January 1, 2004

Almaden local Jim Cunneen hosts Silicon Valley Classic Football Team Breakfast
Teams from UCLA and Fresno State take heed as legendary Bill Walsh comments

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

What do you get when you cross (arguably) the greatest professional football coach of all time, two of the premiere college football programs in the country,several big time corporate sponsors, one San Jose Chamber of Commerce, and enough bacon and Danish rolls to appease Elvis in his ‘heavy’ days?

You get ex-49er great Bill Walsh serving as the keynote speaker of the fourth annual Silicon Valley Football Team Breakfast.

Bright and early Monday morning, San Jose Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Officer Jim Cunneen played master of ceremonies while athletes and coaches from Fresno State and UCLA feasted on a smorgasbord of fruits, pastries, and protein.

Cunneen, a UCLA graduate, teamed with SV Classic Director Jay Key, describing the benefits of bringing a college football bowl game to San Jose, which will be played on the 30th at Spartan Stadium.

“A game of this magnitude does wonders for the local economy,” says Key.

Key estimates that fans of the universities have booked between 1,500 and 2,000 hotel rooms for the upcoming week. In addition, the Silicon Valley Classic opted to remain local by purchasing trophies from San Jose vendors and securing corporate sponsors, such as Hewlett-Packard and Comcast, which are both Bay Area natives.

The highlight of the breakfast was when Walsh, the three-time world champion and commonly regarded offensive genius, addressed the athletes from each university.

“Every man on the team has had something to do with his team’s success,” explained Walsh. “It doesn’t matter if the player hasn’t played this year. You have all had a dramatic effect on your team.” “When I would speak to our (49ers) 50 players before a game, I would tell them ‘you have to be ready.’ Football relies on the performance of backups. You have to be ready when your time comes."

As for the Almaden Valley, Walsh had another message. “Oh yeah, I’ve spent plenty of time in the Almaden Valley,” says Walsh. “It’s a great place.”

When informed of Almaden’s plethora of talented young athletes, Walsh left some final advice:

“Kids need to get the fundamentals down,” said Walsh. “Learn the blocking techniques and the tackling techniques. That’s what saves you as a football player.”

Leland boys secure third victory with free throws, consistency

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Leland High School boys’ basketball coach Dave Frandsen must be ecstatic. Last week the boys celebrated Christmas and a two-game winning streak.

The latest victory came as a result of good free throw shooting, historically every basketball coach’s most obvious asset, yet greatest challenge to accomplish.

Leland hopes to ride the momentum of its late preseason success into league play and beyond, as they compete for a spot in the CCS playoffs coming out of the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Santa Teresa Division.

Leland’s tough preseason and the bumps and bruises that come with a young team’s identity crises have strengthened the Chargers, who appear ready to emerge as league begins in the first week of January.
If the Chargers maintain the focus and never-say-die determination that they showcased versus San Lorenzo Valley High School Thursday, Dec. 18, they will have a good shot at the playoffs.

Versus SLV, the Chargers were led by the tough defense of sophomore point guard James Kogura, along with the dead-eye free throw shooting of junior guard Kyle Yoshioka, who finished the game eight of 10 from the stripe.
Leland has one more warm-up before they open league Jan. 7 at Mount Pleasant High School. The Chargers will meet the Falcons of Saratoga High School on Jan. 3 at Saratoga.

Leland girls basketball knocks off Mills, competes in prestigious West Coast Jamboree

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

After suffering their first losses of the season last week, Leland High School girls’ basketball team bounced back strong this week, beating CCS number-four ranked team Mills High School and competing in the West Coast Jamboree, a prestigious invitational tournament featuring 80 of the best teams in the West.

The culmination of the West Coast Jamboree marks the end of a successful preseason. The Chargers begin league play Jan. 7 at Oak Grove High School.

If Leland’s performance versus Mills on Dec. 23 is any indicator, league should be a breeze, just preparation for the playoffs.

The Chargers came out aggressive versus Mills, a team whose only previous loss had come against 2002-2003 Division V state champs Convent of Sacred Heart.

Leland was running the court on offense, pressing the court defensively and finishing their shots. Thanks to another strong performance by junior Jackie George, the Chargers pulled off a 47-41 upset of 12-2 Mills.

After Mills, the lady Chargers hopped in their cars and headed up the road to Clayton Valley, the site of the 2003 West Coast Jamboree.

“This tournament’s a great opportunity for the girls to bond,” says Coach Wade Nakamura. “We get to have some fun. The girls get along really well, so it’s a good time. We hit up IHOP this morning (Monday) and the rain finally held off on yesterday, so we got to get in some miniature golfing.”

However, the girls earned their leisure time logging one victory before eating pancakes.
The girls overcame a poor first half, rallying to beat Clayton Valley High School 52-43. Liz Widgren led the Chargers with 18 points, while George dropped in 15 and freshman guard Kristin Yoshioka connected for 10 more.

With the victory, Leland moved on to play the biggest opponent they had faced this year, Ukiah High School, whose size proved to be insurmountable.

Leland leaders George and Widgren got into early foul trouble defending Ukiah’s giants. When Widgren fouled out with three minutes remaining, Leland was left helpless against a 2-3 zone designed to take George, the remaining threat down low, out of the game. The Chargers lost 56-46.

Pioneer JV basketball girls join varsity, make championship at Del Mar

by Justin Petersen

Pioneer High School is building a winning tradition in girls’ basketball. The JV Mustangs joined in the varsity team’s success, making the championship game in the Junior Varsity bracket of the Del Mar Tournament.

The young Mustangs, returning only one player from last years team have bitten and scratched their way to eight victories and only three losses this season.

“Every one is hustling,” says head coach, Mike Burrell. “We have 13 freshman and two sophomores, but it’s a really good group.”

Unfortunately, the girls lost in the Championship to Homestead High School.

“It all prepares us for league,” commented Varsity Head Coach, Blaine Hashimoto.

Freshmen Michelle Rebozzi and Stephanie Malthern, were named to the all-tournement team for their efforts. Rebozzi finished with six points versus Homestead, while Malthern logged three points and several steals.

Pioneer ladies basketball endures final test before league

By Justin Petersen

Come Jan. 6th, the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Santa Teresa division had better be prepared. Pioneer High School enters league competition wearing a 12-3 record on varsity. The girls open at at Branham High School, who is currently a respectable 7-5.

The varsity team fought three battles, squaring off against teams they will likely meet again in the CCS playoffs. Opening with CCS#13, Homestead High School, Pioneer maintained composure down the stretch, winning 54-52, thanks to three third-quarter three-pointers by freshman guard, Samantha Tsukiji. The baskets sparked the Mustangs, who never looked back, protecting their lead till the end.

Westmont High School served as the next Mustang victim, losing 54-43. The game set up a showdown in the Championship between CCS#14, Saratoga High School, and CCS#15, Pioneer.

Saratoga gained an early lead, going in at half-time, up 33-30. However, the Mustangs came out bucking and rearing in the second half. Seniors Gina Biviano and Brenae Perkins lit up the scoreboard. Biviano repeatedly nailed turn around jumpers with hands in her face, while Perkins battled down low, muscling down rebounds and taking flat-footed Falcons off the dribble with her crossover.

With 11 seconds left, Pioneer got the ball at half-court, down by one point. Unfotrtunately Biviano’s pass, intended for Tsukiji, escaped, grazing the freshman’s finger-tips before rolling out of bounds.

“I was thinking ‘just get the ball in-bounds’,” said Biviano. “It’s too bad. I feel like I let my team down.”

Biviano shouldn’t feel too bad. The senior, who intends to play basketball next year in college, kept her team in the game, sparking the Mustangs with tenacious defense and vocal leadership. Biviano finished with 22 points, and was named to the all-tournament team along with teammate, Camille Brown.

Pioneer boys fare well in Fremont Sunnyvale Holiday Tournament, split in Reno, continue preparation for league play

By Justin Petersen

The Pioneer High School boys’ basketball team continued a successful preseason taking third place at the Fremont Sunnyvale Holiday Classic, before splitting two games in Reno, NV.

With only the Soquel Winter Classic remaining before the Mustangs begin their first season in the Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mount Hamilton Division, Coach Joe Berticevich is pleased with his team’s progress.

“We had too many turnovers against Homestead (High School) in the Fremont Classic,” says Berticevich. “But we won and it was great to see the guys bounce back against Aragon (High School). I’m proud of our guys so far. They’re working hard and playing good defense.”

Aragon, currently ranked #8 in the CCS, was the Mustang’s first real test since losing to Leigh High School on Dec. 12.

The Dons of Aragon returned three starters from their 2002-2003 team, which made it to the CCS finals.

However, scrappy Pioneer, ranked #13 in the CCS, never flinched at Aragon’s pedigree. After jumping out to a 15-10 first quarter lead, the Mustangs couldn’t look back, finally beating the highly touted team from Aragon 65-52.

Another strong performance from point guard, Ceylon Elgin-Taylor delivered the Mustangs. Elgin-Taylor, poured in 30 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out eight assists in the game. Senior shooting guard, Mark Bundlie chipped in as well, nailing four three-pointers. Bundlie has been the Mustangs go to guy on the outside this season. The junior leads the team with 24 three-point field goals.

“We matched up well versus Aragon,” continued Berticevich. “Unfortunately, Eastside gave us trouble in the posts.”

Pioneer came off the encouraging Aragon victory only to lose versus an oversized team from Eastside High.

“Anytime we lack a presence in the post we are going to have trouble,” adds Berticevich.

Each of Pioneer’s three losses this year have come against teams possessing dominant players down low.

However, versus Eastside, Pioneer made an adjustment, calling upon Mike Kaufman to step it up in the second half. After going to the locker room down, 28-12, Kaufman and the Mustangs rallied to come within three of the Eastside Panthers, before ultimately losing, 52-38.

“Kaufman played tough in the second half,” finished Berticevich. “He never backed down. We need that.”

The Mustangs finished the Femont Sunnyvale Holiday Classic in good form, beating Westmont High School 58-47 on Dec. 23, and taking home the third place trophy.

This week Pioneer traveled to Reno, NV testing their luck against out of state competition in North Valley’s Tournament. After losing a tough contest to Reno High School, the Mustangs pulled out a 6-65 victory over North Valley’s High School.

“Reno and North Valley were two pretty good teams,” says Berticevich. “We got off to a slow start against Reno. We had to call a timeout three minutes into the game because our guys were having trouble breathing in that altitude.”

The Mustangs caught their breath versus North Valley.

Bundlie hit a big three going into the fourth quarter, sparking the Mustangs into a great finish. Joe Montelongo also had a big game, scoring 12 points and taking four steals.

“It was a good game,” notes Berticevich. “Now we need to concentrate on playing all four quarters. I know we can score, we just need to do it consistently for four quarters.”

The Mustangs will have an opportunity to score in about 12 quarters this week at the Soquel Winter Classic. After that, Pioneer opens league versus Andrew Hill High School on Jan. 7.