Alemany proposal passes 12-11 to send Cathedral to PAC-5 while dropping Salesian to the Mission

After the CIF-Southern Section Executive Committee voted 13-3-3 to approve Salesian’s appeal to the 2014-18 Parochial Area Catholic League South football placement, which would have put Salesian in a Pac-5 football league with Loyola, Serra and Bishop Amat; Bishop Alemany submitted a new proposal on Tuesday that barely passed 12-11. The new proposal basically swaps Salesian with Cathedral, moving Cathedral into the powerful Catholic South and PAC-5 while dropping Salesian to the Mission League. Salesian appealed to CIF because it balked at the idea of essentially moving from Division 10 to Division I and prefered to play in the Mission League, though rumors persist that it does not want to be in the same league as rival Cathedral. Well, Salesian got its wish with Carthedral publicly stating at Tuesday’s meeting that it will appeal the decision to CIF, just like Salesian did. The CAA has until April 30 to submit Alemany’s proposal at which time Cathedral can appeal, leaving the next move up to CIF.

ALEMANY PROPOSAL PASSES 12-11
CATHOLIC NORTH: Alemany, Chaminade, Crespi, Notre Dame
CATHOLIC SOUTH: Bishop Amat, Cathedral, Loyola, Serra
MISSION LEAGUE: Harvard-Westlake, La Salle, Salesian, St. Francis, St. Paul
DEL REY LEAGUE: Bishop Montgomery, Cantwell Sacred Heart, St. Bernard, Verbum Dei
SANTA FE LEAGUE: Bosco Tech, Mary Star, St. Anthony, St. Monica, Bell Jeff, St. Matthias/Pius X

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Bob Ramsey’s weekly track roundup, team & individual leaders, and all-time SGV records list

PHOTO GALLERY FROM MT. SAC INVITATIONAL
Bob Ramsey is a former San Gabriel Valley area coach who created a webpage specifically for our area, ranking the best performers in the Tribune, Star-News and Whittier Daily News area. Here are his top ten boys/girls area track rankings. For individual rankings, click on the thread.

st. francis

walnutgirlRamsey’s latest: We have a new boys team leader, three new event leaders and one change in the All-Time list as we finish the Big Invite portion of the track season.
DThe main action was at the massive Mt.SAC Relays – we are really fortunate to have two of the top high school tracks in the country right here in the SGV! The top performance came from Monrovia junior Sydney Mosey – her 13.88 in the 100m Hurdles placed her third in the Invite race, and she moved from 9th to 5th on the SGV All Time Performers List. Her teammate, senior Cravon Gillespie was 2nd in the Invite 100m with a wind-aided 10.69. In other top finishes at Mt.SAC, SGV record holder Claire Kieffer-Wright (Sr, South Pasadena) as 2nd/5’10″ in the high jump, the Monrovia girls were 3rd/47.42 in the 4×100 Relay, improving their SGV seasonal leading mark, and Eric Knowles (Sr, St. Francis) was 4th in the Invite Triple Jump with a PR and SGV leading 45’1-1/4″
We gained three new SGV seasonal leaders from Mt.SAC – Barrett Weiss (Jr, Flintridge Prep) regained the Pole Vault lead from his brother Gareth with a big PR 15’0″ (4th Seeded), and Michael Dondalski (Sr, Pasadena) continued his massive improvement with a 1:54.35 (2nd Seeded) finish in the 800m. in the Girls 800, where Susie Garza (Sr, Baldwin Park) took over the SGV seasonal lead with a PR 2:16.13 (3rd Seeded).
damien trackSGV 400m leader Ross Niederhaus (Jr, St. Francis) PR’d with a 48.54 (3rd Seeded), and girls 4×400 Relay leaders Arcadia improved to 3:54.85 (6th Invite)
The Cougar Classic, after being rained out on the opening weekend, was contested last weekend with an understandably diminished field. SGV athletes won most of the events, with notable performances coming from Thomas Medina (Sr, Santa Fe) 49.81/400m, Morgan Love (Jr, Charter Oak) 25.75/200m & 57.24/400m, and the Covina boys 4×400 – 3:27.51.
SGV athletes also competed at two small school meets, the Ocean View Invitational and the Russell Cup.
The Arcadia girls are holding steady at the top of the girls SGV Team Rankings. These rankings are based on the number of places in the top ten of the 2014 San Gabriel Valley Performance List. Following an excellent week Walnut moved back to the top of the boys rankings, with Flintridge Prep moving into the first ten for the first time.

SGV TEAM RANKINGS
GIRLS

1. Arcadia
2. Walnut
3. Monrovia
4. South Pasadena
5. Glendora
6. La Salle
7. Muir
8. Bishop Amat
9. Santa Fe
10. Bonita
BOYS
1. Walnut
2. Damien
3. California
4. Arcadia
5. Santa Fe
6. St. Francis
7. Covina
8. Maranatha
9. Glendora
10. Flintridge Prep

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Baseball Rankings and Leaders: Damien’s David Banuelos making a strong case for player of the year hitting .489 with 4HR and 19 RBIs

AREA TOP TEN
1. South Hills (14-3-1) — Why South Hills No. 1 and not Damien? Even though the Spartans won their only meeting so far, still believe the Huskies’ would be better in a long series.
2. Damien (13-4) — Tied with South Hills for lead in the Sierra. When Grant Hockin’s on the bump, they’re extremely tough to beat.
3. Bonita (15-5) — Hottest team of the moment, winners of nine straight which includes a big non-league victory at Harvard-Westlake.
4. Glendora (13-5) — Split with Upland, but still in first all alone in the Baseline. Coach Dan Henley proving again he’s one of areas best.
5. San Dimas (13-6-1) — Strange 1-0 loss to Wilson is only blemish in the Valle Vista. Looking at remaining VVL games, Saints shouldn’t lose again.
6. Bishop Amat (10-8) — Good teams find ways to win close games. That’s Amat’s problem, seven of its eight losses have been by two runs or less.
7. Diamond Bar (13-7) — Brahmas own a victory over Bonita and only sit a game back of the Bearcats in the standings.
8. Sierra Vista (14-2) — A perfect 8-0 in the Montview and only two losses to Monrovia and rival Baldwin Park.
9. Rosemead (10-6) — A perfect 9-0 in the Mission Valley league and swinging the bat very well. Non-league record isn’t impressive but they do own a win over Monrovia.
10. Charter Oak (9-8) — They beat Damien last week. Even though they’re last in the Sierra, how many area teams that you believe should be No. 10 instead of Charter Oak could do that?

damienbase
Above: David Banuelos (No. 18) celebrates with Grant Hockin. Banuelos is chasing an area triple crown while Hockin is 7-1 on the hill for the Spartans.

BASEBALL LEADERS
HITTING

1. Matt Arguello, La Puente, 17-for-32, .531
2. Ryan Viramontes, West Covina, 23-for-46, .500
3. David Banuelos, Damien, 23-for-47, .489
4. Derek Zavala, South El Monte, 17-for-35, .486
5. Eric Hernandez, Sierra Vista, 16-for-33, .485
6. Derrian Torres, Sierra Vista, 15-for-31, .484
7. Kory Brown, Charter Oak, 22-for-47, .468
8. Erick Morales, La Puente, 16-for-35, .457
9. Anthony Cuevas, Los Altos, 23-for-51, .451
10. Michael Guzman, Baldwin Park, 18-for-40, .450
HOME RUNS
4 – David Banuelos, Damien; Francisco Ramirez, South Hills
3 – Nick Hernandez, Charter Oak; Jordan Abernathy, Damien.
RBIS
22 – Alex Gonzalez, Bonita
19 – David Banuelos, Damien
17 – Jordan Abernathy, Damien
16 – Jon Ayala, South Hills; Jonathan Olsen, Damien
ERA
1. Eric Flores, Glendora (0.24)
2. Gavin Velasquez, South Hills (0.72)
3. Peter Lambert, San Dimas (1.00)
4. Alex Garcia, Bishop Amat (1.26)
5. Anthony Deeter, West Covina (1.34)
Win-Loss record
1. Kale Morton, Glendora, 6-0
2. Grant Hockin, Damien, 7-1
3. Gerardo Ramirez, Diamond Bar, 6-1
4. Peter Lambert, San Dimas, 5-1
5. Ryan Mauch, South Hills, 4-0

Note: All stats provided by Maxpreps. If you’re name isn’t on this list and should be, tell your coach to update stats. It’s as simple as that.

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Softball Rankings and Leaders: San Dimas’ Janell Wheaton and South Hills pitcher Natalie Lugo having stellar seasons

AREA TOP TEN
1. South Hills (16-4) — Chino Hills put a whipping on the SH Huskies but that’s nothing to cry about, they’re that good. South Hills is still best of the rest with freshman sensation Natalie Lugo, and I’m sure they can’t wait to get a second shot at Chino Hills when they get them at home next time. But they can’t look ahead, Charter Oak visiting on Wednesday.
2. Bonita (11-4) — Has won six straight, is undefeated in the Hacienda, and probably won’t lose again until the playoffs start. Los Altos and West Covina are formidable challengers, but the Bearcats are simply better.
3. Charter Oak (13-5) — Only lost 3-0 to Chino Hills and beat South Hills in the Charter Oak tournament. But can it beat South Hills again. They will get its first crack in league at South Hills on Wednesday.
4. Bishop Amat (12-7) — Lancers are 5-2 in the improved Del Rey league which boasts four of its five teams with overall winning records. Still, when’s the last time Amat got swept by St. Paul in softball?
5. Glendora (9-7) — Started off the season hot but has fallen to 2-3 in the Baseline and needs to get going if it wants to reach the playoffs.
6. San Dimas (13-7) — The Valle Vista isn’t what it use to be except for the Saints, who are 5-0 and looking like it will run the table.
7. Los Altos (8-5) — Trying to keep pace with Bonita who handed Conqs only loss in the Hacienda. If it keeps winning league games, will get its rematch with a chance to tie for first.
8. Covina (10-6-1) — Only one loss in the Valle Vista and a good bet to finish second behind San Dimas.
9. Diamond Ranch (10-9) — Third at 3-3 in the Hacienda. They’re capable beating better teams, but also loses to teams in shouldn’t.
10. South El Monte (10-4) — Undefeated in the Mission Valley League and probably won’t lose again until the playoffs start.

keefer
Above: Glendora pitcher Cambria Keefer among leaders with an 8-2 record.

SOFTBALL LEADERS
HITTING

1. Idalis Jimenez, Edgewood, 27-for-45, .600
2. Alex Rodriguez, West Covina, 22-for-37, .595
3. Evelyn Sandoval, Arroyo, 21-for-36, .583
4. Janell Wheaton, San Dimas, 31-for-55, .564
5. Jenna Rodelo, Rowland, 23-for-41, .561
6. Celeste Wood, Los Altos, 15-for-27, .556
7. Ciara Granado, Edgewood, 24-for-44, .545
8. Ashley Diaz, South El Monte, 24-for-44, .545
9. Monet Manning, Northview, 15-for-28, .536
10. Jocelyn Marquez, Northview, 29-for-55, 527
HOME RUNS
8 – Jenna Rodelo, Rowland
7 – Ciara Granado, Edgewood
6 – Ashley Huber, Walnut; Alicia Brown, Glendora; Chloe Melanson, Bonita; Ashley Diaz, South El Monte
RBIS
31 – Idalis Jimenez, Edgewood; Ciara Granado, Edgewood
26 – Janell Wheaton, San Dimas
25 – Jenna Rodelo, Rowland
23 – Ashley Diaz, South El Monte; Anette Mena, Edgewood
ERA
1. Natalie Lugo, South Hills (0.54)
2. Brooke Clemetson, Charter Oak (0.82)
3. Princess Nava, Covina (1.42)
4. Kaelyn McFadden, Bonita (1.67)
5. Lindsey Hughes, San Dimas (2.20)
Win-Loss
1. Natalie Lugo, South Hills (10-1)
2. Brooke Clemetson, Charter Oak (8-1)
3. Cambria Keefer, Glendora (8-2)
4. Mia Luques, South El Monte (8-2)
5. Princess Nava, Covina (8-4)

Note: All stats provided by Maxpreps. If you’re name isn’t on this list and should be, tell your coach to update stats. It’s as simple as that.

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Baseball: South Hills beats Chino Hills, 1-0 to force 3-way tie for first in Sierra League

South Hills' Erik Martinez is mobbed by teammates after a RBI double in the sixth inning of a prep baseball game against Chino Hills at South Hills High School in West Covina, Calif., on Friday, April 18, 2014. South Hills won 1-0. (Keith Birmingham Pasadena Star-News)

South Hills’ Erik Martinez is mobbed by teammates after a RBI double in the sixth inning of a prep baseball game against Chino Hills at South Hills High School in West Covina, Calif., on Friday, April 18, 2014. South Hills won 1-0. (Keith Birmingham Pasadena Star-News)

By Stephen Ramirez
steve.ramirez@langnews.com
@SteveRRamirez on Twitter


WEST COVINA — It was against conventional wisdom, but sometimes the correct call in baseball is to play a hunch.
The latter worked for host South Hills on Friday.
Erik Martinez, batting for the first time this season, came through with a RBI single in the sixth inning to lead South Hills to a 1-0 victory over Chino Hills in a key Sierra League game.
Gavin Velasquez threw a six-hit shutout with five strikeouts for the Huskies, who improved to 14-3-1 overall. The win also put South Hills, Chino Hills and Damien tied for first with 5-2 league records. Chino Hills, which got a solid effort on the mound from Aaron Dominguez is 14-4 overall.
Quinn Cotter, who had double in the second, doubled in the sixth with two outs. Murphy then played his hunch, sending up Martinez to hit for catcher Corey Cadek. The senior then hit a ground-ball single to right field to score Cotter for a 1-0 lead.
Velasquez, who beat Chino Hills earlier this season, made it stand up in the seventh. He gave up a one-out single Tyrus Lineberger before striking out JP Hopkins and getting Izzy Fuentes on a fly out to end the game.
South Hills coach Darren Murphy: “I look like a fool if he strikes out on three pitches. But Erik is a good athlete and in the past he’s hit well, just hasn’t done much hitting here at South Hills. It was just a hunch, it was luck. But Erik made me look good today.”

South Hills’ Erik Martinez: “Coach told me to get ready, so I just tried to get mentally ready. I was just trying to put the ball in play, and luckily it got through.”

Chino Hills’ Aaron Dominguez: “It was a good game. We played hard. Sometimes luck is not on your side.”

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All-Area Wrestling: Northview’s Bryan Salinas repeats as Wrestler of the Year; Bishop Amat’s Thomas Pierre is Coach of the Year

Bryan Salinas has been selected Wrestler of the Year. Salinas is a member of the Boys Wrestling team at Northview High School, which he helped win CIF-Southern Section division and Masters titles. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News)

Bryan Salinas has been selected Wrestler of the Year. Salinas is a member of the Boys Wrestling team at Northview High School, which he helped win CIF-Southern Section division and Masters titles. (Photo by Walt Mancini/Pasadena Star-News)

By Stephen Ramirez
steve.ramirez@langnews.com
@SteveRRamirez on Twitter

2013-14 ALL-AREA WRESTLING TEAM
WRESTLER OF THE YEAR: BRYAN SALINAS, NORTHVIEW, SENIOR


For a career, no wrestler in the area has been better than Northview High School’s Bryan Salinas in recent seasons.
He finished with three CIF-Southern Section divisional titles, four trips to the state championships and three state medals.
The 160-pounder concluded his career with a Central Division title, a runner-up finish at Masters and a top eight finish at the CIF State championships.
For his efforts, Salinas is Tribune Wrestler of the Year.
“It means a lot to me, placing three years at state is a hard challenge,” said Salinas, who also won the area award last season. “The list is short of wrestlers who have done that before. I’m proud to be part of that list.”
Salinas, also a key member of Northview’s drive to a Division 2 Dual title, more than lived up to the Northview reputation as the area’s best. His three state medals ranking only second in school history to former Northview competitor Caleb Flores, a four-time state medalist. But his worth to the Vikings was more than his talent on the mat. He proved to be just as good off it.
“He’s been consistent, pushed through his injuries, been a great leader and helped us win Masters twice in his four years and four consecutive CIF titles,” Northview coach David Ochoa said. “None of that would have been possible without Bryan, and he started doing that right off the bat as a freshman. Especially last year, when he was physically beat up and had to wrestle at a higher weight, but he did it for us.”
The senior was 30-3 on the mat this season, with three losses being by default. The other three setbacks were by two points in the Masters final and by a point in the quarterfinals at state.
“It was a good season,” Salinas said. “I had a tough match at Masters and state didn’t work out the way I wanted. But I wanted to come back and keep our tradition alive for state placers.”
He will now take his talent to college wrestling, where he’s received a scholarship from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Bishop Amat's Thomas Pierre is Area Wrestling Coach of the Year. (Keith Birmingham Pasadena Star-News)

Bishop Amat’s Thomas Pierre is Area Wrestling Coach of the Year. (Keith Birmingham Pasadena Star-News)


COACH OF THE YEAR:
THOMAS PIERRE, BISHOP AMAT

Pierre has been a key to the Lancers being one of the top programs in the area. He’s guided the Lancers to three CIF-Southern Section divisional titles, six runner-up finishes and 19 league titles.
This season, Bishop Amat, despite heavy graduation losses from 2012-13, was stellar, going 13-2 in dual competition, winning the Mission League title and advancing to the quarterfinals of the CIF-SS dual championships. He also coached CIF State placer Nigel Ruiz, who was one of three area competitors this season to finish among the top eight at the state meet.
This (season) was special for so many reasons,” Pierre said. “After graduating 10 starters, I knew we had our work cut out for us. I sat our young kids down last March and told them, ‘You are the guys. We are going to depend on you next year.’ To finish 13-2, claim another Mission League championship, gain three CIF placers and a state placer in a rebuilding year was thrilling.
“Our success is never something that is easily gained or handed over to us. We have to do a lot of work to develop the wrestlers. Most of our guys start as freshman and we develop them within. I think we are good at making something out of what we get and we never count anyone out. We push them to be the kind of wrestlers we know they are.”
FIRST TEAM
DAVID GONZALEZ, SAN DIMAS, 106, SENIOR

Gonzalez was the top competitor in the area at 106 pounds. He followed up a second-place finish at the Valle Vista League finals with CIF-SS Central Division and Masters titles. He qualified for the state meet and came up one round short of receiving a top-eight medal.
RICHARD CASILLAS, NORTHVIEW, 106, SOPHOMORE
Casillas was one of 17 area competitors to advance to the state championships. He won the Valle Vista League title before finishing second in the CIF-SS Central Division and sixth at the Masters Meet. He went 1-2 at the CIF State championships.
VINCENT PARRA, NORTHVIEW, 113, SENIOR
Parra was the top competitor at 113 pounds. He was one of 17 area athletes to advance to the state championships. He won titles at the Valle Vista League finals and the CIF-SS Central Division championships. He was third at the Masters Meet before going 3-2 at the state meet.
JOE ALEXANDER, CHARTER OAK, 132, SENIOR
Alexander was another member of the area’s top 17, who made it to the state championships. He won at 132 pounds at the CIF-SS Central Division championships before placing fifth at the Masters Meet. Alexander went 1-2 at the state championships.
MARIO LOPEZ, ROWLAND, 138, SENIOR
Lopez has been one of the area’s best over the past two seasons. This year he was the top competitor at 138 pounds and a key for Rowland winning the Hacienda League title. He was second at the CIF-SS Central Division championships and fifth at the Masters Meet. He went 2-2 at the state meet.
NIGEL RUIZ, BISHOP AMAT, 145, JUNIOR
Ruiz came on strong down the stretch to place at the CIF State championships. He was fourth at the CIF-SS Coastal Division championships before taking second at Masters and taking eighth at the CIF state meet. He also went 3-2 at nationals. Earlier, he won three tournament titles and was runner-up at the Five Counties Invitational.
RICKY PADILLA, NORTHVIEW, 152, JUNIOR
Padilla was the area’s best at 152 pounds, and played a big part in Northview winning CIF-SS dual and team individual titles and the Masters team title. He won individual titles at the Valle Vista League finals, the CIF-SS Central Division championships and Masters Meet. He went 4-2 at the state championships, missing a top-eight medal by one round.
SETH MORALES, BONITA, 170, SENIOR
Morales as part of the area’s terrific trio that placed among the top eight at the state championships. The 170 pounder was second at the CIF-SS Central Division championships and third at the Masters Meet. He placed eighth at state championships, advancing to the quarterfinals. He won a consolation match before losing two matches by injury, dropping him to eighth.
KAULIN GARCIA, DAMIEN, 182, SENIOR
Garcia’s was the area’s best at 182 pounds. He was one of 17 area competitors to advance to the state meet after placing third at the CIF-SS Central Division championships and ninth at the Masters Meet. He went 2-2 at the state championships.
KEANDRE JOHNSON, DIAMOND BAR, 220, SENIOR
Johnson has been one of the area’s best the past two seasons. He followed up a third-place finish at CIF-SS divisionals with a runner-up finish this season. He also was fourth at the Masters Meet and qualified for the state championships, missing the medal rounds by one match. He also competed in the senior nationals.
LUIS HERNANDEZ, ARROYO, 220, SENIOR
Hernandez was arguably the top competitor in the Mission Valley League. He followed up a Mission Valley League title with a second-place at the Southern Division championships before placing eighth at Masters. He went 2-2 at the state championships.
RYAN PADILLA, GLENDORA, 285, SENIOR
Padilla was the top heavyweight in the area. He was the Tartan’s lone qualifier to the Masters Meet, winning at the Inland Division championships. Padilla, who was ranked in the state top 20 most of the season, was fifth at Masters. He went 3-2 at the state meet.
ISSAC AGUILAR, SIERRA VISTA, 285, SENIOR
Aguilar was steady all season and a big part of the Dons winning another Montview League title. He was second at the Northern Division championships before placing ninth at Masters to become one of 17 area competitors to advance to the state championships. He went 0-2 at the state meet.
JACKIE QUINONES, ARROYO, 189, JUNIOR
Quinones was the top girls competitor in the area and the only state champion of either gender. She was sixth at the CIF-SS Meet before rolling through the 189-pound division at the state championships. She dominated her bracket, winning three by all, including pinning Western Ranch’s Alyssa Cantu in the finals in 4:39.
SECOND TEAM
Miguel Juarez, 106, Rowland, Sr.
John Rivera, 132, Northview, Sr.
Anthony Martinez, 182, Northview, Sr.
Bruno Flores, Rowland, 126, Sr.
Patrick Sanchez, Damien, 285, Sr.
Abraham Soto, Sierra Vista, 132, Sr.
Christian Ramirez, Rowland, 120, Fr.
Jeremy Foo, Diamond Bar, 132, Sr.
Andres Estrada, Northview, 126, Jr.
Matt Chavez, South Hills, 152, Sr.
Chris Solario, Covina, 160, Sr.
Ian Alvarado, Sierra Vista, 195, Sr.
Katie Auxier, Northview, 145, Sr.
Alyssa Barredo, Walnut, 106, Jr.
HONORABLE MENTION
Josias Nunez, Arroyo, 113, Sr.
Mark Cruz, Northview, 138, Sr.
Oscar Alfaro, Wilson, 170, Sr.
Andres Hooper, Northview, 120, So.
Inez Martinez, Mountain View, 116, Jr.
Izzy Valles, Northview, 137, Jr.
Mia Dow, Walnut, 116, Fr.
Angelica Ochoa, Sierra Vista, 162, Jr.
Evelyn Avila, Sierra Vista, 235, Sr.
Jessica Villagas, Baldwin Park, 189, Sr.
Jazmine Chavarria, West Covina, 235, Sr.
Ryan Blaschke, Bishop Amat, 182 lbs. Sr
Joshua Sapien, Bishop Amat, 285, Jr.
FINAL TOP 10
1. Northview
2. Rowland
3. Arroyo
4. Charter Oak
5. Bishop Amat
6. Diamond Bar
7. San Dimas
8. South Hills
9. Sierra Vista
10. Bonita
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS
Baseline League: Alta Loma
Hacienda: Rowland
Mission: Bishop Amat
Mission Valley: Arroyo
Montview: Sierra Vista
Sierra: Charter Oak
Valle Vista: Northview
CIF-SS CHAMPIONS
Northview (D2 Duals, Central Division, Masters)

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The next San Gabriel Valley powerhouse isn’t Damien, Bishop Amat or St. Francis, it’s Maranatha

“It’s almost as if Maranatha has realized what so many schools fail to understand — the best way to build a thriving high school is through athletics. Especially for a private school.” Aram Tolegian

By Aram Tolegian
Pasadena is there for the taking. I know it. You know it. Maranatha High School knows it. And more importantly, the school is doing something about it.

boganPasadena is well known as an athletics hotbed. It’s also no secret that its public school system, especially in terms of athletics, is a bit of a wreck. Coaches are woefully underpaid and the amount of turnover is staggering in terms of coaches and athletes is staggering.

Who better to take advantage of this than Maranatha?

And why not? There’s currently a pipeline of Pasadena football talent extending to the San Fernando Valley and beyond where schools like Alemany, Crespi and Oaks Christian are being bankrolled by our local talent.

What if those kids looking for an alternative to Pasadena public schools decided to stay close to home and pursue their athletic dreams locally? Maranatha, with its growing list of top-notch coaches, is doing whatever it can to make itself look like the top option.

tuckerIt simply can’t be on accident that in the last year Maranatha has hired Mr. Basketball in Pasadena, Tim Tucker, to head its boys hoops program. And now four-time CIF champion Steve Bogan has been brought in to coach the football team. It doesn’t stop there. In the girls basketball program, there’s a marquee name on the coaching staff like Tye’sha Fluker, who starred at Muir before attending Tennessee and playing with four teams in the WNBA. Think she can teach the younger generation a thing or two?

The baseball program has former Temple City standout pitcher Ryan Tucker, who had a brief career recently in Major League Baseball with the Florida Marlins and Texas Rangers, on staff as pitching coach.

Again, none of these things are happening on accident. The collection of coaches being assembled on campus at Maranatha isn’t by mistake. It’s almost as if Maranatha has realized what so many schools fail to understand — the best way to build a thriving high school is through athletics. Especially for a private school.

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