Cal-Hi Sports Insider Blog

Quick-hitting, behind-the-scenes news and notes from the CalHiSports.com staff, including previews of upcoming content and events.

Sonora’s Mike Murphy: 600th win

By Mark Tennis | Published February 12, 2017

California’s exclusive club of boys basketball coaches to achieve 600 varsity wins improved by one last Thursday when Mike Murphy from Sonora of La Habra guided his team to a 77-48 triumph over Fullerton in the Raiders’ Freeway League finale.

For a look at the all-time state coaching leader list with every coach at 600 wins before the start of this season (Gold Club post), CLICK HERE.

The team had already wrapped up its fifth straight league title and improved to 25-3 heading into the CIF Southern Section playoffs.

It’s easy to get caught up in the Open Division teams in Southern California and lose sight of longtime coaches like Murphy, who are more than happy not to be dealing with the bigger spotlight at other schools but have just as big of an impact on their players’ lives as anyone.

Murphy, who began his career at now-closed Southern California Christian of Anaheim, is in his 27th season of coaching. He was the Orange County Register’s Coach of the Year after the 2014-15 season when Sonora went 29-5 and won the CIF Southern Section 3AA title.

In the win against Fullerton, Kevin Marlow led the way with 24 points and four assists. Making the 600th win more memorable for Murphy also was the fact that his son, Sean, is on this year’s team and posed for photos with his dad after the game with a banner that had been created to celebrate the milestone.

According to our own Cal-Hi Sports record book, Murphy is the 34th coach in state history to reach 600 wins. The last one to get there was Torrance Bishop Montgomery’s Doug Mitchell very early on last season. Mitchell just won his 650th game two weeks ago.

Next coming up to the 600 mark may be Craig Ashmore of Newark-Memorial. Based on results through Saturday, he has 578 career wins. Dave Kleckner of Etiwanda also is on the horizon. He has 559 wins, based on counting up wins after he won his 500th in his fifth game of the 2014-15 season.

Super 8 Girls BB State Ranks Update

By Harold Abend | Published February 7, 2017

There are no changes at the top of this week’s overall pecking order and some of the teams are winning by almost 100-point margins. That will change once the section playoffs get going, which are coming up fast.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with expanded writeups of the first eight teams plus the next 12 and lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

(After games of Saturday, Feb. 4)
(Previous ranking in parentheses)

1. (1) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 18-2
It was just another week at the office for head coach Sue Phillips and her girls in West Catholic Athletic League play after a rocking-chair 70-35 win at crosstown Presentation and another impressive win over Sacred Heart Cathedral, 82-62 in San Francisco, and remember, the Irish and Mitty are the only teams to beat Mission Hills.

Bishop O’Dowd guard Myah Pace is one of the top players in Northern California. Photo: Prep2Prep.com.


2. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 24-2
Head coach Craig Campbell and his girls won by 25 points at Fresno Clovis North, by 21 points at Fresno Central and then went out of Tri-Rivers Athletic Conference play and put a running clock win on visiting Bakersfield Stockdale.

3. (3) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 18-3
The Jackrabbits blitzed cross-town Millikan in Moore League play and then posted a surprisingly easy 82-56 win over visiting Windward, although it was reported that that team wasn’t at full strength.

4. (4) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 22-2
After moving up one spot last week, there’s nowhere to go and likely won’t be for a while. Head coach Christopher Kroesch and his girls improved to 6-0 in Avocado – East League action after running-clock road wins at Vista Rancho Buena Vista and Vista.

5. (5) Carondelet (Concord) 18-4
The Cougars’ 62-54 win over Salesian probably is a better statement for that team, although it’s just very apparent that although teams like Carondelet and Mission Hills are very good, everyone after the top three teams has a lot of holes.

6. (6) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 18-3
The Dragons came up three spots last week but they can’t pass Carondelet since that team just beat a Salesian team that pinned a one-point loss on them. O’Dowd cruised to wins last week over Berkeley and Piedmont

7. (7) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 19-3
Not much to write home about this week with the only action a 92-point Gold Coast League win over Lancaster Paraclete.

8. (8) Alemany (Mission Hills) 20-5
There are few gimmes in the Mission League and a down West Hills Chaminade proved it by only allowing head coach Bryan Camacho and his girls a seven-point win on the road after Alemany won by 22 points at home.

Super 8 Boys BB State Ranks Update

By Ronnie Flores | Published February 6, 2017

After the first big four from the CIF Southern Section, there are some other tantalizing potential section playoff matchups from other places, especially the Sac-Joaquin with No. 5 Woodcreek and a team just outside the Super 8.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

(Through games of Saturday Feb. 3; Previous ranking in parentheses)

1. (1) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 23-1
There’s not as much debate now to have the Trailblazers on top now that they can claim a win over Oak Hill Academy while Chino Hills cannot. Marvin Bagley also playing at a level similarly to T.J. Leaf of Foothills Christian last season, but he’s still just a junior.

Mater Dei 7-footer Bol Bol goes way above rim during Friday game at Nike Extravaganza. Photo: Twitter.com.

2. (2) Chino Hills 25-1
AFter the loss to Oak Hill Academy on Saturday broke 60-game win streak, it’s an easy choice to keep the Huskies in front of Bishop Montgomery in the state rankings with one less loss and a tougher schedule.

3. (3) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 22-2
The Knights had two more easy wins in the Del Rey League last week and have one more regular season game on Monday versus L.A. Cathedral before they prepare for the CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs.

4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 26-1
Bol Bol and Justice Seuing combined for 46 points as the Monarchs came away with a 74-62 win over state No. 12 St. Augustine of San Diego in their tougest game of last week, which also was their Saturday game at the Nike Extravaganza.

5. (5) Woodcreek (Roseville) 21-2
We still have the Timberwolves higher than Sacramento Sheldon, which is the Sacramento Bee’s top-ranked team and stayed there even when the Huskies dropped that recent game to San Joaquin Memorial of Fresno. Sheldon did move up to No. 9 this week, though.

6. (6) Birmingham (Lake Balboa) 22-3
The Patriots roared out to a 15-2 lead to start the game and went on to crush Taft of Woodland Hills 116-81 last week in the two teams’ showdown that likely decided the West Valley League championship.

7. (7) Alemany (Mission Hills) 22-3
If there’s a team capable of taking down one of the big four in the CIFSS Open Division playoffs, then it might be the Warriors, especially if junior big man Fred Odhiambo continues to improve his overall skills.

8. (8) Roosevelt (Corona) 16-6 
After wins against Corona (70-46) and M.L. King of Riverside (62-52), the Mustangs clinched their first outright Big VIII League championship.

All-Time All-State Super Bowl Team

By Mark Tennis | Published February 6, 2017

In keeping with our usual first team all-state football format (30 players, six multi-purpose) and including the 2017 Super Bowl but not 2018, here’s a lineup we’d pick as our All-Time All-State Super Bowl Team. Performances in the game itself was one major part of the criteria (MVPs, etc.) and then looked at those who have Hall of Fame, All-Pro credentials.

DE Jared Allen, one of the NFL’s all-time leaders in sacks, played in last year’s Super Bowl. Photo: lghs.net.


OFFENSE
WR James Lofton (Washington, Los Angeles)
WR Lynn Swann (Serra, San Mateo)
TE Brent Jones (Leland, San Jose)
OL Larry Allen (Vintage, Napa)*
OL Bruce Matthews (Arcadia)
OL Anthony Munoz (Chaffey, Ontario)
OL Ron Yary (Bellflower)
OL Gary Zimmerman (Walnut)
QB Tom Brady (Serra, San Mateo)
RB Marcus Allen (Lincoln, San Diego)
RB Terrell Davis (Lincoln, San Diego)
PK Jim Turner (Swett, Crockett)
*Did not play there but was last school attended.

DEFENSE
DL Jared Allen (Los Gatos)
DL Manny Fernandez (San Lorenzo)
DL Charles Mann (Valley, Sacramento)
LB Teddy Bruschi (Roseville)
LB Rod Martin (Hamilton, Los Angeles)
LB Willie McGinest (Long Beach Poly)
LB Junior Seau (Oceanside)
LB Malcolm Smith (Taft, Woodland Hills)
DB Larry Brown (Los Angeles)
DB Ronnie Lott (Eisenhower, Rialto)
DB Richard Sherman (Dominguez, Compton)
P Matt Horan (Sunny Hills, Fullerton)

MULTI-PURPOSE
WR/KR Julian Edelman (Woodside)
QB/RB John Elway (Granada Hills)
RB/WR Marshawn Lynch (Oakland Tech)
QB/RB Aaron Rodgers (Pleasant Valley, Chico)
SPCTM Matthew Slater (Servite, Anaheim)
WR/KR Steve Smith (University, Los Angeles)

Head Coach: Bill Walsh (Hayward)

Asst. Coaches: Tom Flores (Sanger); Joe Gibbs (Santa Fe, Santa Fe Springs); John Madden (Jefferson, Daly City); Dick Vermeil (Calistoga); George Siefert (Poly, San Francisco); Mike Holmgren (Lincoln, San Francisco); Brian Billick (Redlands); Pete Carroll (Redwood, Larkspur).

Nike X Friday Night Specials

By Ronnie Flores | Published February 5, 2017

State No. 4 Mater Dei has no trouble with Village Christian while national power Oak Hill Academy got warmed up for its big Saturday game by cruising past Foothills Christian of El Cajon.

No. 4 Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 74,
Village Christian (Sun Valley) 42

Mater Dei led 25-22 at halftime, then Mater Dei took control in the third quarter to cruise to its 14th consecutive victory. The last loss for Mater Dei was against state No. 2 Chino Hills in the title game of the Tarkanian Classic. Mater Dei, which did not start its normal lineup that now includes recent 7-foot-2 junior Bol Bol, led 49-31 at the end of the third period.

Bol led the way with 19 points and nine rebounds. Recent Cal-commit Justice Sueing added 13 points and six rebounds, while junior point guard Spencer Freedman added 12 points and eight assists. Sophomore Javon Jones led Village Christian with 12 points.

Note: Mater Dei is ranked No. 18 in the FAB 50.  

Oak Hill Academy (Mouth of Wilson, Va.) 86,
Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 59

The nationally-ranked Warriors jumped out all over the Knights and coasted to an easy win over a team that was state-ranked last week, but has been reeling in recent weeks. Foothills was up to No. 7 in the state, but now has lost three of its last four games. Oak Hill, which started off as the preseason No. 1 team in the nation but has three losses (including one to state No. 1 and FAB 50 No. 2 Sierra Canyon) went through the motions at times, but was too big and physical for Foothills Christian.

Iowa St.-bound guard Lindell Wigginton imposed his will and hit plenty of open jump shots for the Warriors, finishing with 29 points, including 6-of-11 3-pointers. Southern California native Billy Preston and junior big man David McCormack controlled the boards, as Oak Hill held a 42-27 advantage and shot a higher percentage from the field. Preston came off the bench to finish with 19 points and 12 rebounds while McCormack had 13 rebounds.

McDonald’s All-American choice Jaylen Hands led Foothills Christian with 34 points. He was the team’s only double-digit scorer and wasn’t officially credited with an assist.

Note: Oak Hill Academy is ranked No. 12 in the FAB 50.

Saddleback Valley Christian (SJ Capistrano) 48,
Servite (Anaheim) 40

Jonah Tolmarie (SVC) 11 pts; Devyian Robertson (Servite) 12 pts.

Rancho Mirage 58,
Rolling Hills Prep (San Pedro) 52

Charles Neal (Rancho Mirage) 30 pts, 6 rbs, 4 asts; Chris Koon (RHP) 18 pts.

For Top 25 player rankings from the event, visit GrassrootsHoops.net on Sunday.

Super 8 Girls BB State Ranks Update

By Harold Abend | Published February 1, 2017

Mission Hills and Carondelet flip this week based on a stronger overall resume for the Grizzlies over the Cougars but the Super 8 Girls doesn’t change other than that one move.
Read more…

Super 8 Boys BB State Ranks Update

By Ronnie Flores | Published January 31, 2017

With the first six slots seemingly locked in for awhile, there are two teams that this week have moved up into the Super 8 echelon of this week’s rankings — new No. 7 Alemany of Mission Hills and new No. 8 Roosevelt of Eastvale.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

(Through games of Saturday January 28; Previous ranking in parentheses)

1. (1) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 19-1
Many folks in SoCal still buzzing about Marvin Bagley’s 31 points and seven dunks in 124-94 win over L.A. Cathedral. Marvin and his marvelous teammates play Bishop Gorman Saturday at Nike Extravaganza.

Alemany point guard Brandon Davis had 15 points in team’s win last week vs. Santa Monica. Photo: Twitter.com.


2. (2) Chino Hills 23-0
The Huskies cracked the 100-point mark in all three wins last week and now have 58-game winning streak. That streak will get big-time test Saturday at Nike Extravaganza vs. Oak Hill Academy.

3. (3) Bishop Montgomery (Torrance) 20-2
Showcase game at State Preview Classic was no trouble for the Huskies as they blew out previous No. 8 L.A. Fairfax 79-55 behind 26 points from Ethan Thompson.

4. (4) Mater Dei (Santa Ana) 23-1
Monarchs will play Village Christian (Sun Valley) and state No. 10 St. Augustine (San Diego) in its two games at this weekend’s Nike Extravaganza. A loss to either would be big upset.

5. (5) Woodcreek (Roseville) 20-2
There doesn’t seem to be much to get in the way of the Timberwolves in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section until they likely play Sheldon (Sacramento) in projected D1 title game.

6. (6) Birmingham (Lake Balboa) 20-3
The Patriots rolled in their two West Valley League contests last week and
may only be challenged in one more of four regular season games.

7. (10) Alemany (Mission Hills) 19-3
Threesome of guard D.J. McDonald, big man Fred Odhiiambo and jumping jack Ernie Sears have the Warriors rolling in the Mission League. They’re only four wins away from being unbeaten in that league for the first time.

8. (12) Roosevelt (Corona) 14-6
With Foothills Christian, Fairfax and Damien dropping, the Mustangs get a big bump this week after their third win this season against league rival Corona Centennial.

Akinjo leads Salesian past O’Dowd

By Harold Abend | Published January 29, 2017

Junior guard James Akinjo leads state-ranked Salesian (Richmond) past Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) in double overtime thriller at the Valley Grind Session event in Napa that mostly involved basketball-academy type matchups. 

Read more…

Boys BB: RHP State Preview Recap

By Ronnie Flores | Published January 28, 2017

Chino Hills had another statement victory over FAB 50 ranked Wasatch Academy in the marquee game of the Rolling Hills Prep State Preview Classic presented by Scorebooklive. Chino Hills has now won 58 games in a row, eight from tying the reported state record of 66 held by Compton (1967-69).

Read more…

Super 8 Girls BB State Ranks Update

By Harold Abend | Published January 24, 2017

Stockton St. Mary’s drops again after losing All-American Aquira DeCosta with a knee injury and then loses on the court to Cardinal Newman. The Rams are now just out of the Super 8 but not forgotten. Teams coming up include Mission Hills and Bishop O’Dowd.

NOTE: Our updated State Top 20 with expanded writeups of the first eight teams plus the next 12 and lists of many other teams on the bubble will be posted each week but will require Gold Club membership to see for the rest of the season. Our breakdowns and analysis of what’s coming up and what’s already happened can’t be matched anywhere else because we’ve been following the statewide scene years and years longer than any other media source. For sign up info, CLICK HERE.

(After games of Saturday, Jan. 21)
(Previous rank in parentheses)

1. (1) Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) 14-2
Head coach Sue Phillips and her girls go to No. 4 Carondelet on Wednesday for a major showdown and then have Mountain View St. Francis in WCAL play.

Maaeva Dwiggins takes a shot for No. 4 Carondelet in game last Saturday vs. Heritage of Brentwood. Photo: Prep2Prep.com.


2. (2) Clovis West (Fresno) 18-2
The Golden Eagles may be getting it back together based on their 78-51 win last Saturday at home against bubble team Troy of Fullerton.

3. (3) Long Beach Poly (Long Beach) 12-3
This is the time of the year when there’s not a lot to write about with respect to the Jackrabbits other than Moore League winning streaks and running clock victories.

4. (5) Carondelet (Concord) 13-3
The Cougars’ recent win over St. Mary’s of Stockton was before Aquira DeCosta went down so they will continue to get credited for it.

5. (8) Mission Hills (San Marcos) 13-2
Moving the Grizzlies up last week despite their loss to Mitty turned out to be the right move as head coach Christopher Kroesch went on the road and won at previous No. 4 Sierra Canyon.

6. (9) Bishop O’Dowd (Oakland) 14-3
A close win against Lincoln of Stockton doesn’t look good, but the Dragons still have several quality wins and just about every team evaluated after the first three is in the same boat.

7. (4) Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth) 15-3
The Trailblazers drop due to losses last week to Windward and Mission Hills, but they still have a 20-point win over No. 8 Alemany.

8. (10) Alemany (Mission Hills) 16-5
Beating previous No. 7 Harvard-Westlake gives the Warriors another bump and their schedule will continue to be difficult the rest of the regular season.

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