SAN DIEGO–Native San Diegans were instrumental as the San Diego Sockers and Toronto Raptors raced toward the post-season playoffs.
Poway High graduate Kraig Chiles and Lincoln alumnus Norman Powell topped the list of 15 pro, amateur and high school Stars of the Month for March as selected by the San Diego Sports Association.
Chiles scored 11 points and added five assists in five games as the Sockers were running away from their Major Arena Soccer League opponents with a 20-1 record.
In Canada, Powell was getting more playing time and taking full advantage, averaging 9.8 points a game for the NBA Toronto Raptors which included 20-point outings against the Los Angeles Lakers and the Chicago Bulls.
Closer to home, Sam Steel of the San Diego Gulls was the third professional to be cited after scoring seven points in seven games while splitting time between San Diego and the Anaheim Ducks.
On the amateur front, there was a mix of winter and spring sport honorees.
Point Loma Nazarene’s Daulton Hommes was in the spotlight for leading the Sea Lions to the NCAA Division II basketball championship game. He was named the Division II Player of the Year.
SDSU’s Bonnie Draxler continued to push the school pole vault record higher by scaling 14-9 ½. She was joined by freshman basketball standout Sophia Ramos who led the Aztecs to the MWC semifinals.
Rounding out the amateur half-dozen were USD softball pitcher Delaney Heller, UC San Diego baseball standout Shay Whitcomb and San Diego Mesa softball ace Karli Ramsey, who fired a no-hitter.
High School honorees included La Jolla Country Day’s Ryan Langborg, who led the Torreys to the state Division III basketball title; Mater Dei Catholic pitcher Lexi Sosa; Coronado long jumper (20-2) and high jumper (5-10 ½) Alysah Hickey who led the state in both events; Eastlake baseball ace Keoni Cavaco ; La Costa Canyon swimmer Rachel Rhee; and West Hills goalie Daisy Contreras who helped the Wolf Pack win the SoCal Division II soccer championship.
