Ruelas to Box for Title Despite Wrist Wound

Rafael Ruelas of Arleta, preparing for a March 31 fight in Las Vegas for the North American Boxing Federation featherweight title, sustained a gash near his right wrist and the wound required several stitches to close, it was reported Wednesday.

The fight will take place as scheduled, according to Ruelas’ manager, Dan Goossen.

Goossen said the accident occurred at Ruelas’ home late last week during a moment of horseplay between Rafael and his brother, lightweight boxer Gabriel Ruelas. Rafael’s right arm crashed into a light bulb.

“It just took a few stitches,” Goossen said. “Nothing serious.”

Ruelas will fight veteran Stevie Cruz for the vacant NABF title in a nationally televised bout.

Todd Preston of Westlake High has been selected as a quarterback with the South team in the annual Shrine Game on July 27. Preston, who passed for school records of 2,247 yards and 21 touchdowns last season, joined El Toro’s Rob Johnson as quarterbacks for the South.

Phyliss Francis of Notre Dame High has committed to UC Santa Barbara to play volleyball. She will join Notre Dame teammate Mary Strong, who also has committed to the Gauchos.

Francis, a 5-foot-8 middle hitter, helped the Knights to a 9-1 Mission League record and a 15-4 overall mark. Although she is short for a front-line player, she is a good leaper, according to Notre Dame Coach Ann McClung, who said Francis has a 21-inch vertical jump.

Jacinda Sweet of North Hollywood High has been named to the fourth team All-American girls’ basketball team sponsored by Parade magazine.

The senior guard who has signed to attend Arizona averaged 19.2 points, 9.1 rebounds and 4.5 assists for the Huskies this season.

Thousand Oaks High’s Chris Loll was named the most valuable basketball player in Ventura County in a vote of the Ventura County Coaches Assn.

Loll, a 6-foot-5 1/2 senior forward, averaged 25 points and 10 rebounds in leading the Lancers to a school-record 22 wins and their first trip to the Southern Section I-AA Division quarterfinals. Loll, a first-team selection last season, set school season and career records in points and rebounds.

Cal State Northridge basketball Coach Pete Cassidy returned to work this week for the first time since Feb. 8 when he was hospitalized for diverticulitis.

Cassidy underwent surgery Feb. 14 and was released from Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Woodland Hills on March 1.

University President James W. Cleary, quarterback Stephen M. Duddy, third baseman Michele (Michay) McAnany and golfer Dan Pouliot will be inducted into the Cal State Northridge Athletic Hall of Fame at its 10th annual ceremonies April 6 at The Odyssey in Granada Hills.

In addition, CSUN baseball Coach Bill Kernen will be honored as 1989-90 Northridge coach of the year and Craig Kiernan will be named booster of the year. Kernen guided the Matadors to a second-place finish in the NCAA Division II tournament last spring.

The Kennedy High student council is sponsoring a celebrity basketball game Monday at 7 p.m., with funds earmarked for the general student fund.

Information: 818-368-3711, ext. 400.

The King and His Court softball team will play a 3 p.m. exhibition match against Moorpark High faculty and parents of softball players Saturday at Moorpark High.

Pitcher Eddie Feigner is the “King,” and his team travels around the country playing exhibitions.

The Cal State Northridge softball team will play Nittaidai, a touring team from Japan, in a doubleheader exhibition at 1:30 p.m. today at Northridge.

Royal High volleyball standout Wende Browne made a commitment Wednesday to the University of Wyoming on a full scholarship.