NorCal Issue 115 April 2016

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April 2016 vol. 7 issue 115

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April 2016

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Sabrina’s Time To Shine join our team PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson • Chace@SportStarsOnline.com Staff Writer Jim McCue • JimMcCue16@gmail.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Dave Kiefer, Tim Rudd, Trevor Horn Copy Editor Bill Kruissink Photography Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, James K. Leash, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton, Doug Guler, Berry Evans, III Marketing/Events Ryan Arter Creative Department Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco • MikeD@SportStarsOnline.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa • Mike@SportStarsOnline.com

S

ince the dawn of the SportStars Era in June 2010, the Bay Area has given us some truly incredible basketball players — both boys and girls — to follow and report on.

We’ve covered an array of McDonald’s All-Americans, including four during the 2012-13 season alone (Archbishop Mitty’s Aaron Gordon, Deer Valley’s Marcus Lee, Salesian’s Jabari Bird and Bishop O’Dowd’s Oderah Chidom).

The 2013-14 season featured three girls (Salesian’s Mariya Moore and St. Mary’sBerkeley’s Mikayla Cowling and Gabby Green) all making the McDonald’s game.

Last season belonged to Bishop O’Dowd’s Ivan Rabb.

A handful of these players were able to capture state titles during their prep careers, but a greater majority had their dreams dashed in the regional tournament or in lopsided state finals defeats. When you cover elite talent, you want nothing more than to see that special player play his or her best when the stage is biggest.

Gordon won two Division II titles as a sophomore and junior; Rabb and Chidom both were able to go out as state champions. Rabb’s 21 rebounds remain an Open Division state championship single-game record.

This year’s McDonald’s darling of the Bay Area was Miramonte-Orinda girls talent, Sabrina Ionescu. While she entered her senior year already highly decorated — she had a pair of world championship gold medals from multiple stints with the U.S. Youth National Team, and helped anchor a CalStars Elite club team roster that went 59-1 and won the 2015 summer title. But until March, her path to a high school state championship had always been blocked

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by nationally-ranked St. Mary’s-Stockton.

Then on March 15, Pinewood upset the Rams 72-69 in the NorCal Open Div. semifinals. It not only opened up a path to the state final for the Matadors; it also set up the chance for Ionescu to perform on the biggest stage for high school players in California.

And she took advantage. The Miramonte wing put up a triple-double of 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists. She also scored on a dramatic 30-footer as the horn sounded at the end of the first half.

Being that it came in a losing effort (8071) against a very good Chaminade-West Hills team makes the performance slightly bittersweet, but still very memorable.

Then just a few days later, Ionescu — who is reportedly going to choose to play collegiately at Oregon, Oregon State or Cal — went on to shine in the McDonald’s AllAmerican Game on April 2. She scored 25 points to set the single-game scoring record in the event, and was named the game’s MVP after leading the West to a 97-88 overtime victory. She hit seven 3-pointers in the game and also grabbed 10 rebounds. All of which made us extremely happy that we made sure to put her on the cover of our 2015-16 Basketball Preview last November.

But what made us happier still was seeing Ionescu close out her career by showing the state — and then the nation — what everybody in the East Bay has known for some time: She’s legit.

At this point, we’re officially spoiled. Who might carry the Bay Area basketball torch next? Whoever it is, we’ll be there to fill you in. ✪

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Top 5 ways the a’s can finish better than the giants It’s springtime, and you know what that means, kiddies: Power imbalances, drastically varied expectations, the Roster of Superstars vs. Whodat and the Whatshisnames.

That’s right, our annual look at the Bay Area Major League Baseball scene. It’s an even year, so the Orange-andBlackish among you have understandably high hopes.

Those wearing Kelly-Green-and-Gold... root for a team that still plays home games in the region’s largest toilet bowl, a team that hasn’t recovered from when it traded its cleanup batter in the middle of a pennant race two years ago. Here’s a list of the top 5 things we think need to happen in order for the A’s to somehow, improbably, finish with a better record than the Giants.

1. Catastrophe — If Scott Cousins breaks Buster Posey‘s other ankle, and MadBum gets trampled by one of his own cows, and someone shaves Johnny Cueto‘s AND Jeff Samardzija‘s Samson-like locks, and Hunter Pence... does some other Hunter Pence thing to get hurt, then maybe.

2. Conspiracy — We heard the FBI, the DEA, the NSA, the NAACP, AARP, the NEA, AEIOU, PETA, and several other acronyms all were looking into Brian Sabean’s shady backroom dealings. Or something. Mark FainaruWada and Lance Williams are totally writing a book about it.

3. Continuum — Something something time-space wormhole, something something 1989, something something Rickey Henderson. We’re still hammering out details on that one.

4. Cupidity (look it up) — Or lack thereof. Lew Wolff tossed off the mantle of cheapest owner on the planet (take that, Mark Davis!), splurges on Giancarlo Stanton, David Price, Bryce Harper, and Clayton Kershaw at the deadline, and Oakland surges to... make it interesting down the stretch.

5. Constitution — Sonny Gray has to stay healthy all sea-- what’s that? Food poisoning you say?

Opening Night? Aw, screw it.

— Bill ‘Still Can’t Believe Billy Dealt Cespedes With The Best Record In Baseball’ Kolb

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#

hashtag

Karl Mondon/Contra Costa Times/TNS/ZUMAPRESS.com

A look at our favorite social media posts of the past several weeks. Got any good posts you’d like to nominate? Email editor@sportstarsonline.com Monte VistaDanville grad/ U.S. Water Polo Olympic champ, Maggie Steffens @maggiesteffens Apr. 5 “Sat next to little girl who loves to swim!

Gave her 1 of my USA caps, maybe she’ll be next @ missyfranklin or even start water polo! @USAWP”

National NFL writer/CalBekeley grad, Mike Silver @mikesilver March 31 “Sabrina Ionescu just won MVP at the McDonald’s Game and would look soon good in blue & gold.”

Prep2Prep writer, Nate Smith @ coachnatesmith April 1 “Using my basic math skills, I realize that Amador Valley pitcher Danielle Williams has 34 strikeouts in backto-back no-hitters.

That’s good.”

Maggie Steffens

where are they now?

It’s been almost five years since we released Issue #24 on May 26, 2011, featuring Alhambra High pitcher Robert Stephenson on the cover. Since that time, Stephenson was drafted 27th overall to the Reds the in the first round of the 2011 MLB Amateur Draft. He has since worked his way up the system to become the #31 overall prospect in baseball, according to ESPN. And on April 7 — the same day this magazines releases — he will make his Major League debut for the Reds in Cincinnati against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Stephenson still has his upper-90s fastball, but has battled control issues at times. He’s got a career 3.80 ERA and 488 strikeouts in 450 minor league innings.

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Trending What’s hot in the world of stuff that’s hot Axl Rose and Slash (joined

by Duff McKagan) finally played together. Welcome To The (Slightly Tubbier) Jungle.

The GOP may disregard the primaries and nominate a fresh candidate at their convention. As if the previous six months weren’t already a big enough waste of time.

‘The People v OJ Simpson’ finale is coming up.

DON’T SPOIL THE ENDING! Batman V. Superman: The Dawn of Justice finally dropped and we all know who won: Captain America: Civil War. Memo to publisher: Your loyal SportStars staff would appreciate no more deadlines on baseball Opening Day and the NCAA men’s hoops championship Monday. I mean, c’mon!

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I really like to run the 100 (meters), but my coach not only makes me run the 200 some of the time, he also wants me to do relays. I hate relays because I don’t like to depend on other people. I want whatever happens to be up to me, not someone else. I want my teammates to do well, and I support them, but I don’t want to run with them.

—J.G., Sacramento

A

ctually, you’ve hit on a bigger question, and constant issue for almost everything we do: What’s more important — group or individual success?

In team sports like baseball the group element is clear. Unless the pitcher strikes everyone out, he needs fielders.

Still, of course, there are clashes, usually involving ego. A player wants to lead off, but the coach bats him ninth. A softball player feels she’s the best shortstop, but the coach plays a senior instead. These conflicts are bred in the bone of team sports, and one of the speeches almost every coach makes before, during and after the season emphasizes accepting roles and making sacrifices for the good of the team.

For that very reason, many athletes gravitate toward track, tennis or golf, where the team element takes a back seat to individual performance. If you beat everyone else in tennis, you’re No. 1; if you have the lowest score after nine holes, you’re the top golfer.

But even in track, there are reasons for coaches to make adjustments that athletes might not care for. For example, the fastest boy in the 100-meter dash may also be the fastest in the 200 — and there may be

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more 100-meter dash runners who might score points in a meet than 200-meter dash runners. So maybe the boy with the fastest 100 time winds up helping the team more by running the 200, even if he doesn’t really want to.

Of course it’s the same with relays, which are an odd amalgam of individual and team competition. The runners all run on their own, and the only thing they do together is pass the baton. In the end, the result is what four people do and it can be frustrating for one fast runner to give his or her all and be dragged down by the speed, or lack thereof, of the other three.

All any individual can do is the best he or she can, and a strong performance in a relay is its own reward.

There may be frustration, but if you think about it, that comes from the individual. If you want to be frustrated because the other guys aren’t as fast, you can be — but what’s the point? If they’re doing their best and you’re doing your best, then where’s the problem?

You may not like running relays, but you are part of a team and a school community that supports you with a track, coaches, uniforms and a platform for your skill. If the personal price is running a relay, or running the 200 instead of the 100, it’s really not much to pay. Just go as fast as you can, which is what sprinting is about, and let the rest go.

You’ll be much happier, and enjoy the whole process a lot more. ✪ Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette. To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard, email him at clayk@fullcourt.com.

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Amador Valley - Softball - Sophomore She was the best pitcher in the East Bay as a freshman in 2015. So far in 2016, she’s making the case to be the best pitcher in the entire Bay Area. In a one week stretch from March 28-April 1, Williams pitched 18 no-hit, shutout innings with 42 strikeouts. She tossed four innings of a combined no-hitter in a 12-0 win over Monte Vista-Danville on March 29 before throwing back-to-back no-hitters against California-San Ramon on March 31 and Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland on April 1. She had 17 strikeouts in each of the full no-hitters. The no-hitter over O’Dowd also gave Dons coach Teresa Borchard her 100th career varsity win in just her fourth season at Amador Valley. Williams’ streak of no-hit innings ended on April 4 against visiting Benicia in the top of the third. The Dons would win that game 2-1 on the sophomore’s RBI double. Amador Valley is 7-1 overall as it heads to the Michelle Carew Tournament this weekend in Yorba Linda.

honorable mention Chandler Yu: The Menlo SchoolAtherton junior threw five shutout innings in a March 22 win over Aragon and collected five hits in a pair of games on March 24-25 as the Knights baseball team won three games to improve to 10-1.

Sabrina Ionescu: Almost certain to go down as MiramonteOrinda’s greatest girls basketball player, Ionescu closed her career with a 2410-10 triple double in the CIF Open Div. state final (an 80-71 loss) and then set the McDonald’s All-American game scoring record with 25 points.

Kenny Wooten: The Nevada-bound senior star for Manteca basketball was one block shy of a triple double in leading the Buffaloes to the CIF Div. III state championship on March 24. He finished with 26 points, 18 rebounds and nine blocks.

Got Send your nominations to: Next? Editor@SportStarsOnline.com or tweet us using #SSOTW

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A

t this year’s press conference during the CIF State Basketball Championships in Sacramento, CIF executive director Roger Blake seemed open and interested in any and all different ways of changing the way the tournament has been conducted in recent years.

One major shift the CIF should consider to perhaps get more fans in the seats is to focus more on those teams in the Open Division.

Could it be that many fans are well aware that the very best teams (and many of the best players) are in the Open Division and that most of the teams competing for divisional titles are just not close to being on the same level?

That may be part of it, but it’s also true that Sacramento area fans showed this year that unless one of their teams is playing, most just aren’t going to come to a CIF state final in Sacramento. They didn’t come to the De La Salle-Corona Centennial football game and they didn’t come to the Open Division finals in basketball.

Although Manteca brought several busloads of fans and was perhaps the best school of all 12 throughout the weekend in terms of bringing support, there were only 3,735 who came on Thursday and 7,501 on Saturday. Those totals were despite the fact that the No. 1 boys team in the nation (Chino Hills) was playing on Saturday.

One solution that could help in the future is to actually treat the Open Division like the big honor of being in it is supposed to be. It’s not like the other divisions and should be packaged and promoted accordingly, not just added at the top of a slate of other brackets.

Timing of when certain games are played would have to be worked out, but what if the CIF brought the final four boys and girls Open Division teams to one location and then played those semifinal games back-toback-to-back-to-back? Those four teams also could be seeded differently so the possibility of an all-NorCal or all-SoCal final could happen.

This year, for example, we would have probably had Chino Hills vs. Modesto Christian and Bishop Montgomery vs. De La Salle as boys Open Division semifinals and then Miramonte vs. Long Beach Poly and Chaminade vs. Pinewood as girls Open Division semifinals. And with the possibility that the various NorCal and SoCal regional finals in each division may be switched to home venues as soon as next season, the Open Division semifinals could then be the games played at the big arena one weekend before the state finals.

Another way in which the CIF could further separate the Open Division is to allow the four teams that lose in the first round to be placed back into the Division I bracket so that those teams wouldn’t have their seasons end by being in the Open Division. That wouldn’t help an Open Division semifinal loser very much, but for a team like the Brookside Christian-Stockton girls this year it would have at least enabled them to not have their season end the way it did in a blowout loss to Miramonte.

Those Open Division teams falling back to the D1 bracket also would have to be inserted into that bracket in the second-round, essentially giving them a bye into the quarterfinals. But if they’re Open Division teams in the first place, they deserve that kind of treatment.

It’s known for sure that the new Golden 1 Center in Sacramento should be an exciting new home for the CIF basketball final. Let’s hope there are other new changes that help bring additional excitement. ✪

State hoops needs a boost

Mark Tennis is the co-founder of Cal-Hi Sports, and publisher of CalHiSports.com.

Contact him at markjtennis@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @CalHiSports.

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needs a boost

Miramonte’s Sabrina Ionescu playing in front of a lot of empty seats.

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boys hoops california top 10

girls hoops california top 10

De La Salle’s Emeka Udenyi Previous Ranking in Parentheses. All records are final 1. (1)

—

Chino Hills

35-0

UCLA-bound Lonzo Ball led Huskies past De La Salle in CIF Open Division state final. They also finished No. 1 in every legitimate national ranking, which 35-0 Mater Dei-Santa Ana wasn’t able to do two seasons ago.

2. (2) — Bishop Montgomery-Torrance 28-3 The Knights lost to Chino Hills in the CIF SoCal Open Division final, and in the first matchup vs. the Huskies they only lost 71-67.

3. (3) — Foothills Christian (El Cajon) 25-5 T.J. Leaf will be a teammate of Lonzo Ball’s at UCLA and is being compared with some of the greatest players in San Diego Section history. Foothills beat Mater Dei in the SoCal Open Division then lost to Chino Hills in the semifinals.

4. (5) ▲ Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth 26-5 Based on their performance against out-of-state teams, the Trailblazers were a top 10 national team. They also got one win vs. Bishop Montgomery, but an upset loss to Cathedral CatholicSan Diego in the SoCal Open Division costs them.

5. (4) ▼ De La Salle-Concord 31-3 Since the Spartans had a loss to Centennial-Corona, they could have fallen a lot further than one spot for final rankings. Their overall resume, however, was much better than Centennial and many other teams.

6. (7) ▲ Mater Dei-Santa Ana 27-5 The Monarchs move up one spot in the final rankings and were considered for the spot De La Salle holds, but the Spartans played Chino Hills tough for a half whereas Mater Dei was completely overwhelmed.

7. (8) ▲ Crespi-Encino 33-4 USC-bound De’Anthony Melton led the Celts to the CIF Div. I title with win over Berkeley. They won CIF Div. IV crown in 2015.

8. (6) ▲ Modesto Christian 32-2 The Crusaders, who lost to De La Salle by one point in the CIF NorCal Open Division final, make the state record book for longest win streak within a season (32). Yes, they lost their first and last games.

St. Mary’s-Stockton’s Kat Tudor Previous Ranking in Parentheses. All records are final 1. (2) ▲ Chaminade-West Hills 31-4 Several losses came when All-American Leaonna Odom was missing from the lineup. In the CIF Open Div. state final, it was just a case of the Eagles having two All-Americans (Valerie Higgins was the other) compared to one for Miramonte.

2. (3) ▲ St. Mary’s-Stockton 28-1 Getting upset by Pinewood in the NorCal Open Division semifinals spoiled what would have been a national title season for the Rams if they had finished 31-0.

3. (2) ▼ Miramonte-Orinda 32-1 A very tough choice indeed had to be made between the Matadors and St. Mary’s for the final No. 2 ranking. With St. Mary’s owning so many wins over ranked teams, however, it probably needed to have been a head-to-head win that decided it.

4. (4) ▲ Long Beach Poly-Long Beach 27-5 The Jackrabbits lost to Chaminade on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer

by Leaonna Odom in the CIF SoCal Open Div. title game.

5. (5) — Archbishop Mitty-San Jose 23-4 An upset loss to Salesian-Richmond did not end up pushing the Monarchs all the way out of the top five. They also had a 19-point win over Pinewood.

6. (6) — Pinewood-Los Altos Hills 24-6 If the Panthers had not gotten that huge win over St. Mary’s, they probably would have finished either at No. 10 or No. 11. They had too many losses overall to be higher than Mitty in the final rankings.

8. (8) — Clovis West-Fresno 30-4 The Golden Eagles ended up with two losses to St. Mary’s plus one to Long Beach Poly in the SoCal Open Div. Their Open Div. win over Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth was also impressive.

9. (9) — Redondo-Redondo Beach 28-7 The Seahawks lost to Crespi in the CIF Div. I SoCal championship and in general played one of the toughest schedules of any team in the state.

9. (9) — Salesian-Richmond 27-6 A highlight for the Salesian faithful was when USC-bound Minyon Moore poured in 40 points and snagged 10 steals in the 70-66 NorCal Open Div. upset of Archbishop Mitty.

10. (10) — Sacramento 30-2 Since the Dragons played De La Salle tough in the NorCal Open Division semifinals and they beat Folsom in the firstround, they finished in the top 10.

10. (10) — La Jolla Country Day-La Jolla 24-6 The Torreys played in the SoCal Open Div. and had wins early in the season vs. both Pinewood and CIF Div. I state champ Brea Olinda.

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football Notes

One-Day QB Challenge Returns Many football fans have heard of the nationallyrenowned Elite 11 Quarterback Camp put on by Student Sports. It uses regional tryouts to find the best 11 senior QBs in the nation and brings them to one weekend event where they train and compete to finish No. 1 among the Elite 11.

No doubt inspired by the concept, longrespected QB coach Keith Simons pioneered the Rising Stars QB Shootout — a one-day, regionspecific event to draw the top QBs in Northern California and have them compete in physical, mental and on-field challenges to become the Rising Stars Shootout Champion. More importantly, Simons — who played QB at Oregon State and has coached on staffs at multiple NCAA Div. II programs before spending more than 15 years as head coach at Santa Rosa Junior College— has made sure the event has an exposure element to it along with recruiting advice.

Stacey Harris of the National Scouting

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Report service will be on hand to talk to the quarterbacks and their families about the recruiting process, and so forth.

This year’s challenge will take place on May 28 at Analy High in Sebastopol, the home of defending Rising Stars champiom, Jack Newman. Newman is coming off a sophomore season in which he was named to the SportStars All-NorCal Football Team after throwing for 4,091 yards and 50 touchdowns.

If you’re a quarterback who believes you belong at the event, email Simons at ksimons@santarosa.edu or visit the D1Quarterback.com and register.

HODGINS TO COMMIT IN APRIL On April 4, Berean Christian-Walnut Creek standout wide receiver Isaiah Hodgins (pictured left) took to Twitter to announce he would declare his college commitment on April 23. Hodgins, the son of former NFL fullback, James Hodgins, is coming off a junior campaign of 94 catches for 1,483 yards — both Bay Area bests.

The 6-foot-3, 187-pound four-star recruit has offers from Boise State, Colorado, Colorado State, Nevada, Oregon State, San Jose State, Purdue, Washington and Washington State among others. Oregon State and San Jose State have been recruiting Hodgins the longest. Part of the reason for that: Current OSU offensive coordinator Dave Baldwin coached James Hodgins at San Jose State. ✪ — Chace Bryson

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RIDE MORE

GET FIT Fun is just one byproduct to dirt biking on a regular basis

E

xperienced dirt bike riders make dirt bike riding look simple, easy, and, of course, fun. However, it’s a sport that requires a lot of physical coordination, endurance, and engages nearly all the muscle groups. In fact, riding a dirt bike is an excellent way to stay healthy and fit. The sport will strengthen muscles, reduce stress and anxiety, and being out in the natural world enhances both physical and mental health.

The workout received while dirt bike trail riding may surprise you. A significant amount of body strength is required to keep the dirt bike balanced while maneuvering over different types of terrains.

Dirt biking can be an intense lower body workout, using the majority of leg muscles including quadriceps, glutes, and hamstrings. Using leg muscles will help keep the bike balanced on hill climbs, descents, riding over rocks and other obstacles, and while making sharp turns or switchbacks through forests or desert lands. In addition, a rider’s shoulders, upper back, and arm muscles will be engaged to assist in balancing the body over the dirt bike and to maneuver the bike smoothly, especially coming in and out of turns. A dirt bike rider tightens core muscles continually for control and to brace the body for bumps, grooves, and whoops the land offers. The entire experience builds muscle tone and strength.

Dirt biking can also improve mental health by improving the rider’s mood and helps prevent stress, anxiety, or depression. Dirt bike riders usually feel energized and happy when returning from a ride. Many of them refer to their dirt bike as their “therapist.” Riding a dirt bike or any off-highway vehicle has a wonderful way of releasing endorphins that serve to boost mood and improve outlook. The time spent on a bike lets the rider escape from their problems or allows them to work through problems and consider issues from different perspectives.

Once the mind is connected to the terrain or to the forest, the experience can be very rewarding, both in terms of performance on the trails and for simple peace of mind.

In general, people who engage in dirt bike riding develop a deeper sense of tranquility which tends to boost performance as a whole.

There are many positive reasons for the people to get off their couches or step away from their electronic screens and get out there on the trails. The fresh air and the sunshine help relieve stress and provide nutrients that support body functions at an optimal level. If your intention is become a better overall athlete or lose weight, and you like to train outdoors, then dirt bike riding may just be right for you!

— Copy and photos provided by California State Parks

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Despite decades of athletic success, Serra High earned its first CIF state title by its blue-collar basketball team Story by stephen scott | photos by james k. leash

P

erception is reality, any marketing person will tell you. Then again, marketers don’t decide championships.

With athletic icons such as Tom Brady, Barry Bonds and Lynn Swann, the perception is Serra must have collected bushels of state titles. Truth is, heading into the March 26 CIF Division II boys basketball championship at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, the Padres had never garnered a single California crown.

The baseball team had been honored with a pair of pennants for being ranked No. 1 in the state by Cal-Hi Sports, but nothing was actually earned on a playing field or surface.

“That makes today pretty historic and meaningful,” Serra basketball coach Chuck Rapp said heading into the game with Long Beach Poly, a school with a historic reputation of its own.

Being a private school in an affluent region could lead one less familiar with Serra to assume its players are entittled, perhaps even soft.

All the pre-conceived notions got smothered, boxed out or otherwise fly-swatted with Serra’s gritty 48-43 victory.

The Padres (26-5), who finished second in the West Catholic Athletic League, fought back from an early nine-point deficit and slowly grinded its way back. The win featured a huge 16-point, 15-rebound game from WCAL Player of the Year Jake Killingsworth, and a terrific floor game from senior point guard Lee Jones (13 points).

But it was two huge charges — one in the final two minutes — taken by 5-foot-11 backup guard Cole Galli that had Jeremiah Testa talking after the game.

Testa, a first-team All-WCAL guard who was brilliant all season, had a rough championship game going 2-for-12. However, he made two key 3-pointers including one to start the fourth quarter that sent the Padres on their way.

“I‘ll trade a bad game for a state championship any day,” Testa said.

And one could tell, he wouldn’t trade Galli for a Brady autograph, Warriors’ front-row seats or a new fleet of Nikes.

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“That second charge was the play of the game as far as I’m concerned,” Testa said.

Rapp bit his lip and nodded strongly. He couldn’t have been prouder. He built the basketball program on a foundation of nails, glue and hammers. The key to beating Poly, he said going in, was simply rebounding. “We said if we out-rebounded them that would be the game,” Rapp said. “That was huge. That was a super athletic team that’s really strong on the boards. It took all five guys to box out and it was fun to watch.

“Not everybody can make a 3-pointer. Not everybody can dunk. But everybody can box out.”

And everyone can play defense, though not quite as expertly as the Padres, who allowed just 18 of 53 shooting from the Jackrabbits (34 percent).

Poly was forced to the perimeter, where it connected on just 5-for-20 from 3-point range.

And they did it without fouling. The Jackrabbits were just 2-of-3 from the line.

There was nothing fancy about it, Rapp said. It’s been ingrained in every player since wearing the Serra blue and gold — and engraved on every warm-up: “Defend or die.”

“We teach toughness. We believe in it,” Rapp said. “That is absolutely what the culture is, toughness, and that is something we teach. That’s who we are: defend or die.”

Killingsworth, a 6-5 guard playing in the block, benefited from his team’s block outs, and cleaned up on the defensive glass with 12 of his 16 following Poly misses. The transfer from Arkansas made 7 of 13 shots and was the dominant player in the game, a perfect finish to a superb prep career. Next season he’ll play at Columbia.

“It’s unreal to close out my high school career with a win for the state championship,“ Killingsworth said. “When we started working out last summer, I knew we had talent. We had our ups and downs, but at the end we put it all together.”

A 53-51 loss in the CCS Open semifinals to Bellarmine knocked them out of the Open Division of the state tournament, which turned out to be a positive. Three NorCal wins, finished off with a 59-53 thriller over El Cerrito, got the Padres to the state title game. John Besse had 17 points and Killingsworth 12 points and 14 rebounds in the regional final.

“We peaked at the right time,” Rapp said. “The program is kind of made for March and that’s what we try to build ourselves for. Once we got into NorCals we started playing our best ball in terms of defense and sharing the ball. We just kept getting better. That’s a sign of a championship team.”

The title game was a microcosm of their season. The Padres fell behind 11-8 after the first quarter and 20-11 early in the second. But that’s when they began getting stops. Following a 10-0 run late in the third, keyed by three straight buckets from Killingsworth, the Padres took the lead for good, going up 29-23. Poly got as close as 33-30 early in the fourth quarter, but again Serra had an answer with an 8-3 run. It started with a pretty reverse layup by Killingsworth and finished off with a driving layup by Testa.

After Galli took a second charge, Poly was finished.

The Padres charged the court after the final horn, the coaches embraced and the long wait for a school rich in tradition was over.

For Rapp, in his 16th season, it was extremely sweet. The 47-year-old, who graduated from Serra and Cal and once coached Brady on the JV team, has experienced all the athletic program’s ups and downs for more than three decades.

“This is so special to plant that state banner for the whole Padre Nation,” he said. “I’m really proud of these guys. They do all the work and heavy lifting and the assistant coaches put in the game plan, the kids implement it and I just run around and yell at the referees. … This will be a day that I’ll remember for the rest of my life.” ✪ 20

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State championship completed a dream season for Manteca High and an entire community Story by Jim McCue | Photos by Phillip Walton Manteca’s Tydus Verhoeven looks for an open man during the Div. III state final.

22

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E

veryone has big dreams.

For the City of Manteca — a San Joaquin County community of just over 70,000 residents that was incorporated in 1918 and only grew in size during recent decades as Bay Area residents headed east for affordable housing — the big dream of earning the attention and respect of big cities has been a challenge to realize.

Manteca High boys basketball coach Brett Lewis grew up in that community dreaming about hoops greatness in his hometown. Once that very scenario played out, as his Buffaloes defeated Ayala-Chino Hills 60-51 in the CIF Division III state final, Lewis struggled to grasp the realization of the dream he shared with his team, school and city.

“I grew up in Manteca and never imagined a state championship team in the city, let alone a team that I was coaching,” he said. “It’s unreal. I can’t really wrap my head around it.”

Fortunately for Lewis, there was a large contingent from Manteca in attendance at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento to pinch him, if needed, in order to comprehend the accomplishment for the growing “Family City” that he has always called home. The city provided an impressive send-off on the morning of the state championship game as seemingly the entire community lined the streets near the high school to show support for the Buffaloes before a police escort led the team bus out of town.

“I started crying and had so many emotions,” Lewis said. “I feel that this team has brought the community and the school together.

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23

Records are FINAL 1. (2)

▲

De La Salle-Concord

31-3

2. (1)

▼

Modesto Christian

32-2

3. (3)

— Sacramento

30-2

4. (4)

— St. Francis-Mountain View

25-3

5. (7)

▲ Sheldon-Sacramento

23-6

6. (5)

▼

7. (6)

▲ Folsom

27-5

8. (9)

▲ Salesian-Richmond

18-4

9. (10)

▲

Serra-San Mateo

28-5

10. (8)

▼

Weston Ranch-Stockton

27-5

Moreau Catholic-Hayward

25-5

11. (15) ▲ Manteca

29-6

12. (NR) ▲ Berkeley

24-9

13. (12) ▼

Monte Vista-Danville

24-8

14. (11) ▼ Jesuit-Carmichael

25-6

15. (14) ▼

Oakland Tech

28-4

16. (13) ▼

Capital Christian-Sacramento

19-10

17. (NR) ▲

West Campus-Sacramento

29-6

18. (17) ▼

Half Moon Bay

29-4

19. (16) ▼ Palma-Salinas

26-5

20. (NR) ▲

26-9

St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda

DROPPED OUT: No. 18 Dougherty Valley-San Ramon, No. 19 Newark Memorial and No. 20 Dublin BIGGEST MOVER: The biggest mover over the last five weeks of the season was clearly Berkeley. The Yellowjackets went from unranked at the start of the postseason to close at No. 12 after claiming their first modern-era CIF Northern Regional title. West Campus (NorCal Div. IV runners-up) and St. Joseph (Div. V state champs) also made their first NorCal Top 20 appearance in the final rankings. Weston Ranch finished inside the Top 10 over No. 11 Manteca due to owning three head-to-head wins over the CIF Div. III state champions.

24

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Kenny Wooten throws down a dunk for Manteca.

“It showed me that the support of the city was real and that they had our backs.”

Just a few months earlier, the City of Manteca welcomed home its first state champions after the Sierra Timberwolves defeated Chowchilla 20-15 to claim the CIF State Division IV-A football title. Sierra and Manteca High Schools have established themselves as elite football programs, and East Union won the 2015 Sac-Joaquin Section Div. III championship. All of which meant that basketball has long been in the high school athletics background in town.

“I always knew when I came here that it was a football school,” Lewis admitted, “but for at least a year it’s going to be known as a basketball school.”

The state championship did not come out of nowhere in the Cinderella fashion of small-town Hickory in the movie Hoosiers, but Manteca was one of only four public schools to claim one of the 12 CIF State Basketball Championships in 2016.

Lewis and the Buffaloes have built the program into contenders in the three years since the young coach moved to the city’s oldest school.

Guard Marcus Montano was one of two seniors on the Manteca roster that helped the Buffaloes record their first 20-win season since 2010, and the team made its first trip to Sleep Train Arena in years. The 2015 Buffaloes took a 22-6 mark into the SJS Div. III semifinals before falling to Valley Oak Leaguerival Weston Ranch-Stockton. Less than a week later, the team lost to Foothill-Palo Cedro in the first round of the CIF NorCal playoffs.

The stage had been set, though. Tydus Verhoeven and Anand Hundal had gained valuable playoff experience, and reinforcements arrived for what turned out to be a magical season in 2016. Junior transfer point guard Dwight Young joined the team and gradually took over the offensive reins after an initial acclimation period.

“We came together as a family,” Verhoeven said of the 201516 season. “We all understood our roles and wanted to fulfill our potential as a team.”

Verhoeven and Young anchored the backcourt while Hundal was joined by senior Kenny Wooten to form one of the region’s best forward duos. Hundal was the known entity as the Buffaloes’ leading scorer and go-to guy in the post. But it would be Wooten who made the biggest difference for ManSubscribe to s360 at SportStarsOnline.com

teca in 2016, and in the postseason in particular.

Wooten was new to organized basketball as a freshman at Stagg-Stockton and transferred to Manteca after his sophomore year — in which he averaged 8 points, 8 rebounds, and 5 blocks per game. Wooten had to sit out his junior season at Manteca, but made such an impact on the AAU circuit that he was heavily recruited by Division I programs from across the nation. Before his senior season even tipped off, Wooten signed an early letter of intent to play at the University of Nevada.

By the time the season ended with Wooten nearly posting a triple-double (24 points, 17 rebounds, 9 blocks) on the biggest stage, college coaches’ envy of Nevada head coach Eric Musselman grew exponentially. From the section title game through the state final, Wooten wowed crowds and dominated opponents to the tune of 16.8 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 5.4 blocks in those five games.

“During my junior year, I took time to develop and work on my skill set,” Wooten said of watching the Buffaloes advance to the section semifinals at the home of the Sacramento Kings.

“After that, I promised my team that we would get back to (Sleep Train).”

Wooten delivered on that promise, but the first trip back ended in another loss to Weston Ranch again in the SJS Div. III playoffs, this time in the section final. In fact, three of Manteca’s six losses — they finished with a program-best 29-6 record — came against Weston Ranch. After the heartbreaking section finals defeat, though, Wooten and Manteca still dreamed big.

The Buffaloes’ dreams came true as they took turns lighting up NorCal opponents to earn one final trip back to Sleep Train Arena. Young made 7 of- 14 3-pointers in the first two NorCal games and led the team with 21 and 23 points, respectively.

Then, Hundal scorched Bishop O’Dowd by making 11 of 14 field goal attempts in a rout to claim the regional championship.

In the state final, Wooten was 10 of 12 from the field, including several highlight-reel dunks and putbacks. Senior guard Angel Perez stepped up with nine points to punctuate the Buffaloes’ balance. Manteca survived a shaky third quarter and won despite taking 31 fewer shots than Ayala.

“That’s Manteca basketball,” Lewis said of the state final’s ups and downs mirroring the season. “That’s just the roller coaster we have been on all year.”

And that’s a dream come true. ✪ Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

NorCal Girls Take Three State titles for Divisions III-V stay in the north, but Elk Grove’s road to Div. II runner-up was also memorable While Miramonte-Orinda couldn’t complete its bid for a perfect season and CIF Open Division Girls Championship, Northern California still brought home three girls state championship trophies over the two days.

On March 24, Eastside College Prep-Palo Alto won the Div. V title with a 5750 win over Village Christian-Sun Valley just one year after finishing as the Div. V runner-up. That same day, Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. closed out its Division III state championship run with a 50-47 victory over Lakeside-Lake Elsinore.

Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa opened up Sleep Train Arena on March 26 and was able to grind its way to a 39-37 victory in the Div. IV state final. The Cardinals pulled off the victory despite scoring just three points in the fourth quarter.

“It wasn’t the prettiest game,” Cardinal Newman coach Monica Mertle admitted afterward. “It was a grinder, but we came out with a win.”

All three state girls champs from the North were No. 1 seeds. And so was the St. Francis-Sacramento team which finished as runners-up in Div. I. Perhaps the most intriguing girls story from the state tournament came from Elk Grove in Division II. Elk Grove (24-11) lost in the SJS Division II semifinals and were handed the lowest seed in the NorCal field at No. 12, but head coach Larry Price got the most out of his gritty squad with three road wins in regional play.

Senior captain, and the program’s all-time leading scorer, Madison Wong, led the road warriors by averaging 17.3 points and 5.7 steals in victories against Acalanes-Lafayette, Pleasant Valley-Chico and Vanden-Fairfield. The NorCal semifinal victory at Vanden avenged Elk Grove’s SJS semifinal loss and set up an SJS showdown against Sacramento in the NorCal final.

Sac High, the 7th-seeded team in the Div. II field, had its underdog run halted by the ultimate underdogs, 46-45. In the state final, the Thundering Herd frustrated heavily-favored and SoCal No. 2 seed Cajon-San Bernardino for three quarters before the glass slipper was shattered. When Wong hit a 3-pointer late in the third to give Elk Grove a 32-29 lead, the Sleep Train Arena crowd began to sense that one of the biggest upsets in CIF State Basketball Championships history was a possibility.

Unfortunately for the Herd, the Cowgirls (27-6) finally found the gear that allowed the team to average 74 points per game. Cajon’s front line of Washington State-bound Kayla Washington and Taylor Goldsberry took over and led a 19-0 run that put the game out of reach of underdog Elk Grove.

Despite the loss, the postseason run was enjoyed by Price — who was in his first year leading Elk Grove after turning around the Florin-Sacramento program — and his players. Wong and fellow seniors Arianna Daniel, Ashley Williams, and Tierra Martin raised the bar for future Elk Grove teams and will leave the program with expectations to be favorites rather than underdogs in the future.

That future is bright, too, with juniors Paiton Demps, Mira Shulman, Sydnee Kilbride and Toree Oliver along with sophomore Farah Nhan all scheduled to return. ✪ — Chace Bryson

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All Records are FINAL 1. (2)

▲ Miramonte-Orinda 32-1

2. (1)

▼

3. (3)

— Archbishop Mitty-San Jose

4. (6)

▲

5. (5)

— Salesian-Richmond

27-6

6. (8)

▲ Carondelet-Concord

23-7

7. (16)

▲

St. Francis-Sacramento

29-6

8. (7)

▼

Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland

24-7

9. (4)

St. Mary’s-Stockton

28-1

Pinewood-Los Altos Hills

23-4 24-6

▼

Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills

29-3

10. (11) ▲

Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F.

21-9

11. (15) ▲

Castro Valley

33-3

12. (13) ▲

Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa

31-5

13. (9)

Vanden-Fairfield

24-9

▼

14. (10) ▼ McClatchy-Sacramento

23-6

15. (14) ▼ Antelope

29-3

16. (NR) ▲

24-11

Elk Grove

17. (17) — Brookside Christian-Stockton

23-9

18. (12) ▼ Sacramento

24-10

19. (18) ▼ Menlo-Atherton-Atherton

27-5

20. (NR) ▲

20-11

Eastside College Prep-Palo Alto

DROPPED OUT: No. 19 Lincoln-Stockton and No. 20 Valley Christian-San Jose BIGGEST MOVER: We pause the rankings during the postseason, which is why St. Francis gets credit for the biggest mover. The Troubadours undoubtedly would’ve climbed the ladder through the month of March. Instead, their CIF NorCal Div. I title bumped them nine spots to No. 7. Cal-Hi Sports kept St. Mary’s above Miramonte in its final state rankings, and we can see their reasoning (several key wins over ranked teams for the Rams).

However, in the end, Miramonte won the NorCal Open Div. tournament and had TWO convincing wins over the Pinewood team that knocked off St. Mary’s.

April 2016

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Rockwood Returns Even though the final buzzer may have sounded on the high school basketball season, the games aren’t over quite yet, thanks to the outstanding efforts from Woodcreek, Rocklin and Whitney High Schools who are bringing back their Rockwood Boys Varsity Basketball Tournament this June 10-12.

Host coaches Paul Hayes from Woodcreek, Casey Cutts from Rocklin and Nick French from Whitney will be joining forces for the third consecutive year to bring this exciting event to Placer Valley at their respective schools, all of which have excellent facilities and truly value great sportsmanship.

“We are very excited about this year’s tournament and look forward to the same level of sportsmanship and competition 26

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April 2016

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as last year,” Hayes said. “Our goal is to have at least 24 teams like we did last year and potentially build on that number.”

The format Rockwood uses is to divide teams into four six-team brackets for pool play on the first two days. Based on pool play records, teams get reseeded into three brackets: Gold, Silver and Bronze for the finals, which are Sunday, June 12. All teams are guaranteed five to seven games with 20-minute running halves and five minute halftimes.

Cost is only $375 per team and they are happy to accommodate teams with scheduling preferences. Email Coach Hayes at phayes@rjuhsd.us with requests or questions. ✪ — All copy and photos provided by Placer Valley Tourism Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

William Jessup University men’s hoops added some NAIA madness to its March William Jessup University (WJU) located in Rocklin recently made headlines with its history-making basketball season. The Warriors men’s basketball team showed a true Warrior spirit with its strong postseason run in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Division I Men’s Basketball Tournament.

In just its second year since moving up to the competitive Division I, WJU was selected as one of 32 teams to compete in this prestigious tournament in Kansas City.

Finishing their season 18-10 in the competitive Golden State Athletic Conference (GSAC) earned the Warriors an at-large bid for the NAIA Tournament. The team drew the No. 2 seed and nationally-ranked University of Pikeville (Kentucky) in its first round game on March 17.

Despite a rocky start the Warriors outscored the Bears 54-33 in the second half to pull off an 82-69 upset. Desmond Floyd had 20 points and 10 rebounds in the victory and Darius Clement finished with 18 points and 14 rebounds.

The following night, WJU’s inspiring run came to an end when MidAmerica Nazarene University (Kansas) defeated the Warriors 90-76. They didn’t go down without a fight and head coach Lance Von Vogt couldn’t have been more proud of his team, not only for how they played but how they conducted themselves throughout the season.

“The hard work they put in all season paid off,” Von Vogt said. “We’ve set a standard for athletics here at Jessup and we’ve worked on creating a culture that focuses on who we are as people before who we are as players. That culture is getting rooted and great things will come from it.”

With an overall season record of 19-11 plus an amazing trip to the NAIA Tournament, these Warriors can proudly say they had the greatest season in the history of William Jessup basketball. To learn more about this fantastic program go to www. jessupathletics.com. ✪

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27

Records are through April 4 1. (2)

▲

Amador Valley-Pleasanton

7-1

2. (1)

▼

Pioneer-San Jose

14-2

3. (3)

— Alhambra-Martinez

4. (5)

▲

East Union-Manteca

9-0

5. (7)

▲

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose

9-0

6. (8)

▲

Mt. Pleasant-San Jose

7-1

7. (6)

▼

Heritage-Brentwood

5-1

8. (9)

▲

Castro Valley

8-1

9. (10)

▲ Carlmont-Belmont

14-1

10. (4)

▼ Benicia

4-2

5-1

11. (11) — Woodcreek-Roseville

8-1

12. (12) — Rocklin

10-1

13. (13) — Del Campo-Fair Oaks

6-1

14. (14) — Sheldon-Sacramento

8-2

15. (15) — San Benito-Hollister

9-0

16. (18) ▲ Sierra-Manteca

7-1

17. (19) ▲ Foothill-Pleasanton

7-0

18. (NR) ▲

Vanden-Fairfield

6-0

19. (16) ▼

Leigh-San Jose

9-1

20. (NR) ▲ Oakdale 9-0 DROPPED OUT: No. 17 Vacaville and No. 20 Elk Grove BIGGEST MOVERS: While some teams like previousNo. 4 Benicia took a bit of a fall, no team gained more than two spots this week. Vanden makes a strong debut at No. 18 after it improved to 6-0 this past week with a 4-1 defeat of Benicia. Oakdale also enters the rankings at No. 20 due to a strong 9-0 start that includes a win over Gregori-Modesto as well as Merced. Amador Valley regains the top spot after a torrid week that included three no-hit shutouts. They also benefit from Hillsdale’s upset of then-No. 1 Pioneer-San Jose.

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Concord Climbin W

hen it comes to Division II softball in the North Coast Section, it can be tough to not see it as Alhambra and everybody else.

The Martinez school has dominated the division the past two years, winning both NCS titles behind a parade of Div. I college recruits. The Bulldogs don’t appear any less menacing in 2016, opening the season as a heavy favorite to win a third straight title thanks to talents like Briana Perez, Karlee Sparacino and Cara DiMercurio.

However, it wasn’t too long ago that another Division II program completed a similarly dominant run. Concord High won Division II crowns in 2010, 2012 and 2013. Since those titles, the Minutemen have been first-round victims in each of the past two Div. II tournaments. However, last year’s team — which went 17-9-1 — featured three starting freshmen and plenty of other young talent.

Fast forward to this season where Concord coach Megan Coddington has just one senior on the roster, but can still boast plenty of experience. And if that youth can turn the corner fast enough, it’s not far fetched that 2016 could be the year

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the Minutemen return to prominence and put some heat on the new Div. II dynasty.

Concord went 5-4 through its first nine games, but the team has won five of its last seven in that stretch, including a 7-6, 10-inning win over San Ramon Valley on March 24 and taking three at the HASA Tournament April 2-3 in Antioch. The Minutemen were shut out 5-0 by Castro Valley in the championship game.

“We’re still a young team,” Coddington said in a phone interview on April 4, one day before the start of the Diablo Valley Athletic League season was to get under way. Concord opened against rival Clayton Valley Charter-Concord. “It’s about finding a way to get them to all mesh together. … I do feel like we’re getting better though. Stronger.”

Hitting certainly hasn’t been a problem for the Minutemen.

Through the first nine games, they’re hitting .328 with junior second baseman Sarah Clifton leading the way at a clip of .533.

Sophomore Morgyn Wynne, who has moved from shortstop to the pitching circle, is batting a crisp .485 from the top of the lineup. Eight of Wynne’s 16 hits have gone for extra bases.

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Records are through April 4

Elvia Alvarado

Morgyn Wynne

ng Back Concord is also getting strong contributions from senior captain Elvia Alvarado at third base, as well as juniors Juliana Pichardo at first base and Julia Kiester in center field.

“I look at this team sometimes and wonder, ‘How can we ever lose a game?’” Coddington said. “But I know why. We really hit the ball well, but we’re not always getting that clutch hit. We left 10 on base against Castro Valley. … We had 10 hits to Livermore’s 8 (in an 8-3 loss on March 16), but committed five errors.

You can’t play winning softball with that many errors.”

All of which makes the next six weeks of DVAL play extremely important for Concord. The Minutemen should be the favorite to win the league title, and will have plenty of opportunities to work out the kinks before the NCS tournament arrives on May 24.

“We simply have to get tougher,” Coddington concluded. “Then we can go out and do what we do — find ways to win.”

— Chace Bryson

DEVIL RESURGENCE What a difference a year makes. In 2015, the Davis Blue Devils struggled to a 16-13 record and made an early postseason exit, just one season removed from winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title. Shortstop Ryan Kreidler injured his wrist in the first game and missed his entire junior season.

Hopes were high for a new opportunity in 2016 and the Blue Devils have seized the chance, racing to an 11-0 record that includes the Boras Baseball Classic North title. Davis has scored nearly eight runs per game and has plated at least six runs in each contest.

The UCLA-bound Kreidler is displaying all of his skills with a .345 batting average, 13 runs, 11 RBI, and 3 stolen bases while anchoring the middle infield. Senior catcher Hunter Jury is batting .441 with 4 doubles and 11 runs scored while handling a pitching staff that has held opponents— which has included regional powers such as Vintage-Napa, Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills, and Serra-San Mateo — to just a touch over two earned runs per game. Senior Peter Frame leads the Blue Devils hurlers with a 3-0 record and 0.00 ERA, and has allowed just four hits and one unearned run in 14.1 innings pitched.

Davis opens league play on April 11 and will be tested often in the deep Delta League against the likes of Elk Grove, Franklin-Elk Grove, Jesuit-Carmichael and Sheldon-Sacramento. ✪ — Jim McCue

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1. (2)

▲ Davis 11-0

2. (1)

▼

De La Salle-Concord

8-2

3. (6)

▲

Serra-San Mateo

11-2-1

4. (5)

▲

Bellarmine-San Jose

11-2

5. (7)

▲

St. Francis-Mountain View

6. (3)

▼ Heritage-Brentwood

7. (4)

▼

8. (10)

▲ Vintage-Napa

8-4-1

9. (12)

▲ Tracy

11-2

9-5 8-3

Jesuit-Carmichael

8-2

10. (11) ▲

Maria Carrillo-Santa Rosa

6-4

11. (8)

▼

Elk Grove

6-5

12. (14) ▲

Los Gatos

10-5

13. (9)

Casa Grande-Petaluma

6-3

14. (13) ▼

Marin Catholic-Kentfield

9-2

15. (16) ▲

Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills

7-2

▼

16. (19) ▲ Acalanes-Lafayette

9-1

17. (NR) ▲

Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F.

10-3

18. (15) ▼

California-San Ramon

8-2

19. (18) ▼

College Park-Pleasant Hill

7-3

20. (20) — Woodcreek-Roseville 8-3 DROPPED OUT: No. 17 Pitman-Turlock BIGGEST MOVERS: Lots of shuffling during what was a major tournament week. Davis completed it’s meteoric rise to No. 1, winning twice more — including a 6-4 win over then No. 11 Maria Carrillo. De La Salle drops just one spot to No. 2 after dropping a pair of games at the National Classic in Anaheim. Had Davis not had the strength of schedule from the winning the Boras Classic North bracket in late March, we may not have flipflopped them. Our preseason No. 1 St. Francis-Mountain View is back in the Top 5 after a 3-0 week with wins over two ranked teams.

April 2016

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Soccer Notes

Wolves At The Door Ariana Coronado, Woodland Ready To Defend Title

The Woodland girls soccer team got its first taste of Sac-Joaquin Section success in 2015 as the Wolves captured the program’s first-ever section title. Woodland defeated a Placer team that was appearing in its second SJS Division IV final in three years by a 3-0 margin.

Senior Kristen Ward — who led the Wolves with 22 goals last year — scored in the final to cap her high school career with a banner. Freshman Ariana Coronado also scored a goal in the 2015 final to finish her inaugural season with 20 goals and 10 assists. With Ward graduated, Coronado has turned the Wolves’ one-two punch into a solo scoring burst. The sophomore leads all SJS players with 17 goals and also has 8 helpers in Woodland’s first 13 games.

With a 9-3-1 record and a 5-0 start in Tri-County Conference action that includes a convincing 3-1 victory over league rival River City, the Wolves are eyeing a third consecutive TCC crown and a run at a repeat Div. IV championship despite losing seven players to graduation. The transition has been aided by stellar goalkeeping from sophomore Mackenzie Hatanaka who has recorded five shutouts, including three in league play.

Senior midfielder Alexis Olmedo is anchoring the midfield and has contributed four goals and six assists thus far. Midfielder Lourdes Marin, another impressive sophomore, has contributed four goals and nine assists. Early in the schedule, Woodland dueled Woodcreek-Roseville (7-0-1) to a 1-1 tie and later lost two straight games at the start of March. Since a March 8 defeat, the Wolves are 6-0 and have outscored the opposition 30-2 in those games.

If head coach Andres Olmedo’s young roster continues to pile up wins, then rising play and confidence could allow Woodland to savor a familiar taste of success in 2016. ✪

Ariana Coronado

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›› TITLE DEFENSE The Vista del Lago Eagles are seeking their fifth league championship in six years, and defense is likely what will carry them to the feat. First-year coach Jaimy McLaughlin inherited a successful program from Joe Esfandiary and is building on that success from the back forward.

Solid goalkeeping and strength up the middle through the midfield has helped the Eagles to an 8-2 overall record in which the only two defeats have come at the hands of bigger teams from the Sierra Foothill League. Vista del Lago won Sierra Valley Conference titles in 2011, 2012, and 2014 before capturing the Capital Athletic League title in 2015.

The key to the encouraging start has been keeping opponents away from the goal and allowing very few balls to get into the goal. Sophomore Abigail Trengove tends the net and has been a large part of Vista’s seven shutouts in eight wins. As a team, the Eagles have outscored opponents 27-6 through the first 10 games.

Senior Amanda Gudino heads up the defense while Sacramento State-commit Macy Moen anchors the midfield. Moen is supported in the midfield by senior Morgan Rohmann and sophomore Michaela Mayer, which has allowed the Eagles’ offense to thrive with a possession game and attack.

Freshman Mekaylla White scored four times in the team’s first five games, and attacking support has come from a whole host of Eagles. League-foe El Camino-Sacramento has started 9-0 and will pose a serious road test on April 14 and the league and season finale at home on May 3 could determine if Vista del Lago defends its league title.

›› serious football The SFL stands for Sierra Foothill League, but based on the girls soccer being played in the SFL, it could also stand for Serious Football League. The league’s top four teams have just one loss overall between them. Woodcreek (8-0-1), Rocklin (6-0-3), Oak Ridge (4-0-2), and Del Oro (4-1-3) are all legitimate threats to win the league title and compete for a Sac-Joaquin Section championship in their respective divisions. If you add in Granite Bay’s 5-2 mark, then it is evident that there is no such thing as a day off in the SFL. ✪ — Jim McCue

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››››››› to

CUT ››››››› or to

keep How coaches answer this quandary carries a ripple effect far beyond a program’s wins and losses

T

By jason harper | For Character Combine

o say it doesn’t hurt is an understatement. As the grass gets cut, so do good players, athletes and people.

In recent days, I have seen both sides of the coin.

This week, I observed a baseball practice at a prestigious private school in Sacramento. As I leaned on the hitting cage, a veteran coach on a four-straight-sectional-titles run stood next to me.

Students representing all four grades were mixed together for hitting drills. They jumped in and out of the cage, each taking four hacks. I was impressed. A tall slender kid spanked line drives; two up the middle, one to left, and the last one, a hit-and-run simulation, was slapped with power between first and second. I looked at the coach with my eyebrows raised.

“Freshman,” he said.

The next kid into the cage was the opposite. About 5-foot-5, pudgy and uncoordinated. Four pitches. Four whiffs. Not even close. Coach responded, “Senior.“ I stood perplexed knowing what he was feeling. I have been in this place before. As a former varsity coach, I knew the pending dilemma: To cut or to keep?

I wish it was easy. It’s not. This is where the coaching community is divided. I probed, knowing this coach represents the platinum level of competition.

“You gonna cut him?” I asked keeping my gaze on the current hitter.

I could feel him glaring at me in disbelief that I asked such a stupid question. “Harp, how do I cut a kid who is doing everything I ask?,” the coach said. “That kid lacks talent, but he works hard, has the grades, is the first to arrive and last to leave. No! He is putting in the work. He will make it.”

He continued, “I refuse to cut a kid who gives me his all.

Everyone can contribute something.”

Across town, the same scenario is being played out. A

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sixteen-year-old junior took his last swings of tryouts. It was cut day. As practiced wrapped, the player was called into the dugout. The coach sat him down as if he were running a MLB Spring Training camp.

“Listen, you’re a good kid. But this year you are on the bubble and I don’t have a space for you. I appreciate your hard work and great effort. You’re the first to arrive and last to leave, but baseball is not for everyone.”

Picking up the pieces of disillusionment, distrust and disbelief is hard for anyone, much less a heartbroken kid who loves baseball. In one minute, his decade-long baseball career was possibly over. This kid is light years better than the kid with the four whiffs across town and the coach who cut him hasn’t won a league or section title in this millennia.

What creates the difference between the two coaches?

Joe Ehrmann, a founder who has helped build Character Combine, calls it “Transformational versus Transactional.”

The first coach’s perspective uses baseball to build people and leverages the game to be a vehicle to mentor his athletes to be better people. His perspective is, ‘if I keep the kid, I have a front row seat to building him to be a better person.’

The second coach’s perspective uses baseball to build his own ego. His ability to cut is a power play. His mindset is, If you can’t help the team, you don’t have a spot with us. It’s a transaction. If you can, then I will.

Jerry Manuel, long time Major League Baseball player, coach and manager, believes the student-athlete you may be tempted to cut could end up being a coach if given a chance to learn the game despite a lack of immediate talent.

Manuel, a lifetime Sacramento resident who now works with underserved students of color at the Jerry Manuel Foundation sees potential in all students who exhibit effort. The hard-working kid who lacks ability but puts in the additional hours exhibits valuable characteristics worth developing.

“Those are traits you hope would permeate through an enFollow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

tire team. Therefore he/she stays (does not get cut) because passion and knowledge could make them the coach of the next generation” says Manuel.

It was 1986. I was a barely a 14-year-old freshman at Oak Ridge High in El Dorado Hills.

With a winter birthday, I was competing against other freshman who were fifteen. I was a catcher; my arm was weak. Junior varsity coach Gary Hunter saw I wasn’t on the same level with many of the other kids in my grade. What hurt GOT CHARACTER? was that in Little League I was playing with kids ›› WHAT: Character Combine is a my age (not grade) and was a perennial all-star. fast-paced, one-day event that teaches Coach Hunter sat me down for “the talk.” coaches and players to make increased “Harp, listen. I like you and you work hard character the priority on and off the field. but I need to be honest with you, you are goOur educational venue brings top speaking to have a choice. I want you here, but I also ers from around the nation to communiwant to be honest and let you know that you cate proven tools of sportsmanship. Using won’t get many innings. I will use you to warm video presentation, multi-media producup the pitchers, catch pre-game warm ups, tion, and breakout sessions, Character coach first base, and will work with you after Combine transforms coaches, campuses practice to get better. But if that is not enough and players of influence. for you, I understand.” ›› WHEN: Saturday, April 30 Coach Hunter was being compassionate, ›› WHERE: Folsom High, 1655 Iron Point courageous and inclusive. I loved baseball so Rd., Folsom I chose to stay around as a “bullpen catcher.” ›› WHO: Keynote speakers this year I got one at bat my freshman year, a pinch-hit include, legendary De La Salle High footsingle. Fast forward. Between my junior and seball coach Bob Ladouceur and NFL Hall nior year, Coach Hunter, now the varsity coach, of Fame lineman, Anthony Munoz. converted me from a catcher to a pitcher. My ›› LEARN MORE: charactercombine.com senior year I threw a no-hitter for him.

Later, I found out he had to hustle to find me an extra uniform that was worn and retired. He invited. He invested. He included. He was transformational. Are you?

As a coach, choose to see the game as a vehicle to teach life lessons. Use the game to include as many as you can. Find a way to transform. If not, retire. You’re destroying the game, missing chances for change and have forgotten this is high school not college. ✪ Jason Harper is the co-founder and director for Character Combine. ››

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Serving Up Hot Confidence get mental: erika carlson As athletes, we strive for confidence. Finding it, building it and keeping it can be tough — especially when we need it most. I often talk about building multiple revenue streams of confidence.

Revenue stream is an economic term, but let’s walk through how it applies to creating more sustainable sport confidence.

First, let’s look at multiple revenue streams in a business. You’re probably very familiar with — Starbucks. Economics dictate that you have to keep customers coming back to create steady sales, both throughout the day and throughout the year. Steady sales help create sustainable revenue that allows the company to grow. Starbucks has been masterful at creating many reasons to keep you coming back.

Here’s a closer look at the various Starbucks revenue streams: ›› Good ol’ cup of coffee — Coffee is ready whenever you want it. ›› Special holiday drinks are ready to meet holiday shoppers and keep sales extra strong. ›› Seasonal menu: Frappuccino’s and cool iced teas are great in the summer; traditional drinks like lattes and espresso are favorite winter warmers. ›› Food: Starbucks is an easy stop for a quick breakfast, lunch or snack (most choices pair perfectly with cup of coffee!). ›› Gift cards, mugs or a bag of beans are available as a last minute gift.

There’s so much more to how and why Starbucks has become so successful, but let’s get back to my point. Starbucks has created multiple, reliable ways to generate revenue that has allowed them to grow.

Let’s apply the idea of multiple revenue streams to reliably grow your confidence. For many athletes, their main source of confidence is recent past success. Confidence builds confidence. This works great as long as you’re not in a slump. When you are in slump, building confidence is like trying to

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enjoy a hot cup of coffee on a 106 degree day. Not easy. Remember, past success can always generate confidence, especially with finely tuned skill of imagery. For best results, recall a successful past game or competition, even if it was a while ago, and review it in vivid detail.

An athlete’s next source of confidence is their own personal strengths. We are each born with unique genetics, some of which help us excel in our sport. For instance, ESPN contributor Dan Diamond found that simply being 7-feet tall gave one a 17 percent shot at being in the NBA, compared to .07 percent chance if the same player was between 6-6 and 6-8. It’s imperative you figure out what you bring to the table in. Once you know then you can leverage your strengths as a source of confidence.

Praise is yet another revenue stream for your confidence. Getting acknowledged for performing well, making a good decision or overcoming a challenge can be a great confidence builder. There is a drawback, however — it’s not in your control. My advice to athletes is to use it when it’s there, but don’t rely on it too much. And, (girls…are you listening) be sure to listen and consider all positive feedback, whether you initially agree with it or not. Bottom line: Take it when you can get it.

Last but certainly not least, ideal preparation is truly your “coffee.”

It’s the foundation of every source of confidence. Preparation is in your control, and staying disciplined to proper preparation sets up your best performance and brings reliable, sustainable confidence. ✪ Erika Carlson is a CEO and certified mental trainer at Mental Training, Inc. in Pleasanton.

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got

CHOCOLATE

milk?

nutrition: jill daniels There are all kinds of products targeted towards athletes, promising to help them improve performance. But what about chocolate milk? Is it truly a help? Or just hype?

If you are training for 90 minutes or longer, recovery nutrition is important for you. Low fat chocolate milk is a great recovery drink because it will help with muscle recovery, rehydration, and carbohydrate replenishment.

Muscle Recovery Tough workouts create microtears in the muscles.

Milk contains protein which helps repair the muscles and also helps build them stronger.

Rehydration The fluid and electrolytes in milk will help replace what was lost during practice. Rehydration is crucial for an athlete’s performance.

Carbohydrate Replenishment Exercise uses up glycogen stores, which supply energy to the muscles. Chocolate milk helps replenish these glycogen stores because of the carbohydrates in both the milk and the chocolate. Your body will need these carbohydrates for your next practice.

Drinking the milk within 30 minutes after your workout will give you the best results. Since it tastes so good, this can be important especially for those athletes who don’t have an appetite after practice. If they have something tasty that they’re looking forward to ingesting, it’s more likely that they’ll actually drink it.

Chocolate milk has a few more benefits: Milk is a good source of Calcium and Vitamin D which are especially important for bone strength.

It’s also an inexpensive and convenient way to refuel. You can buy chocolate milk pre-made, or you can mix up your own by using either chocolate syrup or some Nesquik to mix into your milk.

If you’re not a big fan of chocolate, you can also mix up some strawberry milk using strawberry syrup, or you can get a variety of flavors from Carnation Instant Breakfast.

So, if you want to boost your energy levels and speed up your recovery, drink some chocolate milk on the way home from practice. Your muscles will thank you. ✪ 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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CORE

FOCUS training time: tim rudd

One of the most common flaws I see with athletes is a lack of core stability when performing dynamic (sub-maximal velocities) and ballistic movements (maximum velocities).

Many are surprised that they lack core stability. But if an athlete just performs longduration planks and hundreds of crunches and sit-ups, it is no surprise they don’t have much of a functional carry-over to their sport. In all sporting environments, the core must be able to resist the ballistic movements demanded by the sport, such as extension, flexion and rotation when throwing, hitting, swimming, accelerating and so on.

These movements create ballistic extension, flexion and rotational forces through a stable spine, transferring forces from the ground up, beginning with the feet, ankles, legs, hips and through the core to the extremities.

A core that is ill prepared results in inefficient movement, greatly affecting the athlete’s ability to reach his full potential. Athletes need to train their core to resist extension, flexion and rotation through all three planes of motion: ›› Sagittal Plane: Resist Forward Flexion/Backward Extension ›› Frontal plane: Resist Lateral Flexion ›› Transverse (Rotational) Plane: Resist Spinal Rotation.

Since baseball season is officially here, let’s use rotary movements as our example today. We know that in order to throw, hit or pitch an athlete’s core must be must be optimally prepared to transmit forces generated by the legs and hips across a stable spine (resisting rotation) to the upper extremities. ›› Static Anti-Rotation: Progress from tall stance to halfkneeling to standing band press-out holds. ›› Dynamic Anti-Rotation: Progress from tall to halfkneeling to standing band or cable chops ›› Integrated Anti-Rotation: Offset 1A kettle bell squats or single-leg offset loaded straight leg deadlifts or split-stance landmine one-arm presses. ›› Ballistic Anti-Rotation: Progress from tall-kneeling medicine ball side tosses to standing shot put throws to crossbehind shot put throws.

Athletes and their trainers should choose exercises that will give them maximum transfer to their chosen sport, while minimizing the chance of injury. They need to train the core to resist explosive movements in short-burst intervals throughout a game for optimizing their performance. ✪ Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore.

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BADMINTON

› East Bay Badminton If you are interested in the competitive sport of badminton, you have to come to one or more of our nine, week-long summer camps. We have 19-and-under to adult classes. Eastbay Badminton Association is a full service facility dedicated entirely to the sport of badminton. Your satisfaction is our main goal! Info: 510-655-8989; info@eastbaybadminton.com

BASEBALL

› All American Sports Academy Recognized among the top year-round indoor training facilities for baseball & softball, AASA offers camps in hitting, fielding, defense, base-running, speed/agility, pitching and catching. Three locations. Info: www.allamericansportsacademy.net (209) 833-BALL(2255) › All Star Academy of Baseball Utilizing our own 17,000 square-foot facility in Santa Clara, as well as the Twin Creeks Sports Complex in Sunnyvale, ASA offers six of week-long All-Skills Camps for ages 7-12, and two Advanced Boot Camps — one for middle school and one for high school players. Info: 650-961-2255; www.asabaseball.com › Blankenship Bulls Summer Baseball Camps Former MLB player Lance Blankenship will hold his camps & programs from May through August, followed by a fall program and winter training. Camps open to 13U to college level. Camps include All Skills (June 13-15, July 11-13) and Big Bat Hit Camps (June 13-15, July 11-13). All Skills camps run 9am-noon and Big Bat camps go 12:30-2:30pm. Info: Blankenshipbaseball. com; 925-708-3173; Blankenshipbulls@gmail.com

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› Total Player Center At TCP we keep our student to instructor ratios low to ensure the best possible instruction experience. Each camp is designed for specific skill development. We feature camps for ages 5-7 to the most elite high school players. Camps include games, competitions. Located in Livermore. Info: thepitchingcenter.com; 925-4161600; info@thepitchingcenter.com › De La Salle Baseball Camp This camp gives young players a chance to further develop their skills. Emphasizes proper techniques for each player’s position and each segment of the game (running, stealing, throwing, receiving, hitting, bunting, pitching, catching, outfield and infield play). We use drills and practice as well as games/scrimmages. Two sessions available. Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925/288-8100 › Dynamite Sports Speed Baseball/Softball Speed Clinic Contact us to inquire about our in-season and offseason clinicsw. To get started we will give you a FREE assessment/evaluation and two FREE small group training sessions. Info: info@DynamiteSportsSpeed.com › Headfirst Baseball Academy & Summer Camps Our basic mission is to train young players who are willing to work hard to make the next level. We are proven in the area of recruiting talented players and development.

Headfirst has proven relationships with colleges that result in players being connected with desired school. Info: MJi0209@aol.com; Mario74iglesias@aol.com › Mike Murphy Baseball Academy Mike Murphy Baseball is a nationally recognized baseball and softball academy. We’ve been training players

in the Bay Area since 1998. MMB trains all levels. Our private instruction, group classes, camps and clinics are the most comprehensive and detailed of any academy in the country. Lets get swinging! Info: mikemurphybaseball.com; 925-798-4487; mikemurphybaseball@att.net › San Ramon Slammers We’re a member of the East Bay Club Baseball League, organized for the benefit of HS baseball players who wish to play competitive baseball but are unable to play for their own school. One practice per week held at a local high school or city park, with a second practice at an indoor baseball facility. Info: www.slammersbc.org/; eastbayclubbaseball@gmail.com › South Bay Sports Training Based in Saratoga, we offer camps across both spring break and summer for ages 6-14. Info: www.southbaytraining.com; (408) 283-0643; southbaytraining@ aol.com

BASKETBALL

› Advantage Basketball Camps For kids 7-18, we offer the ultimate sports training experience. Main focus is ball handling and moves off the dribble. Also cover shooting, defense. Camps offered statewide: Agoura Hills, Anaheim, Apple Valley, Calabasas, Carson, Claremont, La Cañada, Lake Forest, Lincoln, Moreno Valley, Rancho Cucamonga, Redondo Beach, Rocklin & San Diego. Info: www.advantagebasketball. com; 425-670-8877; info@advantagebasketball.com” › Bentley School Summer Camp All camps coed and offer instruction, coaching Monday-Friday. Open to rising 6th through 9th graders.

Three sessions: Shooting Camp (June 14-16) and two

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All Skills Camps (June 20-23, June 27-30). Info: Rob Rafeh, Director, rrafeh@bentleyschool.net, (925) 2832101 ext. 3241 › Cal Basketball for Girls Provides instruction for players of all skill levels, as we emphasize individual improvement, fundamental skills, teamwork, sportsmanship and enjoyment. We aim to develop and improve both basic and advanced skills such as shooting, passing, ball handling, and footwork.

All interest levels and abilities welcome. Info: 1-800NIKE CAMPS or info@ussportscamps.com › Bear For A Day Camp A unique girls skills camp with focus on preparing for the next level. Geared for the skilled and motivated athlete. Cal head coach Lindsay Gottlieb, along with her assistant coaches and players, will help improve your game by providing elite on-court training as well as film sessions and clinics. This camp provides an inside view of the Cal Women’s Basketball experience. Info: 1-800-NIKE CAMPS or info@ussportscamps.com › De La Salle Basketball Camp Play Hard, Play Together, Play Smart and have fun! All campers will have a great camp experience and, most importantly, have fun. We educate each camper so they have a solid base at becoming the best they can be. Six sessions available. Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925/288-8100 › East Bay Bulldogs Our club program is open to boys and girls, 2nd grade to high school varsity. Last year, we had 21 teams for spring including four girls teams and three high school boys teams. The beauty of the Bulldogs is we have

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room the elite player and the beginner. Offerings in the fall, summer, as well as skills clinics. Info: www. leaguelineup.com/ebbulldogs; 925-570-1334 › Excel in Basketball Series of instructional camps geared to provide instruction in basketball fundamentals to boys and girls in grades 1-12. We pledge to continue our emphasis on fundamentals and developing young athletes to be fine players and fine people. Info: www.excelinbasketball. com; excelcamp@gmail.com › Fastbreak Basketball Camps Former Carondelet coach Margaret Gartner leads three week-long sessions for boys and girls in grades 2-8. If your child wants to learn and improve basketball fundamentals and skills while having fun, then FastBreak Basketball camp is the answer. Camps are held from 10am-2pm each day at NorCal Courts in Martinez Info: fastbreak_club@yahoo.com or (925) 933-9115. › Elevate Basketball Camps & Clinics Elevate is a new 5,700 square foot facility in Concord.

We will be hosting summer clinics for both boys and girls. Camps are focused on overall skill development and are fast paced and fun. Camp will include station work, group skills & drills, contests and more. Athletes will be placed in groups based on age and ability. Info: elevatebasketballtraining.com; 925.323.4527 › Modesto Magic Basketball Association If you are a girl ages 4-17 and you love basketball, we are here to help you take your game to the next level.

We offer leagues, camps, clinics, tournaments, private lessons and AAU traveling teams. Info: Stan Silva, 209765-5107; ssilva1920@aol.com › St. Francis Catholic High School (Sacramento) Camp Our girls camp is open to grades 5-9 with two sessions (morning, afternoon) from June 13-17. We teach fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, rebounding, and shooting. Campers work under varsity coach Vic Pitton, his coaching staff, and current St. Francis varsity players. Info: 916-737-5040; summer@stfrancishs.org

CHEER/DANCE

› Make Me A Pro Cheer Camp Fun camp for ages 5-13 where our experienced staff will challenge campers to be the best that they can be. Techniques taught through fun drills, games and we end week with a performance for parents. Age appropriate stunts may also be taught. One session: June 13-17 from 9am-noon at Gellert Park’s turf field in Daly City. Info: mmapsports.com; 510-677-702 › VELOCITY All-Star Cheer We’re a competitive All Star Cheerleading and Tumbling gym in Antioch. All classes geared toward achieving your child’s goals while having fun, and offer ordinary kids the opportunity to become extraordinary through hard work, determination! Competitive All-Star cheerleading for ages 3-18; Recreational tumbling for ages 3-18 + MORE. Info: velocityallstarscheer.com › Xtreme Cheer Camps Xtreme is a competitive all-star cheerleading, dance and recreational tumbling gym in Antioch. Staff includes enthusiastic, trained professionals. Classes fast-paced, fun and geared toward achieving your child’s goals. Info: 925-565-5464; xtremetumbleandcheergym@yahoo.com

COMMUNITY CENTER

› Community Youth Center The CYC is a state-of-the-art sports, academic center in Concord where youth ages 3-18 thrive in a dynamic, positive environment. CYC is proud to manage 10 sports programs and an academic excellence center offering a variety of camps for youth featuring excellent coaches and fun activities. Info: communityyouthcenter.

org; (925) 671-7070 or email: Lmatheny@cycmail.org

ENRICHMENT

› Eye Level Walnut Creek Eye Level is a systematic, individualized program that caters to students of all abilities utilizing a unique and proven method. This allows each child to have a customized starting point, regardless of his/her age or school grade. Eye Level Walnut Creek has summer and year-round camps in English, Math, Critical Thinking and more. Info: 925-943-6674

FITNESS/TRAINING

› 2G Strength & Conditioning Camps 2G Sports and Fitness camp designed to help core and overall strength while improving speed and endurance.

All exercises will be body weight or manual resistant (no free weights, machines). Working shoulders, back, chest, arms, abs and legs. Conditioning will be through running and circuit training. Brentwood camp days are Tue. and Thurs. from 5-6pm. at Balfour Guthrie Park.

Camp runs six weeks from April-May. The Pleasant Hill camp runs Mon-Thurs. from 5:30-7pm at Christ the King School. Six weeks available from June to early Aug. Info: www.2gsf.com/ › Children’s Hospital Individual Sports Training Train 1-on-1 or in a semi-private session and experience an exercise program specifically designed to meet your personal fitness goals. Program includes in-clinic and on-field sessions involving both initial evaluations and training. Available to young athletes of all types, age 8+ years and either the Oakland or Walnut Creek locations. Prices vary. Info: Krisi Bruce, (925) 979-3420 › Children’s Hospital Summer Circuit Series Fun group class that focuses on upper and lower body strength, core stability and balance. An upbeat and active class focusing on strength, flexibility, coordination and balance through fun games. Open to all athletes aged 12-18. Classes are 5-6 p.m. on Mondays and Wednesdays from June 20-Aug. 12. $20 for drop-in or $144 for 12 classes. Info: Krisi Bruce, (925) 979-3420 › Children’s Hospital F.A.S.T for Athletes Teaches progressive approach to speed, agility techniques and introduces proper techniques of functional strength training and power exercises. Available to young athletes of all types, ages 14-18 on Tuesdays and Thursdays (5-6 pm) in Walnut Creek and Thursdays (78pm) in Oakland. Info: Krisi Bruce, (925) 979-3420 › Children’s Hospital Sport-Specific Training Six-week sport-specific training with pre- and posttesting. Football, baseball/softball, basketball, lacrosse, soccer, track, volleyball and cheer. Boys, girls athletes of all levels, ages 8 to 18. Call for details and availability. Info: Krisi Bruce, (925) 979-3420 › Children’s Hospital Summer Sports Speed Camps Put into practice five pillars of SPEED training. Emphasizing flexibility, stability, strength, power and speed.

Two-week program best suited for athletes who play soccer, football, basketball, lacrosse or track & field.

Ages 12-19, limited to 15 athletes per session. Two sessions offered, morning at Athenian High in Danville or afternoon at Berkeley High. Info: Call Krisi Bruce, (925) 979-3420 › Children’s Hospital Team Sport Testing & Training Whether you are looking to help prepare during the offseason or complement your in-season schedule, we will maximize the development of speed, quickness, strength, movement skills, energy system conditioning, mobility and stability with team training. Options include fitness and performance assessments, to nutritional advice and meal planning. Fully customizable. Open to ages 8-18.

Call for details. Info: Call Krisi Bruce, (925) 979-3420

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› De La Salle Strength & Conditioning (HS) Our high school strength clinics are in place to train incoming 9th-10th graders.

Development movements/exercises emphasized to develop the young athlete’s core, neurological system, kinetic chain, range of motion, flexibility and speed & agility.

We teach proper lifting techniques and resistance training. Three sessions available.

Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925/288-8100 › Speed 4 Your Sport Training Focus on run and sprint mechanics, agility, change of direction and cardio conditioning and gain strides. Train two days per week in one hour sessions with S4S in Pleasanton. The better your athleticism is, the better you compete. Info: (510) 5656120; thespeedpro@hotmail.com › Sports Speed Academy Our focus is getting you to run your fastest.

Whether its football, basketball, baseball, soccer or track and field, our system will improve your mechanics and increase speed.

NCAA 100-meter champion and Olympic gold medalist Eddie Hart has created the “Sports Speed Curriculum” to improve speed in all sports. Info: 925.516.8522; admin@sportsspeedacademy.com

FOOTBALL

› 2G Sports & Fitness Linemen Skills Camp This is a non-contact camp for players 1014. Tailored to developing a solid founda-

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tion, effective techniques in defensive and offensive lines. Camp in Brentwood from June 27-30 (9-10:30am). Info: www.2gsf. com/ › Artie Gigantino Football 1-on-1 Clinics Artie Gigantino is a former coach and executive with the Raiders, Rams, Cal and USC. Gigantino provides honest, candid, realistic and professional evaluations, specific position technique training and football related guidance. Get game, practice evaluations, specific position training, safe tackling and blocking techniques, recruiting consultation, in-season and offseason advice on summer camps and a training budget. All ages, grades and levels of abilities welcome. Info: artiesports@yahoo.com › Berean Christian High FCA Camp Berean Christian FCA Football Camp takes the best attributes of an athletic-focused camp and a spiritual-focused camp and combines them. June 27-30, 9am-2pm at BCHS in Walnut Creek. Grades 3-9.

Instructors include current & former NFL players such as Sean Dawkins (1993 first-round pick) and Matt Overton (current Colts longsnapper). Info: 925-945-6464 › California Football Academy Our coed flag football league is great for boys and girls ages 4-14 who want to enjoy a fun, fast game of football. Beginners to advanced players will practice fundamentals, while learning good sportsmanship

and participation. Our tackle camp is offered in the spring. New is our summer multi-sport camps. Oakley, Concord and San Ramon. Info: www.californiafootballacademy.com/; 925-625-2222 › Campolindo Full-Gear Youth Camp Learn from a state championship program.

We develop fundamentals, techniques associated with tackle football (contact based on level of readiness). Campolindo head coach Kevin Macy has been conducting camps in Moraga for more than a decade. Camp staffed with full complement of experienced coaches and certified trainer. Grades 4-8.

Info: campofootball.net; (925) 280-3950 x5163; kmacy@acalanes.k12.ca.us › Bob Ladouceur’s Championship Football Camp (De La Salle) Established in 1988 to help teach sound, fundamental offensive and defensive football techniques to the pre-high schoolers. Coaching staff uses demonstration, individual drills to teach basic skills to both beginning and experienced players. Proper warm-up, physical conditioning, drills and review. Full contact is not a priority. June 13-16. Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-288-8100 › Clayton Valley Future Champions Non-Contact Camp Practice safer blocking, tackling, shed blocking and ball control technique at our youth camp. Our main goal is to see that your

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child has a safe football season. Taught by varsity coach Tim Murphy and the CHCHS staff, held at Clayton Valley Charter HS in Concord. June 13-16, 5-8 p.m. $100/player.

Info: claytonvalleyfootball.com or Mike Dominguez at coach.dmngz@gmail.com › De La Salle QB/Wide Receiver Camp We create environment of greater understanding of and proficiency with the fundamentals, techniques, skills, motivation and sportsmanship necessary for success at individual offensive skill positions. QBs — Stance, exchange, drops, set-up, sprint out, play action, screens, ball handling, option, reading defenses and field leadership.

WRs — Stance, start, release, route running, cuts, receiving, blocking and reading defense. Two sessions. Info: www.dlshs.org/ athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs. org; 925-288-8100 › De La Salle Lineman Camp Non-contact, technique-oriented lineman camp that focuses on footwork and hand placement. One session June 20-23. Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-288-8100 › Future Warriors Football Camp Camp is for any students entering 5th-8th grade. It is a FREE camp to help educate and enhance our community with basic knowledge to be successful. Ygnacio Valley HS June 6-9, run by the Ygnacio Valley

football program. Info: email Coach Phillip Puentes at coachpuentes@gmail.com › Moreau Catholic Coach Cotter Camp Coach Cotter Non-Contact Football Camp designed for everyone to have fun while learning essential skills in non-contact environment. Learn skills for all offensive and defensive positions. Each day concludes with “Mariner Ball,” a fun touch football game. Info: moreaucatholic.org/Athletics; Coach Cotter, (510)-881-4333; acotter@ moreaucatholic.org › Rising Stars QB Challenge One-day event aimed at providing a unique, unmatched experience to the region’s top QB talents. Will challenge physical, mental and on-the-field skills.

Partnered with National Scouting Report, a service that helps improve athletes’ chances of getting recruited. May 28 at Analy High in Sebastopol. Info/registration: www.d1quarterback.com › Trench Camp For high school offensive and defensive linemen, this is the premier camp for linemen. Using former NFL Super Bowl champs and All-Pro linemen to teach footwork, technique and attitude. July 2224 at Sequoia High in Redwood City. Info: trenchcamp.com

GOLF

› San Ramon Golf Club Jr. Golf Our summer junior programs designed to

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introduce golf to the junior as “the Game of a Lifetime.” Camps include Beginner Camp (ages 5-11) where each camper will learn grip, posture and aiming, and Day Camp (intermediate level) for players who want to learn how to shoot lower scores. Players spend quality time on the course with a coach in each group. Info: golfsanramon.com/tri-valley-junior-golf/

LACROSSE

› Booth Lacrosse We offer two-day instructional clinics for 4th-12th graders, as well as specialty/positional clinics. Camps held in the East Bay, Marin, El Dorado Hills and South Bay. Info: 415-450-5359; info@boothlacrosse.com › Colin Knightly Lacrosse Clinics Training Center classes and lessons are for experienced players looking to take their skills to the next level, or beginners who interested in a new sport. Private lessons for boys ages U9-U19. Sessions mostly consist of speed and agility, stick skills, game concepts and 1v1s. Walnut Creek. Info: info@ColinKnightlyLacrosse.com; 925-338-1260 › De La Salle Lacrosse Camp Youth players learn what we teach our JV and varsity players. Learn proper shooting form, sliding techniques, how to move off-ball and gain valuable knowledge and insight into the game. Emphasis on understanding why we do something on the field. Youth players walk away with a much better understanding of the game. Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925/288-8100 › St. Francis Catholic High School (Sacramento) Summer Lacrosse Camps For girls grades 5-9, June 13-17. Learn basic stick skills, practice shooting and scoring, and work on defensive technique. No prior experience needed. We work on fundamental skills. Info: 916-737-5040; summer@ stfrancishs.org

MARTIAL ARTS

› Cal Camps: Martial Arts Run by UC Martial Arts staff, goals are quality instruction, techniques and knowledge of martial arts; encourage youth to enrich lives through fitness

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of mind and body; and promote development of positive personal character. Judo, Taekwondo, and Yongmudo. Info: camps.berkeley.edu › USKS (United States Karate Systems) Adult and children’s programs, kick box fitness, mixed martial arts. Providing excellence in martial arts instruction and services for the entire family.

925-682-9517; www.usksmartialarts.com.

fun, meet friends and get in shape, then this camp is for you. Wednesdays

› City of Walnut Creek Sports Camp For ages 8-13, program consists of eight week sessions with choice of two different sports for each session and a ninth week offering bowling.

Designed to teach training skills, basic individual skills, sportsmanship, team strategies as well as building confidence and self discipline. Golf, tennis, baseball, flag football, basketball, soccer, volleyball and bowling. Info: www.walnutcreekrec.org; (925) 943-5858 › City of Walnut Creek Skyhawk Camps Skyhawk Sports, in cooperation with Walnut Creek Recreation Division, is offering a partial day sports program for ages 3-8. Tiny-Hawk camp (ages 3-4) includes introductory skills, orientation to team play and unique games. Mini-Hawk camp (4-6) introduces sports such as soccer, baseball, and basketball. Individual sport camps (5-8) are golf, basketball, soccer, baseball, flag rugby, cheerleading, volleyball and flag football. Info: www. walnutcreekrec.org; 925-943-5858 › Dynamic Sports for Kids Promotes, fun, fitness and friends. Run by physical education teachers, camp is at Twin Creeks Sports Complex in Sunnyvale where children of all skill levels learn the basics of sports and games of their choosing. Each day will offer many options of sports and games to be played after a short fitness based round of activities. Camps will be held Mon.-Fri. from 9am-noon and 1-4pm. Sign up for both sessions and receive a healthy lunch option from our in-house kitchen. Info: dynamicssc.com; aubrie@dynamicssc.com › Make Me A Pro Clinic For ages 5-12 and offers a variety of sports, taught through fun games and drills. Whether your child’s interest is soccer or flag football, or just to have

variety of sports, activities and projects. Families with multiple children,

MULTI-SPORT

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April 13-May 18 from 3:30-4:15pm at Gellert Park’s turf field in Daly City.

Info: mmapsports.com; 510-677-7024 › Renaissance ClubSport We offer spring and summer sports and speciality camps for kids ages 5-12.

Participants have fun-filled, active breaks as they receive instruction in a

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we offer a 10% sibling discount. Info: Kids World at 925.942.6344.

OUTDOORS/ADVENTURE

› Cal Adventures Cal Adventures is the Outdoor Experiential Education Program at UC Berkeley.

Through sailing, windsurfing and sea kayaking classes and various custom designed trips and day programs, we provide you with new skills, adventure and memories.

Affiliation with the University of California is not required. Info: 510-642-4000; rsweb@berkeley.edu › Camp Concord Youth Camps Week-long youth camps. Enjoy all the fun-filled traditions of camp — canoeing, crawdad fishing, archery, hiking, volleyball, swimming, Lake Tahoe beach fun, dances, skits, campfires, and horseback riding — combined with a one-day escape to Tahoe Treetop Adventure Park where we will zip line, tree climb, and challenge ourselves.

Ages 9-13. Space limited. Two sessions available. Info: www.ConcordReg.org; (925) 671-3404

SOCCER

› Bentley School Summer Camp All camps are coed and offer instruction and coaching Monday-Friday. Soccer for rising 9th-12th graders: Aug. 8-13. Bentley’s Lafayette Campus athletics facilities include a large synthetic turf field and a stateof-the-art gymnasium. Info: Rob Rafeh,

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Director, rrafeh@bentleyschool.net, (925) 283-2101 ext. 3241 › De La Salle Soccer Camp Terrific opportunity for boys and girls who look to excel in all aspects. Expect to participate in competitive drills, skill development exercises and daily competitions between campers. One session, June 2730. Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-288-8100 › De La Salle Soccer Academy Advanced-level for elite players from 8th12th grade who are looking to excel. Focus on technique, increasing tactical awareness and position specific functional training. Aug. 1-3. Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-288-8100 › Gino’s Soccer Academy/Walnut Creek SC Official camp of Walnut Creek Soccer Club. Run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches & players. Five one-week programs for kids age 4-17. For advanced as well as the beginning player. Camp drills and games will be run to accommodate and skill level. Info: www.ginossocceracademy.com, 925-937-4466 › Make Me A Pro Soccer Camp For ages 5-12. Students work to improve basic skills of dribbling, passing, shooting, trapping and heading and new soccer techniques. All skills taught through fun and engaging methods. June 13-17 and

Aug. 13-17, all 9am-noon at Gellert Park turf field in Daly City. Info: mmapsports. com; 510-677-702 › St. Francis Catholic High School (Sacramento) Soccer Camps Grades 5-9, June 13-17. Provides chance for your student athlete to familiarize herself with the St. Francis program. All elements of the game emphasized, including warm-up, trapping, dribbling, passing, shooting, small-sided games and stretching.

Both individual fundamentals and team strategies will be accentuated. Info: 916737-5040; summer@stfrancishs.org

SOFTBALL

› St. Francis Catholic High School (Sacramento) Softball Camps Grades 5-9, June 13-17. Fielding, both infield and outfield, hitting, throwing and various types of bunting techniques will be illustrated. Also pitching and catching techniques and proper base running. Info: 916-737-5040; summer@stfrancishs.org

SWIMMING/DIVING

› Cal Diving Springboard diving is a safe and fun sport offering both physical and mental skill-building elements. Todd Mulzet (UC Berkeley’s head diving coach) guides overall training program. We offer training for all: first-time divers, to elite, senior, Junior Olympic and Masters level. Classes, private lessons and is building competitive teams

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at every level. Info: www.CALdiving.org; 510-859-3149; SSO@CALdiving.org. › Cal Swimming Camp Directed by UC Berkeley and Olympic Coach Teri McKeever we offer two weeks of outstanding stroke technique camps on the Cal campus. For competitive swimmers age 9-16 with three daily water sessions and one dry-land session. Camper-to-staff ratio is 10:1. Info: www.ussportscamps. com; 1-800-NIKE-CAMP › Sherman Swim & Diving School Located in Lafayette, our year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn, retain and improve skills. Lessons are offered on M-W-F and T-Th over 3-4 weeks. We teach 9 months to adults and non-swimmers to competitive levels. Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace. Also offer beginning and competitive diving. Info: 925-2832100, www.ShermanSwim.com. › Santa Clara Aquamaids Jump in and learn the basics of synchronized swimming! The Santa Clara Aquamaids are looking for swimmers, ages 7-12 who are eager to learn, attentive, able to follow directions and work cooperatively in a group setting. The Santa Clara Aquamaids have been producing world-class synchronized swimmers and Olympic athletes since 1964. Info: 877 722-4630; 408 988-9936; info@aquamaids.org

TENNIS

› Tompkins Tennis We run the top year-round Junior program in NoCal. We produce more nationally ranked juniors than any other program.

Richard Tompkins and his highly trained staff of pros and former Div. I college players specialize in juniors, ages of 6-18.

Camp Locations: Fremont, Livermore, Monterrey, San Ramon, Pebble Beach. Info: tompkinssport.com; (510)-573-4025

TRACK & FIELD

› De La Salle Track & Field Camp Work with outstanding coaches and athletes, featuring personalized instruction in high jump, long jump, triple jump, shot put, discus, sprints, hurdles, relays and distance events. Learn warm-up and strengthening routines necessary for maximizing performance and reaching goals. Attention given to the mental component. One session.

Info: www.dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-288-8100

VOLLEYBALL

› Bay Area Volleyball Summer Skills Clinics We have a variety of summer options that include a Sand Program (ages 12-18), Skills/Drills (14-18), Youth Camp (9-14) and more. In Concord. Info: www.bayareavolleyballclub.com/; (925) 969-9236 › City Beach Volleyball Club Developing players is our focus. We teach players to earn successes and learn

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from losses. We offer a wide variety of camps and clinics to serve junior girl players of all experience levels. Info: citybeachvb.com/campsclinics/; (408) 654-9330 › De La Salle Volleyball Camp This camp gives boys and girls entering grades 4-9 opportunity to learn from the DLS coaching staff and former standout athletes. Emphasize proper techniques for each position and segment of the game. One session. Info: www.dlshs.org/ athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-288-8100 › Diablo Valley Volleyball Club Nine one-week skills sessions offered from JuneAugust. Camps differ in age groups, some coed and some boys or girls only. Space is limited.

Two sessions in Brentwood, six in Walnut Creek.

Info: www.diablovolleyball.org; DiabloVBC@ yahoo.com › Moreau Catholic Volleyball Camp Our girls camp is for incoming grades 6-9 and ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒

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taught by varsity coach Ami Schelin. One sessions. Come learn how the Mariners do things.

Info: moreaucatholic.org/Athletics; aschelin@ moreaucatholic.org; › St. Francis Catholic High School (Sacramento) Volleyball Camp Camp is three sessions; one for grades 5-9 (June 6-10), one for grades 5-6 (July 11-15) and one for grades 7-9 (July 11-15). This is a beginning level camp. Be taught the basic skills, learn how to pass, set, hit, serve, and do basic defensive moves. Campers split up according to skill level.

Info: 916-737-5040; summer@stfrancishs.org

WATER POLO

› De La Salle Water Polo Camp Great opportunity for boys and girls to learn the game or enhance the skills. Youth players will learn all aspects of the sport from our experienced staff. Two sessions in August. Info: www. dlshs.org/athletics/summer/; summercamps@ dlshs.org; 925-288-8100

WRESTLING

› Community Youth Center Wrestling The CYC in Concord offers three types of week-long (July & August) wrestling camps. The Elementary Camp for ages 5-10, The All Corners Camp for ages 11-18, and the Advanced Camp serves the same age group and runs in August.

Each camp runs from 9am-3pm at the CYC. Camp fees vary. Info: communityyouthcenter. org; (925) 671-7070 › De La Salle Wrestling Camp Designed as an introductory and intermediate level camp. We emphasize fundamentals needed to learn more advanced skills and tactics. Five different learning components: Proper warm-up (stretching and lead-up exercises), kinesthetic awareness exercises (tumbling), review of basic skills and/or new skills, live wrestling and games.

One session available. Info: www.dlshs.org/ athletics/summer/; summercamps@dlshs.org; 925-288-8100 ✪

2 G Sports & Fitness Sports Camps.........................................44 A G: Guidance For Your Football Future.................................42 All- Star Academy..................................................................42 Army National Guard Recruiter...............................................5 Bay Area Volleyball Club........................................................44 Bentley School Lafayette..........................................................4 Big O Tires Northern California/ Nevada..................................2 Bigfoot Hoops........................................................................45 Blankenship Baseball.............................................................44 Cal Athletic Camps................................................................20 California Football Academy..................................................14 Catchflame.Com....................................................................46 Championship Athletic Fundraising........................................31 Clayton Valley Future Champions Youth Football....................43 Club Sport..............................................................................47 Colin Knightly Lacrosse..........................................................18 Danville Baseball Academy...................................................35 De La Salle High School Athletic Summer Camps..................43 Diablo Trophies & Awards......................................................46 Diablo Valley Volleyball Club................................................43 Dynamic Sports For Kids Camps............................................37 East Bay Badminton Assn.......................................................42 East Bay Parks........................................................................46 Friends Of Camp Concord.....................................................30 Garaventa Enterprises.............................................................22 Halo Headband.....................................................................46 Heads Up Sports....................................................................34 Jumbo Sunflower Seeds..........................................................39 Kneed-A- Brace......................................................................39 Kops For Kids.........................................................................23 Krossover Intelligence............................................................48 Mental Training Inc................................................................18 Modesto Magic......................................................................41 Muir Orthopaedic Specialists.................................................15 National Scouting Report.......................................................43 Off- Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division...................17 Placer Valley Tourism Board.............................................26, 27 Renaissance Club Sport..........................................................10 Rugby Nor Cal.......................................................................23 San Ramon Slammers Baseball..............................................42 Sherman Swim School...........................................................34 South Bay Sports Training.......................................................19 Sportts Speed Academy Speed Camp.....................................44 Stat Med..................................................................................7 Stevens Creek Toyota..............................................................21 Sutter Health............................................................................3 Tompkins Tennis International................................................37 Tpc / The Pitching Center.......................................................35 Trench Camp.........................................................................36 U C S F Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland.........................38 Velocity Cheer Gym...............................................................43 Visitredding.Com.............................................................32, 33 Walnut Creek Arts, Recreation & Community Services...........41 Walnut Creek Soccer Club.....................................................40

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