August 17, 2007

Several outstanding local teams are hoping to continue their dynasties in 2007-2008

By RUSSELL INGOLD

When the 2007-2008 sports year begins at Fontana's high schools next month, a significant question will be: Will the dynasties continue?

Several athletic teams at local schools have enjoyed tremendous success in recent years, consistently dominating their league rivals. Some of the outstanding dynasties include:

-- The Kaiser High School football team, which has won six straight Sunkist League championships (as well as CIF titles in 2002 and 2003);

-- The Fontana High School softball team, which has captured six consecutive Citrus Belt League titles;

-- The Fontana A.B. Miller baseball team, which has obtained four CBL crowns in a row;

-- The Miller wrestling team, which has won four CBL dual meet championships in the past five years;

-- The Miller girls' basketball team, which has breezed to three straight CBL titles -- and went on to capture the CIF championship this past winter.

What has contributed to the brilliance of these remarkable teams? A lot of hard work, according to the athletes and coaches.

"We as coaches have told every player who comes into the program that they're going to work hard," said Frank Martinez, the Miller baseball coach. "They're dedicating 11 months of the year to baseball. The kids know when they come in here what's expected of them, and we haven't had a problem. It's been a joy to coach this team."

J.J. Costantino, one of the stars on the Miller baseball squad, agreed that it's all about "the work ethic."

"We work hard every single day," he said after the Rebels tied for the league title last May. "We practice hard, and it pays off in the end."

Rick Plascencia, another one of the Rebel standouts, said the players were dedicated to never giving up.

"We have our downfalls, but we pick each other up, and we have a lot of spirit on the team," he said.

This positive spirit has repeatedly helped the Rebels in the final weeks of the season. Year after year, the Miller baseball team struggled at the start of the CBL campaign, but then ignited a hot streak which culminated in a No. 1 finish.

In 2007, Miller had a 2-2 record at the beginning of CBL activity before the pitching of Plascencia and Costantino vaulted the squad to the top.

"We've been blessed with kids who can throw," said Martinez, adding that scouts are amazed at how the Rebels seem to find great pitchers year after year. These pitchers include Abe Alvarez (who is in the Boston Red Sox organization and was brought up to the majors briefly last year), Jesse Chavez, Derrick Van Dusen, and Robert Fish.

AT FOHI, the softball team's spectacular run of championships is due to the talented players who have worn the Steeler uniform, according to coach Mike Southworth.

"All of them have improved from the time they got here to the time they graduated," Southworth said. "They're dedicated to the game, they're aggressive kids, and they play hard. That's why we've done pretty well."

The Steelers relied on three superb seniors in 2007 -- Chandra Mogan, Brittney Yniguez, and Joanna Young, all of whom were starters since their freshman year.

Mogan received a scholarship to attend national powerhouse Tennessee, Yniguez will be going to DePaul University, and Young will be playing at Ft. Lewis in Durango, Colo.

In addition to having clutch hitters, the Steelers have also had some terrific pitchers in recent seasons. Sarah Steele was the CBL MVP in 2002 and Gabby Smith was phenomenal on the mound from 2003 to 2006 (she is now at Cal State Fullerton).

Last year, Kayla Uphold stepped up and had a splendid sophomore season, leading the way in the pitching department as well as starring at the plate.

"She really came through for us this year," Southworth said. "She pitched some huge games down the stretch."

In 2007, the Steelers did not completely dominate the CBL as they did in some previous years, but they were still able to hold off challenges by Miller and other schools in order to secure the undisputed league title.

The Fontanans are hopeful that, with Uphold and several other players returning, the team will prevail again in 2008.

OTHER local teams that have built up dynasties are also looking forward to more greatness in the upcoming school term.

The Miller basketball ladies have gone undefeated in league play the last three years, and this past March, they reached the Southern Section Division II-AA pinnacle by achieving the school's first CIF title in any sport. Coach Mel Wilkins' squad advanced to the CIF State Southern California Regionals before falling to eventual state champion Long Beach Poly.

This coming winter, the Rebels will have numerous stars returning from that 33-3 team, including CIF Player of the Year Chloe Wells and All-CIF selections Briana Hall and Lola Wells.

In addition to Miller's rise to the top, another team from northern Fontana -- Summit High School -- had an amazing season in its very first year. The SkyHawks' girls' basketball team, playing with only freshmen and sophomores, stormed to the Sunkist League title and advanced into the second round of the CIF playoffs. A Summit dynasty could be in the works in the future.

Plus, the Etiwanda High School basketball teams (which include many players from Fontana) are also in the business of building dynasties. The Etiwanda boys' team has won league titles in eight of the past 11 years, and the girls' team has obtained six straight league crowns.