TWO TOP PLAYERS ARE SLOWED BY RECENT INJURIES.

Two of the region's fastest football players, Valencia's Virgil Hill and Saugus' Juan Hamilton, have been slowed by summer injuries.

Hill, a junior receiver and defensive back, dislocated his kneecap three weeks ago at a passing tournament at College of the Canyons. Hamilton, a senior receiver, cornerback and return specialist, broke his ankle nine days ago in a passing tournament game at Central Park in Saugus.

Both are expected to be impact players, and the good news is neither injury is considered serious.

Hill, the Foothill League's 400-meter champion this past spring, is the son of former Olympic women's track silver medalist Denean Howard-Hill. He played junior varsity football for most of last season but had two interceptions in one game for the varsity. Football coach Larry Muir said Hill is hoping to be medically cleared late this week.

``Virgil just needs a little rest. He's got so much energy that he wants to come back as soon as possible, and if he rests his knee he's going to be all right,'' Muir said.

Hamilton, who runs a 4.4-second 40-yard dash and finished third in the league's 100 meters, played JV football as a junior last season because of transfer restrictions after arriving from Kennedy High in Granada Hills.

Hamiton's injury is a hairline fracture, and Saugus coach Jason Bornn said Hamilton probably will return in about two weeks.

--A loss by Valencia's football team in the semifinals of the Bonita passing tournament a couple of weeks ago prevented the Vikings from facing rival Hart in the championship game - Hart beat Burroughs of Ridgecrest in the final - but perhaps the teams will meet Saturday. Both are participating in the high-profile Edison tournament in Huntington Beach, and Valencia, led by potential All-American quarterback Michael Herrick, opens against national power Mater Dei of Santa Ana.

--A Little League showdown between neighborhood rivals Canyon County East and Castaic is scheduled for 5 p.m. today at Northridge Little League in the second round of the District 40 12-under tournament.

Castaic defeated Granada Hills 5-3 in the first round, while Canyon Country East had a bye. The winner advances to play either West Valley (1-0) or Woodland Hills-Sunrise (0-0) in the winner's-bracket semifinals at 5 p.m. Saturday at Northridge.

Canyon Country West also is participating in the 12-team, double-elimination tournament, which ends July 14 or July 15 if necessary. The District 40 champion advances to the Section 2 tournament at Montrose Community Park beginning July 22, followed by the Southern California Divisionals in Corona, the Western Regionals in San Bernardino, and the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa.

--Not so long ago, didn't Valencia softball coach Donna Lee say she was considering retiring from coaching to spend more time with her family, which includes two young sons? Well, not only has Lee signed on for one more year as softball coach, she's also the school's new cross country coach.

Lee probably will make an excellent cross country coach, based on the fact she's frequently sighted while jogging around the neighborhood.

--In other Valencia softball news, sophomore pitcher Jordan Taylor has earned first-team all-state honors by Cal-Hi Sports.

Second-team honorees include Saugus pitcher Ashley Arnett and Valencia first baseman Breanne Javier. Saugus catcher Tiffany Huff, a junior who probably should have been named to at least the second team after batting .460 with six homers, 31 RBI and only one error, earned second-team all-state underclass honors, along with Hart's junior shortstop Emily Sudik.

Another Saugus standout, sophomore center fielder/second baseman Victoria Kemp, was snubbed despite one of the finest all-around seasons in league history: a .435 average with eight homers, 32 RBI, an .812 slugging percentage and six stolen bases for a team that advanced to the Southern Section Div. I semifinals.

--Former Hart football linebacker Brian Elledge, the school's all-time leading tackler, could make an impact at San Jose State this season after red-shirting last year. The 6-foot-3, 215-pounder had two sacks during an annual spring scrimmage, and he figures to compete for a starting spot this fall.

Meanwhile, Elledge said he's having the time of his life in San Jose.

``It's great up here. I love it, plus there's a whole new coaching staff so everyone's really excited,'' Elledge said. ``I've got a girlfriend here, and I'm making a lot of friends on the team.''

--Saugus football coaches are high on offensive lineman Ramsen Golpashin, a 300-pounder who started six games as a sophomore before going down with a season-ending shoulder injury.

``Ramsen is doing very well, and he works out very hard,'' coach Bornn said. ``We're expecting a lot from, and eventually I think he's going to be a major-college prospect. He's also a model citizen with a 4.2 grade- point average.''

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Saugus' Juan Hamilton, who broke his ankle in a passing tournament game, will still be a top player to watch this season.

John Lazar/Staff Photographer