SJ Edition 44, April 19, 2012

we name winter's best athletes. Pg. 18

vol. 3. issue 44

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April 19, 2012

sac joaquin

10

things you need to know from track's biggest meets. Pg. 22

endure | excel | achieve

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things your teams needs to be doing on social media Pg. 34

woodcreek softball is on a roll.

Pg. 24

rivercats give local teams taste of the big time. Pg. 28

RockLin skate center fills an epic hole

Pg. 14

PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson. Ext. 104 • Chace@SportStarsOnline.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Erik Stordahl, Mitch Stephens, Doug Gardner, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Jim McCue, Eric Gilmore, Dave Kiefer, Liz Elliott, Tim Rudd, Jonathan Okanes Photography Butch Noble, Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, Darryl Henick, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton Creative Department Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco. Ext. 103 • MikeD@SportStarsOnline.com Publisher/President Mike Calamusa. Ext. 106 • Mike@SportStarsOnline.com Advertising & Calendar/Classified Sales Sales@SportStarsOnline.com, (925) 566-8500 Account Executives Erik Stordahl • Erik@SportStars Online.com, Phillip Walton • PWalton@SportStarsOnline.com Sac Joaqin edition: Breck Phillip • BreckPhillip@gmail.com, Dave Rosales • DaveRosales64@gmail.com, Finn Jensen • finnjensen1@mac.com.

Reader Resources/Administration Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsOnline.com • Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 •

Atheltes of the year Winter edition Courtney Range & D'Erryl Williams Shone Brightest. Pg. 18 get luck-y: The NFL Draft is coming and there are local angles to be found. Pg. 9 rising: Woodcreek’s softball team is on the march to the top behind its two young pitchers.

Pg. 24 First Pitch............................................. 6 Locker Room...................................... 8 AAA SportStars of the Week........11 Behind the Clipboard......................12

raley field offers big time experience. Pg. 28

Health Watch....................................31 Camps + Clinics...............................36 Tee2Green.........................................37

Distribution/Delivery Mags@SportStarsOnline.com Distribution Manager Butch Noble. Ext. 107 • Butch@SportStarsOnline.com Information technology John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsOnline.com Office Manager/Credit Services Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Deb@SportStarsOnline.com Board of advisors Dennis Erokan, CEO, Placemaking Group Roland Roos, CPA, Roland Roos & Co Susan Bonilla, State Assembly Drew Lawler, Managing Director, AJ Lawler Partners Brad Briegleb, Attorney At Law 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 bay area sports admit one; rain or shine This Vol. #3, April 2012 Whole No. 44 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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Fundraising for seriously-injured athletes is about to get a boost

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First Pitch Chace Bryson Editor

Chace@ SportStarsOnline.com (925) 566-8503

his column begins with my email account.

It’s safe to say I spend at least an hour of my typical work day either reading, composing or deleting messages.

Actually, I admittedly don’t do enough deleting. I haven’t been told that our company’s last email crash had to do with the fact that I had more than 3,000 emails in my inbox, but I’m not asking around to find out, either.

So yes, I get a lot emails on a daily basis. Many of which are press releases for items that don’t really fit our magazine. With those messages, I tend to have little trouble pressing the delete key after scanning the first couple sentences.

But one such email avoided eradication last week.

It included a press release from the National Sports Leagues of America, a fledgling organization launched in February to create help with fundraising for the families of athletes who suffer a life-changing or fatal injury playing the sport they love. And the service they are trying to create seemed like something our readers should definitely know about.

In fact, the more people involved with interscholastic sports who know about the NSLA and what it can offer, the better. Most importantly, you can be part of its mission.

The organization is attempting to create a national “Injured Athlete Alert” system that would work like so: When an athlete — or even a coach — is involved in a serious life-threatening injury involving the spinal cord or brain trauma, the athlete’s family or school can reach out to the NSLA for support. In turn, the NSLA would activate its “Injured Athlete Alert” — a system that would deliver an email, text message, or social media post, to every registered member. That alert would include information about the athlete and his or her injury as well as provide a quick and easy way to donate to the athlete’s family for the medical costs.

According to the press release, families of the injured athlete would be able to have access to those donations within 48-72 hours of the “alert.”

“Even with immediate fundraising efforts in place, the problem is often getting enough recognition to raise the needed funds,” NSLA president Zina Barrow said in the release. “That’s where NSLA comes in. Immediate action through the NSLA network makes it possible for a sports-related injury or death to gain nationwide attention and greater fundraising results.”

Anybody can be part of the network. It’s free to register, and can be done easily through the NSLA’s website. In fact, the alert system won’t exist until the network reaches 20,000 members. The NSLA is currently promoting its “Race to Reach 20,000” campaign with a hope to have the alert system activated by May. As I read about this, I immediately thought of Gunnar Sandberg — the Marin Catholic-Kentfield pitcher who spent several days in a medically-induced coma after being struck in the head by a line drive in a preseason scrimmage against De La Salle.

Having written a handful of stories about Gunnar’s situation, I couldn’t help thinking how a national support system of 20,000 people donating just $5-10 each could’ve helped during Sandberg’s recovery.

Athletes who are able to make full or partial recoveries are just a part of it. This support system is also available to families who suffer the ultimate tragedy. Heat stroke and sudden cardiac arrest have taken young athletes’ lives far too often in recent years, and donations on their behalf through a network like this could make a huge difference in the lives of the affected family.

If you’re like us and think this is a cause worth being a part of, you can check out the NSLA and register for your free membership by visiting http://www.thensla.com/ And if you or your friends know of an athlete who has been seriously injured, be sure to let them know about the NSLA. Because the organization won’t know about the injury until somebody seeks the organization out and asks for help.

It’s my hope that we don’t see any of these types of injuries among our student-athlete population in Northern California going forward. But if we do, here’s hoping that ignoring my itchy delete key finger literally pays off for those affected. ✪

When an athlete — or even a coach — is involved in a serious life-threatening injury involving the spinal cord or brain trauma, the athlete’s family or school can reach out to the NSLA for support. In turn, the NSLA would activate its “Injured Athlete Alert” — a system that would deliver an email, text message, or social media post, to every registered member. That alert would include information ... and an easy way to donate to the athlete’s family.

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If you were a DJ, what would your name be

DJ CharBar

One dead person you’d like to meet

If you could only follow one athlete on Twitter - who?

3 people you’d like to have dinner with

Stat of which you’re most proud

Mark Twain

Build a water polo locker room on campus

James Harden

Ulysses S. Grant, George Washington, James Harden

Scoring final goal in sudden death at NCS WP final

2Pac

Buy a house

Michael Jordan

Kim Kardashian, Flavor Flav, Michael Jackson

Undefeated in league last two seasons

Charlie Wiser, Miramonte, swimming

DJ Cam Yee

First thing you’d buy if you won the lottery

rapidFIRE

Cameron Yee, Deer Valley,t ennis

firstPERSON

Carondelet-Concord senior Hannah Huffman, a signed recruit to the Notre Dame women’s basketball team, had a chance to see the Irish play in the National Championship game April 13 against Baylor. We asked her to write a short account of her experience.

It’s not very often that someone gets the chance to watch their future team play on the biggest stage college basketball has to offer. However I was blessed with a trip to Denver to watch my future team, Notre Dame, take on powerhouse Baylor for the national championship.

Although the outcome of the game was not as I hoped (Baylor won 80-61), the learning experience and the incredible national title atmosphere made the trip more than worth it. As the game was played, I was able to take in what the college game is like at its highest level. One thing was clear to see, its fast — really fast.

The pace of the game is so much quicker than a typical high school game. It was also interesting to watch the positions I think I will be placed in next year and analyzing what I could do in those situations in order to be successful. Besides the basketball aspect to the trip, there was one other thing I know I will take away from the trip, and that is the amazing support women’s basketball is receiving.

Many years ago, women’s basketball was in the shadows of the many male-dominated sports. However during my trip to Denver, I got to see firsthand the massive amount of attention the sport is getting. I had the chance to see the team escorted through a huge crowd at their hotel as they were being sent off to the game. The stadium was packed. ESPN was set up in the corner of the gym just like they would for a men’s game.

This type of publicity to women’s basketball is so encouraging to see. Players such as Skylar Diggins and Brittany Griner have taken the game to an entirely different level and I cannot wait to be a part of it. Even though Notre Dame did not win, my trip to Denver was one to remember. I plan to be back at the National Championship next year, this time with a Fighting Irish jersey on and a national title to go along with it.

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local angles at the nfl draft

“The Town Game”

getREEL

If you’re basketball junkies like we are then you’ve heard of Oakland hoops legends Demetrius “Hook” Mitchell and Leon Powe. But for the one percent who haven’t, you need to check out “The Town Game.” This documentary debuted April 9 on CSN Bay Area, and chronicles the lives of Mitchell, a streetball legend in the 80s, and Powe, who graduated from Oakland Tech in 2003 and won an NBA title with Boston in 2009.

Both grew up in an area rife with drug addiction and crime, and both took different paths in life. Jason Kidd, Brian Shaw, Antonio Davis and Chris Mullin are amongst the local greats featured in this powerful movie. If you missed the debut, you can still check it out on April 19, 25, and 29 at 9PM on CSN Bay Area.

out of four

sayWHAT

“She had been struggling offensively a little bit throughout the tournament.

She’s young, but there was no doubt in my mind that she was going to answer the call when she needed to. I just didn’t expect it to be such a big call.”

Are you ready for some football?! In April?

We know, we know. The season is long since over, and training camp is still a loooong way off. But it’s the draft, peoples! Show some enthusiasm. We at SportStars are here to help you cut through all the fluff and folderol from the insufferable talking heads (we’re talking to you, Mel Kiper, Jr.) and get right to the heart of the matter. Here’s a look at the top 5 most important local angles to keep an eye on for the 2012 Draft, beginning April 26.

1. You know who’s really, really good?

Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford.

2. All due respect to the impressive turnaround season registered by the 49ers (and the subsequent impressively active offseason), but you might want to take a look into adding some depth at kick returner. Or maybe just a guy who won’t kick the ball all over the field when he’s the only guy within 15 yards of the thing. Bears mentioning.

3. The Saints are in total disarray in the aftermath of BountyGate. It’s going to be a long season in the Big Easy. You know who could help them navigate the tumultuous waters of the 2013 season, either in the front office or as the interim head coach? Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford. And do you know which player he’d be absolutely insane not to take if he had the top pick in the draft? Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford.

4. You know that bullet-shaped thingy in MarioKart where you go really fast and nothing can hurt you? Can the Raiders draft THAT? Because, frankly, we don’t know where else to start.

5. Robert Griffin III, QB, Baylor, won the Heisman Trophy as the nation’s top collegiate player last year. He’s an exciting, talented athlete with a million-dollar smile and Superman socks. You know who he is nowhere near as good as? Andrew Luck, QB, Stanford.

— Bill Kolb, unabashed Stanford fan

— Amador Valley softball coach Julie Marshall on sophomore shortstop Ashley Lotosynski, who hit two home runs in an 8-1 win over then state-ranked No. 3 Archbishop Mitty-San Jose in semifinals of the Livermore Stampede on April 7.

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The Eagles hurler pitched a two-hit shutout in a 2-0 victory over Antelope to win his fourth consecutive decision. El Camino has won six of its past seven games, including its last three league contests to climb back into the Capital League title picture.

Frantz (4-2) has not allowed an earned run in his last four appearances (24 innings pitched) to lower his ERA to 2.07. In the victory over Antelope, Frantz helped himself with a solo home run to spark the offense.

SportStars Magazine: What has changed recently that has led to the success in your last four appearances?

Mike Frantz: I feel that I have been more focused on the mound since the beginning of the season. I am more confident in the defense behind me, so that I am comfortable throwing strikes and letting batters hit the ball. I don’t feel as if I have to get all of the outs myself.

SSM: In the victory over Antelope, you pitched a shutout and hit a home run. Was there anything special that contributed to your performance?

MF: I felt confident in all of my pitches and was comfortable to let them hit the ball. Before the home run, Cooper Robinson (the 8-yearold son of El Camino Athletic Director Cici Robinson) wished me good luck, and then I hit the home run. Later, we got the ball I hit and I signed it for Cooper and gave it to him for his help.

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mike frantz el camino sacramento . baseball . senior

honorable mention

joie camalo The Rocklin senior goalkeeper recorded a 1-0 shutout of league rival Granite Bay to improve the Thunder’s overall record to 10-2-3.

Camalo has posted 12 shutouts and allowed just four goals this season.

louis mejia The Jesuit senior 2B played went 2-for-3 in the Marauders’ series victory over rival Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills and was also 3-for-4 over the team’s last two games at the Lions Tournament in SoCal.

riley williams James K. Leash

The Bella VistaFair Oaks senior was 2-for-3 with a pair of home runs and four RBI in an 11-1 rout of Rio Linda. She leads the team with four home runs and has added 15 runs and 12 RBI.

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Attending summer exposure events isn’t as crucial as you might think I want to play (whatever) in college, and I know I have to play in the summer to get seen. I’m going to be a sophomore, and my team is going to a big tournament in July but my parents won’t let me go because we have a family reunion. They don’t understand how important it is for me to be in this tournament — my college career could depend on it, and that’s a lot more important than a family reunion.

J.S., Quincy

T

his comes up every year, and in every sport (which is why I didn’t specify), and what kids and parents don’t understand is this: Exposure isn’t a good thing unless you’re good — and you’re not as good as you think you are.

Let’s take that last part first.

Everybody, myself included, thinks they’re better than they actually are. For example, if I really knew how bad I was at basketball, I probably would have quit in shame in the ’90s — but because I deluded myself that I was OK, I kept playing. At the lower levels, we all know confidence is crucial, and so it really helps to have more confidence than maybe your talent justifies.

But still, before you go out and get seen by college coaches, you need to have a serious sit-down in front of the mirror, and look at just how much talent you really have.

For example, if you’re not the best player on your junior high team, you’re not going to the NBA. In fact, you probably won’t start at the varsity level in high school, so traveling to L.A. to supposedly get evaluated by D-1 talent scouts is going to hurt, not help.

“But I’m going to get better,” you say. “Michael Jordan didn’t make varsity as a sophomore.”

Behind the Clipboard Clay Kallam

But still, before you go out and get seen by college coaches, you need to have a serious sit-down in front of the mirror, and look at just how much talent you really have.

Though I hate that story for the false hope it gives to far too many young athletes, there’s also another point to it: If Jordan wasn’t ready for varsity, he probably wasn’t ready to be seen by college coaches either. He hadn’t grown yet, and was just another medium-sized guard.

Finally, you can’t help yourself, but you can hurt yourself, in the summer after your freshman year. If you’re great, people might say “I have to follow up next summer” — and if you aren’t very good the next summer, your name is off the list. But if you struggle as a young player and evaluators see you struggle, they’re liable to cross you off and never bother to look you up again.

There are a million players out there, and there’s never enough time to see them all, so many times all scouts are looking for is a reason to shorten a very long list.

Sure, you should play in some summer tournaments to get used to the environment, but if you miss a couple weeks to spend some time with your favorite cousins in the Ozarks, it isn’t going to make any difference when the scouts get serious in two years.

And now, all it can do is hurt you, because one thing that’s sure to happen in exposure camps is that a lot of kids get exposed. ✪ 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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Epic Skatepark in Rocklin provides sanctuary for casual skaters and jumping off point for those only slightly more serious

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s r e t a k s gonna 14

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April 19, 2012

a

By jim mccue | Contributor

kate to live. Live to skate.

That sentiment and attitude has been around since urethane wheels created the skateboarding boom of the 1970s, and it lives on today at the Epic Indoor Skatepark in Rocklin.

The 36,500-square-foot facility provides a place for skateboarders, scooter and BMX riders to practice, learn, or just hang with friends. The park is one of a rare skateparks in the Sacramento area, drawing recreational riders and aspiring professionals to its ramps, rails, stairs, and bowl.

“The majority of people who use the park are kids ages 10 to 21,” said Keith Halterman, who manages the park and Epic’s competitive skateboarding team. “That’s our core group, but we get younger kids that like to ride their scooters in parts of the park and older riders including some ex-pros. There’s really a diverse range of people that use the park.”

Epic, which opened in 2009, hosts mostly open sessions for skateboards, inline skates, and scooters. However, it also has special sessions for BMX riders, welcomes school field trips, and hosts birthday parties. Private and group lessons are also offered as are skateboard and scooter camps.

“Scooters make up a big part of our income,” Halterman said. “It is relatively new as a sport, but without them, we are not in business for the skaters to come here and train and skate. We would have closed a year and a half ago if not for the scooter riders.”

While the scooter crowd may have to work harder to gain the respect of the skateboarders (think early skiers vs. snowboarders issues), it is slowly gaining acceptance in the skating community. The Epic Skateboard Team, which has been in existence since the park opened, recently added a scooter team with three riders that have their own team manager to help coordinate entrance and travel to competitions.

Halterman, who still competes professionally, oversees Epic’s team of sponsored skaters ranging from 12 to 18 years old.

“I don’t necessarily have one role as a team manager,” Halterman said. “Sometimes they need help with school, sometimes they need ad-

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vice on girls, for someone to be like an older brother, or just to listen.

“Sometimes they need help with certain tricks, but I see my main job as an overall mentor to these kids. I try to show them what it takes to be in the industry, guide their attitudes to become a pro, and how to market themselves.”

Halterman’s marketing concepts are not textbook or overly elaborate. Often, the key to marketing young sponsored riders is to focus primarily on attitude. Halterman, 28, has seen successes and failures in skateboard marketing where the best riders may not be the most popular or the ones with their names on the most boards or apparel.

“If you look at the guys that are big in the sport, like a Tony Hawk, they are personable and put a good image out to the public,” he said. “Kids and parents don’t want to support someone with a bad attitude and buy stuff with their name on it. Parents are watching, so I work with the kids on presenting themselves in the best light possible. You are 100 percent the product.”

Part of that marketing is how team members act while inside the skatepark where Halterman can observe interactions between teammates and other riders, but all team members must sign a contract that requires that they maintain good grades and conduct themselves properly in school and in public. Breach of that contract can result in the skater losing their spot on the team and Epic sponsorship.

“All of the kids on the team do well in school, and I think that it is important for us to keep our grades up to stay on the team,” said Brent Bell, a 17-year-old from Lincoln who attended Lincoln High before starting his senior year being home-schooled through the Horizon Charter School. “A lot of doors have opened for me because of skating, and I’m just very blessed to be where I am now.”

Bell is one of a handful of older riders on the Epic team that Halterman believes have professional potential beyond the circuit of regional events Epic hosts and participates in.

Some of them have other sponsorships outside of Epic and hope to follow in the footsteps of pros who have used or visited Epic, such as Nyjah Huston, the youngest ever X Games competitor at age 11.

Bell, who has visited Huston in Los Angeles and seen the bright side of professional skateboarding, would welcome the chance to turn pro, but takes the skater’s c’est la vie attitude.

“My main goal is to have fun at it and see what the outcome is,” he said. “It would be cool if I could go pro, but I (skate) because I love it. It is a passion for me.”

Other potential stars on the Epic team — James Gray (17), Blake Swain (15), Jeremy Vogt (18), and Dylan Hilton (18) — all responded with the same thoughts on training and working solely to become a pro with multiple sponsorships. Fame, wealth, and recognition take a back seat to doing what they love to do.

“I just want to have fun and skate,” said Swain. “When I was younger, I always wanted to be some big, pro skater, but I just want to skate. I don’t care if I go pro because I am happy skating.”

FAR LEFT: Dylan Hilton, one of two 18-year olds on the Epic Skateboard Team, catches some air during a skate team workout in early April.

LEFT: Damon Cass is one of three kids who make up Epic’s new scooter team. The infusion of scooters has really breathed some life into the business of the skatepark.

All photos by James K. Leash

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Part of the allure of skating is the common love for the sport and the acceptance of all comers regardless of culture, status, or looks.

The uniting characteristic for all comers, pro or otherwise, to Epic is the love for skating.

“Even the best pros just love to skate,” Halterman said. “Sure they are excited to get the chance to get paid to do something they love, but it all comes back to the fact that these guys would skate no matter what. That’s their attitude. They only care about skating.”

When the Epic team is not practicing, they hit the road during the summer months to compete around Northern California and beyond. One of the main competitions is the Northern California Best Amateur Skateboard Series (BASS). This year’s series will have seven stops, including three at Epic and contests in Benicia, Marina, Grass Valley, and Turlock.

As the host of numerous competitions, Epic provides the ideal training facility for the team, allowing for practice on layouts that will be used in the contests. “(Epic) is the best place you want to be if you are preparing for a competition,” said Vogt, who lives nearby in Roseville. “You can set up areas in the park, so that you are basically going over the routine that you will do at a competition elsewhere. Everything is here to train and get ready.”

Potential pros like Vogt and Hilton, who makes the trip to Rocklin from Oroville, can also train at Epic for the street riding that most of the team members enjoy. Team members and Epic’s own videographer often hit the road to get footage needed for the videos that can attract big-name sponsors like Bones, Independent, and others. Hilton has been gathering footage of himself for nearly two years to be part of an extended video that he hopes might bring the attention he needs to find his name on boards, hats, or shirts in the future.

“I skate all the time and most of the time it’s here,” Hilton said. “It’s better than doing something that could get you in trouble, and it keeps me active. But I’m just having fun with what I’m doing now. If something happens with the video that I am working on, I will take the chance to see where it goes.

“But I’m fine with whatever happens — if I can just skate.” ✪

Austin Gutierrez, 13, goes airborne over teammate Ellis Shaw as members of the skate team ham it up in the background.

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Campers get full experience at Golden State Warriors camps By erik stordahl | SportStars

The campers were in the middle of another action-packed day of hoops and listening intently as one of the coaches was instructing them for their next drill.

That’s when Andrew Bogut walked in.

The newly-acquired Warriors center worked with the 80plus campers of the Golden State Warriors Camp at Fallon Middle School in Dublin on April 11. That’s one perk no other local camp can offer.

“It’s definitely something unique for us to provide for our campers,” said Jeff Addiego who is the director of youth basketball for the Warriors. “Your typical high school coach that offers a camp in the summertime can’t really offer that. But we try to use our basketball resources whether it’s our practice facility or our players and coaches to enhance the experience.”

Bogut, who grew up in Australia idolizing Toni Kukoc and the late Drazen Petrovic, reflected on his basketball camp experiences.

“I remember when a pro player visited our school, I talked about it for years,” Bogut said. “It’s always cool to see someone in the flesh. I think it’s a good thing for these kids.”

These campers sat wide-eyed as the 7-footer discussed his early playing days and his path to the NBA, then fielded a number of questions from them. After the Q&A, each camper got their picture taken with him and his autograph.

Other than the midweek hysteria of meeting a pro player, these campers are put to work on the basketball court.

“Nine o’clock is when we blow the whistle to get start-

Phil Walton

A Warriors camper raises his hand to ask a question of new Warriors center Andrew Bogut during camp.

ed,” Addiego said. “We usually get some stretching and our warmup in. From there we move on to our fundamental stations, so they’re spending seven to nine minutes at each fundamental station: passing, shooting, dribbling, moving without the basketball, one-on-one, rebounding, defense — all the

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little things that go in to playing 5-on-5 games.”

After they get schooled on fundamentals, the competition begins with 3-on-3 games. But Addiego and his coaching staff implement rules such as no more than two dribbles, and everyone needs to touch the ball before a shot is attempted.

These rules may take some getting used to for the campers, but they learn the value of sharing the ball and playing together as a team.

“It gets them moving and not just putting their hands up in the air and calling for the basketball,” Addiego said.

Campers range from ages 7-15 and are split into three divisions depending on age.

While this is a general skills camp, the Warriors also offer weekly sessions for more advanced, older players. “We also offer in the summer a couple high-potential camps for 11-to-17 year-olds,” Addiego said. “Then we also offer usually one-day clinics called Future Star Camps for five to eight year-olds.”

Camps are offered throughout the year but mostly during the summer. In total, the Warriors hold 40 camps in 30 different locations spanning Santa Rosa to San Jose. They’re expecting about 2,500 campers for 2012.

Most of those 2,500 dream of playing in the NBA when they grow up. Bogut wants them to know it can be a reality.

“I think a lot of people say ‘Oh you gotta be tall to be a basketball player or you gotta be strong,’” Bogut said. “There’s guys in the NBA that are really short, there’s guys in the NBA that are really big. … I just stress to them ‘Don’t let anybody take away your dream.’ If your dream is to play in the NBA … it’s achievable if you work at it.” ✪

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“To me, if we don’t get to state, the whole season is a waste because all the games that you go through would mean nothing without a state title.”

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BEST OF THE WINTER Boys Coach Rob Richards, Antelope Basketball — In just the school’s fifth year in existence, Richards led the Titans to a 30-2 record that included a 29-game winning streak. Antelope captured its first Sac Joaquin Section title by defeating Lodi in the Division III title game at Power Balance Pavilion to earn the No. 4 seed in the NorCal Playoffs.

Girls Coach Dave Parsh, Kennedy-Sacramento Basketball — After a slow start to the season, Parsh led a retooled roster to a second-place finish in the competitive Metro League. The Cougars (26-9) got hot in the playoffs, leading to an upset win over top-seeded Pleasant Grove before winning the Division I SJS title in a double-overtime thriller over Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills.

“I’ll do whatever I have to do for my team to win.

Whether that means that I need to be a defensive player or if I need to be more aggressive on offense, I will do what it takes to win.”

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Photos by James K. Leash

Boys Rising Star Anthony Townes, Modesto Christian Basketball —The 6-foot-6 freshman post averaged 12.8 points per game in the regular season before breaking out for 22.5 ppg during the Crusaders’ march to the Division V Section Championship.

Girls Rising Star

Tiara Tucker, Brookside Christian-Stockton Basketball — The sophomore finished second in the section scoring with a 25.3 average. Tucker followed that up by leading the young Knights to section, Northern Regional and State Division V titles. She scored a game-high 28 points for Brookside Christian in its 70-64 state-title win over Mission Prep-San Luis Obispo.

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THE RANGE FILES

■ THE STATS: Range averaged 14.6 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.1 steals & almost 2 assists per game.

■ ALWAYS WORKING: “I plan to work on my shot over the summer. I want to be a more consistent shooter and a clutch three-point shooter.”

■ FAVORITE PLAYERS: Kobe Bryant and Derrick Rose. “They are just great players. They can do almost anything on the offensive end.”

■ COLLEGE PLANS: “My dream schools would be Baylor or UConn, but I am looking at Pac-12 schools. I like the West Coast and some of the Pac-12 programs are very good. I don’t know if I could handle the cold weather on the East Coast.”

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courtney range

Female Athlete of the Year St. MARY’S-STOCKTON • basketball • JUNIOR

HONORABLE MENTION

Standing over six feet tall, Courtney Range is not the typical point guard.

With a greater field of vision, the St. Mary’sStockton junior is able to create on the offensive end of the court like few of her peers can.

Throughout the 2011-12 season, Range initiated the Rams’ high-powered offense in leading the team to a 32-4 record that included a 27-game winning streak. Whether she was slashing through the lane to score baskets, draining long-range jumpers from beyond the arc, or dishing assists to a full complement of capable teammates, Range was the start and often the finish of the Rams’ offense.

“I definitely like to create and make the nice passes to my teammates,” Range said when posed the choice of scoring 30 points in a game, or handing out double digits in assists.

Range’s length and size advantage over opposing point guards also played a key role in St. Mary’s hounding pressure defense that caused numerous foes to record more turnovers than points in a game. In beating McNair 67-42 in the Sac Joaquin Section final, the Rams forced a stunning 47 turnovers. Range led her team with a game-high 25 points as the program captured its 12th Sac-Joaquin Section crown in 14 years.

Despite the continued SJS dominance, the SportStars Female Winter Athlete of the Year focused more on the team coming up short in its attempt to dominate at the state level. The Rams lost a heartbreaking 53-51 decision to Archbishop Mitty-San Jose in the NorCal final, which halted the team’s winning streak and kept them from playing for a fourth straight state championship.

The basketball-crazed Range watched intently as Baylor capped an unprecedented 40-0 season with a national championship riding the theme of “unfinished business” from the previous year’s failure to win it all.

“I am definitely going to go to coach (Tom Gonsalves) and the team and propose that we borrow the ‘unfinished business’ theme from Baylor,” she said. “To me, if we don’t get to state, the whole season is a waste because all the games that you go through would mean nothing without a state title.

“It’s not finished until we win the last game.”

— Jim McCue

Syria Rhodes

Lynette Johnson

Valley-Sacramento, Senior, Wrestling

Kennedy-Sacramento, Junior, Basketball

The Vikings senior overcame a shoulder injury to win the school’s first-ever state wrestling title. Rhodes needed overtime to beat GunnPalo Alto’s Cadence Lee 6-4 in the championship of the 103-pound division.

The junior forward led the Cougars to a Division I section championship and a deep postseason run that ended in the NorCal final.

During the regular season, Johnson led Division I scorers with a 19.8 ppg average, scoring in double figures in every game, including the playoffs.

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Male Athlete of the Year sheldon-sacramento BASKETBALL • JUNIOR

D’Erryl Williams HONORABLE MENTION

Jake Elliott

Johnny Schupp

Oakmont, Senior, Wrestling

Vacaville, Senior, Wrestling

The Vikings’ star captured the Section Masters title at 152 pounds before finishing second at the State meet.

Elliott recently added All-America honors by finishing fourth at the National High School Coaches Association (NHSCA) Senior Nationals in Easton, Pennsylvania. As a junior, he won the state championship in the 145-pound division.

Following up on the Bulldogs’ SJS title in football where the senior anchored the offensive line, Schupp captured the state wrestling title in the heavyweight division by pinning Foothill-Sacramento’s Michael Lowman. The 6-foot-5, 235-pound Schupp won the SJS Masters heavyweight championship before his 5-0 run at the state meet.

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D’Erryl Williams has always saved his best for last.

The junior guard’s clutch fourth quarter play during the 2011-12 season was symbolic of the Huskies’ unyielding spirit during a postseason run that exceeded the expectations of most observers.

That Williams led the team’s run to a berth in the CIF State Championship game with a junior-dominated roster points to the possibility of even greater things for Sheldon in its last year with Williams at the helm.

While Williams admits the Huskies’ loss to Mater Dei-Santa Ana in the state final was painful, he and his teammates already have their sights set on making a return trip to Power Balance Pavilion for another shot at finishing their 2013 season with a victory.

That Sheldon even reached the state final was a testament to the grit and perseverance of Williams. The versatile 6-foot-3 guard seemingly willed his team to win after win in the postseason despite playing with a dislocated pinky finger on his right hand in the team’s final three games, including a comeback victory over Delta River League rival Jesuit-Carmichael in the NorCal final.

“That game was probably the most memorable of the season,” Williams said of the Huskies erasing a 17-point second-quarter deficit to win. “Coming all the way from behind showed the kind of character that we had.”

Williams led the way, scoring nine points in the final 2:30 of the game, to earn Sheldon the first Division I championship berth for a public school from the Sac Joaquin Section.

Williams says that he plans to work hard on his shot off the dribble to force defenses to play more honest when he has the ball. But the SportStars Winter Athlete of the Year is no one-trick pony running the floor as opposing defenses and offenses will have to be wary of his all-around game in 2013.

“I’ll do whatever I have to do for my team to win,” Williams said. “Whether that means that I need to be a defensive player or if I need to be more aggressive on offense, I will do what it takes to win.”

Now, spectators and college scouts must wait and watch to see how Williams finishes his last season.

— Jim McCue

THE WILLIAMS FILES

■ THE STATS: Averaged 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 3.0 steals per game in leading Sheldon (29-6) to Delta River League, Sac Joaquin Section, and NorCal championships.

■ SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: Scored 23 points, including nine in the final 2:30, to lead the Huskies to a come-from-behind 61-56 victory over rival Jesuit in the NorCal final at Power Balance Pavilion.

■ FAVORITE PLAYER: Chris Paul. “I like the way that he is a leader out there on the court. He commands everybody and makes sure that everybody knows what they are doing on the floor.”

■ COLLEGE PLANS: “I don’t have a particular ‘dream school’ or a short list yet. It depends on the school’s style of play and how I fit in the program.”

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The 2012 Northern California track and field picture got a little clearer with the Arcadia and Stanford Invitationals each held April 6-7. Here’s what we learned.

1. It’s not easy to repeat — even if your name is Trinity Wilson

The nation’s top 100-meter hurdler is shutting it down until at least May due to a big left toe injury she sustained at the Stanford Invitational while winning her trials heat in a nationalbest time of 13.41 seconds.

Meet officials were expecting her at Arcadia — she is the defending champion there and at state — but because the two mammoth meets conflicted for the first time, she opted for Stanford.

Wilson has a lifetime best of 13.15 she set during the USA Junior Outdoor Championships last summer. She also won titles over the summer at the World Youth Championships and Pan-American Junior Championships.

The winner at Arcadia, Long Beach Poly senior Traci Hicks (13.63) was hoping Wilson would have shown. “It’s always good to get pulled,” she said. “But I’m sure we’ll see each other soon enough.”

2. Kenneth Williams is a serious state title contender

Despite lowering his early-season state-best 110-meter hurdle time to 14.05 seconds at Arcadia, the Kennedy-Richmond senior was hardly pleased. That’s because he finished third in the race, well back of Brophy College Prep-Phoenix junior Devon Allen (13.52).

“I planned on running faster,” said Walker, a wide receiver on the Kennedy football team and UCLA-signee.

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10 Things We Learned About NorCal Track over Easter Break

Williams has time. The state meet is two months away and he’s one of six juniors to make last year’s finals. Walker finished sixth last season but at this point, he’s the front-runner.

3. Noel Frazier is ready

After placing second at state last season, the CaliforniaSan Ramon senior high jumper is the front-runner this season after winning at Arcadia with a clearance of 6-9. That was the same height he cleared at state last season — under wet conditions — and he’ll likely need to approach 7-feet to win it this season. Frazier actually tied two other jumpers at Arcadia but won on less misses. He’s tied for the state lead, according to dyestatcal.com, with Canyon-Canyon Country senior Cody Crampton at 6-10.

4. Byron Marshall in serious shape

The Valley Christian football star is absolutely ripped and ready for track action as he showed earlier this season by going a lifetime best 10.61 in the 100 meters at the St. Francis Invitational on March 17. He looked ready to better that time at Arcadia, but he pulled up at the end with a slight hamstring pull. He still finished in 10.70 and placed fifth. His status for the rest of the season is unclear.

Marshall missed much of his senior football season due to a shoulder injury. When healthy, he probably was perhaps the Bay Area’s top recruit. The powerful 5-11, 185-pound running back/defensive back signed to Oregon.

5. There’s another serious state contender at Valley Christian

And that is junior Sean Davis, who took sixth at Arcadia in the 800 at a superb time of 1:52.39. He may have finished

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sixth but the race was dominated by out-ofstaters. Davis owns the second best time in the state, though it’s almost two seconds behind Army & Navy-Carlsbad senior Alexander Monsivaiz, who has the nation’s No. 3 time at 1:50.47.

Two runners in the meet broke 1:50, winner Tyler Smith (Welaskiwin Composite-Alberta (CAN)) at 1:49.23 and Hector Hernandez (Ellison-Texas) at 1:49.91.

6. James Logan churns out another triple jumper

Every season it’s someone new, but James Logan-Union City has another state contender in the hop, skip and jump. This year it’s junior Jeff Prothro, who went 48-1¼ at Arcadia to place second. The mark is No. 2 in the state, behind Claremont’s Klyvens Delaunay (49-4¼) and No. 5 in the nation.

Here is the long list of placers (top six) in the triple jump (boys and girls) at James Logan: Rasheed Abdullah (1995, 4th, 482½), Angelo Jeffery (2003, 5th, 48-3¾; 2004, 3rd, 48-11½), Nkosinza Balumbu (2003, 6th, 47-5½; 2004, 1st, 50-6; 2005, 1st, 49-7½), Tracey Stewart (2004, 4th, 38-11½; 2006, 2nd, 41-7¾), Deconte Kaye (2005, 3rd, 4110), Brianna Stewart (2007, 4th, 41-3; 2008, 3rd, 40-3½), Ciarra Brewer (2008, 4th, 397½; 2009, 1st, 42-11½; 2010, 2nd, 41-10¼; 2011, 1st, 41-11); Lauren McGlory (2009, 5th, 40-1½).

7. Carrie Verdon isn’t only campo star at a distance

Yes, Campolindo senior Carrie Verdon continues to look like she’ll improve on her third-place 3,200 finish at state this year — she’s No. 9 in the nation with a time of 10:24.72 and No. 1 in the state in the mile (4:53.38) — but senior Thomas Joyce looks equally strong.

Though his placing was almost absurd at No. 22, Joyce recorded the fifth best 3,200 time in the state this season at 9:01.42.

There were a remarkable 16 runners who broke the magical 9-minute plateau in the Arcadia event.

8. Sasha Wallace deserves her due

When Wilson went down with her toe injury, Holy Names junior Sasha Wallace more than picked up the slack, winning the 100 hurdles in 13.73, the state’s No. 3 time behind Wilson and Hicks. She also won the triple jump at 40-5 ½, the best mark in the state this season and No. 3 in the nation. She has a slight edge over St. Mary’s Academy junior Rachel Toliver (40-3¾). Wallace has been lost somewhat in the shadows of Wilson and three-time triple jump champion Brewer. It appears this is the time for the soft spoken and jovial Wallace.

Jonathan Hawthorne

Thomas Joyce is another Campolindo distance runner that can’t be overlooked.

9. Fairfield Hurdles On

Sac-Joaquin Section power Fairfield shows no signs of slowing down, especially with the return of senior hurdler Daje Pugh, who took fourth in the 100s at Arcadia in 14.08. She also won the seeded 300 hurdles in 42.98, which would have placed her fourth in the Invitational. Last year Pugh finished sixth at state in the 300s and seventh in the 100s. She’s going to get pushed by Vacaville sophomore Daria Cook, who went 14.08 and 43.41 in Arcadia. Fairfield also has a section title contender in 800 runner Darrell Jackson who recorded the state’s fourth-fastest time at Arcadia in 1:53.85.

10. Two emerge from relative oblivion

Tamalpais-Mill Valley has never been confused for sprinter’s ally but senior Lilla McMillan ran the state’s third fastest 200 during the Arcadia meet in 24.45. McMillan reached the state meet last year but went 25.00 in the trials and failed to make the finals. … And out at Heritage-Brentwood, sophomore Frank Kurtz emerged from absolute obscurity to record the third fastest 400 time in the state this season with a mark of 48.26 at Stanford. ✪ — Mitch Stephens Mitch Stephens is a senior writer and national columnist for MaxPrep.com. E-mail him at mstephens@maxpreps.com.

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April 19, 2012

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In the fifth season since its last SJS finals appearance, the Woodcreek Timberwolves softball team is rising again thanks to juniors Amanda Horbasch , right, and Lexi Wilkerson 24

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April 19, 2012

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April 19, 2012

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I

t’s a relatively new school, but the softball program at Woodcreek High in Roseville is already steeped in tradition.

The campus opened to accommodate growth in the area in 1994, but the softball program has a pair of Sac Joaquin Section championship banners and numerous league titles to boast.

The Timberwolves are perennial contenders for Sierra Foothill League and SJS supremacy, but head coach Art Banks knows that each year brings new personalities, strengths, and challenges to the field. Banks, who is in his 30th year of coaching varsity softball and recently won his 600th game, can probably list the variations in every team he has led.

“The wins are not from my effort, but because of the players that I have coached through the years,” a humble Banks said after receiving a plaque commemorating his accomplishment before a recent game. “Every team is different, and we always have different strengths and weaknesses. What is the same is that every year we need to build on our strengths and eliminate or hide our weaknesses.”

The 2012 Timberwolves have plenty of strengths.

It all starts with a solid and deep pitching staff. While many teams rely primarily on

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one dominant pitcher to carry the workload every game, Woodcreek uses a two-pitcher rotation. Juniors Amanda Horbasch and Lexi Wilkerson split the starts with Horbasch getting a slightly heavier workload.

“We usually rotate starts, but it varies depending upon the opponent or previous game,” Horbasch said. “We back each other up real well and can step in if the other one is not on her game.”

The back-up plan has been rarely used this year as Woodcreek had lost just one game through April 14. Horbasch took the loss, but sports a 7-1 record with one save to go with a

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LEFT: Senior shortstop Paige Davis anchors the defense for the Timberwolves and was hitting .452 from the leadoff spot through April 14. ABOVE: Lexi Wilkerson, who plays first base when she’s not pitching, prepares to bat during a 2-0 win over Granite Bay on April 10.

0.43 ERA and 69 strikeouts in just 48.2 innings pitched. Wilkerson is a perfect 4-0 with a 1.13 ERA while sophomore Jenna Curtan has gotten some work to the tune of a 2-0 mark and 0.64 ERA. Horbasch and Wilkerson provide a devastating 1-2 pitching punch because of their varied styles. While Horbasch is more of a power pitcher that can register strikeouts in bunches with a nasty rise ball, Wilkerson counters with a wicked change-up and excellent movement on all of her pitches.

The diversified pitching attack is a far cry from the game plan that Banks used in 2004 and 2005 when Amanda Eccleston was a one-girl wrecking crew in the pitching circle, leading the Timberwolves to back-to-back Division II section crowns. But a successful coach like Banks understands that utilizing all of his current talent is the key to making another run at an SJS championship.

Despite its history of success, Woodcreek has enjoyed, the Timberwolves have not won the ultra-competitive Sierra Foothill League since 2007. And their only other trip to a section final was an empty one in 2008 when they fell to Oak Ridge.

But, just as every team is different, Banks knows that every season is different and he hopes that change might yield a league or section title. He likes his chances with this team, but is quick to point out that nothing is guaranteed regardless of how well the season starts for his team.

“We have to get to the postseason first before we can think about how far we can go,” he said. “With our league, you have to focus on every game and cannot take a day off with any opponent.”

Just one-third of the way through the SFL schedule, due to a handful of rainouts, the Timberwolves still have all three showdowns with Del Oro-Loomis remaining.

Woodcreek’s pitching depth will benefit the team, but Banks believes that defense will play just as big a role behind his pitchers.

“We are stronger in pitching than almost any team,” Banks said.

“All of our pitchers keep the ball around the plate, which enables

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our defense to make plays.”

Woodcreek’s defense is anchored up the middle by senior team leader and shortstop Paige Davis, and the Timberwolves sport an impressive .969 fielding percentage. Whether the ball is hit to the infield or outfield, Woodcreek has the gloves and arms to contain the most potent offenses in the section.

While Davis anchors the defense, she also kick-starts the offense as the leadoff batter. She is hitting .452 with a team-high .566 onbase percentage and 13 runs. Despite leading off, she also leads the team with 11 RBI and boasts a .500 slugging percentage. Junior Nicole Miller wields the biggest bat in the order, owning a .676 slugging percentage to go along with her team-best .486 batting average.

Woodcreek’s all-around game has allowed the team to get out to the fast start they have enjoyed, but consistency will be key for the Timberwolves to retain the momentum they have gained and maintain the winning tradition the program has established.

“The winning tradition is something that definitely motivates us and makes us want to live up to what past players and teams have started,” Davis said. “We definitely want to keep up the tradition.”

One tradition the Timberwolves have continued is a somewhat bizarre bonding ritual before each game where one of the players draws a circle in the dirt with a bat and every player must then spit into the circle before the team kicks dirt to cover the spit and the circle that was drawn. Regardless of its often perceived strangeness, the ritual has resulted in success on the field and increased awareness off of it.

“The school now seems to be more into softball this year with the success we have had,” Davis said. “Students are talking about the team and about softball, so it is great to get the positive feedback.”

If the Timberwolves can ride the campus buzz and stay on course throughout the rest of the SFL schedule and the playoffs, they can add that support and perhaps another banner to the traditions established by past teams. ✪

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RiverCats give NorCal high schools a taste of The Show ABOVE: Center-Antelope’s Nathan Lukes watches the flight of a batted ball as he runs between first and second base during the Cougars’ game against Chico at Raley Field on April 7.

RIGHT: The standards of Old Sacramento’s Tower Bridge loom in the background as Center’s Ryan Acuff trots off the field.

All photos by James K. Leash

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By jim mccue | Contributor By high school, some ballplayers have accepted the fact their Major League dreams from childhood will never become reality.

But, given the chance, each and every high school player would relish the opportunity to experience the neatly-manicured grass, monstrous video board, booming public address system, and palatial stadiums of a big league ballpark.

The Sacramento RiverCats, Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A’s, have provided such an opportunity for high school players throughout Northern California. This year marks the seventh season that teams from Antioch to Red Bluff and Benicia to Sutter have upgraded their facilities to one of the premier minor league stadiums for a memorable high school game with a big league feel.

Started in 2006, the Raley Field High School Baseball Program invites local (and fairly distant) programs to partner with the pros to

raise funds for their school and give their players a big-league experience. This year, more players than ever will dig their cleats into the fine dirt and green grass of the ballpark on the Sacramento River waterfront. The schedule was increased from 10 dates to 22, and the River Cats included junior varsity games to the mix for 2012.

“The program has been very successful and grown tremendously,” said Ashley Hansen, who took over as program director for 2012. “It was set up to allow the RiverCats to give something back to the community, and everyone is so appreciative of the experience.”

High school programs that participate must sell vouchers for RiverCats games to cover costs, but most schools make money from the voucher sales and can add to their fundraising totals by auctioning off the use of the executive suite that is provided for each school to enjoy during the high school contests. But the real attraction for high schools is not the monetary benefit, but the experience itself.

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“It’s not just a token appearance,” said Center coach Jeff Wise, whose team has played at Raley Field every year the high school program has existed. “(The RiverCats) make us feel very special, and it is the team bonding highlight of the year.”

The RiverCats’ aim has always been to create the same atmosphere for high school teams that the A’s minor leaguers and visiting players experience.

Even though admission and parking are free, fans can enjoy the Raley Field concession stands, the center field scoreboard and video board, and the public address system.

Schools are offered the opportunity to provide guest PA announcers, students or guests to

sing the National Anthem before the games, and even some fun minor league on-field antics, including between-inning activities and an occasional appearance by RiverCats’ mascot, Dinger.

The result is typically lots of smiling faces — from the head coach and players to family, friends, and boosters. Even the local umpiring crews get the opportunity to work a game at Raley Field, which can be just as special an experience for the men in blue as it is for the players on the field. Hansen pointed out that the high school games draw more than just supporters of the teams facing off on the field.

“The games get a lot of interest from

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Remaining 2012 Schedule

April 21, Mt. Shasta vs. Colusa, 12:30 p.m.; River City vs. Linden, 7:30 p.m.

April 25, Bear River-Stockton vs.

Anderson, 6:30 p.m.

May 4, Dixon vs. Capital Christian, 6:30 p.m.

May 5, Foothill-Sacramento vs.

Antelope, 12:30 p.m.

May 5, Sutter Union vs. Union Mine, 7:00 p.m.

May 7, Maria Carillo vs. Vanden, 6:30 p.m.

June 3, Showcase Games, 5:30 p.m.

All records through April 16.

Rank (Last wk) School

What They said

“Playing at Raley Field is something that every team, including the fans, looks forward to. It is a great field to play on and everyone plays at their best because of the atmosphere.”

— Zach Green, Jesuit shortstop “I do not know where baseball will take (El Camino senior Joey Thompson), but I can guarantee that the game El Camino High School played at Raley Field is something that he will never forget. The smile and pride that he had is something that his Mother and I will never forget.”

— Joe Thompson, El Camino Parent The Raley Field scoreboard lights up the night as Center and Chico battle in the top of the sixth inning. The two teams battled to a 2-2 tie.

Record

1. (4)

St. Francis-Mountain View

18-1-1

2. (3)

Campolindo-Moraga

11-1-1

3. (1)

Valley Christian-San Jose

16-3

4. (2)

St. Mary’s-Stockton

13-4

5. (7)

De La Salle-Concord

10-2

6. (6)

Palo Alto

16-3-1

7. (5)

Jesuit-Carmichael

8-5

8. (10) St. Ignatius-S.F.

11-4-1

9. (8)

Elk Grove

8-4

10. (13) Deer Valley-Antioch

12-1

11. (14) Monte Vista-Danville

6-4

12. (18) San Ramon Valley-Danville

6-3

13. (16) Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills

9-5

14. (NR) Newark Memorial-Newark

12-3

15. (12) Foothill-Pleasanton

10-3

16. (9) Davis

10-3

17. (11) Granite Bay

11-3

18. (NR) Los Altos

15-3

19. (NR) St. Mary’s-Berkeley

10-4

20. (NR) Archbishop Mitty-San Jose

12-7

DROPPED OUT: No. 15 Bellarmine-San Jose,

No. 17 James Logan-Union City, No. 19 AcalanesLafayette and No. 20 Granada-Livermore.

people in the area that just like to watch baseball,” she said.

“Some people who frequent RiverCats see the lights on and come on out just to check out what is happening. And there are casual high school fans and other high school players that can take advantage of a free game at Raley Field.”

Jesuit pitcher Logan James, who will play at Stanford next year, and shortstop Zach Green, who is committed to Oregon State, were part of a matchup with Davis on March 16. Both guys have the potential to make return trips to Triple-A stadiums and beyond in their baseball careers, but the opportunity to share the experience with close friends and longtime teammates carries extra weight.

“Playing at Raley Field was a great experience the last three years, especially playing against my former hometown of Davis and all of the guys I grew up playing with,” James said. “The venue cannot be beaten and the quality of baseball is always great playing at a stadium like that. Having the chance to pitch there twice, I feel very blessed with the opportunity I have been given.”

Fifteen of the 22 scheduled high school games of 2012

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are already in the books, leaving seven dates to catch a high school game for free at a spectacular venue. The next date features a doubleheader on Saturday, April 21 — Mt. Shasta and Colusa start the day (9 a.m. for JV; 12:30 p.m. for varsity) with River City-West Sacramento and Linden completing the full day (4 p.m.; 7:30) — and the 2012 high school program’s slate will be capped off this year with Showcase Games (both JV and Varsity) on Sunday, June 3.

Teams that participated throughout the season at Raley Field can nominate 2-3 players each to participate in the Showcase Games to fill out opposing rosters with players available and willing to play one more game after all of the CIF Section finals have concluded. Hansen and the RiverCats should not have a problem filling those rosters with anxious players hoping to get one more game in a big-time ballpark.

Said Center’s Devin Eldredge after battling to a 2-2, eightinning tie with Chico in the Cougars’ 2012 Raley Field visit on April 7: “I admire so many athletes that have played here, so it is a great feeling to play at Raley Field.” ✪

BIGGEST MOVER: Newark Memorial and San Ramon Valley each moved up six spots in the rankings. Newark entered the poll from being nonranked and San Ramon Valley jumped from No. 18 to 12 after winning five of six and the only loss coming to No. 5 De La Salle-Concord.

TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 13

UPDATED RANKINGS Get softball rankings and the all latest rankings every Wednesday at www.SportStarsOnline.com

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A closer look at the most common sports-related injury

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n inversion ankle sprain is one of the most common injuries in sports. About 90 percent of ankle sprains are inversion injuries.

There are three ligaments that may be involved with an inversion ankle sprain; the anterior talofibular ligament (ATF), posterior talo-fibular ligament (PTF), and calcaneo-fibular ligament (CF). And there are three types of inversion ankle sprains, Type I, Type II, and Type III. Of the three types of injuries Type I is the most common. Type I is classified as, little to no tearing of the ATF, mild pain, weight bearing is minimally impaired, point tenderness, and swelling around the outside of the ankle.

Type II is classified as, slight to moderate tear of the ATF; little to no tearing of the PTF, weight bearing is difficult, moderate amount of pain, tenderness and swelling around the ankle joint.

Type III is classified as, a complete tear of the ATF, complete tear of the PTF, complete tear of the CF, weight bearing impossible, severe pain, and extreme amount of swelling.

In all three cases, in the first 24-72 hours RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevate) is the best therapy to decrease swelling and pain.

Rest: Stay off the ankle if you can. Use crutches if needed.

Ice the ankle as much as you can, rotating between 20 minutes of ice and an hour break. Compression: Wear an elastic bandage wrap to help control the swelling in the ankle.

Elevate the leg above your heart to help the lymphatic system

pull the swelling from the ankle. Athletes should follow up with doctor for an X-ray to rule out a fracture.

Once the pain and swelling are under control, it’s time to start the rehabilitation process. Work on regaining full range of motion in the ankle.

Practice tracing out the ABC’s with your foot in the air. The ABC’s will allow the ankle joint to go through all ranges of motion.

Another exercise is to place the heel on the wall and try to tap the wall with your toes. This will allow you to practice full plantarflexion and dorsiflexion. Use a thera-band for resistance, work on all range of motion (ROM) of the ankle. Towel curls are good exercises to work on the smaller muscles in the foot. Standing calves stretch will help keep the lower leg loose.

After full ROM is achieved weight-bearing drills can begin.

Start with double leg calf raises then single calf raises. To get the ankle ready to return to play, add single leg balance drills.

All exercises and drills must be performed pain free.

To return to play, the athlete should be taped or use a brace for extra support. Keep playing hard, keep playing safe. ✪

Health Watch Jasmine Gittens

Jasmine Gittens is an athletic trainer for Alameda High School who also works with Sports Medicine For Young Athletes, a division of Children’s Hospital Oakland with a facility also located in Walnut Creek. If you have a health-related question for the “Health Watch” column, write the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes staff at Health@SportStarsOnline.com

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NCVA

The Northern California Volleyball Association is looking for sports-related companies to help them raise some money. They’re aiming to send their Dream Team to the Premier Volleyball League to compete in the 2012 USAV Adult Open Championship. It’s going down in Salt Lake City in May and they need your help pronto! Hit ’em up at here http://ncvanew.d4sportsclub.com/page.aspx?id=101

Popchips

If there’s one thing we love it’s food (oh yeah, sports too). It’s always a double-whammy when it’s good for you. Popchips fits the bill and occupies our office kitchen as hardcore as the Mr. Coffee machine. Maybe the only thing better than Popchips is being part of a great cause that benefits the community. Which is what Popchips is doing with its Game Changers program. They’ve reached out to some dude named Tim Lincecum to help. This season, fans can chime in and tell Timmy what charity and causes he should support. Here’s how it works: Now through April 30, you can submit your local cause to www.popchips.com/timlincecum or on his Facebook page (www.facebook.com/timlincecum). Then, from May 1-20, you’ll be able to vote on the submissions. Lincecum will choose the winner himself and in June, Popchips will help give back

Sea Otter Classic The Sea Otter Classic is April 19-22 at Laguna Seca Recreation Area in Monterey. Experience mountain biking, motocross and more. For more information, go to www.seaotterclassic.com.

City of Walnut Creek camps

If you’re in Walnut Creek and you love sports, then you’re about to have a busy summer. The City of WC is offering nine weeks of camp from June 18 to Aug. 13 and features all kinds of sports. Your head might explode when school rolls back around. Choose from two sports to play each session. Weekly trips include good stuff like A’s games, Boomers, Great America, the San Francisco Zoo and more! Register at www.walnutcreekrec.com or call (925) 943-5858.

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Bear Valley Mountain

If you’re looking to get away for the weekend, we highly recommend Bear Valley. They just closed their skiing season but the fun is just starting. Get info on their epic summer camps coming up soon. They’ve got camps for the whole family, skills camps for older kids and adults, and day camps for the little ones. You can go swimming, kayaking, hiking rock climbing, mountain biking and so much more. Go to www.bearvalley.com.

Pass Tha Ball

The battle for b-ball supremacy culminates in the second annual Bay vs. Sac All-Star Game on May 4. It’s going down at NorCal Courts in Martinez and will feature the top female ballers in the Bay Area and Sacramento. Hit up www.passthaball.com.

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1 reasons why coaches need to do more with social media, and how they can get started When it comes to coaching, the on-field work is just a small part of the job.

Coaches are the chief fundraiser, buyer, scheduler, reporter, historian, caterer, contractor, event coordinator, and traffic cop. They turn over every possible rock to find a competitive edge. As exhausting as this can be, they do it because they want to provide the best possible environment for their student-athletes.

But most are probably not doing enough with social media. Not even close.

Social media can be a quick and effective way to help coaches streamline their off-field activities and make their program more competitive.

NOTE TO COACHES: This isn’t going to solve your problem at shortstop, but it is going to create more energy around your team, help your program raise some muchneeded cash, and get the word out about the great things you and your staff are doing.

Following are seven ways coaches can use social media and internet tools to enhance their programs. But before any of it can get accomplished the coach must get serious and not relegate social media to an afterthought. Finding a dedicated person that is computer savvy (or willing to learn) is critical. Once that’s accomplished, there are many benefits that can be achieved.

— Ben Campopiano

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Instruct Athletes

Why should coaches wait until practice to show video when they can use YouTube? Why hold a meeting to hand out info when one can use Facebook? The simple fact is that it’s not difficult to instruct players and improve their performance from behind a computer. This won’t solve slumps or improve arm strength, but it can add to player development.

HERE’S HOW: Use Twitter to send out a motivational quote, or interesting response from a player interview.

Post exciting articles, informative pictures, and instructional video clips on your Facebook page. And after you take video footage of your athletes, upload the videos onto YouTube so players can view them from home.

This is all free, easy to do, and very effective.

Raise More Money

Raising money is like a colonoscopy — coaches hate it, but they know it must be done. While most are now desensitized to asking for money, they still don’t feel comfortable doing it. Nobody really does. So do something different.

HERE’S HOW: Solicit people outside your city walls with electronic contribution programs. Instead of hard solicitation letters or traditional crab feed dinners, try an E-mail or online program to raise money. There are businesses out there that will do the leg work for you for a percentage of your take. Or if you’re internet savvy, you can create your own E-mail solicitation program. Another option is a purchasing program where buyers go through your site before doing their online shopping. You would then receive some percentage of each sale. At a minimum, start promoting your off-line fundraisers online using social media sites.

Build New Relationships

Coaches aren’t looking for a best friend here. But they could be trying to find someone who can be their freshman coach or strength and conditioning coordinator. And seemingly every study says organizations which connect well with the community, attract more volunteers. Coaches typically don’t have funds to buy advertising or send out mailers, but free online tools can help.

HERE’S HOW: Search online for free directories, event calendars, and other websites that allow you to post news, needs, and events for your organization. This helps get info to people who aren’t necessarily familiar with your program. Then use all the usual social media suspects to let friends of the program know what you need.

Archive The Season

One of the coolest things about Facebook is that it allows you to store all your photos and videos on the sites for free. With a little bit of help from a team photographer and/or videographer, coaches can do a good job archiving their team’s season. After a season or two, it gets easier to track down past information which can be used to create a nice historical snapshot of the program. This highlights the program’s past successes, makes the alumnae proud, and shows current players they are part of a tradition.

HERE’S HOW: Take lots of pictures and video at your games and events, and upload them to Facebook and YouTube. Use MaxPreps or similar websites to track standings, statistics, and game info. Once you get the current season up to date, start working backwards on previous seasons. Use yearbooks, scorebooks, newspapers, and the internet to discover as much as possible about past teams and players. The more info you add online about your program history, the more involvement (money) you’ll get from alums and friends of the program. Plus, by highlighting your history, you’re actually promoting your current program and improving your chances for future success.

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Promote Players Online

Every coach wants to help their kids reach the next level, if that is indeed the player’s goal. Social media sites — especially those that tie into school, team or athletic department websites — make it very easy to promote players to college recruiters, professional scouts, summer coaches, and the media.

HERE’S HOW: First, get some video, pictures, and info for each of your players. Then have the webmaster of your school site create profile pages for each player where this info would be viewable to the public. If you are like a lot of high school coaches, you might have to build your own site. However, because most athletic/educational websites are designed for novices, you can easily learn how to build a site. Most of these websites are user-friendly, so you won’t have to know any code or be a computer genius to set them up.

Once you have the site built, you can use social media tools to promote it.

Sell Out Events

One of the most time consuming things for coaches is organizing, promoting, and putting on events. The events can range from hosting in-season tournaments to alumni weekend, golf tournaments, bocce ball night, or dinner auctions. It is extremely difficult pulling off a successful event. Social media won’t take care of all the associated tasks, but it can certainly help.

HERE’S HOW: Evite will help you track potential attendees and organize the event. Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube will help increase attendance, solicit volunteer support, attract sponsors, and record the event. Once you get yourself signed up with these sites, start adding friends and marketing your event, and pretty soon word will spread.

Provide More Information

The best way coaches get the word out about their program is by winning.

The community will know more about a program when it wins a title. But in the meantime, there are ways to provide more information to those who are looking.

HERE’S HOW: Start off by putting your schedule, roster, results, and coaches bios online. Then when you get comfortable, start posting articles, pictures, videos, profiles, blog posts and more whenever possible. The more info you put out there, the better. And although this seems obvious, the easier the information is to access, the more likely they’ll view it

Ben Campopiano is currently the Director of Baseball Operations for Santa Clara University. Prior to his appointment at SCU in 2011, he had spent the previous seven years teaching and coaching baseball at Northgate High in Walnut Creek.

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BASEBALL/SOFTBALL

Blankenship Baseball We are a year-round competitive baseball program based in Danville.

The Camp focuses on teamwork, hustle and sportsmanship. We also offer small group training as well as one-on-one training.

Info: lancerblankenship@ sbcglobal.net or 925-7083173.

Cabernet Baseball Club The Livermore-based club hosts The Pitching Center’s Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2012, for players ages 8-14. Lil’ Baseball also offered for ages 3-7. 925-416-1600, www.thepitchingcenter. com.

EJ Sports EJ Sports provides individual, group, team, coaching and manager clinics in many levels of baseball. Among the numerous different services offered, the Spring Clinic, Summer Clinic and the Fall League for children of Little League age has proven to be successful, instructional and most of all fun for the kids. Contact EJ Sports for a list of upcoming clinics, or contact your local little league to see if they participate in our coaches and managers training program.

Info: 925-866-7199, www.ejsports.com.

The Pitching Center In an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential, The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC), a fullservice baseball/softball training academy. We provide comprehensive, fully-integrated training programs that evolve based on the best research and information available in areas from health/safety, peak performance, education techniques and more. Age- and skill-specific programs available for students age 8-High School. Info: 925-416-1600, www. thepitchingcenter.com.

San Ramon Slammers Tryouts for the San Ramon Slammers Select/ Travel summer girls fast pitch softball teams are coming up on April 28-29 at San Ramon Central Park, Field 3.

The season starts in June and goes through August and entails summer tournament play — roughly two per month — with possible play into late fall. For those who want to participate in the 2012 softball season you need to attend tryouts.

Prospective players can RSVP via email to sales@cardozaandcompany.com to reserve your time. Teams include: 10u, 12u, 14u and 16u. Info: www.sanramonfastpitchsoftball. com, http://www.facebook.com/ sanramonbaseball City of Walnut Creek Baseball is Fun Beginner Camp. July 25Aug. 4, 9 a.m.-noon, Mon.-Thur. at Tice Valley Park; Extended day/week available with Deluxe Sport Option. Ages 5-9. $35/$75. Registration: 925-952-4450, www. walnutcreeksportsleague.com.

BASKETBALL

CalStars The Stars Basketball Academy (SBA) is

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pleased to announce our youth and high school summer camps. The SBA is a fundamental based skills development camp for kids in 3rd grade-High School. We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school (9th-12th) sessions. Go to www. calstars.org for more info.

Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors welcome players of all skill levels to participate in a variety of spring camps that will be held in April and May. The camps are typically for boys and girls ages 7-15, and there’s a “parent/child camp” for adults and their kids as young as 5. Info: camps@gs-warriors.com; 510-986-5310.

Mike Allen Sports Learn the basics of basketball, sharpen your skills and improve daily at the Ballin’ Ambassadors basketball clinics!

Hosted by MIke Allen Sports in the South Bay, registration is easy. Go to www. mikeallensports.com to reserve your spot.

408-279-4123.

City of Walnut Creek Basketball is Fun beginner camp. July 11-21, 9 a.m.-noon, Mon.-Thur. at Tice Valley Park; extended day/week available with deluxe sport option. Ages 5-12. $35/$65 per week.

Registration and info: 925-952-4450, www. walnutcreeksportsleague.com.

CHEER

CheerGyms.com Six camps are offered from June through July: Coaches Camp, Freedom High School 2-day Cheer and Dance Camp, 2-Day Cheer Camps at ALL Cheergyms.com facilities, Jr. High/High School Cheer CampCalifornia Session 1, Individual/Group Stunt Cheer Camp, Jr. High/ High School Cheer Camp (Elite)-California Session 2. For more info: 925- 685-8176, 866-685-7615, info@cheergyms.com; www. cheergyms.com.

East Bay Sports Academy East Bay Sports Academy offers the best in gymnastics and cheerleading training. Our top of the line recreational and competitive programs earned us the exclusive “Best in the East Bay” award for Best Gymnastics Classes 2011. You can bring your team to be a part of the excitement, as our talented & motivated staff becomes your team’s best support system. All of our team camps are custom-built to complement your coaching needs and team goals. Info: 925-680-9999, www.EastBaySportsAcademy.com.

ENRICHMENT

Dianne Adair Programs Come join any of our eight Dianne Adair summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program. Each week campers will be able to choose from several

camps, including sports, fashion, drama, CSI, science and so many more. In addition to our weekly camps, we have weekly field trips to places like an A’s or Giant’s game, museums, the Jelly Belly Factory, Six Flags, the pool, the movies, parks and the Zoo. We also offer many “in-house” field trips like Games2U Mobile Entertainment, the Bubble Lady, Furs, Skins and Tails, magicians, clowns, singers and many more. Field trips and camps vary by site. Please consult your site of choice for more details. Bring in this article and receive half off our $40 summer registration fee. Info: www.dianneadair.org.

FITNESS

Aspire Pilates Dramatically increase core strength, power, flexibility, balance, focus and joint stability, while preventing injury.

Aspire prides itself on helping propel athletes to the next level by addressing muscular imbalances, helping athletes increase body awareness, correcting faulty body mechanics and accessing untapped strength. Info: 925-680-4400, www.

AspirePilatesCenter.com.

Children’s Hospital “Learn What It’s Like To Be An Athletic Trainer.” This twoday workshop exclusively for high school students will be April 13-14. The workshop includes: Overview of careers in sports medicine; ankle injuries and taping techniques; wrist, hand, and thumb injuries and taping; knee injuries and RICE Therapy; stretching techniques; low back injuries and CORE Training; sports concussions; shoulder injuries and rehabilitation. Who should attend? High school students interested in a career in sports medicine. Some of the perks you get include: class credit, certificate of completion, reference materials and box lunch provided on April 14. It will be facilitated by Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine staff and it will take place at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center Auditorium. 744 52nd St., Oakland, CA 94609. The fee is $99/student. RESERVE your spot today by calling the Sports Medicine Center at 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 an innovative approach to getting your young athletes back on the field of play post-rehabilitation (which gets your athletes to normal function), continuing the process by progressing their bodies to handle what they must endure on the field or court. For F2C’s Back to Sports programs we offer training weekdays, with 2 days/week or 3 days/week program options.

Bottom line: Our program gets your athletes back on the field. Sign up today for your twoweek free pass at www.fasteryoungathletes. com, or call 925-639-0907 for more information.

Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness is offering a wide range of different sports fitness camps and classes in 2012. Here are

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Gulbis, Sutherland headline 2012 Sacramento Golf HOF class By jim mccue | Contributor

Jim McCue

Granite Bay graduate and current LPGA Tour star, Natalie Gulbis, makes some remarks at Haggin Oaks Golf Course as part of the Sacramento Golf Hall of Fame ceremonies.

Gulbis is part of the 2012 induction class.

2012 Sacramento Golf Hall of Fame Inductees ■ Natalie Gulbis

■ David Sutherland

■ Angie Dixon, First Tee Executive Director

■ Bob & Marilyn Hughes, perennial volunteers ■ Bodycraft Collision Centers, valued sponsor

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Northern California, and Sacramento especially, has established itself as a rich proving ground for talented young golfers over the past few decades.

The First Tee of Greater Sacramento (formerly SAY Golf of Sacramento) has been around to see most of its homegrown talent climb to the highest levels of play, including top-tier collegiate programs and golf ’s professional tours. Among the notable locally-grown golfers are PGA Tour veterans Nick Watney, Spencer Levin, Scott McCarron, and Kevin and David Sutherland, as well as LPGA players Kim Welch and Natalie Gulbis.

It’s Gulbis and David Sutherland who had the light shone on them recently as the newest members of the Sacramento Golf Hall of Fame. The 2012 class was recognized for induction at a recent gala at The Crest Theater in Downtown Sacramento.

Before the evening’s induction event, both Gulbis and Sutherland spoke about their local roots and the state of youth golf in Sacramento.

“The local golf scene is as good right now as it has been in quite a while,” said Sutherland, who coaches the men’s and women’s golf teams as the Director of Golf at Sacramento State. “It looks like there are a number of real good young players, which is important because the competition is real important to make the players better. There are a couple of young male golfers that are just outstanding, and some young female golfers who will be very good college golfers.”

Sutherland, a native of Carmichael who graduated from Christian Brothers High School, grew up playing golf at Haggin Oaks before launching a successful amateur and professional career. In all, he competed in 215 PGA Tour events and 83 Nationwide tournaments during a 17-year professional career. He has served in his position at Sacramento State since the 2007-08 season.

Following youth golf is part of Sutherland’s job description, but he admits to paying special attention to his alma mater.

“I have to pay attention to high school and youth golfers both locally and nationally for recruiting, but I definitely follow Christian Brothers a little more,” he said.

“I love recruiting Sacramento kids and it is important to bring some of the area’s top talent into the program, but it is impossible to keep them all local.”

Sutherland has to compete with other schools, including national collegiate golf powerhouses such as Stanford, Oklahoma State, and SMU, for the area’s elite golfers. Del Oro senior Austin Smotherman is a First Tee veteran who has committed to SMU for his college golf and education, but Granite Bay’s Alex Gibbs will remain close to home to play for Sutherland and the Hornets.

Gulbis graduated from Granite Bay where she competed on the Grizzlies’ boys team before playing collegiately for one year at the University of Arizona. She turned pro at the age of 18, and has been on the road seemingly nonstop ever since.

The 11-year LPGA Tour veteran rarely gets back to Sacramento, where her parents still live, but she savors every opportunity to return to her old stomping grounds in the area. Gulbis had the opportunity to visit with golfers at Haggin Oaks as part of the Hall of Fame festivities, and she talked about courses and ranges she frequented with her father as an up-and-coming golfer, including Sunrise Golf Course and Whitney Oaks Golf Club. The course she played most as a young golfer, West Sacramento’s Lighthouse, is now riverfront housing, but she raved about local courses and junior golf in Sacramento.

“Sacramento is a great place for junior golfers,” Gulbis said. “There are a lot of great junior golf programs, including The First Tee, that do great things in trying to influence young golfers and get more kids involved in the game.”

While Natalie enjoys keeping up with the local golf scene and meeting Sacramento golfers out on tour and when she comes home, she most enjoys following the success of the Granite Bay football program. The Grizzlies have won four SacJoaquin Section titles, including the 2011 championship.

“I am always keeping up with Granite Bay because my parents go to all of the football games,” Gulbis said. “I keep up with the school and the team with apps for local sports news all the time.” ✪ April 19, 2012

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three we’re featuring. Pilates for Sports — An ideal form of fitness for athletes to improve performance & prevent injuries. Hardcore Golf Fitness — A four-week golf-specific fitness camp is the ultimate physical conditioning program for golfers of any age who want to take their game to the next level.

TRX Team Fitness —A cutting-edge six-week small group personal training program is a team-sports inspired program for athletes of all levels who want results in a challenging, motivating environment.

For all info: Contact Bob Boos, Personal Training Director. Phone: (925)932-6400 or email: bob@ wcsf.net

FOOTBALL

Acalanes Football DONS CAMP The Acalanes coaching staff invites you to be the best football player you can be. At our camp you will learn skills, techniques, rules and how to perform to the best of your ability. There are daily camp awards. All athletes receive a T-shirt. This is a non-contact camp focused on having fun while learning the game of football. Staff members are coaches, teachers and parents. Info: contact Mike Ivankovich at mivankovich@acalanes.k12.ca.us.

Black Diamond Football Camp Black Diamond Football Camp is a four-day contact team camp from June 18-21 running from 4 p.m.7:15 p.m. each day. Cost is $1000 per team. This camp is designed to strengthen team concepts within YOUR program. Hosted by Pittsburg and Concord High Schools, it will take place at Pittsburg High. There will be Individual drills and team periods to install your offensive/defensive schemes.

There will be a 7-on-7 passing competition, a pass protection/blitz pickup session, team goal-line challenges, and controlled, full-contact scrimmages.

Info: Contact Coach Victor Galli at (925) 473-2390 ext. 7736.

Football University From the creators of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl comes a one-of-a-kind football training experience exclusively for the nation’s most elite youth and high school players. Born out of the appreciation that the most successful and skilled football players have mastered great technique, and that for many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available, the Football University (FBU) experience focuses on intense position-specific technique training taught by our expert faculty of former and current NFL coaches who have a passion for sharing this experience with young athletes.

NorCal Football Camps Space is available in all of this year’s camps & Flag Football leagues. Led by Ken Peralta, Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14. Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6. Info/registration: Ken, 650-2453608, norcalyouthfootballcamp@yahoo.com; www. norcalfootballcamps.com.

GOLF The First Tee-Contra Costa The First Tee Summer Camp is a youth development Golf program for boys and girls ages 7-18.

Participants will learn about golf and the life skills and values inherent to the game.

In addition to golf skills, rules and etiquette, participants are introduced to The First Tee Nine Core Values - honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy and judgment. Our Summer camps are four days a week, 4 hours/day @ Diablo Creek Golf Course, Concord. We have several weeks and facilities from which to choose. Fee assistance available. Info: Angela Paradise, 925-686-6262, Ext.

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0, angela@thefirstteecontracosta.org; www.thefirstteecontracosta.org. See you on The First Tee! The First Tee-Oakland The First Tee of Oakland participants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period. Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate golf courses. Each of the golf courses donates their range, golf course and classroom use. We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the mechanics required, and that teaches the values of the game, celebrates the fitness aspect of playing, and is offered at little or no cost. Info: 510-352-2002, info@thefirstteeoakland.org; www. thefirstteeoakland.org.

The First Tee-Silicon Valley The First Tee of Silicon Valley develops youth through the game of golf throughout Silicon Valley. We impact the lives of young people by providing educational programs that build character, instill life-enhancing values and promote healthy choices though the game of golf.

Participants learn to appreciate diversity, resolve conflicts, build confidence and set goals for their future. Spring classes begin March 13 and continue through May 12. Seasonal classes are offered

at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course.

We welcome participants ranging from second to twelfth grade. Scholarships are available upon request. www. thefirstteesanjose.org.

The First Tee-Tri-Valley We’re a youth development organization using golf and its etiquette to teach important life skills and core values.

We offer seasonal The First Tee Life Skills Experience Classes and Summer Camps for youth ages 7-17, held at the Pleasanton Golf Center on the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Life Skills Experience Classes - The Spring Classes begin the week of March 19.

Once a week Summer Classes will be held Monday-Saturday, beginning the week of June 11. Junior Golf Summer Camps - Summer Camps will be held 8-10 a.m., Tuesday-Friday for seven weeks this summer. Camps begin on the following Tuesdays: June 11, June 18, June 25, July 9, July 16, July 23 & July 30. Info: Call our office, 925-462-7201; www.TheFirstTeeTriValley.org.

HORSEBACK RIDING Earthquake Arabians Spring and summer camps are around the corner for Earthquake Arabians!

Registration is OPEN. Log on to www.

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earthquakearabians.com for more info.

925-360-7454.

Kelly Maddox Riding Academy Summer Camp, July 16-20, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. daily; ages 5-16. Enjoy a week of fun-filled learning as you develop new friendships with other horse-crazy kids like yourself.

Learn basic handling and grooming techniques, as well as how to saddle and bridle your horse. Activities include learning horse colors, markings and breeds; art and crafts; a farrier demonstration and human horse show; bareback riding and more! Info: 925-5754818, www.KellyMaddoxTraining.com.

LACROSSE Atherton/Vitality Lacrosse Join Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring, summer and fall camps.

Each Spring Break camp session runs weekdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Session rates are $235/week (sibling discounts available). Every camper receives access to the best high school, college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach to camper ratio.

Every camper receives a free Atherton Lacrosse T-shirt. Every camper needs a

lacrosse stick - we have partnered with Sling It! Lacrosse to bring the best value possible. Go to www.athertonlacrosse. com for more info. Sign up with Vitality Lacrosse to join one of their summer leagues in the Peninsula, Marin, East Bay, Petaluma and San Francisco. We serve the entire Bay Area! Go to www. vitalitylacrosse.com for more info.

MARTIAL ARTS USKS Adult and children’s programs, kick box fitness, mixed martial arts. Providing excellence in martial arts instruction and services for the entire family. 925-6829517; www.usksmartialarts.com.

OUTDOOR/ADVENTURE SPORTS Bear Valley Mountain Bring the entire family to mountain summer camps.

This summer, Bear Valley has residential & day camps for soccer, archery, climbing & a variety of outdoor adventures including kayaking, tennis, cycling, hiking, camp fires & so much more. Bear Valley’s summer camps offer outdoor recreation programs for the whole family & is a great place to visit. Info: www.bearvalley.com.

CYO Sports Camps/Leagues CYO summer recreation leagues begin in May. CYO offers coed volleyball, boys and girls basketball & tennis. Camps are

also offered in basketball and volleyball.

Info: http://athletics.cyo.org.

Diablo Rock Gym We will be offering kids summer camps every week starting June 19, ending August 18. Sign up for a week at a time or multiple weeks. Ages 6-12; multiple kid and/ or week discounts.

Call for pricing, 925-602-1000.

Keigwins@theTrack We conduct motorcycle schools and practice events (“track days”) at famous racetracks in the Western U.S. Events are for experienced motorcyclists looking to improve skills and build confidence while having enormous fun riding in an ideal, expertly-managed environment.

Riders provide their own motorcycles and protective gear. Keigwins@theTrack takes care of everything else: Info: www. keigwin.com; 650-949-5609.

RUGBY Diablo Rugby Youth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States.

Both non-contact and contact versions of the game are popping up in summer leagues, physical education classes, after school programs, YMCA’s, Boys’

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and Girls’ Clubs and backyards all over the country. Based in Clayton, our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at High School, Jr. High School and Youth levels. 925-381-5143, diabloyouthrugby@gmail. com; http://diabloyouthrugby. clubspaces.com.

SOCCER Diablo FC With a history that goes back two decades, the Diablo Futbol Club has proved to be the premier training ground for youth soccer players in the area.

Headquartered in Concord, Diablo FC offers training to boys and girls from levels U6 to U23, and has premier, gold, silver and bronze level teams with players from throughout Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties.

For complete info, call (925) 798GOAL or visit www.diablofc.org.

Gino’s Soccer Academy Gino’s Soccer Academy is in its 14th season of running summer soccer camps. We are offering eight one-week programs this summer and have programs to challenge and enrich the game

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of every soccer player. Whether you are just beginning, or have been playing for ten years, you will leave the Soccer Academy on Friday a more knowledgeable, better player than when you came to us on Monday.

Half- and full-day sessions available. Ages 4-17. Info: www. ginossocceracademy.com.

Heritage Soccer Club In 2012, HSC will not only offer a members-only summer soccer camp, but will offer two separate soccer camps — one for boys, June 25-28, and one for girls, July 9-12 – that will be open to the community. In addition to the summer camps, HSC will conduct their annual 6v6 BlowOut tournament in June and their second annual Harvest Cup Tournament in October. HSC is based in the Pleasant Hill/ Martinez area and serves the surrounding community. Info: www.heritagesc.com.

Walnut Creek Soccer Club The Walnut Creek Soccer Club uses all the resources available to provide the proper coaching and playing environment for all members. Our goal is for every member of our club to learn and grow as a soccer player and person. We will promote a positive learning environment for our players and families as we work to provide the highest

level of coaching and coach’s education. Info: wcsc_info@ wcsc.org; www.wcsc.org.

West Contra Costa Youth Soccer League Our program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 regardless of race, creed, gender or religion. The main focus of our program is not on winning, but on the development of the total soccer player within the framework of a team. We also offer specialized training for strikers and goalkeepers. We desire to promote personal responsibility, fitness, sportsmanship and teamwork. 510-758-5288, http:// wccysl.com.

SWIMMING-DIVING Sherman Swim School Our year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn, retain and improve their swim skills with little interruption.

Lessons are usually offered on M-W-F’s and T-Th’s in sessions of 3-4 weeks. (During the slower months of Fall, Winter

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and Spring, schedules can be more flexible, such as M-W, W-F, or only one day/week.)

We teach from age 9-months to adults, from non-swimmers to competitive levels. Since our lessons are private, they are tailored to each student’s age, ability and readiness. We also offer beginning and competitive diving classes. Beginning sessions typically have three students and are 30 minutes long. Classes are taught in threeweek sessions. Info: 925-2832100, www.ShermanSwim.com.

Walnut Creek Aquanuts Week in the Creek! Synchronized Swimming Camp, July 27-31, ages 7-18. Email: weekinthecreek@aquanuts.org.

Summer Trainee Program 2012 held June 18-Nov. 12 in 5- and 6-week sessions @ Clarke Memorial Swim Center, Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek.Info: 925-934-4792, WCA.Trainees@ aquanuts.org; www.aquanuts. org.

Walnut Creek Swim Club 2012 Spring practice will be held Mon., Wed. and Thur. evenings, April 16June 7, @ Larkey Pool for 6-unders through 13-up. 2012 Summer practice sessions

will be offered 7:30-10 a.m. daily beginning June 11 @ Las Lomas High School. Info: www. walnutcreekswimclub.org.

TENNIS

ClubSport Valley Vista ClubSport Valley Vista has successfully been hosting summer tennis camps in the Walnut Creek area for 33 years, with expert instruction. Tennis pro Dale Miller and his team of seasoned professionals will teach your children the fundamentals of tennis or help them improve their skills for recreation or competition. Camps are designed to touch on every major aspect of the game — stroke production, conditioning, strategy, footwork, psychology and most importantly, FUN! Players will be grouped according to level of play and age. ClubSport is located at 3737 Valley Vista Road in Walnut Creek. ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates. Info: 925-934-4050.

VOLLEYBALL

Diablo Valley Volleyball Club Seven one-week skills clinic sessions are offered from June-August. Camps differ in

age groups served. Each camp has a maximum limit of players allowed. Two sessions take place in Brentwood and the other five are in Walnut Creek. Info: 925451-6581; www.DiabloVBC.org.

Pacific Rim Volleyball Through private lessons, and the opportunity for yearround skills classes, athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills needed to gain a competitive edge. Our advanced training, for junior levels (12th grade & below), will provide athletes the opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school and/or collegiate volleyball. Info: www.pacificrimvolleyball.com.

U.S. Youth Volleyball League The USYVL is the leader in developing and maintaining youth volleyball leagues for boys and girls ages 7-15. USYVL summer camps are typically three days, with each day meeting for three hours. Camps are for beginner, intermediate and advanced players, and players will be grouped accordingly, based on age and playing experience. Info: 888-988-7985, www.USYVL.org.

WRESTLING

Community Youth Center The CYC wrestling program

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offers young athletes the opportunity to participate and excel in one of the world’s oldest sports. The program trains and challenges wrestlers at all age groups from kindergarten through high school, and all experience levels from beginner to champion. The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of Head Coach Mark Halvorson. Info: 925-671-7070, Ext. 229, www.communityyouthcenter.com.

The Creighton School of Wrestling CSW was established to provide a successful youth wrestling program in the Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula area that serves youth of all ages. Info: 650-219-6383; creightonschoolofwrestling@ yahoo.com.

MULTI-SPORT De La Salle Camps De La Salle High School will host athletic summer camps to provide a fun, skill-building week for kids.

They offer the following sessions: Football, Track & Field, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Quarterback & Wide Receiver, Lineman, Volleyball, Baseball, Soccer, Water Polo and Strength & Conditioning. Weeklong sessions will run June 9-June 28. Online registration. For more info: summercamps@dlshs. org; 925-288-8100, Ext. 7090.

Velocity Sports Camps Our Spring Break Sports Specific Summer Camps provide campers with a fun-packed, enjoyable environment where they can increase their athleticism and develop a wider range of skills. Velocity Sports Performance is looking for boys and girls ages 8-14 who are dedicated to making themselves better as athletes. Our Team Training programs are designed to deliver a challenging workout that is organized, educational, progressive and customized for entire sport teams. Info: 925-833-0100, velocitydublin. com.

Cal Camps Camps are offered in a variety of sports for girls and boys ages 5-19, with weeklong, half-day, full-day and overnight options. Most camps will take place on campus in Berkeley from June through August. 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. Information: CalBears.com/camps. Or email calcamps@ berkeley.edu.

Saint Mary’s College Camps We offer boys and girls overnight, day, team and specialty athletic camps. We have camps available for ages 4-18. Dates are posted and registration is open. Our various camp offerings include: Multi-sport, baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, golf, rugby, girls lacrosse, strength and conditioning, boys soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball.

Info: Click “summer camps” at www.smcgaels.com for detailed information and to register online. More info: smccamps@stmarys-ca.edu, 925-631-4FUN (4386).

City of Walnut Creek We offer 9-13 year-olds a fully-staffed and supervised recreational athletic camp. The program consists of eight weeks of sessions with your choice of two different sports for each of the sessions, with a ninth week session offering bowling. Our camp is specifically designed to teach and develop training skills, basic individual skills, sportsmanship, team strategies and concepts as well as building confidence and self discipline. Sports to choose from include: Tennis, Baseball, Multi-sport, Flag Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Basketball, Golf, Volleyball and Bowling. Camp offerings start the week of June 18th and run through August 17th.

Info: www.walnutcreekrec.org or call 925-943-5858.

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