December 2008 Archives

Anything and anyone you want to talk about

Not knowing how functional I'll be around midnight, there will be no live blogging of the New Year's countdown. I know, I know, I ruined all your plans, right? :) Since I'm covering the Rose Bowl, I'll probably be in bed soon after anyway. BTW, did you know that next year there will be a Rose Bowl game on New Years, and the BCS title game at the Rose Bowl a few days later? In any case, all of you enjoy tonight's festivities and be safe, smart, and bring the New Year in right. 2009? It's goes so fast.

Above: Nogales' Randal Guillory scored 23 points in Tuesday's win.

Nogales tournament: Aaron De Anda scored 28 points and Randal Guillory had 23 as Nogales defeated Damien, 75-68 to finish third in their own tournament on Tuesday. Nogales improved to 12-4 while Damien, who got a team-high 16 points from Chris Adams, dropped to 10-4.
Covina tournament: Zach Brungard drained a 3-point shot at the buzzer to lift Bonita to a 43-40 victory over Bishop Amat in the third-place game of the Covina tournament. "That was my first game-winner at the buzzer," Brungard said. "I just saw James (Northrup) driving to the hole and I spotted up. I shot it just ike normal and it went in." Tim Fassas led the Bearcats (14-1) with 15 points and Nolan Abernathy chipped in with 10. Bishop Amat (11-3) was paced by Dion Hudson's game-high 18 points.

When they New Year begins, the boys top ten will look something like this

1. Diamond Ranch (7-3)
2. Bonita (14-1)
3. Nogales (12-4)
4. Northview (10-5)
5. Glendora (9-5)
6. Damien (10-4)
7. Bishop Amat (11-3)
8. Walnut (9-2)
9. Workman (6-5)
10. La Verne Lutheran (5-6)

Boys Basketball standings
Arrowhead League
Christian League
Del Rey League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League
Montview League
Mission Valley League
Miramonte League

Just Tribbin threads are whoever and whatever you want to talk about, and you made it clear in the last Tribbin thread you've got baseball on your mind a couple months before the season starts. Why the excitement, because baseball in the San Gabriel Valley is our bread and butter. Our top teams can compete with any top teams in the Southland, which is something you can't say in another other sports, with the exception of wrestling. Guess we can thank Northview and South Hills for that. When I'm out and about, there's already a discussion of who's going to start No. 1. It should probably be Northview or Bishop Amat, though I think Bonita, with a pair of guys going Division I and their pitching back, could be No. 1 too. Charter Oak and Diamond Ranch might round out the top five, but we'll see. I can't believe I'm discussing this, it's not even 2009 for a few more hours. Anyway, here are some of the things you've been saying on other threads.

Posted by Tough Choices: If there are baseball games being played right now, then why are they not listed in some sort of schedule ? I would very much like to go see a few of these games myself. Anyone have an updated schedule ?
Hmmm: Can someone please explain.

Posted by Jonesy: I know Northview has the core of it's players back but who do they have for pitching? They lost the heart of their team last year with Williams, Elias and Andrade. Keep hearing how strong they will be again but who is pitching?
Hmmm: I think they have someone named Pedroza.

Posted by Amat90: Pitching? When it comes to pitching I don't think any teams in the SGV have as much as Amat which returns Paez, Zuniga, Fitz, Grijalva, Mcnitt, & Cuevas (Injured last season)all quality pitching, now on the offensive side I don't see the fire power of the past two season after losing Reyes, Fox, & Mistone, but with all the pitching Amat should be able to win most games by scoring 1 to 3 runs per game. It is going to be very fun to watch, can't wait 'til the Glendora tournament begins.
Hmmm: Neither can I

Posted by Baseball in the Valley: The top players in the valley have to be: Northview SS- Pedroza (Fullerton), 3B- Arnold (UNLV), C- Valenzuela (LMU), LHP- Pedroza. Bonita, SS- Mier (USC), OF- Gelalich (UCLA), P- Calderarom, San Dimas, P- Ponzo (Utah), C- Leyland Wash. St.), GlendoraINF- Regis (UCLA), P- Plutko, P- Cage, INF- Wooward, Bishop Amat, LHP- Paez (USD), P- Zuniga (UNLV), C- McClanahan, 2B- Bergara, Charter Oak, C- Bailey, Diamond Ranch, INF- Licon (LMU), South Hills, SS-Ibarra, C- Doyle, Maranatha P- Covey (USD), La CanadaSS- Smith (Stanford), Rancho Cucamonga, C- Page (APU), ArcadiaP/SS- Rutherford, 1B- Smoley
Reaction: Like I said, the SGV can compete with anyone. Just look at all the major colleges next to these kids' names.

By Louis Brewster
There wasn't much of a celebration for South Hills High School following the Huskies' impressive and dominant victory Tuesday at the annual Blackwatch Invitational Wrestling Tournament. South Hills had five individual champions, including the lower weight MVP in Daniel Flores, and finished 84.5 points ahead of runner-up Alta Loma in the two-day event. However, Chris Taylor's squad of a dozen wrestlers competed with heavy hearts.
"One of our ex-wrestlers (a 2006 graduate) lost both parents in the Christmas Eve shootings in Covina," said Taylor, who opted not to identify him "out of respect for his privacy. t was the rudest kind of wake-up call," said Taylor. "However, as a testament to our community, team and boosters, the one question was `How can we help?"'
To continue reading, click thread

Hi all:
I just wanted to let you know my latest update on Prep Stars: Where are you now?
My latest post gives an update on the whereabouts of former Glendora High School boys basketball star Dominic Tiger-Cortes, the 2008 area player of the year.

Above: It helps that the Huskies have one of the area's best all-around players in junior Melinda Gomez, who filled out the stat sheet with 25 points, 12 rebounds, six steals and three assists.

After graduating four starters and struggling the early part of December, the South Hills High School girls basketball team was looking for something positive to come out of the Glendora High School girls basketball tournament.
That might be the understatement of the week.
All South Hills did was beat host Glendora, 64-52, to claim the tournament title on Tuesday, showing Huskies coach Tiffany Liang what 32 minutes of defense is worth.
"I told the girls that we would struggle early while we get to know each other," explained Liang, whose Huskies improved to 7-5 after entering the tournament 3-5. "We just kept working hard and it paid off in this tournament. Our chemistry is coming together but the the big difference was our defense. We made them take tough shots, we rotated well, and got a nice win. Our biggest win of the season for sure."

ALL-CIF SOUTHEAST DIVISION
Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Allen, Charter Oak
Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Williams, Charter Oak
Coach of the Year: Lou Farrar, Charter Oak


First Team Offense
Quarterback: Cameron Deen, South Hills
Running Back: Adem Nuema, Charter Oak
Running Back: Brian Spirlin, Diamond Ranch
Running Back: Ruben Thomas, Muir
Running Back: Dominique Barnes, Burbank Burroughs
Running Back: Daniel Enriquez, Whittier
Running Back: Brandon Stansell, Rowland
Wide Receiver: Derrick Price, Bonita
Wide Receiver: Kiely Reclaw, Charter Oak
Wide Receiver: Cody Cardenas, Burbank
Wide Receiver: Myles Campbell, Muir
Wide Receiver: Geoffrey Vaughns, South Hills
Wide Receiver: Angel Sanchez, Schurr
Offensive Lineman: Matt Chan, Charter Oak
Offensive Lineman: Kevin Butikofer, Charter Oak
Offensive Lineman: Graham Vickers, Diamond Ranch
Offensive Lineman: Sebastian Valenzuela, Burroughs
Offensive Lineman: Mike Sanez, La Serna
Offensive Lineman: Albert Sid, West Covina
Offensive Lineman: Ty Olsen, South Hills
Offensive Lineman: Ceasar Estrada, Bell Gardens
Kicker: Eric Stern, California

First Team Defense
Defensive Back: A. J. Powell, Charter Oak
Defensive Back: Brandon Sermons, Diamond Ranch
Defensive Back: Tyree Mills, Muir
Defensive Back: Marcus Graves, Muir
Defensive Back: Carlos Arrendondo, Schurr
Linebacker: Kyle Lengyel, Diamond Ranch
Linebacker: Todd Golper, Arcadia
Linebacker: Jake Walker, Cres. Valley
Linebacker: Louie Lozano, La Serna
Linebacker: Alonzo Nevarez, West Covina
Linebacker: Pedro Lara, Rowland
Defensive Lineman:Tyler Perri, Charter Oak
Defensive Lineman: Bryan Bonilla, Diamond Ranch
Defensive Lineman:Nikolia Crouch, Santa Fe
Defensive Lineman: Alex Barrios, South Hills
Defensive Lineman: Chima Ike, Walnut
Defensive Lineman: Daniel Ramos, Bell Gardens
Punter: Daniel Colby, Charter Oak

For second teams, click thread

By Frank Girardot
Staff Writer
COVINA - Relatives and friends Monday remembered the youngest victim of a Christmas Eve massacre that left nine dead as a good-hearted young man who loved baseball and computers. Michael Ortiz, 17, of Ontario, attended Ontario High School and pitched for the Jaguars baseball team, according to Margaret and Benny Medina of Diamond Bar, his aunt and uncle.
To read the rest of the story, click thread

All Miramonte League
MVP: Courtney Donaldson, Bonita
First Team
Ashley Maxfeldt, Bonita, So.
Katie Kirby, Bonita, So.
Allie LaPierre, Bonita, Jr.
Diana Lake, Charter Oak, Sr.
Jackie Median, Charter Oak, Sr.
Megan Macias, Los Altos, Jr.
Alora DeLa Vera, Los Altos, Sr.
Jazmen Russel, Los Altos, So.
Second Team
Lauren Mierke, Bonita, Jr.
Lauren Walsh, Bonita, Sr.
Britany Kloster, Charter Oak, Sr.
Nigeria Owens, Los Altos, Sr.
Kiyar Williams, Diamond Ranch, Sr.
Irene Chow, Wilson, Sr.
Jen Filatof, Los Altos, So.
Uschechi Anunkor, Charter Oak, Sr.

All Sierra League
MVP: Jamie Parke, Diamond Bar, Sr.
First Team
Valerie Brian, Glendora, Jr.
Christine Aguilera, St. Lucy's, Jr.
Alex Bozoian, Ayala, Jr.
Katie Kelly, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Erin Noriega, Glendora, Jr.
Camille Bulot, Glendora, Sr.
Tara Prater, St. Lucy's, Sr.
Anna Mercado, St. Lucy's, Sr.
Second Team
Jenny Gibson, Chino Hills, Sr.
Megan Pulone, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Cassandra Momah, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Jessica Dimitruk, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Randi Toomany, Glendora, Sr.
Lindsey Mitchell, Glendora, Sr.
Deanna Dalton, St. Lucy's, So.
Allie Schuman, St. Lucy's, Sr.
Nalani St. Germain, Ayala, Sr.
Alex Ferrer, Ayala, Sr.

Note: I do not have all-league teams for the San Antonio, Valle Vista and Montview Leagues. I've made numerous phone calls, but still do not have them. If someone wants to email or fax them to me, I'll be happy to publish the results. BTW, we'll start publishing teams in the newspaper in Januaray.

Anything and anyone you want to talk about ...

Breaking News from Whittier Prep Editor Roger Murray: It was confirmed late this morning that Pete Gonzales will be out as the St. Paul football coach as of Friday morning. At present, he is still the coach, but Friday he will react to the "resign or be terminated" ultimatum given him by principal Lori Barr. He has not indicated what his decision will be but it is well known that part of his program's philosophy is to "never quit, never give up." No specific reasons for Barr's decision to oust Gonzalez have been given, other than the usual wanting the program to take a different direction. Neither athletic director Marc Hernandez nor Gonzalez would discuss the situation further, and Barr was not available for comment. Gonzalez posted a 21-16 record in three years as head coach. His teams won the Western Division title in 2007 and reached the semifinals in 2006.

1. Northview Baseball wins CIF championship

Northview's 37-year drought ended in a 1-0 victory over Diamond Ranch to claim the CIF-Southern Section Division IV championship at Dodger Stadium, giving the top-ranked Vikings their first title since 1971. It was the Vikings' 12th straight win, finishing the season 26-4. "I've always been a Northview guy, I went to Northview and it's always extra special when you win at your alma mater," said Northview coach Darren Murphy. "When I became head coach all I wanted was for Northview to win a championship. We've had some good teams and we've been close, but we could never get here and win it. I'm going to enjoy this for a long time." And how fitting that in a season defined by pitching and defense, the Vikings' big three of Aaron Elias, Eddie Pedroza and closer Marc Andrade all got a turn, and one-by-one, they combined to give the Vikings their 12th shutout of the season. "It wasn't just us, it was everyone behind us on the field and in the dugout," Elias said. "This is a memory than none of us are ever going to forget."

2. Charter Oak football goes undefeated to win Southeast football title
Charter Oak's 30-14 victory over Diamond Ranch to claim the Southeast Division championship capped a 13-0-1 campaign, a remarkable accomplishment considering the Chargers lost nine starters on defense from last year's semifinal team. It was Charter Oak's fourth CIF-SS title under 62-year-old coach Lou Farrar, completing only its second undefeated season since winning the school's first title in 1985. Farrar joins Los Altos' Dwayne DeSpain (7), South Hills' Steve Bogan (4), Diamond Bar's Terry Roche (4) and

3. Bishop Amat baseball wins CIF championship

The Bishop Amat baseball won the CIF-Southern Section Division V baseball title for the second consecutive season, beating St. Paul 6-2 at U.C. Riverside. Amat becomes just the fifth area team to score back-to-back CIF-SS titles, joining Bishop Amat teams in 1968-69 and 2001-02, Edgewood in 1976-77 and South Hills in 1997-98. "The team that throws the best strikes, plays the best catch and puts the ball in play the best, has the best chance to win," said Bishop Amat coach Andy Nieto, whose Lancers won their 17th consecutive game to finish 27-4. "There are those who put too much credence on divisions I, II, III or V. Of course, (the teams in those divisions) may have a bigger talent pool, but it doesn't change the formula of the game. The formula is easy. What these kids have done in two years is phenomenal. They haven't lost a Division V game in two years. They are 34-0 in Division V games. So for these guys to do what they've done in two years is truly amazing and I'm proud of them."

4. Bishop Amat football coach Matt Verti resigns, leading to hiring of Lancers coach Steve Hagerty in early February:

Matt Verti's reaction after stepping down: "I wish things could have been different," said Bishop Amat coach Matt Verti, who resigned on Thursday after two years, and an 8-12 overall record. "But in the end, and after months of thinking about it, I think it was the best thing to do for Bishop Amat and myself. I knew coming here there was pressure to win, and win now. Previous coaches had told me that, and I knew it. But it's a little different when you're actually here. We had some great victories and made some strides. But there were lots of ups and downs, and obviously some really tough weeks that build on you and your family."

5. Los Altos football coach Greg Gano resigns in April, resurfaces at Damien in December

Greg Gano's reaction after leaving Los Altos: "It was a difficult season, but the last few season's kind of wore on me. But when you put it all together, coaching softball, being the athletic director and coaching football, it was just too much. Football is for somebody who can put in the time all year round. It's every day and to be honest, I just don't have the energy to do all three and do a good job." Gano's reaction on taking over at Damien: "The only way I was going to come back is if the right opportunity opened up, and this was it. The year away showed how much I missed it. Life is a bunch of challenges, and something like this gets the motor running again."

6. Glendora's Dominic Tiger-Cortes' magical CIF playoff run for the Tartan's boys basketball team

The Glendora sharpshooter and Tribune MVP helped the Tartans go on a magical run in February, leading the Tartans to the CIF-SS Division I-A semifinals with a 58-56 victory over J.W. North. He hit a game-winning shot in the second-round, and had a game winning stop again. Reporter Steve Ramirez wrote; I'm beginning to think Glendora is the team of destiny. They win another nailbiter, except this was almost the reverse of Tuesday's come-from-behind win at El Toro. This time the Tartans, playing in a "Hoosiers" type atmosphere with a standing-room only crowd, were on the ropes....enter Dominic Tiger-Cortes, who once again saved the Tartans, except it wasn't a thrilling 3-pointer, or drive to the hoop and score. No, he showed he can also play some 'D.' He went on 1-on-1 with a kid - North's Malcolm Lee - who will be playing for Ben Howland at UCLA next year. And he stepped up, blocking Lee's path to an easy deuce and forcing a travel that clinched it for the Tartans.

7. Northview baseball beats Bishop Amat, 4-2, to win Glendora tournament

In the championship game of the Glendora baseball tournament, more than a 1,000 fans packed Henderson field on a chilly night to watch Northview beat Bishop Amat in a baseball game between the area's two best clubs. Both teams went on to win CIF championships, leaving Northview the undisputed champion of the area. Said Vikings coach Dareen Murphy, who got ejected after bumping with Lancers coach Andy Nieto: "We built this program to be in games like this," said Murphy, whose Vikings improved to 4-0. "We're in a different mindset now. You know you're not going to win every game, but at least we have the mindset where we expect to win every game. We came out a little tight and made some fundamental mistakes. Some of that was the hype of tonight's game and some of that was playing a team like Bishop Amat and all of that mystique. But we'll take it. This is the best tournament in the area and our kids dug down and won the championship."

8. Gladstone baseball coach Rich Remkus wins 500th

Remkus won his 500th game on Wednesday in his 24th season with the Gladiators with a 7-4 victory over Pomona. "It'll take a while to sink in," Remkus said. "I've always felt for a high school team to win 20 games in a season is sort of a benchmark of excellence and success. If you sit back and think, you have to win 20 games a year for 25 years to get there. The years just go by and you don't realize it. I guess I'm older than I thought."

9. Northview baseball's improbable 3-0 win over Covina in 11 innings:

Northview took over first place in the Valle Vista league with a 3-0 victory over Covina in 11 innings, which followed Wednesday's 1-0 win at San Dimas in eight innings. Covina pitcher Tyler Pill was magnificent, going nine innings, allowing three hits and retiring 15 of the last 16 batters he faced. Pill was about to earn the victory when the Colts loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth with one out. Freshman Matt Munoz appeared to hit a long scoring fly-out to right-center, but all the Colts runners were going on the play, so the Vikes got the easy double-play force at second to end the inning. In the 11th, the Vikings took the lead on Ruben Ramirez's scoring fly that brought home Gabe Jaramillo from third, then Vikings catcher Robert Williams provided the exclamation with a towering two-out, two-run homer for the 3-0 win. Northview's starting lefty sophomore Eddie Pedroza threw five innings and allowed just one hit, and Marc Andrade earned the victory by going the final six innings, giving up just two hits. Said Covina coach Scott Root, "We gave them the game; we should have won it. They're a good team, but I really believe we won the game. I don't know what happened. It was one of those things where the wheels fell off and we didn't know what to do. I told them on a fly get back and tag, but I think someone yelled `go,' and they (all) took off."

10T. Karynn Dunn of Diamond Ranch wins three CIF titles in track; Gretchen Jacques, Glendora wins two swim titles:


Dunn doing her thing for Diamond Ranch in the the Division III track finals, won the long jump, triple jump and 100-meter low hurdles. Jacques, the Glendora freshman swimmer, won a pair of CIF-SS Division II swimming titles in the muscle events, winning the 50 and 100 yard sprints.

Player of the year: Melinda Gomez, South Hills
Position: Middle Blocker
Year: Junior
Notable: Gomez has shown in two years to be one of the area's most prolific forces at the net. She used her ability, which encompasses skill and vision, to rank among the leaders in the area of kills and blocks. That helped South Hills advance to the CIF-SS quarterfinals for the second consecutive season after scoring 196 kills and 79 blocks. She also had 21 aces, and earned first team All-San Antonio league honors.

Coach of the year: Daniel Krawiec, La Puente
First Team
Courtney Donaldson, Bonita, Sr.
Tara Prater, St. Lucy's, Sr.
Paige Quinones, La Puente, Sr.
Jennifer Silva, Walnut, Sr.
Jamie Park, Diamond Bar, Sr.
Danielle Stewart, South Hills, Sr.
Second Team
Valerie Brain, Glendora, Jr.
Diana Lake, Charter Oak, Sr.
Haley Musulman, South Hills, Sr.
Samantha Sheller, Walnut, Jr.
Ashley Maxfeldt, Bonita, So.
Christine Aguilera, St. Lucy's, Jr

Since the coach was kind enough to send the updates, I'm more than happy to post it.

55th Annual Covina Christmas Tournament
Monday's championship semifinals
Fremont 60, Bishop Amat 18
Chino Hills 63, Bonita 43

Tuesday's championship
Fremont vs. Chino Hils, 8:30 p.m.
3rd place game
Bishop Amat vs. Bonita, 7 p.m.

Nogales Tournament
Monday's championship semifinals
Corona Centennial 57, Damien 41
Rancho Verde 54, Nogales 37

Tuesday's championship
Corona Centennial vs. Rancho Verde, 8 p.m.
3rd place game
Nogales vs. Damien, 6:30 p.m.

For Covina tournament semifinals story, click thread

Runner of the year: Jayson Perez
School: South El Monte
Year: Junior
Notable: Perez earned his second consecutive runner of the year title, advancing to the CIF-SS Division III finals. The junior sealed his spot after completing the grueling Mt. San Antonio College course in 15 minutes, 48 seconds at the CIF-SS divisional preliminaries. He also won the Mission Valley League individual title. But he missed on advancing to the CIF State meet for the second consecutive season after finishing 26th with a time of 16:09.

Coach of the year: Don Summer, Glendora
First Team
Anthony Castro, Glendora, So.
Austin Goodheart, Glendora, Jr.
Sergio Rodriguez, Los Altos, Sr.
Chris Ramsey, Glendora, Sr.
Victor Serrano, Rosemead, Sr.
Jonathan Taylor, Rowland, Sr.
Second Team
Paul Balderas, Diamond Ranch, Jr.
Corey Bullock, Glendora, Sr.
Jesus Corral, Baldwin Park, Sr.
Jonathan Garcia, Damien, So.
Kyle MacClellan, Arroyo, Sr.
Christian Sanchez, Walnut, Sr.

Christmas Eve massacre leaves 9 dead in Covina

On my way home from Christmas Eve festivities, I saw the helicopters and wondered what the commotion was not far from my Covina neighborhood, only to learn the next morning about the horrible tragedy just a few miles away. Covering basketball games in the Covina tournament felt so meaningless this afternoon, and though this is a high school prep sports blog, our thoughts and prayers are with the families. If you would like to offer words of support for the victims and families, or follow the latest news updates, visit Frank Girardot's Crime Scene Blog

Starting in January, we will begin the process of projecting the 2009 top players at each position, as well as a new top ten football team lists, along with as many fall schedule's as possible. Next week I'll post the All-CIF football teams...that's right, all football, all the time. To get this started, how about a sneak preview from the Scouting Guru's perspective. We expect the Guru to be hard at work until next fall.

Rowland quarterback Michael Ball had a great year and will only be a junior next season.

The Scouting Guru has been all over the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, and like always, he's offered to share his thoughts, free of charge. Don't hate, enjoy it for what it's worth, which is one man's opinion on the talent in the San Gabriel Valley.

From the Guru ...
So, the idea of this team came from a ton of area coaches. So with the help of game footage and results of the all-league balloting, here is the 1st Team All-Underclass Team as put together by the SGV/IE Scouting Service.

Offense
Quarterback: Michael Ball, Rowland
Running Back: Adam Muema, Charter Oak
Running Back: Ricky Johnson, West Covina
Wide Receiver: Ify Umodu, South Hills
Wide Receiver: Wallace Gonzales, Glendora
Wide Receiver: Geoffrey Vaughns, South Hills
Offensive Line: Siosi Tanui, South Hills
Offensive Line: Richard Tejeda, West Covina
Offensive Line: Andy Orozco, Charter Oak
Offensive Line: Michael Wells, Diamond Ranch
Offensive Line: Raymond Ragoza, Baldwin Park

Guru Notes: The quarterback position was a no brainer. Ball stood out as the best underclassman this year. But he will have competition to hold the position as Glendora's Chad Jefferies, Bishop Amat's Jerry McClanahan and Charter Oak's Josiah Thropay will give him a run for the money. And here is something else to consider. South Hills has had NINE consecutive QB's named to the 1st Team All-CIF. So whoever gets the nod at QB on Cameron/Barranca gets thrown in the mix. Running Backs to watch for include J. Anderson from Amat and freshman Jamel Hart from South Hills. There is a ton of size at the WR position with Umodu and Gonzales on the field. And Vaughns has some of the best hands in the area. Along the front, the kid from SH already has an offer from BYU (and he is only going to be a junior next year).

Defense
Defensive Line: Tre Hale, Damien
Defensive Line: Peter Nonu, South Hills
Defensive Line: Leonard Rhodes, Walnut
Linebacker: Tre Evans, San Dimas
Linebacker: Reyes Barrera, South Hills
Linebacker: Brack Traley, Damien
Linebacker: Leon Youngblood, Charter Oak
Cornerback: Darian Johnson, Bishop Amat
Cornerback: Dennis Rufus, Charter Oak
Safety: Brandon Golden, Charter Oak
Safety: A.J. Powell, Charter Oak

Guru Notes: Hale and Nonu have big upsides and will fun to watch next year. The linebacking core is solid and if CO makes another run at the title next year, it will rely on the strength of the secondary. Any one of those three guys could start at BA right now if they wanted to. SH's Miles Bevel (a 2x 1st-team all league selection at Free-Safety) is one to watch. Which leaves us with one final position...the all-purpose position!

All- Purpose: Cawantas Brown, San Dimas

Love the way this kid performs and competes on the field. HC informed us that he wants Brown at 205 lbs. next season. If that is the case, mark him as the early favorite to be the League MVP. He is that good. No punters and kickers until the end of the spring. Sorry!

As you look at the team, one thing becomes apparent, BA just doesn't have the best talent in the area. If they get to seven wins next year, it will be a miracle. Charter Oak seems stacked and one thing to remember, the SH fresmhan team in 2006 went 9-1 and is considered one of the best teams they ever had. So you know that SH will be stocked and ready to go in 2009.

Love to get some feedback and if they are any players that we missed, well, that should be good enough motiviaiton when you are in the weight room this winter. Happy New Year.

MVP Offense: Adrian Gaeta, Azusa
MVP Defense: Paul Medina, Azusa
MVP Lineman: Eddie Osorio, Sierra Vista

Above: Azusa's Adrian Gaeta, named offensive player of the year

First Team offense
QB: Justin Flores, Sierra Vista
RB: Albert Martinez, Azusa
RB: Jordan Canada, Duarte
RB: Wesley Renner, Sierra Vista
RB: Kalilin Bradford, Workman
WR: Rauley Zaragoza, Azusa
WR: Daniel Limon, Sierra Vista
WR: Angel Ontiveros, Sierra Vista
TE: Dreu Rhodes, Duarte
OL: Cesar Garcia, Azusa
OL: Aaron Martinez, Azusa
OL: Erick Anguiana, Azusa
OL: Carlos Aguirre, Bassett
OL: Tim Starr, Duarte
OL: Christopher Sanchez, Gladstone
OL: Adrian Gonzalez, Sierra Vista
OL: Jorge De Horta, Workman
PK: Daniel Limon, Sierra Vista

First Team Defense
DB: Jon Ochoa, Azusa
DB: Kendall Thompson, Duarte
DB: Desmond Hayes, Duarte
DB: Javier Jerez, Sierra Vista
DL: JC Rosales, Azusa
DL: Joseph Martinez, Duarte
DL: Ryan Cranford, Duarte
DL: Sal Paris, Gladstone
DL: Irving Olguin, Sierra Vista
DL: Ruben Gomez, Workman
LB: Joe Bazan, Azusa
LB: Steven Arceo, Azusa
LB: Wardell Crutchfield Jr., Duarte
LB: Ryan Gomez, Gladstone
LB: Nathan Carillo, Sierra Vista

For second team, click thread

55th Annual Covina Tournament
Friday, Dec. 26
Upland vs. West Covina, 10 a.m
Los Altos vs. Bishop Amat, 11:30 a.m.
Norhview vs. Wilson, 1 p.m.
Claremont vs. Fremont, 2:30 p.m.
Sierra Vista vs. Chino Hills, 4 p.m.
South Hills vs. California, 5:30 p.m.
Rosemead vs. Bonita, 7 p.m.
Rowland vs. Covina, 8 p.m.
Girls Basketball
Fifth Annual Rowland Christmas Tournament
Friday's first round games, Dec. 26
El Rancho vs. Rowland, 9 a.m.
Bassett vs. Bonita, 10:30 a.m.
Eagle Rock vs. Montebello, Noon
Los Altos vs. Arroyo, 1:30 p.m.
Nogales vs. Alemany, 3 p.m.
Covina vs. San Jacinto, 4:30 p.m.
Azusa vs. Western, 6 p.m.
La Habra vs. Wilson, 7:30 p.m.
Ayala tournament
Perris vs. Bishop Amat, 9 a.m.
Rancho Cucamonga vs. Wilson, 10:30 a.m.
Knight vs. Diamond Ranch, 9 a.m.

Runner of the year: Katy Hebb, St. Lucy's
Year: Freshman
Notable: Hebb had an oustanding adaption to high school cross country, finishing 20th at the CIF State championships in Fresno. The freshman was solid all season as the Regents qualified as a team to the State meet for the first time in more than 20 years. Hebb, who would have also have qualified as an individual, had a steady run of 19 minutes, 31 seconds in the CIF-Southern Section Division III Finals race at Mt.SAC before finishig among the Top 20 at the State meet with an 18:49, which was the top finish among local runners.
Coach of the year: Tony Reyes, St. Lucy's
First Team
Marissa Horton, St. Lucy's, So.
Heather Jackson, Bonita, So.
Lauren Justus, Glendora, So.
Carly Lake, Charter Oak, Fr.
Brittnie Munoz, Rosemead, Jr.
Liz Zuniga, South Hills, Sr.
Second Team
Alex Cifuentes, Covina, Sr.
Krissy Hebb, St. Lucy's, Fr.
Shevonn Johnson, Bonita, Fr.
Mariah Reyes, St. Lucy's, Sr.
Reina Sotelo, Los Altos, Jr.
Angela Tu, Wilson, Sr.

Player of the year: Chris Allen, Charter Oak

Coach of the year: Lou Farrar, Charter Oak

First Team Offense
QB: Cameron Deen, South Hills
RB: Adam Muema, Charter Oak
RB: DeShawn Gaisie, Bishop Amat, Sr
AP: Tra Sumler, Rosemead
WR: Rauley Zaragosa, Azusa
WR: B.J. Oyefeso, Rowland
WR: Derrick Price, Bonita
OL: Graham Vickers, Diamond Ranch
OL: Kyle Salm, San Dimas
OL: Albert Cid, West Covina
OL: Evan Williams, Charter Oak
OL: Chris Flores, Rosemead
PK: Jeremy Brown, Los Altos

First Team Defense
DL: Jeff Gelalich, Bonita
DL: Tyler Perri, Charter Oak
DL: Alex Barrios, South Hills
LB: Andrew Rodriguez, Northview
LB: Kyle Lengyel, Diamond Ranch
LB: Chad Young, Glendora
LB: Brent Seals, Bishop Amat
DB: Brandon Sermons, Diamond Ranch
DB: Sheldon Price, Bishop Amat
DB: Brandon Stansell, Rowland
SS: Daniel Joseph, San Dimas
P: Ethan Betance, Damien

For Second team, honorable Mention, and a list of all the Tribune players of the year, click thread

Photo courtesy of ESPN

Imagine having to work with this guy? Jason's one of our night editors, the paper does not get out without him, but most of the time he's that doggone Boston fan and life in the office has been insufferable since the Lakers' loss to the Celtics. We've got a long way to the championship, but I would at least like to quiet this guy for the Holidays. C'mon Lakers, time to D-up.

You know how Christmas Eve goes, last minute shopping, presents to wrap, and family to get to this evening and tomorrow. But before I sneak out, thanks again to all of you who make this one of the best high school blogs anywhere. Almost all newspapers have high school blogs, but the comments and participation from our bloggers makes us unique, and has set the bar. We're now approaching almost 200,000 hits a month, which are numbers that have climbed each year since the blog first began in April of 2006. I wish I could thank all of our bloggers personally, many of you have approached me at games, emailed, and it was a pleasure meeting and talking to you. I won't try to name everyone, because I know I'd leave some out, so thanks all of you, and please, if you see me at an event, stop and say hi. I'd also like to send a special thanks to our correspondents John Honell, Scott French, Mike Baca, Casey Cranford, Ismael Reynoso, Ariel Carmona, Bruce Little, Rudy Ramos, Mike Munford, Casey Thompson, Ali Jawad, Jerry Luna, Henry Montemayor, Ross Kimsey, Miguel Arcieniega, John Sherrard, Nathan Cambridge, Nathan Hawkins, Royce Kirkland, Guillermo Tovar, Rick Matthauser, El Russell, Jason Lowder, James Moya, Elizabeth Botello and of course the Scouting Guru, James Escarcega. We could not attempt to cover every high school football game without them, and they do it for almost nothing because of their passion for high school sports. Thanks to all the coaches and players for being good sports. We know the blogs can get out of hand at times, but the exposure it brings to high school sports in the San Gabriel Valley is why we do it, and I will always have an open door policy if parents, players or coaches have concerns. That's it for now, the 2008 Tribune All-Area Football teams will be launched sometime after midnight, maybe sooner. Again, be safe, enjoy your families, and thanks again for making me look like I know what I'm doing.

Player of the year: Brian Donohoe, Damien
School: Damien
Position: Utility
Year: Senior
Notable: Damien coach Andrew Gates called the senior one of the best two or three players he's ever coached, a bold statement considering the Spartans have achieved one CIF-Southern Section title and three runner up finishes during Gates' tenure at the school Donohoe was the key to Damien winning another Sierra League title and advancing to the Division III semifinals. He scored 151 goals and had a school-record 79 assists for the Spartans. He also was Sierra League MVP and earned first-team All-CIF-SS Division III honors

Coach of the year: Andrew Gates, Damien
Notable: Gates has turned the Spartans into an area power during his 11 years at the school. He guided Damien to A CIF-SS divisional title in 2002 and has led the Spartans to the finals on three other occasions. Damien also has ruled the Sierra League, securing the title for the past eight years under his watch.

First Team
Andrew Gallegos, Rowland, So.
Matthew Morales, Walnut, Sr.
Eric Osterberg, Damien, So.
David Purrington, Damien, Jr.
Alec Williams, Bonita, So.
Josh Yu, Walnut, Sr.

Second Team
Johnny Beal, Damien, So.
Steven Garcia, Walnut, Sr.
Dylan Rudy, Charter Oak, Sr.
Walter Shockley, Damien, Jr.
Tyler Watkins, Rowland, Sr.

By Steve Ramirez
Northview High School has had the top wrestling program in the area for much of the past decade, and any thought of that dominance diminishing was put to rest over the weekend. The Vikings, ranked No. 3 in CIF-Southern Section Division I to begin the season, exercised their might at the Brea Invitational this past Saturday. Northview, which won the team title with 254 points, advanced eight competitors to the finals, with seven bringing home individual titles.
To continue reading, click thread

The Scouting Guru has been all over the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, and like always, he's offered to share his thoughts, free of charge. Don't hate, enjoy it for what it's worth, which is one man's opinion on the talent in the San Gabriel Valley. Today he offers his post-season high school football thoughts, and the latest in the football recruiting wars.

Well the season is finally over and with the publication of the All Area team slated for Thursday, all the awards have been passed out. So it's time to clean out the recruiting notebook and impressions from the post-season. Great job by the Charter Oak coaches and players led by Lou Farrar and the rest of the staff. To be third in line for a possible state birth shows you that they were the best team in the SGV. Here is our top 5 at the end of the season.

Guru's top five
1. Charter Oak
2. Bishop Amat
3. Diamond Ranch
4. South Hills
5. Rosemead

For much, much, more from the Guru, click the thread, he has plenty to discuss

After combing through scores and talking to a few coaches, I've come up with a new girls soccer top ten, which may or may not be a surprise. I don't have records for all the teams, but this is what has been reported to Maxpreps.

What's this: It got a little testy recently in a game between Bonita and Alta Loma, which ended in a 2-2 tie. The Bearcats are at least 3-2-2, but don't have all their scores to include them in the top ten rankings.

1. Glendora (7-1-1) -- The Tartans have been the most impressive so far, outscoring their opponents 17-3, which includes six straight shutouts and wins over JSerra, Claremont, Jarupa Valley and Diamond Ranch.
2. Bishop Amat (7-0-2) - What a huge surprise. I knew the Lancers had a group of talented freshman and that coach Ruben Gonzalez would eventually turn it around, but they own a 3-0 victory over Los Altos, and only have allowed five goals and have six shutouts on the young season.
3. St. Lucy's (4-2-2) -- Impressive wins over Katella, Rancho Cucamonga, and who can fault a loss to national power Upland, 5-2. The Regents also have beaten Northview, but lost a close game to Maranatha, a westside power, 2-1 in the Claremont tourney.
4. Los Altos (9-2) -- Another huge surprise. After advancing to the championship of the La Mirada tournament, the Conquerors captured the Garey tournament title on Monday with a 2-0 victory over Magnolia behind a pair of goals from Malasia Avery.
5. Walnut (2-1) - Obviously they haven't reported all their scores, but we know the Mustangs are among the area's elite. Hint, hint, get up to speed over there in Mustang-land.
6. South Hills (6-3-2) -- Our preseason No. 1 hasn't lived up to it yet. They have impressive wins over Chino Hills, Don Lugo, but also a loss to San Dimas. They need to be more consistent to climb this list.
7. San Dimas (7-2-4) -- The Saints have been hit and miss but they're scoring goals at a rapid pace, already with 43 in just 13 games. They've beaten teams they're supposed to beat, but against St. Lucy's in the Claremont tournament, they got beat 5-0.
8. Diamond Ranch (2-2-2) - Not sure if we have all the results, but they have a nice tie with Maranatha, a 2-0 loss to Glendora, but only have allowed five goals in the six games that have been reported.
9. Charter Oak (7-3-2) - Undefeated against area teams with wins over West Covina and Covina, but didn't look good in season-opening 3-0 loss to Arcadia.
10. Baldwin Park (7-1-1) -- The Braves have outscored their opponents 29-8, but their schedule has been friendly and their lone loss was a 3-2 setback against Rowland.

Girls Soccer standings
Del Rey League
Christian League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

San Gabriel Valley and Inland Empire high school principals, athletic directors, coaches and other officials will meet in late January and early February to discuss re-leaguing scenarios, which begin a new four-year cycle beginning in the 2010-11 season. The main issues are competitive equity and geographical proximity, and from what I'm hearing there will be big changes across the board. For one, my alma mater, Edgewood, is expected to be a high school again by 2010, which will affect West Covina High, which could ask for relief and be moved into another league because of its smaller enrollment. Other schools like Wilson, Los Altos and Diamond Bar could ask for relief and be moved into different leagues. There is also discussion about a new league being created, and which teams might be moved into tougher leagues, with the possibility of Charter Oak being moved to the Sierra. There is also discussion of what to do with Damien. Should it be in a Catholic-school league, or will it remain in the Sierra. As one Orange County coach noted recently, "when we go into that meeting room, there really are no leagues." When dates are officially set to begin the re-leaguing discussions, I will release them and we will have more as we get closer. For now, what changes do you think need to be made.

Congratulations to all those who made all-area teams. We will run the all-area teams on the following dates:

Boys Water Polo: Wednesday, Dec. 24
Football: Thursday, Dec. 25
Girls Cross Country: Friday, Dec. 26
Boys Cross Country: Saturday, Dec. 27
Girls Volleyball: Sunday, Dec. 28
Girls Tennis: Tuesday, Dec. 30

Here's a post I put up on our NFL blog and have reposted it here, mainly because Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli is a Rosemead native:

There's an old saying in politics, whether you are republican or democrat, that thou shall never speak ill of another party member.
It's also goes for the journalism profession. But today I'm going to break that unwritten rule. I'm embarrassed today of being a sportswriter, and I have Detroit News columnist Rob Parker to blame. He clearly stepped over the line Sunday when questioning Detroit Lions coach Rod Marinelli after the Lions became the first NFL team in history to go 0-15.
Parker tried to place the blame on the Lions defense, and defensive coordinator Joe Barry, asking Rosemead native Marinelli why he hasn't replaced his DC, who also happens to be his son-in-law.
When he didn't get the answer he wanted, he crossed the line, asking Marinelli, "Do you wish your daughter would have married a better defensive coordinator?"
This coming from someone who probably doesn't know the difference between a 'Cover 2' or a 'Plug 1.'
Why get personal, Rob?
The Lions problem lies not with the coaching staff, but with the players that former team president Matt Millen put together. I reflect back to motor sports, and what Al Unser Jr. once told me, and that was that if two cars are close in performance, the better driver can make a difference. But if one car is clearly quicker, the best driver in the world is not going to make that difference up. It's the same in team sports, where if the gap in talent level is too great, the best coaching staff in the world is not going to be able to win with it.
I guess Parker doesn't know that. And the Fox Sports staff agrees with me, listen to what they say at the end of the video.

Arroyo Championship
Bishop Amat 58, Notre Dame 47
Bishop Amat improves to 9-0, Notre Dame drops to 8-3.
Tournament MVP: Arielle Wideman, who scored a game-high 13 points

Fifth Annual Rowland Christmas Tournament
Friday's first round games
Dec. 26
El Rancho vs. Rowland, 9 a.m.
Bassett vs. Bonita, 10:30 a.m.
Eagle Rock vs. Montebello, Noon
Los Altos vs. Arroyo, 1:30 p.m.
Nogales vs. Alemany, 3 p.m.
Covina vs. San Jacinto, 4:30 p.m.
Azusa vs. Western, 6 p.m.
La Habra vs. Wilson, 7:30 p.m.

Girls Basketball
Christian League
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

Best team: Let's start with the obvious: Bonita is the best team in the Valley. They won the Glendora/Rowland tournament, they beat Chino Hills in sort of a tournament of champions game at Glendora. They just whipped Alhambra 62-38 to capture the Alhambra tournament to improve to a perfect 11-0. They're off until Miramonte League play begins, which should be a good head-to-head battle with Diamond Ranch (3-1, not updated).

Surprises: You would have to say Bishop Amat. Can you believe they're 10-1 after beating Damien, 47-46 in the championship of the West Covina tournament on Saturday? It's not like they've had some big senior transfers, they're doing it with hard work. You have to give coach Brandon Ertle a lot of credit, they 're so much better than last year. Walnut (7-2) is also turning heads after beating Amat to win the Arroyo tournament last week.. That should be a great battle in the San Antonio with Rowland, South Hills and Nogales. Northview is sort of a surprise too. They're 8-3 but two of those losses came to Bonita, and they beat Glendora, who has done well since losing to the Vikings. Charter Oak at 7-2 is also impressive, though not like football, they will get swallowed up by the best in the Miramonte.

55th Annual Covina Tournament
Friday, Dec. 26
Upland vs. West Covina, 10 a.m
Los Altos vs. Bishop Amat, 11:30 a.m.
Norhview vs. Wilson, 1 p.m.
Claremont vs. Fremont, 2:30 p.m.
Sierra Vista vs. Chino Hills, 4 p.m.
South Hills vs. California, 5:30 p.m.
Rosemead vs. Bonita, 7 p.m.
Rowland vs. Covina, 8 p.m.

Boys Basketball standings
Arrowhead League
Christian League
Del Rey League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League
Montview League
Mission Valley League
Miramonte League

Anything and anyone you want to talk about ...

Sorry there were no threads over the weekend, it was my 3-day retreat from the blog, and it worked out to perfection, the Christmas shopping is over, the all-area teams have been photographed and written about and will be unveiled on Christmas Day. In talking to the seniors who came in for pictures, they wanted to know about the Hall of Fame game, which is months away. There continues to be growing concern about the organization of the Hall of Fame, especially after the fiasco this past summer, in which the West side put a team together and the last second, and still won. Some of them wanted us to create our own game, like our Star-News/Tribune basketball game, others thought since most of the Valley is in the Southeast and Mid-West, that a divisional all-star game would be appropriate. But what we we do with Amat and Damien? What do you think, and what can we do in the football off-season to keep football relevant and topical. If you have any thread ideas, email them to me.

Hi all:

My latest update on Prep Stars: Where are you now? features former Bishop Amat girls basketball star Kristen McCarthy, who is having a solid freshman season at Temple University.

The Diamond Ranch boys team and the Bishop Amat girls team were the top area basketball teams to begin the season. The December tournament season is just about complete, but do the two still deserve to be atop the rankings?
Just to refresh your memory, here are our preseason rankings:

BOYS BASKETBALL

PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Diamond Ranch
2. Nogales
3. Northview
4. Bonita
5. Glendora
6 Damien
7. La Verne Lutheran
8. Rowland
9. Los Altos
10. Workman
GIRLS BASKETBALL

PRESEASON TOP 10
1. Bishop Amat
2. Diamond Ranch
3. Wilson
4. Walnut
5. South Hills
6. Covina
7. Sierra Vista
8. Northview
9. San Dimas
10. Azusa

MVP: Brandon Stansell, Rowland
Offensive MVP: Cameron Deen, South Hills
Defensive MVP: Alex Barrios, South Hills

First Team
Offense
QB: Michael Ball, Rowland
WR: Ify Umodo, South Hills
WR: B.J. Oyefesu, Rowland
WR: Geoffrey Vaughns, South Hills
RB: Ian Papparo, Nogales
RB: Ricky Johnson, West Covina
RB: Leonard Rhodes, Walnut
RB: Milan King, Walnut
TE: Joe Burruel, South Hills
OL: Greg Vargas, South Hills
OL: Albert Cid, West Covina
OL: Linker Sanchez, Rowland
OL: Richard Tejada, West Covina
OL: Ty Olsen, South Hills
PK: Henry Calistro, Rowland

First Team
Defense
DB: Miles Bevel, South Hills
DB: Ruben Townes, South Hills
DB: Jabril Pearson, West Covina
DB: Jon Hernandez, West Covina
LB: Pedro Lara, Rowland
LB: Alonzo Nevarez, West Covina
LB : Thomas Flores, West Covina
DE: Chris Waldenberger, Rowland
DE: Alec Griffin, South Hills
DE: Ryan McLaurin, Rowland
DE: Ronnie Magellon, West Covina
DL: Stephen David, Rowland
DL: Richard Tejada, West Covina
DL: Adrian Rodriguez, West Covina
DL: Chima Ike, Walnut

For second team, click thread

Now that former Los Altos coach Greg Gano is at Damien, whats the word on the coaching vacancies at Wilson and La Puente, where Greg Hoyd and Ray Hernandez have resigned? With Dave Merrill retiring from his longtime A.D. position at Wilson to join Gano's staff, both Hacienda Heights school's are looking for Athletic Director's as well. If you know who's next in line, break it here.

This was put together by our neighbors at the Mid-Valley News.

Who: Cezar Guerrero when he was with St. John Bosco doing a television interview...Of course the sophomore sensation is now at Workman.
College considering: UCLA
Lobos record: 3-1
Averaging: 28 points
Next game: Tonight (Thursday): Workman vs. Ayala, 5:15 p.m., in Ayala tournament.

ESPN scouting report from September: Guerrero has appeared to have grown in the last couple of months and his frame is looking more promising than it was originally projected at. His length is solid for the "one", but it's his speed and quickness that separates him from most point guards his age. He is an absolute blur in the open court and yet has the ability to stop on a dime and nail the pull-up jump shot. His release is textbook and overall his shot is very consistent in the mid-range area. He can be a very good passer, especially in the open court, but he still has a tendency to over penetrate and force the issue. His patented move is a "spinner" in the lane, but as the competition - both from an athletic as well as savvy stand point - increases, may become less effective. Overall, Guerrero needs to develop more pace and learn how to manage a game to reach his potential.

Anything and anyone you want to talk about ...

The answer to that question is yes! Bishop Amat has inquired with Charter Oak about a week one game next season, so what's taking so long to ink this deal? If Charter Oak had scheduled and beat Amat this past season, they would be playing on Saturday in a state bowl game. You need to improve strength of schedule for the big considerations. This is also the perfect time, the Chargers return Adam Muema, Brandon Golden, Leon Youngblood, Keith Smith, A.J. Powell and Dennis Rufus, all of whom were named to the Miramonte first team (along with about a 100 other kids, though that's a different topic). There's also the possibility that Josiah Thropay, who left Amat and enrolled at Charter Oak, could be the starting QB, adding more intrigue. Meanwhile, Amat is losing two UCLA signees, and a host of other talented seniors. If this isn't the time for Charter Oak to schedule Amat, then when is?

Side note: Amat is zeroing in on its week four spot, re-opening discussions with Orange Lutheran, though St. Bonaventure appears to be the front-runner to fill it. Either way, it will be a home game.

Hmmm: I'm wondering if we're working Star-News prep editor Miguel Melendez too hard. We must, which explains his final top ten rankings from the west side. Um, where's St. Francis?

1. Rosemead (11-3)
2. Temple City (7-5-1)
3. Monrovia (10-3)
4. Rio Hondo (10-3)
5. Duarte (6-6)
6. Muir (9-2)
7. Marantha (11-2)
8. San Gabriel (5-6)
9. San Marino (8-3)
10. Nobody, Miguel noting that no team deserved it.

The Tribune all area team comes out on Christmas, until then, I'll release one all-league team each day.

MVP: Tra Sumler, Rosemead
Back of the year: Angel Alejandre, Rosemead
Lineman of the year: Chris Flores, Rosemead

First Team
Offense
QB: Jose Garay, South El Monte
RB: MIke Vasquez, Arroyo
RB: Luke Ayala, El Monte
AP: Raul LIra, Rosemead
WR: Bobby Navarro, Rosemead
WR: Chris Rodriguez, Arroyo
WR: Manny Acosta, South El Monte
TE: Luis Diaz, Rosemead
OL: Javier Lozano, Arroyo
OL: Julio Tena, El Monte
OL: Oscar Quinones, El Monte
OL: Javier Sanchez, Rosmead
PK: Bobby Maldonado, Rosemead

First Team
Defense
DB: Alex Chang, Rosemead
DB: Chris Noriega, Arroyo
DB: Fernando Noriega, El Monte
AP: Mike Chavez, Arroyo
DL: Edward Vasquez, Rosemead
DL: Javier Lozano, Arroyo
DL: Oscar Quinones, El Monte
DE: Luis Diaz, Rosemead
DE: Matt Philip, Arroyo
LB: Cesar Chavez, Rosemead
LB: Gilbert Delarosa, Rosemead
LB: Joey Diaz, Rosemead
LB: Mike Vasquez, Arroyo
LB: Julio Tena, El Monte

For second team, click thread

Regular blogger New York emailed this story on the do-it-yourself athletic scholarship. Not all coaches are going to help you out on this, sometimes you have to sell yourself.

The Tribune all area team comes out on Christmas, until then, I'll release one all-league team each day.

Player of the year: Chris Allen, Charter Oak
Offensive MVP: Adam Muema, Charter Oak
Offensive MVP: Derrick Price, Bonita
Defensive MVP: Jeff Gelalich, Bonita
Defensive MVP: Kyle Lengyel, Diamond Ranch
Defensive MVP: Evan Williams, Charter Oak
Defensive MVP: Tyler Perri, Charter Oak

Offense
First Team
QB - Terry Paradez, Bonita
RB - Brandon Golden, Charter Oak
RB - Brian Spirlin, Diamond Ranch
RB - Marco Carillo, Los Altos
RB - Tim Gilmore, Wilson
TE - Brandon Brooks, Charter Oak
OL - Nathan Burgett, Bonita
OL - Matt Chan, Charter Oak
OL - Kevin Butikofer, Charter Oak
OL - Jared Dunbar, Charter Oak
OL - Graham Vickers, Diamond Ranch
OL - Leonard Magallon, Los Altos
WR - Doug Griffith, Bonita
WR - Kiely Rycraw, Charter Oak
WR - Josiah Curiel, Diamond Ranch
PK - Jeremy Brown, Los Altos
PK - Evan Highley, Bonita

Defense
First Team
DB - Dewayne Gatti, Bonita
DB - A.J. Powell, Charter Oak
DB - Dennis Rufus, Charter Oak
DB - Brandon Sermons, Diamond Ranch
DL - Littleton Gardner, Bonita
DL - Tyler Cortez, Bonita
DL - Bryan Bonilla, Diamond Ranch
DL - Xavier Molina-Williams, Diamond Ranch
DL - Eric Wilson, Diamond Ranch
LB - Keith Smith, Charter Oak
LB - Leon Youngblood, Charter Oak
LB - Adam Marcos, Los Altos
LB - Jason Bonilla, Diamond Ranch
LB - Brian Snodgrass, Wilson
P - Daniel Colby, Charter Oak

For second team, click thread

Former Los Altos coach Greg Gano has been named the next Damien High head coach. Gano, who won four championships while with Los Altos, will be introduced at the school later today.

Update:Damien supporters might be interested to know that Gano already has begun assembling his staff. Former Wilson football coach and athletic director Dave Merrill, who guided the Wildcats to a section championship in 1997, is retiring at Wilson and becoming the offensive coordinator. Former Monrovia coach Steve Garrison, who took the Wildcats to three CIF championship games in the 1990's, is also joining Gano's staff along with his longtime Los Altos assistants Lee Fair and John Howing.

Greg Gano: "The only way I was going to come back is if the right opportunity opened up, and this was it. The year away showed how much I missed it. Life is a bunch of challenges, and something like this gets the motor running again."

Gano on his staff: "To be successful you have to have great people around you. I think we're off to a great start."

Gano on winning: "I hope it doesn't take long (to start winning). Our goal is to try and win next year. I don't know if that's realistic or unrealistic, but that's our goal."

Steve Bogan: "It's a good hire, Greg will breathe life into that program. He does a tremendous job of seeing the big picture, he's creative, and a good communicator. Kids will know where he's coming from. You won't feel like you're being missiled. This is something that's in his DNA. He's a coaches' coach."

Bogan also talked about the challenges Gano faces. "First of all he brings tremendous name recognition, and second, there were a lot of people who doubted he could handle taking over for DeSpain. How many people could have done what he did? That's something not focused on enough. That shows right there he wasn't afraid of taking on pressure."

Best Exchange: Father Patrick Travers, Damien's principal, said he was flattered when he learned that Gano was interested. "He comes with a great record," Travers said. "He's been to the finals five times and won four. If he takes us to the finals even half that many times we would be pleased. We've had a long drought." Gano looked at Travers in mock relief. "Only half?," Gano said. "The pressure's off."

Navigating through MaxPreps can take forever, so I've simplified it, and will continue to post standings updates throughout the season. Note to all coaches, please update your records and stats as often as you can.

Boys Basketball
Arrowhead League
Christian League
Del Rey League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League
Montview League
Mission Valley League
Miramonte League

Girls Basketball
Christian League
Del Rey League
Miramonte League
Mission Valley League
Montview League
San Antonio League
Sierra League
Valle Vista League

1. Charter Oak (13-0-1) -- Undefeated and undisputed area champion
2. Bishop Amat (7-4) -- Nearly pulled off the shocker of the Southland over LB Poly
3. Diamond Ranch (7-7) -- Finally lived up to all the pre-season hype
4. South Hills (9-3) -- Good year, but not great by Huskies standards
5. Rowland (10-3) -- Played the Chargers as tough as anyone
6. West Covina (10-3) -- Considering the youth, great job by Maggiore and Co.
7. Glendora (8-4) -- Second straight Sierra League title
8. Rosemead (11-3) -- So close to school's second CIF title
9. Northview (9-3) -- Played CIF champ Paraclete better than anyone
10. San Dimas (10-2) -- If only its defense kept up with its offense.

The Tribune all area team comes out on Christmas, until then, I'll release one all-league team each day.

Offensive MVP - Daniel Joseph, San Dimas
Defensive MVP - Andrew Rodriguez, Northview

Offense
First Team
QB: Jacob Olivas, Covina
QB: Andy Salcido, Baldwin Park
QB: Mick Kalmar, San Dimas
RB: Titus Teague, Pomona
RB: Julian Garcia, Ganesha
TE: Tre Evans, San Dimas
WR - Kevin Jones, Northview
WR - Anthony Farmer, Northview
WR - Kevin Kolbeck, San Dimas
OL - Greg Reid, Covina
OL - Kyle Salm, San Dimas
OL - Mitch Mullaly, Northview
OL - Ryan Doll, San Dimas
OL - Garrett Smith, San Dimas
PK - Hugo Ibarra, Pomona

Defense
First Team
DB: Anthony Farmer, Northview
FS: Kevin Jones, Northview
DB: Titus Teague, Pomona
DB: David Olivas, Covina
DB: Erek Brown, San Dimas
LB - Christian Vargas, Northview
LB - Siddiq Frazier, Pomona
LB - Bily Castro, Baldwin Park
LB - Lionel Acosta, Northview
DL - Ryan Doll, San Dimas
DL - Marty Legaqspe, Northview
DL - Mychael Sandoval, San Dimas
DL -Alfonso Gutierrez, Northview
DL - Jazz Daniels, Covina
P - Alberto Orozco, Pomona

San Diego's Cathedral (13-0) will play St. Mary's of Stockton in Saturday's Division II state bowl championship at the Home Depot Center in Carson. In the final state poll, Cathedral finished first with San Diego's Oceanside (12-0-1) second and Charter Oak (13-0-1) third, which means the Chargers were the top-ranked team from the Southern Section, but lost out to the San Diego schools in the poll. Did the Chargers deserve the bid?
CalPreps' Division II South rankings

If Charter had beaten, say, Bishop Amat, that might have been enough to earn a bowl invitation.....So, who would have won that game? Diamond Ranch lost to Bishop Amat 17-6 earlier in the season and lost twice to Charter Oak. Panthers coach Roddy Layton was asked who he thought would win if the two teams played.
"It's so close, but I'd have to go with Charter Oak," Layton said. "They're so underrated on defense, and have a great offense when you talk about (quarterback) Chris Allen and (running back) Adam Muema. Bishop Amat's great too, but if I had to pick a winner, I'd have to go with Charter Oak."

2008 STATE FOOTBALL
CHAMPIONSHIP BOWL GAMES
At Home Depot Center
Friday, December 19
Small Schools: Hamilton Union, Hamilton City vs. St. Margaret's, San Juan Capistrano, 4:30 p.m.
Division I: Concord De La Salle vs. Corona Centennial, 8 p.m.

Saturday, December 20
Division III: Cardinal Newman, Santa Rosa vs. St. Bonaventure, Ventura, Noon
Division II: St. Mary's, Stockton vs. Cathedral Catholic, San Diego, 4 p.m.
Open Division: Grant, Sacramento vs. Long Beach Poly, 8 p.m.

West Covina tournament
Pool A: Damien, Monrovia, Wilson
Pool B: Apple Valley, Chaffey, Rialto
Pool C: Bishop Amat, Bassett, Charter Oak
Pool D: West Covina, Garey, La Serna

Monday's round robin
Damien vs. Wilson, 3:30 p.m.
Apple Valley vs. Rialto, 5 p.m.
Bishop Amat vs. Bassett, 6:30 p.m.
West Covina vs. Garey, 8 p.m.
Tuesday's round robin
Bassett vs. Charter Oak, 3:30 p.m.
Monrovia vs. Damien, 5 p.m.
Chaffey vs. Apple Valley, 6:30 p.m.
Garey vs. La Serna, 8 p.m.
Wednesday's round robin
Rialto vs. Chaffey, 3:30 p.m.
Charter Oak vs. Bishop Amat, 5 p.m.
Wilson vs. Monrovia, 6:30 p.m.
West Covina vs. La Serna, 8 p.m.
Friday's semifinals
1A vs. 1B, 6:30 p.m.
1C vs. 1D, 8 p.m.
Saturday's championship
1A/1B winner vs. 1C/1D winner, 7:30 p.m.

The Tribune all area team comes out on Christmas, until then, I'll release one all-league team each day starting with the Sierra League.

Offensive MVP - A.J. Johnson, RB, Chino Hills (above)
Defensive Co-MVP - Lawrence Larivee, LB, Sr., Ayala
Defensive Co-MVP - Chad Young, LB, Sr., Glendora
Athlete of the Year - David Quiroga, WR/DB, Sr., Ayala

Defensive co-MVP Chad Young of Glendora

OFFENSE
First Team
Courtney Samuel, RB, Sr., Ayala
Curtis Mowery, OL, Jr., Ayala
Cody Ruiz, WR, Sr., Chino Hills
Cody Craver, OL, Sr., Chino Hills
Shane Sweeney, OL, Sr., Chino Hills
Chris Alarcon, C, Sr., Chino Hills
Taylor Herrera, WR, Sr., Damien
Chase Sipple, OL, Sr., Damien
Sylvester Stewart, RB, Sr., Diamond Bar
Drew Kaluzny, QB, Sr., Glendora
Andre Holmes, RB, Jr., Glendora
Chad Young, FB, Sr., Glendora
Wallace Gonzalez, WR, So., Glendora
Aaron Stockham, WR, Jr., Glendora
Joel Baez, TE, Sr., Diamond Bar
Cody Tescher, OL, Sr., Glendora
Thomas Lilly, OL, Sr., Glendora
John Gallardo, OL, Sr., Glendora

DEFENSE
First Team
Ryan Castro, DL, Sr., Ayala
Michael Yllanes, DL, Jr., Ayala
Nick Thomas, LB, Jr., Ayala
Derek Brandon, DB, Sr., Ayala
Alex Arroyo, P, Sr., Ayala
Devin Jackson, DB, Sr., Ayala
Ifo Ekpre-Olomu, DB, So., Chino Hills
Josh Rottler, DL, Jr., Chino Hills
Logan Laszcyk, LB, Sr., Chino Hills
Jake Salter, DL, Sr., Damien
Ethan Betance, P, Sr., Damien
Jason Reyes, DE/LB, Sr., Damien
Justin Robles, LB, Sr., Diamond Bar
Colin Lockett, DB, Sr., Diamond Bar
Nathan Tourtellotte, DL, Sr., Glendora
Chase Murphy, DE/LB, Sr., Glendora
Erick Meraz, LB, Sr., Glendora

Sierra Vista's Dakota Fabro

Arroyo Girls Basketball tournament
Monday's first round
Charter Oak vs. Downey, 3 p.m.
SO Notre Dame vs. El Rancho, 4:30 p.m.
Glendora vs. Arroyo, 6 p.m.
Monrovia vs. Arcadia, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday's first round
Sierra Vista vs. San Marino, 3 p.m.
Sonora vs. California, 4:30 p.m.
Bishop Amat vs. Kennedy, 6 p.m.
La Canada vs. Montebello, 7:30 p.m.

San Dimas Tournament
Monday's first round
Chino Hills vs. Ontario, 3:30 p.m.
Chaffey vs. Barstow, 5 p.m.
Claremont vs. Fullerton, 6:30 p.m.
San Dimas vs. Rosemead, 8 p.m.
Tuesday's first round
West Covina vs. Diamond Bar, 3:30 p.m.
Northview vs. Nogales, 5 p.m.
Colony vs. Pomona, 6:30 p.m.
Diamond Ranch vs. Gladstone, 8 p.m.

Anything and anyone you want to talk about ...

First, congratulations to Charter Oak, the lone champion after another entertaining 15 weeks of high school football. I'll be finalizing the all-area teams in the coming days, but coach of the year, that's still a tough one. And since it's Sunday Tribbin time, I'll hear your arguments.

Mid-Valley Division championship
Rosemead 7 3 0 0 -- 10
Paraclete 7 7 0 7 -- 21
Scoring Summary
First quarter
PA - Dante Donato 8 run (kick good), 7-0, 7:29
RO - Gilbert De La Rosa 15 fumble return (kick good), 7-7, 4:07
Second quarter
PA - Matt Cordova 22 pass from Robbie Thompson, (kick good), , 14-7 5:15
RO - Bobby Maldonado 33 yard field goal, 14-10, :05
Third quarter
No scoring
Fourth quarter
PA - Brandon Buteyn 90 punt return (kick good), 21-10, 7:42

Game preview story

Rosemead (11-2) vs. Paraclete (10-3) at Knight High in Palmdale, 7 p.m.

The Mt. SAC football team dropped a 17-9 setback to Butte College in the CCCAA state title game on Saturday at Orange Coast College.

Live Box
Butte 7-0-3-7--17
MSAC 0-3-0-6--9
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
B: Justin HIlton 19 pass from Ryan Ratekin (Augie Heath kick), 10:06
Second Quarter
MS: Jacob Harfman 47 FG, 1:28
Third Quarter
B: Heath 27 FG, 11:48
Fourth Quarter
B: Alex Courtney 17 run (Heath kick), 6:38
MS: Burton Iosefa 1 run (kick failed), 4:26

Game Notes: Junior Adam Muema rushed for 80 yards and three touchdowns, and quarterback Chris Allen threw for 116 yards and rushed for 55 more as
the Chargers (13-0-1) finished undefeated to claim their fourth championship in school history in Friday's Southeast Division championship. Brian Spirlin rushed for 170 yards to lead Diamond Ranch, which finished 7-7.
Turning point: Leading 9-7 at the break, Charter Oak came out in the second half and marched 80 yards on just seven plays -- all runs -- to extend their lead to 16-7 with 9:07 left in the third quarter. Junior Brandon Golden had two carries for 37 plays on the drive, and Muema had runs of 12, 11 and finished on a three-yard touchdown. "They just ran it right down the middle on us," Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton said. "That was a key drive. They were coming off the ball exploding, and we didn't have an answer for it."
Farrar quote: "Hats off to (Diamond Ranch), they're as tough as they come. But our guys ... each one of them are outstanding human beings. It was their love for each other and their feelings for each other that kept them in every game and never let them quit. And you have to give credit to our coaching staff, they're as good as they come. A lot of our heart went into this game ... I wish my father could have been here. I miss him, but I know he's proud."
Farrar on Chris Allen: "He's as good a quarterback as I've seen in 41 years, and I've coached some great quarterbacks. The way he handles the ball, makes all the throws and his complete knowledge of the game is outstanding."
Farrar on possible retirement:I'm coming back, I'm having fun. I have nothing to do except I'm a bus driver for my grandsons. I'm a better coach now than ever because I have more time to do it. I'm not going to quit, there's no reason too. I love the game."
Layton on the season: "It's a hard one. I love these kids so much. I'm proud of my boys but we played a great team. It's Charter Oak's year."

Fred's thoughts: I wish everyone could be on the field to see what we see. Nothing but class, from the way the players exchanged hugs and congratulated one another, to the way Farrar and Layton sought out so many players from the opposing team to tell them how well they played. It's tough being a reporter, you talk to the coaches and players all week, and find yourself rooting for both. The Diamond Ranch kids never gave up. Even when it was virtually over, there were kids screaming "play to the end, play to the end." There were others who just flat-out started crying, then there's coach Farrar, tearing up, wishing his late father was there to watch it, then adding that he knows that he is proud. That's what it's all about, watching 15-weeks of emotion run its course.

Southeast Division championship
Charter Oak 30, Diamond Ranch 14
Charter Oak 3 6 14 7 -- 30
Diam. Ranch 0 7 0 7 -- 14
Score by quarter
First Quarter
CO: Robert Poage 31 FG, 2:03
Second Quarter
DR: Brian Spirlin 15 run (Sean Marley kick), 11:24
CO: Adam Muema 3 run (kick failed), 8:13
Third Quarter
CO: Muema 3 run (Poage kick), 9:07
CO: Golden 14 run (Poage kick), 1:08
Fourth Quarter
DR: Xavier Molina-Williams 10 pass from Gus Viramontes (Mosely kick), 11:16
CO: Muema 2 run (Poage kick)

Here's the game highlights and post-game interviews:

The Scouting Guru has been all over the San Gabriel Valley and beyond, and like always, he's offered to share his thoughts, free of charge. Don't hate, enjoy it for what it's worth, which is one man's opinion on the talent in the San Gabriel Valley: Here is his breakdown of Friday's Southeast Division championship between Diamond Ranch and Charter Oak.

So we have finally made to week 14. Let's just take a deep breath and take in the fact the football season ends on Saturday with the Rosemead v. Paraclete game.
Well, the assignment from our man FJ Robledo was to put together our preview of the game between Diamond Ranch and Charter Oak with the use of official coaches tape footage. Sounds good to me. So let's dive into the match-up.

For the complete breakdown, click thread

Glendora/Rowland championship
Friday Night
At Glendora High School
Bonita vs. Northview, 7:30 p.m.

Thursday Night
At Rowland
Championship Semifinals
Bonita 58, Damien 54
Northview 63, Rowland 58

ARROYO TOURNAMENT

Friday @ Arroyo HS
3:30 - Los Altos vs West Covina (5th place semi)
5:00 - Monrovia vs California (5th place semi)
6:30 - Bishop Amat vs La Canada (championship semi)
8:00 - Walnut vs Mark Keppel (championship semi)

During the week of Charter Oak's CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division semifinal against Rowland, Tyler Perri found himself in the hospital hooked up to an IV.
He was sick on Monday, and by Wednesday his older brother Justin Perri, a defensive line and tight ends coach at Charter Oak, said Tyler was getting worse.
"Big brother freaked out," Justin said. "We were hoping it was a 24-hour flu. When Wednesday came along he was getting worse, so we took him to the (hospital). That helped settle his stomach, and on Thursday he felt a little better.
"But what he did on Friday was incredible, because he played on half a banana and apple sauce."
Not only did the 6-foot-2, 250- pound senior tight end/defensive end start his 40th consecutive game, but the third-year starter barely left the field and scored a touchdown in the Chargers' 33-17 victory.
To continue reading, click thread

Above: Los Altos' Lauren Stupin (blue) battling for the ball against Charter Oak in last season's game.

When the football games are finished and we're done selecting the all-area fall teams, I'll zero in on girls soccer, one of the big blog items last year. For now I'll post a weekly thread so you can discuss what's going on. In our pre-season poll, blogger SGV Dad took his shot at re-ranking the teams after the first week. I'll post it just how he wrote it. You can also help by posting scores, tournament results and so forth.

SGV Dad says
Re-ranking the top 10 will not be easy this year. But I will give it a shot.
1) St. Lucy's - Best collection of players
2) Los Altos - Big win against La Mirada
3) Glendora - Second best collection of players.
4) South Hills - Tough start
5) Walnut - put here because of past accomplishments, have no new info
6) Bishop Amat - Coach just won second consecutive Jr college championship
7) Charter Oak - Like new coach should show good this year
8) Diamond Ranch - Like their goalies
9) Bonita/Northview/San Dimas - ??

Other interesting comments
From L.A. Insider...Los Altos girls are 4-0 with 4 shutouts and are playing for the La Mirada Tournament Championship on Monday night! What a team!

While talking to Bishop Amat coach Steve Hagerty about all-area selections, we discussed next year's schedule. The Lancers will once again play locals Diamond Ranch, West Covina and Damien, but will not play Orange Lutheran and Los Osos. Hagerty said he's making calls trying to fill out the schedule with other Pac-5 Division teams. The Lancers will not play another week zero game, but have week one available and would consider a season-opening game against Charter Oak, who also does not have an opponent for week one. Wouldn't that be interesting, the Lancers going against former QB Thropay and Muema his senior year. Amat is also looking for an opponent in week four.

Time Warner's Reginald Miller, prep editor Fred J. Robledo and sports writer Steve Ramirez discuss Friday's Southeastern championship between Diamond Ranch-Charter Oak, and Saturday's Mid-Valley Division final between Rosemead-Paraclete. By the way, Miller does a great job following our local teams and beyond on his popular site "A Local Sports Show" ... go check it out.

Southeast Division championship
Friday
Charter Oak (12-0-1) vs. Diamond Ranch (7-6), at Mt. San Antonio College, 7:30 p.m.

Mid-Valley Division championship
Saturday
Rosemead (11-2) vs. Paraclete (10-3) at Knight H.S., Palmdale, 7 p.m.

The lottery is up to $206 million and counting tonight. What would you do after you win it? I'd buy this paper and turn the local sports coverage into the greatest thing you've ever seen, which of course comes after my extended trip around the world, Lakers, Dodgers and UCLA season seats, private golf memberships and vacations homes in Mammoth, Cabo, Europe, and wherever else my filthy-rich self wanted to go. Of course you'd take care of the family, close friends and make a few donations here and there. But like every day after the lottery, reality sets in and I'll be back and work tomorrow preparing for this weekends football championships.

Diamond Ranch has home field in Friday's championship, but coach Roddy Layton didn't make a fuss over the venues: "I have a lot of respect for Charter Oak and coach Lou Farrar. It wasn't a big deal. I always envisioned a championship game to be at a neutral site and in a big stadium like Mt. SAC. It would have been nice to play at Ganesha, but this is how you're supposed to do it. You're supposed to play at a neutral place, and it's a stadium we both love and agreed on. When the game starts, it won't matter anyway."

Did you know: Rosemead coach Matt Koffler played backup quarterback for USC behind Rob Johnson. Though he went 0-4 against crosstown rival UCLA, one of Koffler's major accomplishments as a Trojan was passing for the longest touchdown in USC football history, a 97-yard bomb to R. Jay Soward against Illinois in 1996. Layton also played with Koffler at USC.

Record setting: If Charter Oak wins on Friday, Chargers coach Lou Farrar will join Steve Bogan, Greg Gano, Terry Roche and the legend Dwayne DeSpain as the only Tribune area coaches with four or more championships on their resume

Championship coaches
(7) Dwayne DeSpain (Los Altos), 1972, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1982, 1986, 1988
(4) Steve Bogan (South Hills), 2000, 2002, 2003, 2005
(4) Greg Gano (Los Altos) 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003
(4) Terry Roche (Diamond Bar) 1998, 1999, 1995, 1984
(3) Wallace Newman (Covina), 1925, 1926, 1928
(3) Lou Farrar (Charter Oak) 2001, 1998, 1985.

There is plenty to read in today's sports section about this weekends football championships. Diamond Ranch's great defense was the focus of today's front page. They've allowed an average of just 6.6 points during their six game winning streak, and nearly shutout West Covina. In today's Southeast Division notebook, coach Roddy Layton talks about not making a fuss over going to Mt. SAC, and coach Lou Farrar talks about why playing a team twice in the same season isn't such a big deal. Star-Newbie Miguel Melendez is all over the Rosemead-Paraclete championship, providing a great Mid-Valley notebook for today's readers. Great quotes from Koffler, check it out.

Undefeated Bishop Amat rolled into the quarterfinals of the Covina tournament with a 91-22 victory over Rowland. Interim head coach Chris Morrison has the Lancers pressing, fast breaking, and combining it with good shooting to blow opponents away. Host Covina was knocked off by Don Lugo and Valley Christian beat Wilson, but other locals Northview, South Hills and West Covina are still alive in the winners bracket.

Fourth Annual Covina Classic
Wednesday's quarterfinals
At Bonita
Northview vs. Silverado, 6:30 p.m.
Alta Loma vs. West Covina, 8 p.m.
At Covina
Valley Christian vs. South Hills, 6:30 p.m.
Bishop Amat vs. Don Lugo, 8 p.m.

Glendora-Rowland tournament
Wednesday's final round robin games
At Glendora
Northview vs. Bonita, 6 p.m.
Bonita vs. Rancho Cucamonga, 7:30 p.m.
At Rowland
Los Osos vs. Rosemead, 6 p.m.
Damien vs. Claremont, 7:30 p.m.
San Dimas Tournament
Wednesday's round-robin
Charter Oak vs. San Dimas, 6 p.m.
Orange Lutheran vs. Chino Hills, 7:30 p.m.

GLENDORA - Northview High School may not have a gym this season, but it has a pretty good boys basketball team. And the Vikings showed just how good Tuesday night against one the area's most storied programs.
John Gasper had 16 points and Danny Silva and Anthony Farmer scored 15 and 14, respectively, to lead Northview to arguably one of the bigger victories in school history with a 65-59 win over traditional power Glendora in a Glendora-Rowland Cage Classic pool play game.
For the rest of the story click thread

We're beginning the process of picking the San Gabriel Valley Tribune's 2008 All-Area football team. 12 on offense, 12 on defense, an all purpose and the player of the year for a grand total of 26 all-area players. Also don't forget the coach of the year, another tough task. I'll list the positions, you fill in the blanks...

Above: Picture of 2007 team. Who will be on this year's page?

First Team Offense (13 players)
Player of the year: ?
Coach of the year: ?
QB - 1
RB - 2
AP - 1
WR - 3
OL - 5
K - 1

First Team Defense (12 players)
DL - 3
LB - 4
DB - 3
SS - 1
P - 1

Charter Oak quarterback Chris Allen: "That was probably the best we've seen them play all year. They looked sound and they've improved, but we're improved too. I don't think anyone has an advantage because they know us and we know them. The big difference are the emotions, because we see each other in league, and now we're meeting in a championship, so there's a lot at stake."

Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton: "After losing to Bonita (and starting 1-6), I still knew we would win our last two Miramonte League games and go to the playoffs. I just knew we had something big left in us. I asked in my prayers for a chance to redeem ourselves against Muir, Bonita and Charter Oak. We got our shot at Muir, and though we didn't get Bonita, we got through South Hills and West Covina, two great San Antonio League teams. And now we've got our shot at Charter Oak again. It's a tremendous opportunity against Big Lou and one of the greatest traditions in the Valley."

WESTMINSTER - At Monday's CIF-Southern Section championship football luncheon, USC coach Pete Carroll talked about the opportunity of playing in a championship game and how not to take the precious opportunity lightly.
It was amazing how many eyes were fixated on the Trojans head coach.
"This is an incredible experience," Diamond Ranch linebacker Kyle Lengyel said. "To have all the teams playing in championships in one room, the media coverage and listening to coach Carroll speak, it's awesome, it really is."
Unseeded Diamond Ranch (7-6) has won six consecutive games since starting 1-6.
The Panthers will get a second shot at undefeated and top-ranked Charter Oak (12-0-1) in Friday's Southeast Division championship at Mt. San Antonio College at 7:30 p.m.
Charter Oak beat Diamond Ranch 23-7 on Oct. 17, but many of the Chargers players watched how the Panthers thoroughly dominated West Covina in Saturday's semifinals and know they have a tough job ahead of them.
"That was probably the best we've seen them play all year," Charter Oak quarterback Chris Allen said of Diamond Ranch. "They looked sound and they've improved, but we're improved too. I don't think anyone has an advantage because they know us and we know them. The big difference are the emotions, because we see each other in league, and now we're meeting in a championship, so there's a lot at stake."
Allen said the big difference between the Diamond Ranch team earlier in the season and the one that advanced to the championship is confidence.
"They believe in themselves," Allen said. "Last time it was almost a one-sided game. Watching them on Saturday was a good thing for us. It shows that we need a good week of practice and need to have the game of the year to win it."
The championship luncheon was nothing new to Chargers coach Lou Farrar and some of his seniors. The Chargers will be looking for their fourth CIF-SS title (1985, 1998 and 2001). And they were runners-up in 1999, 2000 and 2006. "I'm as excited this year as I am every time you come here," Farrar said. "It never gets old, especially when you see the kids work hard all year and be in a position to achieve their ultimate goal, which is a championship. A lot of our seniors were on the team that lost in the finals two years ago, and they were here when we lost in the semifinals last year. So, there's a lot of experience, from the coaches down to the players, but Diamond Ranch is a much-improved team."
Diamond Ranch coach Roddy Layton sure seemed to enjoy his meal. And why not? It's been an impressive turnaround.
"After losing to Bonita (and starting 1-6), I still knew we would win our last two Miramonte League games and go to the playoffs," Layton said. "I just knew we had something big left in us. I asked in my prayers for a chance to redeem ourselves against Muir, Bonita and Charter Oak. We got our shot at Muir, and though we didn't get Bonita, we got through South Hills and West Covina, two great San Antonio League teams. And now we've got our shot at Charter Oak again. It's a tremendous opportunity against Big Lou and one of the greatest traditions in the Valley."

Rosemead coach Matt Koffler: "We're not a school that produces a ton of athletes. We're a school that has about 60 kids in the whole program. It's a privilege for us to be here. We're not known as a team in the San Gabriel Valley to play big-time football. We're certainly not the Bishop Amats or the Charter Oaks or the South Hills'. We're just a little school that's stuck in the middle that plays hard-nose football."

WESTMINSTER - Before the start of Monday's 33rd CIF-Southern Section football press conference and luncheon, two foes met to discuss specifics.
Near the corner of the Rose Center's ballroom, Rosemead High School football coach Matt Koffler sat with his contingent as they listened to Paraclete coach Norm Dahlia talk about the best way to get to Knight High School, home of Saturday's CIF-SS Mid-Valley Division championship game. Dahlia also suggested restaurants Koffler and the Panthers could eat at before - and possibly after - the game, slated for 7 p.m. in Palmdale.
One factor Koffler couldn't get over was the fact that frigid temperatures are ex- pected Saturday night. In an effort to anticipate the cold temperatures of December, the Panthers have practiced at night the last three weeks, but perhaps nothing will prepare them for the high 20s and low 30s temperatures come game night.
When asked if he'd consider taking the team to Palmdale for one walk-through to get a feel for the environment, Koffler noted it wasn't entirely his decision.
"That would be at our principal's (discretion)," he said. "I think we should get some thermals donated from our ASB (Associated Student Body) office over there.
"I'm trying to make it the best experience our kids can have, but I think the school should purchase us some thermals, some gloves, some jackets and a room to stay."
Koffler, of course, was joking about the school purchasing a room for the Panthers to stay in on Friday night.
NICE EXPERIENCE
Each team headed to this weekend's championship games were treated to an all-you-can- eat feast with dessert in an elegant facility in Orange County.
It was a surreal experience, but the goal was always to get there.
"We knew we had a good chance to be here," Koffler said. "I think it's good for the community, it's good for the school and good for the kids. Hopefully the community can go up (to Palmdale) and watch the game."
The Panthers finished 7-4 overall and finished third in the Mission Valley League before a first-round ouster in last season's playoffs. "We're not a school that produces a ton of athletes," Koffler said. "We're a school that has about 60 kids in the whole program. It's a privilege for us to be here. We're not known as a team in the San Gabriel Valley to play big-time football. We're certainly not the Bishop Amats or the Charter Oaks or the South Hills. We're just a little school that's stuck in the middle that plays hard-nose football."
There was a different feel, an optimistic feel, before the season ever got underway.
"My players would walk around and tell me, `Hey coach, I think we're going to be really good this year,' " Koffler recalled. "I think, psychologically for the kids and the coaches, they knew they were going to be good. When you know you're going to be good, you work a little bit harder."
When asked if there was a particular player who may have added a different dimension to the team's dynamic, Koffler said there wasn't, but added that aside from everyone playing to their potential, there has been one pleasant surprise.
"The real surprise is how they're able to stay focused and stay hungry every week," he said.
miguel.melendez@sgvn.com (626) 578-6300, Ext. 4485

Good friend Gerry Gittelson of the L.A. Daily News lost his job last Thursday. He was one of the hardest working prep writers in Southern California. He's going to be missed, here is what he wrote in his final blog

Well, this is my last Blog. I was informed today that I've been laid off from the Los Angeles Daily News because of ongoing budgets cuts.
A huge part of me is devastated, of course, as i've put my life and soul into being a sports reporter through the seasons. But I'm also just grateful and happy to have had a chance to do what i love for so long, and to have been able to enjoy being a writer because it's really been a pleasure. I've never thought i worked a day in my life. That's how much I love writing. I'd like to thank my editor, Vincent Bonsignore, who has been a great co-worker and a great friend since the day I arrived at the Daily News as a Friday-night stringer in 1997. I'd also like to thank all my other good friends at the newspaper -- Gene Warnick, Rich Hammond, Kevin Modesti, Chris Hart, Erik Boal, Ramona Shelburne, Jack Pollon and so many others. And I am forever grateful to former Daily News staffers who helped me along the way, especially Eric Sondheimer, who I've tried to emulate at every turn, along with Mike Anastasi, Michael Rosenthal, Darrin Beane, Rick Hazeltine, the late Matt McHale and all the others who've touched my life.
It's a new turn, a new chapter. God only knows what will happen next, but for some reason i know it's going to be OK.
I'd love to keep in touch with everyone. My email is gerryg123@hotmail.com
All the best forever and ever,
Gerry Gittelson

BREAKING NEWS: Diamond Ranch has secured Mt. SAC for Friday's championship game against Charter Oak at 7:30 p.m.

Earlier: Just came back from the CIF press luncheon -- a mighty good spread of chicken, beef and all the sides dishes you want. USC coach Pete Carroll was the big speaker, all the teams were introduced and then there was the talk about venues. First, Rosemead will play Paraclete at Knight High School in Palmdale for the Mid-Valley title. As for the Diamond Ranch-Charter Oak championship game, that is still in discussion. Diamond Ranch wanted to play at Ganesha, and it was announced at Ganesha, but Charter Oak is pushing for a bigger venue, which it has the right to do. In fact, I was told it will not be at Ganesha, leaving Diamond Ranch looking at Mt. SAC, Citrus and possibly even Diamond Bar. There was even a short discussion about Covina District Field, though that's a long shot. I think both sides agreed that Mt. SAC would be best if it's available. When I find out, I'll post it. There was also a disagreement in the Central, which is Ranch Cucamonga's home game. R.C. opted for Chaffey College, but apparently the two sides are still discussing it. Stay tuned.

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 - 5-1; Season - 204-52
Ramirez: Last week - 4-2; Season - 192-64

Notes: Even if you had picked Diamond Ranch over West Covina, you could not have predicted they would beat them so thoroughly. Defense, folks, they've shut everyone down in the playoffs. Charter Oak looks like a monster too, this will be an unbelievable final. I can't wait to see Charter Oak's offense against the Ranch on D, and because of what I saw last week, I'm taking Diamond Ranch in the championship. In the Mid-Valley, guess we all knew the non-seeded Rosemead Panthers were this good, but are they championship good? Yes, they will beat Paraclete, though they will have to do it on the road. In the Central, I picked both those games correctly and I'm riding Upland all the way to the championship. Anyone who can beat Glendora as thoroughly as they did gets my pick. I'll be at today's championship luncheon, where I'm sure they will finalize all the locations for this weekends championship. I know Diamond Ranch would like to play at Ganesha, but I'm hearing Mt. SAC is more likely.

Friday
Southeast Division championship
Charter Oak (12-0-1) vs. Diamond Ranch (7-6) at Mt. SAC, 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (Diamond Ranch); Ramirez (Charter Oak)
Central Division championship
Upland vs. Rancho Cucamonga at Chaffey College, 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (Upland); Ramirez (Upland)

Saturday
Mid-Valley championship
Rosemead at Paraclete at Knight H.S. in Palmdale 7:30 p.m. -- Robledo (Rose); Ramirez (Rose)

The Fourth Annual Covina Classic is set to go this week with top-ranked Bishop Amat in contentoin along with host Covina, Wilson, and South Hills. I'll update the schedule throughout the week.

Monday, Dec. 8
At Covina High School
Northview 50, Bonita 42
Silverado vs. La Verne Lutheran, 5 p.m.
Alta Loma 58, Charter Oak 41
West Covina 48, Corona 26
Tuesday, Dec. 9
At Covina High School
Wilson vs. Valley Christian, 3:30 p.m.
South Hills vs. Gabrielino, 5 p.m.
Bishop Amat vs. Rowland, 6:30 p.m.
Don Lugo vs. Covina, 8 p.m.

The Glendora-Rowland boys basketball Cage Classic and Diamond Bar-San Dimas boys basketball tournaments runs this week. The championships of both games are on Friday and the winners meet at Glendora on Saturday for the champion between the two tournaments. It should be a lot of fun. I'll update the scores throughout the week to keep you posted. Also, the Arroyo tournament, a 16-team knockout, begins on Tuesday. I'll post the winners each day to keep you posted.

Glendora/Rowland Cage Classic
Pool A - Glendora, Northview Rosemead
Pool B - Rowland, Ganesha, Los Osos
Pool C - Claremont, Damien, Vista Murrieta
Pool D - North Hollywood, Bonita, Rancho Cucamonga

Monday, Dec. 8
At Glendora
Rancho Cucamonga vs. North Hollywood, 6 p.m.
Rosemead vs. Glendora, 7:30 p.m.
at Rowland
Claremont vs. Vista Murrieta, 6 p.m.
Ganesha vs. Rowland, 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 9
at Glendora
North Hollywood vs. Bonita, 6 p.m.
Glendora vs. Northview, 7:30 p.m.
at Rowland
Vista Murrieta vs. Damien, 6 p.m.
Rowland vs. Los Osos, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 10
at Glendora
Northview vs. Rosemead, 6 p.m.
Bonita vs. Rancho Cucamonga, 7:30 p.m.
at Rowland
Los Osos vs. Rosemead, 6 p.m.
Damien vs. Claremont, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 11
At Glendora
C1 vs. D1, 6 p.m.
A1 vs. B1, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Dec. 12
Glendora/Rowland championship

San Dimas-Diamond Bar Classic
Tuesday, Dec. 11
At San Dimas
Chino Hills vs. San Dimas, 6 p.m.
Charter Oak vs. Orange Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.
at Diamond Bar
Palmdale vs. Garey, 6 p.m.
Diamond Bar vs. Kaiser, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Dec. 12
at San Dimas
Charter Oak vs. San Dimas, 6 p.m.
Orange Lutheran vs. Chino Hills, 7:30 p.m.
At Diamond Bar
Kaiser vs. Palmdale, 6 p.m.
Garey vs. Diamond Bar, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Dec. 13
at San Dimas
Charter Oak vs. Chino Hills, 6 p.m.
San Dimas vs. Orange Lutheran, 7:30 p.m.
At Diamond Bar
Kaiser vs. Garey, 6 p.m.
Diamond Ranch vs. Palmdale, 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 13
Glendora/Rowland winner vs. San Dimas-Diamond Bar tournament winner, 7:30 p.m.

51st Arroyo Invitational
Tuesday's first-round
At South El Monte
Los Altos vs. La Puente, 3:30 p.m.
Bell Gardens vs. Bishop Amat, 5 p.m.
La Canada vs. Arcadia, 6:30 p.m.
West Covina vs. South El Monte, 7:30 p.m.
At Arroyo
Arroyo vs. Monrovia, 3:30 p.m.
Montclair vs. Walnut, 5 p.m.
California vs. Covina, 6:30 p.m.
Wilson vs. Keppel, 8 p.m.
Wednesday - quarterfinals
Friday - semifinals
Saturday - Championship at Arroyo, 8 p.m.

Hi all:

It's 6 p.m. and I just arrived at College of the Canyons for tonight's game, which is scheduled to begin at 7. It should be a good one as the Mounties play the Cougars in the CCCAA Southern California Regional championship game. The winner advances to next weekend's CCCAA championship game at Orange Coast College.
My signal, even with a broadband card is weak, so I hope it lasts.
I will post comments during the game, and update the box score here:

CCCAA Southern California Regional Championship

Mt. SAC 14--3--14--20--51
COC 13--6--14--11--44
Scoring Summary
First Quarter
C -- Hayo Carpenter 9 run (Ricky Drake kick), 10:44,
MS-- Isaac Garcia 1 run (Jacob Harfman kick), 7:32
MS--Dominique Gaisie 85 punt return (Harfman kick), 4:48
C--Carpenter 80 pass from Brad McClellan (kick failed), 4:36
Second Quarter
MS--Harfman 33 FG, 7:08
C--Winborn 6 pass from McClellan (kick failed), 1:23
Third Quarter
C--Winborn 3 run (Drake kick), 14:33
MS--Garcia 1 run (Harfman kick), 10:28
C--McClellan 11 run (Drake kick), 4:43
MS--Matt Austin 25 pass from Tyler Vanderzee (Harfman kick), 3:19
Fourth Quarter
MS--Jon Joe 20 pass from Vanderzee (Harfman kick), 14:53
C--McClellan 4 run (McClellan run), 8:32
C--Drake 32 FG, 2:15
MS--Michael Edwards 4 pass from Vanderzee (Harfman kick), 0:10
MS--Kerel James 20 fumble return (no conversion), 0:00
Stat Leaders
Passing - Mt. SAC, Vanderzee 18-28-1-274; Canyons, McClellan, 20-28-1-295.
Rushing - Mt. SAC, Garcia 18-106, Burton Iosefa 13-78; Canyons, Winborn 30-275.
Receiving - Mt. SAC, Matt Austin 6-90, Jesse Canada 4-96; Canyons, Nate Jones 5-38, Carpenter 4-85.
Records: Mt. SAC 12-1; Canyons 12-1.

For those with a UCLA-USC hangover, or those staying home for the big fight tonight, I'll be doing live blogging from Ganesha high school for tonight's Southeast semifinal. I will update the box score as it happens, and update you throughout in the comments section.

Southeast Semifial
West Covina 0 0 0 7 -- 7
Diamond Ranch 14 5 13 7 -- 39
Scoring Summary
First quarter
DR - Brian Spirlin 73 yard run (kick good), 7-0, 9:14
DR -- Brandan Taylor 32 yard pass from Gus Viramontes, (kick good), 14-0, 2:36
Second quarter
DR -- Safety, 16-0, 8:22
DR -- Sean Marley 42 field goal, 19-0, 2:08
Third quarter
DR -- Jo Jo Curiel 25 yard pass from Viramontes (kick failed), 25-0, 9:11
DR -- Brandon Sermons 69 run (kick good), 32-0, 2:49
Fourth quarter
DR - Brian Spirlin 1 run (kick good), 39-0, 10:17
WC -- Thomas Flores 70 yard fumble return (kick good), 39-7, 9:14

Being the big UCLA fan than I am, I probably shouldn't post this game thread today. I found someone willing to give me 30 points, but I'm still not sure that's enough. I tried arguing this game to my 'SC friends with a straight face, but I couldn't do it. 13-9 seems so long ago, but who knows, maybe we're in for a thriller in the first round of Neuheisel-Carroll.

Charter Oak advances to Friday's Southeast Division championship, where they will play the winner of Saturday's Diamond Ranch-West Covina game.
Rosemead advances to next Saturday's Mid-Valley championship, where they will play the winner of Saturday's Paraclete-Temple City game.

Southeast Division Semifinal
Charter Oak 33, Rowland 17, Final
Charter Oak 10 0 7 16 -- 33
Rowland 3 7 0 7 -- 17
Scoring Summary
First quarter
C0: Robert Poage 37 yard field goal, 3-0, 7:51
RO: Henry Calistro 46-yard field goal, 3-3, 4:02
CO: Chris Allen 1 run (kick good), 7-3, :51
Second quarter
RO: Michael Ball one run (kick good), 10-10, 6:57
Third quarter
CO: Adam Muema 28-yard run (kick good), 17-10, 8:34
Fourth quarter
CO: Tyler Perri 14 pass from Chris Allen, (kick good), 24-10, 7:16
RO: Brandon Stansell 12 run (kick good), 24-17, 3:13 left
CO: Adam Muema 32 run (kick good), 2:12, 31-17
CO: Safety, 33-17, 1:46 left

Mid-Valley Division Semifinal
Rosemead 16, Monrovia 6, Final
Rosemead 0 9 7 0 -- 16
Monrovia 0 0 6 0 -- 6
Scoring Summary
First quarter
No scoring
Second quarter
RO: Tra Sumler 66 run (kick good), 7-0, 11:51
RO: Safety
Third quarter
MO: Kendall Boggs 41 run (kick missed), 9-6
RO: Sumler 12 run (kick good), 16-6

Rowland-Charter Oak gave highlights and interviews

Above: Mountain View defender Enrique Miranda
N0.1 MOUNTAIN VIEW
Don't say Mountain View High School isn't a football school.
The Vikings play futbol and they play it well.
Perhaps no school this decade has enjoyed more success in the San Gabriel Valley than the purple-shirt wearing boys soccer team from El Monte, which won the school's lone CIF-Southern Section championship in 2005, and advanced to the Division V semifinals last season.
It seems every year the Vikings are knocking on the door of a CIF title, and this year is no different as they enter the 2008-09 season as the Tribune's No. 1-ranked team.
"There's a lot of pride at our school," Vikings coach Felipe Corona said. "Soccer runs deep in our community, and our players take that seriously.
"The talent is always going to be here, and they work hard, which is why we've had success."
While the Vikings graduated Tribune Player of the Year Jairo Aquino, who finished with 30 goals and 12 assists on last year's 19-5-5 team, they have plenty returning.
It all starts on defense, and that's where the Vikings return all three starters in seniors Enrique Miranda and Freddy Centeno and junior Fabian Villasenor.
"It might take some time for our offense to jell, but with the experience we have in the back and 15 seniors returning, I think we can be better than last year," Corona said.
The Vikings also have stepped up their schedule, taking on soccer power Salesian along with other nonleague games against South Hills, Baldwin Park and West Covina.
In addition to their backline, junior midfield attacker Diego Rodriguez is expected to pick up the slack on offense, and outside midfielder Omar Rodriguez is a dangerous threat on the flanks.
"We have a lot of guys who can score," Corona said. "We might not have a player like Jaime who scores 30 goals again. But we have three or four guys that can score."
Mountain View actually finished second to Arroyo in the Mission Valley League, prompting Corona to make that his first priority.
"We want to win the league championship back," Corona said. "You want to win CIF. That's the big prize. But winning league is important, because you see those teams every year and there are a lot of rivalries."

For the complete top ten breakdown, click thread

Girls basketball final score, Bishop Amat 77, Firebaugh 8. It was 53-0 at half and 63-2 at the end of three.

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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."

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."

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

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

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."

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

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)

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.

Above: Wilson's Naijah Calhoun is expected to be one of the Valley's top players

28th annual Wilson Tournament
Tonight, Dec. 1
At Los Altos High School
Covina vs. Los Altos, 3:30 p.m.
La Habra vs. Diamond Bar, 5 p.m.
Rowland vs. California, 6:30 p.m.
Alta Loma vs. Garey, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, Dec. 2
At Los Altos High School
Nogales vs. Sonora, 3:30 p.m.
Wilson vs. La Salle, 5 p.m.
Western Christian vs. La Mirada, 6:30 p.m.
Walnut vs. Temple City, 8 p.m.