Season of Champions

Winter/Spring season story.Whether it was individual or team success, the area had a wealth of talent in the first half of 2005 Editor's Note: The following is a recap of the 2005 local sports scene from the winter and spring seasons.

WINTER

BOYS' BASKETBALL

The biggest story focused on the Renaissance Academy boys' basketball squad, which advanced to the CIF Southern Southern Section Division VA championship contest against Price at Loyola Marymount University's Albert Gersten Pavilion on March 3 under Coach Sid Cooke.

Renaissance Academy, a small La Cañada Flintridge-based school, made its first appearance in the championship game after reaching the quarterfinals the previous season. Price won its seventh consecutive championship game by posting a 67-37 victory against the Wildcats, who were led by freshman point guard Justin Cook and senior center/forward Leif Williams.

The Wildcats, who won the American League championship, then participated in the Southern California Regional Division V state playoffs, where they fell to host San Luis Obispo-based Mission Prep, 69-57, in the first round.

La Cañada won the Rio Hondo League title and then fell just short in its quest for a championship for the first time since 1992, when it lost to the defending Division IIIAA champion Eagles, 55-39 in a semifinal game. Some of the key players at La Cañada included center Philip Anderson and guard Craig Ballard, the All-Area Player of the Year.

Flintridge Prep shared the Prep League crown and reached the Division IVA quarterfinals after appearing in the championship game in 2004. The Rebels lost to Downey Calvary Chapel.

Crescenta Valley qualified for the Division IA playoffs, but fell in the first round to Mission Viejo.

GIRLS' BASKETBALL

Seven of the area's eight teams qualified for the postseason. Crescenta Valley, Flintridge Prep, La Cañada, Flintridge Sacred Heart Academy, Hoover, Holy Family and Glendale Adventist Academy extended their seasons into the playoffs.

La Cañada and Flintridge Prep shared the Rio Hondo and Prep league championships, respectively.

Joy Lelo, a sophomore guard at La Cañada, was the All-Area Player of the Year after averaging 17 points per game.