Atkinson brothers leave mark Pg. 8
vol. 1. issue 13
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Transition game Carondelet and the Salesian boys must adapt to stay ahead of the pack. Previews start Pg. 10 Pictured: Hannah Huffman & Freddie Tagaloa
starting 5
The East Bay’s top five players to watch, plus divisional breakdowns
Boys Pg. 12, Girls Pg. 16
Gear up for the holidays Pg. 26 campolindo double dips Pgs. 6, 9
december 9, 2010
get into it
Champs x2 Campolindo scores two state titles. Pages 6, 9
h t t p : / / w w w. m i l e h i g h r e p o r t . com/2010/12/6/1860727/elway-willget-a-look-broncos-like-gary-kubiak
Mary Vaccaro
Grace Orders Hugs, left and Sara Mostatabi
Nights in the football bleachers getting too cold for you? Cozy up with our East Bay basketball preview. Carondelet’s Hannah Huffman and Salesian’s Freddie Tagaloa compel you. it all starts on page 10 Photos by Bob Larson, LarsonPic@aol.com 4
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December 9, 2010
Spencer Allen/sportsimagewire.com
SportStar of the Week......................................7 Locker Room......................................................9 Red Zone: Gridiron Notes........................... 20 Tee2Green: Golf Notes................................. 23 Game Day: The Games You Have To See.... 25 Impulse: Holiday Gift Guide.......................... 26 Twenty-Four7: Calendar................................ 28 Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com
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Campolindo girls volleyball delivers an Instant Classic
ery few things can beat covering Vaccaro delivered a kill for the match’s the drama that plays out in a high first point. It’s possible it took even a little school state championship event. longer to sink in. But by the time the For a boy whose favorite movie has Cougars won the first set 27-25, the body been “Hoosiers” since he was 12-years old, language on both teams was evident: watching and writing about a state champiCampolindo believed it could win, and onship game is about as good as it gets. Cathedral Catholic realized it could lose. Over the past decade, I’ve had the Vaccaro delivered back-to-back kills to fortune to cover several of these types of close out a 25-23 win in the second set, events. But I’d never been to the California and it seemed like nothing would stem Interscholastic Federation state volleyball the tide of momentum for the Cougars. championships before Dec. 4. This was That is, until Vaccaro had to be subbed for a couple of reasons: 1) I was never in out with the third set tied 8-8. Accomcharge of writing about girls volleyball in panied by the team trainer, she left the my nine years with the local newspaper. match and walked down the tunnel And 2), there just hasn’t been a lot of teams toward the locker room. This moment is from this area who have reached that level. truly where the match took a turn toward So I’m very glad that the Campolindo ‘Instant Classic’ potential. girls volleyball team gave me a reason to Vaccaro returned to the set, but clearly travel to San Jose State for the finals. I’m wasn’t at 100 percent. She had to exit even more glad I chose to go. That’s bea second time and Cathedral Catholic cause of the many state finals I’ve covered, staved off a three-set sweep by winning the Cougars’ five-set defeat of Cathedral 25-21. The Dons then carried momentum Catholic-San Diego garnered “Instant Clasinto the fourth set and won 25-18 as Vacsic” status. caro was still forced to play sparingly. In fact, I’m pretty sure it’s firmly found “It was really difficult,” Vaccaro said. a home in my Top 3. It joins the 2007 De “I was in a lot of pain...I’ve never had to La Salle football team’s 37-31 victory over be taken out of a game or sit out of game heavily-favored Centennial-Corona, and due to injury before. It was scary for me, the 2008-09 Salesian boys basketball team but I wasn’t about to sit down.” defeating Bishop Montgomery-Torrance And thus began Act III, Set 5. 65-64 on a buzzer-beater. In the three minutes before it starts, Back to Campolindo, though, and all the Bishop becomes a very popular man. factors that led to such a great match. “Before we entered game five, my asLet’s start with the fact that the Cougars sistant coach, Mary, and my team captain were the underdog. — they all came up to me and said ‘Mary Rarely, if ever, does the Northern Calihas to be out there.’” fornia representative go into a state volMary plays. leyball final as a favorite. And despite the And if it were a Hollywood producChace@ fact that Campolindo entered the match tion, Vaccaro would have sprung to life SportStarsMag.com with a superior record (five fewer losses), and willed her team to victory. But that’s Cathedral Catholic was the two-time denot what happened. (925) 566-8503 fending state champ — SoCal dominance, Vaccaro posted just two kills in the remember? final set. Campolindo’s performance in Campolindo coach Scott Bishop admitthe title-clinching set required every player on the floor. ted after the match that he likes being the underdog, but Four other players besides Vaccaro delivered kills: Abbie he wanted to make sure that his team believed it had a Noland, Chandler Moore, Anisa Smith and Annie Shurtz. shot. The Cougars’ libero, Sophie Smith, had two highlight-reel “In our first ever team talk this week about how to predigs to deny a pair of cannon-blast kill attempts from pare for this match, I told the girls, ‘The only thing we’re Dons‘ standout hitter Taylor Milton. doing is beating this team. There are no other choices,’” The final result? A 15-10 win, and a very memorable Scott Bishop said. “You have to get over that mindset of state-championship victory. “So many teams have great Southern California is unbeatable. (The teams) are inplayers, not all teams have great teams to build around credibly good, but if you already think they’re unbeatable great players at the same time,” Bishop said afterward. you’ve already killed yourself before you go.” “For me, and for all of us, it was just incredibly sweet to Perhaps his team believed before the match had even be able to demonstrate the depth of our team.” started. Or maybe it wasn’t until their star hitter Mary I feel another “Hoosiers” viewing coming on.
FIRST PITCH Chace Bryson Editor
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December 9, 2010
PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsMag.com Editor Chace Bryson. Ext. 104 • Chace@SportStarsMag.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Erik Stordahl, Mike Wolcott, Jim Mannion, Mitch Stephens, Dave DeLong, Gary Xavier, Doug Gardner, Matt Smith, Clay Kallum Photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, Chris Scott Creative Department Art@SportStarsMag.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco. Ext. 103 • MikeD@SportStarsMag.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa. Ext. 106 • Mike@SportStarsMag.com Advertising & Calendar/Classified Sales Sales@SportStarsMag.com Account Executives Mike Wolcott Ext. 109 • MikeW@SportStarsMag.com; Patrick McCormick Ext. 102 • Patrick@SportStarsMag.com; Erik Stordahl • ErikS@Sport StarsMag.com (Special Sections, Calendar, Marketplace sales) Reader Resources/Administration Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsMag.com • Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Distribution/Delivery Mags@SportStarsMag.com Distribution Manager Butch Noble. Ext. 107 • Butch@SportStarsMag.com Information technology John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsMag.com Office Manager/Credit Services Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Deb@SportStarsMag.com Board of Directors Dennis Erokan, CEO, Placemaking Group Roland Roos, CPA, Roland Roos & Co Susan Bonilla, State Assembly Drew Lawler, Managing Director, AJ Lawler Partners community SportStars™ Magazine A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA • 94521 info@SportStarsMag.com www.SportStarsMag.com
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It’s never good when a team’s star player leaves with an injury. It’s worse when it happens in the state championship. Just ask the Campolindo girls volleyball team. That’s what they experienced when senior Mary Vaccaro bruised her hip in the second game against Cathedral Catholic in the Division III state title game on Dec. 4. After limited playing time in the third and fourth sets, Vaccaro played the entire fifth set and helped lead the Cougars to the state title. She picked up MVP honors as she tallied 20 kills and 17 digs. SportStars: What was running through your mind in the final game? Mary Vaccaro: I had so much adrenaline. I didn’t even feel pain. As a team we came together in the end. SportStars: You took two years off to focus on beach volleyball. Why did you come back to play senior year? MV: The seniors are my best friends. It’s my last year here in Moraga, playing with my friends. I just love all the girls on the team. SportStars: All of your siblings have either attended or are currently attending rival Miramonte. Is there a rivalry? MV: (Laughs) There’s a lot of banter in my house. My whole family is proMiramonte. I just wanted to try something different. But when it comes down to it, they’re very supportive of me. SportStars: Why did you decide to commit to West Point? MV: It was my dream to go to Stanford and I was about to commit. Then I was contacted by West Point and decided to make a visit. After my visit, I knew I had to go there. Quick hits Beach or indoor volleyball? Beach Cake or pie? Pie Fav athlete? Brian Wilson.
honorable mention
sophie smith While Mary Vacarro provided the firepower, it was Smith bringing the defense for the state champion Campolindo volleyball team. The senior libero had a team-high 18 digs in the Dec. 4, including two crucial ones early in the fifth set.
kevin stafford The Las Lomas senior guard followed his 27-point performance against Pinole Valley on Dec. 3, with a 40-point effort against San Marin on Dec. 4. The latter game decided third place at Salesian’s Jeremy Jack Invitational
alec pica Concord football isn’t all Ricky Lloyd. Pica rushed for 114 rushing yards and two TDs as the senior RB helped the Minutemen edge Casa GrandePetaluma 26-21 in the NCS Division II semifinal on Dec. 3. December 9, 2010
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Granada’s twin engine follows in famous family footsteps T WALLY’S WORLD Mike Wolcott MikeW@ SportStarsMag.com (925) 566-8500 Ext. 109
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December 9, 2010
o say the Bay Area has a strong football tradition would be a gross understatement. Between five Super Bowl championships for the 49ers, another three for the Raiders (we’ll go ahead and take credit for that one in Los Angeles – after all, they stole our team), perennially competitive college teams and some of the top high school talent in the nation, “embarrassment of riches” might be more like it. So the success is nothing new. Multi-generational success? Now, that’s something a bit more on the rare side. It happened this year at Livermore’s Granada High School, and ultimately, the biggest benefactor of all is going to be the University of Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish came up with what is undoubtedly the biggest “twin-killing” (pun intended) recruiting coup of the summer when they got commitments from Granada’s George Atkinson III and Josh Atkinson. Yes, they are twins, the sons of Raiders legend George Atkinson. Their father, who played for the Raiders from 1968 to 1977 and was a member of their first Super Bowl championship team in 1976, was one of several Oakland players from that era who set up roots in the Bay Area and made it their home. Have no doubt about it – for all the hard times that have fallen on the Raiders in recent years, the pre-Los Angeles teams were not only highly successful, they were made up of “East Bay” men who routinely
forged close ties with their community. Count Atkinson among that group. At the time, no one knew how much it was all going to mean to the Granada High football program. The Matadors, whose season finally ended Dec. 3 with a loss to De La Salle in the North Coast Section Division I semifinals, finished 8-5 this season thanks largely to the one-two Atkinson punch. In keeping up with the family tradition (their dad picked off 30 passes in his Raiders career), both George and Josh are standout defensive backs. Between them, they broke up 21 pass attempts this season. On the offensive side, George Atkinson III put up the type of numbers that most teams would be happy to claim for a season. He led the East Bay with 1,600 yards on 157 carries (a ridiculous 10.19 yards per attempt) and scored 17 touchdowns. Given those accomplishments, and their outstanding speed (both run 4.4 40s, according to Maxpreps.com), it’s no surprise they attracted the attention of college scouts from all over the nation. George (6-foot-2, 190) was recruited by the likes of Alabama, Miami and Nebraska while Josh (6-0, 180) was heavily sought-after by Pac-10 champion Oregon as well as Washington and Arizona State. So why Notre Dame? George’s answer proved that the twins are looking at the big picture, not just football. “The deciding factors were the chance to compete for a job early, for early playing time and the education, the graduation rate,” George said. “(And) the coaching staff, and a chance to play on national TV every week so my family can still watch, and me and my twin can still experience a new place.” But that doesn’t mean they’ll be forgetting their “old” place — showing another trait from their dad, who stays close to the Raiders by working as a broadcaster on the pre and post-game radio broadcasts. The memories at Granada run too deep for the brothers. When asked to list a few of the highlights, George mentioned “Helping my team get deep in the playoffs for the first time, and putting up a new standard for the classes behind us at Granada.” And now it’s on to another standard, on college football’s most famous field, for a team that is desperate to return to its past glory — something this year’s Raiders team may finally be close to accomplishing as well. It’s a challenge the Atkinson brothers are well prepared for. After all, it’s not exactly the first time they’ll be following in some big footsteps. “(My dad’s) success as a Raider really motivates me to work even harder so I can become as great as I know I can be,” George said. “He has been where I want to go, and that’s to play in the NFL.” In the meantime, it’s safe to say that Irish eyes are smiling. After that … well, call it wishful thinking for alreadyspoiled Bay Area football fans, but who wouldn’t want to see the name “Atkinson” on the back of a silver-and-black uniform again? Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com
state championships edition
they said what?!? “This is one of the best team experiences I’ve ever had in my life. Regardless of the finish, this is the greatest experience I’ve had over the past three months.” Campolindo senior Mary Vaccaro on where this ranked in her already highly-decorated volleyball career — one that includes playing for USA beach volleyball.
“I was with the second place girl the whole race. Then with 600 meters to go, I picked up my pace and made a move. That’s when I knew.” Campolindo Carrie Verdon on when she knew she was going to win the CIF Division III girls state championship race.
random act of factness Cross country ■ Carrie Verdon ran Fresno’s Woodward Park course faster than any Division III female before her. Her time of 17 minutes, 15 seconds is a state championship record for the Division III girls race. Coincidentally, her time replaced that of a fellow local runner. Kristen Gordon of Carondelet held the previews record with a time of 17:17 in 1996. ■ This is actually the second team that coach Chuck Woolridge has led to a state championship. He guided the College Park girls to a title in 2003. However, the Cougars team score was seven points better (67) than the one the Falcons won with.
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Volleyball ■ Campolindo joined Branson-Ross (Div. V), St. Francis-Mountain View (Div. II) and Palo Alto (Div. I) to represent Northern California with four state titles in 2010. This never happens. No, really. This is the first time. Southern California dominance in volleyball is such that the most state titles the North had ever won in one year was three. And that’s just happened twice since the sport went to five divisions in 1991. Those times were in 2001 and 1993. ■ Campolindo’s championship match went five sets. It was only the second time in 37 matches this season that the Cougars had to play five sets. The other occasion was their NCS semifinal win over Analy-Sebastapol.
Spencer Allen/SportsImageWire.net (above) & Bob Larson
CAMPO XC: (L to R) Carrie Verdon, Sara Mostatabi, Grace Orders, coach Chuck Woolridge (coach), Sara Orders, Haley Shipway, Rachel Meadows, Juliet Farnan.ABOVE: Brooke Standring (2) and Mallory Loomis celebrate a point during the VB final. December 9, 2010
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The more things change... It will take more than a little roster turnover to shake the foundation of Salesian boys basketball By Chace Bryson | Editor How it’s referred to in Salesian basketball lore is unknown. “The Break,” perhaps? Regardless of what it’s called, it couldn’t have been scripted any better. March 2009. Arco Arena. Under 8 seconds remaining in the state championship. The opposing team’s star player at the free throw line with a chance at pushing a one-point lead to three. The star misses, and Salesian forward Desmond Simmons grabs the rebound and tears off downcourt. His feet can’t move as fast as his brain tells him they need to. He stumbles slightly. As his 6-6 frame began to pitch slightly forward, Simmons pushed the ball upcourt to sophomore Jabari Brown. Set up on the left wing, the confident outside shooter has a defender reach him in time to get a hand up and force Brown to fire a pass to an unguarded sophomore forward Kendall Andrews under the basket. Andrews released the ball with 0.4 seconds left on the clock and it goes through the hoop as the buzzer sounds. Twenty minutes later, Pride coach Bill Mellis answered several questions from reporters about how young the team was: Just one senior, and a talented nucleus of freshmen and sophomores. It seemed multiple state titles were close to a foregone conclusion. But the landscape can change quickly. Brown and Andrews transferred out before last season. Simmons stayed and led the team to a 32-3 mark, but two of those losses came in the North Coast Section and CIF Northern regional finals. Now Simmons has graduated and Quincy Smith, another promising sophomore from the 2008-09 team, has transferred out. This type of turnover can often cripple a program. However, in Salesian’s case, it 10
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December 9, 2010
Bob Larson
Just a junior, Dominic Artis begins his third year as the point guard for Salesian. He’s one of three returning players who played key roles in the Pride winning the CIF Division IV state championship in 2008-09. His steady hand will be a key for the team. might have made it stronger. “It feels like it’s helped us build even better chemistry,” said senior Bryce Thompson, one of three starters this season who was part of the state championship team. “Things came together really easy for this team. This is the kind of chemistry we had two years ago.” From Mellis’ perspective, the roster turnover has only reinforced what Salesian emphasizes. “While there has been a revolving door in terms of players, there’s been a very stable core with the coaching staff,” the coach said. “Our philosophy has never really changed. Each year is its own entity, but we’ve been able to keep that stability from year to year with a focus on what we do — which is defense and rebounding and taking smart shots.”
However, team chemistry is one thing that coaches often don’t have a lot of control over. Which should make Thompson’s claim about chemistry an alarming sound to Division IV coaches across the state. Of the players who remain from that state championship team, Thompson is joined in the starting lineup by the junior tandem of 5-11 point guard Dominic Artis and 6-8 center Freddie Tagaloa. It’s Tagaloa who may end up being the playing the largest role in the Pride’s success as it heads into 2011. “He could be our biggest key this season. I mean, who can guard him?,” Mellis said of the center sporting 315 pounds of football-chiseled muscle. “How much we actually relied on Freddie last year kind of got overshadowed by Desmond’s success in the paint.”
“It feels like it’s helped us build even better chemistry. Things came together really easy for this team. This is the kind of chemistry we had two years ago.” Senior Bryce Thompson, one of three starters this season who was part of the state championship team.
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The trio of Artis, Tagaloa and Thompson has taken it upon itself to lead by example and fill the leadership void left with the graduation of Simmons. “That’s what I’m working on,” Artis said. “Being that vocal leader both on and off the court.” He also spends some time dropping in 3-pointers, breaking full-court pressure, and delivering assists to his teammates. Artis might have lost some of the targets he got accustomed to since he earned the starting point guard spot as a freshman, but that doesn’t mean he has a lack of options. Sometimes the revolving door can work in a team’s favor, as well Enter incoming sophomore transfer Jabari Bird. The 6-5 swingman comes from Benicia High and brings a very versatile game to the Pride. “He’s really good at attacking the basket,” Mellis said of Bird. “He’s got a lot of god-given talent. He can really leap and get rebounds. If there’s one thing that we miss from (losing Simmons), it’s rebounding. We’re hoping that Jabari can fill that role. He’s also a real good scorer, so he’ll step right in there, too.” Bird scored 26 and 32, respectively, in his first two games with Salesian. However, for a player who came in with some buzz about him, his ability to blend with the group quickly might be his most impressive feat
gets serious when he steps on the court — just like us. He fit into the mix perfectly.” But as confident and upbeat as the team is about this season, some frustration still simmers over how the 2009-10 campaign ended. After defeating Bay Shore Athletic League rival St. Mary’s twice in the regular season, the Panthers upended them in the two biggest games of the year: The NCS Division IV final, and the CIF Northern regional final. “You play a team so many times and they get a chance to adjust,” Artis said. “We kind of took it for granted.” It goes without saying that those losses
have provided new motivation for the guys who took part in them — which not only includes Artis, Thompson and Tagaloa, but also returning sophomore Mario Dunn and junior Davion Mize. Thompson had an interesting answer when he was asked what he thought was the biggest strength of this year’s core group, aside from chemistry. “Coach Mellis likes to point out how we stick together and seem to know what to do in the hardest part of the game,” he said. “It seems like no game is out of our reach.” That kind of sounds like the ingredient that led to “The Break.”
Bob Larson
A key newcomer for the Pride, Jabari Bird (23) has a chance to become one of the top sophomores in the state.The Benicia transfer “brings a lot of excitement” to the floor, according to teammate Bryce Thompson. to date. “My first impression of him was that he was the type of player I like to see,” Thompson said. “He doesn’t see himself as superstar or great player. He listens and he wants to learn. “He blends in with us very well. We joke around together off the court, and then he
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December 9, 2010
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h c t a w o t s r e y a l p Top JUAN ANDERSON (Castro Valley), 6-6, Forward, Sr. Few players create matchup problems like Anderson. At 6-6, he can play anything from shooting guard to power forward. The Marquette-bound talent averaged 13 points and 7 rebounds last season. He’s a big reason the Trojans began the year ranked 10th in the state.
v e i S S a A l y a s a
BRANDON ASHLEY (Bishop O’Dowd), 6-8, Center, Jr. ESPN recruiting ranks Ashley No. 10 in the nation among the class of 2012. That makes him an awful hot commodity on the recruiting trail. It also means he’s pretty good around the basket. He averaged 13 points and 13 rebounds as a sophomore last season. JABARI BIRD (Salesian), 6-5, Guard/Forward, So. How do you replace an all-state talent like Desmond Simmons? Adding one of the state’s top sophomores is a good start. Bird transfers from Benicia and brings a strong all-around game that includes a reliable jumpshot that complements a knack for finishing at the basket.
JABARI BROWN (Oakland), 6-4, Guard, Sr. Brown was the center of the East Bay boys basketball universe last January when he left nationally-ranked Findlay Prep of Henderson, Nev., and came home to Oakland High. Brown played at Salesian his first two years, but was never comfortable in Nevada. After a month-long saga over his eligibility, he posted 33 points and 10 rebounds in a win over Sacramento. The gifted shooting guard led the Wildcats to an Oakland Section title and trip to the Northern regional quarterfinals. He entered the year among the top 20 players in nation by MaxPreps and has an oral commitment to play at Oregon. 12
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ELLIOTT PITTS (De La Salle), 6-4, Forward, So. Frank Allocco has had some pretty special talent at De La Salle, so it should mean something when Pitts is the first of his players to receive a scholarship offer as a sophomore (Univ. of San Francisco). Look for the versatile Pitts to make an immediate impact for the Spartans.
Second five
■ Roderick Bobbitt (Castro Valley), 6-2, Guard, Sr. ■ Treaven Duffy (Las Lomas), 6-1, Guard, Sr. ■ Andre McPhail (Deer Valley), 6-7, Center, Sr. ■ T.J. Taylor (Oakland), 5-9, Guard, Sr. ■ Mark Tollefson (San Ramon Valley), 6-9, Forward, Sr.
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Sup
om
Division I
It’s been five years since a team other than De La Salle or Monte Vista hung an NCS Division I championship banner. The Spartans are the defending champions, and not considering them a threat to repeat would be foolish — despite the fact they graduated their starting frontcourt duo of John McArthur and Nate Appel. A smaller, quicker version of De La Salle, led by returning starters Amadi Udenyi and Benny Battle, will be just as dangerous. Still, plenty of contenders are eyeing a chance to knock off DLS. Perhaps the most-talented among them is Castro Valley behind senior trio Roderick Bobbitt, Chris Read and Juan Anderson. San Ramon Valley, which narrowly missed defeating DLS in the state playoffs last year, returns a solid corps that boasts USF-bound sharpshooter Mark Tollefson. Oh yeah, and there’s the defending state runners-up, Newark Memorial. The Cougars graduated some key players, but still return Kendall Andrews and Casey Norris. And expect some more noise from the Bay Valley Athletic League, also. Antioch, Deer Valley, Freedom and Heritage could make the league the most competitive from top to bottom.
Division III
One season after going 30-4 and finishing as the state runner-up, Bishop O’Dowd returns the frontcourt duo of juniors Brandon Ashley (6-9) and Richard Longrus (6-7). If that tandem stays healthy, the Dragons will remain the team to beat. El Cerrito, one of the teams that put pressure on Bishop O’Dowd a year ago, could do so again this year with guards Jabri Jenkins and Bobby Syvanthong back in the fold. Analy-Sebastapol, the 2008-09 champion, returns three-year starting guard Max Fujii and should be right in the thick of things. Lamorinda stalwarts, Campolindo and Miramonte, are both in a rebuilding phase, but should not be counted out. A final team to consider is Kennedy-Fremont, led by senior Chris Murry.
Division IV
After winning the state title two seasons ago, Salesian came up short in both the NCS and NorCal finals last season. However, despite losing the dynamic Desmond Simmons to graduation (and the Univ. of Washington), there is more then enough talent left to consider the Pride the team to beat in Div. IV. Juniors Dominic Artis and Freddie Tagaloa return for their third season, and incoming transfer Jabari Bird will help fill the scoring void left by Simmons. Meanwhile, Salesian rival St. Mary’s — state runner-up last year — is trying to rebuild behind Isiah Taylor and Glenn Baral. Arcata will certainly be a threat behind 6-11 center Max Schmidt. Other schools to watch: Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa, Cloverdale and St. Patrick/ St. Vincent. Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™
Division II
This division has had six different champions over the past six seasons. One of those champions, Montgomery-Santa Rosa (2005-06), has a very real chance to pick up another title. The Vikings finished 22-7 a year ago and return all but two players from that squad, including 6-9 senior center Ben Freeland. Narrowing the rest of the field gets a lot tougher. Las Lomas, led by a backcourt of Treaven Duffy and Kevin Stafford, has a shot at being in the mix. So might NCS runner-up Pinole Valley under coach Mark DeLuca, who returns to the bench after a three-year break from the Spartans. Northgate will be dangerous behind Concord-transfer Zach Corby, and Dublin — a very young team a year ago — should be on a few radars as well.
SCHOOL 2009-10 RECORD 1. Oakland ........................................... 17-13 2. De La Salle ........................................ 29-3 3. Castro Valley ..................................... 23-7 4. Salesian ............................................. 32-3 5. Bishop O’Dowd ................................. 30-4 6. Newark Memorial .............................. 30-5 7. San Ramon Valley............................. 28-4 8. Deer Valley ........................................ 19-9 9. St. Joseph Notre Dame .................... 26-9 10. St. Mary’s....................................... 26-10 SportStars ranks the top East Bay boys programs heading into 2010-11.
Division V
This division should boil down to the exact same two teams it has for the past two seasons, Branson-Ross and St. Joseph Notre Dame. In 2008-09, it was St. Joseph who won NCS before reaching the state championship. Last year, Branson performed the same feat. The Pilots may hold the edge this season thanks to three players (Jacari Whitmore, Brendan Keane, and Dom Lippi) all enjoying their third year in the starting lineup. Branson only graduated four seniors from its roster a year ago. University-S.F., which knocked off St. Joe in the state playoffs a year ago, is also a major threat.
December 9, 2010
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Sizing down, stepping up
A new, shorter-look Carondelet hopes to stand tall in Division I By clay kallum | Contributor
It’s a year of change on Winton Avenue. Carondelet High had a magical 2009-10 season, advancing to the Division II state championship game, and lost there to Mater Dei, which ended up No. 1 in the nation. This year, though, will be a different story – for a couple of reasons. “For the last eight years,” says long-time coach Margaret Gartner, “I’ve had someone taller than 6-3.” Now the Cougars won’t have an automatic size advantage every game. Yes, 6-2, Stanford-bound Erica Payne is back, but last year’s post, Erin Boettcher is now at New Mexico. And Jayne Appel, the McDonald’s All-American who preceded her, capped a brilliant Stanford career with a spot on the U.S. National team roster and a key role for the San Antonio Silver Stars of the WNBA. “I’m going to be guarding the biggest player now,” says Payne, who got a taste of that at the USA Basketball Under-18 tryouts this past spring, “and Erin was the other rebounder.” “We can’t rely on the center to rebound,” says Gartner. “Five-foot-six has to rebound, too.” “The guards have to rebound a little more,” said 5-9 junior Hannah Huffman, who acknowledged that Payne is now the only shot-blocking threat in the paint. “We have to keep our man in front of us more.” Boettcher’s departure changes the offensive mindset as well, for no longer do opponents have to assign their best post defender to her. Instead, Payne will be getting that attention, and she’ll most likely be surrounded by four guards. “We can’t just dump the ball to Erin in the middle,” says Huffman, which means she and the other perimeter players will have to take up the slack – but Huffman, an elite recruit though still just a junior, is ready. “This year is the year to really elevate my game.” There’s another elevation that will have an impact on Carondelet this year, and that’s the Cougars’ move to Div. I. While the school’s enrollment still falls under the Div. II parameters, they are getting the bump thanks to a North Coast Section rule requiring any team that has won three straight titles in the same division to move up a level. The Cougars, though, are unfazed by the change. “It’s kind of nice,” says Gartner. “It’s not (San Jose Div. II powerhouse) Mitty any more (that we have to worry about). It’s Berkeley.” “Division I will be different for us,” says Huffman, “but our goals haven’t changed.” Payne, the veteran, is a little more cautious. “It’s a whole 14
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Bob Larson photos
Stanford-bound senior Erica Payne (right) and highly-recruited junior Hannah Huffman comprise the dynamic duo that Carondelet will be counting on as it goes after another NCS championship. new team this year,” she says. “We have to work on our team dynamics before we can even think about state.” One challenge for those dynamics is the presence of freshman Natalie Romeo, a 5-8 guard who has moved into the starting lineup. It’s always a big jump for a freshman to start at the varsity level, but even more so at a school like Carondelet, with so much tradition and so much pressure. Romeo, however, hasn’t stumbled so far.
“Natalie is fearless,” says Huffman. “We got lucky because she’s not playing like a freshman.” Payne agrees. “She’s stepped up to the plate. She doesn’t have the experience but she makes up for it because she works so hard.” It also doesn’t hurt that Romeo can lean on senior Portia Velasco, a 5-4 veteran who started on last year’s state runner-up. Romeo has been a point guard growing up, but Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsMag.com
she and Velasco will be able to share that role this season, which will make the transition easier. The other starter will likely be Melissa Russi, the third in a long line of Russis at Carondelet — and like her older sisters, Melissa is a superior 3-point shooter. That will come in handy, because she’ll be replacing Ricki Radanovich, who took her long-range accuracy to Santa Clara. Russi, however, is just 5-6, four inches shorter than Radanovich, so once again, the Cougars will be dropping in height. “We’re a lot quicker this year,” Payne said. “We might not be as tall, but we can create mismatches. We can take advantage of different strengths.” Gartner takes it a step further. “The size we had made a difference in the halfcourt last year,” the coach said, “But fullcourt, we’ll be a little better.” Still, Gartner knows there’s a lot of work to do. “It’s kind of funny we’re so highly ranked after losing two starters,” she says. “In D-1, Berkeley’s No. 1 until someone beats them.” And as for Carondelet, “We definitely won’t be peaking soon,” she says. “We’re revamping everything – I’ve had to look at the whole offense.” One thing that won’t be much different, though, is the big bullseye on the Cougars’ uniforms. “We do feel we get everyone’s best game,” says Huffman. Gartner, entering her 24th year as Carondelet’s coach, knows that some things will stay the same, regardless of how many post players she has, or what division the Cougars are in. “We always have a target on our backs. We’re used to it.” That, at least, hasn’t changed. ✪
GETTING THE BUMP So why is Carondelet in Div. I this year? ■ Short answer: NCS Bylaw 507H, Rule ‘F’ ■ The longer version: Under the new rule, if a team from a particular sport wins three straight NCS titles in the same division, that team automatically gets bumped up a division the following season. Carondelet won the last three Div. II titles. ■ Who else is affected?: Branson-Ross, winners of the last six Div. V girls crowns, will be bumped to Div. IV. ■ Is the move permanent?: No. The affected teams return to their original division next season, unless they win the NCS title in their new divisions. In that case, they stay for another year.
Melissa Russi (left), Hannah Huffman (right)
Coach Margaret Gartner is in her 24th year leading Carondelet. She’s led the Cougars to four CIF Div. II state finals since 2004. Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™
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h c t a w o t s r e y a l p Top SAIDAH ALLEN (Piedmont), 5-11, Forward, Sr. Allen is a stats machine – there are not many girls who get 20 points and 20 rebounds in the same game, but Allen’s done it so often it’s almost routine. No 6-4 behemoth, she’s listed at 5-11, but that hasn’t slowed her production. She’s committed to Fresno State.
f ja e t ( H A s a a L s
RAYVEN BROOKS (Dougherty Valley), 5-9, Guard/Forward, Sr. The Wildcats were the best team in the DFAL last year, in great part due to Brooks, a marvelously athletic wing who is always a threat to get to the basket. Brooks, who started her prep career at Sacred Heart Cathedral, will make Dougherty Valley a serious threat in Division III. HANNAH HUFFMAN (Carondelet), 5-9, Guard/Forward, Jr. The only junior in our top five, the 5-9 Huffman has started for Carondelet since her freshman year — and played a big role in the Cougars’ drive to the state title game. She’ll have to play an even bigger role in 2010-11 with the graduation of sharpshooter Ricki Radanovich. ERICA PAYNE (Carondelet), 6-2, Forward, Sr. Payne was one of 25 girls to receive an invite to the USA Basketball U18 tryouts this past summer. She’ll go to Stanford next fall, which is just as prestigious. Meanwhile, Payne will use her explosiveness and length to help Carondelet set its sight on another state title run.
BRITTANY BOYD (Berkeley), 5-8, Guard, Sr. When Boyd was a freshman, perennial power Berkeley beat upstart Hercules by two points – and the Titans finished the season 24-7. But, when Boyd was a freshman, she played for Hercules. Since her departure, the Titans have gone 15-31. The Yellowjackets, meanwhile, have thrived with her at the point, and she has emerged as one of the top players in Northern California and the nation. She was close to making USA Basketball’s Under-18 team in June. She will play for Cal next fall. 16
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Second five
■ DEANNA CALHOUN (Albany), 6-4, Center, Sr. ■ CHAIRESE CULBERSON (Berkeley), 6-0, Forward, Sr. ■ RAVEN FOX (Deer Valley), 5-6, Guard, Sr. ■ EMILY VANN (St. Mary’s), 6-1, Forward, Sr. ■ K.C. WATERS (Bishop O’Dowd), 6-1, Guard/Forward, So.
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com
Division I
Berkeley has dominated the North Coast Section since, well, pretty much forever (19 championships since 1977). So it’s no surprise that the Yellowjackets are first on the list in 2010-11. Adding a little spice to the stew, however, is Carondelet’s presence in the Division. (The Cougars move up after three straight Division II titles). Those two teams bring plenty of firepower (Brittany Boyd and Chairese Culberson for Berkeley; Erica Payne and Hannah Huffman for Carondelet), solid coaching and a tradition of success. Also in the mix, however, is Deer Valley, now coached by highly successful summer club guru Mark Anger (EBX). Anger has Raven Fox at the head of a horde of quick, athletic players who will have every opportunity to use that athleticism in Anger’s uptempo system. Another contender could be James Logan, which returns most of the firepower from last year’s 19-9 team – and scrappy Castro Valley might make its presence known as well.
Division II
Another divisional shift will have an effect here, as Dougherty Valley moves up a notch. The Wildcats have their first full senior class, and return four starters from a 26-4 team led by senior wing Rayven Brooks. Dougherty Valley lost sharpshooter Ariana Flynn, but does return the very athletic Briana Gaines, who has added a 3-point shot to her arsenal after sitting out a season to play soccer. Speaking of sharpshooters, Northgate features long-range lefty Kayla Galanter on a hard-working but somewhat smallish team that went 27-5 a year ago. Dublin should also be in the mix, as Catherine Kruschke and Shannon Irwin are two of the top players in the competitive DFAL. So will Clayton Valley, which won 19 games last year. But down the road, the North Bay contingent of Maria Carrillo-Santa Rosa, Casa Grande-Petaluma and Montgomery-Santa Rosa will have to be reckoned with.
Division III
Two-time defending champion Bishop O’Dowd remains the heavy favorite to repeat. Sophomore posts Oderah Chidom and K.C. Waters are both elite talents, and though coach Malik McCord has to replace his entire starting backcourt, he’s got a tremendous backlog of talent to draw from. Both Miramonte and Campolindo should be in the hunt, but could suffer plenty of losses in the DFAL, where not only Dublin and Dougherty Valley lurk, but also Acalanes, which has senior talent in Kiara Harewood and Emani Harrison and the return of 6-1 junior Sophie Taylor.. Albany features 6-4, USC-bound Deanna Calhoun,, and Moreau Catholic can’t be counted out either, so when northern teams such as Petaluma and Eureka are factored in, Division III will remain a very competitive NCS field.
Division IV
Like Bishop O’Dowd, St. Mary’s is a two-time defending NCS champion, and not much drop off is expected. Seniors Emily Vann and Cody Sims lead a long, balanced, well-coached team that will once again have to fend off a challenge from league rival Piedmont and rebounding marvel Saidah Allen. Outside the East Bay, Marin Catholic-Kentfield, Cloverdale, McKinleyville and Justin-Siena-Napa will all be strong, as usual, but Branson-Ross, up from Division V after six straight titles, may be a little overmatched. Salesian sits on the horizon thanks to superfrosh Mariya Moore. Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™
SCHOOL 2009-10 RECORD 1. Berkeley .............................................28-4 2. Carondelet .........................................27-6 3. St. Mary’s ...........................................31-4 4. Bishop O’Dowd .................................27-4 5. Dougherty Valley ...............................26-4 Piedmont............................................25-9 6. Piedmont 7. Campolindo .....................................20-10 8. Deer Valley ........................................25-8 9. Miramonte..........................................22-8 10. Monte Vista......................................20-7 SportStars ranks the top East Bay girls programs heading into 2010-11.
Division V
It’s always tough to sort out this division, because with small schools one new player can radically alter the equation. NCS runner-up St. Joseph Notre Dame and 6-4 senior Carmen Lockhart can be expected to be a serious contender again. Bentley, led by Olivia Brewer and Dana Dean, may finally be ready to push past Head-Royce in the BCL East (though Athenian can’t be counted out, either). But the real power in Division V — for the foreseeable future — is San Domenico-San Anselmo, now coached by Mike Fulton (the man behind the Branson dynasty). Fulton has attracted some of Marin County’s top talent to San Domenico, and the Panthers return almost everyone. December 9, 2010
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Five pearls of first aid wisdom
H
ere are five key tips for preventing or treating the common injuries and ailments of everyday athletes. 1. The Blister Prevention Trick. For those who are prone to blisters, try wearing two pairs of socks with the inside pair turned inside-out. The fuzzy sides facing each other help reduce friction. Of course, well fitting shoes are a must. Second Skin and mole skin are good products to protect a blister that has already formed. 2. The Shoelace Trick. For a swollen sprained finger, wrap a shoelace snuggly from tip to hand and remove from tip to hand. Repeat this several times to reduce swelling and increase finger flexion range of motion. 3. Mouth guards. Mouth guards are an essential piece of equipment for contact sports. Oral/Dental injuries are painful and expensive. A well-fitted mouth guard can significantly reduce the risk of these types of injuries.
Off the shelf mouth guards can be heated and form fitted, or you can consult your dentist for a custom-fitted guard. 2. When to apply heat or cold to an injury. Cold reduces blood flow to an injured area and can limit the degree of swelling in an acute injury. Cold should be applied for 15-20 minutes to the effected area, then off for an hour. Repeat 3-5 times initially, then less frequently in day two or three as needed. Cold also has good analgesic effect as a numb area hurts less. Heat increases blood flow to an area, bringing healing elements to an injury site. Heat also makes muscles and tendons stretch more, improving range of motion. Heat can be generated through active means such as a stationary bike or treadmill, or passive with a moist heat pack or whirlpool/hot tub. Heat should not be applied to an acute, actively swelling injury. This could increase the degree of swelling.
Health Watch Bruce Valentine
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I
Need for speed? Focus on the legs, not the feet
often get asked by parents and coaches how they can improve their young athlete’s foot speed or agility, as if there is some magic cone or ladder drill. Focusing on quick feet for speed is like saying that a car accelerates and goes faster because a tire manufacturer found a way to make faster tires. Foot speed really has nothing to do with agility, acceleration or speed for that matter. The truth is that fast feet don’t equal fast, just as quick feet don’t equal agility. I can, and will, argue that fast feet can actually make an athlete slower. The main issue here is that fast feet don’t use the ground efficiently to produce force. Mike Boyle, one of the top strength and conditioning coaches in the world put it best. “Think of the ground as the well from which we draw speed. It is not how fast the feet move, but rather how much force goes into the ground” This is a basic principle of physics, the more force produced into the ground the more we get back from it, resulting in a continuous action-reaction force that results in forward motion. This is why athletes with the best vertical jumps are usually the fastest, because of the amount of force they are producing in the ground is greater. If more force equals faster athletes then it makes sense that getting stronger legs is the cure for slow feet. So the focus should be on the legs not the feet, as this is where the force is being produced and absorbed. A quick first step and cut is the result of a powerful push produced and absorbed by the legs. Focusing on lower body strength is the key to increasing speed and agility with a focus on single leg strength and single leg stability work (i.e. single leg squats and landing skills). As I’ve mentioned in past columns, if you can’t decelerate you can’t accelerate. Developing foot speed and agility is a long term endeavor of gaining strength and power in a progressive manner with respect to quality of movement. The reality is that these are nervous system qualities that change slowly over time and must be respected in the development of your young athlete’s training programs. Now I’m not saying that ladder and cone drills are ineffective. They do play a role in developing brain to muscle connection and are excellent for teaching eccentric strength, stability and ideal angles. So to sum it all up, drills or equipment that focus on foot speed in the absence of foundational strength and horse-power will leave your athletes in the dust! ✪
Training Time Tim Rudd for IYCA
Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning (level 3), speed and agility (level 2), and nutrition specialist (level 1). You can contact him with questions or feed- back at tim@fit2thecore.com. Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™
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RED ZONE
Chris Scott/CalSportPhoto.com
Isaiah Langley of the San Leandro Crusaders breaks loose for one of his two punt returns against the San Ramon Bears in the midgets division Turkey Bowl on Nov. 27.
Langley, San Leandro midgets nip San Ramon in Turkey Bowl By Erik stordahl | SportStars The San Leandro Crusaders midgets aren’t too familiar with close calls. Excluding two hotly-contested battles with the Benicia Panthers – 30-28 and 19-6, both wins – the Crusaders have outscored the competition this season a blistering 426-6. They boasted an 11-0 record heading into the Diablo Valley Youth Football Conference Turkey Bowl on Nov. 27 but so did their opponent, the San Ramon Bears. Not surprisingly, this game was a close call. So what was running through the mind of Crusaders coach Bill Suess as his team was actually trailing 16-14 in the fourth quarter? “I was hoping we’d just keep our composure,” says Suess. “These kids have rose up every time to challenges, all year long.” With their backs against the wall, the Crusaders were faced with a crucial 20
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fourth-and-one on their own 14 yard line in the waning minutes of the game. San Ramon guessed a running play, but the Bears guessed it would go to the outside. That left Everett Patton with a clear shot up the middle for an 86-yard touchdown that proved to be the gamewinner in a 22-16 Turkey Bowl thriller. After exchanging scores in the second quarter, the Bears took the lead for the first time when quarterback Kyle Kearns hit wide receiver J.J. Koski for a 15-yard touchdown pass. Koski’s catch and the ensuing conversion made it 16-14 San Ramon with under a minute to go in the first half. The name of the game in the second half was execution, or lack thereof, as both teams combined for seven turnovers in the final 20 minutes. San Ramon squandered golden opportunities to capitalize, which included coming away empty handed after a first-and-goal on
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RED ZONE the Crusaders’ 5-yard line in the fourth quarter. “We’ve got a team that’s never been to this Turkey Bowl before,” explains Bears head coach Mark Kearns. “Playing in championships requires some experience, and I think for the most part we played like champions. We just fell short today.” Patton may have had the game-winning score, but it was Isaiah Langley powering the Crusaders through most of the game. The running back did most of his damage on special teams by returning two first-half punts for touchdowns, including one for 75 yards. “(Langley) has been our home run hitter all year long,” Suess said. “He’s going to be fun to watch at the next level.”
Suess and the rest of Crusaders closed out their season the following week with a 48-0 win in the championship against the West County Tigers of the North Bay Youth Football Conference on Dec. 5 in Santa Rosa.
Chris Scott/CalSportPhoto.com
San Ramon Bears quarterback Kyle Kearns tries to break loose from a San Leandro defender. Kearns threw for 162 yards and a touchdown in the 22-16 loss.
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RED ZONE Here’s a brief look at the four NCS football finals of Dec. 10-11. Dec. 10 ■ Division III, Cardinal NewmanSanta Rosa vs. Encinal, Rancho Cotate High, Rohnert Park, 7 p.m. After dropping its second game of the season, Encinal (12-1) has rolled to 11
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NCS Championship Glance
straight wins and, after knocking off top seed Marin Catholic, could garner a CIF state bowl invite if it beats Cardinal Newman (10-3). Dec. 11 ■ Division I, De La Salle vs. California, Oakland Coliseum, 4 p.m. The Grizzlies of California (12-1) get
what they wanted — one more crack at the Spartans (12-0), which enter the game as the state’s top-ranked team according to CalHiSports.com. Cal stood tall in its first meeting with De La Salle, trailing just 23-17 in the fourth quarter before losing 31-17. History is not in Cal’s favor as the Spartans try for a 19th consecutive NCS crown. The game will air live on Comcast California. ■ Division II, Concord vs. Rancho Cotate-Rohnert Park, Oakland Coliseum, 7 p.m. For Concord (12-1), this is its first trip to an NCS championship since 1989. So, it’s kind of a big deal. Both teams lost their first games of the season and have won 12 straight to reach the final. The Cougars reached the championship by avenging that first-game loss, defeating Pinole Valley 24-7. ■ Division IV, Salesian vs. Middletown, Alhambra High, 7 p.m. It’s a big game for Salesian (10-2), but an even bigger one for Middletown. The
Butch Noble
Ricky Lloyd of Concord. Mustangs (12-1) might very well get a CIF small school bowl bid with a victory. The two teams met before on Sept. 10 with the Pride winning 57-52. Middletown proceeded to shut out eight of its next 12 opponents. ✪ — SportStars
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tee2green
Perfect pitch: A focus on how to execute the short-game shot Over the past few columns we’ve been discussing what to focus on when it comes to practicing the short game. We left off at the chip shot. Once the chip shot is clearly understood in its concept and set up, all that is left is the execution. Whenever the ball needs to be landed softly with the roll on the green minimized, alternative shots then need to be played. The bump-and-run is a shot that typically lands short of the green (the bump) and then bounces up and will roll the rest of the way to the hole. This shot is usually selected when landing it onto the putting service is too risky and the ball cannot stop in time. You play the bump-and-run like a chip shot, using less loft then a sand wedge and the leading with the hands. I only use this when I can not picture the shot landing onto the green and stopping in time. The lie may also dictate when I need to play it. Mostly, I can pitch or lob the ball and have it settle down before releasing past the hole. The difference between a pitch and a lob shot is the height the ball flies. It is important that you understand
notes from the pros the difference because often times golfers try to hit the ball higher than necessary — which takes more skill and practice time. Rarely will you need to actually play a lob unless
Dave De Long
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tee2green the greens are hard and fast. In pitching the ball, I like to use a sand wedge with a slightly open face. This helps me to hit it a little higher and get the ball to stop rolling so far. I like a narrow stance with the ball slightly up and weight set slightly forward. Never try to lift the ball in the air by tilting back, keep your weight forward and pivot toward the target while again leading with the hands. ✪ Notes From The Pros is a regular feature compiled by Gary Xavier (Northern California Junior Golf sports administrator) and Dave DeLong (PGA professional and director of instruction at Boundary Oak GC). Contact them at the following addresses: ddelongolf@aol. com or gxavier@pgahq.com.
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game day
BOYS BASKETBALL
Dec. 18 — Northgate at Las Lomas, 7 p.m. Sure, there are a few pretty important football games being played down south on this Saturday. But for those who are stuck up North, we might suggest taking in the hardwood version of the Battle of the Creek. The nonleague showdown between the two Division II teams features a matchup of two very good scorers, Treaven Duffy (pictured) of Las Lomas and Northgate newcomer Zach Corby.
wrestling
Bob Larson
Dec. 21-22 — Lou Bronzan Invitational, Liberty High Whether De La Salle’s nationally- and state-ranked Luke Sheridan (pictured, bottom) chooses to wrestle or not, the 27th annual version of this storied tournament still promises to showcase plenty of the area’s best talent on the mats. Preliminary action begins at 11 a.m. on Dec. 21. Wrestling on Day 2 begins a 9 a.m. with the finals slated for 5 p.m.
Bob Larson
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HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE Stocking stuffers ($1-$49.99) It’s the most wonderful time of the year! By now you should have a Christmas tree taking up a chunk of your living room, several gallons of egg nog chugged and enough Christmas carols memorized to sing year round. But there’s still one thing missing: presents! Are you racking your brain thinking of potential gifts to fill your wish list and to send your parents into a shopping frenzy? Let SportStars come to your aid with our Holiday Gift Guide. We’ve divided a real smorgasbord of gifts into three categories: Stocking Stuffers ($1-$49.99), Now We’re Talkin’ ($50-$199.99) and Merry Christmas! ($200+). You’re sure to find something for everyone here. Enjoy. — Erik Stordahl
AB Golf Designs This Christmas, go old school with these throwback head covers for your golf clubs. Choose from a litany of funky colors and make a loud impression on the course. Go to www.abgolfdesigns.com to get your throwback. Price: $25-30
Evolve Golf Epoch Golf Tees Probably the best value gift on here. As low as $5 for a pack of 50, these Epoch tees are no doubt affordable for any shopper, from tikes to granddads. Don’t have $5? We suggest flipping over couch cushions collecting quarters, dimes, nickels. Still short? Then go over to your friends’ houses and flip over their couch cushions. They won’t mind. Sooner or later, you’ll find enough change. www.evolvegolf.com Price: $5 for 50 tees.
M
Now we’re talkin’ ($50-$199.99)
Under Armour, Catalyst Waffle Hoody The season’s over and the offseason has only begun with Under Armour. With this hoody you’ll be better fitted to tackle those grueling five-mile runs and devastating hill climbs at the crack of dawn. Each one is made out of four plastic bottles. We think that’s pretty cool. Check out www.UnderArmour.com for more info. Price: $50 26
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Ritz Camera & Image.
14-in-1 Multigame Table
Of course, you don’t have to spend money at all to get the gifts you want. All you have to do is join the RitzPix Network and you’ll get this Fujifilm FinePix JV150 camera for FREE. Head over to a Ritz Camera or Wolf Camera near you and pick up this camera today. www.ritzpix.com. Price: $99.99 or FREE.
It wasn’t too long ago when a 3-in-1 table was considered out of this world. This 14-in-1 Multigame Table from Sportcraft puts all predecessors to shame. It’s got pool, air hockey, ping pong, soccer and 10 other portable games that will keep you plenty busy during Christmas break. Stop by your local Big 5 Sporting Goods retailer to pick one up. Learn more at www.Big5SportingGoods.com. Price: $199
Adams Golf, Idea Black Super Hybrid What golfer wouldn’t want a driver for Christmas? Big, powerful and robust, this driver gets the job done on the fairways. Leave the rest of your foursome in the dust. Hit up www. adamsgolf.com to learn more. Price: $199.99
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iPod Shuffle These things are so tiny, you could stuff a stocking with a thousand of these. Then of course you’d probably be broke. The hardest thing about this gift may be picking a color. Other than that it’s a can’t-miss holiday item. Visit www.apple.com for more info. Price: $49 LAST CHANCE: Text ‘BIKE’ to 87365 to win!
SportStars 2011 subscription Shameless plug? We think not! For just $24 you get a year’s worth of SportStars delivered to your doorstep. That’s $1 per issue! Not too shabby. www.SportStarsMag. com. Price: $24
VOL. 1. ISSUE 12
FREE
STARRING EAST BAY ATHL NOVEMBER 25, 2010
ON YOUR MARK: Runners set course to state meet.
Pg 10
Clayton Valley’s Alexandra
Tate
NCS title isn’t enough for Campolindo volleyball. Pg 14
Sport Buckle Who needs a wallet when you can put all your cards, money, etc. in your belt buckle? The Sport Buckle eliminates the need for a wallet. Put your ID, credit cards and cash in there and you’re good to go. Check out www. SportBuckle.com for more. Price: $49.95
Merry Christmas ($200+) PS3 Move Bundle
iPad
Perhaps the hottest item on the video game scene right now. Spike a volleyball, shoot a bow and arrow or sink the winning putt with PlayStation Move. PS Move tracks the motions you make with your hands and puts it on the screen making for a realistic gaming experience. Get PS Move with a PlayStation 3. Oh yeah, that also comes with a blu-ray player and 320GB — enough memory to download a chimneyfull of games and movies. Hit up www.us.playstation.com for more. Price: $399.99
Without a doubt the must-have for the holiday season. Surf the interwebs, read a ton of books (just a suggestion), browse through pictures and write all your thank-you emails with this revolutionary, technological beast. Of course getting one of these might mean no Christmas presents for the next 20 years. We think it’s worth it though. www. apple.com Price: $499 for 16GB, $599 (32GB), $699 (120GB)
Xbox Kinect Ladies and gentlemen, it’s time for the most innovative gaming ever. Get Kinected (sorry, couldn’t resist) with Xbox Kinect. Race your friends, dance the night away and get in shape. Here’s the catch: no controllers necessary. Pick up Kinect with an Xbox 360 console. Go to www.xbox.com/kinect to learn more. Price: $399.99
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twenty-four7 BASEBALL Through Dec. 31: Antioch — Batting Cages. For all ages at Golf N Games Family Fun Center. 925-754-5053, www. golfngames.com. Dec. 11-Jan. 14: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Online Registration is Now Open for the 2011 Season! For Spring baseball, softball and challenger divisions. www.wcbaseball.org. Through Jan. 12: Antioch — Antioch Little League’s Spring 2011 Registration. 6-8 p.m. Dec. 8 and Jan 12; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Dec. 11 and Jan. 8 and 15. All at Golf N Games. 925-431-8478, www. antiochlittleleague.com. Dec. 11-Jan 15: Concord — Junior Optimist Baseball/ Softball League registration. At JOBL complex 10 a.m.-noon Dec. 11, Jan. 8; 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Jan. 15. Ages 4-18. 925-8271088, www.eteamz.com/jobl. Jan. 8: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League
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Get Up And Go! 9 a.m.-noon, ages 7-9; 1-4 p.m., ages 10-12. www.wcbaseball.org. Jan. 8: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League In Person Registration Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. @ TBD. www. cvll.org. Jan. 16: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Online Registration Closes. All day event. www.cvll.org. Jan. 22: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League 8-9-YearOld Tryouts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. @ Clayton Valley High School. www.cvll.org. Jan. 22-29: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Tryouts. At Castle Rock Park. www.wcbaseball.org. Jan. 23: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League 10-YearOld Tryouts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. @ Clayton Valley High School. www.cvll.org. Jan. 23: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Juniors Tryouts. Location TBA. www.wcbaseball.org.
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Jan. 29: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League 11- and 12-Year-Old Tryouts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. @ Clayton Valley High School. www.cvll.org. Jan. 30: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Tryouts. 9:15-11:30 a.m., ages 5/6; 11:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m., @ Walnut Creek Intermediate School. www.wcbaseball.org. Feb. 5: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Makeup Tryouts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. @ Clayton Valley High School. www.cvll.org. Feb. 5: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Rainout Make-ups Tryouts. Location and time TBA. www. wcbaseball.org. Feb. 7: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Draft. 5-9 p.m. @ TBD. www.cvll.org. Feb. 22: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Parent Night Majors Baseball & Peanuts. 6-7 p.m. @ TBD. www.cvll.org. Feb. 23: Concord — Clayton
Valley Little League Parent Night Farm & Minors. 6-7 p.m. @ TBD. www.cvll.org. CHALLENGER Dec. 11-Jan. 14: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Online Registration is Open for the 2011 Season! Bob
Akers, RDAKERS3@astound. net; www.wcbaseball.org. FOOTBALL Through Dec. 31: Walnut Creek — WCYF Marauders. Open for registration in the Midget division. Art Thoms, thoms3@ifn.net, 925-786-0721;
www.wcyfmarauders.com. Jan. 28-30: Oakley — Runnin’ Deep Flag Football. At Freedom Basin. Ages 6-16; 5 on 5, 7 on 7. Contact Coach Mike Weisenberg, 925-6252222, DiabloFootball@hotmail. com; www.DiabloFootball.com.
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twenty-four7 FUNDRAISER Through Dec. 24: Pleasant Hill — 28th Annual Christmas Tree Sale to Support the Dolphin Swim Team. For details, call Pleasant Hill Park, 925-682-0896. April 29-May 1: Williams, AZ — Hike for Shelter, Inc.: Conquer The Canyon. 16-week training begins in January. Karen Leffler, 925-323-2996, hike@ shelterincofccc.org; www. shelterincofccc.org/hike.htm. GYMNASTICS Through Dec. 19: Concord — Open Gym. 8-10 p.m. Mon., 7-9 p.m. Thur., 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Sat. For ages 8+. 925-680-9999, info@east baysportsacademy.com; www. eastbaysportsacademy.com. Jan. 3-March 3: Concord — Winter Session. At East Bay Sports Academy. 925680-9999, info@eastbay sportsacademy.com; www. eastbaysportsacademy.com. SOCCER Dec. 20-24 and Dec. 27-31: Santa Clara — Santa Clara Soccer Camps & Clinics. Choices: Advanced, Classic, GK One, U6 Academy. 408-988-6900, www. offthewallsoccer.com. Jan. 23, 27, 30: Concord — Diablo FC’s 2011 Season
Tryouts. U8-U11 in Concord. 925-779-2101, www.diablofc. org. Feb. 20, 24, 27: Concord — Diablo FC’s 2011 Season Tryouts. U12-U14 in Concord. 925-779-2101, www.diablofc. org. SOFTBALL Dec. 11-Jan. 14: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Online Registration is Now Open for the 2011 Season! For Spring baseball, softball and challenger divisions. www.wcbaseball.org. Dec. 12-13: Antioch — East Bay Vipers Softball Association 2010 Spring Tryouts. At Antioch Community Park, James Donlon Blvd. Martin Soares, 925-383-4657, Martin.Soares@sharpusa. com; www.eteamz.com/ eastbayvipers.com. Jan. 8: Walnut Creek — Walnut Creek Little League Get Up And Go! 9 a.m.-noon, ages 7-9; 1-4 p.m., ages 10-12. www.wcbaseball.org. Jan. 8: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League In Person Registration Event. 11 a.m.-2 p.m. @ TBD. www. cvll.org. Jan. 16: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Online Registration Closes. All day event. www.cvll.org.
Jan. 29: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League 11- and 12-Year-Old Tryouts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. @ Clayton Valley High School. www.cvll.org. Feb. 5: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Makeup Tryouts. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. @ Clayton Valley High School. www.cvll.org. Feb. 9: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Draft. 5-9 p.m. @ TBD. www.cvll.org. Feb. 23: Concord — Clayton Valley Little League Parent Night Softball. 6-7 p.m. @ TBD. www.cvll.org. SWIM Through Dec. 31: Concord — Swim Classes in Heated Outdoor Pool for all ages at In-shape. Fees and registration: 925-602-5600, www.inshapeclubs.com. Through Feb. 4: Pleasant Hill — High School Pre-Season I. Open to all high school swimmers. At PH Education Center pool. Registration: 925682-0896, www.pleasanthillrec. com. Dec. 20-29: Pleasant Hill — Lifeguard Training. Ages 15U at PH Education Center Pool. Registration: 925-682-0896, www.pleasanthillrec.com. Jan. 3-Feb. 4: Pleasant Hill — High School Pre-Season II. Open to all high school
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swimmers. At PH Education Center pool. 925-682-0896, www.pleasanthillrec.com. May 7 or 28 or June 4: Concord — Lifeguard Review. 15+, at Concord Community Pool. Prerequisite applies. Info: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-6713404, www.cityofconcord.org. Registration: www.concordreg. org; by fax or at drop-off sites. May 25-28 or June 2-28: Concord — Lifeguard Clinic. 15+, at Concord Community Pool. Prerequisites apply. 10 a.m.-noon and 1-3 p.m. weekdays, 925-671-3404, Registration: www.concordreg. org; by fax or at drop-off sites. TENNIS Through Dec. 31: Pleasanton — Youth Lessons. Ongoing. Bronze Team, ages 7-18; Silver Team, ages 9-16; Gold Team, ages 12-18. Info: 925-9313449, www.lifetimetennis.com. Through Dec. 31: Walnut Creek — Youth Lessons. Ongoing. Beginning to intermediate lessons, ages 7-15. Info: 925-931-3449, www. lifetimetennis.com. Through Dec. 31: Richmond — Tennis Instruction for Youth. Classes Mon.-Thur. at Nichol Park. Info: Recreation Department, 510-620-6793; www.ci.richmond.ca.us.
HEALTH WATCH Continued from page 18 Bottom line — heat is NOT first aid, cold IS first aid. 1. The RICE method. When using first aid for sprains, strains and contusions, follow the RICE acronym. Rest: If it hurts when you do it, you probably shouldn’t be doing it Ice: Apply it for15-20 minutes then off for an hour, repeated as needed Compression: Elastic wrap or sleeve for swelling Elevation: Above the level of the heart for swelling and pain Bruce Valentine is a physical therapist assistant for the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes center in Walnut Creek, a division of Children’s Hospital Oakland. If you have questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes staff at Health@SportStarsMag.com.
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photo finish
Behold, the look of state champions: Mallory Loomis (6) and Anisa Smith (11) yell in excitement and race to center court following the final point of Campolindo’s five-set win over Cathedral Catholic-San Diego in the CIF Division III state championship volleyball match on Dec. 4. Photo by Bob Larson
Want to submit your pic for Photo Finish? Send it to us at editor@SportStarsMag.com Photos must be 300 dpi and at least 10 inches wide in the jpeg format. Please identify every person in the photo and include your contact information. 30
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