1999-2000 School Daze Had Its Ups and Downs

Keeping pace with the weather service, here are some highs and lows in sports this school year . . .

High . . .

The Ventura women’s basketball team rolls to the state championship, its third in five seasons.

Ventura finishes 38-0 and becomes the first school to win two women’s titles with perfect records.

Coach Ned Mircetic reaches the 300-victory plateau. He is 304-39 in 10 seasons with the Pirates.

Low . . .

Jackie Lott is dismissed as Antelope Valley women’s basketball coach in the wake of a confrontation with a player.

Lott, who reportedly antagonized players and assistants repeatedly in a 10-season tenure, allegedly directs racial slurs toward Fran Mitchell during a game in December before kicking the freshman forward off the team.

High . . .

Community activist Duke Russell steps up campaign to reinstate sports at Mission, discontinued in 1997 for financial reasons.

Russell gathers support from various camps, including politicians and high school coaches.

Low . . .

Russell refuses to allow for proper reinstatement process to run its course.

Instead of accepting the return of baseball to Mission in 2002, as planned, Russell keeps insisting the sport be resurrected next spring, an unrealistic expectation.

High . . .

Pierce wins the men’s volleyball state title.

A perennial power, the Brahmas defeat Golden West in a grueling five-game final in April. Golden West had won five consecutive state championships.

The Brahmas won the title in 1992.

Low . . .

Pierce wins one football game.

That’s five consecutive years with no more than one victory, including winless seasons in 1996 and 1997.

First-year Coach David Banuelos tries to revive a once powerful program, but fights an uphill battle against an apathetic administration that lends little moral or financial support.

High . . .

Coach Frozena Jerro of the Cal State Northridge women’s basketball team shows great integrity in parting ways with standout guard Edniesha Curry.

Curry leaves the Matadors after her ego is bruised in quarrels with Jerro and her assistants.

The parties talk but Jerro doesn’t give in to Curry’s tantrum.

Low . . .

Without Curry, the Matadors can’t defend their Big Sky Conference regular-season and tournament titles, losing to Montana in the tournament final.

Northridge loses on the court but wins away from it by sticking together and not giving in to malcontents.

Curry, a two-time All-Big Sky point guard, transfers to Oregon. Let’s see how her act plays in Eugene.

High . . .

Canyons claims men’s state golf title.

The Cougars scorch the course at Glendora Country Club and bring home the trophy for the first time since 1993.

Low . . .

Lee Smelser retires after 31 seasons as the Canyons men’s basketball coach. The Cougars give Smelser a nice send-off.

They upset No. 8-seeded Saddleback, 66-65, in a first-round game of the Southern California regional before losing to Glendale, 82-73, in the second round.

High . . .

The Master’s baseball team reaches the NAIA World Series.

It’s the first appearance for the Mustangs (35-13), who beat Birmingham-Southern, 6-5 in a first-round game Friday at Lewis-Clark State in Lewiston, Idaho.

Low . . .

Coach Monte Brooks of Master’s goes a bit over the top while assessing his baseball team’s success.

“Why are we winning? God allows it to happen,” Brooks says.

Brooks fully subscribes to the beliefs of the Christian fundamentalist school, but thinking the Almighty plays favorites with sports teams is foolish.

What happens when Master’s plays another Christian team? God flips a coin?

High . . .

The Valley and Moorpark men’s basketball teams advance to semifinals of the state championships.

Low . . .

The Monarchs and Raiders lose to teams from Northern California, negating an all-region final.

High . . .

Many athletes and programs from the region produce great athletic achievements.

Low . . .

Everyone, except Master’s baseball, is idle for a few months.