Ferrill Returns as Valley College Football Coach

Carl Ferrill, who has a .780 winning percentage as a college football head coach, has been hired by Valley College to replace Gary Barlow.

Ferrill returns to California after three seasons at New Mexico Highlands, an NCAA Division II school, where he was 24-9 and was selected Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference co-coach of the year in 1996.

“I took the job because I want to get a shot at a national championship,” said Ferrill, who began his coaching career at Baldwin Park High in the 1970s, where he was 59-13-3 and won a Southern Section title. “I think Valley offers the opportunity to challenge the [top Southern California schools].”

Ferrill guided Chaffey College to a 15-6 record in 1994-95 and was assistant head coach at Nevada Las Vegas and San Bernardino Valley, where he was 21-1 as interim coach.

* Cal State Northridge’s football staff will hold a free clinic for high school and youth coaches Saturday from 8-11 a.m. at its football complex.

* Jesse Nicassio of Oak Park High, who averaged 42 yards a punt and made nine of 15 field goals last season, has signed with Washington State.

* Crespi High has hired Jess Garner, former Oak Park football player, as the school’s athletic trainer and strength and conditioning coach.

BASEBALL

* Shortstop Wes Rasmussen of Moorpark High signed with the Atlanta Braves, one day after being chosen in the 21st round of the amateur draft. Rasmussen, who batted .488 this season, passed up a scholarship to Cal State Northridge.

* Pitcher Mike Jackson of Crespi High was selected player of the year in the Mission League, with Phil Polanco of Notre Dame chosen pitcher of the year.

Other players of the year include pitcher Mike Kunes of Chatsworth in the West Valley League, outfielder Chris Testa of Palmdale in the Golden League and pitcher Kameron Loe and catcher Dan Frisbee in the North Valley League.

* Pitcher Matt Parris of Paraclete will transfer to Highland, Coach Mike Van Cheri of Highland said.

* Lancaster JetHawk catcher Greg Connors, who is batting .304 with six home runs and 37 runs batted in, and right-handed pitcher Brandon Parker (4-1) have been selected to the California League All-Star team.

BASKETBALL

* Jeff Staniland of Ventura High, the region’s second-leading scorer last season, and Nick Jones and B.J. Ward, backcourt mates at Santa Clara, will lead the North boys’ team against the South in the Ventura County Basketball Coaches’ All-Star game Saturday at 8 p.m. at Ventura High.

They will face a South squad that includes Garrett Lepisto of Agoura, Michael Goldman of Calabasas and Jake DeGennaro of Westlake. The 6 p.m. girls’ game features Damaris Hinojosa of Moorpark for the South and Jaline Bradley of Channel Islands for the North.

WEIGHTLIFTING

* Hueneme High will host a powerlifting competition Saturday with several Ventura County high schools expected to participate. Weigh-ins start at 8 a.m.