Hart avoids being ‘the one’

Oh, what could have been. Or what should have been. Had it not been for two plays and a couple of costly penalties, West Ranch might have won its first game against one of the Santa Clarita Valley's Big Four. Instead, arguably the preeminent program in this valley's history squeaked by the fledgling Wildcats 18-13 Friday night at Cougar Stadium. "When the final tick went off, I let off a big exhale," said Hart quarterback ...

Back on track

No, it's not a mistake. Many of you have seen my name at the top of this very page for the second day and have read my byline as "Signal Sports Editor."

Ultimate effort

Five feet away is not a safe distance. You're going to get hit. Not by what you think. Not a fist or an elbow or a flying foot. Sweat. Yes, sweat will hit you. It could be a lot worse. Had this have been a mixed martial arts match - a fist, elbow or foot would surely hit you. But until then, it's drops of perspiration sent airborne. It's a daily occurrence in one Valencia ...

The state of the West

NEW YORK - It's difficult to describe what has gone on with the race in the National League West. Not so much for the American League West.

Morneau hits more homers

NEW YORK - Ruth built it. Josh Hamilton tried to tear it down. Justin Morneau demolished the hopes of the people inside of it.

All-Star future, check

NEW YORK - His jersey neatly folded on a chair in front of New York Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano's locker Sunday afternoon, 2003 Hart High graduate Chris Valaika smiles and draws a check mark with his index finger.

Mac of all trades

The best high school golfer in Southern California says his biggest moment of the 2007-08 school year, wasn't on the course - it was on the football field.

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 ...

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.

Saugus scores 13 runs in first two innings to beat G.V. 13-6

It's funny what one Foothill League victory can do.

MVP race is on in Foothill League golf

West Ranch's Bennett commits to Sonoma State

West Ranch senior side-slinging pitcher Cody Bennett has verbally committed to Sonoma State University, according to West Ranch Wildcats head coach Casey Burrill.

Valencia's J.D. Busfield: Method to the magic

John Busfield is mostly inconspicuous among the people sitting on the block cement seating at Valencia High's baseball field.

West Ranch baseball blows things open with 7-run sixth to beat Canyon

It’s looking inevitable for Vikings tennis in Foothill League race

Valencia baseball finds the right approach

Coming off one of Southern California's most challenging spring break tournaments, Valencia Vikings baseball has its trap week.

West Ranch boys golf looking back at the league

The consistency that West Ranch boys golf has shown this year leaves its closest competition in the Foothill League in quite a hole with three Foothill League matches remaining.

COC's Alex Bishop: Still telling his story

Alex Bishop could have been one of those stories of high school athletic success that never amounted to anything more.

2013 All-SCV Boys Hoops: West Ranch's Kevin Harris, The deciding factor

West Ranch had one of the most imposing physical forces this valley has ever seen in power forward/center Ako Kaluna.

2013 All-SCV Girls Basketball: Canyon's Alia McCoy, Her best for last