Whoever started the idea that summertime is a dead period for local sports, obviously didn’t live in Long Beach. Look no further than LBPOSTSports.com if you need a reminder.
The 2007-08 local athletic season was another legendary one for the city, and the athletes who made it special will be honored this Friday in the Parade of Champions down Pine Avenue. National, state and CIF champions will be honored along with several athletes who achieved great individual honors. The parade will begin at Pine & 7th Street, wind it’s way through downtown and end up back at Smooth’s Sports Bar & Grille, where the athletes will be treated to a hamburger dinner. Last year’s event was a real treat to recognize Long beach’s hard working student-athletes, and this year’s parade boasts an even more impressive list of achievements. Don’t miss it!
(See below for a complete list of athletes involved)
If you need even more proof that Long Beach has the strongest sports community in the nation (phooey to you, ESPN), look no further than Mike Guardabascio’s great account from the Century Club Middle School Sports Banquet held just the other day. Dozens of awards were handed out to athletes who have already achieved so much before reaching high school. Some will go on to make their names at the next level, but some will likely never pick up a ball again. This banquet recognizes them one and the same, and a great video put together by J.J. Fiddler captures the true spirit and enthusiasm of the event.
I know you already know this, but the most anticipated NBA Finals since Jordan retired begins tonight! The Lakers’ offensive juggernaut meets the Celtics’ Big Three in smoky Boston, and I’ve got a few challenges to issue to both squads.
While Dirtbag season may have already wound down, we’ll tell you where to spend all that free time normally reserved for watching baseball:
Watching football!
Your very own Independent Women’s Football League team, the California Quake, have been rolling through their regular season and just clinched a playoff berth with a 27-0 shutout over the SoCal Breakers. Quake president/player Catherine Vivo brings us this great update on the team and the season. Check back to find out where the Quake’s first playoff game will be as they steam towards the championship.
Parade Participants
Girls’ Volleyball State Champions (Lakewood; Coach Mike Wadley)
Girls’ Basketball CIF Runner-ups (Millikan; Coach Lorene Morgan)
Girls’ Basketball CIF Champions and State Champions (Poly; Coach Carl Buggs)
Girls’ Soccer CIF Champions and “mythical” National Champion (Wilson; Coach Jason Kirkwood)
Wrestling CIF Runner-ups (Millikan; Coach Marshall Thompson)
Football CIF Champions (Poly; Coach Raul Lara)
Surfing State Champions (Wilson; Coach Steve Marion)
Boys’ Golf CIF Runner-ups (Wilson; Coach Jeff Evans)
Baseball CIF Runner-ups (Wilson; Coach Andy Hall)
Girls’ Track CIF Champions and State Champions; (Poly; Coach Crystal Irving)
Paulina Guzman (Millikan Masters Diving Champion)
Travis Clock (Millikan 2-Time CIF Wrestling Champion)
Osvaldo Donato (Millikan CIF Wrestling Champion)
Isaac Howell (Millikan CIF Swim Champion)
Brianna Do (State Qualifier, Wilson Golf)
State Champion 4 x 100 Relay Team (Poly): Kaelin Clay, Ellan Orange, Evant Orange, Joey Hughes)
State Champion 4 x 400 Relay Team (Poly): Akawkaw Ndigabor, Autumn Fowler, Jasmine Joseph, Tanisha Hawkins
State High Jump Champion: Tara Richardson (Poly)
State 400 Meter Champion: Joey Hughes (Poly)
State 400 Meter Champion: Akawkaw Ndigabor (Poly)
By Ryan ZumMallen, Managing Editor