Boys' basketball: Namon Wright is leaving Pacific Hills

Standout junior guard Namon Wright of Pacific Hills has told school officials he is leaving for Flindlay Prep in Nevada, Athletic Director Steve Wyscocki said Thursday.

Findlay Prep has also picked up freshman guard Derryck Thornton from Chatsworth Sierra Canyon.

Wright helped Pacific Hills win the state Division IV championship this past season. He came to Pacific Hills after previously attending Sierra Canyon and Price. Pacific Hills loses its top players for this coming season.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Mt. SAC area finalizes new leagues for 2014

After lots of voting on proposals at Monday's meeting of representatives from the Mt. SAC area, the final verdict on new leagues produced outcomes that certainly not everybody liked.

There's a new powerful Baseline League made up of Chino Hills, Ayala, Etiwanda, Los Osos, Rancho Cucamonga and Upland.

Glendora was a big winner, escaping the Baseline and joining a league made up of Bonita, Chino, Claremont, Diamond Bar and South HIlls. That's the Sierra League.

The Hacienda League is not exactly a powerhouse with Charter Oak, Diamond Ranch, Los Altos, Rowland, Walnut and West Covina.

Just another day in high school sports.

-- Eric Sondheimer

 

Boys' basketball: Daniel Hamilton chooses Connecticut

Standout junior guard Daniel Hamilton of Bellflower St. John Bosco committed to Connecticut after playing in a travel ball tournament in Texas on Friday night, according to media reports. Coach Derrick Taylor confirmed the commitment on Saturday morning.

Hamilton's brother, Isaac, will be attending UTEP this fall.

-- Eric Sondheimer

 

Boys' basketball: Point guard Tra Holder commits to Arizona State

Standout junior point guard Tra Holder of Brentwood has committed to Arizona State.

Holder averaged 22.9 points for the Eagles. He has been starring in spring travel ball competition.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Boys' basketball: UCSB is latest to offer Jack Williams

Jack Williams, Chaminade's 6-foot-8 senior-to-be, has picked up a basketball offer from UC Santa Barbara, Coach Todd Wolfson said.

He also has offers from Pacific, San Diego, Portland, Colorado, Rice, Pepperdine and Pennsylvania, among 12 offers.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Boys' basketball: Nick Springer is transferring to Maranatha

All-league Pacific League guard Nick Springer is transferring from Crescenta Valley to Pasadena Marantha, the Pasadena Sun reported.

The senior-to-be would be the first top transfer to join new Maranatha Coach Tim Tucker, who previously coach at Pasadena.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Boys' basketball: Damon Charlot resigns at Cleveland

Damon Charlot has resigned after two seasons as basketball coach at Reseda Cleveland, Athletic Director Jason Meskis said.

That means Cleveland will have to find new coaches for football, basketball and baseball.

"It's a coincidence," Meskis said of the trio of head coach openings.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Boys' basketball: St. John Bosco will be packing bags in 2013-14

St. John Bosco Coach Derrick Taylor is putting together a schedule in 2013-14 that will allow his players to pick up plenty of frequent flyer mileage.

The Braves are scheduled to travel to Chicago for a showcase on Dec. 7, followed by tournaments in Florida and Massachusetts.

There's also a possibility of a trip to Puerto Rico.

St. John Bosco returns standout guards Daniel Hamilton and Tyler Dorsey.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Russell White to become Crespi's athletic director

Basketball Coach Russell White  (not the same Russell White that was the star running back at Crespi in the 1980s) will take on the additional duties as athletic director at Encino Crespi, President Father Tom Batsis announced on Wednesday.

He will replace Matt Luderer, the athletic director since 2008.

Batsis said the move was made as part of a cost-cutting move.

"Matt has done a wonderful job," Batsis said.

For years, the late former Crespi basketball coach, Paul Muff, also served as athletic director.

-- Eric Sondheimer

 

Boys' basketball: Watts Summer Games seeking teams

The Watts Summer Games, scheduled for June 8-9 and June 15, is seeking basketball teams to participate. The registration fee is $150 and includes T-shirts for 15 players and two coaches and a minimum three games.

Here's the link to sign up.

-- Eric Sondheimer