MidValleySports.Com

Joe T.

“It may be the devil or it may be the Lord, but you’re gonna have to serve somebody.”—Bob Dylan

Kick it!

CIF’s Glen Martinez told me at the end of March we might be there all day, Aram Tolegian told me when I got there he thought it might go until noon, but the CIF Council meeting this morning at The Grand in Long Beach was over a few ticks after 10:A.M.

Generally somebody else is representing Mid Valley Sports at one of these meetings, if at all. Most of the time it’s an athletic director or coach with his or her finger on the send button, but not this time. Today was my first. It was interesting, the parking was free, I didn’t see any scones but there was a complete croissant/muffin table with orange juice and coffee…so not bad.

But I actually thought I’d see fireworks. It didn’t happen. The Mt. Sac and Northern Area releaguing passed as easily as a New York City tax increase. There was minimal, hardly heated, debate about the Parochial schools re-shuffle.

Thoroughly enjoyed myself, I even got to shake hands with Anita Fopma. So it was all good…except…

The new divisional alignments will not be settled until May 28th, and any appeals will not be heard until June 10th. Top CIF exec Rob Wigod shared with the assembly that none of CIF’s commissioners have a dog in the playoff fight, he shared that no team has ever wanted to move up, and then he asked everybody if they really wanted to make the drive to come and hear a debate about the football divisions.

I was thinking, yes I do. Tolegian, sitting in the back of the hall next to the Times/Burbank/Glendale dude Andrew Campa, raised his hand with a smile and said. “I do.”

Who wouldn’t? That’s good stuff.

The one debate about where Cathedral belonged brought the only suspense of the morning. The parochial proposal created two four team leagues. Alemany, Chaminade, Crespi, and Notre Dame in one. Bishop Amat, Loyola, Serra, and Cathedral in the other. It also created a five team Mission League with St. Francis, La Salle, Salesian, St. Paul, and Harvard-Westlake.

When the unsettled was settled the Serra is now a seven team league featuring: Alemany, Chaminade, Crespi, Notre Dame, Bishop Amat, Loyola, and Serra. With only three playoff spots, according to the Times Eric Sondheimer’s tweet.

The Mission League then absorbed Cathedral to become a six team circuit. My expectation of a battle from La Salle never came. They’ve moved into the Mission League without a cry of foul. Even if I think it’s too big of a leap, good for them for embracing the battle. There will only be three playoff teams from here as well.

The Del Rey League has been amputated down to four teams. Leaving only Bishop Montgomery, Cantwell, St. Bernard, and Verbum Dei.

The four team Santa Fe League replaces Salesian with the addition of Mary Star and Bosco Tech from the Del Ray. They also add freelance Bell Jeff, winless in 2013 and unable to complete its schedule.

In regards to the Mt. Sac releaguing, the Montview now is officially made up of; Azusa, Baldwin Park, Duarte, Gladstone, Sierra Vista, and Workman. The reborn Miramonte is: Bassett, Edgewood, Ganesha, Garey, La Puente, and Pomona. (Last word I got was Edgewood is not playing football)

The Valle Vista is now officially Covina, Nogales, Northview, San Dimas, Wilson, and Rowland. The Hacienda: Charter Oak, Chino, Diamond Ranch, Los Altos, Walnut, and West Covina. The Palomares: Ayala, Bonita, Claremont, Diamond Bar, Glendora, and South Hills.

I only see this stuff in football terms so from my perspective the big winner here is Rowland. Not only are they out of the Hacienda, but most likely they are now in the Mid-Valley division.

Big loser? Try Walnut. Not only are the Mustangs still in the Hacienda, but they are still competing in the Southeast. With all the shuffling that went on the folks who call Ken Gunn Stadium home got nothing.

Next Add Winners: Baldwin Park and Pomona. Both of these schools have the physical make up to kick butt all day long in their new leagues. That’s not a slight at Azusa or Duarte in the Montview, but if things are right at BP (and they look to be) then the Aztecs, Falcons, Lobos, Dons, and Gladiators are out-matched.

Like that scene in “Braveheart” where the Brit tells the Scots that they have no heavy cavalry. Think of the heavy cavalry as the bubbas along the front line. I know technique and leverage can negate size, but over the long haul this is going to be brutal.

First Add Surprise: I’m a little surprised Nogales didn’t find a way to maneuver into the Miramonte.

Regards:

In regards to Yasiel Puig: When the MLB establishment admonishes Yasiel Puig for not playing the game the right way, do they mean he should also learn how to cheat better than Yankees starter Michael Pineda?

In regards to “Survivor”: If Spencer or Tasha go home tonight, Tony is going all the way to the end.

In regards to the Donald Sterling affair: It already feels like old news, but I don’t think the story is over.

In regards to Jude Oliva: He’s 34 today.

In regards to Mid Valley Sports coverage of three specific divisions: “Without a reason why, you’ve Blown it all sky high…”—Jigsaw

The Dude abides…

545

Job 4: 17

Contact Joe at joe@midvalleysports.com

“Joe T.’s Scoreboard” is found at www.midvalleynews.com every Wednesday & in the hard copy of the Mid Valley News, published every Wednesday

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