Bay Area World Series SSX Issue 58

Bryn Evans ST. IGNATIUS-S.F. - LACROSSE - SENIOR Playing for the top program on the West Coast, Evans was the only California boys lacrosse player named to a USA Today All-USA team when the publication released its top three teams on June 28. Evans was named as a ThirdTeam midfielder. He began the year as a LaxPower.com All-American, and Laxrecords.com bestowed National Player of the Week honors upon him in late April after he delivered a stellar string of games on the East Coast.

St. Ignatius finished 20-2 on the season and closed the year ranked No. 10 in the nation by Laxrecords.com.

Evans, who was the only boys lacrosse player to crack our Bay Area 75 rankings of the Bay Area’s top athletes for the 2016-17 (he ranked #41), will play at Harvard next season.

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Nice Catch! Redding Is Your Ideal Destination

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t’s time to take down your rod and reel and dust off your tackle box because the “big one” is waiting for you in Redding.

Located in the heart of Northern California, Redding boasts one of the top fishing destinations in the country. From first-timers to experts, to families itching to get away from the city and out on the water, there’s plenty of space for you, with fish waiting for your cast.

The Sacramento River runs right through Redding and the famous trout waters of the Lower and Upper Sacramento River established Redding as the only city to make Forbes.com’s list of “North America’s Top 10 Trout Fishing Towns.”

Whether you’re looking to hook some rainbow trout that average 20 inches in length, snag some steelhead, or salmon weighing 10 to 20 pounds, there is world-class fishing with unforgettable panoramic scenic views at every spot.

As the nation’s second sunniest city with more than 300 sunny days per year, Redding’s weather assures you of ideal conditions for your visit. Set out on your own trip or book any of our area guides, which frequently boast days of catching 20 to 40 fish on their trips. With full lakes and rivers, now is the best time to get out on the water.

Flowing rivers aren’t the only attraction. Nearby Whiskeytown and Shasta Lake offer an additional 400 miles of shoreline where one can cast from a quiet bank, wade into the water or jump in a boat to experience what NorCal has to offer.

Stay on picturesque Shasta Lake and cruise on a catamaran for the first of a three-part adventure on the Lake Shasta Caverns tour. The natural landmark is a geological extravaganza for the whole family. Take a fun bus ride to the cave entrance and experience one of the most beautiful limestone caves in the country.

Remember that meaningful trip that you’ve kept putting off? It’s time to book it, in Redding — where fun meets adventure. ✪ — Copy and photos provided by VisitRedding.com

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BAWS Stars The four major tournament awards from the 2017 Bay Area World Series, which featured five regional teams from the East Bay, South Bay, North Bay, Peninsula and Sacramento.

MOST OUTSTANDING PLAYER: Nathan Peng, C, Saratoga HS (Class of 2018) MOST OUTSTANDING HITTER: Nathan Martorella, 1B, Salinas, (2019) MOST OUTSTANDING PITCHER: Dominic Wall, LHP, Jesuit-Carmichael (2018) MOST INSPIRATIONAL PLAYER: Niko Tejada (pictured above), C, River Valley-Yuba City (2019)

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Amador Valley’s Max Heverly Maximizes Bay Area World Series Opportunity

W

hen he stepped on that field, Max Heverly didn’t expect to have the game of his life.

In fact, he didn’t expect anything special from this showcase game — just a normal game of baseball.

But he couldn’t have been more wrong.

Heverly, an incoming senior at Amador Valley High-Pleasanton, was selected to play in the Bay Area World Series along with more than 100 of Northern California’s most promising high school players. The Bay Area World Series, played this year at Folsom Lake College on June 24-25, is an annual showcase tournament that has sent over 700 former participants to Div. I college programs and had 14 former participants selected in the 2017 MLB Draft.

Playing for the East Bay team, Heverly said he prepared for his second game of the day against Sacramento by not overhyping it, even though the game had potential to get him noticed by scouts..

“You just kind of think of it as another game,” he said.

During Heverly’s first at-bat, he hit a single between third and shortstop and scored off a single from teammate Matthew Guerra (College Park-Pleasant Hill). In his next two at-bats, Heverly hit a triple and double, respectively. He had four RBI

in his three at-bats and played stellar defense at second base. Due to a seventh-inning three-run home run by Sacramento’s Braeden Holiday (Granite Bay), the East Bay was unable to pull out the win and the game ended in a 9-9 tie.

Heverly was proud of his performance, even going as far as to say “I’ve never really had a game quite like this.” Almost hitting for the cycle was a unique experience for him. “Everyone has good games, but the cycle is just something special and I was pretty close. But I’m alright with that.”

Heverly has had a love for baseball ever since he was a little boy, and has wanted to play at the next level for as long as he can remember. His biggest motivation to play is the chance of getting a college education from his skill.

“Max is a good athlete,” Amador Valley coach Lou Cesario said in a phone interview a few days after the BAWS event. “You know he’s fast, he’s aggressive, fearless. I think those three things help him to do what he does.”

Cesario spoke to what he hoped Heverly would be working on heading into next season with the Dons. “His biggest strength for us was his defense and his glove, he made some amazing catches out in center field,” the coach said. “He’s fast, he’s a good runner. … Offensively, he needs to improve there.”

After the BAWS event, it seems he’s heading in the right direction. ✪

Story by Joshua Howser | Photos by James K. Leash 10

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RUGBY’S NEWEST

STARS

Naima Fualaau, Mata Hingano Emerge On Scene

Rugby, traditionally played as a 15-player-a-side game, has multiple variations in regards to Union versus League, and more well known, 15s versus 7s. In previous editions of SportStars, we delved deeper into the strategy, positioning, scoring and history of 15s. In 7-a-side rugby, the game is fast-paced, high energy and open-fielded, where there are seven players on the field from each team, and the games are played in seven-minute halves on a full, regulation-size field, and most rules and scoring are the same as 15s.

When Americans think of Rugby 7s, names like Danny Barrett, Perry Baker and Carlin Isles, who has been deemed “the fastest man in rugby,” come to mind.

As rugby is quickly growing across the country, some new faces are being introduced to the USA Rugby National Teams, two of those new faces are recent graduates of Rugby NorCal. Peninsula Green Youth Rugby Club and Danville Oaks Rugby Club have developed two of the USA Eagles newest 7s players, Naima Fualaau and Mata Hingano, respectively.

Both players recently received their first caps (international appearance with a national team) with the USA National Teams. Naima Fualaau subbed in May 21 at Twickenham Stadium in England against Canada, and Mata Hingano started the match on May 28 at Westhills Stadium in Canada against England.

NAIMA FUALAAU Coming on in the semifinal against North American rivals Canada, Naima got a taste for international rugby at the early age of 18 years old.

He is the youngest player to debut with the USA Eagles Men’s 7s.

Naima played his high school rugby for the Peninsula Green Rugby Club where he was a starter and team leader and was coached by Bob Benson and Moses Similai. During his senior year, he was pivotal in leading the team to an undefeated NorCal season and the Division I varsity championship. The Pen Green team was ranked No. 4 in the nation by the Goff Poll with its only loss coming to Danville (No. 1 in the USA) in the Championship of the Pacific Cup. Prior to Pen Green, Naima was Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

an outstanding player for the Hayward Griffins.

Naima represented Rugby NorCal on the JV and varsity all-star teams.

He was always an outstanding player with an elusive step and the great gift of being able to read the game and pop through holes in the opposition defense. At 5’10” and 160 pounds, Naima is not a large player, but hits hard and is quick to steal passes from opponents. He is a very versatile back, playing scrum half, fly half, center, wing and fullback (depending on the team needs at the time).

Naima lives in Hayward, where his parents reside. After high school, where he starred at football and volleyball, he joined the Life West College rugby program. After showing great promise in his games for Life West, his coach suggested he move to the USA national scene.

MATA HINGANO Mata started playing rugby in eighth grade for the Pleasanton Cavaliers Rugby Club, and before the start of her freshman year of high school, she moved to the Danville Oaks Rugby club and helped the Lady Oaks toward an undefeated season.

Mata represented NorCal on the Rugby NorCal girls all-star team all four years of her high school career, was invited to the AIG Camp during her sophomore, junior and senior years, and was an AIG Women’s Junior All-American during her junior and senior years. At only 18 years of age, Mata was invited to a USA Eagles 7s training camp. She is slated to travel with the Eagles 7s to France, and has recently been asked to train and play with the Eagles 15s side.

Mata resides in San Ramon and plays for the Div. I Life West Gladiatrix, who recently defended their Div. I title on June 3 at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado, where Mata added one try to the scorecard in a 39-17 win.

For more information about rugby in Northern California, contact Marti Blum at mblum@rugbynorcal.org. ✪

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Kobe Ordonio 18

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ShowCased Given Their Own All-Star Event, NorCal’s Asian-American Hoops Talent Proved It Belonged

Kobe Ordonio hit his fifth 3-pointer of the game and the NorCal Asian Senior All-Stars bench shot up in excitement while the better-than-average crowd at Cal State University East Bay oohed.

Ordonio had just tied the inaugural NorCal Asian-American All-Star Game at 112112 with 2:37 left to play against the Asian Undergrad All-Stars. It was part of a spirited comeback by the Seniors, who trailed by at least 10 multiple times during the final period.

And then James Chun reeled off five points in a 20-second span to give the Undergrads a lead they’d never give up en route to a thrilling 120-115 final on June 22.

The exciting finish capped a two-game celebration of Asian-American basketball that exceeded the expectations of Dion Aye and Justin Cardona, the duo behind the NorCalSportsTV streaming service that organized and broadcast the event.

“It was a great turnout,” Aye said. “The parents couldn’t say enough at just how excited they were. A couple were talking about how it felt like their own Super Bowl.”

As for the players, nothing was sweeter than having a chance to prove they belonged in an All-Star setting.

“I think the perception of Asian-American players is that they are all really small, and that they can’t play high-level basketball,” said Chun, a soon-to-be senior at Archbishop Riordan-San Francisco who finished with 19 points, four rebounds and four assists. “I think we disproved that. And I know for a lot of us undergrads, we were able to get some (recruiting) buzz for being a part of the event.”

There’s no question, the players turned some heads during the two games. A Rising Stars All-Star Game was played prior to the Seniors vs. Undergrads contest. Chun said he was contacted by a few NAIA schools after the game, and that he knew of a few others who got calls.

“I think a lot of times Asian-American players are often put in a

box in terms of their skills,” Lincoln-San Francisco boys basketball coach Curtis Chan said. Chan coached the Seniors team. “I think events like this can really open eyes to some of the more athletic players. It also gives guys who are distributors or role players for their high school teams a chance to show their ability to produce as well.”

Ordonio, a graduate of Monterey High who plans to play at Cabrillo College next season, led all scorers in the Seniors/ Undergrads game. He scored 34 points and added 10 rebounds. Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. grad Mello Dunbar showcased a total floor game with 13 points, 11 rebounds and three assists.

“I enjoyed the experienced,” said DunInder Sandhu bar, who plans to attend Cal State Univ.

San Marcos in the fall, but just as a student — at least for his freshman year. “Not too many people are given the opportunity to play in such a game. … The only thing I did’t enjoy so much was not getting the W.” The Undergrads were led by Pierre Crockrell II, who will be a junior at Prolific Prep-Napa in the fall. The 6-foot point guard posted 28 points and grabbed six rebounds. Walter Lum, a senior for Lick-Wilmerding-S.F. next season, had 14 points, five rebounds and five assists.

In the Rising Stars Game, which featured a variety of underclassmen, the North defeated the South 108-82. Inder Sandhu, a 6-3 shooting guard for Ceres, led the North with 26 points (shooting 10 of 13 from the field) and six rebounds. Japjit Gill of James Logan-Union City chipped in 22 points.

“It was an honor,” Sandhu said. “I’ve never been invited to play in any type of game like that before, and it was a great event. I’d love to go back next year.” ✪

Story by Chace Bryson | Photos by Samuel Stringer Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

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eat your

VEGGIES! nutrition: jill daniels

Parents are famous for telling their growing kids, “Eat your veggies!!”

Well, kids, I hate to break this to you, but those parents are right! Vegetables are especially beneficial for athletes, because they have some nutrients crucial for good health and recovery that you can’t get anywhere else.

Check out some of these nutrient-rich ideas to help keep your body feeling and performing its best.

Spinach and other dark green vegetables have many important nutrients for athletes, such as vitamin C, calcium, magnesium, vitamin K, zinc and iron. Enjoy them in a salad, or put them into your sandwich or scrambled eggs.

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Sweet potatoes are a great source of carbohydrates, which will boost your endurance for both training and competition. They are also high in potassium, vitamins and fiber, which help keep your body healthy and strong.

Onions and garlic contain flavonoids which give your immune system a boost.

Sauté these flavorful foods with other veggies, add them to your spaghetti sauce, or include them in your homemade salsa or guacamole for a yummy treat.

Beets contain compounds called nitrates and betalains which have anti-inflammatory

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properties, and also help promote cell repair and regeneration. All of which is great for any hard-working athlete! You can roast them with some olive oil, salt and pepper, or throw them into a smoothie for a refreshing post-workout reward.

Include these veggies and others into your daily routine, and experience the benefits yourself. You’ll not only make your parents proud, but also your coach and fans too. ✪ Maximize your performance by seeking out personalized advice from Nutrition Coach Jill Daniels, MS, RD, CSSD, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. www.JillDanielsRD.com

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Catcher Niko Tejada of the Sacramento Region team gets the tag on East Bay runner Michael Montrezza, who attempts to leap out of the way during a June 24 game at the Bay Area World Series showcase event at Folsom Lake College.

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