The 818 Now

Traci Hamanaka, a standout girls’ volleyball player at Burroughs High, will play next season at Wellesley College, which is just outside of Boston.

Hamanaka, a senior libero, will be playing volleyball for the Wellesley Blue Pride starting in the fall.

Hamanaka is a four-time All-Area selection and she was named the Pacific League co-Player of the Year this past season in which she averaged 22.2 digs a match.

The Bulldogs have played well in the opening rounds of the Monrovia Tournament this week.

In a championship-round match Tuesday at the Glendale Sports Complex, the Bulldogs defeated South Gate, 3-1. Garnik Zurabyan had two goals and Jeffrey Earle had one for Burbank (6-1).

Burbank opened the tourney Monday with a 3-1 win against Buckley. Earle, Tadeh Anbarchian and Zurabyan scored goals for Burbank.

Also on Monday, the Bulldogs defeated Moorpark, 3-1, with two goals coming from Earle and one from Jonathan Trujillo.

Earle had scored 10 goals in the last four matches.

Baseball America magazine has come out with its top 100 high school prospects for 2010, and one local made the list.

Burbank High senior shortstop Lonnie Kaupilla is No. 88 on the list. Kauppila has signed with Stanford.

Along with being named a first-team all-league selection, Kauppila was named the 2009 All-Area Athlete of the Year, joining his brother, who earned the honor with the Falcons in 2008. In addition, his talent wasn’t lost on the coaches in CIF Southern Section Division II, as Kauppila was selected on the All-CIF second team.

Along with a .545 batting average, he also had 25 runs batted in,  scored 27 runs and belted 12 home runs for a 1.169 slugging percentage. In addition, he had 15 walks and only struck out five times.

Following a dismal first quarter where it was held scoreless by Flintridge Prep, the Providence High girls’ basketball team appeared to be digging itself out of its hole in the second quarter.

But the Pioneers again struggled in the third quarter, and weren’t able to fight their way back Thursday in a 46-36 nonleague loss at Flintridge Prep.

After beginning the season 4-1, Providence (4-4) has lost its last three games, and Coach Andrew Bencze said the squad is not playing up to its potential.

Providence was led by senior Christine Mallari, who had 12 points and six rebounds. Vicario and Solis added seven points each.

The Providence High girls’ basketball team played well in the fourth quarter against Milken Community.

Unfortunately, the Pioneers didn’t play particularly well in the three preceeding quarters.

As a result, Providence fell to Milken Community 48-36, Saturday in the championship of the Viewpoint Tournament.

Ana Solis paced Providence (4-2) with eight points — all in the second half. Christine Mallari and Rita Khatchadourian had seven points each.

Kimberly Hakim had 13 points for Milken (7-0).

Pioneers and Ariana Vicario were named to the all-tournament team.

When organizers at Burbank High began the Burbank High Athletic Hall of Fame last year, they envisioned a schedule of induction that would occur every two years.

With the success of last year’s inaugural ceremony, the school has continued the tradition it started, and a new group of inductees will be enshrined next year.

Earlier this week, the Hall of Fame committee released the list of the second class, which will be honored Nov. 12. The induction ceremony is scheduled for 6 p.m. at the school’s auditorium.

The latest group includes Bryon “Tony” Frank, Roy and John Lockwood, Bob Pierce, Ken Ziskin, Ralph Botting, Christi Calderon, Frank Kallem and Dave Kemp. In addition, the 1975 CIF-champion softball team and the 1964 CIF-champion boys’ cross-country team will be honored.

The Burbank Vikings at practice. (Roger Wilson/Leader)

Several athletes from the Burbank Vikings Youth Tackle Football program have been named all-stars in their respective divisions in the Pacific Youth Football League.

In the Pee-Wee Division, Tobias Baklayan, Alvin Hayes, Kade Lewis, Jake Moore, Maurice Rozo, Diego Santillian and Duncan Smith have been selected.

Earning honors in the Midget Division were Taylor Bercini, Brennan Doyle, Jack Fenady and Devin Paul.

Honored in the Junior Division were Anthony Connell, Jake Noud and Ryall Rivera. Senior Division representatives were Gary Clements, Slater Davis and Anthony Wright.

The Seniors will take place in the first-ever senior all-star game Saturday at Calabasas High.

The boys’ basketball teams from Bellarmine-Jefferson and Providence highs might see a little too much of one another this week.

The Guards and Pioneers have their annual cross-town rivalry game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Friday at Bell-Jeff. That game has been scheduled for months.

However, the two teams will play one another two days earlier, as both are taking part in the Viewpoint Tournament. By chance, Bell-Jeff and Providence will clash at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday in the event.

“I tried to get [the tournament organizers] to change opponents, but they said no,” Providence Athletic Director Andrew Bencze said.

 It was a successful season for the boys’ and girls’ cross-country teams from Burbank and Burroughs highs, as all four qualified fo the postseason.

In boys’ water polo, the Indians and Bulldogs struggled, as neither made it to the playoffs.

Nevertheless, both schools had a number of athletes earn All-Pacific League honors this season.

In cross-country, first-team selections for the boys included Burroughs’ Anthony Monroy and Burbank’s Greg Dotson. Making the second team were three Indians: David Campos, Kamal Chahal and Charlie Camacho.

Monroy advanced to the CIF Southern Section Division I finals.

For the girls, Burroughs’ Monique Martinez was a first-team choice, as was McKenzie Paul of Burbank. In water polo, Burbank’s Sam Akopyan and Burroughs’ Alex Ueno made the second team. Bulldogs’ Bobby Graham and Indians’ Chad Wilson were honorable-mention picks.

The Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ basketball team is coming off a record-breaking season, the most successful season in city history.

In March, Bell-Jeff defeated Pinewood, 55-47, in the CIF State Basketball Division V Championships at Arco Arena in Sacramento. It was the first state title by any team — in any sport — in area history.

The win gave Bell-Jeff a 34-1 record, which set a new school record. In addition, the team ended the season on a 20-game winning streak. The Guards also won the CIF Southern Section Division V-A championship against Santa Clara, 61-31.

Bell-Jeff lost its best player from a year ago, Shelley Gupilan (18.8 points, 9.3 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.8 steals a game), to graduation.

Even though the Guards lost Gupilan, and All-CIF standout Elizabeth Hawthorne, the team could actually be better than last season.

“The great thing about this team is the girls are hungry,” Bell-Jeff Coach Bryan Camacho said. “Their work ethic is just amazing and they are really putting in the hard work to get better.”

Credit: Creative Commons

The Burbank High boys’ basketball team is ready to get the season underway.

The team will open play this season in its own 41st annual Bulldog Tip-Off Classic, which begins Monday and runs through Saturday.

The Bulldogs, who went 18-11 last season, start the event Tuesday at 8 p.m. with a pool-play game against Roosevelt. Burbank will then play at 8 p.m. on Wednesday in  pool-play contest against Royal.

Bracket play begins on Thursday, with the championship scheduled for Saturday.

Jesse Ayers, a former Burbank High football standout, earned All-Great Plains Athletic Conference honors as a wide receiver for Dakota Wesleyan University.

Ayers, who also played at Glendale Community College, earned his second All-GPAC honor and was among 10 players honored from the team.

He was also an honorable-mention selection in 2007 before missing 2008 with an injury. This season, the senior was fourth in the league in receptions with 47, and fifth in receiving yards with 712. In addition, he tied for the team lead with seven total touchdowns.

Ayers finished his two-year career with 81 catches, and his 1,231 receiving yards is the fifth-best career total in Tiger history.

Alhambra's Jacob Caraballo can't stop Burbank's Leo Rodas from scoring a touchdown in the second quarter during a CIF playoff game at Burroughs High School Friday, Nov. 20.

For the second straight season, the Burbank High football team has advanced to the second round of the CIF Southern Section Southeast Division playoffs.

Last year, the squad’s playoff win was the first for the program in 81 years. This season, the Bulldogs are confident and are looking for a possible berth in the semifinals.

However, to do that, they will have to beat a tough California team. The teams will play at 7:30 p.m. Friday at California.

The Condors (8-2-1), from Whittier, are led by senior running back Terris Jones, who has 188 carries for 1,588 yards and 25 touchdowns. California is on a nine-game winning streak.

Burbank (9-2), which won a share of the Pacific League championship for the first time in 37 years, counters with a fine quarterback-running back combination. Junior Adam Colman has completed 106 of 183 passes for 1,679 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions. Junior Ulises Ochoa has carried the ball 162 times for 1,288 yards and has 13 touchdowns.

Just one team in the Burbank Vikings Youth Tackle Football program is still alive in the playoffs.

Only the Pee-Wee squad, a 36-10 winner against Agoura, was able to win the game Saturday in the Pacific Youth Football League playoffs.

Burbank  (8-1)will play in a quarterfinal game at 8 a.m. Saturday against Camarillo at Oxnard High.

In losing playoff efforts, the Bantam Black (3-8) lost to North Oxnard Red, 26-0;  Bantam Green (7-4) fell to Santa Clarita Warriors, 34-6; the Midget Gold (8-2) was defeated by Calabasas Silver, 30-12; and Senior White (8-3) fell to the Santa Clarita Seminoles, 38-8.

The Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ volleyball team is going where no other squad in the program’s history has gone.

The Guards will be making their first appearance in a CIF Southern Section final after breezing through the Division IVA playoffs.

Bell-Jeff will take on Upland Christian Academy at 1 p.m. Saturday at Cypress College.

The Guards advanced to the championship by defeating Desert Hot Springs, 25-21, 25-18, 25-23, in a semifinal Tuesday. Ulpand Christian beat Bermuda Dunes Desert Christian, 26-24, 16-25, 25-21, 25-12, in its Tuesday semifinal.

Bell-Jeff is the Santa Cruz League champion and Upland Christian is the No. 1 seed and Arrowhead League champion.

It’s been decades since the Burbank High and Burroughs football teams both had first-round playoff home games.

However, while the Bulldogs and Indians will enjoy the comfy confines of Memorial Field for their CIF Southern Section postseason games this week, Bellarmine-Jefferson has to hit the road for its playoff opener.

Because Burbank and Burroughs share the same venue, the two will play on different days in Southeast Division games. The Indians will host a tough Diamond Ranch team at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and the Bulldogs will host Alhambra on Friday in a 7:30 game.

The Guards will be at Boron Friday for a 7:30 p.m. contest.

The Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ volleyball team is making history.

With a 19-25, 25-15, 25-18, 25-9 CIF Southern Section Division IV playoff win Saturday at home against Twentynine Palms, the Guards earned a spot in the semifinals.

It is the first time in program history a Guards’ team has made it to the final four.

The Guards (22-8) will take on Desert Hot Springs at 6 p.m. Tuesday in a semifinal at Bell-Jeff.

For the second straight season, the Bellarmine-Jefferson High girls’ volleyball team has advanced to the playoff quarterfinals.

The Guards accomplished that feat by defeating Santa Clara, 25-8, 25-6, 25-12, Thursday in a CIF Southern Section Division 4A second-round match on the road.

The win puts the Guards (21-8) into the quarterfinals, as they will take on Twentynine Palms at 7 p.m. Saturday in a home match.

Bell-Jeff has won four straight Santa Cruz League championships.

On Wednesday, Burroughs High girls’ golfer Emily Tubert signed a national letter of intent for the University of Arkansas.

On Thursday, the senior proved why she is worthy of a Division I college scholarship.

Playing against some of the toughest female high school golfers in the country, Tubert fired a five-under-par 67 to capture the championship at the CIF Individual Final and Women’s Southern California Golf Assn. Qualifying at Talega Golf Course in San Clemente.

She is the first area golfer to win a Southern Section title. In addition, Tubert is the first athlete from Burroughs to win an individual championship in any sport.

“It has been a pretty crazy past few days for sure,” Tubert said on Thursday after securing the title. “The signing [Wednesday] was great, and to come out today and play like I did and win it was just the cherry on top.”

Tubert finished ahead of runner-up Veronica Vallerio of Temecula Springs, who fired a 69.

Burbank High quarterback Adam Colman (Roger Wilson/The Leader).

Don’t expect Burroughs High football Coach Keith Knoop to whip his team into a frenzy leading up to the Big Game.

And don’t expect Burbank Coach Hector Valencia to let his squad get caught up in the hoopla surrounding the annual cross-town rivalry game.

Both coaches agree that having their players tone down their emotions, take a more workmanlike approach to the contest and not get too riled up in the grandeur of the game, will lead to better results.

The Bulldogs and Indians will get a chance to put that approach to the test when the two meet at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Memorial Field in the 61st meeting of the historic cross-town rivalry.

The game will determine this year’s Pacific League champion, as the Indians (7-2, 6-0 in league) hold a one-game lead over the Bulldogs (7-2, 5-1). If Burbank wins the contest, the rivals will share the league crown.