Sports

RINGING BELL

It took a lot of hard work for the Bell High football team to win its first City Section title in the 3-A final Dec. 9.

But Coach Henry Santiago said raising funds to purchase championship rings will be a much more difficult task. Santiago is seeking sponsors to purchase rings for 64 players at a cost of $150 each.

“It’s traditional to have a ring when you win a City championship, but about 80% of our players cannot afford it “ Santiago said. “This is an enormous undertaking. Hopefully, we’ll reach our goal.”

Donations from staff and teachers at Bell have raised enough money to purchase 20 rings. Santiago hopes that with the help of contributions from the community, he will garner enough money to purchase the rest by the team’s Jan. 28 awards banquet.

“The school is excited and we had a lot of responses,” Santiago said. “Besides a marriage ring, this will be the only one most of our players’ will have in their lifetime.”

BEST OF THE BUNCH

Santiago, who directed Bell (11-3) to its first title in five championship appearances, along with Dicky Purcell of Bell were chosen as the City 3-A coach and player of the year.

The 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior tight end caught 51 passes for 786 yards and eight touchdowns.

On defense, Purcell had 84 tackles and 112 assists at inside linebacker. He also had two fumble recoveries and an interception.

Quarterback Gus Valenzuela, running back Vern Benard and receiver Freddy Alcala were also named to the 3-A team.

Running back Hoffman Cortes and tight end Mark Redoval, who helped South Gate to its first Southeastern Conference title since 1989, were named to the 4-A team.

* The Times Southeast prep football all-star second team was omitted in some editions last week. Here is a list of members who made the teams:

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE

Receivers: Anthony Najera, El Rancho, 5-11, 160, Sr.; Monico Enriguez, Glenn, 5-10, 165, Sr.; George Marquez, Warren, 6-2, 195, Sr.

Backs: Gerry Ceballos, St. Paul, 5-11, 171, Jr.; Kourtney Dean, Whittier, 6-2, 195, Sr.; Mike Hale, La Serna, 5-11, 180, Sr.; Justin Taylor, Pius X, 5-9, 170, Sr.; Charles Pesce, Santa Fe, 5-10, 205, Sr.

Linemen: Joe Criscione, La Serna, 6-4, 257, Sr.; Luis Park, Warren, 6-1, 210, Sr.; Craig Frazier, Santa Fe, 5-10, 168, Sr.

Kicker: Steve Olivas, Whittier, 6-0, 175, Sr.

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE

Linemen: Hector Ramos, California 5-10, 196, Sr.; Stephen Fulgham, La Serna, 6-1, 175, Sr.; Richard Ruiz, Santa Fe, 5-8, 160, Sr.; Damon Tomeo, St. Paul, 6-0, 218, Sr.

Linebackers: Gus Sanchez, Whittier, 6-1, 215, Sr.; Andy Cervantes, El Rancho, 6-0, 190, Sr.; Mike Stocz, La Serna, 6-0, 210, Sr.; Dolphin Tillman, Pius X, 6-3, 220, Sr.

Backs: Damian Costello, St. Paul, 5-10, 153, Sr.; Ron Rubio, California, 6-2, 192, Sr.; Jay Brown, La Serna, 5-10, 170, Sr.

* Millikan High volleyball Coach Greg Kautz, who guided the Rams to the Moore League title and the Southern Section Division II final, has been named the division’s coach of the year.

Melisa Haugen and Hilary Gunsaulus of Millikan and Robin Lewis of Long Beach Poly were named to the first team.

Kristian Wintrich of Millikan, Shannon Buller of St. Joseph, Jennifer French of Gahr, Alicia Perry of Lakewood and Nicole Cyrus of Long Beach Poly were second-team selections.

La Serna’s Shannon Vance was named to the Division III first team. Teammate Amy Carpenter was a second-team choice.

La Mirada placed two players on the Division IV team. Kristen Schircliff was named to the first team and Lanae Baker was chosen to the second team.

* Pat Cochran and Ricardo Azevedo of Long Beach Wilson High have been named the Division I water polo player and coach of the year.

Adam Wright was chosen to the first team and Micha Miller was chosen to the second team for Wilson, which won its first Southern Section title since 1981.

La Serna’s Jeff Sato and Justin McLaughlin are first-team selections in Division III. Jeff Green and Peter Green of La Serna, Derek Caldwell of Whittier, Ben Carrillo of Montebello and Edgar Villa of Bell Gardens were named to the second team.

In Division VI, Issam Dahdul of Cerritos was chosen to the first team.

RATINGS GAME

The Dominguez boys and the Lynwood girls are the top teams in the first Times’ Long Beach/Southeast basketball rankings.

Seniors Tommy Prince (6-5) and Tremain Ross (5-10), junior James Jones (6-5) and sophomore Kenny Brunner (5-9) return for Dominguez, which finished 28-4 and 12-0 in San Gabriel Valley League play. The Dons are also bolstered by the addition of Long Beach Poly transfer James Brown. The 6-6 senior was the Moore League co-most valuable player last season.

Monique Matthews is the only returning starter for Lynwood, which is seeking its third consecutive appearance in the State Division I girls’ championship. The 5-foot-10 Long Beach State-bound guard averaged eight points and four rebounds.

Seniors Michelle Franklin and Ieesha Hayward, junior Tanisha Johnson and sophomore Kristian Jackson round out the starting lineup.

COMMUNITY COLLEGES

Long Beach City College linebacker Kasun Charles has been named to the J.C. Grid Wire’s All-American first-team. The Vikings dedicated the season to Charles, who was shot and killed in Wilmington on Nov. 7.

Cerritos offensive lineman Ian McCutcheon also was named to the first team. Running back Patrick Norris, offensive lineman Naaeem Mills and defensive back Richie Ashley of Long Beach and Cerritos running back Corey Kelley were honorable mention selections.

* The Long Beach City College men’s basketball team defeated College of the Canyons, 106-76, to win the Cypress Cage Classic. Pete Sverkos had 17 points in the win over Canyons and added 28 in a 73-67 semifinal victory over Golden West.