TRIBUNE BASEBALL TOP TEN
1. Bonita (22-1) — Have been impressed with coach John Knott over the years, but this is the most impressive job he’s done. For a team that graduated as much as they did and figured to revolve around super senior Justin Garza, it’s been anything like that. A total team effort so far.
2. South Hills (14-6) — When everything is settled, despite starting 0-2 in the Sierra, looks like the Huskies are going to get it done. Still wonder what happened when they ventured to San Diego and took it on the chin, but they came back and have been stellar the second half of the Sierra.
3. Bishop Amat (16-9) –– First they lose Rio Ruiz, then they lose twice to La Salle last week, threatening their five-year reign in the Del Rey league. It’s not a typical Amat season but you know when the playoffs start they’re the team everyone wants to avoid.
4. Northview (14-5-1) — It’s great that Northview’s back in the league title hunt and having a great season. I’ve always thought they’re the little school with some of the best baseball fans in the Valley. With San Dimas in third, all eyes should be on the Valle Vista over the final two weeks, it’s a great race to the finish.
5. Glendora (13-8) — The Tartans are slipping down the stretch, losing three straight to fall a game behind Alta Loma in the loss column for the Baseline League title. The Tartans finish with the two worst, Rancho Cucamonga and Etiwanda, so if they can win four straight to end the season, they just might get a league title after all.
6. Damien (11-8-1) – At 5-5-1 in the Sierra, the Spartans are third behind Chino Hills’ 6-5 mark. Claremont (5-5-1) and Charter Oak (5-6) are right there too battling for the second and third playoff spots in the Sierra. you know it’s a tough league when your second place team hovers around .500.
7. Nogales (18-5) — The Nobles’ 17-game win streak was snapped by Baldwin Park, and that was huge. It left the Nobles tied with Northview (7-1) for the league lead with a home-and-away against the Vikings instead of having a one-game cushion. But hey, you figure if the Nobles are good enough to win the title, they have to do it beating the best teams in league, so here’s their chance.
8. Los Altos (15-8) — On track to finish second in the Hacienda League, which is about where most thought they should be when the season started. They still have an outside shot at a league title, but two games back of Bonita, they have to beat the ‘Cats at home today to have a shot.
9. San Dimas (15-7) — The Saints are hoping hoping for a Northview-Nogales split or a Nobles sweep, which would allow the Saints to control their own destiny by finishing with a home-and-away against Nogales next week. If Northview sweeps Nogales, San Dimas and Nogales are playing for second next week. Well, wait, Northview finishes with Covina. Told you it might get crazy.
10. Charter Oak (12-7) — They may or may not make the playoffs, but there is no doubt they’re a top ten team and dangerous when they want to be. Seriously, after opening the Sierra with a sweep over South Hills, who would have thought they would would have to rally in the final two weeks just to make the playoffs?
