Sports : PREPS

St. Francis basketball Coach John Jordan suffered through some lean times a few years ago when the Golden Knights were struggling to stay competitive against other parochial schools.

That’s hardly the case now.

St. Francis began the week ranked among the top 5 in the state in Division III. After beginning the season 1-3, the Golden Knights have won 13 of 14. They entered the week 14-4, including 5-0 in the Del Rey League, after defeating St. Paul, 66-63, in overtime Friday.

The Golden Knights are led by 6-11 center Chris Ott and 6-8 forward Braden Webber. St. Francis has won all of its league games by six points or fewer.

“They play very smart,” Bishop Amat Coach Alex Acosta said of St. Francis. “They don’t try to do anything they’re not capable of. They walk the ball up the floor and power it inside to the big kids. And they win close games. That’s the sign of a good team.”

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Baldwin Park’s wrestling team continued its fast start last weekend by winning the Nogales tournament.

Gus Fonseca won the 125-pound division for the Braves, who are regarded as one of the top teams in the San Gabriel Valley.

Other individual champions from San Gabriel Valley schools included: Miguel Iniguez of Walnut (103 pounds); Josh Corrales of Wilson (135); Omar Diaz of Northview (140); Eddie Fukuma of Alhambra (189) and Eric Avalos of La Puente (heavyweight).

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The Arcadia High girls’ soccer team has a tradition of excellence that is continuing this season.

Arcadia, which has produced several All-Southern Section players, is led by senior Valerie Brice, who entered the week with 18 goals for the Apaches, who began the week 10-4-2 and 2-0 in the Pacific League.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

The Mt. San Antonio College men’s basketball team got off to a good start in South Coast Conference play by defeating Pasadena City College, 73-68, in the conference opener for both teams.

Brian Sherman scored 16 points for Mt. SAC. He put the Mounties ahead to stay with a three-point basket with 2 minutes 45 seconds left.

Mt. SAC played El Camino Wednesday night and continues South Coast Conference play Saturday night at home against Long Beach.

Todd Williams scored 30 points for PCC.

COLLEGES

The best matchup between National Assn. of Intercollegiate Athletics men’s basketball teams in Southern California will take place Saturday night when Azusa Pacific plays host to perennial power Biola.

Azusa Pacific entered the week 16-2 after Golden State Athletic Conference victories over Southern California College and Fresno Pacific. The Cougars have won seven in a row. Senior forward Ronnie Winbush is averaging 16.6 points and 6.1 rebounds a game.

Biola, an NAIA independent, entered the week 12-7 with six victories in its past seven games. Biola Coach Dave Holmquist, who won his 400th game earlier this season, is 14-1 against Azusa Pacific.

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The Cal State Los Angeles men’s basketball team continued its fast start in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. with an 83-80 victory over Cal State San Bernardino last weekend.

The victory improved the Golden Eagles’ record to 8-9 and 3-0 in the CCAA. Cal State entered the week having also beaten Cal Poly Pomona and UC Riverside in CCAA play.

Aaron Lattimore scored 19 points for Cal State L.A. in the victory over San Bernardino.

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A showdown between the top two women’s basketball teams in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. will take place tonight at Cal Poly Pomona when the Broncos play host to Cal State San Bernardino.

Pomona entered the week 12-3 and 2-0 in the CCAA after defeating Cal State Los Angeles, 94-56, in its opener, and Cal State Dominguez Hills, 66-63. Senior center Mildred Conston helped lead Pomona back from a 12-point second-half deficit for the victory over Dominguez Hills.

San Bernardino began the week 15-2 and 2-0 after victories over Cal State L.A. and UC Riverside.

PREP OF THE WEEK

Charlie Petit, La Canada--Petit made five three-point baskets and finished with 25 points as La Canada defeated Blair, 65-54, in a key Rio Hondo League basketball game.

The victory improved La Canada to 17-2 and 3-0 in league.

COLLEGE ATHLETE OF WEEK

Mildred Conston, Cal Poly Pomona--Conston, a senior center, scored 32 points in the Broncos’ CCAA opener against Cal State L.A. and 19 against Cal State Dominguez Hills as Pomona began its drive for the conference championship.

Conston also had 15 rebounds, nine blocks and six steals in the first two conference games.

MISCELLANY

The Foothill-Citrus Umpires Assn. is seeking people 18-and-over who are interested in umpiring high school varsity, junior varsity and freshman baseball games. The organization will stage its first meeting of the season on Jan. 23 at Walnut High. Previous experience is not necessary. Training will be provided. Participants are paid $46 for one-umpire, non-varsity games. Information: (818) 964-9445.

The city of Azusa is offering a certification class for softball umpires that will be staged Tuesday nights from Feb. 8 to March 15. Graduates are eligible to umpire games for pay in the local adult softball leagues. The cost is $26 for Azusa residents, $30 for non-residents. Information: (818) 334-2611, Ext. 266.

The San Gabriel Valley Kids Wrestling Club is conducting sign-ups on Mondays from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the small gym at Arroyo High in El Monte. The program, open to boys and girls ages 5 to 14, teaches fundamentals and offers the opportunity to compete in tournaments. Information: (818) 338-6864. . . . The American Lung Assn. is offering a golf privilege card for $25 that is good for discounts in nine states, including at 86 courses in Southern California. The cards are available at local offices of the lung association or can be purchased by calling (818) 797-LUNG.

CALENDAR

The city of Monrovia has begun registration for its winter youth sports program, which features basketball and cheerleading.

The basketball programs are for boys and girls ages 6 to 11. Cheerleading is open to participants 6 to 13.

Monrovia is also sponsoring a 6-foot-and-under men’s basketball league that will begin Feb. 28.

Information on all programs: (818) 357-5046.