’s such a good athlete that she can finish or get to the line.”
(to continue click thread).

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Four big basketball games we’re covering tonight; Glendora boys bounce back in Baseline

Boys Hoops
Valle Vista League
Northview (16-6, 5-1) at Covina (14-6, 4-1), 6:30 p.m. — Northview, Covina and Wilson all have one loss and Wilson visits Covina on Friday, so a make or break week for the Colts. Big Aram will be there covering for us.

Mission Valley League
Gabrielino (9-7, 4-0) at Arroyo (11-9, 4-0), 6:30 p.m. — Can anyone stop the double-double machine, Primitivo Gomez, who averages 20 points and nine rebounds, and who had 28 points and 14 rebounds in their last win over South El Monte. Our Keith Lair is covering it.

Sierra League
Damien (18-1, 4-0) at Ayala (13-5, 3-1), 6:30 p.m.
— The Bulldogs can turn the Sierra into a three-way tie for first with a win, but writing it is easier than doing it. The Bulletin’s Brian Baiotto is covering it.

Girls Hoops
Hacienda League
Diamond Ranch (17-5, 5-1) at Bonita (18-3, 6-0), 5 p.m. — The area’s top two teams meet again. Bonita won 51-39 in the first meeting, though the Panthers’ Erika Williams went down with a knee injury and hasn’t returned since. The Panthers have continued to win without her, leaning on Chelsea Barnes, who’s averaged 17 points. But is Barnes and her supporting cast enough for Bonita’s great point guard Nikki Wheatley and forward Brianna Kennedy? I will there for tonight’s game.

TUESDAY’S HOOPS ROUNDUP
Boys Basketball
Baseline League
Glendora 46, Los Osos 31

The Tartans’ (16-6, 4-1) relentless offense led the charge in the second half and sealed the victory against Los Osos. Kyle Gordon scored a game high of 18 points. He grabbed six rebounds and dished out two assists. Wesley Burke chipped in scoring 14 points. He also grabbed eight steals. Luke Smith scored 12 points for Los Osos and Jake Solomon contributed with eight points.

GIRLS BASKETBALL
Baseline League
Los Osos 53, Glendora 39

Los Osos (3-2 league) was led by Maulle Clayton, who finished with nine points, six rebounds and two steals. Hayley Trindle pitched in by also scoring nine points and grabbing six steals. Glendora (12-11, 1-4) was led by Kasey Lowden’s game high of 19 points and seven rebounds. Olivia Haybern contributed to the Lady Tartans’ effort with six points and three assists.

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Aram reporting that Covina stud running back Gevontray Ainsworth headed to champion Monrovia

Aram reporting that: Gevontray Ainsworth, who rushed for 1,469 yards and nine touchdowns last season as a member of the Covina High School football team, has checked out of Covina and enrolled at Monrovia.

Fred’s thoughts: What’s interesting about this is not so long ago Monrovia was losing players to the East San Gabriel Valley, but now that they’re dominating the Mid-Valley and winning titles, players are staying and transferring in. Remember when South Hills was winning and getting all the transfers before before moving to the Sierra? When was the last time you heard a legit transfer going to South Hills or Los Altos, which was the hotbed for transfers a few years back. Now it’s Monrovia, West Covina, and of course Charter Oak, who is still relevant after winning the Sierra. It’s like I’ve always said, if you win, the players will come, it has little to do with actual recruiting. But I will be very curious to see what CIF does with this because on the surface, it has athletic motivation written all over it. Aram also is reporting that a Pasadena player has transferred to Monrovia. At this rate, they might break West Covina’s CIF championship record of 84 points in a title game.

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Soccer Roundup: Sierra Vista and San Dimas win big again; Big games in the Sierra tonight

Today’s Sierra League Games
Boys Soccer

South Hills (11-3-2, 3-1) at Claremont (14-2-2, 4-0), 5:30 p.m.
Ayala (2-7-5, 1-3) at Damien (8-6-2, 3-1), 5:30 p.m.
Charter Oak (0-13, 0-4) at Chino Hills (3-4-4, 1-3), 5:30 p.m.
Girls Soccer
St. Lucy’s (13-5, 3-1) at Ayala (5-7-4, 1-1-2), 5:30 p.m.
Chino Hills (13-2-4, 1-1-2) at Charter Oak (3-12-3, 0-4), 5:30 p.m.
South Hills (7-2-7, 2-1-1) vs. Claremont (17-1-3, 2-1-1) at CDF, 5:30 p.m.

TUESDAY’S SOCCER ROUNDUP
GIRLS SOCCER
Walnut 0, Los Altos 0

Los Altos (8-4-3, 3-2-2) lost Daysia Avery to injury in the 75th minute of the contest, leaving the Conquerors short handed with only three available subs. With the tie, Walnut moved to 7-6-4 overall, 3-1-3 in league.

Montview League
Sierra Vista 6, Workman 0

The Dons hustled out to an early 3-0 lead and were never challenged by the Lobos (1-10-1, 1-7). Jessica Lopez led the scoring for Sierra Vista with three goals and got two assists from Daisy Ruiz and another from Jasmine Loera. Ruiz had two goals of her own, getting assists from Lopez and Magali Moreno. Sierra Vista’s (12-2-2, 9-0) final goal came unassisted by Giselle Garcia. Sierra Vista was active on offense in taking 26 shots on goal and got 12 saves from keeper Christine Jimenez.Workman had two saves from keeper Rosalma Ramirez and took two shots on goal.

Valle Vista
San Dimas 10, Nogales 1

San Dimas sped away to a 4-0 halftime lead and never looked back against Nogales. The Saints (14-2-2, 7-0) had two goals from Jordyn Haynes with assists coming from Melissa Watson and Lindsey Toneck, Jeanette Jimenez chipped in with two goals and Daisy Duran added two goals with an assist coming from Maribel Duran. San Dimas recorded 28 shots on goal and goalie Britain Chaputa had seven saves for San Dimas. The Nobles got their lone goal in the 38th minute but could not get untracked.

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Boys Soccer: South El Monte ends Mountain View’s 37-game league unbeaten streak, 2-1

“We knew this was the year we would finally get them. Look at their sideline, they’re all quiet. Every time we play them they’re always loud. Look at them now, they’re in shock.”South El Monte’s Mario Burciaga after scoring the game-winning goal in the Eagles’ 2-1 win.

By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
South El Monte boys soccer coach Nelson Rodriguez was dripping wet following the Eagles’ 2-1 win over host Mountain View that left the Eagles in sole possession of first place in the Mission Valley League.

Nelson was chased down by his players, who dumped a bucket of water over his head after snapping the Vikings’ 37-game league unbeaten streak — a feel-good moment after finally knocking off the three-time defending league champs.

In all three years, South El Monte finished second.

“We won a big game, but we didn’t win the league title,” Rodriguez said. “This will feel better if we can do it again in the last game of the season at our place. But you know what, our guys are excited and they have a right to be.”

The Eagles (7-2-1, 5-0), ranked ninth in the CIF-Southern Section Division 4 poll, beat the sixth-ranked Vikings (7-4-4, 4-1) on a 69th minute goal by Mario Burciaga at the back post.

It started on a long throw-in to the middle of the penalty area. Raul Almanza back-headed it perfectly to Burciaga, who rifled it out of the air with a swinging right foot for the game winner.

“It was amazing, we worked on that play all day in practice, and this is where it pays off, in the game,” Burciaga said. (To continue click thread).


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