After a one-year absence, the All-San Pedro News Pilot Prep Boys Soccer Team is back, with a vengeance.

Two years ago, San Pedro High boys soccer won the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division 4 championship via a shootout with University of Los Angeles. The young man who made the final penalty kick in the shootout, was a sensational sophomore by the name of Billy Lopez, who didn't even make the All-San Pedro News Pilot Team in 2018. Fast forward to the 2019-2020 season, the Pirates nearly came close to winning another CIF crown, falling 2-1 to eventual CIF-LACS Division 2 champion Polytechnic of Sun Valley, 2-1 in the semifinals.

San Pedro (12-9-7 overall, 5-2-3 Marine League) was seeded No.13 in the playoffs, yet defeated Central…

With high school sports still on hiatus due to the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19), I've decided to take a special look back at the greatest dynasty to ever happen for prep sports in San Pedro, California.

San Pedro High softball already established itself as a premier program with seven CIF-Los Angeles City Section championships and slowly building up to winning more with four titles in the 1990's (1992, 1993, 1995, 1998) under coach Tony Dobra, but no one could even fathom how the 21st century would begin for the Pirates, as they would capture an unprecedented nine CIF-LACS Division 1 championships in ten seasons from 2000 through 2009. 

Four players (Wynter Turner, Perelini Koria, Kailee Cuico & Koral Costa) during this era of greatness went on to play in the NCAA Women's College World Series, and one more (Ashley Esparza),…

As we continue this special San Pedro News Pilot Class Of 2020 Spotlight feature series on student athletes at the San Pedro-based high schools whose senior years were cut short due to the coronavirus, here is our feature on Mary Star Of The Sea High School softball pitcher Alessandra Samperio.

The prep career of Samperio began on February 28, 2017 against Firebaugh of Downey, hurling a no-hitter striking out all 16 batters faced in a five-inning victory. Why no perfect game you asked? Samperio's 15th strikeout which would have ended the game was a dropped third strike and a passed ball. Samperio's sophomore year of 2018 was highlighted by three Camino Real League victories over high-powered St. Anthony of Long Beach, including hitting a home run in the third meeting.

Samperio's defining moment came on May 29, 2018 when she pitched her…

Despite the fact that fireworks are banned in Los Angeles and many of its sister cities, they really know how to do the Fourth of July right.

My wife loves firework displays. In LA alone, we've seen fireworks from the Colorado St. bridge in Pasadena for the Rose Bowl show and from the deck of a home in the Palos Verdes hills watching the panorama from Carson's Home Depot to San Pedro's Queen Mary. We watched the Culver City show with neighbors from a bridge over Ballona Creek.

Nothing beats laying back on a blanket in Christmas Tree Lane outside the Coliseum and seeing that spectacular show go off directly above my head. But the shows at the Hollywood Bowl come real close.

Last year we celebrated Independence Day watching the show over the Ohio River in Louisville, Ky., the city of my birth.

One of…

Springtime is in the air. Time once again to get your lineup cards.

San Pedro Prep Baseball & Softball for 2020 will be at a fever pitch with tons of potential all around San Pedro, California, with none greater potential more than that of San Pedro High baseball. With all but three players back from last year and the addition of an impact transfer, the Pirates are loaded again to make a run at the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Open Division championship.

A couple of crosstown matchups to look forward to when Port Of Los Angeles High baseball visits Fromhold Field to face Mary Star on March 19, and in softball, a rare battle between San Pedro and Mary Star will take place in the regular season finale on May 1 at Mary Star high.

Here’s all you need to know around the bases in baseball and…

The 2019-2020 San Pedro Prep Girls Basketball season was just like the prior two, 'Star Struck'.

Even though the Mary Star High girls basketball team wasn't able to put together a long CIF-Southern Section playoff run like they were able to in 2018 and 2019, they did produce something they hadn't done those two years, or the other 34 years before those, a league championship.

It took seven years under coach Victor Tuberosi to finally get it done, but Mary Star (19-10 overall) became Santa Fe League tri-champions, their first league crown, outright or shared, since 1984. The Stars, along with St. Pius X/St. Matthias & St. Genevieve all went 6-2 in league play, as neither couldn't knock the other off on the road considering all three went 4-0 at home in league play. 

However, the Stars were the only Santa Fe League team to…

Please read and spread the word....

Kristin Smart vanished and has never been found.

In 1996, Kristin was a freshman at Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo. She was last seen with Paul Flores, a student living in the dorms at Cal Poly. He has been the prime suspect since Day 1 of this case.

He has taken the 5th and refuses to cooperate.

*********Through his lawyer, an offer was made to the State of Califonia: 'Reduce the charges against Flores down to a misdemeanor and we will lead you to Kristin's body."*****************************************

************Cadaver dogs led investigators to the mattress in Paul's dorm room on campus****************************

So far he has gotten away with it. Kristin still has not been found.

He decided to put roots down in your hometown. He bought a small home at 938 West Upland Ave in San Pedro.

Lifetime TV aired an episoe…

It was a season that hasn't happened in a long time for all of San Pedro Prep Football in 2019.

Both San Pedro and Mary Star Of The Sea High Schools capped off a season with either an outright (Marine) or share of (Camino Real) a league championship, and both also garnered a postseason victory.

For the Pirates (10-2 overall, 4-0 Marine League), they were able to post another magnificent season where they were able to nearly back up last year's run to the CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division 1 championship, with a semifinal appearance in the Open Division in which they were one quarter away from victory, losing 28-25 to eventual champion Birmingham of Lake Balboa after leading 17-7 through the first three frames,

San Pedro captured the outright Marine League title thanks to gaining a forfeit victory over powerhouse Narbonne of…

Happy New Year everyone. The State of California has 745 new laws that go into effect today, January 1, 2012. Here are 12 notable ones.

1. The new California booster seat law requires that any child under 8 years old be secured in an appropriate child restraint meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards. The law does contain a provision, however, that a child under 8 years old who is 4'9" inches or taller may use a safety belt rather than a child safety seat or booster seat.  Drivers caught breaking the booster seat law can face fines starting at $475.

2. Open-carry citizen handgun ban makes it a misdemeanor to carry an exposed, unloaded handgun in public places. Violators pay $1,000 plus 6 months in jail. Californians can still get permits for concealed weapons.

3. Law enforcement agencies…

TORRANCE - A much more likable result to begin a new high school football season.

In the 2018 season opener for San Pedro High football, penalties impeded progress for the Pirates and was the deciding factor in keeping them out of the end zone during an eventual 7-6 home loss to North High of Torrance. The 2019 opener on Friday in a rematch with the host Saxons was the complete opposite, at least for the final score.

Last year's CIF-Los Angeles City Section Division 1 Player Of The Year, senior RB/LB Joshua Ward would pick up right where he left off from his remarkable playoff run... and run he did, for electrifying first half touchdowns of 65 and 50 yards to spark the Pirates to a 25-0 victory over North Torrance. It was the defense that brought it for all four quarters in what was a convincing performance on that side of the…