Thousand Oaks Chooses Sanders

Mike Sanders, an assistant at St. Francis High the last three seasons, has been hired as football coach at Thousand Oaks.

Sanders replaces Mike Kelly, who resigned last month after five years with the Lancers, qualifiers for the Southern Section playoffs five of the last six seasons.

A former athletic director and head coach at Bishop Montgomery in Torrance, Sanders was a four-year starter on the offensive line at Redlands from 1984-87.

“We found what we believe to be a very good match for our community, our school and our football program,” said Athletic Director Lou Lichtl of Thousand Oaks. “He has the experience to take our talent pool and build a solid offense around it. He comes highly regarded and he’ll run a classy program.”

There were 28 applicants for the Thousand Oaks position, with 11 interviews granted.

Thousand Oaks was 6-5 last season and finished third in the competitive Marmonte League with a 4-2 record. The Lancers’ freshmen and sophomore teams were a combined 19-1 last season.

Sanders had been a finalist for the St. Francis coaching job, which was given last month to former Alemany coach Jim Bonds.

GOLF

* Karen Davies won one of two remaining spots in the Los Angeles Women’s Championship in a qualifying tournament Monday at Wood Ranch Golf Club in Simi Valley, but the final spot in the 132-player field won’t be decided until this morning in a sudden-death playoff.

Heather Bowie and Diana D’Alessio each shot one-under-par 71 and will begin their playoff on the first tee at 8. Davies shot two-under 70. Seventeen players competed in the qualifier.

BASKETBALL

* Ventura High guard Tyler Ebell, who missed the Cougars’ last three games because of a sprained right ankle, said he expects to play tonight in a nonleague game against visiting Camarillo.

Ebell leads Ventura with a 15-point average and 52 three-point baskets. Coach Dan Larson said a decision on Ebell’s playing status won’t be made until shortly before the game tonight.

BASEBALL

* Former El Camino Real shortstop Dan Cey, a member of the Minnesota Twins organization, will be the featured guest on Valley Sports 2, the Time Warner Co. weekly sports show that airs Saturday at 8:30 a.m. on ESPN2 in the West Valley.

VOLLEYBALL

* Steve Burkett, volleyball coach at Moorpark College, will conduct a 12-week advanced class starting Thursday from 6:30-9:30 p.m. at the school. Information: (805) 378-1400, ext. 1711.