Esperanza demonstrates the classy side of high school sports

Anaheim Esperanza has done something that all the senior volleyball players at Goleta Dos Pueblos High will be forever thankful for because of the school's class and sportsmanship.

Esperanza was scheduled to host Dos Pueblos in a Southern Section Division 2 volleyball playoff match on Saturday night. But it was also the night of the Dos Pueblos school prom, and there was no way that the 12 Dos Pueblos seniors and their dates were going to make the prom if the volleyball match went off in Anaheim.

Dos Pueblos asked to change the match to Monday night. And Esperanza agreed.

"It was a classy move by Esperanza to help us out, and we really appreciate it," Dos Pueblos Athletic Director Dan Feldhaus said.

If anyone deserves a Character Counts award, it's the Esperanza administration and the volleyball program.

-- Eric Sondheimer

 

Golf: Diamond Bar wins Western Division with superior play [Updated]

Diamond Bar's golf team showed off its superior depth in winning the CIF-SS Ford Western Division championship on Monday at Sierra La Verne Country Club.

All six players shot 78 or better, led by Jefferson Kao, who had a 69. Jason Chen (71), Dean Sakata (72), Brian Fong (75), Sahith Theegala (77) and Chris Niithaworn (78) combined for a score of 364. Also qualifying for Thursday's Southern Section team championships were Orange Lutheran at 379 and Mater Dei at 381. Orange Lutheran's Blake Barens shot 69.

In the Central Division final at Lakewood Golf Course, Loyola (see above photo) won with a score of 378. Mira Costa was second and Harvard-Westlake third. Blake Meek shot a 73 to lead Loyola.

In the Southern finals at Tijeras Creek Golf Club, Sunny Hills (368), Damien (374) and Newport Harbor (382) advanced. Brad Tapfer of Newport Harbor shot 69.

In the South Coast Division at Talega Golf Course, Corona del Mar (380), St. Margaret's (381) and Tesoro (383) advanced.

In the Central Coast Division at Cypress Ridge Golf Course, Arroyo Grande (390) edged Rio Mesa (391), with Ventura (393) in third place. Mitch Martin of Arroyo Grande shot 69.

In the Northern Division at Souel Park, Westlake won with a score of 360. Next came Oaks Christian at 375 and Arcadia at 376. Sean Crocker of Westlake shot a 67.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Loyola's championship golf team. Photo credit: Loyola.

Football: Servite to begin interviews next week

Anaheim Servite has received close to 70 applications for its vacant football coaching position, Athletic Director Alan Clinton said Wednesday.

The school is reviewing paperwork and will begin interviews next week. April 26 is the day Servite is  scheduled to announce its replacement for Troy Thomas, who resigned to become coach at Encino Crespi.

Clinton said several Servite assistant coaches have applied for the position.

"I think it will be OK," Clinton said when asked if he was pleased with the candidate applications.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Hockey: Santa Margarita wins national title

The Santa Margarita Eagles defeated Aurora (Colo.) Regis Jesuit, 4-3, to win the USA Hockey Varsity national title on Sunday in Coral Springs, Fla.

Max Kilkuts, who had two goals, scored in overtime to clinch the victory for the Eagles, who were champions of the Anaheim Ducks High School League.

The Eagles, who qualified for the national championships by winning the state title in San Jose earlier this month, are coached by Craig Johnson, who played 13 years in the NHL, including the 2003-04 season with the Ducks.

The Ducks formed the high school league in 2008-09 and help fund each of the 12 teams.

--Dan Loumena

Photo: The Santa Margarita Eagles pose for pictures after winning the USA Hockey national title on Sunday.

Boys' volleyball: Top juniors are committed to UCLA

First-year UCLA volleyball Coach John Speraw has hit the jackpot in recruiting.

He has picked up commitments from two of the top juniors in Orange County, if not the nation, in 6-foot-6 Jake Arnitz from Anaheim Esperanza and 6-6 Christian Hessenauer from Dana Hills.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Lacrosse: A history lesson is given at Newport Harbor

Earlier this week, members of the Newport Harbor boys' lacrosse team received a history lesson on the sport from a 50-year-old Native American who is a Bear Clan representative to the Oneida Indian Nation's Men's Council and Clan Mothers in upstate New York.

Here's the link to a story from the Daily Pilot.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Santa Margarita dealing with more off-the-field issues

A year ago in December, Santa Margarita faced a public relations disaster when word leaked out that two assistant football coaches were allowed to continue coaching despite pleading guilty to misdemeanor marijuana possession to avoid a trial on felony charges. The school was criticized for failing to inform parents.

Now the Catholic school is dealing with an alleged hazing incident involving players from the boys' soccer team during a trip to Hawaii at the end of last month.

KCBS-TV reported that three players were expelled. A spokesman for the Archdiocese of Orange won't discuss the incident other than to say "it wasn't an issue of public safety and the school is dealing with it."

-- Eric Sondheimer

Girls' soccer: Aliso Niguel tops Division 1 poll

Aliso Niguel continues to hold down the No. 1 spot in this week's Southern Section Division 1 girls' soccer poll.

Corona del Mar is No. 2 and Dana Hills No. 3.

Here's the link to complete rankings.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Girls' volleyball: JSerra is looking for new coach

JSerra is looking for a new girls' volleyball coach after the resignation of Katie Wildermuth.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Boys' water polo: Jon Walters of Mater Dei is Division 1 player of the year

Jon Walters of Santa Ana Mater Dei has been named the player of the year in Southern Section Division 1 water polo. He led the Monarchs to the section championship.

Dominick Beaudine of Agoura was selected player of the year in Division 2.

Here's the link to complete All-CIF teams for all levels.

-- Eric Sondheimer