DW 37 Nov. 24, 2015
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St. Francis-Sacramento - Water Polo - Senior The Troubadours’ goalkeeper held six-time defending champion Davis in check to help St. Francis win the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship. Minor shut the Blue Devils out in the fourth quarter as junior Sally Ferguson scored twice in the final period to give the Troubadours a come-frombehind 6-5 victory. The win halted Davis’ title streak and earned St. Francis its fourth section water polo championship and first since 2008. Minor and junior Maddy Vine combined to hold opponents to just 11 goals while St. Francis scored 37 goals over three playoff games. Minor recorded 15 wins for the Troubadours this season, including all three postseason victories. Her play in the cage allowed the offense to rally with a pair of goals, including the game-winner in the final minute. Minor made a final save with 15 seconds left in the final and threw her last outlet pass to run out the clock in the win. IN HER OWN WORDS: “It was awesome,” Minor said after the section title win. “Everyone was pumped. We were so into it and playing as a team. There were so many steals, and when that happens it helps everyone on the team for the next possession or defensive stand. It was great.”
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James K. Leash
Three days following the death of a teammate, the Grant football team came together to play football and — through support of others — begin its long healing process
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t was different than any other game hosted at Mike Alberghini Stadium on the Grant High School campus in the Del Paso Heights neighborhood of North Sacramento. On this brisk and cold Monday, Nov. 16, the typical jubilant environment of this tradition-rich community was mute. Local news trucks lined the stadium parking lot. Scores of people carried banners honoring their fallen son, Pacers starting defensive back, Jaulon “JJ” Clavo. Sadness hung over the school as students, players, a school, and a community tried to make sense of the recent death. This rescheduled football playoff game between Grant and Beyer-Modesto was not the focus. Healing was the main event. Clavo was murdered in a senseless moment of chaos on Nov. 13, just hours before Grant’s scheduled Sac-Joaquin Section Division II playoff opener. On that day, JJ and a group of players headed off campus to get a bite to eat. According to Nicole Clavo, JJ’s mother, he was always the life of the party, laughing and smiling. A good-hearted team leader, loved by all, was one of the few players with a car and offered to drive. Moments after leaving a fast food establishment to head back to the school, bullets riddled the side of his car. Unprovoked. Unexplainable. Undeserved. Malik Johnson, a fellow teammate was struck in the arm. JJ was hit in the neck. Less than a mile or two from the stadium, the boys headed back to the one refuge they knew was safe, their high school football stadium where Coach Mike Alberghini would be. Alberghini, who for 47 years has been a longstanding pillar of competition, consistency, and
Grant coach Mike Alberghini
By Jason Harper | Photos By James K. Leash
hard-love compassion, had created a refuge for students in a neighborhood with a marred reputation for drugs and gang violence. Coaches, players and students all tried to help. A call was placed to 911 and they comforted the wounded. Shortly after arriving at the hospital, JJ died. Alberghini has toiled for years trying to teach athletes that they are first and foremost students who can graduate and make a meaningful contribution to society in life. Monday night, weathered and worn with overwhelming emotion, Alberghini had his toughest assignment of his career: to get the community in a position to begin healing. It started with honoring JJ in the place where he excelled. Healing would begin in this very stadium. “JJ was a wonderful kid, always smiling, loving life. We had to play this game. It’s part of life. It’s my job to keep this team together,” Alberghini said as his voice cracked in emotion. Prior to the teams taking the field, more teams arrived. In the south end of the stadium, the Rocklin High football team entered in uniform led by its coach Greg Benzel. A few moments passed and Jesuit-Carmichael coach Marlon Blanton and his Marauders arrived. Teams continued to show up, including players and coaches from Sheldon-Sacramento, Del Oro-Loomis and American River College. “I think it is important to support the Pacers,” Blanton said. “At the end of the day we are all humans. We care and love each other. “We are educating youth and when someone dies, it’s a tragedy. I love what Coach Alberghini does in this community. This is a game of football, but tonight, it is really about life.” Alberghini stood stoic, having shed scores of tears since Friday, while hovering in small private circles of broken-hearted players. “At Rocklin, we knew we had to be here,” Benzel said. “As a team we came to offer our love and support. When one player hurts in this community, we all hurt. Being here right now is the most important place our players could be.” Grant kicked off to Beyer. When Grant’s defense took the field, only 10 ran out. A hush came over the stadium in respect of the first play Grant would make without JJ. In the truest form of sportsmanship, Beyer’s offense took a delay of game penalty as Johnson, Clavo’s good friend, walked to his fallen teammate’s cornerback position in street clothes. Draped over his back was the #5 jersey that belonged to Clavo. Casey Taylor, head coach at Del Oro, and his staff stood in respect from the Pacer’s end zone. “All of us coaches that are here know that when all else fails, we are educators who are trying to teach student athletes compassion and empathy for others.” Taylor said. “Yes, we compete, but when one of us in the competition community hurts, we all hurt.” Mike Morris, the athletic director for Rio Linda High stood and pondered the senseless death. “I don’t know how they can focus and coach tonight amidst this tragedy,” he said. “But they are doing it for the kids. As a parent and a coach, this kind of thing chokes you up.” Alberghini and his Pacers played hard and with great energy to advance to the second round of the CIF playoffs against Granite Bay with a 35-0 win over Beyer. “I spent so much time crying over the weekend that it was hard to rally,” Alberghini said in between hugging well-wishers, his eyes bloodshot. From afar, a fan yelled, “Alby, we are with you and are Pacers for life.” With an exhausted, tired and raspy voice, Alberghini responded, “No. Tonight, we remember that we are here to love and lead and coach kids for life.” ✪
TOP: Malik Johnson, second from left, and Nicole Clavo walk arm-in-arm as they lead Grant’s team onto the field. MIDDLE: Players from both Grant and Beyer unite for a postgame prayer. BOTTOM: Grant’s David Moala (8), Jemel Johnson (1) and James Majors (15) hold up five fingers as a tribute to JJ Clavo.
UPDATE: THE NEXT GAME
The End of
Normal
TOP: Grant players raise their five fingers as pregame balloons are released by Nicole Clavo, JJ’s mom. MIDDLE: Rocklin football players watch the game, attending to support Grant and its community. BOTTOM: One of many banners and signs of support surrounding the field.
For Grant Union High School and the Del Paso Heights community, football is a way of life. And playoff football for the Pacers is the norm as the team advanced to the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs under head coach Mike Alberghini for a 25th consecutive season. But life and normal at Grant was tragically disrupted. On November 21, a little more than one week after senior cornerback — and team and campus leader — Jaulon “JJ” Clavo was senselessly gunned down just a mile from school, the Pacers’ season and section title hopes came to an end. When visiting Granite Bay rallied in the fourth quarter for a comefrom-behind 24-21 victory in the second round of the section Division II playoffs, the finality of the loss of a game was secondary to a much more significant loss suffered by the Pacers, Grant High and the entire Del Paso Heights community. “I felt bad for them,” Granite Bay quarterback Brad Fina said of witnessing the emotions of Pacers’ players following the Grizzlies’ quarterfinal win. “You could see the emotion on the players’ faces.” Through three quarters, it looked like Grant was headed to another section semifinal and another week of normalcy. But then Fina and the Grizzlies outscored the Pacers 21-0 over the final 12 minutes. “To give them the best game possible would bring healing through competition,” said Granite Bay head coach Jeff Evans. “The game could be the beginning of normalcy. “At the end of the game, we honored them. We hugged them and shook their hands. JJ’s mom (Nicole Clavo) was one of the first to congratulate us at midfield. She wished us well and thanked us for a great game. She brought tears to my eyes because of her strength.” While the lights have been turned off on the Grant Pacers’ 2015 season, the light that JJ Clavo brought to his team and the football field will continue to shine through the rest of the Div. II teams that will play on with the Clavo family, Grant High and the Del Paso Heights community in their hearts and on their minds. “We are all just one community,” said Rocklin two-way star Chase Hatada, who leads the Thunder into a Div. II semifinal with Antelope on Nov. 27. Granite Bay wore blue and yellow No. 5 stickers on its helmets for the game and will continue to wear them in support of Clavo and the Grant team for the remainder of the playoffs. The Grizzlies face Del Oro-Loomis in the other Div. II semifinal on Nov. 27. For now, that is the norm teams and supporters will embrace. ✪ — Jason Harper & Jim McCue
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FIVE CAN’T-MISS SEMIS In addition to Foothill at Antioch, here are five more semifinals that are worth catching if happening near you. ›› Sac-Joaquin Section (Division I): Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (10-2) at Elk Grove (12-0) — Elk Grove’s Ryan Robards is a seemingly unstoppable force, but it’s the Thundering Herd’s defense that will have to answer the call against Oak Ridge’s Notre Dame-bound QB Ian Book.
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Linebacker Fine Hafoka (42) tackles Pittsburg Isaiah Turner in the end zone for an Antioch safety on Nov. 7.
hill has surrendered more than 19 points t’s been a season of firsts for the Antioch High football team. just twice over its first 11 games. However, The Panthers went undefeated in they haven’t faced an offensive weapon the regular season for the first time as dangerous as Antioch five-star running since 1977. They won their first league back Najee Harris. The Alabama-commit championship of any kind for the first time enters the game with 33 touchdowns, 60 since 1983. They hosted their first playoff two-point conversions and has scored 20 game since the 1990s. or more points in seven of the team’s 11 Following a 58-21 North Coast Section games. Division I quarterfinal win over Amador Foothill has its own weapons as well, Valley-Pleasanton on Nov. 20, Antioch including all-purpose running back Isaiah coach John Lucido got to prepare for Floyd, big-play wide receiver Ruben another first. Mercado, sure-handed big-target tight end Foothill’s Isaiah Floyd Matt Gates and blossoming sophomore “I’ve been waiting a long time to hold a practice on Thanksgiving morning,” Lucido quarterback Ben Wooldridge. said over the phone prior to his team’s Nov. 24 practice. “We “I think it’s going to be up to our defense,” Lucido surhaven’t got a chance to do that yet.” mised. “We feel our offense can put points on the board, so The Panthers (11-0) will have a pre-Turkey gathering to we need to worry about stopping their balanced attack. They prepare for their semifinal showdown with an undefeated are very quick off the line. They get off the ball and don’t Foothill-Pleasanton team on Nov. 28. The Falcons (11-0) stop. I think a lot of people overlook that because they have enter the matchup as the No. 12-ranked team in the state, players like Floyd and Mercado.” according to CalHiSports.com. Antioch is ranked No. 13. Antioch’s defense has made big plays when it’s had to in The two programs couldn’t have a more contrasted recent 2015. That was never more apparent then in its rival game history. Foothill is a perennial playoff team which hosted a at Pittsburg on Nov. 7 when the Panthers defense scored 14 Div. I semifinal just last season, losing to Pittsburg 10-7 in a points (two TDs and a safety) to help lead a stirring comerain-drenched slugfest. The Falcons are led by one of the East back victory that clinched the Bay Valley Athletic League Bay’s most successful coaches over the past three decades, championship. Matt Sweeney. In fact, Foothill’s 45-14 quarterfinal win over Eells Stadium, completely renovated and re-opened just this Freedom-Oakley was career win No. 250 for Sweeney. season, hasn’t hosted a game this big in several years. The An“We know Foothill is a good team and extremely welltioch campus and surrounding community is at a fever pitch, but Lucido doesn’t see much change in his players. “They’re coached,” Lucido said. “They don’t make mistakes and they on a mission,” the coach said. “They haven’t changed anydo a lot of things very well.” One of the things the Falcons do well is play defense. Foot- thing. They’re enjoying the moment. They’re ready.”
›› North Coast Section (Div. II): Concord (9-3) at Miramonte-Orinda (11-1) — Miramonte should be cautioned not to take Concord lightly. The Minutemen have won six of their last seven, and the one loss was to state-Top 10 team Clayton Valley Charter-Concord (and Concord led at halftime). ›› Sac-Joaquin Section (Div. III): Inderkum-Sacramento (12-0) at Oakdale (11-1) — Two proud programs, Inderkum has already scored 125 points in two playoff games; Oakdale has allowed just 47 in its two postseason efforts. Something will have to give. ›› Central Coast Section (Open Div. III): Archbishop RiordanS.F. (8-3) at Palma-Salinas (10-1) — The senior-laden Riordan group is battle tested from the grueling West Catholic Athletic League, but Palma just knows how to win in the playoffs. ›› North Coast Section (Div. IV): Moreau Catholic-Hayward (11-1) at Marin Catholic-Kentfield (10-1) — Perhaps the most fascinating matchup of the weekend, can upstart Moreau Catholic and superback Jullen Ison push a Marin Catholic team that hasn’t lost since its season opener on Aug. 29? Don’t be surprised if they do.
Play at the
Palace Rocklin’s premier basketball facility is beginning a new year-round youth league
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ardwood Palace in Rocklin is thrilled to announce the addition of their new year-round youth basketball league, Hardwood Hoops, which will start this winter. Focusing on player development and skill improvement in a fun, organized and convenient environment is what Hardwood Hoops will deliver for children ages 4 to 17 years old. All practices and games will take place at the beautiful Hardwood Palace facility from Monday through Thursday evenings. All games will be on Friday evenings leaving your weekends free for you and your family. Grant Yamasaki, Hardwood Palace Youth League Director,
is excited about bringing a top-quality basketball program to the Placer Valley. “Over the years, we have built Hardwood Palace into one of the main destinations for competitive weekend tournaments in Northern California,” Yamasaki said. “(We) have now decided to begin a youth league which will be built on the foundation of great organization, communication and fun.” Hardwood Palace has a solid reputation of being a state-ofthe-art facility with its padded spectator benches, flat screen televisions, electronic scoreboards, café and sky-view mezzanine that allows visitors to watch games from above the action. Adding the youth league will enhance the basketball
CUP RUNS FULL
opportunities they are committed to providing. “People love our big, beautiful eight-court facility and we can’t wait for our new youth league to thrive and get the positive feedback that our tournaments do,” Yamasaki said. “We hope you choose our youth league for your kids to join.” Hardwood Hoops has also partnered with I’m Possible Training for basketball players 3rd grade to high school who are looking for an extra edge. With their league registration players have the opportunity to take advantage of this special training either weekly or monthly at a discounted rate. The winter session runs Jan. 15-March 4 and sign-ups are available at www.hardwoodpalace.com. You can save $10 off your registration by signing up and entering the coupon code HOOPS by Dec. 1. ✪
The sun was shining, the fields freshly mowed and once again Placer Valley proved to be the perfect setting for one of the largest and most competitive youth soccer tournaments of the fall season in Northern California — the Placer United Girls Cup. With a 20-plus year history, this tournament is one that many teams have on their calendar before the season even begins. Open to U11 to U19 competitive girls teams, Placer United Soccer Club, adidas and local corporate sponsor, the Roseville Auto Mall, delivered a weekend full of amazing soccer that was played over the course of three days from Oct. 23-25. Due to a record number of teams competing — 214 to be exact — 32 fields throughout Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, Loomis and Elverta were utilized to accommodate this huge tournament. Jodi Tarr, Club Administrator for Placer United Soccer Club, was thrilled with the overall success of the event. “The tournament was great, we had wonderful volunteers, fabulous weather and great competitions,” she said. The competitive brackets were broken down into Super, Premier, Gold and Silver divisions to allow for the best match-ups possible in each age group. Several games ended in ties forcing nail-biting penalty kick-offs to determine a winner. Tarr added, “When all was said and done we crowned 25 champions.” Go to www.placerunited.com to see a full list of the results and to learn more about Placer United Soccer Club. ✪ — Copy and photos provided by Placer Valley Tourism
WOODWARD WATCH LIST Here’s a list of NorCal teams and runners with a chance to make an impact at the CIF State Cross Country Championships at Woodward Park in Fresno on Nov. 28. TOP BOYS TEAMS Bellarmine-San Jose — The Bells are coming off a Central Coast Section Division I championship in which they placed five runners inside the Top 10. They are led by Mark Beaudoin and Matt Richardson. Monte Vista-Danville — Tim Christman and Tristan Miller finished first and third, respectively, to lead the Mustangs to a North Coast Section Div. I title. Jesuit-Carmichael — The Marauders captured the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title, led by a runner-up finish by junior Benjamin Holland. Campolindo-Moraga — The Cougars, boys or girls, are always a safe bet to factor in Fresno. This team is coming off an NCS Div. III title with all five runners finishing among Top 20. Other teams to watch: Davis (Div. I), DrakeSan Anselmo (Div. IV), Saratoga (Div. III) and St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda (Div. V). INDIVIDUAL TO MARK: Cooper Teare (St. Joseph Notre Dame, Jr.) — The Pilots’ star comes in on the heels of 32 second victory in the NCS Div. V race. TOP GIRLS TEAMS Davis — The fate of a very deep Blue Devils’ team will hinge on whether senior and two-time defending state-champ Fiona O’Keeffe is healthy enough to run at or near her best. Bella Vista-Fair Oaks — The Broncos return nearly the entire roster from the team which claimed second place at in the CIF Div. I race last year, including Kendall Derry (5th at state in 2014) and 2015 SJS Div. II runner-up Cessair McKinney. Aptos — Led by senior Matti Peoples, the Mariners placed five runners inside the Top 8 en route to a CCS Div. III crown. Granada-Livermore — Megan McCandless and the Matadors made things look easy en route to an NCS Div. II title. OTHER TEAMS TO WATCH: Monte Vista-Danville (Div. I), Piedmont (Div. IV) and Santa Cruz (Div. IV). INDIVIDUALS TO MARK: Chloe Hansel (Las Lomas-Walnut Creek, Sr.), Rylee Bowen (Sonoma Academy, So.) and Brooke Starn (Monte Vista-Danville, Sr.) — Hansel is the defending Div. III state champ; Bowen is the defending Div. V state champ and Starn has been among NCS’ most-consistent runners throughout her career.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following feature on Davis cross country star Fiona O’Keeffe first ran in the October print issue of SportStars. We’re running it again here as a ramp-up to the CIF Cross County State Championship meet on Nov. 28 in Fresno. O’Keeffe will be seeking her third straight state title, but will be doing so at less than 100 percent. She sat out of both Sac-Joaquin Section championship events to rest some tendonitis and a sore calf. The Davis team still won SJS titles in her absence, and is very much a threat to win a state crown upon her return.
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ace is vital for distance runners. One’s speed, strength and place are most important at the finish line rather than the start of the race. Davis High School cross country coach Bill Gregg has always been careful to monitor his runners’ and team’s pace throughout a season to ensure his Blue Devils are peaking when it matters most. “We will be looking at Stanford, Clovis, and Mt. SAC to see where we are at,” Gregg said of early season invitationals where the Davis girls team will be assessing themselves against some of the top competition in the state. “We are always trying to be mindful to not be too fast too early in the season because our mission every year is not to be fast, but to be running our best as a team.” The traditional powerhouse program is strong this year, and has aspirations to claim its 13th Sac-Joaquin Section title and second in three years. In 2013, the Blue Devils claimed the Division I section crown, finished second at the CIF State Cross Country Championships, and qualified for the Nike Cross Nationals (NXN). With a solid top four that includes juniors Sofia Castiglioni and Abbey Fisk and sophomore Olivia O’Keeffe, Gregg believes that a great finish to the season is within reach. “I am feeling pretty good with what we have seen early in the season, but we are still in the process of identifying our 5-7 runners and closing the gap between the times for our No. 4 and 5 through 7,” Gregg said. “We would like to try to get on the podium at State, and I don’t think that is out of the realm of possibility.” Not when the Blue Devils have Fiona O’Keeffe lining up alongside them. Fiona O’Keeffe entered 2015 as a three-time SJS champion and two-time CIF State Division I individual champion. She recently led Davis to a team title at the De La Salle Invitational in Concord while breaking a 19-year-old course record that was held by three-time state champion Julia Stamps from Santa Rosa. Her time of 16:41 was 24 seconds faster than her winning time on the course in 2014, and the defending state champion looks faster and better than ever. While the fast pace might be of some concern to
Gregg, he sees his star making a natural progression from freshman upstart to a senior with unlimited potential. “She has continued to improve and her career arc from freshman to senior year goes hand in hand with some of the best distance runners I’ve seen,” the veteran coach said. “She has great potential to compete at a high level collegiately and also at the national and international level if that is what she wants to do.” The progression for O’Keeffe was a natural transition from constant running as a soccer midfielder to the more peaceful distance running on the track and trails. Fiona first focused on running in middle school and quickly learned to combine her natural gifts with the passion that she found for the sport. “I think part of it is genetic,” said O’Keeffe, whose parents, Malcolm and Liv, both ran competitively as student-athletes, “but probably what makes me good is how much I love it and the kind of coaching that I have gotten.” That gradual progress over the years has added up for O’Keeffe to the point that she is literally and figuratively lapping the field of competitors. As a junior, she distanced herself from the competition often, claiming the SJS Cross Country Division I individual championship by setting a course record and finishing nearly a minute and a half ahead of the next runner. In the spring, she sprinted past the field in the 3,200-meter run at the SJS Masters to set a meet record and finish nearly a full minute ahead of the rest of the section’s
top distance runners. “I had an idea that she would be good based on some times she had in the 1500 in middle school, and I could see the potential,” Gregg said. “As her freshman year unfolded, I could see that the potential was real and that she could do some big things.” O’Keeffe would win the SJS Div. I individual title as a freshman and finish sixth in the Division I race at the state meet, but it was not until she won the Stanford Invitational as a sophomore that she realized just how good she might be. It was then that she believed she could continue the tradition and perhaps raise the profile of the Davis girls cross country program. With predecessors that include the program’s only other CIF State Cross Country champion and section 3,200-meter record holder Laurynne Chetelat, section track and field champions Sarah West and Sophie Meads, and high school and college stars Chelsea Reilly and Kaitlin Gregg. O’Keeffe had plenty of inspiration and motivation to rise to the top of her field. “I had always heard about these great runners that had gone through the (Davis) program, and the great coaching,” she said. “Then, when I came into the program as a freshman, I realized what a great, fun community it was.” “I have met Kaitlin and Chelsea, and they are very inspirational because they have been very consistent over the years and worked steadily toward their goals.” O’Keefe’s goals for her senior year put the team first, but the Blue Devils’ chances to win section or state team titles begin with her ability to lead the field to the finish line every time out. “I think that it’s fair to say that a state championship for Fiona is the mission, but our focus is always on the team’s progression and success first,” Gregg said. “We don’t talk about (winning a third consecutive CIF State Division I individual title) or about breaking records because that’s not our focus during the season, but we are aware of those. There are some marks to shoot for, but we are not setting objectives based on history or records.” A third Division I state title would put O’Keeffe in rare company if she reached the Woodward Park finish line first on November 28 in Fresno. While there have been three four-time state champions, O’Keefe could become just the third three-time Division I champion, potentially joining Stamps and Deena Drossin from Agoura. There are still plenty of races to be run in the present and near future, but Gregg understands he is witnessing greatness and believes his star runner may just be getting started. “I hope that I can help her get to the right college where she can continue to grow as a runner and where they can help her reach her goals,” he said. “She could be one of the great young female American distance runners in the next 5-10 years.” ✪
get mental: erika carlson
Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence in Sports Performance in Pleasanton.
Healing from injury takes as much mental strength as it does physical It’s no secret that injury rates in youth sports are exploding. ACL tears have gotten a lot of attention in the media. According to US Youth Soccer, females are indeed more susceptible to ACL injuries; most studies report that females are four to eight times more likely to tear this ligament. With the majority of my clients being elite female athletes, sadly I see too many injured athletes in my office. Over the last three years I have even hosted injured athletes group sessions to help athletes deal with the mental side of their injury. The mental side of injury can be tricky, some say even more tricky than dealing with the physical side. Why? Because it’s invisible. When a physical injury occurs and the associated pain is present, you can touch it, feel it and create timelines for its expected recovery. It’s a process — a well understood process. On the other hand, most athletes never get any help with the mental issues that come along with major injury. Thinking often sounds like this, “Will I ever be as good as I was?” “Will I lose my place on the team?” “Will my knee ever be strong enough?” “Will I get injured again?” Emotionally, athletes feel sad and depressed that they can’t train hard and get on the field to compete. They feel a strong sense of loss and sometimes excluded from their team, training, and friends. Additionally, they have often lost their No. 1 coping mechanism — exercise. Ironically, as athletes make good progress on their physical healing, often times the mental and emotional issues get worse. Adding further insult to injury are the well-intended people surrounding the athlete. “You’ll be better soon!” “You’re getting around just fine!” “You’re tough, you’ll be fine!” What is meant to be helpful and supportive, can leave the injured athlete feeling alienated and alone ... “They just don’t get it.” How can an athlete best navigate the mental and emotional side of injury rehabilitation and recovery? ›› Program confidence — Your Physical Therapist will be your guide through your rehabilitation. This should be someone you like and trust. There are lots of good ones out there, find an excellent one. ›› Stick to your plan — Do every thing you need to do and nothing you don’t. ›› Physical confidence — Build and believe in your body. As your body makes progress, add in positive self-talk (“I feel strong!” “I can complete my whole workout.” “I’m ready to run!”) ›› Return to sport confidence — This can be the scariest of all phases. Take it one step at a time. No contact, light contact and finally, full contact. YOU WILL succeed. Believe it! ›› Get social support — Finding others who are going through, or who have been through, the process can be your best bet. It’s a tough journey, but many athletes have been through it successfully. ›› Prepare for adversity before it strikes — Mental toughness is the key to a successful journey through sport. When adversity strikes — especially injury — managing your mental game can be the key to a successful rehabilitation and return to sport. ✪
Previous year’s record in parenthesis 1. Modesto Christian (30-4): The Crusaders have been NorCal Open Division contenders in all three years of the playoff format’s existence. Point guard Christian Ellis begins his final year running the offense, but he may be called upon to be more of a scorer this season. Senior Robinson Idehen, who was not transfer-eligible last year until January, had an immediate impact inside and grew into a force throughout his shortened season. Coach Richard Midgley, who led the Crusaders to a state championship berth in 2000-01 as a player, hopes to have the pieces to make another deep postseason run. 2. Moreau Catholic-Hayward (23-7): Led by three-year starter and athletic Cal-bound wing, Oscar Frayer, the Monarchs — with plenty more returning talent in Damari Milstead, Brandon Lawrence and Terrell Brown —are poised to be the most dangerous team in the East Bay.
Previous year’s record in parenthesis 1. St. Mary’s-Stockton (34-1): If ever a preseason ranking qualified as a no-brainer, this would be the one. The Rams are the consensus No. 1 in the state AND nation. The reasons are many, but it starts with 6-3 all-everything sophomore Acquira DeCosta. Senior Mi’Cole Cayton adds experience and talent to the backcourt; Kat Tudor is one of the best pure shooters in California, and those three names are just the tip of the St. Mary’s iceberg. When all that talent is combined with Tom Gonsalves’ intense and demanding coaching, and an unorthodox system that baffles even the most experienced coaches, you get a national powerhouse. 2. Miramonte-Orinda (30-3): Sabrina Ionescu gets most of the attention, and deservedly so, but she’s far from the only weapon in Kelly Sopak’s arsenal. He’s got Division I players up and down the roster, but an emerging star is diminutive sophomore Clair Steele, who hit big shot after big shot down the stretch last season.
3. De La Salle-Concord (27-5): With legendeary coach Frank Allocco having moved on to the college ranks, it will be fun to see how this talented Spartans team — featuring Jordan Ratinho and Nikhil Peters, among others — will take shape under former Allocco pupil, A.J. Kuhle (who arrives FROM the college ranks). 4. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (20-11): The Monarchs graduated just five from their CIF Division II NorCal champion roster. They did lose talented wing Sebastian Much to a transfer, but senior center Ben Kone and junior sharpshooter Kyle Peterson still lead a talented bunch. 5. Sacramento (28-6): All the pieces are in place for this Dragons group to follow through on the championship potential many spotted three years ago when the core of this group — center Solomon Young and combo guard Christian Terrell — joined the varsity as freshmen.
3. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (25-6): Sue Phillips has coached some fabulous teams, and some fabulous players, but this year’s team might be one of her best. There are five players six feet or taller, but they’re not all posts – and the youngest, freshman Haley Jones, will join sophomore Karisma Ortiz, also 6-0, in a killer backcourt rotation.
Robinson Idehen of No. 1 Modesto Christian
6. Folsom (28-5): Saint Mary’s-bound point guard Jordan Ford is now a senior and already has 60 wins under his belt. The Bulldogs are just fine in his hands.
9. Salesian-Richmond (19-11): The growing pains should be over for this talented bunch after just two players graduated from a 19-win team a season ago.
5. McClatchy-Sacramento (27-7): Most teams, even defending Division I state champs like McClatchy, would be shattered by losing a player like 6-3 Gigi Garcia (Washington) to an ACL injury — but with another elite player, Courtesy Clark, transferred in, don’t expect much of a dropoff. Jordan Cruz is another top-shelf talent. 6. Vanden-Fairfield (30-4): Some key seniors moved out, senior Kiana Moore and junior Julia Blackshell-Fair lead a host of talent – and that talent always plays hard.
7. St. Francis-Mountain View (22-6): Returning first-team AllMercury News guard Curtis Witt returns along with 6-foot-9 UC Davisbound post, Peter Hewitt, and 6-5 forward Noah Stapes. 8. Capital Christian-Sacramento (27-9): The defending CIF Div. IV NorCal champions are loaded with returning talent, including Tiegen Jones, Zachary and Ryan Chappell and Mekhi Williams.
4. Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (25-9): Guards Asha Thomas (Cal) and Aisia Robertson (Kansas) graduated, but most everybody else returns for the defending CIF Div. III state champs. Seniors Aerial Chavarin, Mylah Andrade will get plenty of help from All-State junior guard Myah Pace.
7. Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. (18-11): So the Irish lost 11 games last year, and star A’Shanti Coleman graduated and are still No. 7? Yes, and not just because of high-scoring Iimar’i Thomas.
Aquira DeCosta of No. 1 St. Mary’s-Stockton
10. Sheldon-Sacramento (21-8): With SJS sanctions and drama in the rear view, the Huskies are poised for a big resurgence with their top four scorers returning, including Devin Greene and Matt Manning.
8. Brookside Christian-Stockton (27-4): Washington-bound senior guard Aaron McDonald is one of NorCal’s most dynamic players, able to beat good teams pretty much by herself. She’ll get help though.
9. Salesian-Richmond (28-4): East Bay foes keep waiting for Salesian to come back to the pack, but USC-bound guard Minyon Moore just kept the train rolling. Don’t expect it to derail this year. 10. Pinewood-Los Altos Hills (24-4): Pinewood, the smallest school in this top 20, has always used the 3-pointer as a great equalizer. Might be best shooting team Pinewood has ever had.
11. Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (28-4)
16. Woodcreek-Roseville (27-6)
11. Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (26-7)
16. Berkeley (23-10)
12. Monte Vista-Danville (27-4)
17. Serra-San Mateo (23-6)
12. Sacramento (18-10)
17. Carondelet-Concord (26-4)
13. Manteca (22-8)
18. Campolindo-Moraga (28-5)
13. St. Francis-Sacramento (20-8)
18. Inderkum-Sacramento (24-4)
14. Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. (17-12)
19. Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (30-4)
14. St. Mary’s-Berkeley (23-9)
19. Lincoln-Stockton (23-5)
15. El Cerrito (29-4)
20. Jesuit-Sacramento (17-11)
15. Antelope (27-3)
20. Enterprise-Redding (22-6)
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A chalk rendering of slain Grant High football player JJ Clavo on the sidewalk outside the stadium gates prior to the team’s playoff opener on Monday, November 23. Photo by JAMES K. LEASH