SJ Issue 100 May 2015 by Sport Stars Magazine

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8 LOCKER

ROOM: It’s the NFL draft and anybody can do a mock draft. It’s the low-hanging fruit of punditry. We make the picks others are too scared to.

and 54 Baseball softball ranks: The latest Top 25s are released

57 ADVERTISER’S INDEX 4

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Triple Digits, Baby! M

ay 3 will mark the fifth anniversary of my first day at SportStars HQ. When I left the daily newspaper industry to be the sole editor of a start-up high school sports magazine, I can’t honestly say I wasn’t thinking of a time in the distant future when we’d be piecing together our 100th Issue. I had a few other things on my mind those first four weeks before Issue #1 debuted on June 10, 2010. For that very first “First Pitch,” I wrote about taking chances, and how a life lived around high school athletics — as the son of two high school coaches — had made SportStars an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. That column highlighted some of the people who would be taking an equally brave chance with me — many of whom still work on our modest, yet very talented, staff. But it closed with this promise: “The stars of each issue will always be the athletes, teams and coaches. They are what’s going to make this a great journey, and one we hope readers will take with us.” I won’t pretend that I’ve gotten everything right while running this magazine, but I’m fairly confident I nailed that one. Putting this 100th issue together has only further underscored how lucky we’ve been to tell the stories of so many great athletes and teams over the past five years. As part of the celebratory package, we endeavored to select the Top 25 athletes and teams we’ve covered through the first 100 issues. Both lists were painstaking to finalize. We gave in and cheated on one of them. Had to be done. Our celebration section (which begins on Page 30) also includes a retrospective on the cover kids of our first 100 issues.

We’ve titled that feature “Faces of the First 100,” so it’s a bit funny that our cover concept for this issue involved asking two athletes to simply let us photograph the back of their uniform. We owe a big thanks to Concord High junior football and track athlete Jose Rivera and Carondelet-Concord senior softball pitcher Taylor Blair. Both were gracious enough to participate as our glorified models. We are happy to show their smiling faces here, though. Jose doesn’t usually wear the No. 1, which is why it might look a bit snug. Taylor has proudly wore the double-zeroes for Carondelet for the past three seasons. However, she will need to try a new number out next fall when she begins at Arizona State — 00 won’t be available. Sharp-eyed readers, especially fans of Concord High, will wonder if the Minutemen have suddenly added red to their school colors. Not so. We took some liberties in post-production to match the No. 1 with Taylor’s bright 00’s so one’s eye could recognize what we were going for a little faster. Finally, on a personal note, No. 100 will always hold a special place for me. The same way that Issue No. 9 does. My first son was born the day Issue No. 9 was released (Oct. 14, 2010). My second son, if he has any knowledge of the family he’s joining, will politely delay his arrival until after our April 28 deadline. Cheers, Sports Fans. Let’s do 100 more. I’m in if you are. ✪

JOIN OUR TEAM PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 EDITORIAL Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson • Chace@SportStarsOnline.com Staff Writer Jim McCue • JimMcCue16@gmail.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Ben Enos, Dave Kiefer, Liz Elliott, Tim Rudd, Trevor Horn Copy Editor Bill Kruissink Photography Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, James K. Leash, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton, Doug Guler, Dean Coppola, Berry Evans, III Marketing/Events Ryan Arter Editorial Intern Mike Young CREATIVE DEPARTMENT Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco • MikeD@SportStarsOnline.com PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT Mike Calamusa • Mike@SportStarsOnline.com ADVERTISING Sales@SportStarsOnline.com, 925.566.8500 Account Executives Camps & Clinics: Ryan Arter • Camps@SportStarsOnline.com Alameda County: Berry Evans • Berry@foto-pros.com Central Valley, World Events: Anthony Grigsby • Area Director anthony.grigsby@worldeventssports.com Darin Wissner • JustAGameEvents@gmail.com READER RESOURCES/ADMINISTRATION Subscription, Calendar, Credit Services Angela Paradise • Info@SportStarsOnline.com DISTRIBUTION/DELIVERY Phillip Walton • Mags@SportStarsOnline.com INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsOnline.com COMMUNITY SPORTSTARS™ MAGAZINE A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA 94521 • info@SportStarsOnline.com www.SportStarsOnline.com

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YOUR TICKET TO CALIFORNIA SPORTS ADMIT ONE; RAIN OR SHINE This Vol. #6, May 2015 Whole No. 100 is published by Caliente! Communications, LLC, 5356 Clayton Rd, Ste. 222, Concord, CA 94521. SportStars™© 2010-2014 by Caliente! Communications, LLC. All rights reserved. Subscription rates: 16 issues, U.S. 3rd class $35 (allow 3 weeks for delivery). 1st class $55. To receive sample issues, please send $3 per copy for $6 total fo bulk. Back issues are $4 each. Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Publisher is strictly prohibited. The staff and management, including Board of Directors, of SportStars™© does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes. Editorial contributions, photos and letters to the editor are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor. All material should be typed, double-spaced on disk or email and will be handled with reasonable care. For materials return, please enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope. SportStars™© and STARS!™© Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente! Communications, LLC.

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Got Send your nominations to: Next? Editor@SportStarsOnline.com or tweet us using #SSOTW

Jurnee

Woodward VACAVILLE, SOPHOMORE, TRACK & FIELD The Bulldogs’ hurdler won the 300-meter hurdles event at the Mt. SAC Relays with a personalbest time of 41.99 seconds. The time was just the third sub-42 mark turned in by a high school girl in the United States this season and is the second-fastest time for in the state. In 2014, Woodward finished third in a Vacaville 1-2-3 sweep of the 100-meter hurdles at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters and followed that up with a sixth-place finish in the event at state. In the 300-meter hurdles, she finished second at Section Masters, but did not qualify for the state finals in a deep field. Just a sophomore, she has upped her game and is upholding the Bulldogs’ reputation as the girls hurdles team to beat. IN HER OWN WORDS: “Knowing that I could break 42 seconds in the middle of the season gives me a lot of confidence. My goal is to be faster and stronger as the season goes on, so I know I can run faster. If I continue to go to bed on time, get the right nutrition and give 100 percent heart and 100 percent talent in practice, then I will be where I want to be for Section Masters and state.”

honorable mention TYSON SOLIS: The Oak Ridge senior had seven hits in 10 atbats during a three-game Sierra Foothill League series sweep of Nevada Union. He leads the section with 41 hits and is batting .461 with 30 RBI.

MORGAN HAWKINS: The Vista del Lago sophomore softballer pitched a four-hit shutout and was 1-for-3 with an RBI double in a 5-0 win over Casa Roble that vaulted the Eagles into first place in the Capital Athletic League.

ARTURO SOTOMAYOR: The Roseville senior distance runner recorded the secondfastest 800 meter time in California and the sixth-fastest national time with a 1:51.54 mark at the Mt. SAC Relays.

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Rapid FiRe

LAUREN NUBLA McClarchy-Sacramento Basketball

JORDAN FORD Folsom Basketball

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Trending What’s hot this week in the world of stuff that’s hot

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Spotify has discovered that 42 is the age when people re-discover their interest in current pop music. That still doesn’t make you cool, Dad. It just doesn’t.

Joe panik, buster posey, andrew susac

Reports say 11 stories Brian Williams reported on are under investigation for truthiness. Resigned, Williams is expected to do what all liars do: announce his candidacy for the presidency.

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McDreamy died. Your mother is heartbroken. Go give her a hug.

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The first image of Jared Leto as the Joker was released. All of Twitter has made the Hot Topic joke … but we can’t be the only ones that kinda likes it, can we?

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Count ’em

top 5: spoRtstaRs nFl moCk dRaFt The frenzy is upon us, Ladies and Gents. On April 30, at 5 p.m., the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will cement their place in National Football League Draft ignominy when they kick off the proceedings by selecting Florida State quarterback Jameis Winston, thus dooming their franchise to decades of ‘They Could Have Had Mariota” criticism. That’s right. You heard us. Winston will go down as the Sam Bowie to Marcus Mariota’s Michael Jordan in what has become the most overblown media event since the Royal Wedding. Any of them. But nevermind that. First picks are easy. Heck. First rounds are easy. We’re giving you the stuff the other media outlets aren’t even thinking about. Here are the Top Five picks that nobody else will see coming. 1. With the 13th pick of the third round (No. 77 overall), the Cleveland Browns select: Dorial Green-Beckham, wide receiver, Oklahoma. Wait. Missouri. Um. Green County Jail? You know what they say about pairing a young quarterback with a talented young receiver and watching them grow up together. Think Montana and Rice. Manning and Harrison. Kaepernick and… nevermind. Anyway. We can’t wait to see the chemistry — er, chemicals — between Green-Beckham and the Browns other fine, upstanding citizen, Johnny Manziel. Can we get a reality show on this immediately? 2. With the 11th pick of the first round, the Oakland Raiders select: Nelson Agholor, wide receiver, USC. In a surprise move, the Raiders trade back with Minnesota, which jumps up to take Oregon quarterback Marcus Mariota, in exchange for the 11th pick and a really nice dinner at the Hooters in Dublin. Owner Mark Davis is overheard in the war room as having said, “My dad said we need to stretch the field, go deep. So what if he’s not even in the Top 5 receivers in this draft? I got a feeling. Plus, they have great wings at that Hooters.” 3. With the 33rd, 34th, and 35th picks of the seventh round (Nos. 251, 252, 253), the Denver Broncos select: Taylor Kelly, quarterback, Arizona State; Anthony Boone, quarterback, Duke; and Bo Wallace, quarterback Ole Miss. After drafting UCLA’s Brett Hundley in the first round, Baylor’s Bryce Petty in the second, Nevada’s Cody Fajardo in the third, East Carolina’s Shane Carden in the fourth, South Alabama’s Brandon Bridge and Michigan’s Devin Gardner in the fifth, and San Jose State’s Joe Gray in the sixth (no, really), these marked the eighth, ninth, and 10th quarterbacks drafted by the Broncos in an effort to fill what will soon be a Peyton Manning-sized hole behind center. 4. With the 29th pick of the seventh round (No. 247), the San Francisco 49ers select: Jim Harbaugh, quarterback, Michigan. Oh come one. You had to have seen this coming. 5. With the 39th pick of the seventh round (No. 257 of 257), the Arizona Cardinals select: Hey. Where the heck are the Cardinals? Lost interest and went home in the fifth round, you say? Yeah. Us too. —Bill “My hair’s better than Kiper’s” Kolb

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No-hitters thrown by College Park-Pleasant Hill star hurler, Joe DeMers, through April 24. DeMers tossed a perfect game against Monte Vista-Danville on March 10, and then had back-to-back no-hitters against Concord on April 16 and Northgate on April 11. The Washington-bound talent is 8-0 with a 0.26 ERA over his first eight starts. He allowed just 20 hits over 54 innings during that stretch.

say what “I’ve known Danielle since she was about 4 because my daughter played with her older sister. But I had never seen her pitch or play until tryouts this year.” — Amador Valley-Pleasanton softball coach Teresa Borchard speaking about Dons freshman pitcher Danielle Williams. Williams, whose older sister Krista plays collegiately at Northwestern, has excelled in her first season in the circle for Amador Valley. She has a 1.05 ERA and her record mirrors that of the 13-3 Dons. She’s also hitting .488 through 16 games.

May 2015

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Pages of Time Reminiscing On Favorite Issues

ongratulations to everyone at SportStars on reaching 100 issues. As someone who put together and edited a national monthly high school sports magazine for 11 years, I know how hard it is just to put together one of them. If SportStars editor Chace Bryson is like me, he’s always striving for that perfect issue — no typos, no factual errors, with plenty of stories, highlights and lists that hit home to the intended audience. Only Chace or publisher Mike Calamusa knows for sure if that perfect issue has been published, but still there’s probably one or two that have stood out. For me and others (some of whom I still work with through Cal-Hi Sports), we always point to one issue from our years running Student Sports Magazine that gives us the most pride. Part of it involves the legendary De La Salle football program. This would have been our November issue, or basketball preview issue of 2001. As publisher Andy Bark, managing editor John Tawa (who now runs PrepVolleyball.com) and I were planning the cover, we knew we wanted a basketball player featured. In most years, the basketball player on the cover was a senior. However, this particular year we thought we’d try to get a jump on everyone by featuring a junior from Ohio — some kid named LeBron James. LeBron wasn’t crazy about posing for a photo shoot at his school, but his mother reportedly pushed him a bit and he did. I arranged to have a local prep writer, Brian Windhorst, do the story. Brian went on to cover LeBron for many years and now works for ESPN. For the cover headline, I can honestly say I wasn’t the one who thought it up (I think it was John, but perhaps Brian submitted it), but it read: King James, The New Version. Am I claiming we made it up? No, but I know I never started seeing the King James moniker until after that issue was published. Six weeks after our cover story came out, Sports Illustrated did its famous cover story on LeBron. The November 2001 issue also was the one that had our

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magazine’s coverage of the national No. 1 vs. No. 2 showdown between De La Salle and Long Beach Poly. Some polls had Poly higher. We had DLS at No. 1, so when the Spartans won 28-21 (that was the game they debuted a previously unknown running back named Maurice Drew) it just made us look better. In addition to that game, November 2001 wasn’t long after the 9/11 Tragedy, and we frankly did a great job of compiling several stories on how that horrible day impacted high school sports. Another of my favorite aspects of that issue was the very high number of basketball players (both boys and girls) that we picked to have photos included. One of the boys was Sheldon Williams of Oklahoma. One of the girls a few pages later was Candace Parker of Illinois. They not only both made it to the NBA and WNBA, respectively, but were married in 2008 Subscribe to S360 at SportStarsOnline.com

and now have a 6-year old. Hopefully, someday, Chace and Mike will be able to sit back and tell similar stories about a favorite issue. Maybe it will be this one. Only time will tell. NOTE: Go to CalHiSports.com to sign up to the NFHS Network for an unbelievable 50 percent off. The NFHS Network does live video streaming for every CIF section in the state and does live video streaming for many of the state’s top inter-sectional football games. A one-year sub to the NFHS usually costs $119. Only through CalHiSports.com can you get it for $59.99. Check out this offer today. A subscription now takes you through the 2015 football season would even auto-renew at this same low, low price. ✪ Mark Tennis is the co-founder of Cal-Hi Sports, and publisher of CalHiSports.com. Contact him at markjtennis@gmail.com and follow him on Twitter, @CalHiSports.

softball Rankings

baseball Rankings

After games of Saturday, April 25 1. (1) — Mission Viejo 21-0 The state and nation’s No. 1 team from last season is rolling along as expected with just about everyone back.

After games of Saturday, April 25 1. (1) — JSerra-San Juan Capistrano 17-3 Team getting ready to play St. Francis-Mountain View in Boras Classic final on May 2 at Cal State Fullerton.

2. (2) — Pioneer-San Jose 21-0 Super soph Holly Azevedo has pitched almost perfectly so far for the Mustangs, who need Mission Viejo to lose in the playoffs or twice in the final weeks of regular season to move ahead.

2. (3) ▲ Buchanan-Clovis 23-3 Connor Loeprich and D.J. Martinez both pitched shutouts in two-game sweep of Clovis West.

3. (3) — Yucaipa Two of this team’s three losses are to Mission Viejo.

20-3

4. (5) ▲ Santiago-Corona 20-3 A SoCal perennial power, the Sharks have one of the nation’s most potent batting orders. 5. (6) ▲ Lutheran-Orange 21-2 Sophomore Maddie Dwyer is one to watch at plate and in circle for the Lancers. 6. (7) ▲ Pacifica-Garden Grove 16-4 Mariners getting ready for end-of-regular season showdown with No. 1 Mission Viejo. 7. (9) ▲ Poway Cal-bound Kourtney Shaw is the Titans’ top player.

18-4

3. (5) ▲ San Dimas 22-0 Speaking of 1-2 pitching combos, Saints have one of best in U.S. with UCLA-bound Peter Lambert and junior Jacob Castillo. 4. (6) ▲ College Park-Pleasant Hill 13-3 Runner-up finish at NHSI showed many how strong this team can be. 5. (7) ▲ Harvard-Westlake-North Hollywood 18-3 Wolverines have lost all three in league, but have won three tourneys. 6. (2) ▼ Los Gatos 21-2 Yes, we know the Wildcats have wins over WCAL teams, but can they do that in the CCS playoffs? 7. (16) ▲ Dana Hills-Dana Point 21-4 A two-game sweep over San Clemente (team that beat College Park in NHSI final) jumped the Dolphins in this week’s rankings.

8. (12) ▲ Elk Grove 20-2 Thundering Herd started 3-2, but have emerged as best in SJS in recent weeks.

8. (8) — La Costa Canyon-Carlsbad 16-4 This has been the No. 1 team in the CIF San Diego Section nearly all season.

9. (15) ▲ Grand Terrace 16-3 Wins against Citrus Valley-Redlands and Murrieta Valley put this new program on the map.

9. (10) ▲ Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills 22-2 Trojans have emerged in recent weeks as team to beat in SJS.

10. (19) ▲ Amador Valley-Pleasanton 13-3 Dons looked good at Michelle Carew Classic and generally have been ranked higher than Heritage. 11. (13) ▲ Heritage-Brentwood 15-2 This was the runner-up team at the Livermore Stampede due mainly to victory over Mitty. 12. (14) ▲ Archbishop Mitty-San Jose 18-3 Monarchs would love to get another crack at Pioneer in CCS playoffs. 13. (8) ▼ Patrick Henry-San Diego 18-3 Patriots had to drop this week due to loss to Mira Mesa.

10. (17) ▲ Huntington Beach 15-7 Since starting out 2-5, the Oilers have lived up to preseason acclaim as one of nation’s best. 11. (4) ▼ Agoura-Agoura Hills 18-3 This is the team that won the title of the Anderson Bats National Classic (De La Salle & Monte Vista were in that one too). 12. (19) ▲ Jesuit-Carmichael 17-5 Wins over Davis, Franklin & Elk Grove in recent weeks have definitely elevated the Marauders. 13. (12) ▼ St. Francis-Mountain View 17-5 Despite loss last week to Serra, Lancers still heading to SoCal to play JSerra leading the WCAL.

14. (16) ▲ Bonita Vista-Chula Vista 14-3 UCLA-bound Aaliyah Jordan is one to watch for Barons.

14. (9) ▼ San Clemente 17-6 Both losses by the Tritons to Dana Hills last week were by one run.

15. (4) ▼ James Logan-Union City 14-1-1 Despite loss to Newark Memorial, head coach Teri Johnson still seems on track for 600th career win.

15. (NR) ▲ Franklin-Elk Grove 18-4 Wildcats basically were No. 21 last week after loss to Jesuit, then won twice and quickly have gone back in.

16. (20) ▲ Los Alamitos 18-6 Team hit hard by injuries last season gaining momentum for CIFSS playoffs.

16. (NR) ▲ Valley Christian-San Jose 18-5 Wins in the WCAL over Bellarmine, Serra and Sacred Heart Cathedral pushed the Warriors back up into the Top 20.

17. (NR) ▲ Chino Hills 18-5 Washington-bound Tannon Snow hit 49th career homer last week.

17. (NR) ▲ Alemany-Mission Hills 15-6 This is a team many have pegged among best in SoCal since the preseason.

18. (NR) ▲ Murrieta Valley-Murrieta 18-6 Team led by BYU-bound Olivia Sanchez, who was injured last season and did not play. 19. (NR) ▲ West Ranch-Valencia 18-5 Two of this team’s losses were by one run each in doubleheader vs. Santiago-Corona. 20. (NR) ▲ Yorba Linda 14-4 Frosh Meredith Meadows hit three homers in win last week vs. Esperanza-Anaheim. Dropped Out: Previous No. 10 Canyon-Anaheim; No. 11 Norco; No. 17 Livermore; No. 18 Highland-Palmdale.

18. (NR) ▲ Livermore 12-4 After assuming first-place lead in EBAL, the Cowboys also snag a much higher ranking. 19. (13) ▼ San Ramon Valley-Danville 13-3 Handing College Park that early-season shutout still is having residual effects for the Wolves. 20. (NR) ▲ Santa Fe Christian-Solana Beach 18-3 Small school power cracks Top 20 primarily due to being No. 2 overall in San Diego Section. Dropped Out: Previous No. 11 Vista; No. 14 Maria CarrilloSanta Rosa; No. 15 San Benito-Hollister; No. 18 Archbishop Mitty-San Jose; No. 20 Clovis West-Fresno.

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Football fuels headlines Lots of kids get into trouble, but their name isn’t in the headlines. It doesn’t seem fair that Miles Harrison is being singled out just because he’s a good football player. Shouldn’t the media treat everyone the same? R.R., Clayton

n a word, no – but this is a really good question. First, for those who haven’t seen the story, Harrison, a star running back at Clayton Valley Charter, was accused of being involved in an armed robbery targeting a drug dealer. He and three other Clayton Valley Charter students, all athletes, are being charged as adults. Now, it’s certainly true that there are more than a few robberies involving drugs, unfortunately, and this case wasn’t that unusual — except for the fact that Harrison was an all-state player and had a bright, bright future ahead of him as a football player. Now, however, his main goal will be to stay out of jail rather than earn a college scholarship. But if we look at those two words — college scholarship — in context, the media coverage of his arrest makes more sense. To begin with, college football is a big, big business, primarily because lots of people care about how teams

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do. The interest in college football by the public draws the media, which pays hundreds of millions of dollars to the schools, and some of that money trickles down to young people like Harrison. But without the media money, there weren’t going to be any scholarships for Harrison. There also wouldn’t have been stories about him in local papers saying how great he was, and adults and teen-agers would not have treated him like someone very special. Harrison, then, has gained much from the popularity of his sport, and the media interest in his sport. But public interest in athletes (or entertainers or any celebrity) is a two-edged sword. Once an individual steps into the media spotlight, he or she just can’t suddenly run into the shadows. Harrison had a lot of things go his way because of the attention his ability attracted, and had a lot of positive things likely to come in the future, but that same attention that built him up when things were going right isn’t going to just go away when things are going wrong. In short, you have to take the bitter with the sweet, and those who gain from media attention are always at risk to lose from it.

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If the public loved badminton and ignored football, and the media paid hundreds of millions to televise badminton and never showed a second of football, then Harrison’s arrest would have been treated like any other arrest — and that star badminton player’s tangle with the law would have been big news. But football rules the sporting world, so whatever happens to football players becomes fair game for the public. So to get back to your question: Did the media treat Miles Harrison fairly? Yes, because without the media money, Harrison’s skills would not have put him in position to get a college scholarship (worth around $200,000). If people are willing to reap the positives from a particular situation, then they have to be willing to accept the negatives as well — and of course putting yourself in a situation where you get arrested for armed robbery of a drug dealer is a pretty major negative, whether your name winds up in the headlines or not. ✪ 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 him at clayk@fullcourt.com

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t’s a basic law of physics: What goes up, must come down. But for Davis High track standouts Nate Harper and Kyle Clancy, temporarily defying gravity is part of their daily lives. Harper is one of the top pole vaulters in the state, and Clancy is one of the most well-rounded athletes in the area, specializing in the high jump and long jump. As juniors, both were key pieces to last year’s section title-winning boys track team at Davis, the program’s second title ever. Harper finished third in the pole vault, while Clancy scored 28 points individually to help the Blue Devils finish 16 points ahead of second-place Woodcreek. Clancy’s and Harper’s success stems from their participation and preparation during the Davis summer track camp. At times, the two train in solitude as the intense summer heat beats down and radiates off the turf at Ron and Mary Brown Stadium. “It’s really crappy being out here alone when no one else is around,” Harper said of the summer workouts, “It’s 100 degrees — probably hotter on the track — but putting in that work has made me better. It gives you a lot of time to think about the upcoming season and what your goals are.” Clancy has participated in the summer camp since the fifth grade. During elementary school, while many kids spend their summers playing club soccer or travel baseball, Clancy was out on the track preparing for what was to come. “I got into track because both my sisters did it in high school right around the time I started track,” Clancy said. “I was like, ‘Oh, I want to beat my sisters and I want to do it too.’ I liked it because I liked the whole ‘It’s all on you’ aspect of it.” Clancy’s work paid off immediately as he became somewhat of a track prodigy at Harper Junior High. He consistently dominated at several different events, a trait that has stuck with 16

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him to this day. The senior is close to breaking Davis records in the high jump, long jump and 110-meter hurdles, a testament to his versatility. “Kyle has a really diverse skill set. Athletically, he is successful in a lot of different events, more so than a lot of other track and field athletes in the state” Davis coach Spencer Elliott said. “On top of that, he has a great attitude and a great work ethic.” Clancy’s versatility was inspired by one of his role models, former Blue Devils track star and current Duke University decathlete, Ian Rock. “Ian was always out here during the summers when I was learning to do all the events,” Clancy explained. “He’s definitely been my inspiration for doing well: I always find myself thinking, ‘What would Ian do?’”

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Harper on the other hand, has had a special connection to the track team and pole vaulting. His dad, Rick, coaches the event for Davis. The elder Harper vaulted in both high school and college, and father and son have bonded over the event. They have two high bars set up in their backyard so both Harpers can work on perfecting their craft: one to coach and the other to compete. “It’s really sick having him as a coach, because at home we can work on stuff that other kids don’t have the opportunity to do,” Harper explained. “We analyze film at home for sometimes hours. “He used to coach me in baseball, and he would yell at us, but I felt when he yelled at me it was personal,” Harper added with a laugh. “In pole vaulting he doesn’t yell at the kids. It’s more of a supportive environment. And because we have such a good relationship, I can be honest about how I’m feeling on a certain day.” Elliott says he appreciates Harper’s work ethic, and that the senior pole vaulter will be a key cog in Davis’ quest for a second consecutive section title. “Nate is more specialized and he’s incredibly hard-working,” Elliott said. “He’s been out there working really hard with his dad even before he was on the track team. He jumped 16 feet (at the Halden Invitational meet) which makes him a state Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

leader in that event right now.” Both Davis standouts will continue to compete at the Division I level. Harper will compete in the SEC at the University of Tennessee while Clancy will follow in the footsteps of his mentor Rick and become a decathlete at Cal Poly in the Big West. Before his first college scholarship offer, Harper had dreams of attending culinary school to eventually become a chef. But as scholarship letters began to trickle their way into his mailbox, Harper decided to change his plans. He considered Cornell University, Cal Poly, Indiana University and Tennessee, his eventual choice. In Knoxville, Harper will likely pursue a degree in agriculture or environmental science. “When I went there it was crazy how awesome it was,” Harper said of his future school. “Just the campus itself and the facilities they have are insane. I just felt at home.” Clancy seems settled on Cal Poly after considering Colorado as well as a campus close to home: UC Davis. Clancy epitomizes the phrase “student-athlete” as he has a passion for advanced physics, and hopes to eventually become an engineer. “I love track but I know that academics will last a lot longer, so I wanted to have a good degree for engineering,” Clancy said of his choice. “And after that, I didn’t want to go anywhere Subscribe to S360 at SportStarsOnline.com

crazy: I like California weather.” But college is still four months away, and the two childhood friends have their sights set on winning Davis’ first ever back-to-back section team titles in track. Individually, Harper hopes to be the second state-title winner in the pole vault from Davis and Clancy wants to put on an individual show at the section and state meets in his three events: long jump, 110-meter hurdles and high jump. “It’s pretty nice to know where you’re going to college because you can just focus on track,” Harper said. “Honestly, if we won at state, I would probably cry because it would just be a storybook ending.” No matter what happens in the next two months, the two jumpers will always remain track enthusiasts at heart. They constantly strive for improvement by learning new things about their events, and will closely follow each other’s collegiate careers despite being 2,000 miles apart. “One thing that puts Nate and me apart from anybody else is that we’re students of the sport,” Clancy said. “We follow all of the NCAA track — some of the coaches aren’t even that into it. We’ve studied more film than anybody else, and we just enjoy doing that and being in the whole track environment.” If their careers continue their arc, future students of the game may be studying the efforts of Clancy and Harper. ✪ May 2015

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aTHleTeS oF HonoraBle MenTion

Sac-Joaquin Female athlete of the Year

GiGi Garcia, McclaTcHY, Junior

inning the first-ever state championship in the near 80-year history of the school would seem to be the pinnacle of a high school athlete’s career, but McClatchy girls basketball coach Jessica Kunisaki believes junior forward Gigi Garcia is just getting started. “She has not reached anything close to what her ceiling is,” Kunisaki said of her 6-foot-2 forward. “I believe that she will be even better next year because she will work hard in the offseason to get better.” That’s a scary thought for opponents who tried to contain the SportStars Winter Female Athlete of the Year during the 2014-15 season. Garcia brought an improved game to the court this past season and helped the Lions post a 27-7 overall record and claim the CIF State Division I Championship. But it was not a simple transition. “She got better every practice and every game,” Kunisaki said of her rising star. “She is so competitive and is willing to compete in practice and work hard to get better all of the time.” Garcia and her teammates struggled early in the regular season playing against a challenging schedule, but THE STATS: She averaged nearly a double-double with 15 points and nine rebounds per game quickly rebounded to post a perfect 14-0 Metro Conferduring the regular season before stepping up her efforts in the Lions’ run to the CIF State Division I ence record and were winners of 16 of 17 heading into the Championship. postseason. Garcia averaged a double-double during the SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: Garcia scored 19 points, pulled down 20 rebounds and blocked six regular season, but saved her best for the playoffs. shots to lead McClatchy to a wild 65-61 double overtime win over Serra-Gardena in the state final. Despite losing to St. Mary’s-Stockton in the Sac-Joaquin WHAT’S NEXT: Gigi will work to defend the Lions’ Metro Conference and Div. I state titles in her Section Div. I final, McClatchy got a second chance in the senior season before considering what will likely be a multitude of offers from top college programs state playoffs where the game-by-game improvement from across the nation. carried Garcia and the Lions to never-before-attained heights. A 58-49 victory over section rival Oak Ridge in ahead, Kunisaki can’t wait to get Garcia back on the court. “She has great charthe NorCal final punched McClatchy’s ticket to the first state final reached by a acter both on and off the court and she is a great role model,” the coach said. Sacramento Unified School District girls athletic team. The state final raised the stakes and Kunisaki asked her forward to lift her “She leads by example and knows no other way than to work hard.” The work ethic and athleticism comes partly from some good genes—Gigi’s game one final time. “I told her we needed 20 rebounds from her and she went father, Aaron Garcia, was a star quarterback at Grant and a record-setting sigout and got it,” Kunisaki said of Garcia’s state finals appearance. nal-caller in the Arena Football League. Her mother, Shelby Boudreaux, was It took a comeback, a blown 10-point lead with 1:10 left and a pair of overan excellent forward in her own right in high school and college. But genes times before McClatchy downed Serra-Gardena 65-61 to claim the historic banner. Garcia finished with 19 points to go with the 20 rebounds that her only take an athlete so far. Gigi has never been shy about doing the work. And, because of that, her ceiling only grows taller. ✪ coach requested. —Jim McCue With the team’s victory parade over and the defense of league and state titles

SARIYAH JONES (ENOCHS-MODESTO), JUNIOR, WRESTLING — Jones won Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF State titles at 106 pounds, and led the Eagles to the State Wrestling Championships team title. She is also a member of the U.S. National Junior Team and hopes to compete in the Olympics in 2020. AARION MCDONALD (BROOKSIDE CHRISTIANSTOCKTON), JUNIOR, BASKETBALL — McDonald led the Knights to the CIF State Division IV final, averaging 26.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 6.4 steals and 5.8 assists per game.

THE GARCIA FILES

GIRLS COACH OF THE YEAR

FEMALE RISING STAR

Tom Gonsalves, sT. mary’s-sTockTon, BaskeTBall — The veteran coach guided the Rams to a 34-1 record and the CIF Open Division State Championship. St. Mary’s captured its eighth consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section championship, claiming the Division I title with a convincing victory over eventual Division I state-champion McClatchy. After suffering the team’s lone defeat at the Nike Tournament of Champions in December, Gonsalves’ squad rolled to 29 straight wins.

aquira DecosTa (sT. mary’s), Freshman, BaskeTBall — The Rams’ 6-foot-2 forward was a force, averaging 12.9 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.5 steals per contest in a balanced St. Mary’s offense. DeCosta put up 24 points and 13 rebounds in the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I final.

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THe Year winTer eDiTion HonoraBle MenTion ZACK VELASQUEZ (PONDEROSA-SHINGLE SPRINGS), SENIOR, WRESTLING — Velasquez capped off a perfect 55-0 season by winning the CIF State Wrestling Championship at 152 pounds with a 2-1 double overtime win in the final. Velasquez claimed the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters championship before becoming the school’s third state wrestling champion. JORDAN FORD (FOLSOM), JUNIOR, BASKETBALL — Led the Bulldogs to their second consecutive section championship and a Northern California Open Division semifinal. He averaged 20.6 points, 3.3 assists and 2.4 steals per game against top competition.

Sac-Joaquin Male athlete of the Year

anTHonY TowneS, MoDeSTo cHriSTian, Senior

odesto Christian basketball coach Richard Midgley knew the Crusaders could benefit from having Anthony Townes on the team when he first saw him as a tall eighth-grader. Standing nearly at his current 6-foot-6 height as a middle schooler, Townes grew into his body and grew his game to become a four-year starter for the powerhouse program and the SportStars’ Winter Male Athlete of the Year. “I could see the potential, but he worked very hard to get to where he is now,” said Midgley, a former Modesto Christian player and assistant under Gary Porter before taking over the program two years ago. “His basketball experience and skill set was limited, but he listened and learned every day.” The strong 220-pound power forward faced some of the section’s and state’s best players while contributing to four Sac-Joaquin Section championships. After graduation, he will make a relatively short trip across the Central Valley to continue his basketball progression at the University of the Pacific. Townes averaged 19.7 points and 10 rebounds per game while leading the Crusaders to the Northern California Open Division final and a 30-4 record. During his four years, Modesto Christian never lost a Modesto Metro Conference game and compiled a 111-23 overall record despite moving up in divisions and stature. The Crusaders won the section Div. IV title in Townes’ freshman year, claimed Div. III titles the next THE STATS: In his senior season, averaged 19.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game while two years and finally took the Div II championship this season. leading Modesto Christian to the SJS Division II title and the NorCal Open Division final. They also participated in the CIF State Open Div. playoffs each SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: Posted a huge double-double with 25 points and 21 reof the last three years. bounds in Modesto Christian’s 2014-15 season opener. The level of competition peaked in Townes’ final game when 4-FOR-4: Townes was a four-year starter for the Crusaders and won four Sac-Joaquin he faced national recruit Ivan Rabb and eventual state-champiSection championships. The team won the Division IV section title in his freshman season, on Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland. The Crusaders’ forward not only Division III section championships as a sophomore and junior, and a Division II section title in held his own against Cal’s biggest recruiting success in years, his final high school season. but scored a game-high 20 points in his high school finale. “We are confident in Anthony with any matchup, and he “Whatever we asked of him, he would do it,” Midgley said. “He was always showed it in that game,” Midgley said. 100 percent committed. The coach pointed to Townes’ energy and work ethic for turning the lanky “He is definitely in the conversation when discussing the top players from eighth-grader into one of the best players to represent the storied program. this program, and goes down as one of the best high school basketball players Whether he was mixing it up on the floor with the state’s best players, or supporting teammates from the bench, Townes was always positive and gave his to come out of Modesto Christian.” ✪ — Jim McCue team his full effort.

THE TOWNES FILES

BOYS COACH OF THE YEAR

MALE RISING STAR

DEVON JONES, CAPITAL CHRISTIAN-SACRAMENTO, BASKETBALL — Jones led the Cougars to a 27-9 mark that included Golden Empire League and Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV titles. Jones employed a balanced offense and team defense to claim the NorCal Division IV championship and a berth in the program’s first-ever state final. In Jones’ three years at the helm, Capital Christian has won league and section titles every season and compiled an 81-18 record.

JORDAN BROWN (WOODCREEK-ROSEVILLE), FRESHMAN, BASKETBALL — The 6-foot-9 center burst onto the scene and immediately turned a solid Timberwolves team into a Sac-Joaquin Section and NorCal Division I contender. Brown averaged a team-high 22.7 points, 10.5 rebounds and 3 blocks per game.

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May 2015

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Star Swimmers Placer Valley Tourism is excited to announce that two of Sacramento Synchronized Swim Team’s (SSST) swimmers have made the 12U National Team for the second year in a row. Nicole Meza and Veronika Orlovska, both 11-years-old, will be returning to Team USA with their sights set on qualifying for the Junior Olympics in July. Meza, whose hometown is Sacramento, has been a member of SSST since she was 6-years old and swims both as a soloist and as a duet team with Orlovska. Though this is Orlovska first year on SSST, she has been swimming competitively for five years. A Ukraine native, Orlovska now lives in Yorba Linda and travels to Sacramento to be on SSST, where she also competes as a soloist. The two very accomplished synchronized swimmers have won every competition they have entered so far this year. Both girls practice with swimming and gymnastics coaches for 3-5 hours a day, 5-6 days per week as they focus their workouts on land work, stretching, swimming laps, technical elements of synchronized swimming and routines with music. “The girls make a lot of daily sacrifices such as spending time with friends and family, birthday parties, sleepovers, trying out different activities and sports,” head coach Olga Molotilova explains. “But when you are standing on the podium and listening to the Anthem of USA, you realize every sacrifice was worth it!” Molotilova expanded on what makes the swimmers so successful. “They are very talented young ladies who live such a busy life in synchro, giving them a lot of life lessons like supporting their friends and teammates, not to give up when something is not going like they want, and being on task and organized.” The coach added that both Meza and Orlovska are also great students in school. Along with the Junior Olympics Competition in North Carolina this July, Meza and Orlovska are set to compete at the Pan American Games in Calgary, Canada in August where they are hoping to defend their title in the team event. PVT is thrilled for both of them and will be rooting for them this summer at their distinguished competitions. ✪

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May 2015

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Diamond Days Memorial Day weekend in Placer Valley will deliver much more than warm weather and the countdown to summer. It will also bring some serious softball action. On May 23-25, ASA Tournaments, in conjunction with Placer Valley Tourism, will be hosting the 5th Annual Memorial Day Classic Tournament taking place at multiple fields in Roseville and Lincoln. ASA is expecting an impressive 148 teams coming from all over California and parts of Northern Nevada. Girls ranging in ages from 9 to 18 will be participating at this three-day event that guarantees each team a minimum of six games throughout the weekend. ASA Tournament Director Gary Ybarra points out that this tournament serves as the first tournament of the season in the 16U and 18U/Gold Divisions. This is due to the fact that most players on those teams are just finishing their high school softball season. Essentially this is the start of the ASA tournament season, which brings an exciting element to the weekend. The Memorial Day Classic is also part of the prestigious ASA Heartland Showcase Series of Tournaments which signifies that the level of competition, the fields provided and the amount of playing time is the best and top of the line. “I’d like to thank the Greater Sacramento Softball Association, Wilson Trophy Company and Placer Valley tourism for their support of this tournament every year,” Ybarra said. ✪ — Copy and photos provided by Placer Valley Tourism

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May 2015

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“THiS iS a

TrYouT?!” There are different degrees of recruiting, and some can lead to very unexpected conclusions

recently spoke about the athletic recruiting process with a mother of two named Cynthia. Both her children were very good basketball players. She told the following story: Her older child, Adam, had played AAU basketball since he was 11-years old. By his junior year in high school, he was receiving attention from some NCAA Division II and Division III programs. Assistant coaches from numerous colleges where contacting him through email, phone calls and social media. The recruiting process appeared to be going very well. Eventually an assistant coach at a small school in the Midwest told Adam that the team wanted him to play there. He applied, was admitted into the school and, two months into the semester, Adam showed up at the school gym for what he thought was the first day of practice. It turned out that this was the first day… of tryouts. The coaching staff had told seven kids that they were wanted on the team while only four roster spots were available. Cynthia learned that a lot of Div. III and NAIA programs have difficulty filling their rosters so they often approach the recruiting process differently than do the larger Div. I and Div. II programs. Adam was the last player cut and he was devastated. Cynthia told me that her son had a very difficult time for months before eventually overcoming his loss of basketball. Two years later, Cynthia’s daughter was also being recruited to play basketball. This time head coaches from many colleges where contacting the family and, half way through her senior year in high school, Tufts University claimed they wanted her on the team. Not one to make the same mistake twice, mom took her daughter all the way across the country for a recruiting visit in Boston. On that visit, Cynthia got right to the point “I looked that head coach straight in the eye and said ‘How bad do you want my daughter on your team?’” she recounted. “She’s our number-one recruit,” the head coach replied honestly. That number one recruit became a four-year starting point guard for Tufts University. Mom had learned her lesson the first time. And her daughter not only got to play college basketball, but she ended up with an extremely valuable diploma. Understand that there are different levels of being recruited. There is a huge difference between an assistant coach emailing, “We can explore a walk-on spot in the next few weeks,” and a head coach sitting in your living room saying, “We want your daughter at our school next year.” ✪

Scott Mayo

Scott Mayo and his wife Jennifer are the founders of Next Level College Advisors, a consultation and support service for aspiring college athletes and their families. The Mayos have gone through the recruiting process with all three of their children. To learn more about NCLA, visit NextLevelCollegeAdvisors. com.

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May 2015

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Jesuit’s Chris Bayadline runs the ball. James K. Leash photo

Jesuit rugby shines again and Danville oaks double-up

ugby NorCal proudly announced back on April 2nd, that they had broken the 5,000-player barrier for the first time ever. It is proof that the sport is growing and Mark Carney, the Executive Director of Rugby NorCal, expects an additional 50-100 more players to register for the summer sevens as well as youth flag rugby leagues being planned on by Rugby NorCal. It was evident just how big the game is growing with the participation of 57 teams competing in 13 different levels spread out amongst eight fields at the 11th Annual Northern California Invitational (NCIT) at Cherry Island Sports Complex in Antelope on April 18-19. For most squads, this was their last competition of the season. Teams competing in the Boys Varsity Gold, Boys Varsity Silver, and Boys Junior Varsity, this was their semifinals. The championships were played at Saint Marys College on April 25. In the boys Varsity Gold finals, the top-seeded Danville Oaks met up with No. 3 Granite Bay in what turned out to be an epic match. After being down 24-10, the Danville Oaks rallied in the second half to win the title 34-31. It was a sweet victory for the Oaks, who finished 2014 as the runner-up to Hayward. The Boys Varsity Silver division was won by Bishop O’Dowd over the North Sacramento Warriors, 45-31. Mother Lode Rugby edged Granite Bay 26-21 for the JV Gold division. One division which was completed at the NCIT was the Varsity Boys Single-School division which pit eight-time national-champion Jesuit against a very strong Dixon team. Jesuit had already defeated Dixon twice in the regular season, 24-5 and 37-14. Dixon was more than ready for the third go-around, and battled admirably before succumbing the Marauders 17-15.

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Danville’s Ann Lota moves the ball up field. “It was the most exciting single-school championship in years,” President of the Dixon Rugby Club, Robert Salabar, said. “Either team could have won this. The score changed hands four times. The fans were treated to a great back-and-forth battle. Hats off to both teams for a hard-fought match.” It was Jesuit’s 10th straight NorCal championship. “They showed trust and hard work and played as a team while Dixon continued to apply pressure to the very last play of the game,” Jesuit coach John Shorey said afterward. Jesuit will now head to the boys High School Rugby National Championships in Charlotte, North Carolina, on May 14-16. The Marauders are the reigning national champion. “We are headed to nationals ranked No. 3, but we have a chip on our shoulders heading back east,” Shorey explained. “I don’t believe we have played our best rugby yet. I expect us to peak when we get to nationals. We certainly have the talent to win it all.” The Danville Lady Oaks captured the NCIT’s Girls Varsity Gold division for the first time in their brief history with an exciting 41-38 win over previous champion, the Sacramento Amazons. The season started with the Amazons dominating the Kick-Off Tournament, showing why they were the reigning champions. However, injuries took a toll on the team. In the meantime, the Oaks were putting together a 6-0 regular season. Danville will be headed to the Girls High School Rugby National Invitational Championships, May 15-17 in Pittsburgh. ✪ — Darin Wissner Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

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May 2015

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Welcome to our 100th Issue celebration. This June will mark the fifth anniversary of SportStars Issue #1. And while five years doesn’t seem like an extraordinarily long time, it’s provided an extremely rich period in Northern California high school athletics. To celebrate, we attempted to rank the Top 25 athletes and Top 25 teams we’ve covered during these first 100 issues. We weighed not only what the athletes did for their high schools, but the success they’ve achieved since graduating as well. We also provide a fun look back at our history in covers. We hope you enjoy it and find yourself looking forward to the next 100 issues. We are! ✪ — Chace Bryson, Editor

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May 2015

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The First 100 issues: Top 25 athletes 32

To celebrate our first 100 issues, we attempted to rank the Top 25 NorCal athletes we’ve covered over the first five years of SportStars. We managed to get the list down to 26. Enjoy. Let us know what we got right or wrong at Facebook.com/SportStars

1. MAGGIE STEFFENS, MONTE VISTADANVILLE, WATER POLO When we named her our first SportStars Female Athlete of the Fall in January of 2011, we asked her if she could see herself competing at the Olympics. This is what she said: “I can envision myself (in London), but it’s kind of just in my own mind. It’s a lot of work to get there, and there are a lot of great girls on that team. With hard work and motivation and discipline, hopefully I can get there. But it’s definitely going to be a long road... (But) you get a taste of something, you just want it so much more. I want to make that team.” She made the team. She started. She tied an Olympic single-game scoring record with seven goals in her first Olympic match. She scored 21 goals in the tournament. She won Gold. She was the tournament’s MVP and was named 2012 Female Water Polo Player of the Year by both FINA and Swimming World Magazine.

2. AARON GORDON, ARCHBISHOP MITTY-SAN JOSE, BASKETBALL Unquestionably the most decorated, and most dominant boys basketball player in the SportStars Era to date. Gordon won a pair of CIF Division II State Basketball titles, was named the CalHi Sports Mr. State Basketball as a junior, was a McDonald’s All-American (and the game’s MVP) and was the Pac-12 Freshman of the Year at Arizona before declaring for the draft and being taken No. 4 overall by the Orlando Magic.

6. MARCUS LEE, DEER VALLEYANTIOCH, BASKETBALL/ VOLLEYBALL A McDonald’s AllAmerican hooper, Lee has spent the last few seasons contributing off the bench for one of the best college programs in the country — Kentucky. Lee was also an absolute force as a volleyball player, helping Deer Valley to a 42-2 record in 2013.

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Lucky 21: De La Salle wins another

Pg. 30

DECEMBER 6, 2012

May 2015

3. JAKE BROWNING, FOLSOM, FOOTBALL Browning was a once-in-a-generation quarterback for the Bulldogs, obliterating state and national records over a three-year stint as the team’s starter. He threw for 10 TDs in his first ever varsity game in 2012. In his last varsity game, he threw for six TDs and rushed for one as Folsom completed a 16-0 season and won the CIF Division I State Bowl Championship. For his career, he set or equaled national marks for career TDs (239) and TDs in one season (91) as well as the state mark for career yards (16,775).

7. NIKKO VILLAREAL, GILROY, WRESTLING He was a three-time CIF State Champion and finished third in nikko villarreal his other trip to Bakersfield. He is one of just 20 wrestlers in state history to win at least three state championships and just the sixth NorCal wrestler to join the club. Powered by

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After dramatically winning the state title last year in the 138-pound division, Villareal defended his crown in Bakersfield on March 3 when he beat Elijah Davis of Riordan-San Francisco 3-1 at Rabobank Arena. Even though he doesn’t have a college picked yet, he knows he wants to compete in the 2016 Summer Olympics, perhaps his one and only shot. SportStars Magazine: Was this season any different since you were defending your title? Nikko Villareal: No, I had the same mindset. I gotta train hard. It’s a pretty rough season you gotta get through. But you just keep it one day at a time, and hopefully it works out. SSM: Did your preparation change at all? NV: I don’t usually take anytime off. This summer I’m going to the Ukraine to train with the (USA) Olympic team. SSM: Does that mean you’ll be trying to make the team in 2016? NV: I was aiming toward 2020, that’s why i’m disappointed. I’m definitely gonna try out for 2016 during college. NIKKO’S QUICK HITS Favorite athlete: Bruce Lee Favorite Starbucks: White Mocha Favorite baseball team: Giants Sport he wishes he was better at: Football

March 7, 2013

honorable mention

gilroy . wrestling . junior

asha thomas

The sophomore guard led Bishop O’Dowd with 21 points as they beat Miramonte 77-48 on March 2 to capture the NCS Div. 3 girls basketball title.

chanel chawalit

The Berkeley junior won the 126-pound division of the CIF State Girls Wrestling Championship on Feb. 23, defeating Lindhurst’s Teasia Lizama 9-3.

sinorti stegman

The Albany senior won her CIF wrestling state title in the 189-pound division Feb. 23 when she beat Sacred Heart Cathedral’s Danielle Pubill.

Jonathan Hawthorne

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4. NATE MOORE, CASTRO VALLEY, TRACK & FIELD/ 2013 spring male athlete of the year BASKETBALL Nate Moore Moore etched his name into the state history books as the first boy to win both the long jump and triple jump state titles in back-to-back years (2013 and 2014). Moore’s winning jumps (TJ: 51 feet, 4 inches, LJ: 25-8.75) were both the top high school marks in the nation for 2014. He also earned a silver medal with the Trojans’ 400 relay team. During the winter, he was a key guard off the bench for the Castro Valley boys basketball team. castro valley track & field junior

THE MOORE FILES

› THE STATS: oore won gold in the long ump and triple ump at both the North Coast Section eet of Champions and the CIF State Track and Field Championships. His state-winning mark in the triple ump 0-11. was the top high school mark in the nation for 2013. › ON COLLEGE RECRUITING: I received a lot of e-mails after the state meet. I’m putting together a list of schools now. I won’t start seriously looking until after uly 1. I want to learn as much or more about the school he’s a 3. student than the track program. I’ll go anywhere in the country if it’s a perfect fit. Leaving California might hurt a little but I would definitely deal with it. › ON FAVORITE ATHLETE ALLEN IVERSON, AND PRACTICE: I en oy practice but sort of like Iverson I don’t like the little workouts stretching striding. I like to do hard workouts and working really hard. › ON HIS TWO EVENTS: I’ve been long umping since 10 and triple umping since I was 1 . I like triple ump more because it’s harder. It takes more work and dedication. Basically if you run a 10. 100 you’re going to be a really good long umper.

8. ivan raBB, BishoP o’DowDOAKLAND, BASKETBALL He’s been at the top of national recruiting lists for each of the past three seasons and finally chose to attend Cal not long after winning the CIF Open Div. State Championship by sinking the game-winning free throw with less than a second remaining. He averaged more than 20 points and 15 rebounds a game as a senior. FREE

VOL. 5. ISSUE 93 BAY AREA

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NOVEMBER 20, 2014

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July 1, 2013

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Nate oore was fully e pecting the two state championships — the nearly 25-foot long ump and then the national-leading 0 foot, 11.75-inch performance in the triple ump. Frankly he ust wasn’t e pecting it this season. The Castro alley unior said he was dreaming of such a performance on the state’s biggest stage eteran’s Stadium on the campus of Buchanan High School in Clovis — ever since he was a freshman. The fun and articulate 5-foot-9, 145-pound standout was named the SportsStars Spring ale Athlete of the ear for his record-setting performance on une 1. He was the first Bay Area athlete boy to ever win both events in the same state meet and the first male overall since 198 . It’s still surreal to me he said. I ust didn’t really think it was possible until my senior year. It was ust a crazy e perience. oore who transferred from Bishop O’Dowd before the school year seemed almost content with a second-place finish in the long ump considering the defending champion and one of the nation’s top athletes was in the field. Serra- ardena unior Adoree’ ackson came in with the nation’s top long ump this season at 25-0. This after he won it as a sophomore at 2 -0. . ackson seemed comfortably ahead at 2 - . before oore ew to within an inch on his fourth attempt. At that point ackson had to run a leg in the 00-meter relay and oore then unleashed his winning ump. ackson had only five minutes to complete three umps and couldn’t overcome oore’s winning mark of 2 -11. . I wasn’t thinking about my mark or form or anything, I ust wanted to win oore said. oore said his competitive spirit was pushed all season by Castro alley umps coach Dooney ones who also offered the inspirational shove needed to win the triple. Battling a nagging left e or in ury oore asked ones for some IcyHot a rub to relieve pain right before his final ump but the fiery coach refused. He looked at me and said there’s no way he’s giving it to me oore said. He told me to block everything out, that this was the moment champions are made of. He told me this was the moment I’ve been waiting for all year and to make it all happen. es that last ump was all adrenaline. After revving up the crowd with rhythmic clapping oore unleashed his personal best by more than a foot to win the triple ump going away. I couldn’t ask for a better season or school year said oore also a starting point guard on the Castro Valley basketball team. — Mitch Stephens

onathan Hawthorne

STEVEN STUMPH, SENIOR, CAMPOLINDO-MORAGA

In what may be remembered among the greatest races in NCS Swimming Championships history, Stumph set a national record in the 100 breaststroke with a time of 53.39 seconds. The second- and third-place finishers also came in under the previous nationalrecord time of 53.67 held by U.S. Olympian Brendan Hansen. Stumph also won the 100 backstroke in an NCS-record time, and was part of two NCS record-setting relay teams.

CalHiSports.com

MICHAEL STREM, SENIOR, ST. FRANCIS-MNTN VIEW

The Boston College-bound senior was the ultimate double-threat player for a Lancers team which went finished 29-4, won the CCS Div. I title and was ranked No. in the final a Preps. com national rankings. Strem lead the team in hits (45) and doubles (13). He also had 22 RBI and 29 runs scored. On the mound, he went 11-1 with a 1.70 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 80.2 innings of work. Oh, and one perfect game on 66 pitches in the first round of the playoffs.

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5. BRITTANY BOYD, BERKELEY, BASKETBALL Our 2010-11 Female Athlete of the Winter honoree — after leading the Yellowjackets to a record 10th NorCal title — went on to become a four-year pillar of the Cal Women’s program. She closed out her career as a semifinalist for the Naismith Award recognizing the beat female college basketball player. In April, she was selected No. 9 overall in the WNBA Draft and will play for the New York Liberty.

9. KRISTIAN IPSEN, DE LA SALLE-CONCORD, DIVING Ipsen was the only the Magazine’s second ever SportStar of the Week. Like Steffens, he went on to star for the Americans at the 2012 Summer Olympics. Ipsen and his 3-meter synchro partner, Troy Dumais, brought home a Bronze medal.

It was Jan. 26, 2008, at Acalanes High School, the third of seven games. There had been rumors that Hercules High School had a pretty good team, and the summer club talk about its freshman guard was hype-heavy. But no one had really seen much of the Titans, a program that had been quietly winning games without making a big impression. That all changed at the Acalanes Shootout, against traditional power Moreau Catholic and its 6-5 center, Malia Nahinu. Nahinu put on a show, with 27 points, 21 rebounds and 14 blocks, but after the game, the buzz wasn’t about the Arizona-bound center, but rather about that below-the-radar freshman for Hercules, a small guard named Brittany Boyd. Boyd finished with 29 points — 21 in the second half — but what was so impressive was how she made every big play as the Titans came from 10 points down in the third quarter to steal a 67-62 win. When Hercules needed a basket, Boyd scored; if the Titans needed a steal, she got the ball; and if they needed leadership, the freshman supplied that as well. In short, a star was born. And though Boyd had to sit out much of her sophomore year at Berkeley due to eligibility issues, there was never any doubt she was going to be a force once she stepped on the court. Although it was a forgone conclusion, all those expectations were realized this season when she led the Yellowjackets to 31-2 season and CIF Division I Northern regional championship. But it wasn’t as if Boyd just emerged — she had worked hard to acquire the skills that make her special. She started playing when she was 6, and worked with her dad, DeShawn Boyd, on her skills. And then she started playing in Oakland, where she started to understand the game. “Leroy Hurt (the AAU Cal Ballaz coach) helped me to be a floor general,” Boyd said. “My freshman year I knew I was good, but over time, I grew to understand myself.” And those who’ve watched her play over the years have seen her steady development. That won’t change, either, as the next stage of her basketball career will continue right down Telegraph Avenue at Haas Pavilion. She ended up choosing Cal due in part to her connection with her high school teammates and her hometown. “We were friends on and off the court,” said Boyd of the Yellowjackets, “And the Berkeley High community is great,” That community will get a chance to see her continue to grow and improve for the next four years. — Clay Kallam

THE BOYD FILES

per game ■ THE STATS: 15.7 points/6.7 steals/5.2 assists/6.4 rebounds nine rebounds and seven assists ■ SIGNATURE PERFORMANCE: 20 points, 10 steals, state playoffs. vs. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills in the second round of the my first letter, from North Caro■ ON HER FIRST RECRUITMENT LETTER: “I received

Bob Larson

HONORABLE MENTIONS HANNAH HUFFMAN, Carondelet, Jr. — Basketball Huffman saved her best for the biggest games, averaging more than 30 points in the state playoffs — including a 34-point, 8-rebound effort in the CIF regional quarterfinals and a 30-point performance against Berkeley in the regional final. She was the East Bay Athletic League co-MVP after helping Carondelet go undefeated in league play for the second straight season. She averaged 16.5 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.6 assists, 3.5 steals and 1.2 blocks a game this season.

SportStars™

lina, in seventh grade.” and Princeton ■ THE COLLEGES THAT JUST MISSED OUT: Washington “Not making the team was motiva■ ON MISSING THE CUT FOR USA U-18 ROSTER: tion to me. I was in the gym every day to prove that I belonged.”

BRIANA GAINES, Dougherty Valley, Sr. — Basketball/Soccer Her future will be in a soccer uniform, and that’s where she led the Wildcats in scoring with 15 goals. Five of those goals came in the postseason when underdog 10th-seeded Dougherty Valley rolled all the way to the NCS championship and knocked off heavy-favorite Bishop O’Dowd. One week later, she helped the basketball team win a section crown. She averaged 7.2 points, 2.4 assists and 4.3 steals per game.

April 14, 2011

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10. ARIK ARMSTEAD, PLEASANT GROVE-ELK GROVE, FOOTBALL/BASKETBALL After a phenomenal and decorated two-sport career with the Eagles, Armstead excelled at Oregon. He enters the NFL Draft on April 30 as a consensus first-round talent at defensive end; many have him projected to go No. 15 overall to the 49ers. QB — JAKE RODRIGUES, WHITNEY-ROCKLIN, 6-3, 205, SR.

Oregon-bound signal-caller accounted for 43 TDs and more than 3,300 yards of offense in 2010. RB — MARK JENKINS, PLEASANT GROVE-ELK GROVE, 5-9, 175, SR.

Looks to improve on 2011 performance (2,739 yards; 41 TDs) for Div. I-favorite Eagles

RB — JOSH MIGUEL, ESCALON, 5-9, 175, SR. Rushed for 1,840 yards and 27 TDs to lead Cougars to SJS and CIF Div. III titles

WR — DYLAN COLLIE, OAK RIDGE-EL DORADO HILLS, 5-11, 180, SR.

Trojans’ top receiver is following older brother, Austin (of the Indianapolis Colts), to prep stardom and then BYU WR — ZACHARY MORENO, LEGRAND, 6-3, 190, SR.

Led all juniors in SJS with 1,055 receiving yds. (25 yards/catch) for Div. V champion Bulldogs

TE — JALEN COPE-FITZPATRICK, WHITNEY-ROCKLIN, 6-5, 250, SR.

Prototypical TE has great size and hands; 7 of 24 catches as a junior went for TDs

OL — GAVIN ANDREWS, GRANITE BAY, 6-6, 330, SR.

Among top recruits in state, hulking lineman committed to Oregon State OL — LEONARD WOOD, MONTEREY TRAIL-ELK GROVE, 6-2, 295, SR.

In run-oriented offense, Wood is key piece for Mustangs

OL — MATT COCHRAN, BUHACH COLONY-ATWATER, 6-4, 330, SR.

Powerful lineman has attracted attention of schools from both the Pac-12 and SEC

UTIL. — SHAQ THOMPSON, GRANT-SACRAMENTO, 6-2, 210, SR. Thompson can do just about anything he wants for the Pacers. He can play RB, WR, CB, S, even QB, if needed

SportStars™

August 25, 2011

OL — STEVEN MOORE, ELK GROVE, 6-7, 265, SR. Committed to Arizona, Moore will be charged with opening holes for RB Deon Ransom

OL — ARIK ARMSTEAD, PLEASANT GROVE-ELK GROVE, 6-7, 280, SR.

Opened huge holes for Jenkins; dominant tackle headed to USC

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11. CHELSEA CHENAULT, CARONDELET-CONCORD, SWIMMING Her four-year prep swimming career included 12 North Coast Section golds, five NCS records and two national records. She was a two-time All-American in her freshman year at USC and is a current member of the U.S. National Team.

13. MARIYA MOORE, SALESIANRICHMOND, BASKETBALL The McDonald’s All-American averaged 17.8 points, 8.6 rebounds, 7 assists and 3.5 steals her senior year, and led the Pride to two state finals. As a freshman she led national-power Louisville in scoring, assists and 3-point field goals.

12. ROBERT STEPHENSON, ALHAMBRA-MARTINEZ, BASEBALL Began his senior year with consecutive no-hitters and finished as the Gatorade State Player of the Year and the 27th overall selection in the MLB Amateur Draft. He is currently the No. 1-ranked prospect in the Reds organization.

14. SHAQ THOMPSON, GRANT-SAC., FOOTBALL/BASEBALL/TRACK One of six finalists for the U.S. Army National Player of the Year in football and an 18th round pick in the MLB Amateur Draft by the Red Sox. Dominant three-year career at Washington ended with winning the Paul Hornung Award (nation’s most versatile player). Projected as a 2nd/3rd round pick in the 2015 NFL Draft.

16. EDDIE VANDERDOES, PLACER-AUBURN, FOOTBALL/ BASEBALL Before starting at UCLA, he was the top-ranked defensive line recruit in the nation as a senior. He was also a .400 hitter and highly-effective pitcher in baseball.

15. SASHA WALLACE, HOLY NAMESOAKLAND/CASTRO VALLEY, TRACK As a senior she won double-gold FREE heavy at the CIF medal pow! State meet for the second top dogs straight year, defending her state titles in the 100-meter hurdles and the triple jump. She was the first East Bay girl to ever repeat at state in the same two events. At Oregon, she had two Top-3 finishes at the 2014 Pac-12 Championships. inspiration comes from everywhere

VOL. 3. ISSUE 48

JUNE 28, 2012

Pg. 8

BEST IN PREP SPORTS

BAY AREA

BENICIA ARSENAL BREAKS THROUGH

DIABLO VALLEY VB DIGGING FOR BLING

GET SPORT SPECIFIC THIS SUMMER.

PG. 12

PIT BULLS READY FOR CLOSE-UP

james marvel, sasha wallace cash in season honors pg. 30

NO HEROES WITHOUT VILLAINS. WE HAVE VILLAINS. PG. 11

17. TOMMY THOMPSON, GRANITE BAY, SOCCER He played for the Grizzlies through his junior year in 2012. He graduated early to play for Indiana University before signing with the San Jose Earthquakes at age 18. Current member of the National under-20 team.

18. JOE DEMERS, COLLEGE PARKPLEASANT HILL, BASEBALL/ BASKETBALL One of the best two-way baseball players in the state since freshman year in 2012. Starter for the CIF NorCal Championship basketball team as sophomore. As of April 25, he was batting .490 and had logged three no-hitters as a senior.

19. DYLAN WYNN, DE LA SALLECONCORD, FOOTBALL/WRESTLING Wynn was a three-year starter and dominant two-way player for the Spartans. His wrestling career also took him to the state meet twice. Recently closed a strong career as a DL at Oregon State.

20. JOHANNA GRAUER, AMADOR VALLEY-PLEASANTON, SOFTBALL Was the Bay Area’s most dominant pitcher from 2011-2014. As a senior she was 27-0 with a 0.51 ERA, 290 strikeouts and 60 hits allowed over 191.1 innings. She was also the team’s top hitter with a .429 average. Currently pitches for UCLA.

21. ODERAH CHIDOM, BISHOP o’DowD-oaklanD, BaskeTBall The McDonald’s All-American was the SportStars Bay Area Female Athlete of the Winter in 2013 after leading the Dragons to a second straight state title. She currently plays for Duke.

22. DEREK HILL, ELK GROVE, BASEBALL A three-year standout, he was the 23rd selection in the 2014 MLB Amateur draft after batting .500 with 11 doubles, 7 triples and 30 RBI in his senior year. The outfielder is currently the No. 4-ranked prospect in the Tigers organization.

23. CIARRA BREWER, JAMES LOGAN-UNION CITY, TRACK A two-time state champion in the triple jump, Brewer has since gone on to star at the Univ. of Florida and is a two-time SEC Champion.

24. TAYLOR NELSON, GRANITE BAY, VOLLEYBALL Nelson was honored as the Gatorade State Player of the Year after leading the 2013 Grizzlies to an unprecedented 45-0 state-championship season. That year she had 996 assists (8.9 per set) with 192 kills and 90 aces.

T25. CARRIE VERDON, CAMPOLINDOMORAGA, CROSS COUNTRY The current Pac-12 star for Colorado won back-to-back state titles as a junior and senior. Her state-winning time of 17:15 in 2010 ranks second all-time for the Div. III state race.

T25. Fiona o’keeFFe, Davis, CROSS COUNTRY Already a two-time state champion, O’Keeffe will have an opportunity in 2015 to become just the seventh girl to win three or more state titles.

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May 2015

SportStars™

CHIZOBA OKODOGBE: THE ORIGINAL SPORTSTAR

he ran fast, and she had a great smile. But mostly, Chizoba Okodogbe ran fast. That fact especially made her appealing to a start-up high school sports magazine debuting its first issue the week after the CIF State Track and Field Championships. As SportStars began to look for stories for its first issue, it decided to take a gamble on the potential of a 400-meter sprinter for Deer Valley High in Antioch. The first generation Nigerian-American held the fastest time in the state in the event through early May of 2010. She would be a fun story to tell — especially if she were a state champion. She finished second. And it made for an even better story — because the spirit and passion of Okodogbe was far more impressive than what she did on the oval. At the time, even Okodogbe might’ve been wondering how she ended up as the face on the front of the inaugural SportStars issue. It was purely a case of the right athlete and right time. “I felt honored,” Okodogbe said in a phone interview from Eugene, Oregon. “That was crazy to me. I feel honored even now. I just felt blessed, and it was so cool.” Okodogbe graduated from Oregon in December following a distinguished four-year career. She was a 12-time All-American, and part of relay teams which won two Pac-12 and two NCAA National Championships. Individually in the 400 meters, she had a second- and third-place finish at the Pac-12 Championships. And in the brief time she wasn’t racing or training, she doublemajored in psychology and sociology. Now, a few months after graduation, Okodogbe works part-time for the UO ticket office and is pondering her future. It’s a future that will probably include grad school, but what about track? “That’s so hard to say,” she said. “When track was over last season, I was ready to be done. I was tired of track. But I’m getting that itch again, so I can’t really say that book is completely closed.” She plans to return to the Bay Area and to stay involved with track while she works through grad school. But what exactly that means, she isn’t certain. It could mean reaching out to her old high school coach, Brad Stephens at Deer Valley. Or it could mean a re-commitment to training and one last push at her Olympic dream, one which would likely mean running for the Nigerian National Team. “I definitely think I could go after it,” she said. “But because I waited so long, it would be that much harder.” If that door is closed, however, she sounded legitimately cheery at the idea of helping younger sprinters. She definitely knows what her first piece of advice would be. “Looking back when I was in high school, I wanted to go to the Olympics and it was all about track. I had such a narrow focus,” she said. “(I’d tell today’s athletes) sports aren’t a given and things may not pan out the way you want to them to. Focus on school and know that you can always fall back on your degree.” ✪ — Chace Bryson

SportStars™

May 2015

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›››

There have been 168 unique covers between our two editions. Here are some fun facts/figures about those covers, and the 235 different kids whose faces have been depicted on the front of one of our first 100 issues.

BeFore THeY were STarS In digging through all of our old covers, we were particularly struck by our June 23, 2011 cover (issue #26) featuring a pair of Mountain View Los Altos (MVLA) Club soccer players. The cover story was on the MVLA Lightning, which was ranked the No. 1 girls U-15 program in the country as of late May of that year. We chose the cover photo for the action involved, and not necessarily the players in the shot. However, the players turned out to be two of the most successful Central Coast Section athletes of the past four years. The MVLA Lightning player portrayed is Sarah Robinson, a 2014 Gunn-Palo Alto graduate who accepted a soccer scholarship to Stanford but was also the Bay Area’s top distance runner a year ago. She had the fastest time of any Bay Area girl at the CIF State Cross Country championships (17:16, 4th place in Div. 1), and she took gold in the 1600-meters and silver in the 3200-meters at the State Track and Field Championships. The other player in the photo was Marissa Hing of the MVAL Mercury Black, a 14-U team. Hing was recently named the San Jose Mercury News Girls Basketball Player of the Year after leading Pinewood-Los Atlos Hills to a 24-4 record and the CIF Open Div. semifinals (where they lost to Miramonte in OT). Hing will play hoops at UC San Diego.

VOL. 2. ISSUE 26

FREE

NORCAL REPRESENTS AT USA HOOPS TRYOUTS

PG. 14

In terms of individual athletes, the record for most SportStars covers stands at three — an honor shared by Folsom football star Jake Browning (a 2015 grad) and Salesian-Richmond basketball standout Jabari Bird (2014, right). Browning was on the Sac-Joaquin cover as a sophomore (#60), junior (#75) and senior (#89). Though he was part of three covers, Bird was never alone on any of them. He was part of cover illustrations on Bay Area issue #41, #43 and #57. There are five athletes in the Two Covers Club. The first to do it was Clayton Valley Charter girls volleyball player Camille Condit (Bay Area #7 and #26). The others have been Salesian girls basketball player Mariya Moore (BA #77 and #80), St. Francis-Sacramento girls volleyball star Gabreille Palmeri (Sac-Joaquin #52 and #60), Del Oro-Loomis footballer Tyler Meteer (SJ #74 and #78) and Amador Valley-Pleasanton softball pitcher Johanna Grauer (BA #25 as a freshman, and #84 as a senior).

PG. 13

suit up

PG. 24

It’s no secret that De La Salle-Concord football builds its offensive success around a dominant running game. Coincidentally, five different Spartan standout tailbacks have graced four different Bay Area covers: Lucas Dunne (Issue #12), Tiapepe Vitale (#38), John Velasco (#78, right) and Antoine Custer with Andrew Hernandez (#94).

IT ISN’T EASY TO WEAR THIS UNIFORM

PG. 12

SOUTH BAY’S MVLA LIGHTNING READY TO STRIKE. PG. 20

FREE

VOL. 4. ISSUE 78 BAY AREA DECEMBER 19, 2013

THe MiGHTY wolveS

in a golden state of mind. PG. 6

FEBRUARY 23, 2012

PAC RIM VOLLEYBALL MAKING ITSELF KNOWN

SPECIAL OLYMPICS SUMMER GAMES COME TO UC DAVIS

runninG wilD

FREE

sizzling

brave attempts

It probably comes as no surprise to most that football has been the most portrayed sport on our covers. The Bay Area edition has had 19 football-related covers with a total of 33 when adding Sac-Joaquin Edition football covers. Basketball came in as a close second with 15 Bay Area hoops covers and 28 total between the two editions.

VOL. 3. ISSUE 41

ENDURE | EXCEL | ACHIEVE

super 6

kinG FooTBall

Jake anD JaBari

JUNE 23, 2011

CALIFORNIA

ENDURE | EXCEL | ACHIEVE

BAY AREA

RACE TO STATE

CRUNCH

TIME

STARTS NOW! PG. 36

SPORTSTARS CUP ’12: LEADERS OF THE PACK. PG. 14 LINside: LOCKERROOM ZEROES IN ON NORCAL ICON. PG. 10 UNBEATABLE: MIRAMONTE NEARS RECORD FEAT. PG. 32

When the photo of San Ramon Valley-Danville boys basketball teammates Keith Smith and Christian Fuca embracing after their CIF Division I State Championship victory was chosen as the Bay Area cover for Issue #99, it marked the seventh time Wolves FREE athletes had graced our cover. That’s the most covers for any school, pushing San Ramon Valley past both De La Salle-Concord and Campolindo-Moraga. Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Wolves’ seven covers is that each highlighted different sports. Thery were: ›› #5: John Hochstatter, baseball ›› #23: Marissa Neel, swimming ›› #30: Zach Kline (pictured with De La Salle and Monte Vista quarterbacks, Bart Houston and Jeff Lockie), football ›› #39: Morgan Idso, girls soccer ›› #45: Jordan Weiss, boys lacrosse ›› #90: Katherine Claybaugh, girls volleyball ›› #99: Keith Smith/Christian Fuca, boys basketball NOTE: Folsom has the most appearances on a SacJoaquin cover with five.

VOL. 6. ISSUE 99 BAY AREA APRIL 2015

InsIde:

the offIcal program of the

get drafted in first pitch. Pg. 6

VOL. 3. ISSUE 43

MARCH 29, 2012

FREE

ENDURE | EXCEL | ACHIEVE

BAY AREA

get knee-deep in prevention. Pg. 14 el cerrito is rockin' & firin'.

Pg. 24

our top wishes for baseball.

Lucky 21: De La Salle wins another

Pg. 9

Pg. 30

DECEMBER 6, 2012

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May 2015

SportStars™

The First 100 Issues: Top 25 Teams 38

To celebrate our first 100 issues, we attempted to rank the Top 25 NorCal teams we’ve covered over the first five years of SportStars. Let us know what we got right or wrong at Facebook.com/SportStars

1. DE LA SALLE-CONCORD FOOTBALL 2014 While the Spartans have had an honor roll of talented individuals play between the white lines at Owen Owens Stadium, it’s impossible not to think of that football program and not think TEAM. There was little doubt a De La Salle football was going to top this list. The 2014 team may not have been the best Spartans team of the storied program, but it was the most dominant of the SportStars Era. The Spartans went 15-0 and were the highest-scoring team in school history, outscoring opponents 748-182 (42 of those opponents’ points came in the CIF Open Division State Bowl Championship against high-powered Centennial-Corona). It was also the most dominant rushing offense in school history, fueled by the junior tandem of Antoine Custer and Andrew Hernandez. The team finished No. 1 in the state (Cal-Hi Sports) and No. 2 in the nation (StudentSports.com). FREE

DECEMBER 18, 2014

VOL. 5. ISSUE 94 BAY AREA

2. Granite Bay Girls VolleyBall 2013 — The Grizzlies weren’t just the best girls volleyball team in the SportStars Era, they have a very real argument for the best team in STATE HISTORY. The CIF Division I State Champions finished the season with a record of 45-0 — the best unbeaten record in state history by five games, passing the 2000 team of Bonita Vista-Chula Vista. Granite Bay finished the year ranked No. 1 in state (Cal-Hi Sports) and No. 3 in nation (StudentSports.com) FREE

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

VOL. 4. ISSUE 72 SAC-JOAQUIN

FREE

7. archBishop Mitty Girls VolleyBall 2012 — Prior to Granite Bay’s perfect season, this Monarchs team may Anne Marie Schmidt have held the title of NorCal’s most dominant team ever. Mitty went a perfect 38-0 to win the CIF Div. II State Championship. It lost just eight sets all year, and didn’t drop a single set in the state playoffs. The Monarchs closed the year No. 1 in the state and No. 2 in national (MaxPreps.com). Volleyball - Archbishop Mitty-San Jose - Senior

SportStars™

May 2015

DECEMBER 18, 2014

VOL. 5. ISSUE 94 SAC-JOAQUIN

feMAle Athlete of the yeAr: fAll

6. Bishop o’DowD-oaklanD Boys BasketBall 2014-15 — The CIF Open Division Champions were the undisputed best team in the state with a record of 28-4 and undefeated against in-state opponents. Three of the team’s four losses were to the two teams which finished No. 1 and 2 in StudentSports.com final national rankings. The Dragons would get the No. 4 ranking.

4. st. Mary’s-stockton Girls BasketBall 2015 — Much like the De La Salle football program, there’s a huge back catalog of great teams in the history of the Rams program, but if this year’s squad that went 34-1 and won the CIF Open Division State Championship wasn’t the best, then the 2015-16 team might be. Only one senior will graduate from the roster that went a perfect 26-0 against California opponents, finished the year on a 29-game winning streak and as the No. 3 team in the nation (StudentSports.com).

3. folsoM footBall 2014 — In an exclusive article for SportStars, Cal-Hi Sports co-founder and editor Mark Tennis ranked this Bulldogs team as the second-greatest Sac-Joaquin Section football team of all-time behind the undefeated 1975 Cordova-Rancho Cordova team. Behind national record-setting QB Jake Browning, Folsom set a state record with 915 points (also a state record for season point differential, 915-166) on its way to a perfect 16-0 season that included a CIF Division I State Bowl Championship and nation’s No. 5 ranking (StudentSports.com)

Archbishop Mitty girls volleyball Brett Almazan-Cezar fondly recalls his first memory of Anne Marie Schmidt. “She was about 10, at one of our summer camps,” he said. “She had to be the brightest, most enthusiastic kids we’ve ever had there. She’d shag every ball. She’d somehow be involved with every play. “I remember thinking I just hoped she’d get a little bigger.” Schmidt didn’t. Not relatively to her classmates. She grew to 5-foot-6, by grown female standards, average. y volleyball criteria — small, short, tiny. Schmidt had heard it all before around volleyball circles. It didn’t matter. “Her enthusiasm won out,” Almazan-Cezar said. The upbeat, infectious defensive starlet led Mitty to a rather shocking 3 -0 record, a No. 2 national ranking by MaxPreps and a state-record ninth CI state title. rom her under-appreciated, unspectacular-but-vital libero position, Schmidt recorded a gaudy 570 digs with 465 serve receptions with just — get this — 23 errors. She also served at 95.5 percent with 22 aces. or it she was a unanimous selection as the West Catholic Athletic eague’s Player of the ear, the team’s only first-team All-American pick by MaxPreps and for it all is the ay Area SportStars emale all Athlete of the ear. “How cool is that ” Almazan-Cezar asked rhetorically. Schmidt, a 4.2 student who is headed to SC on a volleyball scholarship, tried to answer his uestion. “I’ve been utterly blown away by it all (the postseason awards ,” she said. “ sually the big hitter or the great setter is recognized and rightfully so. I’m extremely surprised and honored that I’ve been honored. “At the same time, I hope this definitely shows that defense makes a difference and that hard work does pay off. I’ve dedicated most of my free time to this sport and this shows that it was all worth it.” Almazan-Cezar will second that. He

SportStars™

February 1, 2013

THE SCMHIDT FILES

›› THE STATS: The court — 570 digs, 465 serve receptions, 23 errors, 95.5 service percentage, 22 aces. The classroom — 4.2 grade point average. ›› THE AWARDS: nanimous West Catholic Athletic eague Player of the ear MaxPreps first-team All-American ›› THE ATHLETIC FAMILY: Dad David played football at San Ramon alleyDanville and C Davis with Jets uarterback en O’ rien mom athy swam and ran track at California High-San Ramon sister elly played volleyball at Mitty brother John played basketball and football at Mitty. ›› FAVORITES: Actor, ince aughn Actress, Julia Roberts T show, Suits Modern amily Athletic idol, Team SA libero Nicole Davis.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

JULIA MAXWELL, JUNIOR, BRANSON-ROSS

Maxwell’s 2012 season established her as the hands-down best small school distance runner in the state. After winning the Div. NCS Championship race by 33 seconds, she won the Div. CI State Championship race by more than a minute. Her time of 17 26 on the Woodward Park course in resno was 34 seconds faster than the Div. I state champ.

ANNIE SHURTZ, SENIOR, CAMPOLINDO

Norbert von der Groeben

said Schmidt had the perfect demeanor to lead the Monarchs calm, yet cool. Her personality fit her play. She was steady and smart opposed to spectacular and sporadic. “ ery uick, very agile,” her coach said. “She let all her knowledge and reading of the court carry her and us. She was just always in the right place at the right time and she always got our offense started.” As their record indicated, the season was just about perfect. This coming off sub-par back-toback 12-loss seasons. “It was awesome,” Schmidt said of the season. “Honestly, I couldn’t think of a better way to end my last year playing high school volleyball. ... We just stayed in the present all season. We were always in the moment. We trusted each other and kept consistent and did our job.” ✪ — Mitch Stephens

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ven with the departure of highly-successful coach Scott ishop, Campolindo failed to skip a beat in 2012 as it returned to the CI Div. III final behind its all-state middle hitter. Shurtz was named the Diablo Foothill Athletic eague M P and finished the season with 500 kills, 54 blocks and 49 aces.

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8. Jesuit-carMichael ruGBy 2013 — It’s not a CIFsanctioned sport, but SportStars covers all sports. The 2013 Marauders (18-11) weren’t just mythical national champs, they won it outright on the field in the High School Rugby National Invitational in Indiana. Jesuit erased a 29-point deficit to defeat Xavier (N.Y.) in the semifinals, avenging their only other loss of the season. Jesuit-Carmichael’s rugby team battled back from a pair of half-time deficits to claim a seventh national title By JIM McCUE | Senior Contributor

The Jesuit High rugby team does not need much motivation for games. The Marauders are a nationally-recognized power that strives each year to live up to the standards and reputation established by their predecessors in the program. At the recent High School Rugby National Invitational Tournament in Elkhart, Indiana, Jesuit got an unexpected motivation en route to the Marauders’ seventh national championship in 17 years of existence. Prior to the team’s semifinal game against No. 2 Xavier of New York, Jesuit discovered that the oldest high school rugby program in the nation was more than a little confident in its ability to defeat the Marauders. The Outlaws had downed Jesuit 41-20 in an April 1 matchup in Carmichael, so Xavier supporters reserved an entire restaurant to celebrate their team’s national championship berth. The problem was that the semifinal game to earn the national title game berth had not yet been played against Jesuit when some Jesuit parents and supporters stumbled upon the information about the Outlaws’ reservation while dining at the restaurant the night before. “At our morning stretch and walk-through, we let the boys know that there was a big party planned by Xavier to celebrate their win,” coach John Shorey said. “We didn’t play it up, but we let them know.” In the semifinal, Jesuit trailed at halftime before scoring 29 consecutive points after the intermission on their way to a convincing 39-20 victory to earn a shot at the national championship. In the final, the Marauders again trailed at halftime — this time, 13-7 to national No. 1 Gonzaga College High from Washington, D.C.— before tightening up their vaunted defense and allowing just a single three-point try by the Eagles to record a 21-16 victory and secure the national title.

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May 23, 2013

James K. Leash

Jesuit’s Austin Gates gains separation by putting a strong move on a Dixon defender during the Northern California Invitational Rugby Tournament on May 4 in Sacramento.

“The game was top-flight and our defense was amazing,” Shorey said. “We were able to put tremendous pressure on what they wanted to do and they were unable to change their game.” Wing Devin Kelly scored a pair of tries and Jesuit’s defense, led by junior flanker Connor Rock, set the tone. The Marauders allowed just 53 points in three games (17.6 per contest) against top-level competition. “Our defense if our offense,” Shorey said. “If you don’t let teams score, then it puts more pressure on them and allows us to capitalize on mistakes teams might make if they start to panic.” Jesuit’s biggest defensive stand came in the first game at the NIT when the Marauders defended their goal line against a bigger and more physical Herriman (Utah) squad that featured five Division I football scholarship athletes. The clutch defensive effort spanned the last five minutes of the game in a narrow 18-17 win. That kind of desire and intensity has been a staple of Marauders squads under Shorey, who helped found the program in 1997 along with help of General Manager Fred Khasigian and support from then-athletic director Chris Smart. Shorey initially told Smart and Khasigian that he would coach for one year to help start the program, but the off-campus coach has

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not been able to step away for 17 years. In addition to the traditional desire and determination, this year’s Jesuit rugby team featured great depth and unmatched team speed. “From one through 15, this is one of the best teams that I have had in terms of talent at all positions,” The veteran coach said. “These young men have built an amazing bond where everyone is in for the team.” Shorey credits captains Matthew Ternan and Casey Reilly for the team’s bond and unselfishness. The senior pair led the Marauders and the school with integrity, according to Shorey, and built a trust and brotherhood that the coach believes will last for years. “We want kids to be able to come back to the school years later and show their kids and family the trophies and share the stories about the teams and their success,” Shorey said. “I tell them that we play to win the hardware, but we do it with class and humility. That is their legacy.” The legacy of the 2013 Jesuit rugby team will include another national championship trophy for the storied program. That, in and of itself, will be motivation for future teams to live up to the standards and traditions upheld by this year’s team. And it will likely be motivation for every opponent that faces the defending national champions in 2014.

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5. Monte Vista-DanVille Girls soccer 2013-14 — The Mustangs became just the second East Bay team in a 20-year span to finish a season undefeated, closing the year with a 23-0-2 mark after winning the North Coast Section Division I championship. The Mustangs allowed just seven goals on the season, outscoring their 25 opponents 59-7. They were crowned mythical national champs in the final StudentSports.com rankings of the season.

9. aMaDor Valleypleasanton softBall 2014 — Make room for another national champion. The Dons were crowned mythical national champions by MaxPreps.com after closing out a perfect 27-0 season and outscoring opponents 141-25. The StudentSports.com Fab 50 put them at No. 2 in their final national rankings.

10. Jesuit soccer 2012 — Yet another national champion, the Marauders closed the year atop the MaxPreps.com national rankings after posting a 27-1-1 overall record on their way to winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title. Jesuit was undefeated against California opponents and outscored competition 120-8 on the season.

11. DE LA SALLE BOYS WRESTLING 2012 — As North Coast Section wrestling teams go, there hasn’t been a more dominant one. The Spartans scored a NCS Championship-record 318.5 points and finished 130.5 points ahead of second-place College Park. The Spartans had 12 wrestlers place, eight qualify for state and six won titles.

12. SAN RAMON VALLEY GIRLS WATER POLO 2013 — Led by top youth national player Kat Klass, who was in her junior year, the Wolves torched nearly every team that dared get in the pool with them. SRV finished the year 27-0 and outscored opponents 439-101 and scored 15 or more goals in 15 of their 27 contests.

13. BishoP o’DowD GIRLS BASKETBALL 2012-13 — Like the school’s boys team of 2014-15, the Dragons were unquestionably the Alpha team in the state this season. With six NCAA Division-I talents on the roster, O’Dowd went 30-3 and avenged its only loss to a California team when it beat Windward-L.A. in the the inaugural CIF Open Div. State final. They finished No. 3 in the nation (StudentSports. com).

14. ELK GROVE BASEBALL 2013 — The Thundering Herd hit .333 AS A TEAM behind two of the best talents in the state, Rowdy Tellez and future MLB first-round pick, Derrick Hill. Elk Grove won the Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title and posted a 30-5 record.

15. MONTE VISTA-DANVILLE BOYS HOOPS 201314 — The Mustangs were the closest thing to an undefeated state champion as a team could be. The CIF Division I champs went 32-1 and were undefeated in regulation during the season. Their only loss, which they avenged, was OT defeat to cross-town rival San Ramon Valley.

16. DE LA SALLE FOOTBALL 2011 — Perhaps the best Spartans defense ever fueled this 13-1 season (its only loss coming in Florida against St. Thomas Aquinas in Week 2) and allowed 7 points or less in 10 games. They are the only team to win an CIF Bowl Game by shutout, defeating Westlake 35-0 in the Open Div. Bowl.

17. COLLEGE PARKPLEASANT HILL BASEBALL 2015 — It’s difficult to put a team on this list that hasn’t completed its season yet, but the the Falcons have lived up to the hype of being BaseballAmerica’s preseason No. 1. They were runners-up in the National High School Invitational and have seven Div. I college-signed players on the roster.

18. ARCHBISHOP MITTY BOYS BASKETBALL 201112 — In his junior year, Aaron Gordon led the Monarchs to a 31-3 overall record and the CIF Division II State Championship. Mitty closed the year on a 19-game winning streak to close season.

19. SALESIAN-RICHMOND BOYS BASKETBALL 201112 — Had the CIF Open Division existed in 2012, the Pride may have had as good a shot as any NorCal team to win it. Instead, Salesian won the CIF Division IV championship behind a 34-2 record.

20. CAMPOLINDO-MORAGA FOOTBALL 2014 — The Cougars went 16-0 and became just the second North Coast Section school to win a CIF State Bowl title, and the first public school to do so. They came from behind in each of their last four playoff games.

21. CAMPOLINDO GIRLS VOLLEYBALL 2010 — The Cougars went 34-3 and captured the CIF Division III State title. Campo avenged or had previous wins against all three teams which beat them that season.

22 .SHELDON-SACRAMENTO BASKETBALL 2011-12 — The third boys team on the list from this season, the Huskies went 29-6 to finish as CIF Div. I NorCal champs. Of their five losses to California teams, three were to eventual state champs (Mitty, Salesian and Mater Dei-Santa Ana)

23. CAMPOLINDO GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY 2010 — The Cougars girls have notched a pair of state titles during the SportStars Era, but this team’s composite time of 91 minutes, 32 seconds is a CIF State Championships Division III Race record by 25 seconds.

24. GRANITE BAY BOYS GOLF 2013 — With all five players shooting in the 70s, the Grizzlies were the first NorCal team to win a CIF State Boys Golf title since 2006, edging Foothill-Pleasanton by two strokes.

25. ALBANY GIRLS WRESTLING, 2014 — It plays in the shadows of boys wrestling, but girls wrestling is growing and the 2014 Cougars team was the first to bring a state title back to NorCal thanks to four podium finishes, including two individual champions. ✪

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May 2015

SportStars™

For the third straight year, SportStars has partnered with the Sacramento River Cats to help produce and highlight their AllCity High School Sports Awards. Traditionally, the All-CIty Awards have recognized outstanding achievement by high school athletes throughout the greater Sacramento Area. That changed some this year as SportStars took over the exclusive role of developing new criteria and naming the 400-plus athletes. We expanded the region of potential honorees to the great majority of the SacJoaquin Section. Each athlete will be honored on the Raley Field diamond in a 10 a.m. ceremony prior to the River Cats’ 1:05 p.m. game on May 24. Until then, enjoy this special section. ✪ — Chace Bryson, Editor

FOOTBALL Sam Whitney, Folsom Defensive end had a team-high 13 sacks for a loss of 134 yards and was the leader of stingy Bulldogs defense that allowed just 10 points per game. Cole Thompson, Folsom Harvard-bound receiver set state record with 34 TD catches and led Sac-Joaquin Section with 1,705 receiving yards for state-champion Bulldogs. Josiah Deguara, Folsom Cincinnatti-bound receiver hauled in a sectionbest 114 catches for 1,671 yards and 24 touchdowns. Sam Whittingham, Folsom Bulldogs’ linebacker was tough centerpiece on defense, recording 119 tackles, 5 sacks and 1 interception. Cody Creason, Folsom Arizona-signee was a three-year starter on line that was the efficient catalyst for the Bulldogs’ record-setting offense. Trey Nahhas, Monterey Trail Mustangs’ running back rushed for a SacJoaquin Section-best 2,599 yards and scored 34 touchdowns.

Marcel Brooks-Brown, Rio Linda Versatile RB/KR accounted for 2,471 all-purpose yards and found the end zone 34 times for the Knights. Johnny Capra, Placer Utah-bound lineman powered Hillmen’s tough run-first offense to a Pioneer Valley League title. Cameron Smith, Granite Bay USC-bound linebacker was a three-year starter who recorded 470 tackles and 11 interceptions in his career, including 148 tackles in 2014. khalil hodge, st. mary’s Rams’ linebacker led the state with 262 tackles and added 4 INTs during the team’s run to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II final. Jakob Magana, Downey Knights’ defensive back picked off 14 passes — good for most interceptions in the state and second in the nation. Jared Rice, Central Catholic Three-time state champion had 32 catches for 581 yards and 10 TDs. He also added 8 INTs as one of the state’s top safeties. Justice Shelton-Mosley, Capital Christian Cougars’ all-everything star had 1,906 allpurpose yards as a running, receiving and kick return threat. He also added 6 INTs on defense.

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JAKE BROWNING, FOLSOM The Bulldogs’ three-year starter became the most prolific quarterback Northern California has ever seen, setting or equaling national marks for career TDs (239) and TDs in one season (91) as well as the state mark for career yards (16,775). In 2014, Browning led Folsom to the CIF State Division I Bowl Championship and passed for 5,790 yards and 91 TDs with just 7 interceptions.

May 2015

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ANNA GREGG, ST. FRANCIS

MIKAELA NOCETTI, EL CAMINO

The senior forward is a leader on and off the field, filling the stat sheet and guiding the Troubadors through the Delta League gauntlet. She scored 5 of the team’s 11 postseason goals in 2014, including both goals in 1-0 victories in the semifinal and final, as St. Francis claimed its Sac-Joaquin Section best 13th championship. Anna will continue her soccer career at Division I Colorado College after the Troubadors make a run at section title number 14.

The senior outside hitter capped off an amazing four-year varsity career by leading the Eagles to their third Sac-Joaquin Section title during her tenure. Nocetti led El Camino with 238 kills and added 68 aces and 117 digs in 2014. In her career, Mikaela amassed 963 kills.

sai Ta’amu, elk Grove Defensive Lineman was leader of Thundering Herd’s stout defense, recording 71 tackles, including 22.5 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. Matt Jimison, Vista del Lago Eagles’ three-year starter at QB threw for 2,850 yards and 29 TDs to up his career totals to 8,680 yards passing with 103 TDs and just 23 INTs. DeShawn Collins, Grant Junior assumed RB duties early in season and compiled 2,321 yards on the ground and 27 TDs for the Pacers. Trey udoffia, Del oro Junior led the Golden Eagles with 48 catches for 924 yards receiving and 10 TDs on offense to go along with 3 INTs on defense. Will Stabbert, Granite Bay Senior tight end averaged a remarkable 21.3 yards per catch while making 30 receptions and scoring 9 touchdowns. Darrin Paulo, Grant Anchored massive line that led the way for Pacers’ ground game that gained nearly 350 yards per game and 8.5 yards per carry. Donovan Brown, Grant Senior QB threw a great deep ball and led the Pacers to a Division II section title with 2,165 yards and 21 TDs passing, and 272 yards and 5 TDs rushing. Larry Hardy, Inderkum Versatile senior scored in every way and accounted for 2,312 all-purpose yards and 31 total TDs, including a team-high 1,093 yards and 10 rushing scores. Mister Harriel, Antelope Sacramento State-bound athlete rushed for 653 yards and 9 TDs and caught 34 passes for 477 yards and 3 TDs.

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May 2015

Alex Godinez, Natomas Soccer goalkeeper converted 12-of-12 PATs for Nighthawks and made 6 field goals, including a school-record 58-yarder. Chase Hatada, Rocklin Junior lineman anchored the defense and led the Thunder to the Division II quarterfinals despite a rash of injuries suffered by the team. Lonny Powell, Sacramento Tough two-way player accounted for 969 total yards and 17 TDs while pounding opposing offenses to the tune of 95 tackles and 22 sacks. Beau Bisharat, Jesuit Junior RB bull-rushed for 1,651 yards, 23 scores and added 3 receiving TDs for the Marauders. Kyron Basped, Sacramento Dragons’ top receiver hauled in 58 catches for 1,069 yards and scored 12 touchdowns. John Horn, Yuba City Honkers’ versatile DB/WR was a star in the secondary, intercepting 11 passes and adding 906 yards and 10 TDs receiving. nu’umotu Falo, inderkum Colorado-bound linebacker recorded 50 tackles, 4 sacks and 1 interception. Chris Atteberry, Grant Linebacker was key on Pacers’ section championship defense with 158 tackles, including 15 tackles for a loss and 4 sacks. Frank Trent, Oakdale Mustangs’ bruising RB pounded his way to 1,604 yards and 30 TDs and never lost a fumble while leading Oakdale to a section title and NorCal Division II Bowl. John Voter, Bear River Versatile Bruin rushed for 804 yards, scored 20 total TDs and made 102 tackles, 3 sacks and 2 INTs for Division IV section champions.

GIRLS VOLLEYBALL Nastassja Bowman, Christian Brothers The Falcons’ versatile star dished out 559 assists while also recording 205 kills, 145 digs, 59 blocks and 30 aces. Elizabeth Dahlberg, El Camino Senior middle blocker was key to Division III section champion’s inside game with 145 kills and 69 blocks. Devin Herenda, El Camino Four-year starter at setter handed out 595 assists for section champs, recorded 3,276 career assists while winning three SJS titles. Sumeet Gill, Pleasant Grove Eagles’ middle hitter recorded 268 kills, 116 blocks, and 56 aces to help Pleasant Grove to Division I section final. Kylie Green, St. Francis UC Irvine-bound outside hitter hammered down 437 kills and added 311 digs for the Troubadours in her senior campaign. Maddie Haynes, Rocklin Junior outside hitter led the Thunder to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II championship with 520 kills, 192 digs and 54 aces. Brooke Hershberger, Granite Bay Senior assumed primary hitting role for Grizzlies and led the team with 340 kills and 241 digs. Abby Jensen, Roseville Six-foot middle hitter led Tigers’ playoff run and recorded 212 kills in her senior season. Kyra Rogers, Oakmont Vikings’ senior hit at a 50.9 kill percentage and crushed 386 kills while providing solid defense with 375 digs. Lindsey Vander Weide, Pitman Senior outside hitter led the Pride to a SacJoaquin Section Division I title and to the CIF State final with 471 kills and 260 digs.

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Madison Hunziker, Rio Americano Raiders’ senior led the way for Rio with 340 kills and 240 digs. Emily Baptista, Hilmar Senior led the Sac-Joaquin Section with 751 kills and added 510 digs, 98 aces and 46 blocks as the Wildcats advanced to a second consecutive section final. Maya Gilardi, Davis Blue Devils’ senior led the team’s surprising playoff run with 324 kills, 285 digs and 63 aces. Ally Wubben, Oakmont Setter handed out 1,118 assists while also contributing 403 digs and 154 kills for the Vikings. Megan McBroome, Rocklin Thunder’s junior setter quarterbacked the Rocklin offense to the section Division II title with 1,117 assists and added 115 digs. Elizabeth Cameron, Oak Ridge Junior setter paced Trojans with 971 assists while also contributing 230 digs and 90 kills. Anna Donald, St. Francis UC Davis-signee did it all for St. Francis with 1,023 assists, 195 kills and 90 blocks. Olivia Reid, Oak Ridge Senior outside hitter led the Trojans with 276 kills and 289 digs, and also accounted for 64 aces. Kayla Williams, Pleasant Grove Senior led the Eagles’ balanced offense with 282 kills en route to a Division I section finals appearance and NorCal playoff berth. Maddy Halteman, Pitman Pride’s senior setter recorded 941 assists and added 113 digs and 11 kills as Pitman won the Sac-Joaquin Section title and advanced to the Division I state final.

KRISTIAN HEPTNER, CHRISTIAN BROTHERS

EMILEE HOFFMAN, VISTA DEL LAGO The junior carded a 70 to repeat as Sac-Joaquin Section Masters champion and qualify for the CIF NorCal Championships. Hoffman also led the Eagles to Capital Valley Conference and SJS Division III titles.

The UC Davis-bound striker scored a Sac-Joaquin Section-best 44 goals in 2014 and found the back of the net 80 times in his final two years at Christian Brothers. Heptner and the Falcons reached back-to-back SJS Division III championship matches, winning in 2013. Heptner scored all four of the team’s goals in those games.

Bailey Henington, Sonora Wildcats’ senior libero was a leader for Sonora’s first-ever state championship team. Sabrina Tate, El Dorado The senior setter is a three-sport star who helped the Cougars earn a share of the Sierra Valley Conference title with 528 assists after recovering from a torn ACL.

BOYS SOCCER Corban Anderson, Granite Bay The Grizzlies’ senior captain is heading to the University of Washington after anchoring Granite Bay’s midfield and being part of the program’s 2013 section championship run. Luc Barbe, Jesuit The decorated senior goalkeeper led the nationally-ranked Marauders to four league titles and one Sac-Joaquin Section championship in his four years at Jesuit. Diego Buenrostro, Jesuit Senior striker led the team with 24 goals while adding 8 assists. Gonzalo Garcia, Jesuit Marauders’ captain anchored Jesuit’s midfield and provided solid leadership under head coach Paul Rose. Connor Hayes, Oak Ridge Senior goalkeeper was solid in net during the Trojans’ unlikely run to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship. Paul Herscowitz, Capital Christian Led Cougars to back-to-back Division V section titles, scoring both goals in the team’s 2-1 victory over Highlands. Hunter Loomis, Granite Bay Junior striker led the Grizzlies to the Division I section semifinal with a team-high 27 goals.

Michael Trumbull, Oak Ridge Senior captain was field general during Oak Ridge’s playoff run to the Division I section title. Hunter Brown, Rio Americano Senior tallied 10 goals and captained the Raiders from his midfield position. Sebastian Santos, Encina Offensive force scored 31 goals and added 11 assists for the Bulldogs. Joseph Mayorca, Weston Ranch Cougars’ junior midfielder led the team with 32 goals and added 7 assists en route to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV title. Baltazar Silva, Natomas Versatile junior led the Nighthawks’ offense with 25 goals and 17 assists. Jose Becerra, Oakdale Mustangs’ senior scored 25 goals, including the game-winner in Oakdale’s double-overtime victory to claim the Division III section crown. Louis Heinzer, Christian Brothers Cal Poly-signee contributed 9 goals and 12 assists from his midfield position. Brayden Sullivan, El Camino The senior captain scored 16 goals and added 8 assists for the Eagles. Michael Hirsch, Pleasant Grove Senior midfielder/forward earned All-Delta League honors and led the Eagles to a playoff berth with 11 goals and 10 assists.

GIRLS GOLF Gurman Kaur, Franklin Junior claimed a share of the individual medalist honors at the Section Masters tournament, and shot a course-record 62 in a Delta League tournament at Wildhawk Golf Club earlier in the season.

Brooke Riley, East Union Lancers’ senior was tri-medalist at SacJoaquin Section Masters and the section’s top finisher at the CIF State Golf Championships where she finished third with a round of 73. Courtney Vogel, Woodland Christian The Division V individual medalist advanced through the Section Masters and NorCal tournaments to qualify for State, where she carded an 83. Lexi Perry, Oak Ridge Sophomore helped Trojans to Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North and Masters team titles. She advanced to state as an individual qualifier with a 78 at the NorCal tournament. Noor Ahmed, Vista del Lago Helped Eagles to league, divisional team titles. Shot a 74 at the Section Masters tournament. Emily Dixon, Whitney Led Wildcats to section Division II team title before shooting 73 at Section Masters to miss qualifying for NorCals by just one stroke. Kylie Fong, Franklin Senior was the individual medalist at the section Division I tournament with a 74. She followed that by posting a 75 at the Section Masters tournament. Brittany o’Bryant, Pleasant Grove Eagles’ No. 1 fired an 81 at the Division I North tourney before shooting 74 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters tournament. Kayla Kwong, Roseville Sophomore took individual medalist honors at the Division II tournament to qualify for Section Masters where she carded a 78. Natalie Pietromonaco, Placer Freshman claimed Division IV medalist honors and shot an impressive 77 at the Section Masters tournament.

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Emily Masiel, Davis Senior led Blue Devils to second in Division I North and Section Masters tourneys before firing an 81 at the NorCal tournament.

GIRLS TENNIS Sophie Taber, Bella Vista The Broncos’ No. 1 singles player formed a dynamic duo with Alana Easterbrook to win the Division II section doubles championship. Madison McKay, Gregori Jaguars’ sophomore paired up with junior Katherine Rodriguez in the postseason to capture Modesto Metro Conference and SacJoaquin Section Division I doubles titles. Madeline Almeida, Oak Ridge Division I section singles runner-up led the Trojans to their first Sac-Joaquin Section Division I team title since 2006. Neha Gupta, Cosumnes Oaks Freshman sensation won Sac-Joaquin Section Division III singles title, helped Wolfpack earn a runner-up team finish in Division III. Denis Arendain, Oakmont Vikings’ No. 1 finished as the Division II section runner-up for the second consecutive year. Alana Easterbrook, Bella Vista The senior was half of the Broncos’ SacJoaquin Section Division II champion doubles team. Olivia Lok, McClatchy Metro Conference doubles champion and Lions’ No. 1 singles player led McClatchy to team Division II runner-up finish. Michelle Li, Benicia Three-sport star led Panthers to Sac-Joaquin Section Division II team championship and won Solano County Athletic Conference singles title.

May 2015

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JACQUIE TAN, FRANKLIN

FIONA O’KEEFFE, DAVIS

Just a freshman, Tan racked up accolades and titles in her first high school tennis season. She dominated in Delta League play to earn the top seed in the league tournament that she won. Tan lived up to her top seed in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I Singles Tennis Championships. She became Franklin’s first individual section champion by not dropping a set.

The Davis junior set the Willow Hill course record to claim a third Sac-Joaquin Section Division individual title in as many years. She then added a second straight CIF Division I State Cross Country Championship to solidify her place as one of the area’s best distance runners ever. O’Keeffe ran away from the field at the section meet to finish nearly a minute-and-a-half ahead of her nearest competitor with a time of 16:57. She posted an identical 16:57 on the 5-kilometer course at Fresno’s Woodward Park in the state final, finishing 5 seconds ahead of the secondplace finisher.

Teja Chalamcherla, Oak Ridge Trojans’ senior captain was the emotional leader and No. 2 singles player for the Sierra Foothill League and Division I section team champions.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY Angela Dipentino, Woodcreek Timberwolves’ sophomore placed second in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I race and earned a 39th-place finish at the state meet. Kendall Derry, Bella Vista Just a sophomore, she took third in the section Division I final to lead the Broncos to the SJS team title. sofia castiglioni, Davis Sophomore helped pace the Blue Devils to a second-place team finish at the section meet. She followed that up with a 14th-place finish at the state meet. Hannah Wohlenberg, Bella Vista Broncos’ junior helped pace Bella Vista to a Division I section team championship and second-place finish at state. She was fifth in the section race, and cut more than 30 seconds off of her time for 14th place at the state meet. Nora Pizzella, Nevada Union The section’s 6th-place finisher in the Division I race claimed a top 50 spot at the CIF State Cross Country Championships. Kathryn Loken, Del Campo The sophomore won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II individual title and led the Cougars to the program’s fourth SJS team title. She was also the top section finisher in the state Division II race in 28th place. Sarah Anderson, Vista del Lago Junior won the SJS Division III race and paced

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May 2015

the Eagles to a team championship. At the state meet, Anderson finished 9th in the Division III race. Peyton Bilo, St. Francis Troubadours’ senior capped her cross country career with a 30th-place finish at the state meet to help St. Francis to a third-place finish in Fresno. Cassi Land, Sonora Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV individual champion ran to a 9th-place finish at the state meet. Isabella Dobson, Elk Grove Thundering Herd sophomore finished second in the SJS Division II race and earned a top 50 finish at state. Sierra Jaeger, Vista del Lago The senior gave the Eagles a 1-2 finish in the section Division III race to claim the team title and crossed the finish line in Fresno in 27th place.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY Sean Kurdy, Jesuit Marauders’ junior paced the section Division I field with a first-place finish before shaving off 25 seconds to finish in the top 5 in the state Division I race. Ross Walker, Del Campo The second half of the Cougars’ dynamic duo, he was the Division II runner-up at the section meet and finished 27th in the state Division II race. Kellen Browning, Davis Junior paced the Blue Devils to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I team title while finishing second in the race. He then led Davis to the top SJS team finish (11th place) at the state meet.

Paul Zeiss, Granite Bay Grizzlies’ senior concluded a solid cross country career with a third-place finish and second-place team effort in SJS Division I competition. Drew Childs, Bella Vista Senior finished the section Division I race in fourth and claimed a top 30 finish in Division I at the CIF State Cross Country Championships. Andrew Clusserath, Rocklin Thunder junior finished third in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II race. Moses Wolfe-Polgar, Del Oro His fourth-place finish in the section Division IV race paced the Golden Eagles to second place in the team standings. Wolfe-Polgar then finished 38th at the state meet. Moshe McCarter-Ribak, Placer Senior won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III race as the Hillmen also won the team title. He then finished 15th at the state meet as Placer placed fifth overall. Nolan Gerlach, Dixon The Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champion led the Rams to a matching Division IV team title.

GIRLS WATER POLO Colby Stapleton, Davis Senior captured her fourth SJS water polo title, adding to the Davis High and Stapleton family legacies in the pool. Caitlin Golding, Oakdale Junior goalkeeper was solid in helping the Mustangs defend their section Division II championship. Shelby Stender, Oakdale Mustangs’ senior capped her high school ca-

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reer with a huge offensive season and second consecutive Division II section championship. Emily Stolken, Oakdale Senior led the two-time SJS Division II champion Mustangs to a 29-4 mark that included a perfect record against section opponents. Lauren Charter, St. Francis Senior led the Division I section runners-up with a team-best 55 goals and 23 assists. Jennalyn Barthels, St. Francis Senior utility poured in 46 goals and added 10 assists as the Troubadours advanced to their 11th straight SJS Division I final. Alexa Phillips, Mira Loma Matadors’ senior led all Sac-Joaquin Section players with 130 goals. Sophia Burgess, Rio Americano Raiders’ senior goalkeeper was outstanding in the cage for two years as a starter, leading Rio Americano to a pair of section Division II finals appearances. Maigrie McDougal, Rio Americano Four-year starter led Raiders to Sac-Joaquin Section Division II finals in every year she played, winning titles in two of those seasons. Jane Ferguson, Christian Brothers The Falcons’ junior had a Sac-Joaquin Section-best 149 points with a balanced offensive output of 79 goals and 70 assists. Christine Wiley, El Camino Junior utility led the Eagles with 80 goals and 44 assists. Hannah Hill, Ponderosa Bruin’s senior scored 91 goals to earn AllCapital Valley Conference honors. Hannah Ross, McClatchy The senior 2-meter stalwart was a four-year starter and helped the Lions win the Metro Conference championship.

EDWARD CHANCE, DEL CAMPO

MARA DOMINGUEZ, DAVIS

The Cougars’ senior led the team to a surprising Sac-Joaquin Section Division II team title to bring the program’s 15th section banner. Chance was the individual Division II section champion with a section-best time of 15:33. He closed his season with a top 10 finish at the CIF state meet.

The Blue Devils’ senior led Davis to its sixth consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship with a game-high three goals in the section final. The title was Dominguez’s fourth as she was a key contributor for the team since her freshman season.

Meghan Brock, McClatchy Lions’ senior driver earned All-Metro Conference honors for third year and anchored offense en route to earning a playoff berth. Christina Daley, Whitney Wildcats’ senior was an All-Capital Valley Conference selection, the team’s Defensive Player of the Year and a scholar-athlete honoree.

BOYS WATER POLO

Conrad McCarthy, Davis Two-time SJS Division I champion scored a hat trick in this year’s section final. Cameron Wright, Davis Sophomore looks to lead Blue Devils back to the top after a solid offensive year in the pool. Zach Scudder, Ripon Senior utility was section’s top scorer with 148 points (126 goals, 22 assists), led the Indians to the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II final.

Christian Emerson, Woodcreek Timberwolves’ senior had a section-best 55 assists to go along with 91 goals. Nick Sapp, Roseville Senior 2-meter scored 114 goals and added 23 assists to lead the Tigers to the SJS Division I semifinals. Alek Dendall, Granite Bay Senior powered Granite Bay to another playoff appearance with 89 goals and 26 assists. Reilley Waterman, Ponderosa Just a sophomore, he led a rising Bruins program with 114 points (89 goals, 25 assists). Will Peterson, Jesuit Senior scored 12 postseason goals, finished with 76 goals and 47 assists to help the Marauders claim the SJS Division I title. Jake Hastie, Rio Americano Senior co-captain led the Raiders to the program’s fifth straight SJS Division II title and seventh overall section championship. Michael Woodbury, Rio Americano Senior scored a pair of goals in the section Division II final to help the Raiders take their fifth consecutive SJS crown. Jeff Stark, Davis Blue Devils’ senior goalkeeper claimed a pair of section Division I championships and was the team’s defensive rock.

Christian Ellis, Modesto Christian Crusaders’ junior guard averaged 12.8 points, 4 assists and 2 steals a game in helping the team capture a fourth consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Jordan Ford, Folsom The Sacramento Bee Boys Basketball Player of the Year scored 20.4 points per game to lead the Bulldogs to a second straight section title. Jared Wall, Folsom The “middle linebacker” for the Bulldogs basketball squad averaged 11.7 points per game and led the team in hustle and toughness. Jordan Roberson, Cordova One of the sweetest shooters in the area, the senior guard led the Sac-Joaquin Section with 31.8 points per game for the 22-6 Lancers. Marquese Chriss, Pleasant Grove The long, tall and humble 6-foot-7 Chriss is University of Washington-bound after averaging 22 points and 11.6 rebounds a game as a senior. Noah Blackwell, Woodcreek The Long Beach State-bound shooting guard scored 18.5 points per game and led the Timberwolves in assists and steals.

BOYS BASKETBALLL

Jordan Brown, Woodcreek Freshman phenom averaged 23 points, 10.5 rebounds. The 6-foot-9 center is already listed as a top national prospect for the Class of 2018. DeAndre Stallings, Liberty Ranch The senior was a scoring machine for the Hawks, averaging 25.6 points per game in leading the team to a 27-6 record. Gabriel Torres, Pioneer The Patriots’ all-time leading scorer scorched the nets for 25.8 points per game in his senior season to lead the Tri-County Conference. Isaiah Bailey, Jesuit The two-sport star was the Delta League’s top scorer at 24.9 points per game and led the Marauders to a section Division I playoff berth. Eric Toles, Jr., Cosumnes Oaks Senior forward led the Wolfpack to its first ever back-to-back NorCal appearances by averaging 22 points and 7.3 rebounds per game. Jaaron Stallworth, Cosumnes Oaks Quarterbacked the football team before taking over at point guard during the winter. He scored 20.1 points per game for the Capital Valley Conference-champion Wolfpack. Solomon Young, Sacramento The athletic junior power forward for the Dragons was a force in the paint at both ends of the floor, leading the team with 15.8 points, 7.9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game. Christian Terrell, Sacramento The dynamic 6-foot-5 guard did it all for the Dragons in 2015, leading the Metro League with 4.1 assists per game and guiding Sac High to the NorCal Division II finals. Matt Lyon, Rio Americano The gritty guard was second in the Capital Athletic League with a 20.5 points per game and led the league with 1.8 steals per game.

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Davion Johnson, San Juan The 6-foot-3 center played big for the Spartans, pulling down an incredible 18.3 rebounds per game while adding 14.6 points per contest. Devin Greene, Sheldon Versatile guard led the Huskies to the Delta League title and a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I finals appearance. Kai Tease, Antelope Junior guard helped the Titans claim a share of the Capital Valley Conference title and led the team in scoring at 15.8 points per game. lance coleman ii, st. mary’s The 6-foot-8 senior forward poured in 19.4 points per game to lead St. Mary’s to the semifinals of the section and NorCal Division II playoffs. Brooks Carroll, Del Campo Cougars’ forward was the third leading scorer, rebounder in the Capital Valley Conference with 18.6 points and 6.7 rebounds per game. DeMarre Walker, Vanden Senior guard led the SCAC in points (21.0) and assists (6.6) per game to guide the Vikings to a Sac-Joaquin Section Division III semifinal appearance. Erik Scheive, Marysville The hard-working center led the Golden Empire League in rebounds and blocks per game to power the 25-4 Indians to the postseason. Tiegen Jones, Capital Christian Cougars’ junior played guard and forward to help Capital Christian capture SJS and NorCal Division IV championships. Isaiah Tenette, Highlands The Scots’ junior point guard led the SacJoaquin Section with 7.2 assists per game to lead Highlands to a section Division IV playoff berth.

May 2015

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NICK GIANCANELLI, JESUIT

GIGI GARCIA, MCCLATCHY The 6-foot-3 forward averaged 17.7 points, 11.3 rebounds and 2.5 steals per game to lead the Lions to their first ever state title with a 65-61 win over Serra-Gardena. It was the first state title for a Sacramento City Unified School District girls team. Garcia has offers from UCLA, USC, Oregon State, Washington, and Nebraska.

The senior utility/driver led the Marauders to the program’s ninth Sac-Joaquin Section Division I championship and its first since 2011. Giancanelli led Jesuit with a team-best 89 goals and 55 assists and contributed 13 goals and 9 assists in the team’s four playoff contests.

Michael Potts, Foothill Electric senior guard led the Mustangs with 14.0 points per game to return Foothill to its winning ways. Colin Uda, Kennedy Cougars’ senior was an instrumental leader during Kennedy’s 22-6 season and run to the section Division I quarterfinals. Johann Tate, Pleasant Grove Senior guard averaged 17.6 points per game as part of a potent Eagles’ backcourt that helped Pleasant Grove advance to the SacJoaquin Section Division I semifinal. Derek Haney, Placer Hillmen’s junior guard was clutch contributor in claiming a share of the Pioneer Valley League title and a section Division III playoff berth. Joshua Patton, Sierra-Manteca 6-foot-7 center was dominant, especially in the playoffs, in leading the Timberwolves to their first-ever Sac-Joaquin Section championship.

GIRLS BASKETBALL Lauren Nubla, McClatchy Senior point guard was the facilitator for the state-champion Lions, leading the team’s potent offense and stifling defense. Aarion McDonald, Brookside Christian Just a junior, the Washington-commit was a triple-double threat every time she took the floor, averaging 26.3 points, 9.3 rebounds, 5.8 assists and an incredible 6.4 steals per game. Danielle Craft, Ponderosa Bruins’ sharp-shooting junior with the smooth perimeter game led the Capital Valley Conference in scoring with 21.2 points per game. Destinee Bowie, El Camino The senior center led the Eagles with 18.1 points, 11.9 rebounds and 4 blocks per game.

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May 2015

Daeja Black, Granite Bay Versatile junior was named to the All-Sierra Foothill League team for the third consecutive year after averaging 19.0 points, 6.2 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game. Kim Schmelz, Pleasant Grove Savvy senior guard led Delta League with 18.3 points per game and was a key contributor on the Eagles’ 2014 NorCal championship team. Irene Colaivalu, Rosemont Just a junior, the Wolverines’ guard led Sierra Valley Conference with 18.0 points per game and added 7.8 rebounds and 4.9 steals. Acacia Tenette, Highlands Sophomore guard led the Sierra Valley Conference with 7.3 steals per game, recording double digits in steals six times on the season. Makaila Sanders, Rio Linda The freshman guard led the Knights to the SacJoaquin Section Division III final while averaging 20.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game. kat Tudor, st. mary’s The Rams’ deep threat averaged 13.8 points per game and made 105 three-pointers during St. Mary’s run to the CIF State Open Division Championship. Erika Bean, Bradshaw Christian Athletic senior guard led the Pride to the Division IV section title with 18.8 points per game. She is headed to the University of Utah. Jordyn Bell, Bradshaw Christian Pride senior and UNLV-signee averaged 16.0 points and 8.4 rebounds for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV champions. ra’kyra Gabriel, Brookside christian Four-year starter was Knights’ inside force with 11.6 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per game. Part of three section championships and one state title at Brookside Christian.

Kayla Blair, Vanden Pepperdine-bound guard led Vikings to their best season ever, including the program’s first section championship and a NorCal finals berth. aquira Decosta, st. mary’s Freshman sensation was a versatile threat for the state-champion Rams. She averaged 12.9 points, 7.6 rebounds, 2.5 steals and 1.4 blocks per game. Baylee Vanderdoes, Placer Rebound-grabbing, shot-blocking force led Placer to an undefeated Pioneer Valley League title with 16.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game. Jasmine Pharms, Stagg-Stockton At just 5-foot-8, Pharms grabbed a ridiculous 16.1 rebounds per game while also scoring at 17.5 point per contest for the Delta Kings. Alanna Scott, Whitney The Wildcats’ senior shooting guard led the team to a 24-5 record with 15.2 points per game. Lauren Craig, St. Francis All-Delta League junior post averaged a double-double for the Troubadours with 12.7 points and 12.3 rebounds per contest. Nadia Johnson, Antelope Super sophomore led Titans to a Capital Valley League title and a Division II section semifinal appearance with 15.6 points per game. Emma Stenz, Davis Four-year starter was a natural leader for the Blue Devils, scoring 15.9 points per game while guiding Davis to a 27-4 record. Isamar Conde, Oak Ridge Gritty senior guard led a balanced Trojans team with 9.7 points per game as Oak Ridge advanced to the NorCal Division I final.

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Rachael DiRegolo, Bella Vista All-Capital Valley League post player averaged 15 points and 9.1 rebounds per game to lead the Broncos to a 19-8 mark in her junior campaign. Sammy DeHart, Nevada Union Versatile senior captain scored 14.8 points per game and added 8.7 rebounds for the Miners. She will play for Chico State next year. Candice White, Modesto Christian Crusaders’ senior earned Modesto Bee’s Girls Basketball Player of the Year honors as the catalyst for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II champions. She averaged 17.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 3.2 steals per game. Lauren Heyn, Del Oro Colorado State-signee capped an outstanding four-year high school career with team highs in scoring (16.2 points per game), rebounds (9.3), steals (2.6) and blocks (2.5). kaliya Griffin, inderkum Speedy junior point guard led the Tigers to the Division II section quarterfinals with 17.5 points per game. Kira McKechnie, Christian Brothers Falcons’ senior post player, and a Fresno State softball recruit, averaged a doubledouble with 13.5 points and 11.3 rebounds per game. Aliceah Hernandez, Sacramento An off-guard, the junior captain is quick off the dribble and the table setter for the perennial playoff-power Dragons. Acacia Tennette, Highlands Scots’ sophomore earned All-Sierra Delta League honors and averaged 16.9 points, 5 assists and 7.3 steals per game.

ANTHONY TOWNES, MODESTO CHRISTIAN

SARIYAH JONES, ENOCHS A member of the U.S. National Junior Team, Jones captured the CIF State Wrestling Championships title at 106 pounds — the first wrestling state championship for Enochs, boys or girls. Jones’ international schedule prevented her from competing at state in 2014. She also claimed the 106-pound Sac-Joaquin Section title.

The 6-foot-6 senior power forward and University of Pacific-commit had a prolific high school career. Townes led the storied Modesto Christian program to the NorCal Open Division final where the Crusaders came up just short to eventual state-champion Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland. A four-year starter, he led the team with 19.7 points and 9.8 rebounds per game.

BOYS WRESTLING Israel Saavedra, Modesto The junior 126-pounder won his third SacJoaquin Section Masters championship and took third place at state after entering as a two-time defending champion. Jacob Seto, Elk Grove Thundering Herd sophomore claimed the Division I-A section title at 113 pounds and finished second at Section Masters to help Elk Grove to a fourth-place team finish. Angel Velasquez, Pitman Senior won the SJS Masters title at 132 pounds and finished fourth at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Velasquez recently added a National High School Coaches Association championship to his resume. McCoy Kent, Enochs Northern Illinois-bound grappler won league, divisional and Section Masters championships at 138 pounds before finishing as the runnerup in his weight class in Bakersfield. Brandon Claiborne, Oak Ridge Trojans’ junior won his first Sac-Joaquin Section Masters Championship at 145 pounds and finished fifth at state. Logan Eaton, Oakdale The senior was third at Section Masters in a loaded 113-pound division before claiming a podium spot in Bakersfield with a seventhplace effort at state. sai Ta’amu, elk Grove Thundering Herd football star won the SJS Division I-A title at 220 pounds and finished third at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters. Kyle Jennings, Ponderosa The 220-pound junior won the Division II section title and finished second at the Section Masters.

Jake Minshew, Casa Roble Rams’ senior was undefeated through the Section Masters where he captured the heavyweight crown before finishing third at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Dominic Balmer, Woodcreek The 2014 SJS Masters champion won the Sierra Foothill League and Division I-AA heavyweight titles, and finished second in a loaded field at Section Masters. Nico Colunga, Oakdale The senior was the SJS Division III champion at 120 pounds, runner-up at Masters and took third place at the state meet in Bakersfield. Anthony Hernandez, Vacaville In perhaps the Sac-Joaquin Section’s deepest weight class, the Bulldogs’ senior finished third at Section Masters before winning the 126-pound championship with an incredible run at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Abel Garcia, Oakdale The Mustangs’ sophomore won the SJS Masters championship at 170 pounds and finished fourth at state while helping Oakdale to an eighth-place team finish in Bakersfield. Tanner Robison, Del Oro The senior’s third-place finish at 145 pounds at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters was instrumental in helping the Golden Eagles claim the section team championship. Niko Chapman, Inderkum Junior emerged from crowded SJS 170-pound field to claim third at Section Masters and sixth at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Mason Koshiyama, Folsom Bulldogs’ senior won the SJS Division I-AA 170-pound title before finishing his high school career with sixth- and eighth-place efforts at Section Masters and state, respectively.

Roman Romero, McNair The junior was the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters champion at 182 pounds, and earned a podium finish at state by claiming eighth place in Bakersfield. Jordan Aquino, Vacaville Senior claimed Division I-A and Masters titles at 106 pounds, and was top SJS finisher at state in his division with a third-place effort. Landon McBride, Del Oro Golden Eagles’ junior finished season strong by winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters title at 113 pounds, helping Del Oro claim section team title. He closed the year with a sixth-place state finish. Curtis Booth, Folsom The SJS Division I-AA champion at 126 pounds finished second at Section Masters and seventh at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Anthony Wesley, Jesuit The NCHSA All-American was second in Division I-A competition at 126 pounds and finished fourth at the SJS Masters. Christian Ramos, Benicia Panthers’ senior won the Division II 106-pound title and followed it up with a runner-up finish at Masters and a fifth-place effort at state. Yates Hunter, Lincoln-Stockton The senior 195-pounder won the SJS Division I-AA title, was runner-up at Section Masters and claimed eighth-place podium finish at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Devan Turner, Dixon The Rams’ junior was top-ranked in the state for much of the season and won the Section Masters title at 120 pounds.

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GIRLS WRESTLING Lauren Mason, Woodcreek A defending state champion, the junior won a third straight section championship and then closer her year as state runner-up at 111 pounds. Alex Hedrick, Bella Vista The Broncos’ sophomore won the 116-pound Sac-Joaquin Section Invitational championship and was runner-up at the CIF State Wrestling Championships in Visalia. Ricki Liang, Benicia The 2014 state runner-up made her senior season special by capturing the 121-pound state title after winning the SJS crown. Shelley Avelino, Benicia Panthers’ sophomore won the Section Invitational title at 131 pounds and followed that with a fifth-place finish at state. Alexandria Glaude, Christian Brothers The senior was the best in the section at 170 pounds and finished third at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Nonie Reyes-Small, Folsom The Bulldogs’ senior capped her high school career with a Section Invitational championship at 143 pounds before finishing fourth at state. Micaela Kent, Enochs-Modesto The Eagles’ sophomore, and sister of Section champ McCoy Kent, posted third-place finishes at both the Section Invitational and the state finals. Rory Coscia, Enochs-Modesto Just a freshman, she burst onto the scene finishing second in the 116-pound division at the Sac-Joaquin Section Invitational and third at state.

May 2015

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ZACK VELASQUEZ, PONDEROSA

JEFFREY INOUYE-WONG, GRANITE BAY

The Bruins’ senior capped off an undefeated season (55-0) by taking the CIF State Wrestling Championship at 152 pounds with a 2-1 doubleovertime win over Justin Thomas of Santiago-Corona. With the victory, Velasquez became just the third wrestler to bring a state title back to Shingle Springs. He also won tournament titles at the Sierra Nevada, Temecula Valley and the Doc Buchanan before winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division II and Section Masters championships.

Candice Corralejo, Del Oro She finished as section runner-up at 106 pounds before claiming fourth place at the CIF State Wrestling Championships. Alyvia Fiske, Vintage-Napa The sophomore 150-pounder followed a runner-up finish as the Sac-Joaquin Section Invitational with a third-place effort at state. McKenzie Bacich, Bear Creek Junior claimed the section championship at 101 pounds and was sixth in her division at the state tournament. Jaclyn Fields, Ponderosa Bruins’ senior had podium finishes in the 160-pound brackets of both the section and state tournaments. She earned third place at sections and sixth place at state. Iman Kazem, West-Tracy The Wolfpack senior ended her high school career with 150-pound titles at the SacJoaquin Invitational and CIF State Wrestling Championships. Marianne Schauer, Modesto Panthers’ junior won the Sac-Joaquin Section Invitational title at 160 pounds and was the state runner-up.

BASEBALL Grant Dragmire, Bradshaw Christian Senior outfielder led Pride to a 14-4 start by hitting .642 with 29 runs scored, 26 RBI, 16 extra-base hits and 20 stolen bases. He also was 4-2 with a 2.05 ERA on the mound. Micah Gunter, Valley Christian Through 13 games, Gunter was batting .583 with 15 runs scored and 13 RBI. He also carried a 2-1 pitching record and 1.24 ERA for the Lions.

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May 2015

The Grizzlies’ senior has been a key contributor to Granite Bay’s success on the links for four years. Inouye-Wong is the No. 1 player on one of the Sac-Joaquin Section’s deepest teams. He was the low scorer for the Grizzlies’ 2012 CIF State team championship and was part of the 2014 Section Masters team champions. Last year, he qualified as an individual to participate in his second state tournament.

Isaiah Garcia, Lincoln Through 21 games, the senior captain and shortstop lead the Fighting Zebras in hits (30), runs (31), RBI (27), doubles (8), home runs (5) and stolen bases (23). Caden Voges, Sacramento The school’s star QB in football, Voges carries a presence on the diamond too. Through 22 games, he batted .516 with 27 runs and 18 RBI. Blair Lewis, Capital Christian Senior played a key role in the Cougars 18-3 start to the season, hitting .392 with 24 runs scored, 17 RBI and eight extra base hits. Tyler Malone, Woodcreek Junior led Timberwolves in just about every offensive category through 18 games, including hits (23), runs (20), RBI (19) and extra-base hits (10). Hank LoForte, Franklin Four-year standout infielder, LoForte hit .311 with 25 runs, 10 RBI and 18 stolen bases through the Wildcats first 20 games. Dominick Pisano, Manteca Through 20 games, the senior outfielder led the SJS Division II defending champs with 26 hits, 26 RBI, 19 runs and nine doubles. Drew Gnos, Davis Injuries took a toll on the Blue Devils in 2015, but the senior infielder still shined with 22 hits, 12 RBI, eight stolen baseas and six doubles. Nick Madrigal, Elk Grove Four-year standout is wrapping up a stellar career, batting .462 with 30 hits, 16 runs, 14 RBI and 19 stolen bases through 19 games. Ty Madrigal, Elk Grove Inherited No. 1 pitching duties and was 4-2 with a 2.53 ERA through his first eight appearances. He also hit .373 with 16 runs and nine RBI.

Vincent Byrd, El Camino An area prodigy since junior high, the now senior slugger was batting .356 with three homers, 18 RBI and 18 walks against just six strikeouts through 17 games. Tyler Gums, Placer The ace pitcher for a Hillmen team which began season going 15-6, Gums was 4-1 with a 0.92 ERA with 51 strikeouts over his first six starts. He also hit .455 with 10 RBI. Donovan Palma, Cosumnes Oaks Senior southpaw posted a 5-2 record and 3.07 ERA with four complete games over his first eight starts. He had 50 strikeouts in 45.2 innings of work. Brad Bussard, Ceres The senior does it all for a very good Bulldogs team. Through 22 games, Bussard was 6-0 on the hill with a 1.57 ERA and was hitting .364 with 18 runs and 13 RBI. Tanner Dodson, Jesuit The hard-throwing lefty will be Cal-bound in the fall, but not before giving Marauders a real shot at a Sac-Joaquin Section title. evan Fagundes, st. mary’s The senior infielder is an RBI machine, knocking in a team-best 26 through the Rams’ first 23 games. He was also 3-0 with a 2.78 ERA in seven pitching appearances. Jack Filby, McClatchy Freshman is leading a revival for the Lions (165 through April 23), batting .545 with 36 hits, 27 runs, 21 RBI and 12 doubles. Kirk Crump, Sacramento A legit two-way threat for the Dragons, Crump pitched his way to a 6-2 record and 1.42 ERA in 10 appearances (8 starts), and also hit .419 with 20 RBI.

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Micah Hall, Beyer In his first 10 starts of the season, the Patriots’ ace was 9-0 with a 1.42 ERA and 49 strikeouts over 48 innings of work. Polo Portela, Grant The senior corner infielder helped the Pacers begin their season 12-7 with a strong bat. He hit .344 with 16 RBI and seven doubles. Alejandro Lara, Vanden The junior shortstop used his first 20 games of 2015 to hit .552 and lead the Vikings in hits (32), runs (22), RBI (24) and extra-base hits (12). Aidan Malm, Whitney Versatile Wildcats junior was hitting .425 with 22 runs scored and through Whitney’s first 15 games of the season. Caleb Van Blake, Benicia Senior shortstop hit .442 with 14 runs scored, 14 RBI and nine extra-base hits over the team’s first 21 games. Jacob Albert MacNichols, Vintage Through 21 games, the junior catcher led the Crushers with 26 hits, 20 runs and 17 RBI. Vintage was 18-3 through April 23. Matt Carrigg, Pitman Junior shortstop was hitting .545 through his first 17 games with 19 runs and 13 RBI. He also was 3-0 with a 0.88 ERA in four relief appearances. Nick Brown, Vista del Lago Senior infielder had a .542 on-base percentage and .396 batting average through 20 games. He’d also scored 17 runs and driven in 12. Ryan Vasquez, Sierra Over 19 games, the senior was hitting .396 with 15 runs and 13 RBI. Also the team’s closer, he had a 1-1 record with four saves and a 0.66 ERA in eight appearances.

TYSON SOLIS, OAK RIDGE

CAITY SZCZESNY, WOODCREEK

The senior outfielder and team leader was a major factor in the Trojans building a 21-2 record through April 22. Solis was batting .465 and leading the team in hits (40), RBI (30), doubles (8) and onbase percentage (.510). He was also second on the team in runs scored with 25. Solis also had one pitching appearance that saw him throw two no-hit innings of relief and pick up the win.

The Timberwolves’ junior infielder was an absolute force through the first two thirds of the season. Through April 22, Szczesny was batting a robust .569 and leading her team in hits (41), runs (31), onbase percentage (.590), doubles (9) and home runs (5). She was also third on the team with 22 RBI and second in stolen bases with 15. Woodcreek went 18-1-1 through its first 20 games.

Steven Stockton, Brookside Christian The senior’s impressive offensive season includes a .521 average with a team-leading 37 hits 43 runs. He also has an astounding eight triples and four home runs. Kyle Lucke, Oak Ridge Part of the Trojans’ three-headed starting pitching attack, the senior carried a 5-0 record and 1.34 ERA with two shutouts over his first six starts. Matt Smith, El Dorado Strong-hitting outfielder hit .435 as a junior in 2014 and will play for Sacramento State after attempting to lead a the Cougars to Sierra Valley Conference and section titles. Joey Mejia, Yuba City The senior catcher masterfully handles the Honkers’ pitching staff and stands out at the plate with a team-high 22 runs scored.

SOFTBALL Nicole Bates, Ceres Junior’s video-game-number season includes 52 hits, 47 runs, 27 RBI, 14 doubles, 7 triples and three home runs through first 25 games. Bradi Kooyman, Elliott Christian The junior needed just 17 games to amass 38 hits, 41 runs, 43 RBI, nine triples and five home runs. Kendelle Messersmith, Sierra Through 18 games, the junior infielder led the Timberwolves in average (.696), hits (32) and RBI (26). Samantha Owen, East Union Lancers are serious threat to win a section title behind the blistering bat of Owen. The junior hit .581 with 43 hits, 44 RBI and 20 extra-base hits.

Danika Bailey, St. Francis Cal-bound center fielder had 51 hits through Troubadours first 22 games. She was hitting .646 with 41 runs scored and 23 stolen bases. Gabby Jimenez, McClatchy Showing no signs of slowing down, the catcher was hitting .541 with 33 hits, 29 runs and 34 RBI through 18 games. Madison Bellin, Pioneer The senior infielder has Pioneer among the best teams in NorCal, batting .420 with 20 runs. Angelica Dark, Pioneer Patriots’ senior ace compiled an 11-1 record and 1.52 ERA through her first 12 appearances. She had 66 strikeouts over her first 78.1 innings of work. Rylie Carlier, Pioneer A dynamite senior catcher, Carlier was batting .468 with a team-leading 32 RBI through thea teams first 16 games. Jessica Garcia, Hughson Garcia’s bat was a big reason the Huskies opened the year 14-0. She hit .636 with 30 runs and 22 RBI. Madeline Skibitzki, Antelope Titans catcher compiled a .532 average on a team-leading 41 hits through 24 games. Rachel Tadlock, Woodland Despite a down year for Wolves, the University of Lousiana-Monroe-bound Tadlock hit .463 with five doubles and five home runs through 18 games. Rachel Cid, Tracy Freshman infielder sparked Bulldogs to a 17-6 record through late April. She hit .526 with 40 hits, 25 RBI, 13 doubles and two home runs.

Maddie Rojas, Vacaville Junior infielder leads the charge for defending Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champions. In 19 games, Rojas was hitting .482 with a teambest 20 RBI. Nerissa Long, Bear River Bruins ace posted a 9-3 record with a 1.22 ERA, six shutouts and four no-hitters over her first 68.2 innings of 2015. She also had 12 RBI on eight extra-base hits. Krysten McCue, Oakmont The Cal-commit batted .429 with 27 hits, 13 runs, 10 RBI and three home runs through Oakmont’s first 23 games. Kira McKechnie, Christian Brothers The double-threat senior hit .478 with a team-best 37 RBI through 21 games while also posting an 8-5 record, 1.87 ERA and 133 strikeouts in her first 90 innings. McKenna Gregory, Benicia Sophomore hurler was 9-1 with a 2.41 ERA and three shutouts through April 24 for the defending SJS Division II champs. She was also hitting .588 with a team-best 30 hits. Shelby Thompson, Benicia Junior shortstop held a .558 average with 31 runs, 24 RBI, nine doubles and six home runs through 19 games for the Panthers. MacKenzie Martinelli, Sacramento Through 20 games, the sophomore was hitting .515 with 21 runs, 29 RBI and 13 extra-base hits. She also had pitched all but five innings for the Dragons. Terra Jerpbak, Ponderosa Senior is the catalyst behind the Bruins’ 19-2 start to 2015. She started all 21 games and posted a 0.95 ERA with 143 strikeouts while also hitting .425 with 20 RBI.

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Sabrina Hicks, Pleasant Grove Eagles infielder and senior co-captain hit .435 with 30 hits, 21 runs and 15 RBI through the team’s first 21 games. Jacy Boles, Woodcreek Junior hurler has worked the majority of the innings for a touted Timberwolves team. Over her first 90 innings, Boles was 13-1 with a 1.47 ERA and 83 strikeouts. Amber Wright, Elk Grove The senior outfielder has played a major role in Thundering Herd’s 19-2 start to the season and is ticketed for Cleveland State University in the fall Jordan Fines, Sheldon Junior looks poised to be Huskies next big talent, batting .483 with 29 hits, 16 runs and 17 RBI over 18 games. Mikayla Parker, Bella Vista The top arm for a Broncos team with title aspirations after an 18-5-1 start to the season. Parker was 14-5 with a 1.74 ERA through 19 starts; she also .328 with 19 RBI. Victoria Lowe, Cosumnes Oaks Lowe posted a 7-1 record and 2.89 ERA while sharing starting duties through 24 games. She also hit .410 and drove in 16 runs on nine extra-base hits (3 HR). Gabby Ortiz, River City Transfer from Casa Roble made immediate impact for Raiders, posting 14-4 record in the circle and batting .500 with team-bests in hits (29), runs (19) and RBI (22). Maggie West, Del Campo Junior outfielder held a .537 average on 36 hits through the Cougars first 20 games. She also had 23 runs scored and seven doubles.

May 2015

SportStars™

RILEY HICKMAN, DAVIS

CHENOA DEVINE, DAVIS

The Blue Devils’ senior is a top contender in the 100- and 200-meter freestyle events, having helped Davis to a Sac-Joaquin Section team championship with runnerup finishes in both races in 2014. After he takes a shot at reaching the podium in Section Masters and State competitions this year, he will remain a Blue Devil when he continues his swimming career at Duke.

The Blue Devils’ junior is the defending Sac-Joaquin Section Masters 200- and 500-meter freestyle champion. Her efforts in individual races and as a member of relay teams helped Davis to a second-place team finish in 2014, and will make the Blue Devils a top contender for the section team championship. With a new CIF State Championships format for swimming in 2015, Devine will challenge for freestyle glory this season.

Kayla Marderos, Casa Roble Senior first baseman has shown plenty of pop for the Rams in 2015. She’s hitting .525 with 32 hits, 18 runs, 23 RBI and five home runs. Morgan Lamb, Elk Grove A catcher and corner infielder, Lamb is committed to play for Boise State next fall. Aaliyah Shimosaka, Kennedy Cougars’ junior infielder is a potent leadoff batter with a team-high three triples and she led the Sac-Joaquin Section with 30 stolen bases as a sophomore.

GIRLS SOCCER Hylena Perez-Tamez, Yuba City Sophomore has led the section in goals and points throughout the season as she hopes to boost Honkers to prominence in the Tri-County Conference and Sac-Joaquin Section. Jaylen Crim, River City Raiders’ junior forward is a three-year starter moving toward 100 career goals and aiming to lead the team to its first playoff berth in more than a decade. Samantha Rascon, Lincoln-Stockton Freshman is among national leaders in assists and a threat to score for surging Trojans’ squad in its quest for the program’s first SacJoaquin Section championship. Amber Deanda, Lincoln-Stockton Trojan senior leads the team in goals and is a field leader for Lincoln team with its sights set on TCAL and section titles. Aleah Kelley, Franklin Wildcats’ leading goal scorer was part of the program’s first section championship in 2013 and has Franklin poised to make another playoff run.

SportStars™

May 2015

Ilena Rivera, East Union Sophomore midfielder is top scoring threat for defending Division IV section champs. Youngest of three sisters who contributed to title. Sydney Pagador, Woodcreek The senior captain is a three-year varsity letter winner who will be a student-athlete at the University of New Mexico in the fall. Maggie Bell, Granite Bay A top runner with a state cross country title, the junior is a scoring threat for the Grizzlies looking to add soccer hardware to her resume. Janae Gonzlaez, Vista del Lago Santa Clara-bound star led the Eagles to the Division IV section final and played for Mexico’s U-17 World Cup team in 2014. Kimaya Cole, McClatchy Lions’ junior midfielder is a co-captain and the leading scorer for a team on a mission to secure its first section title. Sophia Hernandez, Davis Senior striker leads the Blue Devils’ offense as the program seeks a fourth section finals appearance in six years. Alex Jenkins, Del Oro Humboldt State-bound forward is a key to the Golden Eagles’ run toward a second straight Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Andrea Martinez, Christian Brothers Stanislaus State-signee is an offensive threat for the defending Division III section champions. salma Flores, st. mary’s Versatile junior was a scoring machine with 32 goals and 22 assists in 2014, but can play anywhere on the field for the Rams. Shannon Fuchs, Bella Vista Junior is one of the area’s top goalkeepers, having anchored the Broncos’ defense in the team’s 2013 section title run.

BOYS TRACK & FIELD John McDonald, Lincoln-Stockton Speedy senior is a threat to win 100- and 200-meter sprints at Section Masters, having turned in a blistering 10.51 in the 100 at the prestigious Arcadia Invitational. Tyus Williamson, Woodcreek Timberwolves’ senior is key to Woodcreek’s team success as a sprinter and member of the defending Section Masters-winning 4x100 relay team. Nate Jones, Tracy Won Sac-Joaquin Section Masters 100 title in 2014, must be considered contender to repeat. Said Kamal Webster, El Camino The Eagles’ senior turned in one of the section’s top 200 meter times this season and could be a dark horse in the event at Section Masters. Kyle Clancy, Davis Defending Section Masters high jump champion is a versatile athlete who will work towards being a decathlete at Cal Poly in the fall. Cameron Stone, Sheldon Huskies’ senior will battle a deep field to defend his 2014 Sac-Joaquin Section Masters title in the 400 meters. Aspyn Walton, Woodcreek The defending Section Masters 200-meter champion will also run to defend the Timberwolves’ 4x100 relay championship. Arturo Sotomayor, Roseville Tigers’ senior picked up where he left off, running section’s fastest 800-meter race in 2015 after claiming the 2014 Section Masters title. Nate Harper, Davis Pole vaulter aims to repeat as Sac-Joaquin Section Masters champion in the event, as well as lead Davis to another team title.

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Javonte Norman, st. mary’s Rams’ runner showed he can contend for a section 400-meter title with a 48.21 race at the Arcadia Invitational. Sean Kurdy, Jesuit Junior distance runner could add a 3,200-meter title to the section cross country individual championship he claimed in the Fall. Drew Childs, Bella Vista Last year’s fourth-place finisher in the 3,200 at Section Masters, the Broncos’ senior posted a strong showing at the Stanford Invitational. TreShon Woods, Roseville Tigers’ senior hurdler raced to the Sac-Joaquin Section’s top mark in the 300-meter hurdles early in the season and is a threat for a Section Masters title. Isaiah Holmes, Oakmont The Vikings’ junior has Sac-Joaquin Section’s top three marks this season in both the high jump and triple jump. Lenny Nelson, Woodcreek A member of the Division I runner-up Timberwolves’ team in 2014, the senior jumper could help Woodcreek challenge Davis with high marks in the long jump and triple jump. Austin Laut, Oak Ridge Trojans’ senior vaulter is a contender for the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters title with a vault of 15-7 already recorded this season. Jake Bowler, Del Oro Just a junior, the Golden Eagles’ pole vaulter eclipsed the 15-foot mark at the Arcadia Invitational in April. Michael Titherington, Jesuit Arizona State-bound thrower was third in shot put competition at 2014 Section Masters and has top throw for SJS competitors in 2015.

BRYANT JOHNSON, RIO AMERICANO

MELISSA MANEATIS, DEL ORO

Through mid-April, the Raiders’ senior was undefeated in Capital Athletic League play at No. 1 singles. He and his Rio Americano teammates are seeking to repeat as Division II section champions. Bryant is listed as a three-star recruit at TennisRecruiting.net, and has committed to play for the University of Redlands in the fall.

The senior won the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters pole vault title in 2014 before claiming a second place finish at the CIF State Track and Field Championships in the event. The Golden Eagles’ vaulter has consistently posted marks in the top tier of section competitors during the 2015 season, and a repeat of her peak performance in the postseason could lead to success, including a potential state title.

Jonah Williams, Folsom Bulldogs’ junior committed to Alabama for football and is also a top shot putter who finished second in the event at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters in 2014.

GIRLS TRACK & FIELD Jurnee Woodward, Vacaville Bulldogs’ sophomore turned heads at the Mt. SAC Invitational in April with the third-fastest 300 hurdles time in the nation, and is only the third high school girl in 2015 to break 42 seconds. Kendall Derry, Bella Vista Broncos’ junior distance runner was fifth in the state last year in the 1,600-meter race, and she is a contender for Section Masters and State podium finishes. Ariane Arndt, St. Francis The 2014 Sac- Joaquin Section Masters 800-meter champion is just a junior and a legitimate threat for multiple section and state titles. Erica Higley, Bear River The Bruins’ senior is the section’s top high jumper and is looking to repeat as Sac-Joaquin Section Masters champion. Nia Vance, Vacaville Athletic senior can run hurdles and jump, but her strongest event is the triple jump where she claimed the 2014 Section Masters title. Brandi French, Vacaville Bulldogs’ senior was the 2014 Sac-Joaquin Section Masters shot put champion and her 2015 marks point to another podium finish. Hannah Chappell, Oakdale As a sophomore, the Mustangs’ thrower won the 2014 Sac-Joaquin Section Masters discus championship and finished second at state.

Natsumi McGee, Cosumnes Oaks Wolfpack’s senior turned in a quick 11.97 at the Arcadia Invitational and is among the SacJoaquin Section’s top sprinters. Brandy Coward, Buhach Colony Thunder senior sprinter is a contender at 200 meters for Section Masters and CIF State Track and Field Championships. Reonna Collier, Vacaville A sophomore transfer from Piedmont Hills-San Jose, Collier is the defending state champion in the 300-meter hurdles. Fiona o’keeffe, Davis Blue Devils’ junior is distance star who won the Division I 3,200 meters last year and is always a threat in races that cover lots of ground. Peyton Bilo, St. Francis The senior is the latest in a long line of successful Troubadours’ distance runners who run well in cross country and on the track. Natalie Caraway, Granite Bay The Grizzlies’ senior is a powerful jumper who will contend for the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters high jump title. J’liyah miles, Franklin Wildcats’ senior is among the best long jumpers in a deep Sac-Joaquin Section field of leapers. Jorden o’neal, Franklin-elk Grove The senior finished ninth in the long jump at state in 2014 after finishing second at the SacJoaquin Section Masters Championships. Nicole Spring, St. Francis The Troubadours’ junior will be a contender for the Section Masters triple jump title. Amber Cook, Monterey Trail Mustangs’ triple jumper has posted solid marks throughout the season and will be a threat at Section Masters.

Leah Bertuccelli, Union Mine The Diamondbacks’ senior has risen to the top tier of Sac-Joaquin Section pole vaulters, posting a leap of 12 feet, 6 inches this season. Megan Dulaney, Rodriguez Senior thrower was third at Sac-Joaquin Section Masters and fifth at State in 2014 and is likely to find her way to the podium in 2015.

BOYS GOLF Bryan Baumgarten, Granite Bay Junior’s solid short game and putting has helped the Grizzlies post a perfect dual match record in the competitive Sierra Foothill League. Daniel Pena, Johansen Vikings’ junior is defending Sac-Joaquin Section Masters individual champ, and his steady game makes him a contender to repeat. Alex Lee, Rio Americano The Raiders’ junior returns after finishing as the individual runner-up at the SJS Masters. Kevin Huff, Vista del Lago Eagles’ sophomore looks to improve after qualifying for the 2014 NorCal tournament with a 70 at the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters. Chris Ebster, Central Catholic Sophomore scored low as deep Raiders’ team finished second in CIF NorCal tournament and sixth in state in 2014. Eric Olsem, El Camino Eagles’ senior was an individual qualifier for the 2014 CIF NorCal tournament after firing a 2-under 70 at the SJS Masters. Connor Bell, Jesuit The senior continues to keep Marauders in contention for section honors after helping the team to a second-place SJS Masters finish in 2014.

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Quinn Carlsen, Oak Ridge Four-year varsity stalwart is a top local amateur with sights set on team or individual qualification beyond the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters. Mason Troike, Granite Bay Grizzlies’ senior is part of Big Three seeking to repeat as Sac-Joaquin Section Masters team champions and make a run at a state title. Louie Euer, Del Oro The senior helped the Golden Eagles to a team medalist finish at this year’s first league tournament for the deep SFL. Logan Lowe, Nevada Union Miners’ senior missed out on the 2014 NorCals by one stroke in 2014. He has Nevada Union in the mix for Sierra Foothill supremacy.

GIRLS SWIMMING/DIVING Emma Barksdale, Davis The versatile senior will attempt to defend her 100 freestyle and 200 individual medley section Masters titles from a year ago. Paige Maynard, Vacaville Bulldogs’ senior is defending section 100-meter butterfly champion and a favorite to add a 100 backstroke title this season. Julienne Tadena, Granite Bay The senior helped the Grizzlies to a team title in 2014 with a victory in the 100-meter breaststroke and strong showing in the 200 IM. Mikaela Lujan, Nevada Union The Miners’ senior diver is back to defend the Sac-Joaquin Section title she ran away with in 2014. Summer Spradley, Granite Bay Grizzlies’ senior is a threat to double medal in the freestyle sprints and key to a Granite Bay repeat as team champions.

May 2015

SportStars™

DARRIN PAULO, GRANT

CAVAN STEWART, WHITNEY-ROCKLIN

Pacers’ senior is among the state’s top throwers, and that does not count throwing bodies around on the football field. The 6-foot-6, 300-pound Paulo was a top lineman on the gridiron, and he was the CIF State Track and Field Championships’ 2014 runnerup in shot put competition. In 2015 meets, he had top 2 marks among Sac-Joaquin Section competitors for shot put and discus events.

The senior outside hitter/opposite is seeking his fourth Sac-Joaquin Section finals appearance and third section title. Stewart was a key contributor on Whitney’s Div. II championship teams in 2013 and 2014, connecting for 200-plus kills in each season. This year, he leads the section in hitting percentage and has again eclipsed 200 kills to make the Wildcats a contender for the Division I championship.

Sydney Larson, Rio Americano Junior is a top competitor in the 200- and 500-meter freestyle races for a Raiders’ team seeking another top-five team finish. Joanna Curry, Will C. Wood Talented Wildcats’ senior is a contender in the 100 backstroke and 100 butterfly events. Chloe Mitchell, St. Francis Troubadours’ junior captured 2014 league titles in 500 freestyle and 100 backstroke, and helped St. Francis earn a third-place finish at the 2014 Section Masters.

BOYS SWIMMING/DIVING Nevada Schultz, McClatchy The Lions’ junior won the 2014 Sac-Joaquin Section Masters diving championship and is the favorite to repeat the feat in 2015. Shane Anderson, Bear River Bruins’ senior finished on the podium in the 100- and 200-meter freestyle events at the 2014 Section Masters. Terry Johnson, Jesuit Versatile Marauders’ junior is a contender in the 200-meter freestyle and 100-meter butterfly events after helping Jesuit to a third-place team finish at the 2014 Section Masters. Greg Devine, Jesuit Senior diver is rising toward the top of the competition and could finish high enough to boost Marauders to another top-three section finish. liam o’haimhirgin, Bella vista Broncos’ distance specialist is threat to medal in the 200- and 500-meter freestyle events. Alek Dendall, Granite Bay The Grizzlies’ senior is a star in the pool as a water polo player as well as top 100-meter breaststroke and 200 IM competitor.

SportStars™

May 2015

Todd Alden, Will C. Wood Wildcats’ senior was second in the 2014 Sac-Joaquin Section Masters diving competition and has section title thoughts in his final campaign.

BOYS TENNIS Stephen Guenard – Pleasant Grove The Eagles’ No. 1 is a top player in the Delta League and a contender for the Division I singles title. Dan Ferenc-Segedin, Davis The senior will play a major role in the Blue Devils’ quest for a Sac-Joaquin Section team title. Stephen Morley, Jesuit The sophomore is the No. 1 singles player for the defending Division I section champion Marauders as they reload for another run at the title. Scott Putty, Bella Vista Three-time All-Capital Valley Conference League honoree is hoping to lead the Broncos to another league title from the No. 1 singles slot. Konner Macias, Whitney The senior No. 1 singles player is pacing the Wildcats to the top of the Capital Valley Conference standings. Eddie Chen, Granite Bay Grizzlies’ freshman phenom is just starting to make his mark for the defending Sierra Foothill League champions. Alex Agelakopoulos, Rocklin Thunder senior has been a mainstay for Rocklin and a consistent force in Sierra Foothill League singles play.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL Cavan Stewart, Davis The senior outside hitter/opposite is seeking his fourth Sac-Joaquin Section finals appearance and third section title. Stewart was a key contributor on Whitney’s Division II championship teams in 2013 and 2014, connecting for 200-plus kills in each season. This year, he leads the section in hitting percentage and has again eclipsed 200 kills to make the Wildcats a contender for the Division I championship. Trevor Pratt, Roseville Tigers’ senior middle hitter leads the section in kills and blocks, and has lifted Roseville into contention for Capital Valley Conference and section Division I titles. Harrison McCormick, Nevada Union The Miners’ senior co-captain leads the team in kills and is key to the program’s quest for a first Sac-Joaquin Section championship. Kelly Jew, Woodcreek Versatile junior leads Timberwolves in kills and has added more than 100 assists to an emerging offense in the ultra-competitive Sierra Foothill League. Trevor Brake, Granite Bay Grizzlies’ senior opposite is co-captain of steady Granite Bay team that seeks a fifth Sac-Joaquin Section Division I title in 7 years. Jacob Tarabetz, Del Oro The Golden Eagles’ senior opposite leads the team in kills and was a vital contributor to the 2014 team’s Division I championship run. Mason Salcedo, Nevada Union Senior setter and co-captain leads the SacJoaquin Section in assists and will head to Orange Coast College to continue his volleyball career.

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Keith Makishima, Oakmont Vikings’ senior setter is dishing out assists at a clip of 9.2 per set while guiding Oakmont’s offense in the challenging Capital Valley Conference. Charles King, Monterey Trail The senior outside hitter leads the Mustangs in kills and aces and hopes to help the team to a postseason berth. Pashi Lor, Grant Pacers’ senior setter is tops in the Sac-Joaquin Section with an assist rate of 11.2 per set. Sam Greenleaf, Oak Ridge Trojans’ senior is a dual threat as a setter and opposite hitter, leading the team in assists and keeping defenses off balance with his hitting. Mike Olenchuk, Jesuit The senior outside hitter is a captain and top offensive threat for the Marauders as they seek their first section finals appearance in four years. Taylor Charron, Ponderosa Humboldt State-bound senior has Bruins challenging for Capital Valley Conference and section championships. Ethan Heldt, Granite Bay Grizzlies’ junior outside hitter is part of Granite Bay’s potent and balanced offensive attack. Jon Arrow, Jesuit Marauders’ senior setter has led Jesuit back to prominence in the Delta League and hopes to get his team back into section title contention. Cole Aidnik, Whitney The senior outside hitter is one of many offensive threats for the Wildcats, who hope to challenge for a Division I title after winning the last two Division II crowns. ✪

Records through April 25 1. (1)

—

College Park-Pleasant Hill

13-3

2. (7)

▲

Valley Christian-San Jose

18-5

3. (5)

▲

Serra-San Mateo

14-7

4. (2)

▼

San Ramon Valley-Danville

13-3

5. (6)

▲

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose

17-6

6. (4)

▼

St. Francis-Mountain View

17-5

7. (3)

▼

Los Gatos

21-2

8. (10)

▲

Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills

22-2

9. (11)

▲

Jesuit-Carmichael

17-5

10. (8)

▼

De La Salle-Concord

9-6

11. (13) ▲

Franklin-Elk Grove

18-4

12. (12) —

Bellarmine-San Jose

15-7

13. (18) ▲

Livermore

12-4

14. (19) ▲

Vintage-Napa

19-3

15. (14) ▼

Elk Grove

13-8

16. (NR) ▲

Foothill-Pleasanton

11-5

17. (NR) ▲

Lincoln-Stockton

20-4

18. (17) ▼

San Benito-Hollister

19-4

19. (15) ▼

Redwood-Larkspur

15-2

Maria Carrillo-Santa Rosa

13-5

20. (9)

▼

DROPPED OUT: No. 16 California-San Ramon and No. 20 Monte Vista-Danville BIGGEST MOVER: Valley Christian-San Jose jumped five spots to become our new No. 2 this week after a 3-0 week in the West Catholic Athletic League included wins over previous No. 5 Serra and No. 12 Bellarmine. Serra actually moved up from No. 5 to No. 3 after its WCAL wins over previous No. 4 St. Francis and previous No. 6 Archbishop Mitty. Livermore, which few would’ve guessed would be at the top of the East Bay Athletic League at the end of April, jumped five spots to No. 13 this week. TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 12

welcoMe To THe

FaMilY

James K. Leash photos

SportStars™

May 2015

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Incoming transfer Gabby Ortiz was exactly what a close-knit River City softball team needed to become title contenders

he River City softball team gives off a 1979 Pittsburgh Pirates vibe as “We Are Family” could be their theme song. The Raiders are hoping for a similar coming together to shock the world. Together, like family. “This team as a group has great chemistry as all of the girls support each other,” head coach Javier Martinez said. “They have tremendous heart, and on the field they respect one another and are always there for each other.” Many of the roster’s upperclassmen have been playing together for years and formed a bond through their time on the diamond together. Unfortunately, that bond has been formed through more downs than ups. The Raiders have not qualified for the playoffs in more than a decade. Martinez, who took over as the varsity coach four years ago, has been an off-campus coach at the West Sacramento school for nearly 11 years and has never witnessed a Sac-Joaquin Section playoff game in which River City was a participant. Last year was the third year of his “three-year plan” in which he wanted to see his team earn a postseason berth. The Raiders were coming off a 16-9 2013 campaign in which they narrowly missed the playoffs, but 2014 saw a rash of injuries and a regression. With the majority of the roster returning healthy in 2015, Martinez and his team were excited about the upcoming season before the school year even started. The excitement and expectations soon were lifted higher with the arrival of senior Gabby Ortiz. “We had a lot of confidence, but then Gabby was the last piece to put us over the top,” Martinez said of his newest Raider. Ortiz, who won Central Section Division VI titles with Sierra Pacific-Hanford as a freshman and sophomore, moved to the area as a junior before making another move to West Sacramento prior to her senior season. After playing for perennial Sac-Joaquin Section power Casa Roble last year, Gabby and her family moved to be with her maternal grandmother. Ortiz had experienced many moves growing up as her father, Joe, has military ties that has kept the family on the move. But the latest was motivated by family and allowed Gabby to discover a new softball family at River City. “Out of all of the high schools that I have been at, (River City) was easy to mesh with my classmates and teammates real well,” Ortiz said. “We are one team, one unit. So it was a very easy transition.” Martinez and the Raiders were excited to welcome Ortiz, knowing what she could bring to a rising team with hopes of finally breaking through. “I didn’t know that much about her at first, but other Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

coaches and people were telling me how fortunate we were to be getting Gabby,” Martinez admitted. “With the team getting better, it was really the perfect storm.” Ortiz has lived up to expectations, leading the team with a .500 batting average, 20 runs, two home runs and 22 RBI. In the circle, she has been the pitcher of record in every game while River City has posted a 15-4 mark overall and 7-2 record in TriCounty Conference play. The senior left-hander sports a 1.78 ERA and has struck out 131 batters in 110.1 innings pitched. But the Raiders’ revival has not been only about Ortiz. Senior shortstop Ashland Rodriguez, who missed most of her junior year with a torn Achilles, is batting .365 with 23 hits and 17 RBI to trail only Ortiz in offensive production. Fellow senior Jade Chapan is hitting .339 with 19 runs scored while anchoring the defense up the middle along with Rodriguez. Junior catcher Jordan Criswell handles Ortiz on defense and has added offense with a .302 average and 14 runs. Sophomore Amaryssa Medina, who was the primary pitcher as a freshman, has put in most of her work at first base while stepping in to relieve Ortiz when necessary. Medina is batting .317 with 18 runs and 16 RBI and allowed just 2 earned runs in 15.2 innings of relief while striking out 23 batters. “This is the first time that I have ever had two legitimate pitchers to put out there,” Martinez said. “The only reason that (Medina) is not pitching more is because we have Gabby.” Now a more complete team, the Raiders have built confidence and expectations with each game. With a number of comeback victories, River City has become a team that never loses faith and pulls together when facing adversity. “I tell the girls to go out and do what they gotta do because I believe that we will find a way,” Martinez said. “I fully expected us to be in the playoffs, and I expect us now to make a deep run.” Wins over Christian Brothers and leaguerival Pioneer-Woodland en route to winning the Davis Tournament in March provided an initial boost to the expectations that have grown all season long for the Raiders. “After we won the Pioneer game, I think that we all said, ‘we can do this,’” Ortiz said. “Our e x p e c t at i ons started with having a good season, then became making the playoffs, and now we want to get a high seed and win the section title.” Lofty goals, but ones that just might be obtained by a special team and family. ✪ — Jim McCue Subscribe to S360 at SportStarsOnline.com

Records are through April 25 1. (1)

—

Pioneer-San Jose

21-0

2. (2)

—

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose

18-3

3. (5)

▲

East Union-Manteca

21-2

4. (7)

▲

Heritage-Brentwood

15-2

5. (8)

▲

Alhambra-Martinez

13-3

6. (4)

▼

Pioneer-Woodland

20-2

7. (10)

▲

Woodcreek-Roseville

19-1-1

8. (11)

▲

Elk Grove

19-2

9. (12)

▲

Castro Valley

15-4

10. (6)

▼

Livermore

11-5

11. (3)

▼

James Logan-Union City

14-1-1

12. (14) ▲

Benicia

20-4

13. (15) ▲

Notre Dame-Salinas

18-4

14. (16) ▲

San Benito-Hollister

15-5

15. (17) ▲

Carlmont-Belmont

16-4

16. (18) ▲

Foothill-Pleasanton

13-3

17. (19) ▲

Amador Valley-Pleasanton

13-3

18. (20) ▲

River City-West Sacramento

17-3

19. (NR) ▲

Sheldon-Sacramento

16-6

20. (NR) ▲

Redwood-Larkspur

17-0

DROPPED OUT: No. 9 Ponderosa-Shingle Springs and No. 13 Mt. Pleasant-San Jose BIGGEST MOVERS: Unfortunately, the only big movers this week went downward. Ponderosa and Mt. Pleasant both exited previous No. 3 James Logan dropped eight spots after falling to Mission Valley Athletic League-rival Newark Memorial in extra innings. East Union returns back to the No. 3 spot after four weeks of undefeated softball while Heritage and Alhambra both move up three spots to round out the Top 5. TEAMS REMAINING FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 12

May 2015

SportStars™

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A G: Guidance For Your Football Future ............................................................................45 Acalanes Football Dons Camp..........................................................................................57 Aspire Summer Core Intensive For Athletes .....................................................................35 Bay Area Festivals Inc. Kidfest Field Of Dreams ................................................................26 Bentley School Lafayette .................................................................................................22 Big O Tires Northern California/ Nevada ............................................................................2 Bigfoot Hoops ...................................................................................................................5 Bike The Bridges: Special Olympics Northern California ...................................................25 Blankenship Baseball ......................................................................................................46 Burger Rehab ..................................................................................................................53 Cal Athletic Camps...........................................................................................................57 California Football Academy............................................................................................53 Campolindo High School Cougar Camp ...........................................................................47 Capitol City Driving School ..............................................................................................47 Championship Athletic Fundraising ................................................................................50 Cheergyms.Com ..............................................................................................................33 Club Sport .......................................................................................................................60 Community Youth Center ................................................................................................56 Concord Police Association Stars & Stripes 5K Run & Walk ...............................................54 Core Performance ......................................................................................................46, 47 Core Volleyball Club .........................................................................................................47 De La Salle High School Football Coaches Clinic...............................................................57 De La Salle High School Music Camp ...............................................................................57 Delta Fencing Center .......................................................................................................54 Diablo Futbol Club ...........................................................................................................40 Diablo Trophies & Awards ................................................................................................54 Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union...................................................................................24 East Bay Parks .................................................................................................................57 East Bay Sports Academy ................................................................................................17 Excellence In Sport Performance .....................................................................................37 Halo Headband ...............................................................................................................57 Hilton Concord.................................................................................................................45 Jumbo Sunflower Seeds ..................................................................................................39 Kneed-A- Brace ...............................................................................................................39 Las Lomas High School ....................................................................................................45 Lone Tree Golf Course ......................................................................................................48 Moreau Catholic High School............................................................................... 44, 45, 46 Mountain Mike’s Pizza .....................................................................................................55 Muir Orthopaedic Specialists ...........................................................................................42 National Academy Of Athletics ........................................................................................31 Northgate High School ....................................................................................................24 Off- Highway Motor Vehicle Recreation Division..............................................................28 Placer Valley Tourism Board .......................................................................................20, 21 Renaissance Club Sport ...................................................................................................12 Rugby Nor Cal..................................................................................................................25 Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School.............................................................................15 San Ramon Golf Club.......................................................................................................27 San Ramon Slammers Baseball .......................................................................................44 Santa Clara Aquamaids ...................................................................................................59 Sherman Swim School ....................................................................................................37 Shirt Girlz ........................................................................................................................57 Soccer Pro........................................................................................................................34 Sports Gallery Authenticated ..........................................................................................44 St. Francis High School ....................................................................................................24 State Farm Lisa Truesdell Agent .......................................................................................48 Stevens Creek Toyota .......................................................................................................`3 Sutter Urgent Care.............................................................................................................3 The Range Football Training ............................................................................................46 Tompkins Tennis Int’l .......................................................................................................54 Tpc / The Pitching Center .................................................................................................29 Tricityeliteallstars.Com ....................................................................................................52 U C Davis Health System ..................................................................................................13 U C S F Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland......................................................................43 U S Sports Mike Allen Sports Camps ................................................................................45 United States Youth Volleyball League ............................................................................23 Walnut Creek Soccer Club ................................................................................................16 West Coast Training Center ..............................................................................................48 Win Anyway & All For Kids ..............................................................................................44 Wingstop Restaurants .....................................................................................................51

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May 2015

SportStars™

Photo finish

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SportStarsâ&#x201E;˘

May 2015

Chizoba Okodogbe could always soar and she helped get SportStars off to a flying start by gracing the cover of our inaugural issue.

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