It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Poverty Point National Monument gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Sondheimer, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes”
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“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July,”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude.”
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“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care”
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia and McKinsey for you attention to detail on multiple occasions!❤️”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and he had a stroke so he has limited mobility. They even go the extra mile and I'd like to mention Cynthia and Tracy for their outstanding service! It truly takes a hero to do what you guys do, as this is a very difficult job that requires amazing patience.”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
“The workers are nice and knowledgeable of their job. I would recommend the company to others”
“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in place. Thank you Always Best Care!”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice. I love them! A HUGE help for me!”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great! I would highly recommend this company.”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond for their clients”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can honestly say it's been an incredible experience. The support from the office staff is top-notch - they're always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help with any issues that arise. The clients I've worked with have been wonderful, and I appreciate the care and attention the company puts into matching caregivers with clients who are a good fit. I highly recommend Always Best Care to any caregiver looking for a supportive, flexible, and rewarding work environment. Keep up the great work & thanks so much!”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with Always best for a little over a year now and I absolutely love it. My clients are so sweet The company is very family oriented They don't just care about the clients they also care about the workers. My daddy was in the hospital and ended up passing away the company allowed me to take off so I could be at the hospital with my daddy, and after he passed away they allowed me to be off rest of the week.”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes of elderly patients. Recently, I engaged their services to find a caregiver for my grandmother, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome. Cyndi Williams from Always Best Care was instrumental throughout the process. Her dependability and understanding made the entire experience smooth and reassuring. From our initial consultation to the caregiver placement, Cyndi and the staff at Always best Care ensured that my grandmother's needs were prioritized, which greatly eased what could have been a challenging transition. Thanks to Always Best Care, my grandmother is not only well cared for but also genuinely happy with her caregiver. This has brought immense relief and peace of mind to our family, knowing that she is in capable hands. Overall, I highly recommend Always Best Care for their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to providing excellent elderly care services. They have truly made a positive difference in our lives during a time of significant adjustment. Claire Breslow”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They are very thorough, punctual, caring and helpful group. Shout out to Cynthia for going the extra mile to facilitate VA help for my step father. If your loved one is in need for in home care I highly recommend this company.”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home and gets busy doing whatever my mother needs her to do. She just takes it upon herself to do things that she sees that needs to be done. Angela has a great disposition. I can tell she loves what she does. Our family absolutely loves and appreciates Angela. Thank you to Always Best Care!!!!!”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it gets solved.”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These ladies quickly learned the routine that they like and take very good care of them. The office staff are so helpful and quick to find a replacement sitter if someone calls in sick. I highly recommended this agency for your loved ones”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time. Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Chemin-A-Haut State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Sondheimer or visit Julice Mound, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Sondheimer, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Sondheimer, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Sondheimer, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Brett Kay doesn’t care that bunting in Major League Baseball has gone the way of the rotary telephone. Yes, it occasionally shows up in MLB games, but Kay, the baseball coach at JSerra, continues to believe it has a place in high school baseball.His team bunted five times in five innings on Tuesday in its season opener against host Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Runners kept moving around and being put in scoring positions. The Lions, aided by four hit batters, didn’t miss out on their scoring opportunities in a 7-2 victory. Sha...
Brett Kay doesn’t care that bunting in Major League Baseball has gone the way of the rotary telephone. Yes, it occasionally shows up in MLB games, but Kay, the baseball coach at JSerra, continues to believe it has a place in high school baseball.
His team bunted five times in five innings on Tuesday in its season opener against host Sherman Oaks Notre Dame. Runners kept moving around and being put in scoring positions. The Lions, aided by four hit batters, didn’t miss out on their scoring opportunities in a 7-2 victory. Shane D’Arcy had two RBIs and Jordan Marian had two hits.
Josh Hollis, an Oregon commit, struck out four in four innings. Even more impressive was relief pitcher Otto Graham, who gave up one hit and no runs in three dominant innings.
Vista Murrieta 7, Anaheim Canyon 1: Gavin Kramer and Brady Luyben each had three hits and Derrick Kraus had a three-run double in Vista Murrieta’s win.
Harvard-Westlake 1, Cypress 0: Junior Evan Alexander struck out four with no walks and no runs through five innings and junior Jake Chung finished off the shutout. Cypress had the tying run on third base in the bottom of the seventh but a squeeze bunt didn’t work. Ivan Rootman drove in the game’s only run in the fourth. Jack Laffitte had two hits for the Wolverines.
Sierra Canyon 3, Gahr 0: Super sophomore Sean Parrow was impressive on the mound, striking out six, walking none and yielding two hits in five scoreless innings. Andrew Nelson had two hits and two RBIs.
Long Beach Millikan 2, Citrus Valley 1: Daunte Bell struck out 10 in five innings for Millikan.
El Dorado 8, Aliso Niguel 0: Jake Vanderzee hit a grand slam and Julian Rodriguez threw five shutout innings for El Dorado.
Villa Park 5, Santa Fe 0: Jake Nobles struck out 10 and went three for three to lead Villa Park.
La Habra 9, Long Beach Wilson 2: Izaiah Posada and Bobby Fierro each had two hits and two RBIs for La Habra.
Trinity 16, St. Genevieve 0: John Carlson struck out 14 in a five-inning game.
Norco 6, Mater Dei 3: Leighton Gray had a home run and three RBIs to lead Norco.
Newbury Park 7, Chaminade 4: Hanna Porter hit a grand slam for Newbury Park.
A look at the top 25 high school baseball teams as the 2025 season is set to begin:Rk; Team; Comment1; CORONA; Best team not named Dodgers with pitching, defense and hitting galore2; HUNTINGTON BEACH; With 13 college commitments, Oilers are capable of giving Panthers a run3; ORANGE LUTHERAN; 6-foot-8 pitcher Gary Morse looks forward to the inevit...
A look at the top 25 high school baseball teams as the 2025 season is set to begin:
Rk; Team; Comment
1; CORONA; Best team not named Dodgers with pitching, defense and hitting galore
2; HUNTINGTON BEACH; With 13 college commitments, Oilers are capable of giving Panthers a run
3; ORANGE LUTHERAN; 6-foot-8 pitcher Gary Morse looks forward to the inevitable showdown with Corona
4; SANTA MARGARITA; Second baseman Brody Schumaker is the real deal
5; SHERMAN OAKS NOTRE DAME; Title contenders with strong pitching staff led by Logan Berenson
6; LA MIRADA; A new baseball field combined with lots of returnees has Matadores thinking big
7; HARVARD-WESTLAKE; If young pitchers can come through, Wolverines will be a spoiler
8; OAKS CHRISTIAN; Former Pepperdine coach Rick Hirtensteiner has top player in shortstop Quentin Young
9; GAHR; The Gladiators are loaded with quality pitching
10; CRESPI; LSU commit Landon Hodge and USC commit Diego Velazquez set for big senior seasons.
11; GREAT OAK; Few players are better than Texas commit Gavin Fien
12; JSERRA; Lions start with standouts on the mound in Josh Hollis and Max Reimers
13; VILLA PARK; The versatile Nate Lewis will have Spartans in the running for league title
14; HART; New coach but lots of good pitchers return for Division 2 champion Hawks
15; PALOMA VALLEY; Jaxon Baker is a player to know after hitting six home runs and going 5-0 last season
16; SIERRA CANYON; Sophomore Sean Parrow is elite pitcher in the making
17; CYPRESS; Infielder John Short leads good mix of seniors and young players
18; LA HABRA; Bobby Brooks, son of the head coach, had 27 hits as a sophomore
19; ALISO NIGUEL; Jarett Sabol is senior catcher who delivers home runs
20; MARANATHA; UCLA commit Zach Strickland is elite pitcher
21; ST; JOHN BOSCO; Look for a big season from junior Jack Champlin
22; ROYAL; Pitchers Caden Sramek, Dustin Dunnwoody and Isaiah Tillman lead rising Highlanders
23; BISHOP AMAT; St; Mary’s commit Jacob Campos will lead hitting attack
24; FOOTHILL; Gavin Lauridsen should be the staff ace
25; BELL; Defending City champions return seven starters, led by player of the year Jayden Rojas
Dave Roberts, manager of the World Series champion Dodgers, meet Andy Wise, your high school baseball counterpart at Corona High.Like Roberts, Wise had the best team on paper last season and won the Southern Section Division 1 championship. Like Roberts, he has so much talent that not winning a title this season would be considered a failure. Like Roberts, he has his own version of Shohei Ohtani in pitcher-first baseman Seth Hernandez, Mookie Betts in shortstop Billy Carlson and Freddie Freeman in third baseman Brady Ebel.&ldqu...
Dave Roberts, manager of the World Series champion Dodgers, meet Andy Wise, your high school baseball counterpart at Corona High.
Like Roberts, Wise had the best team on paper last season and won the Southern Section Division 1 championship. Like Roberts, he has so much talent that not winning a title this season would be considered a failure. Like Roberts, he has his own version of Shohei Ohtani in pitcher-first baseman Seth Hernandez, Mookie Betts in shortstop Billy Carlson and Freddie Freeman in third baseman Brady Ebel.
“Honestly, our whole infield is pretty unbelievable,” Hernandez said. “It’s unreal to have that support system behind you.”
It’s clear the two best teams in L.A. baseball for 2025 should be the Dodgers and Corona High. They’re both ranked No. 1 in America with no debate needed.
Of course, unlike Roberts, who might need to win a seven-game series to win a championship, Wise has a more challenging task. The high school playoffs are win or go home. You can’t have an off day and get a second chance. That’s where Corona’s opponents have a fighting chance. One good pitching performance can ruin the Panthers’ season no matter how dominant they might be during the regular season.
“Everything is magnified and there’s pressure,” Wise said. “There’s so many good teams in Division 1 that you really have to have some things go your way and luck on your side.”
There’s plenty of teams capable of making Corona go home without a trophy. Huntington Beach lost to the Panthers in the semifinals last season and is loaded with pitching, hitting and 13 players committed to four-year schools. Orange Lutheran has 6-foot-8 pitcher Gary Morse and fabulous power hitter Josiah Hartshorn. The Mission League is armed from top to bottom to take on any and all teams. La Mirada opens its new $20-million field and has a lineup filled with top hitters.
And yet, it would not be unwise to bet the house and your Taylor Swift T-shirts on the Panthers.
Hernandez has the pitching skills to be a top-five selection in this summer’s MLB amateur draft. Carlson is an exceptional shortstop and likely first-round selection who hits for power and possesses nasty stuff when he takes the mound as a closer. Ebel would be playing shortstop if not for Carlson. He’s the son of Dodgers’ third base coach Dino Ebel, so baseball runs through his veins and brother Trey is the starting second baseman.
Outfielder Anthony Murphy can hit, run and field. Arrowhead Christian transfer Ethin Bingaman is an Auburn commit who will play right field when he’s not pitching.
Asked if he’s going to consult with Roberts on dealing with pressure and expectations, Wise said, “I almost wish I could. High school baseball is playoff baseball. When you get to the CIF playoffs, every game is truly the World Series.”
Helping the Panthers is the chemistry and confidence of the players. Every practice, they compete.
“Having so much talent at one school pushes you to do better every day,” Carlson said.
The Panthers know they will be the hunted with every opponent hoping to make their season with a victory over Corona.
“I like the competition,” Hernandez said. “I like everyone coming after us with their best.”
Carlson, who sometimes gets a little emotional when he’s closing games, admitted, “I’m a real competitive guy. Sometimes when the moment gets big, I like to let the other team know I struck them out.”
About the only uncertainty for the Panthers is at catcher, where four-year starter Josh Springer has moved on to professional baseball. Chosen to replace him is junior Jesiah Andrade, who didn’t play high school ball last season after playing at Yucaipa as a freshman. “His development has been great,” Wise said.
From fans to scouts to players, when Corona comes to town, people will want to see them play.
Hernandez will be under the microscope most of all, but it’s not like he isn’t prepared for the spotlight.
“Because I’ve been blessed doing this for a while, I’ve always had people watching me,” he said. “It’s nothing new. You keep coming with your A game.”
By Eric SondheimerColumnist FollowFeb. 8, 2025 12:59 PM PTAfter years of using coaches’ polls and advisory committees to put together basketball playoff pairings while compiling data that placed teams into divisions based on two years of performanc...
Columnist Follow
Feb. 8, 2025 12:59 PM PT
After years of using coaches’ polls and advisory committees to put together basketball playoff pairings while compiling data that placed teams into divisions based on two years of performances, the Southern Section has entered the new world of computer algorithms.
Teams are ranked by wins and losses regardless of region, league or school size. Everyone is instructed to accept the decision of the algorithm like the unseen wizard telling Dorothy what to do from behind a curtain in “The Wizard of Oz.”
To say that this culture change is going down with a few swear words might be an understatement. The early rankings were laughable at best, such as Etiwanda’s girls, the two-time defending state champions, being ranked No. 17. Patience was advised, and to the credit of the Southern Section, things got did get better. But the new format still is going to be shocking for some. Wild-card games have been eliminated and just because you have a .500-or-better record doesn’t mean you get an at-large berth.
It’s a whole new world and not just for basketball. The girls’ water polo pairings had to be revised after there was “faulty data,” according to the Southern Section, which was a misunderstanding of what to do with forfeits.
Then there was this revelation from the Southern Section office sent to athletic directors:
“A few notes about Massey Ratings. A winning record WILL elevate your power ranking. I have yet to find a way to incorporate strength of schedule into consideration. I will work diligently to find a way to do that. Going forward, if you have evidence of coaches that are purposely losing games or sending lower-level teams to play varsity games, then recording those games on their varsity schedule, the Southern Section wants to know about it. We will be in touch with their administrators as those teams do not deserve an invitation to this playoff tournament.”
Now basketball coaches are saying teams lost on purpose to help avoid being Division 1. Loyola boys’ coach Damaine Powell, whose team didn’t receive an at-large berth, said, “There were a lot of people losing on purpose. What are we teaching kids?”
The Southern Section says to turn those people in and action will be taken.
Each sport in the Southern Section chooses its own computer algorithm. The Southern Section has been using CalPreps for football rankings. They’ve worked out except for the annual speculation about how many teams should be in Division 1, which leads to unneeded drama among coaches not wanting to suffer an annual beating by St. John Bosco or Mater Dei.
Basketball uses an algorithm from SB Live to produce its rankings. It used to be that teams .500 or better received at-large berths. No longer. That’s the big culture change. St. Francis, Loyola, Cypress and Orange Lutheran were top-35 boys’ teams and aren’t in the playoffs because there were no at-large spots for them in Division 1.
“It’s ruining high school basketball,” St. Francis coach Todd Wolfson said. “It doesn’t reward teams playing in good leagues.”
Southern Section spokesman Thom Simmons said, “When this was passed, the membership felt it was important teams who qualified in league were given priority.“
There’s trouble brewing in this first year of almost all sports using computer rankings. Harvard-Westlake athletic director Matt LaCour said his boys’ soccer team defeated Sherman Oaks Notre Dame and finished ahead of the Knights in the Mission League but was ranked below them.
“We don’t know how to schedule,” LaCour said. “We don’t mind computer rankings. We just want to know what they’re valuing.”
It’s appropriate to seed teams based on current performance and not from previous years. Preparing for the culture change requires education.
“We will learn to adapt to the new system,” Simmons said.
The big issues that need to be worked out are giving more importance to head-to-head matchups and how much strength of schedule should matter. The City Section still gives priority to teams that win their regular-season matchups. The Southern Section rankings don’t have that same emphasis. It helps explain how Camarillo was ranked ahead of Rolling Hills Prep for so long in the boys’ basketball rankings despite losing to Rolling Hills Prep.
No seedings are perfect, whether done the old way or the new way. It’s important that coaches’ committees are listened to since these early days figure to be a bumpy path. There will be conspiracy theories. Let’s hope people are open to adjustments, for this is a new AI world.
And just wait for the upcoming baseball and softball seasons if you want to see real culture shock.
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