The TEN

(“The Ten” is not a top ten, but ten items worth being included in The TEN)

1. The Dodgers split a doubleheader with the Yankees in the Bronx.

2. Jay-Z is now a licensed NBA agent.

3. Only two players in major league history have had more hits in their first 15 games than the Dodgers’ Yasiel Puig.

4. Miami’s Chris Bosh calls out Heat fans for leaving early and tells them to stay home for Game 7.

5. Mike Scioscia drops Josh Hamilton to seventh in the Angels batting order for Wednesday night’s game with Seattle.

6. Chicago knocks off Boston 6-5 in overtime to tie the Stanley Cup Final series at 2-2.

7. Cal linebacker Thomas Vielma 2012 stats, sophomore year: 26 tackles, 13 assisted, 39 total.

8. La Serna has Vista, Los Osos, Westlake and Norco on its non league schedule.

9. Mayfair at Downey Friday August 30.

10. On this date in 1980 Roberto Duran takes the WBC welterweight title from Sugar Ray Leonard at Olympic Stadium in Montreal by unanimous decision.

Roberto Duran won a unanimous decision over Sugar Ray Leonard on June 20, 1980

A lot of people like what Burbank HC Hector Valencia has coming back for 2013

What follows is not the opinion of Mid Valley Sports, but of the fans that click on the site and participated in the poll. If you agree, beautiful. If you don’t agree, tell us what you think and drop in your own Top Ten…Mid-Valley Division will post on Thursday, Northwest Division will post on Friday.

(Vote in poll to pick a Final Four for this division)

Southeast Division Top Ten

1.) La Mirada (64): 2012: Bounced in the second round.—2013: New quarterback

2.) Downey (58): 2012: CIF Champs with sophomore quarterback and sophomore feature back.—2013: Return quarterback

3.) La Serna (42): 2012: Made it to finals and lost for second consecutive year.—2013: Return quarterback

4.) West Covina (23): 2012: Two year reign ended in rematch with La Serna.—2013: New quarterback

5.) Norwalk (17): 2012: Lost in quarterfinals to Downey, 45-42.—2013: New quarterback

6.) Muir (16): 2012: Lost in second round to West Covina, 21-19.—2013: New quarterback

7.) Los Altos (16): 2012: Did not make playoffs.—2013: Return quarterback

8.) Burbank (15): 2012: Lost in first round to Norwalk at home.—2013: Return quarterback

9.) Burroughs (8): 2012: Did not make playoffs.—2013: Return quarterback

10.) Santa Fe (7): 2012: Went to the semifinals.—2013: Return quarterback

The TEN

(“The Ten” is not a top ten, but ten items worth being included in The TEN)

1. Miami beats San Antonio 103-100 in overtime to force a game seven.

2. Authorities search the home of New England tight end Aaron Hernandez in connection with a homicide.

3. Byron Scott meeets with the Clippers Tuesday for a second interview.

4. Ray Allen.

5. The Clippers end the talks with Boston to acquire Coach Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett.

6. San Marino’s Nick Gott power cleaned 310 pounds at the West Covina linemen competition last year.

7. Seattle’s Kendrys Morales beats his former team the Angels with a single in the tenth inning 3-2.

8. The Alpha has split into two leagues this year with Paraclete, Brentwood, Windward and Marshall in the East and Sierra Canyon, Kilpatrrick, Campbell Hall and Viewpoint in the West.

9. Pomona running back Donavon Davis 2012 stats, junior year: 39-255 yards, 6.54 yd. avg, 2 TD.

10. On this date in 2000 the Lakers beat the Pacers to win the NBA title in six games. Shaquille O’Neal is named series MVP.

Steven Mercado

By Steven Mercado

Who ever thought Danny Green would be breaking records?

On Sunday night, the four-year man out of North Carolina broke the record for the most three-pointers made in NBA Finals series. His record currently sits at 25 and the man who held the previous record sat on the Heat bench as he watched it unfold. When Green hit number 23, Allen cringed as he rubbed his head as if he were thinking, man, how do we stop this kid?

Surprisingly, the kid’s 24-point performance (18 of those points coming from long range) was not the best of the night. In fact, it would be more appropriate to say the Spurs’ starting lineup was the best performance of the night. Tony Parker scored 26 points and dished out five assists. Tim Duncan scored 17 points and grabbed 12 boards. Kawhi Leonard put up 16 points and grabbed eight boards. The bench only scored a total of seven points.

The most performance came from the normal Spurs sixth man, Manu Ginobili. Coach Gregg Popovich decided to give Ginobili the start at shooting guard, bumping Green up to small forward, Leonard up to power forward, and Duncan up to center. With Manu playing Casper for the duration of the series, this proved to be the change of scenery he needed to get back to being Manu. He went eight-of-14 from the field, put up 24 points and dished out 10 assists.

When your starters produce in the way they did for the Spurs on Sunday night, who needs a bench?

As for the Miami Heat, LeBron James surprisingly had 25 points, eight dimes, and six boards. I say “surprisingly” because his performance was a quiet one, being drowned out by all of the Spurs’ starters. He made eight-of-22 field goals and was not able to get into the paint like the freight train normally does.

The Heat were down for a good amount of the game. This resulted in LeBron trying too hard to be the hero and shooting 36% from the field.

Dwyane Wade put up another impressive performance with 25 points, 10 assists, and four rebounds. Aside from Chris Bosh and Ray Allen, the Heat did not find a significant amount of production from their role players. Coach Erik Spoelstra seems to have played the wrong card with starting Mike Miller. He played 24 minutes, missed his only attempt from the field, and scored zero points.

Now the Heat are down 3-2 with their backs against the wall. It’s win or go home…even though the last two Finals games will be at Miami. You get the clichés.

The Heat need to attempt to cool off the Spurs. This will be difficult now that Ginobili had the game he needed to return to his old ways. If Miller starts and Ginobili has another big game, the Heat will continue to have match-up problems all over the court and the Spurs will take the title tonight.

In more simple terms, the Heat need to play hard and produce. Not just LeBron, not just the Flash, not just Bosh, but everyone needs to play hard and have a good game in order to force a Game 7. However, after seeing Game 5 and how the Spurs fed off of Ginobili’s big game, I think having him in the starting lineup will be too much for the Heat to handle. The Spurs will be raising that Larry O’Brien trophy tonight.

The TEN

(“The Ten” is not a top ten, but ten items worth being included in The TEN) 

1.) “The Mid Valley Sports Show” is LIVE tonight (7:PM) at www.midvalleysports.com

2.) “Donald Sterling wants Doc Rivers, do not know if he wants his 5-year contract.”—Mark Heisler

3.) Boston Bruins beat Chicago Blackhawks 2-0 Monday night, take 2-1 lead in Stanley Cup Finals.

4.) “Craig Dahl is lame and weak for that glad he with another squad we know how he play thanks for the tips we know who 2 go at.”—Tweet by St. Louis Rams cornerback Cortland Finnegan

5.) Dodgers play Yankees tonight in New York for first time since Game Six of 1981 World Series..

6.) El Segundo (junior) quarterback Lars Nootbar’s 2012 stats: 112 of 225, 1,428 yards, 13 touchdown passes, 7 interceptions.

7.) St. Louis Cardinals legend, MLB Hall of Famer, Lou Brock turns 74 today.

8.) “What time does second period start tomorrow?”—Downey Vikings quarterback Jorge Reyna.

9.) Covina Colt (junior) Pernell Smalley

10.) “Every Finals MVP before me was given a car, but when I left the hotel, the only thing I saw out there was a taxi waiting for me. All I got was a watch.”—Boston Celtics forward, 1981 NBA Finals MVP Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell.

Scott Morrison and the La Puente Warriors are just one interesting aspect in the Montview League this year

There is some intrigue to the NBA Finals. Can LeBron James carry the Heat to another title? Does Miami’s “Big Three” get broken up if the Heat fall short? Do Tim Duncan and Tony Parker have enough left in the tank for San Antonio. How will Parker’s injury effect the Spurs chances?

But honestly all this series has brought me is plenty of Z’s. Indiana would have been interesting. Maybe Oklahoma City. Possibly the Clippers just for dark horse sake. But really there’s just no interest here. The other night I found myself watching “The First 48” while the game was on ABC. If San Antonio wins, okay then Miami was overrated. If Miami wins well then…Miami is overrated.

Please, I don’t want to hear about Miami being mentioned as one of the all-time great NBA teams. Those Laker teams of the eighties with Magic Johnson would have swept them. Heck even the Larry Bird led Celtics would have ran over these guys. Let’s just get it over with. When’s the NFL Hall of Fame Game.

 We haven’t exactly had blanket coverage of girls softball this year – A La Salle story here, a TC story there. And I wasn’t planning on going to see the Public-Private All-Star game until somebody put a bug in my ear. But after some prodding I went out to Live Oak Park last Wednesday night to check it out. Have you seen San Marino’s Michelle Floyd fire a softball? I’ve read the press clippings on her and was aware of what she was doing but seeing her live is something completely different.

 She fanned five of the six batters she faced in the first two innings and belted a two run home run at the plate. The batters were intimidated as soon as they climbed in the box and who wouldn’t be? Floyd stands 6-1 and by the time she releases the ball she’s right on top of you. Her fastball would be hard to hit with a broom. You can hear it but it’s hard to see. How dominating? Think Randy Johnson in his prime. The University of Arizona is getting a good one.

 It’s always tough to replace a three year starter at quarterback but that’s what first year La Puente HC Scott Morrison is trying to do. Jacob Tovar is getting most of the snaps so far and looks to be the guy. Wednesday at Arroyo Tovar was on target on most of his throws.

 “He’s a senior so we’ll see,” Morrison said.

 The Montview could be one of most interesting leagues in the Northwest. Azusa is looking to bounce back after missing the playoffs last year. Gladstone lost a lot including their head coach Albert Sanchez. Jason Martin is putting Duarte back on the map and LP is also adjusting to a new coach in Morrison. Sierra Vista has running back Lee Jones returning but Don LeGro has stepped down as HC. And of course Bassett is the wild card.

 The Aztecs have most of their skill position players back including quarterback Jose Ledesma, running back Cameron Blackburn and wide receiver Carlos Montiel. They should be the early favorites.

 There’s a world of difference in the June 2013 version of Arroyo’s Nathan Coto and the June 2012 version. The confidence is there and he appears to have a grasp of Chris MacMillan’s offense.

It doesn’t hurt to have his his predecessor, Steven Rivera, on hand to coach him up.

In the MVL we’re hearing the Knights, but we’re also hearing Steven Nava and Rosemead, South El Monte, El Monte and Mt. View. But you know where I’m hearing the most noise? Gabrielino.

 Elijah Peters to Jeremy Franco!

 What’s going on at La Canada?

 That’s my principle.

 Tim can be reached at tim@midvalleysports.com.

West Covina HC Mike Maggiore

Teams, Events and Schedule: Saturday June 22

Group 1: Citrus Hill, Damien, Claremont, St. Paul, Northview, West Covina 1, Monrovia 2, Villa Park 2

Group 2: Covina 1, Rosemead, Santa Fe, San Marino, Upland, Valencia, Kaiser 2, Norwalk 2

Group 3: Azusa, Burroughs 1, Los Altos, Norwalk 1, Villa Park 1, Santiago 2, West Covina 2

Group 4: Arroyo, Bonita, Garey, Glendora 1, Kaiser 1, Santiago 1, Covina 2, Burroughs 2

Group 5: Dominguez, Monrovia 1, Rialto, Serrano, South Hills, Rowland, Glendora 2, West Covina 3

Events: Bench and clean, 8×100 relay and shuttle, Tire throw and tire flip relay, Sled drive and truck push, Obstacle course and heavy bag relay.

Schedule: All events start at 9:00 am and run through 1:00 pm. Awards are from 1:00-1:30.

Saturday June 22 West Covina is hosting its 3rd Annual Limeman Competition. There are 39 teams from 29 schools. The events start at 9:00 am.

Each team will need anywhere from 8 to 11 players.  There are 11 wristbands per team.  Athletes competing need to have their wristband on during the events.

Each event will be scored from 1-40, with 1 being the best time or score for each event.  The lowest score after all ten events will be the winner.  If there is a tie among two or more teams, both teams will get credit for the placing (i.e. a tie for third and fourth will both receive 3’s)

Events

Bench Press               Rep test at 185 lbs.                           8 players

                                    All 8 players will score

Power Clean              One rep max (3 attempts total)       6 players

                                    All 6 players will score

Tire Throw                Distance (3 throws each)                 8 players

                                    Best throw from all 8 players will score

Obstacle Course        Timed                                                7 players

                                    Best 6 times per team will score

8 x 100 relay             Timed – 2 attempts                            8 players*

                                    Best time will score

5 man sled drive       Timed – 2 attempts (10 yards)        5 players*

                                    Best time will score

Tire Flip Relay           Timed             (10 yards each leg)               8 players

                                    1 attempt only

Truck Push                Timed             3 attempts                              4 players*

Best 2 times score                

Shuttle (pro agility)   Timed             2 attempts each player         10 players

                                    Best 8 players will score     

Heavy Bag Relay       Timed 2 attempts per team             8 players*

                                    Best time will score (20 yds /leg)

* you can use different players on the 2^nd and / or 3^rd attempts.

Awards

Plaques for top 5 Teams Overall

Award for Team Event Champions

Individual Award for top bench reps,  power clean and best obstacle course time

12 T-Shirts for 1^st, 2^nd  and 3^rd  place team

2011 Top 5 Teams:

1. Villa Park 1

2. West Covina 1

3. Azusa

4. JW North 1

5. Monrovia

2012 Top 5 Teams

1. Rancho Cucamonga

2. Villa Park

3. Serrano

4. JW North

5. Valencia

Event Records

Bench Press- 157 Reps: Santa Fe – 2011

Clean (Total) – 1480 lbs: Serrano – 2012

Tire Throw – 109 yds: JW North- 2012

Obstacle Course- 3:15.85: Serrano – 2012

8×100 Obstacle Relay – 1:47.1: San Marino – 2012

Sled Drive – 3.87 : Rancho Cucamonga- 2012

Tire Flip Relay – 2:55: Villa Park – 2012

Truck Push- 31.5: Rancho Cucamonga – 2012

Shuttle – 36.0: Villa Park – 2012

Individual Records:

Bench Reps @ 185 lbs

1. Alex Tapia – Azusa – 30- 2011

1. Mark Smith – Serrano – 30 – 2012

2. Steven Kim – Burbank – 29- 2012

3. Nick Gott – San Marino – 28-2012

4. Joe Chong – Rowland – 27- 2011

Power Clean

1. Brendan Lolmaugh – Serrano – 315- 2012

2. Nick Gott – San Marino – 310 – 2012

3. Ellis McCarthy – Monrovia – 305 – 2011

3. Jessy Hays – Valencia – 305 – 2012

4. Hicks – Rancho Cucamonga -295-2012

The Ten

(“The Ten” is not a top ten, but ten items worth being included in The TEN)

1.  Cal Condor Thomas Vielma’s 2012 stats: 39 tackles and 6 sacks in only seven games.

2.  The Spur’s Danny Green has set a new NBA Finals three point field goal record at 25 and has at least one more game to play.

3.  Longtime area official Steve Brink turns 52 today.

4.  The ABA announced it’s plan to merge with the NBA on this day in 1976.

5.  UCLA beats LSU 2-1 to advance in the College World Series.

6.  Phil Mickelson finishes runner up for the 6th time in the U.S. Open.

7.  Kenny Giles’ 35 tackles in 2012 is highest among returning players on defense for La Salle.

8.  On this day in 1992 the 76ers trade Charles Barkley to the Phoenix Suns.

9.  Kentucky verbally offers a football  scholarship to 7th grader Jarius Brents.

10.  “I firmly believe that respect is a lot more important and a lot greater than popularity.” Julius Erving