The Downey High School wrestling team won the 2015 C.I.F. Southern Section Western Division dual meet championship after defeating top seeded San Marino in the final at Millikan High School last Saturday night, 33-32. The Vikings were down 32-30 entering the final match when Rigoberto Garcia (174) clinched the victory for Downey with his 7-4 decision over Adrian Licon.

The Western Division consisted of eight league champions and eight at-large teams. Leagues represented included: the Almont League, Del Rio League, Mission Valley League, Moore League, Pioneer League, Rio Hondo League, San Gabriel Valley League and the Suburban League. Downey has now won four C.I.F. wrestling championships (2004, 2010, 2011 and 2015) and have been C.I.F. runner-up three times (2009, 2012 and 2014).

The dual meet started at 186 pounds when San Marino’s Tino Maese won by technical fall and secured five team points. San Marino’s Tino Lopez (110), Zander Silva (117) and Sebastian Velasquez (130) all won by decisions. San Marino’s Julian Flores (136) won by pin as did fellow Titan teammate Zander Wick (149).

After the loss at 186 pounds, Downey’s Miguel Bravo (195) won by forfeit, Immanuel Bravo won by pin at the 1:45 mark of the first period and heavyweight Angel Baez won by pin at the 2:45 mark of the second period. Downey held an 18-5 lead after four matches.

Downey’s Andrew Lopez (124) won by decision 3-2, Gregory Lopez (142) won by pin at the 1:33 mark of the first period and Dylan Moreno (164) won by decision 11-4. Rigoberto Garcia (174) clinched Downey’s title with his 7-4 win.

Downey defeated Santa Fe 41-23 in the first round, Gabrielino 41-25 in the second round, host school Millikan 37-30 in the third round and San Marino 33-32 in the final.

San Marino defeated Lakewood 59-24 in the first round, John Glenn 49-18 in the second round, Warren 46-17 in the third round before falling to Downey in the final.

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The Downey High School boys’ soccer team lost a tough game to Paramount Monday night 2-1. With the loss, Downey is now 12-9-2 overall and 3-5-1 in San Gabriel Valley League play. With the win, Paramount is now 14-5-2 overall and 7-0-2 in league play.

Interestingly, four of Downey’s five league losses have come against Paramount and Warren. The other league loss was a 2-1 defeat at Gahr on 2/5. The Pirates and Bears are two of the area’s best teams.

In the Downey-Paramount game, the Vikings took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Downey striker Bryan Mojano scored the only goal of the first half in the 38th minute. Mojano’s strike hit the crossbar before finding the back of the net.

Paramount scored the equalizer in the 63rd minute when Pirate Hector Rojo’s left footed strike hit the post before finding the back of the net. The Pirates took the lead five minutes later when George Garcia scored on a pass from Oscar Canela. Paramount held on for the 2-1 result as Downey tried to score their equalizer in the last seven minutes of regulation and extra time.

Paramount faced Warren (19-2-2, 8-0-1) on Wednesday for the league championship (score unavailable at press time). The Bears defeated Lynwood on Monday by the same 2-1 score to set up Wednesday’s game. Warren and Paramount played to a 3-3 tie in their first meeting.

Downey hosted Dominguez (8-9-1, 4-5) on Wednesday (score unavailable at press time) in their league finale. Downey defeated Dominguez 5-2 in their first game on 1/27. With a win against Dominguez on Wednesday, Downey would claim the number three entry from the S.G.V.L. in the Division I playoff bracket.

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The Warren High School girls’ basketball team played Lynwood at Warren Tuesday night with the S.G.V.L. title on the line.

With a win, the Lady Bears would have earned a S.G.V.L. co-championship with Lynwood and the number one league entry from the S.G.V.L. in the C.I.F. Division I-AA playoffs due to a win in the second round of league play. Despite a strong effort, the Lady Bears fell short.

The Lady Bears came out on fire to start the game and led at halftime 25-22. Warren played tough in the third quarter but trailed 39-34 entering the fourth quarter. Lynwood outscored Warren 24-9 in the fourth quarter and won the game 63-43. The Lady Bears lost the first round game at Lynwood 53-45 on 1/23.

With the loss, Warren is now 15-10 overall and 7-2 in S.G.V.L. play. With the win, Lynwood in now 13-8 overall and 9-0 in league play. Warren concluded their regular season yesterday against Paramount at Warren (score unavailable at press time). Lynwood concluded their regular season yesterday against Gahr at Lynwood (score unavailable at press time). Both teams are headed to the playoffs for their efforts.

Lynwood will be the number one entry from the San Gabriel Valley League in the C.I.F. Division 1AA playoffs. Warren will be the number two entry and Downey (14-11, 5-4) will be the third entry. Downey closed out their regular season yesterday against Dominguez at Dominguez (score unavailable at press time).

C.I.F. playoff brackets will be announced this weekend and opponents will be selected. Warren head coach Rachel Palmer has been pleased with the continued improvement and effort she has seen from her players. With their overall record and strength of schedule, the Lady Bears may host a first round playoff game. Coach Palmer, her staff and players are looking to make a nice run in the playoffs.

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The middle school boys’ soccer and boys and girls basketball teams have hit the midway point in their respective seasons. As of Tuesday, four games have been played and two games remain.

Games have been highly competitive and fun to watch. Second round games will show each team’s improvement.

Varsity boys’ soccer has Sussman (3-0-1) in first place, Griffiths in second place (2-2) Stauffer (1-2-1) in third place and Doty in fourth place (1-3). Junior varsity boys’ soccer has Doty (4-0) in first place, Griffiths (2-2) in second place, Stauffer in third place (1-2-1) and Sussman in fourth place (0-3-1).

Eighth grade boys’ basketball has Griffiths in first place (4-0), Stauffer in second place (3-1), Doty in third place (1-3) and Sussman in fourth place (0-4). Seventh grade boys’ basketball has Stauffer in first place (4-0), Griffiths in second place (3-1), Doty in third place (1-3), and Sussman in fourth place (0-4). Sixth grade boys’ basketball has Doty and Sussman tied for first place (3-1), Stauffer in second place (2-2) and Griffiths in fourth place (0-4).

Eighth grade girls’ basketball has Doty in first place (4-0), Sussman in second place (2-2) and Griffiths and Stauffer tied for third place (1-3). Seventh grade girls’ basketball has Doty in first place (4-0), Stauffer in second place (3-1), Griffiths in third place (1-3) and Sussman in fourth place (0-4). Sixth grade girls’ basketball has Doty in first place (4-0), Stauffer in second place (3-1), Griffiths in third place (1-3) and Sussman in fourth place (0-4).

Games will conclude next Tuesday and city championships will be claimed. Baseball and softball are up next followed by track and field after that.

 

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Published: Feb. 12, 2015 - Volume 13 - Issue 44