From The Community Sports Desk, 4/14/16

Note From The Editor:  We bring our community the second edition of our Community Sports Desk feature. Hope you take a few minutes to browse and then read all of the outstanding stories and events that are at this very moment positively impacting our large and highly sports-minded communities in East L.A. and Beyond. This posting will cover the following stories: “Coach of the Year” Named; 18+ Co-Ed Soccer Tournament Coming Up; East Side Lights Out Speed Camp Update; High School Baseball and Softball Updates; and Update on UCLA Softball Player, Jelly Felix.  Rico Cabrera, Sr./Managing Editor, EastLASportsScene.Com

Photo Credits:  Memorable Images & Time Warner Cable TV (Garfield); Lucy De La O. (Speed Camp); Erik Sarni, East SideMediaTV (Garfield/Roosevelt Baseball & Softball); & UCLA Sports Information Office (Jelly Felix).

Garfield Girls Varsity Basketball Team & Their “Coach of the Year” – Jessica Torres

Gather round community and hear the great news about the CIF/Los Angeles City Section’s selection of the 2015-16 Girls’ Varsity High School “Coach of the Year.“  And the Award Goes To…..East L.A.’s, and Garfield HS’s very own, Jessica Torres,  Head Coach of the “Lady Bulldogs,” Division I Champions. (See our previous posting by clicking here.) Coach Torres was selected in large part for her dynamic coaching skills as she guided her team to the prestigious Girls’ Division-1 title this season.

Here is how Coach Torres summed up her dream season….”This year has over exceeded my expectations. The recognitions we received this season are proof of the time and dedication that the girls and I put into this program. The awards I received in big part are due to my efforts, dedication, commitment, and endless unpaid hours during the off season. My girls are the second reason why I have been so successful as a Coach. Without their hard work throughout the year, and the belief they have in my system, we wouldn’t be where we are, and wouldn’t have the success we have had. Lastly, my family’s support to this day plays a huge role as to why I’m still coaching. Having two little ones at home has caused me many times to question why I’m still coaching, and to be honest it is very hard. But in the same breath, there comes the powerful satisfaction of knowing that all my hard work is acknowledged and recognized, and it reminds me of why I love this game so much. The competitiveness, the girls, and helping my alma matter, Garfield High School, become a respectable and recognized basketball program is an immeasurable feeling.”

Well said Coach, and thanks for your truly heartfelt words. We wish you and all of your future teams the very best!!

Spring Co-Ed Soccer Tournament:

The Latino Student Business Association (LBSA) of Cal State Dominguez Hills University  presents its Spring 2016  soccer tournament that will be played on April 23rd at 1000 E. Victoria St., Carson, CA 90747. From now through April  19th, the registration fee is $60.  From April 20th-22nd, the fee goes up to $65. And on the day of the event, the fee will be $75.  The tournament is open to male and female players, 18 years and above. There will be a limit of 2 female playing at any given time during the match. There is NO  limit as to the number of female players included on the team roster. A number of corporate sponsors will also be in attendance to engage the public through staff interaction and information booths.

For more information, and to secure your spot in the tournament, please contact Tournament Director, Paul Carranza,  at (626) 324-1459  as soon as possible. Get your team ready to run and come join the great competition from throughout So Calif. See above flyer for more details.

 Boyle Heights Wolfpack/East Side Lights Out Speed CampYouth Football:

Sign-ups will be held this Saturday, 4.16.16 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm at Evergreen Park. The extremely popular and rapidly growing  Speed Camp takes place this Sun. 4.17.16 at Roosevelt HS from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm. Free water, fruit and this week at Camp we will be providing sandwiches and a drink will also be provided FREE to all kids, parents & coaches. The new season is about 3 months away.  The Speed Camp offers the lowest fees in Pop Warner Football at $85 per player. Staff will also be conducting an adult softball tournament this Saturday, 4.16.16 at Evergreen Park.  Any teams wanting in, please contact Coach Mike Aguilar  at 323.396-4043.  Lastly, baseball signups are on-going at Obregon Park.

High School Baseball:

Roosevelt (6-1) vs. Garfield (4-2)/Eastern League Records  *(At time of this writing)

The Rough Riders  defeated the Bulldogs,  11-1 at ELAC on April 4th. The Riders are currently (11-11) overall, but more importantly, (6-1) in the Eastern League’s race to the playoffs. Team leaders for the Riders this season have been Kenny Gallegos  (3B-Pitcher), Gabriel Jimenez (1B -Catcher), Jose Castillo (2B-SS), and Isaac Lopez (OF-INF).

The Eastern League standings at this point in the season have Roosevelt in 1st at (6-1), followed in a tie for 2nd between South Gate and Bell with (5-2) records. Garfield stands alone in 4th with a (4-2) record.

 High School Softball:

Roosevelt (3-4) vs. Garfield (4-2)/Eastern League Records  *(At time of this writing)

On 4/4 the Garfield “Lady Bulldogs”  defeated their archrival, the Roosevelt “Lady Rough Riders”  by the score of 5-4 in extra-innings. The game was played at Garfield.

Roosevelt’s Batting For Average team leaders (minimum 10 games) this season have been Briana Osuna .343, Vivian Alejandre .375 and Abigail Gonzalez .487. The Riders’ Head Coach is Dora Perez.

Eastern League standings at this time have South East  in 1st at 6-0, followed by Bell  at (5-2) and Garfield  in 3rd with a 4-2 record. Roosevelt  is in 5th place at 3-4.  The next rivalry showdown between Roosevelt and Garfield will be on 5/4 at Roosevelt. First pitch is at 2:30 pm.

 UCLA Softball/PAC-12 Conference

As of this posting on 4/14/16, #42 Jelly Felix, (5-3/JR/OF/R-R), was inserted into the Bruin line-up as their Designated Player  (DP) for the last four consecutive games, three against Stanford, in PAC 12 play, and one vs Cal St. Northdridge  in the Bruins’ final non-conference game of the season.  The Lincoln (L.A.) High School alum is hitting .333 in 3 for 9 plate appearances.  She has scored 2 runs.

The Bruins are ranked #13  in the country and currently post a 25-11-1. They are now set to face the heart of their PAC-12  schedule. They have a three-game series vs. Oregon St.  beginning Friday, 4/15, and going through Sunday, 4/17. To follow the Bruins and get game ticket information, click here.