Cal-Hi Sports Insider Blog

Quick-hitting, behind-the-scenes news and notes from the CalHiSports.com staff, including previews of upcoming content and events.

St. Mary’s MLK Showcase Day 1

By Mark Tennis | Published January 14, 2017

Host Rams, who were No. 1 in the nation when they played in their showcase event last year, fell in their Saturday matchup to nationally ranked Centennial of Las Vegas 68-65. That was bad for them, but good for the attention that Monday’s matchup between Centennial and current state/national No. 1 Clovis West of Fresno will get when it is played. The other big winner of the day was Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland, which topped Cardinal Newman of Santa Rosa 58-48 in matchup of State Top 20 squads.

More State Record Updates and New State Top 20 Rankings (coming Tuesday) will be for Gold Club members only. Check out getting your membership today for just $9.99 for three months. For info, CLICK HERE.

It was simply a matter of one 3-pointer going in and another one missing in the final 20 seconds of Saturday’s marquee matchup at the St. Mary’s MLK Showcase that was played at Stockton St. Mary’s Morelli Gym.

After the host Rams tied the score at 65-65 with 36 seconds left on a layup by junior guard Ariel Johnson, the visitors from Vegas broke it when University of Arizona-bound Samantha Thomas drained a 3-pointer with 12 seconds remaining. Centennial players knew that St. Mary’s had to go for a 3-pointer as well and defended the perimeter, which was one reason why Johnson’s 3-point shot at the final buzzer clanged off the rim.

Neenah Young of St. Mary’s shoots a free throw during game Saturday vs. Centennial of Las Vegas. Photo: Mark Tennis.


St. Mary’s, which lost one week ago on Saturday as well on its home court to Carondelet of Concord, dropped to 12-4 with the 68-65 loss, but this loss probably won’t cost the Rams any spots in the next State Top 20 since Centennial is so highly regarded. The Rams (No. 7 in the Cal-Hi Sports State Top 20) will play again in the MLK Showcase on Monday against state No. 11 Alemany of Mission Hills.

Thomas had shown her ability to hit clutch threes earlier in the game when she connected for one at the third quarter horn that tied the score at 53-53. That basket had broken an 9-0 run by the Rams that had turned a 50-44 deficit into the 53-50 lead.

Both teams were able to go on runs during the game as the Bulldogs used their impressive speed and quickness for fast-break baskets. St. Mary’s countered with a few 3-pointers of its own, but doesn’t shoot or make as many as previous teams. The Rams instead had an edge with 6-foot-2 Aquira DeCosta battling for rebounds on the interior plus there were the acrobatic drives to the cup from both Johnson and fellow junior Neenah Young.

Johnson led all scorers with 22 points while the Rams had three others in double figures with sophomore forward Jada Moss (16 points), DeCosta (14) and Young (12). Centennial was balanced as well with four in double figures — Justice Ethridge (13 points), Thomas (12), Eboni Walker (11), Jayden Eggleston (10) — and Mel Isbell finishing with nine.

One of the most interested in the crowd in the second half was Clovis West of Fresno head coach Craig Campbell, who will be taking his team (ranked No. 1 in the state and nation) to Monday’s MLK Showcase schedule at St. Mary’s to face the same team from Nevada. Also playing on Monday in Stockton will be state No. 2 Archbishop Mitty of San Jose, which is facing state No. 10 Mission Hills of San Marcos.

In other games Saturday at the St. Mary’s MLK Showcase:

Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 58,
Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 48

After the Cardinals scored the first basket of the third quarter to take a 30-19 lead, they went cold for the rest of the quarter and into the fourth and wilted in the second half against a scrappy Dragons’ team that is trying to bounce back in the state rankings after a loss from last Saturday to Salesian of Richmond.

O’Dowd went on a 19-3 run for the rest of the third quarter and after scoring the first four points of the final quarter had built a 43-33 lead. The closest Cardinal Newman came after that was 50-42 and 55-48.

With the win, head coach Malik McCord’s squad improved to 12-3 and should rise from its No. 15 state ranking. Cardinal Newman, last year’s CIF Division IV state champs and ranked No. 8 in the state coming into the day, fell to 12-3.

There was a scary moment in the third quarter for the Dragons when All-State candidate Myah Pace hit the floor hard on a scramble for a loose ball and had a Cardinal Newman player fall on top of her. She stayed motionless on the court for a few moments, but eventually rose up and after being evaluated in the lockerroom returned to play in the fourth quarter. Pace led O’Dowd in scoring with 14 points.

Others from the Dragons who played well, included junior forward Zakiya Mahoney (12 points), freshman guard Daylee Dunn (10 points) and sophomore guard Jada Holland and sophomore guard Lexi Love (nine points). Hailey Vice-Neat topped Cardinal Newman with 13 points, while 6-foot-5 Lauren Walker had 12 points.

Mission Hills (San Marcos) 47,
Salesian (Richmond) 31

In yet another matchup of leading state-ranked teams, the girls from San Diego County made their debut at the MLK Showcase a successful one. Their depth plus the usual outstanding play of senior Khayla Rooks was too much for the Pride. Mission Hills (No. 10 in the state) improved to 15-1. Salesian (No. 14 in the state) dropped to 9-4.

Sacred Heart Cathedral (SF) 84,
Fairmont Prep (Anaheim) 70

Two weeks ago, Fairmont Prep was sitting at No. 9 in the state and No. 1 in Orange County. The team may not be known to many in Northern California, but it is a solid win for the Irish. Ranked at No. 9 in the state this week, Sacred Heart Cathedral got an even more monster game than usual from standout IImar’I Thomas, who had 39 points, 15 rebounds and five blocks, according to Cal-Hi Sports correspondent Harold Abend.

Mark Tennis is the co-founder and publisher of CalHiSports.com. He can be reached at markjtennis@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow Mark on the Cal-Hi Sports Twitter handle: @CalHiSports

Sierra Canyon vs. Findlay Prep?

By Ronnie Flores | Published January 11, 2017

A CIF member program has never played prep basketball academy Findlay Prep (Henderson, Nev.), but state No. 1 Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth could meet the Pilots in the semifinals of the upcoming Bass Pro Shops Tournament of Champions on Friday 13th. Sierra Canyon reportedly will be able to play the Pilots at this event.
 Read more…

Former Mr. Fooball Alo Passes

By Ronnie Flores | Published January 10, 2017

Former Banning of Wilmington standout fullback Michael Alo passes at 53 years old. The Cal-Hi Sports 1980 Mr. Football never played a down of college football, but is legendary in South Bay and L.A. City Sectionc circles for his dominant play.  

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Super 8 Girls BB State Ranks Update

By Harold Abend | Published January 10, 2017

It wasn’t reported to the local newspaper, but Carondelet of Concord’s 71-69 upset win over previous No. 3 St. Mary’s of Stockton causes some shockwaves in this week’s rankings, especially with the Cougars moving up to No. 6. St. Mary’s now becomes the center of the state’s girls hoops scene this weekend as numerous top teams, including No. 1 Clovis West and No. 2 Archbishop Mitty, will be coming to Stockton for the MLK Classic.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with expanded writeups of the first eight teams plus the next 12 and lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

1. (1) Clovis West (Fresno) 14-1
The Golden Eagles, who also are No. 1 in the nation, beat Sacred Heart Cathedral of S.F. last week 64-44 even though they didn’t even play that well. They’ll be in Stockton on Monday to play Nevada top-ranked Centennial of Las Vegas.

2. (2) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 10-2
Both Monarch losses are to teams that are No. 1 in Colorado and D.C./Maryland, respectively, while they also still have an overtime win over Clovis West.

Players from Carondelet got into the Christmas spirit at a tournament last month. Photo: Twitter.com.


3. (4) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 8-3
The Jackrabbits get back the spot they lost to St. Mary’s despite not taking the court in 2017, although a Monday night blowout of Long Beach Wilson is included in their record.

4. (5) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 12-1
The Trailblazers move up a notch and still remain right in the mix with a lone 83-81 loss in Oregon at the Nike Interstate Shootout to Oregon top five South Salem of Salem.

5. (6) Harvard –Westlake (Studio City) 14-1
The Wolverines move up after winning a tight 49-47 game vs. La Jolla Country Day. They also have a win vs. Arizona Valley Vista, which beat Carondelet by 13 points at the Nike TOC.

6. (NR) Carondelet (Concord) 9-3
Head coach Elgin Leslie’s girls move past Cardinal Newman as the top team in the North Coast Section, and maybe St. Mary’s could conceivably win four times if they played five times, but that is speculative and speculation is not fact and the fact is that the Cougars went into Stockton and beat the Rams 71-69 in their house.

7. (3) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 11-3
The Rams had a chance at the buzzer but the 3-point shot by Neenah Young clanked off iron and head coach Tom Gonsalves and his girls suffered an upset defeat as a nationally-ranked team for the second time in two years.

8. (7) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 10-2
The Cardinals lose one of the two spots they gained last week to make room for Carondelet. However, if you had told the Newman faithful they would be a top 10 team nearing mid season after sitting at No. 17 in the preseason they’d take it.

Super 8 Boys BB State Ranks Update

By Ronnie Flores | Published January 9, 2017

There are no changes at the top of this week’s rankings, but there’s even more buzz surrounding No. 1 Sierra Canyon as it prepares to play in two huge showcase events over the MLK weekend. There’s also a lot of anticipation at No. 4 Mater Dei whether a prominent transfer will become immediately eligible or not.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

1. (1) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 12-1
Hard not to notice that Trailblazers won last week 83-52 over same Oakland Bishop O’Dowd squad that beat Bishop Montgomery to open the season. They go to the BassPro TOC and HoopHall Classic this week.

2. (2) Chino Hills 16-0
No games last week for Huskies, but get No. 9 Damien to start this week in their league opener. They’ll go for 52nd straight win.

3. (3) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 14-1
Junior standout David Singleton still rounding into top form after early season foot injury.

Bol Bol, the son of former NBA giant Manute Bol, plays for Bishop Miege of Shawnee Mission, Kan. Photo: notey.com.


4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 17-1
League opening win vs. St. John Bosco overshadowed with the transfer of junior center Bol Bol from Kansas City area. Will he be eligible for this season or not?

5. (5) Woodcreek (Roseville) 15-2
Jordan Brown pumped in 29 points as the Timberwolves opened Sierra Foothill League action with a rout of Rocklin.

6. (6) Birmingham (Lake Balboa) 13-3
Early candidate for game of the year has to be the Patriots topping Heritage Christian of Northridge 110-105 at the Take Flight Challenge.

7. (7) Sheldon (Sacramento) 11-1
A strong week for the Huskies was capped by a 65-34 triumph over CIF North Coast Section recent powerhouse Monte Vista of Danville at the Father Kelly Tribute.

8. (8) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 13-2
There are no changes in the first nine slots of this week’s rankings. Foothills crushed Lynwood in its only outing last week.

More State Football Coaches of Year

By Mark Tennis | Published January 5, 2017

Here are the choices from among those schools considered medium-size and small. Our medium schools honoree for this year won a CIF state title for the school he once played for while our small schools pick made history for becoming just the second coach in CIF state history to win state titles at two different schools.
Read more…

Super 8 Girls BB State Ranks Update

By Harold Abend | Published January 3, 2017

Clovis West still looking strong after Nike TOC win, but Archbishop Mitty, Stockton St. Mary’s and Long Beach Poly are right behind. Moving up into the top eight this week, meanwhile, is Oakland Bishop O’Dowd.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with expanded writeups of the first eight teams plus the next 12 and lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

1. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 12-1
The Golden Eagles have a one-point OT loss to Archbishop Mitty in the Iolani Classic title game but they beat Miami Country Day 67-45 in the Nike TOC Joe Smith Division title game and that team beat a Colorado Grandview team that beat Mitty in the opening round.

2. (1) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 9-2
It was an overtime win over Clovis West at the Iolani tourney and not as if it was a blowout. That certainly makes it easier to reverse the No. 1 and No. 2 rankings after the Nike TOC.

Freshman Amaya Oliver waits for ball to drop through the net for St. Mary's of Stockton during game at the West Coast Jamboree. Photo: Harold Abend.

Freshman Amaya Oliver waits for ball to drop through the net for St. Mary’s of Stockton during game at the West Coast Jamboree. Photo: Harold Abend.


3. (4) St. Mary’s (Stockton) 11-2
We moved up the Rams just ahead of Long Beach Poly on the ticker last week and it stays that way after they rolled to the Platinum Division title of the West Coast Jamboree.

4. (3) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 7-3
The Jackrabbits took Clovis West to overtime at the Iolani Classic and they only lost 63-58 to Miami Country Day but then they lost again at the TOC to Arizona Seton Catholic>

5. (7) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 11-1
The Trailblazers took a close loss to an Oregon South Salem team at the Nike Interstate Shootout in Oregon that is one of Oregon’s top teams but bounced back to beat Southridge of Beaverton, another Oregon powerhouse Southridge.

6. (8) Harvard –Westlake (North Hollywood) 12-1
Even with a four-point loss to Ventura, it’s still a bump up for head coach Melissa Hearlihy and her girls after they have also posted wins over Valencia, Fairmont Prep, Windward and Santa Ana Mater Dei. They also just won the Title IX Tournament in Washington D.C. against a solid field.

7. (9) Cardinal Newman (Santa Rosa) 8-2
At this point in the rankings, no team is without a blemish and the Newman girls’ one is in a loss to an up and down Salesian team that was No. 14 in the last rankings. The D4 state champs from last year have two wins over D3 champ Sacred Heart Cathedral and one vs. Open Division champ Chaminade.

8. (19) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 8-2
The Dragons’ two losses to Mitty are decisive but once you get past the top four teams everyone has holes. Since the last rankings, O’Dowd has won the Mike Desper Division of the Nike TOC that included wins over previous No. 12 Fairmont Prep.

Super 8 Boys BB State Ranks Update

By Ronnie Flores | Published January 2, 2017

After Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth lost its first game of the season in the title game of the Les Schwab tourney in Oregon, there was serious thought that the Trailblazers should no longer be No. 1 in the state. In the end, that didn’t happen. Read below for quick capsules and quick, free look at the first eight teams in this week’s new state rankings.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

1. (1) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 10-1
Nationally-ranked Nathan Hale of Garfield, Wash., was the team to edge the Trailblazers in the championship game of the Les Schwab Invitational, 67-65. They still have win over Oak Hill Academy and are playing national No. 1 La Lumeire of Indianda on Jan. 16.

2. (3) Chino Hills 16-0
The defending national and CIF Open Division champs have a winning streak that is now up to 51 games but there isn’t the signature national win like there was last year in December vs. Montverde Academy.

Mater Dei's Spencer Freedman receives MVP plaque from Burlison on Basketball editor Frank Burlison after title game of last week's The Classic at Damien. Photo: Twitter.com.

Mater Dei’s Spencer Freedman receives MVP plaque from Burlison on Basketball editor Frank Burlison after title game of last week’s The Classic at Damien. Photo: Twitter.com.


3. (2) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 12-1
We originally didn’t penalize the Knights too much for dropping their season opener to Bishop O’Dowd of Oakland but have to be behind Chino Hills now.

4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 16-1
The Monarchs defeated No. 6 Birmingham of Lake Balboa (74-67), Centennial of Corona (51-49) and Damien to capture The Classic at Damien Tourney title.

5. (8) Woodcreek (Roseville) 13-2
This is the spot where the rankings get tricky and we knew it two weeks ago when we were taking in the various holiday tournaments. Junior big man Jordan Brown went for 38 points and 14 rebounds in a loss to Chino Hills.

6. (9) Birmingham (Lake Balboa) 11-3
The Patriots are the early favorites to win the L.A. City Section Open Division title, but have to consistently show they can play and defeat state-ranked teams.

7. (NR) Sheldon (Sacramento) 8-1
Coach Joey Rollings’ club will battle No. 5 Woodcreek for Sac-Joaquin Section D1 supremacy and stamped itself as a contender for the NorCal Open Division crown by advancing to the Rancho Mirage Holiday Invitational title game versus No. 2 Chino Hills and by winning their division at the Tarkanian Classic.

8. (11) Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 12-2
Led by UCLA-bound guard Jalen Hands, the Knights captured the National Division of the Torrey Pines Holiday Classic.

Littleton Going Nuts: 68, 65, 54

By Harold Abend | Published December 21, 2016

What a difference one week makes in the quest for the all-time Cal-Hi Sports girls high school state scoring record that Destiny Littleton of La Jolla Bishop’s is chasing. This is what has happened since our last report a little over a week ago:

More State Record Updates and New State Top 20 Rankings (coming soon) will be for Gold Club members only. Check out getting your membership today for just $9.99 for three months. For info, CLICK HERE.

After passing Terri Mann (3,188 points from 1984-87 at San Diego Point Loma) with a 49-point performance in a 97-57 victory against Chula Vista Bonita Vista in the championship game of the Matador Classic at Mount Miguel of Spring Valley, Littleton began her assault on two of the three players from the San Diego area still ahead of her with 3,233 points under her belt.

Destiny Littleton gives a fist pump to the crowd during CIF San Diego Section championships. Photo: Courtesy school.

Destiny Littleton gives a fist pump to the crowd during CIF San Diego Section championships. Photo: Courtesy school.


On December 13, the Cal-Hi Sports State Freshman, Sophomore and Junior of the Year exploded for 68 points in a rout of San Diego Mira Mesa. That gave her 3,301 points and put her past CIF San Diego Section superstar Candice Wiggins and her 3,252 points from 2001-04 at La Jolla Country Day.

Littleton had already passed Nikki Blue (2,938 points from 1999-2002 at Bakersfield West), two-time Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year and WNBA great Diana Taurasi (3,047 points from 1997-2000 at Chino Don Lugo), Giuliana Mendiola (3,069 from 1997-200 at El Toro), 1993 Ms. Basketball Danielle Viglione (3,089 points, Fair Oaks Bella Vista in 1990 and Fair Oaks Del Campo from 1991-93), and 2006 Ms. Basketball Jacki Gemelos (3,168 points from 2003-06 at Stockton St. Mary’s).

The next day in a blowout of San Diego University City, Littleton went for 65 points and with 3,366 points she has passed another former San Diego star and that’s scoring and free-throw shooting machine Brandi Collato and her 3,325 points from 1998-2001 at Santa Fe Christian of Solana Beach. It also got her past 2005 Ms. Basketball State Player of the Year Courtney Paris (3,346 points, Modesto Christian 2002, Piedmont 2003-05).

On December 15, Littleton went for 54 points in a thrashing of San Diego Montgomery, and in the process her 3,420 points passed Danielle Orsillo and her 3,374 points from 2002-05 at Oroville Las Plumas.

Playing a fourth straight day on December 16 was the milestone game for Littleton. With 56 points in a 89-39 victory over Our Lady of Peace (San Diego), the USC-bound Littleton passed the player that is No. 1 on the Cal-Hi Sports list of all-time greatest players, Ms. Basketball in 1981 and 1982, and certainly the greatest player in USC history, Cheryl Miller and her 3,446 points from 1979-1982 at Riverside Poly.

That gave Littleton 3,476 points and in a fifth straight game on December 17, and in another big win over San Diego Scripps Ranch, she dropped in an even 50 points to put her at 3,526 points going into a December 27 game against Chula Vista Eastlake.

So where is Littleton in her chase of the top spot? She’s in what we’re calling “The Void,” and that’s because it’s looking likely that she will get to the No. 1 spot, but its a long way there and even if she maintains close to the torrid 53.8 ppg average she’s currently at it will take several more games to reach the 3,837 points from 2001-2004 of San Diego High standout, plus college and WNBA star Charde Houston and her all-time California scoring record.

Not only is Littleton chasing the career record but the single season scoring record as well. Her 1,146 points as a sophomore is No. 5 all-time on that list behind Houston’s best season of 1,161 points. The 1,178 points Littleton dropped in as a junior is No. 3 on that list behind the 1,197 of Miller.

With 592 points in an 11-0 start for Bishop’s, the 5-foot-9 senior guard would need to average 32.3 ppg from here out to eclipse the top spot of 1,300 points that Viglione scored in the 1992 season, provided the Knights play 33 games like they played last season.

If she does that, not only will Littleton be the single-season and career scoring leader in California, she will be over 4,200 points for her career. Even if she drops off and doesn’t catch Viglione, it’s looking almost certain Littleton will pass the 4,000 point mark since she needs to average around 21.5 ppg if the Knights play 33 games this season.

Note: All career and season scoring totals are from the Cal-Hi Sports Most Points (Career) record list and season totals are from the Most Points (season) list. Yes, believe it or not before the internet, someone had to look up all of these records and that someone was our founder, the late Nelson Tennis. He did that not just for girls basketball, but boys basketball, football, baseball, everything.

Harold Abend is the associate editor of CalHiSports.com and the vice president of the California Prep Sportswriters Association. He can be reached at marketingharoldabend@gmail.com. Don’t forget to follow him on Twitter: @HaroldAbend

FB: Final State Top 10 Update

By Mark Tennis | Published December 19, 2016

We’ll have an expanded final package out to 50 teams done on Wednesday (Gold Club), but begin by finalizing top 10. Toughest choice was how high to put CIFSS D1 semifinalist Rancho Cucamonga.
Read more…

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