SJ Issue 72, Sept. 12, 2013

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SEPTEMBER 12, 2013

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16 ACTION!: Mike Finnerty, right, has his Sure West Sports Show ready for prime time (watch for our own Jim McCue. Awww.)

an ACL injury in a young 27 Treating athlete must take into account the future growth of the child.

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September 12, 2013

takes control of De La Salle.

Fret not, track 12 CLIPBOARD: athletes. Relief may be coming to your non-divisional world.

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ZONE: Del Oro is happy to take 24 RED on any and all challengers.

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PITCH: Go behind the 6 FIRST scenes as Justin Alumbaugh

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ON THE COVER: Granite Bay volleyball standouts (L to R) Taylor Nelson, Nicolette Pinkney and Maddy Deters.

INSET: (L to R) Sacramento Bee writer Joe Davidson, Elk Grove football coach Chris Nixon and SureWest Sports Show host Mike Finnerty.

Photos by James K. Leash

ROOM: The NFL’s back, 8 LOCKER baby. That’s not just football on our phone, football in our pants.

We’re just happy to see football back. There are a million reasons to rejoice, we’ll spot you the first five.

OF THE WEEK: 7 SPORTSTAR Lea Felton, St. Francis-Sacramento

FENCE: Tryouts, sign-ups, 36 THE fund-raisers and more!

38 ADVERTISER’S INDEX

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BEHIND THE GREEN CURTAIN

O

ne of the best assignments I ever had in my 10 years of working at the Contra Costa Times was the three football seasons I spent as the De La Salle High football beat writer.

Covering the program on a weekly basis allowed me to see the program’s success from a vantage point that I wish others could see.

As I watched games and practices each week and spent extended time around the coaching staff, it was clear to me — as it has been to many others who have had the same opportunity — that the program is much less about athletes and sport and much more about people and growth. Everyone — coaches and players — moves in one direction, together.

This is the obvious trickle down effect of coach Bob Ladouceur and the philosophy he set in place there and built upon for 34 years before stepping aside last January.

From that day in early January when Ladouceur stepped down, I’ve had no less than 100 people ask me if I thought there would be any drop-off or change under new coach Justin Alumbaugh. And from Day One, I’ve answered an emphatic “No.” Perhaps a few play calls would change in different scenarios, and a different person would be answering postgame questions, but that would be it.

Because as long as the coaching staff remained in place (and even Ladouceur was sticking around) the team’s preparedness, execution and trademark improvement over the course of a season, would undoubtedly remain.

On the occasion of Alumbaugh’s first game in charge, I asked him if I could return and shadow him over the course of the day. It was my hope to shed some light on what the inner workings of the De La Salle football machine worked like, and put a human face on the new man leading the way. I hope that I accomplished that.

Bay Area Edition readers can find the story on page 14. If you’re holding a Sac-Joaquin Edition, you can still find the story at SportStarsOnline.com.

JOIN OUR TEAM PHONE 925.566.8500 FAX 925.566.8507 EDITORIAL Editor@SportStarsOnline.com Editor com Staff Writers Jim McCue Contributors Bill Kolb, Mitch Stephens, Matt Smith, Clay Kallam, Bryant West, Dave Kiefer, Liz Elliott, Tim Rudd, Jonathan Okanes, Hunter Hewitt Photography Bob Larson, Jonathan Hawthorne, James K. Leash, Norbert von der Groeben, Phillip Walton, Doug Guler, Dean Coppola Marketing/Events Intern Ryan Arter CREATIVE DEPARTMENT Art@SportStarsOnline.com Production Manager SportStarsOnline.com PUBLISHER/PRESIDENT

There was one particular moment from the Aug. 30 game against Clayton Valley Charter-Concord which did not make it into the story. It was a perfect example of how the coaching staff operates, and will continue to operate — not to win games, but to teach young adults.

Late in the second half, Clayton Valley Charter was driving in an attempt to keep the game close when Spartans safety Das Tautalatasi intercepted a pass and streaked up the sideline heading for an obvious pick six. With Tautalatasi just steps from the end zone and no chance of being caught, a junior linebacker for De La Salle decided to throw one last block about 30 yards away from the play. The block drew an appropriate flag for unnecessary roughness and the Clayton Valley player had to be helped off the field.

The De La Salle coaches made it clear to the linebacker he was not going back into the game. But afterward, in the coaches office, defensive coordinator Terry Eidson informed Alumbaugh that the linebacker had already been told he was to write a letter of apology.

It was a small thing. But that is what De La Salle’s success derives from. Constant attention to small things with one bigger picture in mind.

ADVERTISING & CALENDAR/ CLASSIFIED SALES Sales@SportStarsOnline.com, 925.566.8500 Account Executives PWalton@SportStarsOnline.com Sac Joaqin edition: DaveRosales64@gmail.com READER RESOURCES/ADMINISTRATION

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Powered by

The senior middle blocker/out side hitter recorded 37 kills in nine matches to help the Troubadours to the High Sierra Invitational title. She hit 35.5 percent and

lea felton volleyball . st. francis-Sacramento . senior

honorable mention

wadus parker

matches to go with nine blocks

The Elk Grove senior rushed for 222 yards and three TDs in the

tournament honors, and helped St. Francis to a solid start after the team advanced to the CIF Division I State Final last year.

Stockton. Parker assumed primary carrying 32 times in the opener.

SportStars Magazine: How has the transition been for you and other players after so many key seniors graduated?

It has been good so far. We have a lot of new players, which brings new energy.

At St. Francis, we have great coaches, and we believe that each year it is more like reloading rather than rebuilding.

SSM: Was it a welcome oppor

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action of the season?

LF: up against other teams instead of just scrimmaging ourselves in practice. The experience allowed us to see where we are, and to see what our strengths and weak nesses are.

SSM: After such a success ful season last year, what are season?

kara campbell The Vista del Lago junior out side hitter is led the section with

cole thompson Contributed

wide receiver hauled in six

LF: Our ultimate goal is to win section again, but we know that we have to take things one game at a time, and even one point at a time. A lot of people may underestimate us because we lost a lot of seniors, but we still have a target on our backs because a lot of programs want to beat St. Francis.

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yards and two TDs in his varsity was the longest of QB Jake

September 12, 2013

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sayWHAT

“Pain is good. This is a miserable feeling, but I kind of enjoy it.’’

winner

WINNER So we had a heckuva time at the Northern California Honor

Edition fans, as well as made a few new ones. We gave

ranked De La Salle,Walsh’s alma mater. Serra led the Sept. 7 game 14-7 with

Roseville), replica helmets for Stanford and Cal (donated by Schutt), Sports Authority gift cards and a ton of SportStars

his dad.

TOP 5 THINGS WE LEARNED AFTER NFL WEEK 1

1. Peyton Manning may not be human: Hey kids!

out in the biggest televised sporting event take yourself to the next level, you may want to consider four (four!!!) neck 7 TD passes a game in no time. But remember — play one in a magazine.

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After John

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So he dangled an olive branch in the form of Anquan Boldin for a sixth round draft pick.

Boldin had over 200 yards receiving against Green Bay three days after Baltimore starting receiver Jacoby Jones got hurt in a loss to Denver. The lesson: Just send some Omaha Steaks next time, John.

Gabbert?: Seriously? Oh,

get it. Wait, what? Henne is starting this week? Oh, my. We knew he was

of struggling.

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Records are through Sept. 7

DROPPED OUT LIVING UP TO BILLING Top 20 matchups last week and three of them were instant classics. No. 6 Serra nearly pulled off the biggest upset of

in the loss they actually gained a spot, moving into the Top 5.

Former No. 5 Bellarmine played its opener and outlasted a

Cardinal Newman

TEAMS STILL RANKED FROM PRESEASON TOP 20: 17 KNOCKING ON THE DOOR He did his dance on SportsCenter, and he took up headlines claiming the Super Bowl blackout was a conspiracy, and he was only during the Thursday Night broadcast. Make it stop.

what every talking head is telling me after he won ONE game on Monday points, too. No team has ever scored that many before. Oh, they have?

Hmm.

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Prep careers of NorCal’s NFL QB stars didn’t quite foreshadow greatness

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as there ever been a time in NFL history when three former Northern California quarterbacks all began the season with a legitimate chance to be MVP of the league? course, are Tom Brady of the New England Patriots, Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers and Colin Kaepernick of the San Francisco 49ers.

ON BRADY

After one season at Butte College, Rodgers was quickly recruited by the Golden Bears. One year later, he was starting and on his way. His perseverance after the NFL Draft in 2005 when he slid down so far and then waiting for Brett Favre to move along in Green Bay also is a great lesson for any young athlete.

volleyball Rankings First rankings of the season; through

ON KAEPERNICK years at Pitman of Turlock than Brady or Rodgers because

Sports when they were in high school with various de ated from high school in 2006 included a lot of highlights many people forget about Colin. For one, his academics, which were strong enough so that he was accepted to Harvard and Columbia and was named popular Nike camps. Brady was one of the two or three best quarter backs there, but at the time was not clearly THE best.

Year.

I can remember one email exchange in the spring of 2005 in which

Michigan, which a few years earlier landed a Bay Area quarterback from Palo Alto named Jim Harbaugh.

year at Stanford. Kaepernick, a junior at the time, went to Stanford on that day and his arm strength shined through. He was very thin, though, and there were questions whether he could take the pounding of a college football season. Still, I think that camp is where the University of ones who would later offer him to play the quarterback position.

were no Lynn Swanns running around catching passes from Brady that year at Frietas Field.

ON RODGERS

sion II State Athlete of the Year. His football accolades were solid, but Pitman in 2005 also had standout running back Anthony Harding (scholarship to Fresno State) and it was more of a running offense.

When you hear former Cal coach Jeff Tedford describe what he thought when watching Rodgers throw as a freshman at Butte Col

based on the results of two tournaments — the Milpitas Spikefest in the Bay Area that ended on Saturday, Sept. 7 and the Gahr Molten Classic that concluded on Monday night, Sept. 9.

FAB 50 and California State Team of the Year

At the Molten Classic, Los Alamitos knocked off Lakewood in a championship match that Sherman, who is now a star cornerback for the Seattle Seahawks and Alamitos was No. 2 and is an easy choice to be

lent as they are today.

Rodgers was the best quarterback in the CIF Northern Section in his senior year and was written up twice that I can recall as a State

partly because that happens a lot (and still does) for players from that part of the state.

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In addition to Valley Christian, other teams off to strong starts in Northern California include Granite Bay (which has an early win over

the Deer Valley Invitational).

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football Rankings After games of Sept. 7; previous rank in parentheses

Norbert von der Groeben

DROPPED OUT: upset of previous No. 6 Long Beach Poly. The Friars, who host De La Salle on Oct. 5 at the Santa Ana Bowl, bounced back after

COMMENTS: Mateo, that team is often dropped. In California prep football,

straight CIF Open Division titles. Serra also was given credit for

Nev.

Junior QB Brady White had 490 yards passing and seven TD passes against Chaminade, which added to his 442 yards and three TDs that he had in the opener.

REGION: Central Coast TYPE: Team Scoring THE HUNTED: A potent offense led by QB Drew Pearson helped Carmel THE HUNTER: A potent offense led by QB Connor Marden, RB Holden Smith and WR Thomas Spanos could help Carmel score close to 700 points

For state record updates throughout the season visit CalHiSports.com.

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Fighting TRADITION So our track team is really good, but we’re from a small school. When we go to the state meet, we have to compete head-to-head with the biggest schools in the state — but cross country doesn’t. In fact, all of the other statewide sports go by size of school, but not track. Why? S.F., Oakland

S

ome of you may have had to sit through a play (or the movie) called “Fiddler on the Roof.” If you did, you remember the old guy singing a song about why things are done the way they’re done — his answer?

“Tradition.”

After all, the meet will celebrate its centennial (for boys) in 2015, so there is a significant amount of history that would be lost if the state track meet shifted to the five-division format that other sports use.

In addition, there are those who believe that if the meet is split up into divisions, the competition won’t be as strong (let’s say the two best sprinters are in different divisions) so the times won’t be as good — and again, historically, California has set many, many national high school records.

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Finally, if division meets were held rather than one grand state meet, it would be a two-day, allfinals event. There would be no preliminaries since, unlike cross country, there are 14 events rather than just one.

Interestingly enough, however, the North Coast Section is considering a new format for its section track meets that would incorporate divisional competition. There would still be a Meet of Champions, but instead of having three regional meets that send qualifiers to the MOC, there would be four divisional meets.

On top of that, the plan calls for the MOC to be two weekends: the first for trials and the second for finals.

The Central Coast Section already does it this way, as does the Southern Section, so it’s clearly the wave of the future — and it also might be the precursor to eventually incorporating some kind of divisional competition at the higher levels of state track.

In the meantime, though, your pretty good small-school track team is still going to have to compete with the big schools.

I agree it doesn’t seem quite fair when all the other state

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Track is the only CIF sport without divisional competition — but maybe not much longer

sports are broken up into divisions, but sometimes, as old folks are happy to tell you, life just isn’t all that fair.

On another note, I heard through the grapevine that some De La Salle boosters weren’t that happy with my column on Bob Ladouceur (Issue 71, Aug. 22), perhaps feeling I wasn’t worshipful enough. But by the time I heard that, Ladouceur, being the class guy that he is, had already thanked me via e-mail — and it brought to mind the last time I interviewed him for a story.

Way back in the day, I covered an early De La Salle game against Cal High that ended 3-0, in favor of the Grizzlies, in a game that will not be enshrined in anyone’s hall of fame.

This, obviously, was very early in Ladouceur’s career, but when I brought it up, the response was immediate.

“We had three turnovers and a bunch of penalties,” he said, or words to that effect.

And 30 years later, not only did he remember the details, he was still upset.

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River Cats honor the Valley High baseball team with one of their most prestigious community awards

T

he Sacramento River Cats have long emphasized being an active contributor to the community. Through the River Cats Foundation, the organization has focused on youth-based activities, including sports, and has given back to the community through the donation of time and funds to schools, non-profit organizations, and civic clubs.

The River Cats have been active in high school sports by partnering with schools to host baseball games at Raley Field, as well as by recognizing local student-athletes for their accomplishments both on and off the playing fields.

In the spring, the River Cats’ annual AllCity Awards honored hundreds of area student-athletes from all sports for outstanding seasons during the 2012-13 school year.

Most recently, the River Cats presented the Valley High baseball team with the eighth annual Mario Encarnacion Humanitarian Award for their role in saving a young girl’s life. Members of the varsity and junior varsity teams rushed to aid a young girl who was trapped under a car near the campus, lifting the car and pulling the girl from danger.

The award is named after former River Cats star Mario Encarnacion, who passed away in 2005 while playing professionally in Taiwan.

Encarnacion was a fan favorite and very active in the community while playing for the team in its first two seasons, 2000 and 2001.

The River Cats Foundation, with help from the Sacramento Bee’s Marcos Breton, created

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James K. Leash

Sacramento River Cats Sr. Executive Vice President, Dan Vistica, hands the Mario Encarnacion Humanitarian Award to Valley coach Troy Quirollo.

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the award to honor a young student-athlete, or athletes, who show a commitment to their teammates, classmates and neighbors. According to the team’s website, “the award is given to those athletes who inspire others through their story, lead by example and are role models to others.”

“The key aspect is to memorialize the spirit and commitment that Mario exemplified,” said Dan Vistica, River Cats Senior Executive Vice President and Chairman of the River Cats Foundation. “The award allows for us to carry on his spirit and strong commitment to others by recognizing young athletes that go above and beyond in the community.”

Vistica said the Valley High baseball team was recognized before a game near the start of the River Cats’ season for their efforts to save the young girl, but that they felt that no other individual or team came close to doing as much for their community to consider for the award.

“No one else really came to mind,” he said of selecting the ballplayers for the honor. “It just seemed very obvious and appropriate because these young men so clearly mirrored Mario’s spirit.”

The River Cats Foundation leads the organization’s efforts to give back to the community. It welcomes any non-profit organization that has a demonstrable record of supporting

family and youth-based activities for a minimum of two years to apply for financial grants through the River Cats Foundation, Inc. Over the past three years, the River Cats Foundation has distributed in excess of

$125,000 per year to a number of qualifying organizations. The foundation seeks to aid organizations that work to further execute the goals of assisting and supporting the needs of children, youth and families.

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Over ninety-eight percent (98%) of support received by the River Cats Foundation goes directly to the organizations it has supported.

— Jim McCue

September 12, 2013

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Seven years after quitting his job to build a platform for better local sports coverage, Mike Finnerty has taken the SureWest Sports Show to new heights

I

By JIM McCUE | Senior Contributor

t is the best of times for high school sports in the Sac-Joaquin Section, and the greater Sacramento area in particular. And the rise of athletic programs and student-athletes has spurred a rise in media coverage in the region.

The appetite for local and regional sports coverage has grown to the point where parents, supporters, and casual fans can’t get enough coverage.

Enter Mike Finnerty, a veritable chef of high school sports, serving up coverage to the starving high school sports population. “The area has grown so much, but it has not watered down the talent pool, but rather enhanced it,” Sacramento Bee prep sports editor Joe Davidson said of the rise of high school sports in the region. “With the area’s growth, the story lines

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grow. People are starving for the information, and people love video and technology.”

Finnerty’s latest dish, served with help from Davidson, is the SureWest High School Sports Show now airing on Comcast SportsNet California. The show, which has aired online and on SureWest’s local service in Placer County since 2009, has grown up and taken its place among live game broadcasts and programming of Sacramento Kings basketball, A’s baseball, and San Jose Sharks hockey on the regional network.

“A local regional sports network made the most sense for the show,” said Jaime Montes, Senior Manager of Content, Acquisitions, and Digital TV for SureWest Communications.

“We know there is a demand for local high school sports, and it makes the network more attractive to local providers throughout the region.”

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But the evolution of the SureWest Sports Show and high school sports coverage in the area is about much more.

“It’s a new era,” Davidson said of technological advances which have made high school sports and its athletes more accessible than ever. “The evolution of the technology has been amazing and overwhelming. You have to be on the cutting edge with print, radio, television and video, and social media, or you will get left behind.”

In 2006, Finnerty felt that local coverage of high school and youth sports got lost in the local media. As the father of young athletes, he was dissatisfied with the exposure given to quality high school programs near him.

“I was in the insurance claims handling business for 18 years, and I had one son in high school at the time,” he said. “I thought that the coverage in the area could be better, so I quit Upload photos and team stats! www.SportStarsOnline.com

TUNE IN WHAT: The SureWest Sports Show WHEN: The show airs live each Tuesday airs Wednesday and Thursday at the same time throughout the academic year.

WHERE: Here are the various channel locations based on your cable provider. channels 99, 699 channels 767, channel 698 channel 409 channel 34 (Rocklin) channel 23, 723 (West Sacramento) channel 63, 798 GOT SPORTSTARS?: Actually, yes. Sport Edition coordinator and writer, Jim McCue, will guest on the show each week a new issue comes out.

my job, and went out to sell ads to support a website to highlight local high school and youth sports.”

In the Fall of 2006, Finnerty launched the Placer County Sports Page, a website dedicated to high school and youth athletics in Roseville and throughout the county. With help from local sponsors, Finnerty was able to provide a resource and platform for the accomplishments of local student-athletes and teams to be celebrated by the community.

Finnerty’s “leap of faith” into the world of high school sports media did not make him rich, but did keep his venture afloat for a couple of years. Then, the economic downturn in 2008 put a strain on finances as some sponsors were unable to renew their commitments, shutting down the site and putting Finnerty in a holding pattern.

Before Finnerty had to decide what to do next, SureWest, one of the website’s original and best local sponsors, approached him about taking the local high school and youth sports coverage to the digital airwaves. The “bottom of the ninth inning, 2-out save” kept Finnerty on the local sports scene and created the SureWest Sports Show, which debuted in February of 2009.

The host took to the streets and fields in search of video footage and interviews rather than sponsorships as the Roseville communications company became the lone title sponsor.

“The show was really about giving back to the community at first,” Montes said. “(SureWest) wants to do something different than just providing services to customers.

“We didn’t want just football and to just show a few games, but wanted to cover multiple sports and games in a format that summarized what was going on in local high school sports.”

From there, the show and Finnerty became mainstays at sporting events on fields and courts throughout the area. The host gained recognition and earned the trust of coaches, players, and administrators to the point that Finnerty and the SureWest Sports Show were major players in the high school sports media business.

“A trust develops initially in how you treat people,” Finnerty said. “(Coaches and players) can tell if you are sincere. I think that some of the people could relate to the fact that I had high school athletes, and I was not just some guy out to make a buck.”

The success and draw of the show did not go unnoticed as other media increased their coverage, and some even joined forces with the SureWest Sports Show. Davidson became a regular contributor and co-host of the show, and the pair then took the program to radio when ESPN 1320 kicked off the SureWest Sports Show in August 2010. The radio show continues to air on Saturday mornings during the school year with Finnerty and Davidson talking shop.

“We try to capture what makes high school sports unique,” Davidson said of the TV and radio show content. “We try to hit on trends and topics rather than just rehash game results. People want to find out about the athletes and coaches and their personalities.”

The duo’s insight and knowledge of the local high school sports scene — Davidson has been with The Bee for 25 years, most of which have been covering prep sports — is articulated through easy conversation on the air, which Davidson attributes to Finnerty’s personality.

The conversations, highlights, and insight of the SureWest Sports Show have evolved and stayed at the forefront of the technological advances to the point that the program’s reach has extended well beyond the once-cozy boundaries of Placer County.

With the television program airing on Comcast SportsNet California and with Finnerty and Davidson’s social media presence and reach, the evolution of the SureWest Sports Show and regional high school sports coverage in general continues.

“We have in our area some of the best media for high school sports,” Montes said. “I think that we are starting to see something really amazing, and this region may be a model for other areas to follow.”

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Led by a talented senior trio, the Grizzlies of Granite Bay are fixed on reaching state final which eluded them in 2012

C

By JIM McCUE | Senior Contributor

lose. So close.

The Granite Bay Grizzlies came painfully close to the peak of high school girls’ volleyball last year, falling to St. Francis-Sacramento in the Sac-Joaquin Section and CIF Northern Regional Division I finals and ending the season one step short of reaching the state final. The losses gave the team a glimpse of the prize, but Granite Bay could not grab hold of it and claim it as their own.

“I definitely think that getting so close last year is motivation for this team,” new head coach Tricia Plummer said of the program’s near-miss in 2012. “It is hard to get that close and not go all the way.”

After the final point concluded the Grizzlies’ season in late November, the seven underclassmen on the roster, including tri-captains Taylor Nelson, Nicolette Pinkney, and Maddy Deters, were determined to surpass “close” and reach the top this year.

“Going as far as we did last year makes us work even harder,” said Nelson, a senior setter. “We all know that our goal this season is to get to State, and we believe that it is a reachable goal if we put in the hard work.”

Granite Bay has the tools to make it all the way to the top, especially with the heart of its lineup returning for one final campaign. Nelson, Pinkney, and

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Deters captained the Grizzlies as juniors and led the team’s offense to a 41-7 overall mark and a 10-0 run through the strong Sierra Foothill League.

Nelson is listed as a setter, but is capable of beating teams as much with kills as with assists. At 6-feet tall, she casts an impressive figure as the Grizzlies’ quarterback on the court, running the potent offense with precision. She led the team in assists and contributed 173 kills — the third-highest total behind hitters Pinkney and Deters.

“Taylor has a very high volleyball IQ,” Plummer said. “She has a lot of different abilities as a hitter and a setter from her position, so we try to get her opportunities to hit the ball and the option to hit or tip the ball at the net.”

Nelson’s versatility keeps opposing defenses on their toes and opens up the court for the Grizzlies’ hitters. Pinkney (244 kills) and Deters (243 kills) consistently powered the offense and precluded defenses from loading up their blocking on one side.

The outside hitters are listed at 6-foot and 5-foot-10, respectively. In fact, Pinkney and Nelson are the only two players on the roster at the 6-foot mark.

The lack of size appears to be the only minor shortcoming for an otherwise solid lineup. However, Plummer and the Grizzlies view it as a challenge rather than a problem.

“Other teams may see our lack of size as a weakness, but it is something that

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Photos by James K. Leash

The Grizzlies dynamic trio (from L to R) Nicolette Pinkney, Maddy Deters and Taylor Nelson.

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we are used to,” the coach said. “I’m not concerned about our size because the girls accept the challenge and work around it.

“We are not a tall team, but we have some big hitters. They are not going to overpower blockers, so they have to be smart in the way that they do it.”

Pinkney and Deters turned in their standard consistent performances with 11 kills each in a 3-1 season-opening victory over St. Francis to prove that the Grizzlies are capable of putting the ball down against bigger opponents. The biggest surprise of the match against the Troubadours, though, may have been the team-leading 13-kill effort turned in by sophomore Brigid Bell in her varsity debut.

The opening win over the program that 20

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kept Granite Bay from winning a section or NorCal crown was fitting in that many observers believe that the Grizzlies are the team to beat in 2013 after St. Francis graduated numerous starters from its Div. I state runnerup squad. The perceived passing of the Div. I torch also translates to a passing of the bullseye that was on the backs of the Troubadours a year ago, setting expectations very high for Granite Bay. Nelson, for one, welcomes the high expectations, and believes that the team’s experience — in both high school and high-level club competition — provides a foundation for the Grizzlies as well as an understanding of what it takes to succeed with a target on their backs.

“We just have to take it game-by-game and

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practice-by-practice,” Nelson said. “We had a good season last year, but we know that we will get every team’s best effort.”

The tri-captains will be leaned on by Plummer to provide leadership on and off the court, especially during the early transition with a new coach. Plummer has been in the program as a freshman and junior varsity coach for three years under prior head coach Jamie Ingram.

She moved up to the varsity program in the offseason when Ingram accepted the head coaching job at William Jessup University in Rocklin.

Plummer allowed the players, led by the captains, to determine the team’s ultimate goal of reaching state and winning a CIF title, leaving her to concen-

trate on the steps it will take to get there.

“My job is to make sure that we are doing the right things and staying focused each step of the way,” Plummer said. “We set personal goals and other team goals so that we understand what we need to do to achieve our main goal.”

One major step on the road to a state title is navigating the Sierra Foothill League, a traditionally strong conference with perennial playoff contenders in Rocklin, Del Oro, Nevada Union, and Roseville. The Grizzlies were unbeaten in SFL play in 2012, but league foes are eager to knock Granite Bay off step as it looks to reach new heights.

“We are real lucky to play in a great league like the SFL because we know

that we will be prepared for the playoffs after the competition we face every night,” Pinkney said.

While the road to the state final started off well, the Grizzlies will be tested by matches against other recent section champions, including Bear River and Vista del Lago, as well as tournaments against top teams from the Bay Area.

Granite Bay clearly has its sights set high, but, to a player, the team knows that nothing will be given to them.

“Success is not just going to happen,” Nelson said. “We have to work hard to prove ourselves every time we go on the court.”

Because close will not be enough this time around.

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TAYLOR NELSON

MIKAELA NOCETTI

SCHOOL: Granite Bay

SCHOOL:

YEAR: Senior

YEAR: Junior

POSITION: S

POSITION: OH Nocetti led the Eagles to their second consecu

Nelson will wrap up her high school career and almost immediately head to Cal Poly San

Camino offense will likely go through Nocetti, who can expect to see lots

Luis Obispo where she

of sets from fellow junior star Devin Herenda.

will begin training with

SARA HIBBS

her collegiate squad on scholarship. As a junior,

SCHOOL:

she quarterbacked the

YEAR: Senior POSITION: MB/OH

her setter position, and

Hibbs was a force at the net for the Broncos blocks. She added 60 digs and

MAYCIE LABASS

49 aces for Bella Vista in its run

SCHOOL: YEAR: Senior POSITION: OH

KIRSTEN PEREIRA As a junior, LaBass was second in the section with 579

SCHOOL: Valley YEAR: Senior POSITION: OH/MB

contributing 279 digs and 74 aces.

As a junior,

MADDIE MERLINO

Pereira helped the Bruins capture

SCHOOL: YEAR: Junior POSITION: S

consistent play in the middle.

the Division IV section title with She pounded down 323 kills and

set) as a sophomore. She helped the Raiders claim a share of the Capital Athletic League title, and a section playoff berth. The setter also contributed

blocks for the champions.

ALI KOUMELIS

SCHOOL:

SCHOOL: YEAR: Senior POSITION: S

POSITION: MB

KYRA ROGERS YEAR: Junior Rogers was during its dream season in which

team, Koumelis took control of the SJS and CIF

the team won the Capital Valley League and section Division III

with 847 assists despite sharing the setting role with Hannah Liserra. The junior also added 247 digs, 47 kills, and 40 aces for the Troubadours.

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96 blocks and also contributed

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1. GREGORI-MODESTO COACH: Ron Silva.

KEY RETURNERS: OH, Maycie LaBass, Sr.; S, Emilee Van Dyke, Sr. KEY LOSSES: DS, Kristine Paulson OH/DS Michala Wyrsch SEASON OUTLOOK:

preseason rankings, checking in at No. 45.

2. GRANITE BAY COACH: Tricia Plummer.

KEY RETURNERS: S, Taylor Nelson, Sr.; OH, Nicolette Pinkney, Sr.; OH, Maddy Deters, Sr. KEY LOSSES: DS/L Kiah Drongesen L, Libby Deters, Jr. SEASON OUTLOOK:

Junior setter Devin Herenda has El Camino poised for a big season.

6. ST. MARY’S-STOCKTON COACH: Angela McShane.

position at William Jessup University, but will have plenty of senior leadership to help steer the team toward its lofty goals.

3. ST. FRANCIS-SACRAMENTO COACH: Alynn Wright.

KEY RETURNERS: S, Ali Koumelis, Sr.; MB, Megan Sullivan, Sr., OH Leah Felton, Sr. KEY LOSSES: OH, Gabriella Palmeri; OH/DS Allie Wegener; S/DS Hannah Liserra; OH/OPP Loni Kreun OH/S, Noa Nightingale, Sr. SEASON OUTLOOK: to the graduation of nine players, including the majority of the lineup. Setter Ali Koumelis will have new hitters to distribute to, but St. Francis has traditionally reloaded well and should be a playoff team few opponents want to face.

4. EL CAMINO-SACRAMENTO COACH: Martin Soyama.

KEY RETURNERS: OH, Mikaela Nocetti, Jr.; S, Devin Herenda, Jr. KEY LOSSES: OH, Cassidy Denny; OPP, Marissa Matos.

MB, Elizabeth Dahlberg, Jr. SEASON OUTLOOK: this year, but the underclassmen are far from inexperienced. Herenda dished out 863 assists as a sophomore, many of which set up kills for Nocetti, who will look to take on the hitting load carried in past years by Natalie Riddering and Cassidy Denny. Coach Martin Soyama has developed a perennial

5. RIO AMERICANO-SACRAMENTO COACH: John Grix.

KEY RETURNERS: S, Maddie Merlino, Jr.; OH/OPP Madison Hunziker, Jr. KEY LOSSES: MB/OH, Maddie Cannon L/DS, Brooke Watson, Jr. SEASON OUTLOOK:

for another postseason run with a typical challenging nonleague and CAL schedule.

KEY RETURNERS: MB, Jane Held, Sr. KEY LOSSES: OH, Melissa Brum; S, Elizabeth Hoover S, Taylor Mancebo, Sr.

7. OAKMONT-ROSEVILLE COACH: Shelby Weinberger.

KEY RETURNERS: S, Ally Wubben, Jr.; MB, Kyra Rogers, Jr. KEY LOSSES: S, Brennah Gladwill; OH, Katie Carte; OH, Emily Larson DS/L, Sami Walters, Sr.

8. ROCKLIN COACH: Sierra Foothill (second) KEY RETURNERS: OPP, Kate Mitchell, Sr.; DS/L, Halle Wil liams, Sr. KEY LOSSES: S, Kallie Elder; MH/OPP, Shelby Sanders OH, Maddie Haynes, Soph.

9. BELLA VISTA-FAIR OAKS COACH: Valley (third) KEY RETURNERS: MB, Sara Hibbs, Sr.; DS/S, Nicole Pedersen, Sr. KEY LOSSES: Hernandez OH, Ashlyn Germoles, Sr.

10. BEAR RIVER-GRASS VALLEY COACH: KEY RETURNERS: OH/MB, Kirsten Pereira, Sr.; OPP, Teryn Rath, Sr. KEY LOSSES: S, Kaya Johnson; OH, Sara Schell S, Savannah Wirth, Soph.

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THE GAUNTLET Aug. 30, vs. James

Concord Sacramento Stockton

BRING IT ON

said. “We get the opportunity to play some of the best teams around, and it gets us ready for the rest of the season. It puts us in a position to

By JIM McCUE | Senior Contributor

There are certain constants every year as the school year approaches. The days will get shorter, temperatures will gradually drop, barbecues will be covered and put away, and Del Oro will announce its gauntlet of nonleague football games.

Head coach relishes the opportunity to schedule top teams from the region and beyond, creating a slate of match ups that might be challenging to some smaller college programs.

del oro-loomis from the early schedule and his players buy into it.

“Coach Taylor preaches that if you want to be the best, you have to beat the best, and I really think that these games — win

“We want to see and play the best, so that we can expose our back

Northern California Honor Bowl game. Del Oro faced a fast and notice to itself and its future opponents that the Golden Eagles are not a team to be overlooked.

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Del Oro has never been shy about its nonleague schedule and it’s more ambitious than ever

Success at Del Oro has become an expectation despite the continued improvement of SFL rival programs, and the level of

championship and a berth in the CIF Div. II State Bowl game.

Last year, Taylor upped the ante with early games against

. “Winning games now is great, but we want

The Sierra Foothill League, which features defending CIF Divi sion I State Bowl champion Granite Bay, will offer Del Oro a sec ond stretch of challenging games with even greater importance in regards to wins and losses. The Golden Eagles understand the importance of facing tough competition before the playoff stakes are raised.

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ishing the nonleague schedule against James Logan. Those tests

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One week after the Logan victory, Del Oro traveled to Oceans ide where they played in the SoCal Honor Bowl event and faced

Del Oro gets a week to rest and then travels to national pow

their respective sections and divisions last year, with De La Salle winning its fourth consecutive state title after defeating Logan in said

“We know what we are getting into when coach makes the

mark from last season, but Taylor is not discouraged by the pos “We obviously want to win every game, but we are not afraid to the SFL and win our Section.

“If you can do that, then you can be in the conversation for re gional and state games. And these are the teams that you will be playing at that level, so we want to play the best and see where Early indications are good for Del Oro and the team is content “We want to win them all, but what really matters is the rest

James K. Leash

Head coach Casey Taylor, left, and senior quarterback Michael Moore relish the opportunity

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heart health: dr. mo mortazavi

Exploring Sudden Cardiac Death in young athletes and steps which can help prevent it When a young, seemingly healthy, athlete dies suddenly from a heart condition, it is an unimaginable shock for could die so unexpectedly.

In the past few years, we have seen more of these tragedies, catalyzing research efforts to better understand and prevent sudden cardiac death (SCD) in young athletes. These efforts are leading to new strategies to identify kids at risk and protect them from this tragic outcome.

UNDERLYING CAUSES As recently as 30 years ago, SCD in athletes under 35 was thought to be extremely rare, comparable to the chances of being struck by lightning.

However, improved reporting methods, screening technology and autopsy more common than we imagined.

The majority of young athletes fall victim to hypertrophic cardiomy opathy (HCM), a genetic condition that causes an abnormally thick heart SCD can also be caused by anomalous coronary arteries, or malformed blood vessels; arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia, a genetic defect in the heart chamber; or chan nelopathies, a problem with electrical signaling. A separate condition, commotio cordis, cardiac cycle.

EARLY DETECTION/PREVENTION Improving electrocardiogram (ECG) and echocardiography technol ogy, along with the introduction of cardiac MRI and genetic studies, have provided physicians excellent tools to identify cardiac disease — primary prevention.

Secondary prevention focuses on the actual cardiac event. CPR be lifesavers if the victim has a shockable rhythm. Most HCM and

know how to operate one.

THE VALUE OF SCREENING Recent studies in the United States and Italy suggest many more young people have potentially lethal cardiac conditions than was previ ously understood. As a result, demand for local and national ECG screen ing campaigns has grown. At the same time, researchers are studying The American Heart Association recommends an annual history and physical to screen against sudden cardiac death. An ECG should be consid In addition, athletes must look after their own health, communicating any sig

ing their breath or become light headed with usual activity. Any family history of sudden cardiac death (under 50) or genetic cardiac conditions should also be reported.

This information can help physicians identify who needs an ECG or other procedure. While the participation exam is a great opportunity to identify athletes at risk, all pediatric patients should be screened for SCD during regular physicals. Preventing even one premature death is well worth the effort.

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rotator cuffs: hunter greene, m.d.

Shoulder pain? Don’t ignore it The rotator cuff is composed of four relatively small muscles in the shoulder that keep the ball of the shoulder joint in place. The job may sound simple, but the tremendous force of throwing and overhead sports puts great strain on those muscles. If they fail, a combination of athletic performance.

The good news is that rotator cuff problems usually can be prevented through a targeted strengthening program and, if caught early, these injuries can often be treated without surgery.

Early warning signs of a rotator cuff injury include: Minor pain with activity and at rest Pain radiating from the front of the shoulder to the side of the arm Sudden pain with lifting and reaching movements Pain when throwing or serving a tennis ball Signs of a more advanced rotator cuff injury include: Pain at night Weakness or a sense of instability in the shoulder Pain reaching behind your back

ibility, improper mechanics or an anatomical abnormality? a rehab program that may include strengthening exercises, stretches and manual therapy, along with a period of activity

early can mean the difference between a rapid return to the game and an extended absence while recovering from surgery.

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tristeps: liz elliott

Develop & use benchmark sets speed in each, and give you a measure on which you will see im provement. A good training program, coach, team or club will have Another purpose is to help set your training levels and dis tances appropriately. If you are training harder or longer than your marks to set your interval and repetition paces. Benchmarks push your pace, and show your threshold at the time of completion. When you do the Benchmark sets also help you set goals. Benchmark sets are completed a couple times each season, and should be done the same way each time to show the most accurate improvement.

Basic benchmark sets: from which to build.

Bike: 8 miles for time. Be aware, every bike benchmark set for a season must be performed on the same stretch of road each time for accuracy. Choose a four mile or signs. Do twice.

Run: 2 miles for time OR 20 minutes for distance (Complete the latter if you can not currently run two miles at or under 20 minutes.)

All benchmark sets should be done at a pace so that you feel completely spent at

any other practice, and relax into the feeling you experience, the better you will do.

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powered by trucks: anthony trucks

Lifting programs won’t produce immediate results In this modern day and age our society has attained an annoying trait; ev

seeing results.

ting results faster, but I am going to cover some steps to be expected so at least you can know what may happen as you start your training. Training for results is a battle, but knowing is half the battle.

NOT going to be able to do what your mind typically wants to do, so you feel less normal. focus should be on recovery and keeping to your training program even if you have to work a sore muscle. Just make sure to get 48 hours rest.

Finally, you have reached the threshold to where from that point on you will start now you are set up to start really seeing the gains. So it may take up to a month, but once that time has passed you are primed to get the results you seek.

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get mental: erika carlson

Volleyball is one of my favorite sports to watch

game is letting go of mistakes — quickly. Mistakes are an incredibly important part of the learning process and they are absolutely required in order to develop as a player (I know, this is tough news for all you perfectionists out there).

Unmanaged mistakes tend to generate a lot of extra thinking and emotion, which causes players to focus emotions creep in, game performance suffers. volleyball player with hopes of playing in college. She is hardworking, talented and loves the game, but recently her me with a lot of aggravation about making too many mistakes and asked if I could help her in order to increase her chances of getting recruited. I quickly apologized to Ashley and told

ing the mistakes you make. For example, if you fail to dig a ball on defense — one you probably should have gotten — you have a couple of choices: You can dwell on it, get frustrated, wish it never it hap pened and worry about if it might happen again; or, you can give yourself a brief correction and change your focus towards the next ball. No extra thinking of your focus for the next ball. This drastically decreases the likelihood of making another mistake.

Ashley and I did work together and it took some time, practice (success and failure) and lots of repetition, but in time, Ashley created new habits to manage her mistakes.

She made fewer and recovered quickly. Mistakes are part of the game and we all make them, but those who are mentally learn from the mistake and move on.

making mistakes, I will still get frustrated and my coach will

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training time: tim rudd for iyca

Insure your

ANKLES

loss t n ve re p lp e h ld u o h s t a th m One training progra rong st e c n a rm o rf e p p e e k d n a y it of ankle mobil Loss of ankle mobility can have a negative impact on the health and performance of young athletes. The sports they play are extremely stress ful to the body, and the ankle joint is no exception.

The repetitive strain of athletic practice and competition can shorten the

the lower extremity which limits performance, and can lead to problems locally and up the chain (knees and lower back) as the force must go somewhere.

So to get athletes feeling better, moving better and performing better we need to take a proactive approach to counteract the stress that is placed on the ankle joint.

ANKLE INSURANCE PROTECTION Roll the bottom of feet with lacrosse ball for 30 seconds on tender spots.

Wear a minimalist shoe (ex: New Balance minimus) to train in

See the accompanying video for exercise demonstrations. Find the video in the online version of this column at SportStarsOnline. com, or scan this page with the Layar app.

This is your athletes insurance for keeping their ankles, knees

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for gadgets, gizmos and gear. Compiled

by Mike DeCicco, Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest in the market along with upcoming events. This issue You can even do both at the same time,

LOUDMOUTH

CALIFORNIA CONCUSSION COALITION done to educate our athletes on protect ing their heads and treating concus sions. Take matters into your own hands with Advanced Concussion Training, This session is for parents, coaches, teachers and anybody else who wants to keep our athletes safe. Be there on High School in Oakland. Register at www.ConcussionCoalition.org.

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fact, these pants SCREAM football season. Pants, shorts and skorts are made for just for you. More than 40 top college programs are now http://us.loudmouthgolf. com/index.php/college.html

CALIFORNIA SPIRIT We could all use a little cheer in our life. Enter California Spirit. One of the top programs in the Bay Area wants you to get a little of a recreational class is free (if you buy an annual membership, and anyway). So give me a W! Another W! One more! Give me more letters!

Why, you get www.csecheer.com.

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WESTONE HEADPHONES of headphones, gremlins will sneak into your bag and tie the cords together, making them impossible to untangle. So your phones and your gym headphones fall out) are forever together, a sonic Brad and Angelina, if you will. So what would the Westone Adventure Series Alpha headphones. Rich bass, water resistant

G-LOVES solve that problem. These workout gloves are functional and fashionable. I mean, eliminate hand fatigue and look cooler than the schlub next to you?

www.westone.com.

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Advertiser index 1-To-1 Pediatrics ............................................................................................28 Army National Guard Recruiter.........................................................................5 Big O Tires Northern California/ Nevada ...........................................................2 Championship Athletic Fundraising ...............................................................34 Cheergyms.Com .............................................................................................21 Children’s Hospital And Research Center.........................................................29 City Beach Sports Club ...................................................................................23 Club Sport ......................................................................................................12 Community Youth Center ...............................................................................38 Core Volleyball Club ........................................................................................36 Crowne Plaza .................................................................................................38 Diablo Trophies & Awards ...............................................................................34 E J Sports Elite Baseball Services ....................................................................36 East Bay Sports Academy ...............................................................................25 Excellence In Sport Performance ....................................................................32 Fit 2 The Core ..................................................................................................28 Halo Headbands .............................................................................................38 Heavenly Greens.............................................................................................35 Home Team Sports Photography ....................................................................33 Image Imprint ................................................................................................32 Impact Soccer.................................................................................................38 Kangazoom ....................................................................................................20 M L B Scout ....................................................................................................36 Mountain Mike’s Pizza ....................................................................................39 Muir Orthopaedic Specialists ..........................................................................30 National Scouting Report ...............................................................................37 PacRim Volleyball ...........................................................................................37 Passthaball.....................................................................................................38 Pro Hammer Bat.............................................................................................33 Rocco’s Pizza.............................................................................................20, 34 Sky High Sports ..............................................................................................34 Sport Clips ......................................................................................................17 State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent ..............................................................16 Stevens Creek Toyota ......................................................................................13 Summit Orthopedic Specialists ........................................................................3 Surewest Sports Radio Show ..........................................................................17 Sutter Delta ....................................................................................................40 The First Tee Of Contra Costa...........................................................................38 The Golf Club At Roddy Ranch ........................................................................31 Tpc / The Pitching Center ................................................................................34 U C Davis Children’s Hospital...........................................................................29 United States Youth Volleyball League ...........................................................26 Velocity Sports Performance .............................................................. 31, 34, 36 World Events37

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