Hello, and welcome to a different version of Prep Rally. My identify is Eric Sondheimer. It’s semifinals week in the highschool soccer playoffs. That is the week gamers cry if they arrive up brief and scream in the event that they make it to the ultimate. And it comes because the Southern Part Division 1 playoffs are on the verge of constructing historical past.
Semifinals week
Carson Palmer held up properly every time he skilled rain in his 15 years as an NFL quarterback due to his massive fingers to assist grasp the soccer. In his first expertise final week as a highschool head coach within the rain, he received considered one of his most memorable victories when Santa Margarita knocked off beforehand unbeaten Sierra Canyon on the street, 21-9, to advance to the Southern Part Division 1 semifinals. His quarterback, Hint Johnson, threw for 2 touchdowns. He performed in Florida’s rain final season. Right here’s
It units up one of the vital unlikely semifinals, Santa Margarita enjoying Trinity League rival Orange Lutheran on Friday evening at Orange Coast School. Orange Lutheran pulled off the most important upset in California, if not the nation, with a 20-19 victory over top-seeded St. John Bosco. Orange Lutheran misplaced to St. John Bosco within the common season 48-0.
The Lancers have Santa Margarita proper the place they need them. They misplaced to the Eagles 28-7 through the common season. Coach Rod Sherman has his group believing. Quarterback Reagan Toki and defensive again King Wealthy Johnson got here via with massive performs in opposition to the Braves, who misplaced back-to-back video games for the primary time beneath coach Jason Negro. Santa Margarita stays the favourite with its excellent protection and the versatile Trent Mosley.
The opposite semifinal is one other rematch with Corona Centennial internet hosting Mater Dei. Centennial in September 43-36 by which the Monarchs fell behind 28-0 and 33-7 at halftime, solely to rally and take the lead earlier than dropping. Mater Dei had seven turnovers. The final time both Mater Dei or St. John Bosco didn’t win the Division 1 championship was 2015. Centennial received it, so historical past may very well be made if the Huskies eradicate Mater Dei.
The Division 2 semifinals are additionally excellent. Los Alamitos is at Murrieta Valley in a sport by which each groups like to run the soccer. Crimson-hot San Clemente performs at Leuzinger, which is driving excessive with the return of quarterback Russell Sekona and a tricky protection.
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Metropolis Part
Garfield ended Palisades’ magical unbeaten soccer season with 42-21 victory. The Dolphins have had points all season on protection, and the Bulldogs made them pay. Zastice Jauregui rushed for a quarter mile and 5 touchdowns. Right here’s
It units up an Open Division semifinal between top-seeded Carson and a Garfield group that’s surging and used to enjoying in massive video games.
The opposite semifinal could have Birmingham, unbeaten in 55 video games in opposition to Metropolis Part opponents, taking up the shock group of the 12 months, 9-1 Crenshaw, which upset San Pedro on the street 30-0. The Cougars’ long-time head coach, Robert Garrett, has not coached all season whereas being on administrative depart. Terrence Whitehead has been operating issues. The Cougars are a harmful group motivated to win a title for Whitehead and Garrett.
In Division I, Venice is top-seeded however Marquez will probably be a formidable semifinal opponent. South Gate has superior to the opposite semifinal however its opponent received’t be determined till Eagle Rock hosts Dorsey on Monday at 4 p.m. after an influence failure on Friday compelled the postponement.
In Division II, Fairfax is at Cleveland ant Marshall at San Fernando. Marshall overcame a 12-11 deficit to Chatsworth by returning an onside kick for a landing within the fourth quarter.
In Division III, Contreras entered this season having by no means received a playoff sport because the faculty opened in 2007. Contreras performs at top-seeded Santee and Wilson is at Hawkins.
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Ladies’ basketball
Monday marks the start of the highschool basketball season.
High ladies groups have added to their rosters with switch college students just like what’s been occurring within the boys ranks.
Ontario Christian is the defending Southern Part Open Division champion. Etiwanda has received three straight state titles. Right here’s a
High junior guard Kaleena Smith of Ontario Christian visited USC final week. UCLA is subsequent. Don’t anticipate a dedication any time quickly.
The state’s winningest coach, Kevin Kiernan, is again teaching at Troy. Right here’s
Westchester and Palisades look to be the highest groups in Metropolis Part ladies basketball.
Boys basketball
This week’s opening schedule consists of the Mission League vs. Trinity League problem on Saturday at UCLA’s Pauley Pavilion. The featured video games embody Harvard-Westlake vs. St. John Bosco at 8:30 p.m. and Santa Margarita vs. Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at 7 p.m. Right here’s
Tom Hofman begins his thirty ninth season as head coach at La Canada. Right here’s a
San Marino has a participant exhibiting the right way to play with listening to aids. Right here’s
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Water polo
Near a perfection. That’s the right way to describe the season loved by the Newport Harbor boys’ water polo group, which repeated as Southern Part Open Division champions with a 10-3 win over rival Corona del Mar. Newport Harbor is 30-1, has received 4 titles within the final 5 years and sixteenth championship total.
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Newport Harbor is seeded No. 1 for the Division I state regional water polo playoffs that start Tuesday. Listed here are
Loyola received the Division 1 championship over Mater Dei. Capistrano Valley, Bonita, Constitution Oak and Fontana additionally received titles.
Cleveland received its third straight Metropolis Part championship. Right here’s
Cross nation
It’s championship time in cross nation. The Metropolis Part will maintain its finals Thursday in Elysian Park. The Southern Part finals are Saturday at Mt. San Antonio School.
The Southern Part created a rain course for final weekend’s prelims at Mt. SAC. Right here’s
Maximo Zavaleta of King had the quickest Division 1 boys time at 14:21.3. Charlotte Hopkins led Division 1 ladies in 16:56.5.
Interception machine
There’s one defensive participant who has thrust himself into the dialog for participant of the 12 months. Jaden Stroll-Inexperienced, a junior at Corona Centennial, has made 10 interceptions, returning 5 for touchdowns.
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Notes . . .
The Metropolis Part flag soccer championships had been postponed Saturday due to rain and have been rescheduled for Saturday. Eagle Rock performs Marshall within the Open Division remaining at 6 p.m. at Garfield. . . .
The Southern California ladies volleyball regional finals are set for Tuesday. Right here’s Winners advances to the state championships Friday and Saturday at Santiago Canyon School. . . .
Value has dropped its boys basketball progam. It was a long-time small colleges energy, profitable quite a few championships throughout . . .
Standout ahead Maximo Adams of Sierra Canyon has dedicated to North Carolina. . . .
Vince Gomez has resigned as ladies basketball coach at Anaheim. . . .
Sierra Canyon standout ladies basketball participant Jerzy Robinson hasn’t practiced in additional than a month due to an harm. She’s ready for physician’s clearance to renew practices. . . .
Mater Dei senior basketball standout Kaeli Wynn has dedicated to South Carolina. . . .
Alyson Fullbright is the brand new ladies seashore volleyball coach at St. Margaret’s. . . .
Softball standout Shea Gonzalez of Villa Park has dedicated to Washington. . . .
Santa Margarita received the Southern California regional ladies’ golf title for the fourth straight season to advance to the state championships on Wednesday at Poppy Hills. . . .
Junior infielder Parker Leoff of Huntington Seaside has dedicated to UCLA. . . .
Former Sherman Oaks Notre Dame basketball participant Tyran Stokes has enrolled at Rainer Seaside in Seattle. . . .
TJ Yonkers has resigned as soccer coach at West Ranch.
From the archives: Sam Darnold
Sam Darnold is a hero in his dwelling city of San Clemente. He starred at San Clemente Excessive, USC and now could be having success within the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks. He struggled Sunday in his homecoming to SoFi Stadium, with the Rams intercepting him 4 occasions.
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Suggestions
From the a narrative on former Thousand Oaks linebacker Alex Singleton revealing he has most cancers.
From the a narrative on a highschool athlete who grew up on basketball however her ticket to varsity is perhaps flag soccer.
From the a narrative on UCLA’s 16-year-old girls’s soccer participant.
Tweets you may need missed
Till subsequent time….
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