Sierra League
South Hills at Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m.
Claremont at Damien, 3:30 p.m.
Ayala at Chino Hills, 3:30 p.m.
Valle Vista League
Nogales at Covina, 3:15 p.m.
Baldwin Park at Pomona, 3:15 p.m.
Wilson at Northview, 3:15 p.m.
Montview League
Bassett at La Puente, 3:15 p.m.
Duarte at Gladstone, 3:15 p.m.
Workman at Azusa, 3:15 p.m.
Sierra Vista at Ganesha, 3:15 p.m.
By Aram Tolegian Staff Writer
Organizers have settled on April 26 as the date in which local hoops fans will find out exactly which side of the Valley plays the best high school basketball when the 10th Tribune/Star-News All-Star Classic is played at Damien High.
The girls game will take place at 6 p.m. and the boys game will be played at 8 p.m. There will be a 3-point shooting contest at halftime of each game.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase the fine athletes we have in our Valley from the Pasadena area all the way out to La Verne and Claremont,” game organizer Gordon Hamlow said. “It’s an opportunity for our seniors in the Valley to get one more chance to compete in front of their fans. For some, it will be their last competitive game and for others who are going on to college, it’s a neat opportunity to give people a taste of what to expect in the future.”
TRIBUNE BOYS BASKETBALL ALL-AREA PHOTO GALLERY
TRIBUNE ALL-AREA TEAM POSTED ONLINE
Player of the Year: JEREMY HEMSLEY, Damien, Sophomore
By Steve Ramirez
For some, this was supposed to be a re-building season for the Damien High School boys basketball team.
Instead, it was the best season in the program’s history, ending with the school’s first CIF-Southern Section divisional title with a Division 3AA championship and a victory in the CIF State playoffs.
The difference for the Spartans, who had lost in the semifinals three out of the previous four years, was sophomore Jeremy Hemsley, who proved to be the difference between Final Four frustration and championship glory.
For his efforts, Hemsley is San Gabriel Valley Tribune Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
“I think we did a good job of bringing the school together,” said Hemsley, Damien’s go-to- player, who came up big down the stretch. “It was nice, having everybody (there) who likes sports, giving them something (they never had). I’m happy we were able to accomplish a lot this year.”
The key was Hemsley, who quickly got the Spartan faithful get over the loss of all-everything postplayer Chris Reyes, who graduated after last season and is now at St. Mary’s.
Hemsley, who averaged nearly 20 points a game, helped Damien to a 15-2 start before keying the stretch in the postseason, which included easy victories over Los Amigos (74-28), Wilson (60-45) and Temescal Canyon (62-32) before securing the title with wins over Corona del Mar (61-53) in the semifinals and Santa Margarita (54-40) in the 3AA title game. Hemsley averaged 20 points in the postseason, including dropping 25 on Corona del Mar and 17 against Santa Margarita.
“I never really felt the pressure coming into the season,” Hemsley said. “My goal coming into the season was to win ( a section title). I didn’t feel the pressure of it, I just wanted to accomplish that goal.”
Because of it, he pushed himself and his team in the critical moments down the stretch, including the close games in the final four. Hemsley made three of four free throws down the stretch before capping the win at Corona del Mar in the semifinals with a signature dunk. Then, after getting in early foul trouble in the title game, he responded with a monster fourth quarter to key the 54-40 victory over Santa Margarita.
“I tried to tell my teammates there going into the second half that we weren’t in a bad situation,” Hemsley said. “I tried to lead my team, and that’s what happened.”
But Hemsely wasn’t quite finished with the heroics. He added one more memory to the season when he drained a 3-pointer at the buzzer to give the Spartans a 74-72 victory over Mission Oak, of Tulare, in the first round of the state playoffs.
Damien’s magical run finally ended with a 59-48 loss at Chaminade in the Southern California Regional quarterfinals.
“It was a great year,” Hemsley said. “I’m really proud of my teammates and coaches and what we were able to accomplish this year. ”
And next season?
“Next year, I think we’re going to be a young team, but I think we’re going to be better,” Hemsley said. “I’m looking forward to it.”
Coach of the Year: MATT DUNN, Damien
Dunn has turned around the culture at Damien, transforming the basketball team from a solid program to one of the best in the area that annually competes for CIF-SS glory. After advancing to the divisional semifinals three times in the previous four seasons, Dunn finally got the Spartans over the hump with a Division 3AA title, the first section crown in school history. Dunn, whose Spartans were 26-7, was 3AA Coach of the Year
TRIBUNE FIRST TEAM
PRIMITIVO GOMEZ, Arroyo, Senior, Forward/Guard
The senior proved to be one of the better front court players in the area. He earned Mission Valley League MVP and ranked about the area leaders in scoring with 25.7 points a game. He also had 10.7 rebounds per contest and 3.4 assists. Gomez keyed the Knights run to the school’s first Mission Valley League title and 20-7 record. He saved his best for Arroyo’s big games, scoring 30 points with 14 rebounds in the Knights’ 67-66 victory over second-place Gabrielino on Jan. 11, then had 28 and 10 in the rematch on Jan. 30.
OSNAR GARCIA, Workman, Senior, Guard
The senior earned Montview League MVP after keying the Lobos to one of the better seasons in the program’s history, which included going 26-2, winning the Montview League and advancing two rounds in the CIF-SS Division 4AA playoffs. Garcia was a prolific scorer with 24 points a game. He also averaged 5.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 4.0 steals per contest.
MIKE PETERS, Covina, Senior, Guard
Peters played a major part in Covina making a little school history, which included the Colts win back-to-back league titles for the fist time since the early 1980s. Covina shared the Valle Vista League crown last year and won it outright this season. The senior ranked among the area leaders in scoring, which earned in league MVP and first team All-CIF-SS Division 3A
CAMERON CURRY, Chino Hills, Senior, Guard
The senior was a key factor for the Huskies, who went undefeated in winning the Sierra League and advanced two rounds in the CIF-SS Division IAA playoffs. Curry ranked among the area leaders in scoring and earned first team All-Sierra League.
JARED DIZON, Damien, Senior, Guard
Dizon was a key factor, along with area player of the year Jermey Hemsley, to the Spartans winning the school’s first CIF-SS crown. He was Damien’s outside option, averaging 13.7 points a game with 85 3-pointers. He was first team All-CIF-SS Division 3AA and All-Sierra League.
NNADI UDENGWU, Diamond Ranch, Senior, Forward
The senior averaged 16.7 points and 8.5 rebounds per game to help the Panthers to a 16-13 record. He earned first team All-CIF-SS Division 3AA and Hacienda League co-MVP.
DANE HOLLAR, Bonita, Junior
Hollar helped Bonita to a 25-6 record and continue its string of Hacienda League titles. He ranked among the area leaders in scoring and was league co-MVP.
JOE RUSHING, La Verne Lutheran, Junior, Forward
The junior helped the Trojans to CIF-SS Division 4AA finals and a 26-8 record, which included a 63-59 victory over Bishop Montgomery in the quarterfinals. Rushing averaged 15.1 points a game and was first team All-CIF-SS Division 4AA.
SKYLER WILLIAMS, La Verne Lutheran, Senior Guard
The senior was another key part of the Trojans run to the CIF-SS Division 4AA finals, which included a victory over highly-regarded Bishop Montgomery in the quarterfinals. He averaged 12.2 points a game.
A.J. BIGORNIA, Glendora, Junior, Guard
The junior helped Glendora advance to the CIF-SS Division 1A quarterfinals and a 19-11 record. He ranked among the area leaders in scoring, including dropping in 30 points in a 55-49 victory over Dominguez in a second-round playoff game. He was first team All-CIF-SS Division 2A and first team All-Baseline League.
SECOND TEAM
Elias Hernandez, Covina, Jr.
Jordan Stokes, San Dimas, Sr.
Westley Ondatje, Chino Hills, Sr.
Keith Cavanaugh, Damien, Sr.
Joseph Cook, Bishop Amat, Sr.
Joseph Dionisio, Rowland, Sr.
Ryan Ramirez, Bonita, Sr.
Christian Manalo, Diamond Bar, Jr.
Thomas Rico, Glendora, Jr.
Jeriko Santos, South Hills, Sr.
TOP 10
1. Damien (26-7)
2. La Verne Lutheran (26-8)
3. Chino Hills (24-5)
4. Glendora (19-11)
5. Bonita (25-6)
6. Workman (26-2)
7. Covina (21-6)
8. Claremont (20-10)
9. Arroyo (20-7)
10. Rowland (19-9)
PHOTO GALLERY OF TRIBUNE ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM
ALL-AREA GIRLS BASKETBALL TEAM ONLINE
Player of the Year: NIKKI WHEATLEY, Bonita
By Steve Ramirez
Bonita High School, after advancing to the CIF-Southern Section divisional finals and semifinals the previous two seasons, was supposed to be in rebuilding mode this season.
Nikki Wheatley wouldn’t allow it.
For her efforts in helping the Bearcats to a third consecutive semifinal appearance, Wheatley is San Gabriel Valley Tribune Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
It’s the junior’s third consecutive season on the All-Area team and her second Player of the Year award.
“It was definitely rewarding,” Wheatley said. “The same thing happened (last year) when we lost some key players and people didn’t believe we were going to do as good.
“The same thing happened this year. We lost Bri Kennedy (to graduation) and people thought we were going to struggle, but by us playing as a team we picked up the slack and still make into (the Southern Section and state playoffs).”
A big part of that was Wheatley, who stepped up her game to lead a young Bearcats team that was perfect in winning the Hacienda League before advancing to the 2AA semifinals and the Division 2 state playoffs.
Wheatley, who has been arguably the top player in the area since leading Bonita to the divisional finals in 2011, played her best down the stretch in helping the Bearcats to the 2AA final four.
She averaged more than 20 points a game through the regular season to earn Hacienda League MVP before scoring 29 and 24 points, respectively, in playoff wins over Mira Costa (52-47) and Cajon (60-47) in the second and quarterfinal rounds before a 22-point effort in a 60-47 loss to Lynwood in the semifinals.
“I definitely knew I would have to step up this season,” Wheatley said. “I knew I had to be a key player. But we also had a lot of other girls step up to help me. I knew I had to step up and play by best each and every game.”
Bonita ended its season with a 66-43 setback to La Costa Canyon, of Carlsbad, in the first round of the state playoffs.
“I thought we had a good season,” Wheatley said. “It was disappointing that we couldn’t go further. But I thought how far we went was really good for our team.
“With all the young players we had, we worked really hard and went further than I think people expected.”
Wheatley was big part in that. But a lot as been expected of the junior since she bursted on to the local scene her freshman season in 2011. She’s also stepped up her game each season.
“I think I’ve improved a lot in my shot,” Wheatley said. “My freshman year, because we had some good shooters, I didn’t have to shoot a lot.
“I also make better decisions on the court than I did then. I try to limit my turnovers and I feel I better in getting everyone else involved in the game.”
Now she’s ready for a final season in 2013-14, which could conclude with that elusive CIF-SS title, with an influx of transfers to help the key returners.
“Next year, I hope we can make it really for next year,” Wheatley said. “I feel with some key players coming in, I’m really excited and I think next year will be a good year.”
Coach of the Year: RICHARD WIARD, Bishop Amat
Wiard is arguably the top girls basketball coach in area history. He has guided the Lancers to five CIF-Southern Section titles and two state titles. The Lancers added to their lore this season, going 25-10 and advancing to the sectional finals for the seventh time, losing to Canyon Springs in the Division IA championship game. Amat was again the last area team standing, losing to Long Beach Poly in the CIF State Division I Southern California Regional semifinals. Wiard was Division IA Coach of the Year.
TRIBUNE FIRST TEAM
PAULINA SANTANA, Bishop Amat, Junior, Guard
Santana was key figure for the Lancers down the stretch. She had big games in playoff wins over Westminster and Ventura. The junior was named first team All-CIF-SS Division IA and first team All-Del Rey League.
DAGMAR RAMIREZ, Bishop Amat, Junior, Forward
Notable: Ramirez was one of the top players in the area before suffering a knee injury late in the regular season. She was second team All-Del Rey League.
MAURIANA CLAYTON, Bishop Amat, Senior, Forward
Notable: Clayton was another key player down the stretch that helped the Lancers overcome the injury to Ramirez to make a run at the program’s sixth divisional title. She had big games vs. Westminster and Ventura. Clayton was first team All-CIF-SS Division IA and second team All-Del Rey League.
JANAE CHAMOIS, Bishop Amat, Junior, Guard
Chamois stepped up in the postseason to provide Amat with a solid defensive front while contributing to the offense. She had solid outings vs. Westminster and Ventura.
CASIE LOWDEN, Glendora, Senior, Forward
Loweden was one of the top inside players in the area, She averaged 14. 8 points and 8.8 rebounds per game to help the Tartans to a 19-10 record. The senior was first team All-Baseline League.
KELLI CALTON, Wilson, Senior, Guard
Calton was the key factor for the Wildcats, who went 22-7 and advanced to the CIF-SS Division 3AA quarterfinals. She averaged 12.9 points a game. The senior was Valle Vista League MVP and first team All-CIF-SS Division 3AA/
IMARI BROWN, Duarte, Senior, Guard
Brown has been on of the top players in the area the past three years. She helped the Falcons to a 22-3 record and second-place finish in the Montview League, averaging 26.7 points and 7.9 assists per game. She also had 12 rebounds a contest to be one of the top all-around players in the area. She was Montview League MVP.
LESLIE RIVERA, Workman, Freshman, Guard
Rivera was one half of the Lobos’ dynamic duo that also included freshman Alize Williams. She helped Workman to one of its better seasons in recent memory, which included a 24-5 record and the Montview League title. She earned first team All-Montview League after averaging 9.3 points and 5.6 assists a game. She also had 3.9 steals per contest.
ALIZE WILLIAMS, Workman, Freshman, Forward
Williams was the inside option of the Lobos’ dynamic freshmen duo that also included Leslie Rivera. Williams put in 15 points and 7.9 rebounds to help Workman go 24-5 and win the Montview League title. She was first team All-Montview League.
YEWANDE ALABI, Diamond Bar, Senior, Center
Alabi was one of the area’s top post players. She was dominate inside, ranking among the Hacienda League leaders in scoring and rebounds. She was first team All-Hacienda League.
SECOND TEAM
Taj Lark, Diamond Ranch, Sr.
Amanda Britt, West Covina, Sr.
Dy’mond Mitchell, San Dimas, So.
Kaelyn Kawamoto, Wilson, Jr.
Marisol Chavez, Baldwin Park, So
Jackie Richetson, Ayala, So.
Imani Payton, South Hills, Sr.
Dominique Theus, Covina, Jr.
Janessa Thropay, Chino Hills, Fr.
Leeah Powell, Bishop Amat, Sr.
SGVN TOP 10
1. Bishop Amat (25-10)
2. Bonita (25-7)
3. Workman (24-5)
4. Diamond Ranch (21-8)
5. Wilson (22-7)
6. Ayala (19-9)
7. Duarte (22-3)
8. Rosemead (20-7)
9. Glendora (19-10)
10. South Hills (16-12)
The CIF-Southern Section celebrated its 100th anniversary by selecting the 100 greatest high school athletes in Southern Section history. Each athlete attended a Southern Section School. There were 14 chosen from the combined circulation areas for the Whittier Daily News, San Gabriel Valley Tribune and Pasadena Star-News listed below. Who do you think should of made the list? To view the full list, visit the CIF-SS website. Spokesperson Thom Simmons said the list will be posted later today.
1918 – Chris Paddock, track, Pasadena
1937 – Jackie Robinson, baseball, Muir
1939 – Jack Kramer, tennis, Montebello
1940 – Ralph Kiner, baseball, Alhambra
1943 – Glenn Davis, football, Bonita
1963 – Bob Seagren, track, Pomona
1964 – Stan Smith, tennis, Pasadena
1971 – Pat Haden, football, Bishop Amat
1979 – Bruce Matthews, football, Arcadia
1979 – Gary Zimmerman, football, Walnut
1979 – Jill Sterkel, swimming, Wilson
1981 – Mike Powell, track, Edgewood
1989 – Tracey Murray, basketball, Glendora
1996 – Stacey Nuveman, softball, St. Lucy’s
The annual senior boys/girls basketball all-star game between the Tribune and Star-News is on Friday, April 26 at Damien High School. The girls game is at 6 p.m, followed by the boys game at 8 p.m. The Tribune boys and girls all-area teams will be published on Wednesday in the Tribune and online, and on Thursday, we’ll announce the roster for the boys and girls teams.
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
After watching South Hills High School pitcher Adrian De Horta work out of several jams and come up with his best magic with the game on the line in the seventh, all Claremont coach Geoff Ranney could do was tip his cap.
De Horta pitched a complete game shutout to lead South Hills to a 2-0 victory, bearing down after Wolfpack leadoff hitter Jeremy Giles belted a one-out double in the seventh to put runners on second and third with the Wolfpack’s big hitters to follow.
But De Horta got Josh Chua to strikeout, then got slugger Nick Costello to fly out to end the game.
“He threw an incredible game,” Ranney said. “We were in situations with opportunities to score several times and he just pulled up his belt up and got down to business.
“We asked our guys to compete today, to be there all seven innings and get those opportunities, but he (De Horta) got the best of us.” (To continue reading, click thread)
Thursday Scores
Sierra League
Ayala 9, Charter Oak 1
South Hills 2, Claremont 0
Valle Vista League
San Dimas 4, Nogales 3
Baldwin Park 6, Covina 3
Montview League
Duarte 13, Workman 3
By Aram Tolegian, Staff Writer
There’s nothing like the re-leaguing process to bring out the high school kid in even the most respected administrators among us.
Oh yes, every four years principals, athletic directors and in some cases even superintendents get together and put on a display befitting something you might see in the quad any day of the week during a lunchtime quarrel between jilted teenaged lovers and their respective groups of friends.
Alliances are formed. Enemies are made. Scapegoats are manufactured.
Certain evidence is cast aside. Success (popularity) is punished and the end result of all of this is new-look leagues for our local sports teams to compete in.
Great day of baseball with two league games for sole possession of first. Sierra Vista (10-3, 4-1) will go for the sweep traveling to La Puente (5-8, 4-1) for first in the Montview after beating the Warriors 2-1 earlier in the week. South Hills (12-5, 4-2) will host Claremont (8-5, 4-2) for first in the Sierra after losing 12-11 to the Wolfpack. That series is tied 1-1. Also, San Dimas (14-5, 4-1), a 4-2 winner at Nogales Tuesday, can put the Nobles (14-2, 1-1) in a big hole with a sweep at home today. It’s gut-check time for Nogales, which started 12-0 but is 2-2 in its last four. And then there’s a great way to end the night with two of the areas best teams squaring off at Azusa Pacific when Northview takes on Bonita at 6 p.m.
Today’s Baseball Games
Non-league
Northview vs. Bonita at Azusa Pacific, 6 p.m.
Sierra League
Claremont at South Hills, 3:30 p.m.
Chino Hills at Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m.
Damien at Ayala, 3:30 p.m.
Valle Vista League
Nogales at San Dimas, 3:15 p.m.
Covina at Baldwin Park, 3:15 p.m.
Pomona at Wilson, 3:15 p.m.
Montview League
Sierra Vista at La Puente, 3:15 p.m.
Bassett at Gladstone, 3:15 p.m.
Ganesha at Azusa, 3:15 p.m.
I asked Bishop Amat coach Steve Hagerty who his best running back is heading into spring football.
“I don’t know, there are about 12 of them that go to practice every Wednesday, it’s kind of tough to say,” Hagerty said. “(QB) Koa Haynes, probably. He’s our best running back. He was the second or third leading ball carrier last year and he’ll run a lot this season.”
So there you go, sort of.
Hagerty’s always had backs. Whether it was graduating Dionza Blue, Jay Anderson or Deshawn Gaisie, the player he moved from safety to RB in his first year as head coach at Amat. Gaisie turned into one of the areas leading rushers, so Hagerty’s not all that concerned.
But who are some of the names you might hear pan out?
How about Greg Flowers, a 6-foot senior listed as a linebacker last year. Or Devin Vasquez, a 5-foot-9 senior-to-be who carried the ball a few times. There is Gabe Perez, a JV up-and-coming back, and as Hagerty suggested, “there might be even be some young freshman, you never know.”
Young Freshman? On varsity? “I haven’t seen enough of them yet, but you never know,” Hagerty said. “But we feel like someone will emerge, because they always do.”
Want some interesting possibilities? How about junior-to-be Anthony Camargo, a 6-foot-2 receiver last year. “He’s a good one, we’re still trying to figure out what his best position is,” Hagerty said. Or how about free safety Michael Gonzalez, injured last year, but one of Amat’s best returning players. Or Adrian Ortega, another senior-to-be who could be moved from WR to RB.
“To answer your question, I don’t know,” Hagerty said. “We’ll let it sort itself out.”
Above: Diamond Bar quarterback Tyler Peterson had a big sophomore year. But will he remain at QB with Noodles in school?
By Aram Tolegian Staff Writer
When standout Antonio “Noodles” Hull left West Covina High School for Diamond Bar, it signaled the biggest transfer of the offseason.
In just a few short weeks, the mystery as to what position, exactly, Hull will be playing for the Brahmas this fall will begin to be solved.
A big early clue may come on April 20 when the Brahmas have their first passing competition of the season at Arroyo High against the Knights and Montebello.
“He wants to try and play quarterback and we’re going to let him compete at it,” Diamond Bar coach Ryan Maine said.
One problem, though, the Brahmas already have a quarterback in junior-to-be Tyler Peterson, who had a solid sophomore season.
The first big passing competition in the Valley comes earlier than usual this season with the advent of the Charter Oak Tournament, which will take place on May 18 and feature 16 teams.
Locals playing in the tournament include the Chargers, La Serna, La Habra, Monrovia, Rosemead, Arroyo, South Hills, Glendora, El Rancho, Diamond Ranch and Muir.
The teams will be split into four pools and later re-seeded for a knockout tournament. First games are at 9 a.m.
Daylon McCutcheon will not be on Bishop Amat head coach Steve Hagerty’s staff this season after accepting a position in the New York Jets organization.
McCutcheon was a standout player at Amat before attending USC and enjoying a professional career with the Cleveland Browns. He was a popular assistant on Hagerty’s in recent years.
Amat is currently practicing one day a week, on Wednesdays, and is expected to begin normal spring practice in late April. The Lancers return Tribune Offensive Player of the Year Koa Haynes at quarterback, but are light on skill position experience elsewhere.
Tuesday’s Baseball Results
Valle Vista League
San Dimas 4, Nogales 2
Baldwin Park 8, Covina 4
Pomona vs. Wilson, 3:15 p.m.
Del Rey League
Serra 6, Bishop Amat 0
Sierra League
Claremont 12, South Hills 11
Damien 5, Ayala 4, 9 innings
Charter Oak 6, Chino Hills 4
Montview League
Sierra Vista 2, La Puente 1
Duarte 11, Workman 1
Gladstone at Bassett, 3:15 p.m.
Azusa at Ganesha, 3:15 p.m.
This is what makes a blog fun, to talk about the what ifs? I have some interesting proposals and scenario’s to share after speaking with sources involved in the discussions. What if, as CIF suggests, Damien, St. Lucy’s and Pomona Catholic are forced into the Catholic Athletic Association. Damien and St. Lucy’s are considering legal action to challenge the move to the CAA, but if everything plays out as CIF suggests, Damien, St. Lucy’s and Pomona Catholic’s preference, sources explained, is to be placed in the Camino Del Rey Association. St. Bonaventure, also, would prefer the Camino Del Rey Association if it has to move.
Then what? According to sources, teams in the Camino Del Rey Association would likely include: Bishop Amat, Bishop Montgomery, Gardena Serra, Cantwell Sacred Heart, Bosco Tech (boys), St. Bernard’s, St. Bonaventure, La Salle, St. Paul, Cathedral (boys), Mary Star, St. Monica, St. Joseph (girls), Damien (boys) St. Lucy’s (girls) and Pomona Catholic (girls). There would be 13 boys and 13 girls schools. More schools could be added or subtracted, but lets use this scenario under consideration. At that point, Camino Del Rey Association teams would be divided into two leagues for all sports except football, sources explained. And it would not be the same teams in the same leagues for all sports. Each sport (baseball, softball, basketball, etc), will look at the group of teams, and try to place them in two leagues with geography, competitive equity and playoff divisions in mind.
Just using geography, however, teams most likely grouped together for most sports include:
League One: Damien/St. Lucy’s, Bishop Amat, St. Paul, Cathedral/Pomona Catholic, La Salle, Cantwell Sacred Heart, Bosco Tech (boys)
League Two: Bishop Montgomery, Gardena Serra, St. Bernard’s, St. Bonaventure, Mary Star, St. Monica, St. Joseph (girls).
Football, however, would be completely different.
There are at least three football proposals already on the table for Camino Del Rey Association officials to examine, sources explained.
Proposal 1
Serra League, which would compete in Pac-5
Oaks Christian, St. Bonaventure, Bishop Amat, Crespi, Alemany, Loyola
Mission League of eight teams, divided into two leagues
Mission one: Notre Dame, Chaminade, Serra, Damien
Mission two: St. Paul, Cathedral, St. Francis, Harvard-Westlake
League D: La Salle, Bishop Montgomery, Salesian, Cantwell, Verbum Dei, St. Bernard’s
League E: Bosco Tech, St. Monica, Mary Star, Bell Jeff, St. Genevieve, St. Anthony
Proposal II
Eight team Serra League broken into two leagues, all compete in the Pac-5
Serra League Archdiocese Schools: Alemany, Amat, Damien, Serra, St. Bonaventure
Serra League Private schools: Crespi, Loyola, Notre Dame, Oaks Christan.
Mission League
Cathedral, Harvard Wesltake, La Salle, St. Francis, St. Paul
Del Rey
Bishop Montgomery, Bosco Tech, Cantwell Sacred Heart, Salesian, St Bernard
Camino Real
Bell Jeff, Mary Star, St. Anthony, St. Genevieve, St. Monica, Verbum Dei.
Proposal III
Serra League: Alemany, Bishop Amat, Crespi, Loyola, Notre Dame, Oaks Christian, St. Bonaventure
Mission League: Cathedral, Chaminade, Damien, Harvard-Westlake, Serra, St. Francis, St. Paul.
Del Rey League: Bishop Montgomery, Bosco Tech, Cantwell, La Salle, Salesian, St. Bernard
Camino Real League: Bell-jeff, Mary Star, St. Genevieve, St. Monica, Verbum Dei, St. Anthony.
Again, these are scenario’s shared with me under consideration when the new league cycle begins for the 2014-15 season.
Bishop Amat Jr. High Weight Room Camp
Amat press release: Open to 7th & 8th Graders beginning TONIGHT and every Tuesday and Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m., for five weeks. Purpose is to gain a competitive edge in your strength and power development for your future in high school athletics. Wear athletic shirt & shorts, and running shoes. Cost is $15 per session or $100 for all ten sessions. Print PDF of registration flyer from school website under Boy’s Sports & Football. Call Coach Hagerty at 626-962-2495, ext. 6001 or email shagerty@bishopamat.org with questions
Third Annual Bishop Amat Alumni Flag Football Game
When: Saturday, May 11, 2 p.m.
Amat press release: All former players are invited to put their cleats and jersey back on one more time and run around Kiefer Stadium. The Odd graduation years will compete against the Even graduation years once again. Players are asked to contact Coach Hagerty at 626-962-2495, ext. 6001 to register for the game. At halftime, we will be holding a Punt, Pass & Kick Competiton for all pre-high school age kids who want to compete. There will be prizes for the winners. Tickets ($7 adults/$3 children) are being sold for the game in the Front Office and Athletic Office for those who want to come watch the Lancers of the Past compete for pride once again.
The L.A. Times’ Eric Sondheimer posted today that Damien, St. Lucy’s, St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian are consulting with legal counsel in hopes of avoiding being sent to Parochial leagues beginning in the 2014-15 season. Damien and St. Lucy’s along with Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure lost an appeal with CIF on March 19 trying to avoid being sent to the Parochial Leagues. Damien and St. Lucy’s were moved out of the Sierra League and Mt. SAC area alignment to the Catholic Athletic Association, which is scheduled to place the schools in a new league by the end of the month.
More than 3,900 athletes from more than 700 schools will compete. That’s 15 percent more schools than in past…Bonita’s Nikki Wheatley, pictured below, will compete in Saturday night’s girls invitational long and triple jump.
By Keith Lair, Staff Writer
At some point in the future, winning a state high school track and field championship might not be enough. Winning a national title might be the expected goal.
The Arcadia Invitational is appearing to be a precursor to that ideal. The 46th annual meet features perhaps its deepest field with top athletes from 31 states and two foreign countries competing in the three-day meet, which began Thursday with the first day of decathlon and heptathlon events.
“The performances get better and better each year,” meet director Rich Gonzalez said. “We’re getting more and more kids traveling to high-end meets, and we’re one of the best.”
Nearly every California state leader will be competing, and several national leaders are scheduled to run in Saturday’s invitational portion of the meet.
More than 3,900 athletes from more than 700 schools will compete. That’s 15 percent more schools than in past years.
“It keeps getting bigger,” Gonzalez said.
By Fred J. Robledo, Staff Writer
The Northview High softball tournament seems to bring out the best in Monrovia and junior pitcher Adrienne Guerra.
Guerra punctuated a strong week with a six-inning no-hitter to go with 15 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over Covina High for the tournament title on Thursday.
Guerra had six strikeouts over the first two innings and six strikeouts over the final two, walking just two batters.
It was her second straight shutout and she allowed just three runs during the four-game tournament.
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By John Honell
Charter Oak got an outstanding pitching performance from tournament MVP Nick Hernandez and knocked off Duarte 5-3 in the championship game of the Gladstone Tournament on Wednesday afternoon.
The defending champion Chargers (6-5) scored three runs in the bottom of the third inning then fought off a late charge by the Falcons for the win.
“Nick was outstanding today,” Chargers coach Tom Quinley said. “The kids played really well in this tourney. This is the best field we’ve seen this year and the kids appreciate playing on a nice field.”
Hernandez held the Falcons hitless until Grant Goldsmith singled with two outs in the sixth inning.
“I tried to pitch to spots and let my team do the work,” Hernandez said. “I try and get groundball outs and they were swinging at first pitches and that probably helped with my command of the ball today.”
Gladstone Baseball Tournament Championship: Duarte vs. Charter Oak, at Gladstone, 2 p.m.
By Steve Ramirez Staff Writer
twitter.com/SteveRRamirez
A victory in a spring break tournament usually doesn’t rank high on the priority list of most area baseball coaches.
Tuesday was the exception for Duarte High School.
Grant Goldsmith went 2 for 4 with a home run and four RBIs and Pablo Lopez was steady on the mound to lead the Falcons to a 9-4 victory over Covina in a Gladstone Tournament semifinal.
Duarte (6-7), also getting two hits each from Julian Ortega, will face Charter Oak in today’s title game at 2 p.m.
Anthony Moreno had a two-run home run for Covina (8-6).
“It’s a big win for us,” Duarte coach Brian Grimm said. “Any time you can beat a team from a higher division it’s big. (Some might) feel our league is a little lower, but we came out and played a complete game.
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By John Sherrard
Bonita High School, behind a complete-game performance from senior pitcher Parker Merritt, defeated host La Habra, 8-2, in the final pool-play game of the 39th Annual Anaheim Lions Baseball Tournament on Tuesday afternoon.
Merritt, who scattered five hits, struck out three and didn’t walk a batter, upped his record to 4-0 on the season.
Merritt had a three-hit shutout going until the seventh inning, before La Habra (7-9) scored twice.
Bonita (13-2-1) and La Habra will both play a final tournament game today. Bonita meets Viewmont, Utah at 11 a.m. at Servite High. La Habra faces Millikan at 7 tonight at Amerige Park in Fullerton.