Webb Badminton coverage this Saturday

The Webb Schools co-ed badminton program is in its second season and already the Gauls have shown significant improvement with a current overall record of 4-3 and an undefeated mark of 3-0 in the San Andreas League. Last season was a tough start to the program as Webb suffered several double-digit losses before ending the season on a high note by crushing Mayfield, 13-3.

Look for coverage of Webb's recent victory over Rialto in this Saturday's edition of the COURIER along with scores from prep, college and community sports. Each week, we look to feature different sports featuring different schools/teams. Feel free to suggest sports-related story ideas at reporter@claremont-courier.com.

Claremont Little League Opening Ceremonies kick off tomorrow

Due to rain, the Claremont Little League Opening Ceremonies were canceled last Saturday and have been rescheduled to this Saturday at 10 a.m. at College Park. Following the ceremonies, a triple-header of games is schedule throughout the afternoon beginning with the Dodgers versus the Phillies (1 p.m.), followed by the Yankees against the Angels (3:45 p.m.) and concluding with the Rays versus the Red Sox (6:30 p.m.).

A silent auction is also scheduled to take place at 2 p.m. Look for scores from Saturday's action in the Wednesday edition of the COURIER.

More emphasis on community sports

It's been a long time coming but starting this weekend, the COURIER will begin reporting scores from Claremont Little League and Claremont Fastpitch as part of our continuing effort to provide the best coverage of Claremont sports. When I first began at the COURIER in 2006, I focused mainly on Claremont High School sports and a bit of AYSO. Since then, we have expanded to include coverage of the Claremont-Mudd-Scripps and Pomona-Pitzer teams on a regular basis, as well as occasionally doing sports features on El Roble Intermediate School, Western Christian School and the amazing athletes within Claremont.

It's an ongoing process and we hope that you are enjoying the additions here and there. If you have any sports information or story suggestions, feel free to email me at reporter@claremont-courier.com. Until then, enjoy Claremont Little League and Claremont Fastpitch scores and standings in this weekend's edition of the COURIER.

CHS students recognized as 'scholar athletes'

Claremont High School students Nicholas Kennedy and Alex Miller were recently honored by the Pasadena/San Gabriel Valley Chapter of the National Football Foundation with "Scholar Athlete Awards" as a result of their academic and athletic success. The selection puts Nicholas and Alex alongside 18 other scholar athletes who were honored.

Nicholas started at center for the CHS Wolfpack football squad this past season and was an Honorable Mention to the All-Baseline League team. Alex played kicker and wide receiver for the same Wolfpack team and was named to the All-Baseline League 2nd team for both positions.

Stay tuned to Saturday's edition of the COURIER for a more in-depth story regarding the 2 scholar athletes.

Fighting Owls vie for 2nd title in 3 years

By next Sunday, the Citrus College men's basketball team could be celebrating its 2nd state championship in 3 years. The Fighting Owls last won the state championship in 2008.

Citrus defeated Cuesta College, 82-80, in a tough South Regional final on Saturday night before a crowd of 682 people. Tom Granado (13 points, 13 rebounds), Jose Rivera (12 points, 5 assists), Darin Stewart (11 points), Randy Hunter (10 points) and Keith Thompson (10 points) all scored in double figures for the Fighting Owls.

Playoff action resumes this Friday night at Cal Lutheran when the Fighting Owls will battle San Jose in a state quarterfinal matchup. The winner will face the winner of Ohlone-Saddleback contest. You can view the playoff bracket HERE.

Stags come away with the ultimate revenge

After losing both regular season contests to SCIAC rival Pomona-Pitzer, Claremont-Mudd-Scripps defeated the Sagehens when it counted on Saturday by winning, 57-53, to claim the SCIAC championship at Ducey Gym.

Saturday's confrontation attracted 1200 spectators inside Ducey Gym and featured a dramatic conclusion as Stags forward Chris Blees made 2 clutch free throws to put the game out of reach after forcing a turnover late in the game. Blees finished with a team-high 14 points.

David Liss matched Blees with 14 points of his own in Saturday's contest. The Sagehens went into a slump in the 2nd half, shooting just 26 percent after making 54 percent of its shots in the first 20 minutes.

With the victory, the Stags will move on to play Chapman in the first round of the NCAA Division III Men’s Basketball West Regional. The game will tip-off this Saturday in Orange at 7 p.m.

Do you think the Stags have what it takes to go all the way? Feel free to comment.

Local Junior College Roundball Update

The Citrus College men's basketball team, along with the Mt. San Antonio College men and women's roundball squads have all advanced to the final round of the California Community College Athletic Association's (CCCAA) South Regionals as a result of victories over the weekend. A victory for the three teams will qualify them for the state championship.

DeAndre Haskins (17 points, 12 rebounds) and Tom Grando (12 points, 12 rebounds) led the way for Citrus as the Owls defeated Santa Ana, 81-65 on Saturday night in Glendora. Citrus owned the glass against Santa Ana with a 61-40 rebounding margin. The Owls will host Cuesta on Saturday at 7 p.m.

While the Owls cruised past their opponents, the Mt. SAC men's basketball team narrowly escaped with a 67-65 victory over Cerritos in a semifinal contest on Saturday. Demarkus Isomojones and Antonio Biglow led the way for the Mounties with 16 and 15 points respectively. Mt. SAC will play at Irvine Valley on Saturday at 7 p.m. in one of 4 men's final round regional matchups.

Cecy Cuevas (16 points), Brittney Lewis (14 points) and Kimiere Hawkins (11 points) all scored in double figures for the Mt. SAC women's squad in a 76-65 win on Saturday over Mt. San Jacinto. The Mounties will host L.A. Trade Tech in a final round regional battle on Saturday at 7 p.m.

A missed jumper by Chaffey College's Mo Hughley with one second left to play led to a heartbreaking 66-64 loss to Saddleback last Friday. The Chaffey men's squad was led by Anthony Cammon, who scored 21 points.

Stay tuned to the COURIER Sports Beat for more results coming this weekend.