It was the first district championship for a Santa Monica team since 1982.
Shaun Wild hit three home runs and Cody Decker two. Wild broke a 4-4 tie with a three-run blast in the fourth inning.

Santa Monica East advanced to the Section 3 tournament at North Venice Little League...

The next summer activity for Santa Monica High pitcher/infielder Jonas Swyer will be Area Code play Aug. 9-15 at Blair Field in Long Beach. Swyer was the only Santa Monica player chosen in tryouts last week...

Mitch Chortkoff

Monday, July 26 --- There are three realities about the Crossroads School girls basketball program.

First, George Quintero, who coached the team to a school-record 27 wins last season, submitted his resignation. Second, in the interest of continuity, Athletic Director Chuck Ice chose Quintero's assistant, Danny Price, as the new head coach. Third, it is unknown whether star forward Courtney Young will return or transfer to a school with a larger enrollment.

It will make a big difference whether Crossroads has one of the best juniors in the nation or not.

``She's in the deciding stage,'' said Price. ``From what I understand she's leaning toward coming back. She's probably the best junior in the state.''

Young, who stands 5-foot-11, is a terrific scorer and unselfish player. In a game last season she had a quadruple double --- double figures in four categories.

Coaching Young would be a joy, but either way Price is thrilled have the job. The former Santa Monica High guard, who also played at Weber State, has been on the staff at Memorial Park for nine years.

``I've always been drawn to Memorial Park,'' said Price. ``I guess I was there so much they ended up giving me a job. The Crossroads girls team was there too, so I've been involved in their program the last six years.''

Price was an assistant to Larry Weiner before Quintero arrived. He has a thorough knowledge of the program and its personnel.

``I know what the previous coaches did and I know what went right and what didn't go right,'' he said. ``This will be a blend of their style and mine.

``We've had a lot of success here. I want to build on that.''

Price, who was an all-CIF guard, says he's strong teaching offense.

``I will have an assistant, Ahman Dolphin, who is a great defensive coach,'' he said. ``Between us we'll teach good fundamentals. I think we will have a strong team.''

That's expected at Crossroads. Last season Young had a lot of help from 6-foot-2 center Michelle More. However, More was a senior and went to Nevada Reno on a volleyball scholarship.

Some returneees from last year's team include starter Sharon Yamauchi and guard Christine Smith, who was a freshman reserve but is now expected to be the point guard.