MidValleySports.Com

By Tim Peterson

Glendora and West Covina have not hired head coaches as of yet which is probably a good thing. Both are solid programs and when you’re trying to replace a successful coach like Brandon Roher at Glendora or a legend like Mike Maggiore at West Covina you have to get it right.

Remember when Maggiore stepped down the first time it didn’t work out. The Bulldogs suffered through two rough years and Maggiore was back at the helm. The most recent scoop is that West Covina conducted several interviews last week and is still sorting things out. No names have been mentioned as of yet. The good news is Maggiore will still be a part of the football program in some capacity.

At Glendora reports are that most of the interviews have been concluded and they have it whittled it down to three names. An announcement should be coming soon. Stay tuned…

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Passing leagues continue to grow and expand each year. First it was eight teams, then 12, then 16 and now there are several that have 24. But usually, not always but usually, they were completed in one day…a long day but one day. Now there is a tournament…well a league…that will last six weeks. Robert Maxie at Baldwin Park has put together 3rd & Long, a Spring season football passing league that will run from March 29 through May 3. It will run every Saturday during that time and 10 teams will be participating. Baldwin Park, South Hills, Monrovia, Bell Gardens, Pasadena, Charter Oak, Alta Loma, Nogales, Cathedral and Los Altos will be competing at the First Annual Spring League.

As far as this past season for Baldwin Park quarterback Jacob Garcia was named MVP of the team as well as the Valle Vista League.

Didn’t baseball season just start and basketball still hasn’t ended?

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Speaking of baseball did you know that long time Temple City head coach Barry Bacon is back on the Rams coaching staff? He stepped down as the head coach at Pasadena and has now returned to TC to assist Rob Nelson.

Arcadia is off to a 5-0 start including wins over Bishop Amat and Bonita. The Apaches open league next Monday against Pasadena.

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I don’t love the State playoffs in any sport. They just seem so anti-climactic. Plus what CIF champion wants to end their season on a losing note? That being said the Maranatha-Keppel boys basketball Division III game Tuesday night is intriguing. Not often do you see Maranatha and Keppel square off in any sport.

One more note on high school hoops: What the Arroyo boys team did last Friday night is even more remarkable considering what they went through this year. They beat Rosemead to win a CIF championship even though they haven’t had access to a gym since last February because theirs is being refurbished. They had to practice on the outside basketball courts all year and they had to play every game on the road. What head coach Oscar Lopez and his team were able to do this year was nothing short of incredible.

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More football…it may have slipped under the radar but Ayala hired Terrance Smith, who was an assistant last season, to be their new head football coach. Also at Don Lugo Daniel Robles, who was the freshman coach at Don Lugo last season, has been promoted to head coach. Robles replaces Josh Knight who is moving to Texas with his family to pursue other opportunities.

Bonita Co-Head Coach Bo Beatty says the Bearcats are ready to rumble. But they are just fine staying in the Sierra League, thank you.

Diamond Ranch is looking to host 7 v 7 throws this spring and summer. Please contact head coach Chris Williams on Twitter (X) if interested.

San Gabriel is still looking for a new head coach as well. Is Keith Jones available?

That’s my principle.

Tim Peterson can be reached at tim.midvalleysports@gmail.com or on Twitter (X) @tspeterson40. Facebook-Tim Peterson