Fred Robledo Talks Prep Sports http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/ en 2008-12-04T12:00:40-08:00 Breaking News: Hoyd resigns http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/breaking_news_h.html After going 1-9 in his first season, Wilson High School football coach Greg Hoyd has resigned. We'll have more later. I don't care what anyone says, in every conversation I've had with him, he's a stand up guy and meant well.

"I don't have any hard feelings," Hoyd said. "It was best that I move on, spend more time with my family and begin to map out my future again. I know that I worked hard, I tried my best, but we're living in a microwave society. Everyone wants to win and win now. I understand that."


]]> frobledo 2008-12-04T12:00:40-08:00 Did I read this right? http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/did_i_read_this.html Girls basketball final score, Bishop Amat 77, Firebaugh 8. It was 53-0 at half and 63-2 at the end of three.

]]> frobledo 2008-12-04T08:29:25-08:00 Stansell relishes role as leader http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/stansell_relish.html Rowland's Brandon Stansell on facing childhood friends from Charter Oak...
"It's going to be good to see them; I haven't seen them in a long time," said Stansell, a key reason why Rowland is making its first appearance in the divisional final four since 1966. "It's going to be fun seeing them. I'll love them before and after the game, but when the game (starts), they have to be my enemy. "They're my friends, but they are going to be in a different jersey, and I'm with my family on this team."

For complete story, click thread

]]> frobledo 2008-12-04T08:15:26-08:00 Girls Soccer: South Hills No. 1 http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/girls_soccer_so.html
Above: South Hills' Natalie Maxey

Girls Soccer Rankings
1. South Hills, 2. Walnut, 3. St. Lucy's, 4. Glendora, 5. Diamond Ranch, 6. Bishop Amat, 7. Los Altos, 8. Charter Oak, 9. San Dimas, 10. Northview.

For the full story the girls top ten rankings, click thread

]]> frobledo 2008-12-04T08:08:56-08:00 Calling in results http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/calling_in_resu.html For those who call in results for boys and girls basketball, soccer, and wrestling, we're returning to traditional box scores on Thursday. We simply get more names in the paper this way. Please have the normal information available when you call in results to 626-962-8811, Ext. 2213 or 2242. If you choose to email in results, please do so within 30 minutes following the game at scores@sgvn.com.

]]> frobledo 2008-12-03T16:39:19-08:00 Sound off: Robledo, Ramirez and the Guru http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/sound_off_roble_1.html LIVE BLOGGING: Folks, we encourage you attend Friday's games, but if not, we'll have live blogging from Rosemead-Monrovia and Charter Oak-Rowland. On Saturday, I'll provide live updates of Diamond Ranch-West Covina for those of you still feeling the effects of the UCLA-USC game, or who might want to stay home and watch the De La Hoya-Pacquiao fight. Steve Ramirez will also have live blogging from Mt. SAC's Southern Cal Regional final at College of the Canyons.

In another special playoff edition of the two-minute drill we're joined by the Scouting Guru, substituting for Reginald Miller, who's busy schedule kept him away this week. The Guru joins prep sports editor Fred J. Robledo and sports writer Steve Ramirez, who cranked out this week's semifinal games.

Friday's semifinal games
Southeast Division
Charter Oak (11-0-1) at Rowland (10-2), 7 p.m.
Mid-Valley Division
Rosemead (10-2) at Monrovia (10-2), 7:30 p.m.

Saturday's semifinal
Southeast Division
West Covina (10-2) vs. Diamond Ranch (6-6), at Ganesha H.S., 7:30 p.m.

]]> frobledo 2008-12-03T14:24:39-08:00 For the record ... http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/for_the_record.html We incorrectly reported that Rowland has never played in a CIF football championship, but Mike Chambers, class of 1968, emailed to set the record straight. Here's what he wrote.
If you look back in the record books you will discover Rowland went to the CIF finals (in 1966 losing to Neff High School, 32-13). In 1966 we ( Rowland) ended our season in a three way for the league championship and won a coin flip and was the only school in the league to go to the playoffs ( a lot different than today when almost everyone makes the playoffs). It was the last year Wayne Kurlack was the Rowland Head Coach as he then became an administrator outside the District. I know this to be true as I was there as a member of the team.

]]> frobledo 2008-12-03T09:41:12-08:00 West Covina vs. Diamond Ranch http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/west_covina_vs_1.html

South Hills High School football coach Steve Bogan talked about it last week, and it was the first thing West Covina coach Mike Maggiore spoke of when discussing Saturday's CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division semifinal game against Diamond Ranch (6-6), winner of five consecutive after starting 1-6.
Speed.
Navy-bound defensive lineman Graham Vickers (6-foot-2, 262) and defensive end Xavier Molina-Williams (6-2, 222) are quick, agile, and fly to the football. Then there's defensive end Marcus Buckley and linebackers Brian Bonilla and Eric Wilson, giving the Panthers more speed and athleticism up front. In the secondary, few can match UCLA-bound senior Brandon Sermons, who locked up South Hills' talented receiver Iffy Umodu in last week's 15-12 overtime quarterfinal victory over the Huskies. "They've got a great defensive team, and their team speed is a big part of it," said Maggiore, whose Bulldogs (10-2) will face Diamond Ranch at Ganesha High, with the winner facing either Charter Oak or Rowland in the championship game next week. "No question going into the season they were one of the teams in our division we felt could make a run," Maggiore said. "They got off to the bad start, but when you consider how well they played against Bishop Amat, Chino Hills, and the fact they've been pretty solid defensively the whole year, it was only a matter of time before they started getting some breaks and winning some games." The Panthers haven't allowed more than 13 points during their five-game win streak. They beat high-scoring Muir 21-7 in the first round. With the exception of a 48-6 loss to powerful Oaks Christian, the Panthers have played solid defensively in every other game, including a 23-7 loss to No. 1-ranked Charter Oak. "We had a lot of guys coming back on defense, and our defensive coordinator (Mario Gomez) has been great coming up with game plans," Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton said. "We know that if our offense is clicking, there's a pretty good chance we're going to have a shot because our defense will keep us in it."
ADVANTAGE WHO?
CIF semifinals are held Friday and Saturday, with the top half of the bracket, which includes the top seed, playing on Friday and the bottom half of the bracket on Saturday. Is there an advantage? No. 1 Charter Oak is at Rowland on Friday.
"I'd rather play on Friday," Maggiore said. "When we won the championship in 2004, we played the semifinals on a Friday." You can't really complain about it. We both get to watch each other play, but it's a little easier watching on Saturday when you've already clinched."
CID VS. VICKERS
Layton said the matchup he's curious about is when Albert Cid, West Covina's 6-4, 290-pound tackle, goes up against Vickers. "When I talk to (college) recruiters they ask about other area kids, and he's (Cid) one that I'm really impressed with," Layton said., "He's not just big, he's an athlete and has had his way with people."

]]> frobledo 2008-12-03T09:36:34-08:00 Rosemead vs. Monrovia http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/rosemead_vs_mon.html

All of last week, leading up to its game against San Dimas High School in the quarterfinals of the CIF-Southern Section Mid-Valley Division playoffs, Rosemead football coach Matt Koffler heard it from just about every place he went.
Nico Barbone this. David Joseph that.
All the while the Panthers boasted one of the premier running backs in the San Gabriel Valley in senior Tra Sumler, who was ready to tear up the field with his bruising physicality and elusive speed. But despite routing the Saints 59-22, the running back versus running back debate will continue when Rosemead takes on Monrovia at 7:30 p.m. Friday in a semifinal showdown. The Wildcats, who defeated Duarte 41-21, are led by Marquise Williams, who rushed for 233 yards and scored five touchdowns in the victory. "Those two guys are special," Koffler said, "so I don't think it should end."
But the reality is it will end for one team this week.
And aside from relying on Sumler, who also scored five touchdowns in his team's win Friday, and a balanced attack with quarterback Angel Alejandre, the Panthers will need their defensive line to continue its dominating performance, which hides week after week behind the Sumler shadow. "Our defense has been overlooked all year," Koffler said. "Our defensive coordinator and our defensive line are just phenomenal."
Marc Paramo is the defensive coordinator in his second season with Koffler, who
credits Paramo for a superb defense that limited San Dimas' offense to 22 points after it averaged more than 30 a game. "He deserves all the credit in the world," Koffler said. "When you stop a team that's averaging 30 points a game, that's pretty special."
The defensive line is anchored by seniors Edward Vasquez, Armando Avila and Chris Flores, along with junior Luis Diaz. "Without them it doesn't work," Koffler said.
The Rosemead coaching staff didn't watch Paraclete beat Northview 14-0 in last Saturday's other quarterfinal. "I did not watch it and I did not have any coaches at that game," Koffler said. "We are taking this one game at a time and our main focus is Monrovia, a team we definitely cannot overlook."

]]> frobledo 2008-12-03T09:33:18-08:00 Girls Basketball: No surprise, Amat No. 1 http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/girls_basketbal_5.html

By Steve Ramirez, Staff Writer
1. Bishop Amat
Bishop Amat Girls Basketball coach, Chris Morrison, right, stands with team leaders, from left, Katie Moreno, Arielle Wildman and Morgann Ellis at practice on Tuesday November 25, 2008. (SGVN/Staff Photo by /Sports) (Keith Durflinger SGVN/Staff )
For most high schools, advancing to the second round of the CIF-Southern Section playoffs in arguably the toughest division would be considered an accomplishment they could hang their hat on. But for the Bishop Amat girls basketball team, which has won three CIF-SS titles and two CIF State championships since 2004, going just two rounds into the postseason is almost considered a step back.
The Lancers, who finished second in the Del Rey League to Bishop Montgomery and lost in the second round of the I-AA Division playoffs to Ventura last season, know that all too well and promise a return to normalcy in 2008-09. Bishop Amat, which begins the season ranked No. 1 in the area, will also do it with new coach Chris Morrison, who steps in for Richard Wiard for one season while Wiard concentrates on his master's degree.
But the goal is still the same. "They are thinking about that," said Morrison, who returns nine starters from a team that finished 20-8 last season. "They want to prove to everybody that we are still on top, that we're still No. 1. "They come to practice to work and they've been working hard. Last year was a tough year, especially the way it ended. But they are ready to step up." The Lancers will do it with three returning All-Del Rey League players in junior guard Ariel Wideman and senior guards Morgann Ellis and Katie Moreno. Bishop Amat's lineup will also include senior point guard Jessica Fontenette and senior guard Jacqueline Salas, who has signed to play at Air Force next season.
The key loss for the Lancers is area player of the year Kristen McCarthy, who is getting her fair share of minutes for Temple University this season.
"We have a team full of scorers," Morrison said. "We have girls who can shoot, pass and score. They pass the ball well. (Last season), it sometimes felt like they were just standing around (waiting for McCarthy to do something).
"We have no inside force, but we have a lot of guards and we will be a more up-tempo team. We have to make tall (opponents) a lot shorter by pressing and running at them."

For a look at the rest of the area top 10, click thread

]]> frobledo 2008-12-03T09:22:01-08:00 Big year for running backs http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/big_year_for_ru.html I was in an all-area discussion last week when the subject of running backs came up? With two first-team spots available, how do you choose between so many deserving contenders? In no particular order, I'll list what I consider the best ten, you take it from there.

Ricky Johnson, West Covina, 1,806, 17 TDs
Brandon Stansell, Rowland, 1,095, 11 TDs
Adam Muema, Charter Oak, 1,656, 24 TDs
Tra Sumler, Rosemead, 2,026, 26 TDs
Nico Barbone, San Dimas, 958, 18 TDs
Deshawn Gaisie, Bishop Amat, 1,099, 18 TDs
Brian Spirlin, Diamond Ranch, NA
Daniel Joseph, San Dimas, 1,406, 21 TDS
Jordan Canada, Duarte, 1,956, 18 TDs
Andre Holmes, Glendora, 1,123, 14 TDs

]]> frobledo 2008-12-02T09:33:26-08:00 Rowland vs. Charter Oak http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/rowland_vs_char.html
When Rowland High School football coach Craig Snyder offered the "we're just happy to be here," line while discussing Friday's CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division semifinal against top-ranked Charter Oak, it wasn't just another over-used sports cliche.
The Raiders not only were 3-8 last season, but this is the school's first trip to the semifinals since 1968. A win will put them in their first championship game in school history. "Of course, we'd like to move on and play for a championship, but nobody expected our kids to be where they are right now," Snyder said. "I'm so darn proud of how hard they worked. They've played their butts off and are excited about the opportunity to play the best team in our division."
The Raiders have been the surprise of the season. They beat Northview 21-12 in September, then knocked off West Covina, 16-7. West Covina is in Saturday's other semifinal against Diamond Ranch. After finishing in a three-way tie for the San Antonio League title, Rowland (10-2) won the coin flip to enter the playoffs as the league's top team, then defeated Burroughs 22-21 in the first round before scoring a 52-28 victory over once-beaten La Serna in the quarterfinals. But Charter Oak is something different entirely. The undefeated Chargers (11-0-1) routed Bell Gardens (55-15) and Crescenta Valley (40-9) to reach the semifinals for the third consecutive season and return third-year starting quarterback Chris Allen, who has lost just three games his entire career. "It's got all the making of a David vs. Goliath matchup," Snyder said. "I just hope we've got a few lucky stones to throw at them. I swear that kid (Allen) can throw the ball 80 yards, and he's so efficient. We were saying the other day he looks like Daunte Culpepper. Then they have the running back (Adam Muema), they play defense and are so well-coached. You know, they're the best team we've seen all season. I don't think that's a secret." Chargers coach Lou Farrar spent the weekend breaking down video on Rowland and came impressed with how similar both teams appear. Raiders sophomore quarterback Michael Ball has grown over the season while throwing for 1,619 yards and 16 touchdowns. He also is second on the team in rushing with 620 yards. Senior running back Brandon Stansell has more than 1,000 yards rushing and averages just under 100 yards a game. Where Rowland also mirrors Charter Oak is on defense, where the Raiders are allowing just 14 points a game. "They've done a phenomenal job this season," Farrar said. "They've got athletes, we're similar in size and they've won 10 games. I don't care who it is, when you play a team with 10 wins in the semifinals you know you're facing a good team." Chargers running back Adam Muema left Friday's win over Crescenta Valley in the first quarter with a hip injury, but the move was more cautionary than anything else. "He could have played if we needed him," Farrar said. "He had three carries and two touchdowns, and with the quick lead, we just decided to hold him out. But he's fine and will be ready to go on Friday."

]]> frobledo 2008-12-02T08:35:40-08:00 Boys Basketball: Top Ten http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/boys_basketball_8.html
Above: Diamond Ranch standout Chris Cunningham

1. Diamond Ranch -- It would be easy for Diamond Ranch High School boys basketball coach Loren Grover to get caught up in the big picture of what the Panthers might be able to accomplish this season.
But Grover, who guided Artesia to a state title in 2007, knows that CIF- Southern Section division championships and league crowns are not won in early December. Those aspirations are achieved only by working hard and improving from day to day and practice to practice throughout the season.
He's using that approach with the Panthers, who, with Division I signees Chris Cunningham (Santa Clara) and Garrett Johnson (Fresno State), are expected to be one of the better teams in the CIF-SS and the area.
Cunningham and Johnson are considered Diamond Ranch High School's one-two punch. But the key for the Panthers this season may not rest solely with those two.
"We try not to have expectations," said Grover, whose Panthers begin the season ranked No. 1 in the area.
"We just want to improve, and go out and be competitive. We're excited about our chances, but we know we still have a lot of work to do."
But the foundation looks solid with Cunningham on the inside and Johnson on the perimeter. The duo is arguably the area's best tandem. Cunningham followed up a solid sophomore year with an even better junior campaign, averaging 14.5 points and 9.9 rebounds per game in leading the Panthers to an 18-11 record and a second-place finish in the Miramonte
Johnson was the unknown last season, but he proved to be quite an option, averaging 16.5 ppg. Grover is expecting similar improvement from the rest of the Panthers, including guards Malcom Green, Chris Adames and Justin Benson.
"We need the other guys to step up," Grover said. "Chris got the focus last year and Garrett took it upon himself to play that role and step up. We need that to happen this year.
"We're further along than we were at this time last year. They now know what to expect from me and what we want, and need to be able to do. Our schedule is tougher this year, but I think that will help us when we get into league."

For the rest of the top ten, click thread

]]> frobledo 2008-12-02T08:16:24-08:00 Tribskin Pick'em, your predictions and ours http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/tribskin_pickem_24.html
Steve Ramirez and I will go head-to-head throughout the season, and I will update our records each Monday on the Tribskin Pick'em thread.

Robledo: Last week - 7-5; Season - 199-51
Ramirez: Last week - 6-6; Season - 188-62

Notes: What a week. The Mid-Valley Division crushed me, going 0-for-4, and Stevie R., didn't do that much better, going 1-3 by taking Monrovia over Duarte. I came back in the Central Division, going 4-for-4 by predicting all three Sierra League teams would go down in the quarters while Steve stuck with Ayala and Glendora. We both went 3-1 in the Southeast, missing only the Diamond Ranch victory over South Hills in overtime.

Robledo's picks of note: Let's start with the easiest picks. Rosemead should at least be a two-touchdown favorite over Monrovia, and Paraclete a three-touchdown favorite over Temple City in the Mid-Valley Division semifinals. The Southeast is tougher. Charter Oak is obviously the favorite over Rowland, but nobody has been able to whip the Raiders the way the Chargers have with their other opponents. With the game at Rowland it should be close, but the Chargers are on a mission and will advance. In the bottom half is where Diamond Ranch's dream comeback ends against West Covina. It's a battle of the big boys, but the Bulldogs will survive, though this will be extremely close also. In the Central I like Rancho Cucamonga to beat Cajon, and Upland over Los Osos.

CIF-SS Semifinals
Southeast Division
Friday
Charter Oak (11-0-1) at Rowland (10-2), 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (COak); Ramirez (COak)
Saturday
West Covina (10-2) vs. Diamond Ranch (6-6) at Ganesha, 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (WC); Ramirez (WC)

Mid-Valley Division
Friday
Rosemead (10-2) at Monrovia (10-2), 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (Rose); Ramirez (Rose)
Saturday
Paraclete (9-3) at Temple City (7-4), 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (Paraclete); Ramirez (Paraclete)

Central Division
Friday
Rancho Cucamonga (11-0-1) at Cajon (8-3-1), 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (RC); Ramirez (RC)
Saturday
Los Osos (10-2) at Upland (10-2), 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (Upland); Ramirez (Los Osos)

]]> frobledo 2008-12-01T08:18:34-08:00 Boys Hoops: Guerrero scores 38 in his debut http://www.insidesocal.com/tribpreps/2008/12/remember_what_i.html Workman's super sophomore Cezar Guerrero, who we've playfully dubbed "El Mago," the Spanish kid's Magic Man, made his much-anticipated debut on Monday, and it was worth it. Guerrero scored 38 points with seven rebounds while junior Bobby Miles finished with 27 points and eight rebounds to lead Workman to an 80-61 victory over South Hills. Folks, I was impressed with both guards, but particularly the all-around complete game of Guerrero. He hit 12-of-16 shots and was 10-for-11 from the foul line. He showed a lot of those infamous YouTube moves, but it's so much better in person. His speed, change of direction and unbelievable handles make him difficult to guard. He can free himself to get almost any shot and he's so accurate, even when it looks like he's taking a tough shot. I can't believe this kid is only a sophomore. Is Workman a top ten team? Without a doubt. Are they one of the best in the Valley? I'm not ready to go there yet. They need a lot of work inside. South Hills pounded them on the boards and got to the stripe 25 times, but only converted 10 free throws. Maybe the best quote of the night came from Lobos coach Martin Flores, talking about the new excitement on Temple Ave., "It's kind of like you've been hungry for such a long time, you've been starving, and all of a sudden you've got a buffet in front of you," Flores said. "For such a long time we would come to a school like South Hills and be on the other end of this."

Who's Guerrero: A freshman phenom who left power St. John Bosco to play basketball at Workman, where the 5-foot-11 kid is regarded by Division I scouts as one of the best prospects for 2011. As one scout noted, "He needs to work on his decision-making (tends to force it), but he's one of the more impressive freshman guards I've witnessed in the last 15 years."
As only a freshman, the point guard averaged nearly 17 points while orchestrating the offense for a veteran laden team. Guerrero has had some of his best games while playing for Bosco in the toughTrinity League, which features some of the best teams in the state like Mater Dei, Santa Margarita and Serra. Guerrero had 22 points against Serra and 19 against eventual state champs, Mater Dei. Guerrero was supposed to pair in the backcourt with sophomore Bobby Miles, who averaged more than 20 points a game and earned first team all-league honors and all of a sudden you've got the makings one one of the top teams in the San Gabriel Valley.


]]> frobledo 2008-12-01T08:06:24-08:00