CA Issue 40, Feb. 2, 2012

one big leaguer couldn’t ride express. Pg. 6

vol. 3. issue 40

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february 2, 2012

endure | excel | achieve

california

blink and you’ll miss her: norcal’s foreste peterson speeds her way to US ski team.

Pg. 26

rockin’ rollin’ Ygnacio Valley soccer breaks out in big way. Pg. 26

for sheldon boys hoops names change, not results. Pg. 20

Lincoln girls hoops haven’t missed a beat. Pg. 24 pac Rim volleyball is still climbing. Pg. 17

NorCal’s Foreste Peterson heats up when it cools down. Pg. 14 PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson. Ext. 104 • Chace@SportStarsOnline.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Erik Stordahl, Mitch Stephens, Doug Gardner, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Jim McCue, Eric Gilmore, Dave Kiefer, Liz Elliott, Tim Rudd, Jonathan Okanes Photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, Darryl Henick, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton Creative Department Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco. Ext. 103 • MikeD@SportStarsOnline.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa. Ext. 106 • Mike@SportStarsOnline.com

James K. Leash

Sheldon sends players to D1 Colleges and opponents to another loss. Pg. 20

Advertising & Calendar/Classified Sales Sales@SportStarsOnline.com Account Executives Erik Stordahl • Erik@SportStars Online.com (Special Sections, Calendar, Marketplace sales), Phillip Walton • PWalton@SportStarsOnline.com, Breck Phillip • BreckPhillip@gmail.com (Sacramento Sales), Stacey Harris • SHarris@SportStarsOnline.com.

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Photo: Erick Schramm, courtesy of U.S. Ski Team

First Pitch.................................................. 6 Locker Room........................................... 8 Behind the Clipboard............................. 9 AAA SportStars of the Week.............11 Training Time..........................................12 Health Watch.........................................19 In the Paint.............................................24 TriSteps....................................................32 Get Mental..............................................30 Camps + Clinics....................................34 Impulse....................................................37

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clipboard: Wanna move up?

Better listen up. Pg. 9

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take a break: Can’t be the best without healthy rest. Pg. 12

your ticket to bay area sports admit one; rain or shine

heads up: Be aware of concussions while on field. Pg. 19 ON THE COVER: Foreste Peterson of Berkeley.

Photo: Erick Schramm, courtesy of U.S. Ski Team

Phillip Walton

Ygnacio Valley-Concord hasn’t been known as a soccer powerhouse. But get used to the idea. Pg. 26

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Sharing the stories of the The Pride of Los Molinos

I

t’s funny how things work out.

This past January marked 11 years from the time I returned to my small hometown of Los Molinos and shared with my parents — both former teachers and coaches — that I wanted to withdraw from the credential program at Humboldt State University and take a job offer as a full-time sportswriter in the Bay Area. It was not an easy decision to reach. As much as I felt I would’ve enjoyed teaching and coaching on a high school campus, the dream of being a sportswriter in the big city was just a little sexier. Always supportive, my parents understood and wished me luck.

In the decade plus since, I’ve had some fantastic experiences writing about sports in the Bay Area. However, in a true whowould-have-figured twist, perhaps one of my most memorable experiences writing about sports could’ve been accomplished a mere two miles from my parents’ house.

The first Major League Baseball player I ever met lived on Roosevelt Avenue in Los Molinos. His name was Glenn Cox and he spent parts of four seasons from 1955-58 as a pitcher with the Kansas City Athletics — the same franchise which has played on Coliseum Way in Oakland since 1968.

Cox became a close family friend through years of working and coaching with my parents at Los Molinos High. He had an extremely successful 15-year tenure as the varsity baseball coach of the Bulldogs. The school’s baseball field is named in his honor.

In late 2008, my then recently-retired dad approached me about the idea of working together to help Glenn publish his memories of the game. By the time the project ended nearly six months later, my wife had been roped in to help with design and we were left with a 100-page book titled “The Way Chace@ the Game was Played.”

SportStarsOnline.com The memoir was self-published on Blurb.com and became an immediate source of pride for Cox and the entire Los Mo(925) 566-8503 linos community. Glenn would take the book to events, set up a table to sell and sign a few copies. But mostly it gave him an audience to do what he loved, talk about baseball. And nobody had to be a serious baseball historian to recognize the names of players he played against or called teammates: Hank Aaron, Jackie Robinson, Ted Williams, Don Drysdale, Tommy Lasorda, and so on.

Glenn passed away on January 8 of this year at his home, surrounded by friends and family. February 3 would have marked his 81st birthday. As a gift, I’d like to give Glenn one more venue to tell a story.

Following is an except from one of the memories detailed in his book. I like to call this one “Yogi Takes Requests.”

I picked up a bat and walked to home plate and Yogi Berra looks at me and says, “I hear you’re a pretty good-hitting pitcher.”

“Yes, sir. I am.”

“Well, what do you want?”

“Give me the fastball.”

Don Larsen was pitching for the Yankees, a big sucker that could really throw hard. I got ready and he let that first pitch go, and I mean to tell you that it went by me so fast that I never even got the bat off my shoulder. There it was in Yogi’s glove.

“What the (heck) was that?,” I asked.

Yogi was laughing, and even the umpire was smiling. Yogi said that was the “Express.”

“Well, give me that Express again because this time I’ll be ready.”

Two pitches later and I never touched the ball. It was terrible.

If you’re interested in reading more of Glenn’s stories, the book remains available for purchase at Blurb.com. Know that I don’t see a cent from the sales. My payment is knowing that Glenn’s stories continue to be told. ✪

First Pitch Chace Bryson Editor

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rapidFIRE Favorite reality show Jersey Shore

Celebrity you’d Favorite most want to in-person fan meet moment

Favorite app

Favorite Twitter hashtag

Game winning shot, assist or block

Ashton Kutcher

Quakes vs.

Galaxy MLS games

Instagram

#Rebecca Black

Assist

Kobe Bryant

None. Just watching Kobe be clutch.

Temple Run

Don’t use Twitter, just Facebook

Block

Pilar Souder, College Park, soccer

The Game Courtney Range, St. Mary’s, BB

countEM

12

The number of times Allison Miller (pictured) and the Miramonte-Orinda girls basketball team has held opponents under 40 points this season. The Matadors owned an unbeaten 20-0 record through Jan. 28.

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Which of NorCal’s top football recruits do you think has the best chance of succeeding in college?

“If they stay healthy, Shaq Thompson and Arik Armstead (both from Sactown) will be playing on Sundays by 2014.” — Rhino Sports of Northern CA and Nevada

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Meeting coaches’ expectations easier when you give your full attention

Top 5 Angles of Local Interest on Super Sunday

Chris Szagola/ Cal Sport Media/ ZUMAPRESS. com

So it’s the week before the Super Bowl (we refuse to acquiesce to the NFL’s demands that we call it “Super Week” unless the week starts wearing blue tights and a big red ‘S’ on its chest…). We’ve been told time and again that it is one of the most culturally significant events, and that we are thereby honor-bound to care (even though it is, insufferably, an all-Northeast affair). With that in mind, here are the Top Five reasons for NorCal folks to pay attention on Sunday.

1. Joe’s Legacy — You know, San Francisco Joe. The best back in the history of quarters. Fourtime Super Bowl champ and three-time Super Bowl Most Valuable Player Joe. Montana. If New England wins, Tom Brady will almost HAVE to be the game’s MVP. Do you really want to live in a world where a Patriot is in some way the equivalent of the greatest quarterback of all time? Us neither. Caveat: At least Brady is a NorCal kid — Serra-San Mateo, and all that.

2. Julian Edelman — You might not know this, but Wes Welker’s Mini-Me hails from Redwood City, and played QB for Woodside High. We think the speedy 5-10 receiver/defensive back could be an X-factor vs. the Giants, even though every time we hear his name we think someone is talking about the PGA. 3. Dave Tollefson — Talk about your feel-good tale of stick-to-itiveness. Walnut Creek’s own Tollefson, left, has done his share of bouncing around in his college career. From Ygnacio Valley High to Los Medanos College, Fresno State to Northwest Missouri (huh?), Green Bay to Oakland to, finally, the N.Y. Giants. And now he has a shot at a second ring. Who’da thunk that?

4. Prop Bets — If there’s one thing that can keep a generally apathetic group of football fans involved in a game, it’s the prospect of winning some money/food/respect/opportunity to publicly humiliate a close personal friend on something as random as umpire knock-downs or who will make the first hyper-exaggerated first-down gesture (the line is running at 50:1 on Ochocinco, btw).

5. General Bitterness — For Niners fans, it was bad enough last year watching the guy they could have had No. 1 in the 2005 draft (Discount DoubleCheck Rodgers) carve up the Steelers’s en route to a Packers championship. Now they have to watch The Team That Kyle Williams Let Win (heretofore known as TTTKWLT) potentially pound Brady & Co. for its second Super Bowl title in the past six years, and fourth overall. Ugh. What’s the line on how far into the game you’ll be before someone at your Super Bowl party makes a crack about how goofy lookin’ Eli Manning is? Our money’s on 5 minutes.

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— Bill Kolb

It’s probably going to be my first year on varsity this spring, and I’m a little nervous. What do varsity coaches want from their players?

K.L., Windsor

his was such a good question that it deserves more than one column to answer — and this will be part two. The starting point is something I heard John Madden say long ago when he was coaching the Raiders: “I only have three rules,” he said. “Be on time; pay attention; and play like hell.”

We covered “be on time” last issue, so now it’s “pay attention.”

Again, that seems really simple — but there’s much more to it than just looking at the coach when he’s talking about how to handle a first-andthird situation.

Of course, it begins there. Every coach expects his players to be able execute the strategies required for success, and that means that they must pay serious attention to the team’s tactics. In fact, one of the keys to success in team sports is simply this: Be standing in the right place.

Even if a player can’t really execute at a high level, if he’s in the right position, he’s got a chance to make a play. On the other hand, the most skilled athlete isn’t going to help the team if he’s not covering second base when he’s supposed to.

But paying attention actually goes way beyond game situations. For example, when the coach pulls you aside and says “If you want to be a good varsity player, you need to learn to pull the ball,” then it’s absolutely critical for you to listen to what was said, and act on it. The coach isn’t trying to tell you you’re bad — he’s trying to help you be a better player, and make his team better as a result.

So if the coach says something to you individually, pay attention.

Don’t blow it off as just some old guy talking. He does know more than you about the game, and you need to pay full attention to what he says, unless you enjoy sitting on the bench.

And if the coach says “The field trip request forms are due Monday,” pay attention, and get it done. Too many kids wind up forgetting or not following through, and all of a sudden Monday is an emergency. Who has to deal with it? The coach. And do you think he’s going to have warm and fuzzy feelings about the guy who didn’t realize the field trip forms were due and now people are scrambling around trying to make it happen?

On another level, pay attention to your equipment. First, make sure you have everything you need to play (shoes are helpful, for example).

Second, make sure your glove isn’t going to break in the middle of the game, or some other vital piece of equipment won’t fall apart at an inopportune moment.

And finally, pay attention to life outside the sport. Keep your grades up, eat properly, figure out which people in your life help you progress, and which hold you back. It’s all too easy to just drift along, and suddenly you’re on academic probation; you’re in the tenth inning and you realize all you ate after breakfast was half a burrito and you’re exhausted; and your supposed friend who was supposed to pick you up and get you where you needed to be once again left you stranded.

Life is hard enough without making it more difficult, and one sure way to make it even more complex is to fail to pay attention to what’s going on around you — in sports and everywhere else. ✪

T

Behind the Clipboard Clay Kallam

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 Coach Kallam at clayk@fullcourt.com.

February 2, 2012

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austin branum del oro-loomis . senior . wrestling

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Austin Branum, the Del Oro-Loomis senior, squared off against defending 145-pound state champion Jake Elliott of Oakmont-Roseville at the Tim Brown Memorial Tournament and scored a two-point reversal with 20 seconds remaining to capture a 3-2 victory. Branum is 30-3 with his only loss against a California wrestler against 2011 140-pound state champ Isaiah Martinez of Lemoore.

SportStars: How did you pull off the late victory at the Tim Brown Memorial?

Austin Branum: I knew that he was tired and hoped that if I kept moving that I would be able to get free to score the points.

SSM: Do you feel that you are peaking as the postseason approaches?

AB: I feel great right now, but I definitely need to keep improving.

I can’t be thinking that I am at my best because I know I still have to get better for state.

SSM: Do you feel that you have a shot at a state title in the 152-pound weight class (2011 state champs Elliott and Martinez are in the same weight class)?

AB: Ever since last year when I placed (5th at 140 pounds) at state, my goal has been to be a state champion. I am working hard and my coaches have helped me out a lot, so I believe that it is definitely in the cards.

honorable mention

dejza james The junior forward scored a game-high 21 points to help Pleasant Grove knock off SheldonSacramento on Jan. 27. James also recorded double-doubles in victories over Folsom on Jan. 20 and Terra Nova-Pacifica on Jan. 21.

shannon mauldin The senior guard led St. Mary’s-Berkeley to an upset over Berkeley 54-49 on Jan. 21. She led all scorers with 21 points. She also posted a game-high 21 points in a big 43-39 league win over Salesian on Jan. 28.

fernando felix The De La SalleConcord sophomore scored two goals in a crucial East Bay Athletic League win over Monte Vista on Jan. 24. De La Salle is now the only undefeated team in EBAL play.

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Young athletes need an offseason to reach their full potential T he current climate of club sport, in combination with school sport, is one in which the majority of young athletes are being placed under a degree of physical stress that their bodies aren’t prepared to handle.

It’s become commonplace for young athletes to practice and compete nearly 12 months out of the year in club and school sports. As a result, the opportunity for a general preparation stage is prevented, and only the most genetically gifted players are capable of experiencing significant advancement of sport skill.

The success of young athletes relies heavily upon their physical preparation. For this reason, a young athlete with an appropriate level of physical preparation — who has never played a particular sport — possess the foundation to quickly become the most skilled player on the team. This comes much to the dismay of the physically unprepared athlete who painstakingly hammers away at their self-limiting sport-specific practice.

The unprepared athlete unfortunately further diminishes the potential to advance her skill the more she practices it. Technical/tactical skill is only as good as its supporting physical preparation, regardless of how high they can jump or how fast they can run. In other words, it doesn’t matter how much they practice if they lack appropriate general preparation.

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There are many physically underdeveloped young athletes participating in club, school practice and competition throughout the year. Most plateau very quickly because as soon as they become proficient in the basic skills from a technical standpoint, any further improvement is hindered by their lack of general preparation. As time goes on, the stress of repetitive sport skill diminishes their physical structure’s ability to sustain the load placed upon it, and injuries soon follow.

The problem is that it becomes very difficult to advance the physical preparation of year-round athletes because they have no off-season. They are practicing and playing their sport nearly 12 months a year. The degree to which they physically adapt and develop based upon participation in sport alone is directly linked to genetics.

Preparation for sport is illustrated by a pyramid.

The apex is characterized by psychological preparation, the infrastructure by technical/tactical preparation, and the foundation by physical preparation.

Like any building or bridge, the height of the apex is limited by the dimensions of its foundation.

General preparation characterizes the foundation of the pyramid and is constituted by the abilities which represent the prerequisites for optimal sport skill acquisition and development: Speed, reactive/ elastic ability, power, strength, balance/coordina-

tion/rhythm/relaxation/timing, mobility, stamina, adaptability.

When an athlete develops a strong foundation of general physical preparation he is at a great advantage to quickly learn the technical/tactical skill of a new sport. And those without the strong foundation who continue in year-round sport participation do not yet possess a sufficient degree of general preparation to tolerate, let alone develop from, the frequency and volume of practice.

The result is an unprecedented increase in knee ligament damage, lumbar disc bulges and herniations, sport hernias and shoulder labrum and/or rotator cuff injuries— all of which are symptomatic of senseless physical loading, most of which is preventable.

Young athletes’ bodies must be built not only to withstand the stress of practices and competitions, but also for long term skill acquisition and development. The unfortunate reality though, is that the foundations of physical preparation are non-existent or mismanaged, and the high volume of year-round activity is destroying young athletes. ✪

Training Time Tim Rudd for IYCA

Tim Rudd is an International Youth Conditioning Association specialist in youth conditioning (level 3), speed and agility (level 2), and nutrition specialist (level 1). For more information on anything you read in Training Time, email him at tim@fit2thecore.com.

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National

Foreste

B

arbara Peterson probably knew what she was getting into when she succumbed to her 2 year-old daughter’s demands to take her onto Squaw Valley Ski Resort’s most famous — and challenging — chair lifts, KT-22.

“She insisted,” Peterson said of her youngest daughter, Foreste. “We got up there and on the way down I checked on her and she was sound asleep, skiing between my legs.”

Foreste Peterson is very much awake on her skis now. As the youngest member of the U.S. Ski Team, the 18 year-old is carving a ski path that is making some actually believe she COULD do such things in her sleep.

After three weeks of competing in Europe, Foreste returned to her Berkeley home on Jan. 23. She then spent her week connecting with her independent study teachers at Berkeley High, taking exams and turning in assignments. By Thursday, she was preparing to get back on a plane to head to Colorado where she would be competing over the weekend at Vail and Aspen.

Eat. Sleep. Study. Ski. And ski, and ski and ski!

This is essentially how it’s been since Foreste was, well, 2 years old. With two parents who are former ski racers, an older sister who raced, and grandparents with a cabin in Squaw Valley, she and her family would spend nearly every weekend from November to April on the slopes.

“I missed a lot of friends’ birthday parties and that sort of thing,” Foreste said. “I just would’ve rather been skiing. There were definitely trade-offs. That was just one of those things that I accepted. I had my priorities and skiing was definitely one of them.”

Foreste joined the Squaw Valley Mighty Mites at the age of 4, a program that most kids aren’t able to join until age 5

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On the slopes since she was a toddler, Berkeley’s Foreste Peterson is now a U.S. Ski Team member — and she’s just getting started Story by Chace Bryson

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Peterson Family photos

February 2, 2012

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or 6. She was racing competitively by age 11.

By age 12 she qualified for the Jr. Olympics, and at 14 she competed in her first international event in Italy.

Skiing was a priority, and winning became a habit.

By the time the 2009-2010 race season came around, Foreste had become an absolute force. In a near three-month span from December 2009 to March 2010, she compiled 17 Top 10 finishes (mostly in slalom and giant slalom) and four victories.

She went from being on the U.S. Ski Team’s radar, to being invited to train with it in Austria. She was then selected to join the team in 2011 as a member of its Development Team.

And that’s when the crash happened.

“It was during training (in November 2010),” Foreste said.

“I was practicing downhill at Copper Mountain in Colorado. I caught an edge and my ski didn’t come off. My ankle just broke inside the boot. I had surgery that night.”

And that quickly her ski season — the first with the U.S. Ski Team — was over.

“It was a hard blow for sure,” she said, admitting that it was also her first time facing any type of injury that had kept her out of action. “I kept my head up and just stayed focused on what I wanted to accomplish, which was healing.”

She refocused some of her attention on her school work and spent an intense three weeks of rehab at the U.S. Ski Team facility in Park City, Utah.

“Anybody that breaks a part of their lower leg inside the ski, that’s tough to do,” said seven-year U.S. Ski Team coach Jeff Pickering, who has known Foreste for close to six years and currently works with her on the Europa Team training group.

she said. “In the past, I’ve always been consistent. I’m just not sure what it is this year. I’ve been training really well, just not finding it in the races.”

In eight competitions during her three weeks in Europe, she only finished half of them. But Pickering knows it’s not for a lack of skill, or the case of a phenom reaching a plateau against better competition.

“Right now, when she finishes she’s cutting back a bit on her speed because she wants to finish,” Pickering said. “But the bottom line is that you have to go as fast as you can. Don’t just finish to finish. ... When she does put two runs together, she’s going to be really good. The staff is 100 percent behind her. Because it goes back to fundamentals. When it happens, things are going to go really good for her. I totally believe that.

It’s just getting this little monkey off her back, and just go.”

What’s Mom think?

In addition to being a former ski racer, Barbara Peterson recently won her sixth Xterra Series triathlon world championship in the Masters division (age 40+). She’s also a practicing sports psychologist.

“Foreste is just exceedingly humble,” her mom said. “It’s one of her champion features. ... But recently we’ve talked and I’ve told her that

“(My Broken ankle) was a hard blow for sure. I kept my head up and just stayed focused on what I wanted to accomplish, Which was healing.”

Jonathan Selkowitz/U.S. Ski Team

“The toughest thing is knowing that the team just moves on.

“Our Development Team coach, Seth McCadam did a great job of getting her back on snow. We were still during the late stages of the race period, but he made the time to work with her and track her progression. ... By the time she got the green light, it seemed to me that she had told herself, ‘I’m over this injury and ready to go.’ We probably held her back a little more than she wanted to.”

Foreste returned to racing in November 2011, but instant success hasn’t followed. Her one Top 10 finish this season was a 10th place result in NorAm Cup racing at Panorama, British Columbia, on Dec. 14.

In what has become a source of frustration for the young skier, she’s collected a growing number of DNF’s — did not finish.

In slalom racing, Foreste’s best racing discipline due to her natural form and technical skill, a skier’s result is based on a combination of two separate runs down the mountain. For Foreste, getting two clean runs on a consistent basis has been a challenge.

It’s also left her on the bubble in qualifying for the International Ski Federation (FIS) Junior World Championships in March — an event she’s set as a goal to reach ever since her injury.

“Right now I’m having a hard time finding that consistency,” 16

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at this level, at this juncture in her rise, she needs to embrace her ego a little bit. ...

In that start gate, put on your tiger and wear some ego.”

That doesn’t mean Foreste lacks for confidence. She no doubt sees herself reaching the highest levels of the sport, and that includes a goal of reaching the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, Russia.

“It’s a huge goal, and it will definitely be a stretch,” Foreste said. “I’ll be 20, which is fairly young. Most of elite skiers aren’t hitting their peak on the World Cup until 24 or 25.”

So if not 2014, then maybe 2018. The point is, she believes she’s capable.

And what’s more, so does the U.S. Ski Team.

“I think it’s really important for all kids in sports not to feel the pressure that they have to be somewhere or someone that they’re not at a specific time,” Pickering said. “If they can just focus one day at a time on themselves, things will work out.

We really believe she has a chance. Hopefully Olympics and World Cup skiing are in the picture.”

And while “home” might change, and her new school — she hopes — will be Dartmouth University, Foreste will stick to the same routine she’s always known.

Eat. Sleep. Study. Ski. And ski, and ski and ski.

Then?

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Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy coach Roger Worsley, second from left, addresses his 14U team during a summer match in 2011. The club earned a Top 5 finish at the U.S. Junior Nationals in its first season of existence a year ago.

Pacific Rim continues its meteoric rise By erik stordahl | SportStars

After making a splash in its first season as a volleyball club, Pacific Rim is doing more than an encore performance this go around.

Formed in August of 2010, the Pleasant Hill-based club burst onto the scene by going undefeated locally and making good showings at state and national tournaments.

Coach Roger Worsley has most of his players back for another season and his teams have begun right where they left off.

“Our 14U boys team won the NCVBA (NorCal Volleyball Association) tournament in September,” Worsley said. “Our 16s took ninth and secured a bid to Junior Nationals in Dallas July 1-8.”

Securing bids for the national tournament is typically considered a victory and a solid building block for a promising future. But Pacific Rim has its sights set on gold in Dallas.

To show they’re not kidding around, Pacific Rim’s 14U squad won another prestigious tournament after winning the NCVBA tournament, the Southern California Volleyball Association (SCVA) regionals. That victory secured another national bid, just for kicks.

Winning in Southern California was rewarding and gave the team a snapshot of what to expect in Dallas. Pacific Rim went up against the state’s top teams, some nationally-ranked, and dominated. They will likely be a favorite heading into July.

“We have strong coaching, but the players are good athletes to begin with,” Worsley said. “We were able to keep them on pace with where we felt we need them to be and they responded to that.”

When asked which players on his teams stand out most, Worsley quickly responded

saying he’d be “remiss to exclude anybody” before singling out certain players. He added that, like any strong team, they’ve achieved their high-ranking status because of the sum of their parts.

Worsley went with his two sons, Joe and Gage, the former of which attends Campolindo-Moraga. He also included Jordan Ewert who will play for Deer Valley-Antioch in the spring. Those three are part of the USA Volleyball High Performance program.

Add to the mix Ygnacio Valley’s Sean Vaisima, a 6-foot-3 behemoth and only a freshman.

Worsley explained the big picture for the 14U and 16U teams is to have them all play 17U as soon as next season.

“The whole intention was I consider this a year of development,” Worsley said. “The intention is to bring them all back next year as 17U. … Hopefully along the way we attract more boys into the club. At the conclusion of this year, we’ll look to combine the team into one nucleus; we’ll be looking to add a lot more next year.”

Recruiting shouldn’t be difficult with the two-year resume Worsley and his coaches have assembled. But what worries him most is when his players disperse for a couple months to play volleyball for their high schools. Coaching styles could potentially clash with teaching fundamentals and nuances to the game that Pacific Rim instills in its players year round.

Because of this potential shift, Worsley will have weekly open gyms set up which he encourages his players to attend.

“I think the trade off is they’re still touching balls on a daily basis,” Worsley said. “I’m confident they’ll continue to prevail.” ✪

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Proper concussion management starts on the field

S

arah is a left back on the high school varsity outlines the signs and symptoms a coach should soccer team. Last season, she challenged for be aware of in the event of a suspected concusa header and collided head-to-head with her sion. It also provides links to the rest of the opponent. She fell to the ground, feeling dizzy and resources included in this article.

■ Concussion Recognition and Response App out of it. Play was stopped and she left the field to – An excellent app available for iPhone, iPad, and be “checked out” by her coach.

Android users to recognize whether an individual “Sarah, how many fingers am I holding up?” is exhibiting and/or reporting the signs and symp“Sarah, what is today?” toms of a suspected concussion and to respond Sarah answered all of her coach’s questions quickly and appropriately. correctly.

■ ImPACT Concussion Awareness Tool App “Sarah are you okay, do you think you had a (ImCAT) — The Concussion Awareness Tool concussion?”

EDITOR’S NOTE: was developed to educate athletes, parents, and “No coach, I’m fine. Can I go back in now?”

Because of the coaches about concussions and the typical signs Sarah returned to play and proceeded to heightened awareand symptoms of a concussion. compete in her normal, aggressive, tough-as-nails ness within the More web links: style, which included several more headers, slide sport, most people ■ www.cdc.gov/concussion/HeadsUp/youth. only tend to associtackles and at least one incident where she fell to ate concussion inhtml — Comprehensive educational resources the turf striking her head on the ground. juries with football. from the Center for Disease Control. Includes Sarah was not “fine.” She had experienced a But it can happen online video education, tool kits and valuable concussion during that head-to-head contact. in any sport. Dr. handouts.

Sarah later informed me that she played the Eric Freitag has ■ www.activecoach.orcasinc.com — ACTive rest of the game with a headache, dizziness, and written about (Athletic Concussion Training using Interactive concussion awarefelt “out of it,” but she did not tell anyone because ness before for the Video Education) is a free training that provides she didn’t think she had a concussion. She did magazine, and we the information coaches need to keep players safe. not know what a concussion felt like. She thought thought it might be ■ www.nfhslearn.com — National Federation you had to be knocked out to have a concussion a good time for a of High School Sports governing body provides (which only occurs in about 10% of concussions). refresher. a free online course for coaches “Concussions In Sarah became my patient nearly four weeks Sports – What You Need To Know.” later as she was continuing to feel the ill effects ■ http://www.nanonline.org/NAN/Home/Home/Football of the injury she suffered. She was experiencing persistent headaches, feelings of fogginess, difficulty concentrating, and Video.aspx — This video is co-produced by the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the National Athletic dizziness. What Sarah had is called post-concussion synTrainers Association. It is a video designed to educate the drome, a medical diagnosis that likely occurred because she high school athlete about the signs and symptoms of concuscontinued to play in that game after she was concussed, thus sion and importance of following the advice,“when in doubt, exposing her brain to further injury and trauma.

Eric J. Freitag

Those that are involved in youth sports need to become educated about the signs and symptoms of a concussion The new California concussion law (AB25) mandates that any child suspected to have a concussion is to be removed from play and not allowed to return to action until he or she is cleared by a licensed medical professional. As the majority of sport events do not have sideline medical personnel present, the onus of this mandate will fall on the coaches, administrators, and parents who manage these events.

Those that are involved in youth sports need to become educated about the signs and symptoms of a concussion. Below are resources that will provide the reader with valuable knowledge and tools about how to best recognize and take action should an injury occur.

■ The Educational/Resources page at SportConcussion. com provides a printable “Sideline Concussion Card” which 18

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sit it out.”

If Sarah’s coaches had utilized these resources and were more educated on concussion injuries, I feel the outcome of this story would have been much different. Sarah missed the remainder of the season due to persistent headaches, dizziness, and cognitive difficulties that lasted for over two months. Fortunately, Sarah was allowed to return to play club soccer nearly three months after the initial injury.

Last I heard, Sarah is enjoying her senior year and is having a standout season. ✪ Dr. Eric J. Freitag, is a neuropsychologist who specializes in the evaluation, care and management of sport related concussions. He has offices in Marin and Walnut Creek. For more information, visit www.sportconcussion.com.

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Understanding shoulder dislocations and how they’re treated S houlder dislocations are common injuries in structures in the front to become damaged as the adolescent athletes, and can keep young athhumeral head “plows” through this location. letes off of the playing field for an extended The most important structure usually damaged is called the labrum. The labrum is a cartilage period of time. Unfortunately, one dislocation can bumper around the glenoid that prevents the increase the risk of subsequent dislocations with shoulder from moving out of joint during normal recurrence rates ranging from 60-100 percent in activities (imagine a rubber bumper that would be patients under 18. placed around the outside of a golf tee to prevent The shoulder is a ball and socket joint made the ball from falling off). up of the head of the humerus (the long bone in Most shoulder dislocations can be relocated on the arm) which is the “ball,” and the glenoid (part the playing field. On rare occasions, patients need of the shoulder “blade”) which is the “socket.”

Dr. Nirav K. Pandya to go to the emergency room to have it done. For Imagine, a golf ball resting on a golf tee. The golf most first-time shoulder dislocations, treatment ball (head of the humerus) needs to be resting on consists of a brief period of immobilization (3-5 the tee (glenoid) at just the right location so that it weeks) in a sling followed by physical therapy. Patients can does not fall off. go back to sports when they have full range of motion and So what exactly is a traumatic shoulder dislocation? strength without feelings of instability.

When you dislocate your shoulder, the golf ball (head of the For patients who continue to have recurrent instabilhumerus) violently falls off the tee (the glenoid). This can ity, even after physical therapy, they may require surgical happen because the arm is rapidly forced into an awkward intervention. Your doctor will likely order an MRI of your position, or due to a high-energy fall onto the arm. shoulder to see what structures have been injured, paying Unlike a golf tee, there are multiple structures in the particular attention to the labrum. Sometimes the physician shoulder that help to prevent the humeral head from falling may have dye injected into your shoulder during the MRI off the glenoid, including the rotator cuff muscles, shoulder to get a better image of the labrum. If there is a large labral ligaments/capsule, cartilage, and even the shape of the joint tear that the surgeon feels is contributing to your instability, itself. The majority of the time the humeral head dislocates he/she will likely discuss minimally invasive arthroscopic out the front of the shoulder joint, causing many of the surgery with you. The procedure involves repairing the la-

Health Watch

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brum around the glenoid to re-establish a “bumper” that can prevent dislocation.

After surgery, patients are kept in a shoulder immobilizer for a period of time, and gradually begin physical therapy.

Based on the type of sport played and the injury pattern, return to sports after surgery can be anywhere from three to six months.

It is important to note that traumatic shoulder dislocations are very different from a patient who suffers from non-traumatic shoulder instability. These patients have “loose” joints, and can voluntarily dislocate parts of their body without any distinct injury. These patients are not generally candidates for surgical intervention, and should perform extensive physical therapy.

With our current knowledge of shoulder anatomy, new imaging techniques, and advances in minimally-invasive shoulder arthroscopy, patients with traumatic shoulder dislocations can get back onto the field quickly and at a high level of performance. ✪

Dr. Nirav K. Pandya is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric sports injuries at the Children’s Hospital in Oakland. He sees patients and operates in Oakland and our facility at Walnut Creek. If you have any questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write the Sports Medicine for Young Athletes staff at Health@SportsStarsOnline.com.

February 2, 2012

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Two-time defending section champs, the new-look, still-evolving Sheldon Huskies have set course for a third By jim mccue | Contributor

T

he Sheldon High boys basketball program has been defined in recent years by star players leading the Huskies to success before heading off to Division I schools on scholarship.

Names like: DeMarcus Nelson, Darius Nelson and Ramon Eaton.

Each of those guys signed with Division I programs after leading Sheldon to Sac-Joaquin Section Division I titles. Darius Nelson and Eaton graduated last spring and played large roles in the Huskies winning consecutive section championships the past two years.

Defining the 2012 Huskies has been a work in progress.

Sheldon has maintained a talented roster and success on the court, as the Huskies are currently in the top tier of Sacramento-area teams with a 16-4 overall record. They also sit atop the region’s strongest league with a 4-1 mark in Delta River League action.

“We lost a lot of talent and are a young team this year,” head coach Joey Rollings said. “We’re still trying to find our own identity, but I am pleased with our effort and the players’ ability to share the ball.”

Sheldon’s widespread talent and athleticism makes it difficult for opponents to focus on a single player to try to shut down. Point guard D’Erryl Williams II can distribute the ball on the perimeter to shooters like guard Dakarai Allen and forward Kyiron Thomas, dish it down low to bangers like Ryan Manning and Nate Iese, or keep the ball himself and score from the outside or drive to the basket.

“We don’t necessarily have that one go-to guy that we rely on for points,” Williams said. “I just go off the game to see who’s hot and shooting the ball well.”

While multiple scoring options make it more difficult for opponents to scout the Huskies, Allen believes he can be “the man” when the team needs a clutch basket in big games.

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All records through Jan. 28

Rank (Last Wk.) School.............................. Record 1. (1) 2. (2) 3. (3)

Salesian-Richmond.............................. 15-2 De La Salle-Concord........................... 18-2 Archbishop Mitty-San Jose ................. 16-3

4. (5)

Newark Memorial-Newark................... 17-4

6. (4)

Sheldon-Sacramento........................... 16-4

5. (6) 7. (7) 8. (8) 9. (9)

Jesuit-Sacramento............................... 18-4 Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland..................... 15-5

Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove................... 18-3 Antelope............................................... 20-1

10. (13) Serra-San Mateo.................................. 17-2

11. (11) Sacramento.......................................... 16-5 12. (10) Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F................ 16-3 13. (14) Foothill-Sacramento............................. 19-3

14. (15) Deer Valley-Antioch............................. 14-6 15. (12) Franklin-Elk Grove............................... 16-5 16. (17) Piedmont Hills-San Jose..................... 19-0

17. (18) Burbank-Sacramento........................... 16-5 18. (20) Freedom-Oakley.................................. 15-5

19. (NR) Castro Valley........................................ 15-4 20. (NR) Campolindo-Moraga............................ 18-2 DROPPED OUT: No. 16 Chico, No. 19 San Leandro

BIGGEST MOVER: Serra-San Mateo continues

its so climb up the rankings and cracks the Top 10 with a three-spot bump as their 8-game winning

streak includes wins over No. 3 Archbishop Mitty (61-59) and No. 12 Sacred Heart Cathedral (6057).

TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 12

KNOCKING AT THE DOOR: McClymonds-Oak-

land (10-9), Monte Vista-Danville (15-5). St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda (18-4), Bella Vista-Fair Oaks (18-4).

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Sheldon junior wing, Dakari Allen. Photo by James K. Leash Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

February 2, 2012

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“I want to take that shot,” the junior shooting guard said. “When we started working out during the summer, I knew I had to take on a bigger role. I think the coaches and players believe in me, and I want to have that moment.”

Allen and his teammates have had many moments already this year, including huge wins over league rivals and section championship contenders Jesuit-Carmichael and Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove. They’ve also got two victories over Bay Area power Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland. But the young Huskies have also had some growing pains during their maturation process.

In a recent league matchup with Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills, Sheldon struggled to find a rhythm on offense, and essentially struggled to find the basket entirely. The end result was a 39-35 loss to the Trojans.

The point total was by far the team’s lowest output of the season as the Huskies made only two first-half field goals (neither were made by a Sheldon starter) and trailed 17-9 at halftime. While they showed signs of life in the fourth quarter of that game and tied the score 35-35 on the strength of a trio of Thomas second-half 3-pointers, the team’s uncharacteristic poor shooting ultimately doomed Sheldon.

“That loss may help us get back on track,” Rollings said afterward. “We know that teams will try to slow us down into a half-court

game, but we just need to play like we can play.”

The Huskies wasted no time in bouncing back. They quickly showed their league foes, the section, and the state just how they can play by posting a convincing 74-57 victory over Pleasant Grove two nights later. The Elk Grove school had entered the Jan. 27 game with an 18-2 record.

Williams scored 22 points on 9-of-10 shooting and added 11 rebounds and five blocks to make the team’s low point total against Oak Ridge seem like a distant memory. Allen turned in an equally impressive allaround effort with 16 points, six assists, and five steals. Manning and Thomas also scored in double digits to showcase the team’s highscoring potential.

Sheldon’s depth earned the team instant credibility to win a third straight section crown, but the Huskies have had their sights set higher since losing to De La Salle-Concord 47-45 in last year’s NorCal semifinals.

“We are focused on the section first, then NorCals, then state,” Allen said of the team’s lofty goals. “But, we know that we have to be focused every night and play with the same intensity no matter who we are playing.”

That nightly focus will be put to the test during a difficult stretch run that includes league rematches with Jesuit, Oak Ridge, and Pleasant Grove, as well as a nonleague showdown against Salesian-Richmond, SportStars’

“we know what we are looking for

- A state title but we also know that we have to look at each game and be prepared to win every time we go out on the court.”

D‘Erryl Williams

Phillip Walton

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top-ranked Northern California team on Feb. 4. The gauntlet the Huskies will face should no doubt test their abilities, but it will also provide a clear picture of where they rank among the regional and state playoff contenders.

It should also go a long way in the team forging its identity.

“We really hope to be peaking by the time playoffs start,” Rollings said.

“The kids are maturing more and becoming more comfortable and relaxed when the game is on the line.”

A big part of the team’s maturation and comfort comes from its chemistry, according to Williams and Allen. Led by what some call the Three Musketeers — Williams, Allen, and junior guard Armani Hampton — the Huskies are a close-knit group that spends nearly as much time together off the court as it does on it.

“We all get along real well, like a family,” Williams said. “We hang around at school a lot and spend a lot of time together, which has helped us to mature as a team.”

Williams gained his understanding of the importance of family and chemistry to basketball at home. His father was an athletic wing at Santa Clara University during the early 80’s. Both of his older sisters have also played competitively in college (oldest sibling Myia played soccer at the University of the Pacific and 2011 Sheldon graduate Jazmine earned a volleyball scholarship to San Francisco State University), so the point guard can assist his teammates in more ways than just a clean pass to an open shooter.

With just three seniors (Thomas is the lone starter from the Class of 2012), Williams is one of a strong class of juniors that have assumed the leadership role for the Huskies.

“My job is to go out there and work hard on both ends of the floor in practice and in the game, and to keep everyone else involved and working just as hard,” Williams added. “We know what we are looking for — a state title — but we also know that we have to look at each game and be prepared to win every time we go out on the court.”

At the very least, there is one identity that Sheldon can claim.

Contenders. ✪

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Armani Hampton, a 6-1 guard, brings the ball up the floor during the Huskies’ season-opening win over Newark Memorial-Newark. Hampton is part of a talented junior class for the Huskies that also includes D’Erryl Williams, Dakari Allen, Jalen Hicks and Ryan Manning.

Phillip Walton

February 2, 2012

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Trojans hope loss of star guard is just a bump By jim mccue | Contributor Lincoln High’s girls basketball team is working hard to rebound.

The Trojans recently lost senior star Nyre Harris to a knee injury and are trying to fill the void left by the Arizona-bound guard, presenting the team with a challenge to rebound both figuratively and literally.

All records through Jan. 28 Rank, Prev., Team.........................................Record 1. (1) St. Mary’s-Stockton.....................................16-3 2. (3) Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland............................17-2 3. (4) Carondelet-Concord...................................16-3 4. (2) Berkeley......................................................16-2 5. (5) Sacramento.................................................11-6 6. (14) St. Mary’s-Berkeley..................................15-6 7. (6) Lincoln-Stockton.........................................15-3 8. (7) Miramonte-Orinda.......................................20-0 9. (9) St. Ignatius-S.F............................................16-3 10. (8) Archbishop Mitty-San Jose......................15-5 11. (13) Modesto Christian...................................17-4 12. (12) Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove.....................14-7 13. (15) River City-West Sacramento.................21-1 14. (16) Salesian-Richmond................................18-3 15. (11) Terra Nova-Pacifica................................14-5 16. (17) Casa Grande-Petaluma.........................21-1 17. (18) Dougherty Valley-San Ramon...............14-7 18. (10) Mission San Jose-Fremont....................19-2 19. (20) Maria Carrillo-Santa Rosa......................18-3 20. (NR) Brookside Christian-Stockton...............16-3 DROPPED OUT: No. 19 Wilcox-Santa Clara BIGGEST MOVER: St. Mary’s-Berkeley jumps from No. 14 to No. 6 with wins over No. 4 Berkeley and No. 14 Salesian — plus the Panthers have sophomore star Gabby Green back after missing the entire season with an ankle injury.

TEAMS STILL RANKED FROM PRESEASON Top 20: 15 KNOCKING AT THE DOOR: Wilcox-Santa Clara (16-1), St. Francis-Mountain View (15-5), Marin Catholic-Kentfield (13-7), San Marin-Novato (19-2), Soquel (18-2), Heritage-Brentwood (17-3), Presentation-San Jose (12-8), Monte Vista-Danville (17-3), Pleasant Valley-Chico (17-2), St. Patrick/St. Vincent-Vallejo (16-3), Deer Valley-Antioch (13-6), Kennedy-Sacramento (15-6), Lowell-S.F. (18-4), Palo Alto (13-3), Mercy-S.F. (19-1).

Lincoln-Stockton

David Steutel/MaxPreps.com

Lincoln-Stockton was forced to regroup after its Arizona-bound guard Nyre Harris, left, tore her ACL in the first half of the team’s Jan. 14 game against Berkeley. The Trojans won four of the first five games they played without Harris.

“It obviously changes the dynamics of the team,” first-year head coach Diane Wiese said of the loss of Harris to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in a January 14 game against Berkeley. “The scoring we can figure out, but we really have to pick up the pace to make up for the rebounding she gave us.”

Despite playing as a shooting guard, Harris averaged eight rebounds per game (to go along with her 17 points per contest) to provide support on the boards to senior center Teylor McMiller and to prevent secondchance points for the opposition. At 6-foot-1, McMiller is by far the tallest player on the team, standing four to five inches taller than any of her teammates.

“Because we are not the biggest group, we really need to get boards as a team,” McMiller said. “Everyone knows that we all need to step it up on the boards, and I am really proud of everyone on our team for facing the challenge and doing more.”

Wiese has looked to team captain Alysa Valentine and fellow seniors McMiller, Elizabeth Rodriguez, and Patricia Morales to take an active role in leading the team through the transition of playing without its leading scorer. Valentine, who is also the team’s start-

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ing point guard, has worked hard to create opportunities and distribute the ball to teammates.

“I have played with Nyre since the sixth or seventh grade, so I was used to seeing her on the floor and getting her the ball,” Valentine said. “I just have to create more and look for other people. It’s a matter of finding who is open and trusting them to make shots.”

The adjustment to playing without Harris is hardly the first change the Trojans have faced since concluding a successful 2011 season as SacJoaquin Section Division I runners-up and NorCal semifinalists. Lincoln graduated three starters, including captains Devyn Weymouth and Dana Gayagoy. And head coach Steve Coffey, who guided the Trojans to a 69-17 record in four seasons, accepted a teaching assignment overseas in Beirut.

Wiese, who coached at Fresno Pacific University for 10 years, including three as head coach, joined the Lincoln staff as a physical education teacher and girls basketball coach after spending the last five years working for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes organization. With a fresh group of players and a new coach, the Trojans could have entered a rebuilding phase. But, Wiese was quick to realize the talent she had inherited and the team set a mission to return to the section final and make a run at a state championship berth.

“I was blessed to step into a situation with a good group of girls,” Wiese said. “It has been our mission to get back to the section final and win it this time, and the girls all bought into it.”

The mission was on course as Lincoln (15-3 overall, 5-0 in San Joaquin AA League play) started the season 12-1 and winners of eight straight before the ill-fated Berkeley game. Harris suffered her injury just four minutes into the game. The team rallied to stay close to the Yellowjackets before eventually succumbing to the perennial Bay Area

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power 61-44.

The challenging matchup with Berkeley was just one of a handful of “tests” on the Trojans’ schedule, which included games against Carondelet-Concord and Del Oro-Loomis. Remaining games include matchups with Delta River League powers St. Francis-Sacramento and Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove.

Initially, the difficult schedule was made to give the players a chance to face the kind of competition they would see in the postseason. But now the matchups will serve as a way to determine what areas of Lincoln’s game need to be addressed in order to have a shot at returning to the section title game and beyond.

“The big games provide us with a chance to focus on our defense and to figure out ways to improve on offense,” junior guard Ashlyn Crenshaw said. “We know we need to get better and the better competition allows us to work on those things against teams we expect to see in the playoffs.”

By the time the playoffs arrive, the Trojans will have played a dozen games without Harris in the lineup — ample time to gel as a unit on the floor and grow as a close-knit group off the court. Despite some new faces and roles, coach and players agree the team has become closer than many expected.

“I thought it would be a longer transition with almost half of our team being new this year,” Crenshaw said. “But we have all gotten along from the start and are like a little family now.”

As most players will tell you, the biggest part of rebounding is believing you can do it.

“I’m really proud of our team,” McMiller said. “It has been a huge adjustment, but we are doing well and getting better. Our main goal is still to go to state, and I believe we can do it.” ✪

Trojans remaining schedule

Feb. 2 at Lodi, 4 p.m.

Feb. 7 at Tracy, 7 p.m.

Feb. 9 Franklin-Stockton, 7 p.m.

Feb. 11 at St. Francis-Sacramento, 4 p.m.

Feb. 14 at Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove, 4:30 p.m.

Feb. 16 Bear Creek-Stockton, 4 p.m.

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With top talent, rising confidence, Ygnacio ValleyConcord nears first league title in 18 years

I

By matt smith | Contributor

t’s been 10 years since a team other than Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland, or a team from the Diablo Foothill Athletic League, has been the top seed in the North Coast Section Division II boys soccer playoffs. But that could all change this year.

Ygnacio Valley-Concord, a team which last won a league title before most — if not all — of its players were born, is looking to shake things up.

“I think if we win out, we have a very good argument for being the No. 1 seed,” Ygnacio Valley coach Cesar Chavez said. “I’m sure a lot of teams feel the same way, and you have to earn it on the field and that’s what I keep telling my guys.”

Since starting the year with back-to-back losses, due to the fact that most of the key players were missing from obligations to their club teams, the Warriors have not lost. They have won 14 and notched ties against top Division II teams Bishop O’Dowd and Concord.

In that stretch, they have twice scored eight goals in a game, have beat three teams that are assured Division I playoff spots (Clayton Valley-Concord, Pittsburg and College Park-Pleasant Hill), and have beaten Division II contenders Albany and Alhambra-Martinez.

At 14-2-2 overall and 7-0-1 in Diablo Valley Athletic League play, Ygnacio Valley is very close to locking up its first league title in 18 years as it seeks its first ever NCS title.

Beginning on Feb. 13 see Matt Smith’s North Coast Section boys soccer playoff preview, exclusively at SportStarsOnline.com

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“I believe this team can take it all if we put it together,” Chavez said. “We have the talent and we have the depth to win NCS. It would be huge because we haven’t had a soccer banner since ’94.”

This run didn’t necessarily come out of nowhere. There have been glimpses since Chavez took over the program in the 20092010 season.

“A lot of the players have been together since they were freshman when I took over two years ago,” Chavez said. “I figured that when they were juniors and seniors they would take off and be one of the top teams in the area, and it’s actually coming true.”

And even though the talent is there, a team needs more than that to become a winner, and Chavez knows that. How well a team plays together, and how they get along, goes a long way in determining its success.

“The thing that could make us the favorite is the chemistry of the team,” Chavez said.

“The chemistry is there, and we’ve been playing well all year long. I knew from the beginning of the year we had great talent. We just needed to put it together and they put it together right from the beginning. We just can’t be cocky, we have to keep working hard and we can’t underestimate any team.”

The Warriors talent is led by sophomore striker Jonathan “Tata” Ayala and junior midfielder Edgar Damian. Ayala leads the East Bay in goals with 22 despite missing some time recently with a groin injury.

“I knew he was good, but he’s definitely surprised me this year,” Chavez said of Ayala.

“He’s only a sophomore so he’s capable of doing more things as he gets older.”

Damian, on the other hand, creates the scoring chances and is one of the most explosive players in the East Bay. In addition to scoring five goals, he’s second in the East Bay with 15 assists.

“If you watch Edgar play and see the things that he does, you’ll realize that he is special,” Chavez said. “He’s not the biggest, but he’s good in the air. He can attack. He can defend.

He can create. He does it all. He’s a fun player to watch.”

Junior midfielder Jose Aguilar, sophomore striker Tommy Hogan, senior defender Phillip Wcislo and senior midfielder Roberto Calixto are all very talented and play a big role in the team’s success.

The Warriors’ first league title since 1994 seems well in hand. As of Jan. 27, they held a three point lead with just four games left.

They are in command of the league thanks to a pair of big wins over second-place Clayton Valley, the league’s pre-season favorite and legit Division I contender.

The thing that could make us the favorite is the chemistry of the team.

I knew from the beginning of the year we had great talent.

We just can’t be cocky, we have to keep working hard.”

Ygnacio Valley coach Cesar Chavez, above

Phillip Walton photos Ygnacio Valley’s Edgar Damian sends a ball upfield during the Warriors’ Jan. 30 workout. Damian is second in the East Bay with 15 assists through Jan. 27.

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27

Despite missing some time with a groin injury, Jonathan Ayala leads the East Bay region with 22 goals. He’s scored multiple goals in six games, including four hat tricks.

“It was huge for the boys and for their confidence,” Chavez said of the wins over Clayton Valley. “We proved that we can play without using Tata the whole time and without our center-mid, Calixto.”

Appearing to be in good shape for the league crown, the attention will turn to winning the NCS title, where they will likely have to play one or two perennial contenders such as Acalanes-Lafayette, Bishop O’Dowd or Campolindo-Moraga — all teams with a size advantage.

“We usually keep the ball on the ground anyway. So we’d try to keep the ball away from them and play our game, which is possess the ball and create chances with our speed,” Chavez said. “If teams beat us, I want to make 28

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sure they do it with us playing the way we play.”

And that’s just the style that the Warriors play. It’s an entertaining style that is fun to watch and magnificent when things are going well. It’s different from the physical style that teams have been using to win NCS titles in recent years, but this team is talented enough to be able to make it happen.

“I teach my guys to be creative and make something happen,” Chavez said. “I don’t want to just kick the ball long, chase and then go into contact. We want to make sure the guys are good with the ball at their feet.”

They have an opportunity at their feet now, too. Will they take advantage of it? ✪

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Discovering pathways to deal with pressure or cope with failure

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fter Stanford football’s crushing defeat in the Fiesta Bowl, all fingers were pointing to field goal kicker Jordan Williamson who missed a total of three opportunities to score — one that cost Stanford the game.

One columnist predicted that Williamson would never get over his multiple failures in the course of one crucial game and would spend the rest of his life depressed and miserable.

Well, that could happen, but what a waste it would be.

All season long Williamson never quite clicked with his own potential. That’s disappointing enough. Add that to the very public humiliation of choking when it counted most — and we’ve got a young player who has a lot to overcome.

Dealing with pressure is part of an athlete’s mental game. Williamson obviously didn’t have the proper tools to mitigate the near-paralyzing pressure that comes with his position. The message here is crystal clear: A player can have all the right moves, but if his or her mental game is off, winning is harder at best, impossible at worst.

Tennis, swimming, football, baseball, basketball, wrestling, martial Lucy Grace Yaldezian arts, gymnastics or golf … the specific sport doesn’t matter. What does matter is how you handle pressure, how you are able to maintain focus, how you work through disappointments, and how you break through performance barriers.

Left to its own devices, the mind can easily work against the body. Old disappointments can become hidden concrete barriers to progress. Fear of failure (or success) can churn up paralyzing anxiety, or lock-in mediocrity. In any case, serious athletes know the importance of aligning mind and goals and body. But they don’t always know how to do so for the best results.

Here’s where an experienced mind-body practitioner comes in. Mind-body techniques such as hypnotherapy and energy therapies are safe, quick and effective avenues to align mind, body and goals. They can be used as self-help tools outside the clinician’s office and are easy to apply to all kinds of issues.

Hypnotherapy is particularly useful in training the mind to hold the blueprint for a particular level of athletic performance — one that the body then executes with surprising ease. The self-avowed “okay” golfer I worked with who ended up winning a silver medal in a prestigious East Coast golf tournament will assure you that this really works. Hypnotherapy can also help relax a busy mind, leading to improved focus and concentration. Being able to get out of your head and stay in the game is a useful skill in any activity or career.

Energy therapies such as The Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) are unparalleled in how they help diffuse the charge of a disturbing event or situation. EFT doesn’t create amnesia, just a healing, empowering detachment from the emotion of say, missing the game-winning field goal. Coaches often advise players to “shake it off ” and “move on” but rarely do they offer any practical way to do so. EFT solves that problem easily and safely.

Once learned, EFT becomes a self-help technique that can be applied to many different issues, both on and off the playing field. There’s no question that EFT would help clear the old pictures of failure, disappointment and humiliation bouncing around Williamson’s head, limiting his chances for future success.

Mind-body practitioners usually charge by the session. Depending upon the athlete’s goals and history, the average course of treatment is 4-6 sessions, with positive results often being experienced in the first session. For more information about mind-body techniques and their benefits for athletes, check out www.ahigherperspective.com, www.gregwarburton.com and www.sportsmindtraining.com. ✪

Get Mental

Get Mental focuses on improving the mental side of one’s game. Lucy Grace Yaldezian, CHT CHC, has been helping adults and teens make the mind-body connection since 1992. Email Lucy with your comments and questions: lucy@ ahigherperspective.com

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Focus on form, part II — learning and maintaining it

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efore you can focus on form, you must know what the correct form is.

The best way to achieve great form is to work with a coach. Learning the different parts of each discipline, practicing them correctly, and maintaining those fundamentals through your athletic career is the key. It is best to have someone with a trained eye let you know what you’re doing right and what to change. There is so much information available online and in magazines, it can make your head spin.

With swimming alone, there are hundreds of Websites. A coach can help you decipher what you are reading, and what is right for you. For example, I could write, “Longdistance runners and triathletes should run efficiently by maintaining a good in-line body position and a neutral head position.” It’s true, but what does that mean to you? How do you integrate that into your own running? A coach will watch your form and give corrective feedback.

To find and sustain your proper form, I suggest the following tips.

■ Work with a coach — Most likely you are doing lots of things right. A coach can watch you run, bike or swim, and detect what you should keep doing the same as well as what to change.

■ Learn to do it right the first time — A coach can teach you how to do it right from the beginning. A good coach will give you a progression of form skills and drills, and break

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into small steps you can practice.

■ Learn and maintain the fundamentals of each sport — The run, the Liz Elliott bike and each stroke of the swim all have some kind of form progression.

Practicing out of order does not necessarily help your form, just maybe pieces here and there.

■ Do the right drills for you, and do them right — Just because you see some cool new drill in a magazine doesn’t mean it is meant to fix what’s deficient in your swim body position, bike pedel stroke, or run gait. Learn the right drills for the place you are now, and practice. Do each drill slowly, and focus on one drill at a time. Attempting to try multiple drills at the same time overwhelms your brain, and you end up not doing any of the drills properly or effectively.

■ Put form drills into every workout and into your race warm up — Work form drills into each training session.

Work drills into sets by alternating a drill followed by just swimming, or just biking or just running. During the “just” time, don’t think about your form at all. Think about what

you will have for dinner, or something else. This is the time where the drill is actually becoming part of your form.

■ Don’t expect to learn everything overnight — Learn and integrate each new piece of form that is right for you into your workouts. You will find you feel better during your workout, can work harder and longer, and feel great when you are done.

■ Practice! — Practice, practice, practice the right drills.

Even Olympians practice drills throughout their careers. No matter skill or talent level, every person’s form changes over time and will need fine-tuning. Think about your form at some point during each practice.

■ Plan ahead — Use the right sets of muscles the right way without fatiguing others you will need later in the race or training session. Think about how good form in each discipline affects the other parts. Remember: It’s not about the swim time, or the bike time, or the run time, it’s the end time that matters. ✪ Liz Elliott is the head coach of the Tri-Valley Triathlon Club based in Dublin. Liz specializes in preparing beginner triathletes for their first race(s). Liz just completed her second Ironman in August, bettering her performance in every aspect of the race. Contact her at liz@trivalleytriclub.com. Find former TriSteps columns in issues #28, 31, 33, 35, 37 and 39.

All can be accessed in the digital magazine archives at www.

SportStarsOnline.com.

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BASEBALL/SOFTBALL Golden Era Baseball Based in the East Bay, we offer several instructional-based programs as well as 9U thru 18U Club Teams. We are currently taking sign-ups for our Hitting Classes. Please see our website for full details: www.

GoldenEraBaseball.com.

The Pitching Center We develop baseball players to their full potential. The Pitching Center has grown to become the Total Player Center (TPC), a full service baseball and softball training academy. Age- and skillspecific programs are available for students ages 8-high school.

Info: 925-416-1600, www. thepitchingcenter. com.

SportForm Based in Concord, SportForm provides individual and team instruction in baseball, softball, lacrosse. Highly trained professionals provide accelerated and advanced skills clinics. Prepare to Perform!

Info: 925-459-2880.

All American Softball Girls of all ages welcome.

Check into our six-week softball improvement program for all

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ages. Info: 916-374-1907, www. softballschool.com.

BASKETBALL Bladium Triple Threat Academy Alameda’s Bladium Sports & Fitness Club hosts multiple hoops camps for ages 6-12.

Designed for players of ALL skill levels. Registration: AlamedaSales@bladium.com, 510-814-4999; www.bladium. com.

Mike Allen Sports Learn the basics of basketball, sharpen your skills and improve daily at the Ballin’ Ambassadors basketball clinics! Hosted by MIke Allen Sports in the South Bay, registration is easy. Go to www.mikeallensports.com to reserve your spot. 408-2794123.

CHEER CheerGyms.com We offer the best clinics in California! Customize your clinic to fit your needs. Whether basic stunting techniques or working on twist cradles out of one leg stunts, we take your team to the next level!

Info: 866-685-7615, www.

CheerGyms.com.

February 2, 2012

East Bay Sports Academy Recreational, competitive athletes benefit from training with the best coaches. Our 10,000-square-foot facility is clean and bright, with the newest equipment.

Info: 925 680-9999, www.

EastBaySportsAcademy.com.

EQUESTRIAN Kelly Maddox Riding Academy Develop new friendships with other horse-crazy kids. Weekly activities include learning horse colors, markings and breeds; art and crafts; a farrier demonstration and human horse show; bareback riding and more! Info: 925-575-4818, www.KellyMaddoxTraining.com.

Franklin Canyon Stables Based in Martinez, we provide two covered arenas and easy access to trails. Whether beginning rider or experienced equestrian, we have a place for you. Instruction in horsemanship on the ground and in the saddle, all while having fun. Info: 925-228-1801; www.kimshorsetraining.com/ franklin_canyon.html.

Castle Rock Arabians Activities for tweens and teenagers, where we build team spirit through various team activities on horseback.

Visit the ranch by appointment.

Info: 925-933-3701, www. castlerockarabians.com.

Earthquake Arabians New camps are always right around the corner for Earthquake Arabians! Horsin’ Around Fall Camp: Nov. 2123. Christmas Break Camps: Dec. 19-23 and Dec. 26-30.

Registration is OPEN. Log on to www.earthquakearabians.com for more info. 925-360-7454.

FITNESS Aspire Pilates Dramatically increase core strength, power, flexibility, balance, focus and joint stability, while preventing injury. Aspire prides itself on helping propel athletes to the next level by addressing muscular imbalances, helping athletes increase body awareness, correcting faulty body mechanics, and accessing untapped strength.

Info: 925-680-4400, www.

AspirePilatesCenter.com.

Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning, Speed/Agility and Nutrition Specialist with the IYCA, Fit 2 The Core Training Systems Boot Camps offer an innovative approach to getting young athletes back on the field postrehabilitation, and continuing the process by progressing their bodies to handle what they must endure on the field or court. Info: 925-639-0907, http://f2cbootcamps.com.

TransForm FX At TransForm FX Fitness Boot Camp, we believe that parents can take better care of their kids when they take care of their own health and fitness.

This is the reason we have designed our adult fitness boot camp workouts to fit your busy lifestyle. Each boot camp workout is carefully designed to help you burn fat and increase your cardiovascular endurance in less time. Info: 925-2898042; www.transformfxfitness.

com.

Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness We offer more than 70 group classes per week. Members also enjoy our heated pool, sauna, spa and steam room.

Massage, skincare and chiropractic services are available. Call us today for your free one week pass! Info: 925932-6400, www.wcsf.net.

ENRICHMENT Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs We offer a wide variety of enrichment programs for your child during the school year.

Activities include: Homework help, 4th & Up Club, art and crafts, science, sports and games. Info: www.dianneadair. org.

E.Nopi and Palm Academy Concentration is on early literacy, critical thinking, problem solving, social understanding, physical coordination, creativity, cooperation and self control.

Programs serve children from infancy to preschool, kindergarten, and through 12th grade. Students learn at their own pace. Locations: Fremont, 510-979-9794; Newark (E.Nopi), 510-793-6674; Pleasanton, 925-461-6284.

FUZE Fit For A Kid! FUZE is a privately-held, DOJcertified, youth-only health club and curricula modeled after the principles of the Positive Coaching Alliance. FUZE enhances athletic development, socialization and self-esteem.

Info: 408-358-7529; www. fuzefit.com.

GOLF Dave DeLong Junior Golf Camp For advanced and beginning junior golfers, and designed for golfers 7-15. Camps include a 4 to 1 ratio of students to teachers. Safety is top priority, as are player development and enjoyment. Boundary Oak Golf Course, Walnut Creek. Info: 925-997-3683; www.delonggolf. com.

Coach Rick Golf Learn to play on the course, where it matters. Golfers of all ages can sign up. For more info, call 510-917-6442; www.

ThePersonalGolfCoach.com.

The First Tee - Contra Costa The First Tee is a youth development program for boys and girls 7-18.

Participants learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game, rules and etiquette. Instruction occurs at Diablo Creek Golf Course in Concord. Info: 925686-6262, Ext. 0, angela@ thefirstteecontracosta.org; www.thefirstteecontracosta.org.

The First Tee - Oakland The First Tee of Oakland has delivered The First Tee Life Skills Experience to more than 262 participants. Each receives a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an 8-week period. Instruction is at three Oakland courses: Metropolitan Golf Links, Lake Chabot GC and Montclair GC. Info: 510-352-2002; www. thefirstteeoakland.org.

The First Tee - San Jose The First Tee of San Jose develops youth throughout

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February 2, 2012

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Silicon Valley, through the game of golf. Participants learn to appreciate diversity, resolve conflicts, build confidence and set goals. We welcome participants ranging from second to 12th grade. Scholarships available. Info: 408-288-2973; www. thefirstteesanjose.org.

The First Tee - Tri-Valley The First Tee of the Tri-Valley offers The First Tee Life Skills Experience Classes seasonally, for ages 7-17, at the Pleasanton Golf Center on the Alameda County Fairgrounds.

Info: 925-462-7201, www.

TheFirstTeeTriValley.org.

LACROSSE Atherton Lacrosse Our lacrosse camps are designed for boys and girls ages 5-14, who are beginner or intermediate players. Our group of coaches and staff are leaders in the lacrosse community. Info: 888-526-3330, www.AthertonLacrosse.com.

Sportform Based in Concord, Sportform provides individual and team instruction in baseball, softball and lacrosse. Highly trained professionals provide accelerated and advanced skills clinics. Prepare to Perform! Info: 925-459-2880, www.sportform.co.

MARTIAL ARTS

United States Karate Systems USKS offers adult and children’s programs, kickboxing fitness, mixed martial arts. Providing excellence in martial arts instruction and services for the entire family. 925-682-9517; www.usksmartialarts.com.

MOTORSPORTS Keigwins@theTrack We conduct motorcycle schools and practice events (“track days”) in the West at famous race tracks.

For experienced motorcyclists looking to improve skills and build confidence. Riders provide their own motorcycles and protective gear. Keigwins@theTrack takes care of everything else. Info: www. keigwin.com; 650-949-5609.

Umigo You’ll learn passing techniques, cornering techniques, throttle & breaking techniques, advance seat position, kart operation, kart control, real racing, and improving your lap times. Racers must be at least 10 years old and at least four feet, 10 inches tall. Two- and four-day camps are available. Info: www. umigoracing.com.

OUTDOOR SPORTS Bear Valley Mountain Soccer, Archery, Tennis, Climbing, Cycling ... If there’s an outdoor activity you enjoy, there’s a good

chance you can do it Bear Valley Mountain. Info: www.bearvalley. com.

University of Surfing Instructor Matt Cole offers lessons/ camps in Pacifica. 650-359-1425, mattcolesurfs@hotmail.com; www. universityofsurfing.com.

SOCCER Heritage Soccer Club The Pleasant Hill/Martinez-based competitive soccer club welcomes players ages 8-18. Top-flight coaching staff with experience spanning years in the high school and college ranks teach new skills and help hone existing ones. Info: www.heritagesc.com.

SWIMMING/DIVING Walnut Creek Swim Club WCSC is a recreational team, celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Led by the experience of coach Brad Hoy, the staff is the finest in the area. WCSC believes in finding the healthy balance between competition and family fun.

Sponsored by the City of Walnut Creek, Info: 925-766-5664, www. walnutcreekswimclub.org.

Sherman Swim School We are a Lafayette swimming and diving school celebrating our 50th year. Our year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn,

retain, and improve their swim skills with little interruption. Info: 925-2832100, www.ShermanSwim.com.

VOLLEYBALL Pacific Rim Volleyball We offer several skill-based camps and clinics, including setting camp, hitting camp and an all-skills camp.

Campers will be evaluated and placed in a group that challenges their level of play. Registration for beach volleyball is going on now as well. Info: www.pacificrimvolleyball. com.

U.S. Youth Volleyball League We’re the leader in developing and maintaining youth volleyball leagues for boys and girls ages 7-15. With an emphasis on positive reinforcement, we seek to build confidence and self-esteem in each child. Info: 1-888-988-7985; www.

USYVL.org.

MULTI-SPORT City of Concord Skyhawks Sports Skyhawks Sports and the City of Concord have teamed up to provide safe, fun and skills-focused sports camps for ages 4-12. Camps range from soccer to lacrosse to our popular multi-sport camp where kids sample three different sports (Soccer, Basketball, and Baseball) in one camp. Info: 925-671-3404; www.concordreg.org.

Advertiser Index ❒❒ A A A Northern California, Nevada & Utah..................10 ❒❒ A Higher Perspective..................................................28 ❒❒ Aabco Printing..........................................................35 ❒❒ Army National Guard Recruiter.....................................5 ❒❒ Back Forty B B Q.........................................................17 ❒❒ Bay Area Golf Show....................................................29 ❒❒ Big O Tires....................................................................2 ❒❒ Bob Larson Sports Photography.................................34 ❒❒ Cheer Gyms................................................................16 ❒❒ Children’s Hospital And Research Center.....................31 ❒❒ Club Sport Renaisssance.............................................19 ❒❒ Community Youth Center...........................................35 ❒❒ Crowne Plaza.............................................................35 ❒❒ Delta Sign-A- Rama...................................................30 ❒❒ Diablo Car Wash & Detail Center.................................35 ❒❒ Diablo Futbol Club......................................................27 ❒❒ Diablo Rock Gym........................................................36 ❒❒ Diablo Trophies & Awards...........................................36 ❒❒ E Teamsponsor...........................................................39 ❒❒ Earthquake Arabians..................................................35 ❒❒ East Bay Sports Academy.............................................6 ❒❒ Fit 2 The Core..............................................................17 ❒❒ Home Team Sports Photography................................30 ❒❒ Image Imprint............................................................34 ❒❒ Kaiser Permanente.......................................................7 ❒❒ Kinders B B Q................................................................3 ❒❒ Max Miller’s Clinic Of Champions................................35 ❒❒ Mc Coveys..................................................................13 ❒❒ Mountain Mike’s Pizza................................................25 ❒❒ Mt. Diablo Memory Center Sport Concussion Program.........................................24 ❒❒ Niles Personal Fitness.................................................34 ❒❒ Rocco’s Pizza...............................................................36 ❒❒ Rockin Jump...............................................................12 ❒❒ Scandia Family Center................................................35 ❒❒ Simply Selling Shirts..................................................36 ❒❒ Sky High Sports..........................................................36 ❒❒ Sport Clips..................................................................23 ❒❒ Sports Stars Magazine................................................33 ❒❒ Stand! For Families Free Of Violence...........................38 ❒❒ Sutter Urgent Care......................................................40 ❒❒ The First Tee Of Contra Costa.......................................35 ❒❒ The Golf Club At Roddy Ranch....................................28 ❒❒ Tpc / The Pitching Center............................................22 ❒❒ Usks Concord.............................................................35 ❒❒ Velocity Sports Performance......................................36 ❒❒ Velocity Sports Performance......................................18 ❒❒ Walnut Creek Soccer Club...........................................27 ❒❒ Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness....................................32

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Welcome to Impulse, your one-stop shop for all the latest and greatest in gadgets, gizmos and gear. Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl, Impulse provides you with what’s currently hot on the market. What’s on the docket this week?

We jump into the world of apps, doing our best to parse out the must-haves from the must-havenots. To get more info on the following, hit up the iTunes store.

Angry Birds

We’ve seriously lost count on how many updates this game has experienced over the years. Beat all the levels, then go back and get three stars on all of ’em because THAT’S WHAT WINNERS DO. Note: Winners also make sure their homework and chores are finished before playing Angry Birds.

Dictionary.com

Let’s be honest. You don’t know the definition of every word.

And actual books are totally overrated now, so you’ll NEED this app. There’s no need for breaking the bank, as the dictionary + thesaurus app is FREE. This will really come in handy when you need to know 10 other ways to say “sick”, “amped” and “dope.”

Temple Run

It may not get anymore addicting than this. Run, jump and slide your way from a horde of monkeys while escaping a temple not even Indiana Jones would set foot in. As of right now, it’s got an average of five stars based on 420,000 reviews. That’s like being the best athlete in the country AND winning a Nobel Prize for Awesomeness. How could you go wrong?

Fruit Ninja

The title says it all. Slice all the fruit that flies into your screen. Duh. The more fruit hacked per slice = more points and bonuses. When you get to the pomegranate at the end, GO CRAZY. Oh, and watch out for those fruit bombs!

Stanza

Read from more than 50,000 FREE books and pay for the ones you really want. You know like the Twilight series, Harry Potter, Hunger Games. Hurry up and read ’em so you can chat with us about them.

Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

Calculator for iPad (Free version)

“Calculator app, Erik?

Why, my iPad is already equipped with one,” you say? Hear me out, guys. You can do more than just basic math with this mathtastic zero dollar app. Flex its muscles with insane algebra and trigonometry equations.

This one is ONLY for the iPad. “But Erik, I don’t have an iPad.” Then go out and get one. Duh.

myHomework

We know how much homework you have, and really, it’s nothing compared to what you get in college.

That said, you still have a lot of it and you’re gonna need a better organizer than your Trapper Keeper and Five-Star notebooks. This app is free and helpful.

Two things we love.

iFlipr Flashcards

How we wish we had this when we were in school. No longer will you need to tote around hundreds of 3 x 5 cards to cram for that vocab test. Or that Spanish verb conjugation quiz. Or for that Bill of Rights amendments midterm.

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