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WESTLAKE VILLAGE — Whether or not a rivalry grows between the Antelope Valley High and Bellarmine-Jefferson girls’ basketball teams remains to be seen, especially since the schools are no longer in the same division.
If one does develop, however, then it could be surmised the Antelopes will look for revenge, once again, after Bell-Jeff held on for a 43-36 victory in the Oaks Christian Shootout on Saturday afternoon.
The victory was the second in three games for Bell-Jeff (16-6) over Antelope Valley (12-7) in 11 months, as the Guards, sixth-ranked in Division IV-AA, eliminated the Antelopes, 77-73, in the quarterfinals of last year’s Division III-A playoffs.
Antelope Valley, ranked fifth in Division III-AA, exacted payback this season in a 53-39 victory on Nov. 30.
“This was our third time against them and it was fun again,” Bell-Jeff Coach Jaclyn Johnson said. “As either a player or coach, all you can ask for is to play good competition and that’s what Antelope Valley brings every time.”
The Antelopes trailed by 17 points early in the third and were down, 33-19, at the close of the same quarter.
Yet, Antelope Valley opened the fourth with a three-pointer from Crystal Brown, assisted by Angel Bailey, followed by a three-point play from Fresno State-bound guard Destini Price, who was fouled while converting a layup.
Price’s subsequent free throw brought Antelope Valley within 33-25 with 6:57 remaining.
While Bell-Jeff countered with a quick inside basket from San Jose State-signed Jasmine Smith, who was assisted by Rishonda Napier, the Antelopes pulled within 35-30 with 4:39 remaining.
The Antelopes’ surge proved unsustainable, though, as the Guards scored the next two buckets on an offensive put back from Smith and a scoop shot from senior forward Averie Guzman.
Smith later iced the game with a layup with 30 seconds left that pushed the Guards ahead, 43-34.
“Everyone gets involved. We don’t rely on one player or we wouldn’t be doing as [well] as we are,” said Guzman, who finished with eight points and two steals.
The Guards took a 23-13 advantage into the half thanks to team play.
Six Bell-Jeff players contributed at least one point in the first half, while only three Antelopes did the same.
Bell-Jeff committed five turnovers in the first quarter, but only one in the second, while Antelope Valley finished with 11 turnovers in the half.
Bell-Jeff led, 7-5, after one quarter, but surrendered its advantage to open the second on a three-pointer from Keiona Mathews.
The Guards, however, won the remainder of the quarter, 14-5, including scoring the last nine points after Antelope Valley led, 13-12, with 4:57 remaining.
Bell-Jeff responded with a two-footer from Guzman followed by a three-pointer from Napier to go up, 17-13.
Bell-Jeff closed the half with layups from Tiffany Ho and Smith and a free throw from Karina Moreno.
“Antelope Valley is a good team and I’m just glad we got the win this time,” said Napier, who was just named a McDonald’s All-American nominee.
Smith led Bell-Jeff with 13 points and Napier added 12 points.
Mathews paced all scorers with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while Price scored 11 and Bailey chipped in nine.
by Andrew Camps
BURBANK - Less than a month after the departure of former coach, Guards tab Burbank High graduate David Machuca to help ‘restore the glory. Bellarmine-Jefferson High wasted little time replacing its football coach. In fact, less than a month after former coach Rolando Aguirre stepped down, a new coach has taken his place.
David Machuca, 27, a 2002 Burbank High graduate who most recently served as an assistant at Chaminade, has been picked to help revive the Guards’ program.
Bell-Jeff Principal John Matheus said it was imperative that the school find a replacement for Aguirre in as little time as possible.
“It was important for us to fill the position quickly,” Matheus said. “We had a search committee here at Bell-Jeff and we had about 25 applications. From those we narrowed it down to about six interviews, and this young man came out on top.”
Matheus added that Bell-Jeff was dedicated to bringing in an individual to turn around a program that has had its share of struggles the past few years.
“We’re really happy to have him,” Matheus said. “We are ready to continue to what I call ‘restore the glory’ here and we want to move ahead in football and build a successful program.”
Machuca is familiar with the football culture in the city. Along with playing for the Burbank Vikings Youth Tackle Football program, he also competed for the Bulldogs.
Machuca, who will also be a teacher at the school, said taking the Bell-Jeff was a prospect he couldn’t pass up.
“I’m just excited about the opportunity that I’ve been given at Bell-Jeff,” said Machuca, who served in the U.S. Coast Guard for four years after graduating from Burbank. “I am bringing over a few coaches from Chaminade and we’re young, we’re hungry and we are ready to help turn around this program.
“Burbank and Burroughs have done great jobs with their programs the past few years and I think the city of Burbank is just bursting at the seams with football talent.”
Machuca said his three-year tenure at Chaminade under Coach Ed Croson was invaluable. The past two seasons, the Eagles have been able to advance to the CIF Southern Section Western Division semifinals.
This past season, Chaminade went 10-3, placed second in the Mission League behind Gardena Serra and advanced to the division final four, losing for the second straight year to Arroyo Grande, 45-36.
The Eagles went 11-2 in 2010.
“Coach Croson has been a great mentor to me,” said Machuca, who was an assistant for three years. “When we got to Chaminade they were in rebuilding mode and we were able to turn the program around.”
Bell-Jeff has struggled the past two seasons, finishing last in the Santa Fe League both years. The Guards went 2-8 this past season and were 5-15 the past two years.
Under Aguirre, who finished with a 69-68 record in 13 years as head coach, Bell-Jeff proved it could be a successful program. In just his second season as coach in 2000, the Guards won a share of the Santa Fe League championship. It was the program’s first title in 46 years.
Bell-Jeff also captured undisputed championships in 2004 and 2007, as the teams finished with 9-2 records both seasons.
Machuca, who is in the process of assembling his coaching staff and who said he will meet with Bell-Jeff players Wednesday, said he sees no reason why the Guards can’t return to being a winning program.
“The objective is pretty simple with my staff and we’ve been talking about it the last couple of days,” Machuca said. “We want to get the student involvement and we want to bring the alumni back out to the football games and be proud of what’s going on with the program.”
Jeff Tully/LA Times
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL - It’s another undefeated Santa Cruz League season for Bell-Jeff. When The Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ volleyball team was struggling during the early portion of the season, Coach Miguel Segura still had hope.
The coach figured his team would fight out of its funk in time to capture its sixth straight Santa Cruz League championship.
The Guards not only won the league crown, they did so without dropping a match in league play. Bell-Jeff finished 8-0 in league Tuesday with a 25-21, 25-13, 25-22, victory against host St. Anthony.
“I knew that sooner or later the girls would come around and start playing like I know that they could,” said Segura, whose squad increased its unbeaten league streak to 44. “Our goal at the beginning of the season was to win another league championship, and we were able to do that.”
Under Segura, Bell-Jeff (11-6-2) has the longest league-title winning streak of any team, in any sport, in the city.
Against St. Anthony, All-CIF Southern Section middle blocker Jocelyn Cervantes had 13 kills and 12 digs. Teammate Taryn Nelson had 10 kills and Amanda Maalouf contributed 32 assists.
“We’re almost to where I want us to be,” said Segura, a Bell-Jeff graduate. “I won’t say we’re completely there yet, but we have definitely improved.”
In early-season matches, the Guards struggled at times after the loss of some key players from last year’s team and the addition of athletes who were playing volleyball for the first time.
Next up for Bell-Jeff, ranked No. 5 in CIF Southern Section Division IV-A, is the playoffs, as the pairings will be announced today. Last season, the Guards made it to the division semifinals and in 2009 advanced to the first championship contest in program history.
“We have had some pretty good playoff runs the last few years,” Segura said. “We are hoping to have another run this year, and maybe we can win it all. We are looking forward to CIF.”
Jeff Tully
LOS ANGELES — Salesian proves too tough in defeating Guards in Santa Cruz League play.
The Bellarmine-Jefferson High football team ended up on the wrong end of the scene that unfolded after Friday night’s game at Salesian.
One team celebrated at midfield, ringing a victory bell on the 50-yard line and entertaining a packed homecoming game crowd. The other, limped off the field dejectedly, the end result of an ugly blowout game marred by injuries and penalties.
The latter team was Bell-Jeff, the victim of a 53-6 Santa Fe League loss at the hands of the Mustangs (5-2, 1-0 in league).
“We met a very explosive team,” said Bell-Jeff Coach Rolando Aguirre. “All their kids played hard. They’re just a good team. But I’m proud of how we played.”
The Guards (3-4, 0-1) showed resiliency, continuing to play tough throughout the contest despite scoring just once. Bell-Jeff put six points on the board with a quarterback sneak by junior Mitch Kellogg early in the second quarter. The touchdown came as the result of a labored and hard-fought drive, in which the Guards’ offense managed to convert a trio of third downs and a fourth down, showing their resiliency.
Sophomores Eric Agaverdyan and Demitri Moreno were prime examples of that work ethic. Running back Moreno, a running back, had 73 rushing yards on 13 carries after suffering an injury on a kick return early in the game. Agaverdyan, a fullback, ran for 42 yards on 10 carries. The duo helped Bell-Jeff outgain the Mustangs, 163-119.
“You know who rose to the occasion on our team? Our sophomores,” Aguirre said. “I’m so proud of them. They were tremendous. All the sophomores stepped in and did it. They did a great job.”
While Moreno was able to return to the game, Agaverdyan saw more carries as the unfortunate result of Joshua Martinez leaving the contest in the first half. The tailback was the victim of a helmet-to-helmet collision so vicious it drew a loud gasp from the crowd. Martinez was the Guards’ second-leading rusher at the time with five carries for 14 yards.
“We didn’t come fully prepared to hit, and that’s what happens,” Aguirre said.
The Mustangs came ready to hit right from kickoff. After going four-and-out on their first possession, the Guards’ Alejandro Marroqin had his punt blocked by Luvon Lucas and it was recovered on the Bell-Jeff 27-yard line by the Mustangs.
On the first play of Salesian’s first drive of the game, Jihad Vercher hooked up with Keishawne Rowe on a 27-yard touchdown pass at 10:20.
The Mustangs would score again before the Guards finally got on the board, but Salesian then scored on its next drive. Another blocked punt was returned it to just outside the goal line but a personal foul penalty gave Bell-Jeff another chance with a 1st down at the 50.
But a fumble on a first down at their own 37-yard line led to a turnover. Armando Valdez scooped up the ball and ran it back the other way for a touchdown, putting Salesian up, 26-6, with 5:53 left in the opening half. Salesian scored again with 43.3 seconds left in the frame, leaving the Guards down, 33-6, at the half.
The second half began with Salesian’s Shakare Ina returning the opening kickoff for an 80-yard touchdown, which effectively doomed the Guards, leaving them in a 39-6 deficit. One more long, laborious drive failed to materialize and the Mustangs went on to score two more times in its homecoming victory.
By Abbey Mastracco, Special to the Leader
BELL-JEFF VS. VIEWPOINT
WHEN: 3:30 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: Viewpoint High.
RECORDS: The Guards are 2-2; the Patriots are 2-1.
LAST WEEK: Bell-Jeff lost to Malibu, 49-12; Viewpoint had a bye.
OUTLOOK: It will be a battle of different offensive styles when the teams meet for a nonleague contest. Bell-Jeff likes to keep the ball on the ground, employing a double-wing to pick up the majority of its yardage. In contrast, Viewpoint runs a more balanced offense and can throw the ball with efficiency when needed.
Leading the aerial blitz is senior quarterback Joey Verhaugh, a transfer from Crespi. Verhaugh has thrown for 411 yards and five touchdowns. The Patriots also have two solid running backs in Adam Markun (265 yards, five touchdowns) and Dakota Williams (178 yards, three touchdowns). Bell-Jeff has a productive running back of its own in junior Joshua Martinez, who was sidelined in last week’s game after sustaining a leg injury. Martinez has scored eight touchdowns this season. The Patriots are coming off of a bye week after last playing against Los Angeles Baptist on Sept. 16 and coming away with a 49-7 win.
SOMETHING INTERERSING: The Bell-Jeff and Viewpoint defenses both have surrendered an average of 21.7 points a game.
Jeff Tully
BELL-JEFF VS. MALIBU
WHEN: 7 p.m. Friday.
WHERE: North Hollywood High.
RECORDS: The Guards are 2-1; the Sharks are 1-2.
LAST WEEK: Bell-Jeff defeated Rosamond, 27-18; Malibu defeated St. Monica, 17-3.
OUTLOOK: After a rough start in their season-opening game — a 12-8 loss to Flintridge Prep — the Guards have been able to notch two straight victories. In just two games, Bell-Jeff has been able to equal its win output of 2010, when it went 2-8. One reason for the success the last two games has been the play of junior running back Joshua Martinez, who has been on a tear. Last week, he scored three touchdowns to bring his season total to eight. Malibu has had problems scoring this season, totaling just 14 points in its two losses. The team averages 10.3 points a game. Under Coach Rolando Aguirre, Bell-Jeff’s defense gives up an average of 12.6 points a game. But it was the Sharks’ defense that stepped up last week, yielding just a field goal. After falling behind, 3-0, against St. Monica — which, like Bell-Jeff, plays in the Santa Fe League — Malibu scored 17 unanswered points. The Sharks have a good running back in senior Nate Dowler and a solid quarterback in sophomore Dylan Miller.
SOMETHING INTERESTING: The Guards will have two more nonleague games against Viewpoint and Mountain View before opening league play Oct. 14 at defending champion Salesian.
Jeff Tully
BURBANK - With just two wins last year, the Guards hit the season with a new offense and a renewed outlook.The 2010 football season is one that Bellarmine-Jefferson High Coach Rolando Aguirre can’t put behind him fast enough.
“We definitely had our problems last season,” said Aguirre, whose team went 2-8 and finished last in the Santa Fe League with a 0-4 record. “Things didn’t go very well for us and we just didn’t play very well either.”
The Guards have had to deal with their share of adversity in the summer, as they have been unable to practice at their usual venue, Brace Park, because of ongoing improvements to the facility. Instead, Bell-Jeff has been relegated to tiny Palm Park for its preseason workouts.
On top of that, the team — along with Burroughs and Burbank — will not have the use of its home field this season, as Memorial Field is undergoing a renovation.
“We will be playing our home games at North Hollywood High,” Aguirre said. “That was the closest field that we could find. We might not be playing our home games at our own field, but at least we have a place for our home games.
“It’s a good stadium and we’re happy to be playing there.”
Bell-Jeff will also be dealing with the loss of its best player from a year ago, Micah Shirley, who graduated. Shirley, who played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and defensive back, was a bright spot for the struggling Guards in 2010, earning him All-CIF Southern Section Northeast Division honors.
On offense, Shirley had 119 carries for 1,210 yards (10.2 yards a carry) and seven touchdowns, hauled in 24 passes for 402 yards (16.8 yards a catch) and eight touchdowns and he completed nine of 27 passes for 200 yards and one touchdown. In addition, he scored 92 points. On defense, he had 122 tackles (12.2 a game) and four interceptions.
With Shirley running the show last season, Aguirre retooled the offense, opening it up more. The Guards tried more of a passing game, which ultimately didn’t pay many dividends. But this year, Aguirre has switched to a more ball-control offense, and will try and keep the ball on the ground more.
“We are going back to the basics, we’ve got to,” Aguirre said. “The good thing about us is that we have a good [junior varsity] nucleus, and that will help us. We have some workhorses and the guys have been working very hard.”
The Guards will get a chance to start the season on the right foot when they open the campaign at 7 p.m. Friday with a nonleague Zero Week game against Flintridge Prep at North Hollywood High.
Aguirre said he has a group of running backs who should be able to implement the new offense. Junior Joshua Martinez (5 feet 10, 180 pounds) will be joined by sophomores Demitri Moreno (5-9, 160) and Vartan Bekarian (5-11, 190).
“We have some young guys in the backfield, but they also have some talent,” Aguirre said. “It’s going to be a competition to see who gets the most yards this season. We will see who wants to be the top dog. It’s going to be fun to watch.
“I’m also excited about our o-line. We have some big boys up front.”
Opening holes for the running backs on the offensive line will be senior Brian Del Valle (6-0, 310) and juniors Ryan Okiishi (6-0, 265) and Geraldo Paz (5-8, 275).
Taking over the duties at quarterback is junior Mitch Kellogg, who had two brothers who also played in the program for Aguirre. The coach said Kellogg has a strong arm and is “very competitive and brings so much to the table.”
Some of Kellogg’s targets will be tight end Matt Landini (6-0, 195), a senior, and junior wide receivers Andrew Belsito (6-2, 185) and Michael Gomez (5-11, 175).
On defense, the linebackers will be sophomore Eric Agaverdyan (5-10, 165), Bekerian, Gomez and Moreno.
“We have linebackers who are quick and have the talent,” Aguirre said. “That’s something that we haven’t had here in a while. While our linebacking is strong, our secondary is slightly suspect.”
The defensive backs will be Martinez, junior Jarel D’Costa (5-8, 145) and sophomore Alejandro Marroquin (5-8, 155).
Manning the defensive line will be juniors Trystin Navarro (5-11, 265) and Jomar Navarro (5-11, 275), along with senior Mario Ramos (5-9, 240). Aguirre said he also plans on rotating some of the offensive linemen to play on defense.
Marroquin will handle the kicking duties and D’Costa will be the punter.
While the coach said he hopes to get back to the postseason, he expects a tough going in league.
“Salesian has a great running back and they should be good,” he said. “St. Genevieve has a very good quarterback and St. Anthony will throw quite a bit. So, it’s going to be tough.
“We missed the playoff last year. But about five years ago we also missed the playoffs. But the year after missing it we came back to win the league. So, you never know.”
With just four league games, the Guards will play six nonleague contests. Following their opener against the Rebels (2-6-1), the Guards take on Fairmont Prep (4-7) on Sept. 10 at North Hollywood High, face host Rosamond (2-8) on Sept. 16, take on Malibu (1-8-1) on Sept. 24 at North Hollywood High, travel to Viewpoint (2-6-1) on Sept. 30 and take on host Mountain View (5-5) on Oct. 7.
The Guards start Santa Fe League play Oct. 14 at Salesian (2-8).
Jeff Tully - LA Times
BURBANK - Individual, team success for Guards Bell-Jeff athletes made their marks with impressive efforts, while the school’s basketball, girls’ volleyball and softball squads had their share of accomplishments.
There were some impressive individual performances turned in this past school year by Guards athletes. Standout efforts in football, girls’ and boys’ basketball, girls’ volleyball, baseball and softball highlighted the school’s top efforts.
But more than just individual accolades, there was also a group of Bell-Jeff teams which enjoyed their share of success during the 2010-11 campaign. One of those squads, the softball team, even advanced to a CIF Southern Section championship contest.
When it came to outstanding individual contributions, however, no one stood out more than senior Micah Shirley. Along with being a standout in football at multiple positions, he was also a big force on the basketball court for the Guards.
In football as a running back, Shirley rushed for a Santa Fe league-best 1,210 yards and seven touchdowns, averaging more than 10 yards a carry. As a receiver, he had 24 receptions for 402 yards and eight touchdowns. As a quarterback in the wildcat offense, Shirley passed for 200 yards and a touchdown. And, while leading the league in scoring, he threw just one interception and had just one fumble.
A standout as well on the defensive end, Shirley totaled 122 tackles, a sack, three fumble recoveries and four interceptions as a defensive back.
For his efforts, Shirley made the All-CIF Northeast Division first team as a defensive back.
Unfortunately for Bell-Jeff (2-8), it finished last in the five-team Santa Fe League. Only Shirley and senior lineman Eric Lopez made the all-league first team. Senior wide receiver-cornerback Kevin Yuenyongsakul was a second-team choice.
It was a different story in basketball. Behind the athletic senior, the Guards put together a winning campaign that included a Santa Fe League championship. It was Bell-Jeff’s first league title in 13 years.
With that success, it’s was not surprising that Bell-Jeff had five athletes who were honored on the all-league list. Leading the way was Shirley, who earned Santa Fe League Player of the Year honors. Also making the all-league first team were junior guard Elijah Reed and sophomore guard Brandon White.
Shirley averaged 16.6 points a game and scored 24 in a game against St. Genevieve on Feb. 10 to help the Guards secure the league crown.
The Guards (12-13) couldn’t carry over their success in league into the CIF Southern Section playoffs, however, as No. 14 Bell-Jeff was defeated in the first round by visiting Chadwick, 58-56.
Shirley was an All-Area honoree in both sports.
Another fine effort during the fall season was turned in by Jocelyn Cervantes, a dominating junior outside hitter for the Guards’ girls’ volleyball team.
Cervantes was a terror at the net, tallying 317 kills this past season. Along with her kill total, Cervantes made good on 52% of her kill attempts, had 44 aces, 22 blocks, 165 digs and 30 assists to pace Bell-Jeff to its fifth-straight Santa Fe League championship.
She was rewarded by being named the league’s player of the year. Cervantes received another honor when she earned a CIF Southern Section Division IV first-team accolade. It is the second season the Guard was named to the All-CIF squad.
Behind Cervantes — an All-Area honoree — Bell-Jeff (17-7) advanced to the Division IVAA semifinals, losing to No. 1 Hemet, 25-16, 25-11, 25-14.
In just three seasons Cervantes has put up impressive numbers, as she will go into her senior season with 731 career kills and 166 aces.
During the winter season, both of Bell-Jeff’s basketball teams flourished.
The Guard girls had a talented team, as it landed two players on the All-CIF Division III-A first list. Juniors Rishonda Napier and Jasmine Smith were the latest in a string of Guards who have won the award the past few seasons.
Earning All-CIF accolades is nothing new for Napier (13.7 points last season) and Smith (12 points). As a freshman, Napier was a first-team selection and Smith earned second-team honors during the 2009-10 campaign as a sophomore.
The two were also pivotal members of a Bell-Jeff team that captured CIF Southern Section Division VA and state Division V championships in 2009.
This past season, the Guards (23-8) won a league title and advanced to the Division III-A semifinals, losing to Orange Lutheran, 43-40. The team also made it to the second round of the state playoffs.
The spring season saw the Bell-Jeff softball team make history.
The Guards posted an undefeated record in the Santa Fe League to claim their second straight championship.
It was indeed a breakthrough campaign under Coach John Castaneda. The Guards won their second consecutive Santa Cruz League title and enjoyed a historic march in the Division VII playoffs, advancing to their first-ever CIF championship game.
Unfortunately, the Guards (22-6) fell short of the title, losing, 7-6, against Pomona Catholic at Deanna Manning Stadium in Irvine.
Since his arrival two seasons ago, Castaneda and his staff have been able to transform the Bell-Jeff into a winner in very little time. The coach took over a program that hadn’t won a league crown in more than a decade and a half and hadn’t got past the second round of the playoffs.
The team was led by freshman outfielder Jaylen Watson, sophomore infielder Monique Landini and senior infielder Maddy Gionoli, who all earned first-team all-league honors.
Gionoli hit .523 with 22 runs batted in, 37 hits, six doubles and four home runs, Watson batted .503 with 42 RBI, 35 hits, six doubles, seven triples and 16 home runs and Landini hit .475 with 28 RBI, 27 hits, five home runs, three triples.
Teammate Amanda Maalouf, a freshman pitcher, was the Santa Cruz Pitcher of the Year after posting a 15-1 record.
In baseball, senior Philip Diaz-McTague helped lead the Guards (11-9) to a second-place finish in the
Santa Fe League and a berth in the playoffs. Bell-Jeff was the only city team to make the postseason.
Diaz-McTague played wherever the Guards needed him, seeing time at pitcher and in the infield.
He finished the season hitting .492 (30 for 61) with 27 runs scored, 15 RBI, one home run and four stolen bases (on five attempts). His six doubles, three triples, on-base (.549) and slugging percentages (.738) were all team highs for the Guards.
He was also one of Bell-Jeff’s go-to pitchers, even though he had limited experience on the mound coming into the season. He tossed the second-most innings for the Guards (28 1/3).
For his efforts, Diaz-McTague was voted the Santa Fe League Player of the Year. It was the sixth time a Bell-Jeff player captured the award during Coach Hector Perez’s 11-year tenure that ended last season. He was also an All-CIF first-team selection for the second time in his career.
Jeff Tully
Filed Under:
News/EventsTagged:
amanda maalouf,
brandon white,
casteneda,
elijah reed,
gionoli,
jasmine smith,
jaylen watson,
Jocelyn Cervantes,
landini,
micah shirley,
philip diaz-mctague,
rishonda napier 
BURBANK- With the new school year less than two months away and the summer-league season coming to a close, it’s a good time to look back on the past school year.
With the 2010-11 campaign came remarkable achievements, successful teams and outstanding athletes who made the year memorable.
As is the yearly tradition, these deserving individuals and accomplishments from the four local high schools — Burbank, Burroughs Providence and Bellarmine-Jefferson — should be recognized.
In fact, many deserve awards for their feats. So here it is, a list of the best of the best, winners of what I affectionately call the Tully Trophy. To be a recipient, an individual, team or school has to exhibit meritorious or worthy accomplishment. Either that, or they have to have done something stupid or strange.
So, without further ado, here are the lucky winners:
•The What-were-you-thinking trophy goes to the Burroughs High assistant baseball coach to allegedly served players alcohol during a spring tournament trip. The school cancelled the Indians’ season, fired coaches and players were suspended because of the incident. What a lapse in judgment.
•The Over-the top trophy is given to the Burroughs administration and local school board for their reaction to the drinking incident. Cancelling the season was definitely an overreaction and suspending players who didn’t take part in the drinking — but who know about it and didn’t come fourth — was not the appropriate thing to do.
•The Repeat-performance trophy is awarded to Burroughs placekicker Christobal Escobar. Escobar kicked what appeared to be the winning field goal against rival Burbank in the 2010 Big Game. However, the Bulldogs had called for a timeout just prior to his kick. With just 4.7 seconds remaining and the score tied, he made good on a 21-yard attempt — and his time it counted — to lift Burroughs to a 38-35 win.
•The Major-collapse trophy is given to the Burbank football team. The Bulldogs jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the second quarter against Burroughs in the Big Game, only to see the Indians battle back for the 38-35 victory.
•The Appropriate-name trophy is given to Burroughs cross-country and track runner Kristen Burroughs.
•The I-bet-your-name-is always-misspelled trophy is awarded to Burbank swimmer Bell Mingcharaenwong (I hope that’s the right spelling).
•The Oh-brother trophy goes to Burroughs siblings Tyler and Lucas Yanez. The talented duo helped lead the Burroughs football and boys’ volleyball teams to Pacific League championships during the 2010-11 campaign.
•The Triple-threat trophy is given to Burbank multi-sport athlete Jordan Card. Card not only won the Pacific League Player of the Year award in girls’ water polo, but she also captured a league discus title in track and field and was a member of the Bulldogs’ girls’ golf team.
•The Good-guy trophy goes to Providence Coach and Athletic Director and girls’ basketball Coach Andrew Bencze. Win or lose, Bencze is always accommodating, upbeat and a pleasure to work with. Bencze is a man who obviously loves his work, loves Providence and generally cares about the athletes he assists.
•The Comeback-of-the-year trophy is awarded to Bell-Jeff baseball player Philip Diaz-McTague. He bounced back from a devastating ankle injury as a junior to have a successful senior year this past season, winning Santa Fe League Player of the Year honors and All-CIF Southern Section first-team accolades.
•The Out-of-nowhere trophy goes to Burbank softball player Katie Hooper. A success in soccer for the Bulldogs, Hooper had a breakout softball campaign, hitting .539 to earn first-team All-CIF Southern Section accolades.
•The It’s-about-time trophy is given to the new Memorial Field project. After years of delay, the reconstruction of the stadium finally got underway and the project is moving at a feverish pace.
•The Dedication-to-team trophy goes to the senior members of the Burroughs boys’ volleyball team. On the evening the seniors were scheduled to take part in graduation ceremonies, the Indians were instead in San Diego County taking part in the state playoffs. Now that’s team dedication.
•The Breaking-a-drought trophy is awarded to the Bell-Jeff boys’ basketball team. The Guards broke a longstanding title drought by capturing their first Santa Fe League championship in 13 years.
•The Sharp-shooter trophy goes to Providence boys’ basketball player Patrick Gonzalez. The junior averaged 37.8 points a game and had the highest scoring average in California.
All the winners can step forward and claim their awards. And please, keep your speeches brief.
BURBANK LEADER
BURBANK — Deep CIF playoff runs, league championships and individual titles highlighted list of accomplishments for area schools. What a way to end the 2009-10 school year.
The spring sports season was one of the most productive for the local schools — Burroughs, Burbank, Bellarmine-Jefferson and Providence highs — in decades. Deep CIF Southern Section playoff runs, league championships and individual titles were only some of the accomplishments that highlighted the spring campaign.
The accomplishments read like a laundry list of success:
•Two squads were able to advance to CIF Southern Section championship contests for the first time.
•Three teams captured league crowns, two going undefeated in the process.
•Another team advanced to the playoff semifinals for the first time in program history.
•Yet another squad moved on to the playoff quarterfinals for the first time in four years.
•An area golfer advanced through three CIF postseason tournaments and came a step away from qualifying for state competition.
•All four softball teams qualified for the postseason.
•Athletes won nine individual titles in track and field and Burroughs boasted both the singles and doubles champions in boys’ tennis.
Leading the way in the spring was the Burroughs High boys’ volleyball team. Under Coach Joel Brinton and led by talented brothers Tyler and Lucas Yanez, the program — which has been in existence for just five years — trumpeted its arrival on the Southern Section scene.
The Indians rolled to a Pacific League title, going undefeated in the process. Burroughs then marched its way through the Division III playoffs, advancing to the championship match against Cerritos Valley Christian at Cypress College. Although the Indians lost, 27-25, 25-27, 25-18, 25-16, just getting to the title contest is a huge accomplishment.
It was the Indians’ first trip to the finals after previously not getting out of the second round of the playoffs.
Burroughs also participated in the Southern California Regional Championships for the first time. The Indians showed they belonged in state competition, upsetting Thousand Oaks, 25-22, 25-12, 23-25, 25-23, in the first round.
It was also a record-breaking season for the Bell-Jeff softball team. The Guards posted an undefeated record in the Santa Fe League to claim their second straight championship.
Bell-Jeff also made its way to its first CIF title game. Unfortunately for the Guards, they fell in the Division VII championship to Pomona Catholic, 7-6.
Staying with the record-breaking theme, the Burroughs boys’ tennis squad also enjoyed the finest postseason run in the history of the program. Led by singles player Garrett Auproux, the Indians pulled off some upsets and advanced to the semifinals of the Division II playoffs, losing to eventual champion Paul Desert, 14-4.
Auproux also won the Pacific League singles title and advanced to the round of 16 in the CIF Southern Section Individual Tournament. In doubles, Indians Oscar Lam and Wen Yao Lin took the league doubles crown.
Another Burroughs athlete, Kelsey Danzeisen, enjoyed a successful postseason, advancing to the Southern California Golf Assn. Regional Qualifier on May 31. In the event at Brookside Golf Club, he shot a one-over-par 73 to finish 27th, missing the cut for the state tournament.
Despite placing fifth in the Pacific League tournament this year, Danzeisen did well in the first two playoff tournaments. He took part in the CIF Individual Final on May 24, which took place at Industry Hills Golf Club’s Babe Zaharias Course. Danzeisen fired a three-over-par-74, tying him for the fifth-best score of the day and a tie for 17th place.
Danzeisen qualified for the final by earning a spot out of the CIF Southern Section Northern Individual Regional at Las Posas Country Club in Camarillo on May 16. Danzeisen fired a five-over-par 76 to finish tied for 20th in the event.
Burroughs also secured a share of a Pacific League title in softball.
Providence enjoyed a solid playoff run with its boys’ volleyball team. The Pioneers placed second in the Liberty League and won two matches in the Division V playoffs before falling to Pasadena Poly, 25-21, 26-24, 25-22.
Burbank didn’t have much team success in the spring, but its track and field athletes were able to pick up individual league accolades. Pacing the group was McKenzie Paul, who won crowns in the girls’ 800- and 1,600-meter races. The championship in the 800 was her third straight. She also advanced to the CIF finals in the 800.
Bulldogs also earning titles were Brandon Weiss (boys’ discus) and Jordan Card (girls’ discus).
For the Indians in track and field, Shannon Kermah was a double league champion in the girls’ triple jump and the long jump. Teammates also winning league championships were Austin Allen (boys’ pole vault), Justice Shank (girls’ high jump) and Amoni Alexander (girls’ 100 hurdles).
In boys’ swimming, Burbank’s Alex Lambert advanced to the CIF Masters Meet and broke two school records along the way. Burroughs’ Chad Wilson also qualified for the Master’s Meet.
Although the schools did lose their share of talent to graduation, there are a number of athletes from these teams who will be returning next season.
Jeff Tully
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