Sac Joaquin Issue 42, March 8, 2012

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march 8, 2012

endure | excel | achieve

sac joaquin

baseball, softball teams

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Title Time

Antelope boys, Kennedy girls dominate the hardcourt. Pgs. 14, 16

King pins

baseball, softball players

Vacaville wrestling owns the postseason. As usual. Pg. 46

get loud Look your best when you hit the links this spring. Pg. 50

It’s always about the team in high school sports. Pg. 11

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vol. 3. issue 42

ways for your kid to be a better athlete right now. Pg. 53

Always something on-deck with ALL WORLD sports

March Events Calendar BASEBALL 03-04: Spring N Fling, 9U-14U in Fremont 03-04: Elk Grove/Mather A&D, 9U-14U, Mather Field/Elk Grove 03-04: Armed and Dangerous AA only, 9U-12U, Antioch/ Oakley 10-11: Backyard Brawl, 9U-12U, Vacaville 17-18: Santa Cruz Winter Finals, 8U-13U, Santa Cruz 17-18: Baseball Freaks, 10U-14U, Mather Field 17-18: March Madness, 10U, 11U, 12U, 14U, Davis/Dixon

24-25: Games Galore, 9U-14U, Fremont 24-25: Santa Cruz Spring Starter, 9U-13U, Santa Cruz 24-25: 7th Annual Slugfest, 9U-14U, Woodland 31-01: Wild Wild West Jackpot I, 9U-14U, Golden Eagle/Sparks 31-01: March Mayhem, 9U-14U, Antioch/Martinez FASTPITCH 03-04: March Mania, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 03-04: March Mania, 10/12/14, Delhi 10-11: All World Showdown, 10/12/14, Sacramento 10-11: All World Showdown, 10/12/14 A/B, Livingston

17-18: Flame Throwers, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 17-18: Flame throwers, 10/12/14 A/B, Livingston 24-25: Hot Bats, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 31-01: All World Foolz, 10/12/14 A/B, Sacramento 31-01: All World Foolz, 10/12/14 A/B, Livingston SOFTBALL 03-04: Elk Grove Kickoff, Men’s D, E/Coed, Elk Grove 03-04: Winter Challenge, Men’s D, E, Fremont 03-04: St. Patty’s Slugfest, Men’s E/Women’s/Coed, Manteca 10-11: Miken Mayhem, Men’s D, E/Coed, Sacramento

10-11: March Madness, Men’s/Coed, Suisun 10-10: Lucky U, Men’s/Women’s/Coed, Lodi 17-18: Backyard Brawl, Coed/Men’s E, D, Elk Grove 17-18: Back Yard Brawl, Fremont 17-18: Men’s E NIT, Pleasanton 17-18: P Town Swing, Women’s/Coed, Pleasanton 24-25: NIT Men’s E, Suisun 24-25: Men’s D & Elite/Open NIT, Fremont 24-25: Southbay Sizzle, Men’s E/Women’s/Coed, Fremont 31-01: March Mayhem, Men’s/Coed, Sacramento

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, Stacey Harris • SHarris@SportStarsOnline.com.

Sac Joaqin edition: Breck Phillip • BreckPhillip@gmail.com, Dave Rosales • DaveRosales64@gmail.com, Finn Jensen • finnjensen1@mac.com.

team first: You know how they say ‘There’s no I in team?’

They say that for a reason. Pg. 11

Spring Fever Time to hit the diamond as baseball and softball seasons are upon us.

Sierra softball with Iyana Hughes will be a force, as will Jesuit baseball? It all starts on Pg. 40

Information technology John Bonilla

Pg. 52

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

First Pitch............................................. 8 Locker Room....................................10 Behind the Clipboard......................11 James K. Leash

Antelope and Kennedy swarmed their way to section crowns. pgs 14, 16 ON THE COVER: Jesuit-Carmichael senior shortstop Zach Green. Photo by James K. Leash

Distribution/Delivery Mags@SportStarsOnline.com Distribution Manager Butch Noble. Ext. 107 • Butch@SportStarsOnline.com

big difference: Doing using balms such as IcyHot really make that much of a difference? get better: Want your young athlete to show improvement.

We have three key steps. Pg. 53

Ernie Abrea/MaxPreps.com

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

AAA SportStars of the Week........13 Camps + Clinics...............................20 Impulse...............................................50 Health Watch....................................52 Training Time.....................................53 Photo Finish.......................................54

CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsOnline.com Office Manager/Credit Services Deb Hollinger. Ext. 101 • Deb@SportStarsOnline.com

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your ticket to bay area sports admit one; rain or shine This Vol. #3, March 2012 Whole No. 42 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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Eleven favorites from 11 years of NorCal postseason hoops

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future Saint Mary’s College icon Omar first began work as a high school Samhan. Samhan finished his SRV career sportswriter in the Bay Area in February 2001. Like any eager new employee, with yet another double-double of 28 points I was happy to cover any sporting event. and 10 rebounds. Anderson and the Trojans But it became clear to my bosses early would win a state title two weeks later. on that I had a passion for writing about ■ 2006 — Northern Regional Div. I hoops. By the following season I was the semifinal: De La Salle 52, Serra-San Mateo high school boys basketball writer and 48. remained in that position for six seasons.

Even though I’d watch the Spartans This will be my 12th year of covering win a state title two weeks later, this game Northern California’s side of the state stood out more. Serra led by 11 at the half, playoffs so I figured I’d have some fun on which was the most DLS had trailed by at Memory Lane. I’ve singled out a favorite any point all year. Two more future UCSB game from each of the 11 postseasons I’ve players, Paul Roemer and Justin Joyner, led covered. Only picking games I was in the a stirring second-half comeback. Serra’s building for.

Decensae White gave a virtuoso effort with Enjoy.

24 points, nine rebounds and four assists.

■ 2001 — North Coast Section Div. III ■ 2007 — Northern Regional Div. I quarterfinals: Northgate 71, Arcata 57. quarterfinal: Acalanes-Lafayette 50, Weston This was the very first postseason I Ranch-Stockton 47 ever covered in the Bay Area and my first Joe McGlynn went 3-for-4 from behind viewing of the Dylan Edrington Show. The the arc in the fourth quarter to lift the Dons shifty Northgate guard made about every over the upstart Cougars at Saint Mary’s shot he took. He averaged 22.8 points College. James Nunnally scored 12 for that postseason as Northgate won the first Weston Ranch that night. Nunnally is now of back-to-back section titles. Fun fact: in his fourth year with UCSB and starts for Edrington passed on college basketball to the Gauchos. focus on acting. He’s actually got his own ■ 2008 — NCS Div. III quarterfinal: page at iMBD.com. He’s currently working Acalanes 58, El Cerrito 54. in Los Angeles as a junior agent.

I was no longer the boys basketball writer ■ 2002 —Northern Regional Div. I final: in 2008, so I was back to spot coverage, but Oakland Tech 65, De La Salle-Concord 61, this game stood out as Joe Anderson, also OT a standout baseball player for the Dons, Oakland Tech’s Leon Powe and De posted a double-double of 22 points, 12 reLa Salle’s Rekalin Sims banged away like bounds to lead Acalanes in a see-saw battle. heavyweights. It was one of those games Chace@ ■ 2009 — Div. IV state championship: where literally everything was earned. Had SportStarsOnline.com Salesian-Richmond 65, Bishop MontgomSims not fouled out late, an emotional blow ery-Torrance 64.

(925) 566-8503 to the Spartans, the teams may have played The best game, and best finish, to any two or three more overtimes. state championship basketball game I’ve ■ 2003 — Northern Regional Div. II covered. Salesian’s Desmond Simmons (now at Washington) semifinal: Woodcreek-Roseville 65, Amador Valley-Pleasangrabbed the rebound from Justin Cobbs’ (Cal) missed free ton 62. throw with approximately six seconds remaining. He sprints Woodcreek was in the midst of an incredible run and up the floor, nearly stumbles at midcourt before passing to its gym was packed. The Timberwolves fed off their home Jabari Brown on the wing. Brown thinks about shooting crowd’s energy as Amador Valley, led by Thomas Juillerat, before finding Kendall Andrews open underneath. Andrew built multiple double-digit leads and Woodcreek answered lays it in just as the horn sounds. Epic. every time. In fact, the Timberwolves closed the game on ■ 2010 — Tie: Both the NCS and Northern Regional a 13-2 run. Woodcreek would finish that season as state semifinals between De La Salle and San Ramon Valley. runners-up.

De La Salle won both games by grand total of five points.

■ 2004 — Div. V state championship: St. Joseph Notre It would be hard to find two teams more evenly matched Dame-Alameda 49, Vebum Dei-L.A. 47. than the Spartans and Wolves were that season. SRV’s Chris St. Joseph’s Alex Harris gave me my first chance to write McNealy (UC Irvine) and DLS’ John McArthur (Santa Clara) about a state champion as he scored 11 of his 19 points in each took their game to new levels in both contests. the fourth quarter, including the last five of the game. His ■ 2011 — NCS Div. III final: San Marin-Novato 47, 3-pointer with 1:43 left gave the Pilots their first lead of the Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland 44 game and neither team scored after that. Harris went on to San Marin’s Stewart Wesonga was a man possessed. His become a four-year starter at UC Santa Barbara (watch for game of 28 points, 24 rebounds and five blocks was somemore Gauchos) and still plays professionally in Germany. thing to behold. But even better was the entire atmosphere, ■ 2005 — Northern Regional Div. II semifinal: Oak as an incredible mass of students traveled to support the Ridge-El Dorado Hills 63, San Ramon Valley-Danville 62.

Cinderella-story Mustangs. I’ve seen few courts were Current Orlando Magic player Ryan Anderson scored 20 stormed with more passion. ✪ points to help the visiting Trojans defeats the Wolves and

First Pitch Chace Bryson Editor

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rapidFIRE Pick one Dream job athlete to as a 5-year old save the world Basketball player

Griffin Piatt

Prefer being the favorite or the underdog?

Who’s gonna win March Madness

Most orginal way you’ve seen someone asked to prom

Picking up Favorite dog waste

Texas

Haven’t seen someone asked yet

Worst job you’ve ever had

Tyler Garrison, Campolindo-Moraga, BB

FBI Michael agent Jordan

Babysitting

Underdog

Stanford (women)

With a box full of balloon pigs he said, “I’ll ask you to prom when pigs fly.” Then he opened the box

Working for my dad

Doesn’t matter

Syracuse

Somebody asked over the public announcement system

Melissa Russi, Carondelet-Concord, BB

Cop

Dwight Howard (he’s Superman)

Damien Banford, Newark Memorial, BB

Jonathan Hawthorne

sayWHAT “We didn’t even give ’em a chance as a coaching staff. We told the parents at the parent meeting we’d be happy to make NCS this year because we have a really young team ... (But) when we saw our playoff draw, we thought it was pretty favorable for us in general. We felt we had the deepest team of any team (in the draw) … and teams win championships, players win MVP medals.”

— Bishop O’Dowd boys soccer coach Greg Rubendall, whose dragons won the NCS Div. II championship as the No. 9 seed. For the complete story on the team’s 3-2 championship win over Albany, go to SportStarsOnline.com.

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In any high school sport, always think team first

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Sports camps we’d like to attend Ahh, summer camp and clinic season.

That halcyon time of year when young men and women dedicate themselves to nobly improving at their respective sports through hard work and sacrifice. Also known as the ‘how the heck do I get away from my parents/ younger siblings this summer’ phenomenon.

We here at SportStars have been giving some thought to clinics that we, if money and time were of no consideration, wouldn’t dare miss. Without further ado, here are our Top Five Fictional* Summer Sports Clinics.

1. The Hoosier Underdog Hoops Clinic (HUHC — as a shoutout to Dennis Hopper’s character, pronounced ‘hooch’).

Gene Hackman, reprising his role as Coach Norman Dale, hosts. Rule No. 1: Don’t get caught watching the paint dry. Rule No. 2: And you will make your second shot… Rule No. 3: Black Chuck Taylors for everyone.

2. The Pedro Cerrano Bat Like A Champion Clinic. Participants are encouraged to bring hats for bats. Keep bats warm.

3. The Happy Gilmore Long Drive Competition/Golf Clinic. Hockey stick-style putter, patience optional. Helmets, chest protectors, cups, and hecklers mandatory.

4. The Nuke LaLoosh School of finesse pitching. Learn the fine art of announcing your presence with authority. Other handy tips: Relax and concentrate, never argue with your catcher, strikeouts are fascist, never punch with your pitching hand, and respect the streak.

5. Wrench-dodging with Patches O’Houlihan. If you can dodge a wrench… why are your friends throwing wrenches at you? You must be a really miserable human being. Maybe if you got on a dodgeball team people would like you more. Touché! *These camps are fictional. And by that we mean they are fake. Not real. You can’t actually attend them. Please don’t email us for sign-up information.

Note: 1. Hoosiers; 2. Major League; 3.

Happy Gilmore; 4. Bull Durham; 5. Dodgeball. Really? We have to explain this?

I hate the breaststroke but I’m OK at it — and my coach wants me to swim it in meets. I don’t see why I should because swimming is a lot more about individual events than it is about a team effort.

Do I have to swim the breaststroke in meets?

— A.R., Alameda

ost of the time, there are grey areas in every question, but not in this case: Swim the breaststroke, and do so with enthusiasm and a smile on your face when the race is called.

Yes, swimming at the highest levels is an individual sport, and as athletes start to separate themselves from the pack, it makes complete sense to swim the events that a) you enjoy the most (because in the long run you’ll most likely do better at them), and b) suit your skills — but in case you haven’t noticed, you’re in high school.

In case you haven’t noticed, you’re not paying for pool time. You’re not paying for your coaching. You’re not participating as an individual. You are representing the school you attend, and when you are swimming for your school, it’s not about you.

Now if you don’t want to represent the school, if you don’t want to be part of the swimming community that practices together every day, then go find a pool and practice there by yourself and get ready for the summer. Don’t pretend you’re a member of a team, because you’re not, even if your friends are swimming.

When you’re on a team, you do what the team needs, even if it isn’t what you want. Let me repeat that, because a lot of young athletes and even worse, parents, don’t get it: When you’re on a team, you do what the team needs, even if it isn’t what you want.

In individual sports like swimming and track, it’s easy to put aside the team aspect, especially when dual meet results don’t have much impact outside the team itself. But the reality is that you are on a team, supported by the school, the booster club and the community, and that support carries with it obligations.

And first among those obligations is to put the team first. If swimming the breaststroke is what the team needs, you swim the breaststroke. If running the hurdles is what the team needs, you run the hurdles. If you’re hurt and the team needs someone to make some Gatorade, you make the Gatorade.

And you don’t whine, or act noble, or make it clear you’re doing this grudgingly. You smile, you are enthusiastic and you give your very best no matter what the task, on or off the track, in or out of the pool, or downstairs looking for the lap counters.

As a high school athlete, you always, always, represent your school and community, and you not only need to accept that responsibility, you need to embrace it.

Starting with the breaststroke. ✪

Behind the Clipboard Clay Kallam

Orion Pictures/Zumapress.com

ine used “A good friend of m simple to say, ‘This is a very e ball, you game. You throw th it the ball. catch the ball, you h someSometimes you win, etimes it times you lose, som at for a rains.’ Think about th while.” aLoosh Ebby Calvin ‘Nuke’ L

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Top Five by Bill Kolb

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

March 8, 2012

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In a wild Sac-Joaquin Section Division I final on March 3, Oak Ridge lost a heartbreaker to Kennedy-Sacramento 62-58 in double OT. Hoffman shined brightest for the Trojans. The guard scored a game-high 24 points going 6-for-9 from beyond the arc. Hoffman was clutch: she buried two of three free throws to force OT, and also hit a baseline jumper that gave the Trojans a brief 54-52 lead with 12 seconds left in the first extra period.

SportStars: Were you surprised by your shooting performance, especially considering that you were playing in the Section final at Power Balance Pavilion?

Jenn Hoffman: Yeah, I was surprised because my shot had been off lately. My coaches had been working with me and I got more confidence when I started making shots. My teammates did a great job of finding me and getting the ball to me for open shots.

SSM: What was going through your mind when you were on the free throw line at the end of regulation?

JH: I just knew that I had to stay confident even after I missed the first one. It was hard, but I was focusing on not being nervous and being confident that I would make the shots.

SSM: What was discussed in the huddle when Kennedy called a timeout before your last of the three free throw attempts?

JH: The coaches reminded me to stay calm and my teammates

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Jenn hoffman oak ridge-El dorado hills . basketball . soph

honorable mention

D’Erryl williams The SheldonSacramento junior point guard scored 16 points, including six in the final two minutes, and grabbed eight rebounds to lead the Huskies to a 49-44 victory over Jesuit in the SJS Div. I final on March 3.

syria rhodes The senior wrestler for ValleySacramento overcame a shoulder injury to defeat Cadence Lee of Gunn-Palo Alto in overtime to win the 103 pound championship at the CIF Girls State Wrestling Championships on Feb. 25.

jake elliott told me that they knew I could make the shot. We really just tried to be confident that I would make the shot.

SSM: How has the team responded, shifting focus to the NorCal Playoffs after such a tough loss?

JH: We’re concentrating on clearing our heads and keeping our heads up. It was a tough loss, but we’re excited about NorCals and working real hard to get back on track now that we have another opportunity.

The Oakmont Roseville senior wrestler captured his second straight SJS Masters title with an 11-4 decision in the 152-pound final. He then gained a secondplace medal at the state championships.

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With stifling defense and strong team resolve, Antelope grabbed its first section title

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By jim mccue | Contributor

s a new school in the early stages of its history, Antelope High School is writing an amazing story — a tale of a boys basketball team on a serious roll.

With its first class of seniors, the Titans (301) captured the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship in its second consecutive appearance in the section final at Power Balance Pavilion.

Antelope’s 77-55 victory over Lodi on March 3 was the team’s 29th straight triumph and will earn head coach Rob Richards’ squad a high seed and first-round bye in the California Interscholastic Federation Northern Regional tournament that began March 7.

But Richards and the Titans are not done writing their history.

“Chapter One was the regular season and Chapter Two was section,” Richards said of Antelope’s storybook run. “Chapter Three starts (the second week of March) and we are ready to go write our own ending.”

The Titans’ latest chapter lacked drama as the top-seeded Titans led from wire-to-wire and clamped down on the previously hot-shooting Flames. Antelope held Lodi’s shooters to just 32 percent shooting, including a paltry 1-for-18 from 3-point range.

“We knew that we would need to do what we had done the first 30 games this season — play tough defense and make them earn every basket,” Richards said. “We defend as a group and we took the team concept to another level tonight.”

Junior Gabe Bealer, who was new to the team last year, dominated both ends of the floor with a game-high 24 points and 11 rebounds. The 6-foot-5 forward was forced into extra duty inside when junior post player Isaiah Ellis received a pair of controversial technical fouls that disqualified him from the contest a minute before halftime.

Bealer, who already had 12 points before the Ellis ejection, keyed the Titans’ third-quarter surge that put the game out of reach with a steal and a pair of dunks that put an extra charge into the team and its raucous “Red Zone” cheering section.

“When Gabe’s having fun on the court, he’s an electrifying player,” Richards said. “He has gotten more comfortable every day, and the kid can finish.”

Bealer’s contribution on the boards may have been out of the ordinary, but the humble for14

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ward attributed the surge to a very plain truth.

“I just boxed out,” Bealer said. “Isaiah being out gave me more opportunities, but fundamentals was the real reason I got more rebounds.”

Antelope’s run through the competition all season long has been linked to the team’s fundamental belief in generating offense from a stifling defense.

“When people look at our scores, they might think we are some kind of run-and-gun type of offense,” Richards said of Antelope’s average of 65.4 points per game before the section final. “We like to push the ball, but everything is generated from our defense.”

The Titans’ defense got the team running early and often, building a double-digit lead before halftime and answering every Lodi rally.

Having successfully lived up to its No. 1 seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs, Antelope can now look ahead to bigger and better things. The Titans made a surprising run to the NorCal semifinals a year ago after losing in the section final, but hope to take things farther this year with some home games in the NorCal playoffs.

“Mitty is obviously the best team (in Division II),” Richards said.

“But we honestly believe that we can go toe-to-toe with the Mitty’s and Serra’s. We think we can represent the section and make a good run.”

With his team playing at a high level, Richards is happy to have a high seed in the NorCals, but he is wary of the extra time off that a first-round bye brings. Pointing out that three of the top four seeds from a year ago lost their first Northern Regional opener, the energetic coach would prefer to get his team back on the floor right away.

“We’re back to the land of one-and-done now,” he said. “I don’t like the extra time off, but it will give us a chance to regroup and to go out and do some live scouting of the competition.”

The Titans feared the next chapter of the 2012 season would begin without the services of Ellis, whose disqualification would kept the junior forward out of the team’s NorCal opener per CIF rules. However, the ejection and subsequent suspension were overturned by CIF officials after an Antelope appeal. Both technical fouls called on Ellis were unusual, but the second left the boisterous Richards speechless and confused.

The coach was quick to point out that the alleged taunting was out of character for the quiet team leader.

When pressed for details of the account provided by the officials, Richards said that he was told by an official that Ellis’s lips were moving when he walked past a Lodi player whose shot was blocked out of bounds by Bealer.

The coach was not satisfied with the explanation that moving lips were interpreted as taunting words, but stated that he would leave further clarification and justification of the ejection to the section and administrators.

Richards is satisfied, though, with trusting that his seniors, including Kei’Shaun Sinclair, Caleb King, and Jarvis Watkins, will keep the team on point to allow Ellis to continue his season in subsequent rounds of the state playoffs.

“We have a great group of senior leaders,” the coach said, “and I know that they can share the duties of keeping the team focused on the next chapter.” ✪

RACE TO THE CAPITAL

Here’s a quick glance at things to watch for as the Northern Regional tournament plays out from March 7-17.

BOYS ■ BEST BET: Salesian-Richmond.

The Pride reached the Div. IV state final a year ago without breaking much of a sweat. They enter the tournament with a 30-2 record, and neither loss is to a CA opponent.

■ CINDERELLA STORY: Antelope. One day after dominating the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. II final, the Titans were ungraciously handed a No. 4 seed and a possible semifinal with defending state champ Archbishop Mitty-San Jose.

We’re not ruling out an upset.

■ DON’T MISS THIS GAME: De La Salle-Concord vs. SheldonSacramento was a dynamite Div. I semifinal a year ago with the Spartans winning 45-43. A NorCal final between the top two Div. I seeds could be just as good.

■ PREDICTED CHAMPS: De La Salle-Concord (Div. I), Archbishop Mitty (Div. II), Foothill-Sacramento (Div. III), Salesian-Richmond (Div. IV), Capital Christian-Sacramento (Div. V)

LEFT: Antelope junior post player Gabe Bealer rises up for a thunderous second-half dunk during the Titans’ 77-55 defeat of Lodi in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II boys final on March 3 at Power Balance Pavilion. Bealer finished the night with 24 points and 11 rebounds.

James K. Leash photo

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Kennedy-Sacramento wrapped up its fifth SJS title by avenging losses that defined their growth

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By jim mccue | Contributor

erseverance and determination defined the Kennedy-Sacramento girls basketball team’s 2011-2012 season leading up to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title game.

So, it should not have come as a surprise to anyone that the Cougars (23-8) rallied from behind to catch, and eventually defeat, Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills 62-58 in a double-overtime thriller at Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento on March 3.

“Everybody dug real deep,” Kennedy coach Dave Parsh said. “It seemed like we were in a constant battle, but the team stayed together like it has all year and finally pushed it over the top.”

The season started slowly for the Cougars as Parsh was reloading a roster returning just two starters from the previous season. The team grew up fast on a challenging nonleague schedule and primed itself for a postseason run during Metro League play.

In the second round of the section playoffs, the Cougars avenged a pair of early-season losses. First, they bounced St. Francis-Sacramento 70-57 behind 37 points from junior Lynette Johnson. In the semifinals, Kennedy overcame a halftime deficit to knock off top-seeded Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove. The Section final victory provided another measure of redemption as Oak Ridge had handled Kennedy in the Trojans’ tournament back in late December.

“It was sweet revenge to beat two teams that had beaten us earlier in the season,” Johnson said.

“Oak Ridge also beat us in the section final when I was a freshman, so I really wanted this one.”

Early on in the championship game, it did not look like either team wanted to win. Both teams struggled from the field. Kennedy made just 1-of-13 shots and trailed 7-2 after one quarter.

But the pace quickened after that.

Oak Ridge led most of the game until Kennedy took its first lead at 36-34 late in the third quarter on an Amayla Greer layup. Jenn Hoffman answered with two of her game-high six threepoint baskets to help Oak Ridge to a 47-40 lead in the fourth quarter before the real battle began.

Kennedy’s Katie Lee, a sophomore guard who averaged two points per game and had made just six 3-pointers all season, got in a zone. She made three consecutive shots from beyond the arc to give the Cougars a two-point lead with 1:36 remaining in the game.

After several possessions yielded no points, Oak Ridge had possession of the ball with just five seconds left in regulation. Hoffman received an inbounds pass and immediately heaved a 3-point attempt that missed, but the sophomore was fouled on the play, giving the Trojans an opportunity to take the lead with three free throws.

After missing the first shot, Hoffman coolly con-

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SWEET

REVENGE

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

verted the next two to force overtime.

A back-and-forth extra period was capped by a Johnson putback as time expired, creating havoc in the arena and forcing a second extra period. Johnson’s game-tying follow resulted from the junior being in the right place at the right time. “I knew it wasn’t going in and I saw that I was going to be alone on the right side of the basket where the ball was headed,” Johnson said.

“All along, I knew that I would have to be ready for anything to happen. I just wasn’t ready to stop playing.”

And they played on.

Johnson scored the Cougars’ first six points in the second overtime, including a three-pointer with 1:08 left on the clock that essentially sealed the win.

While the title was the Cougars’ fifth SJS championship, it was the first for the team under Parsh. He took over the program in 2009-2010 after the Cougars had captured back-to-back section titles. The veteran coach had won two previous titles at St. Francis, but had not tasted victory in a final since the early 90s.

“We came into this season with a lot of new pieces.

It was almost a totally new team,” Parsh said. “To see the progress the girls made throughout the season was a very satisfying experience as a coach.”

One piece that was not new was Johnson, who made the section playoffs her personal showcase. She averaged 26.2 points per game, including that 37-point outburst against St. Francis, to lead her team to where she and her teammates had not been before.

“I told my teammates that not very many teams get the opportunity to come to an NBA arena, so we had to take advantage,” Johnson said. “We had to get it done for ourselves, our fans, and our school.”

Kennedy earned the No. 3 seed in the California Interscholastic Federation Northern Regional playoffs and faced Castlemont-Oakland when the tournament opened on March 7. Despite the loss, Oak Ridge was seeded fourth in Division I and will open at home against Washington-S.F. The Cougars hope the marathon section final will strengthen them further and propel them — Kennedy was also seeded fourth in the SJS playoffs and were the only SJS winner at Power Balance Pavilion not seeded No. 1—to greater heights.

“I really love these girls,” Johnson said of her Kennedy teammates. “I believe that we can keep winning if we just fight hard and stay together.” ✪

RACE TO THE CAPITAL

Here’s a quick glance at things to watch for as the Northern Regional tournament plays out from March 7-17.

GIRLS ■ BEST BET: Berkeley. The Yellowjackets are clearly the class of Div. I. MaxPreps has Deer Valley as the second-best Div. I team in NorCal — and Berkeley just beat the Wolverines 61-29.

■ CINDERELLA STORY: Hamilton City. The Braves were 24-5 a season ago, and went 29-0 through the Northern Section Div. V playoffs this season — and is still seeded fourth. But Hamilton is the only unbeaten team left in the state, boys or girls, and that’s a considerable accomplishment.

■ DON’T MISS THIS GAME: It’s the irresistible force vs. immovable object in Div. II, as Carondelet-Concord and St. Mary’sStockton seem destined to meet in the NorCal final. They played once this season, and the Rams won on a neutral floor 73-58 — but expect something much closer in Round 2.

■ PREDICTED CHAMPS: Berkeley (Div. I), St. Mary’s-Stockton (Div. II), Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (Div. III), St. Mary’s-Berkeley (Div. IV), Brookside Christian-Stockton (Div. V).

James K. Leash

LEFT: Kennedy guard Lynette Johnson, left, drives past Jenn Hoffman of Oak Ridge. ABOVE: Kennedy players react to the final buzzer at the SJS final.

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March 8, 2012

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East Bay gets a brand new sport courts facility in Martinez It was an idea that came to Dan Middleton more than a decade ago.

Perhaps it was akin to the voice Ray Kinsella heard in “Field of Dreams?”

If you build it, they will come.

Well, it’s built. And they’re coming.

On March 3, Middleton and his investors were pleased to fully commence the soft-opening of NorCal Courts — a 30,000 square-foot indoor sports facility near the Martinez waterfront. The venue will feature 3 full-length basketball courts and four regulation volleyball courts.

“The vision was conceived in 1999,” said Middleton, who has his own business and is the girls varsity basketball coach for Northgate-Walnut Creek. “I was coaching youth basketball and noticed a shortage of gyms and sports facilities in the East Bay. This East Bay community needs a better set of sports facilities for our youth to have a place for team sports.”

According to Middleton, the original plan was for a facility to be finished by 2014 that would include indoor and outdoor space to accommodate soccer and swimming, too. However, that got scaled down a bit after a plan to move into a different Martinez warehouse turned out to be more than the city counsel and constituents wanted.

The second time was the charm, though.

After finding a new warehouse on 360 Ferry St., Middleton made a new pitch for an indoor-only facility for basketball and volleyball. There was much nego-

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tiation, but everything fell into place with vendors and supply companies and NorCal Courts was conceived on November 16, 2011.

“We immediately started working on it the next day,” Middleton said.

Middleton is hopeful that partnerships with several of the East Bay’s basketball and volleyball clubs will jump to use the facility for practices, games and tournaments. He’s already picked up a few buy-ins, already.

“CalStars girls basketball club is already renting it for their practices during the week,” Middleton said.

“We also have agreements with other basketball clubs as well as the Northern California Volleyball Association.”

The soft-opening on March 3 actually did feature a volleyball tournament.

The facility will be available for use every day until 10 p.m., and will also be running some of its own programs such as boys and girls high school summer leagues starting June 18.

“What will make this a successful business will be all the clubs, teams and people who will use the facility and have a great time doing so,” Middleton said. “It will be a welcoming place for kids and teams to come and have fun and be able to compete at the highest level they can imagine.”

And if you go, be sure to check out the most handsome scoreboard in the building. The one that reads SportStars underneath it. ✪ — SportStars staff

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

Visit our Virtual CampSite at SportStarsOnline.com

SportStars 2nd Annual Camps & Clinics Special I

By Chace Bryson | Editor

n early 2011, when the staff at SportStars had a brainstorm that it should put together a special edition each spring as a resource on the various summer camps that are offered, it seemed like a good idea.

However, very quickly it realized two things: 1. It wasn’t just a good idea, it was a great idea — a realization based on the feedback our staff received from advertisers and readers alike.

And...

2. There were WAY more camps than anybody here could’ve possibly fathomed. And we were just focused on the East Bay at the time.

So when the time rolled around for us to do it again, only this time with an even wider geographic focus, we were a little more prepared.

But only slightly.

Camps and clinics are a major industry now.

Think up any sport or activity, and there is undoubtedly a camp or clinic offered for it within a 30-minute drive. There’s a good chance anyway.

From football to horse riding, lacrosse to tennis, gymnastics to surfing and baseball to fencing — and that’s just for starters.

Just how big of a deal are sports camps and clinics these days?

“The overall camp business in the United States is a $1.2 billion business,” Steve Pence, president of Nike-operated US Sports Camps, told SportStars a year ago.

And he should know. His clinics feature 400 locations and 50,000 campers annually.

So we’ve established there are camps everywhere, and they come in every shape and size imaginable. They can be extremely competitive or everybody-plays-and-everybody-has-fun.

They can be for individuals, or full teams. They can focus on a single skill such as goalkeeping or putting. They can run a day, a week, or more.

They can cost a small fee or a small fortune.

While sifting through the gobs and gobs of camps listings over the next 19 pages, readers will undoubtedly see the immense variety the World of Camps has to offer. The obvious question that rises is, “Which is best of me?” Or, “Which is best for my son or daughter?”

In talking with numerous camp experts during the process of putting the last two annuals together, the same five areas of criteria are offered up as the key elements for choosing the right camp: Location, skill specificity, player/ coach ratio, duration and price.

Starting with location, the closer the camp is to one’s home, the more convenient and cost-friendly it will be to commute back-and-forth— especially if the camp lasts for more than a week. Facilities also factor into location and can effect a multitude of other critieria.

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Jason Sekany, the co-founder of The Pitching Center in Pleasanton, told SportStars to ask the following question.

“Is the camp at a local park or a college/professional sports facility?,” he said. “Camps held at the latter of the two typically will be better organized and often involve staff better trained to provide higher quality instruction.”

Player to coach ratio is also a big factor that gets brought up by just about everybody we talk to. It’s certainly one to consider heavily, especially for athletes who are going to improve

and refine skills as opposed to going for a have-fun approach.

“Ratios are important depending on the sport,” said Pence, who recommended a 5-to-1 ratio for individual sports such as tennis and golf, “and never more than 8-to-1 for team sports.”

Pence followed up with his thoughts on the prices, subscribing to the “you get what you pay for” theory.

“Higher priced camps are typically better due to facilities, coaching staff, ratios, etc.,” he said. “Lower-priced camps such as day camps can serve a purpose, but check the ratios and see who is actually doing the teaching. Are the drills set up for improvement or are they just playing games?”

If the athlete is really focused on refining his game for a certain sport, skill specificity is an essential consideration in choosing a camp.

“Most camps generally will be designed to cover the basic skills within your respective sport,” Sekany said. “If you are looking for specificity, be sure that the camp lists the specific skill you are looking for, or contact the camp director to find out if your desired skill will be covered. Keep in mind, progressive and advanced skill development almost always requires ongoing training beyond the time frame of a camp.”

As was mentioned earlier, the duration of camps can range from one day to a weekend to a week, or a series of weeks.

Sekany cautions that longer camps do not always equal better.

“You have to keep your player’s age, interest level and attention span in mind,” he said. “There is only so much information that your player is going to be capable of absorbing over the duration of the camp.”

Finally, it most often always boils down to the financials. And while it may Butch Noble be the biggest factor, it should be considered right along with the other criteria.

Because in the end, it’s about finding the right price for the type of camp that you want. In essence, it’s value that you want to find.

Because in the end, Pence tells us, most summer camps boil down to one specific goal.

“You work hard, improve, have fun and make lifetime friends,” he said. “You leave camp with a renewed confidence that you can move up the team ladder or from JV to varsity.”

So get to it. Turn the pages, the camps are waiting. ✪ Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

BASEBALL/SOFTBALL All American Softball 2012 Softball Summer Day Camp.

10 a.m.-2:30 p.m. daily, July 9-12, at Alyce Norman Bryte Playfields. Girls of all ages welcome. Camp features a college Softball Q&A with our AllAmerican staff. $250/athlete; $150/ athlete when registering 6 or more at one time. Info: 916-374-1907, www. softballschool.com.

All American Sports Academy The overall objective of the All American Sports Academy is to support, train, educate, and guide each student athlete toward a successful season, both on and off the playing field. Info: 209-833-2255, dnelson@allamericansportsacademy. net.

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

The Camp focuses on teamwork, hustle and sportsmanship.

We also offer small group training as well as one-on-one training. Info: lancerblankenship@ sbcglobal.net or 925-708-3173.

Cabernet Baseball Club The Livermorebased club hosts The Pitching Center’s Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2012, for players ages

8-14. Lil’ Baseball also offered for ages 3-7. 925-416-1600, www. thepitchingcenter.com.

EJ Sports EJ Sports provides individual, group, team, coaching and manager clinics in many levels of baseball. Among the numerous different services offered, the Spring Clinic, Summer Clinic and the Fall League for children of Little League age has proven to be successful, instructional and most of all fun for the kids. Contact EJ Sports for a list of upcoming clinics, or contact your local little league to see if they participate in our coaches and managers training program. Info: 925-866-7199, www. ejsports.com.

The Pitching Center In an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential, The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC), a fullservice baseball/ softball training academy. We provide comprehensive, fully-integrated training programs that evolve based on the best research and information available in areas from health/safety, peak performance, education techniques and more.

Age- and skill-specific programs

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available for students age 8-High School. Info: 925-416-1600, www. thepitchingcenter.com.

NorCal Grizzlies Baseball Camps and classes offered at various locations. NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages. 925-606-1605, www. norcalgrizzlies.org.

Walnut Creek Sports League 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: 925-952-4450, www. walnutcreeksportsleague.com.

BASKETBALL Bald Eagle Basketball Camp Bald Eagle Camps is approved by the nationally recognized Positive Coaching Alliance, teaching their principles to every camper through our certified coaches. Our Basketball Camp is renowned for providing the player great skill development and building a deeper passion toward becoming the best they can be. Info: 888-505-2253.

Basketball Jones The Basketball Jones Hoop Camps program meets the needs of all skill levels for any boy or girl ages 7-15. With over 200 camps under our belt and more than 15,000 former campers, there is NO trial and error. This is the camp for your child to refine their skills, improve on team concepts, have fun and meet

new friends. Locations/info: www. basketballjonescamps.com.

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

Our camps are conducted under the watchful eye of Clay Kallam (Bentley High School), Kelly Sopak (Miramonte High School), Dan Middleton (Northgate High School), Raul Reyes (Miramonte High School) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo High School). In addition, the camps are also assisted by former high school and college players from the area.

Please sign up for one, two or all three of our summer camps. Go to www.calstars.org for more info.

Gil Basketball Academy GBA is designed to teach athletes the proper fundamentals of basketball along with teaching them sportsmanship, team play and positive work ethics. The Gil Basketball Academy was formed to promote the sport of basketball in East Salinas, as well as the overall development of local student-athletes desiring to compete at the highest athletic levels of competition. GBA offers, camps, clinics, and individual

sessions teaching athletes the skills and techniques of shooting, passing, dribbling, rebounding and defense.

The athletes will be coached by Jose Gil and other qualified and experienced coaches. Info: Coach@ GilBasketballAcademy.com; 831-7101499.

Golden State Warriors You don’t have to be a pro to participate in a basketball camp run by the highest-level team in town.

The Golden State Warriors welcome players of all skill levels to participate in a variety of spring camps that will be held in March, April and May. The camps are typically for boys and girls ages 7-15, and there’s a “parent/ child camp” for adults and their kids as young as 5. In addition to receiving instruction from a high-level coaching camp, participants receive two tickets to a Warriors game, a Warriors jersey and other prizes. Plus, there’s always a good chance of an appearance by a current or former Warriors player.

Info: camps@gs-warriors.com; 510986-5310.

Legarza Basketball San Carlos-based camp offers sessions in Larkspur, San Francisco, Burlingame, San Mateo, San Carlos and San Jose for boys/girls, incoming K-8th grades. 415-334-3333 or www.

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legarzabasketball.org.

Matt Lottich Life Skills Camp Offering beginner and elite sessions for boys and girls grades 6-16 at Woodside Elementary School in Woodside.

Registration/info: 888-537-3223, info@ mllscamp.com; www.mllscamp.com.

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

Hosted by MIke Allen Sports in the South Bay, registration is easy. Go to www.mikeallensports.com to reserve your spot. 408-279-4123.

Next Level Basketball Next Level Training Academy is the premier athletic training academy in Placer County and surrounding areas. We are a complete basketball training academy that provides instruction and coaching focused on basketball and student athletes of all abilities from 3rd grade-high school. Info: 916-276-5367.

Saratoga Basketball Sessions available for boys/girls in grades 3-9. Net proceeds from camp tuition go to the Global Ischemia Foundation to help research for brain-injured individuals. 650678-1614, www.saratogabasketball.com.

Walnut Creek Sports League Basketball is Fun beginner camp. July 1121, 9 a.m.-noon, Mon.-Thur. at Tice Valley Park; extended day/week available with deluxe sport option. Ages 5-12. $35/$65 per week. Registration and info: 925-9524450, www.walnutcreeksportsleague.com.

CHEER Alameda Wolverines Be a part of an exciting organization and have fun! Alameda Wolverines Cheer is available to all youth ages 5-15. The Alameda Wolverines Cheer Program assists in the development of all students in their growth as athletes and young citizens within the community. Info: alamedawolverines@yahoo.com; www. alamedawolverines.com.

Encore Gymnastics, Dance and Climbing Summer Camp 2012 in Concord.

Sessions for kids offered beginning May 29; last session is Aug. 13-17. These camps are packed full of activities such as gymnastics, rock climbing, dance, cool crafts, games, water balloons, team building activities and more. 925-9321033, office@encoregym.com; http:// dscreationencoregym.homestead.com.

Twisters Sports Center Gymnastics mixed with rock climbing, recreation, Tae Kwon Do and more. For boys/girls ages 18 months-14 years @ Twisters Sports Center, Mountain View.

Fees/schedule/registration: 650-967-5581, www.twisterssportscenter.com.

ENRICHMENT Bald Eagle Jr. High Leadership Camp Bald Eagle Camps is approved by the nationally recognized Positive Coaching Alliance, teaching their principles to every camper through our certified coaches. Our Leadership Camp offers Jr. High students hands-on experience with the pivotal skills that lead to a successful transition to high school and adulthood. Info: 888-505-2253.

E.Nopi and Palm Academy Having trouble finding a camp that is constructive, engaging and fun? At Palm

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CheerGyms.com — Coaches Camp, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. June 9 @ Cheergyms.com, Concord. $100/ coach, $50/junior coach (younger than 18 years).

— Freedom High School 2-Day Cheer & Dance Camp, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. each day, June 22-23 @ Freedom High School, Oakley. $100/Commuter Student*; $125/Extra Coach (one free per team). *Special pricing for Liberty Union High School District schools; please call for more information.

— 2-Day Cheer Camps at ALL Cheergyms.com facilities, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, July 13-14 @ Concord, San Jose and Petaluma facilities. $150/ Commuter Student; $100/Extra Coach (one free per team).

— Jr. High/High School Cheer CampCalifornia Session 1, July 19-22 @ California Maritime Academy, Vallejo. $385/Residential Student; $295/ Commuter Student; $125/Extra Coach (one free per team).

— Individual/Group Stunt Cheer Camp, July 23-25 @ California Maritime Academy, Vallejo. $250/Residential East Bay Sports Academy East Bay Sports Academy offers the best in gymnastics and cheerleading training in the East Bay. In our first full year of business, our top of the line recreational and competitive programs earned us the exclusive “Best in the East Bay” award for Best Gymnastics Classes 2011. This summer we are offering our biggest and best camps ever! You are invited to join our award-winning coaches for an amazing summer camp experience for all levels, ages 4 & up. Fun themes range from our “Sparkling 4th of July Celebration”, “Cartwheeling Cooks & Fun with Food”, “Phineas & Ferb go to Camp @ East Bay!”, and a “2012 Olympic Sports Celebration.”

We will continue to offer all of our regularly scheduled classes all summer long! Our classes are goal-oriented, and teach young athletes to work hard because they love gymnastics, cheerleading and tumbling. Our passion is

Academy we provide academic enrichment for students throughout the summer.

Students attend a variety of classes including English, Math, Art, Science, Biology, and Critical Thinking using the E.nopi learning method, one of the most popular learning curriculums worldwide!

Student; $195/Commuter Student; $100/ Coach-Parent-Spectator.

— Jr. High/High School Cheer Camp (Elite)-California Session 2, July 1922 @ California Maritime Academy, Vallejo. $385/Residential Student; $295/ Commuter Student; $125/Extra Coach.

Must have strong liberties to attend.

For more info: 925-685-8176, 866-6857615, info@cheergyms.com; www. cheergyms.com. to teach kids to challenge themselves, and live healthy and active lifestyles.

Our mission is to provide a safe, fun and motivating community for students to enjoy learning and build confidence while accomplishing athletic goals.

Our championship All-Star Cheerleading program is just starting to take flight!

You can bring your team to be a part of the excitement, as our talented and motivated coaching team becomes your team’s best support system. All of our team camps are custom-built to complement your coaching needs and team goals. Come for the fun, the skill, and the passion! We are here to build your program and your athletes first!

Info: 925-680-9999, www.

EastBaySportsAcademy.com.

Palm Academy’s “Summer Camp Spectacular” offers day camps with a oneweek or one-day program to provide the flexibility for your busy schedule. This is a fun, simple option for children who are not in school because it helps to keep their brains active throughout the summer.

Continue your child’s learning over the summer in a constructive, educational way.

We offer exposure to a variety of education programs demonstrating our interactive

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

Dianne Adair Programs Come join any of our eight Dianne Adair summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program. Each week campers will be able to choose from several camps, including sports, fashion, drama, CSI, science and so many more. In addition to our weekly camps, we have weekly field trips to places like an A’s or Giant’s game, museums, the Jelly Belly Factory, Six Flags, the pool, the movies, parks and the Zoo. We also offer many “inhouse” field trips like Games2U Mobile Entertainment, the Bubble Lady, Furs, Skins and Tails, magicians, clowns, singers and many more. Field trips and camps vary by site. Please consult your site of choice for more details. Bring in this article and receive half off our $40 summer registration fee. Once registered, your child may attend at any time with no minimum. You can choose from weekly, daily and hourly rates to best suit your

technology with the FasTrack Learning Station®. Make learning fun and stress free.

Palm Academy also offers art and music camps for kids to help their creative spirit soar. Our Abrakadoodle Art Camps inspire kids to reach and create art that is unique to them. By doing so, kids feel empowered to be creative and expressive. It’s amazing to see just what kids design when given the freedom to explore and express themselves creatively! Let imaginations soar!

Palm Academy’s music classes allow students to play new instruments,

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needs.

Offers and rates may vary at any of our nine locations.

Visit our Web site for more information. www. dianneadair.org.

learn patience, sheet music and harmony, all while having fun! Sign up

by April and get 10-percent-off early bird discount.

Come see why so many parents choose Palm Academy for their kid’s summer camp! Palm Academy, 2856 Washington Blvd., Fremont, CA, 510979-9794 or E.Nopi, 5789 Jarvis Ave., Newark, CA 94560; 510-79E-NOPI (3-6674).

FENCING Golden Gate Fencing Summer Fun Fencing Camps begin June 6. Cost per session: $195 (10% discount if you sign up for two

or more sessions). All equipment is provided. Emphasis is on learning the FUNdamentals of Fencing.

Developmental Training Camps begin June 20, aimed at experienced fencers. Info: 415-626-7910, www. gofencing.com.

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

itself on helping propel athletes to the next level by addressing muscular imbalances, helping athletes increase body awareness, correcting faulty body mechanics and accessing untapped strength. Info: 925-6804400, www.AspirePilatesCenter.com.

Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning, Speed/ Agility and Nutrition Specialist with the International Youth Conditioning Association, Fit-2-TheCore Training Systems offers an innovative approach to getting your young athletes back on the field of play post-rehabilitation (which gets your athletes to normal function), continuing the process by progressing their bodies to handle what they must endure on the field or court.

We work on a solid athletic foundation while staying focused on each individual athlete’s progress. Our unique program includes instruction in movement training, injury reduction, linear/lateral speed development, foot speed and agility, power development, proper weight training techniques and functional strength training. Athletes are closely supervised while being coached through the workout, with attention on proper technique and safety.

The workout consists of functionally sound movement, strength and conditioning skills with a strong focus on basic and proper technique.

It becomes progressively more challenging once basic techniques have been mastered.

Program Highlights: SPEED — Acceleration/deceleration, linear/ lateral movement techniques, running mechanics and footwork.

EXPLOSIVE POWER — Olympic lifting, plyometrics, medicine ball and jumping/landing techniques.

STRENGTH — Functional approach, thorough coaching, focus on upper/ lower body & core. CONDITIONING — Prepares athletes to be “game ready.” FLEXIBILITY — Myofascial release (foam rolling), various forms of stretching and muscle activation.

INJURY REDUCTION — Identify and correct muscular imbalances, balance and stabilization. NUTRITIONAL EDUCATION — Lessons, tips and advice.

For F2C’s Back to Sports programs we offer training weekdays, with 2 days/week or 3 days/week program options. Bottom line: Our program gets your athletes back on the field.

Sign up today for your two-week free pass at www.fasteryoungathletes. com, or call 925-639-0907 for more information.

Kenion Training Coach Nathan Kenion leads multiple training programs, all geared to help athletes achieve their dreams. He works with everyone to make sure you have the right motivation, skills and knowledge to take your game to the next level today. He’s all about changing the little things that will

Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

get you to your ultimate goal. 707-7048003, nathan@keniontraining.com; www. keniontraining.com.

TransForm FX At TransForm FX Fitness Boot Camp, we believe that parents can take better care of their kids when they take care of their own health and fitness.

We have designed adult fitness boot camp workouts to fit your busy lifestyle. Each boot camp workout is designed to help you burn fat and increase your cardiovascular endurance in less time. Info: 925-2898042; www.transformfxfitness.com.

Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness We started out as the Walnut Creek Racquet Club in 1979, and have been part of the community ever since.

We are on a mission to create remarkable experiences that make a difference in the lives of our members, employees and the community. Today, we offer more than 70 group classes per week.

Our members cannot stop raving about our bamboo group fitness floor! The extra shock absorption makes Zumba, Yoga and BodyPump (just to name a few) even better. We have something for everyone. The Pilates reformer studio provides a calming atmosphere while our cycle studio revs and energizes cycle enthusiasts. Members also enjoy access to our heated pool, sauna, spa and steamroom. Massage, skincare and chiropractic

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Children’s Hospital “Learn What It’s Like To Be An Athletic Trainer.” This two-day workshop exclusively for high school students will be April 13-14. The workshop includes: Overview of careers in sports medicine; ankle injuries and taping techniques; wrist, hand, and thumb injuries and taping; knee injuries and RICE Therapy; stretching techniques; low back injuries and CORE Training; sports concussions; shoulder injuries and rehabilitation. Who should attend?

High school students interested in a career in sports medicine. Some of the perks you get include: class credit, certificate of completion, reference materials and box lunch provided on April 14. It will be facilitated by Children’s Hospital Sports Medicine staff and it will take place at the Children’s Hospital Outpatient Center Auditorium. 744 52nd St., Oakland, CA 94609. The fee is $99/

services are also available on site. We want the entire Walnut Creek community to experience what a remarkable wellness program can do for you, so we invite you to enjoy the club for a week as our guest!

We always want to be sure our members have a total fitness plan designed for success.

We offer two complimentary one-hour

student. RESERVE your spot today by calling the Sports Medicine Center at 510-428-3558.

sessions with a personal trainer. In the first appointment, members receive a fitness assessment using the state-ofthe-art Visual Fitness Planner computer program. In the second appointment, a trainer creates a Personalized Exercise Program designed specifically to meet an individual’s goals. Then, to help members stay motivated and on track, we offer

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quarterly updates!

Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness also loves to be a part of the community. This past Thanksgiving we had the opportunity to raise money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K, 10K & Kids’ Fun Runs. We thank the community for participating and helping to raise over $25,000 for education. We hope you will join us again next year in creating a remarkable Thanksgiving!

Call us today for your free one week pass! Info: 925-9326400, www.wcsf.net FOOTBALL Acalanes Football Dons Camp The Acalanes coaching staff invites you to be the best football player you can be. At our camp you will learn skills, techniques, rules and how to perform to the best of your ability. There are daily camp awards. All athletes receive a T-shirt. This is a non-contact camp focused on having fun while learning the game of football in a positive and safe environment.

Staff members are coaches, teachers and parents. We believe teaching the value of hard work, honesty, loyalty, responsibility; and the ethics of the game are just as important as the techniques we teach.

Info: Mike Ivankovich, Varsity head coach; mivankovich@ acalanes.k12.ca.us.

Diablo Football Camps Contact and non-contact camps for players ages 6-14 begin in March, and more options are offered in June and July. The camps take place at Laural Ball Field in Oakley. Info/registration: www. diablofootball.com/camps. php; 925-625-2222, www.

DiabloFootball.com.

Football University From the creators of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl comes a one-of-a-kind football training experience exclusively for the nation’s most elite youth and high school players. Born out of the appreciation that the

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most successful and skilled football players have mastered great technique, and that for many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available, the Football University (FBU) experience focuses on intense positionspecific technique training taught by our expert faculty of former and current NFL coaches who have a passion for sharing this experience with young athletes.

NorCal Football Camps Space is available in all of this year’s camps & Flag Football leagues. Led by Ken Peralta, Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14. Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6. Info/registration: Ken, 650-245-3608, norcalyouthfootballcamp@ yahoo.com; www. norcalfootballcamps.com.

Offense-Defense Sports FullContact Camp Former 49ers standouts and Hall of Famers host a fourday camp in the Bay Area on June 10-13, and at UC Davis, June 17-20. Ages 7-18. Other sessions will take place in Los Angeles and San Diego on later dates. Info: 843-9031888, www.o-d.com/camps.

GOLF BAY Golf Spring Break junior camps are now open to ages 5-17. The program will allow juniors to learn, play and practice on a regularly scheduled basis at Shadow Lakes & Deer Ridge Golf Clubs. Sign up at Shadow Lakes or call 925-516-2837.

Grayson Woods Saturday Jr. Clinics Instruction will cover all the basics from putting, chipping and full swing, to etiquette and course management. The camp will feature daily play on either of the par 3 courses or the 18 hole putting course.

Camp includes video swing analysis, a 9-hole tournament and camp T-shirt. Max 8 golfers per camp. MondayThursday. Info: 925-787-0085; www.golfgraysonwoods.com.

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

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

In addition to golf skills, rules and etiquette, participants are introduced to The First Tee Nine Core Values - honesty, integrity, sportsmanship, respect, confidence, responsibility, perseverance,

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courtesy and judgment. Through the Life Skills Experience, young people discover how skills essential to success on a golf course can also help them flourish in life.

These skills include, self-management, interpersonal communication, goal setting, mentoring and effective conflict resolution. Participants are introduced to all this plus have a great time learning the game of golf. Our Summer camps are four days a week, 4 hours/day @ Diablo Creek Golf Course, Concord. We have several weeks and facilities from which to choose. Fee assistance available. Info: Angela Paradise, 925-686-6262, Ext. 0, angela@thefirstteecontracosta.org; www. thefirstteecontracosta.org. See you on The First Tee! The First Tee-Oakland The First Tee of Oakland participants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period.

Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate golf courses.

Each of the golf courses donates their range, golf course and classroom use.

We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the mechanics required, and that teaches the values of the game, celebrates the fitness aspect of playing, and is offered at little or no cost.

The nine core values of Program are: responsibility, courtesy, judgment, honesty, sportsmanship, confidence, perseverance, integrity and respect. These values are taught on the golf course, in the classroom, on field trips and in the home.

The First Tee recruits and enrolls youth regardless of physical and learning disabilities or previous experience in golf programs. Emphasis is on the needs of low-income families, ethnic minority youth, and the educationally disadvantaged.

We try to make The First Tee programs accessible and affordable to all children, and to those with physical disabilities.

Info: 510-352-2002, info@ thefirstteeoakland.org; www. thefirstteeoakland.org.

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

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

Seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course. We welcome participants ranging from second to twelfth grade. Scholarships are available upon request. www.thefirstteesanjose.org.

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

We offer seasonal The First Tee Life

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Skills Experience Classes and Summer Camps for youth ages 7-17, held at the Pleasanton Golf Center on the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Life Skills Experience Classes - The Spring Classes begin the week of March 19. Once a week Summer Classes will be held Monday-Saturday, beginning the week of June 11. Junior Golf Summer Camps - Summer Camps will be held 8-10 a.m., Tuesday-Friday for seven weeks this summer. Camps begin on the following Tuesdays: June 11, June 18, June 25, July 9, July 16, July 23 & July 30.

Info: Call our office, 925-462-7201; www.

TheFirstTeeTriValley.org.

The Personal Golf Coach New Rules is about Coaching your Skills & Keeping Your Unique Style. Learn from the coach who has gone through all the stages you’re going through now. Coach Rick, 510-917-6442, RickPGAPro@gmail.com; www.thepersonalgolfcoach.com.

HORSEBACK RIDING Earthquake Arabians Spring and 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 and easy access to trails. Kim

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Bredehoft teaches riders of all levels with an instruction program that builds confidence and enables clients to reach personal goals that benefit them in all parts of life. Info: 925-2281801; 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 and grooming techniques, as well as how to saddle and bridle your horse. Activities include learning horse colors, markings and breeds; art and crafts; a farrier demonstration and human horse show; bareback riding and more!

Info: 925-575-4818, www.KellyMaddoxTraining. com.

Sacred Cross Horse Services Summer Camp is back with a BANG! Four sessions are scheduled; more may be added.

Sessions offer campers more than just feeding horses and getting to ride for a few minutes.

After leaving our camp, children should be able to groom, tack and mount on their own.

We also play games and have a daily art project. Offered in Livermore and Piedmont from June 18 through Aug. 24, in five-day sessions. Info/registration: 925-784-5776, SacredCrossRanch@yahoo.com; www. sacredcrossranch.com.

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

Each Spring Break camp session runs weekdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Session rates are $235/week (sibling discounts available). Every camper receives access to the best high school, college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach to camper ratio. Every camper receives a free Atherton Lacrosse T-shirt. Every camper needs a lacrosse stick - we have partnered with Sling It! Lacrosse to bring the best value possible.

Go to www.athertonlacrosse.com for more info.

Sign up with Vitality Lacrosse to join one of their summer leagues in the Peninsula, Marin, East Bay, Petaluma and San Francisco. We serve the entire Bay Area! Go to www.vitalitylacrosse.com for more info.

MARTIAL ARTS USKS Adult and children’s programs, kick box fitness, mixed martial arts.

Providing excellence in martial arts instruction and services for the entire family. 925682-9517; www. usksmartialarts.com.

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

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camps in Bear Valley. This summer, Bear Valley has plans for RESIDENTIAL and DAY camps for SOCCER, ARCHERY, CLIMBING and a variety of outdoor adventures including Kayaking, Tennis, Cycling, Hiking, camp fires and so much more. Bear Valley’s Summer Camps offer outdoor recreation programs for the whole family. Bear Valley is a great place to visit during the summer. Just a short drive from the TriValley, you can make it on just one tank of gas.

Bear Valley Skills Camps are unique in that you will find top coaching staffing Santa Clara University- and U.S. Olympic-trained archers.

While our coaches provide serious instruction, our counselors will be sure to provide serious fun in a wonderful mountain environment. Each participant will treasure the friendships they make with counselors, coaches and fellow campers.

Soccer (ages 9-16) featuring the University of Santa Clara Coaching Staff; Archery (Ages 9-Adult) including JOAD training; Teen Climbing and Bear Valley’s Day Camps for Kids 3-18 provide mountain fun for ages 3-8 (Cub) and ages 12-18 (Grizzly). There are flexible options for campers to participate in the full eight-week program, visit for a week, or even drop in just for the day! Campers will have the chance to participate in adventure sports within a safe learning environment while exploring the beautiful Bear Valley region.

Whether in day camp or resident camp, every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selection of mountain activities including: Rock Climbing, Sailing, Canoeing, Hiking, Swimming, Disc Golf, Art and crafts, Kayaking, Biking, Wilderness adventures and more! Info: www. bearvalley.com.

Camp Jones Gulch Check out our wide variety of Teen Adventure Camps for both boys and girls. Camp dates range from mid-June to mid-August. Info: 650747-1200, www.CampJonesGulch.org.

City of Concord Skate and Swim Concord’s Skateboard Camp provides a way for children to learn from experienced instructors and improve their skills. Participants learn skateboard safety, care of their skateboard, and all the essentials from dropping in, kickflips, the Ollie and more. All skill levels. There is a full-day camp option that combines the half-day skateboard camp with a half-day of swimming and water games at the Concord Community Pool.

Info/registration: www.concordreg.org ,925-6713404.

CYO Camp We’re located 60 miles north of San Francisco near the historic town of Occidental, and have provided summer camp to youth of the Bay area for over 60 years. Our seven-day traditional camps, for participants entering grades 3-9, focus on cultivating friendships, personal values and outdoor skills. Info: www.cyocamp.org.

CYO Sports Camps/Leagues CYO summer recreation leagues begin in May. CYO offers coed volleyball, boys and girls basketball & tennis. Camps are also offered in basketball and volleyball. Info: http://athletics. cyo.org.

De La Salle Camps De La Salle High School will host athletic summer camps to provide a fun, skillbuilding week for kids.

Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic interests. De La Salle will offer the following sessions: Football, Track & Field, Lacrosse, Wrestling, Quarterback & Wide Receiver, Lineman,

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Volleyball, Baseball, Soccer, Water Polo and Strength & Conditioning. In addition to serving local athletes, the camps also benefit De La Salle students by contributing to The Bishop John S. Cummins Scholarship Program. Weeklong sessions will run June 9-June 28. Online registration. For more info: summercamps@ dlshs.org; 925-288-8100, Ext. 7090.

Diablo Rock Gym We will be offering kids summer camps every week starting June 19, ending August 18. Sign up for a week at a time or multiple weeks. Ages 6-12; multiple kid and/or week discounts. Call for pricing, 925-602-1000.

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

Riders provide their own motorcycles and protective gear. Keigwins@theTrack takes care of everything else: Instruction, photography, suspension tuning, video, tire sales and parts.

For a listing of schools, dates/racetracks, visit www.keigwin.com; 650-949-5609.

Lafayette Recreation We host a number of exciting camps this summer. Lafayette Summer Camps utilizes the Lafayette Community Center, the Hockey rink/ Sports complex, and the beautiful fields of the Lafayette Community Park. Camp Awesome day camps offer Games2U, art and crafts, hiking and sports; with flexible drop in options. Info: 925284-2232; www.LafayetteRec.org.

Outback Adventures Outback Adventures’ multi-sport adventure camp is a great way to introduce your child to the wonderful world of outdoor recreation. We focus on the fundamentals of kayaking, rock climbing and hiking; while gaining a greater appreciation of the natural environment. For camp dates/ pricing: 415-461-2222, www.outbackadventures. com.

Trapeze Arts We’re a full-time, year-round circus school in Oakland. The focus of our summer camp is in the acquisition of circus skills and the performance of Circus Arts. Campers ages 7-14 will learn an array of circus arts including: flying trapeze, trampoline, aerial arts, juggling, hand balancing, circus bike, acrobatics, tightwire and more. A Circus Show presented by the campers concludes the week. Info: 510-419-0700, www. trapezearts.com.

University of Surfing Instructor Matt Cole offers lessons/camps in Pacifica. Surf Day Camps in 5-day sessions begin June 25 and continue through Aug. 24.

University of Surfing Overnight Surf Camp Weekends also available. 650-556-6515, matt@ universityofsurfing.com; http://universityofsurfing. com/index.html.

RUGBY Diablo Rugby Youth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the United States. Both non-contact and contact versions of the game are popping up in summer leagues, physical education classes, after school programs, YMCA’s, Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs and backyards all over the country. Based in Clayton, our club is dedicated to providing

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a positive rugby experience for boys at High School, Jr. High School and Youth levels. 925381-5143, diabloyouthrugby@gmail.com; http:// diabloyouthrugby.clubspaces.com.

Raptor Rugby At Raptor Rugby our goal is to ensure that all players learn the laws of rugby. We strive to teach our athletes to play with respect, discipline, sportsmanship, dignity and honor.

We will practice hard, play hard and will have fun doing it. Most importantly players will learn to play as a team.Info: Belinda van Tonder at 510757-3881, belinda@raptorrugbyfc.com; www. raptorrugbyfc.com.

SOCCER Gino’s Soccer Academy Gino’s Soccer Academy is in its 14th season of running summer soccer camps. We are offering eight one-week programs this summer and we have programs to challenge and enrich the game of every soccer player. This year we are having five weeks of our All-Girls and All-Boys Academies since they were such a tremendous success. Our staff realizes that if you are at our camp, you are here to become a better soccer player by improving your skills while having a positive, fun soccer experience. Whether you are just beginning, or have been playing for ten years, you will leave the Soccer Academy on Friday a more knowledgeable, better player than when you came to us on Monday. Half- and fullday sessions available.

Gino’s Soccer Academy is a camp for players ages 4-17. It is for the advanced as well as the beginning soccer player, individuals and teams. The camp drills and games will be run to accommodate and improve your skill level.

Every day we will work on individual skills including dribbling, passing, trapping, heading, shooting and moves to help you elude opposing players.

We will emphasize improving your touch on the ball and work on team concepts such as wall passing, switching of play, short-shortlong, overlapping, channeling 1v1 and team defending. We will also run position-specific training on Thursday morning. The morning sessions will work primarily on the individual player and we will build throughout the day into small sided games, and end the day with a full sided game.

Info/Registration: www.ginossocceracademy. com.

Mt. Diablo Soccer Go to www.mdsoccer.org to learn more about joining their Fall, Spring, Select and Elite programs. There’s also info on the Mt. Diablo World Cup coming soon.925-798-GOAL (4625), info@diablofc.org.

Pacific Soccer Academy For ages 5 to 12 years. Experience a soccer camp where your child will have a great time while learning to play the game of soccer. With a player to coach ratio of only 15:1, players are given the individual attention and instruction required to learn new techniques, play with teammates and experience success. Info/ Registration: Malia Martin, 408-930-7407,

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Heritage Soccer Club Julio Borge is a very busy person. Julio is director of coaching at Heritage Soccer Club (HSC), one of the fastest growing competitive soccer clubs in the Bay Area. No sooner does Julio and his staff wrap up the 2011 season, than they begin conducting tryouts and planning all club activities for 2012, including camps and tournaments.

In 2012, HSC will not only offer a membersonly summer soccer camp, but will offer two separate soccer camps – one for boys, June 25-28, and one for girls, July 9-12 – that will be open to the community. Says Borge, “HSC has offered open clinics to the community during winter for the last several seasons, this will be the first year that we will also offer the community soccer day camps during the summer.”

HSC will provide parents of non-club members as well as current members, a local venue to keep their children active during the summer. Says Borge, “All HSC camps are conducted by nationally licensed coaches. The kids tend to have a blast at these camps and hone their soccer skills along the way.”

In addition to the summer camps,

psamaliamartin@gmail.com; www. pacificsocceracademy.org.

San Francisco Viking Soccer Club Sessions offered in July and August @ West Sunset Fields for ages 5-12; and on July 26 for Beach Soccer! Info: 415-753-3111, www. sfvikings.com.

Soccer Insight One of the most convenient ways to get your child to improve their soccer skills is to set up a private group. All you need to do is gather a few teammates with a desire to improve and call/ email Soccer Insight to arrange for a mutually convenient place, day and time to play. Sessions are 60 or 90 minutes. The players in the group don’t have to be the same age, gender or skills.

Groups of six to eight are best. Info: 415-5953760, soccerinsight@gmail.com.

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

For more information, wcsc_info@wcsc.org; www.wcsc.org.

West Contra Costa Youth Soccer League Our program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 regardless of race, creed, gender or religion. The main focus of our program is not on winning, but on the development of the total soccer player within the framework of a team. We have assembled a highly qualified coaching staff that works within a structured age-appropriate curriculum. We also offer specialized training for strikers and goalkeepers.

At the younger ages a focus on footskills will be promoted. We desire to promote personal responsibility, fitness, sportsmanship and teamwork. 510-758-5288, http://wccysl.com.

World Cup Soccer Camps With over 20 years of experience, Ruedi Graf

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HSC will conduct their annual 6v6 Blow-Out tournament in June and their second annual Harvest Cup Tournament in October.

One of the challenges of a non-profit organization like HSC is to provide soccer scholarships to the under-served children in the community. Says Ellen Lawrence HSC club President, “Some children who want to play competitive soccer can’t due to the costs of playing in a competitive program. At HSC, we do our best not only to keep our club fees down but also to raise funds that can be utilized to provide aid to families in need. The tournaments and camps that we conduct help us raise those needed funds. We therefore appreciate the participation from the surrounding communities in our camps and tournaments.”

HSC is based in the Pleasant Hill/Martinez area and serves the surrounding community.

More info: www.heritagesc.com.

runs one of the most respected soccer camps in the Bay Area. World Cup camps and skills clinics are offered to various ability levels on a wide variety of dates. Info: 408-354-4949, camps@worldcupsoccercamps.com; www.

WorldCupSoccerCamps.com.

SWIMMING-DIVING Walnut Creek Aquanuts Week in the Creek! Synchronized Swimming Camp, July 27-31, ages 7-18. Email: weekinthecreek@aquanuts.org. Summer Trainee Program 2012 held June 18-Nov. 12 in 5- and 6-week sessions @ Clarke Memorial Swim Center, Heather Farm Park, Walnut Creek.

Info: 925-934-4792, WCA.Trainees@aquanuts. org; www.aquanuts.org.

Walnut Creek Swim Club 2012 Spring practice will be held Mon., Wed. and Thur. evenings, April 16-June 7, @ Larkey Pool for 6-unders through 13-up. 2012 Summer practice sessions will be offered 7:30-10 a.m. daily beginning June 11 @ Las Lomas High School. Info: www. walnutcreekswimclub.org.

TENNIS ClubSport Valley Vista Break away from the same old summer camp routine and get your kids involved in tennis, one of the fastest growing sports that the whole family can enjoy together for years to come. Enroll your kids in tennis camp at ClubSport Valley Vista.

ClubSport Valley Vista has successfully been hosting summer tennis camps in the Walnut Creek area for 33 years, with expert instruction.

Tennis pro Dale Miller and his team of seasoned professionals will teach your children the fundamentals of tennis or help them improve

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

Lessons are usually offered on M-W-F’s and T-Th’s in sessions of 3-4 weeks. (During the slower months of Fall, Winter and Spring, schedules can be more flexible, such as M-W, W-F, or only one day/ week.) We teach from age 9-months to adults, from non-swimmers to competitive levels.

Since our lessons are private, they are tailored to each student’s age, ability and readiness.

“Our instructors love children and have received extensive in-water training. Private lessons coupled with patient, encouraging teachers & extremely comfortable water (90°92°) create an ideal learning environment for swimmers of all ages.” Sherman offers five class types: Our most popular, 15-minute private lessons — especially recommend the 15-minute lesson for ages 9 months-5 years, those who are afraid of water, or those who cannot swim 5 feet, face down; 30-minute private lessons especially tailored for students 5 years or older with a good attention span and the ability to swim 5 feet, face down; Infant and toddler private lessons and Adults — it’s never too late to learn how to swim or to improve your strokes. Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at YOUR pace. Adults often sign up with a friend or relative to make a 30-minute semi-private class. You will appreciate our variety of depths and extremely warm water which help to relax

their skills for recreation or competition. Camps are designed to touch on every major aspect of the game — stroke production, conditioning, strategy, footwork, psychology and most importantly, FUN! Our low prices help make summer tennis camp more affordable. Players will be grouped according to level of play and age. Tennis camp has an extended care option in which campers will also enjoy art and crafts, fitness fun, games, sports activities and more.

ClubSport is located at 3737 Valley Vista Road in Walnut Creek. ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates. For additional information and pricing please contact us at 925-934-4050.

VOLLEYBALL Diablo Valley Volleyball Club Seven one-week skills clinic sessions are offered from June-August. Camps differ in age groups served. Each camp has a maximum limit of players allowed. Two sessions take place in Brentwood and the other five are in Walnut Creek. Info: 925-451-6581; www.DiabloVBC.org.

Saint Mary’s College Camps Summer will be here before you know it! It is not too early to register for Saint Mary’s College Athletic Summer Camps.

SMC Camps.

We offer boys and girls overnight, day, team and specialty athletic camps.

We have camps available for ages 4-18. Dates are posted and registration is open. Our various camp offerings include: Multi-Sport — Campers develop skills in

you and make the learning easier.

We also offer beginning and competitive diving classes. Beginning sessions typically have three students and are 30 minutes long. Classes are taught in three-week sessions. Either on M-W-F or T-Th. With enough practice, you could have a chance to compete on our competitive diving team which competes in diving meets year-round.

Come spend your summer in our warm waters.

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

badminton, basketball, flag football, handball, paddleball, soccer, softball, street hockey, swimming, tennis, volleyball and more.

Individual sport camps — We offer baseball, boys basketball, girls basketball, golf, rugby, girls lacrosse, strength and conditioning, boys soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaels’ program along with a hand-picked staff of trained professionals. Some camps also offer a Spring Break and Christmas Break session.

Each athlete will have the opportunity to develop their skills through individual instruction, group instruction and game experience. Click “summer camps” at www.smcgaels.com for detailed information and to register on line. More info: smccamps@stmarys-ca.edu, 925-631-4FUN (4386).

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

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

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Pacific Rim Volleyball Pacific Rim Volleyball strives to provide a comprehensive athletic experience in a positive and fun environment. It is the objective of the Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy (PRVA) to stress preparation, fundamentals and teamwork within the concept of good sportsmanship. The primary emphasis on education, training (Academy), and competition (Club) are the key components utilized to achieve our objectives. PRVA is dedicated to providing athletes of all ages with the technical, tactical and physical training to reach their highest potential. PRVA will assist each and every athlete to achieve maximum performance through proper training and nutrition education. As the player progresses through the program, we will provide the path for athletes to test their abilities, in order to reach their highest potential. Through private lessons, and the opportunity for year-round skills classes, athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills needed to gain a competitive edge. For those athletes with limited playing experience, we will help 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 at becoming elite players in preparation for high school and/or collegiate volleyball. Info: www.pacificrimvolleyball.com.

yahoo.com.

MULTI-SPORT All-Out Sports League Offering camps, sport leagues, tournaments, personal training and more in various sports @ Clayton and Brentwood locations for boys and girls ages 7-17. Info: 925-203-5626, www. alloutsportsleague.com.

FUZE Fit For A Kid! Join us for up to 11 weeks of Ultimate Summer Camp for ages 6-14, focusing on our Intelligent Sports Conditioning Curriculum, GamePlay and Strategy across multiple sports including Soccer, Basketball, Football, Lacrosse and Baseball; among others. Plus we have additional fun classes in various sports and disciplines.

Register by March 30 for just $269/wk. and save $70/wk!

Info: www.fuzefit.com/camps.html; 408-358-7529.

Sacramento State Sports Camps You name the sport, Sac State has the camp for it. Visit www. hornetsports.com/about/Youth.asp to learn more about camps in the following sports: baseball, boys and girls basketball, football, boys soccer (general), boys soccer (goalkeepers), softball, tennis and volleyball.

Velocity Sports Camps Our Spring Break Sports Specific Summer Camps provide campers with a fun-packed, enjoyable environment where they can increase their athleticism and develop a wider range of skills.

Velocity Sports Performance is looking for boys and girls ages 8-14 who are dedicated to making themselves better as athletes.

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Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

U.S. Youth Volleyball League The United States Youth Volleyball League will be hosting volleyball camps again this Summer in several Northern and Southern California locations.

The USYVL is the leader in developing and maintaining youth volleyball leagues for boys and girls ages 7-15. Its motto, “Volleyball starts here,” clearly represents its commitment to the development of the sport in the U.S. Since its inception in 1997, it has served more than 70,000 children.

USYVL summer camps are typically three days, with each day meeting for three hours. Camps are for beginner, intermediate and advanced players, and players will be grouped accordingly, based on age and playing experience. The camps are coed, but depending on the makeup of the camp, there may be groups that are separated into just boys or girls, still by age and playing experience.

USYVL camps boast a player-to-coach ratio of 8:1. Coaches focus on teaching the following skills: spiking, serving, setting, passing, blocking, defense, offense and game strategy. Six-, four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position. Each camp is taught by volleyball instructors who have played or coached volleyball at the club, high school, college or higher level. Registration fee includes a T-shirt, completion certificate, snacks and water.

The USYVL’s mission is to provide every child the chance to learn and play volleyball in a fun, safe, supervised environment. One of the main tenets of the program is to encourage

Our state-of-the-art facility, experienced staff, and proven Velocity program will enhance confidence and individual sport-related skills.

Velocity’s goal is to increase sport-specific athletic ability through the fundamentals of speed, power and agility.

Our Team Training programs are designed to deliver a challenging workout that is organized, educational, progressive and customized for entire sport teams. Team Training programs are built to be sport relevant with medicine ball strengthening, bodyweight resisted power development, energy system development and speed ratios that apply directly to specific sports demands. 925-833-0100, velocitydublin.com.

Cal Camps Enrollment for Cal Athletic Camps for the summer of 2012 is now open. Space is limited, so please make sure you reserve a place now by visiting CalBears.com/camps.

Camps are offered in a variety of sports for girls and boys ages 5-19, with week-long, half-day, full-day and overnight options. Most camps will take place on campus in Berkeley and are held from June through August. The Cal Rowing/ Crew Camps include land practices at the Cal ERG room on campus as well as rowing

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March 8, 2012

Choose your favorite categories or advertisers for special offers and killer deals, then mail or fax it to us! Or drop it off at SportStars HQ! ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ ❒❒ children to do their best with their abilities.

With an emphasis on positive reinforcement, the program seeks to build confidence and self-esteem in each child. Info: 888-988-7985, www.USYVL.org.

Our newest camp is in the Natomas area of Sacramento - where the Arco Arena is located. The new USYVL Natomas will serve kids (Ages 7-15; Divisions: 7-8, 9-10, 11-12, 12-15) who had been making the drive to Sacramento, as well as new players. Programs are scheduled to run 6-7 p.m. Tuesdays, March 27-June 2, and 9-10 a.m. Saturdays at North Natomas Park.

practice at the T. Gary Rogers Rowing Center in Oakland. The Cal Golf Camps are located at the Metropolitan Golf Links in Oakland, the site of state-of-the-art short game and practice facilities for Golden Bear Golf.

The 2012 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports: Baseball, Boys and Girls Basketball, Boys and Girls Rowing/Crew, Field Hockey, Football, Boys and Girls Golf, Girls Gymnastics, Rugby, Boys and Girls Soccer, Softball, Boys and Girls Swimming, Boys and Girls Tennis, Boys and Girls Volleyball and Girls Water Polo. Adult camps are also offered in various sports.

For all information, including dates, prices, registration forms and other details, visit CalBears.com/camps. Enrollment is based on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information, please contact the Cal Summer Camps office at calcamps@berkeley.edu.

City of Concord Skyhawks Sports Skyhawks Sports and the City of Concord have teamed up to provide safe, fun and skill-focused sports camps this summer for youth. Camps include Skateboard and Swim Combo, Soccer and Swim Combo, Soccer Camp, Basketball, Flag Football, Lacrosse and more. For ages 4-teen. Info/Registration: www.concordreg.org, 925-671-3404.

SportForm Based in Concord, SportForm provides Individual and team instruction in the sports of baseball, softball and lacrosse. Prepare to Perform! Info: 925-459-2880. ✪

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❒❒ A A A Northern California, Nevada & Utah......................................... 12 ❒❒ A Higher Perspective................................ 17 ❒❒ Aabco Printing........................................ 39 ❒❒ Acalanes Football Dons Camp.................. 28 ❒❒ All World Sports ........................................ 4 ❒❒ America’s Navy........................................... 8 ❒❒ Army National Guard Recruiter................... 7 ❒❒ Atherton Lacrosse.................................... 39 ❒❒ Back Forty B B Q....................................... 15 ❒❒ Bear Valley Mountain Camps...................... 5 ❒❒ Big O Tires.................................................. 2 ❒❒ Blankenship Baseball............................... 36 ❒❒ Bob Larson Sports Action Photography.... 39 ❒❒ Cabernet Indoor Sports............................ 23 ❒❒ Cal Athletic Camps................................... 32 ❒❒ Cal Stars Basketball.................................. 34 ❒❒ Championship Athletic Fundraising......... 43 ❒❒ Cheer Gyms.............................................. 30 ❒❒ Children’s Hospital And Research Center... 45 ❒❒ Club Sport Renaisssance........................... 18 ❒❒ Club Sport Valley Vista.............................. 29 ❒❒ Community Youth Center......................... 39 ❒❒ Creighton School Of Wrestling.................. 36 ❒❒ Crowne Plaza........................................... 28 ❒❒ De La Salle High School............................ 24 ❒❒ Delta Sign-A- Rama................................. 48 ❒❒ Diablo Car Wash & Detail Center............... 36 ❒❒ Diablo Futbol Club.................................... 34 ❒❒ Diablo Rock Gym...................................... 53 ❒❒ Diablo Trophies & Awards......................... 53 ❒❒ Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs......... 31 ❒❒ Dream Courts U S A.................................. 49 ❒❒ E J Sports Elite Baseball Services.............. 32 ❒❒ Earthquake Arabians................................ 27 ❒❒ East Bay Sports Academy......................... 25 ❒❒ East Bay Summer Camps 2012................. 33 ❒❒ Fit 2 The Core............................................ 15

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Football University................................... 26 Halo Headband........................................ 28 Heavenly Greens...................................... 55 Heritage Soccer Club................................ 21 Home Team Sports Photography.............. 48 Image Imprint.......................................... 26 John Muir Health........................................ 9 Kinders B B Q.............................................. 3 Law Offices Of Frankel & Goldware........... 28 Loudmouth Golf....................................... 51 Mc Coveys................................................ 17 Mountain Mike’s Pizza................................ 4 Niles Personal Fitness............................... 53 Norcal Courts............................................ 19 Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy................ 28 Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy................ 39 Rocco’s Pizza............................................. 53 Rockin Jump............................................. 52 Saint Mary’s Athletic Summer Camps....... 35 Scandia Family Center.............................. 39 Sherman Swim School............................. 29 Simply Selling Shirts................................ 53 Sky High Sports........................................ 53 Sports Stars Magazine.............................. 53 Stanford Golf Camp.................................. 39 Sutter Urgent Care.................................... 56 The First Tee Of Contra Costa..................... 36 The First Tee Of The Tri Valley.................... 39 Tpc / The Pitching Center.......................... 35 U S K S Martial Arts.................................. 36 United States Youth Volleyball League..... 28 Velocity Sports Performance.................... 22 Velocity Sports Performance.................... 53 Vitality Lacrosse....................................... 36 Walnut Creek Soccer Club......................... 37 Walnut Creek Sports & Fitness.................. 47 Walnut Creek Swim Club.......................... 39

Name____________________________________ Phone___________________________________ E-mail___________________________________ Address__________________________________ City_____________________________________ State__________________________ Zip _______

Prizes subject to change. Entries must be received by the 25th.

Mail: SPORTSTARS Interactive, 5356 Clayton Road, Suite 222, Concord, CA 94521 • Fax: 925.566-8507 Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

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March 8,, 2012

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39

BaseballPreseasonTop20

Left: Elk Grove’s Ryan Tellez

Records are from 2011

Ali Thanawalla/ SportStars

1 . Jesuit-Carmichael (25-6)

If your ace is committed to Stanford and your SS to Oregon State, good things are happening.

BELOW: Campolindo’s Austin Rei

2. St. Mary’s-Stockton (22-9)

Switch-hitting star Gio Brusa leads the way for a Rams squad loaded with talent.

Jonathan Hawthorne/ SportStars

3. Campolindo-Moraga (19-8)

Cougars riding a wave of talent that has already yielded two straight NCS titles. We’re betting on more.

4 Elk Grove (23-7)

USC-commit and Area Code Games standout Ryan Tellez is an early State Player of the Year candidate.

5. St. Francis-Mountain View (25-6) Braden Bishop leads a team eager to atone for its upset loss in the CCS quarterfinals last year.

6. De La Salle-Concord (20-8)

New coach David Jeans assumes a bruising offense led by 3B Mitchell Kranson.

7. Palo Alto (28-9)

Plenty of talent returns for the defending Central Coast Div. I champions.

8. Valley Christian-San Jose (16-14)

Predominantly young team a year ago has a chance to grow up real fast this season.

9. Serra-San Mateo (17-12)

Padres need to find consistent production from lineup because few WCAL teams have more pitching depth.

Top15NorCalBaseballPlayersToWatch

10. James Logan-Union City (24-4)

40

The defending NCS Div. I champ has some holes to plug in the lineup, but not on the hill.

Player

Pos. School

11. Davis (22-5-1) 12 .San Ramon Valley-Danville (18-7) 13. Foothill-Pleasanton (12-12) 14. Franklin-Elk Grove (18-9-1) 15. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (21-11) 16. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (26-6-1) 17. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (21-10) 18. Alameda (25-2) 19. Heritage-Brentwood (20-7) 20. Acalanes-Lafayette (17-10-1)

Braden Bishop B.J. Boyd

SportStars™

March 8, 2012

Yr.

Player

Pos. School

Yr.

OF/P St. Francis-Mountain View

Sr.

OF

Palo Alto

Sr.

Drew Jackson

SS

Miramonte-Orinda

Sr.

Josh Cushing

IF

Campolindo-Moraga

Sr.

Jake Jefferies

IF

Foothill-Pleasanton

Sr.

Gio Brusa

OF/P St. Mary’s-Stockton

Sr.

Theron Kay

P/OF Valley Christian-San Jose

So.

Joe DeMers

P/3B College Park-Pleasant Hill

Fr.

Mitch Kranson

3B

De La Salle-Concord

Sr.

Max Dutto

SS

San Ramon Valley-Danville Sr.

James Marvel

P/SS Campolindo-Moraga

Sr.

Zach Green

SS

Jesuit-Carmichael

Sr.

Dom Nunez

2B/SS Elk Grove

Sr.

Sr.

Ryan Tellez

P/1B Elk Grove

Jr.

Spencer Henderson P/1B Acalanes-Lafayette

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SoftballPreseasonTop20 Records are from 2011

1. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (28-3)

Power, speed, pitching are all present for a Monarchs team which began the year as the state’s No. 1 team.

2. Sheldon-Sacramento (27-6)

Huskies lose power-bat Danielle Henderson, but retain star hurler Alexis Cooper

3. Amador Valley-Pleasanton (20-5) Won last season’s NCS Div. I final while starting five freshmen.

4. Johansen-Modesto (27-4)

All-State talent Gabrielle Maurice leads a Vikings team that lost just four to graduation.

5. Sierra-Manteca (26-2-1)

Returning pitcher Allison Walljasper went 18-1 with 252 strikeouts and just 15 walks last year.

6. James Logan-Union City (23-4)

RaeAnn Garza returns for her third year in the circle for last season’s NCS Div. I runners-up.

7. San Benito-Hollister (29-1)

Haybalers lost a dynamite senior class, but still have firepower in Samantha Puentes and Megan Sabbatini.

8. Casa Roble-Orangevale (20-7)

Left: Sheldon’s Alexis Cooper Chris Scott/SportStars

ABOVE: Archbishop Mitty’s Jazmyn Jackson Chris Scott/SportStars

9. Alhambra-Martinez (21-6)

Sophomore SS Kylee Perez had video game-like numbers last season (.692, 9 HR, 41 R, 29 RBI).

Top15NorCalSoftballPlayersToWatch Player

Pos. School

Yr.

Vanessa Alvarez

P

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose

Krystal Aubert

IF

Casa Roble-Orangevale

So.

Taylor Brink

SS

St. Mary’s-Stockton

Sr.

Kayla Bufardeci

SS

Castro Valley

Sr.

Alexis Cooper

P

Sheldon-Sacramento

Sr.

Jordan Courage

P/2B Del Oro-Loomis

Sr.

Pos. School

Johanna Grauer

P/1B Amador Valley-Pleasanton So.

Jazmyn Jackson

OF/C Archbishop Mitty

Gabrielle Maurice

SS

Johansen-Modesto

Jr.

Kylee Perez

SS

Alhambra-Martinez

So.

San Benito-Hollister

Jr. Jr.

Marissa Escalante C/1B Rodriguez-Fairfield

Sr.

Malia Rivers

C/SS Heritage-Brentwood

RaeAnn Garza

Jr.

Allie Walljasper

P

P

James Logan-Union City

10. Heritage-Brentwood (16-8)

Player

Samantha Puentes 2B

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Sierra-Manteca

Rams look to improve upon an SJS Div. II crown fueled by freshmen and sophomores a year ago.

Yr. So.

So.

Coach Ron Rivers graduated just two seniors from last year’s Div. I semifinalist.

11. Freedom-Oakley (17-8) 12. Rodriguez-Fairfield (28-3) 13. St. Mary’s-Stockton(19-10) 14. Petaluma (21-4) 15. Del Oro-Loomis (17-9-1) 16. West-Tracy (24-6) 17. Newark Memorial (22-4) 18. San Marin-Novato (17-8) 19. Westmont-Campbell (23-5) 20. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (18-10)

March 8, 2012

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DRIVE FOR5 Lots of senior talent could lead Jesuit to a fifth straight league title — and much more

J

By jim mccue | Contributor

esuit baseball coach Joe Potulny is happy to let others heap praise and predict success for his program — a program that won back-to-back Sac-Joaquin Section Division I titles in 2008 and 2009, and reached the section championship series a year ago.

But the Marauders’ skipper casts a more critical eye toward his team, especially before a single game that counts towards the standings has been played.

“We are progressing, but we are nowhere near where I thought that we would be at this point,” Potulny said of the Marauders’ current state. “I think that all coaches worry more about what’s wrong with their team and look at the strengths of other teams.

I am very frank with the players and don’t get too high or too low emotionally.”

While Potulny may see a variety of things his team needs to work on before they open Delta River League play in April, the Marauders have plenty of positive counterpoints to their coach’s humble evaluation.

In 2011, Jesuit won their fourth consecutive league title and posted a 25-9 record with a relatively young squad. Much of the Marauders’ talent returns with an added incentive — finishing their season by initiating a victory dogpile rather than watching one.

“These guys have a chance to do something that’s never been done here—to win a fifth straight league title,” Potulny said. “I expect progress throughout the season and I think it’s a realistic goal to win our league.”

Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove and Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills are likely to be the biggest threats to Jesuit’s quest for a fifth consecutive DRL championship, but the Marauders have exceptional talent and experience.

Veterans Zach Green, Logan James, and Louis Mejia lead a senior-dominated team (the Marauders have 11 seniors on the roster) that has big-game experience in high-level tournaments and postseason action. Jesuit will face Bay Area power Valley Christian-San Jose on March 9 and travel to Southern California to participate in the Anaheim Lions Tournament at the end of the month.

The Anaheim tournament features more than 40 schools that Potulny expects will test his team and prepare them for its most meaningful action in April and May. “We might get knocked around a bit down there, but we will come back better,” Potulny said. “There are some outstanding teams that will give us a good idea of where we are at heading into league play.”

Green, a talented shortstop headed to national power Oregon State, and Mejia, a fiery second baseman who will play at the University of the Pacific, are both threeyear starters at the middle infield positions. The pair provides Jesuit with great defensive strength up the middle and potent bats in the lineup. Sophomore starters are rare at Jesuit, but their talent made it easy for Potulny to count on Green and Mejia to anchor the infield when they first came up in 2010.

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March 8, 2012

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“It’s a real luxury to have two solid guys in the middle infield like that,” Potulny said. “They work unbelievably well together, so I take some things for granted with them. When a ball is hit to Louis, you automatically start writing in ‘4-3’ in the scorebook. And some of the plays that Zach can make at shortstop are just off the charts.”

Green’s all-around talent on the diamond earned him a spot on Team USA’s under-16 team in the past, and he has played summer ball with and against national talents, including right-hander Max Giolito from Harvard-Westlake-North Hollywood, the No. 1-ranked talent in MaxPreps’ National Top 100.

As a junior, Green batted a team-high .430 with 28 runs, 6 home runs, 33 RBI, and a team-best .731 slugging percentage. The shortstop likens his size (Green is listed at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds), defense, and power to Colorado Rockies All-Star Troy Tulowitzki, but understands that he still has lots of room to grow as a player.

“I have pretty good power, but I think I have potential to do more,” Green said. “I have been working hard on being on top of the fastball.

You can’t be late for the party on a fastball because that is the best pitch you are going to get to drive.”

Mejia was solid at the plate (.380, 30 runs, 20 RBI, and nine extra-base hits), but the 5-foot-7 second baseman attracts more attention for his range and defensive consistency. Potulny sees Mejia as the vocal defensive leader while Green leads with his quiet, consistent play in the field.

Jesuit also packs an impressive 1-2 punch on the mound. Seniors Logan James and Nick Viola return as the Marauders’ top two starters. James, a powerful Stanford-bound left-hander, can bring the heat and could be one of the most dominant pitchers in the section with improved command.

“Stuff-wise, he’s electric,” Potulny said. “We should be competitive every time he’s on the mound, regardless of who we are facing. If he gets sharp and commands all of his pitches, he can be amazing.”

Viola, a clutch right-hander who came up big in the postseason last year, is the team’s clear No. 2, but is nursing a sore hamstring.

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“Nick has great makeup and a great demeanor on the mound,” Potulny said. “He tweaked his hamstring and we are taking it real slow because he is the kind of guy that wants to get right back in there. If he’s healthy, he gives us the depth at pitcher that we need.”

To start the season, James may be called upon to do more, but Green believes that his teammate can handle any additional workload.

“He’s pretty nasty on the mound,” Green said, “and he does not let anything get to him. He is like a steel trap out there and can handle anything that comes at him.”

James and the rest of the Marauders know that opponents will bring plenty at them. But, the team’s core group is ready to take on all comers to get a shot at redemption in the section final.

“We’re all champing at the bit to get back to the section final,” James said. “We have great chemistry with all of the returning players and we have good pitching, defense, and hitting. But we know that we have to play quality games every time out to reach our goal of winning the league title before we can even think about getting back to the section finals.”

James’ measured outlook on the Marauders’ 2012 season can probably be traced to his coach’s coaching style.

“Coach Potulny is very precise,” James said. “We will work on getting the details down on every little thing before we move on to bigger things. It can be tough to focus on the small stuff, but we understand that we need to get the execution down first before he can let us loose.”

The coach WILL eventually let them loose.

Then he may finally have a chance to stop worrying about his team’s shortcomings and enjoy the success that his focus to detail yields. ✪

James K. Leash

LEFT: Stanford-bound senior Logan James will be the Marauder’s ace.

He was 4-0 in seven appearance (six starts) and struck out 50 in just 28 innings of work. ABOVE: James stands with Oregon State-bound shortstop Zach Green, right, who will serve as the other linchpin to Jesuit’s run at another league and section title.

March 8, 2012

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HighSierra There’s seemingly no limit to the heights Sierra-Manteca can climb behind young talent and an all-state pitcher

I

Ernie Abrea/MaxPreps.com

Sierra sophomore Allie Walljasper has already orally committed to LSU after a freshman year in which she posted 252 strikeouts in just 162 innings and batted .479 with 17 extra-base hits as the Timberwolves won the SJS Div. IV title.

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By mitch stephens | Contributor

t had all unfolded perhaps too easily for Sierra High School’s softball team.

A young squad with one senior starter, the Timberwolves had won 25 of 27 games including a tie, and rolled over three Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV foes with an unbeatable combination of dominating pitching, crisp sure-proof defense and timely hitting.

But then with its first section championship a victory away, nerves struck. Or perhaps complacency.

Sierra committed three errors and managed five measly singles in a 4-1 loss to Los Banos in the championship round. Because it had defeated Los Banos earlier, a deciding game was to be played immediately after, and Timberwolves’ coach Nick Olmo gathered his girls.

“I told them we could hang our head and hope for the best or we could stay positive, play hard, reset the clock and do it our way,” he said.

Sierra opted for the later and rolled to a 6-0 win in the nightcap to finish off a banner 26-2-1 season.

Frank Sinatra would have been proud.

Beyond the first SJS crown, the Timberwolves finished No. 25 in the state and 59th in the country, according to MaxPreps.com.

They outscored opponents 182-37, hit .396 as a team, stole more than four bases per game and had a team ERA of 0.40.

“Pretty darned good year,” Olmo said. “All their hard work paid off.”

Now, what will the Timberwolves do for an encore?

Considering all but three seniors return and that the junior varsity team went 24-2 last season, the future looks extremely bright.

“The kids haven’t rested on their laurels at all,” Olmo said. “The girls have worked extremely hard. Our defense looks exceptional.

And, it doesn’t hurt that we have one of the best pitchers in the state.”

Considering Allison Walljasper already has a full-ride secured to LSU, and she’s only a sophomore, “one of the best in the state,” might be an understatement.

The 6-foot-1 right-hander went 26-2-1 last season as a freshman with 252 strikeouts in 162 innings. She also posted a .479 batting average with 12 doubles, two triples and three home runs.

She helped lead the San Jose Sting Amateur Softball Association (ASA) team to an 14U national title the summer of 2010.

Now at age 15, Walljasper is on the Sting’s 18U Gold team along with Sierra teammates, second baseman Sommer Wilson and outfielder Iyana Hughes.

“Off the field (Walljasper) is like any other 15-year-old kid,” Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

Olmo said. “She hangs out with her friends, jokes around. But put her on the field and she has serious game. She’s very serious and dedicated to her sport and position.”

All the attention and honors she has earned hasn’t gone to her head, said Olmo, who is in his sixth season as head coach.

“She’s handled it all very well,” he said. “She does numerous interviews and speaks with many coaches, so none of it really fazes her. ... At the same time, she’s not intimidated by the attention. It’s just what she needs to do.”

Walljasper didn’t get rattled by the loss in the SJS final. She didn’t panic or point fingers. She went out for Game 2 and fired a two-hitter with nine strikeouts and recorded her 13th shutout and third of the postseason.

Walljasper said the experience of playing at a high level at ASA really helped.

“After winning the national championship, I came into high school really confident,” she told the Manteca Bulletin. “I wasn’t going to let my team down (in the SJS title game). I was going into the last game thinking that I had to just give it my all. That was our chance to win a section championship, which our team had never come close to doing before. ... Winning it was an awesome feeling.”

Facing Walljasper leaves more of a queasy sensation.

She throws with college velocity — Olmo said 61-62 mph — and she throws all the other pitches effectively: change-up, curve, rise and drop.

“She’s such a big, tall kid. By the time she’s done with the windup and lands on the ground she’s pretty much right in your face,” he said. “It’s got to be very intimidating.”

Not easy to catch either.

That’s the duty of sophomore Lexus Barnes, who also was the team’s starting catcher as a freshman. Barnes wasn’t on the year-round track last season and it was a big adjustment trying to handle a pitcher with college velocity.

Barnes handled it extremely well, Olmo said, and expects even better things from her this season. She hit .438 as a freshman and should bat in the No. 4 or 5 spot this season.

With Wilson out until April with a knee injury, Barnes and Walljasper are the only full-time infield starters returning. But Olmo likes what he sees in

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the early going.

The Timberwolves opened with a 7-0 win over Ceres on Feb. 27 as Walljasper fired a two-hitter with 11 strikeouts, Hughes went 3-for-3 with three runs, Barnes had two hits and two RBI and senior outfielder Lily Gonsalez hit a home run.

“We’re very proud of what we accomplished last year but honestly, we’re trying not to dwell on it,” Olmo said. “This is a new year, a new team and a lot of new girls.”

At three infield spots, the Timberwolves will platoon, at least in the early going. At first, seniors Brianne Lenoci and Shelby Shirron will split time until Wilson returns. Katelyn Salsedo and Elena Flores, a pair of juniors, will share the second base spot.

At third, part-time starter Jessica Lopez returns after a solid junior season when she hit .300. She’ll share time with Gabby Olmo (Nick’s daughter), who starred on the JV team last season along with new shortstop Gianna Lenoci, the sophomore sister of Brianne.

Gianna replaces All-Area standout Daylynn Penner, who hit .515 last season with 47 hits.

“Gianna is fast and confident and has shown a lot of poise,” Olmo said. “All of our girls will come in and contribute. We won’t ever carry more than 13 or 14 on the roster. When they get to this level, I want them to be ready.”

The team has experience across the outfield. In left, Gonsalez isn’t very big – only 5-1 – but she possesses a ton of power. In center, leadoff hitter Hughes causes havoc for defenses. The junior southpaw batted .337 as a sophomore with six doubles, four triples and a homer. In right field, junior Katelynn Perkins is comparable to Hughes defensively.

The Timberwolves look forward to the return of Wilson, a junior who tore her ACL over the summer. Wilson made All-State teams as a sophomore when she hit .505 with six doubles, four triples and five home runs.

“That’s a big bat to lose,” Olmo said. “We’re very hopeful for her return in April and consider it an added bonus.”

Not that the Timberwolves need one. ✪

“Off the field (Walljasper) is like any other 15-year-old kid. She hangs out with her friends, jokes around. But put her on the field and she has serious game. She’s very serious and dedicated to her sport and position.”

— Coach Nick Olmo

Mitch Stephens is a national columnist for MaxPreps.com.

March 8, 2012

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DOG DAYS 46

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March 8, 2012

When the postseason wrestling mats roll out, that’s when Vacaville turns things up

M

By jim mccue | Contributor

uch like the raised stage with a spotlight shining bright on a single mat at the center of Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, the Vacaville Bulldogs are a fixture at the California Interscholastic Federation State Wrestling Championships.

The Vacaville program has earned a reputation as a program that can be counted on to bring lots of wrestlers, fans, and expectations to the state meet every year.

“I love to walk into (Athletic Director Mike Papadopoulos’) office and tell ‘Pop’ that we’re going to make him spend some money,” Vacaville co-coach Adam Wight said of the program’s consistent need for transportation and numerous hotel rooms to house the school’s state qualifiers in Bakersfield.

“But it’s money the athletic department does not mind spending because it means we are doing well and representing the school and community well.”

This year, the Bulldogs, ranked No. 7 in the state by Cal Grappler, qualified nine wrestlers for the state meet — tied for the second most qualifiers in the program’s history — including three Sac-Joaquin Section champions.

Vacaville dominated the competition at the SJS Masters Championships at Stockton Arena in late February, running away with the team title and earning more tickets to state than any other SJS program in 2012.

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James K. Leash

LEFT: Vacaville’s Johnny Schupp, above, holds Armijo’s Andrew Fuimaono in a headlock during their Sac-Joaquin Masters semifinal. On March 3, Schupp became Vacaville’s 10th state wrestling champion with a second-round pin in the 285 final. ABOVE: Jeremy Sweany, left, also medaled at the CIF meet for Vacaville, picking up an 8th place finish in 195s.

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Only the Bulldogs’ 2002 team sent more wrestlers to the state meet (11), but the 2007 squad, which also qualified nine, is the only group to bring home a team state championship.

This year’s squad may not have come with a team title — it finished sixth, missing a Top 5 finish by 2.5 points — but it did still come home with a state champion.

Johnny Schupp pinned Foothill-Sacramento’s Michael Lowman midway through the second round (2:59) of the heavyweight (285 pounds) final to put himself at the top of the podium inside Bakersfield’s Rabobank Arena.

That Schupp was facing Lowman, a fellow SJS wrestler who took third at Masters, and didn’t end up facing the Vacaville heavyweight, was a bit of surprise.

Lowman pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the CIF semifinals when he defeated Clovis sophomore Nick Nevills 4-3. Nevills entered the tournament as the No. 1-ranked heavyweight in the state.

Forced to wait through the finals of the first 13 weight classes, both Lowman and Schupp were at peak anxiety by the time they were matside.

“I was pacing a little bit waiting for the match, but coach Wight settled me down,” Schupp said. “He told me it was just another match and that I just had to be Johnny Schupp out there.”

Lowman selected the bottom start position to open the second round, and Schupp took control and seized the moment, and the state championship.

“I was working on tilting him when I saw his head down,” Schupp recounted. “I knew that I had enough left to get him over and I just got his shoulder to the mat. It’s an awesome feeling to be the best in the entire

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state. It’s something that I will always remember and will always have.”

By the time Vacaville wrestlers show up in Bakersfield, any more hardware earned is bonus. The Bulldogs covet CIF banners, but still build their goals around dominating at sections.

Which they had little trouble doing in 2012.

At the Section Masters Championships, sophomore Gionn Peralta (106 pounds), junior Kasey Klaus (120 pounds), and Schupp each won individual titles and five others finished in the top five. Freshman Anthony Hernandez (113 pounds) scrapped his way to state with a narrow victory over Manteca senior Charlie Alvitre in the seventh-place match.

Vacaville has won eight of the last 11 SJS team titles, including five of the last six. Winning a state championship, as an individual or a team, is significantly harder, especially considering perennial powerhouses from the Central and Southern Sections tend to populate the top three to five spots in the team standings each year. Clovis, Bakersfield, and Poway-San Diego are the most usual suspects.

“It is insanely hard to win a state title, so we believe that our main goal each year should be Section Masters,” Wight said. “We believe that the Masters tournament is something to measure us by, and we believe that the section banner should hang in our gym. We take a lot of pride in our success at Sections.”

Since Wight and co-coach Clint Birch took the program over from Rich Penaluna in 2006, the Bulldogs have captured five SJS team titles, three individual state titles, and the 2007 team state championship.

Schupp became the tenth Vacaville wrestler in the program’s 50-year history to conquer his weight class at the CIF tournament. Prior to his win, Tyler Johnson (145 pounds) was the last Bulldog to return from Bakersfield with the ultimate hardware. He did so in 2010.

Of the Bulldogs’ three section champs, Schupp held the highest state ranking (No. 2) after the Masters tournament. The senior heavyweight is the team’s leader on the mat and in the wrestling room where Johnny’s “corner” is both feared and revered.

“I am more of a leader by example,” Schupp said. “A lot of guys in the room are afraid of me, but I just tell them that whoever wants to get better can come back into my corner to learn a few things.”

Schupp may be the toughest guy on the team, but the Bulldogs boast plenty of strong, tough grapplers familiar with giving and receiving some physical beatings.

A handful of wrestlers, including Schupp, juniors Jeramy Sweany, and Chris Lai, have been fixtures for Vacaville football. This year’s group of multi-sport athletes has enjoyed two SJS championships as the Bulldogs defeated Folsom to win the Div. II football title before tacking on the wrestling crown.

While football and wrestling programs do not always coexist peacefully, Vacaville has a 48

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unique connection. The wrestling program was started in 1961 by legendary Bulldogs football coach and athletic director Tom Zunino. In recent times, Papadopoulos, who doubles as football head coach and AD, has continued the close relationship.

“Football and wrestling has always been a marriage at Vacaville,” said Wight, who also serves as an assistant football coach under Papadopoulos. “A football coach started the program 50 years ago, ‘Pop’ was a wrestler, and we all just get along. It doesn’t hurt that getting tough in football helps with the toughness of wrestling.”

The players see benefits of the physicality and combative nature of both sports, but also are quick to point out the difficulty of transitioning from the gridiron to the mat.

“The cardio is the toughest part of moving from football to wrestling,” Schupp said. “In football, you have short bursts and then rest between plays where wrestling requires a longer time where you are locked up and working hard against an opponent without a break.”

“It takes about two to three weeks to knock the rust off,” Sweany said. “Having a wrestling background helps with footwork and having fast hands and feet in football, but the cardio is a huge thing. A three-minute round can seem like 10 minutes right after the football season ends.”

With the Bulldogs’ extended run in football, Vacaville’s wrestlers were slower out of hte gate. But coaches and wrestlers agree that the team is peaking at the right time.

“I feel great now,” Schupp said after the Section Masters meet. “I feel like I am getting better and know exactly what I’m doing out on the mat.”

He wasn’t the only one.

Peralta and Sweany both returned from Bakersfield with medals. Peralta reached the semifinals at 106s, but lost a major decision to top-seeded Zahid Valencia of St. John BoscoBellflower. Peralta battled back to win the consolation bracket and take third place with an 8-4 victory over Wasco’s Isaiah Hokit. Sweany picked up an eighth-place medal at 195s.

Of the Bulldogs’ nine state qualifiers in 2012, only Schupp and Kai Loechler (145 pounds) will graduate, leaving seven to return for the 2012-13 with state experience, including two medalists. Add to that a tradition of winning and a three-level program that begins attracting wrestlers as early as sixth grade, and the future looks bright for the Bulldogs.

“I watched dual meets and saw guys training when I was younger and I always wanted to be like them,” Sweany said. “It is a program with great tradition. Having a good system like that is the key to consistently bringing lots of wrestlers to the state meet.”

So, it is likely that the torch will be passed from Schupp and Loechler to the younger Bulldogs. They will groom the next generation to get their shot to shine under the spotlight on the raised stage in the center of the arena. ✪

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Welcome to Impulse, your one-stop shop for all the latest and greatest in gadgets, gizmos and gear. Complied by staff writer Erik Stordahl, Impulse provides you with what’s currently hot on the market. If you didn’t already know, high school sports are hot right now. Soccer playoffs just concluded while basketball teams are making a run at state. Boys golf just teed off and baseball, softball and other spring sports are getting underway. If there’s one thing all these sports have in common, it’s apparel, all sizes and styles. Hit up one of these apparel retailers to get the gear you need for your team.

Accurate Impressions

One visit to their website and you’ll end up owning enough apparel to launch a fashion show in a small town. Accurate Impressions has all the apparel you need for your players: warmups, uniforms, fancy-shmancy game day attire, etc. Hit ‘em up online at www.shopaccurate.com.

Image Imprint

When you want your team name on everything, go to Image Imprint. They specialize in embroidering, so don’t just slap your logo on hats, jerseys and shirts. Go crazy and put it on athletic bags, mugs, pens. Even calculators! Go to www.imageimprint.com for more.

Tahi Teamwear

Loudmouth Golf

Speaking of impressions, how ‘bout stamping yours on the golf course with Loudmouth? These pants not only draw second and third glances, but they’re also used to conduct colorblindness tests. So quit walking down the fairways in those boring earth tones and grab a pair of Loudmouth pants.

Go to www.loudmouthgolf.com for cool deals.

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These guys are all about identity. Going into battle as one is important for any champion, so it makes sense to look like one. Create a branding frenzy on campus and make your jerseys, shirts and license plate frames available to your fans.

Reach ‘em on their Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ tahiteamwear.

Simply Selling Shirts

S3 is your go-to source for making your team a presence in the community. In addition to quality screenprinting, S3 is here for your branding efforts. Whether you’ve got a big game coming up, a team event, or you want to support a community organization, look no further than Simply Selling Shirts.

Go to www.simplysellingshirts.com for more info.

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Balm diggity: Do rubs like IcyHot really make a difference?

I asked a group of high school athletes to list their most pressing questions about sports and health.

This group consists of student-athletes who are enrolled in a sports medicine course so I expected routine responses. Something along the lines of, “How can I get bigger, faster and stronger?” or “How long will (insert favorite athlete’s name here) injury take to heal?”

Surprisingly, one of the more frequently asked questions was, “Does IcyHot work?”

The balm, which is marketed in commercials

by Shaquille O’Neal and other celebrity athletes, is frequently used throughout the sports community as a quick fix to nagging injuries. But does it work?

This is one of those questions that can be guaranteed to launch athletes into heartfelt stories about their miraculous recovery from devastating injuries to win the big game. Over the years, athletic trainers have learned to listen to these tales and congratulate the storyteller without pointing out that if torn knee ligaments responded to an over-the-counter cream our jobs would be much simpler.

The main ingredients in topical rubs that cause such a big fuss are menthol and methyl salicylate, which is also known as wintergreen oil. Menthol is made from peppermint oil and it can trigger nerves that are sensitive to coolness which is why it is frequently included in mouthwashes, chewing gum and cough drops for its cooling and soothing sensation. However, no research

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has shown menthol to actually cause a decrease in the temperature of the skin or muscles.

While nerve receptor stimulation gives menthol its counter irritation effects, the analgesic or painrelieving properties are due to stimulation of opioid receptors. Methyl salicylate is a chemical that is used to cause vasodilation (opening of the blood vessels) close to the skin surface. The increased blood flow can have some pain-killing effects on nerve receptors in the treated area.

There are several kinds of commercial products used to alleviate the minor aches, pain and sore muscles of sports. Here’s some common options with listed ingredients and percentages ■ IcyHot (cream): 10% menthol, 30% methyl salicylate ■ IcyHot (balm): 7.6% menthol, 29% methyl salicylate ■ BENGAY (cream): 4% camphor, 10% menthol and 30% methyl salicylate Tiger Balm brand includes menthol, camphor, mint oil, clove oil, and oil of cinnamon in their product. The lesser known BruiseMD topical analgesic balm which advertises “a cooling sensation with deep penetrating relief of pain and stiffness, along with reducing inflammation and skin discoloration” is 10% methyl salicylate, 1.9% menthol and arnica montana.

Even athletic trainers and physical therapists fall in love with new health products based on results of

our use with athletes. I have used the cooling effects of Biofreeze (3.5% menthol and only sold by medical suppliers) to help ease muscle spasms. Thera-Gesic (1% menthol, 15% methyl salicylate) is another effective tool that creates the sensation of warmth and facilitates massage.

A highly successful Bay Area basketball team swears by Sombra Cold Therapy gel to treat tired legs and tendonitis. Sombra ‘s active ingredients are just 3% menthol, 3% camphor and other natural ingredients.

The simple answer to the question of topical ointment effectiveness is frustratingly simple. Sometimes.

There are no quick fixes or short cuts. I bet many of you already knew that. A proper warm-up and stretch is a better pre-game superstition than slathering your body with cream products. A team ice session in the post game locker room can do more help for chronic aches and pains than your favorite cold gel. ✪

Health Watch Mikel Jackson

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

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Three ways to become a better young athlete today

P

arents will often ask me what their young athletes can do to become better athletes.

Here are three very simple things that young athletes can implement immediately to instantly become better athletes.

1. Get your young athlete’s butt in gear What do I mean? Simple. Get their glutes (butt) contributing more in all activities. One simple thing they can do is become more “glute (butt)-conscious.” Get up and walk around with their hands on their hips and voluntarily engage their butt muscles. As they walk around throughout the day they should take a few moments to consciously engage their glutes each time their foot contacts the ground. The more they do this, the more they will strengthen the mind to muscle connections and the better their glutes will function.

Also have them do glute bridges from the ground by holding each rep for 10 seconds for 3 total sets. This is a great way for them to feel the contraction from the glutes. Make sure to have them visualize each vertebrae of the spine coming off the ground like a train leaving the station and the same thing on the way down, visualize the train coming back one vertebrae at a time. This ensures that the extension of the hips comes from the powerful butt muscles and not the compressive forces in the lower back.

It’s also important to teach them to brace their abs by asking them to visualize preparing for a punch in the stomach or simply tying an elastic band around their stomach and cue them to expand the band with their abdominals throughout the Glute Bridge.

Training Time Tim Rudd for IYCA

2. Activate the young athlete’s forefoot Most young athletes are rear foot dominant, which means they carry too much weight on their heels when they walk, run or move in general. Watch good athletes move. They’re always up on the balls of their feet. If you want your young athlete to be a good athlete they need to get off their rear foot and onto their forefoot. How do they do that? One simple thing they can do is train barefoot. Their body won’t let them move rear foot dominant when they’re barefoot because it’ll hurt too much. As an experiment have them take their shoes off and lightly jog a few steps down the street. The ONLY way they can do this is to get up on their forefoot. Don’t train them on concrete, but if you have access to a fairly soft surface (grass is ideal and most carpet works fine), don’t hesitate to scrap the shoes for a while.

3. Apply the above to progressive movement patterns Try this one simple drill. Find a fairly soft surface, have them take off their shoes, and place a pencil or piece of tape on the ground.

Now, have them pull their toes back and hop back and forth over it quickly. They should try to get as many reps as they can in 10 seconds. With a little practice 30 is a good number for them to shoot for. Have them repeat this for 2 more sets. They can do this drill three days per week.

These are very simple yet effective strategies to improve your young athletes performance on the field, court or mat today. Sometimes it’s the simple things that can make the biggest differences. ✪ 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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In a shot from the SportStars Magazine Archives, River City-West Sacramento third baseman Kasey Chapan shows the ball to the umpire after tagging out a sliding Mike Barron of Pioneer-Woodland during the Junior Optimist All-Star Game at American River College on June 6, 2011.

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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