A Star Is Born: Calabasas Standout Selected for Battle of the Valley Fest

Lenard Gorokhov, a graduating senior basketball standout for , gets one last chance to represent his school and community Saturday in the annual Battle of the Valley All-Star Game at Cal State Northridge. Tipoff is 7 p.m.

Gorokhov, a 6-foot-1 guard, has been selected for the West team.

“I think he’s very deserving. It’s a good opportunity for him,” Calabasas coach Jon Palarz said.

Gorokhov participated in an all-star practice Thursday, and he was impressive.

“The Calabasas guy can really shoot the ball,” said Taft’s Spencer Dinwiddie, a teammate.

Dinwiddie, the City Section Player of the Year, is among the marquee names for the West. Some of the other top players are Simi Valley’s Jonathan Davis and Taft’s C.J. Blackwell. The East’s top players include Campbell Hall’s Austin McBroom, Valencia’s Lonnie Jackson and Verdugo Hills’ Chris Dees.

Chatsworth’s Scott Switalla is coaching the West, and Campbell Hall’s Steve Wachs is coaching the East.

Proceeds benefit the Valley Youth Foundation.

Palarz said Calabasas’ Callum Dewar made the West team, too, but can’t participate because of a schedule conflict.

In a preceding girls all-star game, Katie Noonan of Calabasas is participating for the West. She’s a 5-7 guard.

CALABASAS SOFTBALL GIRLS KEEP THEIR SPIRIT UP

Calabasas’ softball team has lost seven in a row heading into a Marmonte League match on Thursday at Agoura – the one league opponent the Coyotes have managed to defeat with a 3-2 win in March.

Overall, Calabasas is 6-10, 1-7, and pitcher Taylor Gunther, a three-year starter, can tell there has been improvement.

“It’s getting better,” Gunther said. “I remember my freshman year, we were (2-20) and didn’t win a single league game. We actually have a bit of hope now, which is nice.”

Gunther says it’s easy to keep her spirit because she loves softball.

“I just love playing. I’ve been playing softball since I was five,” she said. “This year, we know we can do better and everyone is trying a lot harder. We go into games with some hope and the attitude that we’re going to play our best and see what happens. But it is tough in the Marmonte League without the depth of some of the other teams, but we try.”

BIG FIVE FOR VIEWPOINT'S BASEBALL TEAM

Viewpoint’s baseball team has won five in a row, including the past three by shutout – a 7-0 forfeit win last Friday over Buckley, a 18-0 win Wednesday over Providence and a 6-0 victory Thursday over L.A. Baptist.

In the win over L.A. Baptist, Tyler Sprague pitched a two-hitter with 10 strikeouts.

“Our team is playing really well right now,” Sprague said. “Everything’s falling into place and going our way. We want to keep the streak for the rest of league and hopefully win league going into the playoffs.”

Viewpoint coach Frank Pontello said Providence is really struggling.

“I don’t know what’s going on with their program,” he said. “They’re down right now.”

The win over L.A. Baptist could have been more decisive if not for baserunning mistakes, Pontello said.

“We had 13 hits. We could have won by more,” Pontello said.

Not that Viewpoint needed them because of the way Sprague was pitching.

“He pitched very well,” Pontello said. “He kept his pitches down and kept his composure. He was in trouble a couple of times, but he helped himself out.”