Wilson’s Girls Kick It in High Gear

The Long Beach Wilson girls’ soccer team has made a wealth of experience count, thanks to several talented players.

Wilson (15-2-3, 7-0-1), which had all 16 players returning from last season’s team that lost in the first round of the Southern Section Division I playoffs, is in first place in the Moore League and on an eight-game unbeaten streak.

The Bruins have won their last six games with a spread offense and a strong defense led by goalkeeper Alli Tramel, one of only four seniors on the team.

Tramel, who owns a black belt in karate and teaches the sport to children ages 4 to 12 at a Long Beach martial arts training center three days a week, has posted a school-record 14 shutouts.

“They’re kind of the same,” Tramel said of her two athletic endeavors. “You kind of read your opponent, and you’ve got to read the play, and your instincts and reactions have to be quick.”

Wilson’s losses this season were 3-1 to San Clemente, the No. 8-ranked team by The Times, and 2-1 to Danville Monte Vista, the No. 15 team in Student Sports magazine’s Fab 50 national poll.

The Bruins have outscored opponents, 74-5.

Senior striker Jennifer Anderson leads the team with 15 goals and 11 assists. Freshman Kacey Doherty, who is part of the 14-and-under national players’ pool, has 14 goals and five assists at left wing, and junior defensive midfielder Kelly Little, a member of the National Soccer Coaches’ Assn./Adidas All-Far West team, has 12 goals and six assists.

Lauren Peterson

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Westchester Athletic Director Brian Henderson said the Comets will play Akron (Ohio) St. Vincent-St. Mary as scheduled Saturday in the PrimeTime Shootout at Trenton, N.J., despite the expected absence of Fighting Irish standout LeBron James, who was ruled ineligible Friday by the Ohio High School Athletic Assn.

James, a senior swingman expected to be the top pick in the NBA draft, is appealing the association’s decision, which barred him from returning to the court for the remainder of the season after he accepted two free sports jerseys worth a combined $845.

James’ attorney could also seek a temporary restraining order to keep his client eligible until the appeal is heard. An OHSAA spokesman told Associated Press that James’ appeal would be heard by a state panel Feb. 13 -- five days after St. Vincent-St. Mary is scheduled to play Westchester.

Ben Bolch

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Chris Cole, a 5-foot-10, 225-pound defensive lineman from Mission Viejo, has committed to Hawaii.

Cole, an All-Orange County selection by The Times and the Southern Section Division II defensive player of the year, helped the undefeated section champion Diablos limit their opponents to 8.5 points per game.

Other football commitments:

* Josh Rodarmel, a quarterback at Mission Viejo, to Yale.

* Andrew Weitstock, an offensive lineman at Mission Viejo, to Penn.

* Jeff Ferrier, a kicker at Mission Viejo, to San Jose State.

* Travis Wittick, a safety at Mission Viejo, to the Air Force.

* Mike Carley, a tight end at North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, to Penn.

* Cesar Rodriguez, an offensive lineman from La Puente Bishop Amat, to Kansas.

* Ryan Smith, an offensive lineman from Bishop Amat, to Utah.

* Henri Pamphile, an offensive lineman from Walnut, to Cal State Sacramento.

Nicky James, a defender on the Mission Viejo girls’ soccer team, has committed to Drake and teammate Erin Bohn, a midfielder, has committed to St. John’s.

Katie Hedley, a girls’ water polo player at Lake Forest El Toro, has committed to Arizona State.

Robb Perrance, an assistant at Brea Olinda for 22 years, has been promoted to varsity football coach. He replaces Jon Looney, who resigned after this season, his 14th at the school.

Lyle Lansdell has been hired as football coach at Santa Ana Calvary Chapel. Lansdell was the quarterback coach at Aliso Niguel last season and was an assistant at Corona del Mar from 1994 to 2001. Lansdell replaces Jay Johnson, who resigned after compiling a 17-26 record in four seasons.

Jeff Walendy has been hired as boys’ tennis coach at West Hills Chaminade. Walendy, a teaching pro at Northridge Tennis Club, has previously coached boys’ tennis at Westlake Village Westlake and girls’ tennis at Chaminade.