BURBANK -

He made his presence known on both sides of the ball, earning All-CIF Southern Section Northwest Division, All-Area and all-league accolades.

Shirley (6-feet-1, 175 pounds) was an all-around contributor for the Guards. He was moved from receiver to running back midway through the season and had 87 carries for 1,000 yards on the ground. He also caught 46 passes for 676 yards and scored 25 total touchdowns. On defense, he had six interceptions as a defensive back.

Guards Coach Rolando Aguirre said Shirley should have his share of touches this season.

“He is just a super athlete, and he’s been in the weight room getting stronger. We want to make sure we use him as much as possible,” Aguirre said. “Actually, we will try to run the offense around him, because he can be dangerous when he has the ball.”

Aguirre has changed up the Bell-Jeff offense a bit from a year ago. The Guards will operate out of a scheme that utilizes the shotgun, with slotbacks running sweeps and misdirection plays.

“We plan to use a lot of motion,” said Aguirre, whose team finished third in the Santa Fe League (6-5) and lost in the first round of the Northeast playoffs to Boron, 36-25. “We are looking to open things up and hopefully keep the other team guessing.”

Another key returner will be senior receiver Kevin Yuenyongsakul (6-1, 180). He will also handle the team’s punting duties.

Running the offense is senior Chris Issakanian (5-10, 145), who takes over the position. In the Guards’ offensive scheme, Aguirre said Issakanian will have a lot of options, which includes running the ball when he sees an opening.

“He loves to run,” Aguirre said of his signal-caller. “He just needs to make the right decisions when he is pressured.”

Pacing the running game will be senior Mario Marquez (5-9, 165). He will be joined by sophomore Joshua Martinez (5-8, 155).

The Guards should have some talented offensive linemen. The tight end will be senior Robert Gomez (5-9, 160) and he will be joined by senior right guard Mikey Garcia (6-0, 190), sophomore left guard Geraldo Paz (5-7, 275), senior right tackle Eric Lopez (5-8, 265) and senior left tackle Julian Stephens (5-9, 160).

Aguirre said many of the linemen will also play on defense.

“The key for us is being able to get the line ready,” Aguirre said. “I know we have an early game, and we really need to get them up to speed. If we don’t, that’s going to be a very big problem for us.”

Joining Shirley in the secondary will be Marquez, Martinez and Yuenyongsakul. The linebacking duties will fall upon Gomez, senior Robert Guevara (5-9, 175), sophomore Mike Gomez (5-11, 165) and Garcia.

The team’s kicker will be senior David Bustillos (5-7, 155).

“We have about 27 players right now,” Aguirre said. “That’s a little more than the 23 we had last year. We are just hoping to stay healthy and keep the guys that we have.”

In Santa Fe League competition, Aguirre said he expects defending champion Salesian to be the favorite.

“Salesian will be tough,” he said. “They just have a lot of numbers and they get the players out.”

The Guards open the season at 7 p.m. Saturday in a nonleague Zero Week game against Saddleback Valley Christian at Memorial Field.

Jeff Tully

The majority of teams in the Southern Section will begin their seasons with games the following week.

The locals will be participating in a handful of so-called early games played in the Southern Section. They’re called a Zero Week games, and the contests came about after changes in Southern Section rules in 2003.

Although teams that play in Zero Week games have to often accelerate their practices to get ready for the season a week early, there is an advantage. Playing early provides the squads with a much-needed bye week during the season, giving them a break during the 10-game campaign.

Burroughs, which shared the Pacific League championship last season with Burbank, will open its season with a 7 p.m. nonleague game against Saugus at College of Canyons. The Bulldogs will face host Warren in a 7 p.m. nonleague game and the Guards will host Saddleback Valley Christian in a 7 p.m. nonleague game at Memorial Field.

Burbank and Burroughs have no home nonleague games, as all three contests will be played on the road.

Because of the proposed construction of a new field and stadium at Memorial Field that was planned to begin last fall, the Bulldogs and Indians had to sign contracts with opposing schools and schedule their games on the road. However, that construction has been delayed, and it looks like the teams will have use of their home field for the season.

Fortunately for Bell-Jeff, its contracts hadn’t been signed when the word of the delay in the renovation was announced. As a result, the Guards will play three nonleague games at Memorial Field.

Luckily for Burroughs and Burbank, Pacific League games that were previously scheduled to be played on the road have been moved back to Memorial Field.

Last season, all three programs made the playoffs.

Burbank- The Burbank Leader has announced it’s choices for the All-Area Baseball Team and this year, two Bell-Jeff Guards, (a senior and a freshman), were selected.

All-Area baseball first-team players

Ethan Bramschreiber, senior, St. Francis, pitcher

A second-team All-Mission League pick with first-team numbers, the Northwestern-bound hurler went 4-2 with a 3.47 ERA. At the plate, he tallied a .358 average with 12 runs and 19 RBIs.

Patrick Haney, senior, Bellarmine-Jefferson, utility

A first-team All-CIF selection, the Santa Cruz League Player of the Year notched a .521 batting average with 25 runs, 12 RBIs and a .833 slugging percentage, while also notching a 6-4 record on the hill.

David Hubinger, junior, St. Francis, catcher

A first-team pick in the ultra-talented Mission League, he hit .381 on 24 hits, notching 18 runs, 21 RBIs and a .518 on-base percentage for the Golden Knights.

Ryne Kahikina, sophomore, Burroughs, utility

Indians backstop compiled a .436 average, a .661 slugging percentage and a .557 on-base mark en route to securing All-Pacific League first-team accolades.

Tim Kim, senior, La Cañada, outfielder

The first-team All-Rio Hondo League selection was a constant threat for the Spartans, as he hit .464 with 23 runs, 18 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

Connor McCann, senior, Flintridge Prep, outfielder

First-team All-Prep Leaguer for a second season in a row, he played errorless defense in the outfield and hit .373 with 28 hits.

Troy Mulcahey, sophomore, Crescenta Valley, outfielder

A threat at the plate and a fireballer on the mound, Mulcahey hit .378 during a first-team All-Pacific League season with 25 RBIs, 14 runs, 11 doubles and a .419 on-base percentage. He also struck out 72 batters in under 40 innings and had a 2.12 ERA.

David Olmeda-Barrera, sophomore, St. Francis, infielder

Recovering from an injury early on, the first-team All-Mission Leaguer came on late to grab notice with a .511 average on 23 hits, scoring 11 runs and driving in 15.

Royce Park, sophomore, Flintridge Prep, infielder

A stellar presence at the plate, the first-team All-Prep League pick was also an All-CIF selection after posting a .462 average and a team-high 29 runs batted in. He also scored 28 runs.

Nate Rousey, sophomore, Crescenta Valley, infielder

A reliable fielder at shortstop, he was a first-team All-Pacific League pick who also excelled on the mound. He sported a 6-1 record with 40 strikeouts to eight walks in 42 innings and tallied a 2.67 ERA.

McCauley Taylor, senior, Burbank, infielder

Clutch at the plate and on the mound, the first-team All-Pacific League pick put on display a .395 average, 29 RBIs, 20 runs and five long balls. On the mound he garnered a 5-3 record with a 2.18 ERA, striking out 68 batters in just over 63 innings.

Elliott Surrey, sophomore, Crescenta Valley, pitcher

All-Area Player of the Year candidate had a breakout season on the mound and at the plate. A first-team All-Pacific League pick and an All-CIF selection, he had a 6-2 record on the year with a 1.02 ERA and 55 strikeouts to six walks in 41 innings pitched. He also tallied a .423 average with 14 extra-base hits, 19 runs and 21 RBIs.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Buzz Cook, Flintridge Prep

Veteran coach was without his No. 1 pitcher for the entire season and despite a wealth of pitching troubles, managed his team to a second-place finish in the Prep League and an appearance in the first round of the CIF playoffs.

Burbank Leader All-Area second-team baseball players.

Nate Albers, senior, Burroughs, pitcher

Posted a 3-3 record on mound and a .351 average at the plate en route to all-league honorable mention.

AJ Berglund, senior, St. Francis, pitcher

UCSB-bound hurler hit .367 with 21 runs scored and a .469 on-base percentage.

Zach Fields, junior, Glendale, infielder

Underrated and overlooked second-team all-leaguer had a .472 average.

Christian Garia, junior, Burroughs, utility

First-team All-Pacific Leaguer hit .388 with a .501 on-base percentage.

David Goldberg, senior, Burbank, utility

Second-team All-Pacific League pick had a .333 average with 15 runs and 19 RBIs.

Johnny Karalis, freshman, Bell-Jeff, outfielder

First-team All-Santa Cruz League pick had a .353 average with 15 runs scored.

Michael Lee, senior, La Cañada, infielder

Second-team All-Rio Hondo League pick hit .391 with 25 runs, 21 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.

Bobby Romero, senior, Hoover, catcher

Did it all for Hoover, as the second-team all-league pick was arguably the area’s best defensive catcher and hit .444 with 25 RBIs and 12 runs. Was also team’s top pitcher.

Mark Saatzer, senior, St. Francis, outfielder

Posted a .382 average with 34 hits, 25 runs and 15 RBIs.

Scott Stetson, junior, La Cañada, infielder

Had a .435 average with 27 runs, 19 RBIs and 17 stolen bases during an All-Rio Hondo League second-team team season.

Andrew Yu, senior, St. Francis, infielder

Slick-fielding infielder had a .394 average with 18 runs scored and 15 batted in.

Brandon Zepeda, senior, Burbank, outfielder

Second-team All-Pacific League pick had 34 hits, 35 runs, 16 RBIs and a .362 average.

Lauren Cox, soph., utility, La Cañada

Part of La Cañada’s 1-2 punch in the circle, she was a co-Rio Hondo League Most Valuable Pitcher. Tallied a microscopic 0.35 earned-run average over 80 1/3 innings pitched, totaling 161 strikeouts and allowing a .115 opposing batting average in helping the Spartans to the Rio Hondo League title.

Anna Edwards, junior, infielder, La Cañada

Put up some gaudy numbers en route to being voted the Rio Hondo League Most Valuable Player and an All-CIF Southern Section Division V first-team pick. Led the CIF semifinalists with a .580 average (51 for 88), 40 runs, 35 runs batted in, nine home runs, nine doubles and swiping 15 stolen bases.

Heather Haynes, junior, pitcher, Burroughs

An All-CIF Division III second-team and All-Pacific League first-team pick, Haynes was perhaps more instrumental than anyone in leading the Indians to their unprecedented league crown. Went 11-5 on the season, striking out 106 batters to 29 walks in 109 innings. Finished the season with a 0.77 ERA.

Catherine Horner, soph., catcher, La Cañada

Spartans backstop played a major part in a phenomenal La Cañada battery and was a first-team all-league pick in the process. Hit .365 with 35 hits, 19 runs, 17 RBIs and eight stolen bases.

Sydney House, junior, infielder, Crescenta Valley

First-team All-Pacific League pick at first base became a stellar clutch player down the stretch for the Falcons. Torched opposing pitchers with a .405 average (32 for 79) with 27 runs batted in, 16 runs scored, four home runs and a .453 on-base percentage.

Monique Landini, freshman, utility, Bell-Jeff

Made a dynamic debut in earning the accolade of Santa Fe League Player of the Year, hitting .593 with 35 hits, 32 runs scored, 23 driven in, five home runs and a .657 on-base percentage. Played third base and catcher and also showed her offensive versatility with 17 stolen bases in as many attempts.

Lauren O’Leary, junior, pitcher, La Cañada

An All-CIF first-team selection and co-Rio Hondo League Most Valuable Pitcher, O’Leary dominated in aiding the Spartans’ CIF semifinal run in Division V. She tossed 114 2/3 innings and struck out 165 batters, tallying a 0.61 ERA in the process and limiting opposing batters to a .126 batting average.

Megan Schafer, senior, outfielder, Burbank

The first-team All-Pacific Leaguer delivered one of Burbank’s biggest hits ever, delivering a game-winner for the program’s first-ever league win against Crescenta Valley. It was one of 40 hits on the season, as she tallied a .513 average, scoring 17 runs and driving in 11.

Jena Serranzana, senior, outfielder, Burroughs

A second-team All-Pacific League pick with first-team numbers, tallying a .354 average with 23 hits, 22 runs batted in, 19 runs and 11 walks.

Alyssa Sovereign, senior, infielder, Crescenta Valley

Arguably the finest defensive player in the area, she switched from second base to shortstop as a senior and committed just four errors with a .958 fielding percentage. She’ll likely switch to the outfield when she plays at Penn State, taking along the offensive skills that saw her hit a whopping .565 (52 for 92) with 42 RBIs, 31 runs, seven doubles, five home runs and five triples and tally a .602 on-base percentage.

Lauren Torres, soph., outfielder, Flintridge Sacred Heart

A first-team All-Mission League selection who played multiple positions for the Tologs, the two-sport athlete was Sacred Heart’s top offensive threat. She hit a team-best .340 (18 for 53) and led the team with 13 runs scored and drove in 11. Added two doubles and a pair of home runs.

Kassy Uchida, senior, infielder, Burbank

Utah State-bound shortstop was arguably the Pacific League’s most dangerous offensive weapon. A first-team all-league selection, Uchida led the prolific Bulldogs’ offense with a .635 average, 47 hits, 30 runs, 29 RBIs, six doubles, five triples and three homers. Also tallied a .647 on-base percentage and a .953 fielding percentage.

COACH OF THE YEAR

KC Mathews

La Cañada

Managed the Spartans to a repeat as Rio Hondo League champions before they set off on a CIF Southern Section Division V march that landed them in the semifinals for the first time since 1995. Employed a two-pronged pitching attack that bolstered a 25-5 campaign.

All-Area second-team softball players.

Christina Iezza, senior, pitcher, Hoover

First-team All-Pacific League pick went 8-9 in circle with 112 strikeouts to just nine walks in just over 107 innings. Also had a .323 average at plate with 21 runs and 21 RBIs.

Allison Lacey, soph., infielder, Crescenta Valley

Second-team Pacific League pick was a phenomenal third baseman, making just one error, while also hitting .381 at the plate with 27 runs, 17 RBIs, a team-high 12 sacrifices and 12 walks.

Elena Lomeli, soph., outfielder, Holy Family

First-team All-Horizon League pick hit .451 with a .551 on-base percentage.

Cece Martinez, junior, outfielder, Crescenta Valley

Rangy center fielder hit .402 with 22 runs scored and 15 RBIs, making just one error all season.

Sarah Martinez, junior, infielder, Bell-Jeff

Second baseman was a first-team All-Santa Fe League pick, hitting .365 with 23 runs and 20 RBIs.

Alanna Pires, junior, infielder, Flintridge Sacred Heart

First-team All-Mission League selection hit .333 with 14 RBIs and 12 runs scored.

Nicole Salas, senior, outfielder, Crescenta Valley

Hit .390 on the season, tallying 24 RBIs, 15 runs and an All-Pacific League honorable mention.

Vanessa Simile, senior, infielder, Burroughs

Slick-fielding shortstop was a first-team All-Pacific League selection, hitting .289 with 15 runs, 14 walks and 19 stolen bases.

Kassi Smith, senior, infielder, Burbank

Second-team All-Pacific League pick hit .347 with 29 hits, adding 14 runs and 12 RBIs.

Shannon Trujillo, soph., catcher, Burroughs

First-team caliber talent was a first-team All-Pacific League pick after posting .365 average with 17 runs and 16 RBIs.

Denise van der Goot, junior, pitcher, Flintridge Prep

Underrated hurler was a first-team Prep League pick who went 8-5 with a 1.16 ERA and struck out 146 batters in just over 84 innings. At the plate, she had eight RBIs and 10 runs.

Emma Vine, senior, infielder, Flintridge Prep First-team Prep League selection led team with a .377 batting average and 12 RBIs. Also scored 13 runs.

Burbank Leader

Burbank-

All-Area baseball first-team players

Ethan Bramschreiber, senior, St. Francis, pitcher

A second-team All-Mission League pick with first-team numbers, the Northwestern-bound hurler went 4-2 with a 3.47 ERA. At the plate, he tallied a .358 average with 12 runs and 19 RBIs.

Patrick Haney, senior, Bellarmine-Jefferson, utility

A first-team All-CIF selection, the Santa Cruz League Player of the Year notched a .521 batting average with 25 runs, 12 RBIs and a .833 slugging percentage, while also notching a 6-4 record on the hill.

David Hubinger, junior, St. Francis, catcher

A first-team pick in the ultra-talented Mission League, he hit .381 on 24 hits, notching 18 runs, 21 RBIs and a .518 on-base percentage for the Golden Knights.

Ryne Kahikina, sophomore, Burroughs, utility

Indians backstop compiled a .436 average, a .661 slugging percentage and a .557 on-base mark en route to securing All-Pacific League first-team accolades.

Tim Kim, senior, La Cañada, outfielder

The first-team All-Rio Hondo League selection was a constant threat for the Spartans, as he hit .464 with 23 runs, 18 RBIs and 11 stolen bases.

Connor McCann, senior, Flintridge Prep, outfielder

First-team All-Prep Leaguer for a second season in a row, he played errorless defense in the outfield and hit .373 with 28 hits.

Troy Mulcahey, sophomore, Crescenta Valley, outfielder

A threat at the plate and a fireballer on the mound, Mulcahey hit .378 during a first-team All-Pacific League season with 25 RBIs, 14 runs, 11 doubles and a .419 on-base percentage. He also struck out 72 batters in under 40 innings and had a 2.12 ERA.

David Olmeda-Barrera, sophomore, St. Francis, infielder

Recovering from an injury early on, the first-team All-Mission Leaguer came on late to grab notice with a .511 average on 23 hits, scoring 11 runs and driving in 15.

Royce Park, sophomore, Flintridge Prep, infielder

A stellar presence at the plate, the first-team All-Prep League pick was also an All-CIF selection after posting a .462 average and a team-high 29 runs batted in. He also scored 28 runs.

Nate Rousey, sophomore, Crescenta Valley, infielder

A reliable fielder at shortstop, he was a first-team All-Pacific League pick who also excelled on the mound. He sported a 6-1 record with 40 strikeouts to eight walks in 42 innings and tallied a 2.67 ERA.

McCauley Taylor, senior, Burbank, infielder

Clutch at the plate and on the mound, the first-team All-Pacific League pick put on display a .395 average, 29 RBIs, 20 runs and five long balls. On the mound he garnered a 5-3 record with a 2.18 ERA, striking out 68 batters in just over 63 innings.

Elliott Surrey, sophomore, Crescenta Valley, pitcher

All-Area Player of the Year candidate had a breakout season on the mound and at the plate. A first-team All-Pacific League pick and an All-CIF selection, he had a 6-2 record on the year with a 1.02 ERA and 55 strikeouts to six walks in 41 innings pitched. He also tallied a .423 average with 14 extra-base hits, 19 runs and 21 RBIs.

COACH OF THE YEAR

Buzz Cook, Flintridge Prep

Veteran coach was without his No. 1 pitcher for the entire season and despite a wealth of pitching troubles, managed his team to a second-place finish in the Prep League and an appearance in the first round of the CIF playoffs.

Burbank Leader All-Area second-team baseball players.

Nate Albers, senior, Burroughs, pitcher

Posted a 3-3 record on mound and a .351 average at the plate en route to all-league honorable mention.

AJ Berglund, senior, St. Francis, pitcher

UCSB-bound hurler hit .367 with 21 runs scored and a .469 on-base percentage.

Zach Fields, junior, Glendale, infielder

Underrated and overlooked second-team all-leaguer had a .472 average.

Christian Garia, junior, Burroughs, utility

First-team All-Pacific Leaguer hit .388 with a .501 on-base percentage.

David Goldberg, senior, Burbank, utility

Second-team All-Pacific League pick had a .333 average with 15 runs and 19 RBIs.

Johnny Koralis, freshman, Bell-Jeff, outfielder

First-team All-Santa Cruz League pick had a .353 average with 15 runs scored.

Michael Lee, senior, La Cañada, infielder

Second-team All-Rio Hondo League pick hit .391 with 25 runs, 21 RBIs and 24 stolen bases.

Bobby Romero, senior, Hoover, catcher

Did it all for Hoover, as the second-team all-league pick was arguably the area’s best defensive catcher and hit .444 with 25 RBIs and 12 runs. Was also team’s top pitcher.

Mark Saatzer, senior, St. Francis, outfielder

Posted a .382 average with 34 hits, 25 runs and 15 RBIs.

Scott Stetson, junior, La Cañada, infielder

Had a .435 average with 27 runs, 19 RBIs and 17 stolen bases during an All-Rio Hondo League second-team team season.

Andrew Yu, senior, St. Francis, infielder

Slick-fielding infielder had a .394 average with 18 runs scored and 15 batted in.

Brandon Zepeda, senior, Burbank, outfielder

Second-team All-Pacific League pick had 34 hits, 35 runs, 16 RBIs and a .362 average.

San Deigo -

One of the 3A Division’s top performers from any class was La Jolla Country Day (San Diego, Calif.) 5-9 sophomore point guard Kelsey Plum.

Although Brea-Olinda (Brea, Calif.) held the daughter of former standout quarterback Jim Plum to six points and two assists in its 3A championship game 39-31 victory, Plum had a solid outing against St. Mary’s in a semifinal win. In that game, she scored a team-high 12 points, adding five assists, six rebounds and three steals.

Another incoming sophomore that really impressed was Windward (Los Angeles, Calif.) 5-5 guard Courtney Jacko. A deadly outside shooter, she is unafraid to launch. In one game Jacko had the crowd gasping after hitting seven three-pointers, including three from NBA range.

For St. Mary’s (Stockton, Calif.), 6-foot sophomore-to-be Courtney Range, a transfer from Lincoln (Stockton, Calif.), played well on top or down low and will help keep the defending state champion Rams as state Division III contenders this upcoming season.

California sophomore and Division IV Athlete of the Year Aly Beebe of St. Joseph (Santa Maria, Calif.) was the top big girl at the Classic. Her team went 5-1 and she dominated in each game, including a one-point loss to St. Mary’s.

Long Beach Poly (Long Beach, Calif.) started three freshmen in the tournament and two that definitely have promise are speedy guards Arica Carter and Jada Matthews. Carter, who can really handle the rock, can also shoot the three, something Poly coach Carl Buggs has rarely had in his lineup in over the years.

The Open Division showcased underclass talent as well, especially on the title-winning team.

Bellarmine-Jefferson (Burbank, Calif.) signed up for the Classic two days prior to the event, so they played in the Open Division for teams that entered late.

Coach David Jensen, recently hired to take over the program, guided his girls to a 43-30 victory over Rancho Verde (Moreno Valley, Calif.) in the Open’s title game.

Three underclass girls played exceptionally well for Bellarmine-Jefferson.

The top performer in the title game was 5-6 junior guard Rishonda Napier. She had 10 points, four assists and four steals.

Jasmine Smith, a 6-foot junior, has a nice inside-out game and grabbed 11 rebounds in the title game.

Sophomore guard Leslie Lopez-Wood played excellent defense and showed good ball-handling skills.

ESPN Rise Magazine

Andrade was head coach at Eagle Rock in 1995-96, leading the Eagles to two Northern League titles and 20 wins each season.

Andrade has also assisted on the Pierce College women’s staff, Beverly Hills boys’ staff and Sylmar boys’ staff.

David Jensen was hired earier this summer to take over the successful Bell-Jeff girls’ program.

Jensen most recently coached at San Marino and has also coached at Blair and Renaissance Academy.

Erik Boal

BURBANK —

The pair has something else in common as well, as both were honored as CIF Southern Section selections. While Kauppila was named to the Division II second-team selection, Haney made the Division VI first team.

It is Kauppila’s second straight season he’s aarned All-CIF accolades.

Kauppila put together a solid season for the second year in a row. Kauppila, a shortstop who has signed with Stanford, led the team with a .443 average. In addition, he had 35 hits, scored 35 runs, had 22 RBI, eight doubles, four triples, three home runs, walked 21 times, had a .759 slugging percentage and stole 21 stolen bases.

In the field he had a .930 fielding percentage, 72 assists and 39 put-outs.

Kauppila also generated intrest outside of the high-school-baseball rhelm. He was selected in the 2010 Major League Baseball First-Year Players Draft. He was drafted in the 44th round — 1,325 overall — by the Oakland Athletics. He is the first Bulldogs player to be drafted in 10 years.

Burbank finished the season 14-15, as the Bulldogs placed fourth in the Pacific League.

Haney, a pitcher, proved to be a dominant force this season in the Santa Fe League, despite the Guards finishing third. Because of his fine play, he was rewarded by being named the Santa Fe League Player of theYear.

If was the fourth MVP award won by a Bell-Jeff player in the last five seasons.

Haney put up impressive numbers for the Guards. On offense, he paced the team with a .521 batting average. In addition, he had 25 hits, scored 25 runs, had 12 runs batted in, five doubles, five triples, an .833 slugging percentage and a .593 on-base average.

On the mound, he was 6-4 with a 4.16 earned-run average and 80 strikeouts in 62 1/3 innings. He also notched a no-hitter in a 15-0 league victory against Verbum Dei.

Bell-Jeff (11-7) made the CIF Southern Section playoff and won its Division VI wild-card game against Chadwick, 4-3.

Jeff Tully

BELLARMINNE-JEFFERSON HIGH

Although 13 years removed from Bell-Jeff, Johnson enjoyed something of a homecoming this week. Taking over for Bryan Camacho, Johnson has been named the school’s new athletic director.

“Bell-Jeff is where it all started for me,” said Johnson, who graduated in 1997. “I just want to do all I can to give back to the athletes who are at the school, and who will be coming in next year. It’s really nice to be back.”

Johnson steps into a position held by Camacho, who also served as the school’s boys’ and girls’ basketball coach. He stepped down less than three weeks ago to take an assistant coaching job with the Cal State Northridge women’s team.

Since Camacho’s departure, Bell-Jeff and its principal, Sister Cheryl Milner, have wasted little time starting to fill the Guards’ open positions.

“We are very happy to have Jaclyn with us at Bell-Jeff,” Milner said. “Jaclyn is just one year removed from playing basketball all over the world. She is quite a basketball player. We know she will be a great addition at Bell-Jeff.”

This is the first administrative job for Johnson. However, with a background in athletics and good organizational skills, she believes she will be able to do a fine job at Bell-Jeff.

“I was an opportunity that I jumped at,” she said. “I like challenges, and challenges drive me. I plan to be there for the students at the school, like the ones who were there for me when I went here.

“I know it’s going to be a lot of work. Coach [Jim] Couch has been kind enough to give me some wisdom and just some guidance, and hopefully I’ll be able to do a good job.”

Couch was Johnson’s coach at Bell-Jeff. He was also served as the school’s track and field and cross-country coach, as well as athletic director.

As a senior at Bell-Jeff, Johnson helped the Guards girls’ basketball team win the 1997 CIF Southern Section Division IV championship — on her last-second buzzer-beater. She was also the division’s player of the year.

The title was the first championship won by the school in any sport.

Along with earning All-CIF Southern Section honors in basketball, she was also an All-CIF choice in girls’ volleyball.

After Bell-Jeff, she went on to the University of Kansas, where she became one of the most successful women’s players in school history.

In her senior season, she led the Jayhawks by averaging 16.1 points a game, to go along with 7.7 rebounds, 2.1 steals and almost a block a game. Johnson also scored in double-digits in 19 of 24 games and led Kansas in scoring 17 times.

In her four-year collegiate career, the 6-foot-1 Johnson finished fifth on the Jayhawks’ career rebounding list with 846 and 11th on the all-time scoring list with 1,378 points. She was also fifth in career free-throws made (382), fifth in free-throws attempted (555) and fifth career games played (123).

In 2001, she was selected in the WNBA Draft in the third round — 42nd pick overall — by the Orlando Miracle.

She also played professionally over seas for a number of teams, the last in Israel.

Johnson takes over athletic-director duties at a school that had its share of sports success during the 2009-10 season. The girls’ basketball, softball and girls’ volleyball teams won league championships. In addition, the volleyball squad advanced to a CIF championship game and the basketball team went as far as the semifinals.

Milner said with the athletic-director position filled, the school could name new boys’ and girls’ basketball coaches as soon as next week.

Jeff Tully