Simi Valley Principal Turns In Own Program

Simi Valley High Principal Dennis Rast has reported to the Southern Section office an unauthorized practice held by the boys’ basketball program. The matter is being investigated by Simi Valley Unified School District officials, who will report their findings to the Southern Section.

CIF rules stipulate that during the off-season teams may practice only during one class period. Apparently, teams at Simi Valley were practicing after the conclusion of the school day.

“There was a problem with gym time because this is the first year they’ve had ninth-graders at Simi,” Southern Section administrator Bill Clark said. “My understanding is that the practice violation was not with the varsity team.”

Clark said he made a recommendation to Rast regarding an appropriate punishment. “They got a little advantage [by practicing illegally], so they need to impose a punishment that takes away that advantage,” Clark said.

Neither Rast nor Simi Valley Athletic Director George Ragsdale would comment.

Public dunking: Harvard-Westlake water polo Coach Rich Corso had injury added to insult during a match last week against Loyola.

Corso, former coach of the U.S. Olympic team, has filed battery charges against Cynthia Holmes, the mother of a Loyola player. Holmes, police said, pushed Corso into the shallow end of the Harvard-Westlake pool before the teams started action in an overtime period.

LAPD Det. Phil Toledo, who is handling the investigation, said Corso is complaining of soreness in his shoulders, head and back.

Corso was discussing a call with referees, who had nullified a goal by Harvard-Westlake’s David Stone, when the incident took place. Stone’s goal would have given the Wolverines a 5-4 victory in regulation.

Instead, Loyola scored in overtime to win, 5-4, handing Harvard-Westlake only its second Mission League loss in nine seasons.

Corso has been advised by his attorney not to discuss the incident.

Run-down: The Birmingham High football team might be without its two top running backs against El Camino Real on Friday.

Emmanuel Evans, second among City Section rushers from the region with 1,080 yards, is questionable because of a hand injury. Bobby Davis, who has rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns, will miss the next two weeks because of a knee sprain. Both players were injured Friday in a victory over Chatsworth.

Solomon’s decision: Rick Solomon has resigned as Crespi High water polo coach to accept a position playing professional water polo in France, Crespi Athletic Director Andy Gavel said.

Wanmeen Jun, Crespi’s junior varsity coach, will coach the varsity in its final two games. Gavel said a decision will not be made on a coach for next year until he learns whether Solomon will remain in Europe. Solomon was signed to replace an injured player for a month, Gavel said.

Solomon played college water polo at California, then coached for a year at Bishop O’Dowd in Oakland before taking over the Crespi program this fall. The Celts are 11-13.

Soccer skippers: Five high school soccer teams from the region have hired coaches.

Ricky Acuna, a former Simi Valley standout, will head the Lancaster girls’ program in its first year as a varsity team. Acuna, 28, coached the Eagle junior varsity to an 11-6-3 record and second place in the Golden League last season.

Kellee Roe has been hired as girls’ coach at Fillmore. Roe, 25, was a Fillmore assistant last season. Kevin Jauch, 28, a former Agoura player, has been hired as Fillmore boys’ coach.

Anna Binney, 27, a former Rio Mesa player, has been hired by her alma mater as girls’ coach.

Mike Brand, 25, an assistant at St. Bonaventure last season, has been hired as the Seraph boys’ coach.

Coming back: Kennedy High linebacker Byron Williams has been reinstated and will play Friday against Taft, Kennedy Coach Bob Francola said. Williams was suspended after an on-campus incident two weeks ago.