Bell’s Santiago Seeking First Berth in Final

Henry Santiago is in his seventh season as baseball coach at Bell. And if the Eagles continue to play the way they have for most of this season, Santiago could find himself in his first City 3-A final.

Bell plays Wilson today in a semifinal at East Los Angeles College. The winner advances to the June 11 championship game at Dodger Stadium against the winner of today’s other semifinal between Roosevelt and South Gate at Pote Field in Griffith Park.

Chatsworth plays Granada Hills Kennedy at Pierce College and Woodland Hills El Camino Real plays Sylmar at Van Nuys Birmingham in 4-A semifinals.

Bell is 27-5 and seeking its first title since winning its only championship in 1987. The Eagles finished second in 1988 and ’89.

“We had one bad week toward the middle of the year, but we came out of that and have continued to play well,” said Santiago, who guided his team to two tournament championships this season.

Shortstop Omar Bramasco, catcher Robert Reyna, and outfielder Ramon Ochoa--all juniors--and senior third baseman Joseph Bunton key Bell’s offense.

Junior right-hander Jose Santiago is 11-2 with two no-hitters for the Eagles.

Left-hander Cory Campos is expected to start for Wilson.

*

Narbonne’s appeal over City Section sanctions that stripped the program of its 4-A girls’ basketball championship, suspended three players because of residence issues and jeopardized the status of its Division I state title, is under review by the state office of the California Interscholastic Federation.

Jack Hayes, executive director of the CIF, said Wednesday that he hopes to complete most of the review by Friday.

*

Running back Holmon Wiggins and linebacker Ryan Solomona of two-time defending 4-A champion San Pedro, quarterback Erik Garcia of Franklin and wide receiver Shamon Jamerson of Palisades are among the players who will participate in an all-star football game Saturday at Cal State Northridge.

The game, which pits City Section seniors against Southern Section seniors, is primarily for players in the San Fernando Valley and Ventura County.