Shields of Hart Commits to Louisiana State

Pitcher Jamie Shields of Hart High has committed to Louisiana State.

The Times’ player of the year in the region last season, Shields had an 11-0 record and struck out 123 batters in 71 1/3 innings.

Shields, who batted .478 and tied a school record with 11 home runs, chose LSU over Arizona State and Cal State Fullerton.

“I love the atmosphere,” said Shields, a potential first-round draft choice. “Their coach [Skip Bertman] is one of the best in the nation. I love the workout facilities. It was the hardest decision of my life and I’m happy about it.”

* Jeff Dragicevich, a senior shortstop at Westlake High, is the third baseball player from the region to commit to California.

Dragicevich will join Conor Jackson of El Camino Real and Brian Horwitz of Crespi in signing letters of intent next month with the Golden Bears.

Dragicevich’s brother, Scott, is a sophomore shortstop at Stanford.

BASKETBALL

* Christian Aurand, Simi Valley High’s junior varsity boys’ coach since 1995, was promoted to varsity boys’ coach.

Aurand, 32, replaces long-time coach Dean Bradshaw, who retired in September after 11 seasons. Aurand graduated from Simi Valley in 1985 and actually played for Bradshaw on the Pioneers junior varsity in 1983.

Affiliated with the school’s basketball program since 1991, Aurand was the sophomore coach (1993-95) and a varsity assistant (91-93).

Aurand coached the Pioneer boys’ varsity cross-country team for two years (97-98).

“I think it was a no-brainer,” said Bradshaw of Aurand’s promotion. “He’s the best person for the job. He’s played in the program, he’s coached in the program. I’m ecstatic.”

BOXING

* Fernando Vargas will defend his IBF junior-middleweight crown on Dec. 4 against Ronald Wright in a fight to be televised by HBO from Las Vegas.

Vargas is unbeaten in 17 fights, winning all by knockouts.

Wright, who is left-handed, is 39-2 with 24 knockouts.

TENNIS

* Loesje “Lucia” Guizar has been hired as women’s coach at Moorpark College.

Guizar is a graduate of Rio Mesa High and Cal State Northridge. She also attended Stanford.

She has been a private instructor in the region for several years.