Hello, and welcome to a different version of Prep Rally. My title is Eric Sondheimer. Let’s salute the multi-sport athletes in Southern California. In some way, a way, they’ve been in a position to stability commitments and get coaches to cooperate. Let me introduce a pair of three-sport athletes.
Juggling sports activities
Rising at 5 a.m. to make a Saturday morning drive from Irvine to Arcadia, Jack Fairchild was lucky that his father, Michael, was serving as his chauffeur so he may take a nap. A soccer participant within the fall and a basketball level guard within the winter, Fairchild was sticking together with his plan to be a three-sport athlete, so he was on his option to compete in a winter monitor meet within the morning and a basketball sport within the night.
“Truthfully, enjoying three sports activities is one thing my mother and father pushed me to do and I fell in love with every of them individually at completely different occasions,” stated the 6-foot-3 senior from Irvine Crean Lutheran.
It takes dedication, cooperation and particular time administration abilities to drag off being a three-sport athlete in highschool. If it had been straightforward, there could be much more multi-sport standouts. It isn’t. Among the many obstacles are getting coaches to agree on apply occasions, fixing transportation points, setting a schedule in order that cross-training can happen and determining methods to sleep whereas worrying about sports activities commitments, homework assignments and faculty aspirations.
Tyler Hampton from Huntington Seashore Edison is one other senior following Fairchild’s path in the identical sports activities. Hampton, 6 ft 4, was a standout receiver within the fall, averages 14 factors and 10 rebounds for the 22-3 basketball crew and is the defending Southern Part Division 2 champion within the excessive leap.
Right here’s a take a look at how Fairchild and Hampton pull off their three-sport experiences.
Prime 25 rankings
Going into the ultimate week of the common season for Southern Part groups, Corona Centennial holds down the No. 1 spot in The Occasions’ high 25 boys’ basketball rankings with a 24-1 report.
A take a look at the highest 25 highschool boys’ basketball groups within the Southland:
Rk. SCHOOL (W-L); Remark (final week)
1. CORONA CENTENNIAL (24-1); Donovan Dent scored 31 factors in OT win over Nevada Coronado (1)
2. SIERRA CANYON (20-3); Trailblazer suffered defeat in Allentown, Pa. (2)
3. HARVARD-WESTLAKE (20-2); Brady Dunlap continues to ship (5)
4. RIVERSIDE POLY (23-2); Younger crew is prepared for Open Division playoffs (3)
5. DAMIEN (22-2); Host Etiwanda on Monday (6)
Listed below are the full listing of high 25 groups.
Huge open Metropolis Part
For many who like playoff competitors to be so unpredictable that No. 1 may lose to No. 8, prepare for the Metropolis Part Open Division basketball playoffs subsequent month. Calling the event huge open is one of the best ways to explain the state of Metropolis Part basketball.
A number of the part’s long-time powers ought to be within the operating to place up one other banner, however anybody who says they know with certainty which crew will win is just popping off. Taft (13-3) might have began the season as the favourite, however the listing of potential champions retains rising.
Maybe the COVID-19 begin, cease and begin once more expertise within the Los Angeles Unified College District is having an impact, however the lack of consistency among the many high groups may be very seen, together with a noticeable lack of expertise amongst gamers. For the primary time, there are not any Metropolis Part groups in The Occasions’ high 25 rankings, which signifies a decline in expertise. Additionally, the Open Division champion may find yourself being put in Division II for state playoffs.
Right here’s a take a look at the contenders.
Kory Blunt has father’s athleticism
Every time junior level guard Kory Blunt of Birmingham steps onto the basketball court docket, you will be sure considered one of his father’s former teammates or mates is within the bleachers rooting him on.
It was in 2014 that Sean Blunt, an All-Metropolis soccer participant at San Fernando who’d go on to play at UNLV and coach soccer at San Fernando, died of colon most cancers. He was 48. Kory was 9. Since then, with assist from his mom, Kim, and his father’s mates, Kory has continued on in a sports activities profession in basketball.
“I had a falling out with soccer,” Blunt stated. “I discovered I like basketball extra.”
Blunt has change into one of many high gamers for Birmingham. Right here’s a take a look at Blunt.
Having fun with this text?
Your help helps us ship the information that issues most. Grow to be a Los Angeles Occasions subscriber.
Etiwanda stays No. 1
Unbeaten Etiwanda Excessive continues to be No. 1 on this week’s women’ basketball high 20 Southern California rankings from CalHiSports.com.
1. (1) Etiwanda 18-0
2. (2) Sierra Canyon 20-1
3. (3) Corona Centennial 18-5
Listed below are the whole rankings.
All-America honors
The McDonald’s All-American sport introduced its participant lists, and Gabriela Jaquez from Camarillo made the ladies’ crew.
On the boys’ crew had been Kijani Wright and Amari Bailey from Sierra Canyon.
Latest sport: Flag soccer for women
With help from the Rams and Chargers, a proposal was made Tuesday at a Southern Part Govt Committee assembly to create flag soccer for women as an official CIF sport.
It might first have to be advisable by the Southern Part Council, then authorized by the CIF Federated Council. The earliest it may occur could be 2023-24, Southern Part commissioner Rob Wigod stated.
“It will likely be huge,” stated one member of the Govt Committee.
One problem could be what a part of the varsity 12 months to carry flag soccer. Subject availability could be key. Ought to or not it's within the spring? Ought to or not it's within the fall, when women who take part in soccer or lacrosse could be extra accessible?
The proposal is in its preliminary section. It definitely would assist colleges appeal to extra members in sports activities.
Dalia Frias is honored
Dalia Frias of Mira Costa has been chosen because the Gatorade women’ cross-country participant of the 12 months in California.
She received the state Division II championship with a time of 16:52 and led her crew to the state title. She additionally received the Woodbridge Traditional, Mt. SAC Invitational and Southern Part championship.
She has a 4.09 grade-point common and is dedicated to Duke.
Right here’s a profile on Frias from final fall.
Winter monitor
Arcadia Excessive was the positioning for the winter monitor and discipline championships.
Right here’s a report on new faces and a few outdated ones.
New focus for Max Thomas
There’s going to be a brand new focus this spring for Servite monitor star Max Thomas.
After successful the Southern Part Division 3 championships within the 100 and 200 final 12 months, the USC commit stated Saturday he'll deal with the 400 this 12 months.
“I believe the 400 is my greatest occasion,” he stated. “I’m coaching for it and I’m prepared for it.”
The 400 is likely one of the most fun and grueling occasions, but when anybody has the expertise, stamina and velocity for it, it ought to be Thomas. He determined to not play soccer this 12 months to deal with monitor, and it will likely be enjoyable to see his growth.
It does imply the 100 meters loses considered one of its high state title contenders, however there are loads round to maintain the occasion very aggressive.
Prime assistant joins Bishop Amat
Sean Koelle, who helped construct Servite’s high-powered offense the final two years as offensive coordinator, is returning to Bishop Amat to be defensive coordinator this fall below head coach Steve Hagerty and is probably going the main candidate to interchange Hagerty when he decides to name it quits.
Koelle was an assistant at Bishop Amat for 16 seasons and is a Bishop Amat graduate. He has a license plate with “Amat ’98" and an “A” tattoo. He joined the Servite employees below Troy Thomas and helped develop quarterback Noah Fifita.
Haggerty stated he welcomes Koelle’s return as a result of it provides one other high assistant to this system. He stated he has made no choice on when he may step down sooner or later.
Thomas stated he'll launch a search to discover a substitute for Koelle at Servite.
Soccer showdown
Birmingham and El Camino Actual, the highest two boys’ soccer groups within the Metropolis Part, lastly face off within the first of two West Valley League video games Wednesday at Birmingham.
Birmingham has been fighting accidents this season. The Patriots have not often been wholesome. The excellent news is high participant David Diaz is again. Birmingham is 15-1-2 and 5-0-1 in league. El Camino Actual is 14-1 and 6-0 in league.
Mira Costa, ranked No. 1 in Southern Part Division 1, is rolling together with a 12-1-2 general report and 5-0 mark within the Bay League. Not a lot has modified with the Mustangs in that the nearer the sport, the extra possible they'll emerge victorious on the finish as a result of they love strain conditions.
Notes . . .
Rick Finch is the brand new soccer coach at Don Lugo. He was a longtime assistant on the college. . . .
Bishop Alemany operating again Floyd Chalk has dedicated to Grambling. . . .
Orange Lutheran quarterback Logan Gonzalez has dedicated to Portland State. . . .
Defensive again Quincy Craig from Mater Dei has dedicated to Portland State. . . .
Jake East, a standout receiver and defensive again at Agoura, has dedicated to Cal Poly SLO. . . .
Former El Monte soccer coach Jesse Ceniceros would be the subsequent head coach at Sierra Vista. He guided El Monte to a 16-0 report in 2019. . . .
Former Hart Excessive and Stanford WR Trent Irwin is on the Bengals and will get a free Tremendous Bowl airplane trip residence.
From the archives: Sherri Howard
Sherri Howard was inducted into the Los Angeles Metropolis Part Corridor of Fame in 2013. She was state champion within the 400 meters in 1979 at San Gorgonio and was the state monitor athlete of the 12 months in 1980 at Granada Hills Kennedy and NCAA champion in 1985 for Cal State Los Angeles.
Howard and her three sisters, Denean, Tina and Arta,teamed as much as set a nonetheless standing nationwide highschool report in 1979 within the 4x440 relay. She competed on the 1980 Olympic trials at age 16, alongside along with her 14-year-old sister, Denean, making the crew.
Howard received a gold medal on the 1984 Olympic Video games within the 4x400 relay. She’d go on to change into the monitor coach at Valencia Excessive and has change into a coach instructing younger athletes in Southern California.
Right here’s a 1985 story trying on the Howard sisters.
Suggestions
From the Washington Publish, a narrative on how a Virginia women’ basketball participant grew to become a star with 100 frigid free throws at a time.
From the San Jose Mercury Information, a narrative on how two Northern California soccer leagues have determined to merge and create 32 groups over 5 divisions subsequent season.
From the Seattle Occasions, a narrative on why highschool soccer gamers aren’t getting scholarship affords.
From the San Fernando Solar, a narrative trying on the household legacy of the White household.
Tweets you may need missed
Till subsequent time...
Have a query, remark or one thing you’d wish to see in a future Prep Rally e-newsletter? E mail me at eric.sondheimer@latimes.com, and comply with me on Twitter at @latsondheimer.
Did you get this text forwarded to you? To enroll and get it in your inbox, click on right here.
Post a Comment