HIGH SCHOOL CLOSE-UP

FOOTBALL

JOSH MILLER

Sr., Moreno Valley Valley View

Then: A year ago, the quiet and unassuming Miller gained 1,060 yards, but five carries into the seventh game, against Moreno Valley Canyon Springs, he suffered a concussion that ended his season. “It was as scary and as emotional as it gets,” Coach Dan Barlage said. Colleges have expressed interest but are taking a more cautious approach. “A lot of guys are looking at tape and are interested,” Barlage said, “but they want to see how healthy he is this year.”

Now: Behind linemen Eli Maefau, Ricky Maefau, Rodney Beamon, Daniel Tuohy and Chris Benson, and fullback Mencil Coates, Miller rushed 30 times for 334 yards and two touchdowns in a 34-21 victory over Menifee Paloma Valley in the season opener. Miller and his teammates face Canyon Springs on Friday in what is sure to be an emotionally charged game.

Quote: “He’s a bull kind of runner, north and south,” Barlage said. “I think we have the kind of offense to be balanced, but if Josh is going for 10 yards a carry, I just can’t convince myself that we need to throw the ball.”

Martin Henderson

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GIRLS’ CROSS-COUNTRY

BROOKE LADEMAN

Sr., Rolling Hills Estates Peninsula

Then: Lademan made a name for herself last fall at the Southern Section Division I finals, finishing eighth on the rugged Mt. San Antonio College course. Her time of 17 minutes 59 seconds was 43 seconds faster than her time as a sophomore, when she finished 18th. Lademan went on to finish fourth in the 3,200 meters last spring in the Division I track and field finals and fifth at Masters, the top finisher among non-seniors.

Now: Lademan should be well rested for the Irvine Woodbridge Invitational on Saturday. She missed the bus to the Laguna Hills Invitational last Saturday and did not race but saw teammate Brittany Morreale win the Division I junior race in 19:05. Lademan is entered in the girls’ sweepstakes race, scheduled to begin at 8:40 p.m. Among Lademan’s challengers are Alma Escobar of Corona, Liana Boucher of Murrieta Valley, Briana Cahn of Chino Hills Ayala and Christy Adamyck of Glendora.

Quote: “Brooke is our top gun,” Coach Bill Consolo said. “But the rest of the girls have been closing the gap.”

--Dan Arritt

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GIRLS’ GOLF

JENNIFER OSBORN

Sr., Huntington Beach Marina

Then: By the time Osborn arrived at Marina, she had already established herself as a dominant force on the links with 24 age-group tournament victories. She won the Sunset League title as a freshman, again last year and was the 2002 Southern California regional champion. On the junior circuit, she is ranked No. 20 in the nation after a summer that included advancing to match play in both the U.S. Girls’ and Women’s Amateur championships. She has committed to Arizona State.

Now: Osborn began her senior season in style when she won the Irvine University tournament with a four-under 68 at Strawberry Farms Golf Club. She topped a field of 95 players, arguably the strongest field in high school golf before the playoffs.

Quote: “I don’t think I’m used to winning yet,” she said. “I still have to win the really big stuff, the national tournaments.”

--Peter Yoon