Times rankings

MARTIN HENDERSON’S FINAL RANKINGS AND COMMENTS:

*--* Rk. Team (Rec., Div.) Comment 1 VALENCIA (29-5, Div. I) Vikings won second consecutive title behind Tennessee-bound POY Jessica Spigner and sophomore SS Madison Shipman. 2 SIMI VALLEY (30-1, Div. I) Led by Samantha Fischer, Pioneers were unbeaten going into title game, where big- game inexperience took its toll. 3 CORONA SANTIAGO (26-4, Div. I) Junior pitcher Kamerin May and senior first baseman Meredith Hackett made Sharks one of state’s best. 4 NORCO (29-6, Div. I) Cougars grieved early with the death of the coach’s father, assistant Ken Robinson, then exceeded all expectations. 5 EL MODENA (25-8-2, Div. II) Vanguards’ late-season streak brought program its first section title behind senior Kylie Wagner’s pitching and hitting. 6 LA PALMA KENNEDY (29-4, Div. II) The team that had everything, including speedy Reid twins Jamia and Elia, suffered disheartening semifinal loss to El Modena. 7 SAN PEDRO (30-3, City) Fourth-year pitcher Taylor Petty and catcher Perelini Koria, who had 45 career homers, led Pirates to third consecutive City title. 8 HART (25-5, Div. I) Losing only two outfielders, Indians candi- dates to be next year’s No. 1 behind pitcher Destiny Rodino, catcher Jessica Shults. 9 THOUSAND OAKS (25-6, Div. I) Tiffany Messerschmidt led Lancers to quarterfinals, but mistakes ended playoff run against Santiago. 10 GLENDORA (19-10, Div. II) Succession of late-season upsets marked emergence from out of the blue for team whose nucleus is underclassmen. 11 EL TORO (22-8-1, Div. I) With impressive Kendal Hennings and Niki Williams on left side, stunning first-round loss ended otherwise impressive season. 12 GARDEN GROVE PACIFICA (20-13, Div. II) Made spirited effort to defend its championship with hitters Andrea Harrison, Kristen Arriola and Christina Zambrana. 13 AYALA (21-11-1, Div. II) Young squad emerged as a contender this season behind pitcher Jessica Hall and slugging infielder Nani St. Germain. 14 LAKEWOOD (25-6, Div. II) Lancers’ top three hitters return next season, but loss of pitcher Aubray Zell will be a big hole for Moore League champions. 15 LONG BEACH WILSON (22-9, Div. II) Fourteen years after last Moore League title, Bruins showed revival but no banner despite efforts of Marti Reid and Megan Guzman. 16 VISTA MURRIETA (23-7, Div. II) Strong squad has most players returning next season, including sophomore battery of twins Tatum and Taylor Edwards. 17 ESPERANZA (22-7-2, Div. I) Junior outfielder Kristin Sharkey batted .478 and freshman Kelsea Roth .429 to lead hard-hitting Aztecs to Sunset League title. 18 LA SERNA (27-4, Div. III) Senior-laden team finally won section title behind pitcher Holly Consterdine and sophomore catcher Ashley Holmes. 19 ROSARY (21-10, Div. I) Came on strong at end of season. Should be among Southland’s best in 2009 behind P/1B Alex Peyton, OF Caitrin DeBaun. 20 ANAHEIM CANYON (22-8, Div. II) A possible No. 1 in 2010 behind pitcher Cheyanne Tarango, Comanches suffered growing pains in first-round loss to Tesoro. 21 CRESCENTA VALLEY (29-1, Div. III) Junior shortstop Baillie Kirker was a home run machine, but Falcons lost only time they faced a top-caliber pitcher. 22 OCEAN VIEW (28-1, Div. IV) Seahawks won first crown since 1985 behind sophomore pitcher Holli Floetker and Arizona State-bound Nikole Afusia. 23 NORTH TORRANCE (24-10, Div. V) To win first section championship, the Saxons defeated two teams they lost to in final week of regular season. 24 TORRANCE (28-5, Div. V) Top-seeded Tartars and pitcher Jessica Moon lost in the final after illegal pitch provided North Torrance a second chance. 25 REDLANDS (24-5, Div. II) Four of Terriers’ losses were to top 25 opponents, and top four hitters, including pitcher Kimberly Bruins, return next year. *--*