Rec Sports

New Conference Created for High School Sports

Elijah Pendleton scored two touchdowns for Burbank in its 61-22 rout of host Hoover. (Photo by Austin Gebhardt) Some have been waiting for this day for years. Some have waited for decades and in some cases even a lifetime. The Foothill Area, a group of 55 CIF Southern Section schools, which includes the entire Pacific […]

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2 months ago

May 4, 2025

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MyBurbank Final-4 — Elijah Pendleton scored two touchdowns for Burbank in its 61-22 rout of host Hoover. (Photo by Austin Gebhardt)

Some have been waiting for this day for years. Some have waited for decades and in some cases even a lifetime.

The Foothill Area, a group of 55 CIF Southern Section schools, which includes the entire Pacific League, as well as schools from surrounding areas, met this past week to resolve a matter that has plagued local high school sports for years.

In the end, it was decided that beginning in the 2026-27 school year, 16 schools will be part of the Pacific/Rio Hondo Conference.

In addition to current Pacific League members Burroughs, Burbank, Glendale, Hoover, Muir, Pasadena, Crescenta Valley and Arcadia, the conference will now also include La Canada, South Pasadena, San Marino, Blair, Temple City and Monrovia highs. Those six schools have formed the Rio Hondo League for decades. Two other schools, Marshall of Pasadena and Gabrielino of San Gabriel, will join the Pacific/Rio Hondo Conference.

By having a conference, the groups will be broken up into two or three leagues and will attempt to create a level playing field and eliminate one-sided contests.

It is no secret that some schools have dominated the landscape and continually won over schools that have struggled to maintain teams as student populations have dropped significantly.

For example, in this year’s Pacific League Swimming Finals, out of 42 events contested, just five were won by someone who wasn’t competing for Arcadia or Crescenta Valley.

Arcadia and Crescenta Valley have dominated in many sports. In baseball, the Apaches have gone 117-12 in league play over the past 10 seasons. The Falcons have gone 103-25 over the same span.

Under the new format, for example, La Canada, which has a strong tradition in swimming, would compete against Arcadia and Crescenta Valley, giving the Apaches and Falcons some competition that isn’t against just one another.

For football, the four top teams will compete together in a league for two playoff berths. The next six teams will make up another league and the bottom six will play each other.

This will benefit teams like Hoover and Glendale, which have struggled for decades.

By the enrollment numbers

(These numbers are based upon the 2023-24 school year as reported by the California Department of Education, not the CIF Southern Section. Numbers reflect students in grades nine through 12)

Arcadia 3,004 students
Crescenta Valley 2,532
Burbank 2,471
Burroughs 2,358
Glendale 2,006
Hoover 1,538
Pasadena 1,355
Muir 1,133

Temple City 1,758
South Pasadena 1,494
Monrovia 1,479
La Canada 1,359
San Marino 837
Blair 592

Gabrielino 1,483
Marshall 1,019

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FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025: Pools revealed!

On the occasion of the draw ceremony held today in Lausanne, Switzerland the six Pools of the upcoming expanded FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu, India 2025, which will feature 24 teams for the very first time, have been determined as follows: Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland Pool B: India, Pakistan, […]

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20 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

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Pool A: Germany, South Africa, Canada, Ireland

Pool B: India, Pakistan, Chile, Switzerland

Pool C: Argentina, New Zealand, Japan, China

Pool D: Spain, Belgium, Egypt, Namibia

Pool E: Netherlands, Malaysia, England, Austria

Pool F: France, Australia, Korea, Bangladesh

FIH President Tayyab Ikram participated in the draw ceremony along with Mr. Bhola Nath Singh, Hockey India Secretary General and Cdr. RK Srivastava, Hockey India Director General.

Ahead of the draw ceremony, FIH President Tayyab Ikram said: “It is a great pleasure for me to be here ahead of a milestone moment as we start the journey towards the first ever 24-team FIH Junior Hockey World Cup! It is a part of the FIH strategy to empower and engage the youth from all nations, including the emerging nations, and this event will be the first step towards doing that. I express my gratitude to the Tamil Nadu leadership Chief Minister M. K. Stalin and deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin for welcoming the young stars to the state of Tamil Nadu into the two beautiful cities of Chennai and Madurai. This World Cup also brings with it the opportunity to enhance our hockey infrastructure and in the city of Madurai, introduce a new state-of-art hockey stadium. I would also like to thank the Hon’ble Indian Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Sports Minister of India Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya for seeing Hockey as a prime sport and supporting it not only in India, but also across Asia and globally.”

Hockey India Secretary General, Mr Bhola Nath Singh said: “Today marks a landmark moment for the world of hockey as we witness the pool draw for the inaugural FIH Junior Men’s Hockey World Cup, featuring 24 nations. On behalf of Hockey India, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi ji, for his resolute support to hockey and its players across the nation. Under his visionary leadership and that of Hon’ble Sports Minister of India Shri Mansukh L. Mandaviya ji, India’s hockey landscape has gained significant momentum. We also express our sincere thanks to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri M. K. Stalin ji, for his committed vision in promoting hockey both in Tamil Nadu and beyond. His dynamic leadership is further bolstered by the Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister, Shri Udhayanidhi Stalin ji, whose initiatives in youth sports and development continue to empower the next generation.

This effort would not have been possible without the mentorship and support of our elder brother, Dato Tayyab Ikram ji, whose promotion of international hockey has been invaluable. In advance of the draw, I congratulate all 24 participating teams and warmly welcome each delegation to India. We hope this event offers a memorable and enriching experience for all.”

The competition formula is available here.

The FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup Tamil Nadu, India 2025 will be played in Chennai and Madurai, India, from 28 November to 10 December.

All details about the event are available on FIH.hockey.

Germany are the current Junior Men’s World Champions, having defeated France 2–1 in the final of the 2023 edition, to win a record-extending seventh title.

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Whether rescuing youth camp or bonding with new QB, Pat Freiermuth trying to become leader for Steelers

Pat Freiermuth’s decision to salvage a youth football camp from cancellation is the latest example of the 26-year-old tight taking on a leadership role — on and off the field — for the Pittsburgh Steelers. When former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens canceled his scheduled appearance at the camp at the 11th hour – it […]

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44 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

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When former Steelers wide receiver George Pickens canceled his scheduled appearance at the camp at the 11^th hour – it was supposed to be held this weekend – Freiermuth agreed to step in and participate, although he postponed the event until July 20.

Freiermuth has taken steps to be a more reliable and responsible member of the organization since he signed a five-year, $49.88 million contract with the Steelers last September that will keep him with the team through the 2028 season.

Consider that as the last remaining offensive link to the Ben Roethlisberger era, Freiermuth recruited another future Hall of Fame quarterback, Aaron Rodgers, to join the Steelers this spring. Rodgers, who signed with the Steelers prior to minicamp, said Freiermuth sent him more direct messages than any other player since the 41-year-old quarterback became a free agent in March.

Freiermuth also was the only Steelers’ offensive player to speak publicly when players cleaned out their lockers at UPMC Rooney Sports Complex after the wild-card playoff loss at Baltimore in January.

In May, Freiermuth discussed his desire to be one of the faces of the organization.

“I try to put my head down and be a leader for this offense,” Freiermuth said during organized team activities. “We have a lot of new faces on this team, and I try to uphold the standard I learned from older players when I got here.”

Freiermuth is just one of two players left – backup defensive lineman Isaiahh Loudermilk is the other – from the 2021 draft class. While the Steelers allowed fellow Class of ’21 picks Najee Harris and Dan Moore Jr. to exit in free agency, they locked up Freiermuth with a four-year extension before last season.

When offseason workouts began this spring, Freiermuth made sure he regularly attended the voluntary sessions so he could work with the three quarterbacks under contract at the time — Mason Rudolph, Skylar Thompson and sixth-round draft pick Will Howard.

“It’s very important (to be here),” he said. “It’s important to spend time together, to talk about the base stuff in the offense so when we hit training camp, we can talk about further details. It’s important to work with these guys, get familiar with them and get on the same page.”

When Rodgers finally joined the team in June, Freiermuth was quick to embrace a chance to work with the NFL’s seventh all-time passing yardage leader. He made plans to spend time during the summer break working out with Rodgers.

“Like anyone else, you want to get to know him outside of football and also understand what he’s looking for on and off the field,” Freiermuth said. “Just like any relationship, getting to know the guy outside the helmet is important.”

When the Steelers assigned Rodgers a locker at the practice facility, it was the double stall that once housed Roethlisberger and was used last year by quarterback Russell Wilson. By no coincidence, Freiermuth’s stall is adjacent.

“He’s a super-talented guy and can do a lot of different things,” Rodgers said last week during an appearance on ESPN’s The Pat McAfee Show. “He can block at the point of attack, he can split out on routes. He can run trip routes, he can run seam routes.”

Lacking a dependable No. 2 wide receiver last year, the Steelers leaned on Freiermuth in the passing game although it times he seemed to be underutilized. He set career highs with 65 receptions and seven touchdowns, both career highs. His 653 receiving yards were the second highest total of his career and second on the team in 2024.

After trading Pickens this spring, the Steelers find themselves in a similar situation. They don’t have an established second receiver to pair with newcomer DK Metcalf. Which means the tight end group in general and Freiermuth in particular could be used frequently in Arthur Smith’s second season as offensive coordinator.

And Rodgers’ first at quarterback.

“I’m excited to catch footballs from him and be there for him whenever he needs it,” Freiermuth said. “I’m excited to be able to work the middle of the field.”

Freiermuth is optimistic that other young players on the Steelers offense will follow suit. The offensive line has just one veteran returning at the position he played last season, rookie Kaleb Johnson is expected to contribute at running back, and fourth-year receiver Calvin Austin III and third-year tight end Darnell Washington are looking to have breakthrough seasons.

“We’ve got a lot of young guys looking to build upon this year,” Freiermuth said. “They need to take on bigger roles, and we need them to win. They understand the role. They’re excited and have been working their (rear ends) off. The young guys understand the expectations we have of ourselves and about being a Pittsburgh Steeler.”

The Steelers used more multiple tight end formations than any NFL team last season. Given Smith’s history of tight end usage, that workload is expected to continue this year. For Freiermuth, that means remaining on the field in all situations. He played 69% of the offensive snaps last year, and he has worked on his blocking so he can stay on the field more frequently this season.

“You just don’t get one-dimensional in your game,” tight ends coach Alfredo Roberts said last season. “You grow your game, and you sharpen yourself to grow in all phases. If you want to be an elite guy, do elite (stuff). And that’s what he wants to do.”

That extends to activities away from the practice facility and Acrisure Stadium. The decision to fill in for Pickens is the most recent indicator of Freiermuth’s commitment.

“I feel very passionately about the Pittsburgh community,” Freiermuth told Around the 412 podcast this week. “Anytime something happens, I want to make sure I have the city of Pittsburgh’s back.”

Joe Rutter is a TribLive reporter who has covered the Pittsburgh Steelers since the 2016 season. A graduate of Greensburg Salem High School and Point Park, he is in his fifth decade covering sports for the Trib. He can be reached at jrutter@triblive.com.

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NFL and former Xavier quarterback Tim Boyle holds fifth football camp

MIDDLETOWN, CT. (WFSB) – Youth sports camps have always been a great way for athletes to pass their knowledge and love for the game on to the next generation. NFL quarterback and Middlefield native Tim Boyle held his fifth quarterback and receiver camp Saturday at Xavier High School, his alma mater. Kids between 5th and […]

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60 minutes ago

June 29, 2025

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MIDDLETOWN, CT. (WFSB) – Youth sports camps have always been a great way for athletes to pass their knowledge and love for the game on to the next generation.

NFL quarterback and Middlefield native Tim Boyle held his fifth quarterback and receiver camp Saturday at Xavier High School, his alma mater.

Kids between 5th and 12th grade hit the gridiron to work on their techniques and fundamentals while learning from Boyle and Packers wide receiver Cornelius Johnson, a Greenwich native, along with numerous other coaches.

Boyle said that he thinks it is important to give back and that he wants to do it in a fun and affordable way.

With Titans training camp kicking off in a few weeks, he said that he is using the time in between to get ready for the new season while also spending quality time with friends and family.

Boyle is heading into his eighth season in the NFL and his first with the Titans.

The team has a very interesting quarterback room, with former Xavier quarterback Will Levis and first overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft Cam Ward all vying for the coveted starting role.

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Year 3 of Wade vs. Diener for children’s literacy

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – For the third straight year, Marquette legends Dwyane Wade and Travis Diener came together for Wade vs. Diener to raise awareness for children’s literacy. The former Marquette guards hold a golf outing, Champions for Literacy Celebration and youth basketball camp during the weekend for their cause. Both are grateful for the […]

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2 hours ago

June 29, 2025

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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – For the third straight year, Marquette legends Dwyane Wade and Travis Diener came together for Wade vs. Diener to raise awareness for children’s literacy.

The former Marquette guards hold a golf outing, Champions for Literacy Celebration and youth basketball camp during the weekend for their cause.

Both are grateful for the support from the fans that used to cheer them on when they suited up for the blue and gold so they can help kids have ‘a better foundation’ as they go through life.

“Bringing people together, trying to raise awareness and funds. I think every year we’re trying to do better and better just so we can continue this long term,” said Diener.

“We want kids to dream, and we want to be able to follow their lives from our program to the next program. I have wade scholars now at Marquette university. I want those kids to be a part of Wade Scholars. I want to walk with them on campus one day and know that they started in the Wade reading program. So, we look forward to it,” Wade said.

For more information on this year’s event, click here.

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Samuel Lemine, Jr. – Dominion Post

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2 hours ago

June 28, 2025

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Samuel Lemine, Jr., 71, of Lewisburg, passed away Friday, June 20, 2025, after a lengthy illness. He was born September 17, 1953, the son of the late Samuel Lemine and Evelyn “Jean” Lemine.
Sam graduated from St. Francis de Sales High School, in Morgantown, in 1972. Sam was a care provider and manager at ResCare and Seneca Mental Health for most of his career.
After moving to Lewisburg, Sam enjoyed visiting Morgantown and attending WVU games. He was a loyal Pittsburgh Pirate fan and enjoyed attending their games as well.
His favorite hobby was fishing and being on the water in his canoe. Whether on the Greenbrier River, a local lake, or Cheat Lake in Morgantown, he loved to fish. He would often tease that he would bring the fish home, but he always returned them to their waters.
His greatest joy was coaching youth sports. He coached baseball, basketball and soccer for several years, impacting many local youth athletes. One of his greatest accomplishments was taking his son’s sixth grade all star baseball team to the state tournament. Sam spent many hours volunteering his time to work on baseball and soccer fields so they would be ready for games. He was also active in refereeing and umpiring youth sports.
Sam is survived by his wife of 42 years, Brenda; sons, Daniel, who was his primary caregiver for the past two years and Lucas (Erin); and grandchildren, Evelyn and Landon, all of Lewisburg. He is also survived by sons, Jason of South Carolina and Brett of Morgantown; siblings: Joe Lemine (Vicki), Dave Lemine and Ann Lemine-Turner (Todd), all of Morgantown; nieces and nephews: Matt (Melinda – Henry and Sammy), Michael, Mary, Adrienne, Abby and Philip Lemine and Brandon George; and brothers-in-laws, Malcom and Randy (Peggy) Sampson of Lewisburg.
We would like to thank Dr. Schaper, Home Care Plus and for those last few days, the Peyton Hospice House of Lewisburg for your support and care.
There will be no visitation.
Rest in Peace Sam, where there is no pain. We love you and will forever miss you.
Love, your family
Wallace & Wallace Funeral Home in Lewisburg submitted this information for the Lemine
family.

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Mingo Central football hosting free youth camp | Sports

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5 hours ago

June 28, 2025

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