SEPTEMBER 2022 VOL. 13 ISSUE 212 NORCAL EDITION
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They are offering a New Officials Training Symposium in October, and exploring other options to boost participation as well. Be sure to check it out.
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Every parent, coach, player and fan out there can 100 percent do their part to improve the situa tion. Simply treat officials with respect. There’s a way to tell an official you disagree with his or her call without disrespecting that person. It’s not easy in the heat of the moment, but it’s doable.
We
Read Me. Recycle Me.
Anyway, like I mentioned, this reporter wasn’t new to the profession. He consulted the inter webs and discovered that both football teams were listed as home teams on different sites. He tried the other campus and found football players, coaches, student sections and cheerleaders. No geese.
There were also referees at this campus. Which turned out to be the reason why the geese had the other campus all to themselves.
had something unusual happen to one of our writers recently.
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As our reporter learned, he wasn’t crazy. The game had been moved as a result of the officials shortage across high school sports. One officials association was spread too thin, so the game was moved to a region that had more.
And it’s way better than watching geese. ✪
So the next time you’re enjoying a Friday night under the lights, or an intense five-set volleyball match, just remember that they can’t happen without officials.
That’s not just home field advantage lost for the coaches and players, but it’s also revenue lost for that school and program.
Amateur officials and referees are dwindling because they aren’t appreciated. Instead, they’re verbally berated and sometimes even physically assaulted. The torment isn’t worth the nominal game checks. It’s driving long-time officials into early retirement and discouraging prospective ones from signing up.
You could also raise your own hand to give it a try. One of our partners, the Northern Califor nia Volleyball Association, has an article in this issue on Page 6 about things they are trying to bring new officials into their game.
So as high school sports fans, if you’ve heard talk of an officials shortage, believe it. It’s a thing. To our knowledge here at SportStars, there haven’t been any games canceled yet. But as you can see, some schools are losing home games because of it.
This Vol. #13, September 2022, Whole No. 212 is published by GoSportzStars Media LLC, PO Box 741, Clayton, CA 94517. SportStars™© 2010-2014 by Caliente! Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. Receive FREE Digital Subscription in your inbox. Subscribe at SportStarsMag. com. To receive sample issues, please send $3 per copy, or $8 total for bulk. Back issues are $4 each. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Publisher is strictly prohibited. The staff and management, including Board of Directors, of SportStars™© does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes. Editorial contributions, photos and letters to the editor are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor. All material should be typed, double-spaced on disk or email and will be handled with reasonable care. For materials return, please enclose a stamped, selfaddressed envelope. SportStars™© and STARS!™© Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente! Communications, LLC.
YOUR TICKET TO CALIFORNIA SPORTS ADMIT ONE; RAIN OR SHINE
A veteran reporter with more than 15 years of experience showed up to cover a football game — and the only thing on the field was a gaggle of geese. Yes, gaggle is the term. Who knew? I didn’t. Google told me.
LACK OF REFS: It’s A Thing
Aaron11.15.12Cochran
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— a 6-foot-8, 350-pound offensive lineman from Buhach Colony High in Atwarter — is left in focus while the Thunder’s two running backs, Stefon Gold and Leon Miles blur from behind. The trio was a key part to the team’s 10-3 record that season. Cochran went on to a four-year career at Cal. Miles is now an assistant on the Buhach Colony coaching staff.
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The one-day event will spend the first half of the day in a hands-on classroom ses sion. After lunch, which will be provided by the NCVA, officials will be put in groups and participate in an on-court training session. This demonstration will help participants see, in action, what was just learned in class.
It’s true, and it’s happening across several different sports. That includes volleyball.
These symposiums are designed to introduce the participant to the basics of the game of volleyball. The participants will review subjects such as court and equipment, match protocol, officiating mechanics, ball handling and scorekeeping.
Those interested in giving it a try can learn more by visiting www.ncva.com/ref-info
The NCVA’s first Officials Training Symposium for new referees will take place on Oct. 29 at the San Mateo Event Center. Another one to be held at the Capitol Sports Center in Sacramento is in the planning stages and will be announced soon.
Additionally, NCVA is making a push for its coaches to attend separate rules clinics that would allow them to become certified officials who can fill in when shortages occur at Thetournaments.association
also points out that coaches can help improve the shortages by at tending one of these rules clinics, becoming certified and offering to fill-in when avail able. Girls coaches could potentially help out during the boys seasons, or vice versa. It’s a good way to give back to the sport, especially at a time when it’s desperately needed.
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high school athlete, or just a fan of prep and club sports in gen eral, you’ve heard the familiar refrain that there’s a shortage of youth sports officials.
The NCVA instructors are well trained and have obtained Junior National and National Certificating with USA Volleyball.
The Northern California Volleyball Association is taking action in the hopes of helping the situation for officials in its sport. It’s doing so through training courses in hopes of locating new officials — and not just ones who can officiate club volleyball, but that can be available to the sport as a whole. Be it middle school, high school, recreation or club.
For further information on any of these initiatives, you’re welcome to check out the NCVA website or call 415-550-7582. ✪
WHISTLE WORK
NCVA Announces Plans To Help Train New Officials As Youth Sports Referee Shortage Continues
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September 20228 SportStars™ Follow Us On Twitter & Instagram, Like Us On Facebook!Always More To Read at SportStarsMag.com San Ramon Valley Girls Volleyball Mixes Positive Energy With Plenty Of Talent As It Sets Out To End A Nine-Year Section Championship Drought Story & Photos by Chace Bryson
From left, San Ramon Valley senior captains Morgan Daetz, Audrey Ross and Iris Buttles
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— Senior Morgan Daetz
Leading the way for San Ramon Valley is 6-foot-3 outside hitter Audrey Ross. Through the team’s first 14 sets, the Boston College commit led the Wolves in kills (45), digs (29) and serve receives (50).
Ross and Daetz both grew up loving volleyball while watching older sisters play for the Wolves.
These are the routine practice sounds of the San Ramon Valley girls volleyball team. Coach Brian Fujinaga keeps the workout at a good pace, and the roster of 15 rolls through drills and scrimmageInterruptionsscenarios.might
“I like how they bring energy to every practice and every match,” Fujinaga said of his balanced roster that includes four seniors, five juniors, five sophomores and one freshman. “They all get along and continue to work hard. And they have fun too.”
“My favorite thing about this year’s group is the new morale we all have,” senior setter and captain, Morgan Daetz said. “We just all really get along, and that’s really important. And we just have a lot of tal ent — and that’s really fun.”
And laughter. There’s plenty of that too.
It’s
Fun comes easy for teams who start the season as the Wolves did. San Ramon Valley opened its 2022 season with six straight wins, which included the program’s first championship finish in the East County Invitational Tournament hosted by AcalanesLafayette.TheWolves
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defeated fellow East Bay Athletic League power Foothill-Pleasanton 2-1 in the final. Foothill was the top seed in the North Coast Section Division I tournament a season ago. Prior to the start of EBAL play on Sept. 8, the Falcons were the only team to have won a set against San Ramon Valley.
“We just have a lot of talent — and that’sreallyfun.”
early evening on Sept. 1, and inside of the San Ramon Valley High main gymnasium is a ca cophony of booms and echoes as volleyballs thunder off of the hardwood flooring.
include Fujinaga stopping things to add a coaching point, water breaks, or perhaps a 6-foot sophomore attempting a breakdancing spin. The mood is light, but the tone is a focused one.
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Jenna Hunt (facing page) has made a strong impression as the team’s lone freshman. Her sister Ellie Hunt (left), a sophomore, rises up for a kill attempt during a practice scrimmage on Sept. 1.
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Morgan Daetz, right, and Audrey Ross ham it up during a water break at a recent practice.
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“Staying focused,” the senior said. “We have a lot of strengths, but it’s just going to be about honing the little things that are going to set us apart.”
The EBAL schedule and a potential entry into the always-competitive Stockton Classic tournament in October will provide plenty of build-up for a run at a section title. Daetz can’t imagine it just yet, but she knows what it will take to get there.
“It’s probably one of my favorite relationships ever,” said Daetz, who will also play at the next level after committing to Williams College in Pennsylvania. “We get each other at a different level. Audrey knows how to read me and I know how to read her. Whether it’s on the court or off the court, we know how to communicate without re ally saying the words. That’s just a special relationship that not a lot of people have.
While the 6-0 start to the season was nice, the EBAL schedule will offer very few breathers. In addition to Foothill and Monte Vista, Carondelet-Concord is the de fending NCS Div. II and CIF Div. III NorCal champion. The three teams entered the opening night of league play a combined 27-3 in nonleague play.
Because they both grew up watching San Ramon Valley volleyball, both seniors are aware of the program’s NCS championship drought. The Wolves last hung a section title banner in 2013.
Daetz added that Ellie Hunt and Guzman came in as some of the hardest workers on the team. It also doesn’t hurt that “they’re coming out with a little bit of vengeance.”
That, and maybe staying loose with a few giggles in between hammering a pair of kills off the deck.
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With that many weapons, it’s also nice to have a high caliber facilitator. Daetz fits that bill. “We get the most compliments from other coaches about Morgan and the way the ball comes out of her hands,” Fujinaga said. “We turned over the team and offense to her and she’s proven to be such a mature and smart player. Early in the sea son, she’s consistently making the correct decision on who to set and when.”
“I’ve been watching this program since even before my sister was in it,” Daetz said. “I couldn’t even imagine what a section title feeling would be like”
Not every Wolves highlight is offensive, though. The team’s third captain is senior Iris Buttles, a libero who has refined her skills playing beach volleyball over indoor club play. In addition to Daetz’s play at center, senior Lauren Fitzgerald will also play a key role in passing and ball control.
“We have an offensive threat in every position. Which is such a luxury at the high school level,” Fujinaga said. “When they’re playing against each other in practices you’re seeing someone step up and make a great play all the time.”
She might have to start imagining, because the Wolves definitely have the talent to accomplish the feat.
Chasing Monte Vista may also be just a little bit easier for the Wolves this season thanks to having two former Mustangs join their ranks.
“The Hunt sisters. They’re both crazy talented at such young ages, and they’re super fun and literally the nicest people I’ve ever met,” Ross said.
“When I saw her play and how much she loved it, I kind of wanted to be like her and follow in her footsteps,” Ross said.
“And she’s also just a great leader and great person in general.”
✪
And since that time, cross-town rival Monte Vista has hung five of them — includ ing last year after defeating San Ramon Valley 3-0 in the semifinals.
The team’s roster has seven different players who check in at 6-feet or taller. That in cludes junior Maddie Connelly and sophomore Lucy Chertock. Connelly and Cher tock ranked second and third in kills heading into league play, and 6-0 sophomore Sophia Vella led the team with 12 blocks.
All three of them were mentioned by both Daetz and Ross when asked about new faces who’ve impressed them.
She began playing club at age 13 and immediately crossed paths with Deatz. The two have been year-round teammates nearly ever since.
Sophomores Sarah Guzman and Ellie Hunt — both 6-feet, of course — transferred in from Monte Vista. Hunt also brought her younger sister Jenna along. The lone freshman on the roster, Jenna is 6-1 and will be a key contributor as well.
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Luke Duncan, right, stands with new Miramonte quarterbacks coach Ross Bowers.
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The numbers demonstrate just how high the ceiling is for one of Northern Cali fornia’s elite signal-callers. Bound for UCLA next fall, Duncan’s senior season has gotten off to a great start, with Miramonte starting 2-0 and Duncan the proud owner of a 9:1 touchdown to interception ratio.
The maturation process has taken a few twists and turns for Duncan. In 2020, while California schools wrestled with a path to play, he headed to IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida to continue playing.
Miramonte-Orinda Opened Its Season 2-0 Behind 6-foot-6 Luke Duncan — A UCLA-Bound Quarterback Supercharged By A Coach Who’s Already Succeeded As A Pac-12 QB by Ben
Enos
Ask players and coaches within the program, and they’ll tell you that the physi cal tools are only one item in the toolbox for a player with unlimited potential.
Duncan is a good listener and a quick study, traits that earn both praise from his coaches and results on the field. So, it’s no surprise that on this night, the message sticks, and in a 41-14 win over the Jets, Duncan finishes with 25 completions on 31 attempts, 282 yards, five touchdowns and one interception.
With
“It was a big change for me. Just becoming more mature, learning how to work hard and compete against other quarterbacks,” Duncan said. “There were 10 quar terbacks there. It was fun to work hard and compete, be surrounded by really good players and like-minded players who wanted to work hard and play football.”
his Miramonte-Orinda football team leading by a comfortable 20-0 margin in the second quarter of its game against Encinal, senior quarterback Luke Duncan huddled with Matadors quarterbacks coach Ross Bowers and received a very simple message.
“The one thing I noticed that stuck out right at the beginning was he really just wants to get better. And not every kid is doing it for that reason,” Bowers said. “I think he was fed up with not doing so well and only being known as a gunslinger and he really wanted to take that next step. He looked at me and said, ‘you’re a guy that’s taken the next step already, so I’d love to learn from you.’”
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During the offseason, Miramonte head coach Jack Schram made an addition to his coaching staff that would impact Duncan specifically. Enter Bowers, who in stops at both Cal and Northern Illinois during his collegiate career, passed for over 6,500 yards.
As a junior, Duncan averaged 268 yards per game, threw for 30 touchdowns with 12 interceptions, and nearly surpassed the 3,000-yard mark. Miramonte reached the North Coast Section Division V playoffs, but a loss to Del NorteCrescent City ended the Matadors’ season.
What did Bowers find when he arrived at Miramonte?
Of course, even if he wasn’t off to a good start, it would be kind of hard for him to hide. Standing 6-foot-6, Duncan stands out in a huddle. Look past his stature, and the talent on display shows why he’s comfortable being the center of attention.
Because of Duncan’s football aptitude and willingness to learn, building a rela tionship with his new quarterbacks coach took no time at all.
The experience helped hone his skills, and when he returned to Orinda for his junior season in 2021, the Matadors welcomed back more than just a gifted passer.
“He’s the man. It’s really great having him on the sideline this year,” Duncan said. “He’s just helping my mental game. He goes through every rep with me at practice. He knows what it’s like to be in my position and it’s great to have him here.”Bowers’ primary focus early in the season has been to simplify the game for his
“Keep operating at a high level.”
“Off the field he’s a great captain. He has great leadership qualities,” said senior receiver John Williams. “He’s always in the weight room, always encouraging guys to go. You can tell the guys look up to him for sure.”
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pupil, and if the first drive against Encinal is any indication, the lessons haven’t taken long to sink in.
With all those options, how does Duncan determine who to target?
It’s a point of pride for both player and coach early in the year. Duncan and Bowers each point to the quarterback’s ability to
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“He just continues to improve,” Schram said. “I thought the first drive, we wanted to control the ball with underneath stuff and he was 7-for-7 and went right down for a touchdown. Five touchdowns (on the night). That’s what we’re going to come to expect.”Williams is one of a host of talented receivers that Duncan can call on, and against Encinal the duo hooked up for three touchdowns. Six Matadors hauled in a pass, and that production came even as one of Miramonte’s top targets, senior Cooper Bohlig, stood on the sideline in street clothes.
Duncan completed his first seven passes of the evening, finding four different Matador teammates in the process, and the opening drive ended with a perfect quick pass to Williams, who took it 13 yards for Miramonte’s first touchdown.
“I played backup quarterback last year and I would hop in the scout receiver reps a lot and he would target me as much as he could as a joke,” Williams said. “Now it’s kind of formed into an actual connection. We’ve got a lot of talent on this receiver roster and it’s just good to get the ball because he can throw to anyone.”
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Against Encinal, that development was easy to spot.
“I’ve been him before. It’s easy to feel like you can throw a 60-yard bomb and say man, we can just score now. I get it. But, you see him operate and it’s like, man, you can really operate this offense at a high level when you have a mindset of I’m just going to take what’s there.”
Whether it was delivering a quick strike, going through his progressions to find an open teammate, or pulling it down to gain a few yards on the ground, Duncan’s ability to survey the field led to a consistency that Bowers believes can make a big difference.“Younever go broke taking a profit, and if you always take what’s there, they’re always going to have to adjust and eventually give you the shot that you want,” Bowers said. “The hardest part is staying consistent and taking those little 4- and 5-yard throws.
If Duncan and the Matadors keep taking what they’re given, they’re betting that the biggest plays and results are yet to come.
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Duncan’s first big test will likely come on September 16 when the Matadors welcome perennial Valley Oak League power Oakdale to Orinda. From there, another tough Diablo Athletic League-Foothill Division campaign awaits.
read defenses as a key to success, and both mention the progress he has made in that area.
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Cheli is 16 years old. She is confident, chatty and cheerful.
Morgan
Fans of San Jose’s Archbishop Mitty High know this already, of course, as she led the 30-2 Monarchs in scoring (14.8 ppg), 3-point shooting (38%), rebounding (6.9 rpg), assists (3.1 apg) and steals (3.3 spg). As a sophomore.
So despite being one of the youngest players on the world champion USA Basketball U-17 team — yes, she has a FIBA gold medal too — Cheli was third in minutes played for the dominant Americans despite not being looked on to score.
“Mitty was the perfect fit,” Morgan Cheli said, but rather than coming in as a freshman star, she had to work her way up through the veteran Monarch roster. “Freshman year, I was playing with six seniors — I felt I could do other things than I did but I wasn’t needed to do them.
“Last year, I was doing everything. I felt I could be me.”
She also battled her two older siblings in pickup games. Broth er Mack played basketball and baseball at St. Francis-Mountain View, and baseball at Chapman College. Her sister Emma was a basketball player at St. Francis. Her brother is seven years older and Emma is five years older, but little sister wasn’t offered any breaks. “They were definitely not going to let me win,” she says with a laugh.
“He didn’t just put me on the block,” she says. “He pushed me to play all positions — I learned to dribble, shoot and pass.”
She is also one of the best young basketball players in the world.
And at 6-1, Cheli’s future is as bright as her personality — as her size, length and athleticism make her a perfect fit for the po sition-less game that modern basketball has become.
But Kelly Sopak, her coach with Nike EYBL power Cal Stars, sees even more.
Given her size and skills, she began playing with eighth graders as a sixth grader, and quickly got the attention of Phillips and the Mitty staff. So despite her family connection to league rival St. Francis, Morgan chose Archbishop Mitty.
She developed that versatility early, as despite being “the tall girl” growing up, she was lucky enough to have her dad Tom as her first coach.
Story by Clay Kallam | Photos by David Gershon
Like all young athletes, she played multiple sports, but in fifth grade, she zeroed in on basketball. “I needed to make a choice,” she says, “and I loved basketball.”
“What separates her,” he says, “is her work ethic. Not many players with that size and skill set will do what she does. She does things that 5-7 girls who can’t shoot or dribble do, all the little things without the ball.”
“USA Basketball requires a unique blend of talent, basketball IQ and team-first mentality that Morgan bought into,” says Sue Phillips, her coach with both Mitty and the U-17 team. “Players have to do what’s needed, not what’s wanted — Morgan sells out on both sides of the ball.”
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Part of that occasional hesitation might just need to be chalked up to the learning curve of playing such high level AAU games.
“She could guard the best player on the other team,” Sopak says, “or, because of Mitty’s depth, she could guard the worst player and just roam.
Cheli’s biggest challenge at times may be knowing which part of her game to flex. Sopak wouldn’t mind seeing her be more offensive minded at times.
can execute game plans and make in-game adjustments.”
And Cheli is both coachable and a quick learner.
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“Players like Morgan are smart enough to understand their roles at each level,” says Sopak. “They can read the room. This summer, she gained even more confidence with Cal Stars. Before, she wondered if she was good enough
“Coming from Mitty, she has a high-level basketball IQ,” says Sopak. “She
Put all of that together, and it’s clear Cheli is on track to play at the highest levels. Want proof? UConn’s Geno Auriemma flew in from the East Coast in the morning, watched Cheli play one game with the Cal Stars, and then went back to the airport to fly home that afternoon. No coach, much less Geno Au riemma, will make that kind of trip unless the player involved is exceptional.
The same was true with USA Basketball, as she traveled to Hungary to play in a hostile, unfamiliar environment with no margin for error. “The pressure to win is enormous for USA Basketball,” said Sopak. “Losing is not an option. They game-plan like WNBA teams.”
Phillips sees that same versatility. “She can play one through four,” she says.
“Playing for the Cal Stars was a great experience,” Morgan says. “It was very different — there was a different flow to the game. The athleticism, the physi cality … I had to learn new things.”
And even though she did pretty much everything for the Monarchs last year, expect her to do more this season.
“She has the opportunity to be very, very special,” says Sopak. “She’s very similar to Sabrina (Ionescu) at this age” — and Sopak would know, as he coached the young WNBA star at Miramonte-Orinda and in club ball. “Mor gan’s longer than Sabrina, and she can guard taller players.”
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“Her best asset is rebounding – she has a knack for getting the basketball,” the CalStars coach said. “But she’s also a really, really good shooter. She just needs to shoot more. Eighty-five percent of the time she makes good deci sions. The other 15% of the time, she should shoot.”
“Now she knows she’s good enough.”
Cheli, though, is focused on her upcoming junior year with Mitty. “I’m su per-psyched for this season,” she says. “I know it will be a long season, with ups and downs, but the summer has prepared me — I was playing against big ger and stronger girls. Mentally and physically, I’ll be able to withstand more.”
“She’s going to cause havoc at both ends.”
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