Justin Paperny grew up in Encino and was a good infielder for Van Nuys Montclair Prep who played with Fullmer and ended up going to USC to play for Mike Gillespie. After his sports days were over, he became a stockbroker who managed millions of dollars for clients.

But something happened. He forgot all that he had learned from his quality coaches and loyal teammates during his baseball days. Ethics went out the door because his focus turned to making money and greed took over. He got caught committing fraud and lied to federal prosecutors. He was sentenced to 18 months at the Taft Prison Camp.

That's when his life began to change. He wrote a book, "Lessons From Prison," that makes it clear at 33, he learned what he did wrong and wants to make right. He was released in May after serving 12 months. He's hoping to help others not choose the path he went down through speeches and his book.

Let's hope others learn from his mistakes.

-- Eric Sondheimer

It's a good reminder that there are lots of athletic opportunities at the college level, and finding the right one is the key.

-- Eric Sondheimer

The competition is set for July 8-12 in Bressanone, Italy. Morgan, a USC commit, has emerged as the best high school 110-meter hurdler in the nation.

He's also the Toreadors' outstanding running back, but he'll have plenty of time to work on his football skills when he returns.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Perry is 6-foot-5, 240 pounds.

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Eric Sondheimer

I'm a little concerned that Notre Dame's new group of receivers is not as athletic or as experienced as those last season, when quarterback Ryan Kasdorf was the Gatorade state player of the year. Lucky for the Knights they have two months to get their act together, plus lots of big linemen.

As for St. Bonaventure, let's just say Oaks Christian fans had better not get too comfortable thinking they're going to be bowl-bound by just winning in the same division as the Seraphs. St. Bonaventure has its usual tough, physical players, and the Seraphs aren't going to lose a whole lot of games, if any. They play Long Beach Poly and Encino Crespi, and I'd make them the favorite to win both games.

Of course, you don't want to peak in July, so a little patience is required to see how St. Bonaventure and Notre Dame will perform when the pads are put on.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Coach Mike Christensen said Yandall has Pac-10 offers from UCLA, Oregon and Arizona.

-- Eric Sondheimer

-- Eric Sondheimer

At Long Beach Poly tonight at 5 o'clock, the Jackrabbits are hosting a competition among themselves, Lakewood, Long Beach Jordan and Long Beach Cabrillo. That's an awful lot of skill-position talent on display.

At Sherman Oaks Notre Dame at 5 p.m., Ventura St. Bonaventure is making the drive out to take on the Knights. Former St. Bonaventure Coach Jon Mack, a Notre Dame grad, is supposed to make an appearance, but who's he going to root for?

"You go to other schools for four years, you go to Notre Dame for life," said Notre Dame assistant coach Jeff Kraemer.

-- Eric Sondheimer

An interception by Deron Smith proved to be the game-winner. Receiver Shane Drozdowski also was a major contributor for Alemany.

Alemany is moving to the Pac-5 Division Serra League in 2010, so the Warriors are making the improvement needed to be competitive.

But the standout of the final game was junior receiver-defensive back Nelson Spruce of Westlake. He caught two touchdown passes and also seemed to have scored a third TD on a last-second 40-yard catch. But officials decided time had expired, wiping out the TD reception.

The 6-foot-2, 180-pound Spruce has been a revelation this summer for his versatility. He was an all-league cornerback last season, an all-league third baseman in baseball and has a 4.0 grade-point average. His knee had an open scab, which he ignored and kept playing until the end.

-- Eric Sondheimer

They are Austin Wilson from North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake, Dylan Covey from Pasadena Maranatha, Michael Lorenzen from Fullerton, Stefan Sabol from Aliso Niguel, Aaron Sanchez from Barstow, Tyler Shreve from Redlands East Valley and Peter Tago from Dana Hills.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Regardless, Hobgood gets to return to Southern California, if briefly, to appear at the July 15 ceremony in Los Angeles. He's pitching for the Baltimore Orioles' rookie-ball team in West Virginia.

-- Eric Sondheimer

This is about the least surprising development of the summer, for whatever decision Coach Jeff Kearin made in picking a starting quarterback, the runner-up was expected to shop for another school.

This has become part of the high school sports scene. Two summers ago, after Nick Montana showed up at Westlake Village Oaks Christian, three backup quarterbacks transferred to other schools.

But there's no easy decision for the 6-foot-3 Nelson, who has a strong arm and was talented enough to be the varsity backup as a sophomore. One school he'll probably look at is La Canada St. Francis, a school his family has ties to, but the Golden Knights already have a senior starter and their backup is a junior, James Bonds, the son of Coach Jim Bonds.

And St. Francis Principal Tom Moran hasn't approved many transfers. Nelson also has to have a change of residence to be eligible. So I feel sympathy for Nelson's plight, but transferring is no guarantee of playing time or success. Loyola sure could have used him Tuesday.

-- Eric Sondheimer

The famed quarterbacks guru has moved his Super Seven retreat from Southern California to Maui, where Oaks Christian's Nick Montana and San Clemente's Chase Rettig will have the opportunity to impress Thursday through Saturday.

"We wanted to do something special, and obviously Maui's a very special place," Clarkson said. "We wanted the kids to have an experience they might never have on their own."

The quarterbacks will also get the chance to receive some tutoring they might otherwise never have afforded from an impressive lineup of mentors that includes Clarkson, NHL Hall of Famer Joe Montana and Arizona Cardinals quarterback and former USC Heisman Trophy winner Matt Leinart.

Other high school quarterbacks scheduled to attend are Andrew Manley of Wahiawa (Hawaii) Leileua, Blake Bell of Wichita (Kan.) Bishop Carroll Catholic, Phillip Sims of Chesapeake (Va.) Oscar F. Smight, Barry Brunetti of Memphis (Tenn.) University and Austin Hinder of Steamboat Springs (Colo.) High.

The campers will also find "The Great One" in their midst.

NHL legend Wayne Gretzky is slated to attend with his son Trevor, an Oaks Christian junior quarterback who hopes to be among Clarkson's top seven next year.

"It's a very talented bunch that's there," Clarkson said.

Clarkson said Nick Montana is a spitting image of his famous father.

"I think they share a lot of the same characteristics in terms of their on-the-field demeanor," Clarkson said. "Nick is a very cool customer who doesn't let anything affect him."

Clarkson described Rettig as a budding Jay Cutler, referring to the Chicago Bears quarterback.

"He's a big strapping kid with a quick release," Clarkson said of Rettig. "He's got a lot of the intangibles to him and a very high ceiling."

The players will stay at the posh Grand Wailea Resort, which is often overrun by celebrities. Of course, with Montana and Gretzky in the fold, the Super Seven camp counselors will generate plenty of double takes themselves.

--Ben Bolch

If the younger Hamilton is anything like his brother, a dynamic standout who will play for Texas next season, he could provide an immediate boost for a program already expected to challenge Westchester, Taft and Fairfax for a City Section title.

--Ben Bolch

It's a $150 donation and includes breakfast, lunch, dinner and 18 holes of golf.

-- Eric Sondheimer

Beck was named MVP of Sunday's seven-on-seven competition. Grace was selected the most outstanding defensive player at the camp.

"He played incredible," B2G director Ron Allen said of the speedy Beck.

"He was a manchild," Allen said of Grace.

-- Eric Sondheimer

They are Trevor Bauer from Newhall Hart and UCLA, Noe Ramirez from Alhambra and Cal State Fullerton and Sean Gilmartin from Encino Crespi and Florida State.

-- Eric Sondheimer