PREPS

Patience is paying off for San Gabriel girls’ basketball Coach Lyle Honda.

Two years ago, Honda began grooming a class of freshmen with hopes that they would mature into a contender. The plan seems to have worked as San Gabriel entered the week 15-4 and 5-0 in the Almont League.

San Gabriel is led by junior guard Joyce Garcia, who is averaging more than 25 points a game.

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As of last week, four of the state’s top 10 scorers in boys’ basketball were from San Gabriel Valley schools.

Charter Oak’s Jeron Roberts was No. 1, averaging 33.8 points a game, and Jeremy Veal of San Dimas was second at 31.7. Cameron Murray of Glendora and Glennray Johnson of Wilson were tied for sixth at 26.6.

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Bishop Amat senior running back Rodney Sermons has made an unwritten commitment to play football at USC and is expected to sign a national letter of intent next week.

Sermons, who helped lead Bishop Amat to an unbeaten season in 1992, chose USC over Washington and Arizona.

Other San Gabriel Valley players who have made unwritten commitments include Walnut wide receiver Tod McBride, who will attend UCLA, Bishop Amat running back Jason Harris (Washington), Diamond Bar running back Thomas Simmons (Arizona State), Covina linebacker Leo Asoau (Washington State) and Los Altos linebacker Tom Rosser (Utah).

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The San Gabriel Valley’s longest league losing streak came to end last week with the help of the area’s tallest player.

Sierra Vista’s 54-49 victory over Gladstone ended the Dons’ 32-game Montview League losing streak. Keith Closs, a 7-foot-1 senior, scored 22 points and had 20 rebounds to lead Sierra Vista.

The Dons, under Coach Doug Watt, entered the week with a two-game win streak, having followed the win over Gladstone with a victory against Bassett.

Closs is averaging 18 points, 15 rebounds and 7.5 blocks for the Dons, who began the week 8-9 and 2-2 in league.

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The Pasadena boys’ basketball team also ended a noteworthy streak on Friday when the Bulldogs defeated cross-town rival Muir, 52-44.

It was Pasadena’s first Pacific League victory over Muir in three years. Earlier this season, Pasadena defeated the Mustangs, 63-59, for the consolation title of the Tournament of Champions.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Yanina Gherardi of Pasadena City College was named to the all-state women’s volleyball team.

Gherardi led the South Coast Conference is assists (10.4 a game). She helped the Lancers win two tournaments and finish second in conference.

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Leonard Green of Mt. San Antonio College, a running back who led the nation in scoring and all-purpose running last season, has made an unwritten commitment to play for USC.

“For the past two years, I’ve been working very hard to be in the position I am now,” said Green, who also considered Maryland, San Diego State and Arizona. “I went to USC last weekend and the trip there just sold me. I saw the inside of the program and that’s where I want to be.”

Players from Pasadena City College, Citrus and Mt. SAC are eligible to sign letters of intent Feb. 2.

COLLEGES

First place in the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. will be on the line Saturday night when the Cal State Los Angeles men’s basketball team travels to Cal State Bakersfield for a game against the defending NCAA Division II champions.

Cal State L.A. entered the week 9-10 and 4-1 in the CCAA after defeating Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, 87-69. Tyrone Haylock scored 21 points for the Golden Eagles against San Luis Obispo and Rodney Harris added 16.

Bakersfield entered the week 16-3 and 4-1 after defeating Cal Poly Pomona, 54-40.

Pomona (10-9, 1-4) plays at Cal State San Bernardino on Saturday.

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The Cal Poly Pomona women’s basketball team was hoping to reclaim a spot in the NCAA Division II rankings after last week’s 60-57 victory over then-13th-ranked Cal State San Bernardino and a 94-54 win over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Pomona center Mildred Conston scored 18 points against San Bernardino and Jennifer Harney and Bits Sirchia each had 13.

Pomona, 16-3 and 4-0 in the CCAA, travels to UC Riverside (11-5, 0-2) on Saturday.

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The Cal Poly Pomona baseball team will stage its annual alumni game on Saturday at Scolinos Field.

Former Bronco Coach John Scolinos, the winningest coach in Division II history, will coach the alumni against this year’s Bronco squad.

PREP ATHLETE OF WEEK

Keith Closs, Sierra Vista-- Closs, a 7-foot-1 senior center, helped the Dons end a 32-game Montview League losing streak by scoring 22 points and grabbing 20 rebounds against Gladstone.

Closs, in his first season of varsity competition, is averaging 18 points, 15 rebounds and 7.5 blocked shots a game.

COLLEGE ATHLETE OF WEEK

Tyrone Haylock, Cal State Los Angeles--Haylock scored 21 points in the Golden Eagles’ 87-69 victory over Cal Poly San Luis Obispo that kept Cal State L.A. tied with Cal State Bakersfield atop the California Collegiate Athletic Assn. standings.

Haylock also had nine rebounds, six assists and five steals for the Golden Eagles.

MISCELLANY

A triathlon featuring a three-mile run, 10-mike bike ride and 400-meter swim will be staged Feb. 27 at the Rose Bowl Aquatic Center in Pasadena. The event is open to participants of all ability levels. Information: (818) 585-2324. . . . The Lanterman Developmental Center in Pomona is sponsoring its annual invitational powerlifting meet on Saturday. Special Olympics competitors from Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and Kern counties will participate. Information: (909) 595-1221, Ext. 2165.

The Foothill-Citrus Umpires Assn. is seeking people 18 and older who are interested in umpiring high school varsity, junior varsity and freshman level baseball games. 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-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.

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.

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The city of Azusa is sponsoring slo-pitch softball leagues in the following classifications: men’s, co-ed, men’s seniors (55 and older), and women’s ‘C’ division, which will use an 11-inch ball.

Information: (818) 334-2611.