Lightning

YORBA LINDA - A miraculous final play nearly saved the Sage Hill School football team Saturday night against Fairmont Prep. But, for the Lightning, a slow start again proved too much to overcome. Sage Hill lost the nonleague game, 32-27, at Yorba Linda High. It was another frustrating result for the Lightning, who are now 0-2 for just the second time in program history. The Lightning lost more than the game. Sophomore quarterback CJ McCord injured his right arm in the second quarter and was taken to the hospital.

NEWPORT BEACH - Good programs don't rebuild, they reload. "Rebuild" certainly has not been a word that Coach Kristen Case has had to use in her first five years coaching at her alma mater. The Newport Harbor High girls' tennis team has won the last four Sunset League titles. The Sailors have made CIF Southern Section Division 2 finals appearances each of the last two years. And, though the Sailors did lose plenty of players from last year, they showed Tuesday afternoon that they still have plenty of talent in place.

NEWPORT COAST - Coach J.R. Tolver said he was very proud of his Sage Hill School football team following Friday night's nonleague opener against Calvary Chapel. Tolver said the way it was going at first, the game could have gone to a running clock after halftime. The Lightning didn't allow that to happen. But a three-touchdown deficit early still proved too difficult to overcome as Sage Hill lost, 42-20, at home in a game that was still closer than the final score might suggest.

League: Academy CIF Division: East Valley Coach: J.R. Tolver (fourth year, 18-14) Staff: Lamont Taylor (linebackers), Gregory Taylor (defensive coordinator), Tom Kirchmeyer (offensive coordinator), Shane Russell (running backs), Ricky Sharpe (defensive backs), Zeb Smithson (offensive line), Tre'dale Tolver (wide receivers), Kerwin Walters (assistant), Meaghan Beaudoin (athletic trainer) 2011 season: 3-7, 1-2 in Academy League (third place), missed the CIF Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs Returning starters: seven offense, five defense Returning with honors: DT-WR Thomas Fenner, RB-CB Charlie Kim, OL-LB Lucas Ellison, OL Nick Francoeur, K-LB Joe Melita SCHEDULE August 24 - Calvary Chapel 31 - vs. Fairmont Prep at Yorba Linda September 7 - Capistrano Valley Christian 14 - Mission College Prep (San Luis Obispo)

On Aug. 6, Coach J.R. Tolver and his Sage Hill School team stepped on the football field for the first time this season. The season opener isn't until Aug. 24, but the walk-through was like no other. Gone was the grass. In was a new artificial turf. The timing was perfect to Tolver. The $1 million renovation to Ramer Field looked complete, just in time for the Lightning to begin the first week of two-a-day practices. "You can tell there's definitely a sense of pride associated with a great facility," said Tolver, whose team plays host to Notre Dame of Riverside in a scrimmage on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. "One of the things that [my players have]

League: Academy CIF Division: East Valley Coach: J.R. Tolver (fourth year, 18-14) Staff: Lamont Taylor (linebackers), Gregory Taylor (defensive coordinator), Tom Kirchmeyer (offensive coordinator), Shane Russell (running backs), Ricky Sharpe (secondary), Zeb Smithson (offensive line), Tre'dale Tolver (receivers), Kerwin Walters (assistant), Meaghan Beaudoin (athletic trainer) 2011 season: 3-7, 1-2 in league (third place), missed the CIF Southern Section East Valley Division playoffs Returning starters: seven offense, five defense Returning with honors: DT-WR Thomas Fenner, RB-CB Charlie Kim, OL-LB Lucas Ellison, OL Nick Francoeur, K-LB Joe Melita SCHEDULE August 24 – Calvary Chapel 31 – vs. Fairmont Prep at Yorba Linda September 7 – Capistrano Valley Christian 14 – Mission College Prep (San Luis Obispo)

CERRITOS - Playing with a very sore left shoulder, Sage Hill School senior Robbe Simon kept battling. The lefty said he felt pain, particularly when serving. But there was no way Simon was going to take a seat in Monday's CIF Southern Section Division 3 semifinal boys' tennis match at Cerritos Regional Park. Simon swept a difficult Whitney singles lineup, somehow getting through three tough sets against Vignesh Sadras, Ruthwick Pathireddy and Sathwick Pathireddy. Simon, who Coach A.G. Longoria has called the best player in program history, stayed undefeated in the playoffs.

CORONA DEL MAR - Everyone else had gone home, but Alex Manolakas and Eric Magliarditi were still on the court at Corona del Mar High. As 4 p.m. neared, the Sage Hill School doubles team was entering the seventh hour of its workday at the CIF Southern Section Individuals regionals. Manolakas and Magliarditi were locked in an intense match with Ricky Kurtz and Max Boice of Santa Margarita. Manolakas and Magliarditi survived, 6-3, 7-6 (7-4). In doing so, they made history. Their third win of the day made them the first player or doubles team in Lightning boys' tennis history to advance out of the CIF Individuals regionals.

VAN NUYS - The Sage Hill School baseball team took it to Sierra Canyon of Chatsworth in the first round of the CIF Southern Section Division 6 playoffs Thursday. But Sean Adler came through for the Trailblazers to end the game in 10 innings as the Lightning's season ended with a 2-1 loss. Adler, who pitched all 10 innings, delivered a double to the gap in left-center field, providing the walk-off hit for Sierra Canyon at Birmingham Community Charter High in Van Nuys. "It was a battle today," Sage Hill Coach Danny Gonzales said in a phone interview.

ANZA - The Sage Hill School baseball team traveled roughly 105 miles to get to its CIF Southern Section Division 6 wild-card game at Hamilton High in Anza. Lightning coach Danny Gonzales left with a feeling of satisfaction after the long trip, nearly 5 hours total. "It's been a long ride, but it's well worth it coming home with a W," Gonzales said. Sage Hill made it worthwhile with a 12-2 victory Tuesday. Freshman pitcher Parker Reposa gave up only two hits in four shutout innings.