Football: Loyola could be losing one of its quarterbacks

On Tuesday,  Los Angeles Loyola quarterback Jerry Neuheisel showed up to a passing competition with a sore arm, but his backup, junior Brett Nelson, was nowhere in sight and apparently making plans to transfer

This is about the least surprising development of the summer, for whatever decision Coach Jeff Kearin made in picking a starting quarterback, the runner-up was expected to shop for another school.

This has become part of the high school sports scene. Two summers ago, after Nick Montana showed up at Westlake Village Oaks Christian, three backup quarterbacks transferred to other schools.

But there's no easy decision for the 6-foot-3 Nelson, who has a strong arm and was talented enough to be the varsity backup as a sophomore. One school he'll probably look at is La Canada St. Francis, a school his family has ties to, but the Golden Knights already have a senior starter and their backup is a junior, James Bonds, the son of Coach Jim Bonds.

And St. Francis Principal Tom Moran hasn't approved many transfers. Nelson also has to have a change of residence to be eligible. So I feel sympathy for Nelson's plight, but transferring is no guarantee of playing time or success. Loyola sure could have used him Tuesday.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Super Seven retreat to have Hawaiian flavor

Steve Clarkson is saying "aloha" to Santa Barbara.

The famed quarterbacks guru has moved his Super Seven retreat from Southern California to Maui, where Oaks Christian's Nick Montana and San Clemente's Chase Rettig will have the opportunity to impress Thursday through Saturday.

"We wanted to do something special, and obviously Maui's a very special place," Clarkson said. "We wanted the kids to have an experience they might never have on their own."

The quarterbacks will also get the chance to receive some tutoring they might otherwise never have afforded from an impressive lineup of mentors that includes Clarkson, NHL Hall of Famer Joe Montana and Arizona Cardinals quarterback and former USC Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart.

Other high school quarterbacks scheduled to attend are Andrew Manley of Wahiawa (Hawaii) Leileua, Blake Bell of Wichita (Kan.) Bishop Carroll Catholic, Phillip Sims of Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar F. Smight, Barry Brunetti of Memphis (Tenn.) University and Austin Hinder of Steamboat Springs (Colo.) High.

The campers will also find "The Great One" in their midst.

Boys' basketball: Younger Hamilton to attend Crenshaw

Isaac Hamilton, the younger brother of former Compton Dominguez phenom Jordan Hamilton, will be a freshman at Crenshaw next year, according to Cougars Coach Ed Waters.

If the younger Hamilton is anything like his brother, a dynamic standout who will play for Texas next season, he could provide an immediate boost for a program already expected to challenge Westchester, Taft and Fairfax for a City Section title.

--Ben Bolch

City Section holding golf tournament to raise funds

In these difficult economic times for public schools, the City Section is holding a fundraising golf tournament on Aug. 31 at Porter Valley Country Club to raise funds for the section's student athletes.

It's a $150 donation and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and 18 holes of golf.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: L.A. Jordan, Inglewood players earn top honors at camp

The B2G Elite Camp held last weekend in Thousand Oaks produced two standouts in L.A. Jordan receiver De'Shawn Beck and Inglewood safety James Grace.

Beck was named MVP of Sunday's seven-on-seven competition. Grace was selected the most outstanding defensive player at the camp.

"He played incredible," B2G director Ron Allen said of the speedy Beck.

"He was a manchild," Allen said of Grace.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Freshman All-America honors for Bauer, Ramirez, Gilmartin

2008 was a great year for high school pitchers in Southern Californa, and three pitchers from that season have gone on to earn freshman All-America honors in college from Baseball America.

They are Trevor Bauer from Newhall Hart and UCLA, Noe Ramirez from Alhambra and Cal State Fullerton and Sean Gilmartin from Encino Crespi and Florida State.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Boys' basketball: La Mirada's Derrick Williams picks Arizona

Another former USC commit has ended up at Arizona. Derrick Williams, the 6-foot-8 forward from La Mirada, announced he will enroll at Arizona. Before him, there was Solomon Hill from Los Angeles Fairfax who previously committed to USC, then signed with Arizona.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Football: Birmingham's 'Bruno' incident continues to unfold

The Los Angeles Unified School District continues to investigate who was responsible for allowing Birmingham's football team to participate in a photo shoot with comedian Sacha Baron Cohen.

Here's the latest.

-- Eric Sondheimer

TV contract with Southern Section comes to a close

A three-year contract that Prime Ticket had with the Southern Section to televise high school games and have the right of first refusal ends this week.

Prime Ticket has made a new offer to the Southern Section, but that was rejected. Officials for both organizations are expected to meet next month to try to come up with terms for a new deal.

The question is whether there's an alternative to Prime Ticket. The Southern Section has 579 high schools and wants more than just money. It wants exposure, and the growth of the Internet creates opportunities for others. But in a tough economy, it makes sense for Prime Ticket and the Southern Section to stick together.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Baseball: Six local players earn invites for USA Baseball U18 team trials

Simi Valley Royal pitcher Cody Buckel, Huntington Beach Edison outfielder Eric Snyder, Aliso Niguel catcher Stefan Sabol, Valencia shortstop Christian Lopes, St. Paul pitcher Gabriel Encinas and Santa Ana Mater Dei outfielder Cory Hahn have earned invites to the USA Baseball U18 team trials after competing in a tournament in North Carolina.

They will return to Cary, N.C., in September to compete for spots on the final 20-man roster that will play in a tournament later in the month in Venezuela.

-- Eric Sondheimer