| The LookOut sports | |
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Santa Monica Sports Notes
When I watched the CIF girls basketball finals last season at The Pyramid (Long Beach State College) St. Monica coach Michelle Rice came by for a chat. While we talked a recruiter from Redlands also came by to once more pronounce the school's interest in high-scoring forward Monica Flores. The persistence paid off when Flores recently committed to Redlands... Meanwhile, Santa Monica High star Brittiany Oliviera, who excelled in basketball, softball and soccer, plans to attend Stanford... No replacement has been named yet for Crossroads baseball coach Chuck Ice, who wasn't asked back and became an assistant at St. Bernard High. The Crossroads summer program is being handled by Ruben Smiley, an assistant on Ice's staff... The Santa Monica American Legion baseball team is playing home games at Sawtelle Field, UCLA's home park... Danny Casanova of Santa Monica High won five games as a sophomore and earned a berth in the Junior Olympics Invitational Baseball Tournament in Tucson. He figures to succeed Jonas Swyer as the ace of the Vikings' staff next season. Swyer will be at the University of Connecticut... Congratulations are in order to Marni Colbert of Santa Monica. She has progreesed through her sports management career to become Director of the Summer Pro League which begins play July 8 at the Pyramid... http://www.samohi.org http://www.nba.com/lakers/index.htm |
Former St. Monica Star Begins His Professional Baseball Career By Mitch Chortkoff Throughout the college baseball season Anthony Angel was doing well and heading for a professional career. The Loyola Marymount University second baseman from St. Monica High started all 59 games for the Lions, batted. 349, hit three grand slam home runs and led the team in RBI with 78. However, Angel lasted until the 14th round in the recent draft before being selected by the Houston Astros. Considering his accomplishments I thought that was a little low. A baseball scout explained it to me. ``He's a college senior,'' I was told. ``Teams prefer to pay their biggest bonuses to high school players because they have more years to develop.'' Angel quickly signed with the Astros and isn't worried about not being drafted higher. ``I wasn't concerned about where I would be drafted,'' he said. ``Actually, I wasn't even looking to go as high as I did. I was just looking for the opportunity to continue playing. ``Now I'll have to work that much harder to get where I want to go. I intend to be the first one out there every day and the last one to leave. I've worked my whole life for this opportunity'' I asked Angel where he was going. ``First to Martinsville, Virginia, to play for the Astros' team in the Appalachian League,'' he said. ``Then, hopefully before long Houston.'' Angel was considered one of the team leaders at Loyola. He led the team to a 40-19 record, the West Coast Conference championship and a berth in the NCAA Regional. I saw him at a St. Monica High basketball game last season. I also saw him at the recent Westside All-Star baseball game, where he came to see his brother play. Henry Angel starred at St. Monica this season. He was saying goodbye to friends and promising to write and keep in touch while he toils in the minor leagues. Local coaches talk about Anthony Angel's love for the game, an attribute that will continue to help him. ``He's special because he's shown the right work ethic,'' said Culver City High coach Rick Prieto, who guided Anthony in a Santa Monica Police Activities league. ``Coaches dream about having players like that.'' Anthony Angel appreciates the efforts of coaches and friends. ``Their support is what has gotten me to this point,'' he said. ``They've given me confidence that I can compete at the next level.'' |
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