By Matt Schuler
Christmas Bells are ringing, slay bells are jingling, and the sounds of swishing nets are resounding through out high school basketball gyms all over the San Gabriel Valley. The Montview League b-ball Season is here once again. It’s time to break down and summarize each team’s early start to this young season before league play jumps into action.
We’ll start with last year’s Montview title winner; Workman.
WORKMAN: (2-3) (0-1) (0-0)
Coach: Martin Flores
Tournaments: Inland Empire Classic (12/15, 12/17, 12/19)
Loss vs. Vista Murrieta (34-71)
Win vs. Dominguez (57-56)
Loss vs. Claremont (46-59)
Nogales Holiday Classic (12/26-12/30)
12/26 vs. Bloomington Christian
Next Game: 12/26 vs. Bloomington
League Starts: 1/8 vs. Bassett
Notes: The defending Montview League champion Lobos are off to a slow start, but do have two wins. The only thing is their two victories have come against teams with a combined record of 1-8. Workman started off the season with two consecutive losses against San Bernardino (68-82) and Vista Murrieta (34-71), but bounced back with a pair of one and two point victories over Dominguez (57-56) and Ontario (57-55). Workman will compete in the Nogales Holiday Classic Tournament before entering league play January 8 in a home game versus Bassett.
AZUSA: (2-6) (2-3) (0-2)
Coach: Allen Orefice
Tournaments:
Azusa Tournament (12/15-12/18)
Win vs. Mountain View (44-37)
Loss vs. Covina (42-65)
Loss vs. Chino (39-54)
Loss vs. Eastlake (28-71)
Nogales Holiday Classic (12/26-12/30)
12/26 vs. Nogales
Next Game: 12/26 vs. Nogales
League Starts: 1/6 @ Bassett
Notes: Azusa is returning to the hardwood floor following a dismal six win season last year and definitely looking to improve. The Aztecs sit and wait to participate in the Nogales Tournament after winning only one out of four games as host to their own tourney, including a three game skid where the Aztecs were outscored 190-109 in the three game span. The lone bright spot for Azusa has been 5’11” junior forward Jose Nunez, who scored 11 points and pulled down 8 rebounds, including 4 offensive boards in a loss against Covina. Azusa then ventures into league with a road game against Bassett. Football athletes Abraham Ochoa and Desmond Reed also take a role in the line up for this year’s Aztecs.
SIERRA VISTA: (5-3) (2-1) (1-0)
Coach: Herman Flores
Tournaments:
El Rancho Blue Classic (12/8-12/12)
Loss vs. La Mirada (51-71)
Loss vs. Warren (50-61)
Win vs. El Monte (57-47)
Win vs. El Rancho (68-62)
Win vs. Huntington Park (43-41)
Covina Christmas Classic (12/26-12/30)
12/26 vs. Rowland
Next Game: 12/26 vs. Rowland
League Starts: 1/6 @ Gladstone
Notes: Sierra Vista, which finished third last year is currently 5-3 and on a four game hot streak after defeating San Marino (57-47) at home Dec14. The victory came after three consecutive wins to close out the El Rancho Tournament. The Dons and the boys from Baldwin Park are the only Montview League team with a record over .500 thus far. Sierra Vista is led by their impressive junior Bernardo Pagovich, who has averaged almost 16 points (15.9), 9 boards, and 4 steals in their first seven games of the season. Pagovich had an outburst of 22 points, 17 rebounds, and 5 steals in a 57-47 victory over El Monte. Edmundo Gutierrez has also been a playmaker for Sierra Vista. The senior point guard is averaging 3 steals and dishing out 4 assists a game. The Dons Await the Covina Tournament beginning 12/26
LA PUENTE: (3-3) (1-0) (0-1)
Coach: Jason Aceves
Tournaments:
Arroyo Annual 52nd Tournament (12/07-12/12)
Loss vs. California (47-49)
Win vs. Bosco Tech (53-44)
Win vs. Monrovia (69-49)
Loss vs. Arcadia (44-59)
Nogales Holiday Classic (12/26-12/30)
12/26 vs. Ayala
Next Game: 12/26 vs. Ayala
League Starts: 1/6 @ Duarte
Notes: La Puente was last year’s Montview runner up and is returning several key players. The Warriors are returning 6’6 Senior Center Andrew Garcia and Guard Daniel Gonzalez, who both averaged 10 points a game in league last year. Also returning is 6’4” junior German Pompa, who scored 9 points and cleared the boards for 16 rebounds in a 61-50 win over Wilson December 4. Garcia also went to town with 17 points, 11 boards and 5 blocked shots in the game. Returning Senior Jacob Sandavol also added 15 points in the win over the Wildcats. LP is currently 3-3 and sitting on a .500 record going into the Nogales Tournament. La Puente’s returners will be key come time for league, expect the Warriors not to surprise anybody this year.
BASSETT: (0-6) (0-1) (0-0)
Coach: Ladell Hill
Tournaments:
Loara Tournament (12/1-12/5)
Loss vs. Trabuco Hills (30-88)
Loss vs. Los Alamitos (29-87)
Loss vs. Savanna (41-74)
West Covina Tournament (12/15)
Loss vs. Monrovia (55-71)
Next Game: 1/06/10 vs. Azusa
League Starts: 1/06/10 vs. Azusa
Notes: The Olympians are off to a rough start having lost their first 6 games of the season and 14 consecutive dating back to 01/21/09. Bassett’s last win came against Gladstone (44-42) on Jan.16 2009. But one thing the Olys can hang their hat on is the overall record of their competition this season is 31-25. Other than that Bassett has accumulated a 24-73 record since winning the Montview League Title with a 10-2 record in the 2004-05 when they advanced to the second round of C.I.F before losing to Centennial. Alfredo Barron needs more help if he is to carry the Olympians into league play.
DUARTE: (0-5) (0-1) (0-3)
Coach: Wil White
Tournaments:
Garces Tournament (12/19)
Loss vs. San Joaquin Memorial (34-75)
Other Losses: vs. Arroyo (40-43)
vs. Temple City (41-82)
vs. Mountain View (49-61)
vs. Colton (45-57)
Next Game: 1/6/10 vs. La Puente
League Starts: 1/6 vs. La Puente
Notes: Duarte has only won 11 games since they clinched a league title in 05-06. The Falcons return their leading scorer from last season in 6’1” Senior Tyrone Hall. Hall, who averaged 11 points, 7 boards and 2 blocks a game last year in league, has averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds in 4 of their 5 losses. The Falcons prepare for League play when they play La Puente in a home game.
GLADSTONE: (2-5) (1-1) (1-0)
Coach: Gary Kilmer
Tournaments:
Azusa Tournament (12/15-12/17)
Loss vs. Eastlake (26-44)
Loss vs. South Hills (35-51)
Loss vs. Baldwin Park (25-60)
Other Wins: vs. Rosemead (46-38)
vs. Mountain View (32-30)
Next Game: 12/21 vs. Gabrielino
League Starts: 1/6 vs. Sierra Vista
Notes: G-Stone has collected two wins thus far after only six last season. The Gladiators haven’t had a 10-win season since 06-07, which will only provide more motivation for Gladstone this year around.
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