East County
THE ALUMNI PAGE -- EAST COUNTY STANDOUTS AT FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS
O’Sullivan enjoys banner night

Special to East County Sports.com
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (8-4-08) — Valhalla High’s RYAN O’SULLIVAN put together one of the best statistical lines of any Northwoods Collegiate League (NWL) player this summer in the Eau Claire Express’ 19-0 destruction of the Madison Mallards on Sunday (Aug. 3).

It started with a three-run home run in the 1st inning, O'Sullivan's fourth consecutive game with a homer. He added three more hits, all doubles, in his next four at-bats to go with a walk in his other plate appearance. Overall, O'Sullivan finished 4-for-5 with six RBI and three runs scored.

O’Sullivan topped off the evening by tossing three innings and allowing just two hits while striking out three. O'Sullivan, a 10th round draft pick of the San Francisco Giants, is an incoming freshman to San Diego State University.


 
Clinton Snyder on Bronko Nagurski watch list
Award Honors College Football's Top Defensive Player

Clinton Snyder
(Stanford courtesy photos)

Special to East County Sports.com
STANFORD (7-7-08) – Former Monte Vista standout and Stanford outside linebacker CLINTON SNYDER has been included on the watch list for the 2008 Bronko Nagurski Award, which goes to the best defensive player in college football. There are 88 candidates nationwide nominated for the award, which is sponsored by the Charlotte Touchdown Club.

The Football Writers Association of America All-America Committee selects the Bronko Nagurski Trophy winner from the association's 11-man All-America defensive team in November. The watch list was developed by the FWAA All-America committee with the help of schools and conferences.

Snyder, who earned second team All-Pac-10 Conference honors last season, ranks as Stanford's active career leader in tackles (179), sacks (10.0), fumbles forced (7) and is tied for first in fumbles recovered (3) and tackles for loss (18). He ranked among the Pac-10 leaders in virtually every defensive category in 2007, including fumbles forced, tackles for loss, fumble recoveries, sacks and tackles.

As a senior at Monte Vista, Snyder was the East County Sports.com Defensive Player of the Year in 2004. He was also a first-team tight end in the East County Sports.com selections.

The Bronko Nagurski Trophy has been presented since 1993 and is awarded in memory of the legendary Nagurski, a former All-America lineman at Minnesota in 1927-29 who went on to star for the Chicago Bears in the 1930s.


Ex-Monarch Snyder, Stanford shock No. 1 USC

© East County Sports.com
LOS ANGELES (10-7-07) -- It wasn't just another victory, it was a program maker for Stanford outside linebacker CLINTON SNYDER. The former Monte Vista High standout was among the leading tacklers for the Cardinal in Saturday's (Oct. 6) 24-23 shocker over top-ranked USC at L.A. Memorial Coliseum.

"It's more than a landmark. It's a great step for us that we need as a program to show people that we're not the old Stanford," said Snyder, one of three Cardinal defenders with 10 tackles. "I didn't know how it would feel. We haven't done this in a long time."

Under the leadership of former University of San Diego head coach JIM HARBAUGH, the rebuilding process seemed headed for a long, bumpy road following embarrassing Pac-10 Conference losses to UCLA (45-17), Oregon (55-31) and Arizona State (41-3) -- all at home -- earlier in the season.

Perhaps playing on the road is the ticket for the Cardinal, which snapped USC’s 35-game home winning streak. Oh yeah, the last time the Trojans were toppled in the Coliseum was at the hands of Stanford in 2001. That was USC coach Pete Carroll’s first year as the Trojans' head man.

"It's incredible. We came into this game with only a win against a WAC team ( San Jose State ), and we weren't performing like we knew we could," added the 6-foot-4, 230-pound Snyder, Stanford’s top returning tackler from a year ago. "This game, we came out and ground it out, and performed the way the Stanford Cardinal needs to perform in the future."

The youthful Cardinal committed mistake-after-mistake, but switching to Tavita Pritchard at quarterback last week against Arizona State seemed to be the catalyst, as the offense took giants steps forward while Snyder & Co. held the line on defense.

"All the little mistakes we were making in the other games didn't happen," noted Snyder, a redshirt sophomore. "We got some good breaks on defense with all the turnovers. It's a game of turnovers. Whoever wins the turnover battle usually wins the game."

Snyder, the 2004 East County Defensive Player of the Year who set a Grossmont Conference record of 44 sacks, went on to say:

"We got those turnovers on defense and helped the offense out by giving the offense good field position, and they made good adjustments. They moved the ball down the field and scored some points for us, and we came out on top."

Snyder, who made 61 tackles for losses during his Monte Vista career, came through with several of those key plays. He forced a fumble which led to a turnover, then he registered one of three sacks on Trojans quarterback J.D. Booty late in the 4th quarter which led to Stanford getting the ball back for its game-winning drive.

The Cardinal offense rebounded with the game-winning touchdown in the final 2:50. Included was a 4th-down reception by Richard Sherman to the USC-9, then Pritchard found Mark Bradford on the left-side of the endzone with 49 seconds remaining for another 4th-down conversion.

"We said focus and finish, which is what we've been saying all year,” Snyder said. “Focus and finish is a big thing for us. That's what we stress, finishing in the fourth quarter. We went out there and got a good stop on defense."

USC, ranked No. 1 in one major poll and No. 2 in the other, had one last chance, but Booty's bomb was intercepted by Bo McNally.

"Just to see Bo catch that ball and slide down there knowing that the game is over and we had won the game is just great," said Snyder, who now has 117 tackles in five games this season. “It's awesome; it's a dream. This is a great win for the program."


University of the Pacific outfielder Nick Longmire was named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-America team.
(UOP courtesy photos)
Longmire selected Frosh All-America

© East County Sports.com
TUCSON, Ariz. (6-7-08) -- Former Grossmont High standout NICK LONGMIRE, an honorable mention All-Big West Conference selection for the University of the Pacific this season, earned one of the highest honors possible by being named to the Louisville Slugger Freshmen All-America team. The award was announced by Collegiate Baseball magazine.

Nick Longmire

Among the 21 outfielders selected to the prestigious post-season team, Longmire tied for the top spot in batting average with a .323 mark.

The outfielder hit .333 in Big West games, and did not have an error in 54 Big West chances. He also whacked 8 doubles, 3 homers, drove in 28 runs and stole nine bases.

While at Grossmont High, Longmire was a first-team, All-East County selection, and a first-team, All-San Diego Section pick by the San Diego Hall of Champions' media panel. He was also the SDCIF Division II player of the year, as selected by the coaches, leading the Foothillers to the section championship.

As a senior in 2007, Longmire also set Grossmont single season records for batting average, hits and slugging percentage, gaining a second-team All-State selection by CalHiSports.


A.J. Griffin
(USD courtesy photo)
Griffin among national finalists among bullpen specialists

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (6-5-08) — Five of college baseball's top relief specialists, led by former Grossmont High star A.J. GRIFFIN, have been selected as finalists for the fourth annual National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association Stopper of the Year Award, the NCBWA announced.. The University of San Diego's Griffin headlines the list of finalists.

A.J. Griffin (circa 2005)
with Grossmont High School.
(ECS file photo)

The 6-foot-5, 215-pound Griffin helped lead the Toreros to their second straight West Coast Conference title in 2008. Recently named to the 2008 Team USA squad along with SDSU’s STEPHEN STRASBURG, Griffin posted a USD record 13 saves with a 1-1 record, and a 1.96 ERA with 49 strikeouts in 46 innings. A unanimous all-conference selection, Griffin is also USD’s career saves (24) record-holder.

Griffin, a sophomore, was also named a third-team Louisville Slugger All-America closer.

Griffin and Strasburg will join Team USA in Keene, N.H. on June 11 for the first practice. Part of a 25-player squad, they will participate in an 11-game practice game schedule against various semiprofessional and club teams on the East Coast. The final Team USA 22-man roster will be announced on June 24.

If Griffin fails to be named to the Team USA roster he plans to pitch in the prestigious Cape Cod League this summer.


Mazzola earns national honor

Courtesy, Missouri State media relations
SPRINGFIELD, Mo. (5-08-08) -- Missouri State senior first baseman JOSH MAZZOLA has been named the Louisville Slugger National Player of the Week by Collegiate Baseball newspaper and the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Week for his performances against Arkansas and Indiana State last week.

Mazzola, a product of Santana High and Grossmont College, had one of the most prolific offensive weeks in Missouri State history, slugging six home runs over four games and driving in 14. He scored eight times, hit .533 (8-15), collected 26 total bases for a 1.733 slugging percentage and drew an additional four walks for a .632 on-base percentage.

Mazzola's monster week began with a 3-for-4 showing at Arkansas, including a three-run homer that gave the Bears an early lead. Friday (May 2) at Indiana State, the senior first baseman homered twice, the first a grand slam in Missouri State's 11-run fourth inning, and he added a solo home run on Saturday to get to four for the week.

On Sunday, the Santee native blasted a three-run shot in the first inning and a two-run homer in the seventh, in addition to drawing three walks, in MSU's 21-10 win over the Sycamores. Eight of his 14 RBIs for the week came with two outs.


Tristan Phillips
Phillips posts career outing
Ex-Foothiller slugs two homers in one inning

© East County Sports.com
IRVING, Texas (5-3-08) — Former Grossmont High third baseman TRISTAN PHILLIPS turned in a powerful performance as the Chapman University Panthers pounded the University of Dallas 18-0 on Friday (May 2).

In a career day with the bat, Phillips hit 2 home runs in the same inning – one of which was a grand slam – propelling the Panthers (33-3) to 12 runs in the 6th inning’s manhandling of Dallas.

Phillips, who was 4-for-5 with six RBI and 3 runs scored in the blowout victory, raised his team-best batting average to .415 (51-for-123) for the NCAA’s top-ranked Division III baseball team.


Phillips extends Panthers' streak

© East County Sports.com
ORANGE (4-21-08) -- Former Grossmont High standout TRISTAN PHILLIPS snapped a 5-5 deadlock by slugging a go-ahead homer run, leading No. 1 ranked Chapman Univeristy its 20th consecutive victory after downing 11th-ranked Pomona Pitzer, 7-5, Saturday (Apr. 20) on Senior Day at Hart Park.

Phillips, who hit his second homer of the season, is batting .360 this season as Chapman's starting third baseman. The junior was voted the team's most improved player last season when he batted .318.

Chapman's Panthers are the 3-time defending NCAA Division III West Region champs, while Pomona's Sage Hens (26-5) captured the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title last season.

The Panthers (28-3) then recorded their first loss since Feb. 29 in the second ballgame when Pomona-Pitzer pitcher Tom Church held them to one run and seven hits for a split of a SCIAC doubleheader.


Marlon Pierce of CS San Bernardino
in CCAC Tournament action.
(CSSB courtesy photo)
Pierce selected to play in Collegiate Basketball Invitational

© East County Sports.com
EL CAJON (4-11-08) — Cal State San Bernardino guard MARLON PIERCE has been invited to participate in the Collegiate Basketball Invitational in Wadsworth, Ohio , April 24-26. This most prestigious event for college basketball seniors in the country draws from the NCAA Div. II, NCAA Div. III and the NAIA levels. Only 64 players have been selected from approximately 1,000 colleges and universities throughout the country.

Pierce, who previously played for Helix High and Cuyamaca College, will compete in front of the pro team reps and agents from around the country and the world.

Players will be divided into 8 teams of 8 players and will play three games in the tournament, complete with a championship game. At the conclusion of the tournament, the top 20 players will be chosen to compete in an All-Star Game that is scheduled for a live national television broadcast on ESPNU (Cox Cable 322) at 5 p.m. PST.


Pierce tabbed for NCAA D-2 All-Star Game

Courtesy, CSSB Media Relations
SAN BERNARDINO (3-21-08) -- Cal State San Bernardino guard MARLON PIERCE, who helped the Coyotes advance to the NCAA Division II playoffs, was selected to the West team for the 3rd annual NABC/NCAA Division II All-Star game.

The game is slated for Fri., Mar. 28, at the Naismith Memorial Hall of Fame in Springfield , Mass. , site of the Division II Elite Eight.

Pierce, who previously played for Helix High and Cuyamaca College , will join 19 other players in playing on center court at the Hall of Fame, where he and his teammates were part of the pre-Elite Eight dinner for the eight finalists at the 2007 tournament.

CSUSB lost in the 2007 semifinals to Barton College, 80-79. This season, the Coyotes were eliminated in the opening round in Anchorage, Alaska, last Friday.

The only other CCAA conference player on the West squad will be Devin Peal of Humboldt State , the CCAA most valuable player. Players from the Great Lakes , North Central, South Central and West regions make up the team.

Pierce was an all-CCAA first team and NABC all-West Region first team selection this season. He averaged 12.2 points and 3.5 rebounds a game with 118 assists and 57 steals.


Georgia Tech's Savannah Brown
(Ramblin' Wreck courtesy photo)
Brown establishes ACC record for RBI

© East County Sports.com
RALEIGH, N.C. (4-6-08) -- Georgia Tech senior SAVANNAH BROWN, a former Valhalla High standout, stroked a go-ahead, 2-run single in the second game of an Atlantic Coast Conference doubleheader Sunday (Apr. 5), establishing a new ACC record for RBI with 182, eclipsing the mark by Virginia's Sara Larquier.

Savannah Brown

However, after Brown broke the mark in the 6th inning against North Carolina State, the hard-luck Yellow Jackets allowed six runs in the bottom of the inning to get swept by the Wolf Pack, 6-1 and 9-6.

Despite setting the new record, the team's luck was so bad, Brown also lined a shot off the kneecap of the NC State third baseman, only to see the ball ricochet back to the catcher, who threw Brown out at first base.

Georgia Tech, which was nationally ranked last season, is now struggling at 17-26 overall, despite Brown ranking among the Ramblin' Wreck leaders in almost every offensive category. She set the school's career RBI mark (172) on Mar. 22, when she drove home four runs against Coastal Carolina.

Brown, a senior, set the single-season ACC mark with 76 RBI last season. She is also fourth all-time in the ACC with 40 homers and is among the best defensive players in school history (.986), even though she plays two of the tougher positions: catcher and third base.

With Valhalla, Brown was the 2004 East County Player of the Year, first-team All-CIF (by coaches) and first-team All-County (by media) while establishing the East County home run record.


Savannah Brown
(Georgia Tech photo)

Brown on ESPN All-America list

© East County Sports.com
ATLANTA (2-6-08) -- Georgia Tech catcher-third baseman SAVANNAH BROWN, the former East County player of the year out of Valhalla High School , is expected to be among the nation's elite this season after being selected to the ESPN preseason All-America second team.

Brown is one of only 24 players selected by "the worldwide leader," with the selection coming on the heels of her placement on the USA Softball player of the year Watch List.

"Savannah has great work ethic and is a natural team leader," said Georgia Tech head coach Sharon Perkins. "She's the type of player that makes it fun to come to practice every day. We are looking forward to her having another successful season."

Brown stands fifth all-time in Atlantic Coast Conference history in home runs (37) and sixth in RBI (157). She holds the school record in putouts (948) and chances (1061) while ranking third all-time in Tech history in fielding percentage (.986).

Last season, Brown started 69 games and set a new single-season ACC record with 76 runs batted in -- the second-highest total in the nation.

Brown was a 2007 First-Team All-ACC and NFCA All-Southeast Region pick while ranking sixth in the NCAA with a career-high 20 home runs. That was also the third-best in ACC history, including a new Tech single-game record by twice slugging three homers in a game.

She joins Virginia Tech pitcher Angela Tincher as the only two representatives from the ACC. Tincher was a first-team pick.

Brown and the 17th-ranked Jackets open up the 2008 season this weekend at the Georgia State First Pitch Classic (Live stats for all games can be found via the Gametracker link at www.ramblinwreck.com).


David Dennis
Dennis honored for HR tear

© East County Sports.com
OKLAHOMA CITY – Oklahoma City University first baseman DAVID DENNIS, an alumnus of Valhalla High School, has been named Sooner Athletic Conference baseball player of the week for Feb. 25-March 2.

Dennis, a senior, smacked seven home runs and drove in 20 runs in six games for the Stars last week. He batted .652 for the week and also had four doubles to add to his amazing 1.435 slugging percentage.

For the season, Dennis is hitting .403 with 12 homers and 41 RBIs. Dennis ranks third national in the NAIA in home runs and RBIs, and sixth in total bases.


Hurdle helps Miami down No. 5 Duke

© East County Sports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (2-21-08) -- You can count the number of East County basketball products to play in the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference on, well, no hands. That is, until Helix High product LANCE HURDLE landed at the University of Miami.

Lance Hurdle
On Wednesday (Feb. 20), the Hurricanes did something they had not done in 45 years: defeat Duke, as Hurdle posted 13 points in Miami's 96-95 victory over the 5th-ranked Blue Devils.

The last time the Canes downed Duke was on Dec. 21, 1962, in the first game of the schools' series. And despite the Blue Devils coming off their first ACC setback of the season, Miami stood tough by scoring 11 straight points in the first half, then sinking its foul shots down the stretch.

It was Miami 's first victory over a Top 5 school since downing No. 2 Connecticut exactly nine years ago on Feb. 20, 1999, as senior forward Dwayne Collins scored a career-high 26 points to help the Hurricanes win their third ACC game in a row.

Meanwhile, Hurdle added 3 assists and 3 boards.


Hurdle collects career-high vs. Tar Heels

© East County Sports.com
CORAL GABLES, Fla. (1-25-08) — Just the fact that Helix High graduate LANCE HURDLE earned the right to play against the NCAA’s best basketball players speaks for itself.

Lance Hurdle vs.
North Carolina
(Univ. of Miami photo)

But the 6-foot-2, 180-pound Hurdle who accepted a basketball scholarship to UC Santa Barbara upon graduating from Helix only to bounce back to San Bernardino Valley Community College and then find his way to the University of Miami ( Fla. ) of the Atlantic Coast Conference, makes him special.

Hurdle is doing more than just playing part time. He is, in fact, nw a starter for the Hurricanes (14-4, 1-3 ACC). The 6-foot-2, 180-pound guard enjoyed his finest outing in south Florida when he poured in 20 points during the ‘Canes 98-82 loss to No. 5-ranked and tradition rich North Carolina on Wednesday (Jan. 23).

Hurdle drained 7-of-10 shots against the Heels (3-for-4 from beyond the arc), finishing as Miami's leading scorer. That was 7 points more than Hurdle’s previous high for Miami, despite losing for the first time in 10 home games.

"We can't get down,'' Hurdle toldreporters after the contest. "It's a long season. This is nothing. We've just got to keep going.''

Carolina (19-1, 4-1 ACC) was playing its first game since falling for the first time this season -- an 82-80 home loss to Maryland to lose its No. 1 national ranking,


Hurricanes can't Hurdle past BC

© East County Sports.com
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (1-17-08) -- Former Helix High standout LANCE HURDLE came off the bench to score 13 points, but it wasn't enough as 21st-ranked Miami fell to host Boston College, 76-66, in Monday's (Jan. 15) Atlantic Coast Conference basketball game at BC's Conte Forum.

It was the Eagles' first victory over a Top 25 opponent since downing Virginia Tech last February. BC (12-4, 3-0 ACC) also downed Miami (14-2, 1-1) for the 13th straight time in the series.

The only other setback for Miami came Dec. 29 against Withrop to snap a season-opening 12-game winning streak -- one short of the school record.

After a standout career with Helix, including a CIF-San Diego Section Division I championship and a third-team All-state berth during the 2004-05 season, Hurdle played one season each at UC Santa Barbara and San Bernardino Valley College before landing on his feet with the nationally-ranked Canes.

Hurdle is now the first guard off the bench for Miami , averaging 6.7 points and 1.8 assists per contest, getting 19.1 minutes of playing time. His 13 points against equaled a season high, matching his game-high total in a victory over St. John's.


Top: Breanna McMillan;
Bottom: Melanie Massey.
(Courtesy, So. Wesleyan Univ.)

Monarchs making their mark
McMillan Again Wins
Weekly Award


© East County Sports.com

CENTRAL, S.C. (2-20-08) -- Breanna McMillan, a sophomore from Spring Valley, Calif. has won her second consecutive Sonic Student-Athlete of the Week award at Southern Wesleyan University.

McMillan went 3-0 in her three starts last week, but her most impressive performance might have been out of the bullpen.

After defeating Emmanuel College, 3-2, in the opening game of the doubleheader, McMillan got called on for relief in the seventh inning of game two with the Lady Warriors leading 7-4 and Lady Lions on second and third base. McMillan struck out the first batter she faced, but the runner advanced to first base because the catcher didn’t catch the third strike cleanly. With the based loaded, McMillan set down the next three runners on a strikeout and two flyouts to earn her first save of the season.

For the season, McMillan is 4-1 with the one save. Southern Wesleyan , currently riding a 4-game winning streak, is 6-4.

© East County Sports.com
CENTRAL, S.C. (2-15-08) -- Following a disastrous start to their college softball careers, a pair of Monte Vista High products have landed on their feet after transferring to the East Coast.

Former Monarchs BREANNA McMILLAN and MELANIE MASSEY are welcoming their move, now playing for Southern Wesleyan University, which plays in both the NAIA and NCCAA.

The Warriors have split a pair of doubleheaders in the early going as they prepare for Southern States Athletic Conference play. Although picked for last place in a coaches' preseason poll, SWU currently owns the third-best record of the eight schools, continuing to back strides with their Spring Valley imports.

And McMillan has been a benefactor. Now serving as one of the Warriors' starting pitchers, she earned the school's Female Athlete of the Week award for the period ending Feb. 10. She posted a 1-1 record last week, including an upset victory over Lees-McRae.

This is a welcome relief after playing at Southwestern College as freshmen, winning just six ballgames all season in finishing dead-last in the Pacific Coast Conference in 2007.


Pack party in Iowa

© East County Sports.com
DAVENPORT, Iowa (1-22-08) -- Former West Hills High standout MATT SUTTON, the No. 1 rated offensive lineman on the 2004 All-East County football team, will follow one of his college assistant coaches -- also a Wolf Pack alum -- and transfer to NAIA power St. Ambrose University.

Adam Clark

Sutton, a 6-foot-4, 340-pound tackle for the top offensive team in the Grossmont Conference in 2004, went on to play his collegiate freshman season for Graceland College (Iowa) in 2005, helping the Yellowjackets to their first conference championship in 30 years.

However, when Graceland assistant coach ADAM CLARK, who recruited Sutton, returned to his alma mater, he encouraged Sutton to join him for an NAIA program coming off a Top 10 NAIA national ranking and a MSFA Midwest Division conference championship to earn a postseason berth.

Clark was recently elevated to defensive coordinator of St. Ambrose's Fighting Bees, a team where he earned All-America recognition in 2001, later earning both his Bachelor’s and Master's degrees.

Clark then went to Graceland, helping the school post its best 3-year span record (23-9) in history. He played linebacker at West Hills High and Grossmont College.


Pierce has huge homecoming, but Tritons prevail

© East County Sports.com
LA JOLLA (1-20-08) — Former Helix High standout MARLON PIERCE scored a game-high 29 points for No. 5 ranked NCAA Division II power Cal State San Bernardino Saturday night (Jan. 19), but it wasn’t enough to deny host UC San Diego a 76-65 California Collegiate Athletic Association upset.

Marlon Pierce
Chris Carlson
Pierce, a senior point guard out of Cuyamaca Community College, connected on 12 of 17 shots from the field for the Coyotes (13-3, 6-2 CCAA), including a solid 5-for-6 night from beyond the arc.

It was a record night for Pierce, who came into the game averaging only 10.9 points per game.

UCSD (9-4, 6-2 CCAA), coached by former Highlander CHRIS CARLSON, is now tied for 2nd place with the Coyotes in the 11-team conference. Humboldt State (12-3, 7-1 CCAA) leads the circuit.


Helix reunion at the RIMAC

© East County Sports.com
LA JOLLA (1-16-08) — When the UC San Diego Tritons host the 5th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino Coyotes in a California Collegiate Athletic Association men’s basketball showdown at the RIMAC this Saturday (Jan. 19) at 7:30 p.m., it will be a Helix reunion of sorts.

Senior point guard MARLON PIERCE, a product of Helix High and Cuyamaca College, leads the CCAA-leading Coyotes against the third-place Tritons coached by another Helix alum, CHRIS CARLSON.

Pierce is averaging 10.9 points, 4.2 assists and 2.0 steals per game for the Coyotes (13-1, 6-0 CCAA), who are rated No. 5 in the NCAA Division II rankings.

The Tritons (7-4, 4-2 CCAA) – who do not offer athletic scholarships unlike the majority of their conference opponents – are guided by Carlson, who brings an abundance of coaching experience to the La Jolla based campus.

Carlson played for coach JOHN SINGER and earned all-league honors in 1986-87 at Helix. He graduated from UC Santa Barbara and continued his career in positions other than on the court.

Prior to accepting the UCSD job this season, Carlson spent four seasons as the director of basketball operations at UCLA under head coach Ben Howland. Before assuming his duties at UCLA Carlson served in the same capacity at the University of Pittsburgh in 2002-03. Carlson previously served as an assistant coach at Northern Arizona University and was an intern for the St. Louis Rams in the public relations department.

Admission prices are $9 general admission and $5 visiting students, seniors and UCSD Alumni Association members.


The Robinson gift

© East County Sports.com
COOLIDGE, Ariz. (1-17-08) -- Former Mount Miguel High standout PRECIOUS ROBINSON is helping create a special season for Central Arizona College head coach Lin Laursen.

Precious Robinson
Robinson ranks second on the team in scoring (13.0 ppg) and first in rebounding, as the Vaqueras (16-0) are undefeated and ranked second in the nation by the National Junior College Athletic Association (all non-California schools). They trail only another 16-0 ballclub in Gulf Coast Community College (Panama City , Fla.).

The 6-foot-0 freshman is already being looked at by various NCAA schools, and it doesn't hurt playing for Laursen, who has guided her program to 21 consecutive (28 overall) Arizona state titles.

Central Arizona also reached the NJCAA Final Four a record 10 times, including NJCAA national crowns in 1989, 1996 and 2005, as Laursen was inducted into the association's Hall of Fame last year.

At Mount Miguel, Robinson helped the Matadors to a sixth and seventh consecutive Grossmont South League crown, helping the team reach the CIF Southern California regional semifinals while earning first-team berths on the All-CIF-San Diego Section and All-East County teams.


Ex-Hiller Griffin earns preseason recognition

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (1-15-08) -- University of San Diego sophomore right-handed pitcher A.J. GRIFFIN, a product of Grossmont High School, has been selected a preseason All-America by PingBaseball.com.

A first-team All-West Coast Conference closer and second-team All-America as a freshman, Griffin posted an overall record of 6-2 with team bests of a 2.70 ERA and 11 saves. The hard-throwing 6-foot-4 Griffin struck out 65 batters and issued only 23 walks in 34 appearances last season.

Holiday Bowl highlights.
(Slideshows by Chris DeRosier)
Longhorns sideline gaffe
only proves embarrassing,
not costly in Holiday win

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (12-27-07) -- "America's Most Exciting Bowl Game" simply added to its list of wild and crazy Holdiay Bowl affairs.

Despite an embarrassing and unusual penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct by the stepson of Texas head coach Mack Brown, then four fumbles by quarterback Colt McCoy, the 17th-ranked Longhorns overcame a seemingly unending series of miscues to down No. 12 Arizona State, 52-34, at Qualcomm Stadium.

The 86 points made this the fourth-highest scoring game in the 30-year history of the Holiday Bowl.

With Texas leading 21-0 in the second quarter, Arizona State was driving when quarterback Rudy Carpenter was sacked by Longhorns linebacker Roddrick Muckelroy, forcing a fumble in front of the Texas bench.

In the confusion with both teams swooping to collect the loose ball, Chris Jessie, Mack's stepson and a member of the football opertaions staff, stepped onto the field, motioning the ball's location. It then appeared that Jessie reached down and madecontact with the live ball. Defensive tackle Roy Miller kept the ball from rolling out of bounds, with defensive end Aaron Lewis making the recovery.

After review, officials cancelled the play, ruling that Jessie touched the ball, giving possession back to the Sun Devils (10-3). Although ASU capped the drive on a Carpenter TD pass, Texas (10-3) still won despite the blunder in the first-ever meeting between the schools.


Top: Utah Utes running back Darrell Mack.
Bottom: Other Poinsettia Bowl highlights.
(Slideshow by Chris DeRosier)
Mack, Utes survive late Navy attack

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (12-21-07) -- University of Utah running back DARRELL MACK believed his mission was accomplished after scoring his second touchdown run with 1:27 left in Thursday's (Dec. 20) San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl.

"I wanted to do this for my family, who were in the stands watching me," said Mack, who hails from nearby Spring Valley and attended Monte Vista High School. "My family, my friends -- the whole town in general -- so it's a pretty good way to end the year."

However, there's something about bowl games held in Qualcomm Stadium which almost always seem to ring true, with terms like "cliff-hanger" and "fantastic finish." And like its forefather, the Holiday Bowl, the Poinsettia's third edition also came down to the final seconds.

Despite Navy immediately answering Mack with a late touchdown and the recovery of an onside kick, Utah 's Joe Dale -- the game's most valuable defensive player with 12 tackles -- intercepted a pass with 26 seconds remaining to clinch Utah's dramatic 35-32 victory over the Midshipmen.

For Utah (9-4), it was the school's seventh consecutive bowl victory since 1999, including a perfect 5-0 record for the Utes graduating class of seniors. Navy (8-5) saw its 4-game winning streak snapped.

For Mack, who bookended Utah's scoring with a 5-yard TD run for a 7-0 second-quarter lead before completing a 77-yard night of rushing with a 1-yard burst into the endzone, the bowl culminated a surprising season which was originally slated to be his red-shirt season.

COLLEGE FOOTBALL BOWL SCHEDULE
PARTICIPATING EAST COUNTY PLAYERS
Dec. 20
6 pm/ESPN
Poinsettia Bowl
San Diego
Utah (8-4)
Darrell Mack (MV)
Navy (8-4)
Dec. 22
5 pm/ESPN
Las Vegas BowlUCLA (6-6)
Joshua Edwards (MV)
BYU (10-2)
Dec. 28
2 pm/ESPN
Champ Sports Bowl
Orlando
Boston College (10-3)
Wes Davis (SC)
Michigan State (7-5)
Dec. 28
5 pm/ESPN
Emerald Bowl
San Francisco
Oregon State (8-4)
Chris Johnson (GC)
Maryland (6-6)
Dec. 31
10 am/ESPN2
Humanitarian Bowl
Boise, Idaho
Fresno State (8-4)
Darren Newborne (MM)
Sharrod Davis (MV)
Georgia Tech (7-5)
Jan. 1
2 pm/ABC
Rose Bowl
Pasadena
USC (10-2)
Mozique McCurtis (GC)
Illinois (9-3)
"Being the first bowl game, everyone was watching, so I'm glad the whole team played good," noted Mack, who rushed 22 times. "I just tried to be consistent."

Navy quarterback Kaipo-Noa Kaheaku-Enhada passed down the middle to Zerbin Singleton for 58 yards to cut into the 35-25 lead Mack provided the Utes. But after the onsides kick recovery, Dale stepped in front of a poor, short pass to avoid a last-second decision which so many previous bowls this venue has provided.

Dale admits the start of the Utes' success began with Mack back in September.

"Darrell's always been a good back and we needed a solid running game if we were to be successful on offense -- and he brought it to us when we needed him," said Dale. "He opens it up for everybody, because you can't stop both the run and the pass."

While Navy linebackers spied on Mack, especially in the first half, Utah quarterback Brian Johnson earned offensive player of the game honors by throwing for 226 yards on 20-for-25 passing. Johnson threw for one score and ran for another.

Like a typical Holiday Bowl, this frantic Poinsettia Bowl produced 50 second-half points.

"Just call this the new Holiday Bowl," said Bruce Binkowski, the bowl's executive director. "Give us a couple of years and this will really be something."


Mack, Utah, meet Navy
in Poinsettia Bowl


© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (12-13-07) -- The lives of a football coach and a running back -- both from East County -- hit a crossroads back in September when UCLA visited Rice-Eccles Stadium to meet Utah.

For the Bruins, then ranked 11th in the nation coached under former Helix High standout KARL DORRELL, it was another step in a rebuilding process in anticipation to gain a showdown against USC with a Pac-10 title -- and either a BCS or Rose Bowl berth -- on the line.

Meanwhile, former Monte Vista standout DARRELL MACK thought he would endure a long season on the bench as a red-shirt for the Utes. However, he was pressed into emergency duty the previous week and was now thrust into the role of starting running back.

Indeed, everything was looking rosy for UCLA, while Utah seemed destined for a long season -- until the Utes dominated every aspect of the ballgame, ripping the Bruins, 44-6.

And the lives of both were suddenly transformed.

Utah RB Darrell Mack
(Courtesy photo,
www.UtahUtes.com)

READ ABOUT MACK'S
LIFE STORY HERE

from Daily Utah Chronicle
Mack caught a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another, while quarterback Tommy Grady passed for a career high in yardage.

Since that meeting on Sept. 15, UCLA fell from grace and finished 6-6. Instead of a major bowl game, it's a trip to the Las Vegas Bowl and Dorrell scanning the nation looking for a new coaching gig -- he was recently in Durham, N.C., to interview for the job at Duke.

As for the 6-foot, 219-pound Mack, he's returning to his hometown to play in the third edition of the San Diego County Credit Union Poinsettia Bowl, meeting another 8-4 team in Navy. The bowl is set for Thurs., Dec. 20, at Qualcomm Stadium. ESPN will televise the ballgame, starting at 6 p.m.

Despite not playing in the opener and then only part-time duty in the second game, Mack became the 9th player in Utah history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. At 102.5 yards per game (ranking 30th in the nation), Mack (1,128 yards) earned a second-team berth on the all-Mountain West Conference team.

For the season, Mack posted six 100-yard rushing games and registered 17 receptions for three additional TDs.

Meanwhile, the Utah defense ranks No. 2 in the nation in pass efficiency defense (94.5), No. 3 in scoring defense (15.5) and No. 15 in pass defense (189.4).

Those numbers could cause problems for Navy, which is scrambling internally. Late last week, head coach Paul Johnson left to take over at Georgia Tech, although athletic director Chet Gladchuk reacted quickly to promote assistant Ken Niumatalolo.

The Midshipmen feature one of the top offenses in the nation, averaging a tick under 40 points per contest running the option attack. However, the defense has been almost equally porous, as demonstrated in a 74-62 triumph over North Texas on Nov. 10 -- the highest-scoring game in the modern era of college football history.

Navy entered the Poinsettia Bowl on a 4-game winning streak,with wins over Notre Dame (in triple overtime for the Middies first win over the Irish in 44 years), North Texas, Northern Illinois and a sixth straight victory over Army.

Utes coach Kyle Whittingham noted Navy's option offense is similar to the one run by Air Force, one of Utah's Mountain West rivals. Whittingham played in the first four Holiday Bowls as either a running back or linebacker for BYU.

Utah currently holds the nation's second-longest bowl win streak at six games and have the best bowl win percentage in the country (75 percent).

Mountain notes -- Colorado State named former Mesa College All-America quarterback Steve Fairchild as its head coach. The Patrick Henry High product had been offensive coordinator for the Buffalo Bills. Fairchild, 49, played for the Rams in 1979-80, then was a member of the CSU coaching staff from 1993-2000.

Darrell Mack
(Courtesy, UtahUtes.com)

Mack rushes for 131 vs. SDSU

Darrell Mack

Utah-Louisville
Photo Gallery
(Photos 5 & 9 of Mack in action)
Utah-SDSU
Photo Gallery

(Photos 2 & 4of Mack in action)
© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (10-14-07) -- When a series of injuries devastated the University of Utah backfield, the plans of former Monte Vista High standout DARRELL MACK to redshirt this season were quickly vacated.

Now Mack ranks among the top running backs in the Mountain West Conference.

Rushing for more than 100 yards for the third straight outing, Mack finished with 131 yards on the ground plus a touchdown reception Saturday (Oct. 13), leading the Utes past Mack's hometown San Diego State Aztecs, 23-7, at Rice-Eccles Stadium.

The victory extended the win streak of Utah (4-3, 1-3 MWC) three, while sending SDSU (3-3, 1-1 MWC) to its first conference setback.

Mack now has 647 yards this season, moving within 2 yards of MWC rushing leader Rodney Ferguson of New Mexico. Mack capped the victory with a 7-yard TD reception late in the third period to put the contest out of reach.

For the Aztecs, junior linebacker Russell Allen established a school record with 22 tackles. The Vista High product was the CIF-San Diego Section defensive player of the year in 2004.
Mack attack triggers Utah surge

© East County Sports.com
SALT LAKE CITY (10-11-07) — The University of Utah is rebounding from a 0-2 start thanks in part to redshirt junior running back DARRELL MACK.

The Utes stand at 3-3 at the moment, which includes victories over Louisville 44-35, Utah State 34-18 and UCLA 44-6.

Mack has rushed for a team-best 516 yards and 5 touchdowns despite missing the Air Force game to lead the Utes’ ground attack. The 6-foot, 219-pounder also caught 2 TD passes and rushed for a third in the triumph over UCLA.

In his first two collegiate seasons, Mack left his mark, rushing for 320 yards on 82 carries.

Mack, the 2003 East County Sports.com Rookie of the Year and East County Sports.com 2004 Offensive Player of the Year as a senior, set the Monte Vista rushing record for a season (2,452 yards on 274 carries) and fell just 47 yards shy of breaking IAN MILLER’s career record with 4,078 yards on 511 carries. Mack ranks 4th on the all-time Monte Vista career scoring charts with 252 points.

Utah hosts San Diego State in Saturday's (Oct. 13) Mountain West Conference game. Kickoff is 1 p.m. MT/noon PT.


Another Zeidman honor

© East County Sports.com
HATBORO, Pa. (1-6-08) -- The Sports Network selected Idaho State punter DAN ZEIDMAN as an Honorable Mention All-America selection on its FCS (formerly Division I-AA) football team.

Zeidman on NFL Watch List

Idaho State punter
Dan Zeidman

© East County Sports.com
POCATELLO, Idaho (12-19-07) -- There is only one person who can benefit from a football team's lack of success -- the punter. And after Idaho State struggled through a 3-8 campaign, former Steele Canyon High and Grossmont College kicker DAN ZEIDMAN found himself gaining on the prospect charts.

Entering the 2007 season as the No. 5 ranked returning punter in the nation by The Sports Network, other scouting services are taking notice of Zeidman. After being voted to the All-Big Sky Conference second team with a solid 42.7 punting average, Zeidman is now considered among the top 21 NFL punting prospects by Pro Football Weekly, placed 9th on the list.

Could a future as a professional be next?

Zeidman will learn more if the NFL is beckoning when as he prepares for "Pro Day," a showcase each college holds for NFL scouts to display its talent. Per NCAA rules, Zeidman is eligible for two such camps -- one at Idaho State, plus the one at San Diego State, since he resides within 50 miles of the campus.

Both of these tryouts will occur prior to the NFL draft. Although it's unlikely Zeidman -- or any punter -- will be drafted, a host of franchises may call Zeidman to walk-on at training camp.

This past season, Zeidman placed 18 punts inside the 20-yard line, with only five touchbacks. His long kick was 71 yards, but as a junior in 2006, he established a Bengals record with an 82 yarder while averaging 43.6 yards.

As a junior, Zeidman also went 6-for-8 on field goals (3-3 from 40 yards and out).

Such consistency draws strong interest from pro scouts. And if not the NFL, his experience in cold weather also makes the Canadian Football League a possibility, too. In the meantime, Zeidman is completing his studies and expects to graduate in June.



Duffy, SDSU, down USD

Allison Duffy
(SDSU photo)

Courtesy, SDSU Media Relations
SAN DIEGO (12-6-07) – The San Diego State women’s basketball team won their fourth straight and remained perfect at home following a tough 58-53 victory over rival University of San Diego Wednesday (Dec. 5) at Cox Arena. The Aztecs (7-1) won for the first time in their last six meetings with the Toreros (4-4).

“We knew the game was going to have great intensity, you would hope it always would,” said Aztecs head coach BETH BURNS. “I didn’t know we were going to open the game with as many nerves as we did, but as I told them, if you guard people you can weather those kind of storms.

“These are two teams with mutual respect. I hope (USD) wins their league and goes to the tournament and I hope they feel the same way.”

SDSU redshirt freshman ALLISON DUFF (El Capitan HS) led the Aztecs in both scoring and rebounding with 14 points and six boards. Freshman center Paris Johnson (San Diego HS) and sophomore guard Quenese Davis both reached double-figures with 10 and 11 points, respectively. Davis had a game-high seven assists, while classmate Jené Morris contributed four of the Aztecs’ 13 steals in just 18 minutes of action.

USD’s Sam Child began the game with the hot hand, scoring each of her team’s first nine points as the Toreros led by four early at 9-5. The visitors were up by as many as five at 16-11, before the Aztecs came storming back with an 8-2 run to take their first lead of the night at 19-18. The advantage changed hands two more times, before SDSU headed into the locker room up four at 29-25.

After a bucket by Torero Kiva Herman to open the second half, SDSU scored 11 unanswered points to build its largest lead of the evening at 40-27. USD would get to within three points on two occasions, including as late as 39 seconds remaining and the score 56-53. After securing a critical defensive rebound, Davis made both of her free-throw shots with 10 seconds left, as the Aztecs claimed the 58-53 win.

San Diego State held USD without a three-point field goal, as the Toreros were 0-for-4 from beyond the arc, compared to the Aztecs’ 4-for-9 performance, three of which came in the second half. USD is the second SDSU opponent this season to fail to record a three-pointer, as Southern Utah also went without a triple.

The Toreros had four players score in double-figures, led by center Amber Sprague’s 15 points to go with 8 boards. SDSU held USD point guard Amanda Rego, who led the nation in assists a year ago, to just four assists and two points both from the free-throw line.

For more on SDSU, visit: www.goaztecs.com.

Mauga named to first-team Big Sky Conference

© East County Sports.com
OGDEN, Utah (11-25-07) -- Grossmont College alum DALLAS MAUGA, a product of Helix High, is one of three Sacramento State Hornets named to the All-Big Sky Conference football team.

Dallas Mauga
(Courtesy, CSUS)

The three first-team selections were the most for Sacramento State since four players earned the honor in 2000. This season also marked the first time that the Hornets had multiple first team selections on defense since joining the league in 1996.

Mauga was key to helping Sacramento State lead the conference by limiting Big Sky foes to 99.1 rushing yards per game. A two-year starter, Mauga was a second team selection last season and a first team preseason pick prior to the 2007 season. He led all defensive linemen on the team with 43 tackles, including 8.0 tackles-for-loss and 1.0 sacks.

As a dominating tackle for Grossmont College in 2004, Mauga was the unanimous choice for the Foothill Conference's Defensive Player of the Year in balloting conducted by the circuit's nine head coaches. The 6-foot-1, 297-pound Mauga earned first-team honors for the second straight season as a Griffin . He also was named to the JCGrid-Wire first team defense as a sophomore.

This bullish lineman routinely drew double- and sometimes triple-coverage from Grossmont opponents. Not many were successful at neutralizing this physical ruffian. Since he drew so much attention from opposing linemen, Mauga did not rack up record-breaking statistics, leaving that to his teammates. Mauga's numbers weren't that bad, however, as he notched 9 sacks and averaged 5 tackles per game.


Kingsmen finish as SCIAC Co-Champions
THOUSAND OAKS (11-11-07) -- The California Lutheran University football team squandered an opportunity to win the SCIAC title outright in its final regular season game on Saturday (Nov. 10) with a 38-17 loss to Redlands. Despite the loss CLU still gained a share of the SCIAC conference championship. Stories HERE andHERE.
Toilolo tosses 6 TDs for Cal Lu

Jericho Toilolo

© East County Sports.com
THOUSAND OAKS (9-30-07) — When JERICHO TOILOLO was a senior quarterback at Helix High in 2005, his passing statistics were nothing worthy of note. In fact, at times, it seemed that the Highlanders’ coaches lost confidence in the 6-foot-1, 170-pounder, now the starting quarterback at Cal Lutheran University.

Boy, bet those Helix coaches would love to see what Toilolo achieved in Cal Lu’s 45-24 romp over La Verne University in Saturday’s (Sept. 29) Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener.

Toilolo completed 32 of 39 passes (better than 82 percent) for 464 yards and 6 touchdowns for the Kingsmen (1-2). He also rushed for 38 yards in eight carries for a total offensive effort of 502 yards.

As a high school senior, Toilolo’s senior passing totals added up to 566 yards and 5 TDs. So obviously, his latest outing for the Kingsmen was by far his finest in organized football.

After three games, Toilolo has established himself as the Cal Lu starter. His passing totals are 45 completions in 62 attempts (.726) for 596 yards and 6 TDs.


MONARCHS SIX-PACK
Sharrod Davis
Joshua Edwards
Brett Fisher
Brandyn Harvey
Darrell Mack
Clinton Snyder

Monarchs making a mark

© East County Sports.com
SPRING VALLEY (11-16-07) -- While the recent exploits of DARRELL MACK at Utah and Stanford's CLINTON SNYDER have been well-documented, there are several other former members of the Monte Vista High football program doing well at various colleges this season.

Included are SHARROD DAVIS at Fresno State , BRANDYN HARVEY at Villanova, BRETT FISHER at North Carolina A&T, and JOSHUA EDWARDS at UCLA.

Davis started his college career at Oregon before returning home to enjoy an All-America honorable mention campaign at Grossmont College . Since joining the Bulldogs, the defensive back was the lone community college transfer signed by Fresno State coach Pat Hill, filling the void at cornerback.

Davis is currently a nickel back who comes in during 3rd-down situations. He owns 10 tackles. He will be in action on Nov. 24, as the Bulldogs' game with Kansas State has been moved to ESPN, starting at 12:30 p.m. PT.

Harvey saw action in all 11 games for the Wildcats as a freshman in 2006.

This season, the wide receiver ranks third on the ballclub with 21 receptions and three touchdowns, including a 60-yard bomb for a score when Harvey caught four balls for 106 yards in a victory over Lehigh. His best effort came against Richmond (5-135,TD).

Fisher gained the starting nod at tight end following the transfer of the Aggies' starter from Greensboro . Handed the job as a sophomore, Fisher was injured in the third game of the season, making just one reception in his short window of opportunity.

Edwards, a junior linebacker, is in his first season playing for the Bruins after transferring from UC Davis. He has appeared in all 10 games, registered 9 tackles (4 solo).

After moving to 5-2 with an upset victory over Cal on Oct. 20, UCLA (now 5-5) has lost three straight and must defeat either Oregon (Nov. 24) or USC (Dec. 1) to become bowl eligible.

Davis' BCS dream sidetracked

Wes Davis

© East County Sports.com
CHESTNUT HILL, Mass. (10-16-07) -- The dream of playing for a national football championship -- at least for this season -- is over for former Steele Canyon High standout WES DAVIS.

A defensive back for undefeated Boston College, Davis injured his back in the third game of the season, a 24-10 triumph over nationally ranked Georgia Tech. According to his father, Davis just resumed classes this morning (Oct. 16) following successful surgery and will redshirt.

The Eagles (7-0) are currently ranked third in the initial Bowl Championship Series standings. They lead the Atlantic Division of the Atlantic Coast Conference with a 3-0 mark heading into Saturday's key contest at Coastal Division co-leader Virginia Tech (ESPN, 4:30 p.m. PT). The Hokies are rated 11th in the BCS.

Davis, now a 6-foot-1, 215-pound sophomore safety, saw action in all 13 games as a true freshman in 2006. At Steele Canyon, Davis was a two-time All-County and All-East County selection, including being named East County Sports' Defensive Player of the Year in 2005.


Ballman kicks well in Huskies debut

Jared Ballman

© East County Sports.com
SYRACUSE, N.Y. (9-3-07) -- Former Grossmont College kicker JARED BALLMAN not only gained the starting berth as punter for the University of Washington, he was instrumental in helping the Huskies open the football season with Friday's (Aug. 31) 42-12 thrashing of the host Orange at Carrier Dome.

Ballman, a two-time All-Foothill Conference performer for the Griffins, kept Syracuse pinned back all contest, punting four times for an average of 46.5 yards. Included was a long boot of 52 yards, plus another kick of 49 yards which was downed at the 14-yard line. Ballman even made a solo tackle on the game's opening kickoff to prevent a Syracuse touchdown.

The contest was the first Friday night college contest in the history of the Carrier Dome, which opened in 1980.

Ballman was part of Grossmont's 2005 state and national championship team, then averaged 40.8 yards per punt for the Griffins last season.


Mount Miguel High alum Jerica Williams (left)
(ECS.com file photo)

Williams transfers from UCLA to SDSU

© East County Sports.com
SAN DIEGO (8-16-07) -- JERICA WILLIAMS, the CIF-San Diego Section player of the year as a junior for Mount Miguel High in the 2004-05 season, announced she will transfer from UCLA and become eligible to play at San Diego State for the 2008-09 women's basketball season.

Williams, a 5-8 shooting guard who helped the Matadors to three consecutive Division II championships, will begin classes at Montezuma Mesa later this month. She will have three seasons of eligibility with the Aztecs.

“Jerica is a terrific long-range shooter, and, as both an athlete and a teammate, is an extremely competitive person,” Aztecs coach BETH BURNS said. “She will have a year to work on her game, and will hit the ground running in 2008.”

Williams joins a host of other county talent to join Burns' roster since the coach returned to SDSU. Included is former El Capitan center ALLISON DUFFY, who shares the honor as the Grossmont Conference all-time leading scorer, plus two other San Diego Hall of Champions' players of the year in Paris Johnson (San Diego HS) and Tamika Lipford (The Bishop's).

Williams averaged 18.8 points, 8.9 rebounds and 5.0 steals per outing to earn CIF player of the year laurels as a junior, also gaining a first-team all-state Division II pick and a second-team all-state honoree overall in 2005.

As a senior in 2006, she helped Mount Miguel edge into the final state rankings, averaging 14.8 points for one of the top defensive ballclubs (34.9 points allowed average) in California. Williams also rated second in foul shooting behind Duffy, helping Mount Miguel to the CIF state quarterfinals.

A two-time team captain, she received first-team all-CIF honors her final two years and was a three-time first-team selection in the Grossmont South League. In addition, Williams is a three-time All-East County selection, including a pair of first-team berths.

"I'm excited about being an Aztec and coming back home to play in front of my family and the San Diego community,” Williams said. "I've been familiar with Coach Burns since I was in the ninth grade and I admire how passionate she is about the game and the coaching staff’s ability to develop players.”

Williams intends to major in communications with a minor in sociology.

“I couldn't be more excited to add Jerica Williams at shooting guard to complement our inside tandem of Paris Johnson at 6-4 and Allison Duffy at 6-2,” Burns added. “County-wide, we trust that all basketball fans will be eager to follow the development of these three great San Diego prep stars.”


EAST COUNTY BASEBALL PRODUCTS
CURRENTLY PLAYING AT FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS
DIVISION I
Year
Pos
High School College
Jordan Abruzzo
Sr.
C-DH
El CapitanU. San Diego
Chris Anderson
Jr.
C
Monte VistaSan Diego St.
Zach Barger
Jr.
OF
ValhallaLong Beach St.
Jeff Basnight
Fr.
RHP
SantanaCS Fullerton
Justin Baum
Jr.
1b-3b
GrossmontPacific
Clay Coulter
Sr.
C
West HillsMissouri State
Cristian Garcia
Fr.
RHP
El CapitanUC Riverside
Drew Garcia
Jr.
Inf.
ValhallaUC Riverside
Nik Garcia
So.
1b-3b
El CapitanLoyola Marymount
A.J. Griffin
Fr.
RHP
GrossmontU. San Diego
Kevin James
Jr.
OF
Granite HillsUC Davis
Shane Kaufman
Jr.
RHP
SantanaSan Diego St.
Ted Kleist
Fr.
OF
CathedralSan Diego St.
Daniel Magness
Sr.
1b
ChristianU. San Diego
Mats Mattson
Fr.
LHP
GrossmontNew Orleans
Josh Mazzola
Jr.
1b-OF
SantanaMissouri State
Brant Rustich
Jr.
RHP
GrossmontUCLA
Justin Snyder
Jr.
Util.
El CapitanU. San Diego
Steven Strasburg
Fr.
RHP
West HillsSan Diego St.
DIVISION II
  
Louis Lange
Sr.
Util.
ValhallaCS Monterey Bay
Grant Mills
Fr.
RHP
ChristianPost Univ. CT
Ward Minich
Jr.
P
Monte VistaCS San Bernardino
Chris Olsen
So.
C
ValhallaCS San Bernardino
Eddie Pryor
Jr.
LHP
West HillsCal Poly Pomona
Nick Rodieck
Jr.
RHP
West Hills UC San Diego
James Sinkes
Sr.
RHP
Granite HillsCS San Bernardino
Nick Sobel
Fr.
3b-OF
GrossmontUC San Diego
DIVISION III
  
David Noble
Jr.
RHP
ValhallaClaremont-Mudd
Kyle Johnson
So.
RHP
Steele CanyonGeorge Fox OR
Tristan Phillips
So.
Inf.
GrossmontChapman
Gabe Ward
Sr.
LHP
Granite HillsCal Lutheran
NAIA
  
Brandon Abell
So.
RHP
ChristianSan Diego Christian
Charles Baird
Sr.
OF
GrossmontCS San Marcos
Chris Denhart
Jr.
C
ChristianSan Diego Christian
David Dennis
Jr.
INF
ValhallaOklahoma City U.
Jason Hinton
Jr.
OF
ValhallaCS San Marcos
Eric Julienne
Fr.
LHP
ValhallaCS San Marcos
Thomas Kennedy
Jr.
P
Granite HillsIllinois Tech
Jason Kutzler
Fr.
OF
ValhallaCS San Marcos
Matt Luna
Jr.
Inf.
West HillsSan Diego Christian
Oscar Ochoa
Sr.
P-OF
El Cajon ValleyPatten Univ. CA
Adam Perry
Fr.
OF
ChristianSan Diego Christian
Ivan Pitti
RS
OF
Monte VistaSan Diego Christian
Brandon Rauch
Sr.
Inf.
El CapitanSan Diego Christian
Garrett Russell
Fr.
LHP
Granite HillsSan Diego Christian
Shane Stanovic
Fr.
LHP
ChristianSan Diego Christian
Shane Sullenger
Fr.
2B
El CapitanCS San Marcos
Ian Thompson
Fr.
RHP
El CapitanCS San Marcos
Mitchell Wygant
Fr.
RHP
Foothills Chr.San Diego Christian
EAST COUNTY WOMEN'S FASTPITCH PRODUCTS
CURRENTLY PLAYING AT FOUR-YEAR SCHOOLS
DIVISION I
Year
Pos
High School College
Amanda Beasley
Sr.
Util.
Mount Miguel San Diego State
Savannah Brown
Jr.
C-3B
ValhallaGeorgia Tech
Taryin Casillas
Jr.
Inf.
GrossmontSan Diego State
Kimmi Hayden
So.
C
ValhallaMemphis
Whitney Holum
Sr.
OF
ValhallaUCLA
Taylor Kelly
Fr.
SS
SantanaCalifornia
Laurie Lindow
Fr
C
SantanaTennessee-Martin
Kristen Medrud
Fr.
P-1B
SantanaLoyola-Illinois
Kasey Mytinger
So.
DP
West HillsSan Diego State
Melissa Owens
So.
P-Inf.
ChristianSan Diego State
Alyssa Parker
Fr.
Util.
Monte VistaDartmouth
Melissa DeMarco
So.
RHP
Patrick Henry Long Beach State
Allison Majam
Fr.
SS-1B
Mountain Empire Colorado State
DIVISION II
  
Michelle Miranda
Fr.
C
GrossmontCS Dominguez Hills
Tori McCombs
Fr.
3B
Patrick Henry Humboldt State
Mara Thornton
Fr.
RHP
West HillsUNC-Pembroke
DIVISION III
  
Alyssa Escalante
Fr.
C-1B
GrossmontOccidental
NAIA
  
Melissa Forrester
Fr.
LHP
Patrick HenryVanguard Univ.
Brittany Mytinger
So.
C
West HillsCulver-Stockton MO
Kimberly Whitlow
Sr.
Inf.
El CapitanWilliam Penn IA
NJCAA
  
Jill Timmer
Fr.
Inf.
GrossmontIowa Lakes CC
Charnel Zetsch
Fr.
P-1B
Granite HillsHoward College TX
Is there someone missing? Let us know by email HERE.
'Moose' recognized for summer accomplishments

© East County Sports.com
HARRISONBURG, Va. (8-10-07) — The Wood Bat League's Harrisonburg Turks have recognized individual player accomplishments for the 2007 season.

David Dennis

The Most Valuable Player Award went to Valhalla High alum DAVID DENNIS, the junior first baseman from Oklahoma City University. Dennis posted a .305 batting average in 151 at bats, with 46 hits, 13 doubles, 4 home runs, and 23 RBI.

For the past two summers, Dennis has been a very important member of the Turks baseball program. He earned respect with his performance on the field and found his way into the hearts of Turk fans with his big teddy bear personality off the field. During his two summers in Harrisonburg, he inspired and taught area Little Leaguers while he worked the Turks baseball camps and gave individual lessons.

Given the nicknam, "Moose" during his stay in Harrisonburg, you could hear a"Moose horn" sound at his every at bat as fans raised their hands to make their "Moose antlers" while they cheered Dennis on at Veterans Memorial Stadium.


Dennis tops in Sooner land

© East County Sports.com
BETHANY, Okla. – Oklahoma City University will be the top seed in this week's Sooner Athletic Conference baseball tournament, with much of the credit courtesy of former Valhalla High standout DAVID DENNIS.

The junior first baseman batted 5-for-9 with a pair of homers, powering the NAIA nationally 4th-ranked Stars to a doubleheader sweep of Southern Nazarene. For his effort, which included five RBI, Dennis was named the SAC player of the week. Dennis is now batting .383 this season, with 11 homers and 52 RBI in 50 contests.

Oklahoma City will return to Southern Nazarene's Cypert Athletics Complex for the tournament, as the top-seeded Stars (45-9, 18-2 SAC) meet Northwestern Okla. State in the tournament opener at 9 a.m. (CT).

A performer in the San Diego County Senior Showcase all-star game after graduating from Valhalla, the three-time All-Grossmont South League selection registered exactly 100 career RBI with the Norsemen, then was an All-Pacific Coast Conference honoree with San Diego City College.

Dennis was tabbed All-East County following his senior year in 2002.

 


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