The List

EXIT STRATEGY

A gold watch is nice, but Mira Costa High ( Manhattan Beach, Calif.) gave volleyball coach Dae Lea Aldrich a better retirement present by defeating Archbishop Mitty (San Jose) last Saturday to win its third consecutive California state title and finish the season with a 37--1 record. Senior outside hitter and Stanford recruit Alix Klineman had 28 kills and eight digs in the match, bringing her season totals to a 485 kills and 250 digs. Aldrich (right) retires with a brilliant 25-year record of 662--76; she won six state and three national titles.

BLOOMING CACTUS

Cactus Shadows High ( Cave Creek, Ariz.), 0--10 just two years ago, defeated Higley (Gilbert, Ariz.) 28--14, last Saturday to win its first state football championship. The Falcons finished unbeaten and set a state record with 15 victories. Senior wide receiver Kyle Watkins had 24 TD catches this year, the most ever by an Arizona player.

STEPPING UP

Sometimes the understudy steals the show. Washington County High (Sandersville, Ga.) backup tailback Deon Harden (below) had 326 total yards and scored four touchdowns as the Golden Hawks rolled past North Hall ( Gainesville, Ga.), 51--21, last Friday in Georgia's Class AAA state quarterfinals. With starter Rosco Walls playing sparingly due to a sprained ankle, Harden, a senior, scored on runs of 76, 67 and 60 yards and a kickoff return of 87 yards.

LOVEFEST

Kevin Love, a 6'10" candidate for national player of the year, opened his senior basketball season last Friday by scoring 38 points and adding 28 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks as he led Lake Oswego (Ore.) High to a 60--48 win over Lincoln ( Portland).