School for the Deaf Is Off to a Winning Start

California School for the Deaf Riverside (5-1, 2-0) is off to one of its best starts in school history after beating Los Angeles Ribet Academy, 30-7, on Friday.

The Cubs, led largely by two freshmen, quarterback Mark Korn and running back Selwyn Abrahamson, are the only team with a winning record in the five-team San Joaquin League.

“We have a pretty good squad, only two or three seniors on the team,” said Mike Butterfield Jr., assistant athletic director and sideline interpreter for Coach Len Gonzales, a graduate of CSDR, and his team.

Butterfield said dealing with officials, because of the language barrier, could be a challenge, “but everyone who coaches and plays is proficient in sign language,” he said. “A few do have some hearing, but most are profoundly deaf.

“Defensively, it’s a real challenge considering their offensive scheme and us trying to adjust to that. You have to go on knowledge and gut instinct.”

The Cubs host their sister school, CSD Fremont, at 2 p.m. Saturday.

-- Martin Henderson

Bill Redell of Westlake Village Oaks Christian and Jim Benkert of Westlake Village Westlake have been selected to coach the private and public school teams, respectively, for the Shrine All-Star Classic June 25 at a site to be named.

Basketball

Ronnel Ramsey, a 6-foot-9 center who was a major contributor for Woodland Hills Taft’s City championship boys’ basketball team last season, has been granted a ninth semester of eligibility for hardship reasons by the City rules committee, clearing the way for him to play for the Toreadors this season.