CALLING THE SHOTS:

How does the old saying go?

All’s well that ends well.

Yeah, that’s the one. That’s what I kept thinking to myself during the 15th annual Toshiba Classic. As you might know, the lone pro tournament in Orange County at Newport Beach Country Club is like our Super Bowl.

Golf is huge in this area and when the legends of the sport take their swings at a nearby course, we’re going to be there. And so I thought this was right and with little filter believed that our coverage would be the best. I believed that we would get it right, even with a shortened staff, even up against the dreaded transition from winter to spring (which we’re still dealing with).

Hey, who wouldn’t want to see a 73-year-old like Gary Player shoot better than his age, twice?

Or so I thought: all’s well that ends well.

But there was something that we did miss. Or, at least I hope it was just one thing.

The Corona del Mar High boys’ lacrosse team beat its rival, Newport Harbor, 16-6, Friday night at Davidson Field.

From what I hear, lacrosse is growing in this area. Of course nothing close to what it’s like back east, but growing, nevertheless. Plus, it’s always big, and most of the times dramatic, when the Sea Kings and Sailors collide.

We weren’t able to cover the Battle of the Bay girls’ game, but we had our photographers there.

In times like these, when our industry appears in peril, we should reach out to the community, not so much for full-blown aid, but help for sure. Coaches from all high school varsity sports are asked to report their scores and highlights. And, when a big-time golf tournament comes into town that becomes all the more important.

Bottom line, high school sports here are our bread and butter. It’s been said before we give our high school sports treatment as if they are professional teams, in the sense that they’re all that matters in these pages.

Pro lacrosse is not as popular around here, but again the high school sports scene is receiving plenty of growth from the game.

Corona del Mar boys’ coach Mark Todd said over 100 boys from the Back Bay lacrosse programs were a part of Friday’s Battle of the Bay, which is in its sixth year for the sport.

Ryan Mix led Corona del Mar with five goals and one assist. He knows plenty about lacrosse. He grew up with the sport. And, so did his father, G.W. Mix, the general manager of the Los Angeles Riptide, a professional lacrosse team of Major League Lacrosse.

Ryan and his teammates will have a big test tonight. The Sea Kings will face Foothill, which has won the past two Orange County high school championships. The teams will play at Tustin High at 7 p.m.

The Sea Kings could use another five-goal performance from Ryan. Noah Molnar is also key player. He was a standout for the football team, but some have said lacrosse is his main sport.

Molnar scored three goals and recorded four assists against his Back Bay rivals Friday.

David Kidushim added three goals and goaltender Andrew Noto made things rough for the Sailors with 13 saves.

The Corona del Mar boys’ junior varsity team even got in on the act and scored a 10-5 victory over Newport Harbor’s JV.

 Don’t be alarmed if complete track and field, swimming and tennis results do not appear in our high school roundup. It’s another change in the coverage. We will provide scores and highlights instead. Another change because of the tightness of space.

We still view that it’s important for coaches to call in, yet only now, thankfully for both parties, the calls will be a bit shorter.

 We are still planning to publish our annual Dream Team for each of the winter sports in the coming days. Coaches are encouraged to call or e-mail to provide their opinions. Yours truly will be heading up the girls’ water polo team, and David Carrillo Peñaloza will be in charge of the rest.

 The CdM boys’ lacrosse game against Foothill isn’t the only big contest today. Corona del Mar will play host to Back Bay rival Newport Harbor in softball today at 3:15 p.m.

A quick prediction: Newport Harbor wins.

 Back in August, Peñaloza wrote a gripping piece about a boy named Carson Bosley, a 7-year-old who died of a stroke on July 29. His organs were donated and saved six lives.

He was part of the Newport Beach Little League. This Saturday morning, Bosley will be remembered as part of the NBLL’s Opening Day at Bonita Canyon Sports Park.

**Maybe the CdM softball team has a shot today against the Sailors. I’ve been known to pick the wrong team/player more than once.

Before the Toshiba Classic, I picked Andy Bean to win the tournament.

I then saw him at the Shot from the Top March 3 on the rooftop of the Newport Beach Marriott Hotel and Spa. I told Bean that I picked him, but I didn’t have the heart to tell him that he was doomed.

I picked Mark O’Meara the past two years, but he’s still in search of his first win on the Champions Tour.

Bean finished tied for 29th on Sunday, his worst finish on the 50-year-old-and-over tour this year.

Meanwhile, O’Meara finished tied for second with Joey Sindelar, one stroke behind the champion, Eduardo Romero.