Like numerous other top high school football seniors in the United States, Serra High’s best were looking forward to Feb. 4, National College Football Signing Day.
It finally came as eight Cavaliers signed letters of intent to Major Division I universities, four of those to University of Southern California.
It started when ESPNU broadcasted Serra’s top two seniors, defensive lineman Rasheem Green and linebacker John Houston, putting on their USC Trojan caps, committing and signing there.
Like numerous other top high school football seniors in the United States, Serra High’s best were looking forward to Feb. 4, National College Football Signing Day.
It finally came as eight Cavaliers signed letters of intent to Major Division I universities, four of those to University of Southern California.
It started when ESPNU broadcasted Serra’s top two seniors, defensive lineman Rasheem Green and linebacker John Houston, putting on their USC Trojan caps, committing and signing there.
From there, two others in wide receiver Deontay Burnett and tight end-quarterback Caleb Wilson announced they would play for the Trojans and signed. Serra football players will know they will be together for a few more years.
Houston signed at USC, head coached by former West Torrance High and El Camino College quarterback Steve Sarkesian, sighting a very good football program and academics.
He plans to major in criminal justice and, if he does not make the National Football League like other ex-Serra standouts Robert Woods (Buffalo Bills) and Marquis Lee (Jacksonville Jaguars), he will be seeking a career as a police detective.
Houston also considered this past season’s national finalist, Oregon, which lost to Ohio State in the championship on Jan. 12 in Arlington, Texas.
Green also had Arizona State, Washington State and Michigan in his finals.
The other four managed to sign at Major colleges. Wide receiver Stanley Norman committed to playing at Arizona State University on Jan. 3 at the United States Army All-American All-Star Football Classic at the Alamo Dome in San Antonio, Texas. He signed with the Sun Devils on the dotted line. Norman, who transferred to Serra from Culver City High a year ago, was out much of this past season due to a torn ACL.
Linebacker Corey Adolphus and running back Malik Roberson will be playing at San Jose State University, and defensive back Cameron Hayes signed at Hawaii.
“I am glad they are happy (about their college choices), Serra head coach Scott Altenberg said. “It’s great the kids know where they fit in.”
________________________
Lady Cavs head to Del Rey title after downing Knights
By Joe Snyder
Sports Editor
Serra High’s girls’ basketball team all but wrapped up the Del Rey League championship by completing a sweep of rival Torrance Bishop Montgomery with a 72-59 home victory last Thursday.
Junior point guard Briana Johnson played one of her best games of the season with a game-high 29 points to key the Cavaliers to a 6-0 league record and 17-6 for the season.
Serra took a 31-27 halftime lead but pulled away in the second half. With about three minutes left in the game, the Cavaliers enjoyed their biggest lead at 21 points (67-46) before the Knights made it more respectful.
Nautica Morrow continued her strong showing with 15 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals. Brooke Bayman added nine points, five assists and five steals. Brijyaye Brackett and Camille Hailey each contributed eight points. Hailey also had eight rebounds and four steals.
“I am proud of the girls,” Serra head coach McKenzie Hadley said. “We played very good defense. Our reserves contributed well.”
Bishop Montgomery, which fell to 4-2 in league, was led by Christine Delapina with 26 points and Chelsea Lidy with 12 points.
At Bishop Amat in La Puente on Feb. 3, the Cavaliers rolled over the Lancers 69-31.
Serra’s scoring was so balanced that no players scored in double figures, as 11 different players scored. Morrow led with nine points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists in three quarters of play.
Bayman, Brackett and Delauna Thomas each chipped in eight points.
After visiting St. Anthony, head coached by former successful Narbonne High mentor James Anderson, in Long Beach last Tuesday, the Cavaliers close league at home against St. Paul in Santa Fe Springs today at 7 p.m. Serra is expected to play in either the CIF-Southern Section Division IAA or Open Division and Hadley and the players are looking forward for the chance at facing the likes of powerhouses Mater Dei, top ranked in the nation by Maxpreps, or defending California state Open Division champion Long Beach Poly, which already topped Serra in the Redondo Battle at the Beach Classic in early December.
Currently, the Cavaliers are ranked tied for seventh with Corona Centennial in Division IAA and is on the Open Division watch list.
_________________________
Gardena picks up key wins over Carson, King-Drew
By Joe Snyder
Sports Editor
Gardena High’s boys’ basketball team appeared to have its Marine League title hopes dashed with a 63-59 overtime loss at Washington on Feb. 2, but bounced back with wins at home against Carson 58-46 on Feb. 4 and at King-Drew Medical Magnet in South Los Angeles 65-55 last Friday.
Against the Golden Eagles, the Panthers trailed 17-15 after the first quarter but turned things around to pull out to a 34-28 halftime advantage and 48-40 after three periods.
Gardena went on to lead by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for King-Drew.
“We shot well but we probably can’t win league,” Gardena head coach Ernie Carr said despite league leader Narbonne not yet clinching it. The Gauchos, however, hosted a weak Banning team, which lost virtually all of its league games lopsidedly including 71-17 and 68-24 to the Panthers earlier in league, last Monday, then visited Gardena in a showdown yesterday. “We had two close losses to Narbonne (in the San Pedro Pirate Classic championship semifinals on Dec. 29 and in Marine play on Jan. 23).”
Michael Thompson had one of his best games with 23 points against the Eagles. Clarence Bookman added 21 points.
Against the Colts, who appear to be having a down season, the Panthers trailed 36-35 after three quarters before outscoring Carson 23-10 in the final period.
Perhaps the key blow was Gardena blowing a five-point lead in the final 22 seconds of regulation as Washington took advantage of a missed free throw to score a two- and three-point basket to tie the game at 54 and send the contest into overtime. The Generals outscored the Panthers 9-5 in the overtime period.
After hosting Narbonne Wednesday, Gardena, which will be playing in the CIF-L.A. City Section Division II playoffs beginning next week, finishes league at San Pedro Friday at 7 p.m.
Serra had one league game and improved to 2-4 with a 68-57 win at rival St. Bernard in Playa del Rey last Friday.
The Cavaliers had their final regular season with a home game against Cathedral last Monday and at nationally ranked Bishop Montgomery (14th by USA Today and 22nd by Maxpreps Xcellent 25) Wednesday.
Serra hopes to advance to the rigorous Southern Section Division IAA playoffs, which begin next week.
______________
GHS picks up key victories over Carson, King-Drew
By Joe Snyder
Sports Editor
Gardena High’s boys’ basketball team appeared to have its Marine League title hopes dashed with a 63-59 overtime loss at Washington on Feb. 2, but bounced back with wins at home against Carson 58-46 on Feb. 4 and at King-Drew Medical Magnet in South Los Angeles 65-55 last Friday.
Against the Golden Eagles, the Panthers trailed 17-15 after the first quarter but turned things around to pull out to a 34-28 halftime advantage and 48-40 after three periods.
Gardena went on to lead by as many as 14 points in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach for King-Drew.
“We shot well but we probably can’t win league,” Gardena head coach Ernie Carr said despite league leader Narbonne not yet clinching it. The Gauchos, however, hosted a weak Banning team, which lost virtually all of its league games lopsidedly including 71-17 and 68-24 to the Panthers earlier in league, last Monday, then visited Gardena in a showdown yesterday. “We had two close losses to Narbonne (in the San Pedro Pirate Classic championship semifinals on Dec. 29 and in Marine play on Jan. 23).”
Michael Thompson had one of his best games with 23 points against the Eagles. Clarence Bookman added 21 points.
Against the Colts, who appear to be having a down season, the Panthers trailed 36-35 after three quarters before outscoring Carson 23-10 in the final period.
Perhaps the key blow was Gardena blowing a five-point lead in the final 22 seconds of regulation as Washington took advantage of a missed free throw to score a two- and three-point basket to tie the game at 54 and send the contest into overtime. The Generals outscored the Panthers 9-5 in the overtime period.
After hosting Narbonne Wednesday, Gardena, which will be playing in the CIF-L.A. City Section Division II playoffs beginning next week, finishes league at San Pedro Friday at 7 p.m.
Serra had one league game and improved to 2-4 with a 68-57 win at rival St. Bernard in Playa del Rey last Friday.
The Cavaliers had their final regular season with a home game against Cathedral last Monday and at nationally ranked Bishop Montgomery (14th by USA Today and 22nd by Maxpreps Xcellent 25) Wednesday.
Serra hopes to advance to the rigorous Southern Section Division IAA playoffs, which begin next week.
______________
Lady Cavs head to Del Rey title after downing Knights
By Joe Snyder
Sports Editor
Serra High’s girls’ basketball team all but wrapped up the Del Rey League championship by completing a sweep of rival Torrance Bishop Montgomery with a 72-59 home victory last Thursday.
Junior point guard Briana Johnson played one of her best games of the season with a game-high 29 points to key the Cavaliers to a 6-0 league record and 17-6 for the season.
Serra took a 31-27 halftime lead but pulled away in the second half. With about three minutes left in the game, the Cavaliers enjoyed their biggest lead at 21 points (67-46) before the Knights made it more respectful.
Nautica Morrow continued her strong showing with 15 points, 14 rebounds and seven steals. Brooke Bayman added nine points, five assists and five steals. Brijyaye Brackett and Camille Hailey each contributed eight points. Hailey also had eight rebounds and four steals.
“I am proud of the girls,” Serra head coach McKenzie Hadley said. “We played very good defense. Our reserves contributed well.”
Bishop Montgomery, which fell to 4-2 in league, was led by Christine Delapina with 26 points and Chelsea Lidy with 12 points.
At Bishop Amat in La Puente on Feb. 3, the Cavaliers rolled over the Lancers 69-31.
Serra’s scoring was so balanced that no players scored in double figures, as 11 different players scored. Morrow led with nine points, eight rebounds, five steals and four assists in three quarters of play.
Bayman, Brackett and Delauna Thomas each chipped in eight points.
After visiting St. Anthony, head coached by former successful Narbonne High mentor James Anderson, in Long Beach last Tuesday, the Cavaliers close league at home against St. Paul in Santa Fe Springs today at 7 p.m. Serra is expected to play in either the CIF-Southern Section Division IAA or Open Division and Hadley and the players are looking forward for the chance at facing the likes of powerhouses Mater Dei, top ranked in the nation by Maxpreps, or defending California state Open Division champion Long Beach Poly, which already topped Serra in the Redondo Battle at the Beach Classic in early December.
Currently, the Cavaliers are ranked tied for seventh with Corona Centennial in Division IAA and is on the Open Division watch list.
