High-Powered Muir Blows Gasket in L.A. Games

Muir High School of Pasadena was expected to make a big impact at the 19th annual L. A. Games. Now, it will have to settle for making a little dent.

The Mustangs, perennial prep powerhouse in the San Gabriel Valley, were surprisingly eliminated last weekend in the preliminary rounds in boys and girls basketball--two of the glamour sports of the L. A. Games.

There is no need to feel sorry for the Mustangs, though. Muir still has two teams alive in other sports--seven-man football and water polo--heading into the final rounds Saturday and Sunday at El Camino College in Torrance.

Facing Tough Foe

The Mustangs’ best hope for a title may be in football, where Muir has looked strong in its bid to defend its title. Muir, which has won its first three games of the 64-team passing tournament easily, will face San Fernando Valley power Granada Hills in the quarterfinals at 10 a.m. The semifinals are also Saturday and the finals are Sunday.

Muir, which won its first CIF Coastal Conference championship last year, has rolled over L. A. Poly (34-6), Westlake (33-0) and Cleveland (26-0) largely behind a solid passing attack that features quarterbacks Vince Phillips and Marcus Robertson.

The offense has been led by running back Ricky Ervins, who caught 15 passes in the victory over Westlake, and Phillips, who is also a standout at tight end. Granada Hills also has a strong passing attack and has allowed only 13 points in three games.

The Mustangs are one round closer to a title in water polo, having reached the semifinals. Unfortunately, they must beat strong Sunny Hills at 9:40 a.m. Saturday to play in the finals later in the day.

Sunny Hills has scored 47 goals in three games, including a 9-6 victory over CIF 2-A Division champion Miraleste in the second round. Muir defeated San Bernardino (17-8), Bell Gardens (10-5) and Riverside Poly (11-8).

Arcadia in Soccer Finals

Another valley team, Arcadia, has reached the championship game in girls soccer. The Apaches, who finished second in the CIF 3-A Division last season, face Alemany for the title at 1 p.m. Sunday at El Camino. Arcadia defeated Mira Costa (2-1) and Rim of the World (4-0) in the first two rounds.

Baseline League power Damien is alive in its quest for a title in boys soccer. But the Spartans must face L. A. City power Bell in the quarterfinals at 8 a.m. Saturday at El Camino. The winner advances to the semifinals Saturday, and the finals are Sunday.

Bell rolled to a 5-1 victory over Alemany in the second round while Damien edged Roosevelt, 2-1. Damien has also defeated North Hollywood (5-0) and Bell blanked Chatsworth (1-0).

Valley teams also are alive in baseball, girls softball and boys and girls volleyball.

Bishop Amat has reached the baseball quarterfinals behind an explosive offense that has scored 27 runs in two games.

Clash With Loara

The Lancers, who meet Loara in the quarterfinals at 9 a.m. Saturday at Redondo High, outscored Chatsworth, 11-6, in the first round and routed Santa Monica, 16-2, in the second round. The semifinals are Saturday and the finals Sunday.

In girls softball, Pasadena Poly meets Pius X in a quarterfinal game at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at El Camino after edging Leuzinger (4-3) in the first round. The semifinals and finals are Sunday.

Bassett and San Gabriel are among the final eight teams in girls volleyball. In Sunday’s quarterfinals at El Camino, Bassett meets Canyon (Saugus) at 9 a.m. and San Gabriel faces Torrance at 10:30 a.m. The semifinals and finals are also Sunday.

South Pasadena, Arcadia, Los Altos and Blair are among 20 teams that will compete in the opening round of the boys volleyball tournament Saturday at El Camino.