Archive for November 29, 2013

Heralds volleyballers continue a storied run

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By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writer

www.411whittier.com

LA HABRA – Whittier Christian High School continued its thrilling postseason ride by delivering a 25-22, 21-25, 25-16, 25-15 opening-round victory Tuesday, Nov. 26 over La Costa Canyon in the CIF State Division II playoffs.

The host Heralds (33-6), coming off their second consecutive CIF-SS Division 2A crown, stepped things up in the third and fourth games en route to the win. Up next for fourth-seeded Whittier Christian is a second-round match against top-seeded Santiago High of Corona, which is scheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30. Santiago (38-0) won its Tuesday first-round match against Taft of Woodland Hills, 25-13, 25-18, 25-10.

Senior outside hitter Deanna Blaine led the Heralds attack by recording 20 kills. Outside hitter Kylee Wolfe and middle blocker Stephanie Stevenson, both seniors, also played major roles by posting 15 and 10 kills, respectively.

Brittany Abercrombie made 18 kills to pace No. 5 seeded La Costa Canyon, which finished its season at 25-10.

Heralds head coach Shawn Hunter praised his team’s effort.

“I definitely thought we needed to be aware of their opposite (hitters),” Hunter said. “We wanted to shift away from them as much as possible. We did a good job of controlling the contact.

“We felt we let up a little bit (in the second game). We played better in the third and fourth (sets).”

After splitting their first two games against the Mavericks, the Heralds seized control during the third and fourth sets.

The Heralds, trailing 10-9 in the third game, recaptured the advantage by scoring five unanswered points. Three of those winners came on kills by Blaine.

After Abercrombie’s kill reduced Whittier Christian’s lead to 16-13, the Heralds grabbed mometum and went on a 9-3 surge to capture the third game.

Whittier Christian kept up the pressure on the Mavericks during the fourth game. The Heralds, leading 7-5, pulled away by going on a decisive 18-10 run. Stevenson’s kill provided the match-winning point for the Heralds.

Heralds senior setter Jennifer Washle recorded 47 assists and 12 digs. Wolfe and senior libero Nicole Santos each added 14 and 10 digs, respectively.

@411whittierspts

Whittier Christian volleyballers defend CIF 2A crown

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By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writer

www.411whittier.com

ORANGE – The Whittier Christian High School girls’ volleyball team successfully defended its CIF-Southern Section Division 2A crown on Saturday, Nov. 23 by sweeping Mayfield 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 at Santiago Canyon College in Orange.

The Heralds (33-6), after capturing their second consecutive CIF-SS divisional title, will direct their focus on the CIF State Division II Tournament. Fourth-seeded Whittier Christian will host No. 5 seeded La Costa Canyon (25-9) in an opening-round match scheduled for 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013.

Heralds coach Shawn Hunter expressed happiness about his team’s achievements during the 2013 season.

“It was a lot of fun,” Hunter said. “It’s great to play at a high level. We’re excited to see what we could do in the state championships. I’m really proud of my players and their accomplishments this year.”

The senior trio of Kylee Wolfe, Deanna Blaine and Stephanie Stevenson starred in the Heralds’ triumph over Mayfield. Wolfe recorded a team-high 15 kills while Blaine and Stevenson added 13 and 12 kills respectively.

La Costa Canyon finished as the runner-up in the CIF-San Diego Section’s Open Division. The winner of tonight’s game will face either Santiago or Taft in a second-round game scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 30.

@411whittierspts

This week’s homily

By The Rev. Thomas M. Boles PhD, D.D.

It’s not easy to control our tongues. But as these words from the poem,

“Drop a Pebble in the Water,” by James W. Foley illustrate, a careless

word can have far-reaching effects. Fortunately, so can a careful word!

Drop a pebble in the water: just a splash, and it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on,

Spreading, spreading from the center, flowing on out to the sea

And there is no way of telling where the end is going to be.

Drop an unkind word, or careless: in a minute it is gone;

But there’s half-a-hundred ripples circling on and on and on.

They keep spreading, spreading, spreading from the center as they go,

And there is no way to stop them, once you’ve started them to flow.

Drop a word of cheer and kindness: in a minute you forget;

But there’s gladness still a-swelling, and there’s joy a-circling, yet,

And you’ve rolled a wave of comfort whose sweet music can be heard

Over miles and miles of water just by dropping one kind word.

Our talks are often in first drafts –

Lots of corrections necessary!

For in many things we offend all. If any

man offend not in word, the same is a

perfect man, and able also t

Virginia and Tom Boles share smiles in their La Habra home of 55 years on June 13, 2013. They both were recently awarded the 2013 Myron Claxton Distinguished YMCA Service Award for their many years of contributions to the ‘Y.’

o bridle

the whole body

James 3:2

Whittier area sports briefs for Nov. 22, 2013

Y Kids Klub

The East Whittier YMCA, 15740 Starbuck St. in Whittier, offers a “Y Kids Klub” for children ages 6 to 13.

The program offers a variety of activities such as board games, sports and exercise.

For more information, call 562-943-7241.

Youth adventure center

Uptown Whittier YMCA, 12510 Hadley St. in Whittier, offers a youth adventure center for youngsters and family members ages 6 to 13. All children ages 6 to 9 must be checked in by an adult.

Featured activities include table tennis, computer games and a 20-foot high rock-climbing wall.

The hours are from 3:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday; 3:30 to 9 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday, and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday.

For more information, call 562-907-6530.

Tae kwon do

Uptown Whittier YMCA, 12510 Hadley St. in Whittier, offers tae kwon do classes for ages 3 to adult.

Instructors place strong emphasis on self-discipline and building self-esteem. They will teach how to use strength effectively, maintain cardiovascular fitness, improve flexibility and coordination, as well as tone the muscular system.

For class times and more information, call 562-907-6530.

Martial arts

East Whittier YMCA Impact Martial Arts program offers several classes at 15740 Starbuck St. in Whittier.

Classes are available for all ages and levels of experience. Impact Martial Arts and Fitness is staffed by professional and experienced instructors who have dedicated their lives to sharing the power of martial arts with the community.

For class times and more information, call 562-943-7241.

Chair fitness for seniors

Chair fitness encourages health and fitness for active people or those whose physical condition, restricted mobility, or age limits their participation in conventional forms of exercise.

The free ongoing class, open to ages 55 and over, requires no registration. Sessions are scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Parnell Park Activity Center, 15390 Lambert Road, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Whittier Senior Center, 13225 Walnut St. Both classes are slated for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. No class is scheduled for Nov. 11, Nov. 29, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2014.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Swim instruction

Monthly swim lesson sessions are available at both the Uptown Whittier YMCA, 12510 Hadley St., and the East Whittier YMCA, 15740 Starbuck St.

Four-week sessions are available during afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday, and on Saturday mornings.

For a schedule and more information, call the Uptown Whittier YMCA at 562-907-6530 or the East Whittier YMCA at 562-943-7241.

Tai chi for seniors

Ongoing tai chi classes are open to ages 55 and over.

The Whittier Senior Center, 13225 Walnut St., offers a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday session while Parnell Park Activity Center, 15390 Lambert Road, hosts a Friday class.

The fee for each session is $3.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

 

Area gridiron roundup for Nov. 22, 2013

By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writer

411whittier.com

WHITTIER – La Serna High School launched its postseason journey on a very impressive note on Friday, Nov. 15 as it posted a dominating 55-7 victory over Burbank’s Burroughs High School in the first round of the CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division.

The Del Rio League champion Lancers, who hosted the game at California High, took control instantly by scoring 27 points in the first quarter. With the win, La Serna (9-2) advances to a second-round matchup at Dimaond Bar (7-4), which defeated defending CIF-SS Southeast Division champion Downey 63-29 in its first-round match. The kickoff for the Friday, Nov. 22 game is tentatively scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Senior quarterback Frankie Palmer gave the Lancers a quick 7-0 lead when he scored on a 61-yard run that came on La Serna’s opening possession.

After senior defensive lineman Aaron Gomez recovered a Burroughs fumble at the Indians’ 6-yard line, the Lancers went right back to work and grabbed a 14-0 advantage on junior running back Bryce Oliver’s 1-yard touchdown run.

La Serna kept up its dominating surge and went on to take a 41-0 lead by scoring on its first six possessions.

Palmer then put La Serna ahead 21-0 when he threw a 6-yard scoring pass to senior wide receiver D’Andre Sanchez. Junior running back Kevin Ramos followed with a 1-yard touchdown run, which closed the first-quarter scoring.

After Palmer’s 31-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Curtis Ashton, the Lancers defense delivered when senior defensive back Johnny Salazar intercepted a Burroughs pass and returned it 48 yards to the Indians’ 18-yard line.

Palmer then made Burroughs pay by scoring on a 18-yard run on a first-down play, which ended the first-half scoring.

Sophomore running back Anthony Garcia’s 32-yard run and junior running back Cameron James’ 6-yard run provided the second-half scoring for the Lancers.

Palmer completed eight of 13 attempts for 125 yards and two scores, and also rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on only three carries.

Following is a roundup of other CIF-SS Southeast Division games that featured area teams:

SANTA FE 31, DIAMOND RANCH 28

Santa Fe (7-4), the Del Rio League’s third-place team, pulled off a big upset by stunning Hacienda League champion Diamond Ranch (9-2) on Friday, Nov. 15.

The victorious Chiefs will face Burbank in a second-round game scheduled for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 22 at Downey High. Burbank (9-2), the Pacific League’s second-place team, is coming off a 49-14 first-round win over Mayfair.

Chiefs junior quarterback Christian Lara accounted for four touchdowns, completing 22 of 30 attempts for 264 yards and three touchdowns and also running for 62 yards and a score.

DOMINGUEZ 41, EL RANCHO 0

El Rancho’s 2013 football season ended with a first-round defeat at Dominguez (8-3) on Friday, Nov. 15.

The Dons, who took second place in the Del Rio League, finished with an overall record of 6-5.

@411whittierspts

Healthy aging

Inspiration from a 79-year-old

By Carolyn Rosenblatt, R.N., attorney, mediator
If you’re like I am, you don’t just want to live longer, you want longevity and good health. So, how do we get there?
We all hear the advice about eating right and getting more exercise. OK, so what does that mean for you personally? What are you willing to do in your everyday life?
I grew up in Southern California, where water and the ocean are part of the lifestyle.
At this point, part of my exercise routine and age-control effort involves swimming, along with biking and running. I use the term “running” figuratively. I jog. Slowly.
Swimming is great at any age. It has one shortcoming, which is that it does not involving weight bearing, essential to fend off bone loss. So, the jogging stays, as does the biking.
But I have to describe for you the positive experience of swimming in the sea, something that terrifies many, but to me can be another dimension. Not everyone has the chance or inclination for this. But the point is that there are a lot of ways to take control of your aging and I saw someone who made it real for me. Here’s how it happened.
Recently, I participated in an all-womens’ triathlon. That is an endurance event with swimming, biking and running, in that order. I do the short kind of tri, called a “sprint”.
The super jocks can do the long distance, more grueling versions. Not for me. At 65, I am happy just to be there and get it done still standing. If I’m not in pain at the end, that is excellent! So, for the swim, I have to share the oddly hypnotic feeling of that day and a bit about an inspiring person I saw at this event.
Picture hundreds of women of all sizes and shapes massing at the water’s edge. We are on a beach in Capitola, Calif., on a sunny morning where the event is held annually.
Music is playing. The announcer is calling the various groups to the start. We are grouped by age. They write your age in grease pencil on your calf! However, as we are almost all clad in full-length wetsuits, no one can see how old you are at this moment.
Very few women have no wetsuit on. We wear color-coded caps.
I’m in the “40 and over” group, which means that some of these ladies are a full 25 years younger than I am. Oh, well, I’m not here for speed. I’m here to finish.
We each have a timing chip on our ankle, recording our time as we complete each leg of the event.
The swim distance is about the length of six football fields. Out to the end of the pier and then left parallel to shore, left again and then in. Gulp. It looks far.
“OK, you can do this,” I tell myself. “You’re trained and you’ve been here before.”
Right. Butterflies in my stomach would not agree.
The younger ones go first. Then the countdown. Go! We rush into the cool waves and dive through them into the open water. I am talking to myself: head down, breathe, long strokes, don’t kick too much. Get to the side of the pack. Are you nuts?  Keep swimming. Avoid the flailing ones.
“Just keep going,” I say to myself. As I find a rhythm, I notice the rocking of the water, the slight current and the feeling of being in another world. I look up every few strokes to see if I am veering off course. The water is cloudy and you can’t see anything in it.
It’s surreal. Round the end of the pier and the first marker buoy, a huge orange thing. Left turn. Breathe.
There is a ton of little anchovies around us. And kelp. Kelp strands are on my arms and I shake it off a few times. I am moving slowly but steadily toward the last marker buoy.
It’s hard to see in the glinting sun, so I follow the others’ swim caps. I get into a sort of hypnotic state, stroke, breathe, repeat. I forget to look up. I hear one of the paddle board “lifeguards” yelling. I’m veering way off course and he’s yelling at me!! Oops, get back with the pack.
Then another left turn and I see the shore. Finally, I’m on it, feet in sand, catching my breath.
We manage to go up to the transition area where we strip off our wetsuits, jump on our bikes and cycle about 12 miles. Somehow, two killer hills do not stop me and I make it back to transition. We quickly change into our running shoes and begin the final leg. It’s the hardest for me. I feel very slow and I’m tired but I keep on, breaking up the run with a minute walk now and again.
The last stretch is back down to the beach. I am in a sort of daze as I cross the finish line. I’m smiling. Nothing hurts! I have earned my exhaustion.
At the end all the times and rankings are posted. There is a 79-year-old woman who finished and did the swim without a wetsuit. She’s awesome! She is first in her age group. There is no one else in her age group, 79 and up.
She just did this triathlon and I’m incredulous. She looks like a regular person, not superwoman.
My age group isn’t much bigger. There are three of us. I place second. I congratulate the 65-year-old first-place finisher. She’s awesome too.
Our prize caps say “Mermaid Athlete.” I’m still blown away by the 79-year-old. Isn’t she supposed to be, well, elderly?
It’s fun but it’s hard. You would never have to do this much to make your older years healthier too. But you do have to do something.
If you like the idea of no stress on your joints and you can find a pool in your community, you can learn to swim. Everyone, likely the 79-year-old too, practices in a pool. And then, there’s the magic of the ocean if you are near it.
If you’re not a water person, find a place to walk, a gym to join or an exercise DVD you can follow at home. Anything at all is better than being a couch potato.
If you are determined you don’t want to fall apart as you age, it’s never too late to start your own exercise program. It really helps to get a trainer or a coach to encourage you along. I love my coaches.
As for me, I’m hooked on the good feeling that exercise brings. I am inspired by that 79-year-old woman triathlete. I want to be like her. Here’s hoping she inspires you, too.

Carolyn Rosenblatt is a Whittier native and an attorney and mediator now living in San Rafael, Calif. Contact her at 415-459-0413, visit AgingParents.com or e-mail her at clrosenblatt@gmail.com

Together with her husband, psychologist Dr. Mikol Davis, she is a founder of AgingParents.com, a resource for families located in San Rafael. Together they provide expert advice and dispute resolution services to individuals, families and institutions. She is the author of “The Boomer’s Guide to Aging Parents,” a help for those who are taking on the caregiver role in their lives. She has a personal mission to protect elders, keep their caregivers in emotional control and to instill confidence in all of us as we face the challenges of aging.

County’s oil ‘hearing’ nothing more than a sham

By J.C. “Mac” McFarland

Fellow Whittier residents,

Be neither deceived nor discouraged by last Tuesday’s “hearing” held by the L.A. County Board of Supervisors on the Matrix Whittier Main Oil Project. Their vote against the project has potentially no direct impact on the future of the project. The matter is now in the hands of the courts and will, hopefully, be concluded in the not-too-distant future.

The supervisors held this meeting in an attempt to demonstrate to the public that the county has a strategic say in the project approval process. The hearing was not requested by the city of Whittier. The hastiness of the project hearing was also apparent as notice was sent only about 18 days prior to the hearing date of Oct. 29.

The hearing was stacked with opponents of the project ready to be recorded on camera. In fact, a week prior to the hearing, County Open Space District employees were directed to round up people to attend and speak (I have a copy of the e-mail). It is unfortunate that more time was not given to notice this hearing, as more of us who support the project could have attended.

The meeting was both a political event and an event staged as an impartial vote on the project. Many at the hearing complained dramatically that the city of Whittier was ignoring the county consent approval process critical to Prop A. County staff presented a report, based on an outside consultant’s analysis, that condemned the project. It also contained numerous factual errors, including the allegation that 60 oil wells could be drilled throughout the 1,280 acres of city land.

In fact, Matrix Oil is restricted to one drilling and production location on only seven of those acres, which is located in a canyon that is off-limits to the public. In addition, the county’s “findings” were written and published well before the hearing, and approved unanimously by the supervisors without any modification. So much for an open and honest process!

The county’s authority in this matter has already been decided by the California Superior Court. The judge ruled earlier this year that the county’s claims under Proposition A and the public trust doctrine were filed well beyond the statutory deadline.

Consequently, the county is also prohibited from challenging the authenticity of the Matrix Oil lease or Whittier’s Conditional Use Permit. His honor further ruled that Whittier’s obligation to obtain county approval of the project expires in June of 2015. Subject to further appeals or a negotiation, the project will proceed no later than that.

Here are some additional facts regarding the litigation that may be of interest to Whittier residents:

• Our city sought and obtained written approval to proceed with the oil and gas leasing process, and of the proposed lease, from the L.A. County Open Space District and County Counsel in August 2008. This was three months before bids were received and Whittier awarded the lease to Matrix Oil.

• All previous opponents in court have either dropped out, been ruled against or settled their lawsuits with our city, thus allowing the oil project to move forward. This includes the Open Space Legal Defense Fund, the Mountain Recreation Conservation Authority, and the State Attorney General representing the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy.

• The project is allowable and compatible with Prop A as stated in written reports submitted to the city during the CUP and CEQA review process by Prop A founders/authors Ms. Esther Feldman (CCS) and Mr. Carlyle Hall (Akin Gump). Opponents are misinformed and wrong in stating that the project is not allowed under Prop A.

As the significant majority of us have affirmed in the two most recent City Council elections, Whittier wants and needs the oil project. It will stimulate local business activity and provide funding for our city and for the Habitat Preserve in our hills. Matrix Oil and its partners are determined to pursue the project and are optimistic about a favorable outcome.

J.C. “Mac” McFarland is a lifelong Whittier resident who has served as director for PIH Health and is a 36-year member of the Whittier Host Lions Club. He has built a career as a CPA in the oil and gas industry and has represented Matrix Oil Corp. for the past eight years.

Whittier sports briefs for Nov. 13, 2013

Adults, hoop it up

Uptown Whittier YMCA, 12510 Hadley St. in Whittier, offers a Sunday afternoon 5-on-5 men’s basketball league.

The league is scheduled to start on Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013.

For more information, call 562-907-6530.

Tai Chi for seniors

Ongoing Tai Chi classes are open to ages 55 and over.

The Whittier Senior Center, 13225 Walnut St., offers a Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday session while Parnell Park Activity Center, 15390 Lambert Road, hosts a Friday class.

The fee for each session is $3.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Tae kwon do

Uptown Whittier YMCA, 12510 Hadley St. in Whittier, offers tae kwon do classes for ages 3 to adult.

Instructors place strong emphasis on self-discipline and building self-esteem. They will teach how to use strength effectively, maintain cardiovascular fitness, improve flexibility and coordination, as well as tone the muscular system.

For class times and more information, call 562-907-6530.

Martial arts

East Whittier YMCA Impact Martial Arts program offers several classes at 15740 Starbuck St. in Whittier.

Classes are available for all ages and levels of experience. Impact Martial Arts and Fitness is staffed by professional and experienced instructors who have dedicated their lives to sharing the power of martial arts with the community.

For class times and more information, call 562-943-7241.

Chair fitness for seniors

Chair fitness encourages health and fitness for active people or those whose physical condition, restricted mobility, or age limits their participation in conventional forms of exercise.

The free ongoing class, open to ages 55 and over, requires no registration. Sessions are scheduled from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. at Parnell Park Activity Center, 15390 Lambert Road, and from 9 to 9:45 a.m. at Whittier Senior Center, 13225 Walnut St. Both classes are slated for Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. No class is scheduled for Nov. 29, Dec. 25 and Jan. 1, 2014.

For more information, call 562-567-9430 or visit www.WhittierRec.com.

Swim instruction

Monthly swim lesson sessions are available at both the Uptown Whittier YMCA, 12510 Hadley St., and the East Whittier YMCA, 15740 Starbuck St.

Four-week sessions are available during afternoons and evenings Monday through Thursday, and on Saturday mornings.

For a schedule and more information, call the Uptown Whittier YMCA at 562-907-6530 or the East Whittier YMCA at 562-943-7241.

 

This week’s prep sports football roundup

La Serna High School coach Margarito Beltran addresses his team after a 43-8 victory over El Rancho on Thursday, Nov. 7. (Photos by Eric Terrazas)

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La Serna captures Del Rio League title

By Eric Terrazas

Staff Writer

www.411whittier.com

WHITTIER – La Serna High School, which captured its second consecutive Del Rio League crown by defeating El Rancho 43-8 on Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, will open its postseason run Friday, Nov. 15 against Burbank’s Burroughs High in a CIF-Southern Section Southeast Division first-round game.

The Lancers (8-2 overall, 5-0 league), who advanced to the divisional championship game the last two seasons, enter the playoffs as the No. 3 seed. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at California High.

In their victory over El Rancho (6-4, 4-1), the Lancers jumped out quickly to a 6-0 lead when sophomore running back Anthony Garcia scored on a 9-yard run during La Serna’s opening drive.

La Serna then seized control by scoring 30 points in the second quarter. Junior running back Kevin Ramos extended the Lancers’ lead by delivering a 7-yard scoring run. Senior quarterback Frankie Palmer’s successful two-point conversion pass to Garcia put the Lancers ahead 14-0.

The Lancers then scored touchdowns on their next two possessions, with the first coming on Garcia’s 7-yard run. After senior defensive back Tony Ceron intercepted El Rancho quarterback Ryan Araujo’s pass, the Lancers took possession at their 46-yard line. Two plays later, Ramos scored on a 54-yard scamper. Junior quarterback Enrique Pacheco’s successful two-point conversion run gave La Serna a 29-0 lead with four minutes remaining in the second quarter.

Palmer’s 6-yard touchdown pass to senior wide receiver D’Andre Sanchez closed the first half’s scoring.

Garcia finished with 85 yards and three touchdowns rushing – with the third coming on a 15-yard run which gave La Serna a 43-0 advantage.

Ramos added 103 yards and two scores on seven carries.

The Dons, who finished in second place in the league standings, will visit Dominguez (7-3) in a CIF-SS Southeast Division first-round game slated for 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15. Dominguez took second place in the San Gabriel Valley League.

In other Del Rio League action during the final week of the regular season:

SANTA FE 28, CALIFORNIA 14

Santa Fe (6-4, 3-2) secured a CIF-SS Southeast Division playoff berth and the league’s third-place spot with a victory over the Condors (4-6, 2-3) on Friday, Nov. 8.

The Chiefs begin their postseason journey at Diamond Ranch (9-1), the champions of the Hacienda League. The game is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.

California finished as the Del Rio’s fourth-place team.

WHITTIER 48, PIONEER 28

The Cardinals (4-6, 1-4) concluded their regular season on a high note.

It marked the sixth consecutive defeat for the Titans (3-7, 0-5).

MISSION LEAGUE

SERRA 56, ST. PAUL 10

A difficult season ended for the Swordsmen (1-9, 1-4), which emerged with a fifth-place league finish.

Serra (10-0, 5-0), with the Nov. 8 triumph, captured the Mission League crown.

NONLEAGUE

WHITTIER CHRISTIAN 60, CERRITOS 44

The victorious Heralds (6-4), who finished Olympic League play last week with a 2-2 mark, wrapped up their 2013 season with a Nov. 8 victory over Cerritos (2-8).

Heralds senior quarterback Ryan Esslinger accounted for five touchdowns, throwing for three and running for two. Esslinger, who completed 20 of 24 attempts for 273 yards, ran for 83 yards on nine carries.

@411whittierspts

This week’s homily

Virginia and Tom Boles share smiles in their La Habra home of 55 years on June 13, 2013. They both were recently awarded the 2013 Myron Claxton Distinguished YMCA Service Award for their many years of contributions to the ‘Y.’

By the Rev. Thomas M. Boles PhD., DMin., D.D.

Michael Jordan has said about his commitment to playing the game of basketball:

“I approached practices the same way I approached games. You can’t turn it on and off like a faucet. I couldn’t dog it during practice and then when I needed that extra push late in the game, expect it to be there. But that’s how a lot of people approach things. And that’s why a lot of people fail.

“They sound like they’re committed to being the best they can be. They say all the right things, make all the proper appearances, but when it comes right down to it, they’re looking for reasons instead of answers.

“If you’re trying to achieve, there will be roadblocks. I’ve had them; everybody has had them. But obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”

Winners are those who refuse to call it quits. The story is told of a little girl who was playing Tiddly Winks with her father. Her much more experienced father won the game, said “I won,” and went on to other activities.

Unknown to him, his daughter continued to play. Awhile later she found him and announced, “I won!” “What do you mean?” he asked. “I got all my winks into the bowl.” she said proudly. Indeed, she had won! She had made a commitment to finishing her game.

A winner makes commitments,

a loser makes promises.

Lord, who may dwell in your sanctuary?

He whose walk is blameless, who keeps

his oath even when it hurts.

Psalm 15: 1,2,4