NorCal Issue 145, March 2018

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NORCAL EDITION MARCH 2018 VOL. 9 ISSUE 145

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CIF removes all restrictions criteria to make Open Division truly open

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Cal-Hi Sports exclusive state Top 10 boys & girls basketball rankings

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Valley Christian has all the talent, and with it they also have all the expectations

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in the magazine

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Shea Moreno and Sheldon softball know that doing the little things right leads to big rewards. Pg. 22

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PRESEASON BASEBALL TOP 20: Our EXCLUSIVE rankings are out

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TOP BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Which stars made the cut?

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PRESEASON SOFTBALL TOP 20: Our EXCLUSIVE rankings debut

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TOP SOFTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH: Who must you see on the diamond?

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Foothill softball is loaded, ready to claim rare repeat

in the network

a look at the biggest stories from the Cal-Hi SportStars Network

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Read Steven Wilson’s Web Exclusive On Folsom Boys Soccer’s Pursuit Of Perfection.

What NorCal Baseball Teams Made The State Preseason Top 25? Find Out Now.

Catch Section, State Wrestling Championship Coverage From Feb. 23-March 7.

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Megan Edelman MONTE VISTA-DANVILLE - SOCCER - SOPHOMORE No North Coast Section girls soccer team has been more dominant this season, and the Mustangs (20-1-1 through Feb. 17) are doing their best to prove it without a doubt after one week of section playoffs. Edelman is at the heart of that effort. Monte Vista won its first two playoff games by a combined score of 13-0. In their quarterfinal win — a 7-0 win over defending NCS Division I champion, Liberty-Brentwood — Edelman started the scoring in the ninth minute, her first of two goals in the match. The win over Liberty was a meaningful one for the Mustangs, who had suffered season-ending losses to the Lions each of the past two seasons. Should Monte Vista complete its dominant run through the NCS, the Mustangs would likely be among the heavy favorites in the inaugural CIF Northern Regional tournament which begins March 6 and concludes on March 10. Edelman is already committed to UCLA.

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WINTER

Wishlist S

o spring is here, apparently. Was there even a winter, really?

Perhaps we weren’t paying attention enough to notice the entire sun-filled month of February. Then we sat down two weeks ago and realized our next issue to put together was our Baseball/Softball Preview, and it all sank in.

And as much we dig the thought of sun, seeds and the sound of a ball smacking leather — surely, there’s plenty of content in this issue to get you wound up for that — we’re still not ready to let the winter sports go just yet.

Here’s a few winter things we’re going to be holding on to and watching for as we dive head first into March.

1. GILROY WRESTLING — Could they do it? Could the Mustangs — who, as expected, recently completed a fully dominant regular season — find a way to be NorCal’s first team state champion since Vacaville pulled it off in 2007? The depth and talent is clearly there for Gilroy to storm Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield on March 2-3. However, a lot would still have to go right to outperform the perennial powers of Clovis, Buchanan-Clovis and Poway-San Diego. Gilroy has been the top performing NorCal team at state in three of the last four seasons, but never finished higher than fourth in those seasons.

The Mustangs’ best finish in the modern state championship era (since 1973) is a second-place finish in 2008.

2. REGIONAL SOCCER — We’ll finally get to see NorCal champions crowned in boys and girls soccer. Something that was looooong overdue. The playoffs, which will feature four divisions of eight-team brackets for both boys and girls, begin March 6 and culminate with regional championships on March 10. We’re already pumped about a possible Division I girls final between Davis High and Monte Vista-Danville. As of Feb. 17, neither team had lost a game on the field this season (Monte Vista had one forfeit loss).

3. GIRLS HOOPS’ BATTLE ROYALE — March 17. If on that day we’re not all meeting at Santa Clara University to watch Archbishop Mitty-San Jose and St. Mary’s-Stockton battle for the CIF Open Division Northern Regional championship, then what a tease the last three months will have been. Firstly, we mean no offense to the legitimately great girls teams from Folsom, Pinewood-Los Altos, Carondelet-Concord and Salesian-Richmond.

But the clash between Mitty and St. Mary’s has felt inevitable since November when both teams began the season ranked among the top five in multiple national polls. As of Feb. 17, they were still there! Mitty (24-0) and St. Mary’s (22-2) were ranked No. 1 and No. 5, respectively, in the MaxPreps.com Xcellent 25 National Rankings. If the matchup does materialize, it would be no hyperbole to say that it would be perhaps the most anticipated girls basketball game between two NorCal teams — ever.

And once we’re done homing in on those three things, we’ll still have the CIF State Basketball Championships on March 2324 at Golden 1 Center in Sacramento. And yeah, spring sports will be in full force. The next 30-plus pages will likely have you making out a must-see list of your own.

It’s a good time to be a sports fan. Be sure to enjoy it. ✪

JOIN OUR TEAM PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 EDITORIAL Editor@SportStarsMag.com Editor Chace Bryson • Chace@SportStarsMag.com Assistant Editor Mike Wood Staff Writer Jim McCue • JimMcCue16@gmail.com Contributors Bill Kolb, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Dave Kiefer, Tim Rudd, Trevor Horn, Mark Tennis, James G. Kane, Harold Abend, Jill Daniels, Anthony Trucks, Erika Westhoff Copy Editor Bill Kruissink Photography James K. Leash, Phillip Walton, Doug Guler, Berry Evans III, Samuel Stringer, Jim Johnson, Dennis Lee Interns Joshua Howser, Krishna Gomatam Marketing/Events Ryan Arter CREATIVE DEPARTMENT Art@SportStarsMag.com Production Manager Mike DeCicco • MikeD@SportStarsMag.com PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT Mike Calamusa • Mike@SportStarsMag.com ADVERTISING Sales@SportStarsMag.com, 925.566.8500 Account Executives Camps & Clinics: Ryan Arter • Camps@SportStarsMag.com Alameda County: Berry Evans • Berry@foto-pros.com READER RESOURCES/ADMINISTRATION Subscription, Calendar, Credit Services Info@SportStarsMag.com INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY John Bonilla CFO Sharon Calamusa • Sharon@SportStarsMag.com COMMUNITY SPORTSTARS™ MAGAZINE A division of Caliente! Communications, LLC 5356 Clayton Rd., Ste. 222 • Concord, CA 94521 • info@SportStarsMag.com www.SportStarsMag.com

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Opening Up The Open A

recent column in this space looked at CIF boys and girls basketball playoffs this season that probably won’t include the types of talented teams we’ve been used to seeing in the divisional state title games, especially from Div. III and below.

It’s now time to go over some changes that the CIF’s section commissioners approved in January that relate to the Open Division regional playoffs. This year’s NorCal Open Division pairings will be announced March 4, but the changes are not just for basketball. They apply to any CIF playoff in any sport with an Open Division. It appears not that many basketball coaches are aware of those changes.

According to CIF Director Cici Robinson during a conversation with Cal-Hi Sports on Feb. 16, the CIF section commissioners voted in January to abolish the 50 percent section rule for all state divisions and also voted to eliminate the often confusing criteria for teams that could be moved up from any division into the Open Division.

The bottom line is it will allow the CIF to choose a fifth or even a sixth team to be moved into the Open Division (in the north or south) from any one section. There would no longer be a limit of four, and every team is eligible to be moved up.

One misconception has been that the limit of just four teams from any one section has only applied to the Open Division.

“It was 50 percent from any one section in any division,” said Robinson, who is in her first year at the CIF state office as a director and is doing the job for the boys and girls state playoffs that was done the last few years by Senior Director Brian Seymour (he’s still at the CIF state office but directed wrestling this year). “And it’s obviously been a priority and will continue to be a priority for each (CIF) section to be represented at each division level of the playoffs.”

The CIF would still prefer to fill Open Divisions from all sections as much as possible. It’s just that they don’t have to do that anymore.

The criteria for the Open Division prior to this winter season forced coaches and media members alike to check how each team fared in the previous four seasons (including the current season) to see if that team was eligible for the Open Division. Teams also could declare if they wanted to be considered for the Open Division or decide not to move up if they didn’t qualify.

Without all that criteria, the CIF can now just look at various rankings (including Cal-Hi Sports and MaxPreps), head-to-head results and use common sense and choose whichever teams it wants for the Open Division.

For this year’s NorCal Open Divisions in boys and girls basketball, those changes probably won’t matter. On the boys side, teams like Salesian-Richmond from the CIF North Coast Section, Modesto Christian, Folsom and Sheldon-Sacramento from the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section would all be Open Division possibilities, but it doesn’t look like any one NorCal section has four or more Open Division teams. For the girls, the math is even easier as state Top 15 teams Archbishop Mitty, St. Mary’s-Stockton, Pinewood-Los Altos Hills and Carondelet-Concord are all from different sections. There have been plenty of seasons from the past, however, in which the NCS has had more than four legit NorCal Open Division teams for both boys and girls.

Those two rules being eliminated may have a bigger impact in a sport like girls volleyball.

It’s been a running joke in the West Catholic Athletic League that because of the limit of four in the NorCal Open Division that the fifth-place team from the league is the one with the best

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odds of winning a state title. That’s because the top four all tend to be in the NorCal Open.

Keeping with girls volleyball, since the CIF doesn’t have that Open Division criteria to deal with any more, the discontinuance of the two rules wouldn’t have made a difference in Turlock’s controversial appearance in the NorCal Open Division. In that case, the CIF committee simply could have said it was moving up the Bulldogs because of their head-to-head win against St. Ignatius-San Francisco.

Robinson added that when the CIF commissioners meet to seed the boys and girls basketball playoffs they will continue to make it a priority not to have two teams from the same section that just played each other in a section final play again in the regionals.

“When avoidable, we never want to repeat a section playoff that just happened,” she said.

The Open Divisions in CIF regional and state playoffs are here to stay, but it’s likely that more changes to how they are conducted will happen. There are those in the CIF who would like to see a process in which a first-round loser of an eight-team Open Division bracket is able to bounce back down to Division I so that its season isn’t over just like that. Such a team would essentially have a bye in that first-round of D1, but if the Open Division truly is for the eight best teams then the CIF should give preferred treatment to those same teams.

One of the biggest criticisms of the Open Division in the CIF is that the state and sections that have them tend to conduct their playoffs as if the Open Division was just the same as all of the others. It’s not. Those teams are supposed to represent the best of the best and should be presented to the public that they’re the best of the best. Not the same as a Div. III or IV team that any of the Open Division qualified teams would crush.

The good news is that having an Open Division guarantees that if the Mitty and St. Mary’sStockton girls qualify for the NorCal Open Division, the likelihood is that the two top-10 national powers will play each other in a regional final. Under the old system of enrollments, it would not have been guaranteed. ✪

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BASKETBALL STATE TOP 10 1. (1)

BOYS

GIRLS

THROUGH GAMES OF MONDAY, FEB. 19

THROUGH GAMES OF MONDAY, FEB. 19

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Bishop Montgomery-Torrance 26-0

1. (1)

—

Archbishop Mitty-San Jose 24-0

The defending CIF Open Division state champs are getting

Head coach Sue Phillips headed into CIF Central Coast Sec-

their complete rotation rolling really for the first time all season

tion Open Division playoffs needing just one more to surpass

as CIF Southern Section Open Division playoffs got underway.

Pam Wimberly of Menlo-Atherton for the second spot on the

2. (2)

—

Salesian-Richmond 27-1

Head coach Bill Mellis’ squad started the CIF North Coast Section Div. III playoffs as the top seed and it will be a shock if the Pride loses in that bracket.

3. (3)

—

Etiwanda 28-1

The Eagles won their CIFSS Open Division quarterfinal 67-62 over state No. 14 Santa Margarita-Rancho Santa Margarita, extending their winning streak to 24 games.

4. (4)

—

Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth 22-3

A long road trip to play at No. 6 Rancho Christian motivated the Trailblazers to pull out an 83-79 CIFSS Open Div. win. Cas-

all-time CCS wins list. She started the playoffs with 662.

2. (2)

—

St. Mary’s-Stockton 22-2

The Rams will start the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I playoffs on seven days of rest and ready to chase the ultimate goal of the CIF Open Division state title.

3. (3)

—

Windward-L.A.

22-3

Charisma Osborne led the way in a 63-57 CIFSS Open Div. win against Bishop Montgomery-Torrance with a double-double of 19 points and 13 rebounds.

4. (4)

—

Harvard-Westlake-N. Hollywood 24-4

sius Stanley had 27 points but the clutch play of Scottie Pippen

The Wolverines are the No. 1 seed in the CIFSS Open Div.

Jr. was also a key to victory.

(Windward is No. 2) and started out with a 67-60 win over state

5. (5)

—

Mater Dei-Santa Ana 21-6

No. 20 Serra-Gardena.

5. (5)

go with his 11 CIF state championships. The Monarchs beat

After a 27-point win over Clovis North, the defending CIF

previous state No. 7 Crespi-Encino in the CIFSS Open Division

Open Div. champions seem to be rounding into shape at the

quarterfinals.

right time.

6. (6)

—

Rancho Christian-Temecula 26-3

—

Clovis West-Fresno 27-3

Head coach Gary McKnight now has more than 1,100 wins to

6. (6)

—

Pinewood-Los Altos Hills 23-1

Losing a close game at home to higher-ranked Sierra Canyon

To no one’s surprise, the Panthers were chosen as the No. 2

did not drop the Eagles in the state rankings. The CIFSS Open

seed in the CCS Open Div. playoffs and barring a huge upset

Division, remember, has consolation games.

would seem to be on a collision course with No. 1 Mitty.

7. (9)

▲

Modesto Christian 24-3

The Crusaders weren’t seeded first in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I playoffs (No. 13 Sheldon is in that spot). But seeded No. 2 in the field, they’ll be expected to reach the final.

8. (8)

—

Crespi-Encino 25-3

They lost by 10 to Mater Dei in the CIFSS Open Division quarterfinals. Three years ago, Crespi lost in the CIFSS Open Division and came back to win the Div. I state title.

9. (9)

—

Foothills Christian-El Cajon 24-5

Putting Taeshon Cherry on top the scoring column seems to work well for the Knights, who were starting the CIF San Diego Section Open Div. playoffs as the top seed.

10. (10)

—

Fairfax-L.A. 21-8

7. (7)

—

Mater Dei-Santa Ana 23-3

All three of the Monarchs’ losses were in out-of-state tournaments and they haven’t played any of the other state Top 10 teams. That will change in the CIFSS Open Div. playoffs.

8. (10)

▲

Etiwanda 23-4

The top team from the Inland Empire keeps climbing the ranks after coming back from 12 points down with four minutes left to win 63-62 on the road at No. 4 seed Sierra Canyon.

9. (9)

—

Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth 21-6

The Trailblazers didn’t drop in the rankings after their loss to Etiwanda. It was a one-point game that could have gone either way, and they have a win over No. 10 Folsom.

Folsom 24-3

After winning a rematch game with league-rival Westchester-

10. (8)

L.A., we moved the Lions ahead of the Comets. The L.A.

The question for the Bulldogs may not be whether they can

City Section, however, kept Westchester higher and had the

make history by knocking off No. 2 St. Mary’s in the SJS Div.

Comets as No. 1 seed and Fairfax No. 2 in its Open Division

I playoffs, but if they will be in the NorCal Open Division no

playoffs.

matter what happens.

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Behind the Clipboard by Clay Kallam

Reading Between The Blowouts I play basketball on the boys varsity, and it seems to me there are a lot more lopsided games for the girls. Why is that?

J.R., Sacramento

T

hat’s a good question, though a bit of a loaded one in the present climate — but it’s worth discussing.

First, lopsided scores are important because no one wants to be on either end, at least after the first couple of times. Boys teams don’t often get an 80-25 blowout, so the novelty is entertaining, but when it happens on a regular basis, as it does with the girls, it’s no fun. (And it’s also a potential problem for the winning coach, who will be asked why she ran up the score even though she played her entire roster in the first quarter.)

So why does work it out that way? Why aren’t the lesser girls basketball teams as competitive with the better girls teams in the same way the lesser boys teams are competitive with the better boys teams?

Here’s a one-word answer: Volleyball.

OK, that’s a bit simplistic, but it’s really an issue for girls and women’s basketball. To begin with, the athletic toolkit for

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success in volleyball and basketball is much the same — both sports favor long, tall, explosive athletes who have good hand-eye coordination. On the boys side, the volleyball culture is more hang-loose (in most schools, at least) than the basketball one, and in general, the better athletes will almost automatically play basketball instead of volleyball.

For girls, though, volleyball has become more and more attractive in recent years, and participation studies show that while volleyball participation is steadily increasing, basketball participation is about the same as always. What this means is that more girls who are suited for both sports are choosing volleyball than in the past — and in turn, this means that there’s less talent to go around in girls basketball than a decade ago.

And here’s a simple fact that doesn’t reflect the temper of the times: Girls are less interested in sports than boys.

Culture plays a big role in this, clearly, but regardless of the reason, if you have 100 athletic boys, 95 will play sports. If you have 100 athletic girls, that number will be fewer.

In addition, girls don’t enjoy contact sports as much as boys — again, for whatever reason — and basketball is definitely a contact sport.

So with a smaller pool of talent to begin with (because some athletic girls don’t participate) and with more of that pool drifting towards non-contact volleyball, girls basketball is suffering from a slow but steady talent drain.

Of course, the really good teams are still really good. And at the elite levels, girls basketball is played at a higher level than ever. But as you go down the basketball food chain on the girls side, the less talent there is, and less success. This becomes a negative feedback loop, as talented athletes don’t want to play on bad teams. So when they see the basketball team isn’t very good, they choose something else — and so the basketball team gets even worse.

And now that postseason has arrived, you’ll probably see even more of those lopsided scores in the early rounds of sectional and NorCal play, but don’t think that means the top teams aren’t any good. Remember, Archbishop Mitty-San Jose has the No. 1-ranked girls team in the entire nation, and St. Mary’s- Stockton is No. 6.

Just because some teams don’t have much talent doesn’t mean the elite teams don’t. ✪ Clay Kallam has been an assistant athletic director and has coached numerous sports at a handful of high schools throughout the Bay Area. To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard, email him at clayk@fullcourt.com

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COLEMAN BRIGMAN, RYAN BELLUOMINI, PATRICK WICKLANDER AND DAWSON BRIGMAN

With A Dugout Full Of Returning Talent, Valley Christian-San Jose Prepares To Defend Its Central Coast Section Open Division Crown

A

t 53, John Diatte is not nearly old enough to have come from the time of Satchel Paige. Maybe because he’s been guiding the baseball program at Valley Christian High School in San Jose for nearly three decades, it just seems that way.

In that time, the Warriors’ manager, now entering his 29th season, has seen enough that he’s well familiar with some the most famous words ever uttered by Paige, the Hall of Fame pitcher noted for being a legend in the Negro Leagues, for making his major league debut at 41 and appearing for the A’s (Kansas City version) at age 58.

Don’t look back. Something might be gaining on you.

Or, in the case of Diatte’s team, some schools.

St.Francis-Mountain View. Bellarmine-San Jose, Sacred Heart Cathedral-S.F., Serra-San Mateo.

“You know,” Diatte said. “It never gets any easier.”

Sure doesn’t, especially in the West Catholic Athletic

League. Not when you’re the preseason No. 1 pick in Northern California. Not when you are the defending Open Division champion in the Central Coast Section. Not when you’re riding the wave of three one-run playoff victories that catapulted you to that title as a No. 13 seed.

Not even when you return darn near everybody from that glorious experience.

“We know that we have all the talent to be just as good, if not better,” pitcher Patrick Wicklander said. “We have guys that know how to win. Now, it’s just a matter of recapturing that form.”

That’s just it, though. Some forms — kind of like Paige himself — are unique to themselves. Even Diatte acknowledges that the 2018 Warriors must create their own personality, their own winning formula, separate from last year’s group that stumbled through the first half of the season (8-9-1) only to win 14 of its final 16 in the second half.

“It was kind of the perfect storm,” Diatte says. “A lot of things came together, a lot of guys stepped up. ... It’s a fine line before just leaning on that and this year. Every year is new.

There’s a feeling-out process. Are they overconfident? You want them to be confident and lean on what they did last year, but not get overconfident. You don’t want to put the fear of the world into them about the same stuff not happening or let any doubt creep in. So it’s a fine balance. We’ve had good practices and bad practices so far, and we’re trying to keep a balance of where our expectations are based on that.”

That said, the expectations have rarely been higher. And few teams are as equipped to meet them like the Warriors. Valley Christian returns half of their title team, including three of the section’s top pitchers, the league’s leading hitter and three others who finished in the top 20.

“We’re very excited,” catcher Ryan Belluomini said. “Our pitching staff should be at least as good, if not better. But we

Story by JAMES G. KANE Photos by SAMUEL STRINGER 14

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“WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE ALL THE TALENT TO BE JUST AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER. WE HAVE GUYS THAT KNOW HOW TO WIN. NOW, IT’S JUST A MATTER OF RECAPTURING THAT FORM." PATRICK WICKLANDER

keep it in the back of our minds that this season is a new one. But we know if we come together and play like we’re capable, we should win a lot of games.”

It starts with the battery, which given the Warriors’ power and depth, is always Grade A. All four starters top 85 mph, a magic marker in high school ball, and two of them can hit the 90s on a good day.

They all tend to keep the ball off the fat part of the bat. The Spartans posted a 2.04 ERA in 32 games and 246.2 innings last season. And Belluomini is sneaky good behind the plate.

“I bet he’ll get a Division II scholarship,” Diatte says.

Several of the Warriors already are going Division I. As anything with this team, that category also starts with the pitching.

Wicklander is bound for Arkansas. The lefty throws between 86 and 93 mph “depending on the day,” Diatte says. He also can command a change-up, and Diatte says Wicklander’s slider is “getting better and better.”

“I’ve been working hard on weights to add strength to my arm,” he says. “I want to be stronger longer.”

A year ago, he went 8-1 with a 1.92 ERA while striking out 94 in 80.1 innings.

“His fastball is a plus-fastball, and he can just keep throwing that when he has a good day,” Diatte says. “But he knows how to pitch and use his other stuff.”

Backing him is junior right-hander William Kempner, who threw four innings in Valley Christian’s 4-3 victory over Serra in the title game. He throws between 88-91 mph and has Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, like us on Facebook!

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committed to Gonzaga.

Another starter, sophomore Eddie Park, was the section’s Freshman Pitcher of the Year after posting three wins and a 0.75 ERA in 18.2 innings. If that’s not enough, he wields some pretty mean aluminum, too. Park hit .337 and collected 29 hits in 32 games in his freshman year, scoring 14 runs and driving in 10.

Coming next to the pitching staff: Freshman Jonathan Cymrot, a member of the U.S. National Development team since he was 11 years old.

“He’s gonna be a special kid,” Diatte says.

It’s an extra special staff, one that should be able to withstand the season-ending knee injury to senior Nate Medrano (4-2, 2.78, 3 saves, 48 strikeouts in 45.1 innings). The Warriors allowed only eight runs in four playoff games a season ago and gave up 24 in their final 16-game run.

Adding to the talent and experience is Belluomini, who has had an entire summer and fall to work on his throwing and defense. Offensively, he produced a slash line of .344/.388/.431 He’s part of a lineup that should produce plenty of runs. Several players return from the lineup that got hot down the stretch and produced 71 runs in that final 16-game run.

Overall, the Warriors hit .288 as a team.

Junior infielder Nick Marinconz hit .414 and collected 48 hits in 131 plate appearances as a sophomore, leading the WCAL in both categories. He tied for the league lead with 12 doubles.

“Nick has a really good feel for hitting,” Diatte says. “He’s a doubles hitter, goes gap to gap.

He’s a plus-runner, too.”

Junior Coleman Brigman is another big bat. He collected 34 hits in 33 games, produced a .360 average and a .460 slugging percentage. His 19 runs scored were second only to Marinconz among the offensive leaders.

“He has a great feel, too, especially for what the pitcher is going to throw next,” Diatte says.

“He always seems to be able to get that key hit when we need it.”

Big things also are expected from Dawson Brigman, Coleman’s older brother. He struggled a year ago, hitting .211 in 32 games, but Diatte says the tools are there and that Dawson brings a fantastic glove to the infield.

In other words, as Belluomini said, “all the pieces are there.”

Now, it’s simply time to see how well those pieces fall into place. With WCAL rivals Serra, Bellarmine, Sacred Heart and St. Francis nipping at their heals, the Warriors wear their crown confidently but not carelessly.

“It’s always a battle,” Wicklander said. “It will be again.” ✪

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a FEAST of FOOTBALL

Concord To Host Variety Of Gridiron Events Through May

N

o, football never ends. When the games end, there’s always a clinic, combine, tournament or event quickly scheduled for the eager players ready to prepare and better themselves for the next fall.

The staff at Visit Concord has figured this out.

That’s why offseason football events offered by Quick 6 Football and Junior Prep Sports California will be showcased in Concord from March through May. JPS began offering its Player Development Lineman Camp on Feb. 17 with Saturday gatherings throughs March at Clayton Valley Charter High. Youth Camps for 4th-8th graders runs 8-9:30 a.m. and High School Camps run from 9-11 a.m. The camps, which allow for walk-up registrations, are progressive and focus on the fundamentals of the game specific to the various offensive and defensive line positions. Instructors are typically area high school coaches. The registration fee is $25 and includes a t-shirt and instruction for that particular day.

The camps lead up to Concord and Clayton Valley Charter High hosting the West Coast Invitational-Battle Of The Unsung Heroes, a three-day linemen challenge combine from May 18-20.

Information about both of these events can be found at http://jrprepsportsca.com/.

Meanwhile, Quick 6 Football will be holding the second of two 7-on-7 events in Concord with “Dimes Vs. Defense” on March 25 at Mt. Diablo High.

Dimes Vs. Defense is the third of four qualifiers for the Quick 6 Golden Great 7-on-7 Championship on April 22 at City College of San Francisco. There are four qualifying spots up for grabs at each of the four events. Concord also hosted the first one, “Air To The Throne,” on Feb. 17.

That event sold out by attracting the maximum 20 teams. Dimes Vs. Defense is expected to do

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the same.

Both events are sponsored by Visit Concord, SportStars Magazine, Gamebreaker Headgear, Football University, Adam Dailey Clothing and Drip Drop hydration drink.

These events will feature the top high school football players (ages 14-18) from throughout California.

A quick guide to 7-on-7 football: ›› Each possession starts 40 yards from the end zone, and first downs can be attained by reaching the 25-yard line and the 10-yard line. However, the offense only gets three downs to convert, instead of the typical four. A quarterback has just 3.7 seconds to pass from the time he gets the ball or it’s considered a sack. ›› An offensive player is down when a defensive player completes a one-hand touch on the receiving player’s torso. Head touches or touches from the legs on down are not considered a tackle. There is also no blocking allowed. ›› Touchdowns are six points, and offenses can try a one-point conversion from the 3-yard line or a two-point conversion from the 10-yard line. ›› Defenses can score as well. Interceptions are three points and forcing a turnover on downs earns two points.

Each team is guaranteed at least three games in the events. Two pool play games and at least one game in single-elimination bracket play. Pool play games last 20 minutes and bracket play games are 22 minutes, each with running clocks.

Learn more about 7-on-7 football and the various Quick 6 events by visiting Quick6.org. ✪

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BASEBALL TOP 20 1. VALLEY CHRISTIAN-SAN JOSE (22-11-1 IN 2017) The defending Central Coast Section Open Division champions were a relatively easy choice to open the year as NorCal’s No. 1. The Warriors have six of their top seven leaders in hits returning from a year ago, including junior Nick Marinconz, who led the team with 48 last season for a cool .414 average. Marinconz is also part of a stout defensive lineup that includes senior shortstop Dawson Brigman (Santa Clara signee), junior outfielder Cole Brigman and senior catcher Ryan Belluomini. But pitching is the ultimate factor behind this ranking as Valley Christian boasts a staff led by Arkansas-bound Patrick Wicklander (8-1, 1.92 ERA and 94 strikeouts in 80.1 innings in 2017). The Warriors also return four more arms with experience from last season, and will add highly touted freshman Jonathan Cymrot to the mix.

2. ELK GROVE (23-10) Even though we gave the nod to Valley Christian, we wouldn’t fault anyone who opened the year with the Thundering Herd as NorCal’s team to beat. Our No. 2 ranking is exactly where Elk Grove finished up last year after winning yet another Sac-Joaquin Section Div. I title.

Nearly the entire starting lineup returns from that squad, including standouts Tanner Carlson (Long Beach State) and Jake Jordan (UC Davis). Jordan and Brian Freitas will lead the pitching staff after combining to go 11-0 in 23 appearances last season.

3. DE LA SALLE-CONCORD (21-8) The defending North Coast Section Div. I champion has a few more questions than usual for this time of year, but no less talent. Trace Tammaro (Portland) and Austin Elder (CSU Northridge) return after combining for 50 RBI in 2017. Pitching is where the Spartans will need to make their strides, as Nick Cirelli (5-1, 2.38 ERA) is the only returning arm who logged more than five innings last season.

4. ST. MARY’S-STOCKTON (20-11) Utah-bound 1B Christian Almanza (.467 with 16 doubles, 3 HR, 27 RBI) leads a Rams team which didn’t include a single senior on its roster a year ago. The program will be breaking in new head coach Randy Ortega, an assistant on the staff the past few seasons. Senior IF/C Tyler Lozano is also a name to note.

5. FOOTHILL-PLEASANTON (19-5-1) The Falcons return their six top run producers from 2017, including Stanford-bound all-state multi-purpose selection Brett Hansen. Hansen hit .321 with 26 batted in and also went 7-1 with a 1.38 ERA on the bump.

6. DAVIS (23-9) Arizona-bound two-way star Ryan Holgate (.371, 31 RBI, 7-2, 2.07 ERA) will lead a daunting batting order and an experienced pitching staff.

7. SACRED HEART CATHEDRAL-S.F. (22-8) The CCS Div. II top seed a year ago before being upset in the quarterfinals, the Irish return three of their top four hitters, as well as a quartet of pitchers who combined for 19 wins in 2017.

8. MONTE VISTA-DANVILLE (21-9) Senior Santa Barbara-commit Andrew Howard (.330, 30 RBI) returns to anchor the offense and support junior ace Josh White (6-1, 1.75 ERA, 75 strikeouts in 60 IP)

9. BELLARMINE-SAN JOSE (21-9) Pitching is ahead of the hitting for the Bells to start the season thanks to Cal-bound senior Joseph Ammirato (8-2, 1.59 ERA). Fellow starter Wade Harper (5-3, 1.68, 21 RBI on offense) also returns.

10. BENICIA (25-5-1) Defending SJS Div. II champs will feature senior ace Elijah Birdsong (8-0, 0.75 ERA) on the hill and junior SS Joey Daini (.398, 25 RBI) anchoring the lineup.

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11. Amador Valley-Pleasanton (19-7)

16. Miramonte-Orinda (27-1)

12. Serra-San Mateo (17-14)

17. College Park-Pleasant Hill (17-10)

13. Palo Alto (25-7)

18. San Ramon Valley-Danville (20-11)

14. Vacaville (24-4)

19. Varden-Fairfield (20-9)

15. Jesuit-Carmichael (13-15)

20. McClatchy-Sacramento (22-10)

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BASEBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH PITCHERS

UTILITY

Titus Groenweg (Wood-Vacaville), Sr. — The CSU Fullerton-bound left-hander earned AllState honors and an Area Code Games invite after posting an 11-1 record, 0.46 ERA and 88 strikeouts in 75.1 innings.

Sam Liang (Miramonte-Orinda), Sr. — Tim Tague earned most of the headlines, but Sam Liang was awful good in his own right for the Matadors, finishing 9-1 with 1.33 ERA while also hitting .387.

Ryan McLaughlin (Drake-San Anselmo), Sr. — Marin County Athletic League Player of the Year and winning pitcher in the NCS Div. III final, McLaughlin finished 9-1 with an 0.45 ERA. Bret Soulages (San Ramon Valley-Danville), Sr. — Why is he ticketed for national-power Oregon State? Quite simply: he misses bats. He allowed just 24 hits in 206 opponent plate appearances.

Patrick Wicklander (Valley Christian-San Jose), Sr. — Dominant lefty went 8-1 for the CCS Open Div. champions. He posted a 1.92 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 80.1 innings.

Brett Hansen (Foothill-Pleasanton), Sr. — Stanford-bound P/1B was a two-way force for the Falcons in 2017. He hit .321 with 25 hits, 11 runs and team-best 26 RBI. On the bump he was 7-1 with a 1.38 ERA and 76 strikeouts in 61 innings.

Jake Jordan (Elk Grove), Sr. — An OF/IF/RHP signed to UC Davis, Jordan does it all. He hit .360 with 32 hits, 20 runs and 26 RBI last season while going 5-0 with a 1.79 ERA on the hill.

Sam Stoutenborough (Palma-Salinas), Sr. — Palma’s two-way star is signed to Cal after hitting .373 with 31 hits and 27 RBI a year ago. As a pitcher, he was 9-1 with a 0.61 ERA.

CATCHERS Austin Elder (De La Salle-Concord), Sr. — Signed to CSU Northridge, Elder was a constant for the NCS Div. I champion Spartans a year ago. He hit .301 with 24 RBI and also threw out 7 of 9 attempted base thieves.

Albert Hsiao (Leland-San Jose), Sr. — The Washington-bound Hsiao was named All-State Underclass by Cal-Hi Sports after batting .506 with eight HR and 29 RBI last season.

INFIELDERS Christian Almanza (St. Mary’s-Stockton), Sr. — The Utah-signed 1B is among the most skilled hitters in the SJS. He batted .467 on 42 Jake Jordan hits with 27 runs, 27 RBI and 16 doubles.

Tanner Carlson (Elk Grove), Sr. — Son of Thundering Herd coach Jeff Carlson had 31 hits, 24 runs and 18 RBI for the 2017 SJS Div. I champs. He’s signed to Long Beach State.

Jack Filby (McClatchy-Sacramento), Sr. — Bound for UCLA, Filby hit .427 with 32 hits and 33 runs scored. He also had 15 RBI and was selected to compete in the Area Code Games.

Osiris Johnson (Encinal-Alameda), Sr. — Potentially the best infielder to come out of the program since Jimmy Rollins. In 25 games, Johnson hit .481 on 38 hits and added 33 runs, 20 stolen bases and 27 RBI. Max Jung-Goldberg (Palo Alto), Sr. — Helped VIkings post a 25-7 record by batting .394 with 39 hits, 27 runs and nine doubles.

Nick Marinconz (Valley Christian-San Jose), Jr. — He enjoyed a breakout sophomore seaRyan McLaughlin son in 2017 with a team-best 48 hits (.414) with 23 runs, 22 RBI and 12 doubles.

A.J. Miller (Casa Grande-Petaluma), Sr. — Oregon landed Miller not long after his junior season in which he hit .370 with 32 RBI on 30 hits. He also had 22 runs scored.

OUTFIELDERS Michael Dixon (Berkeley), Jr. – Dixon was named MaxPreps.com Underclass All-Amecican last season. His line on the season included batting .358 with eight HR and 28 RBI. Andrew Howard (Monte Vista-Danville), Sr. — He hit .330 with 32 hits and a team-best 30 RBI for the NCS Div. I runners-up (to De La Salle).

Ryan Holgate (Davis), Sr. — The Arizona-bound OF/P hit .371 on 36 hits and added 25 runs scored and 31 RBI. He also boasted a 2.07 ERA and led the team with seven pitching wins

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Grace Owen

Sheldon Softball’s Dynasty Built Upon The Little Things

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here’s nothing simple about winning three consecutive Sac-Joaquin Section Division I softball championships and seven titles in the last 11 years. And it’s no simple task to finish the 2017 season with a 30-2 record to earn a No. 4 state and No. 11 national ranking.

But the Sheldon Huskies could not have established one of Northern California’s premiere softball programs and accomplished big things without paying attention to the little things. Despite the big picture of being a respected and feared program, head coach Mary Jo Truesdale — the only head coach that the Sacramento school has had in its 21 years of existence — and her talented players point to the fundamentals and basics of the game for their success.

“We work on fundamentals all of the time in practice and make sure that we can follow every little detail,” Truesdale said. “Big goals like league titles and section banners are great, but those don’t happen without taking care of the little things.”

The attention to detail starts with Truesdale’s Skills Checklist, an elaborate Excel spreadsheet covering all aspects of offense, defense and base running. Nearly 100 individual plays, situations and skills are covered multiple times to ensure that the Huskies

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Shea Moreno

will be prepared for anything throughout the season.

“It is important to get us prepared at every position and it establishes the team feel, chemistry and culture,” said senior captain Shea Moreno.

A three-year starter, Moreno is preparing in the hopes of claiming an SJS championship in each of her four years at Sheldon. But, she understands that establishing chemistry and focusing on fundamentals is essential to reaching that goal.

Moreno will be called upon to help oversee the chemistry in her final season at Sheldon.

Like those before her who passed along the winning tradition and the legacy that Truesdale has asked each team and senior class to leave to the next team, Moreno and her senior teammates will be charged with showing the younger players what it means to be a Husky softball player and team.

The versatile Moreno can play both third base and catcher, and will alternate throughout the season to keep both herself and her teammates fresh and involved.

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more plate appearances,” she said of playing both positions.

“Our focus is on the team.”

She will be the focus of many other teams after batting .430 with 43 hits, six home runs, and 38 RBI in her junior campaign. In her three seasons, Moreno has posted a .421 average with 118 hits, 84 runs and 85 RBI. Those numbers and experience alone would give opposing coaches plenty to worry about, but with Sheldon, Moreno is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to returning experience.

In all, the Huskies return the bulk of a roster that batted .402 as a team and outscored foes 272-47 in 2017. In addition to Moreno, Juju Malana (.348) and Maddi Ayers (.308, 28 hits, 20 runs) are back for their senior seasons, and junior Vianna Barron (.409. 36 hits, 33 runs, 21 RBI) will be back in the lineup and on the field.

But perhaps the biggest returning boost will come from a trio that made an immediate impact last season as freshmen.

Sam Oliver, Kiannah Pierce and Shelbie Caro combined for 95 hits, 64 runs and 63 RBI in their debut seasons, and could contribute even more offense as sophomores after the graduation of Maci Fines, Sarah Brown, and Taliyah Miles.

“It makes it extremely easy for me because we can get right to work,” Truesdale said of the Huskies’ returning talent. “We have built-in leadership and the expectations are clearly there.

The newcomers just have to look around and follow in step.”

The new Huskies include catcher Iselia Pestana, a junior transfer from Cosumnes Oaks, and freshman A.J. Vasquez, who is no stranger to Sheldon softball. Vasquez is the younger sister of Jaciana Vasquez, a 2016 graduate who was part of two section championships.

Junior Grace Owen is not new to Sheldon and its high expectations, but the right-hander will be new to the role of the team’s workhorse in the pitching circle. Owen posted a 7-0

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Kiannah Pierce record with a 0.44 ERA in 16 appearances. The San Jose State commit gave up only 26 hits in 47.2 innings pitched, and will see her innings total increase greatly this season.

“She knows that she has been handed the (pitching) torch and she wants it,” Truesdale said. “She’s ready for this.

“She is calm in the circle and quietly aggressive. Her pitches are moving and she has a very effective changeup.”

Truesdale attributes Owen’s readiness to take the helm to a solid travel ball season and additional physical training work in the offseason. With a sound defense and Sheldon’s deep and powerful lineup, Owen has all of the tools necessary to be the next great Husky hurler.

Despite the wealth of returners, there will be some lineup juggling of the defense and batting order. Ayers is expected to anchor the middle infield at shortstop, but versatility and

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moving parts will be the norm for Sheldon. Owen will be the primary constant at pitcher, but both junior Kenedi Brown and Caro can also throw when needed. Oliver will play mostly at first base, but Caro could see action there while getting plenty of plate appearances as a designated hitter. Malana and Pierce could share time at second base and in the outfield while Barron will field the hot corner when Moreno is catching.

All of those moving parts highlights the importance of fundamentals and working on the little things before the games get bigger. The Huskies have been working hard to check off as many of Truesdale’s skills and situations during practices, and early nonleague games including a Feb. 27 opener at Oak Ridge (the only program with more SJS titles [9] than Sheldon [8]) and the prestigious Queen of the Mountain Tournament in Pleasanton against top Bay Area competitors will serve to prepare Sheldon for when the games count the most.

The Huskies, under the guidance of Truesdale, have fortunately risen to the occasion when it matters most, claiming eight total section crowns as both favorites and underdogs.

The first of Sheldon’s three consecutive SJS championships required help from other teams to get into the postseason as well as a wild comeback win en route to the final. In the end, though, the fundamentals and mental toughness that Truesdale emphasizes have led to many more victories than losses in the sport that she calls “a game of failure.”

“I feel blessed to have had the success with the program, but there’s a lot of talent out there,” Truesdale said of following up a great season and section three-peat. “It’s not going to be easy to win again. There are lots of good teams out there, and it will come down to whoever finishes strong.”

No simple task for any team, but one that Sheldon will add to its checklist and work hard to achieve. ✪ — Story by Jim McCue | Photos by James K. Leash

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SOFTBALL TOP 20 1. SHELDON-SACRAMENTO (30-2 IN 2017) Sticking the Huskies dynasty right back where we last left it seemed an easy call. Though Sheldon graduated the 2017 Sac Bee Metro Player of the Year, Maci Fines (.496, 61 hits, 47 runs, 25 extra base hits), and the SportStars All-City Team Female Athlete of the Year, Taliyah Miles (.422, 25 RBI, 21-1, 1.33 ERA, 174 strikeouts), there’s still an embarrassment of riches.

Seven of the team’s top hitters return, including senior infielder Shea Moreno (.430, 43 hits, team-best 38 RBI) and sophomore outfielder Sam Oliver (.405, 34 hits, 35 RBI). Replacing Miles in the circle will be junior Grace Owen, who just happened to go 7-0 and allowed only three earned runs over 47.2 innings for the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I champions.

2. FOOTHILL-PLEASANTON (26-4) Virtually all the big guns are back for the defending North Coast Section Div. I champions.

That includes the all-sophomore battery of catcher Courtney Beaudin (.453, 10 HR, 37 RBI) and Oklahoma-committed ace Nicole May (.460, 10 HR, 36 RBI, 0.84 ERA, 293 strikeouts in 191 innings). Mix in a middle infield of junior shortstop Hope Alley and sophomore second baseman Hailey Hayes, as well as a senior DH/INF Lauren Hermes who hit .409 a season ago, and the Falcons look especially daunting.

3. ARCHBISHOP MITTY-SAN JOSE (22-6) Bay Area News Group Peninsula Player of the Year Lauren Lopez (.469, 45 hits, 27 runs) graduated, as did RBI leaders Rebecca Ortiz and Lauren Lozano. But ignore three-time defending Central Coast Section champs at your own risk. Junior two-way star Hannah Edwards (.391, 22 RBI, 11-2, 1.67 ERA) and senior slugger Mariah Dewey (.327, 17 RBI) lead the way.

4. JAMES LOGAN-UNION CITY (23-4) Lost in the narrative of how young the NCS Div. I champions from Foothill were last year, was just how young the runners-up were. Legendary coach Teri Johnson returns seven players who had 10 RBI or more in 2017, which includes senior Aliyah Yates (.403, 31 hits, 25 RBI). All three pitchers return as well, including Camille Rodriguez (18-3, 1.15 ERA).

5. TRACY (28-4) Oregon-bound senior shortstop Rachel Cid may very well be the most electric player in the SJS. She hit .593 with 54 hits, 38 runs and 55 RBI in leading the Bulldogs to a Div. I runner-up finish (to Sheldon) last year. Tracy lost just five seniors from that 18-player roster. Two were pitchers, but junior Karina Faasisilla went 10-2 with a 1.08 ERA in 77.2 innings.

6. AMADOR VALLEY-PLEASANTON (23-5) Missouri-commit Danielle Williams (.382, 17 RBI, 17-1, 0.34 ERA, 231 strikeouts) returns for her fourth and final season with the Dons. That alone makes them very dangerous.

7. CARLMONT-BELMONT (26-3) A Cal-Hi Sports multi-purpose All-State selection a year ago, Mailey McLemore (.483, 43 hits, 34 runs, 34 RBI, 13-1, 1.39 ERA) returns to lead the Scots in 2018. She’ll have quite the returning supporting cast as well.

8. ST. FRANCIS-MOUNTAIN VIEW (23-8) The Lancers’ 2017 worst-to-first storyline was as feel-good as it gets. The CCS Open Div. runners-up (to Mitty) won’t sneak up on anyone this season thanks to junior tandem Hannah Damore (.373, 42 RBI) and Jordan Schuring (.359, 22 RBI, 14-6, 1.71 ERA).

9. BENICIA (29-2-1) SJS Division III defending champs have plenty of returning talent. Seniors Grace French and Adriana Chavez, and junior Amanda Ajari each hit .460 or better in 2017. Ajari and French combined to go 10-0 and allow just five earned runs.

10. CONCORD (22-7) The Minutemen started five freshmen in an NCS Div. II final that they won 17-1 last season.

Their window to domination could be open for quite some time.

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11. East Union-Manteca (28-5)

16. San Marin-Novato (23-2)

12. Elk Grove (22-6-1)

17. St. Mary’s-Stockton (25-6)

13. San Benito-Hollister (23-5)

18. Heritage-Brentwood (18-5)

14. Freedom-Oakley (16-7)

19. Sierra-Manteca (16-9)

15. Napa (21-8-1)

20. Livermore (17-8)

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SOFTBALL PLAYERS TO WATCH PITCHERS Grace Garcia (Half Moon Bay), Sr. — Led Cougars to 23-3 record in 2017 by going 20-3 with a 1.31 ERA and 215 strikeouts over 150 innings.

Nicole May (Foothill-Pleasanton), So. — Oklahoma-commit burst on to the scene in 2017, leading the Falcons to an NCS Div. I title with a 0.84 ERA and 293 strikeouts. She also hit 10 HR with 36 RBI. Vanessa Strong (Freedom-Oakley), Sr. — Strong went 16-6 with 206 strikeouts in 137.1 innings as a junior, and pitched a perfect game with 19 strikeouts in a first-round playoff win.

Lindsey Walljasper (Sierra-Manteca), Sr. — A two-way talent signed to Nebraska returns for her fourth season after leading the Timberwolves to an SJS DIv. IV title in 2017.

Danielle Williams (Amador Valley-Pleasanton), Sr. — Back for her fourth and final year in the circle, the Missouri-bound Williams posted 21 wins, 245 strikeouts and a 0.53 ERA in just 144 innings last season.

Katelyn Sturm (Arroyo-San Lorenzo), Sr. — Did a little bit of everything for the Dons, which included batting .439 with 36 hits, 28 runs, 24 RBI and 10 home runs.

UTILITY Mailey McLemore (Carlmont-Belmont), Sr. — The OF/P propelled the 26-3 Scots by batting .483 with 43 hits, 34 runs, 34 RBI and 19 extra-base hits while also going 13-1 with a 1.39 ERA. Raegan Breedlove (Central Valley-Shasta Lake), So. — Had a freshman season for the ages by hitting .500 with 10 homers and 44 RBI while logging 17 pitching wins with 301 strikeouts in 160 innings.

CATCHERS Courtney Beaudin (Foothill-Pleasanton), So. — She batted .453 with 10 home runs and a team-best 37 RBI for the NCS champs. She homered and drove in three in the final.

Megan Bower (Miramonte-Orinda), Sr. — Four-year starter batted .679 with 41 RBI in just 18 games last season. Signed to UC Davis, she has 29 HR and 132 RBI in just 61 career games.

Frankie Hammoude (Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland), Sr. — Smoked 11 home runs (three grand slams) and hit .508 with 41 RBI as a junior.

Kacey Zobac (Valley Christian-San Jose), Jr. — The 2017 West Catholic Athletic League Player of the Year hit .536 on 37 hits with 30 runs, 27 RBI, 10 doubles, five triples and six home runs.

INFIELDERS

Danielle Williams

Rachel Cid (Tracy), Sr. — Oregon-bound shortstop can do it all. She hit .593 with 54 hits, 38 runs scored and 55 batted in; She had 13 doubles and eight homers for SJS Div. I runnersup.

Hannah Damore (St. Francis-Mountain View), Jr. — Helped spur the Lancers’ breakout season a year ago by hitting .373 with seven home runs and a team-best 42 RBI. Madison Kahwaty (Livermore), Sr. — University of Pacific-bound shortstop hit .534 with 23 runs scored and team-bests in both hits (39) and RBI (38).

Shea Moreno (Sheldon-Sacramento), Sr. — Ticketed for UCLA next fall, Moreno begins 2018 as a four-year starter with a career average of .421 with 118 hits, 84 runs and 85 RBI in 90 Vanessa Strong games.

Mila Rodriguez (Millenium-Tracy), Sr. — Absolutely abused opposing pitchers in 2017. She hit .562 with 54 hits, 48 runs, 72 RBI and 14 home runs among 35 extra-base hits.

Hana Suppus (Piner-Santa Rosa), Sr. — She went 42-for-55 at the plate last season for a .764 average while popping nine home runs and amassing 50 RBI.

OUTFIELDERS Bri Bowers (Napa), Sr. — Hit .512 on 44 hits with 20 RBI and 23 stolen bases for the SJS Div. II champions. She had four hits and three RBI in the title game.

Morgan Hess (Heritage-Brentwood), Jr. — Played role of table-setter to perfection for Patriots last season, batting .654 with a .735 on base percentage; she stole 27 bases and scored 21 runs.

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QUEENS of the

HILL Loaded Foothill Softball Aims For Rare NCS Div. I Repeat

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inning the North Coast Section Division I softball championship with a very young, extremely talented team in 2017 was an impressive feat for Foothill High-Pleasanton.

Now comes the question: can the Falcons repeat? Coach Matt Sweeney addresses that with three words: “Nothing is guaranteed.”

A few recent defending NCS Div. 1 champions have found that out. Since Sweeney’s 2007 team won the Div. 1 championship, only James Logan-Union City (2012-13) and Amador Valley (2014-15) have repeated. But this year’s Falcons squad has the talent capable of winning a second straight banner.

Let’s start with their sensational sophomore battery of pitcher Nicole May and catcher Courtney Beaudin.

May already is set for college, committing to Oklahoma in August 2016. She called it a “really humbling experience” to be headed to play for the Sooners, the defending back-to-back national champions.

“It makes me want to ramp up how hard I work because I will be going to a top- level program,” May said.

Her level of play is already pretty high. She struck out 293 batters in 191 innings last season, amassing an 0.84 ERA. At the plate, she led the team with a .460 batting average, contributed 36 RBI and tied Beaudin for the most home runs with 10.

“I think her pitching is going to get even better,” Sweeney said. “She is just going to get bigger and stronger. The sky is the limit for her. She is really easy to coach.”

“She is one of my very favorite pitchers to catch,” Beaudin said. “When I get down on myself she picks me up. .”

Beaudin led the team with 37 RBI and batted .453 in 2017. One of her 10 home runs came in the 6-2 win over James Logan in the NCS Div. 1 championship game, a two-run shot that put her team up for good, after her earlier single tied things up.

“It’s a flabbergaster she doesn’t have a Pac-12 offer; she’s a definite Pac-12 prospect,” Sweeney said. “She’s a special player. I have coached special players — people like Sean Mannion and Brandon Crawford and Val Arioto. They were special and not primadonnas, and Courtney is that way. She is so coachable.”

It makes for a potent lineup with May third and Beaudin at cleanup. It all starts at leadoff with junior shortstop Hope Alley, a University of Pittsburgh commit. Sweeney said Alley is probably tougher than her two brothers he coached in football. “I always like a really tough kid to be our leadoff hitter,” he said. At the No. 2 spot is second baseman Hailey Hayes, another sophomore,

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FROM LEFT: Hope Alley, Nicole May, Courtney Beaudin and Hailey Hayes. whom Sweeney is confident will be getting an offer.

After cleanup, there is third baseman Ellen Ebbers, a hard-working junior, and senior Lauren Hermes, who batted .409 as a designated hitter and infielder last year. “On most teams those players would be third and fourth in the lineup,” Sweeney said.

Sweeney is focused on softball coaching, stepping down in January to end his remarkable 31-year run as Foothill’s football coach, earning 265 wins, 15 league titles and four NCS championships. Sweeney said he grew weary of the year-round aspect of football coaching, and that he’s looking forward to doing things like going to see a college football game.

“I am good with not coaching football,” said Sweeney, adding that he figures to remain coaching softball as long as he is teaching at Foothill.

Though he is acclaimed for his football accomplishments, his softball teams also have been exceptionally successful. In his 10 previous seasons, the Falcons have made the semifinals or better seven times and reached the finals four times with two titles won. They are 81-27 over the past four years, a noteworthy feat in a game that can turn on a dime.

“If I want to make a block or make a tackle in football, I can will myself to make that play happen,” he said. “In softball or baseball, it doesn’t work that way. There’s a clean bunt, those slices off the bat; the pitcher won the battle, but those type of balls can cause the game to go the other way.”

Added Beaudin: “Toward the middle of each game, is when it gets competitive. That’s when the tricks and the bunts and the strategy comes in more and the mood of the game can change on any one play.”

The intensity and drive that has fueled Sweeney over the years is something his players have picked up on.

Said Beaudin “I think Sweeney’s energy rubs off on us. We don’t want him to let up on on us and don’t want to let him down.

He pushes us to do better each game.”

May said she has “learned a lot from him about the mental side of the sport and mental toughness.”

The competitive fire burns brightly for Sweeney no matter what sport he’s coaching.

“For me, the competitive part of it is every bit the same. I love competition. I love all games, love competing,” he said. “I get the butterflies and get nervous. In football, you are more in control of what’s going on. In softball it’s more out of your control.” ✪ — Story By Mike Wood | Photos By Berry Evans III Follow us on Twitter & Instagram, like us on Facebook!

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was just cer County la P th u o S l. uoo wing comm ek High Sch to Woodcre et to this gro t ss n a r ce ja jo a d a m a lle cs facility as West Rosevi inent aquati Complex in m cs ro ti p a teractive u a q n A o children’s in to envisi Roseville a t , e h e g th si id d sl re e r n fo e te e a ot w sson opad th ville op try, a 150-fo ty officials h ty of swim le n City of Rose ci e e ri e ily le va th ty ck a 5 -s lu 9 s, 9 d ch e 1 m bea ack in t growth an onal swim ti zero depth d. e significan ing, recreati n pool with m o ti im lly year-roun a aina e sw u cr t rt h starting to se re vi ig a d n l, se o ily u o . m p is e e facility is m fa n m C th o h A t ti it co a R ti w e e th to y p l it th a rs m n a ci s, u u co m e ram nity for ye ppen, it is cr ing the com Olympic-siz quatic prog ntinue to ha a 50-meter extensive a d more. Serv co s n l’s a jst ts o a n o o ck a b ve ch e S sh C h A se ck the sna ool. This pro The R ek Hig er to ensure er rooms, a mpetition p d Woodcre rd ck co n o a lo e s , in th a m d g a re n n a a te ri y e C im A last water pla eld at the R mpetitive sw ck and re-p meets are h ll as local co the pool de im g n sw ci l an, the la a p n o re ti tions as we Dion Louth elp with h al and na id n sa to io g ,” lle re le vi r ib a se orts tourof Ro n poss Every ye to the City t also area sp d renovatio standards. u e 0 b 0 d st e ,0 e . th e 0 h in u n 0 a ig 5 yo g h ch $ l a u e ca ted tained at th made this m immers once enefit our lo cently dona urism which ready for sw ill not only b y Tourism re To w w o y lle n C a se. lle V A is a r R l V o e r ce o th la p ce P Pla the its home ba nts at pleted and nership with improveme the RAC as m rt a s e co p h se T u st exte “ t . ju a re va s a ri lle th a t vi -p ect w s tha team f Rose public lity standard competitive r the City o a ited for the u g fo q xc in s e e h m ri ig re im ra h a b w e e S “W da et th ation and Li Sierra Neva des will me s Parks, Recre year-round these upgra e f o th , tes, coache th cs o Director of ti B a . u of our athle reboard 8. pital Aq o 1 rt a 0 o sc C 2 p d p D h ia n rc a su rn LE a o s s w it M lif ck and d by to Ca g blo d a ne ism.” e art startin g blocks an ill be installe d $120,000 alley Tourism in w th V te fr rt s a a n -o ck ce o st la te lo d a P te b o f f a st g ls o o w o-d rtin ity PVT a appreciative ovations, ne d fund up-t ard and sta ets to the C nt deck ren ution helpe thankful and the scorebo imming me ce w th lly S re a o e A u B h S n .

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The High Schools Boys VB Stars And The Clubs They’ve Powered To Nationals NATIONAL BAKER’S DOZEN Thirteen Northern California Volleyball Association teams qualified for the USAV Boys Junior Nationals in the 15U18U divisions. The tournaments take place in Phoenix this summer.

18 OPEN DIVISION Bay to Bay VC 18-1 Mountain View VC 18 Red Northern California VC 18-1 Aspics 18 USA DIVISION Mountain View VC 18 Black Pacific Rim Volleyball Academy 18 Orange 17 OPEN DIVISION Bay to Bay VC 17-1 Mountain View VC 17 Red

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17 USA DIVISION Apache VC 17-1 Mountain View VC 17 Black 16 USA DIVISION Mountain View VC 16 Black Slainte VC 16-1 Platinum 15 OPEN DIVISION Bay to Bay VC 15-1 Mountain View VC 15 Red

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As the high school boys volleyball season nears, here’s a look at some of the top high school players in the area whose club teams are qualified for the USA Volleyball Boys Junior National Championships, which take place July 1-9 in Phoenix.

BRETT ALLEN (pictured above) School: Bellarmine-San Jose Club: Bay to Bay VBC 18-1 Height/Position/Grade: 6-2, OH, Sr. Allen was a force for a Bells team which went 31-11 and finished as NorCal Division I runners-up in 2017. He posted 312 kills and 37 aces for Bellarmine.

COLTON BROOKS School: Amador Valley-Pleasanton Club: Bay to Bay VBC 17-1 Height/Position/Grade: 6-4, OH, Jr. The Dons were quite a story in 2017, improving 16-14 to 36-1. Brooks helped Amador win its first 36 games, claiming EBAL and NCS Div. I titles along the way.

DOUG DAHM School: Monte Vista-Danville Club: Pacific Rim VB Academy 18 Orange Height/Position/Grade: 6-4, OPP, Jr. Dahm was a standout for the Mustangs team as he logged 156 kills and 129 digs over 67 sets played.

WILL DOMINGUEZ School: Mountain View Club: Bay to Bay VBC 17-1 Height/Position/Grade: 7-1, MH, Jr. At 7-1, if Dominguez got a set for the

Spartans it was all but assured to find the deck. He had 106 kills in 186 attempts and also added 26 solo blocks.

DAWSON FUGATE School: Del Oro-Loomis Club: Northern California VC 18-1 Asics Height/Position/Grade: 6-5, OH, Sr. The Long Beach State-bound hitter was the SportStars All-City Team Volleyball Player of the Year in 2017 after posting 393 kills, 41 blocks, 266 digs and 82 assists for the Golden Eagles.

JEROD NELSEN School: St. Francis-Mountain View Club: Mountain View VC 18 Red Height/Position/Grade: 6-5, OH, Sr. Nelsen posted 381 kills, 36 aces and 37 blocks to help lead St. Francis to a 34-3 record and CCS Div. I championship in 2017; He also competed for Team USA in the FIVB U19 World Championships.

DANIEL LIEN School: Lynbrook-San Jose Club: Bay to Bay VBC 18-1 Height/Position/Grade: 5-7, DS, Sr. The talented back row player was a cocaptain for a Vikings team which went 19-6 in 2017. He posted 178 digs and

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more than 300 serve receives.

BRIAN ROSS School: Bellarmine-San Jose Club: Bay to Bay VBC 18-1 Height/Position/Grade: 6-2, S, Sr. Ross was the primary setter for the Bells in 2017, posting 763 assists at an average of 7.7 per set. He also added 151 digs on the season.

ZACHARY SMITH School: Serra-San Mateo Club: Mountain View VC 18 Red Height/Position/Grade: 6-1, S/OH, Sr. Smith is a versatile weapon for a Padres team which went 20-13 a season ago.

He’s already a two-time All-West Catholic Athletic League honoree, earning First-Team honors as a sophomore in 2016.

ANTHONY WONG School: Bellarmine-San Jose Club: Mountain View VC 17 Red Height/Position/Grade: 6-2, OH, Jr. Reached 102 kills while seeing action in 70 sets during his sophomore year with the Bells. He should see even bigger numbers as a junior.

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get mental: erika westhoff

GOLD MEDAL MENTALITY If you’re like me, you’ve totally caught Olympic fever.

skills coach, I love to see the mental game getting more atten-

So many countries coming together in the spirit of competi-

tion than ever. Olympians KNOW that they cannot compete

tion and putting a lifetime of training into what is often a few short minutes (or seconds) of competition. I love it! As a mental

without strong, consistent control of their mental game.

The first step of the mental game is all about preparation.

Pre-game preparation, which starts long before competition, primes the athlete to be calm, relaxed and get quality reps to help ensure good execution. Mental calmness, meaning quiet thoughts, is required, especially for highly technical sports, which are most sports at the Olympic level.

This can be achieved a number of ways such as meditation, learning to manage self-talk (that busy chatter in your head), and/or creating a strong sense of confidence and letting go of worries (easier said than done).

Here’s how they do it. ›› Imagery/visualization — Learning to do high-quality imagery allows Olympians to get more high-quality repetition.

You can only do so many routines, so many runs, so many jumps. Sensory filled imagery allows your nervous system to experience what your brain interprets as “real” repetition, further preparing you for excellent execution. ›› Self-talk — Quieting your inner voice (often your inner critic) is a huge key to mental performance. Anyone who has experienced the pressure of competition has likely battled with their inner voice. Learning how to use it to your advantage and eventually quiet the voice on-demand is required for consistent performance. ›› Relaxation/breathing — Deep, slow, repetitive breaths (you can see many athletes doing this at the starting line, or prior to their routine) is how you take the edge off your nerves and help your body stay relaxed and ready. What you can’t always see is that athletes start this practice often days before the big moment. In order to be dependable just before competition, breathing needs to be paired with deeper relaxation techniques to get in front of the impending stress, and then repeated often to continue to take the edge off. Olympians do this extremely well. ›› Present focus (not outcome) — Present focus is one of the most important, and challenging, mental skills in high performance. It’s EASY to caught up in thinking about outcomes … winning, medaling, scoring. But it’s a trap. Focusing on outcomes invites pressure. It activates your internal voice. It directs your attention to after the competition, rather than on execution (which allows you to perform your best). Don’t let yourself get caught in the outcome trap; outcomes are always out of your control. Stay focused on proper execution and present focus, and let the outcome take care of itself.

The Olympics give us the opportunity to study how the greatest athletes succeed, but when it comes to the mental game, all the same skills apply to you. Use imagery to prepare for ideal execution. Manage your self-talk, keeping a quiet, calm mind. Use relaxation and breathing to take the edge off of your pre-competition nerves, and stay focused in the present, trusting the outcome will reward your best performance.

Have fun out there and stay mentally strong. ✪ Erika Westhoff is a CEO and certified mental trainer at EW Performance in Pleasanton.

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FOODS THAT

FIGHT nutrition: jill daniels

Inflammation can be a good thing. Or a bad thing.

Temporary inflammation, or acute inflammation, happens when the body is repairing an injury or fighting off an infection. Once the problem has ended, the body returns to its normal state. For athletes, this is an important part of the muscle-strengthening process and can help make the body more resistant to muscle damage in the future.

Long-term, or chronic inflammation is when the immune system stays in a state of high alert and ends up causing damage to the body.

Athletes who train hard on a regular basis and don’t get enough rest may not have enough time between workouts to heal adequately, and the body stays in a cycle of chronic inflammation. This can negatively affect both the muscles and joints, and can also contribute to many long-term diseases, including cancer, heart disease, arthritis and Alzheimer’s disease.

There are several major causes of inflammation, including unmanaged stress, lack of sleep, environmental pollutants and an unhealthy diet.

The good news is that researchers have found that a healthy diet can help in the prevention and reduction of chronic inflammation. Here are some foods to eat more frequently, and the reasons why: ›› Fatty fish, olive oil, avocado, nuts and seeds for healthy fats, antioxidants and other anti-inflammatory compounds. Great sources include salmon, sardines, tuna, and mackerel as well as almonds and walnuts. ›› Fruits and vegetables for fiber, antioxidants and phytonutrients. Tomatoes, green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale, collards) and fruits (oranges, strawberries, blueberries, cherries) are delicious choices you can eat on a daily basis. ›› Beans, lentils and whole grains are high in fiber and other nutrients shown to decrease inflammation.

Striving for an overall healthy diet will help you both short term and long term. Dr. Frank Hu, professor of nutrition and epidemiology in the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, states “a healthy diet is beneficial not only for reducing the risk of chronic diseases, but also for improving mood and overall quality of life.”

Keep in mind, however, that even the healthiest diet won’t be able to overcome chronic high stress and lack of sleep. Make sure to consider all of these different aspects of training so that you can feel great and perform your best. ✪ Maximize your athletic performance by seeking personalized advice from Nutrition Coach Jill Daniels, MS, RD, CSSD, Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics. www.JillDanielsRD. com

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TRI TO INCREASE YOUR

BENCH powered by trucks: anthony trucks

It was January 2006. I had just finished playing my last college football game and my agent flew me out to Scottsdale, Arizona, to prepare for the NFL combine. The combine consists of multiple tests you have to complete, and one of the most important ones, at least for me as linebacker, was the 225-pound bench press rep test. The goal is to simply complete as many full reps as possible before your muscles fail. The stronger you are overall, the more reps you can complete.

So here I am trying to figure out how to get as strong as possible as fast as possible in five weeks while I’m in Arizona. What was a major part of my program to achieve this? Tricep dips. I know, that’s what I thought. Why not just do a lot of bench pressing? Well, if you want to press more, you have to work on all the pressing muscles, but one plays a huge role in helping you not get stuck under the bar. Your triceps.

The hard part is making the triceps incredibly strong while still firing the other pressing muscles. When you do tricep cable extensions or bar presses, you limit how much weight you can add while isolating the triceps so you don’t engage the chest or shoulder muscles. This makes it harder to increase your overall bench.

With the weighted tricep dip, however, you can add a great deal of weight while still engaging your chest. This allows you to focus on the muscles that keep the bar moving and allows you to increase your bench press strength.

Here’s another hidden benefit. The dip forces you to go through a balanced full-range motion from the very bottom of the dip all the way to a lockout. Just like when you have to touch the bar to your chest on a bench press and lock it all the way out. The added balance factor comes in handy when you are trying to stabilize a heavy weight. If you can’t keep the bar steady when you are benching, you’ll take your muscles out of their strongest patterns and you’ll struggle to finish the lift when the weight gets heavier.

Simply adding heavy tricep dips to my regimen allowed me to go from a max bench of 365 to 405 in just under six weeks. So if you’re looking to get a boost in your bench, then add some weighted dips to your routine and watch your numbers climb. ✪ Anthony Trucks is an IYCA-certified trainer who covers strength training for SportStars.

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