Boys' basketball: Simi Valley's Jackson considers his college options

George Mason, San Diego and Pepperdine have emerged as possible college choices for Simi Valley point guard Lorne Jackson.

Jackson, who averaged 22.9 points for the Marmonte League champions, is expected to make a recruiting visit to George Mason next week.

Jackson is playing in the San Fernando Valley all-star game on April 13 at Cal State Northridge. He attended a banquet for the game Monday night. Also there was Palmdale Knight forward Paul George, who said he is considering Fresno State and Pepperdine and also has heard from Georgetown.

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Image from www.moretimeforyou.com

Boys' volleyball: Valencia's Baughman heading to Long Beach State

According to the Daily News, Valencia middle blocker Jim Baughman has committed to Long Beach State. Baughman is a former All-Foothill League selection in volleyball and basketball. He joins teammate Derrick Trent, who has already committed to the 49ers.

In addition, senior teammate Jamey Ker has again been chosen to represent the U.S. Boys' Youth National Training Team this summer. However, the UCLA-bound senior is planning to forgo his invitation and will instead play out his final club season with Santa Clarita Synergy.

Valencia is the top-ranked team in the nation, according to StudentSportsVolleyball.com, and is favored to win its fourth Southern Section division title in six years. The Vikings are also riding a 65-match league winning streak.

-- Austin Knoblauch

 

Ex-Mater Dei star King bids adieu to Duke ... Could USC be next stop?

Former Mater Dei basketball standout Taylor King has decided to leave Duke after his freshman season.

Mater Dei Coach Gary McKnight confirmed Monday night that King has asked for and received his release from the Durham, N.C., university.

King had orginaillay committed to UCLA when he was an incoming freshman at Mater Dei but had a change of heart.

King's father, Steve, said his son will seek to transfer to a high-profile program that better fits his offensive strengths. He averaged 5.5 points and played in 34 games for Duke.

USC could be a possibility because the Trojans actively recruited him out of high school. Gonzaga and Villanova also pursued King.

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Image from www.bluedevilhoops.com

More Southern Section coaches' rankings for your viewing pleasure

If your curious as to where the Southern Section coaches have ranked your favorite team, here are this week's rankings:

• Baseball
• Softball
• Boys' volleyball
• Boys' tennis

-- Austin Knoblauch

-- Image from www.wordpress.com

 

Golf: Spraying to all fields is no longer a benefit

Figuring a day on the links was better than a day on the diamond, that he'd rather hit his way out of a rough instead of a slump, and that he'd rather tee off on a fairway instead of in a batting cage, Josh Hurst made a seamless transition from baseball to golf, it seems.

There's a nice note in the OC Register about Hurst's decision, and the impact he has had at Dana Hills. There's also some tidbits about El Toro's great start and a Foothill injury that took place away from the golf course (don't they all?).

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.dhhs.net

Lacrosse: The OC misses a sweeps week

That lacrosse team from Maryland that's supposed to be so good went 1-1 in Orange County, 1-0 down in San Diego. Mount St. Joseph defeated previously unbeaten Corona del Mar, 12-7, on Saturday.  It  had lost to  St. Margaret's in overtime, 8-7, on Friday.

To read about the big showdown with CdM, check out Damian Calhoun's account.

-- Martin Henderson

-- Image from www.cdmlacrosse.ialax.com

Boys' basketball: More CalHiSports.com honors

Campbell Hall's Jrue Holiday may have walked away with Rivals and CalHiSports.com's most prestigious honor, but several other Southland basketball players were recognized for their efforts, too.

Fairfax's Renardo Sidney, pictured, was CalHiSports.com's top junior player in the state, helping the Lions to a 27-6 overall record and to the City Section Championship Division finals.

Taft's Larry Drew was named the state Division I player of the year and Compton's DeMar DeRozan, who lost out to Holiday for Mr. Basketball honors, was the Division II player of the year. Klay Thompson of Santa Margarita took home top honors in Division III and Holiday was the de-facto choice for Division IV player of the year.

So, you wanna be a football official? Well, here's your chance

There's a need for high school football officials for the coming season. If you're interested, they'll train you and pay you, too.

For information about joining the Los Angeles unit from the City Section, try tcritt@pacbell.net. For information about joining the San Fernando Valley or Santa Clarita Valley unit, try (818) 371-6487 or lites4you@aol.com

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Image from pcwin.com

Nordhoff is ready to begin interviewing football coaching candidates

I just got off the phone with Nordhoff AD Dick Sebek, and he said the school is expected to name a new football coach in two or three weeks. Sebek said he has received a "considerable amount of interest" and the administration will begin interviews with potential candidates after Tuesday's application deadline passes.

In case you missed it, former Nordhoff coach Cliff Farrar accepted the Buena job earlier this month after leading the Rangers to their fourth division title-game appearance and a share of their ninth league title.

-- Austin Knoblauch

 

Eagle Rock names new football coach, but can he win over players?

After weeks of turmoil following the dismissal of former coach Jerry Chou, Eagle Rock has named Johnny Lopez as his replacement, Principal Salvador Velasco said Monday.

Lopez was an assistant coach last season at East Los Angeles College and previously coached at Pasadena Marshall, according to Velasco.

Eagle Rock players have been protesting Chou's firing, and it remains to be seen if Lopez can gain the support of his players and the program's boosters.

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Image from www.lib.uwo.ca