The LookOut sports

Santa Monica Sports Notes

Keith Shackleford, Athletic Director at Santa Monica College, has resigned to become Athletic Director and Director of Recreation at Soka University America, a new school in Orange County's Aliseo Viejo.

``I'm tremendously fond of Santa Monica, but how often do you get an opportunity to build a program from the beginning," he asked. ``SMC has been an extraordinary experience."

Soka is being privately funded by Japanese businessmen. It is a $300 million project that will have no debt. The school is schedule to open in August and compete in NCAA Division 3.

Facilities are nearly complete. There's a gymnasium with 2,000 seats, fully lighted baseball and softball fields, a soccer field and track stadium.

Shackelford's last day at SMC will be Friday.

Samohi began its track season with victories at West Torrance. The boys won 75 1/2-60 1/2. The girls won 84-51.

The Crossroads softball team began its season with a 5-4 loss to Mary Star. A double in the ninth inning decided the game.

New Roads lost a non-league baseball game to Pacific Hills, 8-5.

Crossroads lost a Westside Tournament baseball game to Westchester, 11-7.

Samohi won a Westside Tournament game from Camarillo, 6-5, and then defeated Saugus, 11-1...

http://www.samohi.org http://www.nba.com/
lakers/index.htm

Crossroads Defeated in State Basketball Championship

By Mitch Chortkoff

It was another wonderful, memorable basketball season for perennial powerhouse Crossroads. But the Roadrunners' quest for a state boys championship was turned back by St. Mary's High of Berkeley Saturday night in Sacramento, 76-62.

Several Crossroads opponents, including city rival St. Monica, figured the best way to beat Coach Daryl Roper's team was to pressure the guards and not double-and-triple-team 6-foot-10 Isaiah Fox. But only St. Mary's had the personnel to make the strategy work.

Against other teams, including wins over St. Monica in the CIF championship game and State Regionals, Crossroads was able to prevail. Fox did a lot of damage and the others held their own.

However, St. Mary's, the Northern California champion, forced 28 Crossroads turnovers.

``We knew they came after the ball and our guys did not respond to their energy,'' said Roper.

Fox, who has signed a letter of intent with Arizona and will begin his collegiate career there next season, was his dominant self with 30 points and 21 rebounds. Those numbers were typical of his performance through the playoffs.

Crossroads can be proud of its run through league play and the CIF playoffs, where it handed Garces High of Bakersfield its first loss. The Roadrunners finish with a 25-6 record.

Fox takes his place with the greats who have played for Crossroads in the past. He did his best work in the biggest games.

Now the local prep basketball season has ended and we can proudly tally the results. The Crossroads boys go to the state championship game. The St. Monica boys reach the CIF finals and the girls reach the CIF semifinals. Santa Monica High's boys earn a berth in the CIF playoffs.


Lookout Logo footer image
Copyright 1999-2008 surfsantamonica.com. All Rights Reserved.
Footer Email icon