FOR CIF SOUTHERN SECTION SOFTBALL PLAYOFF PAIRINGS CLICK HERE.

By Fred J. Robledo
Softball Pairings story: La Habra, South Hills and Bishop Amat knew its road would be tough in the CIF Southern Section Division 1 softball playoffs, and found out just how tough the roads would be following the release of the CIF-SS playoff pairings on Monday.
Freeway League champion La Habra will host Crestview league third-place finisher Yorba Linda while Del Rey League runner-up Bishop Amat has the task of visiting Trinity second-place and Orange County power Mater Dei in first round games on Thursday.
South Hills, who boasts Florida-bound pitcher Natalie Lugo, rallied to finish second in the Palomares. The Huskies will travel to take on Sunset League runner-up Huntington Beach.

CIF-Southern Section Softball Playoffs
All games start at 3:15 p.m. unless noted
Division 1 – Thursday’s first round
South Hills at Huntington Beach
Bishop Amat at Mater Dei
Division 2 – Thursday’s first round
St. Lucy’s at Glendora
Charter Oak at Simi Valley
Division 3 – Thursday’s first round
Mayfair-Palos Verdes WC winner at San Dimas
Glendale-Carer WC winner at Los Altos
Division 4 – Thursday’s first round
Arroyo at La Canada
Colton-Hemet WC winner at Edgewood
Division 5 – Thursday’s first round
Sultana at Sierra Vista
Duarte at Heritage Christian
Heritage at South El Monte
Division 6 – Tuesday’s wild card
Lancaster at El Monte
Wilson at Pomona
Division 6 – Thursday’s first round
Azusa at Notre Dame Academy
Northview at Garden Grove Santiago
Division 7 — Thursday’s first round
Mountain View at Lucerne Valley
La Verne Lutheran at Archer School for Girls

Remember when Power Puff football games was a friendly day of junior and senior girls laughing through a game of flag football? Not anymore, these games have grown more and more serious, and getting physical to a point where injuries are becoming a big concern.
South Hills had a powder puff game called last week after a girl was streamrolled in the open field. It was the kind of hit that would draws oohs and ahhs on any Friday night, except it happened in Powder Puff, which is not that uncommon. You hear stories that Powder Puff games are out of control, ending in fights, vicious blocks, and basically a no rules barrage that are putting the girls that play at risk. High School football summer 7 on 7 games are safer than this.
It might be a good time for school’s to take a serious look at the game and come up with ground rules that make it safe, and teach the game better so that hits like this don’t happen.
Covina-Valley Unified Superintendent Dr. Richard M. Sheehan agrees that changes are needed.
“We are definitely reviewing the powder puff games,” Sheehan said. “Like all athletes, the girls are getting stronger and faster. We may take a look at the seven on seven rules currently used in tournaments and modify them appropriately. First and foremost the student safety comes first, but we want to let the kids have fun. It’s finding the balance of both.”

@SGVNSports SHHS powder puff football game last week pic.twitter.com/f1APJ4mdJB

— Eva Kitani (@evamariekitani) May 14, 2017

Arcadia’s Raeshawn Roland caught a 18 yard pass from Monrovia’s Richie Schroder with 43 seconds left in the fourth quarter to lead the North team to a 22-18 win over the South in the Southern California All Star Game Saturday night at Covina District Field.
Muir’s Elijah Davis scored two 40-yard touchdown receptions for the North. Norwalk’s Jordan Thomas also scored on two touchdowns runs (2 and 30 yards) and Los Altos’ Andrew Manuele added another touchdown from three yards.
Schroder was named the North’s Offensive MVP with Muir’s Ahmir Davis garnering defensive MVP honors for the North. Bishop Amat’s Andrew Camargo was honored as the South’s defensive MVP while Thomas was named the South’s offensive MVP. — James Escarcega

Division 1
San Marino 13, Beckman 5
No. 4 Arcadia 12, Palos Verdes 6

Division 2
Newport Harbor 11, Walnut 7

Diamond Bar 10, West Torrance 8

Division 3
Foothill 11, Rowland 7

Division 4
Downey 10, Alhambra 8
No. 3 Maranatha 14, Yucaipa 4
Arroyo 10 , Redlands East Valley 8

Division 5
Marshall (16-3) vs. Ramona (16-3)
California 9, Jurupa Valley 9 (California wins on games 85-79)
No. 2 Arrowhead Christian 14, Edgewood 4

Quarterfinals: Monday

Division 1
No. 4 Arcadia (19-0) at San Marino (11-3)

Division 2
Diamond Bar (14-3) at No. 2 Redlands (20-0)

Division 4
No. 3 Maranatha (15-1) at El Toro (8-11)
Arroyo (12-8) at No. 2 Mission View (13-3)

Division 5
Marshall (17-3)/Ramona (16-3) winner vs. Paloma Valley
California (12-9) at No. 3 Rubidoux (19-2)

Saturday’s quarterfinals

Division 4
No. 1 Katella def. Los Altos 22-25, 25-20, 25-23, 25-10
Kennedy def. California 18-25, 25-20, 25-19, 25-14

Division 5
No. 2 La Serna def. San Gabriel Academy 17-25, 25-15, 25-22, 25-22

Semifinals: Wednesday
Matches at 7 p.m.

Division 5
No. 3 Riverside Poly (22-1) No. 2 La Serna (22-2)
No. 1 Cerritos (26-9) at No. 4 West Valley (20-4)

Finals: Saturday

By Aram Tolegian
Most high school football all-star games morph into defensive struggles that often end with a baseball score. Saturday’s North/South Southern Califiornia All-Star Game may be different.
Given the potential for big plays on the loaded North team’s offense, fans could be in for a bigger treat than usual. Kickoff is 7 p.m. at Covina District Field. Fans are urged to arrive early to avoid long ticket lines.
“I think we’re pretty athletic,” said Northview head coach Marcel Perez, who will coach the North. “I’ll be honest, I think we’re pretty good on defense, as well. It’s going to be one of those games. We’ll see how it all turns out. It’s kind of hard getting everybody on the same page in seven or eight practices.”

Continue reading “Big players at Saturday’s All-Star Football game at Covina District” »

By Keith Lair
It’s tough to win CIF Southern Section swimming championships without getting at least one victory.
Rowland High School made it look like a piece of cake. The Raiders scored points in practically every event in the Division 4 finals at Riverside City College en route to its first boys championship. The Raiders won by 69 1/2 points with Valle Vista League rival San Dimas a distant second.
“The guys wanted to win the plaque and they worked really hard day in and day out,” coach Mike Cody said. “I told the guys I wanted to be inspired. They swam really well.“We put them in the right events and spread them out. Some people swam events they do not normally do, but that’s what team players do.”

Continue reading “Rowland Boys swimming takes Division 4 title with total team effort” »