The Downey Patriot

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Sports Briefs: Warren High athletes sign letters of intent

DOWNEY – Warren High School is pleased to announce the college signings of several student-athletes. 

Bear football players Ron Flores and Ulises Cota signed their letters of intent to attend and play football at Mount Union University in Ohio and Tyrone Singleton signed his letter of intent to attend and play football at Western New Mexico University. 

Coach Lara and his staff are extremely proud of these student-athletes' hard work, dedication and resulting accomplishments.

Lady Bear cross country runner, basketball and track and field athlete Janeane Hernandez signed her letter of intent to compete at Baker University in Kansas. Hernandez was a standout performer on all three teams she competed on at Warren High School. Hernandez is currently running the distance events on the Lady Bear track and field team.

Coach Waldron (cross country and track and field) and Coach Palmer (basketball) are extremely proud of her hard work, dedication and resulting accomplishment.

Warren standout striker Estela Sanchez of the Lady Bear soccer team previously signed her commitment letter to play at U.C. Santa Barbara. Sanchez will be a Lady Gaucho this fall. 

Coach Dussan is extremely proud of Estela's hard work and dedication to earn this scholarship. 

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The Warren High School boys' soccer team had two players selected to the All-C.I.F. Division 1 Team. Senior teammates Sergio Flores and Richard Garcia earned those honors.

Flores and Garcia were also selected to the Long Beach Presss Telegram First Team Dream Team and senior Fabian Medina was selected the Second Team Dream Team. Coach Pena and his staff are extremely proud of their hard work, dedication and resulting accomplishments.

The Warren High School girls' soccer team had four Lady Bear players selected to the All-C.I.F. Division 3 Team. Warren striker Estela Sancez was selected to the First Team, Alessandra Ramirez was selected to the Second Team and Emily Flores and Jen Cortez were selected to the Third Team. 

Sanchez was also selected to the Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team First Team and Flores and Cortez were selected to the Second Team Dream Team. Coach Dussan and her staff are extremely proud of their hard work, dedication and resulting accomplishments. Downey Freshman Amaya Gonzalez was also selected to the Second Team Dream Team.

The Warren High School girls' water polo team had one player selected to the All-C.I.F. Division 4 Team. Senior Justine Castro received that honor and was selected to the First Team. 

Castro was also selected to the Long Beach Press Telegram Dream Team First Team and senior Alexia Venegas was selected the Second Team Dream Team. Coach Rosero is extremely proud of their hard work, dedication and resulting accomplishments.

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Downey High School senior basketball player C.J. Smith has been selected to the All-C.I.F. Division 1-AA Team for his recent performance in the C.I.F. Division 1-AA playoffs. Smith led the Vikings to a 20-10 overall record and the quarterfinal round of the playoffs. 

Downey defeated Montclair at Montclair 73-39 in the first round, defeated San Clemente at Downey 55-49 in the second round and were defeated by J.W. North in the quarter final round at Downey 51-36. Smith averaged 16.3 points per game (ppg), 8.1 rebounds per game (rpg) and 1.1 blocks per game (bpg) this season.

Coach Shelton and his staff are extremely proud of C.J.'s hard work, dedication and resulting accomplishment.

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Former Downey High School standout football player Jabari Ruffin is entering his fifth and final season at U.S.C. 

Ruffin is playing under first year head coach Clay Helton and in first year defensive coordinator Clancy Pendergast's 5-2 defense. This defense will showcase Ruffin's (6' 3, 245) athletic talents. 

Thus far, Jabari has been playing in a back-up role at linebacker and was plagued by a serious injury two years ago. Ruffin has also been competing at a very deep linebacker position at U.S.C.

In Pendergast's 5-2 defense, Ruffin will now be lining up all over the field. Ruffin will be rushing off the edge on one play, lining up over a slot receiver the next play and have a run-stopping gap assignment on the next play. Ruffin will be all over the field and have opportunities to make plays. 

Ruffin is looking forward to playing football and in this defense this year. Jabari has performed well thus far in spring camp and has made several nice plays. Downey head coach Jack Williams, who has stayed in touch with Ruffin over the years, maintains that Jabari will also be graduating later this spring. 

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The middle school sports schedule is completing it's fourth rotation of baseball and softball. Five of six games have been played and there was a make-up game re-scheduled from March 7 to Wednesday. Through five games, three of four city championships have been determined.

In varsity baseball, Stauffer has clinched the city championship with a record of 5-0. Doty and Griffiths are currently tied at 2-3 and Sussman is 1-4.

In junior varsity baseball, Sussman has clinched the city championship with a record of 4-0-1. Griffiths is currently in second place with a record of 2-2-1, Stauffer is in third place with a record of 1-2-2 and Doty is in fourth place with a record of 1-4.

In varsity softball, Griffiths has clinched the city championship with a record of 5-0. Doty is currently in second place with a record of 3-2, Stauffer is in third place with a record of 2-3 and Sussman is in fourth place with a record of 0-5.

In junior varsity softball, Griffiths is currently in first place at 5-0 but have not clinched the city championship outright. Doty is currently in second place with a record of 4-1, Stauffer is in third place with a record of 1-4 and Sussman is in fourth place with a record of 0-5. If Griffiths defeated Doty on Wednesday, the Lady Indians are city champions. If Doty defeated Griffiths, Doty and Griffiths are co-champions.

The fifth and final rotation of the middle school sports schedule is track and field. Each school will have six teams. These six teams will include two grade level teams (6, 7 and 8) of each gender. Dual meets will take place May 12, 19 and 26 at both Downey and Warren High Schools. The city championship track and field meet will be held Friday, June 3, at Downey High School.