NorCal Issue 228, February 2024

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Premier Partners Valley Christian’s Nathan Choi

Back in the Game

H

ello there, friends. Welcome back to the SportStars Experience.

Over the years, we’ve always taken some football recovery time over the first half of January and then rolled back in around MLK Day. This year was a little different. For those who followed us closely in the fall, especially on our 7 Friday Night podcast, you might know that I’ve added a new full-time career in addition to some of my duties here.

I’ve joined the profession of so many of the coaches we write about here and have become a teacher. I’m also a student again. There’s a lot happening.

The onslaught of responsibilities caught up to me, and SportStars needed to take a timeout. In the grand scheme of things, it was really like a 30-second timeout. We missed about six weeks of action — which unfortunately meant nearly all of the winter season — but we’re hoping to make things up with some killer state basketball features at the end of this month.

In the meantime, we’re excited to say that we’re back and have a plan in place that should hopefully keep us moving forward and writing the type of features you’re used to seeing from us.

With that said, we’re fired up to be back at it with three features for this issue. We’ve got early season features on Valley Christian-San Jose baseball and Whitney-Rocklin softball along with 25 players to watch for both sports. And finally, our resident wrestling guru Ike Dodson reports on Northern California’s weekend at the CIF State Wrestling Championships.

What can you expect from us moving forward? I’m glad you asked.

Our goal is to serve up at least one new feature a week at SportStarsMag.com and sprinkle in some other goodies as we can. We’ll start in early March by making sure we return to the hardwood for the state championships.

We’re keeping the lights on because we believe there’s still a place for magazine-style high school sports coverage in this region. And we think we do it pretty darn well. If you think the same, spread the word that we’re back. The timeout is over. Our team is on the floor. ✪

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YOUR TICKET TO CALIFORNIA SPORTS ADMIT ONE; RAIN OR SHINE This Vol. #14, February 2024, Whole No. 227 is published by GoSportzStars Media LLC, PO Box 1156 Lake Oswego, OR. SportStars™© 2010-2023 by GoSportzStars LLC. All rights reserved. Receive FREE Digital Subscription in your inbox. Subscribe at SportStarsMag.com.

Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of the Publisher is strictly prohibited. The staff and management, including Board of Directors, of SportStars™© does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes. Editorial contributions, photos, and letters to the editor are welcome. All material should be typed, double-spaced and e-mailed to editor@sportstarsmag. com. SportStars™© and STARS!™© Clinics, Know and GO Podcast ™, SportStories Podcast™, and 7 Friday Nights Podcast™, are trademarks of GoSportzStars Media LLC.

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5.26.17 College Park-Pleasant Hill slugger Christian Encarnacion-Strand locks in during a North Coast Section playoff plate appearance at San Ramon Valley High in Danville. Encarnacion-Strand hasn’t stopped hitting. He made a meteoric rise through the minor leagues and made his Major League debut for the Cincinnati Reds on July 17 of last year. In 63 games he hit .270 with 13 home runs and 37 RBI. Expectations for him are high as he enters his first full season in 2024.

Chace Bryson photo.

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TOURNEY

TIME Volleyball Players Throughout NorCal Have Plenty Of Options To Stay Local This Spring With multiple tournaments taking place almost every weekend, March represents one of the busiest months of the spring season for the Northern California Volleyball Association (NCVA).

For clubs and parents looking to keep travel to a minimum, the Girls’ Premier League is a

quality option throughout the month. Premier League #2 will take place March 2-3 for 12/11s, 16/15s and 18/17s with sites varying depending on district. Later in the month, Premier League #3 takes place on March 23-24 with 12/11s, 14/13s and 18/17s competing at district sites.

Girls Power League #2 will take over the San Mateo Event Center on the first two weekends of March. 11s and 12s will compete on March 3 while 13s take center stage on March 9. For 14s, 15s and 16s, Power League #3 is ready to roll this month with 15s competing in San Mateo on March 9, 14s joining the fray on March 10, and 16s squaring off on March 24 at Cal Expo in Sacramento as well as the Capital Sports Center in McClellan.

Spots at Junior Nationals are on the line for some age divisions in March. The 17/18s that have combined through the season will separate to determine representatives for Nationals.

The 18s Power League Championships will be held March 2-3 at the Capital Sports Center and the 17s Power League Championships are set for March 16-17 at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center in Sacramento.

Teams from out of the region as well as teams not competing in Power or Premier League have three special tournament options in March. On March 9-10, Capital Sports Center hosts March Madness for all age divisions (11s-18s). March Madness is unique due to a variety of different rules (no timeouts, running timer clock and more) as well as the added twist that teams are encouraged to wear costumes.

On March 16-17, all age divisions are invited to compete in the Golden State Classic at the San Mateo Event Center. And, on March 23-24, the International Agri-Center in Tulare plays host to the Spring Fling, which is also open to all age divisions and is making its return after a one-year hiatus due to flooding in Tulare last year.

Finally, the first Girls’ Qualifier of the season is also set to take place in March. The Sierra National Qualifier for 18s will take place from March 16-18 at SAFE Credit Union Convention Center. All USAV regions are eligible to compete, and teams from California, Oregon, Arizona and more are slated to compete for a bid to Junior Nationals.

For more information on all the great volleyball options taking place throughout Northern California, as well as a full list of upcoming events, visit NCVA.com. ✪ 6

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HU HU RIGHT: Whitney senior Madilyn Novello takes a swing during cage work at a February indoor practice.

FACING PAGE: Novello, left, is pictured with fellow four-year varsity players Hannah Duncan, center, and Mya Flindt.

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UNGRY Y R G N UFFOR OR M ORE MORE Reigning SJS Div. II Champion Whitney Softball Is Setting The Bar Even Higher In 2024 Story by Kelli Bryson Photos by David Gershon Follow Us On Twitter & Instagram, Like Us On Facebook!

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t’s a late President’s Day afternoon and Fresno State-bound senior pitcher Hannah Duncan isn’t working on her rise ball.

Today, she’s perfecting her buffalo chicken dip, while her catcher, Mya Flindt, and shortstop Alyssa Flindt are focused on chocolate-dipped desserts. That’s because later that day, the Whitney-Rocklin softball team with high expectations is building charcuterie boards along with team chemistry.

“We’re having our first team bonding tonight,” said Duncan. “We haven’t had that many practices with the weather.

We’re an older team this year so a lot of us know what to expect. Our standards are set high; we know what we need to do.”

The Wildcats are making the most of the rainy preseason, which has only allowed them a handful of days on the dirt, but it’s not like this team is a group of strangers.

Whitney graduated just four seniors from the team that took second in the Sierra Foothill League last season with a 10-5 league record and 22-8 overall mark. The Wildcats won the Sac-Joaquin Section Division 2 title, defeating Vacaville 7-1. The team then went 1-1 in the CIF NorCal Division I tournament, defeating Archbishop Mitty-San Jose 9-3 before losing to eventual champion Hollister 3-2 in the semifinals.

“Even though we won the D2 section championship, a lot of us returners are hoping we can win the league this year,” said Mya Flindt, another member of the team’s senior core. “One of our main goals is to win the league and go further.”

Mark Watson spent the past five seasons as Whintey’s assistant coach and is excited to take the helm from former head coach Mike Mello. “For the most part they take care of (motivation) themselves,” Watson said “After falling just a little short, dropping that one-run game to Hollister they want a chance to get back and finish out that run.”

The Wildcats have plenty of returning talent with several athletes committed to playing college ball.

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Watson has Duncan (Fresno State) in the circle, Mya Flindt (South Carolina) behind the dish, Tylie Kitchen (San Diego State) at third, Alyssa Flindt (Boise State) at shortstop, sophomore Brooklyn Steele at second, and Madilyn Novello (CSU San Marcos) at first.

Duncan was named the Sac-Joaquin Section’s Class of 2024 Player of the Year by MaxPreps last season, and the Wildcats’ ace finished her junior campaign with 198 strikeouts. Watson says over the past two years Duncan has become a much more complete pitcher. “She’s strong in the head and doesn’t waver too much,” he said. “She’s got an excellent changeup and her rise ball is equally as good.”

“Hannah is not scared,” said Mya Flindt. “If a coach calls for a pitch on a good batter, she’s not afraid to throw it. She’ll go for it and throw it the hardest and best she can.”

It doesn’t hurt that the players behind Duncan combined for a .950 fielding percentage last season. “I love how Tylie plays third base, and how loud she is on the field,” said Duncan. “When I’m struggling, she talks me up or calls time to calm me down. It’s nice pitching with a loud infield. They fire me up to do better.”

While Kitchen’s teammates love her voice on the field, her bat makes noise too with an impressive .436 batting average and seven home runs last season.

“Tylie, is just a stud,” said Alyssa Flindt. “Last year she did good, but this year she wants everything, like the highest batting average, the most home runs – everything. She did great last year, but I can see her going even further.”

The other Wildcat infielders, Novello, Steele, Alyssa and Mya Flindt, also succeeded at the plate, each hitting over .300 last season with a combined 107 hits, 69 RBI, and 24 extra-base hits.

Wildcats’ center fielder Sarah O’Dea graduated last year, and Watson says there are two to three players that he’ll be trying out in the position, but the corners are set. “We’ve got Bailey Reynolds returning to start in right field.

She’s a strong athlete, really growing with her confidence and starting to come into her own,” he said. “And senior Bryanna Decker (University of Minnesota Crookston) will be in left. She’s got good speed, and is a talented left-handed hitter.”

Seniors and four-year varsity starters Duncan, Novello, and Mya Flindt have grown up together on and off the field. “I’d say we’re pretty close,” said Mya Flindt. “I’ve known Hannah since preschool and Madi since elementary school. With all of us being seniors, it’s pretty cool that we are going through our lasts when we went through our firsts together.”

“We have a really strong bond from playing together for four years,” Duncan said. “We’re taking leadership positions. Plus, they’re really fun to hang out with.”

Despite the lack of early field time due to the weather, the rain hasn’t dampened the team’s spirit.

“We have a great group of leaders,” said Watson. “Mya, Hannah, and Madi are all leaders. They’ve bought in and they’ve made it clear to the other players that they’re a team on and off the field to make this as big a success as they can.”

After an indoor practice on President’s Day, players swapped bats and balls for charcuterie boards with each player creating a board of goodies to be shared with teammates be it sweet or savory.

“Everyone is getting to know each other a lot more, and as the days go on we’ll be calling each other sisters,” Alyssa said. “Girls are girls, we all have our drama. We just have to keep the drama and attitudes off the field and keep the positive energy on the field.”

The team tries to do 5-10 bonding events each season, and Watson says the players have taken the reins on planning. “We want them to use some time to get to know each other and build relationships off the field to better their relationships on the field,” Watson said.

“Their chemistry is number one,” the coach continued. “There’s just a lot of talent on the field, and they understand the competition for playing positions. They embrace that and realize they’re competing with their sisters, and not against each other.”

While Watson uses the term “sisters” figuratively, he says Mya and Alyssa Flindt are the third set of biological sisters playing together in the Wildcats program since he started coaching at Whitney in the junior varsity program nine years ago.

“Mya is a beast. She’s 5’9 and a great catcher with good pop and a strong Follow Us On Twitter & Instagram, Like Us On Facebook!

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CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Coach Mark Watson delivers some tips during a team workout; Brooklyn Steele eyes a pitch off of her barrel; Hannah Duncan smiles as she receives the ball back from her catcher during some bullpen work; Mya Flindt takes a hack during her Presidents Day batting practice session.

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arm,” Watson said. “Alyssa also has good pop with the bat and speed. Alyssa could, and probably has, played eight or nine different positions in a tournament, maybe even in a game.

She’s just that kind of teammate. She’ll clean up, rake the field, take reps, catch for pitchers.”

Alyssa Flindt, nicknamed Peanut, said it’s a true story, she did play all nine field positions in a single game. “My travel ball coach just wanted to try it,” Alyssa said. “It was pretty fun to see the game from every position.” Despite the nickname, Peanut has put up big numbers for the Wildcats, and Watson thinks she’ll continue in her junior year. As a sophomore on varsity last season, Alyssa had a .352 batting average with 32 hits, 24 RBI, and 11 extra-base hits, including three home runs.

“She holds down the infield so well,’ Mya said of her younger sister. “Playing with Alyssa has been one of the best experiences, it’s brought us closer the past couple of years, especially with me leaving for college in the summer. She has my back and I have hers. She’s a great shortstop.”

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Not to be outdone, Mya capped the 2023 season with a .386 batting average that included 32 hits, 36 RBI, and seven home runs.

“It’s been amazing playing with (Mya), especially this year.

We’re so close now, if it wasn’t for softball, we’d probably still be arguing,” Alyssa said with a laugh. “She’s stepping up for the team now that she’s a senior. Mya takes control and gets people going and gets them doing what needs to be done.”

Weather permitting, Whitney will get its 2024 season started on the road at Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove on March 4 in a matchup of the No. 2 and 3 preseason teams in the section according to MaxPreps. Sierra Foothill League play begins on March 12 with a visit from Granite Bay. “We’re all proud of what we did last year, but this year we’re aiming higher,” said Duncan. “We want more wins in league, we want a NorCal championship. Our standards are high and we know what to do.” ✪ Support Your Advertisers — Say You Found Them in SportStars!

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NORCAL SOFTBALL 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH Kate Munnerlyn | St. Francis-Mountain View | LHP | Sr.

Skills abound on Northern California’s ballfields, and 2024 promises to be another standout year for high school softball in the region.

With so much talent on local rosters, drilling down to 25 players to watch this season was nothing short of impossible. The list could easily be doubled with so many players committed to playing at four-year schools.

Here’s our list, presented alphabetically by last name.

The southpaw half of the Lancers’ dynamic pitching duo, Munnerlyn went 16-3 with an 0.55 ERA and 171 strikeouts in 114 innings as a junior. The Texas A&M commit also had a strong playoff performance, throwing three no-hitters.

Jamie Oakland | St. Francis-Mountain View | OF | So.

Xochitl Atayde | Vacaville | RHP | Sr. During her junior campaign, the right-handed ace struck out 216 batters in 153 innings. The San Francisco Statebound pitcher had a 17-3 record with a 1.55 ERA. Delaney Aumua | Granada-Livermore | INF | Sr. Second-team All-Underclass choice by CalHiSports.com hit .443 with eight home runs. Bound for Auburn in the fall.

The West Catholic Athletic League’s Player of the Year had a .533 batting average as a freshman with 48 hits and 14 RBI for the perennial power Lancers.

Lila Partridge | Casa Grande-Petaluma | RHP | Jr. Named Vine Valley Athletic League Pitcher of the Year after going 14-2 her sophomore year with a 1.64 ERA and a perfect game against Justin-Siena-Napa. The Kansas State commit also hit .500 with 38 RBI and 10 home runs.

Sydney Barker | Rocklin | INF | Sr. The Oklahoma-bound infielder has one of the best gloves in the country with a .952 fielding percentage in her junior year. The shortstop also excelled at the plate, hitting .492 with 29 hits, 16 RBI, and 6 home runs.

Olivia Bauer | Sutter | RHP | Sr. The Boise State commit was a two-way threat in her junior campaign. The Huskies ace went 23-2 in the circle with a 1.04 ERA and led the team with a .527 average that included 49 hits and 29 RBI.

Briseis Botonis | Wheatland | INF | Sr. The Pirates’ first baseman was a beast at the plate with nearly 75 percent of her hits going for extra bases.

Botonis had 14 home runs, eight triples, and 12 doubles, finishing her junior campaign with a .505 batting average.

Alexa Carino | Sutter | INF | Sr. The Sacramento State-bound infielder drove in 47 runs on 39 hits her junior year. She finished the season with 13 home runs and 10 doubles.

Mia Phillips | Hollister | INF | Sr. Kate Munnerlyn Mya Flindt | Whitney-Rocklin | C | Sr. The South Carolina commit was handy both at and behind the plate in her junior year. The Wildcats’ catcher hit .386 with 36 RBI, two doubles, and seven home runs while compiling a .990 fielding percentage over 28 games played.

Corri Hicks | Archbishop Mitty-San Jose | C | Sr. Will anchor the Monarchs both behind and at the plate before joining national power Oklahoma in the fall. Hit .302 as a junior and has 21 career home runs in three varsity seasons.

Alanna Clincy | Willow Glen-San Jose | P | So.

Shannon Keighran | St. Francis-Mountain View | RHP | Sr.

Second-team Medium Schools All-State selection by CalHiSports.com went 12-3 and struck out 185 to help lead the Rams win the CIF NorCal Division II championship.

Named West Catholic Athletic League Pitcher of the Year in 2023 she was 12-0 with 0.66 ERA as a junior. Keighran is headed to Boise State in the fall.

Hannah Duncan | Whitney-Rocklin | RHP | Sr.

Madeline Lawson | Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove | RHP | Jr.

The Wildcats’ ace was named the Sac-Joaquin Section’s Class of 2024 Player of the Year by MaxPreps after a junior campaign with a 10-0 record, 1.68 ERA, and 198 strikeouts. Duncan is committed to Fresno State.

Named Sac-Joaquin Section Sophomore of the Year by MaxPreps, the Eagles’ ace struck out 207 batters and went 14-1 with a 1.18 ERA. Committed to Columbia.

Madison Evers-Lyles | Freedom-Oakley | INF | Sr.

Kaitlyn Le | California-San Ramon | P | Sr.

Sacramento State-bound Falcon hit .536 with 9 doubles, eight home runs, 44 RBI, and only two strikeouts in 84 plate appearances while playing in the always competitive Bay Valley Athletic League.

All-Bay Area News Group first team selection starred in the circle for SSM’s No. 6-ranked team to end the year.

Went 19-6 with 110 strikeouts to lead the Grizzlies to their first-ever North Coast Section softball title.

Taylor Faga | Hollister | INF | So.

Apple Maldonado | Antioch | INF | Sr.

Named State Freshman of the Year by CalHiSports, the first baseman had an impressive year at the plate, batting .511 with 46 hits, including 10 doubles, four triples, and three home runs.

A powerhouse at the plate, Maldonado hit .598 as a junior, including 49 hits, 35 RBI, and just four strikeouts in 82 at-bats. The Bay Valley Athletic League’s MVP for 2023 is committed to Weber State.

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The Haybalers’ shortstop was a First Team All-State and First Team All-Pacific Coast Athletic League selection her junior year. The Cal commit hit .390 and led her team with 41 RBI.

Marina Sacrey | San Leandro | RHP/INF | Jr. Stellar sophomore campaign as the right-hander had a 10-4 record with 111 strikeouts over 109 innings. Sacrey also hit .644 for the Pirates with 38 RBIs, 18 doubles, three triples and six home runs.

Jessica Szelenyi | Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills | INF | Sr. Young talent abounds for the Trojans but Szelenyi will help provide the senior leadership. Sacramento State commit hit .439 with 19 RBI and 19 runs to earn All-Sierra Foothill League honors as a junior.

Ayla Tuua | Capital Christian-Sacramento | RHP/ OF | So. The Sacramento Bee’s Player of the Year hit .545 with 50 RBI and 12 home runs, including four grand slams. She also dominated from the circle with a 1.20 ERA and 172 strikeouts in just over 93 innings pitched.

Savannah Warman | Union Mine-El Dorado | INF | Sr. The South Carolina State commit finished her junior campaign with a .712 batting average that included 42 hits, 30 RBI, nine doubles, seven triples, and three home runs.

McKenna Woliczko | Archbishop Mitty-San Jose | INF | So. There’s not a whole lot the sophomore sensation can’t do athletically, and when she wraps up her season on the hardwood, she’ll be back at her post as the Monarchs’ starting shortstop. SSM’s Athlete of the Year in 2023 hit .429 with 30 hits, 22 runs and 23 RBI. ✪

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One Year After A Heartbreaking NorCal Title Loss, Valley ChristianSan Jose Baseball Returns The Talent, Experience Needed For Another Memorable Run Story by Mitch Stephens Photos by David Gershon

W

atching another team skip, flail and rejoice on your field was borderline unbearable, but John Diatte and his Valley Christian-San Jose Warriors’ baseball team had no choice.

De La Salle-Concord had just scored six runs in the top of the seventh last June, capped by a two-out grand slam by Hank Tripaldi, to pull out one of the more emotional and unlikely comebacks imaginable to win the epic Northern California Division I championship game, 11-8, between NorCal’s two most dominating

programs.

Valley Christian’s brilliant 31-4 season, highlighted with an improbable perfect 14-0 West Catholic Athletic League crown and fifth Central Coast Section title in six years — along with a seemingly secure three-run seventh-inning lead — all came crashing down with a crushing season-ending defeat.

“It was definitely tough to stomach,” Diatte said.

The gut-punch was later softened somewhat when he learned that the game’s hero had lost his mother to breast cancer earlier in the spring, igniting the extra emotional celebration.

Every team has its own journey, even a destiny, and Diatte took some solace knowing De La Salle found theirs. Even at the Warriors’ expense.

“Ultimately what I enjoyed most was reading a quote from (De La Salle coach David Jeans) who said, ‘God has a plan,’“ Diatte said. “I was sad for our team and our seniors at the time for sure. But I do believe that there is always a bigger plan, though I have zero idea what he had for me that day.”

By every indication Diatte, the son of a 47-year paperplant employee, was born to coach baseball and lead young men.

THE RIGHT REASONS According to the CalHiSports record book, the 58-yearold owns the third-most wins among active coaches in the state with 736 victories against 265 defeats. He just passed Lowell’s John Donohue to rank No. 11 in state history and with this current talented lot — the Warriors graduated just two key players off last year’s team — he should move past four more retired coaches this season into the No. 7 spot.

It would take 11 more 30-win seasons to catch state career leader John Stevenson of El Segundo (1,059-419), who coached 49 years. Diatte is starting year 35 at Valley Christian, a place he graduated from in 1984.

“As long as I’m still part of the educational process and doing it for the right reasons, helping good young men get better in all facets of life, and as long as I have the help from coaches like I have now, I can see myself doing this for a long time,” he said. “Honestly, coaching helps keep me young. It gives me more energy.”

Winning helps with all of it and the Warriors, over the last decade, have turned into a state and even a national juggernaut. Playing in Northern California’s best league, the Warriors have gone 138-28 since 2018 with five of the program’s 11 CCS titles.

It’s helped to have plethora of talent, like the 2018 squad (29-3-1) which featured four players currently playing highlevel minor league ball — pitchers William Kempner, Steven Zobac and Patrick Wicklander, along with outfielder Eddie Park, a Stanford standout, who was an eighth-round pick of the White Sox in 2023.

Among the throngs of college scholarship players since 2019 are Mitch Birdsall (Kansas), Trevor Haskins (Stanford), Griffin Allen (Grand Canyon University), Jonathan Cymrot (Kansas), Jaxson Wall (GCU), Joshua Minami (Illinois Tech), Coleman Brigman (Santa Clara), William Kempner (Gonzaga) and Nicholas Marinconz (Long Beach State).

BILLY BALL Asked if the winning has attracted the talent or something else, Diatte admitted a change in his own personality and coaching style. Listing Billy Martin as one of his managerial idols, Diatte moved off the small/Billy Ball approach and gave more freedom to the modern big-swing, big-inning approach.

More vital still has been greater personal attention to his players, replacing his hard-line ways — Diatte’s coaching career started as defensive coordinator and line coach for the football program — with a bigger picture view of kids and their new-world, fastpace challenges.

He said it’s led to a much richer coaching experience, filled with authentic, long term relationships. When kids graduate from his program now, he feels it profoundly, like sending his own children off to college and the real world.

“I think I’ve become a much better communicator,” Diatte said. “I think I’m much more understanding, which has lent itself to kids perhaps wanting to be part of the program. Our talent-level has for sure changed and part of that is me adapting and evolving.”

With six players already committed to Division 1 programs, the talent pool this season is among the best Diatte has ever had, especially the Class of 2025.

Outfielder Quinten Marsh is the only senior among the six who have committed. He and his brother Tatum, a pitcher and DH, are headed to Stanford.

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FAR LEFT: Hunter Fujimoto tosses his bat after drawing a walk in a Feb. 24 game at Elk Grove.

LEFT: Starting pitcher Rohan Kasamagotu started the game against Elk Grove and threw four hitless innings with five strikeouts.

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Jordan Ortiz The others, all juniors, are pitcher/outfielder Brock Ketelsen (Stanford), outfielder Hunter Fujimoto (Santa Clara), pitcher Rohan Kasanagotu (USC) and catcher Jordan Ortiz (LMU).

All the juniors started as sophomores, making last year’s run all the more remarkable.

“It’s a fun group, pretty athletic and we can really pitch,” Diatte said.

CENTER OF SUCCESS The emphasis on pitching has been another huge key to Valley Christian’s rise to national prominence, which has been furthered by longtime pitching coach Adam Varteressian, who previously was the head coach at Saratoga High School.

The experience and loyalty from other savvy assistants Andrew Simon, Gabe Espitia and Shorty Gutierrez has also been key.

“I think the center of the mound and the depth we’ve had there has been a huge part of our fortune,” Diatte said. “You can’t win without the horses. We’ve been very lucky.”

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But managing pitching is perhaps the most delicate part of the game, and Diatte said one of his great influences was former San Jose State and Santa Clara University coach John Oldham, 91, who passed away recently.

“He was very detailed in all aspects of the game, but he was particularly an amazing pitching coach,” Diatte said.

Diatte got the text of Oldham’s death during the middle of Valley Christian’s 1-0 win over Elk Grove on Feb. 24 to improve to 2-0. Kasanagotu and Ketelsen combined on a two-hitter with eight strikeouts. It was a pitching gem that seemed to honor a man who treasured pitching greatness.

Perhaps the baseball Gods do have a plan.

“He was definitely his own man,” Diatte said of Oldham. “He was a great coaching mentor who had an amazing coaching career. He will be missed.” ✪ Email SBLive Sports editor Mitch Stephens at mitch@scorebooklive.com

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NORCAL BASEBALL 2024

PLAYERS TO WATCH As usual, talent isn’t tough to find on diamonds across Northern California, and 2024 looks like another banner year for high school baseball throughout the region.

College recruiters would certainly back up that claim, with NorCal stars headed to SEC powers like Vanderbilt, Arkansas and Mississippi State as well as a hearty contingent ready to join back-to-back College World Series participant Stanford.

The toughest part of identifying 25 players to watch?

Narrowing the list. There are plenty of local stars who could have landed in this spot who will undoubtedly make an impact throughout the 2024 season. Here’s our list, presented alphabetically by last name.

Nic Abraham, Franklin-Elk Grove, RHP/1B, Sr. Imposing 6-foot-5 right-hander shared Sacramento Bee All-Metro Player of the Year honors with teammate Nolan Stevens in 2023 after going 10-0 with a 0.61 ERA, five complete games, four shutouts and 64 strikeouts in 69 innings pitched. Headed to Tennessee in the fall.

Conner Barth, Woodcreek-Roseville, INF, Sr. Versatile middle infielder hit .388 with 32 RBI, five doubles, three home runs, one triple and 14 stolen bases as a junior. Slick-fielding Mississippi State commit also played a part in turning 11 double plays.

Charlie Bates, Palo Alto, INF, Sr. Highly touted shortstop will be able to walk from high school to college when he trades Paly green for Stanford red in the fall. Hit .362 as a junior and is described by Perfect Game as the “best pure shortstop in the class defensively.”

Jagger Beck, Sutter, RHP, Sr. The fall of 2023 brought success as a quarterback but the 6-foot-6 right-hander is a Hawaii commit on the diamond.

As a junior, Beck went 10-1 with a 0.73 ERA, seven complete games, six shutouts and a massive 123 strikeouts in 67.1 innings pitched.

Ryan Burton, Capuchino-San Bruno, INF, Sr. One of the ringleaders for a young Mustangs squad, Burton hit .455 with 10 extra-base hits, 24 RBI and 22 runs scored. Also made an impact on the mound, going 4-2 with a 1.86 ERA in a team-high 15 appearances.

Luke Oyler, Whitney-Rocklin, INF/RHP, Sr. Sacramento State commit starred in a variety of ways for the Wildcats in 2023. At the plate, hit .414 with 24 RBI and nine doubles. In the field, committed only three errors. And, on the mound, made nine appearances and went 5-2 with a 2.90 ERA and 38.2 innings pitched.

Drew Perry, Leroy Greene AcademySacramento, OF/1B, Sr.

Hank Tripaldi Tony Lira, Oakmont-Roseville, INF, Sr. Arizona commit hit .396 with 25 RBI, 19 runs, 12 doubles, three home runs, a triple and a .977 fielding percentage as a junior corner infielder.

Colin Linteo, San Ramon Valley-Danville, INF, Sr. Earned All-EBAL first team honors in 2023 after hitting .359 with 31 runs, 17 RBI and 11 extra-base hits. Will make the short trip from Danville to Moraga to play for Saint Mary’s in the fall.

Quinten Marsh, Valley Christian-San Jose, P/1B, Jr. One half of the Stanford-bound Marsh duo that is set to star for the Warriors again this year. The younger half of the tandem compiled a 0.66 ERA and struck out 45 in 42.2 innings pitched as a sophomore in 2023. Also added three home runs as a hitter.

Tatum Marsh, Valley Christian-San Jose, OF, Sr. The elder Marsh returns as a senior leader for the Warriors in 2024. As a junior, hit .350 with 44 runs scored, 28 RBI, eight doubles, three home runs and 38 stolen bases.

Also drew 20 walks and was hit by 13 pitches en route to a 1.016 OPS.

Tate Medicoff, Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco, 1B/OF, Sr. 6-foot-3, 210-pounder projects as a powerful addition for Santa Clara in the fall. Hit. 402 with six home runs and 12 doubles and compiled a 1.330 OPS as a junior.

R.J. Meyn, De La Salle-Concord, RHP, Sr.

Texas isn’t the likeliest destination for Bay Area baseball stars but the Mustangs’ left-handed hitting catcher is headed to the Lone Star State to play for the Longhorns.

The Spartans never lack for options on the mound but Meyn returns as one of the team’s top options after going 10-0 with a 2.20 ERA in 63.2 innings pitched as a junior.

He’ll head to Santa Clara in the fall.

Jax Gimenez, Whitney-Rocklin, INF, Sr.

Wade Mountz, Bellarmine-San Jose, RHP, Sr.

Named Class of 2024 Sac-Joaquin Section Player of the Year in 2023 by MaxPreps. Oregon commit hit .400 with 12 extra-base hits and 21 stolen bases while helping to anchor the middle of the infield.

6-foot-7, 230-pounder will join national power Arkansas in the fall, but before he does, he’ll be one of several talented options on the mound for the Bells. Struck out 53 in 45.2 innings as a junior.

Carter Johnstone, Los Gatos, INF, Sr.

Austin Nye, Woodcreek-Roseville, RHP, Sr.

First-team All-Bay Area News Group selection hit .464 with 17 extra-base hits and 29 RBI. Cal State Fullerton commit also scored 24 runs and stole six bases for the Wildcats.

Another big-time arm headed to the SEC, Nye fanned 71 in 42.1 innings as a junior. Vanderbilt commit went 5-0 with a 1.16 ERA and made an impact at the plate as well, scoring 26 runs and driving in 14.

Cole Chamberlain, San Marin-Novato, C, Sr.

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Led the Lions to a SJS Division 6 title in 2023 with numbers that would be hard to replicate on MLB The Show.

Hit .707 with 11 doubles, eight home runs, four triples and a section-best 55 RBI. Also hit two grand slams in one game.

Luka Pintar, Archbishop Mitty-San Jose, LHP, Sr. Southpaw star on the mound compiled a 6-1 record and 1.73 ERA for the Monarchs in 2023. San Diego State commit struck out 74 in 73 innings pitched.

Michael Quedens, St. Mary’s-Stockton, P/1B/ OF, Sr. Did a bit of everything for the Rams in 2023, hitting .394 with 13 doubles, two triples and a home run while playing multiple positions. Michigan commit was also a big contributor on the mound, tossing 31.2 innings and striking out 48 en route to a 5-2 record.

Timmy Reed, Granite Bay, OF, Sr. San Francisco-bound leadoff man helped set the table for the Grizzlies all season in 2023. Hit .337 with 22 runs scored, 10 RBI, six doubles, three triples and a home run.

Also stole 11 bases and made only one error in 33 games played.

David Roberts, Liberty-Brentwood, LHP, Sr. 6-foot-2 southpaw is set to head to Arizona State in the fall. As a junior in 2023, went 6-2 with a 2.72 ERA, two complete games and 85 strikeouts in 54 innings pitched.

Austin Steeves, Casa Grande-Petaluma, LHP/ OF, Sr. Second-team all-state selection by CalHiSports.com in 2023, Steeves is another member of Stanford’s heralded recruiting class. As a junior, hit .310 with 20 runs scored, 14 RBI and 10 stolen bases. On the mound, went 10-3 with a 0.39 ERA and 158 strikeouts in 89.1 innings pitched.

TP Wentworth, Central Catholic-Modesto, OF/ LHP, Sr. The Raiders’ star quarterback is equally accomplished on the diamond. Headed for Clemson this fall, Wentworth hit .383 with 38 runs, 24 RBI and 12 extra-base hits as a junior. On the mound, the southpaw went 9-0 with a 1.29 ERA and 115 strikeouts in 70.1 innings pitched.

Hank Tripaldi, De La Salle-Concord, INF, Sr. San Diego State commit authored the unforgettable moment of the 2023 season with his game-winning grand slam in the NorCal Division I championship game. His impact wasn’t limited to one swing, as he hit .314 with 29 RBI, 22 runs scored and seven extra-base hits. ✪

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Mason Ontiveros, Pitman-Turlock

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State champion Jillian Wells, left, of Central Catholic

NorCal Captures Medal Surge At CIF Wrestling Tourney

S

ometimes it just takes one point to be perfect.

It’s all Gilroy senior Cody Merrill needed Feb. 24 to cap an undefeated prep career with the 285-pound CIF Wrestling Championships title at Mechanics Bank Arena in Bakersfield.

He did it against a top-10 nationally ranked opponent and returning state champion (St. John Bosco’s Nicholas Sahakian) while nursing a bum knee and a significant weight deficit.

“It’s absolutely insane,” Gilroy coach Daniel Cormier said following the tournament. “The last six, seven weeks, he couldn’t even train, because of his knee.

“The toughest match out of anyone in the finals and it never crossed his mind that he would lose. It’s what makes him so special.”

Merrill, an Oklahoma State commit with Olympic ambitions, prevailed 3-2 under the finals spotlight to take his second state title. Though he’s never lost an in-season match, it was just his second such honor. The CIF didn’t host an official championship event in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and he missed the 2023 postseason with another injury. He

captured gold at 195 in 2022, in the second of four straight undefeated seasons.

“It would have been cool (to be only the fifth four-time state champ in CIF history), but I never really thought about it,” Merrill said. “I just wrestled the same every match, because I have bigger, better goals.

“I want to be the best.”

By best, Merrill means on the planet. If injuries prevent him from achieving that with the last shots at U.S. Olympic Team Trials qualifying events in March (for the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics), he will have to wait four years.

It could make the quest more personal, considering the 2028 Summer Games are set for Los Angeles.

“That’s 23 minutes away from where I grew up,” Merrill said. “That would be nostalgic, Olympic gold in L.A.” “It’s definitely a big goal, but I feel like with all the people that have been around me and supported me along the way, people who trusted me, believed in me, helped me — my friends, family, coaches — it’s something I believe I can do.”

Merrill wrestled 285, though he could have easily dropped

to 215, so his sophomore brother (Coby Merrill of JW North) could represent the family in that CIF bracket. Coby ultimately finished runner-up in the state finals for the second consecutive year.

The rest of Gilroy’s lineup also shined in Bakersfield. Daniel Zepeda (138) and Moses Mirabel (144) both won their weights while Moses Mendoza (120), Elijah Cortez (132) and Isaiah Cortez (126) finished third. Travis Grace was eighth at 157.

Gilroy finished third in CIF team scoring with 206 team points, behind Buchanan-Clovis (255) and team champ Poway (290.5).

“We had chances, but we weren’t the best team,” Cormier said. “Poway had the depth, all 14 kids working toward a common goal.

“To me, that’s the greatest team this state has ever seen, but we were in it. But 200 team points in the state tournament is hard to be upset about.”

Pitman boys, girls showcase CIF Pride For the second year in a row, three Pitman-Turlock wres-

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Alex Maday, Whitney-Rocklin

tlers — all underclassmen — made ap“We are just fortunate to be able to do pearances in the CIF finals. this with the family and we just love it.

Sophomore Bella Austin, last year’s “It’s just such a good group of kids who state runner-up, was the class of the care about each other, who are young, group. Despite losing 5-4 in the SJS Masand wise beyond their years.” ters final the prior week (to CIF placer And they aren’t finished. Only one of Sophia Henjal of Grace Davis), Austin Pitman’s 10 state qualifiers will graduate pinned four straight opponents to return this year. to the gold medal mat. There, she shut “We are just scratching the surface,” out Gilroy’s Tamara Grace 7-0 to win her Adam said. “We are young, and I just can first position atop the CIF podium at 130. only imagine where we are gonna go.”

“Bella is a special human, she is an asPitman coaches credit the youthful sassin,” Pitman coach Adam Vasconcelsuccess to a flourishing club program los said. “She doesn’t get nerves like some Cody Merrill, right, Gilroy (Vasky Bros.), frequent visits from supof the other kids. She believes she is the portive alumni, prep wrestlers who coach best and she is on a different level, menand encourage freestyle youth and the fatally. natic support of Pitman administration.

“She is truly the next echelon of wrestling.”

“Our new athletic director (Dustin Curtis) has been to evIn the 100-pound CIF finals, freshman Lily Dizon earned ery state tournament and our principal (Angela Freeman) is a rematch of the SJS Masters semifinals in a showdown with on board with helping the kids be successful.

Central Catholic-Modesto senior Jillian Wells. Dizon dropped “We have it on every level.” both matches, to take second in the state.

Pitman’s boys also picked up two medals. Mason Ontiveros Other NorCal notes ›› Sac-Joaquin Section boys won six more state medals backed up his No. 2 seed at 175 pounds with a runner-up finish against Poway’s Angelo Posada. Ontiveros was also fifth than they did in 2023, leading NorCal to a net gain of five his freshman year in 2023. Junior Brodie Johnson earned his medals overall from last year. Los Banos junior Brokton Borelli was 2-2 at 152 a year ago, but he went 4-1 this year to first state medal in three trips by finishing eighth at 165.

The girls finished in the top five in team scoring for the place second at 190 pounds. ›› Thomas Sandoval (third at the same weight) led SJS fourth consecutive year by placing fifth. The 14th-place finish for Pitman’s boys is the best CIF performance in school Masters team champion Vacaville to the second-highest NorCal finish, behind third-place overall Gilroy. history. ›› The lone top-seeded SJS boys wrestler, Victor Alexander “I was talking to my brothers (coaches Matt and Cody VasGutierrez (Central Catholic), ultimately finished fourth, but concellos) and said if you told me we would have six state finalists in two years, it would just be unheard of,” Adam said. the sophomore is regarded as one of the best in the country at Follow Us On Twitter & Instagram, Like Us On Facebook!

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Jeremiah Bertalotto, Turlock

his weight (132 pounds) after a dominant 2023-24 campaign.

“I am putting in the overtime,” Gutierrez said after winning his first SJS Masters tourney.

“Mentally, physically pushed it to my limit. I just keep pushing and pushing.” ›› NorCal girls wrestling (39 of the 69 NorCal medals) continues to shine. This year’s champions included Austin, Jillian Wells at 100 (Central Catholic) Danica Kelley at 135 (Scotts Valley) and Gemma Templeman at 235 (Rocklin). ›› Mikayla Lancaster of Gregori-Modesto won her second straight Masters title and third straight CIF medal (fourth, third, fourth). She did it in style this year, rocking new specialty singlets in white and pink — not Gregori’s official school colors.

“We take it as a privilege to wear them in medal matches,” Lancaster said.

“They’re just pretty.” ›› NCS and CCS girls added six medals to their total from 2023, led by Kelley, Tamara Grace of Gilroy (second at 130), Shayna Ward of Oakland Tech (second at 120) and Angelinah De Leon of Santa Clara (second at 155). ✪ — By Ike Dodson

NorCal Medal Winners (30 boys, 39 girls) Sac-Joaquin Section: 18 boys, 18 girls

175 — Second: Mason Ontiveros, So., Pitman,

James Logan, NCS

Central Coast Section: 10 boys, 11 girls

SJS. Sixth: Levi Bussey, Jr., Granite Bay, SJS

130 — First: Bella Austin, So., Pitman, SJS.

190 — Second: Brokton Borelli, Jr., Los Banos,

Second: Tamara Grace, So., Gilroy, CCS. Fourth:

SJS. Third: Thomas Sandoval, Sr., Vacaville, SJS,

Skye Schneider, So., Elk Grove, SJS. Fifth:

Seventh: David Calkins Jr., So., Liberty, NCS.

Sophia Hejnal, Sr., Grace Davis, SJS. Seventh:

Eighth: Scott Beadles, Sr., Calaveras, SJS

Lana Nguyen, So., Dublin, SJS

215 — Eighth: Elias Corona, Sr., Oakdale, SJS

135 — First: Danica Kelley, Sr., Scotts Valley,

North Coast Section: 1 boy, 9 girls Northern Section: 1 boy, 1 girl

Boys 106 — Fifth: Nathaniel Granados, Jr., Merced, SJS. Sixth: Aiden Garcia, Fr., Palma, CCS, Eighth: Zack Hoover, Sr., Laguna Creek-Elk

285 — First: Cody Merrill, Sr., Gilroy, CCS.

Grove, SJS 113 — Fourth: Siraj Sidhu, So., Del Oro-Loomis,

Sixth: Kendrick Salcido, Sr., Armijo, SJS

CCS. Second: Alex Maday, Jr., Whitney, SJS. Third: Maci Stemmons, Sr., Monte Vista, NCS 140 — Third: Gianna Dibenedetto, Sr., Bella

SJS. Eighth: Elijah Valencia, Sr., Merced, SJS

Girls

120 — Third: Moses Mendoza, So., Gilroy, CCS.

109 — First: Jillian Wells, Jr., Central Catho-

los, Sr., Redwood, NCS. Eighth: Alia Duus, Jr.,

Fourth: Antonio Rodriguez, So., Los Gatos,

lic, SJS. Second: Lily Dizon, Fr., Pitman, SJS.

Fremont, CCS

CCS. Eighth: Josiah Sandoval, Sr., Elk Grove,

Eighth: Lauren Nguyen, Sr., Granada, NCS

SJS

105 — Third: Jazmine Turner, Jr., Grace Davis-

126 — Third: Isaiah Cortez, Jr., Gilroy, CCS

Modesto, SJS.

132 — Third: Elijah Cortez, Jr., Gilroy, CCS.

Eighth: Maddison Heinzer, Sr., Gilroy, CCS

Davis, SJS. Fifth: Jamie Micallef, Sr., Half Moon

110 — Second: Kayla Maggini, So., Del Oro,

Bay, CCS. Sixth: Symone Jewell, Fr., Northgate,

SJS. Seventh: Abbi Cooper, Jr., Clayton Valley-

NCS. Seventh: Angelina Jiang, Jr., Gunn-Palo

Concord, NCS

Alto, CCS

115 — Seventh: Myra Pressnell, Sr., Fremont,

170 — Third: Kauilani Garcia, Sr., Gilroy, CCS.

CCS

Fourth: Mikayla Lancaster, Sr., Gregory, SJS

Fourth: Victor-Alexander Gutierrez, So., Central Catholic-Modesto, SJS 138 — First: Daniel Zepeda, Jr., Gilroy, CCS. Seventh: Jeremiah Bertalotto, Sr., Turlock, SJS 144 — First: Moses Mirabel, Sr., Gilroy, CCS. Fifth: Jagger French, Sr., Del Oro, SJS

Vista-Fair Oaks, SJS. Fifth: Laguna Stathopou-

145 — Seventh: Kayleen Tuavao, Jr., Tokay, SJS 155 — Second: Angelinah De Leon, Jr., Santa Clara, CCS. Fourth: Avangaline Turner, Sr.,

120 — Second: Shayna Ward, Jr., Oakland Tech,

150 — Third: Ethan Parco, Sr., Los Gatos, CCS.

190 — Second: Kathryn Hingano, Sr., Rio Linda,

NCS. Third: Mikayla Garcia, Sr., James Logan-

Fifth: Anthony Berg, Sr., Whitney-Rocklin, SJS

SJS. Third: Evelyn Vargas, Jr., Merced, SJS

Union City, NCS

157 — Eighth: Travis Grace, So., Gilroy, CCS

125 — Fourth: Dulcy Martinez, Fr., Central

lin, SJS. Fifth: Estrella Vasquez-Gutierrez, Sr.,

165 — Fifth: Ryan Clink, Sr., Chico, NS. Sev-

Catholic, SJS. Fifth: Mason Harsch, Sr., Monte

Greenfield, CCS. Sixth: Brianna Espinoza, Jr.,

enth: Arjun Nagra, Sr., Vacaville, SJS. Eighth:

Vista-Danville, NCS. Seventh: Mary Jane Porter,

Central Valley, SJS. Seventh: Julia Gomez, Sr.,

Brodie Johnson, Jr., Pitman-Turlock, SJS

Sr., Gilroy, CCS. Eighth: Kameelah Hameed, Sr.,

East Nicholas, NS ✪

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235 — First: Gemma Templeman, Sr., Rock-

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