LA PUENTE >> The clock for John Romano’s time at Nogales High School is winding down.

The long-time Nobles baseball coach, who built the program nearly from the ground up to one of the area’s best, had said previously that this season would be his last, and that leaves Thursday’s regular season finale at home at 3:15 p.m. vs. Northview and any possible CIF-Southern Section playoff games in the coming weeks before he walks away, which he does so with no regrets.

“It’s bitter sweet,” he said. “It’s the last week. I’m not looking forward to it ending, but everything has to come to an end. My baseball career at Nogales High School will end after the playoffs, and I’m OK with that.

“Will I coach baseball again? I hope so. Will I coach high school baseball again? Possibly, or something else. But it’s been a wonderful journey. I’ve been very fortunate to have very supportive parents, a very lovely wife of 27 years, There’s an outstanding young man for a son, Christopher, who will graduate from Michigan State in 2016. I’ve been very fortunate in that respect, but also I’ve been fortunate that I’ve had some good players over the years, and some unselfish players from Danny Garcia (2006), who was the best player I’ve ever coached, to the bullpen catcher who didn’t get to play more than a couple of innings. They’ve all been unselfish and put the team first.”

But Romano was definitely the pilot for the Green and White ship, guiding it to be one of the top programs in the area. Romano, who was at Yucca Valley before moving to Nogales, comes into today with a record of 620-321-9 record in 34 seasons at Nogales, with an overall mark of 634-333-9. He was inducted in to the California Baseball Coaches Hall of Fame in 2006.

His resume will feature six league and 11 tournament championships, with 18 of his players drafted by Major League Baseball teams and 29 receiving four-year university scholarships. He also had three players play in the Mexican Leagues.  Click HERE for entire story!