April 2, 2010 (San Diego) – San Diego State University’s Aztecs suffered defeat to the Horned Frogs of Texas Christian University in Fort Worth last night, where TCU scored three runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to defeat the 11th-ranked Aztecs’ 4-1.

by Christopher Mohr

(El Cajon) March 18 - It was as if fans of El Cajon Foothills Christian High School boys basketball team had found the perfect wave, riding on the performances of seniors Troy Leaf, Kalob Hatcher and Jvonte Brooks. As anyone from California knows, waves don't last forever; you enjoy the ride while it lasts.

The Knights' wave crashed with their 78-73 overtime loss last Saturday night to the visiting Wildcats of Windward High School from West Los Angeles. The two teams faced off in a Division V state playoff game at Granite Hills High School. Only six weeks ago, the they both played each other on February 6 at the same location. That game was a high scoring thriller with the Knights winning 87-86.

by Christopher Mohr

(San Diego) March 11 - If you like to watch basketball played above the rim, you would have enjoyed the matchup between the Hornets of Lincoln High School and the Cardinals of Hoover High School for the Division II section championship at Jenny Craig Pavilion Friday night. This battle between schools named after past U.S. presidents was a game that local high school hoops fans could not afford to miss.

Both teams' lineups featured athletic players that did not know the meaning of the term, 'vertically challenged'. Lincoln's starting lineup had an average height of 6'5", including 6'10" center Nathan Maxey. Hoover's lineup although not as tall, included 6'9" Angelo Chol.

by Christopher Mohr

(San Diego) March 5 - The Lady Wolfpack of West Hills High School captured their second straight girls Division II sectional basketball title Friday night with a 40-25 win over the Lady Wolverines from Westview High School (Rancho Penasquitos). The two teams faced off at the Jenny Craig Pavilion on the campus of USD, the site of all CIF San Diego Section championship basketball games throughout the weekend.

It became clear quickly that this was not going to be Westview's day when West Hills already had a double-digit lead before the Lady Wolverines could even get on the scoreboard. West Hills' stingy defense kept Westview in check as the Lady Wolverines were unable to generate much on offense or recover from the Lady Wolfpack's initial scoring surge. West Hills maintained their double-digit lead with a commanding 30-13 lead at halftime.

March 6, 2010 (Otay) – Approximately 3,000 rider have registered for the Gran Fondo cycling event, which starts tomorrow at 7 a.m. in downtown’s Little Italy with three routes. The longest route—a grueling 101 miles--heads into East County along Honey Springs and Otay Lakes roads. Motorists are advised to consider alternate routes.

by Christopher Mohr

(San Diego) February 19 - A.J. Holloway drained a 16-foot jumper with five seconds left in the fourth quarter to give the host Marauders of Mira Mesa High School a thrilling, come from behind 46-45 upset win over the visiting Tigers of Morse High School Friday night. The shot capped off an incredible 17-4 run in the fourth quarter by the Marauders, who found themselves down 41-29 at the end of the third quarter.

Holloway described his game-winning shot: "When I came in the game, I told coach, 'I feel it! I feel it!' Coach put me in the game last second, had a great pass from my point guard, Jeff Bradley, I felt the shot, got underneath it, nothing but nylon!"

by Christopher Mohr

February 14, 2010 (Coronado) - The Christian High School Patriots boys basketball team from El Cajon learned quickly in Friday night's game that they would not get the same hospitable treatment that many visitors to the island receive.

The Islanders of Coronado High School, unlike their counterparts at the local hotels and resorts, were not very nice hosts and established early that this game would be physical and even bruising at times. Both teams combined for an unusually high total of 36 fouls. It was the kind of treatment that one might expect from the top two rivals of the Central League.
 

February 7, 2010 (Spring Valley) – Cali Comfort Restaurant & Sports Bar in Spring Valley invites football fans to party hearty and watch today’s SuperBowl—while leaving the clean-up to their crew. To spice up the offer, Cali’s is offering $8 pitchers of beer, 50 cent wings, and a crowd-pleasing assortment of discounted appetizers.

by Christopher Mohr

February 7, 2010 (Rancho San Diego) - Whoever coined the phrase, 'a win is a win', never met the Grossmont Foothillers' basketball team. If you knew nothing about the outcome of Friday night's game and observed the Grossmont players' demeanor afterwards, you would have been surprised to find out that they won. Although it's a game they would rather not talk about, the Foothillers survived their lackluster play and a late run by the host Steele Canyon Cougars to pull out a 47-36 win.

by Christopher Mohr

(ESCONDIDO) - Saturday night's hockey game at Iceoplex Escondido between the host San Diego Gulls and visiting Bakersfield Junior Condors was almost the exact opposite of Friday night's game between these two teams, a 13-3 rout by the Gulls. Such scores make fans who missed the game do double takes and wonder if there will be a hockey puck shortage--or if the final tally came from a football game instead.

This time the goals were not as easy to come by as it was the defense that shined for San Diego. They survived several flurries of shots from Bakersfield and overcame a double-minor penalty en route to a 4-0 win.

by Christopher Mohr

(SAN DIEGO) - When you see the Christian High School Patriots' boys basketball team at its best, you see a team that runs like a well-oiled machine. In the opening minutes of their January 15th game at Point Loma High School, that's exactly how they looked against the host Pointers.
 

by Christopher Mohr

January 12, 2010 (Santee) - What started out as a competitive game between two rival schools from Santee soon became a rout as the host Wolfpack of West Hills High School  surged past the Lady Sultans of Santana High School with a comfortable 54-31 win.

HOMETOWN HERO BECOMES FIRST RACE CAR DRIVER TO WIN PRESTIGIOUS AWARD

Story and photo by Miriam Raftery

December 22, 2009 (El Cajon) –Jimmie Johnson of El Cajon, the only driver ever to win four consecutive NASCAR championships, has been named Male Athlete of the Year by the Associated Press. The only race car driver ever to with the award since its inception 78 years ago, Johnson received 42 votes from editors of newspapers that are members of the AP, beating out golfer Tiger Woods, NBA star Kobe Bryant, tennis star Roger Federer, Olympic sprinter Usain Bolt and baseball slugger Albert Pujols for the honor.

by Christopher Mohr

(SAN DIEGO) December 15 - On a good day, it is difficult to beat Oceanside High School in a CIF championship football game. Prior to Friday's Division II championship game, the Pirates had appeared in 16 championship games and won 11 of them. They had also won the last five championship games, including three against Helix.

December 2, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) – Jimmie Johnson, the first driver in history to win four consecutive NASCAR Sprint Cup titles, has donated half a million dollars to local schools. Johnson made several local appearances this week, including an event honoring him in Santee hosted by Lowe’s Tuesday night.

“We are most proud of you,” said Supervisor Dianne Jacob, noting that Johnson grew up in East County and graduated from Granite Hills High School. “Besides the greatness you’ve achieved, you’ve given back to your community—you haven’t forgotten your roots.” The San Diego County Board of Supervisors named December 1st “Jimmie Johnson” day in his honor.