Academy uses pressure defense to defeat

Desert Christian Academy, 40-35 Rangers rule top of SVL standings

Sports Editor

The Santa Rosa Academy Rangers varsity basketball team won the home conference game Wednesday, Jan. 25, against Desert Christian Academy in Bermuda Dunes by a score of 40-35.

Santa Rosa Academy in Menifee (17-4) overcame a slow start, trailing 18-4 after one quarter of play. In the second quarter, the Rangers began to settle down and play better on both ends of the court, shaving eight points off the lead going into the half.

After the half, Santa Rosa picked up the defensive intensity by applying full court pressure and crashing the boards for rebounds.

Century Castle’s defense and rebounding, and the hustle play of Andrew Aitchison, was the catalyst in the Rangers comeback.

Anthony Garlington’s 15 points and aggressive play on offense provided the scoring needed to secure the victory.

The win moved Santa Rosa to 9-0 in South Valley League play, giving them a two-game lead over secondplace Desert Christian with three games to play. Santa Rosa is well positioned to win the league title as they wrap up against San Jacinto Valley Academy (0-8) and St. Jeanne de Lestonnac Catholic School (2-7). Article contributions made by Action Captures Media Group. JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com

2023 Storm coaching staff officially announced

become a Minor League instructor with the San Diego Padres.

Jed Morris is this season’s hitting coach. Morris has been a Minor League hitting coach with the San Diego Padres since 2018 and was a Minor League Player from 20022008.

Another returning member of the Lake Elsinore Storm is Bench Coach, Jhonaldo Pozo. Pozo spent the 2010 and 2011 seasons in Lake Elsinore as a player before retiring and becoming a Minor League coach.

The complete list of the 2023 coaching staff is as follows:

Manager – Pete Zamora; Pitching Coach – Thomas Eshelman; Hitting Coach – Jed Morris; Bench Coach

JP Raineri

Sports Editor

The 2023 coaching staff has been officially announced, and there is a familiar face leading the way for the Lake Elsinore Storm’s 29th Minor League Baseball season.

Pete Zamora, after winning the Manager of the Year Award in 2019 with the Storm, is returning to help defend the 2022 California League Championship. Zamora spent 2020 managing the Double-A book revolves around is that life is not always perfect but just because life is not perfect does not mean it has to keep you down.

“I believe this book will bring hope, inspiration and encouragement to everyone who is encountering a difficult time in their life whether it is related to sports, work or personal life,” he said. “The audience for this book is mainly young adults going through similar struggles as I have had but I believe all ages and backgrounds can get a lot out of reading this book from many perspectives.”

The book’s foreword was written by Alabama pastor Buddy Bell, who has been a mentor to Johns.

“Buddy and I met a couple years ago at a Christian college conference, and he has helped mold me into the man I am today,” he said.

Johns said the Tuesday, Jan. 10, book signing went very well and he received great feedback. He found the question-and-answer portion to be very insightful, and looks forward to hosting more events in the future.

When asked how he responds to failure in his sport he replied, “It is important to respond with high character and maturity because when you react negatively it not only affects you and your team, but it feeds the other team’s competitiveness.”

His favorite baseball memory is explained in a passage from

Missions which saw a 68-68 season, second-best in the Texas League South.

Thomas Eshelman will be this year’s Pitching Coach, he too spent 2022 in Double-A San Antonio but as a player where he had a 4.58 ERA. He was also selected in the second round of the 2015 draft by the Houston Astros. He appeared in Major League games with the Baltimore Orioles in 2019, 2020 and 2021. He officially retired as a player this off-season and signed on to

– Jhonaldo Pozo; Athletic Trainer

– Josean Prieto; Strength Coach –Mark Spadavecchia; Performance Analyst – Charles King; Video Analyst – Kenny Kirkpatrick.

The Lake Elsinore Storm will open their 2023 season at home Thursday, April 6, versus the Visalia Rawhide. For ticket information, visit http://www.stormbaseball.com

JP Raineri can be reached by email at sports@reedermedia.com

“Laugh in the Face of Adversity” that said, “And I was up to bat with an 0-1 count. The pitcher was a side-arm pitcher, he threw a slider, and I hit a 2-run home run over the right center field wall to put us ahead 4-2. We ended up closing them out and winning 5-2 to win the National Championship, and we got to dogpile on the field.”

Assisting Johns at the book signing table was his good friend Alesia Denby, a shortstop on the Fresno State softball team.

“Alesia is also involved in a program outside of baseball I co- founded. Galvanized Global is an online program that helps studentathletes manage stress and achieve success,” he said. For more information, visit http://www.GGLife.org.

The takeaway Johns believes readers will get from his book is the importance of perseverance.

“We are all going to get knocked down in life. Life is difficult. Really difficult. But we need to keep going,” he said. “And if we keep going in pursuit of what we want to achieve, we can become successful.”