April 2008 Archives
Chris Abraham, a receiver and part-time quarterback at Monroe, has committed to UC Davis.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Stephen Thompson, a top volleyball player for Oak Park, has committed to Loyola in Chicago after an official visit in February. He has also visited New York University and UC San Diego.
Thompson is the second Oak Park player ever to commit to a DI program, following Justin Burridge (2005), who went to Pacific.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
According to scout.com, Oaks Christian's returning tight end Christopher Coyle has been offered a scholarship by Boise State, where ex-Oaks Christian's graduating senior QB/WR Chris Potter is headed.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
It has taken a while, but Mike Moustakas, California's all-time HR leader while in high school at Chatsworth, hit his first professional home run Monday for single-A Burlington (Iowa), The No. 2 overall pick in the draft by the Royals, Moustakas is batting .214 with three RBIs (two Monday) in 42 at-bats.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Malibu High will be hosting a girls basketball tournament December 26-30.
The tournament was originally started by St. Genevieve of Panorama City but the tournament director is leaving the school at the end of the current school year and decided to not run it.
Malibu High stepped in and kept the schools that had already signed up committed to stay in it.
Teams participating are: Malibu, Sierra Canyon, Viewpoint, Village Christian, Providence, Bishop Diego, North Hollywood and possibly Paraclete.
To enter a team email jhp9436@lausd.net
Seventeen teams are signed up for the annual San Fernando Valley Tournament hosted by Crespi of Encino and played at four different sites.
The tournament is looking to add 15 more teams for a total of 32 teams.
Contact rwhite@crespi.org to enter a high school team
Here are the 17 teams signed up already:
Crespi
Granada Hills
Kennedy
Alemany
Burbank
El Camino Real
Beverly Hills
King Drew
West Ranch
Golden Valley
LA Baptist
Monroe
Chatsworth
University
Poly
Chaminade
Birmingham
Stephen Wirthlin, an All-Foothill League receiver/defensive back at Canyon, suffered a broken neck Friday when he lost control of his truck and rolled it twice.
The good news is Wirthlin is expected to make a full recovery, though it will take two years, he said.
"I'm pretty sore all over. The doctor said no sports for two years," Wirthlin said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Stephen Wirthlin, an All-Foothill League receiver/defensive back at Canyon, suffered a broken neck Friday when he lost control of his truck and rolled it twice.
The good news is Wirthlin is expected to make a full recovery, though it will take two years, he said.
"I'm pretty sore all over. The doctor said no sports for two years," Wirthlin said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Adam Landecker, a junior shorstop at Calabasas, has committed to a USC baseball scholarship, according to his father, Ron.
Landecker, an honor student, picked the Trojans over Stanford, Cal State Fullerton, Cal, Pepperdine, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State and Dartmouth.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Adam Landecker, a junior shorstop at Calabasas, has committed to a USC baseball scholarship, according to his father, Ron.
Landecker, an honor student, picked the Trojans over Stanford, Cal State Fullerton, Cal, Pepperdine, UC Santa Barbara, Long Beach State and Dartmouth.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Westlake center fielder Cutter Dykstra, son of former Major Leaguer Lenny Dykstra, received stitches in his head Wednesday after running into the fence trying to save a home run by Newbury Park's Jojo Sharrar in the first inning of a 5-0 loss.
“It really wasn’t that bloody. Cutter is fine,” Westlake coach Zach Miller said. “The kid just leaves it all on the field, and when he tried to rob a home run, he hit the fence and the ball was jarred loose.”
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Three more Crespi players have committed to four-year colleges: Harry Grace is going to Cal Lutheran, Alex Gutman is headed to Colorado, and Alex Diaz is going to Cal Poly SLO.
Wow, that makes 11 college commitments. The others are: Sean Gilmartin (Florida State ), Carlos Lopez (Cal State Fullerton), Ryan Hawthorne (Loyola Marymount ), Jeremy Rodriguez (Cal State Bakersfield), Tyler Johnson (Stony Brook), Spencer Wolfe (Puget Sound) and Travis Forbes and Jake Dahlstrum (University of San Diego).
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Jim Gortikov, the highly successful girls basketball coach at Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth has resigned the position to pursue new challenges.
Gortikov guided the Trailblazers for three season since the schools inception in 2005 compiling a 49-15 record, two playoff appearances, a section championship game appearance this past season and a state quarterfinal appearance.
Gortikov said, "It is the best move for me right now. I am not going away just pursuing new avenues in basketball".
Gortikov leaves the program in good shape with three top players returning next season. Senior to be Brenda Kramer and sophomores to be Kelly Schneider and Jasmine Sneed.
... Christian Lopes, Valencia's freshman phenom, in Wednesday's Daily News.
gerry.gittelson#@dailynews.com
Check out this story for some proof that high school football players aren't all bad -- at least in Phoenix, as a group of Gilbert High players helped to catch a thief who was stealing from the school lockers.
gerry,gittelson@dailynews.com
Hey all,
Check out the Signal's story by Cary Osborne on West Ranch freshman golfer J.J. Holen. It's a good one.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Former Chatsworth star Mike Moustakas, California's all-time home run hitter who was drafted No. 2 overall by the Royals, continues to struggle at single-A Burlington, Iowa. In 50 at-bats, the shortstop is batting .220 with no extra-base hits and one RBI. Moustakas, who signed for a reported $4 million bonus, has struck nine times and committed five errors.
What a Babe Ruth-style performance Friday from LMU-bound Shon Roe, who went 5 for 5 with four home runs, a triple and 12 RBIs for Quartz Hill in a 25-0 victory over visiting Littlerock.
Roe's four home runs tied a Southern Section record co-held by 10 others, the last in 2000. The only area large-school player ever to hit four in one game was Westlake's Mike Lieberthal, who hit four against Simi Valley in 1990 in a 15-5 victory.
The 13 RBIs fell one short of the Southern Section/CIF State record of 14.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Crespi's Travis Forbes and Jake Dahlstrum have committed to University of San Diego, bringing to eight the total number of college commitments for Crespi.
The others are: Sean Gilmartin (Florida State), Carlos Lopez (Cal State Fullerton), Ryan Hawthorne (Loyola Marymount), Jeremy Rodriguez (Cal State Bakersfield), Tyler Johnson (Stony Brook), and Spencer Wolfe (Puget Sound).
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Yes, she's a bit out of our area and she's playing against questionable competition compared to most Valley softball players, but Alia Williams of Crenshaw is putting up some SICK numbers. In 15 games, the junior is batting .727 with 14 home runs -- including at least one over the past seven consecutive games -- with 45 RBIs in 55 at-bats.
And talk about consistency: Williams has at least one hit in every game, and at least two hits in all but one contest. Six times she has driven in four runs or more in a game. She also is 16 of 16 on stolen bases.
I'd love to see Williams perform against a top City pitcher such as El Camino Real's Krista Cobb. Now that would be fun.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
DAILY NEWS TOP 10
1. Notre Dame (18-2)
2. Crespi (15-5)
3. Hart (13-5)
4. Chatsworth (14-6)
5. Valencia (13-5)
6. Simi Valley (14-6)
7. Thousand Oaks (13-9)
8. Saugus (13-6)
9. Cleveland (17-4-1)
10. Royal (15-6)
OTHERS: El Camino Real (15-7); Crescenta Valley (12-4); Loyola (11-10); Westlake (12-7); Newbury Park (13-7); Camarillo (13-5); Quartz Hill (13-5-2); Malibu (12-3).
Boron’s Brad Sailer has struck out 18, 14 and 15 over his past three starts. He is 3-2 with a 1.60 ERA and 88 Ks in 43 2/3 innings – an average of more than 14 per seven innings.
Sailer is also batting .409 with six HRs and 23 RBIs in 44 ABs.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Simi Valley standout Lorne Jackson has signed with Pepperdine after averaging 22.9 points and 6.8 assists this past season.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
In a Mission League game Wednesday, St. Francis and Loyola were in the bottom of the eighth inning with none out at Brookside Park in Pasadena when the lights automatically shut off at 10 p.m. with host St. Francis trailing 8-5 with J.P. Nolan at third base and Andrew Yu at the plate.
“Was I mad? Oh, just a little bit,” St. Francis coach Brian Esquival said. “We knew this might happen at 10, so we were trying to get someone from city of Pasadena on the phone to adjust the timer.”
The game is scheduled to be completed Friday at Loyola, followed immediately by a second game to finish a two-game series.
Meanwhile, St. Francis badly needs a victory. Because of defensive lapses, the Golden Knights have lost five of the past seven games to fall into fifth place.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Campbell Hall of North Hollywood is hosting its 4th annual Mid-Summer Classic July 16-20.
Seventeen teams are slated to participate as of April 17. Tournament director Paul Tait is looking to add three more teams for a total of 20.
Teams already committed:
1. Campbell Hall
2. Mater Dei
3. Pasadena
4. La Canada
5. Van Nuys
6. Windward
7. Valencia
8. Santa Monica
9. Simi Valley
10. Calabasas
11. Lancaster
12. El Camino
13. Horizon
14. Arleta
15. Quartz Hill
16. Thousand Oaks
17. Rosamond
18.
19.
20.
Fresh off of winning the L.A. City title in March, Taft of Woodland Hills is taking no time off as it will defend its City Section championship next season.
The Toreadors are competing in two spring leagues. Taft plays at Fairfax High on Monday nights and at Westchester High on Tuesday nights.
Here is Taft's schedule for each league.
April 22, Taft vs. Leuzinger at Westchester at 6:30 p.m.
April 28, Taft vs. Crespi at Fairfax at 8 p.m.
April 29, Taft vs. Westchester at Westchester at 4:30 p.m.
May 5, Taft vs. La Canada at Fairfax at 8 p.m.
May 6, Taft vs. Morningside at Westchester at 5:30 p.m.
May 12, Taft vs. Fairfax at Fairfax at 6 p.m.
May 13, Taft vs. Santa Monica at Westchester at 6:30 p.m.
May 19, Taft vs. Pasadena at Fairfax at 7 p.m.
May 20, Taft vs. West Torrance at Westchester at 6:30 p.m.
May 27, Taft vs. West Torrance at Westchester at 5:30 p.m.
June 2, Taft vs. Santa Monica at Fairfax at 7 p.m.
June 3, Playoffs at Westchester High TBA
Attorneys for both sides are working on a plea bargain in the case of Andre LaBeach, a Chatsworth High girls’ junior-varsity basketball coach jailed since April 1 on four felony counts of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor at least three years younger.
LaBeach, 22, has pled not guilty and is being held on $80,000 bail. He is facing up to five years in state prison and/or a possible fine, according to a court official.
The alleged victim’s name is being withheld because of the nature of the charges.
During a brief court appearance Tuesday before Judge Leland B. Harper in Van Nuys to set a preliminary hearing, LaBeach had the support of about a dozen family members and friends.
“It’s always nice to have that kind of community support. Hopefully, it will work out for him,” said defense attorney Meredith Schensul, a public defender.
Deputy District Attorney Alisanne Scolnik said: “We are in resolution status – maybe. We’ve ordered a preliminary probation report which will assist in determining (a plea bargain).”
Scolnik said it wasn’t appropriate to comment further.
The case was continued until May 14, at which time a deal could be finalized, according to both sides. Schensul said LaBeach has no prior criminal record.
“He’s a good kid. So far he’s handling it OK,” she said.
Dressed in a jail-issued blue uniform, LaBeach, unshaven, appeared nervous but relieved to see his supporters. At one point, he was reprimanded by the judge for turning his back to make eye contact with a woman who gave him a thumbs up, and LaBeach apologized.
Prior to working at Chatsworth as a walk-on coach and campus aide, LaBeach played basketball at Cleveland High in Reseda. He has coached Chatsworth’s girls’ JV team for at least two seasons, and he also has coached a summer travel team.
According to a source, LaBeach was attending college before taking a break this past semester. It is unclear whether LaBeach was working toward earning his teaching credential.
A conviction could prevent LaBeach from becoming a certified teacher, according to prominent Encino attorney Andrew Flier, who is not involved in the case.
“I do a lot of these cases, and it sounds like a probationary sentence could be worked out if he has no criminal record and no force was used,” Flier said. “The real issue is, as soon as he pleads guilty, there goes his teaching credential, and that could be a huge issue.”
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Here is the story from the Fresno Bee Newspaper.
Palmdale recruit says yes to men's hoops
Fresno State adds to its basketball recruiting class.
By Gary Estwick / The Fresno Bee
04/14/08 23:15:12
Quick Job Search
Paul George, a Knight High-Palmdale senior, said Monday afternoon that he will sign a letter of intent this week with Fresno State, giving the Bulldogs basketball team its first oral commitment of the spring signing period.
George, a 6-foot-8 guard/forward, joins the incoming recruiting class of Reggie Moore and Mychal Ladd of Rainier Beach-Seattle, Chris Jones of Newark Academy and Bracken Funk of Utah's Lone Peak High.
George said he picked Fresno State over Pepperdine, San Diego State and Penn State. He said Georgetown recruited him during the last month.
"Looking at those rosters, there was always a guy ahead of me; which is not always bad," said George, 17. "But I just wanted to come in my freshman year and play a lot of minutes. Just to be able to make mistakes and grow from them."
George initially was recruited by Fresno State assistant coach Senque Carey.
Fresno State is unsure of how many scholarship players will join George during the signing period, which starts Wednesday. The program is awaiting its fate as the NCAA evaluates its historically low Academic Progress Rate.
George originally made an oral commitment to Santa Clara, then signed with Pepperdine. He later asked for and received his release from Pepperdine after coach Vance Walberg resigned.
"It will definitely be a relief [for Paul] to be through with the process," Knight coach Tom Hegre said.
George averaged 23 points and 11 rebounds in his senior season, and his team reached the first round of the state playoffs. He caused matchup problems for most opponents, posting up or shooting over guards and driving by post players, Hegre said.
"He's a fairly consistent 3-point shooter, and he handles the ball well for his size," Hegre said. "He's got the body, he's got the length to defend at that level. I know as he matures and becomes physically stronger, he'll fit in well up there."
That's just what George plans to accomplish.
"Once I get that [college] coaching," George said, "that can make me a better player than in high school. I think a lot more positive things will happen."
On Sunday, George scored 24 points -- including five 3-pointers -- for the East team, which lost 117-103 in the Battle of the Valley, a Southern California high school all-star game.
His sister, Teiosha George recently completed her senior season of women's basketball at Pepperdine.
Vinnie Johnson has been appointed head football coach at Cleveland High in Reseda, replacing Derrick Hill.
An official announcement is expected soon.
Johnson, 36, has been the head JV coach at Birmingham of Lake Balboa the past three seasons. He previously worked as a Birmingham varsity assistant.
"I was offered the job, and I accepted. I'm pretty eager to get there and to what I have to do," Johnson said. "I feel like there is a lot of work to be done, but there is a lot of potential with this program."
Johnson, who lives in Reseda, played at running back, receiver and defensive back at Cleveland from 1987-90.
"I feel happy for him," Birmingham coach Ed Croson said. "Guys come through our program for a few years, then get a chance to take a step up. I hope it works out for him."
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com_________________________________________________________
After being publicly challenged by Campbell Hall coach Terry Kelly to renew a nonleague series against fellow San Fernando Valley power Taft, Derrick Taylor, Taft's coach, says "Let's go."
The teams didn't play each other in 2007-2008 because the coaches had a falling out the previous season, as Campbell Hall eventually won its third Southern Section title and third state title over four years, while Taft won the City championship.
There remain details to iron out, but it looks like the teams will play a Saturday game this coming Jan. 17 or Jan. 24.
Stay tuned ...
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Talked to Chatsworth principal Tim Guy a moment ago, hoping for a comment on girls' JV basketball coach Andre Lebeach, who has been arrested on a felony "sex with a minor" charge and is jailed with an $80,000 bail.
Guy said: "I'm just concerned," but defered further comment to district officials. Called the district spokeswoman, and she said she would call back soon, so we will update when we can.
Guy was arrested April 1. He is scheduled to make a court appearance Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Van Nuys.
Talked to Chatsworth principal Tim Guy a moment ago, hoping for a comment on girls' JV basketball coach Andre Lebeach, who has been arrested on a felony "sex with a minor" charge and is jailed with an $80,000 bail.
Guy said: "I'm just concerned," but defered further comment to district officials. Called the district spokeswoman, and she said she would call back soon, so we will update when we can.
Labeach was arrested April 1. He is scheduled to make a court appearance Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Van Nuys.
More information has surfaced on the felony arrest of Chatsworth girls' JV coach Andre Labeach: The charge is sex with a minor, according to a police source.
Labeach, 22, was arrested April 1 and is being held on $80,000 bail, according to a police source. He is scheduled to make a court apperance Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Van Nuys.
Calls to Chatsworth principal Tim Guy, Chatsworth athletic director Mike Immken and former Chatsworth principal Jeff Davis have not been returned.
Labeach formerly played varsity basketball for Cleveland of Reseda's boys' team.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Here is the All-League Pacific players:
Co-MVP - Shara Babakhanians (Hoover) & Keion Bell (Pasadena)
1st team - Sevak Amranyan (Burbank), Marcus Harvey (Pasadena), Derenik Kaloosi (Glendale), Clay Sierra (Crescenta Valley), Chris Smith (Burroughs)
2nd team - Charles Barrett (Burroughs), Shara Davoodi (Hoover), Joseph Hensen (Pasadena), David Mansuryan (Glendale), George Toyama (Pasadena, Eric Strangis (Crescenta Valley)
Chatsworth girls' JV coach Andre Labeach has been arrested on felony charges and is being held in Men's Central Jail in Los Angeles on $80,000 bail, according to a police source.
The nature of the charges is unclear, but we're investigating.
Labeach, 22, was arrested by the LAPD (West Valley Division) on April 1 at 5 p.m. and booked into the Van Nuys Jail. His next scheduled court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Van Nuys.
Labeach played varsity basketball at Cleveland High in Reseda.
More updates as they come ...
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
FOOTHILL
Valencia’s Robbie Mouselli, the reigning league player of the year, reached base nine consecutive times before ending the streak last Friday with a groundout against Canyon. …
Hart set a school-record for most runs in a game Friday in a 29-0 victory over Golden Valley.
FRONTIER
After winning 21 games last year, Grace Brethren is just 6-8, 3-2 under first-year coach Chuck Brown.
“Some of the returning players decided not to play, so we’ve been getting by with fewer players,” Brown said. “The biggest problem has been defense and giving up unearned runs, which is never good. But we’re shifting some kids around and getting better. I think we’ll turn the corner.”
Brett Hockenberry leads the team with a .359 average, 22 runs and 22 SBs in 23 attempts.
GOLDEN
Antelope Valley RHP Joey Sandfrey has rejoined the baseball team after first deciding to concentrate on golf this spring, so Sandfrey is juggling four sports including football and wrestling. He has signed with Quincy University to play football in college.
MISSION
Crespi RHP E.C. McSweeney is expected to start today against Loyola after recovering from being hit in the face with a baseball during practice. He had a black eye and some swelling Tuesday. “It’s OK. I love having a black eye,” McSweeney said.
Also, Crespi SS Austin Walker remains sidelined with a shoulder injury. Zack Wiley has replaced Walker the past two games. …
Alemany has been missing two key RHPs. Spencer Messmore, who beat Chatsworth early this season, has been out for four weeks because of hamstring injury. Kevin Lenik has been out for three weeks because of a sore elbow. Both are expected back soon.
MARMONTE
Newbury Park OF Matt Hirsch, a transfer from Montclair Prep, remains out with a knee injury. He is hoping to return in two weeks.
PACIFIC
Since an opening loss to Murrieta Valley, Travis Feldman (6-1, 1.47 ERA) of Crescenta Valley has won six in a row. Teammate Kris Kauppila is batting .477 with three HRs and 14 RBIs in 44 ABs.
WEST VALLEY
With a lineup filled with freshmen and sophomores, Granada Hills is enduring some growing pains. The Highlanders (6-12, 0-3) have lost nine of the past 10. Freshman SS Matt Troupe is batting .320, and sophomore 1B Boyd Bell is 9 of his last 19 with two HRs.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
After struggling over recent seasons in the shadow of West Valley League powers Chatsworth, El Camino Real of Woodland Hills and Cleveland of Reseda, Taft of Woodland Hills is back on the baseball map under third-year coach Chuck Berrington.
Taft has registered upset victories over Chatsworth and Cleveland, and the Toreadors (7-10, 2-3) suddenly find themselves back in the thick of things.
DN: When you came to Taft three years ago, you took over a program that had won five of its previous 50 games. Did people say you were crazy for taking this job?
CB: Absolutely. But (then-athletic director) Troy Starr had called me while I was coaching as an assistant at Ventura College, and I was pretty much burned out with coaching JC baseball, and I didn’t like it. So I just ran with it.
DN: Your first impressions?
CB: Well, the field was a disaster, but I work on fields – it’s one of the things I do because I grew up on a farm. So every Saturday and Sunday I worked on the field. We were 5-22 our first year, and I had to get rid of some players that weren’t working hard. Then we went 12-20 last year.
DN: You’ve got a good pitcher, junior Ryan Santhon. He’s developing into one of the area’s top young left-handers, would you agree?
CB: Yes. He’s actually been our No. 1 pitcher since his freshman year. He’s also batting .407 this season.
DN: Who else is doing well?
CB: Matt Freeman. He’s our second baseman, a good clutch hitter who’s batting .345. Also, Madison Turner, he’s a transfer from Chaminade, a left-fielder batting .340.
DN: Well, you made a big statement this year by beating defending champion Chatsworth for the first time in 28 games, then beating Cleveland, the City runner-up last season – on the road.
CB: Yeah, I coached a long time at Westlake, and we had a lot of big wins. But beating Chatsworth was really special. Teams think they come here and win easily, but we’re playing well. I’m trying to rebuild the program, bring back the tradition that was built by some players who played at Taft like Larry Dierker, Robin Yount and Gabe Kapler. Back in those days Taft won a lot of games.
-- Gerry Gittelson
Crescenta Valley is 10-4 but has played only three home games.
“We’re road warriors,” coach Phil Torres said.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
Here are some updates on how some of the area's local grads are doing in college:
Pepperdine’s Nick Gaudi (Paraclete) is among the nation’s college save leaders with eight. He is 2-0 with a 2.35 ERA. Teammate Matt Aidem (Valencia) is batting .371. …
Arizona’s Jason Stoffel (Agoura) has five saves. He is 1-1 with a 2.20 ERA and 20 Ks in 16 1/3 innings. Teammate Bobby Coyle (Chatsworth) is batting .355. …
California’s Josh Satin (Harvard-Westlake) has nine home runs in 28 games.
gerry.gittelson@dailynews.com
DAILY NEWS TOP 10
1. Crespi (13-3)
2. Notre Dame (14-2)
3. Hart (12-5)
4. Chatsworth (13-4)
5. Valencia (11-4)
6. Westlake (11-4)
7. Saugus (12-4)
8. Thousand Oaks (10-8)
9. Simi Valley (12-5)
10. Cleveland (15-3-1)
OTHERS: El Camino Real (13-6); Newbury Park (13-6); Royal (13-6); Crescenta Valley (10-4); Camarillo (12-4); Quartz Hill (11-5-2); St. Francis (12-5); Malibu (11-2).
Louisville of Woodland Hills is hosting a summer league starting June 17. The league is on Tuesday nights and runs through July 29.
Teams participating include:
Louisville
Crescenta Valley
Oak Park
Sierra Cyn
Viewpoint
Calabasas
Campbell Hall
For more information, contact Bobby Da Corsi at bgbllr42@hotmail.com