Driven to succeed

You would have to believe that Johnny MacArthur's 2008 high school golf season began on May 31.

MacArthur finishes fifth, 2-over

The greatest individual season in Santa Clarita Valley prep golf history has ended just short of the ultimate goal. Southern California high school champion and Hart High senior Johnny MacArthur finished tied for fifth Tuesday at the CIF-State Golf Championship at Santa Maria Country Club.

Not without some help

You haven't heard a lot about Lelani Bernardino. Deservedly so, you've heard a lot about two of her teammates, one past teammate - 2007 state player of the year Jordan Taylor, one current - 2008 state player of the year candidate Jessica Spigner. But Bernardino is symbolic of what Valencia softball has been in 2008. Like her team, the senior outfielder has flown under the radar - probably unjustly. Valencia, the defending national champions and ...

Johnny Mac is SoCal's best

Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and now Johnny MacArthur. The Hart High senior joined elite company Thursday, winning the CIF-SCGA Southern Regional High School Championship at the SCGA Golf Course in Murrieta Valley. MacArthur shot a 5-under 67 and won the tournament in the second round of a playoff. The Foothill League Most Valuable Player was the only local out of three to advance to the CIF-CGA State High School Golf Championship on Tuesday. Valencia's Max ...

Throwing stars

With the amount of success the Saugus High School girls cross country team has enjoyed over the last couple of years (two straight state titles), translating into further success with runners on the track and field team, the school's athletic identity has been its running program.

Hart's two towers

If you look back at the last two deep playoff runs for Hart baseball, the reason for much of the success has been the team's pitching. In 1999, Hart had a dominant pair of pitchers in Jamie Shields and Justin Wiley that led the Indians to the CIF-Southern Section Division II title.

Motivation no problem for three local golfers

DESERT HOT SPRINGS - There is a ton of motivation going forward for three local prep golfers after Monday's CIF-Southern Section Individual Final at Mission Lakes Country Club in Desert Hot Springs. One consistently stellar golfer tied for first place, but couldn't take the title in a playoff.

Survive and advance

Sure it's a dated motto, but in Hart softball's case, it was apropos Friday. The old "survive and advance" credo from last season's run to the CIF-Southern Section Division I title game. The Indians survived Friday against 20-win Pacifica of Oxnard in the first round of the Division I softball playoffs with a 6-2 victory at home. Now they advance to play the winner of the Mater Dei-Royal game. Hart (24-4) survived despite playing most ...

Valencia's instant impact

For whichever high school Christian Lopes was going to, he was supposed to make an instant impact.

The Show must go on

On Monday afternoon, I was looking for my transcript from Cal State Northridge - my alma mater.

Hard work pays off at Canyon

A couple of years ago, a trio of kids with ties to Canyon basketball all worked together so that one day they could play their sport at the next level.

Wirthlin: 'It's a miracle I'm alive'

Canyon High student/athlete Stephen Wirthlin said he's lucky to be alive after a car accident on Saturday morning in Gorman.

Winning's not the only thing

Hart baseball's biggest accomplishment in 2008 thus far is the team being in first place in the ultra-competitive Foothill League - to some.

Cougars get call, Howell doesn't

There were three National Football League prospects with local ties going into this past weekend's NFL Draft.

Delio enjoys stellar debut

At this point, Saugus High graduate and Cal State Northridge golfer Nick Delio has to acknowledge that his future is bright.

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.