John Maffei’s weekly The San Diego Union poll. First place votes in parenthesis. First place votes in parenthesis.
Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Bold entries in columns are up-to-date rankings, followed by previous. Cal-Hi Sports’ and Max-Preps’ represent state rankings. NR—Not ranked.
Records as of Feb 9.
TEAM
RECORD
POINTS
PREVIOUS
MAXPREPS
CAL-HI SPORTS
1
Montgomery
24-2 (18)
180
1
11/11
15/15
2
San Marcos
23-3
161
2
31/25
On Bubble/Bubble
3
Torrey Pines
21-5
143
3
41/41
On Bubble/Bubble
4
Carlsbad
20-5
128
4
23/30
On Bubble/Bubble
5
Cathedral
16-9
75
7
87/85
NR-NR
6
Olympian
20-5
72
5
52/54
NR-NR
7
Mission Bay
19-7
70
6
50/49
NR-NR
8
St. Augustine
12-14
69
10
144/164
NR-NR
9
Santa Fe Christian
20-5
34
8
60/57
NR-NR
10
San Diego
21-5
22
9
119/132
NR-NR
Others receiving votes Francis Parker (17-10, 15 points), Christian (20-5, 11), Victory Christian (14-12, 7), La Jolla Country Day (14-11, 3 points.
Voting panel: 18 sportswriters, sportscasters, and administrators who cover the San Diego Section, plus MaxPreps:
John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune).
Aaron Burgin (Full-time hoops).
Steve Brand, Bodie DeSilva (Union-Tribune freelance correspondents).
Todd Cassen (CIF office).
Rick Smith (Partletonsports.com).
Joe Evangelist (Coaching Legends).
Tom Helmantoler (Southern Conference).
Rex Johnson (CIF Advisory Committee).
Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association).
Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan).
John Kentera, Dennis Ackerman, Steve (Biff) Dolan, Eric Williams, Tom Ronco, Adam Paul (freelance contributors).
2024-25 Basketball Week 5: No 1 Montgomery Makes it Unanimous
John Maffei’s weekly The San Diego Union poll. First-place votes in parenthesis.
Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Bold entries in columns are up-to-date rankings, followed by previous. Cal-Hi Sports’ and Max-Preps’ represent state rankings. NR—Not ranked.
Records as of Feb 2.
TEAM
RECORD
POINTS
PREVIOUS
MAXPREPS
CAL-HI SPORTS
1
Montgomery
22-2 (18)
180
1
11/13
16/15
2
San Marcos
21-3
160
2
25/30
On Bubble/Bubble
3
Torrey Pines
19-5
137
4
41/51
On Bubble/27
4
Carlsbad
17-5
128
3
30/26
On Bubble/NR
5
Olympian
17-2
113
5
52/40
NR-NR
6
Mission Bay
17-6
87
7
49/53
NR-NR
7
Cathedral
15-8
66
6
85/77
NR-NR
8
Santa Fe Christian
19-4
65
8
57/61
NR-NR
9
San Diego
19-4
25
10
119/130
NR-NR
10
St. Augustine
10-14
21
9
164/171
NR-NR
Others receiving votes La Jolla Country Day (14-10, 8 points), Christian (17-5, 6), Sage Creek (15-7, 6), Francis Parker (15-10, 2), Mission Hills (16-8, 2), Crawford (20-4, 1), Mira Mesa (18-4, 1), Madison (16-7, 1).
Voting panel: 18 sportswriters, sportscasters, and administrators who cover the San Diego Section, plus MaxPreps:
John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune).
Aaron Burgin (Full-time hoops).
Steve Brand, Bodie DeSilva (Union-Tribune freelance correspondents).
Todd Cassen (CIF office).
Rick Smith (Partletonsports.com).
Joe Evangelist (Coaching Legends).
Tom Helmantoler (Southern Conference).
Rex Johnson (CIF Advisory Committee).
Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association).
Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan).
John Kentera, Dennis Ackerman, Steve (Biff) Dolan, Eric Williams, Tom Ronco, Adam Paul (freelance contributors).
1979 Baseball: Hats Off! Hilltop, Metropolitan League
The long game ended the longest wait in the 18-season history of the San Diego Section. Hilltop’s 3-1 victory over Vista in the 17-inning 2-A finals marked the first year that a team not from the Eastern, Western or Grossmont leagues had won the title.
Championships had been won by Eastern League schools Hoover (4), Crawford (4), San Diego (1), and Patrick Henry (1), the Western League’s University (2), Kearny (1), Madison (1), and Point Loma (1), or the Grossmont League’s Helix (1), Santana (1) or Granite Hills (1).
Keeping with history, Hilltop coach John Baumgarten’s lineage included a link to the Eastern League. Baumgartner was a 1958 graduate of St. Augustine.
Baumgarten was head coach at Hilltop from 1972-2001 and posted a career record of 407-299. His teams earned seven league titles and the 1983 and ’85 teams won San Diego Section championships.
5/15/79
Clairemont didn’t make the playoffs, but Bob Geren advanced to playing and managerial roles in the major leagues.
Eight schools, half of the 16-team bracket, qualified for the San Diego Section playoffs.
Kearny earned the City Conference Eastern League title with an 8-4 win over Clairemont. Madison claimed the No. 2 spot despite losing to Patrick Henry, 8-6.
University won the City Western League championship, 1-0, over Serra, and Hoover finished second with a 17-4 victory over Mira Mesa.
Hilltop’s 10-5 win over Bonita Vista gave the Lancers the Metropolitan League crown and a No. 2 qualifier went to the Barons. Castle Park, 6-0 over Sweetwater and Coronado, 6-5 over Marian, filled out the first eight playoff positions.
—Kearny’s third consecutive title was fueled by the complete-game pitching of Mike Bregante and the hitting of Marty Hunter and John Wynns, who each drove in two runs.
—Gary Harris and Bob Warner combined for five runs batted in for Hoover.
—John Alvarez hit his sixth and seventh home runs and Helix beat Grossmont, 9-5, to tie for first place in the Grossmont League with the Foothillers, each with an 11-3 record. Highlanders catcher Jim Oxe was 4 for 4 and 8 for his last 12 at-bats.
5/18/79
Grossmont League teams concluded the regular season with Helix and Grossmont tying for first place after the Highlanders beat Valhalla, 3-1, and Grossmont defeated Monte Vista, 4-1. El Capitan was in the playoffs after a 11-4 win against El Cajon Valley and Mount Miguel, despite a 5-3 loss to Santana, took the final bid.
School bosses voted for Helix as the league’s No. 1 playoff seed.
—El Capitan lefthander Steve Cook allowed three hits and struck out six and the right-hand-hitting Cook was 2 for 3 at the plate, scored three runs, and slugged a home run.
—Steve Lopez’ four-hit pitching stifled Monte Vista and Helix’ Steve Bazzar went the distance for the win over Valhalla.
FINAL STANDINGS
GROSSMONT LEAGUE
LEAGUE
OVERALL
TEAM
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
GBL
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
Helix
13
3
0
.829
—
19
4
0
.826
Grossmont
13
3
0
.829
—
14
7
1
.659
El Capitan
11
5
0
.688
2
14
9
0
.609
Mount Miguel
8
8
0
.500
5
11
11
0
.500
El Cajon Valley
7
9
0
.463
6
9
14
0
.391
Santana
7
9
0
.463
6
9
13
0
.409
Granite Hills
6
10
0
.375
7
8
14
0
.364
Monte Vista
5
11
0
.313
8
8
15
0
.348
Valhalla
1
15
0
.062
12
2
19
0
.
METROPOLITAN LEAGUE
LEAGUE
OVERALL
TEAM
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
GBL
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
Hilltop
13
4
1
.750
—
15
6
1
.705
Bonita Vista
11
7
0
.611
2
14
9
0
.609
Castle Park
9
8
1
.528
3 1/2
12
9
1
.568
Coronado
9
9
0
.500
4
9
13
0
.409
Chula Vista
8
9
1
.472
4 ½
12
12
1
.500
Marion
8
10
0
.444
5
11
11
0
.500
Montgomery
8
10
0
.444
5
9
13
0
.409
San Diego Southwest
7
10
1
.417
5 1/2
11
12
1
.479
Sweetwater
7
10
0
.412
6
10
12
0
.455
Mar Vista
7
11
0
.389
6 ½
9
13
0
.409
EASTERN LEAGUE
LEAGUE
OVERALL
TEAM
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
GBL
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
Kearny
11
2
0
.786
—
17
6
0
.737
Madison
9
4
1
.679
1 ½
17
6
1
.729
Patrick Henry
8
6
0
.571
3
16
8
0
.667
Crawford
7
6
1
.536
3 ½
13
10
1
.563
Morse
7
7
0
.500
4
10
12
0
.455
Clairemont
6
8
0
.429
5
14
10
0
.583
San Diego
5
9
0
.357
6
10
12
0
.455
Point Loma
2
12
0
.143
9
5
16
0
.238
WESTERN LEAGUE
LEAGUE
OVERALL
TEAM
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
GBL
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
University
12
2
0
.857
—
20
4
0
.833
Hoover
10
4
0
.714
2
17
6
0
.737
Mission Bay
8
5
1
.607
3 ½
12
10
1
.543
Serra
8
6
0
.571
4
14
9
0
.609
St. Augustine
6
7
1
.464
5 ½
10
12
1
.457
La Jolla
5
9
0
.357
7
9
12
1
.432
Lincoln
4
10
0
.286
8
7
14
0
.333
Mira Mesa
2
12
0
.157
10
4
16
0
.200
AVOCADO WEST
LEAGUE
OVERALL
TEAM
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
GBL
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
Vista
8
3
1
.708
—
13
6
2
.667
Fallbrook
8
4
0
.667
½
12
12
0
.500
San Dieguito
7
5
0
.583
1 ½
14
10
0
.583
Carlsbad
6
5
1
.542
2 1/2
13
10
1
.563
El Camino
6
6
0
.500
3
9
13
—
.409
Oceanside
4
8
0
.333
4
10
12
0
.455
Torrey Pines
2
10
0
.167
6
5
17
0
.227
Mira Mesa
2
12
0
.157
10
4
16
0
.200
AVOCADO EAST
LEAGUE
OVERALL
TEAM
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
GBL
WON
LOST
TIED
Pct.
San Pasqual
9
3
0
.750
—
14
9
0
.609
Mt. Carmel
9
3
0
.750
—
16
7
0
.696
Orange Glen
8
4
0
.667
1
12
10
0
.545
San Marcos
7
5
0
.583
2
12
10
0
.545
Poway
5
7
0
.417
4
8
13
0
.381
Escondido
3
9
0
.250
6
5
16
0
.238
Ramona
1
11
0
.083
8
6
16
0
.273
Mira Mesa
2
12
0
.157
10
4
16
0
.200
5/22/79
SAN DIEGO SECTION PLAYOFFS
FIRST ROUND
University (20-5) 2, @Madison 6.
University’s attempt to be the first team since Crawford in 1964 and ’65 to win back-to-back championships came a cropper when Madison’s Mark Wilson and Bill Watson combined to halt the Dons on five hits.
The Warhawks batted around in the second inning and scored four runs on five singles. Paul Peterson, Steve Clark and Bill Davis paced Madison’s 10-hit attack with two hits each.
Hoover (17-7) 5, @Kearny 6.
—John Wynns hit a two-run home run and Forrest Goodman singled and tripled, and David Buttles pitched a complete-game eight-hitter as Kearny, after losing a five-run lead, scored a run in the bottom of the sixth inning for the victory.
El Capitan (14-10) 2, @Grossmont 5.
—Mike Hook gave up one hit, a fourth-inning, bases-empty home run to John Ramirez, and Grossmont defeated El Capitan, with Hook continuing to enjoy a hot streak. The 6-foot, 170-pound senior pitched a two-hitter and one-hitter in his previous two starts.
Mount Miguel (11-12) 4, @Helix 6.
The Highlanders’ Phil Oyos pitched a complete game victory…in relief.
Oyos stepped in for starter Joe Carter after the Matadors scored four runs before anyone was out in the first inning and allowed two singles and struck out 13.
Coronado (9-15) 3, @Hilltop 12.
Kerry Everette’s two-run home run was among 12 base hits by the Lancers, who led, 8-0, after three innings.
Castle Park (12-10-1) 6, @Bonita Vista 7.
Fallbrook (12-13) 4, @San Pasqual 11.
Trailing, 4-2, the Golden Eagles scored nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning.
Mt. Carmel (16-8) 2, @Vista 5.
Bill Baldwin gave up five hits, Tom Davis hit a two-run home run in the first inning, and Vista jumped to a five-run lead in the first three innings.
QUARTERFINALS
5/23/79
Kearny 3, San Pasqual (15-10) 2, @University San Diego.
Kearny players gave coach Jack Taylor a signed birthday card on his 49th and then delivered a victory.
Steve Dreher relieved starting pitcher Mike Bregante with one out after the Eagles had scored a run and had the tying and winning runs on first and third base.
Dreher got Dan Lane to miss an attempted squeeze bunt that resulted in one runner being tagged out in a run down. Lane then struck out to end the game.
“It was a tough situation but I kind of like pressure,” said Dreher, who moved from his position at third base to the mound. “I signaled to coach Taylor in the dugout that I was ready if he needed me.”
The Lancers rode a five-run first inning to victory.
Vista 5, Madison (18-7-1) 4, @Palomar College.
The Panthers stunned the favored Warhawks with a four-run rally in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Helix (20-5) 3, Bonita Vista 4, @Grossmont College.
Steve Ray worked his way out of a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the sixth inning to preserve the Barons’ win over the favored Highlanders.
5/25/79
SEMIFINALS
Hilltop 4, Kearny (19-7) 3, @University San Diego.
Successive singles in the fifth inning by Todd Fileccia, Bryan Wagner, and Manny Salinas scored one run and a hit batter forced in another run as Hilltop tied the score at 3, and Wagner’s double over the centerfielder’s head, drove in the winning run in the seventh.
Vista 11, Bonita Vista (16-10) 1, @Grossmont College.
Ed Lisi’s three-run home run highlighted a four-run third inning and Doug Moxley’s grand slam in the top of the sixth was the coup de grace as Vista hammered the Barons, handcuffed by Bill Grim’s two-hit pitching.
5/26/79
CHAMPIONSHIP
Hilltop (19-6-1) 3, Vista (16-7-1) 1, 17 Innings, @University San Diego.
The game was so long, five hours, that the 1-A title contest between Christian and Mountain Empire had to be rescheduled to the following Wednesday.
With the score tied, 1-1, Hilltop’s Howard Rasmussen drew a one-out walk in the top of the 17th. Rob Hughes’ single advanced Rasmussen to third and Todd Fileccia, hitless in his first five times at bat, singled in Rasmussen. Hughes scored one out later on a single by Manny Salinas.
Bill Collins pitched the first 8 1/3 innings for Hilltop and Davie Martinez blanked the Panthers over the last 8 2/3 innings. Panthers starter Bill Baldwin pitched 10 innings before giving way to three relievers.
The sides combined for 28 base hits, all singles. Collins gave up one run in the first and survived a near disaster in the bottom of the seventh, when the Panthers loaded the bases with none out.
After a walk in the ninth inning, Lancers coach John Baumgartner called on Martinez, normally used in short relief.
Bryan Wagner and Hughes each had three hits for the Metro League squad. Ron Tart and Charlie Somers had three hits each for the Avocado West representative.
5/30/79
1-A CHAMPIONSHIP
Mountain Empire defeated Christian, 2-0, at University of San Diego, snapping a two-game losing streak to the Patriots this season and preventing Christian from a third consecutive 1-A championship.
Junior Mike Davis cuffed the Patriots on two hits, singles by Dave Tenney and Kenny Watson. Davis struck out 4 and walked 4.
6/4/79
Helix’ Jim Oxe hit a bases-loaded single in the fourth inning to lead County seniors to a 4-3 win over the City in the annual San Diego Baseball Coaches’ All-Star game at University San Diego.
2024-25 Basketball Week 4: No Change from 1 Through 8.
The January grind continues with virtually no change in the Top 10 last week as teams try to position themselves for the February stretch run.
The only movement was all the way down in ninth and 10th places. St. Augustine moved up to No. 9, and San Diego High made its first appearance at No. 10. The first eight teams were unchanged from Week 3.
Montgomery defeated Francis Parker in a nonleague game, 71-56, in its only activity (the Aztecs knocked off Victory Christian, 70-46, on Monday, Jan. 27, after voting had taken place. Montgomery and Victory each is 2-1 in the Metropolitan South Bay League).
The Aztecs will get a chance to reverse one of their two losses when coach Ed Martin’s team plays host in nine days to host 17-2 and 3-0 league-leading Olympian, which stunned Monty, 53-47, a couple weeks ago. Montgomery’s other loss was 61-57 to 19-5 San Juan Capistrano, the No. 6 squad in California, according to Cal-High Sports.
John Maffei’s weekly The San Diego Union poll. First-place votes in parenthesis.
Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Bold entries in columns are up-to-date rankings, followed by previous. Cal-Hi Sports’ and Max-Preps’ represent state rankings. NR—Not ranked.
Records as of Jan 26.
TEAM
RECORD
POINTS
PREVIOUS
MAXPREPS
CAL-HI SPORTS
1
Montgomery
19-2 (17)
179
1
11/13
16/15
2
San Marcos
19-3
167
2
30/27
On Bubble/Bubble
3
Carlsbad
16-4
140
3
26/31
27/28
4
Torrey Pines
17-5
122
4
51/54
NR-NR
5
Olympian
17-2 (1)
113
5
40/42
NR-NR
6
Cathedral
14-7
87
6
77/87
NR-NR
7
Mission Bay
15-6
59
7
53/50
NR-NR
8
Santa Fe Christian
18-4
56
8
61/65
NR-NR
9
St. Augustine
9-13
52
10
164/163
NR-NR
10
San Diego
17-3
10
NR
130/197
NR-NR
Others receiving votes La Jolla Country Day (12-10, 6 points), Mission Hills (14-8, 4), Mira Mesa (17-3, 3), Francis Parker (14-10, 2), Madison (16-6, 1).
Voting panel: 18 sportswriters, sportscasters, and administrators who cover the San Diego Section, plus MaxPreps:
John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune).
Aaron Burgin (Full-time hoops).
Steve Brand, Bodie DeSilva (Union-Tribune freelance correspondents). Todd Cassen (CIF). Rick Smith (partletonsports.com). Joe Evangelist (Coaching Legends). Tom Helmantoler ( Southern Conference). Rex Johnson (CIF Advisory Committee). Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association). Braden Suprenant (97.3 The Fan). John Kentera, Dennis Ackerman, Steve (Biff) Dolan, Eric Williams, Tom Ronco, Adam Paul (freelance contributors).
2024-25 Basketball Week 3: Montgomery Loses, But Still No. 1
Olympian upset (?) Montgomery, 53-47, in a Metro Mesa League game but the voters weren’t too impressed. The Aztecs remained No. 1 in the poll and the Eagles advanced only from eighth to fifth despite an overall record of 16-2. Montgomery is 18-2.
Olympian’s losses were 60-56 to Francis Parker and 63-60 to now-No. 2 San Marcos. Montgomery’s other defeat was 61-57 to San Juan Capistrano JSerra.
Most surprising score of the week was Torrey Pines’ 76-45 rout of Carlsbad, which withered under the heat of a game-ending 41-6 run by the Falcons. The Lancers had led, 39-35.
John Maffei’s weekly The San Diego Union poll. First-place votes in parenthesis.
Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Bold entries in columns are up-to-date rankings, followed by previous. Cal-Hi Sports’ and Max-Preps’ represent state rankings. NR—Not ranked.
Records as of Jan 19.
TEAM
RECORD
POINTS
PREVIOUS
MAXPREPS
CAL-HI SPORTS
1
Montgomery
18-2 (16)
178
1
13-8
15/11
2
San Marcos
17-3
151
3
27-24
On Bubble/NR
3
Carlsbad
14-3 (1)
147
2
31-28
28/15
4
Torrey Pines
15-5
119
6
54-67
NR-NR
5
Olympian
16-2 (1)
95
8
42-58
NR-NR
6
Cathedral
13-7
85
5
87
NR-NR
7
Mission Bay
13-5
83
4
50
NR-NR
8
Santa Fe Christian
18-4
72
7
65
NR-NR
9
Mission Hills
14-6
25
10
163-139
NR-NR
10
St. Augustine
7-12
17
NR
197
NR-NR
Others receiving votes La Jolla Country Day (11-10, 16 points) Mira Mesa (16-2, 11), San Diego (14-3, 2).
Voting panel: 18 sportswriters, sportscasters, and administrators who cover the San Diego Section, plus MaxPreps:
John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune).
Aaron Burgin (Full-time hoops).
Steve Brand, Bodie DeSilva (Union-Tribune freelance correspondents).
Todd Cassen (CIF office).
Rick Smith (Partletonsports.com).
Joe Evangelist (Coaching Legends).
Tom Helmantoler (Southern Conference).
Rex Johnson (CIF Advisory Committee).
Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association).
Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan).
John Kentera, Dennis Ackerman, Steve (Biff) Dolan, Eric Williams, Tom Ronco, Adam Paul (freelance contributors).
2024-25 Basketball Week 2: No Change, No. 1 Through No. 4
John Maffei’s weekly The San Diego Union poll. First-place votes in parenthesis.
Points on 10-9-8-7-6-5-4-3-2-1 basis.
Bold entries in columns are up-to-date rankings, followed by previous. Cal-Hi Sports’ and Max-Preps’ represent state rankings. NR—Not ranked.
Records as of Feb. 12.
TEAM
RECORD
POINTS
PREVIOUS
MAXPREPS
CAL-HI SPORTS
1
Montgomery
17-1 (18)
180
1
8-9
11/10
2
Carlsbad
13-2
162
2
15-24
15-14
3
San Marcos
15-3
142
3
28-27
On Bubble/NR
4
Mission Bay
13-4
125
4
40-34
NR-NR
5
Cathedral
12-6
97
6
91-110
NR-NR
6
Torrey Pines
13-5
90
7
67-68
NR-NR
7
Santa Fe Christian
15-4
71
5
75-64
NR-NR
8
Olympian
13-2
56
8
58-54
NR-NR
9
La Jolla Country Day
10-9
35
8
139-154
NR-NR
10
Mission Hills
11-6
8
NR
182
NR-NR
Others receiving votes Francis Parker (11-7, 7 points), Mira Mesa (13-2, 6), San Diego (11-2, 6), St. Augustine (5-12, 6).
Voting panel: 18 sportswriters, sportscasters, and administrators who cover the San Diego Section, plus MaxPreps:
John Maffei (San Diego Union-Tribune).
Aaron Burgin (Full-time hoops).
Steve Brand, Bodie DeSilva (Union-Tribune freelance correspondents).
Todd Cassen (CIF office).
Rick Smith (Partletonsports.com).
Joe Evangelist (Coaching Legends).
Tom Helmantoler (Southern Conference).
Rex Johnson (CIF Advisory Committee).
Christian Pedersen (San Diego Sports Association).
Braden Surprenant (97.3-FM The Fan).
John Kentera, Dennis Ackerman, Steve (Biff) Dolan, Eric Williams, Tom Ronco, Adam Paul (freelance contributors).
