Sports briefs: Warren wrestlers undefeated in pre-season

DOWNEY - The Warren High School wrestling team currently has an overall dual meet record of 7-0 and have not wrestled a league match yet. Warren defeated Troy 45-21 (Division VI #2) in their first dual meet and won the Millikan Duals last Saturday by defeating five ranked opponents, including San Clemente 42-23 (Division I #7) in the final. Warren will compete at the Beach Bash, an individual tournament, this weekend at Edison High School in Huntington Beach.The Bears have several key returners back from last season. Ricky Medina (106), Adrian Duarte (113), Jacob Valdes (120), Justin Palacios (126), Mario Martinez (132), Zac Brito (138), Michael Mendoza (145) Brian Vives (182) and Alex Mendez all return with more experience and skill under their belts. Newcomers Oliver Elizalde (152), Gabriel Rodriguez (160), Julian Gutierrez (170), Angel Luevanos (220) and Juaquin Durazo (285) are preparing to step up. Coach Brogden and his wrestlers are excited that wrestling season is finally here. Brogden is pleased with his team's effort and maintains that "these kids are working really hard thus far." The summer workouts are gone and their hard work is now on display. Coach Brogden believes that Paramount and cross-town rival Downey will once again be the teams to beat in San Gabriel Valley League competition. Warren won the C.I.F. Division IV Dual Team title in 2012. The Bears are hoping to compete hard and make another championship run. *** The Warren High School boys' basketball team currently has a 3-2 record and have not started league play. The Bears were defeated by Dana Hills 56-46 on November 30th, were defeated by Los Alamitos 68-46 on December 2nd, defeated Cerritos 62-61 on December 4th, were defeated by Lakewood 54-43 on December 6th and defeated Marina 47-46 last Saturday. The Bears finished last season with an overall record of 22-6 and were 8-2 in league play. The Bears are the 2013 defending S.G.V.L. champions. The Bears defeated Trabuco Hills 51-48 at home in the first round of the C.I.F. Division 1AA playoffs before falling to Mater Dei 74-47 at home in the second round. The Bears don't return any starters from last year's championship team. This year's starters are Ron Bautista, D'Caran Anderson, Kevin Lujan, Gary Trejo and Isaac Brabb. The Bears started the El Rancho Tournament Wednesday against Alhambra (score unavailable at press time) and will compete in the Whittier Tournament after Christmas. The Bears will then host Rancho Cucamonga on January 7th before league play starts. The Bears are excited that basketball season is here. Coach Hart and his team had a busy summer preparing for the season and are looking to put their hard work on display. San Gabriel Valley league play will begin January 15th when the Bears travel to Gahr to play the Gladiators. Warren will then host Downey at Warren on January 17th. Coach Hart thinks Downey will be the team to beat in league play. Coach Hart further said that "Downey may not lose a quarter in league play this year." *** The Downey High School boys' basketball team has a 3-1 overall record and have not started league play. The Vikings were narrowly defeated by Tesoro 65-64 on December 2nd, defeated Magnolia 70-24 on December 4th, defeated Valencia 52-49 on December 5th and defeated Northwood 41-35 on December 7th. The Vikings have been led by seniors Jacob Garcia and Sal Carlos. Garcia is averaging 14.8 points per game as well as 1.8 assists per game. Garcia has earned player of the game honors in the Tesoro, Valencia and Northwood games, respectively. Garcia was also selected to the Northwood All-Tournament team. Carlos is averaging 16.3 points per game as well as 2.5 assists per game. Carlos earned player of the game honors in the Magnolia game. Downey finished last season with an overall record of 16-12 and a S.G.V.L. record of 7-3. The Vikings finished in second place and earned the number two league seed in the C.I.F. Division 1AA playoffs. The Vikings traveled to Pasadena and were defeated 71-68 in the first round of the playoffs. Downey will host Lakewood today and will compete in the North Orange County Tournament at Sonora High School starting on Monday. Downey will travel to Schurr on January 3rd to play the upstart Spartans. The Vikings will then play Cerritos on January 6th at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Downey will start league play against Lynwood at Downey on January 15th and then travel to cross-town rival Warren to play the Bears on January 17th. Coach Shelton and his team are looking forward to the start of league play. *** The Downey High School wrestling team currently has a dual meet record of 6-0 and have not wrestled a league match yet. The Vikings took first place by going 5-0 at the Norwalk 16 Team Tournament last Saturday. Mark Lopez (113) 5-0 with 2 pins, Carlos Rivas (120) 5-0 with 4 pins, Johhny Robles (126) 5-0 with 2 pins, Armando Padilla (132) 5-0 with 2 pins, Antonio Santana (138) 4-0 with 4 pins, Bryan Puente (145) 5-0 with 3 pins, Jacob Beltran (160) 5-0 with 4 pins, Juan Soto (170) 5-0 with 4 pins, Stephen Chavez (182) 5-0 with 4 pins, Benjamin Cuellar (220) 5-0 with 4 pins and Anthony Florido (285) 5-0 with 3 pins all took first place in their respective weight classes. Martin Gevorkian (106) 4-1 with 1 pin and Jorge Guerrero (195) 4-1 with 1 pin both finished in second place in their respective weight classes. Downey wrestled Millikan at Millikan Wednesday (score unavailable at press time) and will host Bell and John Glenn next Wednesday at Downey in a wrestling double header. Downey returns captains Juan Soto (170) and Anthony Florido (285) from last year's team to an already potent and experienced lineup this year. Coach Soto believes that cross-town rival Warren and Paramount will once again be the teams to beat from the S.G.V.L. Coach Soto and his wrestlers are excited that wrestling season is finally here and hope to once again compete for a C.I.F. Division IV Dual Team title. Downey lost to top seeded Bloomington 39-30 last year in the second round of the C.I.F. Dual Meet championships. Bloomington defeated Canyon Springs 42-28 in the final to win their C.I.F. title.

********** Published: Dec. 12, 2013 - Volume 12 - Issue 35