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New name for private high school

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON ((9-8-06) -- In order to maintain continuity among its many programs, Foothills Christian Church in El Cajon announced the renaming of its high school, as Venture Christian High became known as Foothills Christian High concurrent to the start of the present school term.

The school’s athletics program will remain known as the Knights, with many of their home contests will continue to be held at Seau Field at Parkway Middle School (football, soccer), the Kroc Center in La Mesa (basketball, volleyball), and various other locations. depending on sport. Foothills Christian, which competes in the Pacific League (football) and Citrus League (most other sports) holds an enrollment of more than 200 students.

East County Sports.com
STEAMBOAT SPRINGS, Colo. (7-26-06) -- The East County Scorpions 13-and-under travel baseball team recently drew national attention with a second-place finish and local television appeal in the Triple Crown World Series. The 34-team field was composed of several nationally ranked teams from across the nation. The East County Scorpions are comprised of local talent in which half will begin their 9th grade year at local high schools in the fall while the other half will be in 8th grade this coming fall.

The Scorpions breezed through their pool play 3-0 outscoring their opponents -- Midland, Texas, Parker, Colo. and Dallas, Texas -- 39-13 to earn the 6th seed in the 16-team championship bracket. That's when they began doing things the hard way.

They lost their opening game 7-5 in eight innings, leaving them a huge mountain to climb. However, the "little local team" captured six straight games through the challenger bracket to reach the finals.

The difficult schedule included four games in 100-degree hear on Saturday, including wins over the top team from Illinois, the No. 1 club from Kansas and a pair of Southern California aces, then two more on Sunday to reach the televised championship, stinging top-ranked Bellevue, Wash. 13-10 and the Dallas Yankees 12-10.

Obviously gassed from their climb from behind, the Scorpions were smothered by the Southern California Redwings 10-0 -- the No. 1 team in the nation -- before a television audience. Tyrone Wiggins batted .756 for the Redwings in the tourney.

The top players for the Scorpions included: KYLE HAYES (Santana; 19-30, .633) with three homers and 19 RBI. Hayes was dominant finishing games, posting a 4-1 mark with two saves over the course of the tourney.

Others East County standouts were: CODY SMITH (Santana; 14-31, ,452), KEVIN FERREIRA (Santana; .393, 16 runs scored); and TREVOR McKINLEY (Steele Canyon), who hit .482 and gave up three earned runs in 12 innings.

The championship game will be televised by San Diego Cox Cable Channel 4 at a date to be announced.

East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (6-22-06) -- A reward up to $1,000 is being offer by Crime Stoppers for information leading to the conviction of those involved in destroying sections of the new artificial surface at El Capitan Stadium, located on the campus of El Capitan High School. The vandalism occurred late last week and was discovered by workers renovating the area.

The center of the playing field, where the school's "Vaqueros" mascot is painted, was torn apart by a mini-excavator, a machine which is started by a universal key, similar to many in the industry.

The Sheriff's Department is seeking witnesses or information on the damage, according to Detective Andy Kendall.

"There are transients who stay near the San Diego River, or it could be a current or former student with a vendetta, whether from El Cap or another school," said Kendall. "Either way, this is someone who was familiar with operating this type of equipment."

School officials estimated the repairs at more than $10,000, yet should be completed in time for football training camp in mid-August. El Capitan is currently going a makeover from Proposition H funds, but money for the renovated stadium came from private sources, which included the synthetic turf last summer, and the rubberized track running surface this summer, all at a cost of some $800,000.

Ironically, security cameras were recently installed, which covers the entire campus except the stadium, which was rededicated to local humanitarian Wendall Cutting last October. Fortunately, only the turf was damaged, not the sophisticated drainage system.

"Hopefully, the $1,000 will be enough for someone to smoke out the person who did this," added Kendall.

Deputies gathered evidence at the scene, including fingerprints from the equipment and a broken beer bottle, plus a bag from a local convenience store, which has surveillance cameras which could lead to a suspect.

If you have information on the crime, contact the Santee sheriff's station at (619) 956-4000, or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (7-12-06) -- The 20th annual San Diego Classic prep girls basketball tournament will be conducted Thursday-thru-Sunday (July 20-23) at various sites throughout San Diego County. With 380 teams, this is the largest tournament of its kind in the country, having grown from 348 teams last year. Tournament rules stipulate that all girls on each team must attend the same high school.

East County schools participating are Santana, Mount Miguel, Steele Canyon, Grossmont, Monte Vista, Valhalla and Patrick Henry.

Tournament headquarters are at the RIMAC Arena on the campus of UCSD, but games will also be played at the Aztec Recreation Center at SDSU, Alliant International University, USD's Jenny Craig Pavilion, Sports Center at USD, La Jolla Country Day High School, Harry West Gymnasium at San Diego City College, Cathedral Catholic High School, La Costa Canyon High School, and Westview High School.

Some of the top rated teams are Troy (Fullerton), St. Mary's (Arizona), Ventura, Redondo, Mount Miguel, Long Beach Poly and Mayfield (New Mexico). Games start at 11 a.m. on Thurs., July 20 at RIMAC/UCSD, San Diego State, Alliant and USD. The 2A championship games will be Sunday (July 23) at 4 p.m. at RIMAC, with the 3A championship contest at 5 p.m.

This event is widely attended college coaches at all levels.

Day passes -- good for re-entry at any site -- cost $6 and tournament passes are $20. Tournament director is Santana's Wade Vickery. For further information call (619) 448-9183.

East County Sports.com
TORRANCE (7-7-06) -- Cal-Hi Sports recognized a pair of East County athletes among its all-state teams in diamond sports, bestowing all-state berths to Grossmont High's A.J. GRIFFIN in baseball and Santana High's TAYLOR KELLY in fastpitch.

Griffin, a senior, was one of two San Diego Section athletes tabbed to the publication's first team in baseball, joined by Fallbrook senior pitcher Mike Leake. Griffin was also the EastCountySports.com player of the year and the San Diego Section's player of the year, as voted by media members through the San Diego Hall of Champions.

East County players were shutout from the second team, but CLIFTON THOMAS of El Cajon Valley was an honorable mention selection. On the specialty teams, Granite Hills junior catcher TRAVIS TAIJERON and Valhalla sophomore RYAN O'SULLIVAN were named to the all-underclassmen first team

In fastpitch, Kelly was a second-team, all-state honoree, and was joined by Sultans teammate SHAE BASS on the all-medium schools roster, along with SAMANTHA BEASLEY of Steele Canyon. All three were East County players of the year, as Kelly won among position players, while Bass and Beasley shared the pitchers award.

Among the small schools, freshman JESSIE OWENS of Christian was honored as a multi-purpose player.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (7-7-06) -- East County philanthropist WENDELL CUTTING, who served as a Congressional aide and district chief for Rep. DUNCAN HUNTER (R-Alpine), was remembered during memorial services held Thursday (July 6) at Shadow Mountain Community Church.

Cutting, 59, died late last month following a long battle with cancer.

Cutting served as president of the Grossmont-Cuyamaca College District board and was an active volunteer with numerous civic and charity organizations, both locally and internationally, including a stint as vice-president of Rescue Task Force.

Last school year, the football field at El Capitan Stadium was named for Cutting, along with the Boys and Girls Club of El Cajon.

The family asked that donations be sent to Rescue Task Force, 864 North 2nd St., Suite 340, or to the Salvation Army's El Cajon branch, 1011 E. Main St.

East County Sports.com
ALCALA PARK (7-5-06) -- The 7th annual high school San Diego Showcase presented by the San Diego Baseball Coaches Association will be conducted on Sun., July 9 at the University of San Diego's Cunningham Stadium.

This event is San Diego's version of the Area Code Games. It was created by local high school coaches including El Capitan's STEVE VICKERY, Grossmont's ROB PHILLIPS, Mission Bay's DENNIS PUGH and Montgomery's MANNY HERMOSILLO when the San Diego Padres discontinued their sponsorship of the prestigious Area Code Games.

Only the cream of the Class of 2007 crop will be invited to the San Diego Showcase, which annually attracts hundreds of college coaches and professional baseball scouts. Players are nominated by their respective coaches to compete on teams from the East County, North County, South Bay and City Conference. This year’s event will allow the use of aluminum bats.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (5-20-06) -- Granite Hills High will install its third class to the Eagles' Athletics Hall of Fame as part of the annual Athletics Award Night, slated for Thurs., May 25. The event will be held in the school gymnasium, starting at 6:30 p.m.

This year's l Hall of Fame class will include: longtime administrator and former coach MIMI TEST, who was part of a core group of women who first established varsity athletics for girls in the Grossmont Conference in the 1960s; JOE ROTH, who quarterbacked Grossmont College to its first state championship in 1974 and then guided Cal-Berkeley to a Pac-10 title in 1975 and was considered a Heisman Trophy candidate before passing due to leukemia; and running back "Touchdown" TOMMY VARDELL, who later starred at Stanford and in the NFL for the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and San Francisco 49ers.

In addition, annual awards will be presented to top Eagles athletes for both team and individual accomplishments, plus college scholarship winners. The public is invited.

East County Sports.com
LA MESA (5-20-06) -- Helix High will induct four new members to the school's Athletics Hall of Fame, part of the festivities during the second annual Green & Gray Jamboree, slated for Fri., June 2, at 3:30 p.m., at Arnaiz Stadium. Admission is free and open to the entire community.

In addition to the Highlanders' spring football game, the school will induct four former standout football players: offensive lineman BRUCE WALTON, safety CHUCK CECIL, wide receiver (and current UCLA head coach) KARL DORRELL and cornerback ALLAN DURDEN. Cecil was a standout safety in the NFL and now is an assistant coach for the Tennessee Titans. Walton and Durden also had a cup of coffee in the NFL.

Sipau Lee-Noa

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (5-18-06) -- Palomar College's SIPAU LEE-NOA, a freshman outfielder out of Helix High School, has been selected to the 2006 Community College All-America first team by the National Softball Coaches Association.

Lee-Noa batted .453 for the season with five doubles, three triples, five home runs and 33 RBIs. She hit .475 in the Pacific Coast Conference, helping lead the Comets to their 21st consecutive conference championship.

East County Sports.com
NEW ORLEANS (5-18-06) -- Left-handed pitcher MATS MATTSON, a 6-foot-6, 180-pounder for the Grossmont North League champion Grossmont High, has accepted a scholarship to play baseball for the University of New Orleans for the 2007 season, his parents reported.

New Orleans is a member of the Sun Belt Conference (NCAA Div. I), which is celebrating its 30th anniversary this season. The Privateers enter the final week of the regular season with a 26-26 overall record, then participate in the Sun Belt Championships in Bowling Green, Ky., on May 24-27.

David Dennis (SD City Coll. photo)

Dennis, an all-Pacific Coast Conference designated hitter for San Diego City College this past season, was a member of the 2002 All-East County team.

Playing first base for the Norsemen, Dennis batted .450 during his season year, gaining first team berths on the All-Grossmont South League and All-CIF Division I teams.

This past spring with the Knights, the left-handed Dennis batted .337, leading the ballclub in homers (4), doubles (19) and sacrifice flies (6), while ranking second with 19 RBI.

On Saturday (May 13), Oklahoma City (50-12) fell in the NAIA Region VI final to Lubbock Christian, 10-4, ending the Stars' string of four straight trips to the NAIA nationals. Lubbock Christian advances to the NAIA Mid-South Super Regional on May 18-20, meeting Culver-Stockton College (Mo.), a team which features East County's BOBBY ARMSTRONG (Granite Hills) and SCOTT DEEN (El Capitan). Culver-Stockton downed Benedictine College, 9-8, in the Region V championship.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (5-12-06) -- Former Valhalla High standout BOBBY MILES, who was a team captain for the Norsemen soccer team, has transferred from Cuyamaca College and will be a part of the inaugural season at Cal State San Marcos. Miles was a first-team, all-Grossmont South League performer at Valhalla, then received all-Pacific Coast Conference honors with Cuyamaca.

East County Sports.com
LAKESIDE (5-10-06) -- The Barona-San Diego Stars, one of the nation's top semi-professional baseball teams with several top finishes at the National Baseball Congress national championships over the past decade, will soon be holding tryouts for the 2006 summer season.

Owner-manager MICKEY DEUTCHMANN, who also serves as an assistant coach at West Hills High, announced that two sets of tryouts will be held, both at Field of Dreams ballpark on the Barona Indian Reservation, located 1.1 miles north of the Barona Resort & Casino, on the west side of Wildcat Canyon Road behind the Barona Museum and softball field. The dates are Sat., May 13 and Sun., May 21, both at 1 p.m.

All interested players (ages 17 through ?? -- Talent Speaks!) who must have no further high school eligibility, are asked to be prepared to play. Bring your own wood bat, helmet, glove, cleats and other necessary equipment. Those who make the team will play a schedule which includes the Southern California Wood Bat League, plus tournaments throughout the Western U.S. and British Columbia, all in anticipation of qualifying for the NBC nationals in Wichita, Kan.

For further information, call the Stars Hotline at (619) 448-7900, email looper@n2.net , or check the Stars website,located at: www.baronastars.com.

East County Sports.com
EAGLE ROCK (5-3-06) -- Narrowing her choices to two schools, Grossmont High softball player ALYSSA ESCALANTE selected Occidental College to continue her fastpitch career.

Escalante, who plays first base and designated player for the Foothillers, picked the Tigers over Salem College (N.C.) because of its sports medicine program. She would like to become a physical therapist or athletic trainer.

"Alyssa's been one of our biggest hitters," said Grossmont coach JERRY LERUD. "She's among our top hitters for average and is our leader in home runs."

Escalante will play for an Occidental team now coached by San Diego State alumnus Amber Grahlman. In her first season, the Tigers started 1-11 out of the gate, yet showed improvement throught the recently-concluded 2006 campagn to post a 10-27 record (6-18 SCIAC) to double their win total after capturing just five games in 2005.

Mavericks on ESPN2

East County Sports.com
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (4-23-06) -- The El Cajon based West Coast Mavericks cheerleading club will appear on ESPN2 on Saturday (Apr. 29) at 11a.m., when they participate at the Universal Cheerleaders Association national championships, held at The Milk House at Disney's Wide World of Sports complex.

The Mavericks, which feature performers from throughout East County, include eight student-athletes from West Hills High School, captured the "small senior co-ed" title last April. The club later went on to capture a major international competition in London over the summer.

Grossmont College holds tryouts

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-23-06) -- All high school cheerleaders who are seniors may try out for the 2006 Grossmont College cheerleading squad, which will be held Wed.-Sat., (Apr. 26-29).

The tryouts include an orientation, a workshop, a skills competition, then a final set of interviews. Cheerleaders must be attending Grossmont College next school year, with winners performing at many college and public events, including home games of the 2005 national champion Grossmont College football team.

For further information, contact team coordinator Allison Bobrow at (619) 644-3658, or visit the Griffins' website HERE.

Erin McKeown (Liberty Univ. photo)

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-11-06) -- Former Liberty University standout ERIN McKEOWN, who was an all-Big South Conference performer for the Flames, has accepted the position of head women's volleyball coach at San Diego Christian College. The announcement was made Tuesday (Apr. 11) morning by Hawks athletic director KELVIN STARR.

In addition to coaching, McKeown will also work in Student Development as the Spiritual Life Director, giving spiritual leadership to the ladies of San Diego Christian College. She will arrive following the summer, when she completes her masters' degree from Liberty in Business Administration. Her bachelor's degree is in sport management (2004).

McKeown has spent the past two seasons as graduate assistant coach to Flames head coach Shane Pinder. A four-year letterwinner at Liberty, located in Lynchburg, Va., McKeown accumulated numerous honors while playing volleyball for the Flames.

During her junior season, she earned a spot on the Big South All-Conference First-Team, Big South All-Tournament team and was recognized as the Big South Tournament's Most Valuable Player. Her success reached a peak in 2003 as she became just the third player in the Lady Flames' 27-year history -- and the first since 1999 -- to be named Big South Most Valuable Player.

After a superb senior season, McKeown penciled her name in the Lady Flames' record books, ranking third all-time in blocks (341) and digs (1,479), and fourth in matches played (134). She finished up her senior season setting career highs in attempts (49), block assists (11) and total blocks (11).

East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (3-19-06) -- The CIF San Diego Section announces the 2006 senior class boys and girls basketball games on Friday (Mar. 24) at Point Loma Nazarene College. Girls'tip-off is at 5:30; slam-dunk contest 7:00; boys'tip-off 8:00. Also featured will be performances by local high school cheer squads, dance teams and pep bands, as well as 3-point contests.

East County senior girls participating and playing for the All-Stars South are JERICA WILLIAMS (Mount Miguel), ALLISON DUFFY (El Capitan), JORDAN FRANEY (Santana) and DIANA LEASAU (Helix).

East County senior boys participating and playing for the All-Stars South are CORY BROWN (El Capitan), PAUL IVANAUSKAS (Christian), and NICK TAYLOR (Granite Hills).

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for students and seniors. For information contact the CIFSDS office at (858) 292-8165 or visit their website at www.cifsds.org.

Legendary UCLA coach John Wooden (circa 1975), when the Bruins won his final NCAA title over Kenticky in San Diego. (Courtesy of U.S. Basketball Hall of Fame)

East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (3-11-06) -- Basketball coaching legends John Wooden and Morgan Wootten will speak at the San Diego Hall of Champions' Sports at Lunch program, to be held on Mon., Mar. 27. The public is welcome to attend.

The luncheon, which starts at 11:30 a.m., is in conjunction with the McDonald's All-American High School All-Star Game on Wed., Mar. 29 at San Diego State's Cox Arena.

Wooden, 95, the infamous "Wizard of Westwood," retired after capturing the last of his 10 NCAA titles here in San Diego in 1975. He finished with a career record of 664-112.

Wootten, meanwhile, mounted a 1,274-192 coaching record at DeMatha High (Md.), capturing five mythical national championships. Both are honorary chairmen for the 29th annual game.

Tickets for the luncheon are $75 with a portion of the proceeds going to Ronald McDonald's House Charities. For ticket information, please visit the San Diego Hall of Champions website at: www.sdhoc.com.

Among the people coaching this year's McDonald's games will be Santana High coach Wade Vickery, who just concluded his 26th season with the CIF-SDS Division III title, now with a career mark of 609-119.

East County Sports.com
RANCHO SAN DIEGO (3-3-06) -- San Diego Chargers Pro Bowler Hank Milligan, along with football teammates Drayton Florence, Shaun Phillips and Greg Camarillo will be among the celebrities playing in the 3rd annual Celebrity Basketball Game on Saturday (Mar. 4) at Steele Canyon High School.

The game tips off at 6 p.m. and supports the Lady Cougars basketball program at Steele Canyon High, located at 12440 Campo Road. Tickets are $8 pre-sold and $10 at the door. Tickets can be purchased at Steele Canyon High.

Other celebrity players include A.J. and Hula from 93.3 FM Radio, San Diego Charger Girls, and The Swinging Friar from the San Diego Padres. Fans attending the event will also enjoy music provided by Channel 93.3. For further information, call Frank Quinones (619) 252-4032.

For further information or to registet, please visit the Lemon Grove Little League website, at: www.go-lgll.com.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (2-17-06) -- San Diego Christian College officially announced that baseball will begin play next season and have named MIKE LORD as their head coach for the 2007 inaugural season. The expansion was first reported by East County Sports.com more than six months ago, but was made official Friday (Feb. 17) by an athletics department spokesperson.

Lord’s career spans over 20 seasons at every level of baseball. His coaching experience includes time as a high school head coach, a community college pitching coach, as well as a head coach at both NAIA and NCAA institutions, plus nine seasons with the San Diego Padres, where he served as a batting practice pitcher and defensive positioning coordinator.

Lord has been at Palm Beach Atlantic University the past two seasons where his teams were 62-30 with post-season appearances both years. His 2004 team finished second in the country in the NCCAA, losing the national championship game to Dallas Baptist University 2-0.

Lord prepped at Brethren High School in Huntington Beach, where he was an all-CIF Southern Section pitcher, then on to Long Beach City College where he pitched on a state championship team in 1976. The next year he pitched on a NCAA Division II National Championship ballclub at UC Riverside.

“To be asked to be a head coach is always an honor, but to be offered the chance to start this program is unbelievable. It is obviously an incredible opportunity," said Lord. "(San Diego Christian College president Jerry Huson is a former baseball coach (at Christian High) and he 'gets it.' He is going to give this program every chance possible to be successful from the start. Who could ask for more than that?"

The program will be offering baseball scholarships and will play a full 50-game schedule as well as compete in the Golden State Athletic Conference, one of the premier NAIA conferences in the country. Baseball is currently the only spring sports offered by the college. Details on where the team will hold practices and play games was not announced, but it is believed leading candidates include Grossmont College and Barona Diamond, home of the semipro Barona Stars of the National Baseball Congress.

East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (2-17-06) -- Wade Vickery, the winningest coach in CIF-San Diego Section history at Santana High School, has been designated as one of four head coaches for the 29th annual McDonald's All-America basketball games. The three-day event will run Mar. 27-29, capped by the all-star competition at San Diego State's Cox Arena.

Vickery, who has more than 600 coaching victories to his credit, will coach in the fifth annual girls contest, which features the top 24 players from across the country. Vickey's ledger also features 19 league championships and eight section titles. He will guide the West team, while Leta Andrews of Granbury High in Texas will head the East side.

The boys teams will be coached by L.A. Fairfax's Harvey Kitani (West) and Doug Lipscomb of Wheeler High in Marietta, Ga. (East). The contest will be televised on ESPN.

The event starts with the Powerade Jam Fest, to be held at San Diego State's Peterson Gymnasium, on Mon., Mar. 27. Many of the nation's top high school players will show off their skills during this action-packed slam dunk, three-point and shootout contests.

The next night will be the national awards banquet and silent auction, to be held at the Town & Country resort in Mission Valley. Tickets for the banquet may be purchased through the San Diego Hall of Champions website (www.sdhoc.com).

Final rosters will be announced Feb. 23. Tickets for the other events can be purchased through Ticketmaster or the SDSU Ticket Office at Window E at Qualcomm Stadium.

Proceeds from the event will benefit Ronald McDonald House Charities of San Diego, which helps children and families by operating the Ronald McDonald House and making grants to other nonprofit children's organizations throughout San Diego County.

East County Sports.com
INDIANAPOLIS (1-16-06) -- MARIN MARTINEZ of El Cajon finished in third place at the national finals of the NFL Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick competition. The 13-year old, competing against 31 others who represented each team in the National Football League, finished with a composite marj of 235 feet, 3 inches, falling to youngsters representing the Carolina Panthers (286-7) and Minnesota Vikings (261-5).

Martinez registered a mark of 76-9 in the punt (the gross length, minus the distance from a line drawn straight down the middle of the field -- accuracy counts, too), 104-11 in the pass for the top mark in the Girls 12-13 division, then 53-7 in the kickoff. She entered the final as the top qualifier.

You go, girl

East County Sports.com
NEW YORK(12-28-05/UPDATED 1-9-06) -- MARIN MARTINEZ, a 13-year old El Cajon resident and daughter of Santana High soccer and field hockey coach DANNY MARTINEZ, has earned a berth to the national finals of the NFL-Pepsi Punt, Pass & Kick program.

The younger Martinez captured the sectional title for the San Diego Chargers area. Plus, her total of 289.5 feet -- the combined distance (with accurancy) of her punt, her pass, and a placekick -- is also the best in the nation among the 32 sections. She recorded her total at Qualcomm Stadium on the day of a Chargers home game against the Buffalo Bills on Nov. 20.

Martinez' score is more than 15 feet better than the nation's next best total in the Girls' 12-13 Division. A competitor from Columbus, Miss., and representing the New Orleans Saints, registered a score of 273-feet, 11-inches.

For her accomplish, Martinez will receive an all-expense paid trip to the national PPK competition final over the weekend of Jan. 14-15, to be held at Indianapolis, the site for one of two AFC Divisional playoff games. More than 4 million youngsters competed this season, including over 350,000 in Martinez' division. For further information, visit the NFL Youth Football site HERE.

East County Sports.com
CHULA VISTA (12-12-05) -- The South San Diego County High School Softball Umpires Association is
looking for new members. Some experience is desired, but not necessary,and training will be provided. For further information or to register, contact either Debbie Ahrenstein (619-420-7471), David Brown (619-294-5925) or Bob Kauffman (619-585-8304).

East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (12-9-05) -- The CIF-San Diego Section is pleased to announce the participating teams for the Inaugural Winter Basketball Showcase, scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 21, at Cathedral Catholic High School.

This event will feature some of the top-rated teams in Southern California. All games will be played with teams from the San Diego Section versus high school teams from the Southern and Central sections.

The showcase begins at 11:15 a.m. with Central Section’s girls’ Division I champion Stockdale battling the San Diego Section South Bay favorite Eastlake. At 1:00 p.m., Southern Section’s boys’ Division III playoff-bound El Segundo takes on always-tough San Diego Section champion Horizon.

Southern Section’s girls’ Division III always-tough Santa Margarita plays San Diego Section champion La Jolla Country at 2:45 p.m. Villa Park, Southern Section’s perennial boys’ powerhouse, takes on San Diego Section’s up-and-comer Fallbrook at 4:30 p.m. Southern Section finalist and Southern Regional finalist in girls’ Division I Ventura goes against San Diego Section champion Carlsbad at 6:15 p.m. In the final game of the evening, Etiwanda, the Southern Section’s boys’ Division I finalist and Regional runner-up will face the San Diego Section’s Division I runner-up and perennial State CIF participant El Camino at 8:00 p.m.

Tickets are $6.00 and are now on sale! It should be an added attraction to the 2005-06 Basketball Season! For more information on the Inaugural Winter Basketball Showcase, contact the CIFSDS office at (858) 292-8165 or visit the website at www.cifsds.org.

Santana High School's (from left) Kristen Medrud, Taylor Kelly and Jordan Franey signed scholarship papers for full-ride athletic scholarships. (Santana High courtesy photo)

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (11-20-05) -- In a ceremony in front of dozens of fellow students, a trio of standout athletes from Santana High School signed letters of intent to accept athletic scholarships Wednesday (Nov. 9). All three have previously been honored as members of both the All-East County and All-San Diego County all-star teams.

Included are Sultans women's basketball player JORDAN FRANEY (UC Santa Barbara), and softball players TAYLOR KELLY (California) and KRISTEN MEDRUD (Loyola-Illinois).

All three were recruited following strong campaigns with their respective club teams over the summer.

"Santa Barbara first contacted me after my sophomore year,â"said Franey, who first played for her high school coach, WADE VICKERY, on the Santee Storm before later switching to Cal Swish Black. "It's an amazing school, where I discovered that they were good players on the court, but good people off the court, too. That was huge."

Franey comes from a Santana program that posted a 25-6 record and advanced to the first round of the CIF Division III State Tournament in 2004-05. After averaging 21.2 points per game, Franey earned berths to the All-County and All-East County teams. Franey's older sister, Janet (Helix High), was a four-year basketball letterwinner at California, where she played under current UCSB assistant coach Camille Burkes.

"Jordan is a real blue-collar kid, who is solid in all areas of her game but an especially strong three-point shooter," French stated about Franey, a member of Cal-Hi Sports' All-Junior class state team. "She's a very proud defender and always seems to be in the right place at the right time. I think a lot of our fans will appreciate Jordan's effort and intensity. Because of her work ethic and desire to be successful, she will be able to come in and help us right away."

Franey, a 6-foot forward, will be joined by guard Meagan Williams of Sacramento as the only two members of UCSB's 1006-07 recruiting class. Franey expects to major in anatomy or literature, and perhaps teach Shakespeare someday.

Meanwhile, Kelly and Medrud were discovered by coaches primarily looking at players on other teams. Yet their superior play earned them full-ride scholarships.

Kelly's club team, The Next Level, is composed mainly of players graduating from high school in 2007, so many colleges passed looking at the lone 2006 graduate on the roster.

"At first, they were not watching my team at all because we were so young," noted Kelly, a shortstop. "But after the (Cal) coach talked to my coach, he offered me a scholarship right there."

Kelly's choices came down to Washington, Tennessee, Northwestern and the Golden Bears, but the final decision came with ease.

"Cal is an amazing school -- I went there and fell in love," noted Kelly. "There are few schools with great softball and great academics, and I loved the diversity there, too."

Medrud received offers from Loyola Marymount and Louisiana Tech, but the "Second City" proved to be a comfortable fit for the pitcher-first baseman.

"I fell in love with Chicago when I took my trip," said Medrud, a San Diego Breakers club performer, who is penciled in as the Greyhounds' clean-up hitter in 2007. "I was in a showcase tournament in Colorado when they saw me. They were looking at other players, but chose me."

Medrud can play three different positions or be a designated hitter. She will be a four-year varsity performer for the Sultans.

Track signing -- San Diego State announced the signing of prep standout Janie James to a national letter of intent in women's track. The sprinter from Helix High will compete for the Aztecs beginning with the 2006-07 season.

James, currently a senior with the Highlanders, placed fourth in the 400-meter dash at the CIF state finals last June with a personal-best time of 54.37 seconds. James’ mark would put her 10th on the Aztecs’ all-time list.

"We're very pleased that Janie has signed with us," Aztecs head coach Rahn Sheffield said. "She is the first local prep standout we've signed since Sophia Hawker (of Grossmont High in 1997)."

Drew Brees

Enjoy lunch with Chargers’ Drew Brees; Salute to Champions tickets also on sale

East County Sports.com
BALBOA PARK (11-21-05) -- San Diego Chargers quarterback DREW BREES will be the featured speaker at the San Diego Hall of Champion’s monthly Sports At Lunch program for December. The event will be held on Tue., Dec. 6, at noon on the main floor of the sports museum.

Brees led the Chargers to the AFC Western Division title last season, and currently has the Chargers the thick of the National Football League playoff race this season.

60th annual Hall of Champions inductees
Terrell Davis	Gail Devers	Louie Kelcher
La Mesa's Volney Peters, pictured on his Topps trading cards from the 1957 Weshington Redskins (left) and 1961 San Diego Chargers. (Courtesy Topps, Inc.)

Tickets are $30 for members of the hall, or $40 for the general public. For further information, contact the Hall of Champions ar (619)-699-2321, or visit the Hall’s website, at www.sdhoc.com.

The Hall is also accepting reservations for the 60th annual Salute to the Champions dinner, slated for the Town & Country Hotel in Mission Valley on Tue., Feb. 28. This year’s inductees include:

> Former NFL MVP and Super Bowl MVP TERRELL DAVIS (Lincoln High/Georgia);

> World record sprinter GAIL DEVERS (Sweetwater ‘83/UCLA), who won a trio of gold medals (twice in the 100 meters, and the 1600 relay) over five different Olympic Games;

> 3-time Pro Bowl selection and Chargers’ Hall of Fame defensive lineman LOUIE KELCHER;

> Veterans Committee selection VOLNEY PETERS (Hoover ‘47/USC) of La Mesa, one of the first linemen from San Diego to make it to the NFL in the 1950s. Peters first played for the Washington Redskins, then later the San Diego Chargers of the American Football League as a defensive tackle.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (11-17-05) -- Several East County high school football coaches are asking the community to support the efforts of SEAN BRADY, the former West Hills High football player, who was partially paralyzed in a 2001 game versus Granite Hills.

Coaches have noted that Brady, who can’t move below the waist and is confined to a wheelchair, has never complained about his injury and has demonstrated a great deal of class and heart through his ordeal. So a request is going out to assist Brady to purchase a special chair so he may continue his athletics pursuits in the sport of Quad Rugby.

"As many of you may know, I have had my eye on a sport called Quad Rugby," Brady noted. "Back in September, I attended a tournament in Oceanside where beginners and novices alike were encouraged to come and play."

Players from throughout the country attended the tournament, but Brady didn’t know he was going to be quickly thrown into the mix.

"At the tournament, I met a guy from Arizona who made me get in his chair to see how it felt," said Brady. "After pushing around in it for about 15 minutes, I was told that I was going to be playing in the next game!"

Ever since, Brady's been hooked on Quad Rugby, even starting a San Diego County-based team to travel and compete. However, rugby chairs must be custom-made and are expensive at more than $3,000 each, so area coaches are getting together to raise the necessary funds.

If you would like to help, please send your donation to: 9321 Praful Court, Santee, CA 92071. You can also contact the football coaching staff at West Hills for further information, or write coach Frank Yancey at frankyancey@cox.net.

To see Quad Rugby in action, the 16th Annual Best of the West tournament is being held this weekend (Nov. 18-20) at Balboa Park in Municipal Gym (next to the Aerospace Museum). For further information on Quad rugby, visit: www.quadrugby.com/toc.htm.

East County Sports.com
SANTEE (11-8-05) -- Registration is now being accepted for all former West Hills High football players to take part in an alumni flag football game, to be held during the spring semester.

Former Wolf Pack lineman JAMES SWINEY (Class of '99), who currently serves as an assistant line coach, is organizing the event, which will be played in May (actual date to be announced) as part of a fundraising event in conjunction with the varsity's Spring Football game.

The cost -- afterall, this is a fundraiser -- is expected to be between $20 and $50. If you're interested in playing or participating, please contact Swiney by email (James.Swiney@sdsheriff.org or sweendog53@hotmail.com) or KYLE CONERLY (fastaztec6@hotmail.com) so plans can be made..

East County Sports.com
LINDA VISTA (10-31-05) -- Former Christian High girls volleyball coach KIM BELL is among the honorees to be inducted into the San Diego Hall of Champions' High School Coaches Legends section.

Bell, along with 10 others, will be honored at the Hall's annual Legends Banquet, slated for Wed., Nov. 16, at the Scottish Rite Center in Mission Valley. The reception starts at 5:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the program at 6:30 p.m.

Bell will be inducted along with Dennis Lottermoser (Cross Country, Crawford/Mira Mesa), Sue Minnock (Badminton, Serra), Hal Niedermeyer (Football, Coronado), George Ohnesorgen (Football, Chula Vista), Jeff Ukrainetz (Swimming/Water Polo, San Pasqual/Mt. Carmel/ Rancho Bernardo), Ed Wiley (Wrestling, San Dieguito) and the late Gene Edwards (Football, La Jolla).

In addition, Meritorious Achievement Award Winners include: Cheryl Ernst, Ash Hayes, Kathy Curran and Robert King.

In her 11 seasons at Christian, Bell guided the Patriots to nine CIF championship match appearances, capturing five titles (1990 and 1995 in Division IV; 1991, 1992 and 1999 in Division V). Included among her top players were six CIF players of the year, including BECKY JOHNSON (1990), TIFFANY STUTZ (1991), two-time winner LEEANA MILLER (1992-93), JENNY WENNING (1995), and KATIE WILKINS (1999), who was also the San Diego County player of the year for all divisions.

Upon taking over the program in 1989, Bell's extended the school's streaks of 103 consecutive league victories (either the Central, Harbor or Eastern leagues), including 58 straight at home to claim 11 straight league titles.

Upon retiring, the veteran coach moved andf now resides in Albuquerque, N.M.

Tickets are $45, and they may be purchased by contacting Mary Woodall at the San Diego Hall of Champions at (619) 234-2544.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-25-05) -- The list of East County standout athletes who have accepted scholarships to continue their careers at NCAA Division I schools climbed after seven more students recently signed letters of intent during the early signing period in three sports.

In baseball, El Capitan catcher AUSTIN RAUCH signed selected San Diego State over two other finalists, while JOE INZONE of the Steele Canyon, the Grossmont Conference batting champion, will head north to University of the Pacific.

In softball, a pair of Santana stallworths signed letters, as shortstop TAYLOR KELLY will play in the Pac-10 Conference with nationally-ranked California, whill all-around utility performer KRISTIN MEDRUD travels east to Loyola-Chicago.

And in women's basketball, JERICA WILLIAMS, who helped Mount Miguel move within a game of the CIF state title game, will join UCLA, while Jordan Franey of Santana moves on to nationally-ranked UC Santa Barbara. Earlier in the year, ALLISON DUFFY of El Capitan agrees to play for coach BETH BURNS at San Diego State.

Overview
Rauch ranked third in the East County in doubles, finishing his junior season with a solid .373 batting average, with six homers and 27 RBIs. In addition, Rauch showed rare speed for a catcher by stealing 13 bases. He selected SDSU over UC Riverside and USD because he likes MARK MARTINEZ, the newest Aztecs assistant coach, who moves here from the University of Nrw Mexico.

Inzone batted .446 last season -- second in the East County to Shance Stanovic of Christian -- and recorded 24 RBI. He belted three homers as the Cougars' leadoff batter and was solid on defense at several positions, mostly playing in the outfield.

Kelly is reguarded as one of the top shortstop's in the county, especially in important contests. Included was her two-hit performance in the CIF Division III playoffs last season, scoring the game-winning run in extra innings to defeat Steele Canyon. Kelly is also a top club performer.

Medrud could be found almost anywhere in the Sultans lineup, beit pitcher, first base, the outfield or as the designated player, helping the school to its first league title in 11 season. After claiming the East County Sports' Unsung Hero Award last season, she will be a four-year starter this season with a solid bat.

Williams, a 5-foot-10 forward, helped the Matadors to their third straight section Division II title and a berth in the Southern California Regional final. She averaged 18.7 points and 7.1 rebounds.

Franey was the CIF-SDS Division III Player of the Year and was named to the CalHiSports.com All-State Division III first team.
Duffy is one of Burns' first recruits since rejoining the Aztecs.

A three-year starter who was glittered by post-season honors, Duffy averaged 21.2 points, 12.6 rebounds, 4.8 steals, 2.5 assists and blocked 45 shots for the Grossmont North League-champion Vaqueros (25-6).

All three basketball players made the All-East County team, All-CIF San Diego Section team, and the Cal-Hi Sports All-State team.
Meanwhile, Marian Catholic transfer SHANIUCE HOWARD, who will play for Mount Miguel this season, accepted an offer to Cal State Northridge.

Wendell R. Cutting (right) lifts an El Capitan football jersey, listing the '05' insignia as the year of Thursday's dedication of the new football field -- complete with artificial turf -- named in his honor at Vaquero Stadium. (Photo by Greg Eichelberger) CLICK PICTURE TO ENLARGE

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (Sept. 28) -- Granite Hills High School is seeking all alumni for the third annual Homecoming Barbecue, which will honor former Eagles head football coach DWIGHT MORRIS on the 30th anniversary of the school's first team to advance the CIF-San Diego Section championship at San Diego-Jack Murphy Stadium (now Qualcomm Stadium).

The barbecue will be held Thursday, Oct. 13 at 6 p.m., with complimentary food and beverages provided by the GHHS Booster Club. On the following night, the school will celebrate homecoming with a 7 p.m. contest against Steele Canyon, featuring a halftime fireworks show.

Morris, who still lives locally in Alpine, guided Granite Hills during three standout seasons from 1975-77, when the Eagles posted a winning streak which would reach 28 games in Grossmont Conference contests, which remains the second-longest streak in section history.

"Dwight is a legend in coaching circles," noted JAKE GAEIR, the Granite Hills vice-principal for athletics and organizer of the event. "So we need as many alumni from the school -- not just players from his teams -- to contact the school to register. It will be a great way to honor him."

Morris was inducted into the Granite Hills Hall of Fame last spring. The barbecue will allow alumni and supporters of the Eagles to express their appreciation for Morris' years of service to the school, the community and to high school football.

You must RSVP to attend the barbecue. To register or for further information, please contact Gaeir by email, at: jgaeir@guhsd.net.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (Sept. 28) -- Former Helix High athlete Babey Wagnew, who now runs cross country for Southwestern College, had been selected the Pacific Coast Conference male athlete of the week for the period ending Seot. 24. Wagnew, a sophomore who was selected as PCC Athlete of the Week twice in 2004-05 — once in cross country and once in track— defeated a formidable field to capture the Golden West Invitational in Huntington Beach. Wagnew was timed in exactly 20:00 for 4.0 miles to claim the victory.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (Sept. 21) -- Cuyamaca College cross country runner NICOL NICASTRO and Grossmont College wide receiver MICHAEL OMAR was among four student-athleres selected as Pacific Coast Conference Athletes of the Week.

Nicastro, a sophomore from El Capitan High, defeated her next closest competitor by a full 40 seconds to capture individual honors and lead the Coyotes to the team championship at the Palomar Invitational. Nicastro completed the 3.1-mile course at Guajome Regional Park in Vista in 20:59, as Cuyamaca won the nine-team meet by a 214-86 margin over second-place finisher East Los Angeles.

Omar hauled in five passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns, as the Griffins produced a school scoring record in a 83-35 whitewash of Mt. San Jacinto in the Foothill Conference opener for both schools. Included were a pair of 55-yard TD receptions, while the other went for 26, as a pair of Griffins quarterbacks connected for seven TD passes to blitz the previously undefeated Eagles.

Other winners included Palomar linebacker Adam Tenney and San Diego Mesa water poloist Coral Kubala.

Honorable mention went to Grossmont running back DERRELL HUTSONA (Helix), who returned a kick for a touchdown for the second staright week; Cuyamaca soocer goalkeeper ROBERTO VEGA (El Cajon Valley), who notched his fifth shutout of the season by making stop 10 saves in a scoreless draw with state-ranked Golden West; Cuyamaca volleyball player KRISTIN WOLFE (Valhalla), who helped the Coyotes to their best start ever after the team placed second at the school's Coyote Classic.

East County Sports.com
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (Sept. 15) -- A two-sport standout throghout his prep career, Valhalla High catcher Tommy McClain announced he has accepted a baseball scholarship to the University of Arkansas.

McClain, who helped lead the Norsemen to a 73-22 record and a pair of Grossmont South League championships in the past three seasons, joins a Razorbacks program that's been nationally ranked for decades. McClain was twice named to the All-Grossmont South League team by league coaches, posting a .300 career average in 224 at-bats with 47 RBI.

Included was a .303 (30-for-99) mark as a junior, then a .315 average (23-73) as a senior after returning at midseason after suffering an injury for the Valhalla soccer team. McClain was an All-East County and All-San Diego County goalie for the Norsemen as a junior, but was hurt in the first week of his senior season, but returned in time to heavily contribute to the school's baseball team.

East County Sports.com
LONG BEACH (Sept. 21) -- Granite Hills High infielder BRANDON DECKER, a two-time member of the All-East County baseball team, has committed to NCAA Division I powerhouse Long Beach State for the 2006 season.

Decker who helped the Eagles gain a share of the Grossmont South League baseball title, batted .389 during the regular season, as Granite Hills (28-6) rattled off 13 consecutive victories to advance to the CIF Division I championship game. For the season, Decker batted .360 and finished fifth in East County with 14 stolen bases. In his junior season, the second baseman batted .430, with 41 runs and 16 steals.

Long Beach State posted an overall record of 37-22 last spring, as the Dirtbags finished one game behind nationally-ranked Cal State Fullerton in the Big West Conference standings.

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Grossmont leads 2-0, still falls to City College

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (11-3-05) -- A disappointing season dipped even gloomier Wednesday (Nov. 2), after Grossmont College built a 2-0 lead in games, yet still lost to visiting San Diego City College in Pacific Coast Conference action. The Knights rallied back to win, 26-30, 24-30, 30-20, 30-25, 15-11.

The Griffins were in anything but panic mood after dropping the third set with reserves filling in half of the rotation, but SDCC took the next two games against the Grossmont starters, adding to already difficult season.

The Knights came back on the play of freshman Kelly Kaiser, a graduate of USD out of Santa Cruz, who came to play intercolligate sports for the first time. Kaiser, after being held to a single kill in the firs sett, came back strong to register a game-high 20 kills.

"Coming back like that was huge," said Kaise. "Our girls go out there fight whether it's the first game of the fifth game. They do what they had to do."

LEAN TRASK paced the Griffins with 20 kills, but after recording 11 in the first two games, only mustered nine additional kills over the final three games. MEREDITH PERALTA picked up some the slack with 18 kills, but after Grossmont went on a 9-2 run to take a 17-11 lead in the fourth game, it all fell apart.

"We eased up and they kept working hard, which is City's M.O.,' noted Grossmont coach BERT NOVICIO.

Grossmont's last home match is Friday, Nov. 11 vs. Palomar, starting at 7 p.m.

East County Sports.com
SAN MARCOS (10-20-05) -- Lindsey Olhausen, the 2002 CIF player of the year out of Poway High School, registered game highs of 11 kills and 14 digs, leading Palomar College past visiting Grossmont College in Wednesday's (Oct. 19) Pacific Coast Conference women's volleyball match at the Palomar Dome. The Comets (8-4 overall, 3-1 PCC), the conference titlists two of the past three seasons, won in straight sets, 30-20, 30-17, 30-24.

MEREDITH PERALTA, a 5-foot-7 outside hitter from Phoenix, paced the Griffins (2-6, 2-3) with 11 kills, but the rest of the team failed to generate much offense in the sweep. Grossmont hosts Cuyamaca on Friday at 7 pm.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-12-05) -- A strong effort in the third game kept the Grossmont College women's volleyball team close, but even then, 16th-ranked San Diego Mesa came through to take the game and sweep Wednesday's (Oct. 11) Pacific Coast Conference match, 30-19, 30-16, 30-28.

Ashton O'Halloran recorded 11 of her match-high 12 kills over the final two games to pace the first-place Olympians (3-0 PCC, 10-3 overall). The Griffins (1-2, 1-5) received seven kills and three blocks from middle LEAH TRASK, with most of her points coming in the third game to boost the hosts to leads of 4-1, 13-10 and 23-21. However, O'Halloran went on a spiking spree by converting three straight chances during one rotation at the net to finally reclaim the late advantage. She also registered five straight kills early in Game 2.

Mesa jumped to early leads in the first two games when the Griffins' back row had trouble passing. Only ERIN MURPHY (seven of her 11 digs in the firdt game) and NICOLE WRIGHT (team-high 13 digs) were able to get the ball to the setter consistently.

"The third game is when we had our window of opportunity, we finally started to pass well," said Grossmont coach BERT NOVICIO. "We work on serve receive and passing at least 40 minutes every day in practice, but we're still not to the level we should be at."

Grossmont returns home Friday for a special 5 p.m. matinee contest, entertaining Imperial Valley College.

East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (10-6-05) -- Grossmont College fell a week behind its compeition, needing to scratch its season-opening match when Alliant International suddenly dropped its women's volleyball program at the last moment.

It's taken three weeks and three ddifficult matches (all losses) to catch-up -- yet they were ready just in time when it really counted, too. On Wednesday (Oct. 5), the winless Griffins opened Pacific Coast Conference action by sweeping visiting Southwestern College, 30-22, 30-22, 30-17.

Middle blocker LEAH TRASK paced the Griffins (1-3 overall, 1-0 PCC) with 12 kills, including five in the opening set to establish control of the match. However, Trask's nice hitting numbers wouldn't have occured without libero WENDY DURAN. The freshman from Los Angeles registed six of her match-high 14 digs in the first set, making life easy for the setter to operate.

"Wendy is probably the purest volleyball player on the team," said fourth-year Griffins coach BERT NOVICIO. "She's been there big time for us while the rest of the team is now coming up to her level."

During one stretch, three consectuive Duran digs led to quick transitions for points, as Grossmont took early leads in all three games, at 7-1, 9-2 and 8-2, respectfully.

MEREDITH PERALTA posted eight kills for Grossmont, NINA MARIE SANTIAGO added seven and NCIOLE WRIGHT had six. The Jaguars (1-4, 0-1) received nine kills from Cristina Gonzalez.

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