Warren High wrestler Joshua Mendoza named tournament MVP

DOWNEY – The Warren High School wrestling team competed in the Tournament of Champions Wrestling Tournament at Cerritos College Dec. 29-30. There were over 50 schools in attendance and Warren placed 23rd overall with a total of 64 team points. 

The Bears also competed in the Ed Springs Invitational at Brea-Olinda High School December 22-23. There were over 30 schools in attendance and Warren placed third overall with a total of 163 team points.

At Cerritos College, Poway finished first with a total of 338 points, St. John Bosco finished second with a total of 222 points, Desert Vista finished third with a total of 148.5 points, Monache finished fourth with a total of 142.5 points and Esperanza finished fifth with a total of 124.5 points to round out the top five finishers.

Warren’s Joshua Mendoza (126) was the only Bear who placed in the top eight of his respective weight class. Mendoza finished seventh after he defeated Bradley Chirino of Bonita.

There were many of the top wrestlers in the state at Cerritos College last week. State and Master’s Meet qualifiers were competing across all weight classes and excellent skill levels were on display for two days.

At Brea-Olinda, Aliso Viejo finished first with a total of 202.5 points, Dos Pueblos finished second with a total of 188.5 points, Sonora finished fourth with a total of 141.5 points and Rio Mesa finished fifth with a total of 124.5 points to round out the top five finishers.

The Bears’ Carlos Vasquez finished sixth at 106 pounds and Joshua Mendoza finished first at 126 pounds, respectively. With his first-place finish, Mendoza was selected as the lower weight M.V.P. of the Tournament. 

San Gabriel Valley League wrestling begins in January and cross-town rival Downey will once again be the team to beat. Coach Brogden, his assistant coaches and wrestlers are all looking forward to the start of league matches and making a run in postseason competition.  

DOWNEY GIRLS BASKETBALL: The Downey High School girls’ basketball team currently has an overall record of 11-3 and will begin S.G.V.L. play when they host Paramount at Downey next Wednesday night.

The Lady Vikings competed in the So Cal Holiday Prep Classic Tournament December 27-30 and finished with a record of 2-2.

The Lady Vikings defeated Mays of Atlanta, Georgia 45-39 on 12/27, were defeated by Cathedral Catholic of San Diego 70-50 on 12/28, were defeated by San Marcos 49-43 on 12/29 and defeated Mater Dei Catholic of Chula Vista 70-56 on 12/30.

Downey will host Woodbridge at Downey later Friday and will travel to La Canada-Flintridge tomorrow for their final preseason game against the Lady Spartans. The Lady Vikings will travel to Dominguez next Wednesday to face the Lady Dons, will host Lynwood at Downey on 1/17, will travel to cross-town rival Warren on 1/19 and will travel to Gahr to face the Lady Gladiators on 1/24.

Coach Harris, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of league play and competing for a postseason spot. Downey and Lynwood are the preseason league favorites due to their co-league championship(s) from last season and returning players this year.

Gahr and Warren are always competitive and in the mix while Dominguez and Paramount have challenges ahead of them and look to improve. Things will certainly get interesting fast as the first round of league play will be over on Jan. 24.

DOWNEY BOYS BASKETBALL: The Downey High School boys’ basketball team currently has an overall record of 6-7 and will begin S.G.V.L. play when they host Paramount next Wednesday at Downey. 

The Vikings competed in the So Cal Holiday Hoops Tournament December 27-29 and finished with a record of 1-2.

Downey was defeated by Temecula Valley 68-58 on 12/27, defeated Ramona 50-36 on 12/28 and was defeated by Cerritos 47-45 in double overtime on 12/29. The Vikings played Cerritos again on Tuesday at the Staples Center in Los Angeles and were defeated in overtime 55-53.

The Vikings played Marina on Wednesday and hosted Murrieta Mesa at Downey on Saturday (scores unavailable at press time). Downey will travel to Dominguez to face the Dons next Friday, will host Lynwood on 1/17, will travel to cross-town rival Warren on 1/19 and will travel to Gahr to play the Gladiators on 1/24.

The Vikings have been led this year by Gene Cajigas’ 14.9 points per game, Omar Makhlouf’s 10 points per game and Demetri Mariolas’ 9.8 points per game. Makhlouf has averaged 8.7 rebounds per game and Max Soto has averaged 6.8 rebounds per game. Cajigas also leads the Vikings in assists per game with an average of 4.3.

Coach Shelton, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of S.G.V.L. play. Dominguez is the preseason favorite to win league with their core group of players returning as seniors. League play will be competitive as it always is as Downey, Gahr, Lynwood, Paramount and cross-town rival Warren will duke it out on the hardwood to earn a postseason spot.

ST. PIUS X-ST. MATTHIAS ACADEMY BOYS SOCCER: The SPXSMA boys’ soccer team currently has an overall record of 2-3 and will begin league play when they host St. Anthony’s later Friday. The Warriors compete in the Santa Fe League against Verbum Dei, Serra, St. Anthony’s, St. Bernard’s and Bellamine-Jefferson. The Santa Fe League competes in C.I.F. Division Seven.

The Warriors defeated Downey Calvary Chapel at SPXSMA 8-0 on 11/27, were defeated by Salesian at Salesian 9-0 on 11/29, defeated Bosco Tech at SPXSMA 8-0 on 12/4, were defeated by Ayala at Ayala 4-0 on 12/9 and were defeated by St. Genevieve at SPXSMA 3-0 on 12/13.

The Warriors finished last season with an overall record of 14-5-2 and were 7-1-2 in Santa Fe League play. SPXSMA finished second behind St. Anthony’s and were eliminated in the second round of the Division Seven playoffs by eventual champion Santa Clara 2-1. The Warriors finished last season ranked 653 in California.

Coach Moises Delgado, his staff and players are all looking forward to the start of league play and making another run in postseason play. 

SPXSMA Athletic Director Christopher Morrison is excited about the future of Warrior sport’s programs. Morrison mentioned that SPXSMA will be getting a new stadium with synthetic grass, a nine lane track and bleachers to host C.I.F. sanctioned sporting events. 

Morrison also mentioned that other facility improvements are currently in progress to baseball, basketball and softball and SPXSMA enrollment looks to increase from 380 to 550 in the next few years. Winning programs and nice facilities attract attention from around the area. Things are certainly moving in the right direction at SPXSMA.