L.A. WATTS SUMMER GAMES / JASON H. REID : Youth Served as Kennedy Wins

Two teams.

One loaded with rookies.

The other stocked with veterans.

Inexperience got the nod.

That was the story in Kennedy High’s 8-6 victory over Chatsworth on Sunday in the baseball championship game of the L.A. Watts Summer Games at Compton College.

“You know how rookies are, they always win when there is no pressure on,” Kennedy Coach Manny Alvarado joked. “But any time a team full of rookies can win something you have to be pleased. Maybe now people won’t write us off so quickly next season.”

Not that success is unfamiliar to Kennedy.

Quite the contrary. The Golden Cougars have been a power under Alvarado.

However, Alvarado did not know what to expect from his squad entering the tournament. The Golden Cougars--champions of the North Valley League--lost several standouts to graduation.

Among the notable non-returners are David Bourne, Rick Nadeau and Jeff Tagliaferri. Each was selected to the All-City Section Division 4-A team and All-Valley by The Times.

Of the 22 players Kennedy brought to the tournament, only second baseman Kenny Bernas and outfielder Devin Connolly have substantial varsity experience. The others were either up from the junior varsity or varsity reserves this spring.

The Chancellors have the nucleus of a team that lost to El Camino Real, 7-6, in the 4-A title game at Dodger Stadium.

“I was surprised we won the whole thing but I wasn’t totally surprised with how we played,” Alvarado said. “In our program, the (junior varsity) works with the varsity all season long. We knew what we had.”

Sure enough.

And it looks as if the Golden Cougars again have a lot.

Right-hander Gilbert Echeverria was named the tournament’s MVP. Echeverria, who will be a senior next season, defeated Chatsworth in the title game. Echeverria pitched in two games for the Golden Cougars as a junior.

“He mopped up for us a little last season,” Alvarado said. “He doesn’t throw very hard but he gets outs. We’re going to need him.”

Catcher Kevin Serr, who just completed his sophomore year, led Kennedy at the plate. Serr was five for 13 with six runs batted in during the 7-4 win over Huntington Park in the semifinals on Saturday and the final against Chatsworth on Sunday.

Connolly (five for 12, four RBIs) and Adrian Guzman (five for nine, two RBIs) also hit well. Both are entering their senior years.

“This proves to these kids they can get it done,” Alvarado said. “I don’t think teams should forget about us.”

Chancellor Coach Tom Meusborn agrees.

“Coach Alvarado always does an outstanding job getting the next group ready,” Meusborn said. “They’re always going to be good no matter how many guys they return.”

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Meusborn is concerned about the Chancellors’ offense. Actually, he is downright worried.

Chatsworth was outhit, 30-25, during its five tournament games. “I was very disappointed,” Meusborn said. “I thought we would hit a lot better than we did. Our defense and pitching was outstanding, but we didn’t get it done at the plate.”

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Moorpark had a good run in the boys’ soccer tournament.

The Musketeers won five matches before falling to Bell in the championship match on penalty kicks, 3-2. Coach Michael Scanlon is excited about his team’s play.

“A lot of the other coaches complimented us on our defense,” Scanlon said. “What pleased me was how well we did against the bigger schools.”

Moorpark was 18-3-2 last season and advanced to the quarterfinals of the Southern Section Division V playoffs. With 10 returning players, Scanlon expected another good season from his squad.

Sweeper Jared Kira sparked the Musketeers’ defense, which allowed only three goals during the tournament. Forwards Juan Castro and Curtis Silverest led the offense with five goals each.

Goalkeeper Aaron Linder made 15 saves, many of which came late in games with outcomes in doubt.

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Chatsworth defeated Arcadia, 16-14, to claim the boys’ volleyball championship. The Chancellors beat Hart, 15-12, in the semifinals.

The Chancellors’ Scott Palmer was named the tournament’s MVP. . . . Channel Islands lost in the semifinals of the girls’ basketball tournament to tournament champion Lynwood, 33-18.