ALL HOME WATER POLO GAME TIMES:

2-5pm
2:00 - FS warmup
2:30 - FS game w/running clock
3:15 - Varsity game
4:15 - JV game w/running clock

All games will start as early as possible so that we are out of the pool by 4:55pm.

LABOR DAY MONDAY PRACTICE
3-5pm our normal practice time window.

TUMBLEWEED BUS
Hope everything is working out, I have not heard anything negative.  For home games, the bus will leave promptly at 1:30pm.  You will be released for home games at the 1:05pm bell.  Remember that there is no return bus ride back to Crespi.

HOMEWORK AFTER GAMES
If you have a ton of homework that must be completed after our games, I will allow you to go home with parent permission.  Please notify me or another coach about you leaving early.  You are expected to stay and watch at least one game that you did not play in before you go.  For example, all FS should leave AFTER they watch the Varsity game.  Its very helpful you stay and support, as well as learn how to play by watching.

NO BUSES ON SATURDAYS
You will be transported to every event on a regular school day.  Remember that for every tournament on Saturday's you will have to find your own transportation.  Our first tourney is next weekend.

 
 PERSONAL DVD PLAYER
Does any family have a personal DVD player that they are not using any more, since your son is so grown up?  It would be great to be able to use one on the pool deck if there is a game video or an instructional DVD I would like to show before we get in the water.  Maybe there is one sitting around somewhere no being used.  It would be put to good use with us.  Feel free to have your son bring it to school at anytime.  Thank you in advance!

CLOTHING
The suits look AWESOME.  Everyone will like them I guarantee it.  Everything should be ready and handed out next Tuesday.

MORNING WATER POLO
Remember to be prompt 7:15am.  FS will be in room 7 (Mr. Gross) and V/JV will be in room 6 (Mr. Mihara)

Southern California high school football rankings

Mission Viejo leads the way, with an opener against Pacific Northwest power Bothell in Seattle Seahawks' stadium.

By Ben Bolch Los Angeles Times Staff Writer

1. MISSION VIEJO: (12-1, SS-Pac-5) Opener vs. Pacific Northwest power Bothell (Wash.) in Seattle Seahawks' stadium will be a Mission Qwest.

2. WESTLAKE: (14-0, SS-Northern) Game vs. Oaks Christian will feature headliners (Nelson Spruce, Jordan Payton) and one-liners (Bill Redell).

3. SERVITE: (14-1, SS-Pac-5) QBs Butch Pauu and Cody Pittman are out of the Friars' pan and into the fire.

4. LAKEWOOD: (11-2, SS-Pac-5) Lancers back for Moore after ending Long Beach Poly's stranglehold on league championships.

5. LONG BEACH POLY: (6-6, SS-Pac-5) Another .500 season and Jackrabbits fans will be out for Coach Raul Lara's job.

6. LOS ALAMITOS: (8-3, SS-Pac-5) Transfer QB Dylan Lagarde could give LeBron James pointers on how to better handle changing teams.

7. ST. BONAVENTURE: (11-2, SS-Northern) Early match-ups against Long Beach Poly, Oaks Christian are natural born thrillers.

8. GARDENA SERRA: (15-0, SS-Western) Cavaliers have so many weapons that they're scheduled to host world disarmament talks.

9. CHAPARRAL: (11-3, SS-Inland) Pumas' brutal nonleague schedule isn't straight out of (Fresno) Central Casting.

10. CRENSHAW: (14-1, City-Division I) Coach Robert Garrett's favorite baseball player must be Corey Hart; both wear sunglasses at night.

11. OAKS CHRISTIAN: (13-1, SS-Northern) WR Trey Smith has a better security detail than most third-world presidents.

12. CORONA CENTENNIAL: (10-3, SS-Inland) Michael Eubank is lead dog in Huskies' attack now that multiple-QB system has been scrapped.

13. NORCO: (11-2, SS-Inland) Cougars hope to inflict the agony of the feet on Crenshaw after piling up 487 rushing yards last year.

14. VISTA MURRIETA: (13-1, SS-Inland) Like writer David Kahane's script in "The Player," Broncos still looking for a happy ending.

15. BISHOP AMAT: (10-2, SS-Pac-5) Versatile Rio Ruiz is back to cause multiple problems for Lancers opponents.

16. CRESPI: (6-4, SS-Pac-5) Two-year playoff drought feels more like 100 years of postseason solitude for Celts fans.

17. LOYOLA: (4-6, SS-Pac 5) New Coach Michael Christensen can call old City pals and laugh on fall's first "professional development" day.

18. LA HABRA: (13-1, SS-Southwest) The Los Angeles Highlanders of La Habra might be fitting name for team vying for Southland supremacy.

19. THOUSAND OAKS: (5-6, SS-Northern) QB Avondre Bollar hopes seven-on-seven passing tournament title portends a double dose of good luck.

20. MIRA COSTA: (12-2, SS-Northern) The Barr has been raised on a victory over Loyola.

21. ORANGE LUTHERAN: (6-5, SS-Pac-5) Four QBs are vying to replace Bobby Wheatley; chances are at least one might work out.

22. CHINO HILLS: (10-3, SS-Inland) When Huskies want to get their coach's attention, all they have to do is say, "Hey, Bub."

23. ALEMANY: (10-4, SS-Pac-5) Beating Oaks Christian would make the Warriors' coach the "Dean" of the Herrington brothers.

24. MATER DEI: (6-5, SS-Pac 5) When throaty Coach Bruce Rollinson shoots hoops in the backyard, he plays H-O-A-R-S-E.

25. EDISON: (13-1, SS-Pac-5) Chargers have quite a quarterback quandary with Matt Viles gone and Chase Favreau ineligible.

ben.bolch@latimes.com, Copyright © 2010, Los Angeles Times

HS FOOT: Dominguez no longer just a power-pitch team

By Gerry Gittelson on September 2, 2010 7:50 AM

The Jon Mack era at Crespi begins Friday, and the Celts have a tough opener against visiting Dominguez, one of Southern California's most respected programs. Kickoff is 7 p.m.

The Dons had a lean year or two this past decade, but now that coach Willie Donerson is back, Dominguez is as strong as ever, particularly this season, as most of the top skill players and a bunch of big lineman return after advancing to the section semifinals last year.

Back for Dominguez is top running back Will Gregory (1,350 yards), along with quarterback Chris Brown (1,278 yards passing, eight TDs) and top receiver John Bell (31 receptions); plus, the offensive line averages close to 300 pounds.

The Dons used to be known primarily as a power-pitch team, but over the past couple of seasons they've incorporated a lot of passing, so they're more well-rounded than they used to be.

Crespi's new quarterbck, Kenny Stenhouse, looked sharp over the summer, and he has a top receiver in Devin Lucien. Making his Crespi debut will be offensive lineman Jordan Simmons, a 6-5, 335-pound junior transfer from Dorsey who is a preseason All-Daily News selection.

-- Gerry Gittelson, Daily News

Southern California defensive backs to watch in 2010

A look at the top defensive backs in the Southland

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Can Crespi rally behind new coach Jon Mack?

Yes. After reaching the Pac-5 Division final in 2007, Crespi failed to make the playoffs the past two seasons, and coach Jeremiah Ross was forced out in January in favor of Mack, who had built St.Bonaventure into a powerhouse before moving on to Ventura College the past two years.

Mack is passionate, charismatic and knowledgeable, and like a lot of great coaches he has an authoritative presence that commands respect the first time you meet him.

Is he a good motivator? That will be key because Crespi competes in the highest level of football in California — the Serra League and the Pac-5 Division.

And it would help a lot if senior Kenny Stenhouse, better known as a basketball player, develops as a quarterback after barely seeing the field last year. For Crespi's sake, Stenhouse needs to step up, and it will be interesting to chart his success under Mack's tutelage. The last two Crespi quarterbacks, Bryan Bennett (Oregon) and Kevin Prince (UCLA), are playing in the Pac-10.

2. Can Oaks Christian, which has won six lower-division titles over the past seven seasons, handle being bumped up to the Marmonte League and the Northern Division?

Yes, but perhaps only if new quarterback Trevor Gretzky is a fraction as good in football as his father Wayne was in hockey. Yes, All-American running back Malcolm Jones has graduated and is now at UCLA, but there are a ton of good receivers back, so all Oaks Christian needs is for someone to get them the football, and that's where Gretzky comes in. He looked good during the summer, and if Gretzky can come through with a typical Oaks Christian season for a quarterback — 2,500 yards passing, 25 touchdowns or so — then the talent-heavy Lions should be in good shape no matter whom they face.

3. Now that reigning CIF State Div. III champion Serra of Gardena has joined the Mission League, does anyone else have a chance to win the league title?

No. Serra, 15-0 last season including a one-point victory over Oaks Christian in the Northwest final, is way too loaded with returning standouts like quarterback Conner Preston and receiver George Farmer, plus a bunch of other top returnees and talented incoming transfers. According to Calpreps, visiting Serra is a 32-point favorite over annual power Notre Dame for the season opener Friday.

4. Does Taft have any excuses not to reach a City final?

No. Even though top running back Shaquille Shelton pulled a shocker Wednesday by checking out of school, Taft is loaded. The Toreadors finally have a top-notch quarterback in Arizona State-bound Michael Bercovici — ever wonder how much better Taft would have been last season had Bercovici won his eligibility appeal after transferring from Westlake? — plus perhaps the biggest and best offensive and defensive lines in the City Section. Throw in lots of outside speed at receiver plus a promising new running back in junior Dimitray Lewis, and you have the makings of a team headed to the Coliseum.

5. After ultra productive junior seasons, can Valencia's dynamic duo of quarterback Alex Bishop and running back Steven Manfro be just as good?

Technically, yes, but numbers-wise, it's going to be tougher for Bishop than Manfro.

As a junior, Bishop was out of this world, completing 176 of 244 passes — a 72.1 percentage — for 3,431 yards, 37 touchdowns and six interceptions while rushing for 511 yards and four touchdowns. It was one of the most productive seasons for a large-school quarterback in area history — especially for an underclassman — and this year a lot of inexperienced receivers need to come together if Bishop is going to do it again because there's only one returning starter.

Manfro had a great year, too, rushing for 1,666 yards, catching 41 passes for 753 yards and accounting for a total of 40 touchdowns.

Manfro could see the football even more this year, which could add up to another stellar season. Without a doubt, he is the Daily News' No. 1 running back.

SERRA LEAGUE

PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH

1. Alemany (10-4)

2. Bishop Amat (10-2)

3. Crespi (5-5)

4. Notre Dame (9-3)

5. Loyola (4-6)

TOP OFFENSIVE PLAYER

Vernon Adams, QB, Alemany, Sr. -- Adams passed for 2,408 yards last season, and he's also a dangerous scrambler.

TOP DEFENSIVE PLAYER

Reggie Coates, DL, Crespi, Sr. -- Coates totaled eight sacks last season.

NEWCOMER ON RISE

Khalfani Muhammad, RB, Notre Dame, So. -- Muhammad has exceptional speed.

SEVEN TO WATCH

Jared Baker, RB, Loyola, Sr. -- With 4.4 speed, Arizona commit rushed for 1,453 yards in '09.

Shane Drozdowski, WR, Alemany, Sr. -- No one could cover him in summer passing competitions.

Rhasheed Johnson, LB, Crespi, Sr. -- Celts' leading rusher last season will focus on defense.

Devin Lucien, WR, Crespi, Sr. -- Caught 46 passes last season, followed by great summer-combine performances.

Saladin McCullough, RB, Alemany, Sr. -- Takes over for four-year standout Malcolm Marable.

Micah Peters, LB, Notre Dame, Sr. -- One of the few experienced hitters on defense.

Jordan Simmons, OL, Crespi, Jr. -- A 335-pound transfer from City power Dorsey.

OTHERS

Sergio Figueroa, OL, Alemany, Sr.; Wallace Gonzalez, WR, Bishop Amat, Sr.; Bryce Henderson, LB, Alemany, Jr.; Brandon Jett, TE, Notre Dame, Jr.; Matt Lathuras, QB, Notre Dame, Sr.; Martin Meza, PK, Alemany, Sr.; Jerry Neuheisel, QB, Loyola, Sr.; Rio Ruiz, QB, Bishop Amat, Jr.; Deron Smith, DB, Alemany, Jr.; J.J.Sabatine, DL, Notre Dame, Sr.

EXTRA POINTS

New entry Alemany, which plans an all-out passing attack with returning standout Adams, has never won a section title but came closest last season by reaching the Western Division final. - Bishop Amat's Jay Anderson, one of the league's top RBs, is taking the season off to concentrate on baseball. - Jon Mack is Crespi's new coach, taking over for Jeremiah Ross, who was forced out after failing to make the playoffs two years in a row after reaching the '07 Pac-5 final. - Notre Dame has no returning starters on offense and just two on defense, and the JV went 4-6, so the Knights are totally rebuilding in coach Kevin Rooney's 31 st season. Plus, RB Jacob Smith, expected to be one of the league's top returnees, transferred to Canyon and is now at Granada Hills. - Mike Christiansen is the new coach at Loyola after going 10-3 at Carson last season.

- Gerry Gittelson, Daily News

PREP FOOTBALL PREVIEW: League realignment causes shockwaves across area's football landscape

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

Westlake High never found itself at a loss on the football field last season.

But after completing an undefeated season with a Southern Section Northern Division championship, the Warriors were faced with an insurmountable deficit in their pursuit to secure a state bowl bid. And it had nothing to do with personnel.

Despite producing a finalist in the Northern Division - formerly Div. IV - seven of the past eight years, the Marmonte League's resume wasn't considered strong enough to propel Westlake ahead of last year's open division participant Crenshaw or Div. II bowl entry Servite.

Following an offseason facelift, should the Warriors or any other Marmonte program manage to run the table this year, they shouldn't have to answer the strength-of-league questions any more.

Already one of the area's deepest leagues with its eight-team lineup since 2002, the Marmonte League added Tri-Valley League powerhouse Oaks Christian and Channel League juggernaut St. Bonaventure to form the state's largest group, highlighting an offseason of realignment for several prominent leagues in the City and Southern sections.

"There's a lot of talk about the Marmonte League being one of the top leagues in Southern California," Westlake senior quarterback Nick Isham said. "Hopefully this year settles (the debate)."

Although the addition of former Div.III state bowl champions Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure created a significant shift in the football landscape in Ventura County, the Marmonte wasn't the only area league feeling shockwaves following the addition or subtraction of teams in the past eight months.

Monroe moved from the Valley Mission to East Valley, which also gained first-year program Sun Valley.

As a result, Canoga Park and Van Nuys filled the vacant spots in the Valley Mission League.

Mission League champion Alemany expanded the Serra League to a five-team lineup, joining Bishop Amat, Crespi, Loyola and Notre Dame.

Former Del Rey League powers Serra, Cathedral and Harvard-Westlake combined with Chaminade, St. Francis and St. Paul in the restructured Mission League.

The Frontier League gained Bishop Diego and Santa Clara from the Tri-Valley League, which, following the loss of Oaks Christian, revamped its roster with the addition of Fillmore and Santa Paula.

And the Alpha and Olympic leagues swapped Maranatha and Paraclete, much to the disappointment of the latter, which viewed the change as a demotion rather than the opportunity to compete in a bigger league.

"Neither us nor our coaches were very happy about it," Paraclete linebacker Lavonte Barnett said. "But we'll do the best with where we are and with what we have. We won't accept anything less."

For at least the next two years, local football teams have no choice but to accept their current arrangement, but the majority are excited about the challenges that lie ahead.

"It's a huge opportunity for us," Oaks Christian receiver Jordan Payton said. "People have always wondered if we could handle (this schedule) and now they're going to get their answer and so are we."

The Marmonte marathon

Since the Marmonte League expanded to an eight-team league in 2002, only Moorpark and Westlake have managed to go undefeated, a testament to the unforgiving gantlet teams have faced.

With the arrival of Oaks Christian, which went 39-4 the past eight seasons in the Tri-Valley League, and St.Bonaventure - unbeaten on the field in 40 Channel League games the past eight years, before the use of an ineligible player cost them last year's title - the prospects of a team emerging unscathed in the new 10-team league are daunting to say the least.

"It's the hardest schedule Oaks Christian has ever had and we've been working hard to be as competitive as possible this season," Oaks Christian senior tight end/defensive lineman Dillon van der Wal said.

"Every game is huge and we have to be prepared to execute every play."

Although Oaks Christian won six consecutive section titles from 2002-08, perhaps the most pressure following the Marmonte realignment falls on Westlake, which took a backseat in its own backyard to the Lions before winning its first division crown since 2003 last season.

In order to repeat as division champion, Westlake will probably have to defeat St. Bonaventure and Oaks Christian - the state's two most successful programs during the past decade - at least once and perhaps twice, should a rematch materialize in the playoffs.

"Finally having an opportunity to play Oaks Christian and St. Bonaventure, we get to see who is the best in the county," Westlake junior defensive lineman Justin Solis said. "But we have to play as hard as we can every game."

Thousand Oaks, which faces Westlake in its league opener Sept. 16, has the unenviable task of playing Oaks Christian and St.Bonaventure in consecutive weeks in October.

"It's going to be a grind, but it's definitely going to be exciting," Thousand Oaks senior receiver Richard Mullaney said. "But being a part of this league is really cool. It's a great opportunity."

On a different Mission

Alemany went from back-to-back winless seasons in the Mission League in 2005 and '06 to winning three consecutive titles under coach Dean Herrington.

After reaching the Western Division final last year and losing to Mira Costa, Alemany was moved up two divisions to the Pac-5. The Warriors are reunited with former rivals Bishop Amat, Crespi, Notre Dame and Loyola in the Serra League, adding even more strength to one of the nation's most competitive leagues.

"I'm excited to go to the Serra League," Alemany senior quarterback/defensive back Vernon Adams said. "It's a lot more competitive and it gives us an opportunity to see if we're really that good."

The addition of Alemany guaranteed the Serra League a third automatic bid in the Pac-5 playoffs after only two teams were guaranteed postseason berths the past four seasons, often leaving two worthy teams to fight for limited at-large entries against the SouthCoast, Sunset and Trinity leagues.

"It's a bigger stage and a bigger chance to show what we can do," Alemany linebacker Jesse Sampson said. "For us, the higher up, the better."

The same can be said for Alemany's former rivals Chaminade, St. Francis and St. Paul, which also received a third automatic playoff berth in the six-team Mission League, led by defending Div.III state bowl champion Serra.

"It's going to be tough, but our goal is just like it was before and that's to win the league," St. Francis senior offensive lineman Patrick Carroll said.

"Even with Alemany leaving, I think now it's going to be even stronger with Serra, Harvard-Westlake and Cathedral. Anytime you add a top nationally ranked team like Serra, your league only gets better."

Crespi, which competed in the Mission League in 2001 and the Del Rey League from 2002-05 before joining the Serra League in 2006, is the only area team to compete in a Pac-5 final, losing to Long Beach Poly in the 2007 championship game.

Under former St.Bonaventure and Ventura College coach Jon Mack, the Celts are looking to return to that elite level after missing the postseason the past two years.

"It's very important with a new team and a new coach for us to make a statement," Crespi receiver Devin Lucien said. "We want to be the best team in California, period."

The opportunity to compete in the state's toughest division has provided plenty of motivation for Celts offensive lineman Jordan Simmons, a transfer from Dorsey. During his sophomore season, Simmons played against City Section champion Crenshaw twice, but the Dons faced only one Pac-5 opponent in Compton, which didn't qualify for the playoffs.

"Here, everybody is good. Each team we play is at (Crenshaw's) level," Simmons said. "From what I know, (the Serra League) is the toughest in California, so you have to come out and prove yourself every game."

Not everybody is a winner

Although the Marmonte, Mission and Serra leagues boast some of the state's most competitive races, not every local team that was reassigned during the offseason was singing the praises of Southern Section officials.

After capturing the Mid-Valley Division championship in 2008, Paraclete suffered through an injury-plagued 2009 season and lost in the quarterfinals to runner-up Monrovia.

As a result, the Spirits were moved following an eight-year stint in the Olympic League - and away from longtime rivals L.A. Baptist and Village Christian - to the eight-team Alpha League, which competes in the East Valley Division. Maranatha, last year's Alpha champion, replaced Paraclete in the five-team Olympic League.

Paraclete coach Norm Dahlia and his players said returning to the Alpha League for the first time since 2001 has only added more motivation in the quest to win another division championship.

"It came as a big surprise, because there was talk about moving up as many as two divisions and instead of going up, we got knocked down," Barnett said. "But we're going to make the best of our situation. There's nothing we can do about it now except to go out and win games."

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Nick Isham, Westlake, Sr.

A terrific all-around athlete who can play receiver, defensive back and punter, Isham completed 74.1 percent for 2,128 and accounted for 44 TDs while finishing 14-0.

Alex Bishop, Valencia, Sr.

An accurate passer who completed 72.1 percent for 3,431 yards and 37 TDs while rushing for 511 yards and four TDs — one of the most productive junior seasons in area history.

RUNNING BACKS

Steven Manfro, Valencia, Sr.

Manfro can do it all, rushing for 1,666 yards, catching 41 passes and accounting for 40 TDs (34 rushing, five receiving and one passing).

Kevin Ervin, Poly, Sr.

The City's most dangerous breakaway threat, Ervin averaged 13.6 yards a carry while rushing for 2,297 yards with 36 TDs, about half of 50 yards or longer.

OFFENSIVE LINEMEN

Akeem Gonzales, Alemany, Sr.

With nine major scholarship offers, Gonzales, a 6-4, 250-pounder, is among the area's top recruits. He should plahy a key role as the Warriors move to the Pac-5.

Patrick Carroll, St. Francis, Sr.

A 6-5, 275-pounder with good feet and good technique, Carroll is a returning All-Western Division selection with strong college interest.

Traves Raphael, Taft, Sr.

A fifth-year senior who was granted an extra year of eligibility, Raphael looks to provide a push for the high-powered Toreadors to make a deep playoff run.

Brandon Mitchell, Taft, Sr.

Like teammate Traves Raphael, Mitchell, a 6-3, 335-pounder, has been granted a fifth year of eligibility, and the big blocker hopes to take advantage.

Jordan Simmons, Crespi, Jr.

A 6-5, 330-pound transfer from Dorsey, Simmons earned second-team All-City honors as a defensive lineman, but his promising future is as an offensive lineman.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Devin Lucien, Crespi, Sr.

After catching 46 passes as a junior, Lucien lit it up at scouting combines and has evolved into one of the area's most prized recruits with six college offers.

Nelson Spruce, Westlake, Sr.

The Northern Division's most feared receiver, Spruce (6-2, 195) has 10 scholarship offers after totaling 65 receptions for 1,325 yards and 18 TDs.

Richard Mullaney, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

What a junior year with 80 receptions for 997 yards and 10 TDs, plus seven INTs and 34 tackles on defense. He has eight college offers, two from the Pac-10.

Jordan Payton, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Committed to USC since his sophomore season, Payton is ready for another big year after totaling 45 catches for 1,088 yards (24.5 avg.) and 18 TDs.

TIGHT END

Dillon van der Wal, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Also a top defensive lineman with multiple college offers, van der Wal should see the football more after catching 12 passes for 192 yards and two TDs.

PLACE KICKER

Matt Goudis, Chaminade, Sr.

Goudis has 21 career field goals, seven in each of his three seasons, and is also a top punter. A Chris Sailer prodigy.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINEMEN

Antwaun Woods, Taft, Sr.

A top player since his freshman season, Woods, a USC commit, is a 300-pound Energizer bunny who is often double teamed because he is so hard to block.

Reggie Coates, Crespi, Sr.

Coates has five scholarship offers after a big junior season that included 39 tackles, eight sacks, two fumble recoveries and an INT. Might also play some linebacker.

Justin Solis, Westlake, Jr.

At 6-3, 290 pounds, Solis is a force who totaled 95 tackles, seven sacks and one pass deflection to help undefeated Westlake win the Northern Division.

Lavonte Barnett, Paraclete, Sr.

With an impressive combination of size and athleticism, Barnett has eight college offers after registering 58 tackles, seven sacks and three fumble recoveries.

Steve Dillon, Palmdale, Sr.

A 6-3, 260-pound with the speed and athleticism to start at tight end, too, Dillon is a force in the Golden League and one of the top college recruits on the West Coast.

LINEBACKERS

Ryan Seidler, Burbank, Sr.

Seidler, a key to Burbank's turnaround, has twice set the school single-season tackle record, as a junior totaling 159 tackles, three sacks and an INT.

Jesse Sampson, Alemany, Sr.

With 4.6 speed in the 40 and lots of aggressiveness, Sampson is tough to block after finishing with 85 tackles, four sacks and four fumble recoveries.

Carlos Mendoza, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Carrying on Oaks Christian's tradition of top linebackers, Mendoza had 49 tackles (29 in the playoffs) and four sacks as a sophomore. Also a top running back.

John Cornelius, Hart, Sr.

Cornelius, a mobile, hard-hitting 6-3, 210-pounder, earned All-Foothill League honors after finishing with 102 tackles. He has a great natural feel for the game.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Casey Bliss, Westlake, Sr.

Bliss, who loves to hit, was a key component for the Northern Division champions, finishing with 62 tackles, four INTs and four deflections. A key leader on defense.

Brian Fifita, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Fifita made an instant impact after transferring from Mira Costa, recording 77 tackles (55 unassisted), two INTs and two deflections. Also a top punt returner.

David Richards, Palmdale, Sr.

The latest in a line of top Palmdale defensive backs, Richards has five scholarship offers after totaling 29 tackles and an INT, plus 36 receptions for 789 yards and 10 TDs.

Vernon Adams, Alemany, Sr.

With excellent quickness and a good nose for the football, Adams is a key defensive player, and he's also a top quarterback after passing for 2,419 yards and 22 TDs.

Southland's top high school defensive linemen

List of top high school defensive linemen in Southern California includes Jeremiah Allison of Dorsey, Jason Gibson of Gardena Serra and Todd Barr of Lakewood.

Football: Minyard, Stenhouse star in scrimmage

Thousand Oaks running back Rickey Minyard and Encino Crespi quarterback Kenny Stenhouse were the standouts in a scrimmage between the Lancers and Celts Friday at Thousand Oaks.

Minyard broke off a long touchdown run of more than 60 yards. Stenhouse showed why Crespi coaches are so confident about his abilities, making some precision passes even though he hardly played last season as a junior being the backup to Bryan Bennett.

I thought Crespi's offensive line needs improvement. Thousand Oaks' defense played well against the run. Crespi receiver Devin Lucien made several nice catches.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Receivers to watch in 2010

A look at the Southland's top pass catchers.

Devon Blackmon, Summit, 6-1, 180, Sr. One of the best athletes in SoCal

George Farmer, Gardena Serra, 6-2, 210, Sr. Has speed, power, toughness and hands

Gabriel Marks, Venice, 6-0, 175, Jr. Has a burst of speed and terrific hands

Richard Mullaney, Thousand Oaks, 6-3, 190, Sr. Caught 80 passes as a junior

Jordan Payton, Oaks Christian, 6-2, 190, Jr. USC commit has great strength

Darius Powe, Lakewood, 6-2, 190, Jr. He's long, lean and explosive

Bryce Treggs, St. John Bosco, 6-0, 170, Jr. Knows how to get open and make the catch

Nelson Spruce, Westlake, 6-1, 195, Sr. Made 18 TD catches with his strong hands

Others

Brett Bartolone, La Habra, 6-0, 180, Jr. Caught 12 TDs last season

Sam Boyd, Corona Roosevelt, 6-4, 230, Sr. Passes the eyeball test

Julian Brooks, Sierra Canyon, 6-3, 190, Jr. Athletic, jumps, makes catches

Josh Clark, Granada Hills Hillcrest Christian, 6-3, 190, Jr. Made 16 TD receptions

Larry Clark, Venice, 6-3, 200, Sr. Three-year starter

Shane Drozdowski, Alemany, 6-2, 180, Sr. Makes tough catches

Jemond Hazely, Corona Santiago, 6-1, 170, Sr. San Diego State commit caught 44 passes

Blair Holliday, Oaks Christian, 6-0, 185, Sr. Duke commit led team in receptions with 48

Alex Jackson, Culver City, 5-11, 170, Jr. Explosive player with terrific speed

Adam Judnich, La Quinta, 5-9, 175, Sr. Averaged 23.4 yards per catch

Chris Kearney, Dana Hills, 6-0, 180, Sr. Caught 65 passes, 7 TDs

Kenny Lawler, Upland, 6-1, 170, Jr. Has lots of talent

Devin Lucien, Crespi, 6-1, 195, Sr. Has hands and strength to be a standout

Austin McBroom, Campbell Hall, 5-10, 175, Sr. Versatile athlete who makes things happen

Remontay McClain, Covina, 6-1, 190, Sr. State champion in 100 and 200

Brendan McKinney, Chaminade, 6-4, 190, Jr. All-leaguer with improving speed

Patrick Onwuasor, Inglewood, 6-0, 175, Sr. Has 4.5 40-yard speed

Chris Paul, Laguna Beach, 6-1, 170, Sr. Has 26 career TD catches

Josh Perkins, Gahr, 6-3, 215, Sr. Washington commit caught 9 TD passes

Paul Pitts, Los Osos, 6-1, 185, Sr. Big-play weapon

Eli Pleasant, La Palma Kennedy, 6-0, 175, Jr. Made big progress as a sophomore

Joel Porchia, Cathedral, 6-0, 170, Sr. Ready to take over Anthony Jefferson role

David Richards, Palmdale, 6-3, 185, Sr. Averaged almost 22 yards per reception

Dennis Rufus, Charter Oak, 6-2, 190, Sr. Caught 10 TDs

Larry Scott, Corona Centennial, 6-1, 170, Sr. Made 36 catches, 7 TDs

Nate Shaw, Ayala, 6-1, 185, Jr. Has potential to be a standout

Anthony Sheffield, West Adams, 6-3, 185 Sr. Committed to San Diego State

Richard Smith, Long Beach Poly, 5-9, 150, Jr. Has speed to be big-play threat

Trey Smith, Oaks Christian, 6-1, 178, Sr. Makes clutch catches

Logan Sweet, Santa Margarita, 6-1, 190, Sr. He's back from injury, ready to make impact

Sam Stekol, Mira Costa, 6-3, 150, Sr. Was a summer standout in passing leagues

Travis Talianko, St. Francis, 6-1, 190, Jr. Caught 52 passes as a sophomore

Chris Walker, Reseda, 6-1, 185, Sr. Best in Valley Mission League

Kodi Whitfield, Loyola, 6-3, 190, Jr. Will be one of the best in Serra League

Dominique Williams, Garey, 6-4, 190, Sr. Three-sport athlete caught 45 passes for 1,213 yards

Drew Wolitarsky, Canyon Country Canyon, 6-1, 175, So. Caught 40 passes as a freshman

Compiled by Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Offensive linemen to watch in 2010

A look at the Southland's top offensive linemen.

Name, School, Ht., Wt., Yr., Comment

Sioasi Aiono, South Hills, 6-2, 290, Sr. Committed to Utah.

Wyatt Baker, Servite, 6-3, 280, Sr. He plays center and is toughest around.

Akeem Gonzales, Alemany, 6-4, 240, Sr. Has great mobility and athleticism.

Dontae Livingston, Narbonne, 6-5, 290, Sr. Up to 12 scholarship offers.

Isaac Luatua, La Mirada, 6-2, 300, Sr. Committed to Alabama.

Marcus Martin, Crenshaw, 6-4, 330, Sr. Committed to USC.

Jordan Simmons, Crespi, 6-4, 340, Jr. Dorsey transfer gaining in strength, skills.

Siosifa Tufunga, Long Beach Jordan, 6-3, 300, Sr. Committed to Washington.

Brent Walker, Norco, 6-5, 300, Sr. Ohio transplant has become standout.

Torian White, Lakewood, 6-6, 280, Sr. Committed to UCLA.

Ari Uzo-Okereke, San Juan Hills, 6-6, 300, Sr. Gaining in stature and reputation.

Ben Wysocki, Los Alamitos, 6-4, 290, Sr. Committed to UCLA.

Others

Andrew Albers, Costa Mesa, 6-7, 275, Sr. Didn't allow any sacks last season.

Max Aldrich, El Camino Real, 6-6, 360, Sr. A mammoth City Section blocker.

Brian Alvarado, Huntington Park, 5-10, 225, Sr. Strength is his weapon.

Jack Alvarez, El Toro, 6-4, 280, Sr. Standout from the Sea View League.

Curtis Arndt, Moopark, 6-4, 260, Sr. Veteran blocker with versatility.

David Barajas, St. Bonaventure, 6-3, 307, Jr. Loves to crush linebackers.

Patrick Carroll, St. Francis, 6-5, 275, Sr. One of the best in Mission League.

Brett Darragh, Mira Costa, 6-3, 265, Sr. Helped team win Western Division title.

Kyle Finney, Edison, 6-2, 260, Sr. Will help Chargers have good rushing attack.

Joseph Gibson, West Covina, 6-4, 290, Sr. Lots of size and strength.

Travis Harvey, Loyola, 6-6, 297, Jr. Has the chance to be a standout.

Jon King, Mission Viejo, 6-3, 280, Sr. Leader of a good offensive line.

Christian Leui, Carson, 6-3, 275, Sr. Should be All-City honoree.

Zach Martinez, Redlands East Valley, 6-5, 250, Sr. Returning All-Citrus Belt honoree.

Jonathan Miller, Morro Bay, 6-3, 285, Jr. Best from the Central Coast.

Kyle Murphy, San Clemente, 6-6, 240, Jr. Starting to get noticed for his skills.

Christian Orduno, Bishop Amat, 6-4, 275, Sr. All-Serra League pick.

David Orrellana, Birmingham, 6-2, 280, Jr. All-West Valley League pick.

Joel Palafox, St. John Bosco, 6-5, 295, Sr. Three-year starter.

Bryan Peters, La Mirada, 6-3, 305, Sr. Committed to Kansas.

Jamal Prater, Etiwanda, 6-4, 290, Sr. Picking up Pac-10 offers.

Haziel Santoyo, Garfield, 6-2, 265, Sr. He's mean and tough.

Jonathan Schaefer, JSerra, 6-3, 215, Sr. First-team All-Trinity League.

Jake Seydel, Arlington, 6-5, 270, Sr. First-team all-leaguer.

Jordan Smith, Redlands, 6-5, 250, Sr. Committed to San Diego State.

Jacob Speer, Granada Hills, 6-2, 240, Jr. Can be one of the best in West Valley League.

Tavita Tua'au, Gardena Serra, 6-5, 365, Jr. Yes, he really weighs 365 pounds.

Sione Veikoso, Gardena Serra, 6-1, 260, Sr. Three-year starter at center.

Compiled by Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Football: Time Warner Cable to show game of the week

Time Warner Cable is getting into the high school football game of the week business. It will air a game of the week on Saturdays at 10 a.m. on its channel 101, with repeats on Saturdays at 3 p.m. and Sundays at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

Here's are the matchups:

Alemany vs. Oaks Christian, Sept. 3. Corona Centennial vs. Birmingham, Sept. 10. Long Beach Poly vs. Narbonne, Sept. 17. Orange Lutheran vs. Redlands East Valley, Sept. 24.

Moorpark vs. Ventura St. Bonaventure, Oct. 1. Woodland Hills Taft vs. Encino Crespi, Oct. 8. Los Angeles Loyola vs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, Oct. 15. Carson vs. Banning, Oct. 22. Notre Dame vs. La Puente Bishop Amat, Oct. 29. Newhall Hart vs. Canyon Country Canyon, Nov. 5. Crenshaw vs. Dorsey, Nov. 12.

Football: Jordan Simmons' transfer is approved

Encino Crespi fans can start celebrating. The transfer of 340-pound junior offensive lineman Jordan Simmons from Los Angeles Dorsey has been cleared by the school and accepted by the Southern Section, making him eligible immediately.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Football: The successor to Kevin Prince and Bryan Bennett

Kenny Stenhouse is filling some big shoes. The Encino Crespi senior quarterback is following Kevin Prince and Bryan Bennett, both whom have gone on to receive Pacific 10 scholarships to UCLA and Oregon, respectively.

The 6-foot-3 Stenhouse has been primarily known for his basketball skills around campus, but this fall, he takes over as the starting quarterback, and if the summer is any indication, he might surprise a lot of people.

Coach Jon Mack said Stenhouse has been the team's most improved offensive player.

Crespi opens its season at home on Sept. 3 against Compton Dominguez.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Football: Oregon State turns to local products

Freshmen Kevin Cummings (Encino Crespi) and Obum Gwacham (Chino Hills Ayala) have been making positive impressions at receiver during practice at Oregon State

Oregon State Coach Mike Riley told OregonLive.com about the 6-foot-5 Gwacham: "I have anticipated redshirting him because I think there's a ton of development left in that guy but if he keeps going like this, we might change our minds."

Cummings, a greyshirt, is expected to play immediately.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Football: Jon Mack has program growing at Crespi

The numbers are up, and that's what Encino Crespi wanted when it hired former Ventura St. Bonaventure Coach Jon Mack to take over the program.

His biggest newcomer is Los Angeles Dorsey transfer Jordan Simmons, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound junior offensive tackle who is going to add massive bulk to the team.

Simmons has apparently moved, which would make him eligible immediately. I stopped by Crespi Monday to speak with Mack and Simmons.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Boys' basketball: Michael Avery is back at Crespi

Michael Avery, who started his high school career as a promising freshman at Encino Crespi, then played last season at Montverde in Florida, has returned to Crespi for his junior year.

I ran into Avery Monday afternoon at Crespi and was surprised to see him. He has grown to 6 feet 5 and seems more mature than the last time I saw him as a freshman.

He intends to play point guard and shooting guard for the Celts if he can gain a hardship waiver this season. If not, he seems set on staying with the Celts.

Regardless, he adds more talent to a Mission League that keeps picking up players. And, if Woodland Hills Taft guard Landon Drew ends up transferring to North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake as expected, it's going to create quite a league competition for 2010-11.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Oregon football: Freshman Bryan Bennett makes a good first impression at quarterback

Published: Tuesday, August 10, 2010, 6:46 PM     Updated: Wednesday, August 11, 2010, 8:22 AM

Ken Goe, The Oregonian

EUGENE — Freshman quarterback Bryan Bennett took the snaps as Oregon's third-string quarterback on Tuesday.

Bennett, who played last season at Crespi High in Encino, Calif., throws a nice ball. He showed command of the offense and the field presence of a veteran.

"Bryan understands the learning curve a little bit and has a pretty good grasp of what we're doing," UO coach Chip Kelly said. "We're just trying to see where he is and how he fits. We're trying to get him some reps early and see how this thing shakes out. I've been really impressed with him so far. It's how many reps can we get him, so he gets up to speed."

Because he is an incoming freshman, Bennett is off-limits to the media for the first two weeks of fall camp. At the moment, his play is speaking loudly.

"For two days in, he is a real knowledgeable kid," Kelly said.

-- Ken Goe; follow him on Twitter.

PAINTER: Sophomore quarterback Prince taking steps to become king of UCLA's offense

By Jill Painter, L.A. Times Columnist

Crespi grad becomes student of the game, becomes physically bigger ... and hopes to be better

UCLA has a bigger version of Kevin Prince this year. The Bruins hope he's a better version, too.

Prince, a sophomore whose career has been sidetracked by knee, shoulder and jaw injuries, must have a successful season for UCLA to have a successful season.

He knows it. Everyone on the UCLA football team knows it.

Sure, UCLA has a new variation of the "Pistol" offense aimed at getting the running game going, but if it works, it's a win-win.

Prince will benefit, too.

If the Bruins are a threat to run consistently, it will open up the passing game and take the pressure off Prince.

Prince, a Crespi High graduate, started last season at 205 pounds and was up to 215 by spring. He's 6 feet 3 and 230 pounds, which makes him a better fit for the offense in which he'll be running more and absorbing more hits.

Not that he's ever been afraid to take a hit.

"Obviously people can see I'm not afraid to shy away from hits," Prince said on UCLA's first day of practice Monday. "That's the high school kid in me being able to take on guys. I realize I can't take on middle linebackers anymore. That's not the smart way. You'll see me sliding and running out of bounds."

Offensive coordinator Norm Chow was glad to hear it.

"He doggone better," Chow said. "Or he won't be in there."

Most college football teams ride the arm of their quarterback, and the Bruins will be no different.

Prince welcomes the pressure and expectation and has a similar inner drive to achieve.

So when safety Rahim Moore gave Prince atape of New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and asked him to watch it, Prince didn't flinch and take it on like he did opposing linebackers last year. UCLA coach Rick Neuheisel and Chow are the ones grimacing when Prince lowers his shoulders.

Prince could have tossed the tape and sneered at Moore for thinking a safety had a clue about his position, but Prince took Moore's advice. He watched that Brady film session, one in which defensive coaches from an opposing NFL team broke down his strengths and weaknesses and found it to be helpful.

Moore wants Prince to be the best quarterback he can be, and he figured if he could incorporate a little Brady in his game, then the Bruins would benefit.

"Any kind of advice I can get from anybody, especially from a guy like Rahim Moore, I welcome it with open arms," Prince said. "It was interesting to see how good you have to be and how defensive coaches break down what you can do. It's something you don't get to see all the time."

Prince and Moore, voted two of the team's captains by their teammates, have a special connection.

"I feel you kind of have the right to step in there and say something where as a redshirt freshman, maybe you didn't. It's like, 'Who's this redshirt freshman telling me what to do?' It's a little different situation," UCLA quarterback Kevin Prince said. (Andy Holzman/Staff Photographer)

Prince continually asks Moore if he's selling his fakes after practice, and Moore asks Prince to critique the way he covers receivers.

Moore wants to know what he can do to get better, even trying to up the ante from his 10 interceptions last year.

Prince welcomes the critiques. He's in the spotlight, whether he's back in shotgun formation (where he'll be in the "Pistol" offense) or on campus.

"I wanted him to learn from those tapes," Moore said. "I told him, `The whole Bruin Nation revolves around you. You're the man, Kevin. The camera is on you out there.' He knows that. Kevin is a great guy. He put in a lot of work in the offseason. When you see that, it's a great feeling."

Prince was in his second year in the program last year and while the Bruins made a bowl game, it was by the hair on their chinny chin chin.

They went 0-5 in October. It's hard to have the clout and guts to call out teammates when you're short on experience, but this year is different, and Prince has more in his leadership arsenal.

"When guys aren't doing things right, (I can) get in their faces a little bit whether that be on or off the field," Prince said. "I feel you kind of have the right to step in there and say something where as a redshirt freshman, maybe you didn't. It's like, 'Who's this redshirt freshman telling me what to do?' It's a little different situation."

Prince completed 56 percent of his passes last year and threw for 2,050yards, eight touchdowns and eight interceptions. Prince knows those mistakes were too costly. He said he's let those things go, but he rattles off the mistakes he made at Cal, Oregon and USC as though UCLA lost all of those games Saturday.

"There's a few games that you take away my mistakes personally, and we're in it," Prince said. "Right away, the USC game I threw an interception for a touchdown. Against Oregon, there was the pick six.

"And even Cal, I threw an interception for a touchdown on an audible. We were driving to tie it up. If I can make a little better decision, a little better throw, then we're in a much better situation down the stretch. It's going to take a more accurate quarterback."

UCLA is focused on improving the running game all right, but this team needs its quarterback to contend for a Pac-10 championship.

"I'm fired up about our quarterback," Neuheisel said. "I think his numbers were fairly, fairly good for a guy who hadn't played. Remember, he didn't play as a senior (at Crespi) High School. He lost his senior year to a knee injury. For a guy who hadn't played on two seasons, to come in and play like he did was admirable. Certainly there were growing pains, but I do believe he's done the necessary work to master the offense, especially in the throwing game.

"He'll come into his own in this running game because he's got the measurables to be successful as a quarterback for this style of offense. It's fun now to finally have an experienced quarterback coming back to play. That coupled with experience on the offensive line lends to more optimism."

Baseball: Trevor Plouffe gets first career home run

Trevor Plouffe, a first-round draft choice of the Minnesota Twins out of Encino Crespi in 2004, hit his first home run as a major leaguer last week.

Here's video of the home run.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

CHATTER: Patterson takes third at AAU Junior Olympics

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

Amir Ali Patterson, an incoming freshman at Crespi, recorded a third-place effort in the boys' 4-kilogram shot put Friday with a personal-best effort of 54 feet at Norfolk (Va.) State University.

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

Michael Davison, a Crespi multi-purpose listed at 5-foot-4 but is closer to 5-1, rarely saw the football last season as a reserve running back and return specialist.

But the junior has come on strong during the summer, and it looks like Davision is going to be a starting receiver this season.

"He's only about 5-foot, but I've been really impressed with him because he's super quick, and he can do a lot of things," said Devin Lucien, Crespi's leading returning receiver and a top college recruit.

Crespi should have a strong receiving corps with returnees Brian Irvine and Chris Harper.

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

Amir Ali Patterson, an incoming freshman at Crespi, won the youth boys' shot put title Saturday with a final-round throw of 53 feet, 1 1/2 inches at the 44th USA Track and Field National Junior Olympic Championships at Sacramento City College.

Patterson, who competes for Valley United Track Club, trailed by four inches entering his last throw but won the 14-under division by more than a foot.

Moorpark 7, Crespi 1---Moorpark rallied for 2 runs in the first inning and 3 in the second to put the game away in the first round of the VIBL playoffs at Moorpark. The Musketeers used 8 hits, 6 walks, and 5 Crespi (10-14) errors to score their 7 runs.
   Jake Wooley led the way with 3 hits, including a double and triple, and an RBI while Matt Corcoran added 2 hits and 3 RBI.
   Matt Higginbotham pitched 4 shutout innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 1 for the win while Corcoran tossed the final 3 innings allowing 1 run, 1 hit, and striking out 1 for the save.
   Garrett Mason, Jack Collick, and Shane Toole collected hits for the Celts, while DJ Gutierrez, Christian Keamy, Nick Morton, and Andy Frakes combined to pitch the final 5 innings allowing 2 runs, 0 earned, and 3 hits.
   Moorpark moves to the second round to play Canyon, a 4-2 winner over #3 seeded Royal, while the Celts are eliminated for the playoffs.

Birmingham 4, Crespi 2---Birmingham rallied for 2 runs in the first inning and 1 in each of the second and third innings to put the game away in the regular season finale at Birmingham. Steven Rodriguez and Logan Farrell led the Braves offense with 2 hits and a run scored apiece.
   Edgar Rulvacaba pitched 5 innings allowing 1 run, 6 hits, and striking out 3 for the win while Erick Munoz tossed 2 innings of relief allowing 1 run, 2 hits, and striking out 2.
   DJ Gutierrez, Nick Morton, and Andy Frakes tossed scoreless innings of relief for Crespi (10-13).
   The Celts now travel to Moorpark Thursday, 5:00, for the first round of the VIBL single elimination playoffs.

Crespi 6, Kennedy 5---Crespi (10-12) rallied for 3 runs in the first inning, 2 in the second, and 1 more in the fourth for the win in a VIBL game at Kennedy.
   Andy Frakes led the Celt 9-hit attack with 2 hits, including a double, and 2 runs scored while Andre Angel-Bello added 2 hits and an RBI.
   Madison Dang tossed 4 gutty innings allowing 4 runs, 2 earned, 3 hits and striking out 1 for the win. DJ Gutierrez pitched 2 innings of relief allowing 1 run, and 1 hit while Frakes retired the last 3 batters for the save.
   Crespi now travels to Birmingham Monday for the regular season finale at 5:00

Sylmar 6, Crespi 4---Sylmar rallied for 2 runs in the first inning, 2 in the second, and 1 in each of the fifth and seventh innings for the win in a VIBL game at Valley College.
   Edgar Ruiz, Chris Padilla, and Efrain Villegas led the Spartans with 2 hits apiece. Ruiz also tossed 5 innings allowing 1 unearned run, 6 hits, while striking out 2.
   Garrett Mason led Crespi (9-12) with 3 hits and a run scored while Nicki Linton added 2 hits and a run scored.
   Christian Keamy tossed 2 2/3 innings of relief allowing 1 run, 3 hits, and striking out 1, DJ Gutierrez tossed 1 1/3 innings allowing 1 run and 1 hit, and Andy Frakes tossed 2/3 of an inning allowing no runs or hits for the Celts.
   Crespi travels next to Kennedy Saturday, for a 10:00 game  

Crespi 3, Campbell Hall 2---Crespi (9-11) rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to tie the game and 1 in the seventh for the win in a VIBL game at Valley College.
   Madison Dang doubled home Daniel Avalos and later scored on a wild pitch in the fifth inning. Chris Platania's bases-loaded walk forced home Avalos in the seventh with the game winner.
   Both Dang and Avalos finished the day with 2 hits to lead the Celts.
   Chad Tobin tossed 6 2/3 innings allowing 2 runs, 7 hits, and striking out 6 before Andy Frakes took the win by retiring the final hitter.
   Crespi returns to Valley College Friday with a 5:00 game with Sylmar.

Crespi 4, Canyon 1---Crespi (8-11) rallied for 2 runs in the bottom of the fifth inning to overcome a 1-0 deficit and 2 more in the sixth for insurance in a VIBL game at Valley College.
   Madison Dang pitched a complete game for his second win of the summer allowing 4 hits and striking out 5.
   Chris Platania led the Celt 10-hit attack with 2 hits, including a double, and an RBI while Andre Angel-Bello and Garrett Mason added 2 hits and a run scored apiece. Andy Frakes added a hit and 2 RBI for Crespi.
   The Celts host Campbell Hall Thursday with a 5:00 game at Valley College.

Crespi 13, Golden Valley 2---Crespi (7-11) rallied for 3 runs in the third inning, 3 in the fourth, and 5 more in the fifth inning to put the game away in a VIBL game at Golden Valley.
   Jack Collick led the Celt 13-hit attack with 3 hits, including a triple, and 2 RBI, while Adam Cornell added 3 hits, including a double, and 1 RBI. Madison Dang added 2 hits, including a home run, and 3 RBI while Christian Priore added 2 hits and an RBI.
   Christian Johnson tossed 6 innings allowing 2 runs, 3 hits, and striking out 5 for the win while Andy Frakes tossed a scoreless seventh inning allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.
   Crespi returns home Tuesday for a 5:00 game with Canyon at Valley College.

Calabasas 5, Crespi 4---Calabasas rallied for 2 runs in the third inning, 2 in the fourth, and 1 in the fifth to overcome a 3-0 deficit for the win in a VIBL game at Calabasas.
   The Coyotes made use of 5 hits, 6 walks, and 3 Crespi errors to score their runs.
   Angelo Gasbarro collected 2 hits and an RBI for the Celts (6-11) while Andre Angel-Bello added 2 hits and 2 RBI and Nicki Linton added 2 hits.
   Chad Tobin tossed 4 innings allowing 4 runs, 1 earned, 3 hits, and striking out 3 while DJ Gutierrez tossed tossed a scoreless inning of relief for Crespi.
   The Celts travel to Golden Valley Saturday for a 10:00 game.

Quartz Hill 7, Crespi 1---Andrew Rabiej and Eric Baynton combined on a 7-hitter for the win in a VIBL game at Quartz Hill.
   Rabiej pitched 5 innings allowing 1 run, 6 hits, and striking out 3 for the win while Baynton tossed the final 2 innings allowing no runs, 1 hit and striking out 3.
   Jacob Risinger and Enrique Tovar both collected 2 hits and an RBI for the Rebels while Jay Sheeley added 2 hits and 2 runs scored.
   Shane Toole collected 2 hits, including a double, for Crespi (6-10) while Garrett Mason, Madison Dang, Chris Platania, Morgan Grisham, and Adam Cornell each added a hit.
   The Celts travel to Calabasas Friday for a 5:00 game.

Harvard-Westlake 3, Crespi 2---Alex Rand-Lewis, Brandon Deere, and Matt Ward combined on a 4-hitter and allowed just 2 Crespi (6-9) runs in a VIBL game at Harvard-Westlake’s O’Malley Field.
   Arden Pabst singled home Joe Corrigan with what proved to be the winning run in the bottom of the fourth inning.
   Scott Heineman absorbed his first loss of the summer for the Celts, tossing 5 innings and allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, 5 hits, and striking out 1. Christian Johnson pitched a scoreless sixth inning allowing 1 hit and striking out 1.
   Andre Angel-Bello collected two hits and 1 run scored.
   Crespi travels to Quartz Hill Wednesday for a 5:00 game.

Chaminade 3, Crespi 0---Code Rutherford and Kevin Lewallyn combined on a 2-hit shutout for Chaminade in a VIBL game at Valley College.
   Rutherford pitched 4 innings allowing 1 hit and striking out 8 for the win while Lewallyn tossed 3 innings allowing 1 hit and striking out 5 for the save.
   Dylan Delaney's triple scored Matt Willmore and Jimmy Jauregui's single scored Delaney in the second inning. Joe Moran's single scored Brandon Rappoport in the third.
   Chad Tobin tossed 6 innings allowing 3 runs and striking out 3 for Crespi (6-8) while Christian Johnson struck out the side in the seventh.
   Madison Dang and Daniel Avalos collected hits for the Celts.
   Crespi returns to action Tuesday with a 5:00 game at Harvard Westlake.

Burroughs 2, Crespi 0---Paul Frias’ bases-loaded double in the bottom of the fifth inning chased home Casey Kenney and Chris Peale with the only runs of the game in a VIBL game at Burroughs.
   Shaun Bradshaw tossed a complete game, 4-hit, shutout, striking out 8 for the win.
   Frias’ double spoiled a fine pitching performance from Crespi’s (6-7) Madison Dang who tossed a complete game 1-hitter allowing 2 runs, 0 earned, and striking out 10.
   Scott Heineman collected 2 hits for the Celts while Chris Platania and Andre Angel-Bello added hits.
   Crespi returns to Valley College Friday with a 5:00 game with Chaminade.

Crespi 8, St. Francis 3---Crespi (6-6) rallied for 1 run in the first inning, 3 in the third, 2 in the fourth, and 2 more in the sixth to put the game away in a VIBL game at Valley College.
   Scott Heineman collected his third win of the summer tossing 6 innings and allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, 7 hits, and striking out 3. Heineman opened the summer with 18 consecutive scoreless innings before St. Francis scored 3 runs in the sixth inning.
   Jack Colick led the Celt offense with 2 doubles and 4 RBI while Madison Dang added 2 hits and 3 RBI and Heineman added 2 hits and 3 runs scored.
   Crespi travels next to Burroughs Wednesday for a 7:00 game.

Chatsworth 5, Crespi 2---Chatsworth made use of 4 hits, 6 walks, and 6 Crespi errors to score 5 runs in a VIBL game at Chatsworth.
   Kiefer Kofman, Ricky Bernal and Steve Karkenny combined on a 3-hitter to put the game away.
   Kevin Siegel led Chancellor hitters with 2 hits and 3 RBI.
   Chad Tobin pitched 5 innings allowing 4 runs, 3 earned, 4 hits, and striking out 4 for Crespi (5-6).
   Crespi returns to Valley College Tuesday with a 5:00 game with St. Francis.

Cleveland 5, Crespi 1---Carlos Astorga and Harley Faye combined on a 3-hitter to shut down the Celts (5-5) in a VIBL game at Cleveland. Astorga tossed 4 innings allowing 1 run on  2 hits for the win while Faye tossed 3 innings allowing no runs, 1 hit and striking out 3 for the save.
   The Cavaliers took advantage of 3 hits, 6 walks, and 5 Crespi errors to score 2 runs in the third inning, 1 in the fifth, and 2 in the sixth.
   Christian Johnson pitched 4 1/3 innings allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, 2 hits, and striking out 2 for Crespi.
   The Celts travel next to Chatsworth Saturday for a 10:00 game.

Golden Valley 4, Crespi 3---Josh Smith slid under the tag with the winning run on Jonah Sabedra's ground ball in the bottom of the eighth inning in a VIBL game at Golden Valley.
   Billy Fredrick's one out, 2 RBI single, tied the game at 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh inning.
   Golden Valley's late inning heroics spoiled a fine pitching performance from Crespi's (5-4) Madison Dang who tossed 7 innings allowing 3 runs, 2 earned, 6 hits and striking out 4.
   Andre Angel-Bello collected 2 hits and an RBI for the Celts while Daniel Avalos added 2 hits.
   Crespi travels to Cleveland, Friday, for a 5:00 game.

Crespi 7, Valencia 2---Crespi (5-3) scored 2 runs in the first inning, 3 in the fifth, and 2 in the seventh in a VIBL game at Valencia.
   Scott Heineman picked up his second win of the summer tossing 5 scoreless innings allowing 3 hits and striking out 2. Chad Tobin picked up the save pitching one and a third innings allowing no hits and striking out 1.
   Nick Morton led the Celt offense with 2 hits, including a double, and an RBI while Jack Colick and Shane Toole added 2 hits hits apiece. Heineman, Andre Angel-Bello, and Madison Dang added RBI singles.
   Crespi travels next to Golden Valley Wednesday for a 5:00 game.

Crespi 11, Campbell Hall 3---Andy Frakes picked up his first varsity win pitching 4 innings and allowing 1 run, 7 hits, and striking out 4 in a VIBL game at Valley College.
   The Celts (4-3) scored 2 runs in the first inning, 1 in the fourth, 2 in the fifth, and 6 in the sixth to put the game away.
   Daniel Avalos led the Celts with 2 hits, including a double, and 3 RBI while Chris Platania added 2 hits and an RBI.
   Nick Morton collected the save tossing 3 innings allowing 2 runs and 3 hits.
   Crespi travels to Valencia Tuesday for a 5:00 game.

West Ranch 8, Crespi 1---West Ranch rallied for 5 runs in the top of the seventh inning to put the game out of reach in a VIBL game at Valley College. Aaron Watkins delivered the decisive blow with a bases loaded double.
   Crespi's Chad Tobin kept the game close pitching 5 innings and allowing 3 runs, 1 earned, 5 hits and striking out 2 while Andre Angel-Bello and Morgan Grisham added 2 hits apiece for the Celts (3-3).
   Crespi returns to Valley College Saturday with a 10:00 game with Campbell Hall.

Birmingham 18, Crespi 5---Birmingham made use of 12 hits, 13 walks, and 8 Crespi errors to put the game away in a VIBL game at Valley College. They scored 5 runs in the first inning, 2 in the third, 2 in the fourth, 2 in the sixth, and 7 in the seventh.
   Crespi (3-2) scored 5 runs in the fourth inning to put themselves back in the game at 9-5.
   Garrett Mason and Madison Dang each collected 2 hits while Nick Morton tossed a scoreless inning of relief.
   The Celts now travel to West Ranch Friday for a 5:00 game.

Crespi 4, Hart 2---Madison Dang tossed a complete game 6-hitter for his first win of the summer in a VIBL game at Hart.
   Dang allowed 2 runs, 1 earned, struck out 5 and walked 1 to finish the game.
   Hart scored 1 run in each of the first two innings before the Celts (3-1) struck for 3 runs in the third and an insurance run in the seventh inning.
   Shane Toole led the Celt offense with 3 hits, including a double,  and 2 RBI while Nick Morton added 2 hits and 2 RBI.
   Crespi returns home Thursday with a 5:00 match up with Birmingham at Valley College.

Crespi 7, Agoura 0---Scott Heineman recored his first win of the summer tossing 5 shutout innings allowing 2 hits and striking out 5 in a VIBL game at Valley College.
   The Celts scored 1 run in the first inning, 2 in the second, 3 in the third and 1 in the fifth to put the game away.
   Heineman also led the Celt offense with 3 hits, 2 RBI, and 4 stolen bases. Jack Collick and Donnie Bixby added a hit and 2 RBI while Nikki Linton, Daniel Avalos, Christian Johnson, Garrett Mason and Chad Tobin each added a hit.
   Matt Sarazen tossed 2 scoreless innings of relief allowing no hits and striking out 3, in his first appearance, to complete the shutout.
   Crespi travels to Hart Wednesday for a 5:00 game.

Crespi 6, Granada Hills 1---Chad Tobin took advantage of his first start of the summer by pitching 4 innings allowing 1 unearned run, 3 hits and striking out 2 for the win in a VIBL game at Granada Hills. Christian Johnson registered the save by tossing 3 scoreless innings in relief allowing 3 hits and striking out 2.
   The Celts (1-1) scored 1 run in the first inning, 1 in the third, 2 in the fifth, 1 in the sixth, and 1 in the seventh inning.
   Scott Heineman led Crespi hitters with 2 hits, an RBI and stole 3 bases while Nick Morton added 2 hits and an RBI.
   The Celts return to action Tuesday with a 5:00 game with Agoura at Valley College.
 
Kennedy 6, Crespi 3---Kennedy scored 2 runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, 1 in the fifth, and 3 more in the sixth, to break open a scoreless deadlock in the opening game of the VIBL summer season at Kennedy High School.
   Ryan Cruz tossed 5 innings allowing 1 run, 2 hits, and striking out 5 for the win.
   Crespi scored a run in the fifth inning to put themselves back in the game as Chris Platania's ground out scored Madison Dang from third base. Scott Heineman's single scored Angelo Gasbarro and Donnie Bixby in the seventh inning but the rally fell short.
   Heineman tossed 3 shutout innings for Crespi (0-1) allowing 1 hit and striking out 3 and Bixby collected 2 hits and scored a run.
   Crespi travels to Granada Hills Friday for a 5:00 match.

Once considered the second coming of Russell White, Crespi's Rhasheed Johnson is switching from running back to linebacker for his senior season, as the Celts are looking to shore up their defense after allowing 37 points or more three times last year.

Johnson, who has a Tulsa scholarship offer as a running back, split time last year and finished as Crespi's leading rusher with 591 yards and nine touchdowns, including three 100-yard performances. He will continue to play running back and some receiver, but Crespi is giving a long look to Mejani Shanks and sophomore Timmy Hayes.

"It's all right. I like playing linebacker because it's a good way to release anger," Johnson said. "If they need me defense, that's OK. It doesn't bother me. I want to do what the team needs to win a championship."

Valley Invitational Baseball League no knock on wood, as it eschews aluminum bats

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

Kevin Torres hit 11 home runs for Birmingham High of Lake Balboa this past season, while pitcher Scott Barlow of Golden Valley of Santa Clarita had his ups and downs with a 5.48 ERA.

Now they are playing in the Valley Invitational Baseball League, always less competitive than the regular season because a lot of the area's top returning players don't participate, and Torres has just two home runs in 15 games,

while Barlow has a 2.21 ERA and 36strikeouts in 25 innings while not giving up a single home run.

Welcome to the world of wood bats instead of aluminum.

"I've had a lot of long flyballs this summer that would have been home runs with an aluminum bat, probably eight or nine of them," Torres said.

Barlow said he's loving it.

"It's more like real baseball now. If someone hits a home run off me with a wood bat, I would tip my cap to him," Barlow said.

The change is part of a groundswell of support for wood bats that started in March when a pitcher from Marin County of Kentfield in Northern California was seriously injured by a line drive hit off an aluminum bat during a preseason scrimmage and spent two months in the hospital recovering from a coma.

The Marin County Athletic League put a moratorium on aluminum bats, then the issue hit closer to home when it was decided to use wood bats in the annual National Classic tournament in Orange County this past April that featured several local teams.

At the National Classic, there was a dearth of home runs, so it's no surprise the same thing is happening in the VIBL.

Lawmaker Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael) plans to push a bill calling for a three-year ban on aluminum bats, presumably giving a committee enough time to explore safer alternatives.

Safety was one of the reasons the VIBL switched to wood bats this summer, but not the only reason.

If Huffman's bill passes, there could be a switch to wood bats for all high schools in California - and perhaps the nation if the trend picks up steam - and that's one reason VIBL organizer Scott Muckey (also head coach at Crespi of Encino) supported the idea. Before the season opener, all of the coaches got together and took a vote, it was nearly unanimous, Muckey said.

"We don't know what the senate is going to do, and some think it's a 60 percent chance they're going to switch," Muckey said. "So we thought it was a good idea to use wood bats now if they're going to do it in the spring, so that way everyone can get used to it."

Most VIBL teams have played 19 games heading into the playoffs today, and only six players have hit more than one home run, with Chatsworth's Steven Karkenny, one of the top returning players in California, leading the league with three.

Meanwhile, Barlow's 2.21 ERA is only the 50th best, with 14 pitchers posting an ERA of 1.00 or lower.

"I kind of like it. It's a nice change," Karkenny said.

"I didn't really expect it. It's definitely something different. I have three home runs, but I have a lot of long flyballs that were caught, too. But I'm really a line-drive hitter anyway."

Perhaps surprisingly, Torres likes it, even though he doesn't have big power numbers like he undoubtedly would with an aluminum bat.

"It's good for the pitchers and bad for the hitters, but it doesn't matter because I just like wood," Torres said.

The coaches voted to use wood bats, but that doesn't mean they're crazy about it, particularly Valencia coach Jared Snyder, whose team plays in a tight home field and usually relies on power hitters like shortstop Trey Williams, who hit 10 home runs as a sophomore during the regular season but is not playing in the VIBL.

"I don't like the wood bats at all," Snyder said. "It's not fair to kids who aren't strong enough to hit a home run, and it's not indicative of how good a player someone can be. Plus, it gives pitchers a false sense of confidence with all these fake ERAs. We've got our outfielders playing 50 to 60 feet behind the infielders, so the wood bats make a pretty big difference for the kids."

There is also a financial consideration. Wood bats break, and aluminum bats don't.

Corey Sims of Alemany of Mission Hills broke two wood bats over the first two games of the VIBL season.

"That's $160. That's a lot of money," Alemany coach Randy Thompson said.

And what about all the home-run records? Chatsworth alumnus Mike Moustakas, now the top prospect in the Kansas City Royals organization, holds the state career record with 52 home runs, and it's going to be hard for anyone to touch his mark if there's a switch to wood bats.

"That's true," said Mark Tennis of Cal-Hi Sports, who keeps state records.

"If everyone starts using wood bats, the only way someone is going to beat Moustakas' record is if they start scheduling a lot more games every season."

Congratulations to members of the Varsity Volleyball Team and coaches Raissa Adolphe and James Spratt. They received the 2009-2010 AVCA (America Volleyball Coaches Association) Team Academic Award!

Amir Ali Patterson

ENCINO, CALIF. > Track and Field

Amir, a freshman at Crespi High, won the youth boys' shot put (50' 4") and discus (154' 3") at the USA Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships. In the pentathlon he won the shot and placed third overall (2,382 points). Amir took first in the shot in the sub-midget division at the AAU Junior Olympics in 2007 and in the midget division in '08.

Click here to see video of Amir Ali Patterson on MaxPreps

Read more: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/scorecard/faces/2010/07/26/#ixzz0uRyp0XVL

Football: Crespi wins Claremont tournament

First-year Coach Jon Mack from Encino Crespi is starting to raise expectations fast. The Celts won the Claremont passing tournament championship on Saturday, defeating Corona Santiago in the final.

Junior linebacker Corey Peoples had two interceptions, including one in the championship game. Quarterback Kenny Stenhouse, receiver Devin Lucien and defensive back Charles Washington were also standouts for the Celts.

"I feel like we're getting better every day, but we have a long ways to go," Mack said. "I can't wait for the weight room to open on Monday."

Santiago alternated four quarterbacks and relied on receivers Jemond Hazely, Simon Connette and Nnamdi Agude.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

CHATTER: Gilmartin, UCLA pair make U.S. national team

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

Crespi of Encino graduate Sean Gilmartin, a Florida State junior outfielder/ pitcher, along with UCLA pitcher Gerrit Cole and catcher Steve Rodriguez were among the 22 players selected to USA Baseball's Collegiate National team, comprised of the country's top non-draft-eligible college players.

The Americans will play a five-game series against Korea before squaring off against a Japanese Collegiate All-Star team in a one-game, international friendly July 21 at Omaha's Rosenblatt Stadium.

The U.S. will then travel to Taipei, Taiwan, for a four-game series against Chinese Taipei beginning July25. The team concludes its summer season at the FISU World University Championships in Tokyo, Japan, from July 30-Aug. 7.

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

There is a huge microscope on Crespi, as new coach Jon Mack is trying to breath life into a program that failed to make the playoffs the past two seasons despite huge expectations both years.

One of Mack's first moves was hiring offensive coordinator Pepe Villasenor, who played under Mack at St. Bonaventure through 1996, and the two coached together from 2000-06.

"Oh, I love it. We've been through hard times and good times together, so it's almost like bringing in your brother," Mack said.

Some of Crespi's top returning players are receiver Devin Lucien, running backs Rhasheed Johnson and Mejani Shanks, defensive lineman Reggie Coates and defensive back Charles Washington.

CHATTER: Local standouts receive all-state baseball honors

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

Recent graduates Christian Yelich of Westlake, Royal of Simi Valley's Cody Buckel and Harvard-Westlake of Studio City's Austin Wilson were among the 30 athletes recognized on Cal-Hi Sports' all-state baseball first-team roster.

Yelich, a Miami (Fla.) commit selected with the 23rd pick in the first round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft by the Florida Marlins, hit .451 with 41 runs, nine home runs, 25 RBIs and 28 stolen bases.

Buckel, a Pepperdine commit taken in the second round with the 72nd overall pick by the Texas Rangers, was also a finalist for state player of the year. He was 12-1 with a 0.61 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 80 innings, in addition to hitting .410 with six home runs and 25 RBIs.

The Stanford-bound Wilson was drafted in the 12th round by the St.Louis Cardinals after hitting .490 with 54 runs, five home runs, 23 RBIs and 25 stolen bases.

Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks' David Armendariz, Chaminade of West Hills' Brando Tessar and Moorpark's Luke Swenson were among the 30 second-team honorees.

El Camino Real of Woodland Hills' Mitch Bluman, Camarillo's Michael Erb and Crespi of Encino's Kevin Williams were honored among the 40 third-team selections.

Cornerstone Christian of Camarillo brothers Aaron and Nathan Roth, along with Desert Christian of Lancaster's Taylor Aikenhead were all-state small school honorees.

ECR's Chris Whitmer, Valencia's Trey Williams, Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's Travis Radke, Quartz Hill's Daniel Pitts and Birmingham of Lake Balboa's Kevin Torres were all acknowledged on the all-state underclassmen roster.

CHATTER: Legacy, Spectrum in gold bracket at junior nationals

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

After years of achieving success with Synergy Volleyball Club at the Junior Olympics, capturing nine medals -- including four golds -- in the past decade, Walt Ker has Legacy Volleyball Club in medal contention in the 18-under club division at the USA Boys' Volleyball Junior National Championships in Austin, Texas.

The Santa Clarita-based Legacy, coached by Ker and former Valencia standout Teddy Goetz, won its first eight matches to qualify for today's gold bracket at Austin Convention Center, before losing 25-19, 26-24 to Ohio's Matchpoint Volleyball Club in its final contest Sunday night.

Legacy defeated Hawaii's Pilipa'a and Cincy Classics Red earlier Sunday to secure its berth among the final eight teams in the 54-team tournament.

Legacy -- featuring Village Christian of Sun Valley's Ashish Cleophas and Ryan Kapuscinski, Oaks Christian of Westlake Village's Carter Franciskovic, Canyon's Curtis Van Grinsven, and Valencia's Steven Crane, Josh Duarte, Jason Halliday and Daniel Johnson -- needs three more victories today to capture the championship.

Joining Legacy in the gold bracket is the Thousand Oaks-based Spectrum Volleyball Club, which won its ninth consecutive match with a 25-13, 25-18 victory Sunday over Illinois' Sports Performance Volleyball Club.

Spectrum's roster includes: Oak Park's Christien McManus, Rio Mesa of Oxnard's Paul Dubuke, Simi Valley's Lucas Dunn, Camarillo's Jesse Flitt, Newbury Park's Andrew MacArthur and Vaughn Wellenreiter, Royal of Simi Valley's James Miller and Ryan Rampton, Moorpark's Dylan Shigekawa and Chatsworth's Sean Wheeler.

Santa Monica Beach Club's 18-under Silver team, coached by Crespi of Encino's Raissa Adolphe, suffered a 25-19, 25-27, 15-9 loss Saturday to Legacy to fall into the bronze bracket.

SMBC -- which includes Crespi's Stuart Appleby and William Cornell, Granada Hills' Sean Greene and Phillip Pawlikowski, Campbell Hall of North Hollywood's Chase McKinzie, Taft of Woodland Hills' Scott Sanders, Saugus' Ryan Mason, Chatsworth's Daniel Rochin, El Camino Real of Woodland Hills' Evan Bender and Van Nuys' DaShawn Green -- will compete for 17th place today.

In the 18-under club division, SMBC Black, coached by Eddie Stanislawski, won a pair of matches Sunday to improve to 6-4 in the 36-team tournament.

SMBC, which features Alemany of Mission Hills' Cole Hutter and Matt Tarantino, Crespi's Brandon LeBrock and Daniel Stork, Harvard-Westlake of Studio City's Ryan Plueger and Jake Staahl, Cleveland of Reseda's Leonardo Granato, Valencia's Nick Ferry and Pierce College's Christopher Reid, competes for 13th place today.

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

Amir Ali Patterson, an incoming freshman at Crespi of Encino who competes for Valley United Track Club, captured the young boys' discus throw title Saturday at the USA Youth Outdoor Track and Field Championships in Lisle, Ill.

Patterson, 14, who captured the young boys' shot put championship with an effort of 50 feet, 4 inches Thursday, achieved his first national double by throwing the discus 154-3.

Patterson, who is scheduled to compete at the USATF National Junior Olympics beginning July 28 in Sacramento followed by the AAU Junior Olympics starting Aug.3 in Virginia, also took fifth Friday in young boys' javelin throw (136-5).

Patterson began the week with a third-place finish Tuesday in the young boys' pentathlon with 2,382 points.

Football: Ex-St. Bonny assistant moves over to Crespi

Former Ventura St. Bonaventure Coach Jon Mack has lured Pepe Villasenor to become the offensive coordinator at Encino Crespi.

Villasenor caught 111 passes in 1996 at St. Bonaventure. He later became an assistant with the Seraphs. He had been working in Spain before Mack was able to get him to return to coaching.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

HS TRACK: This kid should blossom at Crespi

By Gerry Gittelson

Amir Ali Patterson, 14, an incoming freshman at Crespi, won the youth boys' shot put today with a 50 4" toss at the USATF Youth Outdoor Track & Field Championships -- his third national shot put title since 2006.

-- Gerry Gittelson, Daily News

Track: Crespi freshman wins shot put title

Incoming freshman Amir Ali Patterson, 14, won the youth boys shot put with a mark of 50 feet, 4 inches at the USA Youth Outdoor Track and Field Championships Thursday in Lisle, Ill.

He's from North Hills and was representing Valley United Track Club. It's his third national title in the shot put since 2006.

UPDATE: Patterson also won the discus title at 154-3.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

By Jacob H. Pollon and Erik Boal

PLAYER OF THE YEAR

DANIEL STORK, Crespi, Sr.

No area player had more pressure on his shoulders entering the season than Stork, the nation's No. 4 college recruit according to ESPN/Rise Magazine.

But the 6-foot-3 setter, a UC Irvine signee, backed it up right away with a season-high 52 assists in his first match against Southern Section Div. III finalist Oak Park and didn't slow down the rest of the year.

Stork, a member of the U.S. junior national team, averaged more than 40 assists per match for the Celts, who reached the second round of the Div. I playoffs before losing to powerhouse Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach.

The Mission League MVP received All-America first-team honors by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

FIRST TEAM

NICK FERRY, Valencia, Sr.

Whether it was at libero or outside hitter, Ferry was instrumental in the Vikings winning their 10 th consecutive Foothill championship and extending their league winning streak to 92 in a row. The league player of the year and Southern Section Div. II first-team selection — who will attend Division III national champion Springfield (Mass.) — helped Valencia reach the quarterfinals.

CARTER FRANCISKOVIC, Oaks Christian, Jr.

The 6-foot-4 outside hitter carried a young lineup, leading the Lions with 389 kills, 271 digs and 31 aces, along with recording 39 blocks. An all Tri-Valley League first-team pick, Franciskovic also received Crescenta Valley all-tournament honors. Franciskovic recorded at least 20 kills five times — with a season-high 28 against Malibu — for Oaks Christian, which reached the second round of the Southern Section Div. III playoffs.

AUSTIN KINGI, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Whether it was helping the U.S. Youth national team finish second at the NORCECA Continental Championships in Mexico or leading the Lancers to the Southern Section Div. II semifinals — pushing champion Laguna Beach to five games — the 6-foot-4 Kingi was an impact player. The Marmonte League co-MVP and Div. II first-team honoree, Kingi is one of the nation's top 25 recruits in the class of 2011 according to Volleyball Magazine/Sports Imports.

BRANDON LEBROCK, Crespi, Sr.

The 6-foot-1 LeBrock was the beneficiary of Daniel Stork's impressive setting, but the outside hitter's skill at the net took care of itself. LeBrock averaged better than 15 kills per match, including a season-high 26 in the opener against Oak Park. The Cal State Northridge signee received Mission League first-team recognition, along with second-team All-America honors by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

TRAVIS MAGORIEN, Westlake, Jr.

Despite fluctuating personnel around him, the 6-foot-4 setter still managed to lead the Warriors back to the Southern Section Div. II final, where they came up short of repeating as champion. The Marmonte League co-MVP and Div. II first-team selection was at his best in big matches, recording 43 assists and 10 digs to sweep rival Thousand Oaks and delivering a season-high 59 assists in Westlake's semifinal victory over Claremont.

CHRISTIEN McMANUS, Oak Park, Sr.

Although McManus didn't conclude his career with a Southern Section Div. III title, he secured several other honors following an impressive season. The 6-foot-2 outside hitter led Oak Park with 138 kills, 24 against Norco in the Div. III title match. McManus, the Tri-Valley League MVP and Div. III first-team pick, helped Oak Park reach the division final for the fourth time in five years.

ANDREW SATO, Agoura, Sr.

Although he was the shortest player on the U.S. Youth National team at 5 feet 9, Sato's contributions at libero loomed large not only for the Americans during their run to the silver medal in April at the NORCECA Continental Championships, but throughout the regular season at Agoura. The Marmonte League and Div. II first-team selection, Sato is among the top 25 recruits in the country in the class of 2011 by Volleyball Magazine/Sports Imports.

KEATS STANLEY, Westlake, Jr.

Although the outside hitter was hospitalized with a staph infection in his left leg, causing him to miss two weeks midway through the season, Stanley was a catalyst during the Warriors' run to a second straight Southern Section Div. II final. The Marmonte League and Div. II first-team selection, Stanley — a top 25 national recruit in the class of 2011 by Volleyball Magazine/Sports Imports — led a senior-less Westlake lineup in kills, including 31 in a semifinal victory over Claremont.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

JENNINGS FRANCISKOVIC, Oaks Christian, Fr.

A recent pick for the U.S. boys' A1 select roster that will compete in the USA Volleyball High Performance Championships, Franciskovic produced an impressive debut campaign. The 6-foot setter had 908 assists, 91 digs, 60 kills, 54 blocks and 27 aces for the Lions to earn Tri-Valley League second-team honors.

COACH OF THE YEAR

ARMAN MERCADO, Taft

After five losses in City Section boys' finals, Mercado finally got over the hump by leading the Toreadors to the City Div. I crown and the program's first title since 2001. Taft captured its first West Valley League crown under Mercado, ending a nine-match losing streak against rival Granada Hills. The Toreadors defeated the Highlanders three times, the last victory in the semifinals to lift Taft to its 10 th City finals berth in 14 years.

SECOND TEAM

Jason Avina, Thousand Oaks, Soph.

Zach Burkhardt, Rio Mesa, Sr.

Connor Cherland, Quartz Hill, Sr.

Edmund Chow, Flintridge Prep, Sr.

Stuart Cohen, Sylmar, Sr.

Steven Crane, Valencia, Sr.

Jacob Delson, Westlake, Soph.

Josh Duarte, Valencia, Sr.

Mikel DuBoise, El Camino Real, Sr.

Thor English, Royal, Soph.

Liam Gallagher, Crespi, Sr.

Taylor Gregory, Hart, Jr.

Steven Hadawar, Van Nuys, Sr.

Scott Hendrickson, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Daniel Johnson, Valencia, Sr.

Jacob Johnson, Van Nuys, Sr.

Stacey Kelly, Royal, Sr.

Colby Magorien, Westlake, Fr.

Ryan Mason, Saugus, Sr.

Chase McKinzie, Campbell Hall, Sr.

Kenny Molar, Taft. Sr.

Phillip Pawlikowski, Granada Hills, Sr.

Alex Piatt, Taft, Sr.

Ryan Plueger, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Bradley Sakaida, Oak Park, Soph.

Sam Saltman, Oak Park, Soph.

Scott Sanders, Taft, Sr.

Kevin Schoch, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Michael Shea, Oak Park, Sr.

Kenyatta Smith, Flintridge Prep, Jr.

Matthew Tarantino, Alemany, Jr.

Lucas Yanez, Burroughs, Jr.

Tyler Yanez, Burroughs, Jr.

Ian Zavala, Quartz Hill, Sr.

TOP TEN RANKINGS

1. Westlake

2. Crespi

3. Valencia

4. Royal

5. Thousand Oaks

6. Oak Park

7. Taft

8. Harvard-Westlake

9. Burroughs

10. Quartz Hill

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Alpha: Campbell Hall and Windward

East Valley: Van Nuys

Foothill: Valencia

Golden: Quartz Hill

Liberty: Oakwood

Marmonte: Westlake

Mission: Loyola

Northern: Eagle Rock

Pacific: Burroughs and Claremont

Pacific View: Rio Mesa

Prep: Flintridge Prep/Pasadena Poly/Chadwick

Tri-Valley: Oak Park

Valley Mission: Sylmar

West Valley: Taft

MATCH OF THE YEAR

Taft vs. Palisades, City Div. I final, May 22

After five-game losses in the 2006 and '07 City Section finals, Taft finally delivered in the clutch, rallying from a 14-13 fifth-game deficit to prevail 25-23, 18-25, 25-12, 18-25, 17-15 in the Div. I title match to capture its fifth crown.

Former Brewers pitcher says he's looking to move on, help Cardinals

By Tom Haudricourt of the Journal Sentinel

St. Louis — No one was in need of a fresh start more than Jeff Suppan.

Unable to live up to a four-year, $42 million contract - at the time, the largest in club history - the veteran right-hander had to be a bit relieved when the Brewers released him on June 7. Suppan had been banished to unfamiliar bullpen duty and was being booed regularly by the home fans.

Now back with St. Louis, where he pitched so well for three years to earn that deal with the Brewers, Suppan is trying to get his feet back on the ground.

"It probably helped in the transition to have been here before," Suppan said Thursday before the start of a four-game series between the Brewers and Cardinals at Busch Stadium.

"A lot of the same guys are here. I thought this would be a good situation for me to be in. I didn't really think about playing anywhere else."

Suppan has made modest gains in four starts with the Cardinals, going 0-2 with a 4.19 ERA. At the time of his release, he was 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA in 15 games with the Brewers, including two starts.

Big things were expected of Suppan when he signed his free-agent deal before the 2007 season. But his career trended downward in Milwaukee, resulting in a 29-36 record and 5.08 ERA in 110 games.

It got so bad that the Brewers finally opted to absorb the final $10 million they owed Suppan, including a $2 million buyout of his option for 2011.

Asked about getting the phone call that day from Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, Suppan said, "I wasn't surprised. There's always that possibility on any team you're on.

"I'm looking to move on. I can't change what happened in Milwaukee. When I'm 50 years old, it still happened. I was disappointed in how it turned out. I'm looking now to improve and help the Cards to win."

Suppan said he didn't think he put extra pressure on himself to live up to that contract but conceded that he might have.

"I knew what the contract meant and what the Brewers were looking for," he said. "There's pressure in this game everywhere. It's how you handle that pressure.

"It wasn't for lack of effort. I did everything within my power to be ready when I took the mound. I had some different things happen. I'm accountable. I know what they gave me and I know what I was supposed to do. That was frustrating on my end."

As for the intense booing by Brewers fans at the end, Suppan said, "That's a part of life. They have every right to cheer or to boo, to express how they feel. I was trying to stay focused. I wanted to do well. It created a little different environment.

"It didn't change what I did or how I worked and prepared to pitch. I tried to keep things small, focus on each day. If I didn't do that, it would have made it harder. I handled it the best I could. We're all human beings; we all have feelings."

Hart hopeful: Unlike leftfielder Ryan Braun, who appears headed to his third consecutive election to the All-Star Game in fan balloting, rightfielder Corey Hart has no idea what his chances are of making that squad. But he is hopeful for a spot either through player voting or selection by manager Charlie Manuel.

"That's one of the things outside of team goals that you hope for," said Hart. "I feel like I've earned a spot."

Entering play Thursday, Hart was tied with three others for the NL home-run lead with 18 and ranked second with 60 runs batted in. He was third with a .571 slugging percentage.

Hart made the NL squad in 2008 in the "All-Star Final Vote" online balloting by fans for the last roster spot. He'd rather it not come down to overtime again to make the team.

"There's a lot less stress (to be selected initially)," he said. "It would be nice to make it. I don't know what's going to happen. It would be nice to be voted in by the players."

If Hart is named to the NL team, he said he would be open to participating in the Home Run Derby, though he said he's not a home-run hitter.

"Why not?" he said. "This might be my only chance to do it."

Agoura Hills sophomore attends leadership program

Nicholas Haney of Agoura Hills recently attended the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar at Whittier College, along with more than 90 other young leaders from throughout the Los Angeles region.

The seminar provides youths with a forum for learning about critical issues while broadening their understanding of their leadership potential and quest for selfdevelopment. Participants are encouraged to return to their communities to perform at least 100 hours of community service in the 12 months following the seminar. The program was started by actor Hugh O’Brian following a meeting in Africa with Dr. Albert Schweitzer.

Nicholas is the son of Donald and Theresa Haney. He is a sophomore at Crespi Carmelite High School in Encino. He is on the school honor roll and in the fall will serve as junior class vice president.

Nicholas swims for both the school varsity team and Class Aquatics in Westlake Village. He also coaches new swimmers for the St. Jude swim team in the Catholic League.

He has been a summer camp counselor for St. Jude, and collects food in his neighborhood for the Catholic Charities Loaves and Fishes Program.

Baseball: VIBL all-star games are Saturday

The VIBL will hold its all-star baseball games on Saturday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. at the Franklin Field complex in Encino, where North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake and Montclair Prep have stadiums.

The first game at the O'Malley Field will feature Kennedy East vs. Simi Valley West.

Among the players for Kennedy East are pitcher Ryan Cruz (Granada Hills Kennedy), infielder Scott Heineman (Crespi), catchers Ryan Tinkham (Royal) and Chris Mallon (Kennedy) and outfielder Aaron Brown (Chatsworth). Simi Valley West includes outfielder Edgar Montes (Alemany) and infielder Levi Shordon (Simi Valley).

The 1 p.m. game at Montclair Prep's Hartunian Field will have West Ranch North against Chatsworth South. Catcher Josh Heinz (West Ranch), outfielder Justin Sheehan (Saugus), pitcher Kevin Torres (Birmingham), outfielder Steven Karkenny (Chatsworth) and catcher Chris Whitmer (El Camino Real) are among the players scheduled to participate.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

By Erik Boal, Staff Writer

SWIMMER OF THE YEAR

CHASE BLOCH, Oaks Christian, Sr.

The four-year standout ended the season as the nation's No. 1 high school swimmer in the 100-yard butterfly, but the most important goal for Bloch was making sure Oaks Christian concluded the year as the top team in Southern Section Div. II, giving the Lions five titles in six seasons.

The USC signee broke his own division 100 butterfly record (47.55 seconds) — tied for the No. 2 mark in state history and No. 6 all-time nationally — and added a victory in the 100 backstroke in 48.80, the second-fastest time in the state this year and No. 5 in the country.

He also contributed to a Div. II record in the 200 medley relay (1:34.73) — later winning Masters in the event — and anchored the 400 freestyle relay (3:07.56), giving him 10 career division crowns.

DIVER OF THE YEAR

LESTER WRIGHT, Rio Mesa, Fr.

Wright not only won the Div. III title with 567.90 points, but broke the 1994 division record of 547.90, following Drake Escrofani's victory last year for the Spartans. He also won the Rio Mesa Invitational with 530 points and finished eighth at the Masters meet.

FIRST TEAM

KONRAD ANTONIUK, Hart, Sr.

Helped Hart win Foothill League titles in the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays. The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo signee took sixth in the 500 free (4:33.01) at the Div. I final and seventh in the 200 individual medley (1:54.99).

DAVID ARMSTRONG, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

The Div. II champion in the 50 freestyle (20.97) posted the No. 8 mark in the state this year. Armstrong took runner-up in the 100 butterfly at the Div. II final in 49.76, before lowering his time at the Masters to 49.25, the state's third-fastest mark.

ALEX CAMPBELL, La Canada, Sr.

Campbell won the Div. II 100 freestyle title in 46.34. The UC Santa Barbara signee took fourth in the 100 backstroke (51.86) and helped the Spartans take second in the 400 free relay and third in the 200 free relay.

ARMEN DARBINYAN, Crespi, Soph.

The Mission League champion in the 500 freestyle, Darbinyan took eighth in the 200 and 500 freestyles at the Div. I final, posting season-bests of 1:41.27 and 4:31.52 at prelims.

DYLAN DUIMOVICH, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Placed third in the 200 individual medley (1:54.28) and sixth in the 100 breaststroke (59.59) in Div. II, just off his season-best 59.22. Duimovich was also part of the Lions' victorious 200 and 400 freestyle relays.

GARRETT HUBBARD, Alemany, Sr.

The Mission League champion and Div. I runner-up in the 100 backstroke (51.68), Hubbard also finished 14 th in the 200 free (1:43.43), just off his season-best of 1:42.95.

BOB HWANG, Valencia, Jr.

The Foothill League champion in both events, Hwang finished second in the 100 butterfly (50.17) and fifth in the 200 IM (1:54.68) at the Div. I final. He placed in the top six in both at the Masters meet.

RILEY MITA, West Ranch, Jr.

After taking third in the 500 freestyle in a season-best 4:29.98 at the Div. I final, Mita improved to second at the Masters meet. The Foothill League champion in the 200 and 500 frees, Mita took 10 th at the Div. I final in the 200 free in a season-best 1:41.02.

ALEX NGAN, Hart, Jr.

Stepped up with victories in the 50 freestyle and 100 backstroke at the Foothill League final, then took third in the 100 backstroke (51.90) and fourth in the 100 butterfly (50.79) in Div. I.

BRANDON NGUYEN, La Canada, Fr.

Nguyen's ninth-place time of 58.19 seconds in the 100 breaststroke would've placed him second overall in Div. II. He also took fourth in the 200 IM (1:54.45), then placed in the top seven in both events at the Masters meet.

CHRISTIAN RENFRO, La Canada, Jr.

The Div. II runner-up in the 200 freestyle (1:41.55), Renfro added a fourth-place effort in the 100 free (46.77), in addition to contributing to La Canada's third-place 200 free relay and runner-up 400 free relay.

JESSE RYCKMAN, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Ryckman was second at the Div. II final in the 100 backstroke (51.23) and 10 th in the 100 butterfly (52.53). He also led off the Lions' record-setting 200 medley relay (1:34.73) and was fifth in the Masters backstroke.

HARRISON THAI, Crescenta Valley, Fr.

Thai took third in the 100 backstroke (51.73), second in the 100 breaststroke (58.29) and helped the Falcons place fourth in the 400 freestyle relay (3:11.85) and second in the 200 medley relay (1:35.65) at the Div. II final.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

YOUNG TAE SEO, Crescenta Valley, Fr.

There was plenty of hype surrounding Seo joining the Falcons, but he and fellow ninth-grader Harrison Thai lived up to the advanced billing. After breaking Pacific League records in the 200 freestyle (1:41.94) and 500 free (4:32.17), Seo won the division title in the 200 individual medley (1:50.14) — No. 2 nationally among all ninth-graders — and took second in the 500 (4:27.38), the fastest time in the country by a freshman. He added Masters crowns in the 200 IM (1:50.71) and 500 free (4:32.91).

COACH OF THE YEAR

STEVE NEALE, Hart

This season might been the most challenging for Hart in pursuit of extending its Foothill League championship run to 14 in a row. After having its 70-meet league winning streak snapped by West Ranch, the Indians needed to defeat Valencia and the Wildcats at the Foothill championship meet, and Neale had his swimmers primed to deliver another clutch performance. Hart won the 200 medley and 400 freestyle relays, and took second in the 200 free relay, along with receiving contributions from several unsung heroes. The Indians went on to place 12 th at the Div. I final, the best finish by any local boys' team.

SECOND TEAM

Evan Anglin, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Spencer Boone, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

John Brody, Viewpoint, Fr.

Kyle Burke, West Ranch, Sr.

Josh Chi, Crescenta Valley, Jr.

Kevin Fleming, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Danny Fujinaka, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Keaunui Harris, Canyon, Sr.

Tyler Henry, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Mitch Johnson, Hart, Soph.

Paul Joung, El Camino Real, Sr.

Henly Ko, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Nico Kryspin, Taft, Sr.

James McNamara, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Mickey Mowry, Glendale, Soph.

David Portillo, Cleveland, Sr.

Jet Reich, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Grant Richman, Granada Hills, Jr.

Matthew Riek, Alemany, Sr.

Sam Ruddy, Harvard-Westlake, Jr.

Nick Steadman, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Jared Stern, Viewpoint, Sr.

Valentino Vilches, Cleveland, Jr.

Ore Wahnishe, Newbury Park, Jr.

TOP TEN RANKINGS

1. Oaks Christian

2. Crescenta Valley

3. La Canada

4. Thousand Oaks

5. Hart

6. Harvard-Westlake

7. West Ranch

8. Valencia

9. Crespi

10. Rio Mesa

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Foothill: Hart

Golden: Quartz Hill

Liberty: Viewpoint

Marmonte: Thousand Oaks

Mission: Loyola

Pacific: Crescenta Valley

Pacific View: Rio Mesa

Rio Hondo: La Canada

Tri-Valley: Oaks Christian

Valley Mission: Van Nuys

West Valley: Cleveland

RACE OF THE YEAR

400-YARD FREESTYLE RELAY, Foothill League championship meet, May 6

Hart's bid to extend its run of league titles to 14 straight years came down to the final relay. In front of a standing-room-only crowd at Santa Clarita Aquatic Center, the Indians' Alex Ngan, Mitch Johnson, Chris Cogswell and Konrad Antoniuk swam a league-record 3:13.89 to get past Valencia's Stephen Haw, Bryan Kitchener, Jaryd Borja and Bob Hwang to defeat the Vikings 418-399, with Antoniuk holding off Hwang, who touched in 3:14.05.

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

ATHLETE OF THE YEAR

Jonathan Cabral

Agoura, Jr.

There was no obstacle too big for Cabral this season, especially when it came to clearing hurdles.

After falling in the state prelims in the 110-meter hurdles last season, Cabral had plenty of motivation this year.

He used that to become the area's fourth state champion in the 110 hurdles, running a wind-aided 13.54 seconds -- the nation's No. 2 time -- to win the title.

Cabral, who broke a 35-year-old Marmonte League record in the 110 hurdles and clocked the nation's No. 6 time in the 300 hurdles (36.83), lost one hurdle race all year, taking fifth in the 300 at the June 5 state finals. He captured titles in both hurdle events at the Arcadia Invitational, Mt.SAC Relays, Ventura County Championships, league finals, Div. III finals and Masters meet.

FIRST TEAM

MATTHEW BEDFORD, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Following a humbling performance at last year's Div. III prelims, a driven Bedford set school records in the 200, 400 and as part of the 1,600 relay. Following a fifth-place finish at the state meet, Bedford lowered his school record in the 400 to 47.80 to place eighth at the New Balance Nationals.

SEAN DAVIDSON, Royal, Sr.

Among California's top 3,000 and 5,000-meter runners, Davidson -- who engaged in several impressive battles with Thousand Oaks' Kevin Joerger -- capped his career with a 13 th-place effort in the 3,200 at the state final in a season-best 9:08.51.

NIKO DIMARTINO, Oaks Christian, Jr.

The Tri-Valley League's top male athlete -- who ran 10.65 seconds for 100 meters and 21.65 in the 200 -- enjoyed an exceptional season that culminated with Oaks Christian's first track and field state title. Despite an injured right foot, DiMartino jumped 23 feet,10 1/2 to win the championship. The Div. IV champion in the long jump and 400 relay, he also jumped a wind-legal 23-9 3/4 to capture the the title at the Arcadia Invitational and a wind-aided 24-1 1/2 at the Ventura County Championships.

GREG DOTSON, Burbank, Sr.

The UC Santa Barbara signee clocked a school-record 1:49.40 to finish second in the state 800-meter final, good for the nation's No. 3 outdoor time. Dotson also ran 4:11.39 for 1,600 meters, the state's fifth-fastest mark.

TRAVIS EDWARDS, Royal, Sr.

The Stanford-bound Edwards concluded his career with a seventh-place finish in the state 1,600 final. Edwards had a season-best 1,600 time of 4:14.18, in addition to clocking 4:01.48 in the 1,500, the state's No. 2 mark.

KEVIN ENGE, Canyon, Jr.

The Foothill League standout delivered his best performance in the high jump when it mattered most, clearing 6 feet, 6 inches to capture the Div. II title. Enge went on to place 13 th at the Masters meet.

ANTUAN GOODALL, Taft, Sr.

The City Section 400-meter champion, Goodall ran a season-best mark of 48.09 seconds over one lap. The two-sport standout also clocked a wind-aided effort of 21.23 in the 200 at the City final.

BRANDON GREENBERG, Crespi, Sr.

Greenberg improved as the season progressed, highlighted by his Div. III title with a personal-best 61 feet, 4 1/2 inches. The Mission League champion, who took third at the Masters meet, ranked sixth in the state and No. 32 nationally.

KEVIN JOERGER, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

In his final race at Cerritos College, Joerger delivered his best performance in the 3,200, clocking 9:07.77 to finish eighth in a mark that ranked 18 th in the state. Joerger also added a season-best of 4:20.24 in the 1,600.

JAMISON JORDAN, Rio Mesa, Sr.

Jordan was the heart of Rio Mesa's run to the state meet, capturing three Southern Section Div. II titles and a Masters crown in the 100. The Cal Poly San Luis Obispo signee clocked the state's No. 2 wind-legal mark in the 100 (10.46), No. 5 in the 200 (21.23) and No. 12 in the 400 (48.19). In addition he ran on 400, 800 and 1,600 relays that were all top five in the state.

BLAKE SELIG, Rio Mesa, Soph.

The talented long jumper and sprinter provided valuable depth for the Spartans at the Div. II final, producing a wind-aided effort of 22-9 3/4 in the long jump. He also ran on the 400, 800 and 1,600 relays that were all among the top 20 in the country.

JAVERT SOLORZANO, Granada Hills, Sr.

The City Section runner-up and state's eighth-place finisher at 1,600 meters, Solorzano's season-best was 4:14.68. He also clocked 9:28.72 in the 3,200 to finish 22 nd at the state final.

CONNOR STARK, Oak Park, Soph.

California's top sophomore in the pole vault and 10 th-place finisher at the state meet, Stark cleared a season-best 15 feet, 6 inches to rank No. 5 nationally among all 10 th-graders and 62 nd overall.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

KHALFANI MUHAMMAD, Notre Dame, Fr.

Following the departure of sprinter Jacob Smith, the Knights needed to fill a void in their lineup and Muhammad wound up being the missing piece in Notre Dame's Div. III championship puzzle. In addition to running on the division title-winning 400-meter relay, Muhammad established himself as the fastest freshman in the state and the No. 5 ninth-grader in the country with a wind-legal effort of 10.84 seconds in the 100 at the Mission League finals. Muhammad, who helped Notre Dame win its seventh Div. III title in nine years, was also the top freshman in the state and No. 2 in the country after running the 200 in 21.63 at league finals.

COACH OF THE YEAR

BRIAN FITZGERALD, Rio Mesa

During his 29-year career at Rio Mesa, Fitzgerald has won 44 league championships and three Southern Section titles, but his best work might have come this season in leading the Spartans to a runner-up finish at the Div. II final despite several injuries that could've derailed their season. With only four athletes -- Jamison Jordan, LaDarrin Roach, Steven Richards and Blake Selig -- competing, Rio Mesa gave a deeper Loyola of Los Angeles lineup all it could handle before falling 61-56. The same quartet went on to finish tied for sixth at the state meet.

SECOND TEAM

Bryan Bennett, Crespi, Sr.

Joey Darko, Golden Valley, Sr.

Sam DeMello, Westlake, Sr.

Tyler Fields, Simi Valley, Jr.

Thomas Garner, Royal, Sr.

Sean Grumney, Newbury Park, Jr.

Philip Hanley, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Paul Jesson, Royal, Sr.

Justin Kirkland, Notre Dame, Sr.

Shane MacMiller, Crespi, Jr.

Steven Melena, Eastside, Sr.

Anthony Monroy, Burroughs, Soph.

Brandon Owen, Paraclete, Sr.

Erik Pinuelas, Camarillo, Jr.

Kenny Pool, Birmingham, Sr.

Steven Richards, Rio Mesa, Sr.

Jonathan Robertson, Birmingham, Sr.

Patrick Smith, Newbury Park, Sr.

Jordan Taylor, Knight, Sr.

Seth Totten, Golden Valley, Sr.

Ronnie Turner, Antelope Valley, Jr.

Slater Wayne, Notre Dame, Sr.

TOP TEN RANKINGS

1. Notre Dame 6. Saugus

2. Rio Mesa 7. Westlake

3. Canyon 8. Harvard-Westlake

4. Thousand Oaks 9. Oak Park

5. Moorpark T10. Oaks Chr./Birmingham

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Alpha: Paraclete

East Valley: Arleta

Foothill: Canyon

Golden: Eastside

Marmonte: Thousand Oaks

Mission: Loyola

Pacific: Arcadia

Pacific View: Rio Mesa

Tri-Valley: Oak Park

West Valley: Birmingham

Valley Mission: Monroe

RACE OF THE YEAR

400-METER RELAY, Arcadia Invitational, April 10

It was one of the nation's finest efforts on one of the country's biggest stages. Jamison Jordan, LaDarrin Roach, Blake Selig and Jamaal Perkins set an area record by running 40.69 seconds to dominate the field and post the state's fastest outdoor time at that point. Unfortunately for the Spartans, Perkins suffered a hamstring injury the following week at the Mt. SAC Relays, preventing them from improving on that mark, which finished the year as the No. 3 outdoor time in the country behind Serra of Gardena and Ellison, Texas, who both ran 40.66.

By Gerry Gittelson, Erik Boal and Jack Pollon

There wasn't a hitter that Cody Buckel feared while standing on the mound.

There wasn't a pitcher Madison Shipman didn't think shecould hit.

They were also both outstanding defensive shortstops, threats on the basepaths and impressive power hitters, Buckel leading Royal of Simi Valley to the Southern Section Div. I baseball semifinals and Shipman accomplishing the same feat with the Valencia softball team.

But what separated the seniors - both of whom are finalists for Cal-Hi Sports' state player of the year - from their peers was their competitive spirit and desire to succeed.

They've both been selected to compete for U.S. 18-under national teams, the fulfillment of a dream to represent their country playing the sport they love.

But they were also great ambassadors for their high school programs, serving as the catalysts for league championships, in Shipman's case her fourth in a row.

Buckel, who committed to Pepperdine, was drafted by the Texas Rangers with the 72nd pick in the Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

Shipman, signed with Tennessee, could be playing in the National Pro Fastpitch League someday.

It was that special combination of talent, leadership and will to win that earned Buckel and Shipman the recognition as the Daily News' All-Area baseball and softball players of the year.

- Erik Boal, Daily News

2010 DAILY NEWS BASEBALL PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Cody Buckel Royal, P/SS, Sr.

There was a buzz every time Buckel pitched, and the hard-throwing right-hander almost always came through with a worthy performance. Or, as coach Dan Maye put it: "Cody Buckel's worst outing is better than most pitchers' best outing."

The proof is in the numbers and in Royal's success. With a 95 mph fastball combined with an assortment of breaking pitches and remarkable control, Buckel finished 12-1 with eight complete games, five shutouts and a 0.61 ERA and 123 strikeouts in 80 innings with just 17 walks. "I wanted to be perfect, but it was a good year," Buckel said. He also batted .410 with six home runs and 25 RBIs, as Royal advanced to the Southern Section Div. I semifinals before losing to eventual champion Mater Dei of Santa Ana.

FIRST TEAM

Tyler Abbott, Royal, P, Sr.

A top left-hander, Abbott was 8-3 with a 1.70 ERA and 82 strikeouts with just 17 walks to help Royal advance to the Southern Section Div. I semifinals

David Armendariz, Notre Dame, INF, Sr.

A four-year starter, Armendariz had another excellent season, batting .356 with six home runs and 16 RBIs. He was also a top third baseman and occasional pitcher.

Mitch Bluman, El Camino Real, Util, Sr.

Perhaps the City Section's most feared hitter, Bluman batted .463 with an .829 slugging percentage, nine home runs and 40 RBIs. He was also 6-3 with a 3.28 ERA and 53 strikeouts in 52 innings.

Jordan Brower, Newbury Park, Util, Sr.

Brower did a little of everything, and he did it well, hitting .417 with two home runs and a team- high 15 RBIs while going 4-3 with a 1.85 ERA.

Jose Cardona, El Camino Real, P, Jr.

The City Player of the Year, Cardona was 11-1 with a 1.56 ERA, and he won three playoff games, including an eight-inning shutout in the semifinals and the final two innings of relief in a 9-8 championship victory over San Pedro at Dodger Stadium.

Steven Karkenny, Chatsworth, OF, Sr.

Karkenny, the West Valley League co-Player of the Year, did it all for City Section semifinalist Chatsworth, batted .430 with 22 RBIs and 30 runs scored. He was also 5-1 with six saves, a 1.36 ERA and 46 strikeouts and 43 innings.

Lonnie Kauppila, Burbank, INF, Sr.

With 12 home runs as a junior, Kauppila rarely saw a good pitch and walked 33 times. He batted .443 with three home runs (all in one game), 28 RBIs and 23 stolen bases while playing near-flawless shortstop.

Ryan Paramo, Alemany, P, Soph.

Paramo, a left-hander with pin-point control, was named Mission League Pitcher of the Year after finishing 7-2 with a 3.14 ERA and 44 strikeouts in 61 innings.

Luke Swenson, Moorpark, Util, Sr.

The Marmonte League Pitcher of the Year with an 8-1 record and 1.52 ERA, Swenson also batted .437 with three home runs and 12 doubles to help Moorpark to the Southern Section Div. I quarterfinals.

Brando Tessar, Chaminade, Util, Sr.

Tessar was named Mission League MVP after batting .402 with eight home runs and 19 RBIs while going 9-2 with a 1.45 ERA, as the Eagles won 25 games and advanced to the Div. II quarterfinals.

Kevin Torres, Birmingham, Util, Jr.

One of the top all-around players in the City Section, Torres batted .494 with 11 home runs and 24 RBIs, and he was also an ace pitcher.

Chris Whitmer, El Camino Real, C, Jr.

Whitmer batted .366, scored 34 runs and totaled a school-record 27 walks, as the Conquistadores won the City championship at Dodger Stadium. Also a top defensive player.

Kevin Williams, Crespi, INF, Sr.

Williams, a left-hand hitting shortstop, batted .412 with three home runs, 10 doubles and 21 RBIs, while striking out just five times in 82 plate appearances against elite competition.

Trey Williams, Valencia, INF, So.

It's hard to believe Williams is just a sophomore because he is so polished, batting .388 with 10 home runs - including three in one game against West Ranch - with 32 RBIs, 12 walks and terrific fielding.

Austin Wilson, Harvard Westlake, OF, Sr.

A bona fide five-tool player, the 6-foot-4 Wilson scored 54 runs as a leadoff hitter, batting .490 with five home runs and 25 stolen bases in 25 attempts.

Christian Yelich, Westlake, 1 B, Sr.

Yelich was a terror in the Marmonte League, batting .451 with nine home runs, 41 runs and 25 RBIs plus 30 walks for an on-base percentage of .609 and a slugging percentage of 1.000. He also stole 28 bases and was selected in the first round of the Major League draft.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

Josh Heinz, West Ranch, INF, So

In his first varsity season, Heinz set a school- record with 46 RBIs while batting .402 with eight home runs, 12 doubles and an .841 slugging percentage. Also a top third baseman.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Josh Lienhard, El Camino Real

Lienhard brought El Camino Real back to the pinnacle of success, wrestling away the City title from three-time reigning champion Chatsworth - the Conquistadores' archrival.

El Camino Real (19-11) got off to a slow start but excelled as the playoffs rolled around, outscoring three postseason opponents

26-1 before defeating San Pedro 9-8 in the championship game at Dodger Stadium. Lienhard made all the right moves, too, finding spots in the lineup for hitters who were hot at the right time and getting the most out of his pitching, particularly City Player of the Year Jose Cardona, who pitched a total of 10 shutout innings in the final two playoff games.

SECOND TEAM

Aaron Brown, Chatsworth, Util, Jr.

Chad Clark, Agoura, INF, Jr.

J.P Cloney, West Ranch, P, Jr.

Kyle Eaton, Valencia, OF, Sr.

Alex Gonzalez, Crespi, C, Sr.

Drew Hacker, Oaks Christian, INF, Jr.

Ryon Healy, Crespi, 1 B, Sr.

Michael Hubbard, Crespi, OF, Sr.

Tommy Kister, Saugus, P, Sr.

Josh Mason, Crespi, Util., Sr.

Matt Higginbotham, Moorpark, P, Jr.

Javy Lopez, Arleta, Util, Jr.

Sean O'Connell, Chatsworth, C, Sr.

Jared Ortiz, West Ranch, OF, Sr.

Cody Thomson, Thousand Oaks, Util, Sr.

Patrick Valaika, Hart, INF, Sr.

Austin Walker, Crespi, 3 B, Sr.

Andy Yingling, Camarillo, Util, Sr.QA

TOP TEN RANKINGS

1. Royal (25-7)6. Crespi (22-6)

2. El Camino Real (18-11)7. Alemany (19-9)

3. Moorpark (23-9)8. Valencia (17-10-1)

4. Chatsworth (25-5)9. Lancaster (19-9)

5. Chaminade (25-7)10. Camarillo (23-5)

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Alpha: Maranatha

Delphic: Crossroads

East Valley: Arleta

Foothill: Valencia

Frontier: Grace Brethren

Golden: Quartz Hill

Heritage: Milken Community

Liberty: Viewpoint and Buckley

Marmonte: Royal

Mission: Crespi

Olympic: Montclair Prep

Pacific: Arcadia

Pacific View: Camarillo

Prep: Pasadena Poly

Santa Fe: St. Anthony

Tri-Valley: Oaks Christian

Valley: Fulton

Valley Mission: Kennedy

West Valley: Chatsworth and El Camino Real

GAME OF THE YEAR

El Camino Real 9, San Pedro 8

City Section final at Dodger Stadium, May 29, 2010

This was the kind of ending that high school dreams are about, as Justin Scovel's second of two triples drove in the tying run in the bottom of the seventh, and he then scored on a passed ball to set off a massive blue and white celebration - not bad considering Scovel spent much of the season being DH'd for while playing third base only. "As soon as I saw the ball get past, my eyes got big and I thought, 'Oh my god, we're going to win this thing,'" said Scovel (2 for 3, four RBIs). "I've never run so hard in my life." Jose Cardona, pitching on three days rest after throwing an eight-inning shutout in the semifinals, pitched two scoreless innings to get the win, and he went 2 for 3 with a double and an RBI as a surprise starter at DH.- Gerry Gittelson

PAIRINGS AND GAME TIMES ANNOUNCED FOR 64th MEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES Play begins at Rosenblatt Stadium June 19

June 14, 2010

Brackets: Live | PDF

OMAHA - The game times and pairings for the first two days of the Men's College World Series have been announced. The 64th MCWS will be played at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha from June 19-29/30.

The first game on Saturday is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. (CT) and features the only first time participant TCU (51-12) and Florida St. (47-18). Saturday's second game pits No. 6 national seed UCLA (48-14) against No.3 national seed Florida (47-15), and is scheduled to begin at 6 p.m. (CT).

The doubleheader on Sunday features South Carolina (48-15) vs. Oklahoma (49-16) at 1 p.m. (CT), and Clemson (43-23) squaring off against No. 1 national seed Arizona St. (52-8) at 6 p.m. (CT).

The losers of Saturday's two games will play one another at 3:30 p.m. (CT) on Monday, while Saturday's winners face off at 8 p.m. (CT) Monday. The losers of Sunday's games will play each other at 3:30 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, while Sunday's winners meet Tuesday at 8 p.m. (CT).

The winners of the two brackets will play best-of-three championship finals, with the first game set for 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Monday, June 28. The second game is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Tuesday, June 29, while the third and deciding game (if necessary) is slated for 6:30 p.m. (CT) on Wednesday, June 30.

Every College World Series game will be televised live by ESPN or ESPN2, and all are available in high-definition.

2010 COLLEGE WORLD SERIES SCHEDULE

Saturday, June 26
Game 13 - 1 p.m. (ESPN HD) or 6 p.m. (ESPN HD) Game 13 will be necessary if the winner of Game 9 also wins Game 11. If it is the only game scheduled for that day, the game will start at 6 p.m.

Game 14 - 6 p.m. (ESPN HD) Game 14 will be necessary if the winner of Game 10 also wins Game 12. If it is the only game scheduled for that day, the game will start at 6 p.m.

Sunday, June 27
No games scheduled

MEN'S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES FINALS

ALL TIMES CENTRAL

Boys' basketball: Monday at Taft is the place to be

If you're planning ahead, Monday night at Woodland Hills Taft is the place to be for summer basketball, with several terrific games on tap.

At 4 p.m., Taft plays North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake. The two schools are scheduled to play each other in the opening round of the Fairfax tournament in two weeks.

At 5:10 p.m., it's Encino Crespi vs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Do you think the neighborhood rivalry will be intense for a summer game?

At 6:20 p.m., it's Woodland Hills El Camino Real vs. Van Nuys Montclair Prep.

At 7:30 p.m., former Reseda Cleveland Coach Andre Chevalier has his new team at Westlake Village Oaks Christian playing the Cavaliers.

And at 8:40 p.m., it's Calabasas vs. Birmingham.

It's going to be a night of good basketball.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Boys' basketball: Here come the freshmen

The Crespi tournament on Saturday and Sunday in Encino could be a good opportunity to see some promising incoming freshmen players.

Schools have been forced to wait until incoming freshmen have graduated from middle school before letting them play. Woodland Hills El Camino Real has three freshmen set to make their debuts this weekend. Santa Ana Mater Dei also could show off several new freshmen.

West Hills Chaminade will have 6-foot-11 senior Gilles Dierickx, MVP of a recent all-star game.

Here's Saturday's schedule: Mater Dei vs. Fairfax, 9 a.m.; Mater Dei vs. Santa Monica, 10:30 a.m.; Fairfax vs. Chaminade, noon; El Camino Real vs. Oak Park, 1:30 p.m.; Santa Monica vs. Crespi, 3 p.m.; Chaminade vs. Campbell Hall, 4:30 p.m.; El Camino Real vs. Crespi, 6 p.m.; Oak Park vs. Campbell Hall, 7:30 p.m.

Sunday's schedule: Santa Monica vs. Chaminade, 9 a.m.; Mater Dei vs. El Camino Real, 10:30 a.m.; Mater Dei vs. Oak Park, noon; Fairfax vs. El Camino Real, 1:30 p.m.; Crespi vs. Fairfax, 3 p.m.; Campbell Hall vs. Santa Monica, 4:30 p.m.; Chaminade vs. Oak Park, 6 p.m.; Crespi vs. Campbell Hall, 7:30 p.m.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: College World Series is loaded with local players

The College World Series begins on Saturday at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, with lots of former Southern California high school standouts in action.

Of course, UCLA has the most locals on its roster. Coach John Savage has built his team around players from Orange County and Los Angeles County. Former Orange Lutheran pitcher Gerrit Cole should get the call on the mound when the Bruins play Florida at 4 p.m. on Saturday.

Florida State, which plays TCU at 11 a.m. on Saturday, has former Encino Crespi pitcher Sean Gilmartin. He's the lone player from California on Florida State's roster.

Top-seeded Arizona State plays Clemson Sunday at 4 p.m. and has a key player from Southern California in infielder Zach Wilson from Long Beach Wilson. He's batting .352 with eight home runs. Sophomore infielder Austin Barnes from Riverside Poly has 22 RBIs.

Jarrett Semler, a pitcher from Cypress College and Glendora High, has made 12 appearances for Oklahoma, which plays South Carolina Sunday at 11 a.m.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

J.J. Hardy goes on DL; Trevor Plouffe called up

The shortstop is still not ready to play, however.

By LA VELLE E. NEAL III, Star Tribune

The Twins placed shortstop J.J. Hardy on the 15-day disabled list following Thursday's game, because his bruised left wrist hasn't improved enough for him to contribute.

To replace Hardy, the Twins called up shortstop Trevor Plouffe from Class AAA Rochester. Plouffe will head right for the starting lineup, playing alongside third baseman and fellow rookie Danny Valencia.

Hardy, who landed on the DL and missed 12 games last month because of the same injury, will have his wrist immobilized for about 10 days to let the bruise heal. Hardy is batting .217 with three homers and 13 RBI.

"We have been fighting this long enough," Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said. "He's got a little bit of time here. Let's try to get him healthy."

Plouffe is batting .280 with six homers and 30 RBI for Rochester. He was 3-for-13 last month in a short stint with the Twins.

By Derrick Goold, St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Jeff Suppan is coming back to the St. Louis Cardinals.

He will be joining the team in Phoenix and hopes to be active early next week. He will be signing for the pro-rated minimum, his agent Scott Leventhal said.

Suppan has not officially signed yet because the Cardinals have to work out some issues with the 40-man roster.

He was released by the Brewers on Monday after going 0-2 with a 7.84 ERA in 15 games.

Suppan pitched for the Cardinals from 2004-06 and was 44-26 with a 3.85 ERA, the best 3-year span in his career. He was the MVP in the 2006 NLCS, winning Game 7 over the Mets.

Suppan signed with the Brewers as a free agent in December of 2006. He was 29-36 with a 5.08 ERA in Milwaukee.

He is 35.

Draft Day Three: The Hunt For Hidden Gems

Chris Jung, Director of High School Sports

Late rounds historically lead to productive players

Rounds 31-50

Mark Payton, CF (St. Rita High School); drafted 945th by the Minnesota Twins

Patrick Farrell, C (Regis University); drafted 962nd by the New York Mets

Steven Mazur, RHP (University of Notre Dame); drafted 988th by the Baltimore Orioles

Ryan Cole, RHP (St. John's University); drafted 1023rd by the Houston Astros

Xavier Esquivel, RHP (Loyola Marymount University); drafted 1024th by the San Diego Padres

Tyler Powell, RHP (Belmont Abbey College); drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays

Esteban Gomez, 1B (Bishop Ford Central Catholic High School); drafted 1053rd by the Houston Astros

John Spatola, OF (Boston College); drafted 1058th by the Chicago White Sox

Rob Gariano, RHP (Fairfield University); drafted 1084th by the San Diego Padres

David Whitehead, RHP (Archbishop Moeller High School); drafted 1086th by the Toronto Blue Jays

John Leonard, RHP (Boston College); drafted 1098th by the San Francisco Giants

John Fasola, RHP (Walsh Jesuit High School); drafted 1102nd by the Los Angeles Dodgers

Shane Rowland, C (Tampa Catholic High School); drafted 1103rd by the Boston Red Sox

Nick McCoy, C (University of San Diego); drafted 1105th by the New York Yankees

Brian Streilein, RHP (Villanova University); drafted 1113rd by the Houston Astros

Cameron Hobson, LHP (Dayton University); drafted 1135th by the New York Yankees

Noah Mull, LHP (Wheeling Jesuit University); drafted 1144th by the San Diego Padres

Jake Wark, 1B (Jesuit High School); drafted 1154th by the Atlanta Braves

Carson Vitale, C (Creighton University); drafted 1156th by the Texas Rangers

Thomas Bourdon, OF (Northwest Catholic High School); drafted 1163rd by the Boston Red Sox

Alexander Rivers, RHP (Santa Clara University); drafted 1169th by the Kansas City Royals

Steven Matre, RHP (College of Mount St. Joseph); drafted 1192nd by the Los Angeles Dodgers

Brandon Berl, RHP (St. Mary's College); drafted 1206th by the Toronto Blue Jays

Brian Smith, LHP (St. Mary Catholic High School); drafted 1210th by the Chicago Cubs

Kevin Williams, SS (Crespi Carmelite High School); drafted 1252nd by the Los Angeles Dodgers

Cole Tyrell, SS (University of Dayton); drafted 1264th by the San Diego Padres

Louie Lechich, LHP (St. Mary's High School); drafted 1265th by the Oakland A's

Michael Aviles, RHP (St. Thomas Aquinas College); drafted 1272nd by the Oakland A's

James Roberts, RHP (Archbishop Mitty High School); drafted 1278th by the San Francisco Giants

Timothy Chadd, 1B (Bishop Carroll Catholic High School); drafted 1281st by the Philadelphia Phillies

Daniel Slania, RHP (Salpointe Catholic High School); drafted 1283rd by the Boston Red Sox

Corey Litrell, LHP (Trinity High School); drafted 1286th by the Washington Nationals

Blake Bell, RHP (Bishop Carroll Catholic High School); drafted 1303rd by the Detroit Tigers

Christopher Edmondson, LF (Le Moyne College); drafted 1309th by the St. Louis Cardinals

James Hodgskin, LHP (Bishop Moore School); drafted 1311th by the Philadelphia Phillies

Matthew Chavez, RHP (University of San Francisco); drafted 1328th by the Chicago White Sox

Ryan Morrow, C (St. Mary's University); drafted 1334th by the Atlanta Braves

William Harford, C (University of Notre Dame); drafted 1357th by the Cincinnati Reds

Gregory Greve, RHP (Walsh Jesuit High School); drafted 1368th by the San Francisco Giants

Michael Francisco, LHP (Villanova University); drafted 1371st by the Philadelphia Phillies

Erick Fernandez, C (Georgetown University); drafted 1376th by the Washington Nationals

Lawrence Pardo, LHP (Christopher Colubmus High School); drafted 1383rd by the Houston Astros

Tyler Skulina, RHP (Walsh Jesuit High School); drafted 1385th by the Oakland A's

Connor Smith, RHP (Blessed Trinity High School); drafted 1386th by the Toronto Blue Jays

Alex Schmarzo, RHP (St. Mary's College); drafted 1438th by the Baltimore Orioles

Christopher Bradford, LHP (Monsignor Pace High School); drafted 1440th by the Cleveland Indians

Austin Smith, 1B (Pensacola Catholic High School); drafted 1442nd by the New York Mets

Daniel Child, RHP (Jesuit High School); drafted 1444th by the San Diego Padres

Patrick Brady, UTL (Bellarmine University); drafted 1452nd by the Seattle Mariners

Robert Shultz, RHP (Eastside Catholic High School); drafted 1492nd by the Los Angeles Dodgers

Mark Eveld, C (Jesuit High School); drafted 1502nd by the New York Mets

David Vazquez, 2B (Archbishop McCarthy High School); drafted 1508th by the Chicago White Sox

Cody Gabella, SS (Burlington Notre Dame High School); drafted 1514th by the Atlanta Braves

Daniel Carney, 1B (Notre Dame High School); drafted 1517th by the Florida Marlins

Golden Tate, CF (University of Notre Dame); drafted 1518th by the San Francisco Giants

Weston Hoekel, RHP (Bishop Kenny High School); drafted 1523rd by the Boston Red Sox

Baseball: Tessar, Paramo receive Mission League honors

Brando Tessar from West Hills Chaminade has been selected the Mission League most valuable player and Ryan Paramo from Mission Hills Alemany has been chosen the pitcher of the year.

First-team all-league selections:

Austin Wilson, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.; A.J. La Bruna, Loyola, Sr.; David Armendariz, Notre Dame, Sr.; Kevin Williams, Crespi, Sr.; Peter Van Gansen, Alemany, So.; Dylan Delaney, Chaminade, Jr.; Andrew Shanfield, Harard-Westlake, Sr.; David Hubinger, St. Francis, Jr.; Danny Haley, Loyola, Sr.; Mike Hubbard, Crespi, Sr.; Sergio Plasencia, Alemany, Sr.; Josh Mason, Crespi, Sr.; Cody Thompson, Alemany, So.; Austin Walker, Crespi, Sr.

Edgar Montes, Alemany, Jr.; Jim Jauregue, Chaminade, So.; Jack Lombardi, Loyola, Jr.; David Olmedo-Barrera, St. Francis, So.; Matt Troupe, Chaminade, Jr.; Justin Genter, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.; Ryon Healy, Crespi, Sr.; Alex Campos, Loyola, Jr.; Jason D'Andrea, Chaminade, Jr.; Anthony Esparza, Alemany, Jr.; Ethan Bramschriber, St. Francis, Sr.; J.J. Muno, Notre Dame, Fr.

Football: Alemany is a team to watch this summer

Mission Hills Alemany, not Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, not La Puente Bishop Amat, not Encino Crespi and not Los Angeles Loyola, is the Serra League team to watch this summer in football seven-on-seven competitions.

The Warriors are moving from the Mission League, and they are ready for the better competition. Veteran quarterback Vernon Adams has another stellar group of receivers, and Alemany has the best offensive lineman in Akeem Gonzales.

Of course, the Warriors must learn to deal with tough teams week after week. They played Newhall Hart in a passing competition Thursday, and their athleticism certainly came through. Beware of sophomore-to-be Steven Mitchell, a receiver-defensive back.

They start the passing tournament scene next Saturday at Pierce College, which also includes Westlake Village Westlake and Valencia, two perennially good schools in seven-on-seven action.

The other big tournament on June 12 is at Dana Point Dana Hills, where Anaheim Servite, Santa Ana Mater Dei, Long Beach Poly, Huntington Beach Edison and Bellflower St. John Bosco get to show off their skill position players.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Boys' basketball: Lots of top teams in Crespi tourney

Encino Crespi is hosting a two-day basketball tournament June 19-20.

June 19 schedule: Santa Ana Mater Dei vs. Los Angeles Fairfax, 9 a.m.; Mater Dei vs. Santa Monica, 10:30 a.m.; Fairfax vs. West Hills Chaminade, noon; Woodland Hills El Camino Real vs. Oak Park, 1:30 p.m.; Santa Monica vs. Crespi, 3 p.m.; Chaminade vs. North Hollywood Campbell Hall, 4:30 p.m.; El Camino Real vs. Crespi, 6 p.m.; Oak Park vs. Campbell Hall, 7:30 p.m.

On June 20, action begins at 9 a.m. And Crespi will be playing Mater Dei on June 18 at 7 p.m. at Crespi (free admission for that game).

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Brandon Greenberg finished with a 3rd place medal in the Shot Put at last Friday’s C.I.F. Master’s Track & Field meet. In doing so, Greenberg qualified for the C.I.F. State Track & Field Championships for the second straight year. His best throw of the year (61’ 4.5”) ranks him 6th in the state heading into this weekend’s state meet held at Buchanan High School in Clovis, CA. Greenberg will compete on Friday, June 4th at 3:00 PM in the preliminary round with 36 of the state’s best shot putters. The top 9 throwers will qualify to compete in the finals on Saturday, June 5th at 5:00 PM.

Brandon Greenberg won his second C.I.F. Division III Shot Put title last Saturday at C.I.F. Track & Field Finals. Greenberg led from the beginning with an opening throw of 59’ 9”. Going into his 4th and final throw he had the C.I.F. title wrapped up so his coach, Tim Selby, told him to “let it all out”. Greenberg’s final throw was an eye popping personal best of 61’ 4.5”. He will continue his season this Friday, May 28th competing at the C.I.F. Masters – Southern Section Finals.

Junior distance runner Shane MacMiller placed 3rd in the C.I.F. Division III Finals 1600 meters with a new personal best 4:18.23. That time qualified Shane to compete in this Friday’s Masters – Southern Section Finals.

C.I.F. Masters – Southern Section Finals is Friday, May 28th at Cerritos College. The top 5 finishers in each event qualify for the C.I.F. State Track & Field Championships held Friday & Saturday, June 4th & 5th at Buchanan High School in Clovis, California.

Baseball: Something for the alumni to get excited about

I don't think there's anything more exciting than when alumni from the same high school get to face off in the major leagues.

That's what happened the other night when Trevor Plouffe of the Minnesota Twins hit against pitcher Jeff Suppan of the Milwaukee Brewers. Two Encino Crespi grads going at it. Plouffe struck out and hit a double. I'd say he's going to let Suppan have it when they see each other in the off season.

Just think of the pride from Granada Hills Kennedy grads when San Diego Padres pitcher Jon Garland goes against Garret Anderson of the Dodgers. And who are Westminster La Quinta grads going to root for when it's pitcher Ian Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks against Ian Stewart of the Colorado Rockies?

And what are Woodland Hills El Camino Real grads going to do when Brewers pitcher Randy Wolf faces Conor Jackson of the Diamondbacks?

I got to cover each player when they were in high school, and it's fun to see their development, and even more fun when two players from the same high school compete against each other.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Football: Devin Lucien is legitimate top receiver

Before heading off to the Southern Section track championships, I stopped by West Hills Chaminade to watch a seven-on-seven passing competition involving the host Eagles, Encino Crespi, Westlake Village Westlake and Atascadero, and let me say the best player I saw was Crespi receiver Devin Lucien.

He was catching big-time passes against Westlake, displaying powerful hands. Crespi quarterback Kenny Stenhouse, a basketball player, did a solid job. And Crespi has a 6-foot-2 sophomore-to-be in Tyler Foreman who's going to be a safety to watch.

Chaminade's best player is junior-to-be receiver Brendan McKinney, who's 6-4 and the son of former Raiders player Otis McKinney. He can catch passes.

Westlake is as good offensively as expected, but I didn't notice a whole lot of speed on defense, which could be a problem.

Crespi Coach Jon Mack was getting pretty energized when players didn't perform up to his expectations. It's still a little strange seeing the Sherman Oaks Notre Dame graduate in Crespi brown.

His 10-year-old son, Justin, said, "I like Notre Dame, but I like Crespi better."

There's how many days until the Crespi-Notre Dame game?

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: Trevor Plouffe gets two hits in debut for Twins

Former Encino Crespi standout Trevor Plouffe, a first-round draft pick in 2004, made his major league debut Friday night for the Minnesota Twins and came away with a single and double and two RBIs in his team's 15-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers.

He also made some important plays at shortstop.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Trevor Plouffe would like to follow Span's lead

By JOE CHRISTENSEN, Star Tribune

In Twins center fielder Denard Span, Trevor Plouffe sees a fellow first-round draft pick who struggled in the minors before finally proving the naysayers wrong in 2008.

This winter, Plouffe (pronounced PLOOF) spoke with Span and said, "I'd really like to do what you did."

So far, so good. After performing well at Class AAA Rochester, Plouffe made his major league debut Friday night as the Twins' starting shortstop and went 2-for-5 with an RBI single in the first inning and an RBI double in the fourth.

Plouffe also handled every ball hit to him, repeatedly drawing cheers of "Plouuuuufe!" from the fans.

Plouffe, 23, was the Twins' first-round pick in the 2004 draft out of Crespi Carmelite High School in Southern California. He was among the youngest players at each level as he climbed through the organization and entered this year as a .256 career minor league hitter.

He batted .260 for Rochester last season. It was much like when Span batted .267 for Rochester in 2007. Span was the Twins' first-round pick in 2002, and that was the low point before he reached the majors the next year.

"Some guys had written him off, maybe said he didn't get to Minnesota quick enough, and he's really turned into an All-Star player," Plouffe said. "Before the season, he said, 'All you've gotta go do is play hard, do well in Rochester and you'll get your opportunity.' "

Plouffe was batting .303 with 11 doubles, three triples, four home runs and 38 RBI for Rochester before getting promoted.

Manager Ron Gardenhire said Plouffe needed to be more consistent at shortstop, especially with his throws, but the whole staff saw a more mature player this spring. "When I sent him down this spring, I said, 'We'll see you in the big leagues this year,' " Gardenhire said. "I really believed that."

GITTELSON BITS: Dreammaker Tour down to about 100 quarterbacks

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

Quarterback guru Steve Clarkson's national Super 7 Dreammaker Tour is down to about 100 quarterbacks, and the last stop before the July finale in Maui is on Memorial Day Weekend beginning May 28 at the Polo & Racket Club in Carpinteria.

"These are all the best kids," said Clarkson, who has trained Matt Leinart, Matt Cassel, Jimmy Clausen, Terrelle Pryor, Matt Barkley and many other top quarterbacks.

Among those who have qualified for the Santa Barbara stop are Trevor Gretzky from Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, Max Heltzer of Harvard-Westlake of Studio City and Jake Geringer of Newbury Park.

In Maui, the final seven are scheduled to spend five days training at the Grand Weilia Resort with Leinart and Hall of Famers Joe Montana and Warren Moon.

For information, visit steveclarksondreammaker.com.

___

Lots of football news to report from Crespi of Encino this week, starting with Alex Guzzi, an offensive and defensive lineman who is the latest to commit to a major-college scholarship, signing with New Mexico State. Guzzi is the seventh football player and 19th Crespi athlete overall to commit to a college athletic scholarship.

Also, former coach Jeremiah Ross, who resigned under pressure in December, has landed an assistant job at Western Carolina, a Div. I-AA college where he will be joined by quarterback Matt Wabby, a signee from Pierce College in Woodland Hills who won two Southern Section championships under Ross in high school.

"It's great out here," Ross said. "I have a three-bedroom house on the lake, and I don't want to tell you how much it costs but it's a lot more affordable than L.A."

As for the new Crespi regime under coach Jon Mack, there is a new offensive line coach, Manoa Pouono, who also will work as an athletic/academic counselor. Pouono played at Fresno State and coached at Humboldt State.

"He's very hard-working and one of first to (get to) work and last ones to leave," Mack said. "He is bringing a personal identity to our offensive line."

Among Crespi's top returning offensive linemen is Jack DeLeo.

___

Akeem Gonzales, a returning offensive lineman and top wrestler for Alemany of Mission Hills, has been offered football scholarships by Oregon State, Washington, Washington State, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, UNLV, Colorado State and Fresno State. "That's so far," Alemany coach Dean Herrington said.

___

Trevor Kanteman, a promising sophomore quarterback from Royal of Simi Valley, has transferred to Chaminade of West Hills.

___

St. Francis of La Canada Flintridge coach Jim Bonds can't wait for football season to start because he has four returning offensive linemen, including highly touted Patrick Carroll.

"It's the biggest offensive line I've ever had. We average about 265 pounds," Bonds said.

___

Valencia's baseball team has had 35 home runs from its shortstop position over the past three seasons - 25 over two years for Christian Lopes, who transferred to Edison of Huntington Beach, and 10 this season from sophomore Trey Williams.

___

Spring football really begins kicking into this weekend with some passing tournaments, the most attractive of which is a four-team event Saturday from 9:30 a.m. to noon featuring host Chaminade of West Hills, Westlake, Crespi and Atascadero.

It should prove interesting to see if defending Northern Division champion Westlake can pick up right where it left off with returning quarterback Nick Isham and returning receiver Nelson Spruce, who is finished with baseball after a loss Tuesday in the wild-card round.

Those two were lethal last season, and they should be even better.

One last football note: Valencia running back Steven Manfro, one of the area's most productive players last season, has improved his speed and has been timed at 4.42 in the 40-yard dash.

Football: Mack already having impact at Crespi

The Jon Mack era is officially under way at Encino Crespi, with the Celts playing in a passing tournament Wednesday against Burbank, Panorama and Palmdale Highland and winning each game.

More important in these seven-on-seven competitions is how the individuals perform, and Mack singled out junior linebacker L.J. Wilkerson and senior safety Charles Washington.

Highly regarded receiver Devin Lucien has been picking up accolades on the combine circuit, but Mack isn't getting on the bandwagon quite yet.

"He's got to show me more when the pads go on," Mack said. "I want him to be physical and a great blocker."

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: Ex-Crespi standout Plouffe called up to majors

Trevor Plouffe, a first-round draft pick from Encino Crespi in 2004, was called up by the Minnesota Twins Thursday night.

Plouffe is hitting .303 in Triple A. He has been patiently working his way up through the minors. He even has his own blog here.

Plouffe was a standout pitcher and shortstop for the Celts, leading them to a Southern Section championship his junior year.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Is pitching the key for Royal?

Absolutely, and the Highlanders, seeded No. 2 in Div. I, will ride aces Cody Buckel (10-1) and Tyler Abbott (9-2) as far as they can take them. Buckel, a right-hander headed to Pepperdine (if he does not sign a major-league contract), throws 95 mph and could pitchin both the first and second rounds. Abbott, a left-hander headed to UC Irvine, hasnot pitched since May 5 but won his past three decisions.

2. Will Crespi's injured ace Ryon Healy pitch in the playoffs?

It doesn't matter. Defending Div. II champion Crespi can do it again without him. Healy is 13-0 in his career, including 11-0 last season when he earned section Player of the Year honors, but after hurting his arm early in the season, the rest of Crespi's pitchers have done a great job - Ryan Brockett (6-1, 2.03 ERA), John Kearns (6-1, 4.10) and JoshMason (3-1, 1.50, three saves).

3. Which team is a good long-shot pick?

Alemany. The Warriors, one of five Mission League entries in Div. II, don't have the flashiest record at 19-8, but they keep on improving and have lots of momentum. There are lots of young starters, including sophomore pitchers Ryan Paramo and Cody Thompson, and they've played a tough schedule that includes losses to Crespi, Huenemeof Oxnard and Chatsworth.

4. Is there a good opening-round game if you like home runs?

Yes. Try a Div. I matchup between host Valencia and El Dorado of Placentia. Valencia's Trey Williams has nine home runs, including several that have traveled well more than 400 feet, and teammates Kyle Eaton (eight home runs), Shane Zeile (four home runs) and Quincy Quintero (four home runs) are dangerous, too, as the Vikings have totaled 32 home runs. And there is always a good chance the wind will be blowing out.

5. What about the small schools?

It's a good year for small schools in the area, and the odds are a local team will win a title in Div. V, Div. VI or Div. VII - and maybe all three. In Div. V, Montclair Prep of Panorama City is seeded fourth and has played tough nonleague competition. In Div. VI, Desert Christian of Lancaster is seeded No. 1, Grace Brethren of Simi Valley is No. 2 and Vasquez of Acton is No. 4. In Div. VII, defending champion Cornerstone Christian of Camarillo is No. 1 and has returned its top player, Aaron Roth.

DIVISION BREAKDOWNS

DIVISION I

TOP FOUR SEEDS

1. Orange Lutheran

2. Royal

3. Lakewood

4. Edison

Other locals: Camarillo, Moorpark, Newbury Park, Thousand Oaks, Valencia, West Ranch

Player to watch: Jeff Yamaguchi, Lakewood, Sr. - Yamaguchi has been a terror as a pitcher and a hitter. He's 9-1 with a 2.04 ERA, and he's batting .471 with 42 runs and 42 RBIs.

Sleeper: Valencia - The Vikings, led by Trey Williams (nine HRs), have never reached a final, but if their pitching holds up, they can hit with anyone.

DIVISION II

TOP FOUR SEEDS

1. Glendora

2. Crespi

3. Redlands East Valley

4. Cypress

Other locals: Alemany, Chaminade, Harvard-Westlake

Player to watch: Ryon Healy, Crespi, Sr. - Healy, the returning Div. II Player of the Year, was11-0 as a pitcher last year but has not pitched since an early-season arm injury. He is batting .369 withthree HRs and 18 RBIs.

Sleeper: Alemany - The Indians, loaded with young talent that continues to improve as the season progresses, have been a different team over the second half of the season.

DIVISION III

TOP FOUR SEEDS

1. Beckman

2. Alhambra

3. South Hills

4. Hemet

Other locals: Highland, Lancaster, Palmdale, Quartz Hill

Player to watch: Brenton Allen, Gahr, Sr. - Allen hit his fifth HR in the season finale. He's batting .446 with 29 RBIs and 12 SBs.

Sleeper: Quartz Hill - The Rebels are one of the hottest teams in the Southland with nine consecutive victories by an average margin of 14.2 runs.

DIVISION IV

TOP FOUR SEEDS

1. Bishop Amat

2. Palm Desert

3. St. Paul

4. Northview

Other locals: La Canada, Oaks Christian

Player to watch: Rio Ruiz, Bishop Amat, Soph. - Ruiz is batting .519 with four HRs, 31 runs and 28 RBIs.

Sleeper: Oaks Christian - The Lions, led by Trevor Gretzky (.341, 33 RBIs), Drew Hacker (.459, 25 RBIs) and Evan Ocello (.421, 36 runs), have won six of seven, including a sweep of St.Bonaventure in the final week to win the Tri-Valley League championship.

DIVISION V

TOP FOUR SEEDS

1. Woodcrest Christian

2. Tahquitz

3. Maranatha

4. Montclair Prep

Other locals: Campbell Hall, Paraclete

Player to watch: Max Fried, Montclair Prep, Soph. - Fried is batting .451 with four HRs and 38 RBIs, and he is 8-3 with a 1.90 ERA.

Sleeper: St. Monica - St. Monica, 15-10 overall but 9-3 on the road, finished by sweeping Junipero Serra and Cathedral.

DIVISION VI

TOP FOUR SEEDS

1. Desert Christian

2. Grace Brethren

3. Oxford Academy

4. Vasquez

Other locals: Bell-Jeff, Buckley, Flintridge Prep, Viewpoint

Player to watch: Nick Schmidt, Grace Brethren, Sr. - Schmidt has a Southern Section record 55 career doubles.

Sleeper: Buckley - After losing its first six games of the season, Buckley, led by Jake Brodsky (.524, 28 runs), has closed strong by sharing the Liberty League title and feels like it has nothing to lose.

DIVISION VII

TOP FOUR SEEDS

1. Cornerstone Christian (Camarillo)

2. North County Christian

3. Milken

4. Pacifica Christian

Other locals: Delphi Academy, Hillcrest Christian, New Community Jewish, Valley Torah

Player to watch: Aaron Roth, Cornerstone Christian, Sr. - Roth is batting .479 with sixHRs and 31 RBIs, and he is 9-0 with a 1.11 ERA.

Sleeper: New Roads - The Jaguars, led by Nick Rhys (.383, three HRs, 31 RBIs), have finished with three wins in the past four games, scoring nine runs or more in every victory.

Congratulations to our Aqua Celts as they capped off the year at yesterday’s C.I.F. Division I Masters meet in Long Beach.  Armen Darbinyan, Brennan Simpkins, Michael Tsay, Dimitri Kambur, and Nick Haney competed in yesterdays 200 Medley Relay, and 400 Freestyle Relay placing 13th and 12th respectively.  Also, earlier this month at C.I.F. Division I Prelims, Armen eclipsed a 19 year-old Varsity school record in the 200 Freestyle set by Rusty King back in 1991 just before shattering his own Varsity record in the 500 Freestyle by more than 6 seconds.  Congrats on a great season guys!

Click on the following link for results from the C.I.F. Division I competition: http://faculty.polytechnic.org/cifss/

Baseball: Is Division 1 or Division 2 tougher?

It's usually an easy choice as to which is the toughest Southern Section division for the baseball playoffs. It's Division 1, right? Except 12 Division 2 teams were ranked in The Times' final regular-season top 25 rankings compared to 11 Division 1 teams.

That means just like Division 1, Division 2 is going to be filled with competitive games from start to finish. That's what separates the Southern Section from the City Section, where the top teams really don't face elite competition until the semifinals.

Glendora figures to be the No. 1 seed when the Division 2 pairings are released Monday afternoon, with defending champion Encino Crespi at No. 2.

But there are lots of title contenders, including Redlands East Valley, La Mirada, Lake Forest El Toro, Cypress, Mission Hills Alemany and West Hills Chaminade.

If Crespi had a healthy Ryon Healy, the Celts would be the certain pick to win it all. But Healy hasn't pitched since an arm injury in the league opener and isn't likely to pitch in the playoffs. The fact the Celts won the National Classic and the Mission League title without him is impressive, but now it comes down to facing top pitchers in big games.

Division 2 is going to be one tough tournament to predict.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

The Times' high school baseball rankings by Ben Bolch:

Rk; Team (Record, Section-Division) Last week's results (Last week's ranking)

1. BISHOP AMAT (25-3, SS-Div. IV) Def. St. Paul, 8-1; lost to St. Paul, 3-2. Next: Playoffs TBA. (1)

2. LAKEWOOD (26-5, SS-Div. I) Def. Long Beach Jordan, 11-1; Long Beach Poly, 11-8. Next: Playoffs TBA. (2)

3. CRESPI (22-5, SS-Div. II) Def. Loyola, 4-2; Loyola, 4-3. Next: Playoffs TBA. (3)

4. GLENDORA (22-2-1, SS-Div. II) Def. Ayala, 21-0; Ayala, 3-0. Next: Playoffs TBA. (4)

5. ORANGE LUTHERAN (21-5, SS-Div. I) Def. Santa Margarita, 6-3; Santa Margarita, 5-4. Next: Playoffs TBA. (6)

6. REDLANDS EAST VALLEY (23-5, SS-Div. II) Lost to Rialto, 8-6; Def. Carter, 18-8. Next: Playoffs TBA. (5)

7. CAMARILLO (22-4, SS-Div. I) Def. Channel Islands, 14-2; Hueneme, 12-5. Next: Playoffs TBA. (7)

8. JSERRA (20-7, SS-Div. I) Def. Servite, 6-2; Servite, 14-8. Next: Playoffs TBA. (8)

9. ROYAL (22-6, SS-Div. I) Def. Thousand Oaks, 8-1. Next: Playoffs TBA. (10)

10. EDISON (18-8, SS-Div. I) Def. Newport Harbor, 12-2; lost to Newport Harbor, 6-1. Next: Playoffs TBA. (11)

11. CHATSWORTH (23-4 City-Div. I) Did not play. Next: Wednesday vs. Harbor City Narbonne. (12)

12. YUCAIPA (22-6, SS-Div. II) Def. Redlands, 18-5; Fontana, 12-1. Next: Playoffs TBA. (14)

13. ANAHEIM CANYON (19-7, SS-Div. I) Lost to El Dorado, 3-0; El Dorado, 12-8. Next: Playoffs TBA. (9)

14. ALEMANY (19-8, SS-Div. II) Def. Chaminade, 11-6; Chaminade, 1-0. Next: Playoffs TBA. (21)

15. UPLAND (20-5, SS-Div. II) Def. Claremont, 11-4; Claremont, 9-1. Next: Playoffs TBA. (16)

16. CHAMINADE (23-6, SS-Div. II) Lost to Alemany, 11-6; Alemany, 1-0. Next: Playoffs TBA. (13)

17. SANTA BARBARA (20-4-1, SS-Div. II) Def. Buena, 7-3; Buena, 10-4. Next: Playoffs TBA. (18)

18. LA MIRADA (21-8, SS-Div. II) Def. Bellflower, 7-3; Bellflower, 6-3. Next: Playoffs TBA. (19)

19. MOORPARK (21-8, SS-Div. I) Def. Agoura, 2-1. Next: Playoffs TBA. (23)

20. OXNARD (18-7, SS-Div. I) Def. Hueneme, 7-5; lost to Rio Mesa, 3-2. Next: Playoffs TBA. (15)

21. ESPERANZA (18-8, SS-Div. I) Def. Fountain Valley, 6-2; Fountain Valley, 6-4. Next: Playoffs TBA. (22)

22. CYPRESS (20-7, SS-Div. II) Def. La Palma Kennedy, 25-7; La Palma Kennedy, 5-2. Next: Playoffs TBA. (24)

23. DAMIEN (18-6, SS-Div. II) Lost to Chino, 2-0; def. Chino, 7-6. Next: Playoffs TBA. (20)

24. LOS OSOS (16-7, SS-Div. II) Lost to Alta Loma, 11-1; Alta Loma, 10-3. Next: Playoffs TBA. (17)

25. MATER DEI (15-10, SS-Div. I) Def. St. John Bosco, 14-4; lost to St. John Bosco, 7-6. Next: Playoffs TBA. (25)

Read the article on CSUB's athletics website!!!

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. — Jeremy Rodriguez launched a three-run home run over the right field fence at Hardt Field Friday, giving the CSUB baseball team a 4-1 win over University of the Pacific in the teams’ series opener.

Knotted 1-1 entering the bottom of the 10th, Brandon Boren laced a one-out single through the left side, Kevin Younger singled through the right side and Rodriguez followed by sending the 2-2 offering from Tigers’ closer Thomas Berolzheimer long over the 325 foot sign in straightaway right field.

The win moved CSUB to 22-24 on the season while the Tigers fell to 29-17 overall.

A pitchers dual throughout, the Roadrunners finally broke a scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth. Younger opened the frame with a triple to right center and Rodriguez collected his first RBI of the game, a sacrifice fly to left.

Pacific batted back in the top of the seventh, pushing a solo run across the plate on a pair of hits and a fielder’s choice. Ben Gorang led off with a single to short, advanced to third on a single to left by Matthew Carvutto and scored on fielder’s choice to second by Brett Christopher.

Bakersfield had a prime opportunity to gain the go ahead run in the eighth when Joey Mills drew a leadoff walk, Boren singled to left and Younger laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt to third to advance the runners. Rodriguez was intentionally walked to load the bases, but Pacific starter Marcus Pointer got both Jason Kudlock and Martin Medina to strikeout swinging, leaving the trio of runners stranded.

On the mound, Medina retired three consecutive Pacific batters in both the ninth and the 10th before Rodriguez provided his 10th inning heroics.

CSUB starter Mickey Jannis tied his career high with 10 strikeouts, seven of which he recorded in the opening four innings. Jannis also scattered five hits and three walks for one earned run in seven complete innings. Martin Medina (5-2) tossed the final three innings, recording one strikeout.

Boren and Younger collected three hits apiece while Rodriguez had one hit, the home run, and all four Bakersfield RBIs. Medina and JJ Henry had CSUB’s other two hits.

The Roadrunners and Tigers continue their three-game series Saturday at 1 p.m. at Hardt Field. Bakersfield plays it’s final home game of the 2010 season Sunday at 1 p.m.

Score by Innings                      R  H  E
---------------------------------------------
Pacific............. 000 000 100 0 -  1  7  2
CSU Bakersfield..... 000 001 000 3 -  4  9  1
---------------------------------------------

Note: 1 out, 0 runners LOB when the game ended.

E - Simms, J; Martin, B(1); Henry(6). DP - PACIFIC 3. LOB - PACIFIC 9; CSUB
7. 3B - Younger(1). HR - Rodriguez(3). HBP - Haberman, J; Mills. SH -
Christopher(9); Simms, J; Oliveira, J(7); Younger(3). SF - Rodriguez(1). SB
- Oliveira, J(12). CS - Brown, J.B.(3).

Boys Volleyball Roundup: Crespi can't lower Mira Costa's ceiling

From staff reports

With a low ceiling that is painted black and poor lighting, Crespi can be a challenging place to play a boys volleyball match.

Yet Mira Costa seemed hardly fazed.

Mira Costa ousted Crespi, 25-17, 25-15, 25-19, Thursday in the second round of the CIF Southern Section Division I boys volleyball playoffs.

"We survived the dungeon," Mira Costa co-coach Jeff Ninnis said, laughing. "Basically you're playing a lot of balls off the ceiling. Anything that goes high can ping anywhere. Our primary goal was staying focused."

Kevin Donohue led Mira Costa with 11 kills. Jace Olsen had 10 kills. Eric Mochalski totaled kills and four blocks. D.J. White had five kills and nine digs. Michael Beals added 17 assists and four blocks, and Bryce Miller had 19 assists.

Mira Costa hosts Huntington Beach in Saturday's quarterfinals. Ninnis said the Mustangs cannot afford to make nine service errors like it did against Crespi.

"We missed some opportunities and did not serve well," Ninnis said. "But overall we did well at a tough place to play."

Also in Division I ...

Edison 3, Redondo 2: Riley Gheunissen notched 17 kills and nine digs for visiting Redondo in a 25-21, 21-25, 22-25, 25-13, 15-5 second-round heartbreaker at Edison. Ryan Olson collected 15 kills and 10 digs for Redondo (22-12). Michael Veluato had 38 assists and five digs.

Baseball: Mission League title goes to Crespi

Encino Crespi Coach Scott Muckey somehow got his team a Mission League championship on Thursday with a 4-3 victory over Los Angeles Loyola, but how the Celts pulled it off will be long discussed.

Left-hander Ryan Brockett was Crespi's starting pitcher. He was pulled in the fifth for center fielder Josh Mason, who got three outs while Brockett replaced him in center field. Then Brockett went back onto the mound to start the sixth. Again, Muckey brought in the right-handed Mason to get three outs. In the seventh, Brockett went back to the mound. He got two outs before Mason came back to get the final out. Mason got the victory and the save.

Asked what he was doing, Muckey said, "I'm an idiot."

Crespi took the lead in the sixth on an RBI single by Brockett and an RBI single by Michael Hubbard. Crespi (22-5, 9-3) finishes one game ahead of West Hills Chaminade and Mission Hills Alemany, which defeated Chaminade, 1-0.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

The Celts finished the regular season 2nd in the Mission League. The Celts concluded the regular season 24-8, ranked 2nd in the Valley by the Daily News and 42nd in the nation by ESPN RISE magazine.

Coach Raissa Adolphe has guided our Celts to a magical season and a berth into the CIF Division 1 playoffs. We opened the playoffs at home last night by disposing of San Marcos High School in 3 quick games.

The Celts now take on the #2 ranked team in the country. Tomorrow night, Thursday, May 13, at 7:00 PM the Celts face 29-1 Mira Costa at the C-House. The Celts need your help and support as they take on this juggernaut. Please come out to the game, make A LOT of noise and support the Celts!

Ticket prices are $7 for adults, $5 for students with valid school I.D., and $5 for children. Gates open at 6:00 PM.

Crespi boys' volleyball battles, but is swept by Mira Costa

By Jacob H. Pollon Special to the Daily News

BOYS' VOLLEYBALL: Lebrock has 12 kills,

but Celts can't handle national power Mustangs.

The Crespi of Encino boys' volleyball team faced its toughest test of the season in a Southern Section Div. I second-round playoff match against Mira Costa of Manhattan Beach on Thursday.

The Celts battled before suffering a 25-17, 25-15, 25-19 defeat.

Mira Costa came in with a 31-1 record, No. 2 national ranking and had lost only four games all season.

Penn State-bound Jace Olsen had 10 kills and three blocks, including several shots that never touched a Crespi player as the ball blew past.

Kevin Donohue had 11 kills, Stanford-bound Eric Mochalski added seven kills, four blocks and three aces, and Bryce Miller had 19 assists.

Every time Crespi seemed ready to mount a charge, the Mustangs quickly regrouped to regain control.

"Our practices are great and we are all best friends," Olsen said, trying to explain Mira Costa's dominance.

Crespi led 2-0 in the first set and was tied at 5-5 in the second but the Mustangs never let the Celts (25-9) get comfortable past the 10-point threshold.

Brandon Lebrock had 12 kills and Quinn Costello had nine to lead Crespi.

UC-Irvine-bound Daniel Stork had 33assists, Liam Gallagher had 18 digs and Garo Yagsezian contributed three blocks for the Celts.

"They are big, fast, serve well, play defense and are just tough to beat," Stork said of the Mustangs.

Crespi was optimistic coming in because it extended Mira Costa to a five-game match two years ago in the quarterfinals.

"We were pumped up to play them and not intimidated," Lebrock said. "They came ready and we were not at the top of our game."

The problem for Crespi was that match was two years ago and the young Mustangs are now seniors with a chip on their shoulders after losing in the semifinals last year.

"We are all seniors and we have been here before and know what we want," Olsen said. "We all want our own rings and we want a national championship. We have been working hard since the summer."

Baseball: Mission League set for wild ending

There's one game left on Thursday in the Mission League season, and no one knows who's going to end up as league champion after another crazy day on Tuesday.

West Hills Chaminade could have wrapped up the league title with a victory over Mission Hills Alemany, but Alemany put together a 10-run fourth inning and came away with an 11-6 victory. Coupled with Encino Crespi's 4-2 win over Los Angeles Loyola, it means Chaminade and Crespi are tied for first with 8-3 records and Alemany is one game back at 7-4.

Highlighting the Warriors' inning were a two-run single by Andrew Davidson, a two-run double by Cody Sulflow and a two-run  single by Scott Rhodes.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame defeated St. Francis, 9-5, in the other Mission League game.

For Crespi, John Kearns allowed four hits in 5 1/3 innings.

In a nonleague game, North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake (15-13-1) finished the regular season with a 9-2 win over Dos Pueblos. Lucas Giolito allowed three hits in 5 1/3 innings and Sam Horn had two hits.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: Crespi class of 2008 doing quite well

Encino Crespi was supposed to win a Southern Section baseball championship in 2008 but was upset in the playoffs. The seniors from that team have gone on to do well at the college level.

Travis Forbes is the top hitter for Pierce College. Carlos Lopez had a 17-game hitting streak at Cal State Fullerton. Sean Gilmartin is the No. 1 pitcher at Florida State. Tyler Johnson is the No. 1 pitcher at Stony Brook. 

Jeremy Rodriguez is the starting catcher at Cal State Bakersfield and had a 19-game hitting streak this season. Ryan Hawthorne is the starting center fielder at Loyola Marymount and leads the team in hitting.

It's quite a group of baseball alumni.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

DAILY NEWS' TOP 10 TEAMS

BASEBALL

1. Royal (18-5)

2. Chaminade (22-4)

3. Crespi (19-5)

4. Chatsworth (21-4)

5. Camarillo (19-4)

6. El Camino Real (15-10)

7. Moorpark (19-8)

8. West Ranch (16-7)

9. Valencia (14-9-1)

10. Alemany (17-7)

Football: Things looking up at Crespi

By Jack Pollon

After two seasons without reaching the playoffs, Crespi of Encino decided it was time for a change.

Jeremiah Ross was shown the exit door and former St. Bonaventure coach Jon Mack was hired as head coach.

Mack is already making a huge difference as 76 players were in the weight room at 6:15 a.m. according to a letter Mack wrote on the football website.

Mack also revamped the schedule. Here it is for 2010.

9/3- DOMINGUEZ
9/10- @LA Jordan
9/17- CLOVIS WEST
9/24- @Chula Vista
10/1- @Vista Murrieta
10/8- TAFT
10/15- @Bishop Amat*
10/22- ALEMANY*
11/5- LOYOLA*
11/12- @Notre Dame*

*-Denotes Serra League contest

Football: Things looking up at Crespi

By Jack Pollon

After two seasons without reaching the playoffs, Crespi of Encino decided it was time for a change.

Jeremiah Ross was shown the exit door and former St. Bonaventure coach Jon Mack was hired as head coach.

Mack is already making a huge difference as 76 players were in the weight room at 6:15 a.m. according to a letter Mack wrote on the football website.

Mack also revamped the schedule. Here it is for 2010.

9/3- DOMINGUEZ
9/10- @LA Jordan
9/17- CLOVIS WEST
9/24- @Chula Vista
10/1- @Vista Murrieta
10/8- TAFT
10/15- @Bishop Amat*
10/22- ALEMANY*
11/5- LOYOLA*
11/12- @Notre Dame*

*-Denotes Serra League contest

HS FOOT: Crespi hoping to light it up with new scoreboard

By Gerry Gittelson

Plans are underway to raise money for a new, state-of-the-art scoreboard at Crespi -- complete with video.

The cost is $250,000, so it won't be easy, but new coach Jon Mack is spearheading the project, and he's a good fund-raiser.

-- Gerry Gittelson, L.A. Times

A look at the best high school teams in the Southland by Ben Bolch.

Football: These head coaches are bringing in big bucks

Bill Redell and Jon Mack, the football coaches at Westlake Village Oaks Christian and Encino Crespi, are getting paid big bucks not only to coach but also attract attention and raise money for their programs. And they are delivering.

Redell is participating in a roast on May 23 to raise funds for a new synthetic football field. You can get eight tickets for $5,000 and hear Wayne Gretzky and Joe Montana take their shots at Redell.

Mack tops Redell in that he was able to auction off "Dinner with Coach Mack" for $3,500 and $3,200. Apparently, he's well known for his ability to cook spaghetti. Or maybe it's his wife.

Now, if only some City Section coaches could start coming off with some creative fund-raising ideas.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Crespi boys' volleyball second to one in Mission League after victory

By Jacob H. Pollon Special to the Daily News

The Crespi of Encino boys' volleyball team took a step toward securing second place in the Mission League with a 25-19, 25-15, 25-16 sweep of Harvard-Westlake of Studio City.

Crespi took sole possession of second place, moving two games ahead of the Wolverines and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks.

The Celts were never threatened in their second victory against the Wolverines as UC Irvine-bound Daniel Stork registered 38 assists.

"We try to serve tough," Stork said. "When we serve well we can put teams out of their system, create errors and control the net."

Everything was working for Crespi as it overcame the presence Wolverines basketball players Damiene Cain and David Burton.

Cal State Northridge-bound Brandon LeBrock had 13 kills and five aces, Liam Gallagher had eight digs and Michael Parker had seven blocks in the balanced attack for Crespi.

"They are just solid all around," Harvard-Westlake coach Adam Black said. "They are solid at every position, athletic and fundamental. They run a very fast offense, more so than most regular high school teams."

The class of the league is Loyola of Los Angeles, which knocked off the Celts twice but Crespi did get a game Tuesday off the Cubs in defeat.

However, Crespi is still looking for a deep postseason run.

"We are going to have to play more consistently," Stork said. "When we play the top teams we usually get a good performance or two individually but not always as a whole team. And a good draw would help."

Harvard-Westlake was led by Ryan Plueger, who had nine kills and four digs. The Wolverines end the season next week with a nonleague match against Santa Barbara and one league match.

Crespi will tackle Alemany of Mission Hills and St. Francis of La Canada Flintridge before waiting to hear its playoff fate next weekend.

Track: Crespi shot putter gets past 60 feet

Brandon Greenberg of Encino Crespi recorded a mark of 60 feet, 1 1/2 inches in the shot put Thursday during a dual meet against Mission Hills Alemany, becoming only the fifth athlete in the state this season to exceed the 60-foot mark in the event.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Crespi pitcher Brockett weathers wind, Notre Dame baseball team

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

BASEBALL: Starter overcomes blustery conditions, leads Celts over Notre Dame.

Despite brutal weather conditions that included 40 mph winds and sweeping clouds of debris, Ryan Brockett somehow managed to pitch a near-flawless game Thursday.

The senior left-hander from Crespi High of Encino limited rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks to six hits - including just one over the final 4<MD+,%30,%55,%70>1/<MD-,%0,%55,%70>3innings - and one earned run in a 5-2 Mission League victory at Valley College.

With a sharp-breaking curveball and an uncanny ability to keep his concentration while enduring the elements, Brockett struck out three and issued two walks, while improving to 5-1 and lowering his ERA to 1.97 in 43 innings.

"When the wind blows like this, you can never really get comfortable, and I had no fastball, but we won," Brockett said. "But the wind also made my changeup and slider more effective, so I used that to my advantage."

It was a must-win game for defending Southern Section Div. II champion Crespi (19-4, 6-2), which remains a half-game behind first-place Chaminade of West Hills with four league games remaining.

"I don't know how to explain what it's like to play with the wind like this, but it's a lot tougher," Crespi's Scott Heineman said. "Ryan just really settled down late in the game, and his changeup was really working. I guess the wind made it that much more nasty."

Notre Dame freshman left-hander Jack Hartman (4-2) wasn't bad either. He pitched a complete game, too, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits, five walks and a hit batter.

"It was tough because there would be a gust as wind in the middle of my windup that would knock me off-balance," Hartman said. "It just didn't feel right out there."

Notre Dame coach Tom Dill didn't expect such a strong performance from either pitcher.

"I was surprised. It's not easy to throw in the wind," Dill said. "It was a tough day, but both of us had to play in the same conditions."

Crespi scored two runs in the first when a single by Ryon Healy (2 for 2, two RBIs) combined with an outfield error scored Mike Hubbard and Heineman. In the third, the Celts added a run when Heineman walked and scored on a double by Kevin Williams.

Crespi perhaps could have added more runs in the third, but with runners on second and third and no out, Hartman worked his way out of the jam.

Crespi added two runs in the fourth when Brockett came home on an error and Hubbard scored on Healy's sacrifice fly.

Notre Dame (8-12, 2-6) scored on Russell Richey's RBI double in the second and J.J. Muno's run-scoring single in the third.

---------

CRESPI 5, NOTRE DAME 2

HS BASE: Brockett shines in Crespi's 5-2 win over Notre Dame

By Gerry Gittelson

Despite brutal weather conditions that included 40 mph winds and sweeping clouds of debris, Ryan Brockett somehow managed to pitch a near-flawless complete game today.

The senior left-hander from Crespi High of Encino limited rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks to six hits - including just one over the final 4 1/3 innings - and one earned run in a 5-2 Mission League victory at L.A. Valley College in Studio City

With a sharp-breaking curveball and an uncanny ability to keep his concentration while enduring the elements, Brockett struck out three and issued two walks while improving to 5-1 and lowering his ERA to 1.97 in 43 innings.

"When the wind blows like this, you can never really get comfortable, and I had no fastball, but we won," Brockett said. "But the wind also made my changeup and slider more effective, so I used that to my advantage."

It was a must-win game for defending Southern Section Div. II champion Crespi (19-4, 6-2), which remains a half-game behind first-place Chaminade of West Hills with four league games remaining.

"I don't know how to explain what it's like to play with the wind like this, but it's a lot tougher," Crespi's Scott Heineman said. "Ryan just really settled down late in the game, and his changeup was really working. I guess the wind made it that much more nasty."

Notre Dame left-hander Jack Hartman (4-2) wasn't bad either - especially when you consider he is just a freshman. He pitched a complete game, too, allowing five runs (three earned) on five hits, five walks and a hit batter.

"It was tough because there would be a gust as wind in the middle of my windup that would knock me off-balance," Hartman said. "It just didn't feel right out there."

Notre Dame coach Tom Dill didn't expect such an impressive performance from either pitcher.

"I was surprised. It's not easy to throw in the wind," Dill said. "It was a tough day, but both of us had to play in the same conditions."

Crespi scored two runs in the first inning when a single by Ryon Healy ( 2 for 2, two RBIs) combined with an outfield error scored Mike Hubbard and Heineman. In the third, the Celts added a run when Heineman walked and scored on a long double by Kevin Williams.

Crespi perhaps could have added more runs in the third, but with runners on second and third and no out, Hartman worked his way out of the jam.

Crespi was busy again in the fourth, adding two runs when Brockett came home on an error and Hubbard scored on Healy's sacrifice fly.

Notre Dame (8-12, 2-6) scored on Russell Richey's RBI double in the second and J.J. Muno's run-scoring single in the third.

Over the past nine games, Crespi is 8-1 and Notre Dame is 1-8, including consecutive losses to the Celts.

The season has proved humbling for Notre Dame, which won the Southern Section Div. III title two years ago, then finished 23-6 last season.

"We're trying to develop our game, get some experience and get better," Hartman said.

-- Gerry Gittelson

Crespi 5, Notre Dame 2

ND 011 000 0 - 2-6-2
Crespi 201 200 x - 5-5-2

Hartman and Gould; Brockett and Gonzalez.
W-Brockett (5-1). L-Hartman (4-2). 2B-ND: Huynh, Richey;
C: Williams.

R: ND 8-12, 2-6; C 19-4, 6-2.

HS BASE: Sneak peak Daily News Top 10

By Gerry Gittelson

1. Crespi (18-4)
2. Royal (18-5)
3. Chaminade (19-4)
4. Chatsworth (19-3)
5. Valencia (13-8-1)
6. Camarillo (16-4)
7. Moorpark (17-7)
8. West Ranch (14-7)
9. Alemany (17-6)
10. Thousand Oaks (13-11)

Baseball: Kennedy takes over first place in Valley Mission

Granada Hills Kennedy pulled out an improbable 14-10 victory over San Fernando on Thursday to take over first place in the Valley Mission League. The Golden Cougars are 6-2, a half-game ahead of Sylmar (5-2) with two games to play.

The Golden Cougars trailed, 9-8, with two out in the top of the seventh when Andrew Hernandez struck out to seemingly end the game. But the ball got away from the catcher, and Hernandez reached first. Kennedy went on to score six runs in the inning to complete a two-game sweep of the Tigers. Hernandez earlier hit a three-run home run.

Sophomore Chris Mallon went three for four and Robert Gonzalez added a triple for the Golden Cougars, who are 11-12 overall but own victories over the top two teams from the West Valley League, Chatsworth and El Camino Real.

In the East Valley League, first-place Arleta (20-4, 9-0) defeated North Hollywood, 17-0, in five innings. Manny Guzman went four for four with a home run and triple. Andres Coll had five RBIs.

In the Marine League, San Pedro (19-4, 7-1) set up a first-place showdown with Banning for next Tuesday after a 12-1 win over Washington. Ronnie Galosic, Anthony Canjura and Danny Matienzo each had two hits. Banning (19-6, 8-0) defeated Carson, 15-2. Alex Sixtos threw four shutout innings with six strikeouts. Jonathan Hernandez was three for three with five RBIs.

In the Mission League, Ryan Brockett struck out three and threw a five-hitter as Encino Crespi (19-4, 6-2) defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 5-2. Crespi moved into a tie for first place with West Hills Chaminade. Ryon Healy drove in two runs. Los Angeles Loyola defeated North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, 10-3.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: Crespi pulls out win over Notre Dame

As usual, when Encino Crespi and neighborhood rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame meet, you can forget about records.

Notre Dame (8-12, 2-5) gave the Celts all they could handle Tuesday night at Birmingham before Crespi (18-4, 5-2) scored three runs in the seventh to pull out a 10-7 victory.

Josh Mason singled in the go-ahead run and Austin Walker followed with a two-run double. David Armendariz hit a two-run home run for Notre Dame. The two schools play again Thursday at Valley College.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

By Erik Boal, Staff Writer

PLAYER OF THE YEAR- Alex Silverman

Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Although the Wolverines came up short in their goal of winning a Southern Section Div. I title, they were never out of a game because of the play of Silverman in goal.

After he and Wiley Webb combined for eight shutouts during the regular season, Silverman elevated his game - and heroics in net - to another level in the postseason, helping Harvard-Westlake reach the division final as an unseeded entry.

From his thrilling second-half free kick in the opening round to force overtime against Royal, to several highlight-reel saves in consecutive shutouts of Long Beach Millikan, ElToro and Edison to reach the championship match, Silverman was recognized as Div. I Defensive Player of the Year despite the Wolverines not capturing the title.

Silverman, who has decided to likely not pursue soccer in college, left a lasting impression in the Mission League and the Div. I playoffs, recording shootout wins against

Royal and Edison before Harvard-Westlake fell 2-1 to JSerra in the final.

FIRST TEAM

ALEX ANDERSON, Palmdale, Sr.

The Golden League MVP had the ability to control play offensively and defensively in the midfield, recording 10 goals and nine assists. Anderson also contributed to 14 shutouts for the league-champion Falcons.

TYLER BURON, Agoura, Sr.

The responsibility fell on Buron's shoulders to carry the Chargers' offense and he responded, recording 17 goals and five assists. Buron, who had six goals in Marmonte League play, received first-team all-league and third-team Div. I recognition.

MAX CADENA, St. Francis, Sr.

Cadena's defense helped the Golden Knights survive one of the area's toughest schedules to knock off No. 3 West Torrance in the first round of the Div. I playoffs. Cadena finished with two goals and two assists, securing first-team Mission League and Div. I honors.

THOR ENGLISH, Royal, Soph.

The multi-sport talent secured Marmonte League Offensive Player of the Year honors, recording 19 goals and six assists for Royal, which shared the title with Simi Valley.

DENNIS MARTINEZ, Knight, Sr.

Among the area's most dangerous player on free kicks, the UC Irvine-bound Martinez led the Hawks with 25 goals and 15 assists. Martinez, a Golden League first-team pick, scored in 11 consecutive matches, leading Knight to a win over league-champ Palmdale.

MARTIN MARTINEZ, San Fernando, Sr.

A catalyst in the Tigers' run to the City Section title and Southern California Div. I regional semifinals, Martinez came through with several big plays throughout the playoffs. He had four goals and two assists.

CAMERON MEEKER, La Canada, Jr.

Along with Matt Cannata, helped the Spartans capture the Rio Hondo League title and reach the Div. V quarterfinals. Meeker had an area-leading 33 goals - fourth in the state - and a team-best 13 assists, securing league MVP and Div. V first-team honors.

ERIK MUELLER, Newbury Park, Sr.

Although he was selected Marmonte League defensive MVP, Mueller demonstrated his versatility with a team-leading seven goals for the Panthers, who upset Loyola in the opening round of the Div. I playoffs. Mueller secured first-team Div. I recognition.

CRAIG NITTI, Crespi, Sr.

The Loyola Marymount signee was largely responsible for Crespi's second-half turnaround, securing Mission League Defensive Player of the Year honors. Nitti scored twice against Harvard-Westlake and finished with three goals and six assists, securing Div. I first-team recognition.

ERICKSON PENATE, El Camino Real, Soph.

Penate helped the Conquistadores capture a West Valley League title, recording 13 goals and three assists despite often being double- and triple-teamed. The all-league first-team selection helped ECR to an 18-win season.

BETO VELASQUEZ, El Camino Real, Sr.

Although the Conquistadores came up short in their attempt to repeat as City Section and Southern California Div. I regional champion, it didn't diminish another dynamic season from Velasquez, who recorded a team-leading 19 goals. The All-West Valley League selection added five assists for ECR.

ANDREW WILSON, Canyon, Sr.

The four-year varsity starter allowed just two goals in Foothill competition en route to the Cowboys securing the league crown. The two-time league player of the year, Wilson recorded 15 shutouts in 25 matches and led the Cowboys to the Div. III semifinals.

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR

MOHAMMED ROKNIPOUR, Canyon, Jr.

After first making impression in the fall as a placekicker with the Cowboys' football team following his arrival from Iran, Roknipour often provided all the offense the defensive-mind Cowboys would need with a well-placed free kick or on a timely counterattack, especially in a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Great Oak. Canyon's leading scorer was an All-Foothill League first-team selection, contributing heavily to one of the most memorable seasons in program history.

COACH OF THE YEAR

KHRIS SAVAGE, Canyon

The Cowboys served notice early in the season they would be a factor in the playoffs by playing El Camino Real to a scoreless tie. But it was Savage's ability to mesh players from different soccer backgrounds and countries into a cohesive unit that allowed Canyon to capture the Foothill League title, produce a program-record 20 victories and reach the Div. III semifinals, pushing champion Paramount before falling on penalty kicks. Canyon's success helped erased several years of postseason frustration for the Foothill League.

SECOND TEAM

Matt Cannata, La Canada, Jr.

Steve Carranza, Canoga Park, Sr.

Patrick Harmon, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Victor Kroh, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Alex Markes, Harvard-Westlake, Jr.

Kyle Mathews, Royal, Sr.

Alex McIntyre, Valencia, Sr.

Jose Mendez, Rio Mesa, Sr.

Pedro Murguia, San Fernando, Jr.

Manny Padron, Saugus, Sr.

Alan Rovira, Simi Valley, Sr.

Sebastian Rodriguez, El Camino Real, Sr.

TOP TEN RANKINGS

1. Harvard-Westlake

2. Canyon

3. San Fernando

4. El Camino Real

5. Royal

6. Palmdale

7. Newbury Park

8. La Canada

9. Knight

10. Simi Valley

LEAGUE CHAMPIONS

Delphic: Village Christian

Foothill: Canyon

Frontier: Santa Clara

Golden: Knight

Liberty: Buckley

Marmonte: Royal/Simi Valley

Mission: Loyola

Omega: Newbury Park Adventist

Pacific: Crescenta Valley

Pacific View: Pacifica

Rio Hondo: La Canada

Santa Fe: Salesian

Tri-Valley: Oaks Christian

Valley Mission: San Fernando

West Valley: El Camino Real

MATCH OF THE YEAR

Harvard-Westlake vs. Royal, Feb. 18

The Wolverines' run to the Southern Section Div. I final almost never got started if it hadn't been for the play of Alex Silverman, who rallied Harvard-Westlake with a free kick from beyond midfield late in regulation, then produced two stops in the penalty-kick shootout, denying the Marmonte League co-champion Highlanders in the playoffs for the second time during his career. Royal was one of only two teams to score on Harvard-Westlake in the postseason.

- Erik Boal, Daily News

Baseball: Get ready for Crespi-Notre Dame this week

Neighborhood rivals Encino Crespi and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame are set to play their two-game Mission League baseball series this week, with Tuesday's 7 p.m. game at Birmingham and Thursday's 3:45 p.m. game at Notre Dame. The alumni are fired up because these games are always fun.

"You never know what's going to happen," Crespi Coach Scott Muckey said. "It's always a mystery. You can expect the unexpected."

Said Notre Dame Coach Tom Dill: "When we play Crespi, standings don't matter a whole lot."

Crespi (17-4, 4-2) is battling West Hills Chaminade (18-4, 6-2) and Mission Hills Alemany (16-6, 5-3) for the league championship. Notre Dame (8-11, 2-4) is trying to help its Division II playoff chances.

Crespi is expected to start John Kearns on the mound Tuesday and come back with Ryan Brockett on Thursday. The Celts might be a little rusty after not playing any games last week.

Notre Dame will have Matt Lathuras on the mound Tuesday and freshman Jack Hartman on Thursday. And of course, David Armendariz is ready in relief, and the Celts had better make sure they aren't behind when the hard-throwing Armendariz takes the mound.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

INSIDE PITCH: The week in prep baseball

TOP 10 TEAMS

1. Crespi (17-4)

2. Royal (16-4)

3. Chaminade (16-4)

4. Camarillo (15-3)

5. Chatsworth (16-3)

6. Moorpark (16-5)

7. Valencia (10-8-1)

8. West Ranch (12-6)

9. Alemany (16-5)

10. Saugus (13-6)

Guaranteed 3 games; 3 officials for semi-finals and championship games.
Entry Fee: $500
Make checks payable to: Crespi Carmelite High School
Mail To: Crespi Carmelite High School

Crespi Varsity Soccer
5031 Alonzo Ave, Encino, CA 91316

Awards: Team Awards: 1st Place, 2nd Place, 3rd Place

Individual Awards for the Champions and All-Tournament

For more information:

Congratulations to the Junior Varsity Volleyball Team for winning the 32 Team Valley Christian Tournament!

The Celts did not drop a game throughout the entire tournament, defeating many teams, including La Mirada in the 1/4's, San Gabriel in the semi's, and Juniper Serra in the Finals!!!  A terrific Team effort!!! 

All Tournament Honors went to Freshman OH Brandon Enbody, Sophomore Libero Christian Beltran, Junior Setter Evan Herbert, and Junior OH Nick Martinez.

Baseball: Not a good week to be No. 1

It was the week in which being No. 1 was a jinx. Simi Valley Royal, ranked No. 1 in Southern Section Division I, and Encino Crespi, ranked No. 1 in Division II, both lost on Friday, so Lakewood and Glendora, respectively, could be the new No. 1 teams this week.

There were some interesting developments in Division I. Mission Viejo (16-3, 6-1) is starting to show signs of being a title contender after sweeping Capistrano Valley in a two-game South Coast League series. The Diablos don't have a standout pitcher, but they can hit, led by junior infielders Ryan Raslowsky (.421) and Ryan Muno (.439).

The hottest team in Division II is West Hills Chaminade (15-3), which has won 11 consecutive games and taken over first place in the tough Mission League. The Eagles, however, had better not start celebrating quite yet. They have a season-ending two-game series against Alemany next month that should decide the league title. Alemany (15-5) is the team that beat Crespi and showcased two impressive sophomore pitchers in Cody Thompson and Ryan Paramo.

And here's big news for coaches planning their playoff schedules: The opening round games in Division 1, 3, 5 and 7 will be played on a Thursday. That's great news for teams that rely on one dominant pitcher, such as Huntington Beach Edison and Santa Ana Mater Dei. Both schools could use Henry Owens and Cory Hahn on a Thursday, have them come back on Tuesday to pitch and only need to have someone win a quarterfinal game the following Friday.

UPDATE: Chaminade won its 11th consecutive game on Saturday, rallying for an 11-8 win over Ventura.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

The Times’ top 25 baseball rankings

Ben Bolch takes a look at the top high school teams in the Southland.

Rk; Team (Record, Section-Division); Last week's results (Last week's ranking)

1; BISHOP AMAT (17-2, SS-Div. IV); Def. La Salle, 6-0; La Salle, 11-1; Long Beach Wilson, 3-0. Next: Tuesday vs. Cantwell-Sacred Heart. (3)

2; LAKEWOOD (19-3, SS-Div. I); Def. Long Beach Jordan, 17-2; lost to Moorpark, 5-3. Next: Wednesday vs. Long Beach Poly at Blair Field. (2)

3; CRESPI (17-4, SS-Div. II); Def. Alemany, 7-0; lost to Alemany, 4-1; def. Campbell Hall, 11-8. Next: April 27 at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. (1)

4; REDLANDS EAST VALLEY (17-3, SS-Div. II); Def. Fontana, 11-4; Rialto, 1-0. Next: Wednesday at Carter. (4)

5; GLENDORA (15-1-1, SS-Div. II); Def. Diamond Bar, 11-4; Diamond Bar, 3-0. Next: Wednesday at Damien. (10)

6; CAMARILLO (14-3, SS-Div. I); Def. Channel Islands, 18-1; Channel Islands, 12-0. Next: Tuesday vs. Hueneme. (6)

7; JSERRA (15-4, SS-Div. I); Def. Santa Margarita, 1-0; Santa Margarita, 6-1. Next: Wednesday at Mater Dei. (8)

8; ROYAL (15-4, SS-Div. I); Def. Moorpark, 8-2; lost to Thousand Oaks, 5-2. Next: Wednesday vs. Simi Valley. (5)

9; ORANGE LUTHERAN (13-5, SS-Div. I); Def. Mater Dei, 3-0; lost to Mater Dei, 4-2. Next: Wednesday at St. John Bosco. (7)

10; OXNARD (14-4, SS-Div. I); Lost to Hueneme, 2-0; def. Hueneme, 4-3. Next: Tuesday at Rio Mesa. (9)

11; EDISON (12-6, SS-Div. I); Def. Los Alamitos, 11-1; Los Alamitos, 1-0. Next: Wednesday vs. Marina. (11)

12; SANTA BARBARA (15-1-1, SS-Div. II); Def. San Marcos, 14-5; San Marcos, 4-3; Cleveland, 10-1. Next: Tuesday at Dos Pueblos. (17)

13; CHATSWORTH (16-3, City-Div. I); Def. Cleveland, 5-1; Cleveland, 4-3; Calabasas, 7-2. Next: Tuesday at Granada Hills. (18)

14; CHAMINADE (16-3, SS-Div. II); Def. St. Francis, 8-2; St. Francis, 6-5; Ventura, 11-8. (20)

15; YUCAIPA (16-4, SS-Div. II); Def. Miller, 7-2; Redlands, 2-1. Next: Wednesday vs. Fontana. (15)

16; LOS OSOS (12-3, SS-Div. II); Def. Upland, 5-3; lost to Upland, 2-1. Next: Tuesday vs. Rancho Cucamonga. (12)

17; UPLAND (12-4, SS-Div. II); Lost to Los Osos, 5-3; def. Los Osos, 2-1. Next: Tuesday at Alta Loma. (13)

18; ALEMANY (15-5, SS-Div. II); Lost to Crespi, 7-0; def. Crespi, 4-1. Next: Tuesday at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. (16)

19; MISSION VIEJO (16-3, SS-Div. I); Def. Capistrano Valley, 13-5; Capistrano Valley, 7-4. Next: Wednesday at Tesoro. (25)

20; CYPRESS (15-4, SS-Div. II); Def. Placentia Valencia, 6-4; Placentia Valencia, 9-5. Next: Wednesday at Loara. (24)

21; ARLINGTON (14-4, SS-Div. II); Def. Vista del Lago, 7-2; Moreno Valley, 17-2; Long Beach Millikan, 8-4. Next: Tuesday vs. Ramona. (NR)

22; NEWPORT HARBOR (14-4, SS-Div. I); Def. Fountain Valley, 6-5; lost to Fountain Valley, 6-4. Next: Wednesday vs. Esperanza. (21)

23; MOORPARK (15-5, SS-Div. I); Lost to Royal, 8-2; def. Agoura, 7-2; Lakewood, 5-3. Next: Wednesday vs. Westlake. (NR)

24; ESPERANZA (12-6, SS-Div. I); Def. Marina, 5-2; Marina, 6-5. Next: Wednesday at Newport Harbor. (NR)

25; HUENEME (11-5, SS-Div. I); Def. Oxnard, 2-0; lost to Oxnard, 4-3. Next: Tuesday at Camarillo. (NR)

DAILY NEWS TOP 10 TEAMS

BASEBALL

1. Crespi (16-3)

2. Royal (15-3)

3. Chaminade (14-3)

4. Camarillo (13-3)

5. Chatsworth (14-3)

6. Valencia (10-5-1)

7. West Ranch (10-4)

8. Saugus (12-5)

9. Alemany (14-5)

10. Moorpark (13-5)

Alemany starter Thompson is no sophomore jinx, helps Warriors upset Crespi

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

BASEBALL: Behind starter Thompson, Alemany pulls off upset over Crespi.

Alemany High of Mission Hills might have the youngest pitching staff in the Mission League, but that doesn't mean it's easy to hit.

For the 18th time in 20 games, the Warriors started a sophomore pitcher, and this time it was Cody Thompson, who held defending Southern Secton Div. II champion Crespi of Encino to two hits Friday in a 4-1 upset victory at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa.

With an impressive fastball and an even better curve, Thompson (2-0) pitched a complete game and struck out four.

Crespi (16-4, 4-2) made it interesting by loading the bases with one out in the bottom of the seventh on a walk and two hit batters, but after a short visit to the mound, Alemany coach Randy Thompson entrusted Thompson to finish what he started, and the right-hander responded by getting Alex Gonzalez on a lineout to left, then inducing Ryan Brockett to pop out to third for the final out.

The win knocked Crespi out of first place, as the Celts and Alemany (15-5, 4-2) are tied for second with six games remaining.

Alemany broke open the game by scoring three runs in the fifth, keyed by Sergio Placencia's two-run double. An error on a pickoff attempt allowed Placencia to take third, and he scored on Anthony Esparza's sacrifice fly.

Three days earlier, Crespi defeated Alemany 7-0 in the first game of a two-game series, but this time Alemany was a different team, as its pitching held up and the defense didn't commit an error.

Coming in with eight victories over the past nine games, including winning the championship in the prestigious Diamond Sports National Classic last week, Crespi's only score came in the third inning when Austin Walker walked and came home on Michael Hubbard's triple.

But Thompson minimized the damage by striking out Scott Heineman to strand Hubbard at third.

"I just stayed focused and threw my pitches, and the defense helped a lot," Thompson said. "I couldn't have done it without them. They made the plays. We really wanted to win this game because we want to win the Mission League title, and to do that you have to beat Crespi."

Check out Crespi Volleyball!!!

http://rise.espn.go.com/volleyball/team-rankings/2009-2010/Week-5.aspx

We are ranked #46 overall in the country, and #15 overall in Southern California!

Check out the article on Josh Mason in ESPN RISE:

http://rise.espn.go.com/baseball/blogs/Josh-Mason/2010/04/meet-the-team.aspx

Mason introduces Crespi

04/14/10 - Josh Mason a pitcher/outfielder signed with Stony Brook University in Long Island, N.Y. He has a strong arm from the outfield and the mound, in addition to a pretty good stick. He is shedding some light on his Crespi (Encino, Calif.) team, who enters the ESPNRISE.com Baseball FAB 50 at No. 24.

The 2010 season for Crespi Baseball is looking good with lots of potential. Crespi has a lot of talent from top to bottom and everyone contributes to the team. This year is going to be a great season to come watch Crespi play because we have so much talent on our team and in our league.

The teams Crespi competes against are some of the best around. We are returning from last year's season after winning CIF II and our start this season was a little slow as a team. We have slowly started to figure it out as a team and play like we did last year.

We just won the National Classic and it was a huge bonding moment for our team and it has really helped us get closer and to rely on each other instead of trying to everything by ourselves as individuals. We have really been brought together and our team chemistry is growing stronger as the season progresses.

Crespi’s team consists of 29 solid baseball players. I would like to introduce and talk a little bit about our Crespi baseball team of 2010. Junior Scott Heineman is a relieve pitcher/ middle infielder and is committed to Oregon. He is young but has so much talent and has really shown it on the field.

Senior Ryon Healy a pitcher/first baseman and is signed to Oregon. He is definitely one of the best high school players around and has proven it with last year's performance and all of this year. He is a top draftee prospect and is a force to be reckoned with.

Senior Austin Walker a third baseman/shortstop is signed to UC-Irvine.  He has one of the strongest infielder arms and doesn’t let anything passed him. Ryan Brockett a pitcher/outfielder is still undecided on were he is going, but has Division 1 offers. He is an excellent lefty pitcher and has proven it by getting awarded best pitcher of the National Classic.

Alex Gonzalez is a catcher and is still undecided. He is one of the best all around catchers because he hits for average and power, while behind the plate he blocks everything and always helps the pitchers out. Kevin Williams a middle infielder and signed to UCLA. He has one of the sweetest lefty swings out there. I haven’t seen a nicer swing. And on top of that, he has great hands, a strong arm and great range. 

Michael Hubbard a outfielder and signed to Stony Brook University in Long Island, N.Y. He has an outstanding range and a cannon. He has a lot of power and a good batting average with super lightning speed.

Chad Tobin a junior pitcher. He is an excellent lefty pitcher and can shut down any team. Dominique Brown a first baseman who is still undecided. He has a lot of power and is a very skilled first baseman. Zach Russom a catcher/infielder also undecided. He has a great arm and lots of power. He has very good blocking behind the plate and has a good stick.

George Alvarez a third baseman and also undecided. He has a great glove and hits for power. John Kearns a pitcher who is committed to Holy Cross. He has excellent pitch location and has many pitches, but his off speed stuff is some of the dirtiest pitches I have ever seen. Garrett Mason a junior outfielder. He has speed and good range in the outfield with a good contact stick.

Jack Collick a junior outfielder with a sweet lefty swing. Shane Toole a junior pitcher who is a effective lefty pitcher and has a lot of potential. Madison Dang a junior pitcher who has proven to be a good starter and can get the job done when needed.

This season for Crespi is a bright season because we have so much talent, that it should be a really fun year watching us play. We have started to really click together and our chemistry is only going to become stronger through the season.

Crespi baseball can still flex its arms despite losing ace to injury

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

When ace pitcher Ryon Healy went down early this season with a sore arm, there was plenty of reason for Crespi High's baseball team to worry about losing such a quality pitcher, especially considering Healy, who has a career record of 13-0, is the reigning Southern Section Div. II Player of the Year.

But the remaining Crespi pitchers have proved terrific, and that's a big reason the defending section champion Celts are 16-3 and ranked No. 1 by the Daily News heading into a Mission League showdown at 7 p.m. tonight against Alemany of Mission Hills (14-5) at Birmingham High in Lake Balboa.

Healy is hoping eventually to return - he says there is no timetable, but perhaps for the playoffs - and in the meantime the others are doing a great job:

John Kearns is 5-0 with two saves, a 2.51 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 39 innings.

Ryan Brockett is 4-0 with a 1.60 ERA and 26 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Top closer Josh Mason is 2-1 with two saves, a 1.68 ERA and nine strikeouts in eight relief innings.

Plus, Scott Heineman, Sam Gutman, Shane Toole, Chad Tobin and Madison Dang are a combined 4-2 and have proved reliable whenever called upon, as the Celts have a team ERA of 3.08 against elite competition.

"We definitely miss Ryon Healy, but we have a lot of good pitchers, and that's a good feeling," Mason said.

Losing a pitching like Healy would devastate just about any other program, but not Crespi.

"We thought we were pretty deep to start the season, but once Healy went down it was sort of a one-game-at-a-time thing," coach Scott Muckey said. "The other pitchers have been rising to the occasion and make big pitches at the right time. We'll see how the rest of the season goes."

Alex Gonzalez said it's a pleasure to be the catcher.

"Actually, we do have a lot of depth," Gonzalez said. "Ryon is injured, but John Kearns has a lot of experience, Ryan Brockett has definitely improved a lot, and Scott Heineman has been real solid for us, too. It's been a lot of fun. All these guys are good pitchers, so it's fun to be a part of it."

Muckey is in his 24 th year, and his loyal pitching coach Dave Sehnem has been with him for the past 17 seasons.

Through the years, they've helped develop some terrific pitchers such as Milwaukee Brewers starter Jeff Suppan, who has won 135 games over 15 major league seasons, along with Trevor and Marshall Plouffe, Mike and Sean Gilmartin, Tim Leveque, Mike Jackson, Tyler Johnson and many others.

"They've all worked hard, and they've all grasped the concept," Sehnem said. "I have no idea how coach Muckey and I have stayed together this long, but we have fun."

In high school baseball, a program's pitching depth gets put to the test during tournaments that require four games in four days.

The Celts are coming off a championship last week in the prestigious Diamond Sports National Classic in Orange County, and over the past four years Crespi has won seven of eight regular-season tournaments while compiling an overall record of 63-26 - a winning percentage of .709.

All of this is nothing new to opposing coaches like Alemany's Randy Thompson. He has been living through it for years.

"It's always been a staple at Crespi, the powerful arms," Thompson said. "When you think of Crespi baseball, you think pitching. I just wish they would share some of the wealth."

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

Football: Schools filling in coaching staffs

Santa Margarita and Encino Crespi are filling their coaching staffs with some big-name people. New Santa Margarita Coach Harry Welch has hired former Mission Viejo offensive line coach Marty Spalding, one of the best in the business.

He also has brought in two former football standouts who played for him at Canyon Country Canyon, quarterback Nate Longshore and receiver Sean Coen.

New Crespi Coach Jon Mack has retained several Celt assistants, but his big hire is supposed to be Bart Hansen, the former defensive coordinator at College of the Canyons.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: Heineman, Healy lead No. 1 Crespi

With its new No. 1 ranking by The Times, Encino Crespi went out and beat Mission Hills Alemany, 7-0, in a Mission League road game on Tuesday.

The Celts (16-3, 4-1) broke open a scoreless game with three runs in the fifth. Scott Heineman and Ryon Healy each finished with three hits, and Healy had a home run. Austin Walker added two hits.

John Kearns and Josh Mason combined on the shutout. Alemany dropped to 14-5 and 3-2.

In the Camino Real League, Los Angeles Cathedral (12-3, 5-1) assumed command of first place with a 10-0, five-inning victory over Gardena Serra. Sergio Luna won his fifth game, scattering four singles with four strikeouts and no walks. Oscar Leong and Joe Gonzales had two hits each.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Crespi forces it way up to No. 6 in the state

Others coming on strong as newcomers include Yuba City, Redlands East Valley

Mark Tennis Senior Editor

04/13/10 - Contributing: Paul Muyskens

After adding the Diamond Sports National Classic title to its resume last week, the Crespi High of Encino baseball team had to move up two spots in this week’s state rankings and figures to come up even more when the three teams from the West Catholic Athletic League begin playing each other this week.

The Celts captured the National Classic crown with a 2-1 win in nine innings in the title game over co-host El Dorado of Placentia.  They scratched out the winning run in the bottom of the ninth when Scott Heineman scored from third base on a sacrifice fly hit by Jack Colick. Josh Mason was named the MVP of the event while Crespi’s Ryan Brockett was picked as the most outstanding pitcher.

This year’s National Classic didn’t have quite as much star power as in years past, but still among the field were state ranked teams such as Bishop Amat of La Puente, Lutheran of Orange and Edison of Huntington Beach.

Crespi won a tourney title earlier in the season at the Easton SoCal Classic. Combined with the National Classic, those are accomplishments that later in the season can be the difference between being No. 1 or No. 2 in the final state rankings.

Crespi would still have to repeat as a CIF Southern Section champion, of course, for any of that to happen, but head coach Scott Muckey’s team certainly has proved it has the required pitching depth to go far in the postseason. In the National Classic, for example, the Celts won even though No. 1 pitcher Ryon Healy was unavailable due to a strained ligament in his forearm.

In addition to the Celts, two other teams recording significant wins last week were Redlands East Valley and Yuba City. For REV, it faced Inland Empire rival Yucaipa and prevailed, 8-2, while Yuba City topped Elk Grove, 3-2.

Griffin Murphy pitched a standout game for REV against Yucaipa with 12 strikeouts in seven innings. Offensively, Michael Martinez led the way by going 2-for-3 with two runs scored. With the win, the Wildcats jumped from No. 12 to No. 9 in this week’s rankings. Yucaipa, which was No. 18 last week, dropped out since the Thunderbirds also lost an additional game to Rialto.

Yuba City, meanwhile, established itself as the top team in the Sac-Joaquin Section and went into this week’s rankings at No. 18 with a 12-0 record. With the score tied at 2-2 in the bottom of the seventh, Seth Davis was hit by a pitch, moved to second on a balk and scored the winning run on a walk off single by Jake Stassi. Tyler Olson pitched two scoreless innings to pick up the win.

The state’s No. 1 team, Serra of San Mateo, played on Saturday at Banner Island Ballpark in Stockton, which is the home of the Class A Stockton Ports, The Padres were matched up against St. Mary’s of Stockton, which plays one of the toughest schedules in the state, and went home with an 8-3 win.

Serra’s current 17-game win streak to start this week ties a school record set in 1985. On Friday, the Padres will play No. 5 St. Francis of Mountain View.

Against St. Mary’s, P.J. Mallery collected four RBIs and scored four runs, while Tyler Hardeman pitched a complete game and had two hits at the plate.

(After games of Saturday, April 10)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)

1. (1) Junipero Serra (San Mateo, Calif.) 17-0

2. (2) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose, Calif.) 17-1

3. (3) Lakewood (Lakewood, Calif.) 17-2

4. (4) Clovis West (Fresno, Calif.) 17-2

5. (5) St. Francis (Mountain View, Calif.) 16-1

6. (8) Crespi (Encino, Calif.) 15-3

7. (6) Bishop Amat (La Puente, Calif.) 14-2

8. (10) Lutheran (Orange, Calif.) 12-4

9. (12) Redlands East Valley (Redlands, Calif.) 15-3

10. (11) La Costa Canyon (Carlsbad, Calif.) 12-3

11. (7) Royal (Simi Valley, Calif.) 14-3

12. (14) Mission Viejo (Mission Viejo, Calif.) 13-3

13. (15) Camarillo (Camarillo, Calif.) 11-3

14. (NR) Rancho Bernardo (San Diego, Calif.) 12-3

15. (9) Buchanan (Clovis, Calif.) 17-3

16. (20) JSerra (San Juan Capistrano, Calif.) 13-4

17. (NR) Santa Barbara (Santa Barbara, Calif.) 12-1-1

18. (NR) Yuba City (Yuba City, Calif.) 12-0

19. (NR) Oxnard (Oxnard, Calif.) 12-3-1

20. (NR) Santana (Santee, Calif.) 10-2

Dropped Out: Previous No. 13 Valley Christian (San Jose); No. 16 Edison (Huntington Beach); No. 17 Santiago (Corona);  No. 18 Yucaipa; No. 19 Elk Grove.

On the Bubble:
Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 9-2; Clayton Valley (Concord) 9-2; Edison (Huntington Beach) 10-6; Elk Grove 8-3; Grossmont (La Mesa) 12-4; Livermore 10-2; Rancho Buena Vista (Vista) 10-4; Santiago (Corona) 11-4; South Hills (Covina) 11-3; St. Mary’s (Stockton) 8-6; Vista 11-3; Valley Christian (San Jose) 12-4; Willow Glen (San Jose) 18-0.

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

Riding the momentum after winning the prestigious National Classic tournament Thursday, Crespi of Encino showed no signs of slowing down Tuesday in a 7-0 baseball victory at Mission League rival Alemany of Mission Hills.

Crespi had 12 hits, five for extra bases, and the Celts received another excellent pitching performance from John Kearns and Josh Mason.

Ryon Healy was 3 for 4 with a home run and a double, Scott Heineman was 3 for 4 with two doubles and three RBIs, and Austin Walker was 2 for 2 with a double.

Kearns pitched 5 innings and allowed six hits and two walks with two strikeouts, and Mason came in with the bases loaded in the sixth and didn't allow a hit to record his second save.

The teams were locked in a scoreless tie through four innings before Crespi (16-3, 4-1) produced three runs in the fifth, one in the sixth and three in the seventh.

"I was 100 percent confident in our team. It's a great team from top to bottom," Kearns said. "The first time through the lineup is always about pitching, and that's what happened today."

Kearns stranded at least one runner on base in every inning.

"I'm disappointed because this is really the first time we've been shut down like this all season, but I have to tip my cap to John Kearns. He made the pitches when he had to," Alemany coach Randy Thompson said. "It just wasn't in the cards for us today."

Crespi has won eight of nine heading into the second game of a home-and-home series with Alemany (14-5, 3-2) at 7 p.m. Friday at Birmingham of Lake Balboa.

Alemany sophomore left-hander Ryan Paramo (4-1) limited Crespi to three hits and struck out six through the first four innings before losing effectiveness.

"Ryan Paramo knows how to pitch. He showed great composure," Thompson said. "He's going to win a lot of games for us."

The only glitch for defending Southern Section Div. II champion Crespi was four infield errors. This time it didn't matter, but that might not always be the case in the tough Mission League and the playoffs.

"I think we might have been a little too confident after winning that big tournament," Mason said. "We need to realize it's not going to be an easy road because every team is good in this league."

Alemany came in with 10 wins over its past 11 games. The Warriors are on pace to win 20 games for the first time since 2001, but the remaining eight games are against elite opponents - one more against Crespi, then two against Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, two against St. Francis of La Ca ada Flintridge, a nonleague game against South Hills of Covina, then two against Chaminade of West Hills.

Alemany's Sergio Placencia was 2 for 4, and Scott Rhodes was 1 for 2 with a double.

By Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

For 24 seasons, the coach has guided players to success on the baseball field and off it.

At the entrance to the bench, Scott Muckey sits on a sturdy but fading black briefcase that he inherited 13 years ago from his father. Holding a clipboard and wearing sunglasses, Muckey uses his fingers to signal to catcher Alex Gonzalez what pitches he wants thrown.

For 24 seasons, Muckey has been the baseball coach at Encino Crespi High, and the biggest surprise is how he even made it to year No. 2. He was a college coach and always intended to stay a college coach.

In 1986, he lost his position as head coach at Los Angeles Valley College because of budget cuts and was going to spend only a year at Crespi in 1987 before searching for another college position.

"By the end of the year, I said, ‘I'm not looking. I love it here,' " he said.

And so the Celts enter their fourth decade with one of the most respected baseball teachers at the helm of a program that keeps producing top players and outstanding teams.

"He lets us be us," third baseman Austin Walker said. "He lets us play baseball and have fun."

Muckey treats his players as if they were adults, which is risky considering teenagers are sometimes tempted to cross the line that separates good behavior from bad. Then again, that's what life is all about, learning lessons, and Muckey wants his players to be responsible for their actions and decisions.

His program is run like a college program. He gives his players the knowledge and preparation for the next level, and there have been many success stories, from Jeff Suppan ( Milwaukee Brewers) to Trevor Plouffe (2004 first-round draft choice), from Sean Gilmartin ( Florida State) to Carlos Lopez (Cal State Fullerton).

But it is how Muckey develops the seemingly unsung players that's most impressive, from turning average pitchers into high school standouts by having them throw sidearm or calling upon a senior who has never started to become a leader and key player.

Crespi is 15-3 this season, a year after winning the Southern Section Division II championship. The Celts won the Diamond Sports National Classic last week and won the Easton tournament earlier. It hardly means that Crespi is going to win another section title. The first challenge is getting into the playoffs, and that's no easy accomplishment in a Mission League that has had four schools win or reach a section final the last four years.

If there's one thing Muckey does particularly well, it's train pitchers. He's a guru in that department, whether calling the pitches or teaching someone how to move the ball around the plate. The Celts have so many competent pitchers this season they could play consecutive doubleheaders and still have pitchers available.

And next season, another Suppan arrives, Dylan, a promising eighth-grade pitcher who's the nephew of Jeff Suppan. The cupboard will never be bare when it comes to pitchers at Crespi.

Muckey never takes himself too seriously.

"We're there to have fun and challenge ourselves," he said.

Players, parents and alumni know how fortunate they are to have a college coach working at the high school level.

And Muckey's presence has helped raise the quality of coaching for other schools in the league. He has set a high standard, and trying to reach it is good for everyone involved.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

twitter.com/LATSondheimer

A look at the top high school baseball teams in the Southland by Ben Bolch.

1. CRESPI (15-3, SS-Div. II); Def. Kentfield Marin Catholic, 11-1; Esperanza, 4-3; Orange Lutheran, 7-6; El Dorado, 2-1. Next: Tuesday at Alemany. (5)

2. LAKEWOOD (18-2, SS-Div. I); Def. Fullerton, 9-6; Thousand Oaks, 15-1; Valencia, 6-5. Next: Friday vs. Long Beach Jordan. (2)

3. BISHOP AMAT (14-2, SS-Div. IV); Def. Scottsdale (Ariz.) Notre Dame, 10-1; lost to Edison, 10-8; def. Palos Verdes Peninsula, 2-0; Tucson Salpointe Catholic, 9-5. Next: Tuesday vs. La Salle. (1)

4. REDLANDS EAST VALLEY (15-3, SS-Div. II); Def. Yucaipa, 8-2. Next: Wednesday at Fontana. (4)

5. ROYAL (14-3, SS-Div. I); Def. Concord De La Salle, 13-0; Walnut Creek Northgate, 2-0; lost to Santa Barbara, 7-3; def. Righetti, 10-0. Next: Wednesday vs. Moorpark. (3)

6. CAMARILLO (12-3, SS-Div. I); Def. Oxnard Pacifica, 13-0; Mira Costa, 4-2; Oxnard Pacifica, 10-2. Next: Tuesday vs. Channel Islands. (6)

7. ORANGE LUTHERAN (12-4, SS-Div. I); Def. West Ranch, 4-1; Tucson Salpointe Catholic, 5-4; lost to Crespi, 7-6; def. Edison, 11-1. Next: Wednesday vs. Mater Dei. (7)

8. JSERRA (13-4, SS-Div. I); Def. Moraga Campolindo, 3-1; Paramount, 9-4; Moorpark, 17-1. Next: Wednesday vs. Santa Margarita. (8)

9. OXNARD (13-3, SS-Div. I); Def. Channel Islands, 10-1; Channel Islands, 12-2. Next: Tuesday at Hueneme. (9)

10. GLENDORA (13-1-1, SS-Div. II); Tied Temple City, 2-2; def. St. Francis, 5-4; Arcadia, 10-2. Next: Wednesday vs. Diamond Bar. (13)

11. EDISON (10-6, SS-Div. I); Def. Palm Desert, 5-0; def. Bishop Amat, 10-8; lost to El Dorado, 2-1; Orange Lutheran, 11-1. Next: Wednesday at Los Alamitos. (10)

12. LOS OSOS (11-2, SS-Div. II); Def. Etiwanda, 9-1; Alta Loma, 8-4; Kaiser, 6-2; Kaiser, 3-0. Next: Tuesday vs. Upland. (15)

13. UPLAND (11-3, SS-Div. II); Def. Rancho Cucamonga, 10-3. Next: Tuesday at Los Osos. (18)

14. WEST RANCH (10-4, SS-Div. I); Lost to Orange Lutheran, 4-1; def. South Hills, 2-1; lost to Kentfield Marin Catholic, 2-1; def. Bradenton (Fla.) IMG Academies, 8-3. Next: Wednesday at Golden Valley. (16)

15. YUCAIPA (14-4, SS-Div. II); Lost to Rialto, 4-2; Redlands East Valley, 8-2. Next: Wednesday vs. Miller. (11)

16. ALEMANY (14-4, SS-Div. II); Def. Trabuco Hills, 7-4; Danville San Ramon Valley, 5-4; lost to San Luis Obispo, 2-1; def. Huntington Beach, 8-3. Next: Tuesday vs. Crespi. (20)

17. SANTA BARBARA (12-1-1, SS-Div. II); Def. Pioneer Valley, 15-3; Lompoc, 11-7; Royal, 7-3; Antioch Deer Valley, 11-3. Next: Tuesday vs. San Marcos. (NR)

18. CHATSWORTH (13-3, City-Div. I); Def. Birmingham, 7-5; Birmingham, 7-6. Next: Wednesday vs. Cleveland. (21)

19. CORONA SANTIAGO (10-4, SS-Div. I); Lost to Temescal Canyon, 8-5; def. Claremont, 9-0; Elsinore, 11-4. Next: Wednesday vs. Corona Centennial. (17)

20. CHAMINADE (13-3, SS-Div. II); Def. Long Beach Poly, 8-0; Western, 10-0; Riverside North, 2-0. Next: Tuesday vs. St. Francis. (23)

21. NEWPORT HARBOR (13-3, SS-Div. I); Def. La Serna, 11-6; Cerritos, 20-4; Villa Park, 4-1. Next: Wednesday at Fountain Valley. (NR)

22. MARINA (10-4, SS-Div. I); Def. Paloma Valley, 8-2; Norte Vista, 17-2; Corona Roosevelt, 4-2; Vista Murrieta, 14-4. Next: Wednesday vs. Esperanza. (24)

23. EL TORO (12-4-1, SS-Div. II); Def. San Ramon California, 4-1; Bountiful ( Utah) Viewmont, 9-0; Merced, 9-1. Next: Wednesday at Northwood. (NR)

24. CYPRESS (13-4, SS-Div. II); Lost to Bountiful (Utah) Viewmont, 1-0; def. Moorpark, 2-1; San Ramon California, 7-2; King, 5-4. Next: Wednesday vs. Placentia Valencia. (NR)

25. MISSION VIEJO (12-5, SS-Div. I); Def. Long Beach Wilson, 4-2; lost to Placentia Valencia, 5-3; def. Loyola, 10-3. Next: Wednesday vs. Capistrano Valley. (22)

Extra effort lifts Celts to National Classic baseball title

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

FULLERTON - In the bottom of the ninth inning with the Diamond Sports National Classic baseball tournament championship at stake, Crespi High of Encino took a chance Thursday night, and it paid off.

Scott Heineman tagged up from third base on Jack Colick's shallow fly to center field that probably wasn't deep enough for most runners to score, and though Adam Velez's throw arrived in time to nail Heineman, the baseball squirted out of catcher Drew Ruther's glove just in front of home plate as he attempted the tag.

Heineman scored to lift Crespi to a 2-1 win over El Dorado of Placentia, and the Celts stormed the field at Cal State Fullerton in celebration of winning one of California's most competitive invitationals for the second time in three years.

"To be honest, I knew I was going to tag on anything," Heineman said. "It was great to win a tournament like this."

Colick described the fly as "just far enough."

"It's what you live for, every kid's dream - to be up there with everything on the line and a chance to win it for your team," Colick said. "It was good excitement. Just an adrenaline rush."

Colick had total faith that Heineman would find a way to make it home.

"Scott has the wheels, and I remember just stopping and staring at the play," Colick said.

Just before Colick's winning sacrifice fly, El Dorado coach Dave Moore brought the outfield in, and the move only added to the drama.

"I think our coach saw it coming. We knew we had to be ready for the ball," Velez said. "It was a close play and the throw was there, but I guess it was a little late."

Crespi coach Scott Muckey knew there might not be another chance, so there was no way Heineman would be held up.

"When I first saw it, I thought, 'That's not deep enough.' But you've got to give it a try," Muckey said. "You have to go for it and see what happens."

Velez has the strongest arm of El Dorado's outfielders, Moore said.

"We had the right guy. The throw wasn't perfect, but it was good enough," Moore said. "The ball just squirted out of the catcher's glove. It was a tough way to lose."

Heineman, a junior who has committed to Oregon, was 2 for 2 with two walks.

El Dorado had a good chance to score in the top of the ninth when Trevor Velez got aboard on a two-out single, stole second and took third on a wild pitch.

But Josh Mason induced Jon Suda to ground out to second to end the threat.

Crespi took a 1-0 lead in the second inning. With one out, Jack Colick singled, took third on Mason's single and scored on Alex Gonzalez's sacrifice fly to center.

The Celts held the lead through five innings, but in the sixth El Dorado pushed across a run to forge a 1-1 tie. Ryan Conlon was hit by a pitch from reliever Ryan Brockett, and pinch-runner Tyler Saiki advanced on a sacrifice, stole third, then scored on Adam Velez's single to left.

gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com

By Jacob H. Pollon, Special to the Daily News

PLACENTIA - With a depleted pitching staff and games getting harder each day at the Diamond Sports National Classic hosted by El Dorado of Placentia, the Crespi of Encino baseball team keeps coming through with gutty performances.

One day after scoring two runs in the top of the seventh to defeat Esperanza of Anaheim, the Celts scored four runs in the top of the seventh to break a tie and then held on for a 7-6 victory after surrendering three runs to beat Orange Lutheran (11-4).

Crespi (14-3) advances to the 7p.m. championship game today at Cal State Fullerton against El Dorado, a 2-1 semifinal winner over Edison of Huntington Beach.

Crespi's Scott Heineman didn't have his best stuff - allowing five runs over the last three innings - but retired Blake Hugaert on a sharp liner to right with the tying run on second.

"Coach (Scott) Muckey told me we had a good situation out there with the bottom of the order and to go after them," Heineman said of retiring the final batter. "I couldn't find the zone today. I had trouble getting the ball over the plate."

Heineman got the win in relief of junior Madison Dang, who turned in a sold performance, allowing only one run on five hits in the first four innings.

Crespi, which tied the score at 3-3 in the sixth, seemed to give itself breathing room with a four-run seventh, but had to hold off a single from Zach Verlaan and a two-run double by Dillon Bryant before exhaling.

In the top of the seventh, Crespi received two bases-loaded walks and then got an important two-run single from catcher Alex Gonzalez.

Josh Mason's bases-loaded walk after fending off two pitches on a full count to break the tie was key for the Celts.

Ryan Brockett followed with another walk before Gonzalez's hit.

"It was just a great feeling to get ahead by the one run," Mason said of his walk. "I just wanted to come through for my team in that situation."

Austin Walker and Mason each had two hits and scored a run for Crespi.

Walker singled home Heineman and Ryon Healy in the fourth, giving Crespi its first runs off Josh Doyle.

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Can Westlake make another state finals run?

Normally a team that graduates golfers the caliber of Brandon Hagy (Cal), Marshall Colby (Oregon), Justin Edwards (Georgetown), Cole Seeger (UC Davis) and Kevin Santos wouldn't be considered a favorite to be playing in June. But despite being forced to replace all that talent off last year's third-place roster at the state final, the Warriors haven't demonstrated any signs of slowing down. Led by Jake Katz and Chris Doyle, Westlake boasts one of the area's most balanced lineups, which includes talented underclassmen Brandon Shaw and Brandon Kelley. After several close calls last year in the postseason, it will be interesting to see if the Warriors can respond in clutch fashion again this year.

2. Which is the toughest local league to win?

Mission. On any given day, it appears any team in the top half of the league is capable of winning. Chaminade features Nick Thomas and Walter Lauth, Harvard-Westlake relies on Jeff Wibawa, Crespi has Chris Capo, St.Francis boasts Richie Maloof and Notre Dame is led by Dylan Crowley. The Tri-Valley League will also be competitive between Malibu, Oak Park and St.Bonaventure.

3. Is West Ranch ready to make postseason history?

Yes. After the Wildcats girls' cross country team reached the Div. II state final in November, coach Jeff Holen has a group capable of qualifying for the Southern California regionals and possibly the state final. J.J. Holen, C.J. Espino and Clayton Thatch will be relied on heavily for West Ranch.

4. Will the area have an individual representative at the state tournament?

Yes. Chaminade's Nick Thomas tied for sixth last year and has the potential to return. Westlake's Jake Katz, LaCanada's Anton Arboleda, Campbell Hall's Ramsey Sayhoun, West Ranch's J.J. Holen and Valencia's Jonathan Chang should all be in the state hunt.

5. Will El Camino Real's Daniel Slovis repeat as City champion?

Yes, and this time he won't need a playoff to do it. Although there are strong challengers from Cleveland, Van Nuys, North Hollywood and Venice, Slovis is motivated to cap his career with another title.

DAILY NEWS TOP 10 TEAMS

1. Westlake

2. West Ranch

3. Chaminade

4. Calabasas

5. Crespi

6. Harvard-Westlake

7. Notre Dame

8. St. Francis

9. La Canada

10. Valencia

TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Anton Arboleda, La Canada, Sr.

Chris Capo, Crespi, Sr.

Jonathan Chang,

Valencia, Soph.

Bobby Holden, Royal, Jr.

J.J. Holen, West Ranch, Jr.

Robin Jang, Van Nuys, Jr.

Jake Katz, Westlake, Sr.

Brandon Molnar,

Calabasas, Sr.

Ramsey Sayhoun,

Campbell Hall, Sr.

Daniel Slovis,

El Camino Real, Sr.

Nick Thomas, Chaminade, Jr.

Alex Timpson, Crescenta Valley, Sr.

Jeff Wibawa, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

Charlie Benell,

Harvard-Westlake, Soph.

Noah Bernstein, La Canada, Fr.

Jack Bouchard, Flintridge Prep, Fr.

Bobby Coffin, St. Francis, Jr.

Dylan Crowley, Notre Dame, Jr.

Zack DeBruno, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Kyle Demshki, Calabasas, Sr.

Brandon Dorsey,

North Hollywood, Sr.

Chris Doyle, Westlake, Sr.

Khorri Ellis, North Hollywood, Jr.

C.J. Espino, West Ranch, Soph.

Connor Frederick, Notre Dame, Soph.

Bryce Haynes, Camarillo, Soph.

Walker Huddy, Calabasas, Soph.

Brandon Kelley, Westlake, Fr.

Derek Larson, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Walter Lautz, Chaminade, Jr.

Thomas Lim, Moorpark, Fr.

Brady Ma, Granada Hills, Sr.

Jordan Malinoff, Calabasas, Sr.

Richie Maloof, St. Francis, Jr.

Riley Michaelis, Royal, Soph.

Andrew Moore, Saugus, Jr.

Connor Paden, Oak Park, Jr.

Sean Panomchai, L.A. Baptist, Jr.

Jin Park, Burbank, Sr.

Derek Patao, La Canada, Jr.

Ryan Prosser, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Austin Raanes, Quartz Hill, Sr.

Johnny Ruiz, Camarillo, Soph.

Jonathan Sanders, New Community Jewish, Jr.

Ryan Sarmiento, Malibu, Sr.

Vincent Seapara,

El Camino Real, Sr.

Brandon Shaw, Westlake, Soph.

Taylor Stein, Malibu, Jr.

Clayton Thatch, West Ranch, Sr.

Preston Walker, Oak Park, Jr.

Aaron Warren-Fernandez, Cleveland, Sr.

MATCHES TO WATCH

April 8: Camarillo vs. Rio Mesa at Camarillo Springs

April 12: Westlake vs. Rio Mesa/Calabasas at Los Robles

April 13: Foothill League No.3 at Robinson Ranch

April 14: Harvard-Westlake vs. St. Francis at Brookside

April 20: Foothill League No.4 at Valencia Country Club; Harvard-Westlake vs. Chaminade at Woodland Hills Country Club

April 27: Chaminade vs. St.Francis at Woodland Hills Country Club

April 27-28: Foothill League tournament at TPC Valencia

May 5-6: Mission League tournament at Griffith Park Wilson, Harding courses

May 6: Marmonte League tournament final at Sunset Hills

May 12: El Camino Real vs. Granada Hills at Knollwood Country Club

May 24/26: City Section finals at Griffith Park Harding, Wilson courses

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Will Granada Hills and Sylmar play again for the City title?

No. And there is a possibility neither team gets to the final, especially if Taft and Van Nuys have anything to say about it. Despite graduating Matthew Claxton and Eric Lujan, Van Nuys already defeated defending-champion Granada Hills, which returns Phillip Pawlikowski, but was hit heavy by graduation losses as well. Taft returns All-City selections Kenny Molar, Alex Piatt and Scott Sanders, making the Toreadors legitimate contenders to win the championship. Although Sylmar returns Stuart Cohen, the loss of Tyler Honeycutt is too much to overcome.

2. Does Oak Park have enough talent

left to make another Div. III finals run?

Yes. Despite graduating Whit Warren, Eric Varney and Jeff Sakaida, the Eagles have demonstrated they're capable of returning to the title match, although Taylor Sander and Norco are the overwhelming favorite to repeat as champion. Oak Park, which knocked off 2008 champion Quartz Hill in last year's semifinals, still needs to get past Tri-Valley League rival Oaks Christian twice to avoid being placed in the same half of the draw as Norco.

3. Is another even-year championship in store for Valencia?

The Vikings have captured Div. II titles in 2004, '06 and '08, so if the trend continues, Valencia should be making room for another banner this season. But the Vikings have some work to do after being swept by defending-champion Westlake in the season opener. Valencia coach Mark Knudsen always has his players peaking in the postseason, as evidenced by a young Vikings lineup pushing runner-up Royal to five games in last year's quarterfinals. But Westlake will be tough to knock off with Keats Stanley, Nick Weaver and Travis Magorien returning from last year's team that reached the Southern California Div. I regional final.

4. Can Crespi finally break through and do some damage in Div. I?

With U.S. junior national team member Daniel Stork running the Celts' offense, don't be surprised if Crespi reaches the quarterfinals or beyond in the loaded draw. Stork, a UC Irvine signee, has Brandon LeBrock as his primary target and Liam Gallagher anchoring the defense for veteran coach Raissa Adolphe. Playing Loyola in the Mission League, along with a daunting nonleague schedule, will serve the Celts well in the postseason.

5. Who will be this year's Tyler Honeycutt?

Verdugo Hills' Chris Dees, a 6-foot-7 junior, helped the Dons win the City Section Div. III boys' basketball title and now he's hoping to help the Dons do some damage in the City volleyball playoffs like Honeycutt did last season at Sylmar. Scott Sanders, Taft's 6-11 middle blocker, could also be a dominant presence at the net in the Toreadors' bid to reach the City final.

- Erik Boal

DAILY NEWS

TOP 10 TEAMS

1. Westlake

2. Crespi

3. Valencia

4. Harvard-Westlake

5. Thousand Oaks

6. Oak Park

7. Taft

8. Notre Dame

9. Royal

10. Oaks Christian

TOP PLAYERS

TO WATCH

Josh Duarte, Valencia, Sr.

Nick Ferry, Valencia, Sr.

Carter Franciskovic, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Daniel Johnson, Valencia, Sr.

Austin Kingi, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Brandon LeBrock, Crespi, Sr.

Travis Magorien, Westlake, Jr.

Ryan Mason, Saugus, Sr.

Christien McManus, Oak Park, Sr.

Keats Stanley, Westlake, Jr.

Daniel Stork, Crespi, Sr.

Matthew Tarantino, Alemany, Jr.

Nick Weaver, Westlake, Sr.

Ian Zavala, Quartz Hill, Sr.

OTHERS TO KEEP

AN EYE ON

Brett Ballesteros, Notre Dame, Sr.

Matt Bertch, Simi Valley, Jr.

Jack Borenstein, Viewpoint, Soph.

Stephen Carr, Harvard-Westlake, Soph.

McKinzie Chase, Campbell Hall, Sr.

Edmond Chow, Flintridge Prep, Sr.

Stuart Cohen, Sylmar, Sr.

Zac Cohen, Campbell Hall, Sr.

Chris Dees, Verdugo Hills, Jr.

Kris DuBoise, El Camino Real, Sr.

Paul Dubuke, Rio Mesa, Sr.

Jesse Flitt, Camarillo, Jr.

Jennings Franciskovic, Oaks Christian, Fr.

Liam Gallagher, Crespi, Sr.

Tim Gerlach, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Steven Hadawar, Van Nuys, Sr.

Charlie Inch, Notre Dame, Sr.

T.J. Jeffris, Saugus, Sr.

Matt Jeske, Newbury Park, Sr.

Jacob Johnson, Van Nuys, Sr.

Stacey Kelly, Royal, Sr.

Matt Madison, Moorpark, Jr.

Kenny Molar, Taft, Sr.

J.J. Mosolf, Hart, Jr.

Griffin Nichols, Valencia, Jr.

Broc Oppler, Valencia, Jr.

Phillip Pawlikowski, Granada Hills, Sr.

Alex Piatt, Taft, Sr.

Ryan Plueger, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Ryan Rampton, Royal, Jr.

Danny Reilly, Camarillo, Jr.

Preston Richardson, Canyon, Jr.

Chris Sahakian, Notre Dame, Jr.

Bradley Sakaida, Oak Park, Soph.

Scott Sanders, Taft, Sr.

Steven Santos, Newbury Park, Sr.

Andrew Sato, Agoura, Jr.

Dylan Shigekawa, Moorpark, Sr.

Kevin Schoch, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Michael Shea, Oak Park, Sr.

Kenyatta Smith, Flintridge Prep, Jr.

Jake Staahls, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Lucas Yanez, Burroughs, Jr.

MATCHES TO WATCH

April 8: Granada Hills at Taft.

April 12: Royal at Thousand Oaks.

April 13: Oaks Christian at Oak Park.

April 16-17: Santa Barbara tournament.

April 17: Viewpoint tournament.

April 24: Sylmar tournament.

April 26: Westlake at Thousand Oaks;

Taft at Granada Hills.

April 27: Crespi at Loyola.

April 29: Harvard-Westlake at Crespi.

April 30-May 1: Crescenta Valley tournament; Redondo Union tournament.

May 6: Oak Park at Oaks Christian.

By Erik Boal, Daily News Staff Writer

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

1. Will Thousand Oaks repeat as Southern Section Div. I champion?

No. The Lancers boast the area's top player in junior Marcos Giron and plenty of depth behind him, especially with the addition of freshmen Chris Lees and Daniel Munami. But even the presence of returnees Ben Moon and Matt Kunisaki in doubles, along with Brendon Josephson, Greg Wise and Matt Skwaruzynski likely won't be enough to stop University High of Irvine from winning a third title in four years. After Giron and Denis Lin - now a freshman at Stanford - won the Southern Section doubles title the past two seasons, but Giron's best bet is to contend for the singles championship this year after capturing the Ojai singles title last season.

2. Will Harvard-Westlake have its Mission League winning streak halted this season?

No. Despite the improvement of Chaminade and Loyola, the Wolverines remain in a class by themselves, having won 105 consecutive league matches and counting. Whether Harvard-Westlake can translate that league success into another deep postseason run in Div. I remains to be seen, but the Wolverines already boast significant nonleague victories over Palos Verdes, Mira Costa and Palisades.

3. Which local team could be a sleeper in the postseason?

Oaks Christian in Div. III. The Lions reached the quarterfinals last season, losing to champion Claremont. If Oaks Christian can avoid being placed in the same quarter of the draw with top-ranked Valencia of Placentia or No. 2 Claremont, the Lions have the potential to reach the semifinals. Jack Sanford, Connor Daly and Wyatt Houghton form one of the area's most underrated singles lineups for the Lions, who will look to receive timely doubles contributions in the playoffs.

4. Can any area team deny Palisades from repeating as City Section champion?

Eagle Rock, Granada Hills and Taft all boast strength at the top of their respective lineups, but none of them have the depth to knock off the Dolphins, who are considered to be one of the strongest City Section lineups since ElCamino Real's run of five consecutive titles from 2000-04.

5. Which local players could make the deepest postseason runs?

If Thousand Oaks' Marcos Giron decides to compete in the Southern Section singles tournament, then he will be one of the favorites to win the title. After reaching the round of 16 last season, Burroughs' Trevor Campbell and Robert Henry could again be factors in the doubles draw. Also expect Valencia's Tyler Gottshall to have a strong showing in singles or doubles.

- Erik Boal

DAILY NEWS

TOP 10 TEAMS

1. Harvard-Westlake

2. Westlake

3. Valencia

4. Thousand Oaks

5. Calabasas

6. Oaks Christian

7. Viewpoint

8. Burroughs

9. La Canada

10. Eagle Rock

TOP PLAYERS

TO WATCH

Trevor Campbell, Burroughs, Sr.

Skyler Davis, Malibu, Sr.

Zach Drost, Westlake, Sr.

William Duncan, Newbury Park, Jr.

Jason Ferlianto, Canyon, Jr.

Marcos Giron, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Tyler Gottshall, Valencia, Sr.

Robert Henry, Burroughs, Jr.

Wyatt Houghton, Oaks Christian, Soph.

Brendon Josephson, Thousand Oaks, Soph.

Chris Kenney, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Mitch Krems, Westlake, Soph.

Jack Sanford, Oaks Chr., Jr.

Matt Wagner, Harvard-Westlake, Jr.

OTHERS TO KEEP

AN EYE ON

Garrett Auproux, Burroughs, Fr.

Giancarlo Battaglia, Crespi, Jr.

Bryce Beisswanger, Viewpoint, Jr.

Daniel Bingham, Valencia, Sr.

Daniel Bogan, Valencia, Sr.

Brett Buford, Calabasas, Soph.

Roger Carnow, Granada Hills, Soph.

William Chung, Granada Hills, Soph.

Connor Daly, Oaks Christian, Soph.

David Engelberg, Taft, Sr.

Grayson Frazier, La Canada, Sr.

Jackson Frons, Harvard-Westlake, Soph.

Matt Gazarra, Oaks Chr., Jr.

Ben Inchalik, Valencia, Sr.

Trent Jones, La Canada, Sr.

Corey Karen, Camarillo, Fr.

Eric Kazangian, Flintridge Prep, Jr.

Eric Khanlarian, Cres. Valley, Sr.

Eric Kim, Eagle Rock, Sr.

Matt Kincaid, Canyon, Sr.

Mickey Kumar, Rio Mesa, Sr.

Jay Leelavanich, Chaminade, Fr.

Chris Lees, Thousand Oaks, Fr.

Josh Lefkovitch, Westlake, Sr.

J.R. Macalutas, Valencia, Soph.

Julius Macalutas, West Ranch, Sr.

Dro Mahmoudi, Cres. Valley, Sr.

Kyle Martin-Patterson, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Kevin Parducho, Eagle Rock, Sr.

Dillon Morgan, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Daniel Munami, Thousand Oaks, Fr.

Tate Nelson, Westlake, Sr.

Ashot Papikian, Glendale, Sr.

Joe Reyes, Hart, Sr.

Ryan Samii, Campbell Hall, Jr.

Joey Sander, Camarillo, Soph.

Jesse Santos, Crescenta Valley, Sr.

Cyrus Shaki-Khan, Buckley, Jr.

Justin Sinclair, Campbell Hall, Sr.

Matt Skwaruzynski, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

William Sokurski, Calabasas, Jr.

Spencer Suk, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Nick Sweetman, Newbury Park, Soph.

Beau Townsend, Campbell Hall, Jr.

Tayven Townsend, Valencia, Jr.

Dalton Ullman, Valencia, Sr.

Jim Wellman, Taft, Sr.

Greg Wise, Thousand Oaks, Soph.

Alex Wood, Flintridge Prep, Soph.

MATCHES TO WATCH

Thursday: Thousand Oaks at Westlake

April 8: Taft at Granada Hills

April 12: Burroughs at Valencia

April 14: Santa Monica at Harvard-Westlake

April 20: Malibu at Oaks Christian

April 22: Buckley at Viewpoint

April 22-24: Ojai Valley Invitational

April 27: Calabasas at Westlake; Burroughs at Arcadia

1. Oaks Christian

2. La Cañada

3. Crescenta Valley

4. Harvard-Westlake

5. Crespi

6. Valencia

7. Hart

8. Thousand Oaks

9. West Ranch

10. Agoura

BOYS SWIMMERS TO WATCH

David Armstrong, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Konrad Antoniuk, Hart, Sr.

Chase Bloch, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Alex Campbell, La Cañada, Sr.

Armen Darbinyan, Crespi, Soph.

Keaunui Harris, Canyon, Sr.

Tyler Henry, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Bob Hwang, Valencia, Jr.

James McNamara,

Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Riley Mita, West Ranch, Jr.

Brandon Nguyen, La Cañada, Fr.

Young Tae Seo, Crescenta Valley, Fr.

OTHERS TO KEEP AN EYE ON

INDIVIDUAL MEDLEY/ STROKE SPECIALISTS

Spencer Boone, Thousand Oaks, Jr.

Kyle Burke, West Ranch, Sr.

Shane Chung, La Cañada, Soph.

Dylan Duimovich, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Mickey Guevara, Glendale, Soph.

Colin Hedrick, Camarillo, Sr.

Vatche Kazanjian, Agoura, Jr.

Jason Kim, Crescenta Valley, Sr.

Henly Ko, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Alex Ngan, Hart, Jr.

Matthew Riek, Alemany, Sr.

Jesse Ryckman, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Harrison Thai, Crescenta Valley, Fr.

Michael Tsay, Crespi, Jr.

Valentino Vilches, Cleveland, Jr.

Darin Weltsch, Birmingham, Sr.

Isaac Wender, Viewpoint, Jr.

DISTANCE FREESTYLE

Kawena Bautista, Cleveland, Jr.

Andrew DeJong, Crescenta Valley, Jr.

Brendan Delear, Agoura, Sr.

Stephen Haw, Valencia, Jr.

Austin Hedrick, Camarillo, Soph.

Christian Renfro, La Canada, Jr.

Grant Richman, Granada Hills, Jr.

SPRINT FREESTYLE

Andrew Cselenyak,West Ranch, Sr.

Danny Fujinaka, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Bryan Kitchener, Valencia, Sr.

Nico Kryspin, Taft, Sr.

Nico Martinez, Crespi, Fr.

Cody Moore, Royal, Soph.

Jet Reich, Oaks Christian, Sr.

Nick Steadman,Oaks Christian, Jr.

Jared Stern, Viewpoint, Sr.

Chris Veselich, Crescenta Valley, Sr.

Football: Another Loth headed for Crespi

What a great night it was on Thursday watching and listening to the many scholar-athlete honorees at the San Fernando Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame awards banquet in Granada Hills.

One of those honored was Encino Crespi lineman Ben Loth, who's headed to Iowa State. New Crespi Coach Jon Mack was at the banquet, and the big revelation was that Loth has a little brother, except he's not so little.

Joel Loth is already 6-3 and towers over his seventh-grade classmates. He plays basketball and is expected to play football when he arrives at Crespi in 2011. Mack was already trying to figure out what position the little brother will play.

Watching Mack work a room is like seeing a good politician at work. It was another reminder that he's worth every penny of his big salary at Crespi.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: Chaminade upsets Crespi in Mission opener

Brandon Rapoport's squeeze bunt in the bottom of the eighth inning scored the winning run to lift West Hills Chaminade past Encino Crespi, 4-3, in a Mission League opener at Chaminade.

The Eagles (4-2, 1-0) pretty much stole the victory. Crespi (5-1, 0-1) was cruising along with a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning and had ace Ryon Healy on the mound. Healy, 13-0 lifetime, suddenly called Coach Scott Muckey to the mound. Healy took himself out after feeling discomfort with his arm. He went to first base.

Chaminade tied the game in the sixth off reliever John Kearns on consecutive home runs by Brando Tessar, a two-run shot, and Ryan Kramer.

Tessar pitched seven innings, striking out nine. Healy stayed in the game at first base, but Chaminade Coach Frank Mutz refused to let him hit. Twice he ordered intentional walks to Healy, and the Celts could never make the Eagles pay.

In the eighth, Dylan Delaney led off with a walk and Tessar followed with a single. After a strikeout, Rapoport put his bunt down to score the winning run.

In other Mission League games, Los Angeles Loyola defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, 4-3. Mission Hills Alemany defeated North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, 6-4. Sophomore pitcher Peter Van Gansen threw three scoreless innings to pick up the save. Andrew Davidson had a two-run triple.

-- Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times

By Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times

If ever a team looked destined for defeat, it was West Hills Chaminade on Tuesday afternoon. The Eagles trailed Encino Crespi by three runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, and on the mound was the reigning Southern Section Division II player of the year, Ryon Healy, who had struck out seven, given up one hit and boasted a 13-0 career record.

But everything changed when Healy summoned Coach Scott Muckey from the dugout while throwing warm-up tosses. Healy left the mound because of discomfort in his arm and went to first base.

"When Ryon Healy comes out of the ballgame, one of the best players in Southern California, that was our opportunity to come back," Coach Frank Mutz said. "We had to take advantage, and we did."

In the sixth inning, Brando Tessar hit a two-run home run against John Kearns and Ryan Kramer followed with a home run to tie the score. And Chaminade (4-2) won it in the eighth inning on Brandon Rapoport's suicide squeeze to pull out a 4-3 victory in a Mission League baseball opener.

"This was a huge win for the program," said Tessar, who struck out nine in seven innings and had a single in the eighth inning to put the winning run in scoring position.

One of the keys to the Eagles' victory was making sure Healy didn't beat them. Mutz twice ordered Healy intentionally walked, including the seventh inning when Crespi (5-1), ranked No. 2 by The Times, had the go-ahead run at third base. But Tessar struck out Kevin Williams and got Michael Hubbard to ground out.

Tessar said Healy told him his arm "got a little tight and he didn't want to push anything."

"I hope he returns quick because he's a great kid," he said.

Tessar also won a bet from Healy, his future Oregon roommate. The two had been texting each other the day before trying to decide what the wager would be. It turned out the loser would have to make dinner or buy dinner for two weeks next fall.

"I'm going to be eating good," Tessar said.

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

2010 BASEBALL SEASON PREVIEW

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

FIVE BURNING QUESTIONS

Crespi. The Celts are the reigning Southern Section Div. II champions, and they return lots of experienced talent, including Oregon-bound Ryon Healy, who was 11-0 and batted .468 with 25 RBIs last season to earn Daily News Player of the Year honors. Other top returnees include infielder Kevin Williams, who has signed with UCLA, along with four-year starter Austin Walker, sluggers Josh Mason and Mike Hubbard, along with pitchers Ryan Brockett and John Kearns.

Yes. How can you pick against the Chancellors? They've won three consecutive City titles and seven over the past 11 years. While most of the key starters from last year's team graduated, there is still plenty of talent, including slugging first baseman Derek Neely and pitcher/third baseman Christian Lopez, plus a terrific new pitcher in junior left-hander Aaron Brown. "We've got a lot of new guys, but most were on the team last year. We're not a young team by any stretch," coach Tom Meusborn said. "It's a hard-working group, and they're very committed and will continue to get better once we get some games under our belt."

West Ranch. The Wildcats from Stevenson Ranch squandered a chance to win the Foothill League title in the final two weeks last year after leading for most of the way, and they're back with a vengeance. Allen Sarkisian and Ryan Keller return, and both throw hard and were lights out during fall and winter league. Plus, there's a terrific new sophomore left-hander, J.C. Cloney, who could soon develop into the area's top pitcher.

4. Who is the favorite to win the Marmonte League?

Who knows? There are eight pitching-rich teams, and all of them have a legitimate shot - if not an equal shot. Not surprisingly, seven Marmonte teams have a winning record heading into league competition Wednesday, when they'll begin beating up on each other. Calabasas and Agoura, the teams that finished last in 2009, could both finish among the top two this season - or somewhere in the middle, or even last again. That's how much parity exists.

Harvard-Westlake of Studio City's Austin Wilson and Burbank's Lonnie Kauppila, who are both headed to Stanford. Wilson is a 6-foot-4 outfielder who can do it all - hit for average, hit for power, run, field, throw - and if you blink you might miss something spectacular. Kauppila, a shortstop, hit 12 home runs as a junior last season and was just warming up after transferring from Crescenta Valley of LaCrescenta. If opponents are willing to pitch to him, he might hit even more this season.

DAILY NEWS TOP 10

Defending Div. II champs are loaded again.

Hit hard by graduation but still team to beat in City Section.

No one has a deeper pitching staff.

Lopes has transferred but lots of young talent remains.

After winning just 12 games last year, expect a major turnaround.

Led by pitcher Cody Buckel, Highlanders are off to fast start.

In rebuilding mode, but senior David Armendariz can do it all.

Pat is the latest Valaika brother to start at shortstop for Indians.

Lots of skill players, but can ECR catch Chatsworth?

A very well-rounded team with no obvious weaknesses.

OTHERS: Agoura, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Kennedy, Harvard Westlake.

TOP PLAYERS TO WATCH

Reigning Marmonte League pitcher of year has yet to allow earned run this season.

Had five wins, three saves and a 2.04 ERA last season.

Won eight games last year and is considered City Section's top pitcher.

Young left-hander throws 86 mph and has huge upside.

Returning Daily News Player of Year was 11-0 and batted .468.

Stanford signee hit 12 HRs as a junior and is also a top defensive player.

Returning All-Foothill League selection off to another torrid start.

Slugger hit four HRs with 30 RBIs last year.

A three-year veteran, Neely hits for power and will provide senior leadership.

CSUN signee had 23-game hitting streak last season.

Oregon-bound standout can do it all.

UCLA signee batted .371 with 20 RBIs as junior.

Has lots of speed and power and has signed with UCLA.

Impressed as a freshman and now takes over for departed Christian Lopes.

Stanford-bound, five-tool player batted

.526 with six HRs.

UCLA-bound power hitter has three HRs in first three games this season.

Batted .436 with three HRs and 31 RBIs and recorded four pitching wins.

KEY GAMES

Figures to be a preview of City playoff showdown.

Great City matchup between traditional powers.

Odds are, neither will be able

to afford a loss in Foothill League showdown.

Always a great crosstown rivalry.

A fun night game that always attracts huge crowds.

This one should decided Valley Mission title.

The Mission League title should be at stake.

Could this one decide Foothill League title?

Marmonte League finale should be key game.

Both are off to hot starts

but will they stay that way?

Rivals finish season with second of two-game series.

Should have Div. I playoff implications.

OTHER PLAYERS TO WATCH

INFIELDERS

Cole Acheroni, Simi Valley, Jr.

Mike Acosta, Granada Hills, Sr.

G Allen, Cleveland, Sr.

George Alvarez, Crespi, Sr.

James Brady, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Chris Caldwell, West Ranch, Sr.

Chad Clark, Agoura, Jr.

Ryan Cort, Westlake, So.

Manny De La Rosa, Reseda, Jr.

Philip Diaz, Bell-Jeff, Jr.

Josh Heinz, West Ranch, So.

Gabriel Felix, Cleveland, Sr.

Chris Figueroa, Sylmar, Sr.

Drew Hacker, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Chris Jimenez, Poly, Sr.

Bennett Koss, Glendale, Sr.

Danny Leon, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Jonathan Linares, North Hollywood, Jr.

Javier Lopez, Arleta, Jr.

Nick Lovullo, Newbury Park, So.

Mike McCallister, Verdugo Hills, Jr.

Randy Medellin, Birmingham, So.

Tanner Moe, Moorpark, Sr.

Rhet Montana, Agoura, Jr.

Quincy Quintero, Valencia, Jr.

Tanner Reibenspies, Chaminade, Sr.

Jose Reyes, San Fernando, Jr.

Alex Rubanowitz, Calabasas, Sr.

Nelson Spruce, Westlake, Jr.

Peter Van Gansen, Alemany, So.

Ivan Vela, El Camino Real, Sr.

Austin Walker, Crespi, Sr.

Ryan Webberley, Highland, Jr.

Shane Ziele, Valencia, Jr.

OUTFIELDERS

David Armas, San Fernando, Sr.

Marc Deaso, Knight, Jr.

Cody DeSpain, Taft, Sr.

Andrew Gold, Kennedy, Sr.

Justin Greco, Royal, So.

Jon Hilliger, L.A. Baptist, Sr.

Michael Hubbard, Crespi, Sr.

Bryce Kelly, Granada Hills, Sr.

Kevin Khalili, Calabasas, Sr.

Chris Mallon, Kennedy, So.

Oliver Lowry, Harvard-Westlake, Sr.

Chris Nicholson, El Camino Real, So.

Mark Nunez, Knight, Jr.

Evan Ocello, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Tony Rosales, Montclair Prep, Sr.

Edgar Ruiz, Sylmar, Jr.

Mark Saatzer, St. Francis, Sr.

Nolan Simons, Hart, Sr.

Cameron Summers, Lancaster, Sr.

Luke Swenson, Moorpark, Sr.

Eric Walbridge, Notre Dame, Sr.

Kamran Young, Golden Valley, Sr.

CATCHERS

Andrew Ayrado, Quartz Hill, Sr.

Jordan Berger, Taft, Jr.

Alex Bishop, Valencia, Jr.

Adam Ehrlich, Campbell Hall, Jr.

Anthony Esparza, Alemany, Jr.

Frankie Figueroa, Sylmar, Jr.

Garrett Gardner, Agoura, Sr.

Shawn O'Connell, Chatsworth, Sr.

David Rodarte, Birmingham, Sr.

Bobby Romero, Hoover, Sr.

Nate Rousey, Crescenta Valley, So.

Joe Sedano, Crescenta Valley, Sr.

Brandon Soto, Kennedy, Sr.

Denny Vigo, Simi Valley, Sr.

Collin Yelich, Westlake, So.

PITCHERS

David Armendariz, Notre Dame, Sr.

Scott Barlow, Golden Valley, Jr.

Jakari Bass, Lancaster, Jr.

Boyd Bell, Granada Hills, Sr.

Aaron Berglund, St. Francis, Sr.

Ethan Bramschreiber, St. Francis, Sr.

Pat Brennan, Agoura, Sr.

Travis Cassidy, Calabasas, Jr.

Matthew Cathcart, Malibu, Sr.

Ryan Cruz, Kennedy, Jr.

Cameron Cuneo, Westlake, Sr.

Alex Daley, Westlake, Jr.

Josh Deane, Campbell hall, Sr.

Lenny Diaz, Kennedy, Sr.

Max Fried, Montclair Prep, So.

Zachary Friedman, Taft, Jr.

Lucas Giolito, Harvard-Westlake, So.

David Hausman, Valencia, Jr.

Steven Holguin, Grant, Sr.

John Kearns, Crespi, Sr.

Ryan Keller, West Ranch, Jr.

David Lira, San Fernando, Jr.

Jay Lopez, Arleta, Jr.

Jerry Keel, Palmdale, Jr.

Ryan Keller, West Ranch, Jr.

Sean Landendecker, Calabasas, Jr.

Daniel Lerma, Rio Mesa, Jr.

David Lira, San Fernando, Jr.

Kevin Martinez, San Fernando, So.

Zach Mercer, Agoura, Sr.

Danny Nieves, Westlake, Sr.

Travis Radke, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Dalton Saberhagen, Calabasas, Sr.

Jimmie Sherfy, Newbury Park, Sr.

Levi Shordon, Simi Valley, Jr.

Cody Thompson, Alemany, So.

Cody Thomson, Thousand Oaks, Sr.

Josh Wagner, Hart, Sr.

FIRST BASE

Mitch Bluman, El Camino Real, Sr.

Trevor Gretzky, Oaks Christian, Jr.

Marc Palacios, Moorpark, Sr.

Danny Pitts, Quartz Hill, Jr.

Jose Reyes, San Fernando, Jr.

Juvenal Terrazas, Sylmar, Jr.

Tim Wise, Westlake, Sr.

Tyler Yuckert, Agoura, Sr.

UTILITY

Aaron Brown, Chatsworth, Jr.

Ryan Cerda, Royal, Sr.

Michael Dingilian, Chaminade, Jr.

Anthony Gutierrez, Reseda, Jr.

Mike Guzman, Monroe, Sr.

Scott Heineman, Crespi, Jr.

Bryce Kelly, Granada Hills, Sr.

Ryne Kahikina, Burroughs, Jr.

Bryan Langlois, Oak Park, Sr.

Christian Lopez, Chatsworth, Jr.

Kevin Martinez, San Fernando, So.

Aaron Roth, Cornerstone Christian, Sr.

Allen Sarkisian, West Ranch, Sr.

Elliott Surrey, Crescenta Valley, So.

Kevin Torres, Birmingham, Jr.

Tim Tosney, Paraclete, Sr.

Mathew Troupe, Chaminade, Jr.

- By Gerry Gittelson

Chaminade soars past previously unbeaten Crespi in league opener

By Jacob H. Pollon, Special to the Daily News

The Crespi of Encino baseball team went undefeated at the Easton Tournament, with a championship-game victory against Camarillo on Saturday, to remain unbeaten in the season's first five games.

The Celts, the defending Southern Section Div. II champions, might win the Mission League this season, but they won't go undefeated.

Chaminade of West Hills made sure of that with a come-from-behind 4-3 victory in eight innings in a league opener Tuesday.

Brandon Rapoport executed a sacrifice squeeze in the bottom of the eighth, scoring Dylan Delaney, and the Eagles stole an important victory.

"We work on that play a lot," Chaminade coach Frank Mutz said. "The game was ours for the taking and we just gambled there but it worked out."

Chaminade (4-2) trailed 3-0 after three innings when Crespi ace Ryon Healy took himself out of the game with elbow discomfort.

Healy gave up one hit and three walks with seven strikeouts.

John Kearns came in and retired seven of the first eight batters he faced, but found trouble with one out in the bottom of the sixth.

Delaney singled to right, Brando Tessar homered to right and Ryan Kramer followed with a solo shot and the score was tied at 3-3.

Tessar pitched seven strong innings, yielding three runs on seven hits with nine strikeouts and four walks. Tessar didn't allow a run his last three innings.

"I have been on varsity for four years and we have always lost to them. So this is huge for us and the school," Tessar said. "It is a great momentum-booster going forward."

Tessar finished 2 for 4 with two RBIs, including a single that advanced Delaney to third with no outs in the eighth.

Healy singled, scored a run and was intentionally walked twice for the Celts (5-1).

Teammate Ryan Brockett had two singles, two stolen bases and scored a run.

Crespi must regroup quickly with a nonleague game today at Cleveland of Reseda, and then a rematch with Chaminade on Friday at Valley College.

Healy, the reigning Daily News player of the year, stayed in the game and batted twice after relinquishing pitching duties and might be able to throw in Friday's game if needed.

Baseball: It's the battle between future roommates

Next season, Encino Crespi's Ryon Healy and West Hills Chaminade's Brando Tessar are supposed to be roommates at Oregon.

But come Tuesday, in a Mission League opener, they're scheduled to be on the mound opposing each other at Chaminade in a 3:30 p.m. game.

Crespi is 5-0 and ranked No. 2 by The Times. Chaminade is 3-2. No word yet if the loser of Tuesday's game will have to make the beds for a week starting in September.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

The top 25 teams in the Southland, according to Ben Bolch.

Rk; Team (Record, Section-Division); Last week's results (Last week's ranking)

1. EDISON (4-1, SS-Div. I); Def. Santa Margarita, 10-1; La Mirada, 2-1; Woodbridge, 10-6. (1)

2. CRESPI (6-0, SS-Div. II); Def. Granada Hills Kennedy, 7-0; Ventura, 10-3; Rio Mesa, 13-2; Camarillo, 4-2. (2)

3. ORANGE LUTHERAN (5-0; SS-Div. I); Def. Mission Viejo, 11-7; Tesoro, 5-3; Bishop Amat, 12-3. (6)

4. JSERRA (4-1, SS-Div. I); Def. St. Paul, 3-2; Corona Santiago, 5-4; Corona, 11-3. (3)

5. BISHOP AMAT (4-1; SS-Div. IV); Def. Mater Dei, 7-2; Capistrano Valley, 6-1; lost to Orange Lutheran, 12-3. (4)

6. LAKEWOOD (5-0, SS-Div. I); Def. Vista Murrieta, 4-0; San Clemente, 4-3; El Toro, 10-1. (NR)

7. CAMARILLO (4-1, SS-Div. I); Def. Agoura, 5-4; West Ranch, 3-1; lost to Crespi, 4-2. (NR)

8. WEST RANCH (4-1; SS-Div. I); Def. Hueneme, 24-3; lost to Camarillo, 3-1; def. Rio Mesa, 11-3. (9)

9. CHATSWORTH (4-1; City-Div. I); Def. Calabasas, 5-1; Lancaster, 14-2. (10)

10. ROYAL (5-0; SS-Div. I); Def. Palisades, 12-3; Culver City, 10-0; Oxnard, 15-0. (11)

11. REDLANDS EAST VALLEY (5-0, SS-Div. II); Def. Valley View, 6-2; Colton, 9-1; Damien, 12-3; Chino, 19-3. (18)

12. UPLAND (6-0; SS-Div. II); Def. Montclair, 24-1; Silverado, 17-0; Hesperia, 14-0; Etiwanda, 11-2. (19)

13. CORONA SANTIAGO (3-2, SS-Div. I); Def. Palm Desert, 14-6; lost to JSerra, 5-4; def. Mission Viejo, 12-5. (NR)

14. MATER DEI (2-3; SS-Div. I); Lost to Bishop Amat, 7-2; St. Paul, 3-0; def. Capistrano Valley, 5-1. (7)

15. CAPISTRANO VALLEY (3-2; SS-Div. I); Def. Foothill, 11-10; lost to Bishop Amat, 6-1; Mater Dei, 5-1. (5)

16. YUCAIPA (4-1; SS-Div. II); Lost to Palos Verdes, 15-4; def. South East, 11-0; California, 3-1. (12)

17. ST. JOHN BOSCO (4-1; SS-Div. I); Def. Gardena Serra, 13-6; Palos Verdes Peninsula, 5-1; Long Beach Poly, 8-4. (14)

18. EL TORO (4-1, SS-Div. II); Def. Marina, 6-4; Cypress, 7-6; lost to Lakewood, 10-1. (NR)

19. CYPRESS (4-1; SS-Div. II); Def. Millikan, 15-1; lost to El Toro, 7-6; def. San Clemente, 7-4. (15)

20. MARINA (4-1; SS-Div. I); Lost to El Toro, 6-4; def. Millikan, 6-2; Sonora, 5-1. (17)

21. LOYOLA (5-0, SS-Div. II); Def. Bishop Montgomery, 11-1; Palos Verdes Peninsula, 5-4; Banning, 4-2; Palos Verdes, 9-4. (NR)

22. NEWBURY PARK (4-1, SS-Div. I); Lost to San Fernando, 1-0; def. Saugus, 1-0; San Marcos, 3-0; Culver City, 5-1. (21)

23. WESTLAKE (3-1, SS-Div. I); Def. El Camino Real, 6-2; St. Bonaventure, 8-3. (24)

24. ST. FRANCIS (5-0, SS-Div. II); Def. Pasadena, 6-3; Monrovia, 8-3; Alhambra, 9-1. (NR)

25. SONORA (3-2, SS-Div. IV) Lost to San Clemente, 2-0; def. Vista Murrieta, 7-0; lost to Marina, 5-1. (NR)

Baseball: Crespi wins Easton tournament title

Encino Crespi, getting ready to take over the No. 1 spot in The Times' baseball rankings, improved to 5-0 and won the championship of the Easton tournament after a 4-2 victory over Camarillo Saturday night at UCLA.

John Kearns pitched three shutout innings of relief. Ryan Brockett got the victory with four innings as a starter. Austin Walker had a two-run triple. Kevin Williams had an RBI triple.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Crespi baseball reaches title game of Easton Tournament

Daily News

Ryon Healy made sure the Crespi High baseball team reached the championship of the Easton Tournament.

Healy went 3 for 4 with a homer and five RBIs and earned the victory as the Celts defeated Rio Mesa 13-2 Thursday in a semifinal matchup. Teammates Scott Heineman and Austin Walker also homered.

Healy allowed two runs on seven hits in six innings and struck out nine.

Crespi (4-0) is scheduled to play Camarillo at 7 p.m. Saturday at UCLA's Jackie Robinson Stadium for the title.

Chatsworth 8, Alemany 7: Pinch-hitter Adam Baslow drove in the winning run with a single in the bottom of the sixth as Chancellors (3-1) won in the Easton Tournament.

For Alemany (2-2), Cody Sulflow was 3 for 4 with a double, two homers and three RBIs.

Kennedy 6, El Camino Real 5: Branden Soto hit a three-run homer in the sixth inning to put the Cougars ahead and Andrew Gold added a two-run triple in the seventh.

ECR's Frank Vidak hit a two-run double in the bottom of the seventh.

Harvard-Westlake 4, Valencia 0: Brandon Deere pitched a two-hitter to lead the Wolverines (3-1) past the Vikings (2-2) in the Easton Tournament.

Harvard-Westlake's Austin Wilson hit a home run and drove in two runs.

Oaks Christian 6, Quartz Hill 3: Trevor Gretzky and Nathaniel Palace both went 2 for 3 with a double and two RBIs to lead the Lions (2-2) past the Rebels (0-4) in the Easton Tournament.

Cleveland 8, Palmdale 4: Ross Zelen was 3 for 4 with two doubles and two RBIs to lead the Cavaliers (2-2) past the Falcons (1-3) in the Easton Tournament. Teammate Matt Del Mundo, a freshman, was 2 for 4 with two runs and five steals.

Calabasas 7, Lancaster 4: Kevin Khalili went 2 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI for the Coyotes in the Easton Tournament.

Calabasas didn't score until the sixth inning, when Khalili drove home a run with a double and teammate Jordan Pollock added a two-run double.

Simi Valley 6, Ventura 2: Cody Ramer went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs to lead the Pioneers (3-1) in the Easton Tournament. Nick Vigo struck out four in four innings to get the victory.

Village Christian 13, St. Bernard 3: P.J. Kinney went 3 for 4 with a triple and four RBIs and Dylan Delgado was 3 for 3 with two RBIs as the Crusaders (2-1) won in the Southern Callifornia Invitational.

Crescenta Valley 2, Bonita 1: Elliot Surrey hit a solo homer in the third inning as the Falcons (2-1) won in the Glendora Tournament.

Sierra Canyon 18, Delphi Academy 0: Danny Feingershy was 3 for 4 with a double and home run to lead the Trailblazers (3-0) to a nonleague victory.

Prep basketball roundup: El Segundo finds new combination in upset win

From L.A Times staff reports

With one of its leaders relegated to the bench in the first half because of foul trouble, El Segundo coach Rick Sabosky turned to Tyler Hagan, David Howard and John Ryan to keep the Eagles within striking instance.

Instead, Sabosky found a winning combination in the threesome, who amassed 46 points to lead No. 14 El Segundo past No. 3 Crespi for an 84-65 upset on Tuesday in the first round of the Division IV Southern California Regionals.

With Brandon Jawato on the bench the rest of the half after picking up his second foul in the opening quarter, Hagan (18 points), Howard (16 points, 12 rebounds, six steals) and Ryan (12 points, 16 rebounds, five blocks) filled in nicely in his absence.

"We played a great game. I don't know how we did it," Sabosky said afterward. "It was a weird game in the first. We were hanging around and then Brandon picked up his second foul. But methodically, we outscored them in the second quarter (25-11)."

Defensively, El Segundo (20-11) picked apart Crespi's top two scorers - Matt Mounier (seven points) and Blake Stanton (10 points) - and got help off the bench from Brandon Reynoso, who doled out six assists.

Jawato had 14 points.

"We just kept on going on runs," Sabosky said. "They handled their pressure, made the right play and pass and 10 (points) is the closest they ever got.

"It was a nice team effort."

El Segundo advances to play at San Diego Horizon, a 72-59 winner over the host LACES.

PREP ROUNDUP: Crespi baseball rolls in Easton Tournament

Daily News

Scott Heineman had two hits and two RBIs and defending champion Crespi used a big first inning to defeat Ventura 10-3 Tuesday in the Easton Tournament.

The Celts (3-0) sent 15 batters to the plate in the first inning and scored nine runs, chasing the Ventura starter.

John Kearns (1-0) got the win for Crespi.

Daily News

Mike Hubbard was 3 for 4 with a triple and an RBI to lead Crespi of Encino (2-0) to a 7-0 pool-play victory over Kennedy of Granada Hills in the Easton tournament.

Alex Gonzalez also had a triple and was 2 for 3 with a triple and two RBIs for Crespi (2-0).

Crespi boys' basketball hopes to continue momentum

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

Now that the state basketball playoffs have arrived, Crespi High of Encino is hoping to parlay the momentum from an exciting section championship victory Friday over Mission League rival Alemany of Mission Hills.

"It was fun. A game like that gives off a different kind of energy," Crespi's Ben Loth said.

The Crespi campus is buzzing with excitement, as the third-seeded Celts play host to El Segundo in a Div. IV Southern California Regional tonight.

Crespi comes from a tough Mission League that has placed five teams in the state playoffs, and after taking its lumps against larger programs Harvard-Westlake of Studio and Loyola of L.A. during the regular season, the Celts feel like they're ready for anything.

"Losing to Harvard-Westlake and Loyola has definitely made us a lot better," Loth said. "This is a good opportunity for us."

Added teammate Matt Mounier: "It's pretty exciting that we get to keep playing. I think we have a pretty good shot if we keep playing the way we've been."

Familiar foes

Kilpatrick of Malibu plays Delphic League rival Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth tonight in a Div. V opener at Pierce College, and Kilpatrick's players were happy the weather had cleared up by Monday because they practice outdoors.

The school gym has been condemned for 16 years since the 1994 earthquake.

"There's another gym we can use next door at Camp Miller, but the roof leaks," Kilpatrick coach Kurt M. Keller said. "That's been the key for us this season - good players and good weather."

Kilpatrick, a locked-down camp for juvenile offenders, plays all of its games on the road. The Mustangs have won seven of their past eight, including a one-point victory Feb. 2 over Sierra Canyon. In January, Sierra Canyon defeated the Mustangs by 11 points.

Notre Dame gets favorable draw

Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks owes the CIF state seeding committee a solid.

After losing in the Div. IV-A semifinals, Notre Dame coach Bill Bedgood admitted he was not even sure the Knights would qualify for the Southern California Regionals. Notre Dame not only made the field, but is seeded fourth in Div. IV.

"We kind of took a standpoint that until we saw our name up there, that's when we would concern ourselves with the state playoffs," said Bedgood, who gave the team a week off before resuming light workouts Thursday. "It was a long season. We had to pace ourselves."

Football: Late scholarship for Crespi receiver

Receiver Brandon Graves from Encino Crespi has signed with Central Missouri State.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Baseball: Ryan Brockett is sharp for Crespi

The top teams all have aces, but the championship teams have outstanding No. 2 pitchers, and Encino Crespi showed off a good one Monday in left-hander Ryan Brockett, who struck out eight and allowed one hit in six innings during the Celts' 7-0 victory over seven-time City Section champion Granada Hills Kennedy.

Michael Hubbard continued his hot hitting with three hits, making him seven for eight on the season. Crespi (2-0), ranked No. 2 by The Times, had three triples in the sixth inning by Hubbard, Jack Colick and Alex Gonzalez. Ryon Healy had a double and single.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Boys' basketball: Third time still a charm for Celts

It's hard to beat the same team three times in one season, but Encino Crespi did just that Friday night with a 50-43 victory over Mission Hills Alemany in the Southern Section Division 4A boys' championship game at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana. 
 
Blake Stanton scored 21 points for the second-seeded Celts (21-11) and Matt Mournier added 17 points, extending his double-digit scoring streak to 21 consecutive games. Stanton made three of four free throws in the final minute to seal the win.
 
Max Guercy had 14 points, Jordan Fuller had 11 and Jerico Richardson added 8 for the Warriors (15-17), who raced to a 19-6 lead in the first quarter but were outscored 21-6 in the second quarter and trailed 27-25 at halftime. 

Both teams will advance to the Southern California Regional playoffs, which begin Tuesday. 

-- Steve Galluzzo, L.A. Times

Boys' basketball: Crespi wins Division 4A title

Crespi of Encino has defeated Alemany of Mission Hills 50-43 to win the Southern Section Division 4A championship at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana. The Celts defeated their Mission League rivals for the third time this season.

-- Steve Galluzzo, L.A. Times

Stanton tall: Third time's a championship for Crespi over Alemany

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

BOYS' BASKETBALL: Stanton leads Crespi to third victory over Alemany this season, Div. IV-A title.

SANTA ANA - Trailing by 13points in the most important game of his high school career, Blake Stanton took over for Crespi High of Encino, scoring 21 points and coming through with several key plays down the stretch in a 50-43 victory Friday over Alemany of Mission Hills in the Southern Section Div. IV-A basketball championship in front of about 4,000 at Mater Dei High.

Stanton made a 25-foot 3-pointer as time expired in the first half to give Crespi (21-11) a one-point halftime lead, and over the final 90 seconds of the fourth quarter Stanton scored five points and had a key steal, as the Celts defeated their Mission League rival for the third time this season.

"Words can't describe how I feel right now," Stanton said. "Losing was not in our mindset, even when we were down by 13. We knew what we had to do, and I knew what I had to do for my team."

Stanton missed several shots and did not score in the first quarter, as the Warriors (15-17) led 19-6 to the delight of a large crowd of Alemany fans who wore custom cardinal T-shirts and roared their approval.

But in the second quarter, Stanton scored three quick baskets on a couple of jumpers and an inside layup to help Crespi to an 8-0 spree to close the advantage, and the stocky senior guard soon added a fastbreak layup, a free throw, another fast-break layup, and then the long 3-pointer with a defender in his face as the halftime buzzer sounded.

"At first, I was trying to do too much. I had to let the game come to me," Stanton said.

Stanton connected on 8-of-18 shots with three steals and three assists, as the Celts overcame 18 turnovers while managing to make just 1-of-8 3-pointers.

Matt Mounier added 17 points and seven rebounds, and Kenny Stenhouse chipped in four points and 11 rebounds.

Stanton, a four-year starter, isn't through. Both teams have qualified for the Southern California regionals in the state playoffs. Pairings will be released .

"This was the culmination of an awesome career for Blake," Crespi coach Russell White said. "Tonight was a nice cherry on top of the whole thing."

Alemany shot just 28.6 percent (16 of 56), including 2 of 21 3-pointers.

"After the first quarter, I was thinking we had to play better defense, and we did," White said.

In the final minute, Alemany missed four shots and committed two turnovers. Perhaps nerves got the best of the Warriors, and that was not a big surprise considering their starting lineup includes two freshmen and two sophomores.

Max Guercy scored 14 points for Alemany, and Jordan Fuller added 11.

"We started getting complacent and turning the ball over, and that's not what we wanted to do," Fuller said. "This was the first CIF basketball championship ever for Alemany, so I guess it was a little nerve-racking, but I don't think nerves played that much of a factor."

Boys' basketball: Crespi, Alemany fans deserve salute

OK, I admit being a skeptic about why anyone should be excited with Encino Crespi and Mission Hills Alemany playing for a Southern Section Division 4A championship when they weren't exactly at the top of their own league this season.

But the enthusiasm of their fans made me change my mind. Alemany's 18 rooter buses helped me understand that it doesn't matter if it isn't the top division. It's for a title, and both schools wanted to win badly.

Crespi won, 50-43, at Mater Dei, and what a crowd.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

SilverandBlueSports caught up with the Pack’s s lead greater Los Angeles (Calif.) area recruiter Scott Baumgartner to ask him about Crespi high school prospect Mike Mitchell, a class of 2010 athlete who projects at any number of positions for “The Union.”

“Mike comes from a great school there in Southern California and he’s a two-year starter that I’ve seen the past two years now,”

Coach Baumgartner said. “What really jumped out to me was his aggressiveness. He runs up and down the field looking for guys to hit. He’s a real good athlete too.

“He has some experience playing in a quality offense, blocking down and doing things like that. But I think when he understands our style and learns our system; he’ll really become a key component in our offense. He’s just a great kid from a great family and a great program.

“We are sure glad to have him join ours.”

Signing Day Profile: Mike Mitchell
-A.W. Prince
SilverandBlueSports

Chatsworth, Crespi baseball again are favorites heading into season

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

High school baseball kicks into gear this weekend with most of the area's top programs opening on Friday, and as usual the area is rich with talented teams, including defending Southern Section Div. II champion Crespi of Encino and defending City Section Div. I champion Chatsworth.

Crespi's Ryon Healy, a top pitcher and hitter who is the returning Div.II MVP and Daily News Player of the Year, is among a group of returning standouts for the Celts.

A 6-foot-5 right-hander, Healy was 11-0 with a 1.81 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 81 innings last season, and he also batted .468 with three home runs and 25 RBIs.

Other key returnees for Crespi include All-Southern Section infielder Kevin Williams (.323, two home runs, 26 RBIs), four-year starting infielder Austin Walker (.312) and outfielders Josh Mason (.349, four home runs, 30 RBIs) and Mike Hubbard (.338, two home runs, 14 RBIs).

Healy has signed with Oregon, Williams has signed with UCLA, Walker has signed with UC Irvine, and Mason and Hubbard have signed with Stony Brook.

"We haven't played a game, so it's hard to tell, but we're strong, fast and play pretty good defense," said Crespi coach Scott Muckey, entering his 23 rd season.

In an opening scrimmage Monday against Oaks Christian of Westlake Village, Healy had two hits and three RBIs with a bases-loaded double, and Walker and George Alvarez hit home runs.

Meanwhile, Chatsworth is an obvious favorite to repeat as City champions after winning the past three titles and seven over the past 11 seasons.

The Chancellors graduated most of their key starters from last year's team, but there is still plenty of talent, including power-hitting first baseman Derek Neely and left-handed pitcher Aaron Brown.

El Camino Real of Woodland Hills and Cleveland of Reseda again will contend with Chatsworth in the West Valley League. Cleveland lost to Chatsworth in the City championship last season, and El Camino Real returns pitcher Jose Cardona, perhaps the City's best after going 8-2 with three shutouts and a 2.79 ERA.

"We're looking pretty strong," Cardona said. "We have two goals — to win the league championship and to get the City championship at Dodger Stadium and win it. I'm sure Chatsworth is pretty good, but we're a good team, too."

BOYS' BASKETBALL NOTEBOOK: Crespi about to meet another familiar foe

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

A week after eliminating Mission League rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in the Southern Section Div. IV-A basketball semifinals, Crespi of Encino faces another familiar opponent in the title game.

The second-seeded Celts play Alemany of Mission Hills in an all-league final at 8:30p.m. Friday at Mater Dei High in Santa Ana.

Crespi defeated Notre Dame three times - twice in league competition, followed by the playoff victory - and the Celts are looking to do the same thing to the Warriors.

"I think we're pretty confident. We're looking forward to playing Alemany for the championship," Crespi's Cooper Goldie said. "We made it to the semifinals last year and kind of got a taste of it, and this year our goal was to get a championship. The difference is, this year we knew what we had to do to get here, we made a plan, and we've stuck to it."

Alemany, which has never qualified for a basketball final in the school's 53-year history, entered the playoffs as a fourth-place team with an 11-16 record, and nobody expected the Warriors to still be around - especially with a starting lineup that includes two freshmen and two sophomores.

"This is our third time playing Crespi, and the third time is the charm," said Alemany's Jerico Richardson, who ironically transferred from Crespi. "This is the championship, and we will be prepared and ready for this game."

Boys' basketball: Alemany is the true underdog

Encino Crespi fans got a thrill last week in beating rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame for a third time this season to advance to the Southern Section Division 4A final despite the predictions of a sportswriter that it wouldn't happen, but don't expect Mission League rival Alemany to encourage any more predictions about the Celts' supposed demise.

"We don't need any extra reasons for them to get excited," Alemany Coach Tray Meeks said.

Alemany is the big underdog for Friday's 8:30 p.m. championship game at Santa Ana Mater Dei. The Warriors entered the playoffs as the fourth-place team from the Mission League with an 11-16 record. But they have earned the right to play Crespi because they upset No. 1-seeded Oaks Christian along the way.

Sophomore guard Jerico Richardson, a former Crespi player, has aided Alemany, along with sophomore guard Max Guercy and junior guard Jordan Fuller. Alemany lost twice during league play to Crespi, 74-65 and 71-61.

"The guys just believe in each other, and they thought they could get here," Meeks said.

Crespi has been led by junior guard Matt Mounier and senior point guard Blake Stanton. The Celts have improved immensely since the early season under Coach Russell White.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Crespi boys' basketball defeats Notre Dame, faces Alemany in Mission final

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

BOYS' BASKETBALL: Celts use 3-point shooting, defense in third quarter to shut down Notre Dame.

After defeating rival Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks twice during the regular season, most thought it was going to be tough for Crespi of Encino to do so once again Friday in a Southern Section Div. IV-A boys' basketball semifinal at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City.

But visiting Crespi showed hustle, crisp teamwork and, most important, some clutch shooting when it counted most to eliminate Notre Dame 69-54 in front of a raucous crowd of 1,280.

Trailing by five points early in the third quarter, Crespi (20-11) drilled a series of 3-pointers, while holding Notre Dame (18-14) without a field goal for a 10-minute stretch.

"A lot of people doubted us. They didn't think we could beat Notre Dame three times," Crespi's Kenny Stenhouse said. "It feels great."

Matt Mounier's 3-pointer put Crespi ahead 42-40 with five minutes left in the third quarter, and the Celts never relinquished the advantage.

Crespi plays Mission League rival Alemany of Mission Hills (15-16) in the title game at Colony High in Ontario, the date and time to be announced Monday.

Stenhouse played a key role by scoring 16 of his 17 points in the second half, including two 3-pointers, as the Celts hit five over a nine-minute span after converting just one 3-pointer in the first half.

"It was just the flow of the game," Stenhouse said. "In the first half, we weren't playing defense, and in the second half, we picked it up."

Crespi's Blake Stanton scored 13 points with nine assists, Justin Rubia added 13 points, and Mounier scored 11.

"We finally made it to a final, and I'm over-excited about it," Stanton said. "Everyone is stoked to be playing for a championship. We've beaten Alemany twice, too, but we can't look ahead."

Jeremy Sulker-Hall scored 17 points for Notre Dame, and Kennedy Edwards added 11.

"In the second half, we kind of lost control of our defense, and Crespi started hitting open 3s," Edwards said. "They wanted it more. To play in an environment like this with the place soldout, it was a great experience. It something that happens once in a lifetime."

Leading by four points with two minutes left in the third quarter, Stanton scored on a fast-break layup and a jumper to stretch the lead to 51-43.

"We kind of got out of sync offensively," Notre Dame coach Bill Bedgood said. "We were doing a good job of getting the ball inside in the first half, and in the second half we kind of got away from that."

Stenhouse scored six in a row to begin the fourth quarter, boosting Crespi's lead to 13.

"We're a streaky team, and we definitely came out and executed in the second half," Stanton said.

The Celts made four free throws in the final minute.

Since losing three in a row, Crespi has won six straight.

Second-seeded Crespi is competing for its second Southern Section basketball championship. In its only appearance in a final, the Celts won the 2001 Div. IV-AA title by defeating St. Paul of Santa Fe Springs 71-57.

GITTELSON: Notre Dame, Crespi renew rivalry in semis

By Gerry Gittelson Special to the Daily News

Fierce neighborhood rivals for decades, Crespi High of Encino and Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks go at it again tonight, this time in the Southern Section Div. IV-A boys' basketball semifinals at Harvard-Westlake in Studio City.

Crespi has defeated Notre Dame twice this season in Mission League competition, and both victories came down to the final moments - first a 53-50 home victory Jan. 8, followed by a 61-59 win Jan. 27 at Notre Dame.

A championship berth is at stake tonight, so the atmosphere should be electrifying.

"I think it's going to be a big game. Crespi is our rival, and we're looking to get a win this time," Notre Dame's Johnathan Bell said.

What makes the Crespi-Notre Dame rivalry extra special is it transcends all sports, as both pride themselves not only on basketball but football and baseball, too.

"Even if we're playing Crespi in a little summer-league game, it's still huge," Notre Dame coach Bill Bedgood said.

Ben Loth, a Crespi standout in basketball and football, can barely wait.

"It's nice to play Notre Dame in the playoffs because it's so intense because it's single-elimination," Loth said. "It's going to be fun. It's awesome because Notre Dame is our crosstown rival. Yes, we've beaten them twice, but now there's more pressure because it's the playoffs. We think we can keep it up like we did the last two times and keep on rolling."

Second-seeded Crespi, led by Matt Mournier and Blake Stanton, is the only top-four seed remaining. The other three semifinalists, Notre Dame, Alemany of Mission Hills and Paraclete of Lancaster, all defeated top-four seeds in the quarterfinals.

"The bracket is all blown up. I don't think they got the bracket right in the first place," Bedgood said. "The top four should have been all Mission League teams, and Alemany should have been No. 5. I guess you have to give precedence to teams that win their league, but everyone knows the Mission League is the toughest league around."

The rise of Notre Dame, just 2-25 two seasons ago, is an intriguing story because the starting lineup includes two freshmen (guards Jahmel Taylor and Ausar Madison) and two sophomores (forwards Bell and Kennedy Edwards).

"It can be nerve-racking at times, but we knew we would have to rely on a lot of young guys," Bedgood said. "I have a lot of confidence in them. I told the freshmen that they're like sophomores now because they've already gone through such a tough season."

Boys' basketball: Crespi vs. Notre Dame

The rivalry between Encino Crespi and Sherman Oaks Notre Dame gets another opportunity in basketball, with a third meeting scheduled for Friday in a Division 4A semifinal game expected to be at Harvard-Westlake.

Crespi has beaten the Knights twice this season, and there's no way Crespi can beat Notre Dame three times. If the Celts pull it off, Coach Russell White deserves a parade. I still don't understand how Notre Dame lost the last time the two schools played.

But White deserves credit for getting the Celts to play at the top of their game during the playoffs. They are overachievers, and sometimes that's how championships are won.

I think it's going to be an all-Mission League final next week.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

BOYS BASKETBALL: La Salle falls to Crespi in 4A quarterfinals

Daily News Staff reports

Matt Mounier had 17 points and 10 rebounds for host Crespi High School, which used a 10-2 run at the end of the third quarter to take a seven-point lead entering the fourth en route to a 72-62 victory over La Salle in a CIF-Southern Section Division 4A quarterfinal on Tuesday.

La Salle (20-9), the No. 6 seed, cut the deficit to four early in the final quarter, but No. 2 Crespi (19-11) pulled away down the stretch.

Ryan Akinbayode led La Salle, which led 18-14 after one quarter, with 19 points.

Crespi faces Mission League rival Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks in Friday's semifinals

Our Crespi basketball team has reached the quarter finals of the CIF Division 4A playoffs by defeating Templeton High School. Our 2nd seeded Celts take on the La Salle Lancers in what will be our final home game this season.

Our CELTS look to add another win to their 18 win season while battling the 20 win Lancers. We need ALL OF YOU to "Come Home" to Crespi tonight, at 7:00 PM. Tickets go on sale at 6:00 PM and will be $8 for adults and $5 for children under 13 of age or students with valid school IDs.

With a victory the Celts will go the Final Four this Friday night for the 2nd consecutive season. We need your help as the 6th man to make A LOT of noise and support the team. I look forward to seeing all of you at the game!

I'd also like to congratulate our wrestlers and soccer team on great seasons! The soccer team finished 3rd in a tough league and lost a close battle with Mira Costa in the playoffs 3-2 but played great this season. The wrestlers finished 2nd in league and had some exciting individual accomplishments in CIF led by John Kearns, Scott Haskell, and Blayne Briceno. Congratulations to all our CELTS and special thanks to Coach White (Basketball), Coach Kodama (Soccer), and Coach Odman (Wrestling) for all their time and efforts.

Thank you and see you tonight!

Local wrestlers remain on Mission at Southern Section regionals

By John Wareham, Special to the Daily News

WHITTIER -- If there was a theme to the Southern Section regional tournament Saturday at Whittier High, it would be redemption.

Five wrestlers from the Mission League medaled and qualified for the Masters tournament next week and all five did better than they had last year.

Craig Seidenglanz of Chaminade of West Hills (119 pounds) and Nick Truer of Harvard-Westlake of Studio City (at 152) both won titles, while Blayne Briceno of Crespi of Encino placed third, Anthony Espinosa (189) of Alemany finished fourth and Warriors teammate Akeem Espinosa placed fifth.

Seidenglanz's beat Daniel Wada of North Torrance in the finals to win his title -- where he redeemed himself from last year's loss in the semifinals.

"I feel pretty relieved actually," said Seidenglanz about his title. "Being the No. 1 seed, being in the finals sophomore year and not winning. Then last year, losing 1-0 in the semis. A big weight has been lifted off my shoulders."

Seidenglanz won all of his matches in the two-day event, including a pin and an 8-0 win in the quarterfinals. He didn't, however, have a rematch with the wrestler who beat him 1-0 in the semifinals last year, Richard Rios of Santa Fe.

Truer topped his steller season with a Mission League title and his first CIF title -- his best finish in his four years at Harvard-Westlake. It is the first time a Wolverine won a title since 2005 -- and he did this despite having a leg injury that has lingered for several weeks.

The second-seeded Truer won the title after he pinned top-seeded Dan Busch of Corona Del Mar of Newport Beach in the first round of the finals.

After his win, all of his teammates came running from all around the gym and coalesced around the senior.

"I don't know who the guy I beat was, but they (my teammates) were just really happy that after four years, that I won CIF. After four years of hard work," Truer said. "I'm going to go see a physical therapist about my legs. I feel pretty good though."

Briceno finished third in the same class as Seidenglanz, when he redeemed himself with a win over Blake Lowrie of Laguna Hills, who had beaten him Friday his only loss of the tournament.

Lowrie defeated Briceno 8-2 in the quarterfinals, which put the Celt into the consolation round. Briceno didn't place in the final last year and was the only Crespi wrestler to do it this season.

Espinosa's path was a little rougher after he put himself into a hole early, losing his first match of the tournament, 2-0 to Shawn Felix-Tuu of Dana Hills. The Alemany senior had to battle all the way back from that and finished fourth, losing again only on a controversial call in this final match.

"It was just like me being on my own. Like a journey," said Espinosa about his comeback. "I just had to come back because in my first match, I got big-headed. I thought I was gonna beat him.

Then I had to work hard again. I didn't want to let my parents or my team down."

After his first loss, Espinosa defeated Trevor Reddell of Morro Bay 5-1, Issac De La Cruz of Santa Maria 3-0, then he knocked Felix-Tuu out of the tournament in a revenge match in the consolation round.

Gonzales also had to battle back from an early loss, but won his final match to reach finish in fifth place and qualify for Masters after not making the cut last season.

"I feel great. Last year I didn't make it this far," said Gonzales. "I got to seventh place last year. Next year I plan on getting 1st place."

Next week will be new for Gonzales, since this is his first time going to Masters.

"I feel very good (about Masters). The last thing on my mind is getting nervous," he said. "Last year, before a good match, I would get nervous and look at the brackets. This year, I just have fun."

Several other wrestlers competed for that targeted fifth place, but lost in their final matches. John Kearns (171) and Scott Haskell of Crespi (119) Arsheep Gill of Chaminade (130) and Carlos Lazo of Alemany (135) all were defeated and placed sixth.

Daily News

Harvard-Westlake of Studio City's one-goal victory last season at Crespi of Encino denied the host Celts an opportunity to win the Mission League boys' soccer title.

Although Crespi isn't in contention to win this year's championship, the Celts made sure they returned the favor Friday night to Harvard-Westlake.

Craig Nitti and Justin Ibarra scored two minutes apart late in the second half to rally host Crespi to a 2-1 victory, likely costing the Wolverines (16-6-3, 7-4) a shot at the league title with Loyola of Los Angeles (16-6-5, 7-1-2) defeating St. Francis of La Canada Flintridge 1-0.

"Our whole momentum, the whole team picked up in the second half," said the Loyola Marymount-bound Nitti, whose 25-yard free kick in the 68th minute got through the Wolverines' defense and past goalkeeper Alex Silverman.

"We knew we needed two goals in order to get the win. My coach told me to keep it on the ground, so I just followed his instructions. (Alex) is a great goalkeeper, but the conditions definitely helped make that goal possible."

Crespi (6-7-8, 3-1-6) fed off the energy of Nitti's goal to increase its pressure, resulting in Vinnie Lannutti stealing the ball and playing it ahead to Justin Ibarra, who slipped a shot past Silverman for the deciding goal in the 70th minute.

"They got a hold of the momentum and took advantage," said Wolverines coach Freddy Arroyo, who received a goal from Victor Kroh.

"Soccer is game of momentum and we felt good scoring a goal late in the first half. We had one chance early in the second half to put ourselves ahead by two goals and we couldn't do it and we paid the price. We couldn't capitalize."

Crespi plays host Monday to St. Francis (7-10-2, 5-4-2), with the winner likely to finish third.

"Our goal every year is to get in the playoffs," Nitti said. "But we have St. Francis and Alemany next week, so there's a lot of work left to be done."

-- Erik Boal, Daily News

Signing day countdown: Meet future Oregon QB Bryan Bennett

By Lindsay Schnell, Special to The Oregonia...

RivalsBryan BennettMeet Bryan Bennett, who if he stays firm in his commitment will become an Oregon Duck on national signing day, which is Feb. 3:

• Position: Quarterback
• Height: 6-foot-3
• Weight: 185 pounds
• Hometown: Encino, Calif.
• High school: Crespi
• 2009 statistics: 170 for 266 passing for 2,370 yards and 27 touchdowns; 60 carries for 410 yards and 7 touchdowns

A taste of the Crespi-Notre Dame rivalry

Rivalry games are the best to see, especially when the competition is good, the fans behave and the game goes down to the final seconds.

That was the case for Wednesday night's Encino Crespi-Sherman Oaks Notre Dame Mission League boys' basketball game at Notre Dame.

Crespi won, 61-59, with Matt Mounier connecting on a game-winning three-pointer. Take a look at the video below on the sights and sounds of the Crespi-Notre Dame rivalry.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

Boys' basketball: Crespi pulls out 61-59 victory

Matt Mounier made a three-point shot with under 30 seconds left, and it proved to be the game-winner as Encino Crespi, ranked No. 2 in Southern Section Division 4A, completed a Mission League sweep of rival Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, ranked No. 3, with a 61-59 victory at Notre Dame.

Freshman Jahmel Taylor had given Notre Dame (13-9, 5-4) a 58-57 lead by making a three-pointer with 1:40 left. The Knights later added a free throw for a 59-57 lead. But Mounier, who finished with 17 points, came through with his clutch shot.

Mounier helped Crespi (14-8, 6-3) wipe out a five-point fourth-quarter deficit when he scored eight consecutive points. Also making a major contribution during the game was reserve Cooper Goldie, who had two three-pointers in the first half.

"I'd love to face them in the final," Crespi Coach Russell White said. "It would be great for our league."

In other Mission League games, first-place Harvard-Westlake defeated Alemany, 75-62. Austin Kelly scored 19 points. The Wolverines face Loyola on Friday night at Loyola. Chaminade defeated St. Francis, 63-56. Jaron Martin and Jamal McClerkin had 20 points apiece.

-- Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

BONSIGNORE:

By Vincent Bonsignore, Daily News columnist

Full disclosure: As a teenager playing football and running track at Notre Dame High of Sherman Oaks, Jon Mack despised Crespi of Encino.

"It was a competitive hate," Mack clarified, laughing.

Not that any Notre Dame graduate needs to explain his disdain for the crosstown rival Celts, but now that Mack is replacing Jeremiah Ross as the head football coach at Crespi, you have to respect his desire to make the distinction clear.

Truth be told, Mack got over his Crespi dislike decades ago, and for that you can thank former Celts' and NFL quarterback Babe Laufenberg.

Laufenberg and Mack were teammates at Pierce College in the late 1970s, and over time Mack got to know a bunch of Laufenberg's Crespi buddies. It made him realize the Crespi kids were no different than he was, so to hate them just because they went to a different high school was pretty silly.

"Bottom line is they were just a bunch of really good guys," Mack remembers. "So all that garbage that you learn as a young kid, I was able to let go of."

Nearly 30 years later, Mack intends to reach out to Laufenberg and those Crespi friendships he forged and encourage them to embrace what he's now trying to build in Encino.

"Some of the first calls I'll make as soon as I get to work will be to invite them to our youth camps," Mack said. "I just want to connect with all of them and ask them to be a part of what we're striving to accomplish."

More full disclosure: Mack never envisioned making this career change.

In fact, the great surprise isn't that the Celts turned to a former Notre Dame man to lead its football program into the next decade, it's that they actually pried Mack out of the comfort zone he crafted for himself 45 miles north in Ventura, the city he's called home since leaving the San Fernando Valley nearly 20 years ago to take over tiny St. Bonaventure High School.

Mack built obscure St. Bonny into a state power during a memorable 17-year run, going 163-47-1 with 11 league titles and seven CIF-Southern Section championships.

And for the past three years he's been making steady progress at Ventura College, where the Pirates went 20-12 and earned one co-Western State Conference title and two bowl appearances.

His wife teaches at St. Bonaventure, and his daughter, Kristin, is a junior at the school, so between the professional success he was enjoying and the family life he created in the quaint beachside community, the last thing he was looking to do was return to the Valley.

In fact, he politely declined the first few Crespi overtures to replace Ross, content with his life in Ventura and the challenge he faced in trying to build the Pirates into a junior college power.

"We've really invested in this community," Mack said. "Myself and my entire family. We weren't thinking about leaving."

Fortunately for Crespi, it has a determined athletic director in Matt Luderer, someone who wouldn't accept Mack's initial disinterest. Luderer gave Mack his space, but he also never terminated the pursuit.

"He kept calling and we kept listening," Mack said. "And with each conversation it just kept sparking my interest."

Not willing to settle for a no over the phone, Luderer convinced Mack to come visit the Crespi campus. Turns out that was the turning point.

It was late at night during Christmas break, with no students or faculty to be found. But even in that surrounding Mack could not resist an unmistakable feeling.

"An enormous sense of family and community," Mack said. "It was overwhelming, to be honest."

Mack experienced all the things he left behind at St. Bonaventure when he took the Ventura College job - the private high school setting and the devotion to the Christian religion, something he had to quell at a public community college.

He began seeing himself for who he really is: A private, Catholic high school coach, a guy who attended Notre Dame and coached there. A guy who was an assistant coach at Alemany of Mission Hills and Loyola of Los Angeles, and someone who enjoyed his greatest professional success at St. Bonaventure, a private Catholic school.

In Crespi, Mack was reconnecting with his roots.

"The Ventura College decision is something I'll never regret," Mack said. "It was an awesome experience and a great learning experience, and I can honestly say I am a better coach for having gone through it. But this is where I fit best.

"On top of that, Crespi is just a unique place. The sense of tradition is very dominant, and it's just a special situation that I really want to be a part of."

And a place with a rich football history.

Crespi is the lone team from the San Fernando Valley to win a Division I championship, having won the title in 1986 under current Oaks Christian of Westlake Village coach Bill Redell. Over the years, Crespi has sent Laufenberg, Randy Cross, Keith Eck, Christian Fauria, Russell White and Shaun Williams to the NFL and dozens of others to Div. I college programs.

There are challenges. Crespi missed the playoffs the past two years while competing in the highly competitive Serra League, where Notre Dame, Loyola and Bishop Amat always field formidable teams and have bigger student populations to find players. Division championships will be hard to come by playing in the Pac-5, where Long Beach Poly and Orange County powers like Mission Viejo, Servite and Mater Dei reside.

"We're really got to step it up and outwork and out-effort everyone," Mack said. He paused for a moment and laughed. "I'm fired up just talking about it," he said. "Just saying the words out loud I'm ready to get after it."

Once he gets his coaching staff in place, it will be full bore ahead. Mack proved what he could do by turning St. Bonaventure into a powerhouse, and he expects nothing less at Crespi.

"The goal is to win the state championship," Mack said. "Anything less than that will be a stepping stone toward that."

By Eric Sondheimer, L.A. Times

A graduate of and former assistant at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame, and head coach at Ventura St. Bonaventure for 17 years, Mack will be returning to his San Fernando Valley roots.

When Jon Mack was an assistant football coach at Sherman Oaks Notre Dame in the 1980s, he used to try to inspire his players for their rivalry game against Encino Crespi by describing the Celts' school colors in not very complimentary terms.

So understand the culture shock he embraced on Saturday when he was introduced as Crespi's new football coach. He's a 1978 Notre Dame graduate deciding to take over the program of the neighborhood rival. His 10-year-old son, Justin, was given a brown Crespi sweatshirt.

Celts fans have reason to rejoice because Mack has proved himself to be one of the best high school coaches in Southern California. For 17 years, he was the head coach at Ventura St. Bonaventure, where he transformed the Seraphs from a little-known small-schools program into a Southern Section powerhouse, winning seven section titles and compiling a record of 163-47-1, including a 43-game winning streak.

He decided to resign at St. Bonaventure after the 2006 season for the chance to coach college players. In three years at Ventura College, he took his team to two bowl games.

But he clearly missed being in the spotlight, and the opportunity to return to his San Fernando Valley roots helped pave the way for his decision to accept the Crespi job.

The Celts have their own rich football tradition, being the only Valley school to have won a Division I championship, in 1986 when Bill Redell was the coach. They returned to the Pac-5 Division championship game in 2007 but failed to make the playoffs the last two seasons, and Jeremiah Ross resigned as coach.

Mack is known for his fiery demeanor, as is his wife, Kathy, a teacher at St. Bonaventure who patrolled the sidelines cheering loudly for Seraphs players. She'll now do the same for the Celts.

Mack does have some explaining to do to his many ex-Notre Dame players and friends. Jeff Kraemer, the longtime Notre Dame line coach who graduated with Mack and had him as his best man at his wedding, said his friend's decision to join the Celts "is like Tommy Lasorda going to manage the Cincinnati Reds."

Crespi Athletic Director Matt Luderer knows what Mack may be in for. While Luderer and two of his brothers graduated from Crespi, another brother, Mike, went to Notre Dame.

"We haven't talked to my brother since he left for Notre Dame," Luderer said jokingly.

But Celts players, parents and alumni warmly welcomed Mack during the announcement in the school's new multipurpose building. Ex-Crespi players Kevin Prince and Joseph Fauria from UCLA were in the audience.

Mack intends to commute from his home in Ventura, but he's prepared to get to work immediately.

"I will be here Monday morning, and I will challenge you to beat me," he told the audience.

While Crespi made a strong bid to land Anaheim Servite Coach Troy Thomas, a former Celts coach, Mack appears to fit the requirements of someone who can make an impact at the all-boys school.

"Obviously, the challenge is the competition," Mack said. "The league is incredible and the division is incredibly competitive. Those are huge opportunities and huge challenges that we need to rise up."

As for expectations, Mack said, "No one can put more pressure on themselves than I put on myself. No one will have higher expectations than me."

eric.sondheimer@latimes.com

By Gerry Gittelson, Special to the Daily News

Jon Mack replaces Jeremiah Ross as head football coach at Crespi of Encino. (Photo by Alex Valladares)

Winning the job over an impressive group of applicants that included coaches Tim Lins of Moorpark, Dean Herrington of Alemany of Mission Hills and Troy Thomas of Servite of Anaheim, Jon Mack is the new head football coach at Crespi High of Encino.

Mack promises a successful turnaround after the talent-rich Celts have failed to make the Southern Section Pac-5 Division playoffs the past two seasons.

Mack, 49, is a proven winner. He was 163-47-1 in 17 years at St.Bonaventure of Ventura, including seven section championships and a runner-up over a 10-year period from 1996 to 2005. He coached at Ventura College the past three years, compiling a record of 19-12, including 7-4 this past season.

Mack was introduced Saturday at a campus news conference, and the first question wa