Guards bring out best in St. Francis
GLENDALE — The following are odds and ends from the local sports scene.
TWO KNIGHTS GRAB ALL-LEAGUE HONORS
Playing against the best in Mission League games brought out the best in St. Francis High basketball players Emerson Castaneda and Zach Gardea. As junior guards, they did that while helping the Golden Knights advance to the playoffs.
Both received all-league second-team accolades for their respective success.
Castaneda averaged a team-high 15 points a game this season for the Knights, who finished 11-17, 2-10 in league for sixth place before receiving an at-large berth and reaching the second round of the playoffs.
Gardea averaged 14.5 points per game.
“It’s really saying something that, according to the league coaches, they are two of the top 18 players in our league,” St. Francis co-Coach Jeff Stephens said. “I’m thrilled that they were recognized as juniors, and that’s a good sign for us moving into next year.
“They are both offensive-oriented players. Emerson was the opponent’s No. 1 concern and he showed he could be the No. 1 guy and he responded. With Zach, He got the big baskets for us and he was aggressive. He will be a force next year.”
REBELS RETAIN CIF RANKING
The Flintridge Prep boys’ volleyball team is ranked sixth in CIF Southern Section Division V, according to the latest polls released by the CIF office on Monday.
They are the lone local team to be ranked this week as they have been for the entire spring.
The Rebels are ranked behind Chadwick, Vistamar, Pasadena Poly, Providence and Viewpoint.
ARMSTRONG EARNS ALL-LEAGUE ACCOLADE
Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy water polo player Rebecca Armstrong, a freshman utility player, was named to the All-Mission League second-team.
Armstrong was the lone Tolog to be nab all-league honors this season.
