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vol. 4. issue 64
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sac-joaquin
LEVEL UP • Expert Advice • Concussions • Ankle Sprains • Pregame Jitters • Shoulder Pain
Brown leads state at the plate High School Sports Golden Age
Baseball, softball: NorCal Top 20
››› you
like like li k e s o t Johnson & San We
sports
sports
r e t t e none b pg18 are hard to under27 Concussions stand. So are their treatments. Dr. Andrew Nash breaks it down for you.
The latest tech is helping 12 chill: athletes get back in the game faster than ever before. it in dixon: Kristina 22 diggin’ Brown is turning heads for the Rams softball team. 4
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pitch: Do you love high 6 first school sports? Yeah, probably — I mean, you’re reading SportStars, right? Well, we don’t wanna brag (pffft, of course we do) but since we’ve been around NorCal sports has found itself in a golden age. You’re welcome.
us on facebook
room: Do you believe? 8 locker Do you remember when you did? We update the Warriors slogan. of the Week: 10 SportStars Janae Gonzalez, Vista del Lago Gadgets and gizmos. 26 impulse: Awesome. Right? We have some of the best featured.
The thing about the 11 Clipboard: spotlight is that there isn’t always
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room for everybody. on the cover: L to R: River City-West Sacramento track athletes Cameron Conrad and Savannah Love, and Capital Christian football player Quinton Kirk. Photo by James K. Leash.
Fence: Tryouts, sign-ups, 34 The fundraisers and more!
34 Camps + Clinics
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Is this a Golden Age?
W
hen it comes to the daily grind of producing a high school sports publication, it can be easy to develop a narrow focus. What do we need to cover for THIS issue? What’s happening THIS month or THIS season? But there are the occasional times where our focus is to look back, and it allows us to gain a greater appreciation of the bigger picture. Our Athletes of the Year issues are like that — and this one was especially so. When myself and a few colleagues sat down to discuss who our choices would be for the Bay Area and Sac-Joaquin Athletes of the Winter, the resumes some of these young athletes had were beyond impressive. And as the issue took shape and we began to put together the Athlete of the Year package, I came to an illuminating — and not wholly unbiased — conclusion: The SportStars Era may be one of the most prolific and talent-rich stretches of high school sports in Northern California, especially in the Bay Area. Think about it. In the first two and a half school years that we’ve been around, the region’s high schools have produced an Olympic gold medalist (Maggie Steffens, water polo, Monte Vista-Danville), some of the most-prized football recruits in the country (Shaq Thompson, Grant-Sacramento; Eddie Vanderdoes, Placer-Auburn; Joe Mixon, Freedom-Oakley), multiple nationally-ranked programs in football, baseball, softball, volleyball and basketball, a slew of state champions and four McDonald’s All-American basketball players — the last of which made choosing a Bay Area Male Athlete of the Winter very difficult. We ultimately chose Jabari Bird (Salesian-Richmond) over the 2011-12 Bay Area Male Athlete of the Year, Aaron Gordon (Archbishop Mitty-San Jose), by the narrowest of margins. But we believe a case could be made for any of the three McDonald’s All-Americans featured on page 21 of the Bay Area edition. And even though Oderah Chidom (Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland) was our only girls McDonald’s All-American, choosing her wasn’t exactly an uncontested layup either. Megan Reid, a Miramonte-Orinda junior, is the type of rare multi-sport athlete that is hardly ever seen anymore as she excels at two sports in the same season (basketball and soccer). But we couldn’t even fit her into the honorable mentions this year. Our Sac-Joaquin staff has had equally tough decisions over the past couple of seasons. Having covered high school sports in Northern California for more than a decade now, I don’t recall a stretch that has featured so much talent and success across all sports. Certainly there have been years when a specific sport has been incredibly rich, but never like this where national-level talent can be seen year-round. Just looking ahead to our last seven weeks of spring there are three Bay Area softball teams and one Bay Area baseball team ranked among the Top 10 in the nation; two of the top girls lacrosse teams in the nation are part of the same Bay Area league; Castro Valley senior hurdles runner Sasha Wallace owns the nation’s best 100 high hurdles mark; Several All-American swimmers throughout Northern California are likely to make a splash at the U.S. and World Championships this summer; And several boys golfers have a shot at keeping the CIF State Championship top medalist honor in the North State. What a run. And you can go ahead and credit it all to the arrival of SportStars. We’re fine with that. ✪
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join our team PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson • Chace@SportStarsOnline. com Staff Writers Erik Stordahl, Jim McCue Contributors Bill Kolb, Mitch Stephens, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Bryant West, Dave Kiefer, Liz Elliott, Tim Rudd, Jonathan Okanes, Hunter Hewitt, Joe Stiglich Photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, James K. Leash, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton, Doug Guler Intern Ryan Arter Creative Department Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco • MikeD@ SportStarsOnline.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa • Mike@SportStarsOnline.com Advertising & Calendar/ Classified Sales Sales@SportStarsOnline.com, 925.566.8500 Account Executives Erik Stordahl • Erik@SportStarsOnline.com, Phillip Walton • PWalton@SportStarsOnline.com Sac Joaqin edition: Dave Rosales • DaveRosales64@gmail.com Reader Resources/Administration Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsOnline.com Distribution/Delivery Mags@SportStarsOnline.com Information technology John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsOnline.com community SportStars™ Magazine A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA 94521 •info@SportStarsOnline.com www.SportStarsOnline.com
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your ticket to california sports admit one; rain or shine This Vol. #4, April 2013 Whole No. 64 is published by Caliente! Communications, LLC, 5356 Clayton Rd, Ste. 222, Concord, CA 94521. SportStars™© 2010 by Caliente! Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. Subscription rates: 24 issues, U.S. 3rd class $42 (allow 3 weeks for delivery). 1st class $55. To receive sample issues, please send $3 to cover postage. 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, self-addressed envelope. SportStars™© and STARS!™© Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente! Communications, LLC.
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rapidFIRE Dream job as a 10-year old
Dream job now
NFL, play for the Raiders
NFL, play for the Raiders
Favorite sport as a fan
Favorite home-cooked meal
Beef steak (Filipino dish)
Place you’ve never been but want to go to
Hawaii
One rule in any sport you’d like to change
No more BCS in college football
Joe Protheroe, Clayton Valley-Concord football
To be whatever my dad was
A pharmacist
Salmon with Florida wild rice
Buzby Rule (pitcher faking to third, throwing to first)
Austin Friello, Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove baseball
say what “Did I see (18-0) coming? I don’t want to say no. Frankly, we expect to win every time out. Let’s put it this way, I wouldn’t have been surprised if we had some losses at this point” Archbishop Mitty-San Jose softball coach Brian Yocke on the Monarchs 18-0 start which has the Monarchs ranked No. 3 in the nation by MaxPreps.com. 8
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Top 5 warriors playoff slogans So. The Warriors are going to the playoffs. Huh. We can honestly say we didn’t see that coming. I mean, before 2007, it had only been, what? like 100 years since the last time they did the postseason thing. We figured we got our taste with Baron Davis & the We Believe Co., and the Dubs would make another run right around the time the Yankees had the lowest payroll in baseball. Color us pleasantly surprised. But our work is not yet done. This scrappy bunch of, uhh, medium achievers, needs a rallying cry. A moniker. A nickname. Here are our top five suggestions to rival the We Believe Warriors of ought-seven. 1. We Play D — Well. Sorta. Right? Isn’t that Mark Jackson’s thing? Hand down, man down, and all that? And yet “We” somehow surrendered 234 points in two games. 2. We In the Key — Because big-man Andrew Bogut is just nails right now, blocking shots, making those sweet interior passes… Wait. What? Again? Oh. Darn. 3. We Got the Three — Steph Curry and Klay Thompson set the single-season NBA record for combined 3-pointers by two teammates. When the two guards are in a zone, the team can be electric. When they aren’t? Well, let’s just hope they are. 4. We D Lee — As good as Curry has been this season, David Lee’s workmanlike approach is the glue that has held this squad together through thick and thin (and ankle sprains and bizarre contact lens-related injuries, and inexplicable losses, and…). Dude was an All Star. The first Warriors All Star, like, ever. At least it seemed that way. 5. We Are Free — You know. To make plans. For the offseason. Because let’s be honest. This team will be shocking the world if it makes any major postseason run. — Bill “Doesn’t Believe” Kolb
The number of elite 14-under baseball players participating in The League, a four-team all-star league developed by NCTB Baseball that features some of the most talented 7th and 8th graders throughout the Greater Bay and Sacramento areas. We built player cards like this one for all 52 players. View the slideshow at SportStarsOnline. com (or scan this card with Layar) and find out more about The League at http:// playnctb.com/league. html
Dan Honda/MCT/ ZumaPress.com
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The forward scored the gamewinning goal in a 2-1 victory over host Cosumnes Oaks to claim the outright lead in a tight Sierra Valley Conference race. The Eagles, who tied the Wolf Pack 1-1 in the first meeting between the two teams, attacked on offense for much of the final 15 minutes of play before Gonzalez found the back of the net with five minutes left in the game. As of April 15, Vista del Lago held a slight edge in the league standings over Liberty Ranch, Cosumnes Oaks, and River City. Gonzalez leads the Eagles with nine goals and three assists with five regular season games remaining. SportStars Magazine: How did you get the game-winner in a key league match? Janae Gonzalez: We were attacking the goal a lot in the final 10-15 minutes, and we had two or three good shots on goal before I got the chance that went in. We really wanted that goal to win that game, and I just happened to be the one who got the shot to win. SSM: Do you prefer scoring goals or setting up teammates? JG: I am more satisfied with setting up my teammates because I find it prettier to watch someone else score. I can remember what I did to assist on a goal much better than I can remember my goals, but I love doing both. SSM: What is the key to the
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honorable mention
Janae Gonzalez
gabe meza
vista del lago-folsom . soccer . sophomore
The Granite Bay senior tossed a no-hitter in a 3-0 shutout of Roseville to open the Grizzlies’ defense of its Sierra Foothill League title. Meza struck out a career-high 11 while walking two and hitting one batter in the win.
jacy boles The WoodcreekRoseville frosh helped turn around the ‘Wolves’ season by pitching in 3 straight league wins to end 4-game skid. Boles went the distance in wins over Del Oro and Roseville and finished a win over Granite Bay.
hank loForte Phillip Walton team’s offensive success? JG: I think we are able to score and play well on offense because we are connected well. We started a little shaky this season because we lost some of our offense, but we were able to get things going because we connect with one another.
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Franklin-Elk Grove’s sophomore shortstop was 6-for-6 in two Wildcats wins, raising his batting average to a team-high .490. LoForte, also leads Franklin in runs (15), hits (24) and stolen bases (13).
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I’m a swimmer and it just seems like no one cares. We work harder than anyone, and nobody pays any attention to us. I remember my older brother used to at least get in the paper but now they don’t seem to even put in the scores of the meets. Why don’t swimmers get more respect? L.W., Castro Valley here’s a lot to unpack in that short question, so let’s dive right in — so to speak. ‘We work harder than anyone.’ Do swimmers work harder than baseball and volleyball players? Maybe. But sports like wrestling, football and basketball could also make that claim. Yes, swimmers work hard, but statements like that tend to make people ignore the rest of what you have to say. ‘Now they don’t seem to even put in the scores of the meets.’ Things have changed, and part of the problem is at the newspaper end, part of the problem is at the coaches’ end, and part of the problem is with the scorekeeping. Though some newspapers work hard to cover prep sports — we’re talking to you, Contra Costa Times and Sacramento Bee — the general malaise (SAT vocabulary alert) in the industry has led to cutbacks in personnel and pages. That means that there’s no room for even a simple summary of a meet, and the days of listing the top three finishers are a rapidly fading memory. On the other hand, a lot of coaches no longer take newspapers themselves, and so they don’t even think about calling in the scores — and unless their athletic director makes a big deal of it, no one’s pushing them to. So one thing you can do is ask your coach if she’s calling in the results after every meet. If she isn’t, there’s your answer right there. Finally, on this topic, scorekeeping isn’t what it used to be. Before the electronic scoreboards were installed at a lot of pools, scoring by hand was a necessity and, by necessity, people got pretty good at it. They could total everything up and even let coaches know what they needed to do in the final relay to win the meet. Why don’t swimmers get more respect? There are a couple of reasons. First, the most important swim meets aren’t in high school, unlike football, basketball and volleyball, where high school is the most important team competition. A lot of elite swimmers don’t even bother with high school, and if they do, they usually treat it as an afterthought to their club and AAU competitions. Also, like track, swimming just isn’t going to draw a crowd. Swim meets, by and large, are pretty boring unless you’re really paying attention (if you’re not, it’s hard to tell if your friend is in lane three or lane five), and if you don’t know what constitutes a good time for the 100 free, say, then a lot of the interesting stuff just doesn’t register. As I’ve said before, high school sports aren’t about recognition — they’re about learning how to win and how to lose, understanding the importance of commitment and teamwork, and all those other “life lessons” coaches are always talking about. Should swimmers get more respect? Sure. But so should the best math students or trumpet players at your school, and they get even less coverage than you. ✪
T
Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette. To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard, email Coach Kallam at clayk@fullcourt.com
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Cold blooded Roseville’s US Cryotherapy using hot tech & frigid temps — and it’s converting several prep athletes
E
xtreme cold and sports are not normally seen as compatible, let alone desirable. Yet a growing number of local high school athletes are making cryotherapy—the whole-body or localized use of extreme cold temperatures in therapy—a hot new sports medicine alterna-
tive. US Cryotherapy in Roseville has offered the treatment, which uses temperatures from minus-76 to minus-166 degrees Fahrenheit, for nearly two years in its location and houses the only four-person cryotherapy chamber in the United States. The company, founded and run by the Kramer family (father Linzie and sons Rob, Kevin, and Todd Hail of Vacaville), has exclusive rights to the technology in the U.S. and has been carefully planning its growth since introducing cryotherapy to American athletes. The facility in Roseville often hosts high-profile professional athletes such as Oakland Raiders linebacker and Granite Bay High graduate Miles Burris, and NBA players when they are in town to play the Sacramento Kings. While the exposure to the big money and bigger reach of major-league stars has helped US Cryotherapy work deals to provide equipment to several NBA franchises and major universities, the company understands that a grassroots approach which includes high school athletes will yield its greatest growth in sales and recognition. “Our biggest marketing opportunity is events,” General Manager Dave Lafferty said of US Cryotherapy setting up at numerous 5k and 10k runs, triathlons, and sports tournaments with their smaller localized treatment machines and staff. “We want to get high school athletes, weekend warriors, runners, extreme athletes, and others because they are going to bring their friends in. Referrals are what get people in the door.”
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Story by Jim McCue Photos by James K. Leash
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US Cryotherapy invites entire teams from local high schools, community colleges, and clubs for free one-time treatments for every player, which includes a cryo chamber session and localized session. The goal of the team sessions is to increase the exposure of the treatment and its benefits, and to hopefully bring back one or two athletes as regular members. Quinton Kirk, a senior football and track star at Capital Christian, is one of many local high schoolers who have been converted from team session visitor to member and recruiter. “I have gotten like five other guys to come with me and experience it,” Kirk said. “I was totally dragged into doing it the first time and was not a believer, but I go all the time now.” Some of the benefits Kirk and other members enjoy are better health and faster recovery from injury. The cryotherapy
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process reduces inflammation for pain relief and improved mobility by decreasing the cellular metabolism, pain and spasm while increasing cellular survival and the levels of oxygenated blood delivered to damaged tissue. In simpler terms, blood flows away from swollen areas to return to the body core because the body believes that it is freezing. After the blood has left injured or sore areas, it recirculates with a fresh flow of blood to the extremities and activates the body’s hormone, immune, and nervous systems. A typical treatment session begins with protecting sensitive body parts with gloves, slippers, surgical masks, and headbands or knit caps. Individual skin temperatures are taken before up to four individuals enter the first chamber, which is normally set near minus-70 to minus-80 degrees, for 30 seconds. After the brief acclimation to the cold, persons then
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move to the main chamber (minus-160 to minus-170 degrees) for two to three minutes. The chambers are monitored by a US Cryotherapy staff member who can speak to and view those receiving treatment through the sound system and glass enclosure for safety and constant communication. After the time in the main chamber, individuals return to the antechamber to begin to warm back up in preparation for a return to normal room temperature. After exiting the chamber, skin temperatures are again taken (the ideal drop in skin temperature is 30 to 40 degrees after the brief chamber session), and individuals change out of the cold weather gear for a treadmill or stationary bike session that will aid in the recirculation process. With the blood flowing and skin temperature returning to normal, members can opt for a localized cold air treatment which specifically treats sore or injured areas to further assist with the decrease in inflammation. The final options include a session on the hydro massage bed located in an adjacent private room and/or a wellness drink to cap the session (aloe shots, green tea, and meal replacement shakes are offered). “If you try it once, you’ll feel great the next day,” said Trey Olsen, a junior football and baseball player at Oakmont High in Roseville, “but it’s not a one-trick wonder. The benefits increase as you go more regularly. “It’s an awesome thing. It gets you motivated because you are not waking up with the soreness that might keep you from working out. It goes beyond athletics, and just makes you feel better.” Lafferty said that there is a release of endorphins involved in the process, so many first-time participants feel a rush in addition to the decrease in soreness. He did emphasize that the benefits are greater with more regularity of the treatments. “Clinical studies have shown that when you reach 10 or more treatments, you will see more long-term effects or benefits,” Lafferty said. “ A one-time treatment will not completely treat an injury, but you will feel the benefit.” More studies are being conducted on the effects of cryotherapy, including current studies being performed at UC Davis and Illinois State University. While the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) did not require approval of cryotherapy because it is a non-invasive procedure, the company believes that additional studies can help business with the added confirmation and explanation of benefits, as well as increase exposure of cryotherapy to the mainstream.
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“A teammate took me (to US CryoUS Cryotherapy does not require aptherapy) and I thought she was crazy,” pointments for treatment, but members said Bella Vista volleyball player Kyndra do get priority during busier times. The Trevino-Scott, who suffered a rotator briefness of the treatment sessions alcuff strain last spring. “I had been going lows for quick turnaround of clientele to physical therapy, but I really could in the chambers, and has rarely caused tell that I got much better results from any serious backup issues at the facility, the cryotherapy. I had less pain and was according to Lafferty. sleeping better, and felt that I got back US Cryotherapy offers numerous to normal more quickly.” packages and memberships, but the Many athletes who have used ice most popular option is the monthly baths prefer cryotherapy due to the membership option, which students can shorter exposure to extreme cold and receive at a discounted rate of $69 per the increased mobility in the cryo month (a minimum five-month comchamber. mitment is required for the discounted “I was more scared of an ice bath rate). The membership allows studentthan I was the first time I went into the athletes to receive one cryo chamber chamber,” said Lafferty, who had plensession and one localized session per ty of icing experience as a pitcher and day while other packages offer multiple quarterback at Vacaville High and Cal cryo chamber sessions with various Poly San Luis Obispo. “The ice bath is other treatments and/or drinks. Lafferty painful and you are in there for at least noted that treatments can be selected a 10 minutes where you are in the chamla carte, but that the packages and member for just three minutes and you still berships provided the best bang for an Bella Vista-Fair Oaks volleyball player Kyndra Trevino-Scott receives treatment from U.S. have full range of motion in the chamindividual’s hard-earned buck. ber.” “We want to make it affordable, so Cryotherapy staff member Linda Chock during a localized session on April 4. Additionally, the ice bath lowers both that everyone can come in,” he said. the skin temperature and core tempera“The goal or vision of the company is to explore all different avenues to open additional centers and make cryotherapy available to ture whereas cryotherapy treatment lowers only the skin temperature. Sometimes the pain of an ice bath can be worse than the pain of an extended cold streak on the court, field, or track. more people at an affordable price.” With cryotherapy, athletes are finding a preferred cold treatment that is helping them return US Cryotherapy also wants to appeal to athletes with its improved technology that speeds up recovery. Traditional options such as ice baths and lengthy physical therapy sessions can to or stay on the playing field where they can get hot. And for high school stars and weekend warriors alike, that is a pretty cool trend. ✪ provide relief and recovery, but athletes who have used cryotherapy extol the process.
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Club lacrosse gaining steam in Sacramento region The Sacramento Lacrosse Association hosted a one-day event with teams from Granite Bay, Gold Country, Folsom, and Santa Cruz visiting to play in boys games in Under 11 (U11), U13, and U15 competition levels. Additionally, a U13 girls exhibition game was featured to offer spectators, as well as the boys’ teams, the opportunity to see the girls play. The Stingers hosted the other clubs on their fields at Starr King Elementary School in Carmichael where local vendors offered food and lacrosse equipment to those who enjoyed the weather
and youth lacrosse action. A portion of the proceeds from the vendors was donated to Sacramento Lacrosse to help further its growth. On hand for the tourney was the National Academy of Athletics (www.NationalAcademyofAthletics.com), which will be offering youth lacrosse (non-contact) clinics throughout the region this summer for the first time. Camps for kids interested in learning about the growing sport will be available in Arden Park, Carmichael, Elk Grove, Fair Oaks, and Rancho Cordova, among other
Eli Veazey, U15 Sacramento Hornets locations. Sacramento Lacrosse President Cathy Reed is excited about the camps and the potential to grow the sport further in the Sacramento-area communities. “As the sport continues to grow, we are always looking for ways to reach more people and expose more kids to the sport,” she said. “We almost doubled in size this year after we started the organization last year.” The Sacramento Lacrosse Association offers three boys teams and two girls teams (U13 and U15), but hopes to continue to expand in subsequent years of operation. For information about the organization and its teams, visit www.sacramentolacrosse.org. At the high school level, fewer than 20 schools field lacrosse teams with Davis, Oak Ridge, Jesuit, and Granite Bay sporting the strongest programs and largest rosters in recent history. Clubs like the Sacramento Lacrosse Association feed the high school programs in their area, so growth at the high school level is heavily dependent on club programs and clinics teaching younger kids the game and its rules and training them to excel as the CIF-sanctioned sport seeks to gain popularity with studentathletes.
MORE LAX TO SAC
Aloha Tournaments, an organization which has organized several lacrosse tournaments on the East Coast, is taking a stab at the Pacific side of the continent this summer. Aloha has announced plans for the Warrior Pacific Surf Lacrosse Tournament to be held on July 6-7 at Cherry Island Soccer Complex in Sacramento. The tournament will be for boys middle school and high school teams. It will feature five divisions, including U11, U13, U15, High School A and High School B. Aloha hopes to make this a premier scouting event, inviting college coaches from Division I, II and III to attend.
Scan this page to view a slideshow of additional photos of the U15 matches from the Sacramento Lacrosse Association event on April 11. 16
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Best of the winter Boys Coach
John DePonte, Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove Basketball: In his fifth year at the school, DePonte guided the Eagles to the CIF State Division I Championship. Half of Pleasant Grove’s six losses were to Delta River League rival Sheldon, but DePonte’s team won its final four games, including the NorCal and State title contests at Sleep Train Arena.
Girls Coach
Steve White, Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills Basketball: White coached the Trojans to a 28-5 overall record, including a perfect 10-0 mark in the highly competitive Delta River League. Oak Ridge started the season with several players recovering from injury, but White and the Trojans jelled to make a long postseason run that ended with an appearance in the NorCal final.
Boys Rising Star
Marquese Chriss, Pleasant Grove Basketball: The sophomore center often deferred the scoring load to the Eagles’ seniors, but Chriss emerged as a strong post presence in his first varsity season. The center was particularly tough down low on both offense and defense during the Eagles’ run to the Div. I state championship. Chriss faced Kentucky-bound Marcus Lee of Deer Valley-Antioch in the NorCal final played a big part in containing the 6-foot-10 McDonald’s AllAmerican.
Female Rising Star
Aliceah Hernandez, Sacramento Basketball: The freshman played a key role in the Dragons’ dominance of the Metro League where the team extended its unbeaten streak to 90 games. A sharpshooter and an aggressive defender, Hernandez was solid on both ends of the floor as Sac High won its third consecutive SJS championship.
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FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: WINTER
Lynette Johnson Kennedy-Sacramento • Basketball • Senior
THE JOHNSON FILES
› THE STATS: The senior averaged 17.5 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2 assists, and 2 steals per game. › SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: Johnson made the 2012 Section Playoffs her personal showcase, averaging 26.2 points per game which included a 37-point outburst in a quarterfinal victory. › COLLEGE DESTINATION: Utah State › FAVORITE ATHLETE: Kobe Bryant: “His basketball IQ is amazing. He breaks things down and analyzes the entire game like no one else can.”
honorable mention Mallory Velte, Senior, Christian BrothersSacramento Wrestling
James K. Leash
Lynette Johnson has experienced extreme highs and lows during her notable high school basketball career. As a junior, she led the Kennedy Cougars to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title with an exciting double-overtime victory on the biggest stage. As a sophomore, though, she experienced the first of three concussions that challenged her physical and mental capacity to be the best player she could be. “It’s been a roller coaster,” Johnson said of her four years of hoops at Kennedy. “The high point was obviously the D-I title last year, but the concussions were a real struggle.” Through it all, Johnson came out of it with her trademark smile beaming to greet both the ups and downs. Whether she was making 10-of-16 shots for 26 points to dispatch Oak Ridge in a section semifinal, or being hounded relentlessly by Sacramento defenders in her final attempt to post a win against her fiercest Metro League rivals, the 5-foot-10 forward emerged with a grin as bright as her future. “Basketball is fun and it’s just a game,” she said. “You have to have fun with what you love to do.” Johnson had plenty of fun in the 2012-13 season, averaging more than 17 points and nearly 8 rebounds per game to earn league MVP honors and SportStars’ Winter Female Athlete of the Year. Despite being heavily guarded and constantly targeted, Johnson carried the Cougars on a deep postseason run that did not end
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until a familiar nemesis put a cap to her Kennedy career. Berkeley downed the Cougars 53-40 in a NorCal playoff opener as the Yellowjackets dashed Johnson’s playoff dream in three of her four varsity seasons. With the season over, Johnson is still a constant presence in the gym playing basketball and sharing her smile. She volunteers at nearby Mark Hopkins Elementary School, giving back to her community while teaching youngsters how to play. The work started as Johnson’s senior projects, but continued as a labor of love. Her main love, basketball, will also continue despite her pending graduation in a few months. The high school star will begin work on her collegiate career at Utah State as early as this summer in a location that she did not consider a legitimate destination when she left on her first official college visit. “When I was going to take the visit, I went not thinking that I would like it,” Johnson said of Utah State’s campus in Logan, Utah. “It will be a big culture change, but in a good way. They were as much about getting a degree and a job as they were about basketball.” That mix of work and play was appealing to Johnson as she cancelled other college visits and committed immediately to the Aggies. Now she looks forward to the next ride on her basketball roller coaster. ✪ — Jim McCue
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Velte won the CIF Girls’ Wrestling State Championship for the second consecutive year and finished her final high school season with a 40-0 record. She earned three medals at the state tournament in her career, including the two titles.
Dejza James, Senior, Pleasant Grove Basketball
The all-around talent completed an impressive high school career averaging 19 points, 12.3 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 3.4 steals, and 2.4 blocks per game during her senior season. James will take her talents to the Pac-12 next year where she will play for Arizona.
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THE SANTOS FILES
› THE STATS: Santos posted a 45-2 record in his senior season, and added his first state title to go his two league, division, and SJS Masters championships. › SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: Santos scored a two-point reversal in the final seconds to break a 2-2 tie with Sultana junior Corey Griego in the 170-pound state final. He allowed Griego to escape for one point to ensure the narrow 4-3 victory. › COLLEGE DESTINATION: North Carolina State › FAVORITE WRESTLER: “There are a lot of guys that I tried to learn from, including John Smith and Jordan Burroughs (both world and Olympic champions). I like to watch them wrestle on their feet.”
honorable mention Dakarai Allen, Senior, Sheldon Basketball
The San Diego State signee provided steady scoring and leadership for the Huskies en route to the team’s Delta River League and SJS Div. I championships. A fouryear varsity player, Allen has four section titles on his resume, improving his all-around game each year that he played for the perennial power.
Jeramy Sweany, Senior, Vacaville Wrestling
The 195-pound senior won the program’s 11th state championship and helped the Bulldogs to an impressive thirdplace team finish as the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Bakersfield. Sweany won league, division, and section masters titles before rolling through the state championship bracket with three pins in his five victories, including the final match.
MALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR: WINTER
Peter Santos Oakmont-Roseville • Wrestling • Senior Nearly three years ago, Peter Santos committed to a singular focus and goal. The multi-sport athlete decided to hang up the pads and put away the balls to commit to one sport and one goal. After an early loss at the state high school wrestling tournament as a Woodcreek High sophomore, Santos told his father that he was committing to wrestling and winning a state title. “On the ride home from Bakersfield, he told me he was quitting football because he wanted to win a state championship in wrestling,” his father, Peter Sr. said. “He put in a lot of work, stayed the course, and reached his ultimate goal.” As an Oakmont High senior, Santos captured the 170-pound title at the 2013 CIF State Wrestling Championships under the spotlight in the center of Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. He defeated Corey Griego of Sultana 4-3 with a late reversal to cap a successful high school career and justify his dedication to wrestling. Upon making his commitment to a single sport, Santos transferred to Oakmont and began practicing and participating in tournaments across the state and country in order to prepare for his chance to shine on the ultimate stage. “The entire atmosphere was suspenseful and exciting,” Santos said. “It’s amazing to be up there under the lights. And this year, they had the most people attend the finals ever.” His nerves were no doubt calmed by the presence of his wrestling coach of 14 years who also happens to be his father. Their father-son bond was developed in the home and on the wrestling mat, and reached its apex when the pair embraced after Peter’s hand was raised as a state champion. “I’m still on Cloud Nine and it’s been more than a month now,” said the senior Santos, who wrestled and played football at Benicia High before coaching both sports. Sports and family have long been staples in the Santos household, and Peter Sr. and his son realized that a separation between their father-son relationship and coach-athlete relationship was necessary for success on and off the mat. “Family has always been everything,” Peter said. “We have been doing this for years, so it was relatively easy to make sure that when we are in the wrestling room, it’s all about wrestling, but when we are at home, it’s all about family.” The Santos family bond will be stretched in August when Peter leaves to attend North Carolina State where he will continue his wrestling career with the Wolfpack on scholarship. It will mark the first time in their lives that Santos Sr. will observe his son as a spectator and supporter rather than as a coach and mentor. Peter will miss his father’s presence and guidance, but is already focused on his next commitment. “I believe in my coaches and wrestling partners, and have faith in them that they will help to make me a great college wrestler,” he said. “I expect to dominate.” ✪
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Knowledge may be power, but a confident swing at a softball with a 33-inch, 24-ounce Easton Synergy bat can add a fair amount of might in high school softball. Dixon senior catcher Kristina Brown is a cerebral team leader that sees more from behind the plate than a multiple-camera video shoot, but her most obvious strength is an ability to hit the ball hard — and often. “Her attention to the game and everything happening amazes me,” said her father and coach, Steve Brown. “She is studying the game from the time we get to the field until we leave.” Brown admits to observing opponents in the on-deck circle while simultaneously calling her own pitches, positioning fielders, communicating with her pitcher, and planning for any and every situation. It is that depth of preparation and research that has made her a success both at the plate and behind it. Brown’s offensive numbers through 20 games are staggering. She leads the state in hits (46) and RBI (51) while also posting top-three stats in batting average (.754), slugging percentage (1.410), and runs (37). The senior from the small town of Dixon is making big noise with her bat and hoping to put the Rams on the section softball radar. “It’s a pretty cool feeling, but you don’t want to get too big a head about it,” she said of her season-long offensive tear. “I know that I have to keep pushing myself to be better and start
Dixon
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Battering
Ram
Kristina Brown’s hitting everything in sight, and putting Dixon on the softball map Story by Jim McCue | Photos by James K. Leash
Records are through 4/13. (source: MaxPreps.com) 1. (3)
Archbishop Mitty-San Jose
18-0
2. (1)
Amador Valley-Pleasanton
13-1
3. (2)
James Logan-Union City
12-1
4. (5)
Alhambra-Martinez
11-1-1
5. (8)
California-San Ramon
11-3
6. (10)
Vintage-Napa
20-0
7. (11)
Elk Grove
14-5
8. (6)
Sierra-Manteca
15-2
9. (4)
Woodcreek-Roseville
13-6
10. (15)
Rocklin
14-2
11. (NR)
Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove
13-7
12. (16)
Carlmont-Belmont
17-2
13. (7)
San Benito-Hollister
9-2
14. (17)
Casa Roble-Orangevale
14-4
15. (18)
Petaluma
12-1
16. (20)
Leigh-San Jose
15-4
17. (NR)
Whitney-Rocklin
15-4
18. (19)
Ponderosa-Shingle Springs
10-8-1
19. (NR)
Tracy
14-4
20. (NR)
Concord
12-3
DROPPED OUT No. 12 Heritage-Brentwood, No. 13 SheldonSacramento and No. 14 Freedom-Oakley.
BIGGEST MOVER fresh each game.” A four-year varsity starter, Brown has always had a penchant for hitting as evidenced by her career .564 batting average, 90 runs and 99 RBI coming into her senior season. Despite the personal success, Brown craves the team success that has thus far eluded the Rams. Dixon’s best record during her tenure was a 16-9 campaign with a 13-2 Golden Empire League mark, but league titles and playoff victories have remained just out of reach. “Our goal is to win the ring,” Brown said. “We want to win the section title.” That lofty goal may be more realistic with the new passion and guidance of first-year coach Steve Brown, who has coached Kristina in travel softball since she was just 6 years-old. His hitting instruction has the team batting average approaching .400 and the Rams are off to a 16-4 start with an eye on a GEL crown and playoff success. “I started the year with the goal of improving fundamentals and now we are getting loftier goals,” the coach said. “Our challenges now are mostly mental. I am trying to break down
that wall and get them to play within themselves because if we do that, good things will happen.” The Rams (16-4, 6-2 GEL) took their first step toward achieving new league success with a 3-2 victory over GEL rival Lindhurst. Last year, Dixon was 0-6 against Lindhurst and Marysville, so the team understands it has to overcome its league challenges before moving on to strive for bigger goals. “Marysville is always the team to beat,” Kristina Brown said. “To get past them, we have to come out hitting and stay strong all seven innings, and this year I think we have the ability to play a full game against any opponent.” Kristina credits her heightened confidence and the team’s improved play to her father’s coaching. The two share a common love and understanding of the game, and are working hard to instill their passion and knowledge into every Rams player. Brown’s battery-mate, senior pitcher Jenna Bassler, provides a potent one-two punch with Brown at the plate. Bassler is hitting .586 and is 13-3 with a 1.02 ERA and 143 strikeouts in 96.2 innings. She has been pitching to Brown since seventh
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Pleasant Grove rocketed into the rankings at No. 11 after claiming wins over then No. 8 (now No. 5) California-San Ramon, as well as No. 12 Heritage and No. 13 Sheldon. Of teams which were already ranked, Rocklin improved five spots from 15 to 10.
TEAMS STILL RANKED FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 15 KNOCKING ON THE DOOR East Union-Manteca (15-3-1), Livermore (9-5), Kimball-Tracy (11-5), Heritage-Brentwood (6-6), Freedom-Oakley (7-5-1).
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Steve Brown is in his first year as Dixon’s coach, but he’s been a major influence on the Ram’s star player since her birth. Both Browns say they have no issues separating between father/daugher and coach/player. grade, and the two serve as the team’s cocaptains. “They handle any situations from school or elsewhere,” the coach said of his captains’ management of team issues. “They will just tell me that they need five minutes in the outfield and then everything is strictly softball. No drama is carried over to the playing field.” That separation also exists between father and daughter, who switch to a straightforward coach-player relationship once they step inside the lines. Steve sees his on-field presence as a greater opportunity to reinforce what she knows and provide hands-on assistance to work through any game-related issues. He has followed her at Dixon every step of the way, but assumed the role of respectful parent in her first three seasons. “It’s been a blast,” Kristina said of having her father as her high school coach. “We are comfortable with the relationship and have respect for each other as player and coach when we are on the field. If anything, he’s harder on me because he knows what I can do.” What she has done is put her bat on the ball consistently with just seven walks and one strikeout in 70 plate appearances. The eye-popping statistics are what draws the most attention to Brown and the Dixon team’s push for new success, but coach and player believe that her brain trumps her brawn. “I have to do research and know every
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pitcher in the league to be confident in my approach when I step into the box,” she said. “I watch everything and break things down constantly. I am preparing for every game and every at-bat as soon as we get to the field.” The research and knowledge has translated into Brown’s best season yet, and one of the most impressive offensive outputs in a sport so often dominated by ace pitchers with microscopic ERAs. Brown’s swing and smarts have also created the opportunity for her to continue to pursue athletics and academics at the next level. Brown signed a letter of intent to play softball at Fisher College in Boston and will move to the colder climate in the fall. “To me, it’s just amazing to watch her game progress from being a girl that could hardly catch a ball at age 6 to the player that she is today,” Steve said. “This year has been so special for me to spend even more time with her.” Kristina admits that she will miss having her father as her coach and hitting instructor. “I am excited that I get to finish my high school career with him since we started it together so many years ago,” Kristina said. “We started this together and now we get to finish it together.” For the Browns, sharing these experiences is certainly more powerful than the mighty cuts that Kristina takes at the plate. ✪
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Mid-season guess at the top section title contenders Records are through 4/13. (source: MaxPreps.com)
1. (1)
St. Francis-Mountain View
19-1
2. (3)
Serra-San Mateo
16-3
3. (7)
Casa Grande-Petaluma
15-1
4. (9)
Granada-Livermore
14-0
5. (10)
Davis
12-5
6. (4)
Elk Grove
12-3
7. (5)
De La Salle-Concord
9-4
8. (2)
Campolindo
7-6-1
9. (6)
Jesuit-Carmichael
11-4
10. (11)
St. Ignatius-S.F.
14-6
11. (12)
Bellarmine-San Jose
15-5
12. (15)
Granite Bay
9-5
13. (14)
Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove
12-4
14. (18)
San Benito-Hollister
16-3
15. (NR)
Clayton Valley Charter-Concord 10-3
16. (8)
Valley Christian-San Jose
13-6
17. (20)
James Logan-Union City
9-5
18. (NR)
Woodcreek-Roseville
11-3
19. (NR)
El Cerrito
12-4-1
20. (17)
Amador Valley-Pleasanton
10-4
One of the best, if not THE best way, to figure out who will win the NCAA basketball tournament is to identify which team has the most future NBA players. It’s not quite the same way for baseball because any team with two very good pitchers is a threat, but a look at the top contenders shows that overall talent definitely does matter. St. Francis is generally regarded as the most talented team in the area, from top to bottom. Of course all that talent hasn’t equated to a Central Coast Section title in recent years for the Lancers, but they remain a strong contender. They don’t have big time pro prospects (though Jr. infielder Tyler Deason has pro hitting tools, size and arm strength) but there are no fewer than 10 Div. I college-caliber players and perhaps as many as 14-15. Junior lefthander John Gavin and junior righty Richard Boe (verbal to ASU) are Div. I prospects, as are senior outfielder Kort Petersen (UCLA), senior shortstop Chris Baker (Washington) and 2nd baseman/pitcher Michael Strem (Boston College). Two more teams should be in the hunt for a CCS crown. With seniors Matt Krook (Oregon) and Jack Klein (Stanford), St. Ignatius-S.F. has two of the top two-way players in Northern California. Each is a major college-caliber talent as a pitcher AND as a position player. Krook has been a dominant player so far this season, and though Klein hasn’t quite put up the big offensive numbers yet, he’s fully capable. Serra-San Mateo always contends, and with senior lefthander Orlando Razo (UC Davis) and senior righthander Matt Gorgolinski
(LMU) they have two pitchers capable of leading them deep into the playoffs. Senior outfielder Jordan Paroubeck (Fresno State) is one of the most physically gifted players in the region. De La Salle had a pretty pedestrian 7-4 record (through April 11) but a talented and deep pitching staff is a good place to start when considering the Spartans as a North Coast Section Div. I title contender. Senior righthanders Drew Buckley (Cal) and A.J. Puckett (Pepperdine) are VERY talented, and sophomore lefty Justin Hooper is also highly regarded. Of course the Spartans also have plenty of college talent among their position players, starting with senior outfielders Hunter Mercado-Hood (San Diego) and Austin Lonestar (BAWS 2012 MVP). Junior first baseman Chris Williams has put up big numbers as well. As a three-time defending NCS champ, Campolindo-Moraga can’t be forgotten in Div. II. Certainly not with senior outfielder Brett Stephens (UCLA), senior lefthander Trent Shelton (Oregon State), senior infielders Robbie Tenerowicz (Cal), Denis Karas (Cal verbal) and junior lefthander Matt Ladrech (Cal). This team has the talent to win it again. ✪
Blaine Clemmens is the founder and director for the Bay Area World Series showcase event that celebrates its 10th year in 2013. For more information on the Bay Area World Series, visit www.bayareaworldseries.com
DROPPED OUT No. 13 Archbishop Mitty, No. 16 Franklin-Elk Grove and No. 19 Bella Vista-Fair Oaks.
BIGGEST MOVER Granada and Davis both jumped five spots to crack the bottom half of the Top 5 this week. Granada went 4-0 over the first two weeks of April and knocked off then No. 17 Amador Valley. Davis went 5-0 during the same stretch with an impressive 2-1 win over former No. 4 Elk Grove.
TEAMS STILL RANKED FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 15 KNOCKING ON THE DOOR Wilcox-Santa Clara (16-6), Washington-Fremont (113), Freedom-Oakley (10-4), Acalanes (11-4), College Park-Pleasant Hill (9-3-1), Archbishop Mitty (13-7), Franklin-Elk Grove (8-8), Pioneer-Woodland (10-6), St. Mary’s-Berkeley (8-4).
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Welcome to Impulse, your one-stop shop for gadgets, gizmos, and gear. Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl, Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest and what’s currently hot on the market. This week we’re offering a plate full of high-tech goodies for athletes everywhere. Should you like any of the products showcased here, you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the company’s website. Scan. Click. Buy. Simple. Here we go.
Google Glass
Stolen from the set of either Blade Runner or Minority Report, Google Glass is here to take hi-tech to brand new heights. You can take a picture or record a video; give your friends a first-person perspective when you’re running with the bulls in Spain, jumping out of a plane or doing crazy things like doing your taxes or standing in line at the DMV (always make an appointment!) Get your Google Glass for only $1,500.
Nike+ FuelBand
Take the FuelBand with you on your run and it’ll track everything from distance run, calories burned, heart rate. Share it all with your friends via Facebook. Find your friends on there and see how you stack up. Get yours for $149.
Giants Past & Present
If you’re a Giants fan and you’re still swimming in a champagne-filled bathtub soaking in another World Series win, we’ve got some reading material for you. Giants Past & Present spans the 130-year history of the team filled with pictures and insights from loads of hall-of-fame and current Giants. Price: $25.
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer
Our friends Transform FX Fitness are partnering with Concord resident, Melissa Sorensen, to raise funds for Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. It’s going down the weekend of Sept. 28-29. If you’re interested in helping out or supporting, visit www.avonfoundation.org
UNIQLO socks
These socks absorb moisture and keep your feet dry and comfortable during even the most intense workouts. And at $3.30 a pair, we’re sure you’ll buy enough to last all of triathlon season.
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dr. andrew l. nash One of the hottest topics in the world of both professional and amateur sports is the diagnosis and management of concussions in athletes. How these injuries are managed has changed substantially over the past 10-15 years. The approximately 3 million sports-related concussions annually in this country is most likely a gross underestimation, as many of these injuries are either not reported or not even recognized as happening. Statistically, female athletes report more concussions than males. Women’s soccer is second only to football as the sport with the highest concussion rate. There is a lot of misinformation regarding concussions. One misconception is that an individual must be knocked out to suffer a concussion. This is absolutely false. In most cases there is no loss of consciousness. Another myth surrounding concussions is that a normal CT scan of the head rules out a concussion. Also false. In cases of severe trauma, a CT scan may be done to rule out a brain hemorrhage or skull fracture. However, in most cases of concussion, CT and other imaging is normal. A concussion is a metabolic derangement that follows a jarring of the brain inside the skull. In some instances, the athlete may not even take a direct blow to the head. A hit to the body, that jars the head and neck may transmit enough force to result in a concussion. After suffering one concussion, an athlete’s risk of having a second one increases five-fold. Adolescents typically experience fewer concussion symptoms than adults. Thus, after a significant head injury, a teen athlete may be minimally symptomatic despite the fact that their brain has sustained a significant trauma. When an adolescent does have symptoms, such as dizziness or headache, they have probably suffered a greater level of injury than an adult with the same symptomatology. This creates a diagnostic problem for physicians. How do we determine when an athlete has sustained a concussion, and how do we determine when they are ready to return to play? Despite reporting that their symptoms are resolved, their brain may still be recovering. A key to solving this puzzle is ImPACT. ImPACT stands for Immediate Post-concussion Assessment and Cognitive Testing. This tool is a computer based test that assesses reaction time, processing speed, and memory. The test is inexpensive and provides detailed information about an individual’s cognitive functioning. Ideally the test is administered to an athlete prior to the start of the season and repeated every 2 years. In the event of a suspected concussion, the athlete in question should be immediately pulled from practice or play and closely observed. California law requires adolescent athletes suspected of having a head injury to be cleared by a medical provider, trained in concussion management, prior to returning to play. In the event that baseline ImPACT has been completed prior to the injury, follow up testing can greatly facilitate the determination of whether the athlete is impaired. When no baseline test is available, ImPACT testing can still be helpful. It is, of course, much more meaningful to compare an individual’s postinjury cognitive ability with their own unique brain function prior to the trauma. Without a record of pre-injury functioning, a more cautious recovery plan may be prescribed. Once it is determined the individual’s subjective concussion symptoms have resolved, their exam has returned to normal, and followup ImPACT testing has returned to expected, baseline levels, then the athlete can begin a stepwise return to play protocol. By utilizing ImPACT, both prior to starting the season and as a helpful diagnostic tool in the event of a suspected concussion, the concussion specialist can more accurately determine the degree of injury sustained and the length of time required to fully recuperate. In this way our adolescent athletes can be returned to play after a suspected concussion as quickly and as safely as possible. ✪ Dr. Nash is a board certified pediatrician and Credentialed ImPACT Consultant practicing at 1-to-1 Pediatrics in Danville. Contact him at (925) 362-1861, Info@1to1Pediatrics.com or at www.1to1Pediatrics.com.
More Level Up
ankle injuries. pg. 28 pregame jitters. pg. 30 exercise the glutes. pg. 31
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ankle sprains: sean dougherty
Take ankle sprains seriously; get treatment Ankle sprains commonly occur when participating in sports while wearing inappropriate shoes, or running on uneven surfaces. They are one of the most common injuries an athlete must recover from. Ankle sprains are not the same as strains, which affect muscles rather than ligaments. The severity of an ankle sprain depends on whether the ligament is stretched, partially torn, or completely torn. Symptoms can range from pain, soreness, swelling, bruising, and difficulty walking. Prompt medical attention is needed for any ankle sprain for several reasons. An untreated ankle sprain may lead to chronic ankle instability and weakness. A severe ankle sprain may include a more serious bone fracture that needs treatment. Rehabilitation of a sprained ankle needs to begin right away. If there is any delay, the injury may be less likely to heal properly. Treatment consists of rest, ice, compression, elevation (R.I.C.E), and early physical therapy to promote healing. Often times nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen are recommended to reduce pain and swelling. Athletes often require an ankle brace during the initial recovery period. So remember to seek prompt medical treatment after any ankle sprain to develop a treatment program to recover quickly and properly. âœŞ Sean Dougherty is a foot and ankle specialist for Tri-Valley Orthopedic Specialists in Pleasanton.
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get mental: erika carlson
3 ways to manage pregame jitters
Curious what the most common reason is that athletes seek mental training services? Pre-game nerves. That’s right, the same thing you have felt so many times. The jittery feeling in your body (part excitement, part fear), tense muscles, excessive thinking about “what if…” (fill in the blank here), and dread about not wanting to let down teammates, coach and parents. Sound familiar? While some athletes have stronger “trait anxiety” (predisposition towards nervousness and anxiety) most athletes can relate to feeling nervous at times. Here are a few top tips for handling your pre-game nerves so you’re confident and ready to play (pitch, hit, swim, run, etc.) your best!
Be prepared
The night before a competition, take the time to pack your equipment, water bottle and organize your uniform. This will help you arrive at your competition feeling prepared rather than rushed and stressed.
Breathe
Every time you feel butterflies flying around in your stomach, slow down your breathing, taking longer, deeper breaths. It’s one thing you can stay in control of even when you’re nervous. Hint: the butterflies may arrive long before you arrive at your competition. Start managing them early and often.
Imagine a great performance
Imagery is a skill that separates good athletes from great athletes. Those who use imagery get more “quality reps” than those who don’t. Detailed imagery puts your nervous system to work and helps you to create correct responses that are more likely to hold up under pressure. ✪
Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence in Sports Performance in Pleasanton.
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training time: tim rudd
No ifs or buts: Excercise the glutes
Here is one very simple thing trainers can have athletes implement to instantly increase the player’s athleticism. Get the athletes butt in gear! What do I mean? Simple. Get their glutes (butt) contributing more in all activities. One simple thing they can do is become more “Glute (butt)-conscious.” Get up and walk around with their hands on their hips and voluntarily engage their butt muscles. As they walk around throughout the day they should take a few moments to periodically and consciously engage their glutes each time their foot contacts the ground. The more they do this, the more they will strengthen the mind to muscle connections and the better their glutes will function. Athletes should also be encouraged to do Glute bridges from the ground by holding each rep for 10 seconds for three total reps. This is a great way for them to feel the contraction from the glutes. The athlete should visualize each vertebrae of the spine coming off the ground like a train leaving the station and the same thing on the way down, visualize the train coming back one vertebrae at a time. This ensures that the extension of the hips comes from the powerful butt muscles, not the compressive forces in the lower spine. It’s also important that athletes are taught to brace their abs by asking them to create intra-abdominal pressure by tying an elastic band around their stomach, or trainers can put their hands around their waist and cue them to expand the band with their abdominals throughout the Glute Bridge. The key is to have the athlete create this stability around the whole corset of the core anterior, posterior and sides. ✪ Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore.
health watch: daniel kamenetzky
Running pain? You might need a foot map The analysis of the interaction between the foot and the ground during running is critical in understanding many of the injuries associated with this activity and its efficiency during competition. How does the first contact occur during landing? What is the total area that contacts the ground in each instance of the supporting phase? Which one is the angle between the longitudinal axis of the foot and the direction of the movement? These are a few of the questions that I try to answer as a Kinesiologist helping to solve injuries associated with the running technique. The understanding of the foot’s pressure distribution in function of time during running allows, for example, to 1) infer the most likely distribution of pressure in different joints of the leg; 2) know the stresses that the foot is suffering; 3) know the applied forces that affect the movement; 4) know the amount of time the athlete is in contact with the ground. Several tools are available to measure plantar pressure. Qualitatively, videography still is the cheapest and most valuable. We can observe the contact progress and establish angles and areas of the foot in contact with the ground in function of the time. However the most modern technology allows for a quantitative measurement at the same time. This produces a “map” and the exact numerical value of the pressure in each area of the foot in function at the time. Different formats can be used to create the map, such as a mat to walk over or an insole worn inside the shoe. These new technologies increase our possibilities to understand the athlete’s technical and physiological executions, and their consequences for performance and injuries. ✪ Daniel Kamenetzky is a sport methodologist and kinesiologist for the staff of Sports Medicine For Young Athletes.
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scapula strengthening: justin dudley
Shouldering THE LOAD It is common to hear coaches, athletes, therapists and trainers refer to “scapula strengthening.” What does this really mean and why is it important? In order to understand the importance of scapula function, we need to quickly review the basic anatomy of the scapula and its relation to the shoulder complex. The shoulder complex is often referred to as a ball and socket joint. However, it is important to realize that the shoulder is structured more like a golf ball on a tee, with the ball being much larger than the socket. This allows for a great deal of mobility at the expense of stability, setting up the potential for injury. To combat this instability, the shoulder joint is equipped with structures to provide secondary stability, often referred to as static and dynamic stabilizers. With only one boney attachment (the SC joint) between the shoulder complex and the body, we must rely on the muscular attachments between the scapula and torso for efficient and safe movement. The scapula is the foundation upon which all upper extremity strength and function is built. In order to control forces properly and optimize limb function, the scapula must function as a stable base. Inability to achieve this stable base frequently accompanies the development of shoulder and upper limb pain. Diagnoses frequently associated with poor scapula control include impingement, rotator cuff tendonitis, biceps tendonitis, bursitis, lateral epicondylitis, thoracic outlet syndrome, chronic shoulder instability and many more. The major muscles that support the scapula are the trapezius (upper, middle, lower portions), the rhomboids, serratus posterior, serratus anterior, and also the long head of the biceps. It is important to not only train each muscle individually to develop adequate strength, but also as a group through functional movements to develop appropriate coordination between muscles. Rarely in sports do muscles work independently of each other, and the coordination between these muscles is essential for efficient movement and injury prevention. ✪ Justin Dudley is an in-house Physical Therapist for Crossover Symmetry, based in Denver.
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powered by trucks: anthony trucks
Want to lose fat? Lift it off
Around this time of the year I start getting tons of questions about fat loss from clients. Want to know what my answer is? Eat better and LIFT MORE. Now I know that’s not what most people would expect to hear, and I bet you’re thinking I’m only saying that because I’m the weight lifting guy, but guess what, it’s TRUE. Your body is an amazing organism and if you know how it works you can get more out of it. Physiologically speaking, the more lean muscle mass you have on your body, the higher your resting heart rate and metabolism. How do you get that muscle mass? By lifting weights. You body uses fat, carbs, and protein for fuel. If you eliminate fat and starchy carb intake then your body will have body fat and lean muscle to choose from. If you do workouts that deteriorate your muscles then your body won’t consume the protein needed to regenerate it. Many people go to the gyms and spend 17 hours on a treadmill and the second they get off they’re DONE burning any calories. Whereas if they were to strength train they could be burning calories and fat up to 48 hours post workout. Not to mention that if you choose to you can minimize the rest period during your strength training sessions to increase your stamina and cardiovascular health. The benefits of strength training/lifting for fat loss instead of using cardio equipment are so lopsided it’s crazy. So get off the hamster wheels and brave this new found workout world to FINALLY get the results you’re looking for. ✪ Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars.
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BASEBALL/SOFTBALL
All Star Academy of Baseball All-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17,000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs designed to develop the total player. ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12, and Summer Boot Camps for 12 & under, middle school, high school competitive athletes. Info: 650-961-2255; www.asabaseball.com EJ Sports EJ Sports provides positive, instructive baseball programs that includes camps, teams, conditioning clinics for ages 7-18. We provide an exciting, bully-free environment to help players improve athletically and build confidence. Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability. Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continually learning newest techniques in baseball. Info: 925-866-7199, www.ejsports.com. Total Player Center We provide comprehensive, fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from health/safety, peak performance, education techniques and more. Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18. Info: 925-416-1600, www.thepitchingcenter.com.
BASKETBALL
I’m Possible Training (Mike Allen) Whether you’re beginner or on varsity, this program will help you excel. Improve ball-handling, footwork, shooting, overall fitness. I’m Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster. Mike Allen, head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos, runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school. By registering, you can download the program, which lists a library of drills. Info: 408-224-8503 or email mikeallen@possibletraining. com, www.possibletraining.com/mikeallen
CHEER
CheerGyms.com Customize our clinics to fit your needs. Cheergyms.com runs the best overnight residential camps. We offer practical, fun material and professional, knowledgeable staff. Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders with one staff member for every 15 cheerleaders. Two-day camps also available. Private camps allow you to pick the hours, decide what they
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will learn. Camps also available for coaches. Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour. Info: morton@cheergyms.com, 925-685-8176, www. cheergyms.com
ENRICHMENT
Dianne Adair Programs Come join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program. Each week campers choose from several camps including sports, fashion, drama, CSI, science and more. In addition to weekly camps, we have weekly field trips to places like an A’s or Giants game, museums, the Jelly Belly Factory, Six Flags, the pool, the movies, parks and the zoo. Field trips and camps vary by site. Info: www.dianneadair.org.
FITNESS
Children’s Hospital “Learn What It’s Like To Be An Athletic Trainer.” Workshop exclusively for high school students, March 1-2. Includes: Overview of careers in sports medicine; ankle injuries and taping techniques; wrist, hand, thumb injuries and taping; knee injuries and RICE therapy; stretching techniques; low back injuries and CORE Training; sports concussions; shoulder injuries, rehabilitation. Class credit, certificate of completion and reference materials. Run by Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine staff, held in Oakland. Also available: yoga, athletic development, speed camps, circuit training. Info: 510-428-3558 Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning, Speed/Agility and Nutrition Specialist with the International Youth Conditioning Association, Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting athletes back on the field. We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress. Instruction in movement training, injury reduction, linear/lateral speed development, foot speed and agility, power development, proper weight training techniques and functional strength training. Athletes are closely supervised, with attention on proper technique, safety. Info: www.fasteryoungathletes.com, 925-639-0907. Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports, speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks. Participants have fun-filled, active breaks as they receive instruction in a variety of sports, activities and projects. Working parents can take advantage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions. Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling registered for the same week. Info: 925-942-6344. Trucks Training Trucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area, experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks. We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports & fitness safely and effectively. Hometown feel from true hometown people. We offer 1-on-1, group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs. Info: truckstraining.com; 925-756-7321
FOOTBALL
camp (Levels 4 & up): July 8-12. East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading. Info: www.eastbaysportsacademy.com, 925-680-9999 .
SWIMMING-DIVING
Sherman Swim School Our year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn, retain and improve their swim skills. We teach from age 9 months to adults, from non-swimmers to competitive. Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace. We also offer beginning and competitive diving classes. Info: 925-283-2100, www.ShermanSwim.com.
VOLLEYBALL
Bay Area Blast Summer Clinics Offering summer skills clinics for players of all ages, skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez. Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginner/intermediate level. Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediate/advanced level. Info: www. bayareablast.com/summerclinics.html U.S. Youth Volleyball League Camps are for beginner, intermediate, advanced players for boys, girls. We have a player-to-coach ratio of 8:1. Focus on spiking, serving, setting, passing, blocking, defense, offense and game strategy. Six-, four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position. Registration fee includes a T-shirt, completion certificate, snacks and water. Info: 888988-7985, www.USYVL.org.
MULTI-SPORT
Cal Camps Camps are offered in variety of sports for girls, boys ages 5-19, with week-long, half-day, full-day and overnight options. Most camps on campus in Berkeley and are held from June through August. The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports: baseball, boys and girls basketball, boys and girls rowing/crew, field hockey, football, boys and girls golf, girls gymnastics, rugby, boys and girls soccer, softball, boys and girls swimming, boys and girls tennis, boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo. Info: CalBears.com/camps. De La Salle Camps De La Salle will offer the following sessions: football, track & field, lacrosse, wrestling, quarterback & wide receiver, lineman, volleyball, baseball, soccer, water polo and strength & conditioning. Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27. Info: summercamps@ dlshs.org; 925-288-8100, Ext. 7090. Saint Mary’s College Camps We offer boys and girls overnight, day, team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18. Camps include: multi-sport (badminton, basketball, flag football, handball, paddleball, soccer, softball, street hockey, swimming, tennis, volleyball), individual sport camps (baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, golf, rugby, lacrosse, boys soccer, girls soccer, softball, tennis, volleyball). Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaels’ program. Info: www.smcgaels.com, smccamps@stmarys-ca. edu, 925-631-4386. ✪
LinemenInc Camps Utilizing top college coaches and former NFL linemen, LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coach’s clinic. LinemenInc blends a fast paced, technically skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps. Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp, room, meals and jersey. In 2012, LinebackerInc was added. Info: www.linemeninc.com.
GYMNASTICS
East Bay Sports Academy Summer day camps offer the best in gymnastics, cheerleading, and tumbling. Half-day and full-day camps for girls, boys ages 5 and up for both recreational and competitive athletes. Our 13,000 square foot facility has the newest equipment, including the brand new super-bouncy, safety-rated Weller Spring Floor, which is the largest in the world. Gymnastics & cheerleading camps: July 15-18, July 22-25, August 5-8, August 12-15. Competitive gymnastics
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Advertiser Index
❒❒ Army National Guard Recruiter..........................................................................5 ❒❒ Bay Area Blast Volleyball Club.........................................................................28 ❒❒ Big O Tires Northern California/ Nevada............................................................2 ❒❒ Bigfoot Hoops.................................................................................................14 ❒❒ Cal Athletic Camps..........................................................................................38 ❒❒ Championship Athletic Fundraising................................................................36 ❒❒ Cheergyms.com..............................................................................................33 ❒❒ Children’s Hospital And Research Center..........................................................29 ❒❒ Club Sport Renaissance...................................................................................11 ❒❒ Community Youth Center................................................................................38 ❒❒ Core Volleyball Club.........................................................................................35 ❒❒ De La Salle High School Football Coaches Clinic...............................................38 ❒❒ Diablo Rock Gym.............................................................................................37 ❒❒ Diablo Trophies & Awards................................................................................37 ❒❒ E J Sports Elite Baseball Services.....................................................................35 ❒❒ East Bay Sports Academy................................................................................35 ❒❒ Excellence In Sport Performance.....................................................................30 ❒❒ Fit 2 The Core...................................................................................................28 ❒❒ Game Changers Sports And Event Center........................................................31 ❒❒ Haggin Oaks Golf Complex..............................................................................33 ❒❒ Hawk Basketball Academy..............................................................................35 ❒❒ Home Team Sports Photography.....................................................................37 ❒❒ Image Imprint.................................................................................................34 ❒❒ Impact Soccer............................................................................................34, 38 ❒❒ Lacrosse Fanatic..............................................................................................14 ❒❒ Linemeninc.....................................................................................................36 ❒❒ M L B Scout.....................................................................................................34 ❒❒ Mountain Mike’s Pizza.......................................................................................7 ❒❒ Muir Orthopedic Specialists.............................................................................30 ❒❒ National Academy Of Athletics........................................................................22 ❒❒ National Scouting Report................................................................................34 ❒❒ Passthaball......................................................................................................38 ❒❒ Pro Hammer Bat..............................................................................................24 ❒❒ Rocco’s Pizza....................................................................................................37 ❒❒ Rockin Jump....................................................................................................39 ❒❒ Sacramento River Cats.....................................................................................25 ❒❒ Saint Mary’s Athletic Summer Camps..............................................................34 ❒❒ Sky High Sports...............................................................................................37 ❒❒ Sport Clips.......................................................................................................15 ❒❒ State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent...............................................................32 ❒❒ Stevens Creek Toyota.........................................................................................3 ❒❒ The Ecco Store.................................................................................................16 ❒❒ The First Tee Of Contra Costa............................................................................38 ❒❒ The First Tee Of Contra Costa Camps..................................................................6 ❒❒ Tpc / The Pitching Center.................................................................................24 ❒❒ United States Youth Volleyball League............................................................40 ❒❒ Velocity Sports Performance.....................................................................34, 37 ❒❒ Warrior Lacrosse..............................................................................................17 ❒❒ Wildcat Camp - Football................................................................................36v
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