San Pedro’s Standout Has Surgery

Senior pitcher Courtney Lyons, who had an 8-0 record for five-time City Section softball champion San Pedro, should make a full recovery after recent surgery to remove a benign cyst from one of her ovaries.

Coach Tony Dobra said prognoses vary, but it could be seven weeks before Lyons returns, which would be in time for the playoff quarterfinals.

“She’s a great kid and deserves better than this,” Dobra said of Lyons, who waited three years behind two-time section player of the year Ashley Esparza before it was her turn to be the Pirates’ top pitcher.

“If she can get back to where she was, I wouldn’t hesitate to put her back out there.”

Taylor Petty (4-1), a freshman, took over for Lyons on Thursday, when she pitched a one-hitter in a 27-0 victory over Gardena in a Marine League opener. Tougher battles loom, particularly April 13 against rival Carson.

-- Martin Henderson

Basketball

Louisville-bound Amir Johnson, who led the Westchester boys’ team to the Division I state title, and James Keefe, a junior at Santa Margarita who has committed to UCLA, were recently named Parade magazine second-team All-Americans.

Duke-bound Jamal Boykin of Los Angeles Fairfax was a third-team selection, and Etiwanda’s Darren Collison, who is headed to UCLA, was named to the fourth team.

Husband and wife Andre and Michelle Chevalier have resigned their coaching positions to devote more time to family responsibilities.

Andre coached the boys’ team at Reseda Cleveland for the last four years in his second stint, guiding the Cavaliers to a City semifinal berth the last two years. He will remain a dean at the school.

Michelle, who coached the Sylmar girls’ team to three consecutive Valley Mission League titles, will remain at the school as a teacher.

-- Eric Sondheimer