SOCAL EDITION VOL. 8 ISSUE 129 MARCH 2017
ehtan thompson BISHOP MONTGOMERY-TORRANCE - BASKETBALL SENIOR The shooting guard scored a game-high 21 points to go along with five rebounds — and with the help of 15 fourth-quarter points from teammate Jordan Schakel — led the Knights to a 70-63 win over then state-No.1 Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth in the Southern Section Open Division semifinal at the Galen Center in Los Angeles on Feb. 24. It was the first loss to a California opponent this season for a Sierra Canyon team that entered the game as high as No. 2 in some national rankings. The win moved Bishop Montgomery into a March 4 finals matchup with Mater DeiSanta, which upended Chino Hills in the other semifinal. The Knights also assumed the new No. 1 spot in the Cal-Hi Sports state rankings. Thompson is signed to play at Oregon State where his brother Stephen Jr. currently plays and his dad Stephen is an assistant coach.
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all SUNSHINE and STRIKEOUTS W ell, SoCal fans, we may have made it to spring. It didn’t seem like it would be possible after the monsoon that was February. Our reward for surviving is the onset of new baseball and softball seasons — and the basketball state playoffs, state wrestling championships and so on — with the promise of sunny afternoons, sunflower seeds and some of the best competition around. I’ve written it here in previous editions, but I hope a plan for baseball and softball regional or state playoffs comes to fruition one of these years. California has been one of the most fertile grounds for talent in both sports for several years, and players and fans deserve a chance to see a state tournament. But we’d simply settle for NorCal and SoCal tournaments at this point. C’mon, CIF. Make it happen. And since this is our baseball/softball preview, it feels like a good time for me urge the rest of the world to leave baseball alone. You may have followed the national conversation recently over how Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred and other officials are pushing to find ways to speed up the game and make it more accessible and entertaining to reach a younger generation of fans. Most of the proposed ideas didn’t stick — including the most ridiculous suggestion of using the international tie-breaker (each team placing a runner at second base to begin an inning) to help decide extra-inning games. The actual four pitches involved in an intentional walk did bite the bullet though. I can understand Major League Baseball’s desire to expand its demographic and keep with the NFL and NBA. And I’ll readily admit that three hours and 45 minutes is a bit much for a nineinning game. But small fixes aside, the powers that be just need to let baseball be baseball. The game was built to be played at a leisurely pace, and that’s part of its charm. It may not be able to tear a 20-something away from his or her smartphone or tablet, but it’s OK to embrace and serve the audience that’s already there. And we know it’s there because fans still show up to games — even younger ones — and the TV contracts are still making the owners boatloads of money. I realize I’m not the first to make that argument, and it’s not likely to sway anyone who isn’t a baseball or softball fan. But they are great games, and California continues to produces some of the best athletes to play them. So take a moment — it doesn’t have to be three hours — and dive into the new season with us. ✪
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NorCal HS Cycling League Returns For Granite Bay Grinder On the weekend of April 8-9, more than a thousand high school mountain bikers will be riding the course around Folsom Lake in Granite Bay for their fourth official race of the season. Dubbed the Granite Bay Grinder, this race course is known for having it all: Plenty of singletrack, several technical sections, mud, sand, big beautiful oak trees, tall grass and a gorgeous view of the now full-to-the-brim Folsom Lake. Placer Valley Tourism, in conjunction with the NorCal High School Cycling League, are thrilled to be teaming up to bring this race back to Placer Valley where the riders and spectators alike always have a blast. “We are really excited to get back to Granite Bay for our annual high school mountain bike race,” NorCal League Executive Director Vanessa Hauswald said. “The community here is incredibly supportive of youth cycling and in so many ways it feels like we are coming home when we are at Granite Bay for our event.” Currently they are expecting 1,100 student-athletes to race over the course of this two-day event. With numbers that large, races are broken down into 11 categories of competition with four girls races and seven boys races. Hauswald also wanted to give a big shout-out and thank you to fellow event producer Bill Driskill, owner of TBF Racing, for generously sharing this amazing venue with the NorCal League and for his outstanding support of the local high school riders with his own series. Come check out these fearless high school mountain bikers as they rip through the course in hopes of making it to the podium. Folsom Lake State Recreation area does charge a $12 fee per vehicle at the gate; however admission to the race is free. There will be food trucks and merchandise booths on site. We hope to see you there! ✪
High Schools Splash Into Swim Season at Woodcreek Invite Woodcreek High Aquatics will host the 17th Annual High school Swim Invitational at the Roseville Aquatics Complex from March 10-11. This meet is designed to serve as an ice-breaker to open another great swim season for many Northern and Central California high school teams. Placer Valley Tourism is thrilled to be partnering with Woodcreek Aquatics again to bring this exciting invitational back to the RAC. “Last year we had 21 teams and 1,000 athletes participating at this fun event, and this year we are expecting an even bigger turn out with 26 teams,” Woodcreek Aquatics president TJ Kay said. “We always have a wonderful time at this meet. We mix it up a bit with fun races and a coveted team spirit award for the team that displays the best school spirit.” The meet starts at noon on March 10 for a day of trials. On Saturday the finals for the top 24 individuals per event, and top 16 relays per event, will begin at 10 a.m. Admission is $3 and there will also be a two-day program available to purchase for $4. At the end of the month, Woodcreek Aquatics will host another huge meet, the NorCal High School Swim Championships on March 31 and April 1. This meet is one that swimmers have to prequalify for in order to compete. This Trials/Finals meet aims to promote top-notch competition with the best high school swimmers in Northern California. Mark your calendars for both events and come watch as these swimmers splash into some great competition. The RAC is located at 3051 Woodcreek Oaks Blvd. in Roseville. ✪ —All copy and photos provided by Placer Valley Tourism.
Rankings Get Real Under New Rule B ack in the days before the internet, when go Div. III, etc.. But if the CIF approves the new Cal-Hi Sports was a weekly newsletter that method, each section that does not use competipeople received in the mail and a wire sertive equity divisions would be required to rank its teams in order so that the CIF would have comvice for daily newspapers, there was only a handful petitive equity divisions for the NorCal playoffs. of people in the entire nation who compiled high If those guidelines were being used for this school team rankings. current basketball season, for example, the CIF In addition to myself, there was Doug Huff of North Coast Section would be asked to rank its the National Prep Poll, Dave Krider of USA Today teams after the NCS championships for CIF state and Barry Sollenberger of the National Sports and regional placements. Without knowing for News Service, plus a few others from bigger states sure, of course, which teams will win beforehand, around the nation. the NCS boys rankings might be No. 1 St. Joseph Today, there are rankings of all shapes and Notre Dame-Alameda, No. 2 Salesian-Richmond, sizes, some done by computers and some not. No. 3 Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland, No. 4 Dublin, No. However, in the 5 Heritage-Brentwood, No. 6 De La Salle-Concord, future, more and No. 7 St. Patrick-St. Vincent-Vallejo, and so on. more CIF section None of the top three are in NCS Division I. commissioners The point is that whichever division each team may have to be is from in each section is not going to matter for doing rankings the CIF NorCal playoffs anymore. It could be an themselves. NCS Div. IV team going to Div. I or an NCS Div. I This is all going to Div. II. Note that this new way of seeding part of the CIF’s teams, by the way, would have no impact on the greater desire to Open Division. Teams moving up to the Open push the concept Division would still be moved up by the same of competitive criteria. equity-based playThe NCS already has some resemblance to off divisions in competitive equity divisions with teams going up all sports. Very soon it may be a new rule that CIF to higher divisions and the same is true of the Sacregional and state championship playoff divisions Joaquin, but neither one does competitive equity in basketball, soccer and volleyball (boys and girls) completely. And in the CIF Central Coast Section, will be determined by competitive equity — which there’s an Open Division but after that there are is how the CIF football bowl games have been enrollment-based divisions. This year’s Palmadetermined for the last two seasons. Salinas team, therefore, couldn’t be in Div. IV for A first reading of a new CIF bylaw about this boys hoops anymore. issue was done at last January’s CIF Federated If the new rules go into effect, the section playCouncil and it should be an action item at the next Jadé Smith and St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda would potentially be a offs don’t need to change, but each section would meeting in May. It may take effect as early as next Division I team instead of Division IV if the 2016 CIF NorCal Regionals were need to figure out rankings of its qualified regional season for the three sports involved. purely drawn on competitive equity. teams in a very short time frame between the end The rankings part of it comes into play because of its section playoffs (often on a Saturday night) not all CIF sections, especially in Northern California, are using competitive equity like they and the NorCal/SoCal seeding meetings (the very next morning). are in Southern California, particularly in the CIF Southern Section, which is the state’s largEven CIF commissioners would then find out something those of us who’ve done rankings est by far. If you recall in football, there were several instances in which a section champion for many years know all too well: Upsets are not welcome. They just cause too much digging from a lower numbered division was placed higher on the NorCal bowl board than a section to figure out a pecking order that makes the most sense. champion from a higher numbered division. An easy example is Sac-Joaquin Section Division We’re pretty sure some of the CIF commissioners aren’t going to be too thrilled about doIV champion Manteca being seeded higher than Sac-Joaquin Section Division III champion ing these rankings, either. If you need a few pointers, however, feel free to call. ✪ Oakdale based on a head-to-head win. As of this season in boys and girls basketball, such a situation wouldn’t happen. The Div. II section champ, for example, would go to Div. II for the NorCal regionals, Div. III would
Mark Tennis is the co-founder of Cal-Hi Sports, and publisher of CalHiSports.com. Contact him at markjtennis@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @CalHiSports.
TOP 10 STATE BASKETBALL RANKINGS
Jordan Brown of Woodcreek-Roseville
Nikki Mayoral of Mission Hills-San Marcos
Through games of Saturday, Feb. 25 BOYS 1. (3) ▲ Bishop Montgomery-Torrance 26-2 Team that lost its first game to Bishop O’Dowd showed what it could do at full strength with 70-63 win over previous No. 1 Sierra Canyon in CIF Southern Section Open Div. semifinals.
Through games of Saturday, Feb. 25 GIRLS 1. (1) — Archbishop Mitty-San Jose 23-2 The Monarchs have been No. 1 for more than a month and should be the top seed for the CIF NorCal Open Div. if they win CCS Open Div. crown.
2. (4) ▲ Mater Dei-Santa Ana 31-1 Monarchs just as easily could be No. 1 entering CIFSS Open Div. final after they avenged only loss with 83-80 OT win over Chino Hills in CIFSS Open Div. semis.
2. (2) — Clovis West-Fresno 28-2 It’s been smooth sailing for the Golden Eagles in the CIF Central Section. There’s a chance they could be sent to NorCal for Open Div., but likely to be No. 1 seed for CIF SoCal Open Div..
3. (1) ▼ Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth 27-2 Despite loss to Bishop Montgomery, Trailblazers will be the No. 3 seed in the SoCal Open Division. If they want to win state title, they’ll have to win a semifinal game on the road.
3. (3) — Long Beach Poly-Long Beach 24-3 Head coach Carl Buggs’ girls advanced to CIF Southern Section Open Div. final after 67-53 triumph in semifinals over TroyFullerton.
4. (2) ▼ Chino Hills 29-2 With Melo and Gelo Ball, the Huskies helped attract more than 10,000 to the Galen Center for the CIFSS Open Div. semifinals.
4. (4) — Mission Hills-San Marcos 27-2 This team is still fourth and still No. 1 in San Diego Section and looking good to win San Diego Open Dvision. Only losses still to WCAL teams Mitty and Sacred Heart Cathedral.
5. (5) — Woodcreek-Roseville 27-2 We have not changed our state rankings to match Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I seedings even though Timberwolves are No. 2 behind Sheldon. 6. (6) — Birmingham-Lake Balboa 26-3 The Patriots earned their first trip to a championship game in the top Div. of the L.A. City Section playoffs after they got past Taft-Woodland Hills 80-73. 7. (8) ▲ Sheldon-Sacramento 27-2 Entering Sac-Joaquin Div. I semis, both the Huskies and Woodcreek have lost only to Chino Hills in similar games and have one additional loss. 8. (11 ▲ St. Augustine-San Diego 25-4 Top seed in CIF San Diego Section Open Div. moves up after previous No. 7, No. 9 and No. 10 all lost last week. 9. (13) ▲ Westchester-Los Angeles 24-8 Forget the losses. Comets just beat Fairfax to avenge two earlier losses to that team to reach the L.A. City Open Div. final. 10. (9) ▼ Santa Margarita-Rancho SM 21-8 Earlier wins over Roosevelt-Eastvale and Fairfax-Los Angeles, plus losing by just three to Bishop Montgomery in CIFSS Open Div. quarterfinals, keeps Eagles in top 10.
5. (5) — Carondelet-Concord 26-4 Top-seeded team in North Coast Section Div. I playoffs also would be first team on NorCal Open Div. board out of the NCS, which may have four in the bracket. 6. (6) — Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland 25-3 Top-seeded team in NCS Div. III bracket not a favorite to win title like Carondelet in Div. I and Cardinal Newman in Div. IV because Salesian-Richmond is No. 2 seed. 7. (7) — Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa 26-3 If Cards win NCS Div. IV title, they’ll be in Open Div. but will they be one of the top four seeds? At seeding meeting, St. Mary’s-Stockton may end up with stronger argument to get it. 8. (11) ▲ Harvard-Westlake-North Hollywood 25-3 Wolverines beat No. 2 seed Etiwanda (which was 26-1) to earn a spot opposite Long Beach Poly in CIFSS Open Div. final. 9. (8) ▼ Sacred Heart Cathedral-SF 17-7 Winning by just 70-66 over Eastside College Prep-East Palo Alto in CCS Open Div. cost the Irish one spot in this week’s rankings. 10. (13) ▲ Pinewood-Los Altos Hills 23-2 Panthers were set to play Sacred Heart Cathedral in CCS Open Div. semis as this rankings package was being written.
Zach Presno
al m o PERFE
ost ECT
Few Programs In The State Have Had The Continued Success Of Buchanan-Clovis — And It’s Not Stopping Anytime Soon In his 19 years as the head baseball coach at Buchanan High in Clovis, Tom Donald has become familiar with perfection. His team last season came about as close to a perfect season as one can get. The Bears’ only loss in a 30-1 campaign was to a league rival they beat three other times. And after they topped that opponent, Clovis North-Fresno, 4-0, to win the CIF Central Section Division I title, they were named the Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year and were No. 1 in final national rankings by USA Today and MaxPreps. Of course, Donald also knows about perfection as in pitching a perfect game. In 2010, his son Jason (another former player of his at Buchanan) was the one ruled to have beaten out an infield hit for the Cleveland Indians that spoiled a perfect game for Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers. Prior to Jason Donald’s hit, Galarraga had set down 26 batters in a row. Both Galarraga and Jim Joyce, the umpire who incorrectly called Jason Donald safe, were praised for their sportsmanship for weeks after that game. Buchanan’s program under Tom Donald has similar traits.
2011 TEAM OF THE YEAR Although last year’s Bears were a more universal No. 1 in the nation selection, the path had been set previously in 2011. Just like in 2016, the 2011 Bears were going for a second straight CIF Central Section Division I title and they had to face a dangerous opponent in the final. In that case, Buchanan played a state No. 12-ranked Centennial-Bakersfield squad that had scored 22 runs in its previous playoff game. It was Centennial that had the early jitters in that game, however, as two errors helped open the door for a five-run inning. Buchanan went on to post a 9-3 win, capped a 30-2 season and clinched the final No. 1 state ranking. The Bears’ national crown came courtesy of the ESPN Rise FAB 50, a poll that no longer exists. “It just all came together at the end,” Donald recalled of that season. “That team pushed us over the top as far as recognition from the state and even the nation. Teams that have come along afterward have passed the torch from one to the other. It’s about doing your best to keep each team near the top.”
T.J. Fondtain
Story By Mark Tennis | Photos by Cary Edmondson
Brady Homel
Quentin Selma
2016 TEAM OF THE YEAR In some ways, last year’s 30-1 season was even more impressive than 2011. The obvious difference is the one extra loss, but the Bears also were No. 1 in more than one national poll. The other similarity is that neither team started out that high in the state or nation. Both moved up toward the top as each season unfolded. “What really separates Buchanan is they ALWAYS put nine solid players in the field,” longtime Fresno Bee prep editor Andy Boogaard said. “And what a luxury to pitch there because their defenses are typically phenomenal. During this great run, they’ve had only a few guys who threw hard. It’s throw strikes, roll out ground balls and you’re 12-1 at Buchanan.” Many players come back from that squad for this season, which puts the Bears in the more unfamiliar role of having to go wire-to-wire as the state’s No. 1 team. However, the one huge graduation loss was pitcher/first baseman Grant Gambrell, who is now at Oregon State. A finalist to be the Mr. Baseball State Player of the Year, Gambrell led Buchanan by going 12-0 on the mound with a 0.69 ERA. He also had 72 strikeouts in 71 innings and led the Bears offense by batting .363 with five homers and 35 RBI. It might be accurate to say that had Carlsbad-La Costa Canyon’s Mickey Moniak not been the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft, Gambrell would have been State Player of the Year. “You just don’t replace a guy like that,” Donald said. “He left his mark as one of the all-time best players from around here. I’m just hoping the juniors we had at the time were paying attention to the way he worked and are now preparing for this season just like he did before last season.”
MEET THE 2017 BEARS As the only team in the state with four players selected to the annual Cal-Hi Sports All-State Underclass teams (30 on first team, 30 on second team), it became easy to anoint Buchanan as the preseason No. 1 team for California for this season. Nationally, the Bears are starting in the top five in just about everyone’s rankings.
“Our coaches stress all the time not to worry about those things,” said senior shortstop Jamal O’Guinn, who has signed with USC. “The important thing is just to have the target on your back get bigger every year. We just want to go into every game, try to win every game and whatever happens, happens.” O’Guinn was one of those all-state underclass players. He began his prep career as a freshman and sophomore at Sanger and transferred to Buchanan as a junior. “I went from good coaching to the best you can find in the nation,”said O’Guinn, who hit .343 with 25 RBI last season. “You can go to a lot of colleges and will not get the coaches you get here. Except for one or two, every coach played pro ball. They’ve been through it all.” O’Guinn’s infield mate at second base, senior Quentin Selma, was another of the all-state underclassman. Selma, the team’s leading hitter as a junior at .443 and with 29 RBI, will play at Cal next fall. The other two with all-state credentials are senior catcher Zach Presno (signed by Fresno State) and uncommitted senior pitcher Hunter Reinke. Presno led the Bears with six homers last spring while Reinke went 11-0 with a 2.20 ERA and struck out 58 in 63.2 innings. Reinke also previously had been reported as an Oregon commit. To be as highly regarded as it is, Buchanan also has to have more than just those four, and it looks like Donald does. Pitcher Carson Olson had a more limited role last season, but put together a great summer and earned a scholarship to Cal. Outfielder Jake Renteria also has stepped up and will be headed to San Jose State, while great things are also expected from sophomore infielder Brady Homel. “Brady’s been one of our top hitters in our first three games,” said Donald, whose squad won those games 13-3, 13-2 and 11-2. “This is also the deepest outfield we’ve ever had. It’s highly competitive for the three spots.” Three new players who have moved into Buchanan’s boundaries are sophomores Miguel and J.D. Ortiz and junior Alex Ortiz. They are all sons of former major leaguer Jose Ortiz, who also was once MVP of the Pacific Coast League for the Sacramento River Cats in 2000.
Miguel Ortiz
TOUCH SCHEDULE There has been grumbling from coaches in other parts of the state about Buchanan not going out of its area last season to play a more challenging schedule. In one sense, though, the Bears don’t have to due to the strength of the Tri-River Athletic Conference, in which they compete. Historically over the years, TRAC teams usually don’t go 30-1 or 30-2. When teams from the TRAC do pile up wins and then claim the CIF Central Section title, they can naturally be ranked high. In fact, on the all-time list of State Teams of the Year, Buchanan doesn’t even have the most No. 1 finishes among Clovis schools. That would be Clovis High with three in 1997, 1998 and 2014. “We did go to the Boras (Baseball Classic) two years in a row and did well, and this year we are going to the National Classic in Southern California,” Donald replied when asked about the strength of schedule. “And our conference does really prepare our teams to compete. Here you have to bring your A game for every pitch in every game. There’s not a patsy to be found.” Clovis North was the only team, after all, to get a win against the Bears last season and should be formidable again in 2017. Clovis — led by one of the state’s all-time winningest coaches in James Patrick — is loaded, and there’s always battles against Clovis West and Clovis East. James Patrick’s sons, Chris and Kevin, are the head coaches at Clovis North and Clovis West, which just brings more attention when Buchanan is playing one of them. “It is nice to be recognized like we have been, but the reality is that we don’t talk about it with our players at all,” Donald said. “It only matters where you’re ranked at the end of the season.” ✪ Mark Tennis is the co-founder and managing editor of Cal-Hi Sports. See more of his content at calhisports.com
Hunter Reinke
SOCAL’S SUPER SIX These are Southern California’s six returning players from the 2016 All-State First- and Second-Teams. Hunter Greene (Notre Dame, Sherman Oaks) Sr. Greene was the 2015 State Sophomore of the Year and was essentially considered the runner-up to 2016 State Junior of the Year Royce Lewis. He hit .419 with five homers, nine doubles and 20 RBI. On the mound, he had a 1.63 ERA with 68 strikeouts. Royce Lewis (JSerra, San Juan Capistrano) Sr. Begins this season as the favorite to be Cal-Hi Sports’ Mr. Baseball State Player of the Year, after winning State Junior of the Year a year ago. The two-time Trinity League MVP hit .429 with four home runs and 21 runs batted in and was named player of the year by OC Sidelines, OC Varsity and the Los Angeles Times. Calvin Mitchell (Rancho Bernardo, San Diego) Sr. He was the state leader in home runs with 12 while also batting .371 with six doubles, three triples and 41 RBI. Mitchell was also named to the All-CIF San Diego Section first team. Hagen Danner (Huntington Beach) Sr. Since helping lead Ocean View to a Little League World Series title, Danner has continued to shine as he has played for USA Baseball and committed to UCLA as a freshman. He hit .423 as a junior with 29 RBI and six home runs. He also stood out on the mound and played catcher. Quentin Selma (Buchanan, Clovis) Sr. The Cal-commit can flat out hit. He led the mythical national-champion Bears in both hits (43) and runs (29). He batted .443 with team-bests in doubles (10) and triples (5). He also tacked on four HRs. As the team’s closer, he went 1-1 with a 1.31 ERA and six saves. Brandon Dieter (South Hills, West Covina) Jr He was 7-2 with a 1.10 ERA and pitched five shutout innings in the Southern Section Div. II final, though he didn’t factor in the decision of the 4-3 Huskies victory. He was also was one of the best infielders and hitters on the team, batting .311 with four doubles and 13 RBI. ✪
B
rent Weaver, the Mayor of the City of Redding, is personally inviting you to take the “Mayor‘s Mountain Bike Challenge” and enjoy the Greater Redding Area’s vast trail system — which ranges from flat paved rail trails to steep and rugged single track. The Mountain Bike Challenge is on now through May 18th. Riders will discover the beautiful and diverse backcountry trails of Redding on their mountain bike. If you’re interested, download the Mountain Bike Challenge Passport and select the category best for you. Options include Beginner, Intermediate, and/or Advanced Mountain Bike Trails. First step: Get the Passport. For those living in the Redding area, passports and maps may be picked up at most local bike shops. If one is planning a trip for the Challenge, the passports can be downloaded at HealthyShasta.org. Complete and drop off your passport at the Turtle Bay Visitors Center located at 844 Sundial Bridge Dr. (Open W-F, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. & Sat-Sun, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.), or the City of Redding Recreation Department at City Hall located at 777 Cypress Avenue (Open M-F, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.). In order to be part of the prize raffle, the passport must be turned in before Friday, May 19. All contestants successfully completing a category of rides will receive a bike water bottle and stickers commemorating the event. In addition, your name will also be entered in the challenge raffle with gift certificates for each category. There is a special prize for those who complete all the challenge rides in each of the categories on their Passport.
ADDITIONAL AREA RIDES ›› Lemurian Shasta Classic | April 29 | Whiskeytown The Lemurian Shasta Classic Mountain Bike Race was founded in 1987 and is most known for its epic loop, huge climbs and long, technical descents. Organizers attempt to create a challenging difficult Long Course while also providing intermediate and easy options. Medals and prizes are awarded across all categories, and all racers receive a finishing pin, water bottle and a post-race meal. Register or learn more: shastalemurian.com/ ›› Anderson Century | May 13 | Anderson The Enterprise Lions Club hosts the 13th annual Anderson Century Bike Ride held at the Anderson River Park. Every level of cyclist is offered something in this fundraiser that gives to programs which support youth activities, provides vision screening and scholarships to Shasta County Area students. Register or learn more: www.andersoncentury.com.
›› Fall River Century, July 15, 2017, McArthur Enjoy a challenging ride with exceptional views of two of California’s famous volcanoes: Mt Shasta and Lassen Peak. Sag wagons, well-stocked rest stops and options of 200K, 100-mile, 100K, and 25-mile rides. This year the century and double metric routes have modified to take advantage of newly widened and rebuilt Highway 299. www.fallrivercentury.com ›› Wildcat GranFondo | October 14th | Palo Cedro With its roots in Italy, GranFondo loosely translates to “big ride.” It’s meant to be a group ride and tour all in one. Cyclists ride together for camaraderie and are provided ride support along with food and refreshments before, during and after the ride. Six different ride options include 15-, 25-, 50-, 70-, 106- and 123-mile options. Register or learn more: www.thewildcatgranfondo.com ✪ —Information and photos provided by Visit Redding.
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Camryn Ybarra makes the throw to first base.
f you are building an elite high school program in any sport — especially one that is nationally-ranked virtually every year — perhaps the biggest hurdle is staying at that elite level even once a dominating group of seniors graduates. Co-head coaches Troy Ybarra and Toni Mascarenas and their Misson Viejo High softball program cleared that hurdle easily last season. And this time, the graduates were minimal. Which means bad news for Diablos opponents in 2017. It also means Mission Viejo begins the year No. 1 in both the Cal-Hi Sports state rankings and the FloSoftball. com preseason national rankings. Entering last season, the Diablos were thought to be in a bit of a rebuilding season. After all, they had lost 2015 Ms. Softball State Player of the Year Taylor McQuillin to the University of Arizona, as well as Ms. Softball State Player of the Year finalist Alyssa Palomino also to the Wildcats. Both players also posted career pitching (McQuillin) and hitting (Palomino) totals that put them into the state record book. While there were more losses than the previous two seasons combined, the Diablos (27-4) did not rebuild. They won the CIF Southern Section Division II title with a 9-6 win over Valley View-Moreno Valley and moved up to No. 1 in the final state rankings, thus earning their
second State Team of the Year honor in three seasons. If it weren’t for a 1-0 upset loss in the same title game to Yucaipa in 2015, we’d be writing about Mission Viejo as being State Team of the Year three straight seasons. With McQuillin and Palomino leading the way, the Diablos went 26-1 in 2014 and were No. 1 in the state and nation. In their senior seasons, they were rolling along at 30-0 and were No. 1 in the state and nation before running into Yucaipa, a team they had beaten twice earlier that year. “The kids that came back last season really felt that one loss from the year before,” said Ybarra, who has been coaching at Mission Viejo for 17 years with 15 on the varsity and 10 as a co-head coach. “Finishing 31-0 was something they really wanted to accomplish. But in that game we just didn’t get a break. “In softball, you play your best and in the big games against the top teams there’s always a break, a bloop single here, a spinning ball there. It just didn’t happen on that day.” Last season, it wasn’t necessarily a break like that which enabled Mission Viejo to go to the top of the state rankings. The break came after a win over Valley View in the Div. II section final when Mater Dei-Santa Ana met up with Lutheran-Orange in the Div. I section championship.
Story By Mark Tennis | Photos By Patrick Takkinen/SoCalSidelines.com
Lutheran was in the No. 1 position of the state rankings entering the night, but the Monarchs took advantage of seeing Lancers’ ace Maddy Dwyer three times earlier in the season and posted a surprisingly one-sided 8-2 victory. “When you lose players like Taylor and Alyssa, who were such a big part of your success, you also know that everybody has to step it up,” Ybarra said. “From 1 through 9 in the order, it was a different player with big hit in every game. It was somebody’s turn this day, somebody else’s the next.” Ybarra’s youngest daughter, Camryn, did emerge as one of the leaders in her junior season. Hitting in the leadoff position, Ybarra came through with a .514 batting average. She also led the team with 12 homers and scored 33 runs. By the end of the season, Camryn was named the Orange County Player of the Year and also the State Junior Player of the Year. “I just think we followed the same footsteps from the year before,” said Camryn, who has signed to play at Oregon State. “We did what we were told, followed the same example and tried to do exactly the same things.” This season, of course, the expectations are as high as when McQuillin and Palomino were entering their senior years. “No, I don’t think there’s extra pressure,” Camryn Ybarra said. “It’s the same goals, same bonding of teammates, trying to have fun.” Ybarra’s own teammates this year include two others who were on the All-State Underclass team — junior catcher Terra McGowan and senior pitcher/first baseman Kyra Snyder. Committed to Arizona State, McGowan led the 2016 squad with 32 RBI and 10 home runs. Snyder was an All-Orange County pitcher who hit .373 and is headed to Louisville. “Another year of playing for the Corona Angels (travel team) should really help her,” Ybarra said of his daughter. “She’s matured so much and has been bringing that into the dugout every day. One thing about Camryn is she will take all of the experience she’s had, good or bad, and learn from it.” Also returning to bat in the No. 2 position behind Ybarra is junior outfielder Olivia Viggiano, who is the team’s best slap-hitter. University of Illinois-bound outfielder Bella Loya is also back. The difference between the two preseasons, however, is that while Camryn is a bonafide All-American and State Player of the Year candidate, McQuillin and Palomino were even more highly regarded because of their dominating statistics and status as elite national recruits. McQuillin and Palomino’s team also didn’t have to consider playing in what may be the most loaded high school softball playoff bracket in national history. That’s because this year, as in all other sports, the CIF Southern Section is going to competitive equity-based playoff divisions. It’s not quite the same as the CIF Open Division in some state playoffs, but it does guarantee that just about every top-ranked CIFSS softball team is going to be in the Division I bracket. It certainly won’t be the same as last season when state-ranked teams like Mis-
sion Viejo, Valley View, La Habra and Oaks Christian-Westlake Village were Div. II with Grand Terrace in Div. III, and Orange Lutheran, Mater Dei, Los Alamitos and Norco all in Div. I. They’ll all be Div. I this season, creating a landmine of dangerous opponents throughout the 32-team bracket. “I’m still trying to figure it out,” Troy Ybarra said. “It really will be 32 of the best teams in the nation in the same division. And it’s going to come down to coaching and wanting to have your kids healthy at the end of the season.” Coach Ybarra added that many CIFSS Div. I coaches may mix up their pitching assignments throughout the season so that certain possible playoff opponents don’t get to face No.1 pitchers more than once beforehand. “Kyra may not start some games,” he said. “You want to win all these games, but we could play La Habra two times before the playoffs, and we played Los Alamitos three times last season. You might have to give up a game here and there because the goal Kyra Snyder is to give your team the best chance at the end.” If Snyder doesn’t pitch, the two arms that Ybarra may go to first are junior righthander Taylor Ward and junior left-hander Hailey Johnston. After his daughter, VIggiano, McGowan, Loya and Snyder, Ybarra’s projected order will consist of junior outfielder Peyton Cody, senior shortstop Sammy Dees, senior third base Allison Rawls, junior left-fielder Alyssa Haynes, and sophomore Taylor Deden as designated player. That’s more of a lineup, however, designed by Mascarenas than Ybarra. A former all-state pitcher at Pacifica-Garden Grove and a member of an NCAA title team at Arizona. Mascarenas and Ybarra have specific roles in their co-coaching duties. Ybarra handles situations during games: Defense, baserunning, calling pitches and coaches at third base. Mascarenas handles discipline, daily competition, live batting practice and conditioning. “She also helps the kids get surrounded by Olympians and that has really helped,” Ybarra said. “Competing in practice also has brought a lot out of the girls. There are consequences in practice if you don’t hustle, if you don’t play with discipline. It seems like how we’re doing this is working out so far.” After opening the season with three nonleague games, the season kicks into high gear March 9-11 when the Diablos play in the 21st annual Dave Kops Tournament of Champions in Bullhead City, Ariz.. Southern California teams have tended to meet in the finals, but championship teams from Northern California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico and elsewhere are entered as well. Later tournament stops include the Michelle Carew Classic and the Best of the West. After all that, plus South Coast League games, comes the CIFSS Division I playoffs. In the end, Mission Viejo may not be No. 1 in the state and No. 1 in the nation. But it also may be hard to argue that the girls didn’t just play one of the toughest schedules any team in California has ever faced. ✪ Mark Tennis is the co-founder and managing editor of Cal-Hi Sports. See more of his content at calhisports.com
1. MISSION VIEJO (27-4)
7. AMADOR VALLEY-PLEASANTON (21-5)
The Diablos have eight returning starters among the nine who celebrated after winning the 2016 CIF Southern Section Division II title. Sure, they don’t have a super-dominant ace pitcher like Ms. Softball State Player of the Year Taylor McQuillin, but returnee Kyra Snyder (Louisville recruit) is one of the best and greatly improved since last season. The lineup also is potent and powerful, led by Oregon State-bound second baseman Camryn Ybarra (.514, 12 HR, 33). All-State Underclass Terra McGowan, a junior catcher/outfielder committed to Arizona State had 10 homers and 32 RBI last season.
Head coach Teresa Borchard welcomes back one of the top pitchers in the nation in junior Danielle Williams, who was the State Freshman of the Year in 2015. Most of the rest of the lineup besides the Missouri-bound Williams also is back. Borchard also expects new faces such as Kristin Saugus, Julia Camello and Val Torres-Colon to make impacts.
2. LUTHERAN-ORANGE (30-4) Coach Steve Miklos has several big-time returnees, including four-year standout Maddy Dwyer. The Stanford-bound Dwyer went 26-3 last season with a 1.10 ERA and had 173 strikeouts. She also drove in 18 runs. While Trinity League MVP Mackenzie Boesel is gone (South Carolina), the next six top hitters from 2016 are all back. Sophomore Ciara Briggs (33 RBI), an LSU commit, senior catcher Lauren Espalin (32 RBI) and senior infielder Noelle Hee (31 RBI) are among them.
3. NORCO (26-6) The Cougars will be led in more ways than just the obvious by returning pitcher Taylor Dockins, who according to our friends at SoCalSidelines.com has recovered from a battle with liver cancer. Coach Rick Robinson had one of the best freshmen groups many in the SoCal region have ever seen last season. One of those frosh, catcher Kinzie Hansen, was selected as our State Freshman Player of the Year.
4. SHELDON-SACRAMENTO (30-2) It’s a loaded lineup returning for longtime Sheldon head coach Mary Jo Truesdale, who guided last year’s team to the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title. Pitcher Taliyah Miles is one of those back after she went 23-2 with a 1.78 ERA as a junior. UCLA-bound infielder Shea Moreno also returns after batting .465 with 33 RBI as a sophomore. And by the way, the Huskies also have 2016 Sacramento Bee Co-Player of the Year Maci Fines. She hit .518 with 25 RBI and has signed with UC Santa Barbara.
5. LOS ALAMITOS (26-3) Veteran coach Rob Weil should have another team squarely in the mix for the top ranking all season. All three pitchers are back, including senior University of Maryland-bound ace Ryan Denhart. Leading the lineup, meanwhile will be senior catcher Mary Iakopo. She’s signed with Oregon, but more significantly was one of just four California girls (current high schoolers) who were on last summer’s USA Junior National Team.
6. FREEDOM-OAKLEY (19-3) Vanessa Strong pitched and hit the Falcons to last year’s CIF North Coast Section Division I title, but the 2016 State Sophomore of the Year isn’t the only one returning. The Falcons will have as many as eight starters back in the fold when they open their season at the Tournament of Champions in Arizona. They’ll be at a disadvantage in that event because just about every other team entered will have already played a few games.
8. SAN MARCOS (22-4-1) In the CIF San Diego Section last season, it was Eastlake of Chula Vista early on and then it looked for a while like 2015 champ Cathedral Catholic was going to repeat in the top division. At the end, though, a roster made up primarily of underclassmen grabbed the glory, and now San Marcos is a strong favorite. The Knights have a big-time shortstop in junior Alexis Orosco, who hit .425 last season with 39 RBI, and a strong ace pitcher in junior Payton Tidd.
9. GRAND TERRACE (28-1) The Titans won’t sneak up on anybody this year. Coach Bobby Flores needs to replace No. 1 pitcher Melanie Olmos, but if Yesenia Morrison (11-0, 0.52 ERA) comes through in that role then Grand Terrace could go all the way. The rest of the lineup is loaded, with North Carolina State-bound Lilly Bishop (.512, 35 RBI), Oklahoma-bound Eliyah Flores (.451, 8 HRs, 37 RBI) and Ole Miss-bound Alyssa Martinez (.379, 7 HRs).
10. OAKS CHRISTIAN-WESTLAKE VILLAGE (30-2-1) Junior pitcher Lexi Berg is expected to step into more of a starring role for the Lions, whose key graduation loss is pitcher Marie Sobel. Returning offensive leaders include University of Penn-bound standouts Kayla Ketring and Sara Ketring. Kayla, who hit .436 last year, was the VC Star Player of the Year. Also back is Miya Brady (one of the top freshmen in the state last season and committed to UCLA) along with senior Julia Spear (.302, 18 RBI). 11. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (21-4) 12. Clovis (27-5) 13. Gahr-Cerritos (26-6-2) 14. Valencia (21-10) 15. Pioneer-San Jose (25-3) 16. Mater Dei-Santa Ana (27-7) 17. Alhambra-Martinez (24-2) 18. Cathedral Catholic-San Diego (25-5-1) 19. Pacifica-Garden Grove (20-6) 20. Vista Murrieta-Murrieta (18-8) Visit CalHiSports.com to view comments on teams No. 11-20.
When Being
Motherly EN POINTE
ADVICE
Becomes Painful
nutrition: jill daniels health watch: caitlin R. Mouille
Team Moms: Make Sure You’re Shopping From The Approved Snack List Let’s say you’re a team mom who needs some ideas for feeding the team during tournaments. What are some quick, healthy, energizing foods you can provide for these athletes? Keeping the athletes well fueled throughout a tournament can make a huge difference in how they perform. Since carbohydrates are the body’s main energy source, you want to make sure to provide these in different foods throughout the day. Healthy fats and proteins are also needed so that the athletes feel satisfied after eating, especially when they have longer breaks. Make sure the focus is on the carbohydrates, as too much fat or protein will make the athlete feel sluggish and weighed down. Here are some ideas:
breakfast Yogurt with cereal or granola; overnight oats with fruit; bagels with peanut butter.
snacks Bring several different carbohydrate-rich choices: crackers, granola bars, vanilla- or fruit-flavored yogurt, oatmeal raisin cookies, graham crackers, pretzels, applesauce, animal crackers, fig bars, pita chips, and of course fruit — washed, cut, and ready to eat. For good sources of fat and protein? Try hard-boiled eggs, turkey jerky, string cheese, trail mix, Greek yogurt or cottage cheese.
lunch Sandwiches with lean protein options such as turkey, ham or lean roast beef with tomatoes, lettuce and pickles. Tuna salad or chicken salad in pita bread. Tortilla wrap with apple and banana slices and your favorite nut butter. If you’re able to serve them a hot lunch, consider pasta with chicken and broccoli, turkey burgers, burritos or burrito bowls with rice, chicken, cheese, salsa and tortilla chips Make sure to keep lots of water, juices, chocolate milk and sports drinks available so that the team stays hydrated. If you have access to a power outlet, bring a blender and create a smoothie station using frozen fruit, yogurt, nut butter and juice to make some energizing and nourishing drinks. You don’t need to get too fancy for these tournaments. Bring foods that are familiar and enjoyable to the athletes, so that everyone will be able to find something to eat. This will help the team get fueled properly and stay energized so they can avoid crashing towards the end of the day. Keeping the athletes well fueled will also make a big difference in their attitude and, who knows, it may even lead to more victories! ✪ Maximize your athletic performance by seeking out personalized advice from Nutrition Coach Jill Daniels, MS, RD, CSSD, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. www.JillDanielsRD.com
Are you getting pain while dancing en pointe? Ankle pain/injuries are very common and account for up to 54 percent of all injuries suffered by dancers. Both male and female dancers are at risk for injury. However, female dancers are more prone to injuries because they dance in en pointe. Ballet places the ankle into two extreme positions. The first being maximum dorsiflexion (demi-plié position) and the second being maximum plantarflexion (en pointe position). These positions, and the repetition to which they are performed, places the ballet dancer at a higher risk for developing pain and sustaining an injury. Where are you feeling your pain and when? ›› 1. Pain in the back and outside of the ankle when performing relevés and pointe work: Dancers who have this could potentially be suffering from posterior ankle impingement. Impingement is when bone or soft tissue is compressed during a specific movement. ›› 2. Pain in the back of the ankle: Pain can be from forcing turnout, resulting in your foot falling inwards and not landing with heels on the ground from a jump. ›› 3. Pain along the back and inside or the ankle: When going from en pointe to plié:, Inflammation of the Flexor Hallucis Longus (FHL) can cause “dancers tendonitis.” Dancer’s can have swelling and popping along the back/inside of their ankle, as well as locking off the big toe or pain when the big toe is flexed. ›› 4. Pain along the outside of the ankle: Did you roll your ankle recently? While dancing in the en pointe position it places one of your ligaments on the outside of your ankle at increased risk of injury. This ligament is called the ATFL (anterior talofibular ligament) and it has been found to be the weakest ankle ligament. While in en pointe, it is being pulled to its longest length under extreme tension. This leaves the ankle vulnerable for being sprained while landing incorrectly from a jump or when rolling over the outside of the foot while on demi-pointe. Pain is usually located around the outside of the ankle or when moving the foot inwards. Swelling can be present. Spraining your ankle leaves you at risk for re-spraining again especially within the first year. What can you do to decrease your risk of injury? Do not force your turn out. This leads to incorrect knee tracking and your foot falling in. When your have collapses it decreases your foot’s ability to absorb forces which can result in injury. Stretch your calf muscles. Do not wear “dead” shoes. Soft and worn out shoes can lead to injury. Perform balance exercises. Stand on one foot for 30 seconds. To make it harder, close your eyes. Gradually increase the quantity and intensity of training. If you develop pain and it does not get better within a few days you should talk to your physician about your symptoms in order to get you back to dance safely and to reduce your risk of further injury. ✪