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room: Dumb and Dumber, originally a Shakespearean manuscript (we think), offers us fertile ground to explore the NBA. We think.

Fence: 41 The Tryouts, sign-ups, fund-raisers and more!

45 Advertiser’s index 4

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The Urgency of Now

Roy Mesiner

hree days before its first official day of practice, the Richmond High basketball team’s 2014-15 season began in tragedy. Fixing a bike on his grandfather’s front lawn, 16-year-old Rodney Frazier was fatally shot in what has been reported as a gang-related case of mistaken identity. It was another senseless act in all-too-familiar cycle of inner-city violence — and not just in Richmond. Berkeley High varsity boys basketball coach Mark DeLuca rents out his garage to Richmond coach Rob Collins. “From inside my house I could hear him screaming and crying,” DeLuca said. “I immediately went to find out what was wrong and he told me ‘My point guard was shot and killed.’ That was Friday, it wasn’t until Sunday that he was really able to talk about it.” Collins is truly one of the good guys among the East Bay coaching community. He got into coaching to help kids, and left jobs at more affluent suburban schools so that he could work to be a positive force in the lives of students and athletes at Richmond High. DeLuca has taught, coached and lived in West Contra Costa County for several years. In addition to his Berkeley coaching duties, he’s currently the Student Life Director at El Sobrante Christian. He saw the pain his good friend was in and committed to making it a teachable moment. “That Sunday night I said, ‘Rob, we’re going to hold a peace rally. Rodney is not going to die in vain,’” DeLuca said. DeLuca said he fired off an email to Richmond Police Chief Chris Magnus at 8 p.m. on Sunday night. Magnus returned his call in just 20 minutes — on a Veterans Day weekend — and pledged full support for whatever DeLuca and Collins needed. From there, the coaching fraternity and basketball community took over. A peace rally was set for Wednesday of that week at sunset on the steps of Richmond Auditorium in front of City Hall. And in just two days, the coaches had support and commitments from more than 10 high schools. “It was amazing what they accomplished in just two days,” said De La Salle-Concord coach Frank Allocco, who was one of three coaches to speak at the rally, along with DeLuca and Collins. “There was more than 500 people there, and it was almost all kids, coaches and parents. That was some amazing and powerful stuff.” Allocco’s speech touched on the wisdom and words for Anne Frank and Martin Luther King, referencing the latter’s phrase of recognizing the ‘urgency of now.’ “Sometimes we look at these situations and think we can’t make a Watch the video of Frank Allocco’s speech at the Peace Rally for Rodney Frazier at sportstarsonline.com/video/Frazier-Peace-Rally/Allocco difference,” Allocco said. “But we can make a difference, it just has to start with one single act at a time.” Rob Collins makes a difference. The outpouring of support at the rally was as much of an act of respect for Collins’ efforts as it was a desire to honor another life which was taken much too soon. “Every time I have a conversation with Rob, I tell him he’s the real deal,” Allocco said. “Because he is.” DeLuca, Collins and many of the other coaches who came to the rally are committed to continuing to make a difference. With help from the Contra Costa County Sheriff ’s department and other agencies, they are hoping to develop the Operation Athletics program. It will be a program that will send influential coaches from a variety of different sports to talk to gang members or kids who have been identified by authorities as at-risk youth. The hope is that the coaches can get these kids to put down their guns and pick up a ball. “It’s not logical for a gang member to respect other people’s lives unless someone has shown them respect and kindness in their life,” DeLuca said. “Someone needs to show them that their life has value also.” Collins and his team are still grieving obviously, but what happened on the steps of Richmond Auditorium on Nov. 12 certainly helped start the healing process. “We came together today to remember (Rodney Frazier),” Allocco said in his speech. “Let us leave today to honor him, committed to living the change we want to see.” ✪ 6

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join our team PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 Editorial Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor Chace Bryson • Chace@SportStarsOnline.com Staff 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 • dwissner@wordeventssports.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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perry Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills, Golf, Sophomore With a round of 6-over 78 at the CIF Northern California regional tournament on Nov. 10, Perry made the individual qualifying cut for the CIF State Championships. The achievement came on the heels of Perry’s and the Trojans winning the Sierra Foothill League, Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North and SJS Masters team titles. She shot a team-best 81 at the Section Masters at The Reserve at Spanos Park, and the team advanced to the NorCal tournament at The Club at Crazy Horse Ranch in Salinas. Perry started on the back nine at the regional tourney and nearly aced her fourth hole (183-yard par 3, No. 13) to build momentum for a round in which she carded two birdies, 10 pars and 8 bogeys. IN their OWN WORDS: “I am just real excited to have made it (to the CIF State Championships) and hope to do my best. I am looking at it as a great opportunity to play against the best players in the state.”

honorable mention Jose Becerra: The Oakdale senior blasted a 25yard strike to score the gamewinning goal in overtime of the Mustangs’ Division III section finals soccer victory.

Fiona O’Keeffe: The Davis junior won her third straight SJS Div. I cross country title by running a record 16:57 on the Willow Hills course in Folsom.

Josh Orrick: The Jesuit sophomore scored four goals to lead the Marauders water polo team to a 9-7 victory over Davis in the SJS Div. I section final.

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Rapid Fire

Shaunard Harts Jr. Elk Grove Football

Katie Berriatua San Ramon Valley Tennis

Favorite cartoon growing up Dexter's Laboratory

Trending What’s hot this week in the world of stuff that’s hot Kenny Chesney says country music must change and stop objectifying women. And they probably should stop objectifying pick-up trucks, too. But mainly women.

Favorite rainy-day activity Play video games

Lounging on the couch

musical artist you'd most like to see in concert

Lil' Wayne

A Minnesota man collected food stamps and other forms of public assistance. While living on a yacht. His three-hour cruise could now be a two-year visit to Club Fed.

Powerpuff Girls

Justin Timberlake

favorite breakfast food Chorizo and eggs

We’re two weeks into baseball free agency and Billy Beane hasn’t traded away half his roster for prospects yet. Which only means that A’s fans are in line for a crummy Christmas.

Eggs Benedict

funniest actor/actress working right now Kevin Hart

Will Ferrell

XBox One had a $50 price cut but Sony says sales of Playstation 4 still dominate, almost 2-1. Reached for comment, a gamer said something terrible about your mother. Dumb and Dumber To topped the box office as Harry and Lloyd returned to our lives. Is anybody else tired of these Oscar-bait movies?

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count 'em

Top 5 'dumb' nba musings

Globe Photos/Zumapress.com

Ah, Fall-time. When a young sports fan’s fancy lightly turns to thoughts of basketball. And the Academy Awards. And the holiday movie season. Right? Just go with us on this. To honor the season(s), and to pay homage to the most significant comedy film sequel since 1992’s “Army of Darkness” (no, not “22 Jump Street”, you morons) we offer you our top five NBA hoops ruminations, paired to lines from the original “Dumb and Dumber.” 1. “According to the map, we’ve only gone 4 inches” — The landscape of the best teams in the league doesn’t include Los Angeles, Miami, New York, or Boston. Instead, it’s perennial, ahem, powers like Houston, Memphis, and Oakland (go Dubs!). Didn’t see that coming did you? 2. “Big Gulps huh? All right! Well. See ya later.” — We were thoroughly chagrinned by Golden State’s shrivel-up-and-die act when the Spurs jingle-jangled into town. Jeez. Intimidated much? San Antonio has some Madison Bumgarner-vs.-KC-sized ownage on the Warriors. 3. “Just when I thought you couldn’t possibly be any dumber, you go and do something like this… and totally redeem yourself.” — Did you hear Kevin Love’s explanation of his possibly drug-related signature handshake with Kyrie Irving? Mustache twirling, Kevin? Really? Seems… doobieous. 4. “We got no food, we got no jobs, our pets’ heads are falling off!” — Nothing, really. We just want to sock Benny the Bull right in the nose. 5. “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” — Just because it will never happen doesn’t mean it shouldn’t. We like the Warriors to win it all. And Harry and Lloyd to hoist co-best actor trophies. — Bill “I’m going to hang by the bar. Put out the vibe” Kolb

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The number of seconds controversially added back on the clock at the end of the second overtime during the North Coast Section Div. I boys water polo semifinal between Acalanes-Lafayette and Campolindo-Moraga. Acalanes thought it had won 11-10 when Campolindo claimed it had called timeout with five seconds left but the coach’s air horn didn’t sound. The time was added back to the clock and the Cougars scored at the horn to force a sudden-death third OT and eventually won 12-11.

say what? “I think I have more adrenaline going through me right now than I did before the game started.” Liberty-Brentwood senior safety Kyle Trego following the Lions’ 21-7 win over Freedom-Oakley in the two schools’ “Battle for the Bell” Rivalry game.The win not only clinched a home playoff game for Liberty (a first for the school), but it also marked its first Bell Game victory since 2004.

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Perfect Fit The state hoops championships return to the East Bay in a classic case of right place, right time

My first taste of the passion of East Bay basketball fans and the skill of its players came when I was a senior in high school at now closed La Sierra-Carmichael. I was helping my uncle, Nelson Tennis, with his hobby of doing state rankings and decided to go to the 1977 Tournament of Champions at the Oakland Coliseum. Two teams from the SacramentoStockton area were going to be playing — CIF Sac-Joaquin Section champ Grant-Sacramento and runner-up St. Mary’s-Stockton, plus there were going to be top teams playing from the other CIF sections in the Bay Area. In the first game that I saw, St. Mary’s (which was 28-4) took on Oakland Section champion Fremont, which I heard from Nelson was one of the best teams in the state. Fremont dunked off the opening tip and was never in trouble. I later watched the Tigers dominate for the rest of the weekend, including a 61-38 win over Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland in the final. They finished 25-1 and Nelson later named them Cal-Hi Sports State Team of the Year. Since then, I’ve always believed that the East Bay is a great place for basketball — and that it’s the best place the CIF has ever used for its state championships. Unfortunately, the region hasn’t been used since 1995. That’s why this season’s selection of Cal’s Haas Pavilion as the one-year host for the CIF state finals in March makes a lot of sense, and I hope generates a lot of attendance. It should, especially if Bishop O’Dowd has the type of team many of us in the media think it will have and ends up playing for the CIF Open Division title. The CIF had to find a different site for its 2015 basketball championships because the event’s usual home, Sacramento’s Sleep Train Arena, is hosting NCAA tournament games that same weekend. One can argue that if it wasn’t for the mobs of fans from the East Bay who swarmed the Oakland Coliseum for the 1975 Tournament of Champions, the CIF may not have ever reconsti-

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tuted its state basketball championships, which began in 1916 before being discontinued from 1927 until 1980. That year, an average of 10,000 fans per day went to the Coliseum to see Elk Grove’s Bill Cartwright (who later went on to play for 15 years in the NBA) lead the Thundering Herd to the title. Cartwright had 53 points in his first game of the TOC and went for 34 in the final against Berkeley. The next year, with knowledge of the attention that the 1975 TOC generated, the CIF partnered with the TOC and renamed it the Northern California CIF Regional Championships. Then in 1980, the CIF state championships were brought back. It still took an extra year to get the CIF Southern Section to get involved, but in 1982 another player brought out hordes of additional East Bay fans to the Coliseum. That was the year 12,000 came to Oakland to see the girl who scored 105 points in one game. That, of course, was the legendary Cheryl Miller of Riverside Poly, the older sister of NBA great Reggie Miller. Sure, Riverside Poly coach Floyd Evans probably shouldn’t have let Cheryl score that many points in a 179-15 win over Norte Vista-Riverside, but it didn’t matter to the East Bay fans who just wanted to see her play. They were not disappointed. She scored 41 points in a dazzling display as Riverside Poly blew out Los Gatos 77-41. So why does the CIF not hold state basketball events at the Coliseum anymore and is only now returning to an East Bay venue? It’s simple economics. For many years, the CIF has awarded bids in three-year cycles to host venues for its state championships. ARCO Arena in Sacramento (now known as Sleep Train Arena) has simply given the CIF a deal that’s consistently been too good to pass up. Still, if the CIF wants more people to actually go to its state finals in basketball, the East Bay has demonstrated it is clearly stronger than anywhere else in the state. Attendance was poor in 1983 at the Los Angeles Sports Arena, in 1997 at the Arrowhead Pond in Anaheim and in 2010 at Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield. The difference is that the East Bay frequently has the best teams in Northern California, and the best players (its all-time

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Dennis Lee/File photo

Archbishop Mitty girls coaching legend Sue Phillips won her first of five state titles in 1995, the last year the state finals were in the East Bay. That team was led by now-famous Summer Olympian, Kerri Walsh. best include Bill Russell, Paul Silas, Jason Kidd, etc.). Furthermore, its fans tend to come out to see great players from outside of their region. In Southern California, the locals see the top players down there all the time and generally are not as interested to see someone from elsewhere. Sacramento fans did come out for Jason Kidd’s final game at St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda, but generally they don’t. Having this year’s CIF finals at Cal marks the first time since the 1967 TOC final when a postseason prep basketball event will be at Cal. In that year, Fremont beat Berkeley 51-44 despite future NBA player Phil Chenier leading the Yellowjackets. Cal’s gym was also the site in 1947 for the very first TOC. It will all come full circle in March. Will big crowds come and trigger more state finals down the road like they did in 1975? It depends on the matchups, but it could. ✪ 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.

California football Rankings Miles Harrison takes the handoff for 22nd-ranked Clayton Valley CharterConcord. Phillip Walton photo

Previous ranking in parentheses; through games Nov. 15 1. (1) — St. John Bosco-Bellflower 10-1 Defending CIF Open Division state champs opened playoff push with 50-0 romp past Cabrillo-Long Beach 2. (2) — De La Salle-Concord 10-0 No NCS teams seem in shouting distance of the Spartans, who should win 23rd straight section title. 3. (3) — Folsom 11-0 Jake Browning has barely played in the second half this season, but still has 64 TD passes and could be on his way to 90 or more. 4. (4) — JSerra-San Juan Capistrano 10-1 There’s a chance the Lions might hop Folsom for one week prior to the CIFSS Pac-5 Div. championship. 5. (5) — Mater Dei-Santa Ana 9-2 Only beat Westlake-Westlake Village by one point earlier this season, but smoked Warriors 28-7 in playoff opener. 6. (6) — Centennial-Corona 9-2 Javon McKinley had 13 catches for 213 yards and 4 TDs in 68-64 win over Serra-Gardena. 7. (7) — Oceanside 10-0 If Folsom does get to the CIF D1 state bowl game, the Pirates could be its opponent. 8. (8) — Long Beach Poly 10-1 The Jackrabbits’ only loss has been to Corona Centennial. 9. (9) — Grant-Sacramento 11-0 Junior RB DeShawn Collins had 242 yards rushing vs. Jesuit and then 270 vs. Patterson. 10. (10) — Crespi-Encino 9-1 Celts’ coach Troy Thomas was previously at Servite-Anaheim when the Friars lost in 2010 CIF Open Div. bowl. 11. (13) ▲ Bishop Amat-La Puente 8-3 Six of the other seven teams still playing in the Pac 5 playoffs are ranked in the top 10, so Lancers face tough work. 12. (14) ▲ Serra-Gardnea 8-3* Season ended in a wild 68-64 loss to No. 6 Centennial, but they actually moved up due to all of their losses coming to higherranked teams. 13. (15) ▲ Milpitas 10-0 Christian Rita was the NorCal Defensive Player of the Week after returning two interceptions for scores in 56-0 win.

14. (11) ▼ Westlake-Westlake Village 8-3* Two of the three losses are to Mater Dei (one by one point) with the other to Long Beach Poly. 15. (16) ▲ Upland 9-2 Nathan Tilford got into Cal-Hi Sports state record with 99-yard TD run in 42-7 win over San Juan Hills. 16. (12) ▼ Santa Margarita-Rancho Snta Mrgarita 6-5* Eagles own a victory over No. 11 Bishop Amat and defeated the Servite team that just took No. 8 Long Beach Poly to the wire. 17. (18) ▲ Cathedral Catholic-San Diego 9-1 All eight teams in the CIF San Diego Section Open Division bracket didn’t play last week. 18. (20) ▲ Mission Viejo 9-2 Diablos’ nine-game win streak includes win over Norco, which just beat St. Bonventure-Ventura in the CIF Pac-5 playoffs. 19. (23) ▲ St. Francis-La Canada 11-0 With a long way to go, Golden Knights project to be the SoCal team playing in the CIF Division II state bowl game. 20. (22) ▲ Serra-San Mateo 7-3 With several more top CIFSS teams being eliminated, the Padres got a two-spot rise after a big win over Bellarmine. 21. (NR) ▲ Tesoro-San Juan Capitstrano 9-2 Titans were the ones who ended Corona del Mar’s long win streak earlier this season. 22. (24) ▲ Clayton Valley Charter-Concord 11-0 Strength of schedule very poor for Ugly Eagles, but has a chance to go 16-0 with D2 state title. 23. (NR) ▲ Valley Christain-San Jose 8-2 If RB Kirk Johnson and others are all healthy, the Warriors look like a dangerous squad in CCS Open Division. 24. (25) ▲ El Capitan-Lakeside 10-0 This team is not in the San Diego Open Division but knocked off No. 3 Open Division team Helix-La Mesa 24-17 two weeks ago. 25. (NR) ▲ Edison-Fresno 9-1 The Tigers are the No. 1 seed in the CIF Central Section Division I playoffs. Dropped out: Previous No. 17 Chino Hills; No. 19 AlemanyMission Hills; No. 21 Servite-Anaheim. * —Season completed

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Our head coach left, and now the assistant from last year is taking over. I think it’s great because the assistant coach was really easy to get along with, and the head coach could be a jerk sometimes. My dad says I shouldn’t count on the old assistant being just like he was — he says things will be different. Is he right? P.I., Stockton

irst, a Mark Twain story. “When I was 14,” said Twain, “I didn’t think my dad knew anything. When I was 24, I thought he knew everything. The old guy had really learned a lot in ten years.” So, don’t doubt your dad. And as to your question, there was a movie that came out recently called “Twenty Feet from Stardom,” and it was about really talented backup singers who worked with big-time rock and roll bands. These singers often had more musical talent than the stars they were supporting, but they stayed off to the side, 20 feet from the spotlight. Bruce Springsteen was interviewed early in the movie, and when he was asked about the difference between singing backup on the side of the stage and carrying the show at the main microphone, he smiled and said, “It’s a long walk.” The same is true of the distance between that second seat on the bench to the spot a few feet away where the head coach stands. I’ve done both, and there’s a lot to be said for being an assistant. You can always be the good cop; you can always be sympathetic; you

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can always say you talked to the head coach about an issue. And when a parent wants to know why their budding superstar is only playing five minutes a game, you can always lift your arm, point across the room and say “The head coach is right over there.” As a head coach, you can’t duck the hard questions, you can’t avoid the problem parents, and you can’t help but being the bad guy some, if not a lot, of the time. So yes, moving from assistant coach to head coach at the same school is a tough jump, because the relationships have been based on a different dynamic. The assistant doesn’t make the substitutions, or have to make a decision about whether to sit a player who missed a big game because his grandmother was sick, or any of the other daily decisions that can make people unhappy. Now, suddenly, your buddy the assistant is the guy telling you you got beat out by a sophomore and you’ll be lucky to get 10 minutes a game. It’s one thing to hear that from someone who’s always been the authority figure; it’s another to hear it from someone who has usually been more supportive and sympathetic. Then again, some coaches make that jump with ease, and they have no trouble with the transition. Others might take a year or two to figure it out (and the players have to figure it out too). But generally, it’s actually easier to go to a different school, where the relationships are new and the lines of authority can be clearly drawn from day one. Either way, though, it’s a tough adjustment — and a long walk. ✪

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JUST

ordan Folsom point guard Jordan Ford’s game may reside at a higher level, but it hasn’t kept the rising junior from staying down to Earth

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Winning at an early age can come equipped with both good and bad attention. With it comes sudden fame, notoriety, thousands ofsocial media followers and people who just want to be around you. And then there’s the dark side that stands out like the guy onstage with the pink tuxedo who no one seems to discuss. That’s when others constantly tell you how good you are, what you are capable of and how they can help you achieve it. How is one able to maintain a level head? Some don’t, and those are the same people who fall victim to the burning glare of the spotlight. They don’t reach their potential and are left with “what-ifs” as they can only talk about what they once were as opposed to what they are now. In the presence of Folsom junior point guard Jordan Ford for a short time, it quickly becomes clear that he is not one of those people. The attention follows him well beyond his hometown. Ford and his mother Ann are on the WoodcreekRoseville campus for a preseason photo shoot. Ann ventured into the Timberwolves’ gymnasium in search of basketballs to use in the shoot. Her trip did not yield the needed props, but it did reveal the draw of one of the area’s top basketball players. “I went in there explaining why we were here and all the girls screamed ‘JORDAN FORD?’” Ann says describing her interaction with the Woodcreek girls volleyball team. Despite the delays, Ford remains as patient as a yoga trainer adjusting to squirming students in a class. The young star shows maturity beyond his years in the face of a photographic crisis. Even in the most random and uneventful moments, Ford displays the confidence that helped him lead the Bulldogs to Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF NorCal Division II championships last March. In fact, his demeanor might convince those gathered that the pending photo shoot might be the best photo shoot in the history of sports. Maybe, just maybe. But after Ford’s first two years as a Bulldog, there seems to be a lack of things he’s incapable of doing or achieving. As a sophomore last year, Ford led Folsom to the CIF Div. II State Championship game by averaging 22.5 points and 3.5 assists. As he displayed his unique passing skills and the distinct ability to get to the rim with ease, one thing became clear as day to anyone who followed high school hoops in Northern California: Story by Keith Jouganatos | Photos by James K. Leash 16

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"It's like watching a stick figure with the skill set of Damian Lillard." An anonymous scout on the game of Folsom’s Jordan Ford

foot on campus; and the attention brought upon them can become inJordan Ford was a player one needed to see play in person. His Twitter account peaks at just over 1,391 followers. His Instagram creasingly too much, it’s easy to find major egos. But that’s just not who Ford is. followers exceed 2,000. Search YouTube and you get videos with titles of And, for everyone involved in his camp, it’s a huge breath of fresh air. “Jordan Ford is A SERIOUS PG TO LOOK OUT FOR.” The comment Ann and Cuzar Ford (pronounced Q-zair) met in Southern California sections are filled with amusing comments that blend in praise. at college, far from the City of Folsom. They fell in love with the people, One commenter writes the following odd statement: the area, and decided to put their roots down in Folsom. “This dude is that dude!” Ann comes equipped with phone and video camera in hand docuWatching Ford on tape defies all logic and reasoning as to what a playmenting her son’s photo shoot. Jordan’s sister, Jennifer, helps her with er with his weight and body structure can achieve. pictures. As a proud “It’s like watching a Mom, Anne doesn’t want stick figure with the skill to miss a single thing. set of Damian Lillard,” Folsom was 18-0 last season when Ford scored 21 points or more. He actually eclipsed the She talks in detail said one anonymous about her son’s work ethscout . 30-point mark seven different times. Here’s what his stat line looked like on those nights. ic, his drive, but most of “He makes others DATE OPPONENT POINTS OTHER NOTABLE STATS all the lack of attention he around him better,” one 12/5 Yuba City 30 7 assists, 3 steals pays to things surroundSierra Foothill League 12/7 Lodi 32 4 assists, 4 steals ing him. Many studentcoach added. “A lot of 12/13 El Dorado 37 2 assists, 3 steals athletes kids featured in kids are focused on 1/10 Vista del Lago 39 5 steals print, on air, or online, mainly just scoring, but 1/17 Oak Ridge 35 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 4 steals show everyone and their when you watch him he’s 1/29 Pleasant Grove 34 6 rebounds, 5 steals uncle. Not Ford. worried about getting his 3/8 Cosumnes Oaks 33 9 rebounds, 3 assists “I showed him a thing teammates involved and someone did for him last making sure everyone month in the Sacramento stays where they need to Bee,” Ann said “I said, ‘Jordan look at what they wrote about you and be. That’s what separates him”. Nowadays it seems like everyone is in awe of Jordan Ford except for Folsom’ and his response was, ‘Oh cool’ and he went back into his room to play NBA 2K.” the one person you’d expect to be — Jordan Ford. Sports parents are often regarded as encouraging, proud, and, in “I stay focused on my main goals,” Ford stated when asked about his worst-case scenarios, overbearing. But Ann Ford doesn’t have to be any rising popularity. In a sports world today where high school kids are broadcasted on live of the three when it comes to her son. “A lot of times it’s parents pushing their kids too much, which I don’t TV declaring where they are going to play collegiately; where a studentathlete can become famous to the sports world before they even set one agree with” she says. “I’ve never had to do any of that with Jordan be-

FILLING IT UP

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cause he’s always been a hard-working kid who knows that whatever he wants is only achieved because he’s earned it.” At the end of the photo shoot, Jordan Ford calmly walks away into the cold darkness. Step by step closer to his bright future as the Sacramento sky fades into the night. With the opportunity to discuss himself, the Kevin Durant shoes he just copped, or defending the Div. II NorCal title with Folsom coach Mike Wall and a starting five which returns completely intact from a season ago, Ford remains quietly humble. “I could really eat right now,” he says with a smile that could seemingly light the sky. And that perfectly sums everything he stands for. Not yet able to drive, but already consumed by others in the attention that his talents have brought him, Ford cherishes the silent and underrated moments when he’s not surrounded by others. What awaits him next are questions. Can the Bulldogs produce another season of 30-plus wins? What will his junior year bring him? And what will become of him in four years? “I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it,” he states. Again deflecting the attention as only Jordan Ford can. He wouldn’t be himself if he didn’t. ✪ 18

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November 20, 2014

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BOYS

girlS

1. Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (28-5 in 2013-14)

1. St. Mary’s-Stockton (25-6 in 2013-14)

There truly is no debate on who is the best team in Nothern California. The Dragons open as the No. 1-ranked team in the state by CalHiSports.com, and are Top 15 in a pair of national polls. While last year’s 28-win CIF Open Division runner-up lost a handful of key role players to graduation, the primary engine remains in two nationally-ranked recruits: 6-foot-10 forward, Ivan Rabb (currently weighing offers from Kansas, Kentucky, Arizona and others), and 5-11 point guard Paris Austin (recent Boise State signee). The Dragons will take on a national-caliber schedule with hopes of preparing for another run through the CIF Open Division come March. Bishop O’Dowd reached the Open final a season ago, but fell to Mater Dei-Santa Ana 71-61. Among the new names filling out the cast include senior post players Arinze Chidom (6-foot-8) and Isaiah Thomas (6-9), junior big man Mike Hauser (7-0) and freshman point guard Elijah Hardy (6-0).

2. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (27-5)

Anchored by 6-foot-8 junior post, Ben Kone, the ever-consistent Monarchs will once again be the favorites in the grueling West Catholic Athletic League.

3. Folsom (32-3)

Led by star PG Jordan Ford, the Bulldogs return every starter from last year’s surprise team that won the Sac-Joaquin Section and NorCal Division II titles.

4. El Cerrito (28-5)

The Gauchos add a gifted out-of-state transfer, Carlos Johnson, to a roster which may have won a CIF Div. III title last season had it not been placed in the Open Division.

5. Modesto Christian (24-9)

Richard Midgley fully takes over the reins from legendary coach Gary Porter, and will have a roster loaded with talent and experience.

6. Moreau Catholic-Hayward (27-7)

Mariners return almost completely intact after a CIF Div. IV state championship appearance a season ago. Cal-bound junior Oscar Frayer leads the way.

2. St. Ignatius-S.F. (26-5)

St. Ignatius has eight seniors coming back from a very good team – which means all the pieces are in place for a run at a state title.

3. Pinewood-Los Altos Hills (30-3)

Doc Scheppler is simply one of the best coaches in the nation, and the irrepressible Marissa Hing leads a feisty lineup that will rain 3s.

4. Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (23-4)

It all hinges on the knee of Cal-bound Asha Thomas. If she comes back this year, the Dragons could be great; if not, they’ll just bet really good.

5. Vanden-Fairfield (25-7)

Injuries have kept the Vikings from getting the respect they deserve. If healthy, they will be impossible to ignore this year.

6. McClatchy-Sacramento (26-5)

Gigi Garcia & Destiney Lee give McClatchy the most imposing front line in NorCal.

7. Sacramento (23-6)

7. Miramonte-Orinda (30-2)

8. De La Salle-Concord (21-9)

8. Sacramento (23-9)

9. St. Mary’s-Stockton (27-3)

9. Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. (21-8)

10. Salesian-Richmond (23-15)

10. Carondelet-Concord (28-4)

11. Jesuit-Carmichael (29-4) 12. San Ramon Valley-Danville (24-6) 13. Sir Francis Drake-San Anselmo (26-8) 14. Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (13-14) 15. Sacred Heart Prep (21-8)

11. St. Mary’s-Berkeley (27-8) 12. Berkeley (24-9) 13. Cardinal Newman-Santa Rosa (24-8) 14. Dublin (19-11) 15. Brookside Christian-Stockton (28-5)

The Dragons did not have a single senior on a 2013-14 roster that racked up 23 wins. Solomon Young, a 6-foot-7 forward, leads a dangerously talented junior class. Spartans may not have great height, but a young roster from a year ago has the chance to finally come to maturity. All-State shooting guard Gabe Vincent is now at UC Santa Barbara, but the Rams still have plenty of firepower. Most notable is 6-6 swingman, Lance Coleman. It was a year of growing pains for a young Pride roster last season — and the team still reached the CIF Div. IV NorCal final.

The Rams ended last season bruised and battered, minus injured senior star Charise Holloway (now at Arizona) and junior guard Bri Moore, who transferred to Weston Ranch at the semester break. But don’t cry for coach Tom Gonsalves, because his high-scoring, high-intensity system has been infused with a bright new star in freshman Aquira DeCosta, who’s already being touted as one of the best players in Northern California. Gonsalves also has shooter Kat Tudor and the athletic Mi’Cole Cayton. But as usual, the strength of St. Mary’s is in its depth and ability to keep the pressure on for 32 minutes. The Rams will play in the Nike TOC in Phoenix before Christmas. This year, the top two teams in the country (Blackman of Tennessee and Riverdale Baptist of Maryland) will be there, plus SoCal power Mater Dei-Santa Ana. They come back to play in the West Coast Jamboree against the best in NorCal, plus South Medford (Ore.) and Upper Room Christian (N.Y.) They will be battle-tested and are all but a lock to be in the Open Division come March.

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November 20, 2014

16. Kennedy-Sacramento (21-10) 17. Berkeley (22-5) 18. St. Joseph Notre Dame-Alameda (31-5) 19. Monte Vista-Danville (32-1) 20. Newark Memorial (23-8)

Sabrina Ionescu may be the best player in Northern California, but she’ll carry a heavy load after five seniors graduated. Aliceah Hernandez leads a talent-laden roster that will face a tough schedule and even tougher competition in the Sac-Joaquin Section. The WCAL is the best league in Northern California, and last year’s co-champs still have Ashanti Coleman to build around. It’s a new day in Concord: Long-time coach Margaret Gartner retired and Natalie Romeo’s playing for Nebraska – but there’s still lots of talent.

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16. Salesian-Richmond (30-7) 17. Archbishop Mitty-San Jose (21-12) 18. Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills (26-6) 19. Eastside Prep-Palo Alto (20-11) 20. Bradshaw Christian-Sacramento (20-7)

Anthony Townes

Noah Blackwell

Jordan Ford

Marquese Chriss

MARQUESE CHRISS

SOLOMON YOUNG

ANTHONY TOWNES

NOAH BLACKWELL

JORDAN FORD

SCHOOL: Pleasant GroveElk Grove. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 6-9 / CenterForward THE DETAILS: The Washington-commit averaged 19.0 points and 11.8 rebounds per game as a junior when the Eagles looked to him as the primary offensive weapon. His solid defense in the paint, even against bigger opponents, will be key to Pleasant Grove’s postseason hopes.

SCHOOL: Sacramento. YEAR: Junior. HT./POS.: 6-7 / Forward THE DETAILS: Young’s star was rising before a leg injury cut his sophomore season short. An inside force, he averaged 18.2 points and 8.8 rebounds in the Dragons’ balanced offense last year. Young will be attracting lots of attention from opponents as well as recruiters.

SCHOOL: Modesto Christian. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 6-6 / ForwardCenter THE DETAILS: The threeyear starter is seeking his fourth SJS title in as many years. His offense and leadership have improved with growth and maturity to create a matchup nightmare for opponents. Townes plans to take his talents to the University of the Pacific next year.

SCHOOL: WoodcreekRoseville. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 6-1 / Guard THE DETAILS: Able to score in bunches with highlight moves that have gone viral on YouTube, Blackwell wants to make his mark on the court by leading a Timberwolves playoff run. The Long Beach State-commit has started since his freshman year, but has yet to reach the postseason.

SCHOOL: Folsom. YEAR: Junior. HT./POS.: 6-0 / Guard THE DETAILS: Super sophomore led the Bulldogs to the CIF State Div. II final with a stellar all-around game that got better as the stakes got higher. The point guard averaged 22.5 points, 3.5 assists, 3.9 rebounds, and 2.5 steals per game. With the Bulldogs’ nucleus still intact, he’ll run an entertaining show again this season.

ERIK SCHEIVE

DeANDRE STALLINGS

JORDAN ROBERSON

GABRIEL TORRES

DeMARRE WALKER

SCHOOL: Marysville. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 6-8 / CenterForward

SCHOOL: Liberty RanchGalt. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 6-5 / Forward

SCHOOL: Cordova-Rancho Cordova. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 6-4 / Guard-Frwrd

SCHOOL: Pioneer-Woodland. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 6-1 / Guard

SCHOOL: Vanden-Fairfield. YEAR: Senior. HT./POS.: 5-11 / Guard

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November 20, 2014

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From left: Kiana Moore, Julia Blackshell-Fair and Kayla Blair Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, and like us on Facebook!

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llison Johnson has been From left: Blair, coaching at Vanden High Blackshell-Fair for 10 years. She’s won an and Moore. even 250 games, and lost just 54. But when people talk about Sac-Joaquin girls’ basketball, the conversation usually — and rightfully — begins with St. Mary’sStockton, a private school that can, and does, draw players from a wide geographic area. Sacramento, a magnet school that can bring in players from anywhere in the state’s capital, has been a consistent power since mayor (and former NBA player) Kevin Johnson helped the school focus on athletics. In the 10 years Allison Johnson has been at Vanden, the Fairfield school has won 10 league titles. Recently, Brookside Christian burst onto the scene, gathering a host of elite talent to the private school in Stockton while competing with Modesto Christian, another private school, for smaller school dominance. So when there are discussions about the best programs in the Section, Vanden is just an afterthought, despite all the success, and in spite of the inherent advantages of private schools and magnet schools. “We get who we get,” says Johnson of Vanden, located just outside Travis Air Force Base. But somehow, whoever they get goes on the court and wins a bunch of games. Every year. And league titles. Every year. So why not Vanden? Why do the Vikings always seem to be the footnote and not the headline? “I do feel people underestimate us,” says junior guard Kiana Moore. “They think we’re not that good, but when we step on the court and show out, they realize we’re a really good team.” Well, maybe the many teams that the Vikings have beaten over the years, but the more casual fan? Not so much. “We need to win a section title and get to state,” says Johnson, without a hint of disappointment. “We haven’t done that yet.” Of course, Vanden might have, but it always seems that injuries get in the way. Last year, the Vikings lost star Mariah Williams (now at the University of Nevada) for almost all of the season, and point guard Toni Taylor didn’t play at all. Even without those two top-shelf talents, Vanden went 25-7 before losing to Florin-Sacramento in the SJS semifinals and eventual-state champion Modesto Christian in NorCals. “It was pretty frustrating,” says Kayla Blair, a senior this year who will play for Pepperdine in 2015. “Two of our best players were injured.” Jake Johnson, Allison’s husband and assistant coach, feels the same way. “The last three years, we’ve gone in with high expectations,” he says, “but we just cannot stay healthy. It gets frustrating when we watch teams move on that we’ve beaten.” Allison agrees, of course. “Keeping everyone healthy is huge,” she says, but she doesn’t complain. “Good is the enemy

of the great — I just try to make the best of the group that we have.” And this year’s group? If healthy, Allison Johnson is excited. “This is quite possibly the best defensive team I’ve ever coached.” Blair uses her strength and quickness to stifle opposing guards, and Moore, another elite talent, is also a tremendous defender. Add in sophomore Julia Blackshell-Fair, one of the best all-around players in the Class of 2017, and all the ingredients are on hand for a team designed to clog up even the most efficient offense. And speaking of offense, Blair, Moore and Blackshell-Fair can all score. The return of Taylor, the senior point guard, has Johnson excited about prospects at that end of the floor. “She’s the smartest point guard I’ve had,” says Johnson, who was a very good point guard herself at Justin-Siena and Solano College. “She just totally gets it.” But the tallest member of that group is the 5-10 BlackshellFair, who’s a wing, so Vanden may have some issues inside. “Rebounding is one of our weak points,” concedes Blair, but the Johnsons are used to operating with a size deficit. “My first six-footer was Emma (Amarikwa, now at San Diego State),” says Allison Johnson. “We’ve typically been a 5-10 and under team — so we treat everyone like a guard.”

But Vanden also gets ready for the rebounding wars by bulking up the schedule, both in the summer and in preseason. “We try to play the most rigorous schedules we can,” she says, “so we are constantly challenging ourselves.” This year, for example, the Vikings are not only traveling to the Nike TOC near Phoenix — the most prestigious girls tournament in the country — but they are also playing in the West Coast Jamboree in a bracket with Carondelet-Concord, St. Mary’s-Berkeley, Southern Californiapower Brea-Olinda, Bishop Manogue (one of Nevada’s best) and Berkeley. “You can go 0-4 and 0-3 in those two tournaments and still be pretty good,” she says — but don’t expect Vanden to lose seven straight games, even at that level. “We’re both super, super competitive,” says Jake Johnson, and that 250-54 overall record doesn’t include many losing streaks of any length. Allison Johnson just won’t stand for it. “She’s a really nice person off the court,” says Blair, “but on the court, she’s very intense. She brings out the best in her players — I know if I take a play off, she’ll be all over me.” “She’s really hard on the girls, and really demanding,” says Jake Johnson, “but she’s really compassionate and cares about every player who comes through the program.” The Johnsons also work well together, which wouldn’t always be the case for a husband-and-wife team in the crucible of competition. “We tag-team everything,” says Jake Johnson, “but she is the voice. We work it out together, but it comes from

her.” “Coach Jake tells us what to do,” says Moore, “and she enforces it.” What comes from everyone at Vanden, though, is a burning desire for that breakthrough season that no one will be able to ignore. “Our goal is to definitely get that Sac-Joaquin championship,” says Moore, “and get past the second round of NorCals.” “We want a section title,” says Blair, and after losing in the SJS Division III finals twice (to Sacramento in 2011 and Christian Brothers in 2013), they are focused on not falling short this time around. As Blair mentioned, rebounding will be crucial, as will staying healthy. The Johnsons, though, are making adjustments, as they always do. “Each year is a little different,” says Johnson — for example, this year’s defensive excellence is great, but there are some offensive questions. “We’re really unselfish,” says Allison Johnson, “sometimes too much.” So adjustments will be made, and the Johnsons will try to tweak the system to maximize the chances of outlasting quality opposition to finally win that elusive Section title. “How will we match up?” says Allison Johnson. “I can’t wait to see.” ✪

By Clay Kallam | Photos by James K. Leash

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November 20, 2014

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Ra’Kyra Gabriel

Destiney Lee

Aquira DeCosta

DESTINEY LEE SCHOOL: McClatchySacramento YEAR: Senior HT./POS.: 6-2 / CenterForward THE DETAILS: The UNLVcommit can dominate the paint on both ends of the floor. Lee averaged 11.3 points and 8.2 rebounds as part of a 1-2 post punch with Gigi Garcia. Lee has unfinished business in the form of Metro League and Section titles on the docket for her final season as a Lion.

DAEJA BLACK SCHOOL: Granite Bay YEAR: Junior HT./POS.: 6-0 / Forward

Ra’KYRA GABRIEL

SCHOOL: Brookside Christian-Stockton YEAR: Senior HT./POS.: 6-1 / Forward THE DETAILS: Gabriel has experienced plenty of individual and team success, committing to Florida Atlantic and winning a state title her freshman season. She averaged 14.6 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 3.7 blocks per game as a junior, and should get an able sidekick when transfer Aarion McDonald hits the floor this season.

KAYLA BLAIR

SCHOOL: Vanden-Fairfield YEAR: Senior HT./POS.: 5-9 / Guard

AQUIRA DeCOSTA

SCHOOL: St. Mary’sStockton YEAR: Freshman HT./POS.: 6-2 / Forward THE DETAILS: The incoming ninth-grader is ticketed for stardom according to rankings and ratings. Many believe DeCosta may be the best player in Northern California, regardless of class, in addition to being rated one of the top freshmen in the country. Her arrival, along with the Rams’ returning talent, could make St. Mary’s an Open Division favorite come March.

SAMMY DeHART

SCHOOL: Nevada UnionGrass Valley YEAR: Senior HT./POS.: 5-11 / GuardForward

ERIKA BEAN SCHOOL: Bradshaw Christian-Sacramento YEAR: Senior HT./POS.: 5-8 / Guard THE DETAILS: Committed to Utah, Bean is a versatile guard who leads on and off the court. She averaged 18 points, 8.3 assists, 7.7 rebounds, 7.2 steals, and 1.8 blocks per game in leading the Pride to a second straight SJS Division IV title.

GIGI GARCIA

SCHOOL: McClatchySacramento YEAR: Junior HT./POS.: 6-3 / CenterForward

AARION McDONALD SCHOOL: Brookside Christian-Stockton YEAR: Junior HT./POS.: 5-7 / Guard THE DETAILS: Despite having to sit out last year after transferring from BullardFresno, McDonald has committed to the University of Washington. She averaged 25.7 points per game as a freshman at Bullard, and is expected to run the Knights’ potent offense as a distributor and scorer.

KAT TUDOR SCHOOL: St. Mary’sStockton YEAR: Junior HT./POS.: 6-0 / Guard

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eremy Russotti is not much different than other basketball junkies who got a taste of college basketball, reflect on the experience and realize it should have been much more. “I was an okay player at best,” said Russotti, a grad of Analy High in Sebastopol who then played at Sonoma State. “I wasn’t mentally prepared and I never had a trainer. I’m a better player now at 39-years-old than I was in college.” Russotti has been more successful in the business of basketball than actually playing — and much of his drive stems from not wanting today’s players to repeat his playing experience. He’s developed basketball products and resources that are in high demand across the country and abroad. Fourteen months ago, Russotti took on the toughest challenge of his basketball career when he decided to begin an after-school basketball academy in Napa County. Teaming up with good friend and former college coach Philippe Doherty, Russotti chose to put his progressive skill training curriculum to work and kick start Prolific Prep.

Josh Jackson, a 17-year-old wunderkind and the 2013-14 National Sophomore of the Year after leading Consortium College Prep (Detroit, Mich.) to a Class C state title, linked up with Russotti to mix some of his innovative training methods with his own sleek 6-foot-7 frame. Where Russotti’s previous high school and college clients had to leave Napa County to return to school, Jackson, with the backing of his strong-willed mother Apples Jones, wouldn’t encounter that problem. Jackson is remaining in California to train year-round while attending Justin-Siena High School. “(Russotti’s) training focuses more on the mental part of the game,” said Jackson, who averaged 28 points, 14 rebounds, and six assists per game in 10th grade and actually starred on Consortium’s varsity in eighth-grade. “You can work out 24-7, but new moves won’t work if you don’t know when to use them. “Training with him (Russotti) is making me a smarter player and I think it will help a lot. Coming here I’m playing a national schedule and against good players almost every game. Back home, the competition level got worse each year and I really didn’t like the snow.” Doherty readily admits he has a masterpiece-level canvas to work with. “Josh is really good; he might be the best player in the United States under 19,” said Doherty, who previously coached at Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F. and the University of San Francisco. “His IQ is so high and he’s so competitive and skilled. He’s really been blessed and his mom is a firm, honest lady who’s not swayed by what people think.” The grassroots basketball community is small, and rumors persist about how Jackson helped Russotti and Doherty kick start Prolific Prep. Both Russotti and Doherty are more concerned with the results their training initiatives bring for Jackson and the other 11 players on the roster than people’s perceptions of the motives for Prolific Prep’s creation. There were challenges along the way, including short planning time to build a roster, the expected skepticism from some and a 6.0 magnitude earthquake that rocked the city of Napa on Aug. 24. Doherty said executing the basketball academy wouldn’t have been possible without local sponsors and support of the local commu28

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November 20, 2014

PROLIFIC PrEP roster Name

Ht.

Pos. Year Hometown

Mamoudou Diarra

6’9”

So.

Bamako, Mali

Algevon Eichelberger

6’7”

Jr.

Saginaw, MI.

Micah Elan

6’4”

Jr.

San Francisco

Marko Filipovity

6’8”

Sr.

Kaposvar, Hungary

Sasha French

6’10”

Sr.

Napa

Josh Jackson

6’8”

Jr.

Detroit, MI.

Baidi Kamagate

6’5”

Jr.

Conakry, Guinea

Kyle Leufroy

6’3”

Sr.

Pasadena

Nick Lombardi

5’9”

So.

Pleasant Hill

Matt O’Reilly

6’3”

Sr.

Moraga

Amadou Sou

6’8”

Fr.

Bamako, Mali

Ryan Stewart

6’9”

Sr.

Benicia

see ‘em play Most of Prolific Prep’s games take place out of the Bay Area (and often out of state). Here are some schedule highlights, including home games. Date Opponent Location Time Dec. 18-20

Tarkanian Classic

Las Vegas

TBA

Jan. 2

Jordan Brand Classic

Los Angeles

TBA

Jan. 30

Planet Athletes (Ariz.)

Napa

7 p.m.

Jan. 31

Balboa City Schools

Napa

6 p.m.

Feb. 1

Simpson Academy

Napa

3 p.m.

Feb. 21

Reno International Prep

Reno

3 p.m.

Feb. 27

Reno International Prep

Napa

7 p.m.

Feb. 28

Future College Prep

Napa

6 p.m.

March 1

Elite Prep Academy

Napa

3 p.m.

For the complete schedule and more information on Prolific Prep, visit www. ProlificPrep.org

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Josh Jackson

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nity. Russotti went a step further to say he isn’t sure he’d do it all over again if he knew the time and work it would take to get Prolific Prep off the ground. So is there a difference between Prolific Prep and other basketball academy-type programs around the country? Yes, quite a few differences actually, and its founders make no bones about it. Prolific Prep is a 501(c)(3) program. It is neither a regular high school nor a boarding school such as Virginia’s Oak Hill Academy. Nevada’s Findlay Prep is not a school either, as the players on its roster attend Henderson International School (a school that doesn’t have any 9-12 students), but Findlay Prep is a member of the Nevada Interscholastic Activities Association (NIAA) and can play other NIAA schools. Prolific Prep is not a member of the California Interscholastic Federation, nor can it play CIF schools. Furthermore, its roster, which hails from five different countries, doesn’t even all attend the same school. “No, we don’t want to be a school,” Doherty said. “I am not a principal nor a teacher and I have no intention to be. We are an academy; we don’t have the time, energy or resources to be a school.” After helping the United States win the gold medal at the FIBA U17 World Championships in Dubai in August, Jackson became a regular student at Justin-Siena. He takes a regular curriculum (according to Doherty seven kids on the team have a 3.8 G.P.A. Founder/trainer Jeremy Russotti or higher) and attends normal school functions. Jackson attends Friday night football games and even served as a mascot. After the final school bell rings, however, his experience is anything but normal. Jackson now gets the daily basketball instruction normally reserved for that short period of time during the high school off-season when elite players are not traveling to events around the country. “Justin-Siena has great academics, and yes, I was the mascot a couple of times,” said Jackson, who was born in California while Jones served in the U.S. Navy. “I was an Indian Chief. I always wanted to do it and it was pretty fun. People know me as a basketball player, but I do need to get away from it and take a little break once in a while.” Russotti and Doherty, who serves as the team’s head coach, will take the team to Las Vegas, twice to Kentucky, to Wheeling, West Virginia, and to Dayton, Ohio for the Flyin’ To The Hoop Showcase MLK weekend, where it will face nationally-ranked La Lumiere (LaPorte, Ind.). The team doesn’t have a gym of its own, so its uses one on a donation basis that belongs to Grace Church of Napa Valley. The players either live in dorms at Justin-Siena or with host families. The gym situation isn’t ideal and Prolific Prep would love to play competitive games locally to save on costs and travel. Some things won’t change but there are big plans for the future. “Next year we’ll be in a state-of-the art facility and all the players will go to the same school,” Russotti said. “We don’t care where the players come from and we’ll have more top 25-type players. We don’t want 10 top 25-type kids, that won’t work. We want guys who will know their roles and the best cultured kids for our progressive curriculum.” If this academy model thrives, it could be a tipping point for the way players with pro potential are cultivated in America. It would pattern the established model in many European countries, where the best young players live and train together year-round. “We’re basically doing a European model, where school and sports are separated,” Doherty said. “There are good and bad high school coaches, but why should it be a kid’s fault that his biology teacher is his basketball coach? There’s only so much time for a young player to get their game right, only so big a window. Consider what we do as advanced placement basketball. “Our doors are open if people want to see what we’re doing and we actually have high school coaches who come to our workouts and take notes. They like our curriculum. If you’re insecure and think it’s about you, you won’t get it. If you don’t have an ego and see that we’re not trying to audition for college jobs, just trying to train players, you get it.” ✪ 30

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GRIZZLIES

GONE WILD An offensive breakout in its playoff opener gives Granite Bay a dangerous look going forward Story by Jim McCue Photos by James K. Leash

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James K. Leash

FAR LEFT: Grizzlies quarterback Justin Yeaton scans the field as he drop backs into the pocket against Chavez-Stockton. LEFT: Granite Bay coach Ernie Cooper works on firing up his players during pregame stretches. ABOVE: USC-bound linebacker Cameron Smith anchors a Grizzlies defense which allowed just 17 points per game in the regular season.

The Granite Bay High football team is not going to advance in the playoffs with big plays made by high-profile playmakers on offense. The Grizzlies know who they are and what they need to be to extend their season into December. “We’re not world-beaters, but we have a good high school football team,” coach Ernie Cooper said after Granite Bay rolled past Chavez-Stockton 63-14 in a Sac-Joaquin Section Division I playoff opener. “I’m glad we are playing another game.” In the final week of the regular season, Granite Bay struggled against Sierra Foothill League-rival Del Oro, especially in the second half of a 20-7 defeat. The Grizzlies’ offense in particular did not resemble the unit that helped propel the team to a fivegame winning streak. Cooper admitted that it took him most of the week heading into the playoffs to “get out of a funk” after his team sputtered to the finish line of the regular season. But, after completely dismantling Chavez — the Grizzlies jumped out to a 56-0 lead by halftime and did not allow a single first down to the Titans before the intermission — the veteran coach had a much more pleasant demeanor. “This is the football team that we can be,” Cooper told his team as it gathered together on the field after the impressive victory. Granite Bay may have found its game just in time for a run through the playoffs, and that is a scary possibility for opponents that may face the Grizzlies. In 2012, Cooper watched his team get hot after a 1-3 start to the regular season, and that ride did not end until the coach was hoisting the CIF Div. I State Bowl Championship trophy over his head on the Home Depot Center field in Carson. In the 2014 playoff opener, few thought that the Grizzlies

Granite BAy would lose to Chavez, especially with the Titans’ primary offensive weapon — senior running back Priest Jennings, who rushed for 1,661 yards and 19 touchdowns — sidelined after suffering a season-ending injury in Week 10. But, even fewer could imagine Granite Bay dominating the first two quarters before resting the majority of its starters in the second half. The Grizzlies needed just six plays to go 55 yards to the end zone on its opening possession, and that was one of their longer scoring drives during a dominant first quarter. Flybacks Lucas Baiocchi and Tyler Brendel, along with halfback Ben Smith, each had scoring runs in the Grizzlies’ first 11 plays from scrimmage. Tight end Will Stabbert added a 10-yard touchdown catch-and-run to start the rout. Quarterback Justin Yeaton lofted a perfect 31-yard strike to Brian Graber, and Sam Cusano added a nifty 63-yard punt return touchdown. In 10 regular season games, the Grizzlies’ offense managed just 35 touchdowns. In the first 24 minutes of the postseason, it scored eight. “We came out and executed real well on offense,” Cooper said. “I think you saw a motivated team that wanted to play well, and to show that this game meant something to them.” The offensive opportunities — mostly on a short field — came in part from a solid defensive effort. Defense has been the team’s calling card for much of the season, limiting opponents to an average of 17 points per game. In fact, the Grizzlies allowed only 12 points per game when a 63-0 loss to Folsom is taken

out of the equation. The Titans could not find running room or time to pass, and the Grizzlies forced a pair of three-and-out’s to go with a Cedric Johnson interception and Cameron Smith’s strip-sack and fumble recovery on Chavez’s first four possessions. Much like the offense, a host of defenders made plays to completely shut down an offense that averaged 38 points per game in the regular season. “We’ve got a feisty defense,” said Smith, a captain and USCcommit at linebacker. “I think we are getting better every week, and we are getting more confident. That’s a good feeling.” It was not a good feeling for Chavez, and is not good news for Napa or anyone else that might cross the Grizzlies’ postseason path. While Smith may get the headlines with the size and speed of a prototypical Pac-12 linebacker, Granite Bay’s team philosophy of shared responsibility and depth is as evident on defense as it is on offense. “We play good team defense, and Cam’s not the only guy,” Cooper said. “Our defense has played well for a while, and we’re going to need that if we want to make any noise in the playoffs.” And that’s all that Cooper and Granite Bay really care about — making noise as a team in the postseason regardless of how quiet their individual statistics may be. “The ultimate challenge for us is going to be this next week,” Cooper added. “We are playing against a (league) champion, and I hope that we rise to that challenge. ✪ — Jim McCue

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November 20, 2014

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Rock Solid TCAL-Rock champion Salesian takes aim at another dominant playoff run

Just a cursory look at the California Interscholastic Federation Division IV bowl rankings would tell you that the Salesian High football team might have a steep hill to climb when it comes to being included in a regional qualifier next month. But the Pride has confounded the experts before and, should a few dominoes fall the right way, that hill might begin to look more like an ant hill than a mountain. As it sits right now, Salesian enters the North Coast Section Division V playoffs as the unquestioned No. 1 seed thanks to its Tri-County Athletic League Rock Division Salesian title and a convincing nonleague win over division foe Middletown. Where the Pride’s record sits is a matter of some debate though, and that answer will depend on the CIF’s decision on an appeal of forfeits by Oakland Athletic Salesian’s 8-2 regular season record marked League front-runner McClymonds. the program’s 10th straight season with at least The Warriors defeated Salesian 32-22 on Sept. 12 in eight wins. Here’s a look at the previous nine Oakland, but that result could be reversed if McClymonds seasons, which include four NCS titles. has to forfeit games it won due to an eligibility issue. So, YEAR RECORD POSTSEASON FINISH for now, Salesian enters the postseason with an 8-2 record and a seven-game winning streak. 2005 12-1 NCS Div. V champs No matter the uncertainty over its record, there is no 2006 10-3 NCS Div. V runner-up disputing just how strong a season Salesian has already 2007 10-2 NCS Div. V semifinalist enjoyed. 2008 9-3 NCS Div. IV runner-up The contributions of four key sophomores on offense, in2009 11-2 NCS Div. IV semifinalist cluding quarterback Jaylen Tregle and running back Dalon2010 11-2 NCS Div. IV champs nie Crater, has complemented a great season by senior running back Charles Hillary. On defense, a standout trio 2011 13-0 NCS Div. IV champs of defensive ends — Galuega Toailoa, Kyree Harvey and 2012 9-3 NCS Div. V quarterfinalist Chris Williams — has set the tone for a unit that allowed 2013 8-5 NCS Div. V champs just 12 points per game in league play. The linebacking core of Vegas Shackleford, John Schlit and d’Artagnan Connor has also played well while safety Prentiss Reid has been the ballhawk in the secondary. “I think the thing about our team that’s been a real pleasant surprise is we’ve won games people have expected us to lose,” Salesian coach Chad Nightingale said. “You look at the St. Mary’s game and the El Cerrito game and those are games on paper that many people thought we’d lose. We won both those games very convincingly.” Though the TCAL-Rock doesn’t always get the notoriety of some other leagues, consider that Salesian — with an enrollment hovering around 430 students — earned wins over schools in El Cerrito and Pinole Valley that have about triple the student body size. Nightingale credits both his players and his coaches for the achievement, saying that continuity in the staff has helped continue the tradition of one of the East Bay’s most successful programs. Now in his 19th season as Salesian’s head coach, Nightingale has never been one to dole out hollow praise. So, when he calls this year’s team “one of the top four teams we’ve had,” it means he knows the potential for a Section title and possibly more exists. Since 2005, the Pride (or the Chieftains, as they were called in that ‘05 title run) owns four NCS titles, and that remains the ultimate goal over the next few weeks. Still, Nightingale is pragmatic when talking about his team’s NorCal chances. The latest Cal-Hi Sports rankings also have Central Catholic-Modesto and Capital Christian-Sacramento in the top three with McClymonds, and editor Mark Tennis posits that Modesto Christian might also be in the mix should the right confluence of events take place. For now though, the focus in Salesian’s camp remains on next week, and a matchup against St. Vincent. Should the Pride reach the NCS final, the bottom of the bracket could produce as its opponent a one-loss team like No. 2 St. Bernard Catholic-Eureka, No. 3 St. Helena or even No. 6 John Swett-Crockett. None of those teams would be pushovers, and there is certainly work to be done before any rankings can even be considered. “We’re just trying to figure out a way to win next Saturday,” Nightingale said. ✪ —SportStars Staff

DAZZLING DECADE

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November 20, 2014

Berry Evans III

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Salesian quarterback Jaylen Tregle has been one of a handful of sophomores who have made big contributions to the Pride this season; Salesian safety Prentiss Reid chases down and tackles St. Mary’s-Berkeley receiver Sanjay Kettles; Running back Dalonnie Crater, another sophomore, breaks a tackle and heads for daylight against St. Mary’s-Berkeley.

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Records are through Nov. 15

1. (1)

— De La Salle-Concord

10-0

3. (3)

— Grant-Sacramento

11-0

2. (2) 4. (4) 5. (5) 6. (9)

— Folsom

— Milpitas

10-0

— Valley Christian-San Jose ▲

7. (6)

▼

9. (7)

▼

8. (8)

11-0

8-2

Serra-San Mateo

Clayton Valley Charter-Concord

— Campolindo-Moraga

Bellarmine-San Jose

8-2

12. (12) — Foothill-Pleasanton

13. (13) — Archbishop Mitty-San Jose Pittsburg

15. (15) — Rocklin

16. (16) — St. Francis-Mountain View

17. (17) — Sacred Heart Prep-Atherton 18. (18) — Concord

19. (19) — McClymonds-Oakland 20. (20) — Jesuit-Carmichael

11-0 10-1

11. (11) — Los Gatos

—

11-0 8-2

10. (10) — St. Mary’s-Stockton

14. (14)

7-3

8-2 6-4

8-2 9-2 6-4

10-0 10-1 10-0 9-2

DROPPED OUT

None

BIGGEST MOVER

There was actually very little movement as most ranked teams either had byes or were heavy favorites in playoff openers. The only shakeup occurred inside the Top 10 as former-No. 9 Serra-San Mateo defeated then-No. 7 Bellarmine-San Jose 28-14 in the teams’ regular season finale. Serra jumped three spots to No. 6 with the win, bumping Clayton Valley Charter-Concord down one spot in the process. We gave Serra the nod over the Eagles based on what we believe to be a much stronger strength of schedule.

KNOCKING ON THE DOOR (alphabetically)

Analy-Sebastopol (10-1), California-San Ramon (83), Central Catholic-Modesto (8-3), Elk Grove (9-2), Enterprise-Redding (9-1), Granite Bay (8-3), InderkumSacramento (10-1), Liberty-Brentwood (9-2), Monterey (8-2), Palma-Salinas (9-1), Salesian-Richmond (8-2), Sierra-Manteca (10-1), St. Mary’s-Berkeley (9-1) and Vacaville (9-2).

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November 20, 2014

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The Speed of Accessibility

By Mike Young | Contributor

anta Rosa residents Steve Goody and Tyler Scaturro believe they’ve found the “best kept secret in all of sports.” In the development of the Pocket Radar – an easy and accurate speed measurement device the size of a cell phone — they might be right. The device has the potential to be a gamechanger in the many aspects of training for baseball, softball, volleyball, tennis, lacrosse and more. “If you go to a college program, whether it’s for baseball or volleyball, they’re using our product every day for multiskill,” said Scaturro, the marketing specialist of Pocket Radar. “In baseball it might be throwing skill, hitting skill or pitching skill. And its not just about speed, it’s about control.” One of the many fascinating attributes of the Pocket Radar is that it allows athletes of any level to truly and accurately gauge their velocity in a multitude of ways. Not to mention it’s affordable, ranging from $199-299, compared to the traditional radar gun priced from $700-1,500. Notable Bay Area programs already utilizing the Pocket Radar include the Oakland A’s, Stanford Women’s Volleyball and even The Total Player Center facility in Pleasanton. A traditionally very expensive method of training can now be used in anybody’s backyard. “The magic thing that happens when you’re training with instant radar and velocity feedback, it doesn’t change the coaching process, it adds on to it,” said Steve Goody, founder of Pocket Radar. With instant and accurate feedback, suddenly an athlete has a number to work with, and the ability to instantly see what motions in the fundamentals — whether it’s pitching for baseball and softball or a serve in volleyball — are working or not. Coaches from volleyball to lacrosse have used the Pocket Radar to balance speed and accuracy, the ability to find the perfect speed and to be able to get that perfect shot or pass

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across the court or field. Besides the obvious ease-of-transport benefit, the size of the radar gun allows it to be discreet and practically out-of-sightout-of-mind. At the same time, it has an impact on an athlete’s motivation. Instant results can lead to new goals. “There’s an immediate effect in motivating the athlete to find a new personal best,” said Scaturro. “If you couple that with great coaching, on how to break down the numbers and show to an athlete what adjustments to make, it’s automatic.” Control is one of the most important aspects that the Pocket Radar can help athletes to master. Power versus control is something many youth level athletes struggle to balance. With the Pocket Radar’s instant feedback, that information is now accessible to the athlete. The device can give athletes a baseline for their maximum velocity for pitching, serving in volleyball or shooting in lacrosse. It allows the athlete to see what is considered out of control, and dial it down to be able to get the most accurate performance with the highest velocity. “As you know in sports, sometimes athletes view that the more violent the action is, it feels like its powerful, but in reality the opposite in true,” Goody said. “Smooth and easy is usually where the added power is.” With this product, Goody and Scaturro hope to change sports from how athletes train to keeping them safe. “For a high school athlete, this is where it’s the most ripe,” Goody said. “We designed this product so that a high school, a family or even an athlete could afford a pro-grade radar gun as a convenience. We really believe in the long run we are going to change these sports by making it accessible to more programs from high school and below. The college programs can afford everything, and sometimes the high schools and families can’t.” ✪ For more information and testimonials of the product, visit their website at www.pocketradar.com.

training by trucks: anthony trucks

Everyone’s Greatest Obstacle I have spent the last 12 years of my life in the health and fitness industries, whether it was playing professional sports in the NFL, being a professional trainer, owning and operating a gym or consulting for billion dollar companies in health and ergonomics. Although each area has different factors affecting it in the realm of physical demands for the individuals involved, there is one constant: They are all looking to physically improve in some way or another. Conversely, they all encounter the same obstacle as well — their EGO (Everyone’s Greatest Obstacle). This concept can honestly be applied to anyone’s life, but for this article I want to apply it directly to the weightlifter in all of us. Have you ever walked into a high school weight room and witnessed some of the poorest form and technique you had ever seen? Or have you gone to the place where it’s even more prevalent: the public gym. These places are breeding grounds for egos that are quite literally standing in the way of someone getting better. It usually goes like this: A person walks into the weight room and sees everyone around them. He doesn’t want to look weak or incapable of lifting a lot of weight, so he stacks on more plates than a Denny’s sink after Sunday church. He gets ready to lift and boom, he moves the weight through a quarter of the range that he should, and then starts to writhe under the bar like he’s having a seizure. The weight is so much that they can’t even complete a good rep. This not only hurts their body — because the joints aren’t prepared for it — but it crushes their nervous system. Now they wont even be able to get in a good lift or possibly even have a good workout because their body will begin to shut down early and fatigue quickly. The problem lies deeper though. In order to really maximize your ability to gain great strength or size, you need to be able to complete clean full-range lifts. When you complete full-range lifts you allow the body to use the entire muscle fiber. It increases the body’s chance to grow the muscle fiber needed to increase the muscular size and strength. Imagine everyone’s favorite lift, the bench press. I watch people at the gym every day hop on the bench press, load up the weight on the bar and then proceed to bend their elbows and lower the bar as little as 6-8 inches before pressing it back up thinking they’ve completed a quality rep. When I attended the 2006 NFL combine in Indianapolis I was tested on the bench press for reps of 225 pounds. The two most important rules were to lock your arms out and touch your chest, or the rep wouldn’t count. So how did everyone fall so far off track? The EGO. People would rather stack more weight on the bar and look strong instead of lowering the weight to actually get strong. The better reps you can perform, the better gains you’ll have. So the next time you walk into the weight room, drop the EGO and don’t worry about what everyone else thinks of the weights you put on the bar. Just worry about whether you can successfully move them. ✪ Anthony Trucks is an IYCA-certified trainer who covers weight training for SportStars.

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November 20, 2014

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health watch: robin bousquet

An intro to the nasty Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) & how to treat it Brady was a local goalie on her club soccer team. After an ankle sprain, she noticed that the pain in her foot and lower leg was not resolving, but getting worse. She self-described the pain as, “burning, stabbing, and unbearable”. She rated it as an 11 on a pain scale in which 10 is the most painful and said, “there are thousands of knives digging into my leg and twisting while it is on fire.” She no longer could walk, touch, or use her leg. In 1864, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) was first noted in adults in the medical literature, but the first mention of children with the disorder was not until 1971. There are 2 types of CRPS: Type 1: Usually in girls 8-16 years old (70-90 percent) and mostly in the lower extremity (5:1 ratio) without a definable nerve injury involvement. Type 2: Can be equal in boys and girls and occurs in cases where an identifiable nerve injury is present. Both types have similar symptoms: ›› Pain that is out-of-proportion to the initial injury present. ›› Neurovascular changes such as discoloration of the area and even temperature changes. ›› Allodynia, which is pain from a stimuli that is not normally painful. An example would be extreme pain in

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your leg from the pressure of wearing a sock. Happily, Brady is on her feet again and working towards getting back on the soccer field. Physical Therapy treatments at our center have included forced-use of her leg, desensitizing techniques with pillowcases, then towels, rice and contrast baths. Having Brady put weight on her foot was one of the most painful days in her life. After persevering, the crutches are now

gone. Her parents want other parents that may be facing this complex disorder to be pro-active for a diagnosis and immediate treatment. The personal stories they found on the internet about CRPS made them question if their daughter would ever walk on her leg again. Brady’s dad was surprised by the amount of pain that his daughter could endure, “it is the strangest disorder because you don’t want to hurt your child, but you have to take one step backwards to get two steps forward,” he said. “We had to have her push through excruciating pain to be able to progress.” Physical therapy with full support of her family through her rehabilitation and adapting her school environment, have been key elements to get their daughter back. ✪ Robin Bousquet is a senior physical therapist for the Sports Medicine For Young Athletes, a division of Children’s Hospital Oakland with a facility also located in Walnut Creek.

››››››››››

get mental: erika carlson

READY?

While attending a recent sport psychology conference, I had the pleasure of hearing WNBA basketball great, Sheryl Swoopes, talk about what drives excellence. She talked all about her journey to the top of her sport, which included Olympic gold medals and being a three-time WNBA MVP. Despite all of her success, Sheryl, like every great athlete, had many “failures” along the way. The most profound failure, in her eyes, was being cut from Team USA —TWICE! Despite being a physical powerhouse, a technical phenom, Swoopes was cut. Why? According to Stanford coach Tara Vandeveer, the national team coach at the time, Swoopes wasn’t “ready.” In her bid for a spot on the national team, Sheryl found herself in new territory. For the first time in her career, she wasn’t a starter and got very few minutes on the court. Sheryl got frustrated with this new and unwelcome experience — mentally, emotionally and physically frustrated. She paced up and down the court, got on her teammates and made it clear how she felt. Sheryl thought it was important that everyone know, especially her coach, how important this was to her and it wasn’t acceptable to sit on the sidelines and not be allowed to help her team. What Sheryl didn’t know was that it was a test; a readiness test. Vande-

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November 20, 2014

ARE YOU

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veer needed Sheryl to be a team player during her minutes on both the court and the sidelines. The behavior that Sheryl thought of as “caring” about the team and it’s success, was viewed by her coach as a selfish response, one that valued her own minutes over the whole team. Sheryl wasn’t ready. After a heart-to-heart with her coach about developing the mental toughness needed for the next level, Sheryl went back to work. She worked on developing her mental game and redefining what it meant to be a team player. With her new found approach, Sheryl went on to not only make the team, but helped three gold medal-winning teams. Every athlete reaches a threshold where their physical skills only take them so far. It’s at that point, the mental game is what separates success and failure. Sheryl is a fantastic example of how hard work on every aspect of the game (physical, technical and mental) are required to push through to the next level. It took time, but she was finally ready. Are you? ✪

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence in Sports Performance in Pleasanton.

training time: tim rudd for iyca Warming up is a critical starting point for an optimal workout. If an athlete’s goal is to improve his or her performance, they need to use proven warm-up principles. An effective warm-up provides numerous benefits: ›› Improves alignment and posture, ›› Decreases viscosity (i.e. it makes your joints feel good!) ›› Increases muscle temperature, and therefore flexibility/extensibility, ›› Releases epinephrine, norepinephrine, etc. ›› Increases nervous system conductivity. An intelligent and comprehensive warm-up covers three primary areas:

THE RESET

A reset is a specific breathing exercise used to restore optimal posture or alignment. This is a very specific exercise that is highly dependent on a trainer’s assessments. For example a 90/90 wall hip bridge exercise can help reset the ribcage and push some air into the right side of an athlete’s chest, realigning the rib cage and pelvis and increasing the athlete’s mobility. If athletes are immobile and unstable, they will struggle demonstrating strength, power and endurance.

THE RELEASE

This is where we utilize tools like foam rollers, softballs, lacrosse balls, golf balls and The Stick. This is commonly know as Self Myofascial Release and is used to increase blood flow and reduce stiffness throughout all the muscles and joints of the body. This helps to increase

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the effectiveness of the warm-up and get them squared up. Once the athlete is optimally aligned, released and squared up, it’s time to focus on actually warming up.

THE READINESS

The goal here is to cement posture to improve functional movements and ramping up to prepare for athletic movement in preparation for lifting or performance. This is where we take a joint-by-joint approach to our warm-up by targeting each joint of the body. Here’s an example checklist: ■ Hip Stretch/Mobilization: Spider-man T-Reach ■ Hip Stability (sagittal plane): Glute Bridge ■ Hip Stability (multi-planar): 4-Way Band Walk ■ Thoracic Spine Mobility: Side-Lying Diagonal Reach ■ Ankle Mobility: Board Ankle Breaks ■ Scapular Stabilizer Activation: Back-To-Wall Shoulder Flexion ■ Squat Patterning/Mobility: Squat-To-Stand ■ Hip-Separation Exercise: Walking Knee Hugs ■ Sagittal Plane Lunge: Split Squat ■ Frontal or Transverse Plane Lunge: Alternating Lateral Squat A smart warm-up gets an athlete loose and primed to run fast, jump high and lift heavy things. ✪ Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore.

November 20, 2014

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snow safety: hunter greene

Surviving the Slopes

As winter approaches, many families are eagerly anticipating the start of skiing and snowboarding season. And while hitting the slopes is a great way to stay active and have some family fun, skiing and snowboarding do have their risks. These winter sports are the second leading cause of sports-related injury and responsible for many trips to the emergency department. Common skiing and snowboarding injuries include leg, wrist, head and neck injuries. By following a few simple tips, you can help the whole family stay safe: ›› Wear a helmet — Helmets significantly reduce the risk of head injury. They should fit snug on the head with the chin strap in place. ›› Wear wrist guards — Wrist guards help reduce the rate of wrist injuries, which are common among snowboarders. ›› Sun protection — Even on cloudy days, UV intensity can be very high because of the sun’s reflection off snow and the high altitude. Apply sunscreen in the morning and stash a

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November 20, 2014

small bottle in your coat to reapply during the day. ›› Follow the rules — The Alpine Responsibility Code is part of snow sport injury prevention across the world. It includes the following: ■ Beginners should take a lesson from a certified instructor ■ Never ski or snowboard alone ■ Maintain and check all equipment and make sure it is fitted appropriately ■ Warm-up prior to hitting the slopes each day ■ Stay on marked trails — avoid “out-of-bounds” skiing and snowboarding ■ Be alert to you and your friend’s or child’s surroundings ■ Wear appropriate protective gear (i.e. helmets, wrist guards and sunscreen) ■ Ski and snowboard on runs that are appropriate for your skill level and the skill levels of those you are with. ■ Stop skiing or snowboarding before you or those your with are worn out. Injuries always seem to happen on that last run of the day Keep these tips in mind when you hit the slopes for a fun and safe season! ✪ Hunter Greene, M.D., is a board certified orthopedic surgeon with Summit Orthopedic Specialists in Carmichael. He specializes in adult and pediatric sports medicine.

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NorCal plays major role on national rugby stage On Saturday, Nov. 1, the USA Men’s Rugby Team took on the New Zealand All-Blacks in a historic event at Soldier Field in Chicago. The sell-out crowd of over 60,000 was witness to an impressive showing from the world’s best team — and although the USA suffered a heavy defeat, the game showcased just how far the sport has come in the USA since the early 2000’s. Having a premier event at a premier facility was an extremely important stepping stone in Rugby’s growth and development. Seven of the USA team players have ties to Northern California, either playing at the high school, college or club level here. This simply reinforces the history and impact that Northern carney’s California has on the sport in the corner: Mark Carney U.S.. With preseason practices and training getting underway here in Northern California at the youth level, we have a lot to be excited about. The season begins with U8-U12 leagues beginning in early January. The annual Sacramento Kick-Off Tournament (KOT) held at Rancho Cordova High School marks the beginning of the middle and high school season the third weekend of January. With over 42 high schoolaged boys and girls being selected to All-American camps

and touring teams last year, Northern California was the most represented region in the country at the highest level of competition for that age group. Earlier this month, the Northern California Youth Rugby

Association (NCYRA) hosted two free college seminars for high school rugby players, walking our athletes through the college admissions process and highlighting what rugbyplaying colleges and universities are looking for. The college game has really exploded over the last few years, with many programs now offering financial or admissions assistance to qualified student athletes. This in itself is a vital step to legitimizing the sport in the U.S., and with two of the best college programs in the country right in our backyard (Cal-Berkeley and Saint Mary’s College), our youth rugby players in Northern California can feel confident that the sport will continue to offer them opportunities to play at a higher level. The sport of rugby continues to gain momentum as we move forward into a new season. Clubs are reporting higher registration numbers at this time over last season, an encouraging sign of things to come. With a further influx of interested parties to the sport, we can be confident that the sport will only continue to flourish in Northern California and across the rest of the country. If you are one of those interested parties and would like to know how to get involved, or who your local clubs are, please contact the NCYRA office at 707-693-8803 or email staff@ncyrugby.org for more details. ✪ Mark Carney is the executive director of the Northern California Youth Rugby Association. He writes for SportStars as part of the magazine’s partnership with the NCYRA.

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November 20, 2014

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A Higher Perspective........................................................................................................45 All Out Sports League.......................................................................................................42 Antioch Sports Legends....................................................................................................30 Bay Area Rhino Court.......................................................................................................23 Big O Tires Northern California/ Nevada.............................................................................2 Bigfoot Hoops......................................................................................................19, 31, 48 California Family Fitness.....................................................................................................5 Catchflame.Com...............................................................................................................45 Championship Athletic Fundraising.................................................................................12 Cheergyms.Com...............................................................................................................36 Core Performance.......................................................................................................41, 43 Core Volleyball Club..........................................................................................................43 Diablo Futbol Club............................................................................................................44 Diablo Rock Gym..............................................................................................................41 Diablo Trophies & Awards.................................................................................................41 Diablo Valley Federal Credit Union....................................................................................29 East Bay Parks..................................................................................................................45 East Bay Sports Academy.................................................................................................24 Excellence In Sport Performance......................................................................................40 Foundry Sport..................................................................................................................47 Halo Headband................................................................................................................45 Home Team Sports Photography......................................................................................30 Jr. Optimist Baseball / Softball League ( J O B L)...............................................................42 Lone Tree Golf Course.......................................................................................................45 Modesto Magic................................................................................................................43 Mountain Mike’s Pizza........................................................................................................5 Muir Orthopaedic Specialists............................................................................................38 Northern California Youth Rugby Association...................................................................23 Northgate High School.....................................................................................................45 Oakland Police Department Recruiting............................................................................16 Oakland Warthogs Youth Rugby.......................................................................................16 Prepstarsonline.Com........................................................................................................29 Renaissance Club Sport....................................................................................................40 Rocco’s Pizza.....................................................................................................................41 Sacramento Lacrosse Association.....................................................................................41 San Ramon Slammers Baseball........................................................................................43 Sport Clips........................................................................................................................17 Sports Gallery Authenticated...........................................................................................42 Stevens Creek Toyota........................................................................................................25 Sutter Health East Bay........................................................................................................3 The First Tee Of The Tri Valley............................................................................................42 The Golf Club At Roddy Ranch..........................................................................................33 Tpc / The Pitching Center..................................................................................................33 U C S F Benioff Children’s Hospital Oakland......................................................................39 United States Youth Volleyball League.............................................................................46 West Coast Jamboree.......................................................................................................26 Wingstop.........................................................................................................................13

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November 20, 2014

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