Season 1 Issue 1
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Spring diamond celebrations PV pg. 10 RB pg. 12
Introductory Issue ...with many more to follow. Don’t miss any of the action.
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elcome to Nor-Cal Sports The Magazine, a new full color, glossy publication dedicated to athletes across the north state. From Yreka to Willows, Susanville to Weaverville, and everywhere in between, we strive to become your source for news, in-depth stories, and spectacular photographs of and about the athletes you can appreciate, the ones you can actually see on the field without driving half a day or fastforwarding through commercials. These are the athletes that are a part of your community, many of them with some amazing accomplishments, and now you can see them in a full color, high quality, glossy publication that you’ll want to store in the attic when it’s retired from the coffee table.
lead these athletes through the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat. They will share with you their coaching philosophies and techniques, and will provide the stars of tomorrow some sound advice on how to become the best athlete possible. We will highlight the student-athletes who not only excel on the field, but also in the classroom. And best of all , Nor-Cal Sports will be full of spectacular photographs from our local sporting events throughout the year, provided by our own staff of photographers, as well as other professionals and/or amateurs who want to see their work published.
There will be eight issues of Nor-Cal Sports distributed throughout the school year, starting with our 1st full issue Each issue of Nor-Cal Sports will feature current, past, and this November. They will be significantly larger and more future stars of the gridiron, the hardwood, the diamond, diverse than this introductory issue, which is meant to and any other competitive playing surface that exists here spark your interest and get you signed up to receive future in the North State. We will preview upcoming seasons, issues of Nor-Cal Sports The Magazine at your doorstep or and review past seasons with features on chosen in your mailbox. For more information on how to have champions. All varsity sports will be covered, with an every issue delivered to you, please visit our web-site at emphasis on the major sports, such as football, basketball, www.NCSthemag.com, or call 530-366-1596. Thank you volleyball, baseball/softball, and track & field. There will be for checking us out, and we look forward to covering the a coaches column, highlighting the men and women who next season of Nor-Cal Sports.
Contents Introduction
4-5
Contributors
6
Future Features Academic All-Stars
Side Out
7
The Front Row
8-9
Champions
Coach it up Season Previews & Reviews Predictions
Pleasant Valley Baseball
10-11
Champions
Guest Columns Training Tips
Red Bluff Softball
12-13
Extreme Scene
14-15
Athlete Spotlights ~ Past, Present & Future Rules of the Game
The Boys of Fall
16-17 Schedules / Standings / Stats
Training Day
18-19
2009-10 Champions
20
Glory Days
22
Subscribe
23
Believe
24
& much more...
ncsthemag.com Fans and athletes can use our website to: Ÿ Submit stories & photos Ÿ Suggest athletes to feature in future issues Ÿ Fill out questionnaires for our “get to know” feature
On the cover: Lassen Grizzlies WR Bryce Thompson checks with the referee to make sure he’s set on opening night vs the Shasta Wolves.
Ÿ Recommend sporting events for our staff to attend Ÿ Subscribe to receive every issue of NCS The Magazine Ÿ View additional photos Ÿ And much more to come... ...Or if you haven’t caught on to the internet, feel free to call 530-366-1596 or write to us at PO Box 8388, Red Bluff, CA 96080.
Contributors Michael Weibling All you have to do is turn to a former high school football player and see his eyes gloss over while Kenny Chesney’s new song, ‘The Boys of Fall, is playing, and you’ll know why I decided to start a magazine about local sports. I played in front of 25,000 fans in the College World Series, and can honestly say that it was only slightly more exciting than strapping on a chinstrap on Friday nights for
the Red Bluff Spartans. Those same experiences are shared by thousands of athletes in every sport almost every day, right here in the North State, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to help share them with everyone. You can read a little more about my personal sports experiences in our first installment of ‘Glory Days’ on page 22. Thank you for taking a look at our introductory issue, we are all looking forward to bringing you many more for years to come.
It was also that summer, that I met my wife, Nikole, who is a NorCal Sports staff photographer. She is a professional photographer It was the Summer of 2001, and I with a degree in photography from Sacramento State. She has a decided to take on a job as the very artistic eye for the world she sees through the lens, and that sports editor of the Red Bluff Daily will be evident in the pages of this magazine. I write the prose and News. Fresh from Chico State, I she takes the photos. (When I’m lucky, she will let me take some commuted from Redding five pictures too.) Together, the two of us have taken in some great times a week to put together the sporting events, including trips to the Cactus League for some sports pages. Through my Spring Training action, to Infineon Raceway for the NASCAR Sprint journeys covering Tehema County Cup Series, and on our honeymoon, she allowed us to go see a sports that summer, I met an assistant coach for Red Bluff’s game at the new Yankee Stadium. We have covered our share of American Legion baseball team, the Tehema Bulls, who in the mid- stories for an enjoyable North State Living magazine over the last ‘90s was a Northern Section pitching stud in baseball and went on few years and when Mike called me up to tell me about the new to play Division I ball at the University of Southern California. That sports magazine, I said we were in. coach was Mike Weibling, now the publisher of Nor-Cal Sports The It’s fascinating to see how my life intersected with Mike, Troy, and Magazine. Nikole during that Summer of 2001 and how those meetings are Late that summer, I met a high school athlete who hit the weight now coming into place nine years later. We are going to be room hard and trained for football and track even harder. It paid working together to produce a publication that is needed in the off for him, as he went on to Chico State and competed for North State. One that will connect Willows to Yreka, Weaverville to National Division II titles in the javelin. Today, he is the general Westwood, Anderson to Alturas, and everywhere in between. manager of Tehama Family Fitness Center and the Nor-Cal Sports There is a lot of ground to be covered and a lot of sporting events staff fitness guru. to be captured. I hope you will enjoy the journey and everything we bring to you. Todd & Nikole McBain
Troy Lalaguna Troy is the General Manager at Tehama Family Fitness Center in Red Bluff, and will be contributing to the training, fitness, and nutrition feature of Nor-Cal Sports The Magazine. You can see the first installment of ‘Training Day’ and read more about Troy on pages 18-19.
Jason "Shakey" Vine A native and currently a resident of the Cottonwood area, Jason earned his B.S. while attending Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 1999. He is active in the community and working hard with his new found role as a publisher for Scenes Mag and now Nor Cal Sports. Soccer, water sports and keeping stamps on his passport is Jason's life of choice while trying to live by his motto of "a body in motion will stay in motion".
Shasta Wolves Jr. Madie Ross serves to the defending division IV section champion West Valley Eagles during a match in Early September at West Valley. The Eagles proved they’re a force again this year, as they defeated the Wolves 3-1.
The Front Row ...is the best seat in the house to catch all the action that Nor-Cal Sports has to offer. We will bring you some of the best photos from the best games and the best photographers around, each and every issue, and because it’s local, there’s a good chance you’ll recognize some of the names and faces. See the athletes of the North State like you’ve never seen them before, from The Front Row.
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Their wasn’t a lot of drama in the division 1 section championship baseball game, as the Pleasant Valley Vikings struck early and often against the Red Bluff Spartans for a 14-2 victory. With the early cushion supplied by the offense, Riley Cox kept the spartan bats quiet to earn the win on the mound. Luke Barker came in to get the final 3 outs, and was greeted by catcher and fellow team captain Sean Ryan to start the championship celebration.
The Front Row
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The Front Row
T
he Lady Spartans of Red Bluff won their 2nd consecutive section title with a 2-1 victory over the Chico Panthers in extra innings. Danisha Slay (top left) won the game with an RBI single that scored Megan Mccolpin from 3rd base. Megan (far left) also pitched a complete game to earn the victory. Freshman Haley Harris (middle left) made the play that quite possibly saved the game for Red Bluff, when she made a spectacular diving catch on a line drive and doubled the runner off at third. Red Bluff returns all but 2 players from their championship team, so it’s safe to call them a contender again in 2011.
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Extreme Scene
B
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ack for its fourth year of bringing quality competitive skateboarding for riders of all ages is the North State Skate Series. The NS3 kicked off on September 11 at the Redding Skate Park. Action resumes September 25 at the Red Bluff Skate Park and concludes October 9 at the Anderson Skate Park.
riding.” Three judges record scores for each respective rider through heats, with five riders advancing to compete for the top spot in the finals. The higher the finish, the more points riders accumulate at each stop. In the end, one rider in each division is crowned the overall series champion.
The series puts the spotlight on some of the North States finest skate park riders. Each location offers riders different obstacles, allowing them to show their technical skills, their ability to get some air, and how well they can land tricks. “If a rider can handle each of those parks, then that shows how good of a rider they are,” says event coordinator (and North State skate guru) Brian Harris. “It will determine who the top rider is. It really shows their allaround
For the first time, cash prizes will be awarded at each stop in the Open Division. A $175 pot is up for grabs to the top three finalists thanks to Metro PCS. “We wanted this to motivate the best of the best to come out and compete,” Harris says. The Open Division used to be an 18-and-older grouping, but the new division will see area riders under 18, like previous age division winners Charlie Bowman (17), Sou Saephon (16), and Johnny Scribbner (15), compete with the big boys for the goods. “I think the cash prize will bring out more in the open class.” Each stop also has its own special skate event. The Redding stop had a slalom contest, the Red Bluff stop will have a longest ollie contest (off the park’s pyramid; in the past, it’s had a highest ollie contest) and the Anderson stop will finish the series with a best trick contest. “It’s all out on that one,” Harris, says. “The series has come to end at that point. It’s time to let it all out and show us what you got.” Harris and Pam Lewis, Anderson Parks and Recreation Supervisor, spearheaded the NS3 well before its creation four years ago. The idea was to give North State skateboarders a realm for them to compete and show what they can do. It has been a success, as the series has continued to grow each year, seeing both more riders and spectators at the events.
Story By: Todd McBain Photos By: Nikole and Todd McBain
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The boys of fall
In what might have been the game of the year, or at least the matchup of the year, the Foothill Cougars held off the Lassen Girzzlies for a 14-7 victory. Lassen had many opportunities to pull the upset, but couldn’t hold on to several interception chances that could have turned the outcome around. It’s just too bad we won’t have the opportunity to see these two teams compete against each other again, but there’s a real good chance they’ll both be competing for the championship in their respective divisions. (Clockwise from top) Foothill QB Zack Ray looks for a receiver downfield ~ There’s a good chance he was looking for WR John Choate, who is seen here scoring the 1st TD of the game, just before receiving a big blow from two Lassen defenders and hanging on to the ball ~ RB Tevin Slaton looks for a seam in the defense on his way to 112 rushing yards on the night ~ John Choate again, here making a big 3rd down reception late in the game to help seal it. He had 6 grabs in all for 110 yards ~ Lassen QB Richard Murphy scrambles to his right while looking to make one of his 30 pass attempts, of which he completed 16 for 195 yards ~ Another shot of Lassen QB Richard Murphy attempting a pass against the Shasta Wolves on opening night 2010
Pleasant Valley used its muscle to roll over Red Bluff 51-8 in the opener for both teams. (Left) Jr QB Eric Ascencio attempts a pass to the cameraman. (Right) Much of the Viking muscle is provided by lineman Jordan Rigsbee, who will be suiting up for the California Golden Bears in 2011. (Below) RB Jordan Roach races down the sidelines toward the end-zone.
The Los Molinos Bulldogs held off the Weed Cougars for a 21-14 victory. (Bottom right) A jump ball intended for Weed WR Cody Beam is intercepted by LM safety Ramon Avalos . (Bottom Left) Gilbert Zamora does what he can to avoid the stiff arm and take down Weed QB Jake West.
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Training Day With Troy Lalaguna Troy is the General Manager at Tehama Family Fitness in Red Bluff. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology Movement Studies from Chico State University, where he also excelled as a track and field athlete, earning All Conference and CCAA Champion honors all 4 years. Troy still competes in track and field events whenever possible, but his real passion has gone from competing himself to helping other athletes compete at a higher level. “Training is my passion. There are no words to describe the satisfaction I receive from assisting someone in reaching their training goals. Whether it’s to lose weight, dunk a basketball, gain muscle or compete at the next level, I absolutely love helping people make themselves better.”
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Top Speed:
Finish: Pretend the finish line is really at the 50 yard line. Don’t back off at the 40. Sprint through the finish line.
Once you feel you’ve hit top speed in the power phase, gradually rise your body angle up. Maintain some forward body angle. You want your legs to push and not pull you while driving the knees up and staying on your toes. Your chest should remain in front of your hips. At this point it is crucial to relax and try to hold top speed as long as possible. Don’t fight, you will slow down faster. Your arms should be driving straight back and not across your body.
The 40 Yard Dash Run a faster 40 yard dash with these tips.
Stance:
Start:
Power Phase: The goal of the power phase is to reach top speed as quick as possible. Maximize stride length by bounding off the toes, driving the knees up and throwing the elbows straight back. Try and maintain this position for the first 20-30 yards.
This is the most intense and violent portion of the 40 yard dash. Throw your non-dominant arm forward while driving off the non-dominant or lead leg. Rip the opposite arm back while driving the trail leg to the chest. Your head must stay down. You should feel like you are going to fall forward. The idea is to come out low and try to maintain a forward angle as long as possible.
Feet should be hip width apart. Crowd the line. Your lead leg(power leg/non-dominant leg) should be 12-20 inches from the line. From this position kneel to your knees and place both hands on the line with the index fingers parallel to the line. When you are ready to start, raise your hips high, and take your non-dominant hand back. Your head should stay down and your weight should be leaning forward.
Key Points Ÿ Drive your arms straight back and not down or across the body. Ÿ Keep a forward body angle. Keep your chest in the lead. Ÿ Keep a high knee drive and stay on your toes. Ÿ Keep your head down during the start and through the power phase. Ÿ Sprint through the finish line.
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Glory Days
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used to think The Boss was singing about how much he loved the ‘Glory Days’, but I also thought he was proud to be ‘Born In The USA’. Well I’m a sucker for them, and I am proud, and couldn’t resist turning back the clock on myself for the first installment of this section, which will be in each issue and will profile some blasts from the past from the North State. Maybe they’re now competing at the highest level of their sport, such as Aaron Rodgers, Kyle Lohse, and Ryan O’Callaghan, or maybe they’re just publishing a local magazine, either way, you’ll get a chance to catch up with some of them right here.
Above: My Mom and Dad join the celebration after the game. They had to sneak on the field past security, but luckily Coach Gillespie was causing a small riot trying to get his family on the field with him, so it made it a little easier. Also notice how fast they shut off the scoreboard.
As for myself, my athletic journey began on the baseball fields at Jackson Heights playing for my Dad, and wound up at Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha. Along the way, I had stops at Vista and Red Bluff High School, before calling Dedeaux Field at The University of Southern California home for 5 years. I didn’t see the field in a game for my first 2 seasons at USC, until a new pitching coach by the name of John Savage arrived on campus and gave me a shot. I made the most of it my Junior season, making 31 appearances in a setup role for the nations top closer. Those 31 appearances just recently fell out of the top 10 all time for a single season at USC. I concluded the season with 4 scoreless appearances in 3 days in our regional tournament at The University of Alabama, who we lost to in the Championship game on a walk-off homerun in the 10th
inning. I contend that it was that workload in such a short period of time that led to my shoulder injury a week later while playing for the Alaska Goldpanners. The injury limited my production in my Senior season, but I was still able to contribute with 3 hitless, scoreless innings in a tight game in our regional, and 2 appearances in the College World Series, including the Championship game, where I surrendered my first career postseason runs. We beat Arizona St. 21-14, so I certainly wasn’t the only one. Since my playing days, I have enjoyed coaching baseball and helping kids reach the next level. I remember growing up and being intimidated by just the thought of competing with or against players from out of the area. I always heard about these guys with Popeye like forearms and roadrunner speed, but when I finally saw them in person, I realized that they weren’t that much different or better, and that is the #1 thing I try to get the kids that I coach to understand. It really does come down to their level of dedication to their sport. If they choose to have it, anything is possible. A little talent never hurts either. Thank you for letting me stroke my ego a little, and I look forward to doing the same for other local athletes, past, present and future. I just wish I had room to share more, especially about my days as one of the ‘Boys of Fall’. Maybe another time. Until then...
Left: Morgan Ensberg and I with the National Championship trophy. Above: Let the celebration begin. I am #22, preparing to launch onto the pile.
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Distribution dates Issue #1
you’re looking at it
player profiles, stats, scores,
Issue #2
November 12, 2010
standings, photos, articles, and
Issue #3
December 17, 2010
Issue #4
January 26, 2011
Issue #5
March 9, 2011
Issue #6
April 20, 2011
Issue #7
June 8, 2011
Issue #8
Season 2 Fall Preview August 2011
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