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SPORTS
l WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011
WEDNESDAY, MAY 18, 2011 l THE ADVOCATE
Football
Women’s basketball
DEFENSIVE END
GUARD
‘Hot head’ grows into true leader By Malcolm Lastra SPORTS EDITOR
mlastra.advocate@gmail.com
People with positive attitudes tend to build strong connections with others and get ahead in life, while those who possess poor character traits are more than likely to have limited opportunities. However, people with character flaws can eventually change their ways through maturation, motivation and self discipline. For sophomore Comet defensive end and The Advocate’s Male Athlete of the Year Niko Aumua, that developing character has been something he experienced in his two years at Contra Costa College — going from a shorttempered athlete in 2009 to a mature and humble player in 2010 with the help “I knew of football coach Alonzo Carter. (Aumua) “I was a hot head back in the would be able day,” Aumua said. to dominate on “I never had a defense, but coach who really cared about me and he exceeded what I did on and everyone’s off the field.” The 22-year-old expectations of San Jose native came to CCC in him.” 2009 after taking a year off after graduAlonzo Carter, ating from Alameda football coach High School in 2008, where he played wide receiver. While Aumua possessed talent from the receiver position with his tall 6 foot 6 inch frame, he failed to gain any recognition at CCC from four-year colleges due to his poor on-the-field behavior. In fact, during his freshman season at CCC he was suspended for the remainder of the year by coaches when he was involved in a physical altercation with an opposing player from Hartnell College. “I remember me and the other player exchanged some words and he challenged me to a fight,” Aumua said. “I refused to back down from it and the fight resulted in the cops coming onto the field and escorting me from the game.” Aumua said that part of the blame for his bad behavior was the fact that the team was generally undisciplined and was experiencing a frustrating year, finishing 1-9. Things began to change for Aumua upon the arrival of Carter, the former Berkeley and McClymonds high school football coach who motivated the athlete to change his conduct. “(Prior to coaching the Comets) I knew Niko was a wild guy, but I told him to reconcile his issues with (Athletic Director) John Wade,” Carter said. “His bad attitude needed to be fixed because he couldn’t continue to head in that direction.” Another change Carter presented to
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keep a smile on your face. That’s why I keep her in my circle.” After a loss to Laney College in the first game of conference play, the Comets ran off four straight wins. But after breaking her nose in a 66-64 overtime loss at Los Medanos By Rodney Woodson College, Capoot had to sit out the next game STAFF WRITER and watch her team lose by 20 points to rwoodson.advocate@gmail.com Solano Community College. The women’s basketball team’s pre-sea“It really was tough not being able to get son schedule was rough during 2010-11. out there and play when I was hurt,” she said. The squad struggled and only managed to The hardest part about being sidelined and win four out of 14 games, including a 56- reduced to cheerleading was watching her point beat down at the hands of highly-rated team lose. “We win as a team and we lose as a team,” Fullerton College. However, Contra Costa College turned she said. Jefferson said, “Without her we weren’t things around at the start of conference play and finished with a Bay Valley Conference where we needed to be as a team. Once a team record of 9-3, good enough for second place builds together it’s hard to play well when in the conference, just one game out of first someone is missing and she is one of our best players.” and a 13-14 overall record. DeBolt said, ”When she was hurt we were The turnabout was due in large part to the improved quality of play from 20-year-old a different team. She was a good, all around, freshman guard, and The Advocate’s 2010-11 solid player and a good worker. We lost both games with her out of the lineup.” Female Athlete of the Year, Jamie Capoot. Capoot was the starting point guard and “When I heard that I was the Female Athlete of the Year I was surprised,” Capoot when she went down, the squad had trouble said. “There are great athletes here at CCC. It advancing the ball up the court. With her gone CCC particularly struggled against a fullfeels good to be recognized. I feel honored.” court-press defense and Her hard work during the ball over often. practice paid dividends in “(Capoot) works hard turned Capoot said she is more games as she led the team in points and assists, as in practice and plays comfortable playing shooting guard or small forward, well as being second on hard in games conbut the point guard position the team in rebounds and steals. She was named to stantly. She makes the is nothing new to her. At Will C. Wood High the All-BVC First Team. “She is a fascinating team want to play hard School in Vacaville she player,” Comet forward and just watching her was a varsity level starter at point guard for four years. Monay Ray said. “She She was the Monticello works hard in practice encourages me to bring and plays hard in games my ‘A’ game and com- Empire League MVP in her sophomore year and constantly. She makes the pete.” she also earned All-League team want to play hard and honors throughout high just watching her encourMonay Ray, school. ages me to bring my “A” women’s basketball team forward Playing point guard at game and compete.” the junior college level was Comet forward Allessandra Jefferson said, “I really look up a bit difficult for her in the beginning, but she to her skills and game-play.” She also said that said she became more comfortable with it as she has known Capoot for three years and that the season progressed. Basketball has been a part of Capoot’s life she is a very determined, hard working person since she was a young girl. who never gives up. “I’ve been playing basketball since I was Capoot’s play is not only held in high opinabout 9 years old when I played for the ion by teammates but by her coach as well. CCC women’s basketball coach Paul Vacaville Vengeance,” Capoot said. The Vacaville Vengeance is a girl’s basDeBolt said, “She was our glue. She held us together at both ends of the court. She han- ketball program that operates out of Solano dled the opponents’ pressure, ran our offense County. Capoot said, “I’ve grown up with basketand did a great job defensively.” On the court, the 5-foot-10-inch guard ball, I love the intensity involved with it and I is well respected for her determination and love the pace of the game.” Capoot said before coming to CCC she skills, in and off the court she is adored by went to Solano Community College for one her peers for her enjoyable personality. “She is a ‘ride-or-die’ teammate and year where she didn’t play basketball for the friend,” Ray said as she laughed about her first time since she was a child. “I felt like a different person when I didn’t comment. “She is a very funny and reasonable person. I enjoy being around her. She’s play basketball. It took a mental and physical toll on me. Not playing made me realize how a cool friend.” Jefferson said, “She’s goofy and fun to be much love I have for the game.” In regards to her future, Capoot said she around. She is the type of person who makes you want to be around her because she will plans on transferring to a four-year college as long as she is close to her family and attending a good college. As for basketball, Capoot said she will play for as long as she can.
Freshman helps spirit, encourages teammates
Profile
Profile
6 feet 6 inches Defensive lineman Sophomore Alameda High School San Jose
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Respected Comet holds season intact
Aumua was his playing position, moving him to the other side of the ball placing by him at defensive end. Aumua took the coach’s challenge head on and became a gym rat over the summer, bulking up his muscle for his new position. “I coached against Niko when I was at Berkeley and he was at Alameda,” Carter said. “(Although he was a good receiver) he was tough on us on the defensive side of the ball too and I wanted him to get back to that same level of aggression he had (on defense).” Responsibility began to set in for Aumua as he was also named a team captain. “I knew this year wouldn’t be a bad one,” Aumua said. “We (as a team) erased our past and looked at the season as a rebirth of the CCC football program.” Aumua responded well at his defensive end position and the other roles Carter placed on him as he was consistently all over the field rushing opposing quarterbacks, catching touchdown passes as a receiver, chasing down kick returners on special teams and even hiking the ball to the punter. “I knew he would be able to dominate on defense, but he exceeded everyone’s expectations of him,” Carter said. “He does so much and is a very versatile player.” The sophomore finished the year leading the team in tackles (63), interceptions (three), sacks (12) and fumble recoveries (two). His sack total and tackles for losses (25) led the Bay Valley Conference. “He was our best defensive lineman but he still worked hard like the rest of the team,” freshman defensive lineman Floyd Pellom said. “He always set a good example for us.” Through his hard work Aumua was named Bay Valley Conference Defensive Player of the Year and the BVC First Defensive Team. Despite all his success on the field, Aumua’s biggest reward came in the form a full ride athletic scholarship to Washington State University. “Before this year I never had a Division I school come to any of my practices,” Aumua said. “When Carter came to CCC he made football a reality to me.” Aumua was described by teammates as an inspiration and a humble person. “He was the most laid back captain, but he always came through when we needed him, whether it be catching a touchdown pass or hiking the ball,” freshman kicker Jose Munguia said. “He wasn’t the type to put us freshman players through first-year hazing like most sophomores would.” Other players agreed. “He was older than most of us but he never caused a scene when the team got out of line,” freshman defensive back Alonzo Cudjo said. “He was a cool teammate to have.” While Aumua has his hopes set on reaching the NFL some day, he said the greatest accomplishment he achieved at CCC was his maturity as a player and person. “(Niko) is a great kid. He bought into my program and followed the script,” Carter said. “If he stays on course, things will work out for him.”
The 2010 Bay Valley Conference Defensive MVP showed his versatility this season and helped renew the football program into a threat in the BVC. Aumua led the Comets in sacks with 12, tied for first on the team with one defensive touchdown, was fourth on the squad with three interceptions and he also led the team with 25 tackles for loss. Aumua had three fumble recoveries, five passes defensed, caught three offensive touchdowns and earned All-BVC First Team honors.
SAM ATTAL / THE ADVOCATE
Proud stance — Defensive end Niko Aumua and point guard Jamie Capoot have been named as The Advocate’s Athletes of the Year for their superior game play during the 2010-11 year. Aumua will transfer to Washington State University while Capoot is looking forward to her sophomore season with the Comets.
FOOTBALL
H ONORABLE M ENTIONS
Kenneth Henry
Jeffery Anderson
Forward
Quarterback
The freshman striker was able to establish himself as an important member of the men’s soccer team in 2010. Henry improved his game after coach Nikki Ferguson took over the team with the leave of absence by coach Rudy Zeller. Henry displayed his solid dribbling skills and quickness to slash through the field to connect on goals.
The freshman quarterback was a sparkplug for the football team as he was named to the BVC’s Offensive First Team. Anderson led the Comet offense throwing for 18 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards for the year. Anderson hopes he can continue his contributions to help take his team to a bowl game next season.
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NIKO AUMUA
Team captain tackles, fixes attitude problem
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MEN’S BASKETBALL
Bobby Ward Guard
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Ward finished first on the team in scoring and managed to record two 30-point games. His best performance of the season was the season finale against College of Marin in the Gymnasium. The sophomore guard scored a season high 32 points and his clutch 3-point shooting helped to seal the Marin win in double overtime.
5 feet 10 inches Guard Freshman Will C. Wood High School Vacaville
Capoot scored a season high 22 points in two games this season. Her most impressive game statistically was against Mendocino College when she dominated on both ends of the floor totaling 22 points, 11 assists, 16 rebounds (14 defensive) and four steals. This was one of the two triple-double games she had this season, both of them against Mendocino. In the other triple-double game she finished with 12 points, 11 assists, four steals and a season-high of 21 rebounds. She was named to the All-BVC First Team.
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL
BASEBALL
Monay Ray
Chris Lovejoy
Ray managed to hold her own for the women’s basketball team as she led the Comets and the BVC in rebounds (11.4) per game. The sophomore forward, who transferred from Ohlone College, finished fourth on the team in scoring (10.8 per game). Ray provided veteran leadership to her young teammates and was named First Team All-BVC.
The freshman pitcher showed his durability during the season pitching a total of 98 innings, second most in the Bay Valley Conference. While Lovejoy was inconsistent in some games as evidenced by his 6-6 record and 3.77 ERA (earned run average), he managed to make First Team All-BVC.
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PAGE DESIGN BY DARIUSH AZMOUDEH / THE ADVOCATE