Local Sports News from AUSD High Schools

Let’s end the year with a 2023 local high school sports news roundup.

2023 Varsity Football

San Gabriel was the only team from the three AUSD high schools that qualified for the CIF Southern Section Playoffs. The Matadors defeated Alhambra 21-3 in the last game of the regular season after previously defeating Keppel 41-8 two weeks earlier to finish the season at 6-4 and second place in the Almont League at 4-1. They were placed in Division 13 and hosted Los Amigos from Fountain Valley in the first round. Unfortunately, the Matadors lost that game 28-20 to end their season.

2023 Varsity Basketball

The 2023-24 Basketball season began the week of November 13. Alhambra started their season losing to Whittier Christian 55-45 and Covina 70-39 at the Doug Watt Memorial Tournament hosted by Sierra Vista HS in Baldwin Park. San Gabriel hosted Rosemead in a non-league game, while Keppel defeated Temple City 75-46 in a non-league game before heading to the Lion’s Den Blue & Gold Classic at Edgewood HS in West Covina. Keppel will play 18 non-league and tournament games in November and December before opening up Almont League play on January 2.

2023-24 Varsity Baseball

Alhambra Moors Varsity Baseball player Jacob Rodriguez doesn’t let his disability interfere with playing the game of baseball. Jacob has been deaf his entire life but has played baseball since he was five years old. He started in T-Ball at Alhambra American Little League at Granada Park and played there through his 12-year-old season. He was the Most Valuable Player on the Frosh-Soph team his freshman year at Alhambra and the Pitcher of the Year last year on the Junior Varsity team. This year, he is poised to be the starting second baseman on the Moors Varsity team and will see action on the mound as a right-handed pitcher. At 5’3’’, 115 pounds, Jacob makes up for his lack of size with a great understanding of the game, talent, hustle, and heart. Good luck, Jacob!