Prep basketball: ’Cats can close

It was a case of don't wake the sleeping giant at West Ranch High on Tuesday night. After a fast start, the Wildcats boys basketball team fell into a 2 1/2 quarter slumber against visiting Crespi of Encino and its big man Ako Kaluna was more frustrated than productive. Then a fourth-quarter surge keyed by an aggressive defense, a greater desire and the 6-foot-7-inch Kaluna led West Ranch to a 72-68 victory in the season ...

CIF football playoffs: Facing the curse

For the entire season, even before the season began, Valencia's wide receiving corps and skill position players in general have been held in high regard.

Anthony Costleigh: Valencia’s hammer

There's the hammer. And there's the nail. And regardless of Valencia senior linebacker Anthony Costleigh being just 5-feet, 10-inches tall and 185 pounds, he'll hammer any nail, any size. Valencia defensive coordinator Robert Waters says he is one of the biggest hitters Valencia has ever had. "I don't know why. You have to ask him," Waters says on how a kid of his size has a fearlessness beyond that of most players who have played ...

COC soccer's superb season ends

One loss the whole season and it came at the wrong time. College of the Canyons women's soccer lost 1-0 to Ventura College in the second round of the California Community College Athletic Association Regional Playoffs at Cougar Stadium on Wednesday. The loss ended one of the best seasons in program history. The nation's No. 3 team in Junior College Division III, according to the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, finished the campaign at ...

CIF tennis: Still a little bit of life

Prep girls tennis season still has life locally as the Valencia doubles team of Ashley Keith and Tina Inchalik advanced in the CIF-Southern Section Division II tournament on Monday.

Golf: No luck for Delio, Gore

Two Santa Clarita Valley golfers fell short of making the final qualifying stage for the PGA Tour this past weekend. Jason Gore and Nick Delio both participated in the second stage of Q School at Bear Creek Golf Club in Murrieta. Had they finished in the top 19, they would have advanced to PGA West - TPC Stadium & Nicklaus Tournament Course in LaQuinta. The top 25 finishers at that event are eligible for PGA ...

Prep hoops: West Ranch's Kaluna commits to NAU

West Ranch senior basketball player Ako Kaluna has committed to play for Northern Arizona University, becoming the first NCAA Division I basketball player from the Stevenson Ranch school.

CIF cross country: Saugus' section

WALNUT - Saugus High is again, without a doubt, the best cross country program in the Southern Section.

CIF football playoffs: Vikings' point of return

QUARTZ HILL - Everything was fast. From the scoring drives to the postgame speech. It was as if Valencia football was in a hurry to get to the point that has been its biggest obstacle in recent history. Valencia cruised past Quartz Hill Friday night 42-7 at Quartz Hill High in a second-round CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoff game that was never close. Now the Vikings (9-3) host Palos Verdes next Friday in the Northern ...

CIF football playoffs: No one gets it easy now

No. 1 went down and No. 2 was falling. The Northern Division was almost upside down. Then Valencia (8-3) turned things around and defeated Paso Robles 43-36 in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoffs last Friday, avoiding No. 1 Palmdale's fate. Yet it has to be concerning for the Vikings that they had to struggle to win. Not so, said Vikings head coach Larry Muir. "They were a handful. We survived ...

College football: Cougars relish one last chance to play

On Oct. 6, College of the Canyons was all but left for dead. Leading up to that day's game with Antelope Valley College, COC was 1-4 and on the outside looking in on a postseason appearance. Cougars head coach Garett Tujague was already talking about shifting gears on the season - giving his freshman more opportunities to prepare for the 2013 season. Six weeks later, COC is now 6-4 and in the postseason. The Cougars' ...

Prep football: Area of the aerial

Early in the second quarter last Friday of Canyon's 42-9 win over San Luis Obispo, Cowboys wide receiver Drew Wolitarsky caught a 6-yard screen pass to break the state's all-time prep receptions record.

Audio: Canyon head football coach Rich Gutierrez on the CIF playoffs, round 2

Canyon football defeated San Luis Obispo 42-9 last Friday in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Northern Division playoffs.

MLB: Dodgers hire former Canyon coach Crim

In a sense, former Canyon High baseball coach Chuck Crim feels like he did 25 years ago. It was announced Tuesday that the former Major League pitcher and Cowboys varsity head coach was named the Los Angeles Dodgers' bullpen coach. Crim, who led the Canyon program in 2004 and 2005, called it a dream come true. The Van Nuys native said he has been a lifelong Dodger fan and equated getting the bullpen coaching job ...

CIF football playoffs: Trinity back in the semis

Three years in existence. Now two semifinal appearances. Things keep getting better for Trinity Classical Academy as the Knights defeated Cornerstone Christian 58-18 in Wildomar on Friday in the second round of the CIF-Southern Section Division II 8-man playoffs. "We're very, very ecstatic," said Trinity head coach Mike Buchanan. "The boys believe. They're not going in there thinking, 'What are we doing here?'" Knights senior quarterback Dakota Prochnow was 9-of-13 for 177 yards with three ...

West Ranch's Slauson chooses CSUN

West Ranch outfielder Tony Slauson verbally committed to Cal State Northridge earlier this month, according to Wildcats head coach Casey Burrill.

Foothill goes three up, three down in golf playoffs

With so many strong teams in the field, not much was expected from the Foothill League's three teams in the CIF-Northern Team Divisional at Soule Park Golf Club in Ojai.

Hart baseball upsets West Ranch to sweep season series

Something didn't feel quite right about the Hart Indians being up six runs on the West Ranch Wildcats on Friday at West Ranch High.

Vikings in win-win situations at Foothill tennis finals

Foothill League tennis elite true to form

The Foothill League boys tennis prelims is usually an event of little surprise.

Hart's win causes Foothill fluctuation

This Foothill League continues to be the wackiest in one respect and the most competitive in another respect in recent memory.

West Ranch baseball's Tony Slauson has made a name for himself on varsity

It was the bottom of the seventh inning.

Golden Valley tennis still has hope for playoffs

There's hope at Golden Valley.

West Ranch locks up Foothill League title

West Ranch boys golfer Joey Downey would have really had to have a blow-up round on Wednesday at TPC Valencia in the sixth and final Foothill League match to not win the league's Most Valuable Player.

No longer in question as West Ranch golf locks in on title

Decisions, decisions, decisions and decisions.

Valencia tennis dominant in claiming 8th straight title

The Hart Indians had to do something to stop the oncoming locomotive that is Valencia Vikings boys tennis.

Canyon baseball: Up and running

Five years, 133 games, 486 runs.

Canyon baseball takes another path to victory

A sign of a good team is its ability to withstand adversity.

West Ranch baseball's Bennett counters Valencia

After watching Valencia's top starting pitcher J.D. Busfield pitch the Vikings back into a share of first place in the Foothill League standings on Wednesday, it was time for West Ranch's ace to respond.

Foothill tennis roundup: Hart, Vikes set for battle

Hart and Valencia boys tennis both took care of business on Thursday.