SJ Issue 43, March 29, 2012

get drafted in first pitch.

vol. 3. issue 43

FREE

Pg. 6

march 29, 2012

endure | excel | achieve

sac joaquin

SAC IS BACK. PG. 16 BROOKSIDE ARRIVES WITH A BANG PG. 20

alex mason brings the heat. oak ridge golf is ready to rip it.

5

top wishes for baseball season.

Pg. 24 Pg. 28 Pg. 9

Young guns such as quinn carlsen have Oak Ridge aiming high.

Pg. 28

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.

James K. Leash

Sacramento comes into its own with a capital city showdown. Pg. 16

not easy: Just because they sometimes have to make cuts, doesn’t mean coaches like it. Pg. 9 big gun: Del Oro’s Alex Mason isn’t subtle. He’s throwing the ol’ fastball. Just hope you’re ready for it. Pg. 24 whip the hip pain: Where that pain is coming from and what you can do. Pg. 27

Reader Resources/Administration Ad Traffic, Subscription, Calendar & Classified Listings info@SportStarsOnline.com • Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • 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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First Pitch............................................. 6 Locker Room...................................... 8 Behind the Clipboard........................ 9 AAA SportStars of the Week........11 Training Time.....................................14 TriSteps...............................................23 Health Watch....................................27 James K. Leash

Camps + Clinics...............................31

ON THE COVER, above: Sheldon-Sacramento junior D’Erryl Williams. Photo by James K. Leash.

Photo Finish.......................................38

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your ticket to bay area sports admit one; rain or shine This Vol. #3, March 2012 Whole No. 43 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).

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Always something on-deck with ALL WORLD sports

March Events calendar BASEBALL 31-01: Wild Wild West Jackpot I, 9U-14U, Golden Eagle/Sparks 31-01: March Mayhem, 9U-14U, Antioch/Martinez FASTPITCH 31-01: All World Foolz, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 31-01: All World Foolz, 10/12/14 A/B, Livingston SOFTBALL 31-01: March Mayhem, Men’s/Coed, Sacramento April Events calendar BASEBALL 07-07: Santa Cruz Easter Saturday, 8U-13U, Santa Cruz

07-08: 7th Annual Easter Classic, 9U-14U AA only, Martinez 07-08: Easter Blast, 10U-12U, Concord 14-15: Santa Cruz Tax Tournament, 8U-13U, Santa Cruz 14-15: Baseball Foolz, 9U-14U, Redding 14-15: Baseball Foolz, 9U-13U, Sacramento 14-15: Baseball Foolz, 9U-14U, Fremont 21-22: All World NIT AA-AAA, 9U-14U, Elk Grove 21-22: All World NIT AA-AAA, 10U-14U, Martinez 28-29: East Bay Fling, 9U-12U, Concord 28-29: Santa Cruz April Finals, 8U-13U, Santa Cruz/South Bay 28-29: Bay Area Bombers AA only, 9U-14U AA only, Martinez/Antioch

28-29: Sac Area Bombers 7, 9U-14U, Mather Field 28-29: Kool April Nights, 9U-14U, Redding FASTPITCH 07-07: Easter Explosion, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 14-15: FaSTPITCH fOOLZ, 8U-14U, Redding 14-15: Weekend Warriors, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 14-15: Weekend Warriors, 10/12/14 A/B, Martinez 14-15: Weekend Warriors, 10/12/14 A/B, Livingston 21-22: Battle of the Bats, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 21-22: Battle of the Bats, 10/12/14 A/B, Livingston 28-29: Turf Wars, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 28-29: Turf Wars, 10/12/14 A/B, Pleasanton

SOFTBALL 07-08: Suisun City Invitational, Men’s/Coed, Suisun 07-08: Easter Egg Challenge, Men’s Open, D, E, EE/Women’s C, D, E, Fremont 14-15: Softballs Best, Vacaville 14-15: Bounty, Men’s E/Women’s/Coed, Lodi 21-22: Suisun’s Mash HR Series, Men’s/Coed, Suisun 21-22: Sac Bombers, Men’s/Coed, Sacramento 21-22: Fremont 4GG, Men’s E Open/Coed, Fremont 21-22: Mdnght Mdnes Prelim, Men’s E/Women’s D, E, Santa Cruz 28-29: Worth Warriors, Men’s E, D/Coed, Elk Grove 28-29: Spring Fling, Men’s Open, E/Coed, Fremont

Getting into the spirit of draft season O

h, the final weeks of March. A culminate in a two-day hoops fest in the sacred time for all sports fans. state’s capital.

NCAA Tournament brackets No. 3: Wrestling — Didn’t see this one are either laminated in glory, or used to coming, did you? Writers who take on a ceremoniously start spring’s first mound wrestling beat are quickly smitten with a of charcoal. Speaking of spring, baseball sport that has a passionate following within season looms just around the corner, and its community. Also, few things can make Augusta National (No golf course looks the adrenaline pump faster than the CIF better on your HD flat screen. Not even state wrestling finals when it boils down to Pebble Beach. Yeah, we said it.) prepares one mat and a single spotlight. to host The Masters.

No. 4: Baseball/Softball — It’s not a state But if there’s one other thing the end of championship sport, but let me ask you this: March is known for, it’s this: Drafts.

Wouldn’t you raise your hand for a gig that Fantasy baseball drafts are everywhere puts you in the sunshine eating sunflower this time of year. There is a good chance seeds three days a week? Thought so. that if you’re reading this between the daylight hours of March 29 and April 8, No. 5: Track & Field — This is not a job there is a sports bar, pizza joint, backyard for a writer who doesn’t like multi-tasking. or man cave within a 10 mile radius host(Probably why it falls to the second round). ing a draft right now.

There can typically be a lot going on at Fantasy football has exploded over the once. But those who can sift through the years, but no sport begets more fantasy chaos will meet some incredible athletes leagues than baseball. And so, in the spirit accomplishing amazing things. It’s a state of draft season, I thought I would have championship sport and a lot the stories get a little fun by imagining a mock fantasy to focus on breaking records. Which is fun. draft featuring high school sports.

No. 6: Volleyball — A bit of an underapI’m not talking about drafting indipreciated sport by some writers because vidual high school athletes. Even their the girls season — despite being a state own coaches would tell you that projectchampionship sport — takes a backseat ing high school athletes’ performances to King Football in the fall, and the boys from day to day is a crapshoot. Their lives season happens indoors in the spring when are whirlwinds of stress and emotion and everybody wants to be outside. Still, a good confusion.

30-40 hit rally during a state playoff game So this isn’t a draft of high school can convert anybody. athletes. This is a draft of high school No. 7: Golf — Sleeper pick alert! Not sports, as I would imagine it to play out if Chace@ only does it feature state championship I gathered three of my closest high school SportStarsOnline.com events in two different seasons, the fall for sports-writing friends and said, “The four girls and spring for boys, but writers are of us are gonna start a new high school (925) 566-8503 often given keys to a golf cart and allowed sports website in California, and we’re to drive around finely manicured country going to hold a draft for the sports we’ll be clubs. And there’s no rule against showing up early to use the reporting on.” driving range.

(Note to my boss: This is all VERY hypothetical.)

No. 8: Water polo — By this point, most of the sexy state In the true spirit of all drafts, and all sportswriters, this championship sports are gone and there are a number of event would begin with food. Delicious food. Unhealthy different sports that could be taken here based on the writer’s food.

Then we would get down to business. Here are the first two preference. Water polo is gaining steam in popularity, though.

The pace of the action is fast in most cases, and the quality of rounds (eight picks) with some brief analysis. play at the high school level has drastically increased in recent years as it’s become a more specialized sport as opposed to one that keeps out-of-season athletes in shape.

No. 1: Football — Writers claim to love all sports, and Some quick thoughts on some sports not selected in the many do. But nine out of 10 high school sports writers who top two rounds. Soccer: We don’t hate it. It’s just that in some claim they would pick anything other than the pigskin here sections it happens during the winter when writers want to are bold-faced liars. The action is non-stop, and sideline access gives writers unique views and insights that are unpar- be warm, dry and consuming unhealthy food. Cross-country: A state-championship sport that has a devoted following alleled in other sports. It’s also the sport most consumed by much like wrestling, only it’s a tad harder for writer’s to emthe readers. bellish on specific performances because we only see athletes No. 2: Basketball — Hoops has two really good things during one-third of their competition at best. Lacrosse: This going for it. The excitement of the state tournament and the was a toss-up with water polo at the No. 8 position. fact that it’s an indoor sport during a time of year when it’s What would you take No. 1 if following high school sports often very cold outside. State championship sports can not was your job? ✪ be undervalued in a draft like this, especially when they

Second Round:

First Pitch Chace Bryson Editor

First Round

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How many NCAA brackets did you fill out

1

Pro athlete with which you would most want to play

Superhero you’d most like to be a sidekick for

rapidFIRE One company you’d want to endorse

LeBron James

Nike

Kobe Bryant

Nike

Kemba Walker

Nike Free Run

Parker Uu, Jesuit-Carmichael, hoops

0

but I picked Duke upset

Which charity is your favorite

Loaves and fishes

Another time/ place you’d like to live

1980s California

1980s & 90s, California

Kelli Hayes, Archbishop Mitty-SJ, hoops

0

but I helped a few others Rachel Howard, Berkeley, hoops

Breast cancer

America in the Roaring 20s

(shoes)

sayWHAT “The strength of this team IS the team. I don’t know if there is another team in the state that can claim to have played all of its players in every postseason game.”

— Bishop O’Dowd girls basketball coach Malik McCord after all 11 Dragons players scored during a 62-24 landslide win over Laguna Hills that claimed the program’s first state title.

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Jonathan Hawthorne

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No job is tougher for coach than making roster cuts What’s the hardest part of coaching?

A.L., Carmichael

T

hat’s an easy one: Cutting young athletes.

It’s especially difficult for me because I was one of those who wasn’t good enough. I like to claim it was because I was just five feet tall as a high school freshman, or that I had a bad knee, but the hard truth is that I just wasn’t very good.

Still, that doesn’t make it any easier to swallow, especially when all you want is a chance to play.

(A digression: Everyone once in a while, you hear somebody say “I wish it were like the good old days, when kids could play three sports.

Now, they specialize and only play one.”

That’s just fine and dandy if you happen to be an elite athlete and make all three teams — but what if you’re not? I went to high school when all the jocks played every sport, and basically it meant the same 10 guys played varsity all year round. Now that might make for wonderful nostalgia, but if they had each played one sport, that would have opened up another 20 spots, at least, for other boys to get a chance to play.

And if the experience of playing a high school sport is valuable, then shouldn’t as many people as possible get that chance? And how again does having three-sport athletes give more kids an opportunity to learn the lessons of competition?)

When a school program is rebuilding, it’s actually easier on the coach, because usually she’s just trying to get kids to come out. There might be just enough girls for a varsity and junior varsity, and the roster sizes are small enough so that almost everyone gets a chance to play — and no one has to be cut.

But a successful program draws more kids, and now the competition for spots gets tougher and tougher. A girl who’s worked hard for two years to earn a spot on varsity suddenly is competing with a much more talented freshman who has been attracted by the team’s success — and the inexorable logic of sports suggests how that competition will play itself out.

So every coach dreads the conversation with the player who’s worked hard and given everything she has — but everything she has isn’t quite good enough. You try to sugarcoat it, and make the bitter pill as easy to swallow as possible, but there’s no hiding what’s happening: A young person is taking a knife to the heart, and everyone in the room has to watch it slide in.

Of course, some cowardly coaches dispense with that scene by just posting a list on the gym wall — which to me is just horrible. If you’re going to cut a young person, have the courage to do it face-to-face.

Coaches expect athletes to stand up and be counted in difficult situations, and that’s what coaches should do, too. Ducking the painful conversation about cuts is, as mentioned above, a coward’s way out — and though some may feel “coward” is too strong a word, I don’t.

Yes, it’s the hardest thing a coach has to do, but every young person deserves the courtesy of a face-to-face explanation — and every coach needs to have the guts to do so. ✪

Behind the Clipboard Clay Kallam

Oakland A’s second baseman Jemile Weeks Anda Chu/ Oakland Tribune/ Zumapress. com

Wishes for MLB outcomes in 2012

The Major League Baseball season is hard upon us, people. Check the calendar! The A’s and Mariners open in the Far East, like, yesterday. So. What would we like to see out of this year’s baseball season? Try these Top 5 baseball outcomes on for size…

1. 60. Anything. Really. Steal 60 bases. Hit 60 home runs. Get hit by 60 pitches. Throw 60 wild pitches. Do SOMETHING in a quantitative sense that will make us sit up and take notice. Please. We find the pabulum of the post-PED era a pip ponderous.

2. A Yankee-Red Sox-free post-season. Is that so much to ask? C’mon, Tampa Bay! C’mon, Toronto!

C’mon… Baltimore? Um. Well. Nevermind. It was worth a shot.

3. Purity. You know what would be sweet? A full season absent the specter of performance enhancing anything. Howzabout we play the game straight, lads? Alrighty then, it’s agreed. No PEDs. No steroids. No shenanigans. Let’s do this!

4. Parity. Tell you what, fellers, the NFL has this one nailed. Anyone, at any time, could jump up and bite you right in the dynasty. Watch out. Maybe this is the year that the Nats/nee Expos score the all-too-coveted NL East playoff bid. Maybe the Cubs matter. Maybe the Astros come out of nowhere to seize a wild-card spot and shock the world. Maybe los Atleticos stun the Goliath-ian Angels and Rangers. Hey. It’s spring. Maybe springs eternal.

5. Paucity*. In keeping with our ‘maybe’ theme, maybe, just MAYBE, this is the year that there is one clear-cut obvious choice for the coveted MVP awards. Like a triple-crown kind of obviousness. So we don’t have to feel like, ‘yeah-but…’ For the record, our ‘straight-cash-homey’ guesses are on Pujols in the AL (how weird is THAT?) and Joey Votto in the NL. Could we have double triple-crown winners? Put it on the board! *a.k.a. Scarcity. For those of you who don’t like to play the alliteration game.

— Bill Kolb

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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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Gabriel supplied the team’s early offense and finished with 18 points and a team-high seven rebounds in Brookside Christian’s 69-64 victory over Mission PrepSan Luis Obispo in the Division V Girls CIF State Basketball Championship at Power Balance Pavilion on Saturday. The Knights’ forward made 8-of-12 shots from the field.

SportStars: Did you expect to be as big a part of the offense in the state title game?

Ra’kyra Gabriel: Not really.

We don’t plan for specific people to take more shots in a game.

Everyone on the team looks for each other, and they happened to find me and got me the ball.

SSM: Did you imagine that you would be a state champion when the season began?

RG: From the beginning of the season, the whole team felt that if we worked hard we could do anything. We set high goals, but I never imagined that we would be here at the start of the season.

SSM: With a very young team and more talented players coming into the program next year, do you think that Brookside Christian can add more state titles in the future?

RG: I think that we can do it.

Even though we won, we are all still thirsty. We still want the same thing and will work just as hard to get back here.

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ra’kyra gabriel brookside christian-stockton . frosh . hoops

honorable mention

brianna luna The River CityWest Sacramento senior runner set a school-record in the 800 meters at the Luther Burbank Invitational meet. She recorded a personaland school-best 2:24.84 for her third entry in the River City record book.

ben ritchey The Capital Christian-Sacramento junior pitcher tossed a five-inning no-hitter to shut out Lindhurst 10-0. The right-hander improved to 3-0 on the season and lowered his ERA to 0.47.

kayla fields Roseville’s junior pitcher improved to 4-1 on the season with wins over area powers Woodcreek-Roseville and Del Oro-Loomis. Fields has a 1.31 ERA and has struck out 27 batters in her five starts

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Longfellow Middle adds to its title history in boys hoops By erik stordahl | SportStars

Longfellow Middle School-Berkeley coasted to another championship when they defeated King Middle School-Berkeley at the City of Walnut Creek Basketball Invitational on March 16.

The tournament was hosted by Foothill Middle School of Walnut Creek and featured eight middle schools from the East Bay. Longfellow was heavily favored entering the invitational.

“We’re nine deep,” coach Wallace Johnson said. “All those kids can play.”

Zachary Fleming, who was named tournament MVP, Bryant Monroe, also named All-Tournament, and Calvin Randolph paced the Tigers in each of the three games. But they didn’t expect their first game to be their toughest test.

“We played WCI (Walnut Creek Intermediate) in the first round,” Johnson said. “And I think we underestimated them, and you can never do that in a tournament.”

Indeed, in a tournament like this one, any team was capable of running the table. After all, Joaquin Moraga and Stanley-Lafayette, seeded No. 2 and No. 3 respectively, lost in the first round.

Longfellow held it together and beat WCI comfortably by 12 points. From there it was smooth sailing for the Tigers as they beat Albany “by at least 30 points” in the semis then King-Berkeley “by at least 30 points” in the finals. Even with some of the top seeds ousted in the first round, why did Longfellow dominate?

“They come to work hard every day,” coach Charles Blackwell said. “And if they don’t work they run. … It’s a team thing or else they have to sit on the bench. I you’re out there being solo, then you’re on the bench.”

After getting out to a big lead on King in the finals, the Tigers were able to play their subs the entire fourth quarter.

“Everybody loved it,” Blackwell said.

“Cause the starters are rooting on the bench guys to score. So, it’s a team effort.”

Basketball is just one of the sports in which these schools compete. There’s also girls volleyball, golf, flag football, soccer, cross country and track.

“This was the 12th year I was involved in hosting (the basketball tournament),” said Wes Allnutt, program coordinator for the City of Walnut Creek. “The league has been 12

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Phil Walton

running it for quite a few years beyond that.

I’d say 25-plus years.”

SOFTBALL: San Ramon Slammers tryouts 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. San Ramon Softball prides its organization in fielding experienced and professional level coaches, who focus on developing each player by teaching skills to get each and every player throughout our system ready for high school softball and beyond, regardless of their age.

Rosters are age appropriate and as small as possible to maximize playing time. San Ramon SELECT Softball is a non-profit (501c) organization that offers reasonably priced, highlevel softball for players 9-16. The programß strives to keep costs affordable, only needing to charge a reasonable break-even fee. San Ramon SELECT Softball is co-sponsored by the City of San Ramon and has access to San Ramon City Parks and private fields for practices and home games. 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. Here’s a breakdown of teams: 10u (girls born in 01, 02); 12u (birthdates in 99, 00); 14u, 13 & 14 year old (birthdates in 97, 98); 16u (birthdates in 96, 95) For more info, visit.sanramonfastpitchsoftball.com, facebook.com/sanramonbaseball. ✪

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Six tips for ACL injury prevention for young female athletes

I

n celebration of the release my new book due out March 29, “The Definitive Guide To Youth Athletic-Strength, Conditioning and Performance” I wanted to cover Female ACL inury prevention strategies, which has it’s own chapter of the book called “Six Strategies For Preventing ACL Injuries Among High School Aged Female Athletes”.

This book is in coordination with the IYCA and 21 other leading experts in the youth strength and conditioning field.

When it comes to ACL injuries both genders can be injured, this isn’t just a female thing. Still, female ACL injuries do occur at a greater degree, especially at the high school level.

The fact is that there are more than 100,000 ACL injuries per year in the United States alone, and 30,000 of these are females of high school age. That’s 30% of all ACL injuries in the U.S.! This is a scary stat that can’t be ignored, and as a parent or coach this should be of great concern to you.

So why are young female athletes so prone to ACL injuries? And what prevention strategies must be taken to ensure your young athlete doesn’t become another ACL injury statistic?

Let me quickly cover the gender factor, something that is God given and can’t be changed. Female athletes have wider hips, putting a higher valgus stress angle on their knees (knees inward), a stress that is the major factor of most non-contact ACL injuries. Now without an appropriate training program, this genetic factor can be a major factor in the unusual high number of ACL injuries.

Females, who are weak due to bad training programs, tend to be more quadricep dominant, something we don’t want when talking about protecting the knee. So basically the front leg muscles (quad muscles) of the leg are much stronger than the back muscles of the legs and hips (hamstring and butt muscles) which are important for knee stability and the ability to safely and efficiently change direction.

When we’re talking ACL injury reduction strategies, all of the components below must be integrated into your young athletes training programs. You will find that a great training program is a great ACL injury prevention and rehab program. Here are the six strategies I use with all my young athletes, male or female…

1) Active Warm-up 2) Power and Stability- Eccentric as Foundation i.e.: Landing Skills 3) Strength 4) Change of Direction Concepts 5) Change of Direction Conditioning 6) Nutrition Basically, it comes down to functional training — a much misunderstood term. Trainers must understand how the body works and apply that knowledge to their young female athletic training program.

Sports are played on a single leg, and a trainer must understand the functional anatomy on a single leg and the needed pelvic stability to properly prepare your young athlete for the demands of their sport, not only for increased speed, power and agility, but most importantly for injury prevention.

Power is not gender specific. Trainers lower the bar for female athletes resulting in bad eccentric strength, which in turn makes them bad decelerators and greatly increases potential for an ACL injury.

Trainers need to stop lowering the bar for female athletes. They would be surprised what female athletes are capable of by empowering them to get stronger and more powerful. By implementing these strategies, you can be confident your athlete won’t become another ACL injury statistic. ✪

Training Time Tim Rudd for IYCA

Tim Rudd is an International Youth Conditioning Association specialist in youth conditioning (level 3), speed and agility (level 2), and nutrition specialist (level 1). For more information on anything you read in Training Time, email him at tim@fit2thecore.com.

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b “When I started this job (in 1992), our section always struggled against Bay Area teams.

This speaks volumes about basketball in our section, especially at the highest level.”

SJS Comissioner Pete Saco 16

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breaking through

For the first time in 30 years, two Sacramento schools battled for the NorCal Division I title — then Sheldon reached its first state final

H

istory. The run to the Calfiornia Interscholastic Federation Division I state boys basketball championship was filled with historical firsts for games, teams, and the Sac-Joaquin Section.

Following its amazing run to the state title game, Sheldon-Sacramento came up short in its bid to become the first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section (SJS) team to claim a large school championship, falling to national power Mater DeiSanta Ana, who claimed a record ninth California title.

Meanwhile, the Huskies may have set a record of their own as four of the team’s starters fouled out in a physical game that featured more whistles than baskets.

Junior guard D’Erryl Williams, the lone Sheldon starter to avoid accumulating five personal fouls, again led the team with 13 points despite a dislocated finger suffered in the NorCal playoffs and a strained hamstring that he encountered in the State final. The Huskies ended their season with a 29-6 record, and Delta River League, SJS, and NorCal championships.

While Sheldon finished a magical season with one fewer win than head coach Joey Rollings and his team had hoped for, there were plenty of feats accomplished and memories made by the Huskies as well the section.

But before Sheldon suited up for its first state final appearance, there was another game.

Another game that marked history.

When Jesuit-Carmichael knocked off perennial Northern California power De La Salle-Concord with a 14-3 run to conclude a colossal road victory in the NorCal semifinals, the Marauders created a matchup never before seen in a NorCal final — two SJS Division I teams battling for

LEFT: Sheldon junior Dakarai Allen drives down the lane during the Huskies’ CIF Division I Northern Regional championship game against Jesuit on March 17 at Power Balance Pavilion.

ABOVE: Allen and teammate D’Erryl Williams, left, enjoy the moment immediately following their teams 61-56 win over Jesuit.

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photos by james k. leash March 29, 2012

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Jesuit guard Akachi Okugo splits the Sheldon defense during the CIF NorCal final. Okugo’s biggest shot of the state playoffs came in the regional semifinals when he hit a game-winning 3-pointer to oust top-seeded De La Salle-Concord.

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the right to play in the state final. In the 30 years of regional playoffs to determine state championship qualifiers, the SJS was rarely represented in the boys’ large school title game and never before had two SJS schools competed head-to-head in any NorCal final at any level on the boys or girls side.

“It worked out perfect,” Rollings said of his Huskies and the Marauders earning NorCal title game bids. “Over the years, (SJS) schools have been playing tougher schedules, going to the Bay Area and Southern California to play in tournaments, and the local teams are getting a lot more respect than in years past.

“It is great for the section and great for our league. Maybe it will open some doors to attract Bay Area teams to come up here and play more.”

SJS Commissioner Pete Saco echoed Rollings’ sentiment about the emerging strength of local programs.

“When I started this job (in 1992), our section always struggled against Bay Area teams,” Saco said. “This speaks volumes about basketball in our section, especially at the highest level.”

Adding to the drama of the first-ever all-SJS NorCal final was the fact that Sheldon and Jesuit both hail from the ultra-competitive Delta River League, and had faced each other twice in league play and in the SJS final — all games that the Huskies won as Sheldon took a seven-game winning streak against Jesuit into the NorCal final.

While familiarity often breeds contempt, the HuskiesMarauders rivalry has been more of an intense competition than a fierce or nasty rivalry.

“This has been the most enjoyable year of competing with Sheldon,” Jesuit coach Greg Harcos said before the NorCal final. “Both teams play hard and have a great deal

of respect for the other team and opposing players. It has raised the rivalry to a new level.”

The anticipation of the NorCal final at Power Balance Pavilion produced a hype and buzz around Sacramento that raised the rivalry further — and the game lived up to the expectations.

Jesuit appeared poised to finally break through and end Sheldon’s run of seven consecutive head-to-head wins as the Marauders made 8 of 11 shots in the first quarter and remained hot to start the second quarter. Jesuit led 23-6 early in the second quarter before Sheldon made a 10-0 run that cut the lead to seven points and signaled the start of the Huskies’ comeback.

Sheldon needed most of the second half to erase Jesuit’s lead, finally taking its first lead with 1:39 remaining in the game on two Williams free throws. Despite trailing 5449 after a Brian Glodowski 3-pointer with less than three minutes left in the game, Williams took over, scoring nine points in the final two minutes and 30 seconds. Williams’ scoring surge combined with Jesuit turnovers and missed shots resulted in a 12-2 Huskies run down the stretch and a 61-56 victory in front of a raucous local crowd.

“We just wanted it and nobody wanted to go home,” Williams said of Sheldon’s comeback victory. “In the first half, we let them play their game and they took it to us.

Even when we were down, I knew that there was plenty of time left and I trust my guys and they trust me.”

Sheldon kept its composure and slowly chipped away at Jesuit’s lead until the Huskies emerged on top when the final buzzer sounded, reaching their goal of earning a shot at a state title.

That shot was not completely unexpected, but many observers believed that Sheldon was one year away from a

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Boys FINAL Top 20 Rank (Last Wk.) School

Record

1. (1) Salesian-Richmond..................................34-2 2. (3) Archbishop Mitty-San Jose ......................31-3 3. (5) Sheldon-Sacramento...............................29-6 4. (6) Jesuit-Sacramento....................................27-7 5. (2) De La Salle-Concord................................28-3 6. (12) Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F...................28-6 7. (4) Newark Memorial-Newark........................28-5 8. (7) Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland..........................26-6

“We just wanted it and

9. (13) Serra-San Mateo....................................24-7

nobody wanted to go home.

In the first half, we let them play their game and they took it to us. Even when we were down, I knew that there was plenty of time left and I trust my guys and they trust me.”

Sheldon’s D’Erryl Williams realistic state goal. The Huskies graduated Darius Nelson and Ramon Eaton and reloaded with a young, junior-dominated roster, but the group —led by juniors Williams, Dakarai Allen, Ryan Manning, and Armani Hampton — improved all season and believed that their goal of reaching state was attainable.

“It’s more special because a lot of people thought that we couldn’t do it without Darius and Ramon,” Rollings said of his former players that accepted Division I college scholarships. “It just shows how strong my boys are.”

After 34 games leading up to the State championship showdown with Mater Dei, it was safe to assume that Rollings’ players are no longer boys, but men on the court and off. Seniors Kyi Thomas and Nate Iese—both heading off to college with football scholarships when the school year ends— and their younger teammates have grown tremendously over the course of an historical season.

“I remembered the feeling of losing to De La Salle in NorCals last year and I know that none of us wanted to feel that way again,” Allen said after the NorCal final. “It feels great and we were expecting to see (Mater Dei) all season long.”

While the 2011-2012 Huskies did not end the season with a state title, there is little doubt that next year’s Sheldon team will be focused on another run at history and a state championship. ✪ Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

10. (19) McClymonds-Oakland..........................19-11 11. (14) Deer Valley-Antioch..............................28-9 12. (NR) St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda......29-5 13. (13) Foothill-Sacramento.............................29-4 14. (NR) Chico....................................................27-4 15. (8) Antelope..................................................30-2 16. (NR) Center-Antelope..................................23-9 17. (16) Bella Vista-Fair Oaks............................26-6 18. (8) Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove.....................24-7 19. (NR) Piedmont Hills-San Jose.....................28-4 20. (17) Freedom-Oakley...................................21-8 DROPPED OUT: No. 10 Sacramento (23-6), No. 14 Franklin-Elk Grove (22-6), No. 18 BurbankSacramento (21-8), No. 20 Kennedy-Sacramento (21-8).

BIGGEST MOVER: St. Joseph Notre Dame

ABOVE: The lower bowl of Power Balance Pavilion was nearly full for the All-Sacramento Division I NorCal title. A mass of Jesuit fans watch as star swingman Parker Uu fires a shot over the Sheldon defense

jumped eight spots, entering the rankings for the first time at No. 12 following a dominant run to the CIF Division V state final for the second time in as many years. A 62-51 loss to Village Christian-Sun Valley denited the Pilots from winning back-to-back titles.

TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 11 KNOCKING AT THE DOOR: Windsor (27-6), Sacramento (23-6), El Cerrito (21-9), Las LomasWalnut Creek (20-11)

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new kids

in

TOWN

Brookside Christian’s first state title may force the City of Stockton to make room for another girls basketball dynasty 20

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F

By jim mccue | Contributor

or each of the past three years, the last Monday of March has marked the day the California Interscholastic Federation state basketball championship trophy arrived in Stockton.

Those trophies — two representing the Division III girls championship and one for Division II — found their home to be on N. El Dorado Street and the campus of St. Mary’s High. But on March 26, the only state trophy arriving in Stockton was going one and a half miles southwest of N. El Dorado Street. Its final destination was Rosemarie Lane and the campus of Brookside Christian.

While the perennial powerhouse St. Mary’s Rams stayed home for the first time since 2008, the Knights of Brookside Christian — with a roster loaded with underclassmen — may have served notice of their own budding dynasty by claiming the school’s first state title with a 70-64 win over Mission Prep-San Luis Obispo in the Division V final.

“We weren’t looking at what St. Mary’s was doing. We were only looking at what Brookside Christian was doing,” said Brookside Christian sophomore guard Tiara Tucker, who posted a game-high 28 points in the state final. “This is a big accomplishment for all of us on this team and for our school. That’s all we worry about.”

It’s hard to tell if the Knights worry about anything.

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Despite a roster which includes seven freshmen, two sophomores, one junior, and one senior, the team shrugged off the pressure of representing their small school on the biggest stage. The young Brookside Christian team overcame early struggles caused mainly by playing at Power Balance Pavilion, home of the NBA’s Sacramento Kings, to overwhelm Mission Prep in a game not as close as the final six-point margin would indicate.

“I think they just don’t know any better,” said coach Que Ngo of his young team facing the pressure of a title game. “Honestly, I don’t know how they handle it, but there was not one complaint about stress or pressure leading up to the game or during the game.”

After trailing Mission Prep 17-12 after the first quarter, the Knights (30-4) outscored the Royals 48-28 in the second and third quarters to take firm control of the game.

Relentless pressure on defense caused numerous turnovers which resulted in easy baskets for Brookside Christian during the dramatic turnaround.

“I don’t think that the kids and the pressure on defense were clicking early on,” Ngo said. “Once we picked up the intensity on the press, we got the easy shots and that gave us confidence in taking other shots, which started to fall.”

Sophomore guard Tiara Tucker led all scorers with 28 points, attacking the Mission Prep defense with slashing drives that opened up the perimeter where she and her teammates connected for six 3-pointers.

“I wasn’t comfortable before when I played (at Power Balance Pavilion),” Tucker said of past performances in big games. “This time, I was very motivated to step it up and wanted to play well for my team.”

Tucker got help from freshmen Ra’kyra Gabriel and Rauline Martinez, who each delivered on the state championship stage. Gabriel scored 18 points on 8 of 12 shooting and pulled down a team-high seven rebounds. Martinez connected on 2 of 3 shots from behind the arc on her way to contributing 12 points off the bench.

However, it was Gabriel who provided a much-needed inside presence against the taller front line of Mission Prep and kept the Knights in the game early when her teammates were struggling with the cavernous environs of an NBA arena. Martinez took care of the ball on offense and sparked Brookside’s defensive pressure in the middle portion of the game.

The fact that the Knights won a state championship with their lone senior, Jackie Johnson — primarily providing intensity and hustle on both ends of the floor — not taking a single shot, is a testament to the talent of Brookside’s underclassmen.

“That’s one heck of a good team that we played,” said Mission Prep coach John Krossa. “When you consider that the roster is filled with freshmen and sophomores, that’s pretty impressive.”

The only time Brookside Christian showed its age was Jonathan Hawthorne photos

LEFT: The players from Brookside Christian proudly hoist the program’s first state championship trophy to show to their fans following a 70-64 win over Mission Prep-San Luis Obispo on March 24. right: Brianna Smith, right, drives to the basket during the second half of the state final. Smith, a sophomore, had seven points and five rebounds in the game.

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girls FINAL Top 20 Rank (Last Wk.) School

Record

1. (2) Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland..........................30-3 2. (8) Archbishop Mitty-San Jose.......................28-5 3. (1) St. Mary’s-Stockton...................................30-4 4. (4) Berkeley....................................................27-3 5. (3) Carondelet-Concord.................................27-4 6. (7) Miramonte-Orinda.....................................31-2 7. (5) Sacramento...............................................26-7 8. (9) St. Ignatius-S.F..........................................26-6 9. (14) Salesian-Richmond................................31-5 10. (10) Modesto Christian................................27-7 11. (12) Casa Grande-Petaluma.......................31-3 12. (6) St. Mary’s-Berkeley................................27-8 13. (20) Brookside Christian-Stockton..............30-4 14. (13) Dougherty Valley-San Ramon.............21-10 15. (NR) Kennedy-Sacramento.........................26-9 16. (16) Deer Valley-Antioch..............................22-9 17. (18) Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove...................22-10 18. (NR) Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills..................25-9 19. (NR) McNair-Stockton..................................28-5 20. (19) Lincoln-Stockton...................................22-6 DROPPED OUT: No. 11 Terra Nova-Pacifica, No. 15 Mission San Jose-Fremont, No. 17 SheldonSheldon BIGGEST MOVER: Terra Nova dropped nine spots after a disappointing finish to what began as a very good season. On the plus side, Brookside Christian jumped up seven after an impressive postseason run.

TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 14 KNOCKING AT THE DOOR: Terra Nova (23-7), Heritage-Brentwood (25-6), Monte Vista -Danville (22-6), Pleasant Valley-Chico (26-4), St. FrancisMountain View (18-10), Gunn-San Jose (21-7), Mission San Jose (27-4), Florin-Sacramento (24-7), Armijo-Fairfield (23-8), Wilcox-Santa Clara (21-3).

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in the game’s final four minutes when Mission Prep cut a double-digit lead to just four points before the clock and converted free throws sealed the Knights’ win.

The future is certainly bright and most observers are not afraid to mention the word “dynasty” when speaking on Brookside Christian’s short-term potential.

“We will be an even more refined team next year,” Ngo said. “We have some great freshmen coming in next year, so we expect to compete to come back here.”

Gabriel echoed her coach’s thoughts on making a return trip to Power Balance Pavilion in 2013.

“We are all still thirsty,” Gabriel said. “We still want the same thing and will work just as hard to get back here.”

Ngo admits to setting high expectations for his team, and the energetic coach does his best to prepare his players to achieve their team goals. The Knights faced larger, established programs from around the Sac-Joaquin Section, including Sacramento, Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove, El Camino-Sacramento, HeritageBrentwood, Sheldon-Elk Grove, and St. Francis-Sacramento in tournaments and other nonleague action. Brookside Christian more than held its own those contests, playing close with every opponent and notching surprising wins over St. Francis, El Camino, and Deer Valley-Antioch.

Ngo understands that the character shown by the Knights extends far beyond the gym walls and team huddles. He is quick to heap praise on the larger Brookside Christian family that includes teachers and especially parents.

“I have to give so much credit to the parents that we have,” he said. “They buy in to how we coach and the expectations that we place upon the players. They support the school and the program in wanting to have not just the best athletes, but also the best students, and we could not have the success we have without them.”

Every Knights player is required to maintain a 3.0 grade point average regardless of what numbers the student-athletes might be capable of averaging in a scorebook. So, while Ngo pushes his players hard on the court, he knows that they are being pushed equally hard in the classroom and at home.

In 2011-12, those expectations resulted in the highest achievement on the basketball court and an amazing experience that each and every Brookside Christian player will remember for a long time.

For the future, that experience can be added to the team’s youth and talent to potentially produce more greatness for the Knights and maybe even more State championships. ✪

“We are all still thirsty.

We still want the same thing and will work just as hard to get back here.”

— Ra’kyra Gabriel ABOVE: Mission Prep had no answer for Knights sophomore guard Tiara Tucker, above. She scored 28 points in the state final and added three assists and two steals.

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Acclimating and adjusting to swimming in open water

S

pring is here, and it’s time for open water swimming!

If you are new to triathlon, swimming in open water can be a daunting idea. However, open water swimming should be, and is, a fun aspect of triathlon training. First, know that swimming in open water is very much like swimming in a pool: you use the same strokes, you breath the same, you swim the same.

However, there are a few tips and strategies that will help you swim more effectively and efficiently in open water. But for the most part, swimming is swimming, whether in a pool or other body of water.

Basic Skills for first-time open water swimmers 1. COLD WATER ACCLIMATION. In the pool, the first 5-10 minutes is spent with a “warm up” meaning actually swimming laps. In open water, you must ease in. You should always plan for at least 5-10 minutes before you even swim to acclimate to the cold water.

Cold water can be shocking, especially on your face. Each time you enter a body of water, take the time to just be in the water.

Liz Elliott Feel the water on your body, put your face in, and relax. Figure out the best methods for you to become comfortable and acclimate to cold water, and practice them at each open water swim. You will find that acclimating for at least 10 minutes before a race will make you more comfortable, and will make the race experience more pleasant.

Acclimation steps: Dunk you head. Get your face wet. Scoop water into the front of your wetsuit. Pull on the arm openings of the wetsuit to allow water in through the arms. Pull the arms up so you have room in your chest area. Pull on the leg openings on your lower legs to allow water in through the legs. Pull up the legs to have more room in your groan area, and so that the wetsuit is pulled up, and fits snugly against your body — no sagging.

After each step, take a moment to feel comfortable with that one change before moving slowly into the next phase. You will find that the water in the wetsuit actually warms within seconds, creating better insulation between the wetsuit and your skin. All the adjusting will allow better range of motion while swimming.

2. RESETTING. The first way to get over a fear is to face it, but most importantly, to know what to do after. If you are new to swimming in open water, and even if you’ve been doing it for years, there is what I like to call, the “freak out factor.” You are in, well, open water. It’s okay to be a little freaked out. Just like the first time you got on your bike, or used clip pedals. It’s what you do after the freak-out to reset that matters.

Many factors can distract or throw you off your game when swimming in open water. Something may touch you, you may run into a lane line, or you may have trouble seeing under the water. After you’ve had “a moment” learn the best way to “reset”. Find a way to reset your mind, and your body position. The best body position to reset is streamline position, face down with arms above your head, and kicking. This will reset your actual swimming position, and prepare you for the next phase of the swim. If you are newer to open water, you can also try a back float.

Mostly, relax, have fun, and swim like you do in the pool.

3. Open water safety and comfort. You will need a wetsuit.

Even if you are planning to compete in a warm-water, non-wetsuit race (races with water temperature 77 degrees or higher) you will need a wetsuit for practice in your local swimming venues. A wetsuit will keep you warm and comfortable in cooler water, aide in floatation. It will help by making you more buoyant, and staying in correct posture more easily, but you still must maintain your head position in line with your spine, just like in the pool.

A brightly-colored swim cap should always be worn when swimming in any open body of water. Heat escapes from your head and your feet. A swim cap, even just a latex cap, will keep heat from escaping so rapidly. Wearing a brightly colored cap will help others see you. If you are wearing a wetsuit material neoprene cap, wear a second, brightly colored swim cap on top so you are more easily visible.

Always swim with a buddy, and in a supervised area. For swimming in water 55 degrees or below, a “squid lid” — a swim cap made of wetsuit material and booties of wetsuit material are recommended. ✪

Tri Steps

Liz Elliott is the Head Coach of the Tri-Valley Triathlon Club based in Dublin, CA. She specializes in preparing beginner triathletes for their first race(s). TVTC is an all inclusive endurance club for adults and features a summer high school team to debut in June2. Contact her at Liz@TriValleyTriClub.com. Find previous TriSteps columns at SportStarsOnline.com

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The

Intimidator Del Oro pitcher (and linebacker) Alex Mason is all about the power

Pitchers can cast a very imposing figure on the mound.

From Bob Gibson standing tall like a giant looming on a 15-inch hill, to Randy Johnson appearing to stride halfway to the plate with his lanky frame, hurlers have intimidated batters since the first pitch was ever thrown.

Del Oro-Loomis senior Alex Mason is one of those pitchers.

A linebacker for the Golden Eagles’ Sac-Joaquin Section champion football team with long flowing hair hanging down below his cap, Mason looks a little like Clay Matthews on the pitcher’s mound as he bears down on foes.

“Alex has brought that football mentality to our team,” Del Oro coach Ron Sylvia said. “He has that will to want to go out and be successful no matter what it takes. We are trying to instill that same thought process in all of our guys.”

While the success has been slow to develop this season with the Golden Eagles (1-4) dropping four one-run contests after a season-opening win, Mason and his teammates have not lost confidence and expect to win often, especially when the senior right-hander is on the mound.

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James K. Leash photos

Del Oro’s Alex Mason pitches with an aggressive mentality he honed as a linebacker for the Golden Eagles’ section-championship football team. And as much as he loves punishing running backs in the open field, baseball is his passion.

“I love having the whole game in your hands. I love putting the team on my back on the mound and being in control of the situation.”

Mason has posted a 1-0 record and football or any doubts about his true 3.50 ERA in two starts thus far, but the sporting love. numbers that jump off the scorebook “I enjoyed every bit of playing football page are the strikeouts he has recorded. and the state bowl game was a great In just 10 innings of work, Mason has experience,” Mason said. “It has been punched out 24 batters, including 15 of the best half-year of my life, but baseball 18 outs in a game against foothills rival has always been in my blood and I am Placer-Auburn. committed to baseball 100 percent.”

“Placer has the best rotation in the Mason’s preference for America’s foothills, so I was just focused on trying pastime is even greater when he takes to win the game,” Mason said of his the mound, surpassing any adrenaline impressive effort. “I didn’t realize how rush that comes from any hit he can many strikeouts I had until someone muster at the linebacker position. told me. I did not have confidence in my “I love having the whole game in your fastball that game, but my slider was hands,” he said of pitching. “I love put— Alex Mason working real well.” ting the team on my back on the mound The slider has been Mason’s “out” and being in control of the situation.” pitch this year, but the senior is not afraid to use any of his Mason and his teammates are seeking to control more four-pitch repertoire which also includes a four-seam fastball, games and make winning more prevalent, especially before changeup, and a big curve ball. Mason estimates that 75 Sierra Foothill League play begins in early April. While the percent of his strikeouts have come by way of the slider, but one-run losses are hard to swallow, Sylvia believes that they he places more importance on the first strike than the third. are easier to correct.

“My Dad is always pushing me to get to 0-and-1 and stress“It’s a lot easier to fix one-run losses than blowout losses,” ing the importance of getting ahead in the count,” Mason said.

Sylvia said. “We need to clean up the little things and work “I struggled some with my control last year, so that has been on our execution. We are trying to keep positive and work a big focus.” through the process to get better.”

After Del Oro’s long football season stretched into late Both Sylvia and Mason are confident that this year’s group December with a California Interscholastic Federation State of players can withstand the early challenges to build toward Championship bowl berth, Mason had more fatigue as well as a successful season. Both point to a greater chemistry and aches and pains. The ailments, which contributed to a recent camaraderie among the Golden Eagles’ players and a collectender shoulder, have been addressed by acupressure, but tive desire to play together and get better.

Mason has no regrets about enduring the punishment of “The guys on the team this year are more into baseball

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All records through March 26 Rank (Last wk) School............................... Record 1. (1) Valley Christian-San Jose......................11-1 2. (2) St. Mary’s-Stockton.................................6-3 3. (4) Campolindo-Moraga...............................4-1 4. (5) St. Francis-Mountain View.....................12-0-1 5. (6) Jesuit-Carmichael...................................3-2 6. (7) Palo Alto..................................................11-2-1 7. (9) De La Salle-Concord..............................4-1 8. (3) Elk Grove................................................2-2 9. (10) Davis.....................................................4-2 10. (11) St. Ignatius-S.F....................................9-2-1 11. (14) Granite Bay.........................................6-0 12. (8) Foothill-Pleasanton...............................7-1 13. (12) Deer Valley-Antioch............................6-1 14. (16) Monte Vista-Danville..........................4-2 15. (NR) Bellarmine-San Jose.........................7-6 16. (15) Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills.................3-2 17. (18) James Logan-Union City....................4-3 18. (19) San Ramon Valley-Danville...............4-2 19. (20) Acalanes-Lafayette.............................5-2 20. (NR) Granada-Livermore...........................5-3 DROPPED OUT: No. 13 Archbishop Mitty-San Jose; No. 17 Serra-San Mateo BIGGEST MOVER: Bellarmine, which was the last team cut from our preseason poll, jumps into the rankings at No. 15 after a tough 1-0 loss to No. 1 Valley Christian on March 20 and a blowout win over previous No. 13 Archbishop Mitty on March 23. Keep an eye on new No. 20 Granada, which enters on the heels of back-to-back wins over No. 12 Foothill and No. 13 Deer Valley.

TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 14 KNOCKING AT THE DOOR: Alameda (3-2), Casa Grande-Petaluma (6-2), Tracy (8-3), Castro Valley (6-3), Northgate-Walnut Creek (7-1), College Park-Pleasant Hill (3-2).

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Mason’s cut-loose approach on the mound has netted him some eye-popping strikeout totals over Del Oro’s first five games. In 10 innings of work he’s punched out 24 batters, including 15 in a win over Placer-Auburn. than in years past,” Mason said. “Everyone wants to be out there every day. We know it will get better. And, if we need to play the role of underdog or spoiler, we are happy to do that.

It would be fun to win in that role.”

Winning in any role is the desired outcome for Del Oro and improvement is needed and expected as the season progresses. Mason’s control issues from last year are getting better, but he has still walked nine batters in the 10 innings he has pitched. Of course, Sylvia and the Golden Eagles are happy to take the bad with the good when the good translates into dominating strikeout performances from the team’s ace.

“As our No. 1 pitcher and a captain, he goes about his business in a way that guys just follow his example,” Sylvia said of Mason’s leadership. “He really cares and wants to win, and his desire and work ethic are contagious.”

Leading by example — and by striking out a majority of batters — can make a pitcher an imposing figure to both those facing and backing a mound presence like Alex Mason. ✪ — Jim McCue

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Getting hip to hip pain, and where it’s coming from A s a former collegiate long jumper and 400 meter runner, I had my share of hip pain while competing. The usual advice I got from my coaches was, “Oh, it’s probably a muscle strain. Put some ice on it and it will get better.”

As I transitioned to coaching track athletes after my competing days (before I started my surgical training), I felt there had to be a better explanation than a muscle “strain” for the varying degrees of hip pain my athletes were experiencing. Over the past decade, our knowledge of the athletes’ hip has exponentially increased. The hip is at risk for athletic injuries because it not only gives tremendous mobility to the lower body, but it also has to be able to handle loads which are several times one’s body weight during running and jumping.

The hip is a complex “ball and socket” joint. The “ball” is the top part of the long bone in the thigh called the femur. This top part of the bone, or “ball,” is also referred to as the femoral head and neck.

The “socket” is the acetabulum which is one part of the pelvic bone.

Within the acetabulum is a cartilage structure called the labrum which deepens the “socket” and increases the surface area and strength of the hip. The femoral head and neck “ball” fit into the acetabular / labral “socket.” In addition, multiple structures including muscles, ligaments, and tendons are located on or around the hip joint.

The general clinical rule which is utilized is that hip pain located near or in the groin region is generally coming from a source inside the hip joint (intra-articular). Pain located outside of the groin area is generally coming from a source outside of the hip joint (extra-articular). The one exception to this rule are strains of the adductor muscles, which are the muscles on the inside of the leg that are injured in a groin “pull.”

Muscular injuries are the general source of non-articular hip pain. Lateral-sided upper thigh pain is generally coming from the illiotibial (IT) band. It is a band of tissue which runs from the top part of the pelvic bone all the way down to the knee. It not only can be a source of pain from overuse/inflexibility, but can also give athletes a snapping sensation which feels like the hip is “dislocating” when it is tight.

In addition, multiple other muscles originate around the hip joint including the adductors (inside of leg), hamstrings and glutes (back of leg), and quadriceps (front of leg). Not only can they get injured around the hip joint (rather than further down the leg—more common) but they can also pull off pieces of bone (i.e. avulsion fractures) when injured. The majority of the time these muscular injuries can be treated with rest, activity modification, and physical therapy.

Pain located in the groin can be a bit more concerning since it may mean something is wrong intra-articularly. Long-distance runners can potentially have a stress fracture of the femoral neck which cannot be ignored, and can be devastating if they progress to a complete fracture. Patients may need to be on crutches for several weeks, and in rare cases need surgery. Patients who have had a twisting injury or engage in sports which place their hip in extreme ranges of motion such as dancers, martial artists, or hockey goalies can tear their labrum. If after a period of rest and rehab the pain continues, labral tears may need to be addressed through surgery. Finally, some patients may have a condition called femoral-acetabular impingement (FAI); especially if they have groin pain and decreased motion. This is a condition in which there is a small extra “bump” of bone on the top of your femur (called a “cam” lesion) or on your acetabulum (called a “pincer” lesion) that causes pain when your hip moves.

Once again, if activity modification and rest do not relieve the pain, surgery may be necessary.

With our current knowledge, hip pain doesn’t need to be brushed off anymore in our young athletes. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is becoming readily available. ✪

Health Watch Nirav K. Pandya

Dr. Nirav K. Pand ya is a pediatric orthopedic surgeon specializing in pediatric sports injuries at Children’s Hospital in Oakland. He sees patients and operates in Oakland and the facility at Walnut Creek. If you have any questions or comments regarding the “Health Watch” column, write the Sports Medicine for Young Athletes staff at Health@ SportsStarsOnline.com.

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Sac-Joaquin Section boys golf preview

Oak Ridge is hoping young talent can spark a deep postseason run By jim mccuE | Contributor

G

olf is a rare sport where young players can not have a favorite team to root for while growing up. As kids often choose a preferred group of players to cheer for on the football field, baseball diamond, or basketball court, young golfers have only individuals to follow and root for on the professional tours.

Aside from the occasional Ryder Cup format which pits golfers from the same country or continent against others, the sport of golf is an individual endeavor from the highest level down to junior tournaments.

The paradox of team golf creates a challenge for talented players as they make their way through high school and college as the best kids on the course are trained to strive to better their games for their own advancement.

Which brings Oak Ridge High first-year boys golf Stan Iverson to a dilemma — a good dilemma.

Iverson faces the challenge of forming inIn addition to Oak Ridge, here are five dividual talents into a team capable of commore boys golf teams to keep an eye on peting at the highest levels of golf in Northover the next two months. ern California. Adding to the challenge for Iverson and his team is the relative youth of his talent.

The Golden Eagles captured the SJS “We are trying to instill the team concept Masters team title in 2011. Senior Austin Smotherman returns to anchor a team with and develop a camaraderie and team spirit,” its sights set on a state tournament berth.

Iverson said of taking the program over for Senior Canyon Rowe and junior Justin longtime coach Carl Massey, who retired afRaskin both contributed to Del Oro’s 2011 ter teaching and coaching in the El Dorado run and are expected to contribute to the County School System for 37 years, includperennial Sierra Foothill League power. ing at Oak Ridge since it first opened in 1980. “It’s definitely been a challenge because the kids are used to focusing on Returners Dylan Fuller, Kit Carson, Andrej themselves on the course. It’s a matter of Bevins, and Hunter Rappleye hope to erase trying to get them to work together and sting of missing out on a NorCal tournament be supportive of one another, but I think berth last year by a tiebreaker to Davis. we can get there with hard work and discipline.”

The challenge is not exclusive to IverAlex Gibbs, Chuck Pedone, and Brandon son and fellow coach Jeffrey Thomas, Baumgarten return from last year’s NorCal though. All of the 20 players in the Oak qualifying team and will press Smotherman Ridge program — between varsity and and Del Oro all season long in the Sierra junior varsity squads — are accustomed Foothill League. to focusing on individual improvement with swing coaches and other golf mentors to succeed in junior tournaments that can help write their The Marauders have split first two Delta ticket to a college scholarship more than the River League matches with Oak Ridge and league record posted by their high school team. expect to battle the Trojans for league, divi“There is definitely an adjustment for playsional, and section superiority. Seniors Beners in high school golf,” said Reid Edlund in jamin Corfee and Patrick Cairns and junior his fourth year with the Trojans. “In team golf, Stephen Griggs lead of group of returning you can’t always go for everything. You someplayers from last year’s NorCal qualifier. times have to be less aggressive because a bad hole hurts the whole team, not just you.”

Edlund and Curtis McKenzie are the lone The Blue Devils may have the deepest seniors on a young Oak Ridge team that narroster in the section. Masters tournament rowly missed qualifying for the CIF/Northrunner-up, Davis lost three players to graduern California Golf Association championation, but return veterans Chase Dossa and ships last year. The pair assumed a leadership Charlie Klein as well as freshman standout role as the elder statesmen on a team with a Preston Walchli.

LEADERBOARD

Del Oro-Loomis

Christian Brothers

Granite Bay

Jesuit-Carmichael

Davis

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new coach.

“We (the seniors) know how everything works, so we can keep guys in line,” Edlund said. “In past years, the players were more autonomous, which worked well when we had an older, more mature team. It has been tougher with a young team last year and this year, so we are trying to take on an ‘enforcer’ role.”

Younger players such as sophomore Josh Keplinger and freshman Quinn Carlsen aren’t intimidated by the team’s friendly enforcers, and the entire team has been working on forming a closer bond both on and off the golf course.

“Everyone gets along for the most part,” Carlsen said. “Knowing each other off the course makes it easier to stay loose on the golf course, which is important.”

Carlsen, a smooth lefty with huge potential, acts and plays beyond his freshman status. In a recent Delta River League match against Ponderosa, he shot a team-low 38 in a close 204-206 victory.

“He is very serious about his game and is very talented,” Iverson said of his freshman. “He is excellent around the greens and his chipping is one of the strongest parts of his game.”

Iverson likes to pair Carlsen with Edlund as they complement each other in demeanor — Edlund’s relaxed presence balances his younger teammate’s intensity.

Keplinger has been Oak Ridge’s most consistent golfer this season, typically posting the low score among the Trojans’ talented core group. The sophomore Support Your Local Business • Say You Found Them In SportStars™

James K. Leash photos

LEFT: Freshman Quinn Carlsen will have an immediate impact on the Oak Ridge program in 2012.

ABOVE: Last year’s freshman standout for the Trojans, Josh Keplinger, is hoping to continue his run as the team’s most consistent golfer.

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STRAIGHT SHOOTERS

Here are five individual standouts expected to be major factors during the golf postseason tournaments.

Austin Smotherman, Senior, del oro

The SMU-bound senior is probably the section’s best shot to winning a NorCal and/or state title after finishing fourth at both tournaments as a junior. Smotherman carded a 1-under 71 at Poppy Hills in the state final and followed that up with a victory in the California Junior Amateur Championship in August.

Alex Gibbs, Senior, Granite Bay

Gibbs recorded a top-15 finish at the NorCal Tournament as a junior and has committed to play at Sacramento State next year. A two-time all-Sierra Foothill League player, Gibbs has been on Granite Bay’s varsity team since his freshman season.

Hunter Rappleye, Junior, Christian Brothers

The Falcons’ junior star placed third in the Sacramento City Junior Championship at Haggin Oaks over the summer, carding an 8-under 136 to finish just two strokes behind Smotherman. Rappleye shot a team-best 75 at the Section Masters Tournament as a sophomore.

Chase Dossa, Junior, Davis

Dossa is entering his third varsity season after carding a 5-over at the NorCal Tournament in 2011. An aggressive hitter, Dossa is especially dangerous on par-5s, but the key to his season will be if he can continue to improve his consistency in the short game.

Corey Pereira, Junior, Ponderosa

Pereira fired a 73 to finish in a tie for fourth at the 2011 Masters tournament, which earned him an individual NorCal qualification as a sophomore. His 5-over score at the NorCal final was a slight drop-off, but he has been performing very well on the Future Collegians World Tour (FCWT) junior tour circuit

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James K. Leash

Reid Edlund is one of the few elder statesmen on an Oak Ridge team flooded with young talent. The senior in his fourth year of varsity golf relishes his role as an “enforcer” who helps set an example for the rest of the team.

finished his freshman season strongly with a 77 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Tournament and has picked up where he left off.

“Josh hits it long and is playing more consistently and smarter this year,” Thomas said. “This year, he is not putting up any big numbers.”

Iverson hopes that the continuing development of his team will lower the group’s numbers to be competitive in league matches and the section tournament. The Delta River League pits Oak Ridge against perennial SJS power Jesuit, which the Trojans believe will better prepare them for the postseason and the future.

“These guys are young, but they have the skills and abilities to be successful as a team,” Iverson said. “We need to fine tune a few things and continue to get to know each other better. If the whole team can think of the team as a whole before themselves, I think that we can be very competitive in the next few years.” ✪ Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL Blankenship Baseball We are a year-round competitive baseball program based in Danville. The Camp focuses on teamwork, hustle & sportsmanship. We also offer small group training as well as one-on-one training.

Info: lancerblankenship@ sbcglobal.net or 925-708-3173.

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. 925-4161600, www.thepitchingcenter. com.

EJ Sports EJ Sports provides individual, group, team, coaching & manager clinics. The Spring Clinic, Summer Clinic & the Fall League for children of Little League age have proven to be successful, instructional & 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 & managers training program. Info: 925-866-7199, www.ejsports.com.

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

City of Walnut Creek Baseball is Fun Beginner Camp. July 25-Aug. 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: 925952-4450, www.walnutcreeksportsleague.com.

BASKETBALL CalStars The Stars Basketball Academy youth & high school summer camps are a fundamental based skills development camp for kids in 3rd grade-high school.

We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions & two high school (9th-12th) sessions. Go to www. calstars.org for more info.

Golden State Warriors The Warriors welcome players of all levels to participate in a variety of spring camps that will be held in April & May. The camps are typically for boys & girls ages 7-15, & there’s a “parent/child camp” for adults & their kids as young as 5. Info: camps@gs-warriors.com; 510986-5310.

Mike Allen Sports Learn the basics of basketball, sharpen your skills & 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 & 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 Camp-California Session 1, Individual/Group Stunt Cheer Camp, Jr. High/High School Cheer Camp (Elite)-California Session 2. For more info: 925685-8176, 866-685-7615, info@cheergyms.com; www.cheergyms.com.

East Bay Sports Academy East Bay Sports Academy offers the best in gymnastics & cheerleading training.

Our top-of-theline recreational & 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 coaching team becomes your team’s best support system. All of our team camps are custom-built for your coaching needs & team goals. Info: 925-680-9999, www.

EastBaySportsAcademy.com.

ENRICHMENT Dianne Adair Programs Come join any of our eight Dianne Adair sites for our fun & exciting summer program. Each week campers will be able to choose from several camps, including sports, fashion, drama, CSI, science & 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 & the Zoo. We also offer many “in-house” field trips like Games2U Mobile Entertainment, the Bubble Lady, Furs, Skins & Tails, magicians, clowns, singers & many more. Field trips & camps vary by site. Bring in this article & receive half off our $40 summer registration fee. Info: www.dianneadair.org.

FITNESS Aspire Pilates Dramatically increase core strength, power, flexibility, balance, focus & 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 & accessing untapped strength. Info: 925-680-4400, www.AspirePilatesCenter.com.

Children’s Hospital “Learn What It’s Like To Be An Athletic Trainer.”

This workshop for high school students is April

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13-14. The workshop includes: Overview of careers in sports medicine; ankle injuries & taping techniques; wrist, hand & thumb injuries & taping; knee injuries & RICE Therapy; stretching techniques; low back injuries & CORE Training; sports concussions; shoulder injuries & rehabilitation. Some of the perks: class credit, certificate of completion, reference materials & box lunch provided on April 14.

It will be facilitated by Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine staff & it will take place at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center Auditorium. Fee is $99/student. Reserve your spot, call the Sports Medicine Center at 510-428-3558.

Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning, Speed/Agility & 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 post-rehabilitation. For F2C’s Back to Sports programs we offer training weekdays, with 2 days/week or 3 days/week program options. Sign up today for your two-week free pass at www. fasteryoungathletes.com, or call 925-6390907 for more information.

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

Here are three we’re featuring.

■ Pilates for Sports — Pilates is an ideal form of fitness for athletes to improve performance & prevent injuries.

With emphasis on body alignment, total body integration, core strength, joint stability, precision movement patterns, muscle balance, flexibility, breath work & concentration, Pilates forms a solid foundation for improved athleticism & performance. You can take your game to the next level with our four-week reformer classes that prepare your body to excel.

Maximize force production while minimizing overuse injuries &/or injuries caused by muscle imbalances.

■ Hardcore Golf Fitness — This 4-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. With the use of the latest golf fitness drills, Certified Golf Conditioning Specialist Tom Hart, will help you improve your posture, flexibility, core strength, balance, & stability to help your generate more power, drive the ball further & more accurately on a consistent basis, all while helping to make your body injury resistant.

■ TRX Team Fitness —This 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.

Our highly trained TRX TEAM coaches deliver progressive workouts guaranteed to increase strength, body control, coordination, core strength/stability, endurance & power. We train movements, not muscles because we underst& that it’s

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not about how good your body looks, it’s about how it performs. TEAMs are forming now in April. We limit our each TRX TEAM to eight athletes to maximize personal attention at an affordable price.

For more information, 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 & 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 & parents. Info: contact Mike Ivankovich at mivankovich@acalanes.k12.ca.us.

Black Diamond Football Camp Black Diamond Football Camp is a fourday 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. It allows for individuals & teams to polish their skills & timing to get ready for the upcoming season — all at an affordable cost! It’s hosted by Pittsburg & Concord High Schools & will take place at Pittsburg High. There will be Individual drills & team periods to install your offensive/defensive schemes. There will be a 7-on-7 passing competition against other schools along with pass protection/blitz pickup session & team goal-line challenges. Of course, there will be controlled, full-contact scrimmages against other schools as well. 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-akind football training experience exclusively for the nation’s most elite youth & high school players. Born out of the appreciation that the most successful & skilled football players have mastered great technique, & that for many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available, the Football University (FBU) experience focuses on intense positionspecific technique training taught by our expert faculty of former & 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, 650-245-3608, 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 & girls ages 7-18. Participants will learn about golf & the life skills & values inherent to the game. In addition to golf skills, rules & etiquette, participants are introduced to The First Tee Nine Core Values - honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance, courtesy & judgment. Our Summer camps are four days a week, 4 hours/day @ Diablo Creek Golf Course, Concord. We have several weeks & facilities from which to choose. Fee assistance available. Info: Angela Paradise, 925-686-6262, Ext. 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 & classroom use. We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the mechanics required, & that teaches the values of the game, celebrates the fitness aspect of playing, & is offered at little or no cost. Info: 510-3522002, 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 & promote healthy choices though the game of golf.

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

Seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) & 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 & its etiquette to teach important life skills & core values.

We offer seasonal The First Tee Life Skills Experience Classes & 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

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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 & summer camps are around the corner for Earthquake Arabians!

Registration is OPEN. Log on to www. earthquakearabians. com for more info.

925-360-7454.

Franklin Canyon Stables A well structured riding program housed at Franklin Canyon Stables in Martinez which provides two covered arenas & easy access to trails. Kim Bredehoft teaches riders of all levels with an instruction program that builds confidence & enables clients to reach personal goals that benefit them in all parts of life. Info: 925-228-1801; www. kimshorsetraining.com/franklin_canyon. html.

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 & grooming techniques, as well as how to saddle & bridle your horse. Activities include learning horse colors, markings & breeds; art & crafts; a farrier demonstration & human horse show; bareback riding & more! Info: 925-575-4818, www.KellyMaddoxTraining. com.

LACROSSE Atherton/Vitality Lacrosse Join Atherton Lacrosse & learn the basics of the game in their spring, summer & 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 & 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 & San Francisco. We serve the entire Bay Area! Go to www. vitalitylacrosse.com for more info.

MARTIAL ARTS USKS Adult & children’s programs, kick box fitness, mixed martial

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Diablo Futbol Club 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. Diablo FC alumni have gone on to play for the United States Men’s National Team, US Olympic Team, Major League Soccer, MLS Cup champions and finalists, NCAA Championship and Final Four teams, professional teams in Europe, Central and South America, as well as about 70 universities and colleges in 18 states.

Much of the credit for this success in player development goes to the coaching staff and unique training program the club offers. The coaching staff features four members of the St. Mary’s College men’s and women’s staff, the United States Men’s National Team and Cal Berkeley goalkeeper coach, three former MLS players, a Brazilian Olympian as well as highly-decorated youth team and high school coaches. Director of Coaching Brian Voltattorni (5-time NCS champion coach at De La Salle) and his staff provide an excellent training program for girls and boys from under 6 to U23 age groups.

Diablo FC training includes Elite Performance Program featuring SAQ (speed-agility-quickness) along with club and positional training along with weekly goalkeeper training. Premier boys teams compete in the Western College Development Association while both gender’s premier teams compete in National Premier League. These teams also play in a series of high-level tournaments and

arts. Providing excellence in martial arts instruction & services for the entire family.

925-682-9517; www.usksmartialarts.com.

OUTDOOR/ADVENTURE 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.

City of Concord Skate & Swim Concord’s Skateboard Camp provides a way to learn from experienced instructors & improve their skills. Participants learn skateboard safety, care of their skateboard, & all the essentials from dropping in, kickflips, the Ollie & more. All skill levels.

The full-day camp combines half-day skateboard camp with half-day at the Concord Community Pool. Info: www. concordreg.org ,925-671-3404.

CYO Camp We’re located 60 miles north of San Francisco near the historic town of Occidental, & have provided summer camp to youth of the Bay Area for over 60 years. Our seven-day traditional camps, for

College Showcase events throughout the year. Diablo FC hosts seven invitational tournaments in the Concord area for all levels of play.

The club began a year-round U8 Academy in 2011 for boys and girls eight years and younger. Headquartered in Concord, Diablo FC has premier, gold, silver and bronze level teams with players from throughout Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties. Tryouts for U15-U18 girls and boys teams are April 15-22. For complete info, call (925) 798-GOAL or visit www.diablofc. org.

participants entering grades 3-9, focus on cultivating friendships, personal values & outdoor skills. Info: www.cyocamp.org.

CYO Sports Camps/Leagues CYO summer recreation leagues begin in May. CYO offers coed volleyball, boys & girls basketball & tennis. Camps are also offered in basketball & 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 &/ or week discounts. Call for pricing, 925602-1000.

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

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contact versions are popping up in summer leagues, physical education classes, after school programs, YMCA’s, Boys’ & Girls’ Clubs & 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 & Youth levels. 925-381-5143, diabloyouthrugby@gmail.com; diabloyouthrugby.clubspaces.com.

SOCCER Heritage Soccer Club HSC will not only offer a members-only summer soccer camp, but will offer two separate soccer camps — one for boys (June 25-28) & one for girls (July 9-12) – that will be open to the community.

HSC will conduct their annual 6v6 BlowOut tournament in June & the Harvest Cup Tournament in October. HSC is based in the Pleasant Hill/Martinez area. Info: www. heritagesc.com.

Walnut Creek Soccer Club The Walnut Creek Soccer Club provides a proper coaching & playing environment for all members. We will promote a positive learning environment for our players & families as we work to provide the highest level of coaching & coach’s education. Info: wcsc_info@wcsc.org; www.wcsc.org.

West Contra Costa Youth Soccer League Our program caters to competitive players ages 8-9 regardless of race, creed, gender or religion. The main focus 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 & goalkeepers.

510-758-5288, http://wccysl.com.

SWIMMING-DIVING Sherman Swim School Our year-round schedule allows children & adults to learn, retain & improve their skills. Lessons are usually offered on M-W-F’s & T-Th’s in sessions of 3-4 weeks. (During the slower months of fall, winter & 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. Since our lessons are private, they are tailored to each student’s age, ability & readiness. We also offer beginning & competitive diving classes.

Info: 925-283-2100, www.ShermanSwim.com.

Walnut Creek Swim Club 2012 spring practice are Mon., Wed. & Thur. evenings, April 16June 7, @ Larkey Pool for 6-unders through 13-up. 2012 Summer practice sessions are 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 been hosting camps in the Walnut Creek area for 33 years with expert instruction. Tennis pro Dale Miller & his team of pros teach the fundamentals or help them improve their skills for recreation or competition. Camps touch on every aspect — stroke production, conditioning, strategy, footwork, psychology & most importantly, fun!

Players will be grouped according to level of play & age. ClubSport is located at 3737 Valley Vista Road in Walnut Creek. ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates. Info: 925-9344050.

VOLLEYBALL Pacific Rim Volleyball Through private lessons, & the opportunity for year-round skills classes, athletes of any age or level can learn & improve the skills needed to gain a competitive edge. For those athletes with limited experience, we will develop solid fundamental skills, as well as a passion for the sport. Our advanced training, for junior levels (12th grade & below), will provide athletes the opportunity to excel in preparation for high school &/or collegiate volleyball. Info: www. pacificrimvolleyball.com.

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Advertiser index ❒❒ A A A Northern California, Nevada & Utah..................10 ❒❒ All World Sports...........................................................5 ❒❒ America’s Navy.............................................................6 ❒❒ Army National Guard Recruiter.....................................7 ❒❒ Atherton Lacrosse......................................................35 ❒❒ Big O Tires....................................................................2 ❒❒ Black Diamond Football Camp...................................37 ❒❒ Blankenship Baseball.................................................36 ❒❒ Cabernet Indoor Sports..............................................39 ❒❒ Cal Athletic Camps.....................................................32 ❒❒ Championship Athletic Fundraising...........................26 ❒❒ Cheer Gyms................................................................14 ❒❒ Children’s Hospital And Research Center.....................24 ❒❒ Club Sport Renaissance..............................................26 ❒❒ Community Youth Center...........................................36 ❒❒ Crowne Plaza.............................................................35 ❒❒ De La Salle High School..............................................18 ❒❒ Delta Sign-A- Rama...................................................27 ❒❒ Diablo Car Wash & Detail Center.................................35 ❒❒ Diablo Futbol Club......................................................12 ❒❒ Diablo Rock Gym........................................................31 ❒❒ Diablo Trophies & Awards...........................................31 ❒❒ Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs...........................30 ❒❒ Dream Courts U S A....................................................13 ❒❒ Earthquake Arabians..................................................32 ❒❒ East Bay Summer Camps 2012...................................33 ❒❒ Fit 2 The Core..............................................................23 ❒❒ Halo Headband..........................................................35 ❒❒ Heavenly Greens........................................................40 ❒❒ Home Team Sports Photography................................27 ❒❒ Image Imprint............................................................34 ❒❒ Kinders B B Q................................................................3 ❒❒ Lone Tree Golf Course.................................................29 ❒❒ Mc Coveys..................................................................23 ❒❒ Niles Personal Fitness.................................................31 ❒❒ Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy..................................32 ❒❒ Passthaball.................................................................36 ❒❒ Rocco’s Pizza...............................................................31 ❒❒ Rockin Jump...............................................................21 ❒❒ Saint Mary’s Athletic Summer Camps.........................36 ❒❒ Scandia Family Center................................................36 ❒❒ Sherman Swim School...............................................34 ❒❒ Simply Selling Shirts..................................................31 ❒❒ Sky High Sports..........................................................31 ❒❒ Slammers Baseball.....................................................35 ❒❒ SportStars Magazine..................................................36 ❒❒ State Farm - Kelly Sopak.............................................30 ❒❒ USKS Martial Arts.......................................................36 ❒❒ United States Youth Volleyball League.......................36 ❒❒ Velocity Sports Performance......................................31 ❒❒ Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness....................................15 ❒❒ Walnut Creek Swim Club............................................35 ❒❒ West Contra Costa Youth Soccer League.....................12

U.S. Youth Volleyball League The USYVL is the leader in developing & maintaining youth volleyball leagues for boys & girls ages 7-15. USYVL summer camps are typically three days, three hours per day.

Camps are for beginner, intermediate & advanced players. Info: 888-988-7985, www.USYVL.org.

WRESTLING Community Youth Center The CYC program offers young athletes opportunity to participate in one of the world’s oldest sports. The program trains, challenges wrestlers from kindergarten through high school, 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.

Creighton School of Wrestling CSW was established to provide a successful youth program in the Palo Alto/Mid-Peninsula area that serves all ages.

Info: 650-219-6383; creightonschoolofwrestling@ yahoo.com.

MULTI-SPORT De La Salle Camps De La Salle offers the following sessions: football, track & field, lacrosse, wrestling, quarterback & wide receiver, lineman, volleyball, baseball, soccer, water polo & strength & conditioning. In addition to serving local athletes, the camps also benefits De La Salle students by contributing to The Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program. Week-long sessions will run June 9-June 28. For more info: summercamps@dlshs. org; 925-288-8100, Ext. 7090.

Velocity Sports Camps Our Spring Break Sports Specific Summer Camps provide a funpacked environment where kids can increase their athleticism & develop a wider range of skills.

Programs is for boys & girls ages 8-14. Our Team Training programs deliver a challenging workout that is organized, educational, progressive & customized. Info: 925-833-0100, velocitydublin. com.

Cal Camps Camps are offered in a variety of sports for girls & boys ages 5-19, with week-long, half-day, full-day & overnight options. Most camps will take place in Berkeley from June through August. Baseball, boys & girls basketball, boys & girls rowing/crew, field hockey, football, boys & girls golf, girls gymnastics, rugby, boys & girls soccer, softball, boys & girls swimming, boys & girls tennis, boys & girls volleyball & girls water polo.

Adult camps are also offered.Info: CalBears. com/camps. Email calcamps@berkeley.edu.

City of Concord Skyhawks Sports Camps include skateboard & swim combo,

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Visit our Virtual CampSite at SportStarsOnline.com soccer & swim combo, soccer camp, basketball, flag football, lacrosse & more. Ages 4-teen. Info: www.concordreg.org, 925-671-3404.

Saint Mary’s College Camps Boys, girls overnight, day, team & specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18. Multi-Sport Camp — badminton, basketball, flag football, h&ball, paddleball, soccer, softball, street hockey, swimming, tennis, volleyball & more. Individual sport camps — Baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, golf, rugby, girls lacrosse, strength & conditioning, boys soccer, softball, tennis & volleyball. Info: Info: www.smcgaels.com, smccamps@stmarys-ca.edu, 925-631-4386.

SportForm Based in Concord, SportForm provides individual & team instruction in baseball, softball & lacrosse.

Info: 925-459-2880.

City of Walnut Creek We offer 9-13 year-olds a fully-staffed &

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 & develop training skills, basic individual skills, sportsmanship, team strategies & concepts as well as building confidence & self discipline. Focus is also on having fun & enjoyment of the sport. Swimming (M,W, F), recreational games & field trips on Thursday are all part of each session. Sports to choose from include: Tennis, Baseball, Multi-sport, Flag Football, Soccer, Lacrosse, Basketball, Golf, Volleyball & Bowling. Drop-Off/ Pick Up: Campers are dropped off at Foothill Community Gymnasium in the morning.

They are transported to Heather Farm Park each afternoon. Pick up is always at Heather Farm Park. Early registration has begun, camp offerings start the week of June 18th & run through August 17th. Full & half day programs are available along with morning & late afternoon extended care. Info: www. walnutcreekrec.org or call 925-943-5858. ✪

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It’s a sea of yellow as the ever-impressive 6th Man cheering section of Jesuit High filled up the baseline seating at Power Balance Pavilion to root on the Marauders against league rival Sheldon in the Division I NorCal boys final on March 17.

Photo by James K. Leash.

Want to submit your pic for Photo Finish? Send it to us at editor@SportStarsOnline.com. Photos must be 300 dpi and at least 10 inches wide in the jpeg format.

Please identify every person in the photo and include your contact information.

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