Area teams lacking in CIF-SS weekly polls

This week’s CIF Southern Section weekly top 10 polls don’t give area teams much respect.
La Serna (Division III) and La Habra (Division IV) are the only two locals mentioned in baseball, and they’re among “other” teams receiving votes.
In softball, three teams are recognized. Whittier Christian tops the short list at No. 2 in Division V. La Mirada is No. 10 in division II and Cantwell Sacred Heart shares No. 10 in Division IV.
In boys tennis, La Serna remains at No. 3 in Division V, and Montebello’s boys volleyball team is among others receiving votes in Diviison IV.

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Random thoughts … and babblings …

La Habra multi-sport athlete Jordan Sachs forsakes baseball for a part in a school play but keeps his hand in athletics by calmly clearing 6 feet, 6 inches — that’s one inch higher than he is tall — in last week’s track meet. Rumor has it he barely missed at 6-8. Is Westmont College paying attention? …

Is any local baseball or softball team going to step up and establish itself as the area’s dominant program? Several teams have shown momentary promise, but nearly all have stumbled and lack the necessary consistency. La Mirada softball, bidding to make it nine consecutive Suburban League championships on coach Rich Trujillo’s watch, is fresh from an impressive performance in the prestigious tournament in Arroyo Grande, where the Matadores were 3-1, the loss a 3-1 decision to Royal in the championship game. La Mirada (13-3 overall, 4-0 in league) faces a major challenge this week with back to back games against Mayfair, also 4-0 in league. They share second ;place behind Norwalk (6-0). ….

For a moment or two, it looked like the Dodgers had signed themselves a $25 million singles hitter. …

Just before Pete Gonzalez was unceremoniously “terminated” from his position as St. Paul’s head football coach, there was an unconfirmed report that Gabe Encinas, after sitting out this past season, planned to play football for the Swordsmen this fall. Nothing further on the subject has been heard, other than he might be waiting until the baseball season is over to make his decision. The fact he might be considering it is exciting. Yes, yes, the general consensus among the local “experts” is that baseball is his future, and the possibility of injury, but wouldn’t it be great to watch his considerable talents at tight end or wide receiver, or even quarterback one more season before he moves on? No offense intended to any of the returnees at any of those positions. …

It’s about time to start considering candidates for the Daily News boy and girl Athlete of the Year. Last year’s honorees were La Habra’s Petey Puga and La Serna’s Lee Lopez, …

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St. Paul Baseball Tournament schedule

Saturday’s first-round games
(As provided by tournament administrators)

At St. Paul High School
11 a.m. –
Norwalk vs. St. Paul
3:30 p.m. – St. Francis vs. Westlake
At Blair Field (Long Beach)
11 a.m. –
Long Beach Jordan vs. St. John Bosco
At John Glenn High School
12-30 p.m. –
Oak Park vs. John Glenn
3:30 p.m. – La Mirada vs. Gabrielino
At Hueneme High School
2 p.m. –
Hueneme vs. Lompoc Cabrillo
At Los Altos High School
12-30 p.m. –
Irvine University vs. Bellflower
3:30 p.m. – Los Altos vs. Simi Valley

AA Division
At Cerritos High School
9:30 a.m. –
Cerritos vs. Bishop; Montgomery
12;30 p.m. – Aguinas vs. Cathedral
At Grace Brethren High School
3:15 p..m. –
St. Monica vs. Grace Brethren
At Whittier Christian High School
9:30 a.m. –
Whittier Christian vs. Calvary Chapel Murrieta
12:30 p.m. – Ontario Christian vs. Downey Calvary Chapel
At Cantwell Sacred Heart High School
9:30 a.m. –
Santa Paul vs. Cantwell Sacred Heart
12-30 p.m. – St. Bernard vs. La Salle

A Division
At St. Anthony High School
9:30 a.m. –
St. Anthony vs. Muir
12:30 p.m. – Windward vs. Riverside Christian
3:30 p.m. – Firebaugh vs. Arrowhead Christian

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Just thinking …

Should the NBA be allowed to draft or sign basketball players right out of high school?

Is the so-called “one-and-done” rule sufficient to ensure experience and maturity enough for college sophomores to declare for the NBA draft?

Should the NFL wait one more year before drafting college football players?

Should a college recruit be allowed out of his letter of intent commitment if the head coach who recruited him to that school leaves to take a position at another school?

Opinions, preferably short and to the point, not only welcomed but encouraged.

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