Sports Briefs: Warren High athletes makes Dream Team

DOWNEY – The Long Beach Press-Telegram continues to release its annual Dream Team selections for spring sports. Warren won 7/9 San Gabriel Valley League titles and their student-athletes reflect those accomplishments. Warren’s softball team earned a 2014 S.G.V.L. co-championship with Gahr. Both teams finished their league schedules with identical 9-1 records. The Bears received the first league playoff seed for C.I.F. competition by defeating Gahr in the second round of league play.

Junior pitcher Courtney Sheldon dominated opposing hitters this season and earned S.G.V.L. Pitcher of the Year honors. Alyssa won 17 games in 21 starts, threw 14 complete games and had six shutouts. Sheldon had an ERA of 1.55, struck out 94 batters and held her opponents to a .211 batting average. Sheldon was selected to the First Team Dream Team. Downey Calvary Chapel sophomore Tiana Rodriguez was also selected to the First Team Dream Team.

Warren senior Alyssa Hanks was selected to the Second Team Dream Team as was cross-town rival Downey’s Rachel Rodriguez. Warren Junior Taylor Gallo and Downey senior Daphne Gaspar were given honorable mention recognition. Downey Calvary Chapel freshman Bella Veloz was also given honorable mention recognition.

Warren girls’ swim also featured Dream Team selections. Junior Valerie Orozco was selected to the First Team. Valerie won the league title in the 200 IM and 100 Butterfly. Orozco also helped set the new mark for the 200 Medley Relay.

Downey Calvary Chapel junior Rosalee Santa Ana was also selected to the First Team Dream Team. Warren senior Kim Shepherd was given Second Team Dream Team recognition for her efforts.

Warren boys’ track and field were the 2014 S.G.V.L. champions. Standout distance runners Andres Barragan and Benjamin Gonzalez were given honorable mention recognition. Cross-town rival Downey’s Ekene Chukwumezie also received honorable mention recognition for his efforts.

Warren boys’ golf team were the 2014 S.G.V.L. champions. Junior Raffael Russo, sophomore Jared Avalos and freshman Adam Avalos were all selected to the Second Team Dream Team. St. John Bosco senior Erik Rodas was also given Second Team Dream Team recognition.

Warren boys’ tennis team were 2014 S.G.V.L. champions. Junior Sam Kang was the undefeated, individual S.G.V.L. champion. Kang was undefeated in league play for the second straight year and earned his second league title with a 6-0, 6-1 win. Kang advanced to the third round of C.I.F. Regional competition before being eliminated at Whittier Narrows Tennis Center.  For his efforts, Kang was selected to the First Team Dream Team.

Cross-town rival Christos Meletis of Downey earned honorable mention recognition for his outstanding play. Ryan Brown and Josh Rosen of St. John Bosco also earned honorable mention recognition for their efforts.

Warren did not have any swimmers recognized as Deam Team selections. Downey sophomore Tadeo Marquez earned Second Team Dream Team honors and junior Michael Kim was given honorable mention recognition. Downey was the 2014 S.G.V.L. swim champion.

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As summer is now here, so are many Downey Viking sports camps . Girls’ soccer and lacrosse are two of many camps taking place right now.

The Downey High School girls’ soccer program started their summer program June 24-26 from 7-9 a.m. The Lady Vikings will continue their program July 1-2 from 7-9 a.m. and July 8-10 from 8 a.m. to  8 p.m. Summer tournaments will take place August 4-8 from 7-11 a.m.

Youth camps will take place Aug. 12-13 from 7-9 a.m., Aug. 19-21 from 6-8 a.m. and Aug. 26-29 from 7-9 a.m.

Contact girls’ head soccer coach Brandon Hitchcock at bhitchcock @dusd.net for more information. Coach Hitchcock and his staff hope to see you on the pitch this summer.

The Downey High School girls’ lacrosse camp is open to all ages and skill levels. Camp dates and hours are June 30-July 3, July 7-11, July 14-18, July 21-25, July 28-August 2 and August 5-9. All camps will be from 9-11 a.m. Camps will be held at Allen Layne Stadium on the campus at Downey High School. Camp fees are $150.

Coach Mires says that “if you are an incoming freshman or current freshman or sophomore looking to make the Downey High School girls’ lacrosse team, this camp is for you.”

Mires further said that “even if you are still a year or years away from competing at the high school level, this camp will be a chance to learn from coaches and players already competing at the high school level.”

Coach Mires challenges you to “join in on the fun and experience the Viking lacrosse camp.” For more information contact head coach Marvin Mires at mmires@dusd.net or by phone at (310) 993-4342.

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The Downey High School boys’ basketball camp will take place from July 7th-24th. Sessions will be held Monday thru Thursday from 8 a.m. until 10 a.m. at the Apollo Park Gym.

Practices will be held at the Apollo Park Gym due to the current construction taking place at Downey’s gym.

Registration will be Monday, July 7 at 7:30 a.m. at Apollo Park. Early registration can be taken care of by contacting head coach Larry Shelton via e-mail at lashelton@dusd.net. Camp will be limited to the first 50 athletes who register. Fundamentals, in-camp games, tournaments and fun will all be featured  in an air-conditioned gym. The cost is $150 and will include a Downey basketball jersey and shorts.

Instructors will include Larry Shelton and his staff. Coach Shelton has been the varsity coach for the past 26 years and has been the 2- time L.A. Times Coach of the Year. Shelton was also the San Gabriel Valley League Coach of the Year for 2011, 2012 and 2014. Coach Shelton and his teams have an 87-27 record the last four seasons and have been league champs in 2011, 2012 and 2014.

Coach Shelton can also be reached by phone at (562) 412-7528.

The Downey High School boys’ soccer camp is also going on. Camp dates are June 23-27 and July 7-11. The camp hours are 8-10 a.m. Soccer camp will take place at Allen Layne Stadium on the campus of Downey High School. Age groups include elementary, middle and high school. Camp fees are $150.

Head Coach Marvin Mires says that “if you are an incoming freshman or current freshman or sophomore looking to make the Downey High School boys’ soccer team, this camp is for you.”

Mires can be contacted at mmires@dusd.net or by phone at (310) 993-4342.

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Published: June 26, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 11