Mission Viejo in Mix for Team of Year

Mission Viejo, the undefeated Southern Section Division II champion, has been selected one of three finalists for the 24 Hour Fitness national high school team of the year.

Southlake (Texas) Carroll, which is 15-0 and will play for the state 5A Division I title this week, and Charlotte (N.C.) Independence, which finished 15-0 and won the state 4AA championship, are the other two finalists.

The winner will be announced at the U.S. Army All-American awards dinner Jan. 14, the night before the U.S. Army All-American Bowl in San Antonio.

Newhall Hart’s 19-year streak of producing All-Southern Southern quarterbacks appears to be over. Tyler Lyon was a second-team all-league choice, making it unlikely that he would be included when coaches get together today to select the All-Southern Section team.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Girls’ Volleyball

Junior middle blocker Mary Laupepa of Carson and senior middle blocker Ashley Legerretta of Venice have been selected the City Section’s co-players of the year.

Top-seeded Carson, which won the Marine League, lost to Venice in the City Championship semifinals. Venice was beaten by San Pedro in the final.