Tolog triumph gets top spot

"Coach Berry was one of the most caring people," said Lauren Strangis, a former Falcons player and assistant coach under Berry. "Whether you were still on the team or you had graduated, he'd come out to the games and he was always somebody who was there if needed.

"He had such a vast knowledge for softball and he loved sports in general. He always said that if you put in the effort and continued to learn that you can accomplish anything."

5 Former Vaq Hue Jackson takes over Oakland Raiders: Following his days as a standout quarterback with GCC in the mid-1980s, Jackson spent the ensuing years building a career in coaching — first in the college ranks with USC and other Pac-10 schools as a running backs coach, then as an assistant with several NFL teams before landing the Raiders offensive coordinator position in 2010.

After filling that capacity for one season under Coach Tom Cable, Jackson finally got the call for his first head coaching position after Cable was dismissed following the 2010 season. On Jan. 18, Jackson was announced as the sixth Raiders coach since their 2002 Super Bowl season, the last time the team finished with a winning record or made the playoffs.

"We're going to build a bully here," Jackson said at a Bay Area news conference introducing him as the coach. "This is the Raiders. We know exactly where we're headed and what we want to do. I think our players today are very excited about where they are going."

Jackson's first year leading the Raiders certainly has had its ups and downs, from the passing of longtime team owner and icon Al Davis to the addition of Carson Palmer midseason to replace the injured Jason Campbell at quarterback, not to mention the swings of momentum that saw Oakland leading the division midseason only to fall behind the surging Denver Broncos after a three-game skid. As of press time, the ultimate verdict was still out on the Raiders' season, as they enter the regular-season finale against the San Diego Chargers on Sunday still battling for the AFC West championship and a playoff spot.

6 Flintridge Prep boys' basketball wins first-ever CIF title: With standout center Kenyatta Smith in top form and surrounded by a cast of capable slashers and shooters, the Rebels appeared set up for success in 2011 and didn't disappoint.