PREP NOTEBOOK : Geoff Abrams Signs to Play Tennis for Stanford

Geoff Abrams, a former Newport High tennis player, signed a letter of intent Wednesday to attend Stanford next fall, he said.

Abrams, a Southern Section individual singles semifinalist in 1994, left Newport Harbor last year to attend Palmer Tennis Academy in Tampa, Fla. He was the top-ranked 14-year-old in the nation three years ago, but his ranking has dropped into the teens in the last few years.

“Stanford won the NCAA tennis championship last year and it’s one of the top academic schools in the country,” Abrams said. “I’ve always wanted to go there, and Northern California is a nice place too.”

Wednesday marked the first day of the early signing period, which lasts through Nov. 15. It is available to athletes in badminton, baseball, basketball, cross-country golf, gymnastics, softball, swimming, tennis, track and field, boys’ volleyball and wrestling.

The early signing period for football, field hockey, soccer, girls’ volleyball and water polo begins Feb. 7.

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Jason Ball, a Los Alamitos pitcher, has signed a letter of intent with California. Ball, who represented the United States this summer in tournaments in Japan and South Korea, also was recruited by Arizona State, Notre Dame, Santa Clara and Loyola Marymount.

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Chris Thomas, the Southern Section’s director of sports marketing the last six years, has accepted a position with the Southern California Professional Golfers’ Assn. as its director of marketing and public relations.

“It’s a dream come true to go into the golf business,” said Thomas, who is the son of ex-section commissioner Stan Thomas.

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Robin Beauregard, who helped Marina win the first Southern California girls’ water polo championships Saturday at Irvine Heritage Park, was named outstanding player of the tournament.

Beauregard scored six goals as the Vikings defeated Long Beach Wilson, 8-7, in triple overtime.

Joining her on the all-tournament team were Marina teammates Candice Chick (goalie), Jessica Roberts and Lisa Saenz. Also named were Kerri Hoover and Amy Valois (goalie) of Los Alamitos, Irvine goalie Jillian Silva and Santa Margarita’s Katie Ferguson.

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Calvary Chapel’s football team received credit for a nonleague victory in its game against Lakewood Mayfair earlier this year. The Monsoons used a couple of junior varsity players in the fourth quarter of a 27-6 victory, but the players had competed earlier in the day in a junior varsity game. Rules prohibit playing in two games in one day.

“You call off your dogs . . .” Mayfair Coach Mike Fitch said resignedly. “We were up 27-0 and trying to reward the kids. There was a rule and I didn’t see it. I blew it.” The Eagles are 5-3.

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Tustin’s defense put together another strong game last Friday, limiting Santa Ana to one touchdown and only 82 yards of total offense in a 13-7 victory.

The Tillers have given up only 17 points in the second half of their games this season, and Santa Ana’s fourth-quarter score was the first points allowed given up by Tustin in the second half of a league game.

Staff writers Chris Foster, Martin Henderson and Mike Terry and correspondents Ryan Blystone contributed to this story.