High school baseball players to watch in 2012

Keep an eye on these guys.

Harvard-Westlake's dynamic pitching duo is ready to take the stage

Right-hander Lucas Giolito, considered the top prep pitching prospect in the U.S., and lefty Max Fried, not far behind, are being closely trailed by pro scouts. Each says it's about the team, not them.

They are going big in Division 4AA basketball playoffs

Several teams feature tall players, which should make for spirited games.

Sherman Oaks Notre Dame to honor Cy Young winner Jack McDowell

The former Chicago White Sox pitcher now coaches at San Dieguito Academy in Encinitas. He'll be inducted into his alma mater's Hall of Fame after the alumni baseball game.

Southern Section boys' basketball playoffs set

Division 4AA, featuring Gardena Serra, La Verne Lutheran, Bishop Montgomery and Los Angeles Price, promises to be especially hotly contested.

The Times' high school boys' basketball rankings

Mater Dei remains the top team in the Southland.

Woodland Hills Taft seeded No. 1 in City playoffs

The Toreadors (24-3), led by 6-foot-8 transfer Anthony January and 33-year-old first-year Coach Jason Hart, get top seeding in Division I ahead of No. 2 Fairfax, No. 3 Westchester and No. 4 Palisades.

Fairfax's 56-53 win over Westchester creates three-way league tie

The Fairfax Lions win, 56-53, at home against the Westchester Comets, creating a three-way tie for first place in the City Section's Western League.

'Undefeated' is a realistic glimpse into high school football

The documentary about a Tennessee team will resonate in L.A. and elsewhere. The coach is the star as he sacrifices and endures through successes and failures.

It's time for Santa Margarita football Coach Harry Welch to resign

Three Santa Margarita assistants have lost their jobs after being arrested on suspicion of drug possession and Welch needs to be held accountable.

Westchester defeats Palisades, 55-45

Keywhon Powns and Je'ron Primus lead the Comets, who win their sixth consecutive game and have a one-game lead over the Dolphins and Fairfax in the Western League.

Suspension of Manny Alvarado riles parents

Longtime and highly successful baseball coach at Granada Hills Kennedy High has been suspended for three weeks for his role in an alleged hazing incident and it's not sitting well with supporters of the program.

The Times' boys' basketball rankings

A look at the top 25 high school teams in the Southland.

City Section comes out strong at Nike Extravaganza

Woodland Hills Taft defeats Los Angeles Loyola, 73-57; Fairfax defeat Rialto Eisenhower, 73-67. Westchester defeats Mission Viejo Capistrano Valley, 45-42.

UCLA the choice of Oaks Christian's Jordan Payton, 25 others

Bruins football Coach Jim Mora's recruit class includes highly regarded defensive tackle Ellis McCarthy and quarterback Devin Fuller. Payton's case illustrates the pressures on such youngsters.

Windward girls just slip by Mater Dei

The Monarchs close a 10-point deficit to two in the fourth quarter before the Wildcats hang on for a 65-62 victory in the Nike Extravaganza.

Trojans' recruiting class isn't reduced in quality

Despite being limited to a maximum of 15 players by NCAA sanctions, USC's class of 12 (along with five early enrollees) is rated as high as seventh by one scouting service.