Playoffs

Hazard capped play Sunday in the AYSO Region 56 boys' under-14 Division playoffs by edging the Electric Popsicles, 1-0, in a championship match that required overtime. A few minutes into the extra session, Hazard's Jeff Meigs brought the ball down wide on the left side of the field and served a cross to mid-fielder Liam Powers, who took the ball up the middle and put it into the net for the game-winning score. Despite a regular season marred by injuries -- including the loss of stopper Adrian Becker to a broken wrist for much of the season -- Hazard still managed to finish the regular season with the division's best record.

The HB Lightning put the finishing touch on an unbeaten regular season Saturday, tying Region 97 (Newport Beach), 1-1, in an AYSO girls Division 3 (Under-14) match. The defensive struggle featured strong play in the net by Lightning goalie Gena Johnson, who made several key saves to preserve the tie. The Lightning of Region 143 (Westminster/Huntington Beach) got their lone score off a Jessica Abdou goal. The playoff-bound Lightning finished the regular season 10-0-2, posting six shutouts while outscoring the opposition, 41-6.

The Huntington Beach Pop Warner Jr. Pee Wee Chargers defeated the Canyon Hills Predators, 34-14, Sunday in the semifinals of the playoffs. The Chargers fell behind early, 14-6, but stormed back, led by quarterback C.J. McCord throwing touchdowns to Michael Bala, Danny Cassaro, Isaiah Christon and Mitchell King. Travis Burleson also punched one in on the ground. In the second half, the Chargers’ ferocious defense held Canyon scoreless. A key late interception by Johnny Siebel sealed the deal for the Chargers, who now advance to the Orange Bowl on Saturday to face the undefeated Cypress Centurions at Laguna Hills High at 11:30 a.m. Huntington Beach Jr. All-American Football Jr. Midget Division HB Oilers 16, Norwalk Saints 14: The Jr. Midget Huntington Beach Oilers closed out their regular season with a victory against the Norwalk Saints, who had knocked the Oilers out of the playoffs last season.

Mike Sciacca The best word to describe the year for the Marina High girls' basketball team is "growth." Call them baby steps, if you will, as the Vikings have survived an extremely challenging schedule with a thoroughly young squad. "People have said that we are rebuilding and I don't like that term," head coach Butch Fredlow said. "When you rebuild, it means you had to tear down. "I believe that we are growing and every day, I see growth with my team and, in return, they have helped me to grow into a better person and coach.

Marina, Edison, Huntington Beach and Ocean View softball teams learned of their respective opponents in the CIF Southern Section playoffs, as pairings were released Monday. In Division 1, Marina (24-3), the Sunset League champion, plays host to Tuesday's wild-card winner in Thursday's first round. The Vikings await the winner between Corona (17-14, Big VIII League at-large) at Moreno Valley Rancho Verde (14-9, Inland Valley League No. 3) Edison (20-10), the Sunset League second-place team, plays at Moreno Valley Valley View (13-14, Inland Valley League No. 2)

The playoffs are upon us. I'm not referring to the NBA or the NHL, though there are some terrific series taking place in those leagues. I'm talking about Little League baseball here in Huntington Beach, where, as the Jeff Pratto-led Ocean View team showed us a couple of seasons ago, it is never too early to start dreaming about the World Series in Williamsport. Surf City, USA could just as easily be called Little League City, USA given the strength of our local teams. But beyond playoff baseball, there are some other things going on within the Seaview Little League district that transcend the sport in a number of thoughtful ways.

Ocean View High and Huntington Beach got a jump start on Marina and Edison in the CIF Southern Section softball playoffs by playing division wild-card games Tuesday. The Seahawks extended their season, but the Oilers saw theirs come to an end. Fifth-ranked Ocean View advanced in the Division 4 tournament by rolling past visiting Beverly Hills, 15-0. The Seahawks, the third-place team from the Golden West League, received a two-hit, eight-strikeout performance from senior Brittany Hitchcock who garnered her 18th win of the season.

Four local prep teams — two baseball and two softball — have earned berths into the CIF-Southern Section playoffs. The baseball teams at Ocean View and Edison, along with the softball teams at Marina and Ocean View, each begin postseason play with first-round home games. The baseball schedule has Golden West League champion Ocean View hosting Foothill in Division II action at 3:15 p.m. today. Sunset League co-champion Edison entertains Rancho Verde (Inland Valley No. 2)

The CIF Southern Section winter playoffs got underway this week and several local prep teams earned berths, or were granted entrance, to the postseason party. All regular season records and league finishes were supplied by the CIF-SS office. Girls' Basketball The playoffs get underway Thursday for the local teams with the exception of Edison. The Sunset League champion Chargers (24-3) are the No. 1-seed in Division 1A and received a first-round bye. They will host the winner of Thursday's game between Santa Fe (14-13, Del Rio No. 3)

On the road again. That's where you will find Ocean View High throughout the majority of the 2010 prep football season. The reason? The Seahawks have been displaced due to the installment of an all-weather track at the school's stadium this fall, Coach Harold Eggers said, adding that tear-up is expected to begin in late-September. At least Ocean View is scheduled to get in one true home game, a Sept. 17 nonleague matchup with Laguna Beach. The Seahawks will use the stadiums at Westminster and Huntington Beach highs for other "home" game.