A Weekend of High Stakes
The Southern Section of the California Interscholastic Federation will cap a whirlwind week with nine championship games spread across its divisions, each promising drama and standout performances.
The marquee matchup arrives on Friday evening at Cal State Fullerton, where the Division 1 final pits St. John Bosco against Norco in a 7 p.m. showdown that has drawn the attention of coaches, scouts and fans alike.
St. John Bosco’s right‑hander Julian Garcia, who returned from Tommy John surgery to post an 8‑1 record and a 0.88 ERA, will anchor a rotation that also features rising freshman Sheriff Hall of Loyola, while Norco will counter with Jordan Ayala, the pitcher who silenced Orange Lutheran in the quarterfinals.
Other divisions showcase compelling storylines: Ganesha’s Logan Schmidt, a projected first‑round draft pick, takes the mound for his team’s Division 2 clash, while Mira Costa, despite losing its top two arms to injury, still reaches the final and will rely on a deep lineup.
Agoura, under first‑year coach Adam Goldstein, enters the Division 3 final as an overachiever, and Glendora’s versatile Tanner Grable, who leads the league with 36 hits and four home runs, could swing the game with his dual‑threat ability.
Additional standouts include Laguna Beach’s closer Dylan Yencho, batting .455 with 50 hits and a 0.94 ERA, Kaiser’s leadoff hitter Tino Cuellar, and Culver City’s Matthew Riesenberg, who combines a .431 average with 29 RBIs. Brentwood’s Hudson Chase and Covina’s Lucas Thorpe round out a roster of players poised to leave a lasting impression.