By Joe Snyder
After its best season in nearly a half of century last fall, Gardena High’s football team is gearing for this fall by playing in several passing leagues and invitationals.
Last Saturday, the Panthers vied in the Lynwood five-team Invitational where it won three games and lost one. Gardena recorded wins over Hawthorne, Lynwood and Lynwood Firebaugh and lost to Compton.
Gardena head coach Monty Gilbreath guided the Panthers to their best season in ages by winning their first Marine League crown since 1974 that included an upset win over always powerful Carson. Gardena advanced to the CIF-Los Angeles Open Division semifinals where it lost to host Garfield 42-6 in East L.A. The Bulldogs fell to Lake Balboa Birmingham in the championship.
Gilbreath has a lot of happiness on the return of several key players in senior running back Xavier Grant and quarterback Isaiah Kim. Grant was the Marine’s Most Valuable Player as he had numerous outstanding performances. Kim, also a senior, was second team all-league.
The Panthers, though, have even more talent that includes wide receivers, junior Ryan Helms (a transfer from East L.A. Salesian), sophomore Brady Williams, junior Kai Brown, and senior Myles Mason (first team all-Marine). “All are looking really good,” Gilbreath said.
According to Gilbreath, Gardena’s defense also looks strong that includes backs Helms and junior second-team all-leaguer Damaja Longley. The Panthers also have another key transfer in Clonwante Jackson (Bellflower).
When the real season comes, Gardena will need production on its line although it does return defensive-offensive tackle Shanna Naila, a first team all-Marine player. “We have a big line but lack experience,” Gilbreath said. “We have a lot of sophomores and juniors.”
Before taking a one-week break, the Panthers passing squad closes out play with a game at Mayfair High in Lakewood today at 4 p.m. The Monsoons won the CIF-Southern Section Division VII title last season.
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Local prep teams close summer action with high hopes for fall ’24
It has been nearly two months since the 2023-24 prep sports year ended as top senior athletes prepare for college play and the incoming seniors, juniors, sophomores and even freshman prepare for various sports, including football, cross country, basketball, soccer, volleyball, tennis, and others.
Gardena, North Torrance, and Serra’s football teams spent the summer with the fundamental skills including passing and even some line competitions. All have enjoyed good summers but they will take off one to two weeks before each begin practice for the upcoming fall season on July 29.
Last fall, the Panthers tied rival Carson for the Marine League crown but due to Gardena’s 27-7 win over the Colts on Oct. 20, 2023, they won their first league crown in 49 years. With the return of such talented players in running back Xavier Grant, wide receiver Myles Mason and quarterback Isaiah Kim, head coach Monty Gilbreath ihas set his sights high; possibly winning Gardena’s first City Major Division crown since 1973. The Panthers won the CIF-Los Angeles City Division III crown in 2019 and that was despite going 1-3 in Marine play with their only victory by forfeit over Harbor City Narbonne, a powerhouse at the time, but its wins wiped out by some recruiting and other violations. Five years ago, Gardena got to the CIF-State Division VIIA finals before falling to San Francisco Lincoln 35-26.
Serra could have high hopes at a CIF-State crown, maybe even in the Open Division, after, not only, winning two of three passing tournaments, but stunning U.S. national power and host St. John Bosco to win that title on June 29 in Bellflower. Quarterback Jimmy Butler is back as a third-year starter. The question mark, though, will be how its offensive and defensive lines function.
North returns the incoming sophomore passing combination of Boogie and Kingston Anetema that led the Saxons to the Pioneer League title. The Saxons, however, will be tested in the re-leaguing that includes three ex-Bay League teams, Rolling Hills Peninsula, Redondo, and Santa Monica. Look for a huge challenge from Redondo with the transfer of Cole Leinart, son of former University of Southern California and National Football League player Matthew Leinart. The Sea Hawks may have good quarterback depth, also with the return of second team all-Bay Leaguer Niko London. Torrance will also be a team to watch with the return of three-time all-Pioneer Leaguer and all-CIF Southern Section Division X all-around player Jake Silverman. Santa Monica also looks much improved.
The leagues will all be interesting.
Basketball summer leagues are also winding down as Serra, under new head coach Derrick Taylor, seek to win the Del Rey League and go far in the playoffs. The Cavaliers, though, lost two key players in Maximo Adams and Kaleb Kearse, who transferred to Playa del Rey St. Bernard and Downey St. Pius X-St. Matthias Academy, in order. St. Bernard, meanwhile, is head coached by now former Cavalier head coach Bernard McCrumby.
Meanwhile, the Paris Olympics are just a week away beginning with soccer and rugby next Thursday. The Opening Ceremonies are on July 26. The Olympics run from July 26 to Aug. 11.
