Ortega Returns To EGHS Bench

Rudy Ortega took a year off from coaching Elk Grove High School's basketball team. Interim coach Dustin Monday led the Herd to an 11-win improvement and was named the Delta Valley Conference's coach of the year. In Jon Gudel's story in Friday's Citizen , Ortega said he's renewed and invigorated for the coming year.

Some Herd insiders have told me they wish Ortega would have stayed away. Under Monday, the team was more disciplined on the court and played better together, according to one source.

What do you think? With Franklin losing Derin Johnson who had defected to Sheldon High School, Elk Grove and Laguna Creek both have a chance at the DVC title this winter. Will Ortega's return be a positive or a negative?

By the way, an insider has told me that Johnson's desired transfer (between his junior and senior year) to Sheldon may not pass the necessary documentation. Inter-district transfers are a simple thing contrary to popular belief. Though the talented Johnson is playing this summer with the Huskies, he may not be able to enroll at Sheldon, according to one source.

Next week summer baseball returns with the Elk Grove Summer Tournament, July 10-12, at EGHS.  The Herd's top four players, Rowdy Tellez, Dom Nunez, Derek Hill and Nick Madrigal, all may not be back for the tourney. Tellez is at a baseball showcase in Georgia, Nunez and Madrigal are both with the USA teams and likely will earn a spot on the 15U and 18U rosters, respectively. Not sure where Hill is.