NorCal Issue 122, Sept. 15, 2016

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SEPTEMBER 15, 2016 VOL. 7 ISSUE 122

NORCAL EDITION

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September 15, 2016

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Doubling Down On Teaming Up B

ack in 2013, when we first partnered with Mark Tennis and Cal-Hi Sports, I wrote a column here announcing that it was a no-brainer. And to what should be nobody’s surprise, Mark’s columns, notes and rankings have been a great, and reliable feature in our magazine each month since then.

Recently we’ve had discussions at SportStars HQ about how much high school sports coverage has changed (read: diminished) throughout the state — and especially in the Bay Area. As we discussed the topic — and all the things Bay Area newspaper readers used to be able to count on — it occurred to us that we had to begin offering more. There are voids we can fill, and we have a great partner who can help us do it.

In the next few months, your’e going to notice a lot more collaboration with our friends at Cal-Hi. We’re calling our new collaboration the Cal-Hi SportStars Network. Some of the first things we’re going to be doing together will be rankings. And if you follow high school athletics even remotely close, you know that no site does state rankings better than Cal-Hi Sports.

We are going to work on releasing our football rankings together each Monday on our respective websites. And then beginning on Wednesday, Sept. 21, we’re going to release the first set of weekly state and NorCal girls volleyball rankings. There’s no shortage of regional football rankings throughout the state, but volleyball is a different story.

Being able to provide consistent rankings will be something we look forward to posting each week for a volleyball community which — understandably — always feels like it’s getting shoved behind the football coverage. You can actually read more about our volleyball rankings pursuit in Mark’s column later in the issue.

In addition to the volleyball rankings, we’re in discussions about adding boys and girls soccer rankings to our slate also — something that should be significantly easier to pull off now that it’s predominantly a winter sport throughout the state.

There are plenty more ideas that Mark and I are excited to develop as the school year develops. Readers of both Cal-Hi Sports and SportStars will be seeing more shared content on each other’s websites. And speaking of websites, our own SportStarsOnline.com will be getting a facelift in the very near future.

We also like the idea of starting a video series that will see us visiting some campuses and talking to athletes and coaches.

The bottom line is that we want to instill in our readers that there are still some of us who care deeply about providing strong coverage of high school sports — from rankings, to features, to live game update and postseason honors. We hope you’ll put your trust in us to deliver that coverage. ✪

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

State & NorCal Ranks:

Comin’ At Ya With the Cal-Hi SportStars Network, you’ll get more and better rankings than ever before. Our weekly rankings are the most indispensable source in all of California.

FOOTBALL: Cal-Hi State Top 25 (Online Exclusive) And SportStars NorCal Top 20 every Monday VOLLEYBALL: Cal-Hi State Top 20 And SportStars NorCal Top 20 every Wednesday BASKETBALL: Boys And Girls Cal-Hi State Top 20 And SportStars NorCal Top 20 begin in November

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SOCCER: NEW FOR 2016: Boys And Girls Cal-Hi State Top 20 And SportStars NorCal Top 20 begin in December Check in for the latest weekly rankings at SPORTSTARSONLINE.COM and CALHISPORTS.COM

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PITTSBURG - FOOTBALL - SENIOR The Pirates senior running back continued his monster start to the season on Sept. 9 when he rushed for 379 yards and four touchdowns to lift Pittsburg to a 48-25 win over visiting Serra-San Mateo. Thompson wasted no time getting in on the action as he had three carries for 77 yards on the team’s game-opening drive, scoring on a 38-yard run. He would add touchdown runs of 2, 40 and 50 yards over the course of the night. Thompson — whose older brother, Olito, was a record-setting back for Concord High (and a former SportStars cover athlete) — is already among the top three career rushers in Pittsburg history after just 16 games. He rushed for 1,766 yards as a junior and is already at close to half that total (839 yards) in three games this season. Thompson had 11 touchdowns through his first three games after rushing for 19 all of last year.

honorable mention Sofia Castiglioni: The Davis senior set a Lagoon Valley course record (18:18) to lead the Blue Devils cross-country team to a dual meet victory over host Vacaville. The defending SJS Div. I individual champion will be key to her team’s run for section and state team titles.

Sam Untrecht: The sophomore led the Menlo School-Atherton water polo team in scoring with eight goals as the Knights defeated Saint Francis-Mountain View 9-6 on Sept. 2 and Campolindo-Moraga 12-10 in overtime on Sept. 3. He also posted five assists, seven steals, and four ejections earned.

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TOP 5 NFL STORIES TO FOLLOW September. Back to school. Back to basics. Back to… football. We’re gonna be honest: we haven’t been super excited about the nascent NFL season. With all the off-season controversy, the dawning realization that (gasp) football is kinda bad for the human body, and the fact that the 49ers seem to be harkening back to the Dennis Erickson Era, we just hadn’t caught the fever. But opening weekend has come and gone, and, okay. Yeah. We’re starting to feel it.

With that in mind, here

are our top five stories to keep an eye on this year.

1. Colin-troversy — With his recent stand (er, kneel. You know what we mean), Kaepernick is suddenly as relevant as he’s been since … ever. And he’s doing a fine job filling the gaping hairstyle void left since Coco Crisp’s departure. Now if he could just make a pre-snap read...

2. Gaining face — Speaking of voids, what is the league going to do now that Peyton Manning is gone? Who will assume the mantle of ‘biggest forehead in football?’ Kirk Cousins? Drew Brees? We’re in trouble here, people.

3. Once more with feeling — Would it surprise anyone if the Broncos and the Seahawks met for a rematch of the 2014 Super Bowl tilt? Or if the ultimate game featured the Patriots? Meaning that those three teams would have factored in each of the past four championship games. Would it surprise you, loyal readers, if we decided to go skiing that weekend, rather than spend an afternoon throwing up in our mouths a little bit?

4. The Autumn Wind — Is it a pirate? Really? Because we’ve been waiting for, like 100 years.

Is this the year Derek Carr and Khalil Mack turn the Raiders back into The Raiders? And if they do make the playoffs, how is the league going to figure out a way to screw them over? Not that anyone’s still bitter about the Tuck Rule, or anything.

5. Gategate — What fresh rules violation do the Patriots have in store for us? Now that Tom Terrific is simultaneously the greatest quarterback ever (or, you know, NOT #joecoolforever) and suspended to start the season because deflated balls are more comfy for his dainty, Trump-like hands, you gotta figure Belichick is trying to figure out a way to inject Julian Edelman and Danny Amendola with the Super Soldier Serum, or something, right? ✪ -- Bill ‘remember when your nose was your facemask?’ Kolb

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#

HASHTAG 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

POSITIVE COACHING ALLIANCE @POSITIVECOACHUS Sept. 12 “Talent wins games, but teamwork and intelligence wins championships - #MJ w/ @PositiveCoachUS #quoteoftheday.”

TINA CHARLES, member of USA Women’s Basketball team and WNBA’s New York Liberty, upon Carondelet-Concord and Stanford alum, Jayne AppeL announcing her retirement from WNBA (San Antonio) at end of season. @TINACHARLES31 Sept. 11 “If you want to be the best, you have to learn from the best! Thank you for the lessons, @jayneappel”

JOE TAFOYA, former NFL defensive lineman and Pittsburg High grad on Team Up Day for concussion awareness @JOETAFOYA Sept. 13 “Happy to see concussion awareness as a national topic. If you think you or your friend has concussion symptoms #TeamUpSpeakUp #TeamUpDay”

SAY WHAT? “Seventeen guys played 16 weeks last year. That means a lot. Talent and experience is everything for us.”

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Del Oro-Loomis wide receiver and defensive back, Mason Hurst, above center, after a 16-14 win over Bellarmine-San Jose that gave the Golden Eagles a 3-0 start to the season. The defending CIF Div. II-AA State Bowl champions have now won 11 straight games dating back to last October.

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Getting Bumped To Setter I’ve been playing club volleyball for several years, and I’ve always been an opposite hitter. But now my high school coach wants me to be the setter. I’ve never been a setter, but he told me I’d be the best one we have. I would rather play outside hitter, because that’s what I’m best at. I just don’t feel confident as the setter. What should I tell the coach?

— H.T., Roseville

P

laying a team sport is always more complicated than playing an individual sport. In golf, in tennis, in chess, you’re basically on your own. You win, you lose, you draw — whatever.

But it’s on you.

A team sport, however, is a different story.

You have to meld your talents and abilities in with the rest of the group — and of course the coach has to make it all work, one way or another.

I’ve been around several high school volleyball teams that have struggled to find a setter, and what a coach often winds up doing is taking the most likely athlete on the team and inserting her into that crucial position.

Apparently, that’s what’s happened to you.

It is understandable that everyone wants to be good at what they’re doing. You’re comfortable as an opposite hitter, you know exactly which you need to do, and to a certain extent, there’s not a lot of pressure.

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Obviously, it’s different as a setter. Not only is it a completely different skill set than opposite hitter, it’s also very, very pressurepacked. The setter basically handles the ball on every play, and if she doesn’t do things well, not only will her team struggle, sometimes the other players will be upset with her too — even though they really shouldn’t be.

Nonetheless, it never hurts to get out of your comfort zone.

You’re in high school, which is a time to experiment, a time to start figuring out what you can do and what you can’t do. Who knows?

You might turn out to be a very good setter and this may be your new position. Then again, maybe not — maybe you are best cast as an opposite hitter.

But volleyball is a team sport. You are on a team. That means you need to do what’s best for the team, not what’s best for you.

So rather than indulge yourself in frustration at a position change you’re not really excited about, I’d suggest embracing the opportunity and see just how well you can do in this new situation.

Throughout your life, you’re going to be asked to do things you don’t necessarily want to do, but people will still expect you to do the job well. This is a chance to learn how to deal with that kind of situation, and also a chance to help your team be the best team it can be.

And again, you might find you really like being a setter, and that you’ll enjoy the game even more than you did before. You won’t know until you try. ✪ Clay Kallam has been an athletic director and coach of many sports at Bay Area high schools. To submit a question, email clayk@fullcourt.com

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ancho Cordova is home to hundreds of events each year, including several major sports events. However, by drawing over 100,000 people over a single weekend, no event is bigger than the California Capital Airshow, which lands at Mather Field on October 1-2.

Headlining the California Capital Airshow, presented by Sacramento County in partnership with the City of Rancho Cordova, are the U.S. Navy flight demonstration squadron, Blue Angels. The iconic blue and gold Boeing F/A-18 Hornets will be only one of the jets thundering across the sky at the airshow. Attendees will see an F-16 Viper Team and B-29 Superfortress, along with aerobatic planes and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute team. A spectacular re-creation of the WWII attack, “Tora, Tora, Tora,” features expansive pyrotechnics.

“We are ecstatic to host the Blue Angels,” said Darcy Brewer, executive director of the California Capital Airshow. “It’s been nearly a decade since the team has graced the skies of the state capital and we are beyond excited to showcase them as they celebrate their 70th anniversary.”

The captivating aircraft are only part of the show. On the ramp, you can delight in dozens upon dozens of military and civilian aircraft, including rare warbirds and bombers. Many are available to tour, and pilots and flight crews will be on hand to answer questions. Sure to be in demand is a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning — a new generation stealth fighter jet. Kids are sure to find plenty to do with both a Kids Zone and Launch Pad areas.

These educational exhibits are designed to promote science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Performing since 1946, the Blue Angels team has thrilled and inspired more than 484 million spectators.

“The fans have been clamoring for the team’s return for years and we can’t wait to share the news. We’re planning to host our biggest show yet and are looking forward to another epic event,” added Brewer.

As part of its community relations, the non-profit organization awards scholarships to deserving students from the region with an interest in aviation, aerospace, aeronautics and STEM-related fields.

Fans can follow the Airshow on Facebook, Twitter (@calcapairshow) and Instagram (capitalairshow).

Family ticket packs and premium seating options are available. Purchase tickets early for a discount from the day of show price of $35. For tickets and a complete show lineup, visit www.californiacapitalairshow.com. ✪ — Copy and photos provided by City of Rancho Cordova

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SPIKED!

State Volleyball Rankings Will Be Coming At You In 2016

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irls volleyball is back. Well, not really, but as a sport in which Cal-Hi Sports will be offering a state ranking it is.

One of the main reasons we’re re-firing a State Top 20 each week, beginning Sept. 21, is that it’s part of a further evolution of the Cal-Hi Sports partnership with SportStars.

You see, since SportStars already has done the legwork in evaluating top teams for Northern California for the issue that you’re holding in your hands and will be providing info each week on the top NorCal teams, we’ll concentrate on the best teams from Southern California.

Another reason is that the FAB 50 national rankings for girls volleyball that we’ve done for other media organizations over the years, including ESPN, Student Sports and Rivals.com, is going to be ramped back up for FloVolleyball.com.

In June, we completed our second season of compiling FAB 50 national rankings for FloSoftball.com, which is a sister site of the new FloVolleyball.com site as part of the FloSports network. And just like in softball, in which figuring out the order of the top California teams is essential in those rankings, that will be the same for girls volleyball.

We previously were part of FAB 50 rankings in girls volleyball that appeared on ESPN’s now-defunct high school site from 2008 to 2012 and then in 2013 those rankings appeared on Student Sports. There were no FAB 50 rankings in 2014 and again last season, but at some point if all goes well we’ll do final rankings for those seasons just to have no holes in the archives.

In that 2013 season, Granite Bay (pictured right) completed a 45-0 campaign by defeating Los Alamitos in the CIF Division I state championship. The Grizzlies also notched a headto-head match win over Div. II state champ Archbishop Mitty-San Jose early in the season at a tourney in Stockton. Granite Bay’s 45-0 slate is still the best in state history.

It’s often hard to actually get out to too many championship matches at the end of each season due to football commitments, but perhaps this year will be different.

One major change in the CIF girls volleyball state championships, beginning this season, is the addition of an Open Division. Similar to how it’s been done in boys and girls basketball, the CIF Open Division in girls volleyball will lump together the top teams into two brackets — one in the north and one in the south — regardless of school enrollment or CIF section divisions.

For Northern California, the creation of an Open Division in girls volleyball should limit the number of state titles that the West Catholic Athletic League will win because those top WCAL teams will now have to play each other instead of playing in different divisions.

In last year’s CIF state finals, for example, overall State Team of the Year Archbishop Mitty won the Div. II title while WCAL-rival Valley Christian-San Jose took it all in Div. III. Notre Dame-Belmont also won a state title in Div IV. This year, both Mitty and Valley Christian likely will be in the Open Division.

Whether the Open Division in girls volleyball works out well for the top teams will be hard to determine, but it’s clear to see that many more teams from other divisions will now have better odds at winning a CIF state title than they did previously. ✪ Editor’s Note: Look for the first CalHiSports.com Top 20 rankings on Wednesday, Sept. 21 and for the first FloVolleyball FAB 50 national rankings on the same date

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TOP 20 STATE RANKINGS

Del Oro’s Cam Davis (After games of Saturday, Sept. 10) 1. (3) ▲ Centennial-Corona 2-1 We’re going with the Huskies on top in deference to their two straight postseason wins over St. John Bosco in the CIF Southern Section’s top division, plus having just a one-point loss to an IMG Academy team from Florida that may be the top team in the nation.

2. (2) — St. John Bosco-Bellflower 2-1 Sure, we wish the Braves could have been closer than 35-20 to Bishop Gorman-Las Vegas, but you also still have to credit them for playing another team that may be No. 1 in the nation.

3. (4) ▲ Mater Dei-Santa Ana 3-0 Just about everyone in SoCal has the Monarchs No. 1, but we’re waiting to see what happens when they play St. John Bosco, because the Braves have beaten them six straight times.

4. (1) ▼ De La Salle-Concord 3-0 One-point win vs. Servite-Anaheim costs the Spartans in the rankings since they were No. 1 previously, but anyone doubting they can still get back up to their championship level by November doesn’t know much about their history.

5. (5) — Mission Viejo 3-0 The Diablos will play perhaps their toughest non-league game of the season on Sept. 16 against state No. 19 Long Beach Poly.

6. (6) — Narbonne-Harbor City 3-0 Last year’s CIF Division I-A champs already have wins over Serra-Gardena and Long Beach Poly.

7. (7) — Vista Murrieta-Murrieta 3-0 The offense is starting to come around for the Broncos, who could be one of several 10-0 teams in the CIF Southern Section Div. I playoffs.

8. (8) — Folsom 3-0 It won’t be long until the Bulldogs have to travel to Loomis to play Del Oro. 9. (9) — St. Mary’s-Stockton 3-0 Wins over parochial rivals Serra-San Mateo, Cardinal NewmanSanta Rosa and Central Catholic-Modesto prove their worth, but Rams have tough trip coming up in two weeks to play at St. John Bosco.

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10. (10) — Del Oro-Loomis 3-0 Win at Bellarmine avenged loss from last season and was good for Sierra Foothill League in argument vs. West Catholic as to which league NorCal’s best.

11. (11) — Oaks Christian-Westlake Village 2-1 Lions’ first win over Chaminade keeps them highly ranked despite lackluster outings in second and third games.

12. (12) — Chaminade-West Hills 2-1 This team has some of the top juniors in the state in RB T.J. Pledger and QB Brevin White.

13. (13) — Cathedral Catholic-San Diego 3-0 We’ll know more for sure which team should be highest-ranked from San Diego after the Dons play Helix.

14. (14) — Helix-La Mesa 2-1 Posting a shutout of Clayton Valley in the Honor Bowl put the Highlanders back up there after a season-opening loss to a top team from Utah.

15. (15) — Elk Grove 2-0 Thundering Herd should be 4-0 when they play Grant-Sacramento in a couple of weeks.

16. (16) — St. Francis-Mountain View 2-0 First win over Oak Grove-San Jose was impressive, second one over Palma-Salinas not as much.

17. (21) ▲ Monte Vista-Danville 2-0 Washington-bound QB Jake Haener off to a strong start as Mustangs already look like favorites in East Bay Athletic League. Will they be 9-0 when they play De La Salle?

18. (19) ▲ St. Augustine-San Diego 3-0 One of the Saints’ top players is Jr Justice, son of former MLB and Oakland A’s star David Justice.

19. (20) ▲ Long Beach Poly-Long Beach 1-1 Heading into matchup with Mission Viejo, Jackrabbits have win over Los Alamitos and loss to Narbonne.

20. (21) ▲ Calabasas 3-0 Super-talented team doesn’t play a great schedule so probably will rise slowly in the rankings. Pittsburg (3-0) is right behind and may jump up in coming weeks.

Become a member of calhisports.com to see a new State Top 25 each week with extensive commentary on each team.

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Placer Valley Prepares For Cyclocross Crowd Cyclocross racing is a fall and winter sport that takes elements of mountain and cross-country biking to the next level in an adventure-filled, obstacle-ridden way that keeps the racers coming back for more. The race courses typically provide hilly, muddy sections as well as having barriers that require the racers to dismount the bike, carry it above their shoulder and run with it.

Sacramento Cyclocross has an eight-race series throughout the Sacramento region this fall, and each stop is ambitiously challenging for beginner and expert cyclocross racers alike. Placer Valley Tourism is excited to be teaming up with Sacramento Cyclocross to help kick-off its race season in early October when they bring their exhilarating events to Rocklin for the first time.

The first race will take place at Johnson Springview Park on Oct. 8 and the venue will be perfect, as the entire park is visible from the center allowing for great spectating.

“The oak grove around the disc golf course not only provides great shade, but opportunities for interesting course changes and turns on rolling terrain,” event organizer and competitor Clint Claassen said. “Combined with the open grass area at the front of the park, it makes for an interesting and fun course.”

The racing continues on Oct. 9 at another first-time venue, the Rocklin Golf Course.

“It’s a unique opportunity to host a cyclocross race on a golf course period, but the terrain at the Rocklin Golf Course will add some challenging technical aspects for racers,” Claassen said. “The hillside in the center of the course that extends up from the driving range allows the course designer to include tricky off cumber turns, steep climbs and fast descents that are all visible form the deck of the clubhouse.”

The competitive racing age varies from 9 to 75 years-old, and there will be a total of seven different races throughout the day on both days with the first race starting at 9 a.m. and the last race starting at 3 p.m. In the spirit of family, fun and including everyone, Sacramento Cyclocross offers a free kids race to any child 9 and under.

Please go to www.saccyclocross.com for more information and to get registered today. ✪ 14

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TO ON

WHE

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EELS

BMX NorCal State Finals Break Loose in Roseville On August 26-28 NorCal’s number one BMX track was bustling with action as the NorCal State Finals raced into Oak Creek BMX in Roseville.

Hundreds of BMXers arrived for the three days of competition, in hopes of riding their way to the podium at this celebrated event.

The weekend warmed up with a single point race on Friday evening, August 26. Saturday they took it up a notch with a double-point, state final pre-race where nearly 400 riders competed in several different divisions including novice, intermediate, expert and cruiser.

On Sunday, they revved into intense action as the state championship triple points race kicked off at 9 a.m.. Several local Oak Creek BMX racers rode their way to glory, reaching the podium where Cody Wilson of USA BMX was presenting the awards.

Breanna Winter from Antelope, also known in the BMX circle as Monster B, took home a first-place finish for the Expert Girls 11 category and second place in the Cruiser Girls 11-12 group.

James Canevari, 13, from Orangevale also scored a first-place finish for the intermediate boys 13 age group.

Rocklin native Claire O’Connor had an outstanding race in the Expert Girls 15-16 age group and landed at the top of the leader board with a first-place result. In the Expert Boys 17-18 age group, Oak Creek BMX swept the first-, second- and thirdplace spots on the podium. Taking home the gold was long-time rider Jacob Haley of Roseville, followed by twin brothers Jackson and Nick Elliot of Granite Bay. Jackson and Nick finished second and third, respectively.

Track owners Linda and Bruce Minton once again hosted an incredible event, proving why their track earns the number-one track bragging rights year after year. ✪ All copy and photos provided by Placer Valley Tourism.

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Tall, Talented Transfers Arrive At Oak Ridge

S

ince the 2012-13 basketball season, there’s a Division I school that’s gone 110-19 — but despite having 13 league titles, three Sac-Joaquin Section titles and a state championship, Oak Ridge has somehow managed to remain relatively anonymous despite its very impressive record of success.

This year, though, Oak Ridge will be even harder to ignore, thanks to a pair of elite transfers added to a team that went 29-3 last year.

The more familiar of the two transfers is 6-foot-5 Shayley Harris, who played for University Prep in Redding as a sophomore. She moved to El Dorado Hills last spring, and she gives coach Stephen White a powerful presence in the middle.

Less familiar, though perhaps even more talented, is Marie Olsen, who came from Minnesota. She’s 6-foot-3, and along with 6-foot-3 returner Kassidy DeLapp, gives Oak Ridge one of the most imposing front lines in the state, if not the country.

“I’ve had six six-foot players in my entire career,” says White, “and now I have three at the same time.”

That career that dates back 22 years at Oak Ridge and includes, along with league, section and state titles, a 520-150 record. Any coach would be ecstatic to have three legitimate Power 5 prospects, all juniors, who have to duck through doorways. Of course, that influx also presents challenges.

“We’ve been homegrown,” says White of his communitybased program. “These are the first two impact move-ins in

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my career and we need to get the newbies to understand what we’re about.”

White has also been a man-to-man coach who likes to get up and down the court, but with a huge front line he’s mulling other options. With 6-5 Harris in the middle and two 6-3 players flanking her, a 2-3 zone would be pretty imposing. Don’t forget 5-10 Hailey McCoy, who’s also an exceptional player.

Still, coaches know all too well that tall players aren’t necessarily going to have as big an impact on the game if they never see the ball, so Oak Ridge fans – and potential opponents – are going to be more than a little focused on who’s bringing the ball upcourt. That burden looks to fall on 5-3 senior Lexi Perry, who will be a college athlete too – but in golf.

White is going to spend most of the fall — and a potentially tough preseason that could present matchups with several state powers — trying to integrate the new players into the Oak Ridge system. “We’ve always preached team,” said White, “and we have to keep preaching team.”

NEWMAN FEELING OPEN? Speaking of tall teams, it would be a mistake to overlook defending Div. IV state champion Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa, which has 6-5 senior Lauren Walker and 6-3 senior Hailey Vice-Neat back to lead a team that went 31-5.

Coach Monica Mertle has developed this group from the

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grade school level, and it would not be a surprise to see the Santa Rosa school in the Open Division for the first time this year. Cardinal Newman always plays a difficult schedule (St. Mary’s-Stockton this year, to name just one), and hosts a highquality preseason tournament, so Mertle and company should be well-prepared for the postseason.

GOIN’ WITH THE GIRLS There’s always a sense, right or wrong, that boys basketball coaches look down on the girls game as inferior.

But Bill Powers, the new girls coach at Monte Vista-Danville, is making the jump after many years on the boys’ side (Monte Vista and Acalanes-Lafayette). He’s taking over a team that lost its last 10 games in 2015, and plays in the tough East Bay Athletic league. In addition, Powers does not have the luxury of the size that Oak Ridge and Cardinal Newman possess, and must try to rebuild the once-powerful program while competing with the likes of Carondelet-Concord, Dublin and Foothill-Pleasanton.

He will also be able to report back to his old buddies in the boys’ coaching fraternity that just because the gender of the players is different, winning games hasn’t become any easier — though don’t be surprised if Monte Vista takes a big leap forward this season. ✪ — Clay Kallam

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Seven Seniors Lead As Christian Brothers Falcons Seek Third SJS Title In Fo

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onsistency and contention have been mainstays in the Christian Brothers girls volleyball program through the years. Mostly under the watch of head coach Diane Heine, the Falcons consistently challenged for league titles and contended for Sac-Joaquin Section banners.

The 2016 season starts with the third head coach in as many years, but Christian Brothers is off to a steady start with very little concern about the changes the program has endured.

The primary focus for new head coach James Todd — who came to the Falcons from a rising Whitney-Rocklin program he helped build — and the Falcons’ seniorheavy roster are those mainstays of consistency and contention.

“One of my main goals coming in was to continue the tradition of success on the court that this program and this group of seniors have experienced,” Todd said. “Having seven seniors has helped to lead the team through the process.”

With a wealth of veteran players, Todd skipped naming anyone team captains and instead gave the leadership role to the entire senior class on his roster. Handing the reins over to those with more experience in the program than him has paid early dividends.

The Falcons (5-0 through Sept. 9) opened the season with impressive victories over perennial section contenders Granite Bay and St. Francis-Sacramento. The win over St. Francis in their long-running Holy Court rivalry saw Christian Brothers overcome a 2-0 deficit to win the match in five grueling sets. With victories comes confidence, and that could be trouble in the months ahead for Falcons opponents in Capital Valley Conference action and postseason play.

“Those big wins early have made a difference,” senior Paloma Bowman said. “Starting off strong like that has increased our focus and we have high expectations for each other and as a team.”

Bowman and fellow seniors Ryann Thomison, Erin Chelini, Mackenzie Lusich, Marley Downey, Ceyenna Tillman and Erin Clark have led the underclassmen to form a close bond for the veterans’ last run at section and state championships. The Falcons have won two of the past three SJS Division III titles and played in four of the past five Div. III finals — so aiming high is nothing new for the program, especially for the seniors.

While coach Todd’s first goal is “for (the players) to leave as better young adults than when they came into the program,” the players set four team goals. The first three—win Holy Court, win section and win state — are common enough goals that are set by most top-tier programs. The fourth goal zeroes in on the consistency that teams past have built and that the new coach wants to continue.

“We have a goal to not lose two games in a row all season long,” senior outside hitter Erin Chelini said. “We know that there may be games where we struggle, but we want to make sure that we bounce right back from a loss.”

That goal may be tested with nonleague contests upcoming against Div. I opponents Folsom and Pleasant Grove, and in the always competitive CVC, but the Falcons hope to use their strengths to compete in every game and overcome any perceived disadvantages on the court.

“We lose on height, but gain on speed,” said Chelini, who is the second-tallest player on the roster at 5-foot-10. “We are a well-conditioned team and we try to keep it quick so that opponents can’t keep up with us.”

Chelini and Bowman may be the biggest hitting threats, even if neither casts a particularly imposing presence at the net. Thomison, a 6-foot middle blocker, is the Falcons’ tallest player and led the team in blocks during its Div. III championship season a year ago, but coach Todd and his charges understand that they will not 18

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story by jim mccue • photos by james k. leash

Christian Brothers seniors (from left): Mackenzie Lusich, Erin Clark, Ryann Thomison, Erin Chelini, Marley Downey,

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Ceyenna Tillman and Paloma Bowman.

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our Years

winged

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overpower opponents.

“We are an undersized team, so we try to run a very fast and complex offense to offset any height disadvantage,” Todd said.

“When I have the leadership and experience of six seniors on the floor at times, I feel that we have the upper hand.”

Bowman, who has committed to UC Davis, is the Falcons’ biggest threat because of her versatility. A 5-foot-10 athlete who plays setter on her Five Starz club team, Bowman can beat teams as a hitter and blocker on the inside and the outside.

“Her biggest strength is her passion for the sport,” Chelini said of Bowman. “It has been helpful for the newer girls to see her practice and play and to see that work ethic all of the time.”

Todd called Bowman a “godsend” for her talent, hard work and coachability. But the coach and his seniors admit that the players in the background — or in this case, the back row — are what makes the Falcons a team to beat this year.

“As a team, we handle the ball real well and play great defense,” Todd said. “We can handle the first and second hit real well, which makes the third hit much more effective.”

At libero, Lusich is the Falcons’ catalyst on defense and has set the tone and the standard for Christian Brothers to follow on the court. The team’s emphasis and buy-in toward meeting the program’s established standards, and setting their own standards for what is a “perfect teammate,” has strengthened the family bond that comes with spending a large portion of the fall sports season practicing, playing, traveling and being together.

“We have been playing well as a unit,” Chelini said. “If we can continue to communicate well and support each other on and off the court, then I believe that we will continue to do well.”

And that’s really all the consistency that a coach can ask for from a contender. ✪

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christian brother’s ryann thomison

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6. MENLO-ATHERTON-ATHERTON 2015 RECORD: 27-8 IMPACT PLAYERS: OH Jacqueline DiSanto, Sr.; S Kirby Knapp, Sr.; MB Eliza Grover, Sr. OUTLOOK: Four of the top five players return from a Bears team which claimed the CCS and CIF NorCal Div. I titles in 2015. DiSanto is arguably one of the Bay Area’s best allaround players and should have M-A peaking in November.

7. ST. IGNATIUS-S.F. 2015 RECORD: 25-13 IMPACT PLAYERS: OH Anne Crouch, Sr.; OH/OPP Mallen Bischoff, Sr.; MB Isabella Legarza, Sr. OUTLOOK: With just four seniors, the Wildcats are decidedly younger than most of the teams in our Top 10. But that shouldn’t hold them back any. Crouch leads a very good attack. The WIldcats’ long-term success in 2016 will hinge on their defense and passing.

Mitty’s (from left) Klara Barbarossa, Candice Denny, Katie Formico and Allyssa Wright

1. ARCHBISHOP MITTY-SAN JOSE

8. PITMAN-TURLOCK

2015 RECORD: 35-5 IMPACT PLAYERS: L/DS Kate Formico, Sr.; OH Nicole Liddle, Jr.; MB Candice Denny, Sr. OUTLOOK: The list of impact players could be longer for the four-time defending CIF Div. II state champs. The Monarchs were ranked as high as No. 11 nationally in early September and should head into November as prohibitive favorites for CCS and CIF titles once again.

2015 RECORD: 30-7 IMPACT PLAYERS: OH Yisel Perez, Sr.; OH Whitney Barnes, Jr.; S Kiyanna Torres, Sr. OUTLOOK: The Pride broke through in 2014 and have remained a force in the Sac-Joaquin Section. The team’s top two hitters return in Perez and Barnes, and Torres has a full year of experience setting. The Pride is the early favorite to win a third consecutive SJS Div. I title.

2. NOTRE DAME-BELMONT

9. MONTE VISTA-DANVILLE

2015 RECORD: 32-10 IMPACT PLAYERS: OH Katie Smoot, Sr.; OH Tammy Byrne, Sr.; S Kristine Gese, Sr. OUTLOOK: The defending CIF Div. IV state champions return perhaps the best 1-2 punch hitting combo in Northern California. Smoot (Univ. of Arizona commit) and Byrne (undecided) combined to post 925 kills in 2015. They have their setter back as well.

2015 RECORD: 34-6 IMPACT PLAYERS: OH Nikki Cavote, Jr.; OPP/L Jordan Polo, Sr.; MB Maddie Dailey, Jr. OUTLOOK: The Mustangs re-load after falling to Menlo-Atherton in the CIF Div. I NorCal final in 2015. Cavote, Polo and senior Alexandra Nickerson will be a strong trio of attackers for setters Olivia O’Keefe (a senior) and Izzy Strand (a freshman).

3. VALLEY CHRISTIAN-SAN JOSE

10. CHRISTIAN BROTHERS-SACRAMENTO

2015 RECORD: 31-8 IMPACT PLAYERS: S Tori Dilfer, Sr.; OH Jade Gillespie, Sr. OUTLOOK: All-American Ronika Stone has graduated and suits up for the Univ. of Oregon now, but there’s still plenty of firepower on the defending CIF Div. III state champs. Dilfer begins her fourth year of varsity and should be as strong a leader as any in the region.

2015 RECORD: 22-11 IMPACT PLAYERS: RS/S Paloma Bowman, Sr.; MB Ryann Thomison, Sr.; OH Erin Chelini, Sr. OUTLOOK: The Falcons have a new coach, but a wealth of returners to lead the charge for a second straight SJS Div. III title. The UC Davis-bound Bowman is a versatile star that can set, hit, block and defend. Outstanding defense from the back row will be key.

4. PRESENTATION-SAN JOSE

THE NEXT 10

2015 RECORD: 27-11 IMPACT PLAYERS: OH Ellen Evans, Sr.; OPP Shannon Greene, Sr.; S Kaitlyn Poncetta, Sr. OUTLOOK: Evans and Greene are set to step up and replace the graduated firepower of Hannah Turnland (513 kills in 2015) and Dalyn Burns (293 kills). Poncetta will keep the offense on point for the CIF Div. II NorCal runner-ups of a year ago.

5. OAK RIDGE-EL DORADO HILLS 2015 RECORD: 35-3 IMPACT PLAYERS: OH Cameryn Collie, Sr.; MB Hailey Maniglia, Sr.; OPP Kassandra McGill, Sr. OUTLOOK: The Trojans graduated a strong group of leaders, and will need their seniors to step up to chase the section title that has eluded the program for seven years. Defense and ball handling will be essential to set up a solid group of hitters led by Collie and McGill.

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11. Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. (30-9)

16. Menlo School-Atherton (23-8)

12. Campolindo-Moraga (26-13)

17. Acalanes-Lafayette (18-8)

13. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (37-6)

18. Dublin (14-14)

14. Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton (19-11)

19. Del Oro-Loomis (19-13)

15. St. Francis-Sacramento (20-16)

20. Foothill-Pleasanton (31-7)

Editor’s Note: This isn’t a true preseason ranking, as some results from this season were taken into account while compiling the list. For the first time, we plan on continuing the rankings throughout the season. Look for updated Top 20s every Wednesday.

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Menlo-Atherton Has Plenty Of Returning Talent And Sets Its Sight On A Third Straight CCS Title And A Return To State Final

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here’s just something about walking into a gym during a volleyball practice. The moment you step through those double doors, something hits you. You can see it in the eyes of every player. You can hear it every time ball makes contact with the body. Every time a spike hits the hardwood, or a passer dives to the floor.

You can feel the competitive drive and the immense passion circulating throughout the room.

But if you walk into Menlo­-Atherton High on a weekday at 5:30 p.m., you’ll experience something even more. You won’t just see a group of girls hitting a ball back and forth over the net, going through the motions. Not with this team. You’ll see and feel the bond of a family — a family that’s serious about winning.

“We have a great volleyball culture here,” Bears coach Fletcher Anderson said. “The girls here make up a close-­knit core group. They play as a family and believe in each other, and that trust shows on the court.”

Programs often go through cycles. A few high-caliber players will come through, do their thing, then graduate and the team recedes to the medium. Menlo-­Atherton has a girls volleyball team that doesn’t play by those rules. They’ve arguably been the best Division I team in their area for the past five years — and they aren’t planning on stopping that trend.

Since 2011, the Bears haven’t lost more than 10 games in a season. In the five-year span, they have failed to make it to the Central Coast Section finals just once, when they lost in the semifinals in 2013.

Furthermore, they have claimed three CCS titles in that time, including

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Menlo-Atherton and Jacqueline DiSanto are looking for a big year.

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last season when they also tacked on a CIF Northern Regional championship and their first state finals appearance.

Coming into the 2016 season, Menlo-Atherton returns four of its top five standouts from the team which finished as CIF Div. I state runner-up to Redondo Union-Redondo Beach.

Seniors Jacqueline DiSanto (outside hitter), Kirby Knapp (setter), Eliza Grover (opposite hitter) and Kiana Sales (outside hitter/defensive specialist) are back to comprise the Bears’ core. DiSanto, last year’s Peninsula Athletic League MVP, looks to lead the team along with two 1st-Team All-­League selections a year ago in Knapp and Grover. DiSanto and Grover were two of the team’s top three hitters last year and will have to make up for the loss of second-leading hitter Leanna Collins, who graduated after last season.

So how have the Bears been able to maintain such a high

level of dominance despite losing important seniors every year?

What Menlo­-Atherton has built is a selfless, cohesive group of girls who all want to grow as players and people, while of course winning in the process. Anderson believes the players have done a great job of immersing themselves in this culture and passing the baton on to the next girls.

“They all want to win for each other,” said Anderson, a Los Gatos alum who played at Long Beach State and professionally overseas. “As long as we maintain that mentality going forward, I think we can be successful for many years to come.”

Clearly, this team is all business. They have been getting increasingly better over the years and are determined to solidify their greatness with a state championship. Knapp, a four-year varsity setter and a Washington University-­St. Louis commit, knows it will be vital to mold the newer girls into the family

Eliza Grover

Kirby Knapp

and culture.

“We all want to shoot for [winning state] this year,” Knapp said. “We’re definitely hoping to win league and CCS again.”

The Bears shouldn’t have much trouble in winning the PAL Bay Division this year, and are likely a heavy favorite to win the CCS Div. I crown for a third straight year.

Anderson, Knapp and everyone else involved with the team bring up one common word when talking about the team chemistry: Family. “We’re really close, we’re like a family,” Knapp said. “Last year we were super tight and we’re hoping to get there again this year.”

While Knapp’s job as a setter is an extremely tough one, that feeling of being part of a family can put her at ease. Whether she’s setting DiSanto, Grover or any one of her teammates, Knapp is confident when she sets the ball up.

“I know I can set anyone and they will put the ball away,” the setter said. “I don’t have to force it to the same person every time.”

Grover, who led the team in solo blocks last year, is excited to see how the team shapes up. She is confident the new players will contribute greatly and help the team stay on top.

“Some of the people we lost aren’t going to be replaced, but we have some new talent in different areas,” says Grover. “It’s going to be an overall different team, but I think we can be just as good as last year.”

DiSanto and Grover combined for 511 kills last year. They will be the focal point of the offense early in the season until younger players like sophomore Alicia Letvin and freshman Marit Hoyem acclimate to varsity action.

“Kirby’s an awesome setter, so we can spread around the hits and definitely fill the void,” Grover said.

With so much success in recent years, there seems to be a sense that the team is feeling a good amount of pressure to finally win that elusive state title. Each year they have come so close, only to be stopped short of that goal. Are the players to a point of viewing anything shy of that goal a failure?

Anderson doesn’t see it that way. He knows there is only so much he and the girls can control. His players agree that they are just going to leave it all on the floor and see what happens.

“It would only be a disappointment if we did not play our volleyball,” Anderson says. “You win some, you lose some, and usually the better team wins. As long as you put your heart out on the court, that’s all you can really ask for.”

Grover disputes such pressure exists as well.

“I wouldn’t say we feel pressure. I mean, this team is so fun to be on,” the senior hitter said. “We want to win CCS again and go from there, but we don’t feel the pressure right now to win state. If we’re playing our best and it doesn’t work out the way we want it to, it won’t make the season a disappointment because we won’t feel like we could have gone any further.” ✪ 24

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September 15, 2016

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Monte Vista’s Nikki Cavote (right)

Archbishop Mitty’s Kate Formico

Paloma Bowman, Christian Brothers-Sacramento, Sr., RS/S

Kellie Hughes, Foothill-Pleasanton, Sr., S

Two-time Sac-Joaquin Section champion is a versatile offensive threat as a hitter and setter.

As a junior, she led the Falcons in kills, aces and assists.

She earned All-East Bay first-team honors after a dominant junior season that featured more than 1,000 assists for the NCS Div. I runners-up.

Nikki Cavote, Monte Vista-Danville, Jr., OH

Alexis Light, Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove, Sr., OH

Cavote’s role should expand after a sophomore year in which she contributed 153 kills, 136 digs and 363 serve receives for a Mustangs team which won the NCS Div. I title.

A team captain since her sophomore season, Light has led the Eagles in kills twice in three years. She had 441 kills for the SJS Div. I runner-up last season.

Cameryn Collie, Oak Ridge, Sr., OH

Liliana Light, Pleasant Grove, Jr., S

Outside hitter led the Trojans with 275 kills last year on a senior-filled roster. Collie’s leadership and hitting make Oak Ridge a SJS Div. I contender.

Eagles’ setter begins her third year of varsity and has 1,905 assists in her first two years, including 985 a season ago.

Alexa Edwards, St. Francis-Sacramento, Fr., OH

Meghan Merlino, Rio Americano-Sacramento, Sr., OH/OPP

The Troubadours’ newcomer is 5-foot-10 with plenty of athletic genes with former NBA firstrounder Franklin Edwards and pro volleyball player Cathy Edwards as parents.

Four-year starter will add to her kills total, which eclipsed the 1,000 mark by the end of her junior year. Merlino is one of just two seniors on Raiders’ roster.

Candice Denny, Archbishop Mitty-San Jose, Sr., MB

Riley Moore, Del Oro-Loomis, Jr., OH

Her 6-foot-2 frame and athleticism is just another reason why Mitty could make another state title run. She posted 252 kills and an astounding 114 blocks as a junior.

The 6-foot-2 hitter has the Golden Eagles off to a fast start after getting 323 kills and 62 aces as a sophomore.

Cate Desler, Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton, Jr., OH

Amanda Prather, Granite Bay, Sr., S/OPP/OH

She’s coming off a sophomore year in which she pounded down 440 kills while adding 59 blocks and 229 digs for the Gators.

The captain has done it all for the Grizzlies, logging 756 assists, 372 digs, 189 kills and 51 aces as a junior.

Tori Dilfer, Valley Christian-San Jose, Sr., S

Yisel Perez, Pitman-Turlock, Sr., OH

Daughter of former NFL quarterback Trent Dilfer, she is every bit the all-around athlete. Dilfer had 61 kills and 21 blocks to go with her 927 assists for CIF Div. III champs last season.

Senior was leading hitter for the Pride with 248 kills in 2015. Has collected SJS Divi. I titles in her two varsity seasons.

Jacqueline DiSanto, Menlo-Atherton-Atherton, Sr., OH

Sabrina Smith, Campolindo-Moraga, Sr., MH

DiSanto does everything for the Bears, as evidenced by her 2015 totals of 310 kills, 355 digs and 457 serves received. She also tacked on 51 aces.

Smith was the leading attacker for a 26-win Cougars team a year ago. The 6-foot-4 talent should be even more imposing in 2016.

Kate Formico, Archbishop Mitty, Sr., L/OH

Katie Smoot, Notre Dame-Belmont, Sr., OH

Both an indoor and beach standout, Formico is among the best receive-and-pass players in the state. She had 492 digs and 449 serve receives a season ago.

University of Arizona commit is among best West Catholic Athletic League has to offer. She had 515 kills, 180 digs and 57 aces in leading Tigers to CIF Div. IV title in 2015.

Macey Hayden, Whitney-Rocklin, Sr., OH

Alison White, Presentation-San Jose, Sr., OH/MB

Wildcats’ four-year starter led the team in kills, aces, blocks, and digs in 2015, and recorded nearly 1,100 kills in her first three seasons.

The Panthers will feature a balanced attack, but White will be a key figure for both the offense and defense. She led the team with 91 kills and had 15 blocks through Sept. 10.

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FEELING SUP Popular Superhero Run Returns To Redding For Fourth Year

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ecause who doesn’t just want to put on their favorite superhero costume and run around?

That’s the thinking behind the CASA Superhero Run, a benefit event for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) For Children programs located in Shasta and Tehama Counties. The Superhero run is returning to Redding for its fourth year and will once again offer the Little Heroes Dash (which includes a cape and a pancake breakfast), the Superhero 5K run/walk and Superhero 10K run.

This year’s run will take place on Saturday, Nov. 5, and begin at the Redding Civic Auditorium. Registration is open now at Run4Casa.com. Registration fees are $10 for Little Heroes, $20 for the 5K and $30 for the 10K. For those who can’t run, but still want to support the cause, a virtual runner’s entry can be purchased for $25.

CASA is a national program which provides quality court advocacy services to abused and neglected children under the jurisdiction of the Dependency Court. Since its inception in 1977, the program has helped more than two million children across the country. ✪ — Photos provided by Run4Casa.com

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PER?

Redding Youth Lacrosse Registration Now Open! September-December: Register individual team(s) with a $50 deposit. RSVP now to avoid a wait list. Visit team registration page for more information.

November-January: Once game schedule is published in late November or early December teams must pay balance of their registration fees and may Pre-Order Jamboree Apparel through our online store.

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Sac River Trail Marathon, 15K, 5K October 22: 9 a.m.: Sac River Trail Marathon, 15K & 5K

Redding Soccer Park HUNTER TROY CLEGG MEMORIAL TOURNAMENT: Sept. 24-25, Competitive U10, U11, U12 and Recreation U10-U19 soccer tournament. Five teams max per division, guarantee of four games. $425 per team. www.ReddingSoccerPark.com

September 15, 2016

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Snap, Tackle & Pop! He’s Built For One Position, Is Selflessly Learning Another, And His Dad Runs The Raiders — Meet Clayton Valley’s Jalen McKenzie

S

Records are through Sept. 10 1. (1)

— De La Salle-Concord

3-0

2. (2)

— Folsom

3-0

3. (3)

— Del Oro-Loomis

3-0

4. (4)

— St. Francis-Mountian View

2-0

5. (5)

— Elk Grove

2-0

6. (6)

— St. Mary’s-Stockton

3-0

7. (7)

— Clayton Valley Charter-Concord

2-1

8. (8)

—

Monte Vista-Danville

2-0

9. (9)

— Oak Ridge-El Dorado HIlls

3-0

10. (10) — Pittsburg

3-0

11. (11) — Valley Christian-San Jose

3-0

12. (12) — Milpitas

3-0

13. (13) — Antioch

2-1

14. (14 — Bellarmine-San Jose

2-1

15. (16) ▲

3-0

California-San Ramon

16. (17) ▲ Grant-Sacramento

3-0

17. (18) ▲ Sutter

3-0

18. (19) ▲ Jesuit-Carmichael

2-1

19. (NR) ▲

3-0

Monterey Trail-Elk Grove

20. (NR) ▲ Freedom-Oakley

3-0

DROPPED OUT: No. 15 Central Catholic-Modesto and No. 20 Serra-San Mateo 5 TEAMS KNOCKING (alphabetically): Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (2-1), McClymonds-Oakland (2-1), Miramonte-Orinda (3-0), Roseville (3-0) and San BenitoHollister (3-0) BIGGEST MOVER: Each of the Top 13 either logged victories or had a bye. No. 14 Bellarmine suffered a 16-14 loss to No. 3 Del Oro, a close enough result that it didin’t warrant a drop below new No. 15 CaliforniaSan Ramon. The Grizzlies just haven’t played quite as strong a schedule as the Bells. Technically, new arrival Monterey Trail-Elk Grove was the biggest mover as it debuted at No. 19 after dominant showings in its first three games.

TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 13

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enior Jalen McKenzie stands out among his teammates and most of the high school players with whom he shares a field. Whether it’s his 6 foot-7, 280-pound frame, or his ability to dominate opposing defensive lineman, No. 55 jumps out almost immediately.

To say nothing of his last name.

But on this particular Friday night in the second quarter at Clayton Valley Charter High, he’s not standing out at all. He started at center for the first time in high school, and it shows.

A snap to Zia Rahmany in the shotgun formation is taken by the quarterback just inches above the ground. The next snap bounces. The next one comes ankle high.

To repeat, this is McKenzie’s first start — one that he’s making with two broken fingers and during which he will slightly sprain an ankle.

“Eh,” is his initial one-syllable response when asked about it. “It’s hard, but our team needs me to do it. I’ll be fine.”

Perhaps such relentless self-confidence is to be expected when one is gifted with size, great footwork, smarts and instinct.

Oh yeah, and that name.

Jalen’s father, Reggie, is the Oakland Raiders’ general manager and a former NFL lineman. His uncle, Reggie’s twin brother, Raleigh, starred for the famed Hogs of NFL offensive line lore, and won two Super Bowls with the Washington Redskins.

His brother, Khalil, was a five-star recruit and is playing football at Tennessee. He has a sister who teaches at Duke University, and another who works at Google.

Big success, it seems, comes with the name, and Jalen McKenzie fully expects to be the next in line. He’s done nothing so far to show his coach or anyone else he won’t be.

“The kid,” Clayton Valley head coach Tim Murphy said, “is top notch in every way.”

Well, in every way but producing perfect snap after perfect snap, but that’ll come quick enough, his coach said.

McKenzie’s future likely is at offensive tackle, anyway, a position in which he ranks 48th in the country, according to Subscribe to S360 at SportStarsOnline.com

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Rivals.com. He has not decided where he’ll go to college, but he says Pac-12 schools have shown the most interest.

Those expectations, not to mention that name, might be a burden for some. McKenzie doesn’t see it that way.

“It’s mostly good,” McKenzie said of the success that surrounds him. “It adds a lot to my motivation to do well, makes me want to work hard and get better. At the same time, I have to be who I am, and not who anyone thinks I am.”

Who he will be is anybody’s guess. His father became a linebacker and started in 40 of the 60 NFL games he played from 1985-92. Raleigh McKenzie started at left guard in Super Bowl XXVI for the Redskins, and was an All-Pro in 1991. He played 16 seasons in the NFL. Khalil McKenzie was an All-American as an eighth grader.

Jalen McKenzie, for the time being, is none of those things.

He’s a relative novice at his best position, never mind one that he’s just learning how to play. But even in that area, the bloodlines help.

“From a coach’s standpoint, his dad is kind of the perfect dad,” Murphy said. “I’ve never heard a single word from him. He goes to the dinners. He’s there. But it’s not about him, and everything is team. Team, team, team. You see that in Jalen.”

So it is that McKenzie wound up with his hands on the ball.

“My dad told me the same thing happened to him in high school,” he said. “His team was playing (late NFL Hall of Fame defensive lineman) Reggie White, so they moved him

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“He’s in love with the idea of helping his team.

He wants the team to get better. He wants teammates to get better. Whatever he can do to help that process, he does.”

— Clayton Valley head coach Tim Murphy there. He handled it. I’ll handle it.”

The athletic promise has been there since Jalen McKenzie first put on the pads as an elementary school student. He arrived at Clayton Valley fully in Khalil McKenzie’s shadow, then immediately suffered an injury that required surgery on his right tibia. He did not return until the eighth game of his sophomore season.

McKenzie’s junior year was wiped out on his second play, when he suffered a torn ACL in his knee after his foot stuck in the turf during a long run by running back Ray Jackson III.

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“If you think about it, this is a kid who basically went from eighth-grade football straight to varsity,” Murphy said. “I mean, think about that. I would compare it to going from high school to an NFL tryout.

“And then, in that first varsity year, he ends up starting in the (CIF State Bowl) championship game. So if that doesn’t give you an idea about the natural ability the kid has, nothing will. He’s making great use of his gene pool.”

The intangibles seem to stick out more than anything else, his coach added.

“He’s in love with the idea of helping his team,” Murphy said. “He wants the team to get better. He wants teammates to get better. Whatever he can do to help that process, he does.”

On this Friday, McKenzie’s example exemplifies his team’s.

The Ugly Eagles play just that way, yet still defeat Canyon Springs-North Las Vegas (Nev.) with relative ease 35-7. They fumble three times, including once at the Canyon Springs 1-yard line. They give up several big passing plays, and commit the occasional boneheaded penalty.

But, playing as a team, they also open gaping holes between the tackles, with running backs Thomas Alatini and James Teofilo running for big gains behind McKenzie, who sometimes occupies two lineman.

One play after an errant snap, McKenzie is so fazed that he destroys a lineman, a hole opens, and Alatini goes 62 yards for a score.

Intangibles mixing with tangibles. Nothing ugly about it. ✪ — By James G. Kane

September 15, 2016

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Passing Fancy SJS Quarterbacks Have Opened Up The Year Strong

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he Sac-Joaquin Section has an arms race underway as a majority of the names atop the state passing yardage leaders — based on stats reported to MaxPreps.com — belong to SJS quarterbacks.

Three of the top four passing leaders in California hail from the section that stretches from the Central Valley to the edge of the San Francisco Bay to the Sierra foothills. In all, six Sac-Joaquin QBs are in the top 15 in California, and only one other QB from NorCal, Acalanes junior Robby Rowell, even cracked the top 25.

Carson Strong of Wood-Vacaville leads all passers in the state with 1,147 yards passing in just three games. The junior has a pair of 400-yard games and a 300-yard effort to go with nine touchdowns and three interceptions. His 6-foot-4, 195-pound frame will likely start drawing more recruiters looking for the section’s next big arm, but the rest of the SJS-leading passers — all seniors — are not making a huge splash on the recruiting boards.

Downey-Modesto quarterback Brett Neves is third in the state with 1,043 yards, and Folsom signal-caller Joe Curry is just behind him in with 1,010 yards. Curry is also in the top three in California with 12 TD passes while Brent Schaeffer from neighboring Vista del Lago-Folsom rounds out the top 10 with 966 yards. Chris Lubinsky from Ceres has been busy in the backfield with the most completions in the state (79) and most pass attempts in the section (126), but the Bulldogs have started 0-3 despite Lubinsky’s aerial prowess.

Perhaps the most impressive quarterback in the early season has been St. Mary’s senior Jake Dunniway, who has been efficient and effective in leading the Rams to a 3-0 mark against top competition. Dunniway has completed nearly 70 percent of his passes (44-of-63) for 899 yards with 12 TDs and 0 interceptions. Recruiters are not beating a busy path to Dunniway, but more big games, including a September 23 trip to Bellflower to face national power St. John Bosco, could elevate his status as well as St. Mary’s state ranking.

“After three weeks, if people don’t know who he is — because I know there’s another pretty good running back in the neighboring town — they better know who he is now,” Pittsburg coach Victor Galli said after Thompson’s 379-yard, four-touchdown performance in a win over Serra-San Mateo on Sept. 9. “He had to split carries last year and he still became the third all-time leading rusher in Pittsburg history. We’ve been playing since 1924, so that’s pretty good company.”

Meanwhile, Harris has delivered as expected too. He’s rushed 64 times for 681 yards and eight TDs. He’s also added 12 twopoint conversion runs and caught a pair of TD passes.

Rivers helped Freedom to a 3-0 start with 425 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on just 54 carries. Pittsburg also began the year 3-0 and Antioch opened 2-1. “(BVAL) is going to be fun,” Thompson said with a grin following the Serra game. ✪ — Jim McCue and Chace Bryson

St. Mary’s-Stockton quarterback Jake Dunniway

BVAL? MORE LIKE RBAL East Contra Costa County is the place to be this season if one is hoping to see a dynamic running back. It’s probably safe to assume that nearly all of the Bay Area — and much of the country — knows about the Bay Valley Athletic League’s most famous running back, Najee Harris. However, the nation’s No. 1 recruit is not the only game-breaking tailback in his region. In fact, he’s one of three in his league alone.

The BVAL could very easily be renamed the Running Back Athletic League in 2016 as Harris is joined by Pittsburg senior Montaz Thompson and Freedom-Oakley senior Ronnie Rivers.

Thompson has been the most productive of the three through the first three weeks of the season, piling up 839 yards on just 61 carries (an average of 13.8 yards per rush). He’s also reached the end zone more than the other two as well, scoring 11 touchdowns.

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Ocotillo Wells’ Halloween Spooktacular Festival Offers Thrills & Chills For All

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re you ready for a howling good time? Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (SVRA) is hosting its second annual Halloween Spooktacular Festival on October 29th.

Dress up in your best costume and kick off the evening with trick-or-treating around “Howling Meg” circle, where parents are kindly asked to bring candy to share with the other trick-or-treaters going from station to station with their buckets.

Ghouls and ghosts will await the unwary on the Haunted Trail where participants will find giant arachnids, a haunted house and several other creepy surprises lurking around every bend. For those with strong stomachs, head on over to “Dead Edgar” and try your hand at putting Edgar back together!

Who knows what will be in the buckets this year, but be assured that it will be memorable! Not every activity during the Spooktacular is creepy though — some will allow you to peak into the lives of the amazing animals that survive in this harsh desert environment.

Join some of the Scorpion Wranglers on a Scorpion Safari where you can find wild glowing scorpions roaming the desert, looking for a meal. Join our Batty Naturalists who will take you for a secret peak into the lives of those furry flying mammals known as bats. With some special equipment, you will even be able to eavesdrop on them while they hunt and navigate through the dark desert sky.

Come and visit Ocotillo Wells SVRA located at: 5172 Highway 78, Borrego Springs Phone: (760) 767-5391 www.ohv.parks.gov/ocotillowells ✪ —All copy and photos provided by CA State Parks

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don’t let dining OUT do you IN nutrition: jill daniels You just finished a tournament, you’re hungry, and home is a few hours away. Or you’re out of town for a two-day swim meet and need to grab some food in the middle of the day. Or maybe it’s a weeknight, and you’re hungry after practice but you know the fridge at home is empty.

While eating food from home can be ideal, dining out becomes necessary sometimes.

Many chain restaurants have created menu items that are similar to what you’d make at home, if only you had the time. There are plenty of healthy meal and snack options out there that will keep any athlete well fueled. Take time to look at the nutrition facts online before you go so that you have a game plan, and you don’t fall prey to the Big Meal Deals that may be a bargain financially, but won’t serve you well as an athlete.

Here are a few ideas to get you started: Corner Bakery has some yummy breakfast options that may be perfect before the volleyball tournament. The Swiss Oatmeal or the Fresh Berry & Yogurt Parfait are great if you need something on the lighter side. If you need more protein, try the Chicken Apple Sausage Power Flatbread or the Avocado & Spinach Power Flatbread.

With a Starbuck’s on practically every corner, this may be a smart place to grab a pick-me-up in the middle of a swim meet. The Spinach & Feta Wrap is a light meal that supplies a decent amount of carbohydrates, protein and fat. If you need a little more than that, add some oatmeal or a banana or a latte. The Protein Bistro Box and the Zesty Chicken & Black Bean Salad Bowl are also flavorful options.

In the mood for Mexican food? At Chipotle, your meals are custom-made for you. There are plenty of options that supply great carbohydrates and protein. If you need more calories, add a second tortilla to your burrito, or get an extra serving of beans, or pile on the guacamole. If you want to keep it lighter, go for a salad or burrito bowl or even a kid’s meal. Try the Carnitas Tacos with beans, lettuce and salsa, or for a heartier meal, have a Chicken Burrito Bowl with brown rice, black beans, fajita vegetables, lettuce and corn salsa. Chipotle can provide a delicious recovery meal on the way home from a hard practice.

Whether you need a power breakfast, a quick mid-day snack, or a substantial dinner, there are plenty more nutritious options available at these restaurants and others. Look at the nutrition facts on each restaurant’s website and put together a list for yourself. ✪ 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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health watch: bruce valentine An average athlete takes 2000 steps in a mile, and in an average 90-minute soccer game a player can take 10,000 steps. This means our feet have to absorb and transfer a significant amount of impacts. Even with the best mechanics, these impacts can take a toll.

A heel contusion or bruise can be a debilitating injury, or simply an annoyance. The calcaneus is a major weight-bearing bone in the ankle, and is our connection to the Earth when standing. If bruised, all weight-bearing activities can be affected.

When in doubt, a referral to a doctor to rule out a stress fracture or heel spur is warranted. When cleared of a fracture, a bone bruise can still take several weeks to fully heal. Basic treatment includes rest and ice. If activity is to be continued, longitudinal arch taping and/or a heel cup can mitigate the painful symptoms produced by impact activities Plantar Fasciitis, an inflammation of the plantar fascia stretching from the heel to the forefoot, is a common problem for runners. There is often a complaint of feeling like something is in your shoe, or worse, as if you are walking on broken glass. Inflammation in this area is difficult to resolve.

A good way to break up the inflammation is with a golf ball. While seated, roll the ball under your foot with pressure to tolerance on the effected area using small circles, occasionally moving to new areas of tenderness. For the more sore arch, use a frozen bottle of water in the same manner.

To stretch the plantar fascia, use a dead tennis ball. Place your heel on the ball, roll the ball forward just in front of the heel bone, then compress the ball by shifting your weight onto the ball. Hold the stretch for 20-30 seconds.

To minimize the tension strain on the plantar fascia, avoid shoes with minimal arch and heel support, especially flip flops. Wear shoes with a built in supportive arch. You can also try an over-the-counter arch support to put in your athletic shoes. ✪ Bruce Valentine is a physical therapist assistant and certified athletic trainer. He’s the program manager for Athletic Training Services at UCSF Benioff Children’s Hospitals’ Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes.

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Months To Fast powered by trucks: anthony trucks

I received a call from a past baseball client recently and he was telling me that he had four months to take his 60yard spring from 7.1 seconds to 6.9, if possible. I asked what he was currently doing to make that happen and he told me he was doing four to five sets of 12 reps for squats, high-rep lunges, calves and a few other leg exercises, and he planned on continuing that for 4 months. I stopped him right there.

I told h im that plan is going to make him slower instead of faster.

Here’s why: When it comes to training, there is something called periodization — which consists of the phases you go through when training to “peak” at a specific time. Although it’s never an exact science, there are very good ways to predict how to build up to your desired goal. This is how Olympians train. Most have a four-year periodized training program leading up to the Olympics.

While there are many to choose from, here is the most basic strategy you can apply to your training if you want to increase your athletic speed. It’s called linear periodization. ›› STAGE 1: Hypertrophy — Build up muscle mass because you can’t flex bone. You’ll initially be slow, but this is the mass you need to develop strength later on. ›› STAGE 2: Strength — Get stronger so you can increase your power output later. ›› STAGE 3: Power — This is the end goal if you want speed. ›› STAGE 4: Power endurance — Be able to repeatedly output force without dying.

Focus on these four stages correctly (1 each month), and you’ll see the results. ✪ Anthony Trucks is an IYCA-certified trainer who covers weight training for SportStars.

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The idea of readiness in sports can be a tricky thing. The myth of needing to get fired up for most athletes is just that, a myth. Every sport has its own unique intensity requirements (think hitting a golf ball vs. playing offensive line in football) and, each person has his or her own ideal level of intensity to achieve optimum performance.

Physically you need to be warmed-up, energized and ready to compete. Chances are, this is already built into your routine. You get your heart rate up, get sweaty and get your body ready to compete. Mentally you need to be focused and free of worry to perform your best. For many athletes this is a missing link, since most of us don’t learn the value of calming our minds. However, many athletes have the experience where they stumble upon a calm day. Athletes tend to describe this day as easy, effortless or simple and confidence soars. A calm mind is key to reaching this ideal zone. How do you create this magic combination of mind and body? Here are a few tips.

get mental: erika carlson PHYSICAL INTENSITY

To raise the intensity of your warm-up, challenge yourself. If you normally finish your warm-up at a level 6 (out of 10), set a goal to go hard in your warm-up and get to a level 9. See how this impacts the early stage of your competition.

CALMING YOUR MIND Breathe — Early and often. Slow, deep breaths are simple and effective. They work best if you build a conditioned response (teach your body to relax through breathing). However, anyone can reap some benefits to slowing down to breathe and relax.

Progressive Relaxation — There’s great research behind this technique, which relaxes your body through repeatedly contracting and then relaxing your major muscle groups. Find a muscle group where you carry a lot of stress (neck, back and shoulders are common areas) and tense them as tight as you can, count to three, release. Repeat.

The last step is to personalize it by considering your sport and your personality. Set goals for your ideal combination. For example, on a scale of 1-10 (1 low intensity, 10 very high intensity) set goals that look something like this: Physical Intensity = 8, Calm Mind = 4. Once you’ve set your goal, practice!

When you’ve gotten the hang of your magic combination in practice, it’s time to take into competition. Good luck! ✪ Erika Carlson is a CEO and certified mental trainer at Mental Training, Inc. in Pleasanton.

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