NEWS FLASH

Sparks resigns: Coach Susie Sparks has resigned after seven years with the Saugus High girls’ basketball team.

Sparks, who spent her first five years with the Centurions as an assistant before moving on to head coach, wanted to spend more time on her teaching curriculum. A replacement has not been named.

GIRLS’ SOCCER

She’s a bulldog: La Reina midfielder Aimee Thompson has committed to Fresno State, Coach Joe Laraneta said Wednesday.

Thompson, the region’s leading scorer the past two seasons, chose the Bulldogs over Missouri and Cal State Northridge.

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

Foothold: Montclair Prep has committed to playing 11-man football again in 1998, Athletic Director Greg Reece confirmed Wednesday.

The school will continue in the 11-man division despite its failure to join a new league. The Alpha League has rejected Montclair Prep’s bid to play league teams during the 1998 football season, leaving the Mounties once again scrambling for opponents.

The Van Nuys private school has repeatedly struggled to fill out its freelance schedule ever since it lost membership in the Alpha League following the 1991 season.

“We’ve been trying for eight years to get into a league,” said Montclair Prep Principal Vernon Simpson.

The school will join the Delphic League next season in every sport except football. Montclair Prep officials considered playing eight-man football.

Southern Section Commissioner Dean Crowley said Montclair Prep waited too long to approach the Alpha about scheduling games for next season. Crowley said he hopes Alpha teams might schedule Montclair Prep in 1999.