January 31, 2008

SPORTS

Mustangs battle until the buzzer against the Saints

By Vanessa Silva

The Mustangs have been fighting their way through the intensive games of the season. With the team’s determination and strong leadership, there is no doubt that the Mustangs are going to step up in the next couple of games and do whatever it takes to add some more wins to their record.

Senior Shawn Bundlie (center) shoots in the game against the Santa Teresa Saints last Thursday.

Seniors Andrew Springer, Shawn Bundlie, Nick Maggipinto, Mike Beltramo and Christian Ceaser were expected to lead the team into a victorious season before games even started. Although the boys’ record is now 11-10, the team has shown strength and passion for the sport, and the seniors have been doing an awesome job leading the team.

The Mustangs played against the Santa Teresa Saints Tuesday, and although they were not at home, showed an incredible amount of intensity. The Mustangs were leading in the first half, but in the third period, the Saints started catching up and tied the score, forcing the teams into overtime. The 58-59 outcome was a disappointing loss for the Mustangs.

Although the loss was hard to accept, it was apparent to both fans and players that a great game was played. With an ending like the one against the Saints, the Mustangs are only more pumped up to come out with a win in their next game on Thursday against Oak Grove. “It’s going to be hard to beat them, but they are beatable,” said Bundlie.

The Mustangs are a talented team and are expected to do excellent in their upcoming games. Pioneer students are also excited for the games, both home and away.

“We need our six-man [team] to get rowdy,” Bundlie said. With the tremendous spirit of Pioneer fans and strength of the team, the Mustangs should do well for the remainder of the season.

Reprinted with permission from Pioneer’s Pony Express. Vanessa Silva is a staff writer for that paper.

Six Leland wrestlers finish at Del Mar tourney

The Leland Charger wrestling team attended Del Mar Frosh/Soph Tourney on Jan. 25. Six of the team’s nine wrestlers finished:

Andrew Garg 1st HWT
Sean Dickson 1st 130
Maurice Alexander 2nd 130
Austin Noftz 3rd 119
Benny Lemus 4th 145
Anthony Fortino 4th 98

BVAL to hold 3rd annual golf tourney

The Blossom Valley Athletic League, in conjunction with its member schools, will host its third annual golf tournament on Monday, April 28. The Almaden Golf and Country Club will host 144 players for a day of fun, great prizes and friendship.

Brent Jones, former 49er and a graduate of Leland High School, is the honorary chair of this fund-raising event that will donate a percentage of the proceeds to 22 participating schools.

Brent Jones, seen in action as a 49er

The day begins with lunch and a shotgun start at 12:30. Dinner begins at 6 p.m., and includes a raffle, silent auction and tournament prizes. The cost for the day is $225.

All sponsors and tournament participants will enable the BVAL to help fund the athletic needs of member schools. Memories and fun are not the only ingredients high school athletes car-ry with them through the years, but involvement in sports teaches responsibility, lead-ership, camaraderie, discipline and accountability. Participation sup-ports hundreds of programs and thousands of student athletes in the BVAL.

BVAL schools include Andrew Hill, James Lick, Oak Grove, Santa Teresa, Branham, Leigh, Overfelt, Silver Creek, Del Mar, Leland, Piedmont Hills, Sobrato, Evergreen Valley, Lincoln, Pioneer, Westmont, Gunderson, Live Oak, Prospect, Willow Glen, Indepen-dence, Mt.Pleasant, San Jose and Yerba Buena.

You can participate as a local business sponsor and/or a player. Sponsorships run from $200 to $2,600. To help, call the BVAL office at (408) 265-5409 to receive a brochure. For more information, contact the BVAL office or visit BVAL.org.

High School Sports Schedule Feb. 1 – Feb. 7

Leland

Friday—Boys soccer vs. Lincoln—Varsity only at 3:15 p.m. at Lincoln

Saturday—Boys basketball vs. Piedmont Hills; JV—at 5:30 p.m. and varsity—at 7 at Piedmont Hills
Saturday—Girls basketball vs. Piedmont Hills; JV at 5:30 and varsity at 7 at Leland Tuesday—Girls soccer vs. Santa Teresa—JV at 3:15 with varsity after at Santa Teresa

Wednesday—Boys soccer vs. Leigh: JV at 3:15 followed by varsity at Leland
Wednesday—Girls basketball vs. Evergreen—JV at 5:30 and varsity at 7 p.m. at Leland
Wednesday, Boys basketball vs. Pioneer—JV at 3:15 followed by varsity at Pioneer

Pioneer

Friday—Boys soccer vs. James Lick—JV at 3:15 followed by varsity at James Lick

Saturday—Boys basketball vs. Leigh—JV at 5:30 followed by varsity at 7 at Pioneer
Saturday—Girls basketball vs. Willow Glen—JV at 5:30 and varsity at 7 at Willow Glen

Tuesday—Girls basketball vs. Silver Creek—FJV at 5:30 and varsity at 7 at Silver Creek
Tuesday—Girls soccer vs. Branham—JV at 3:15 with varsity to follow at Branham

Wednesday—Boys basketball vs. Piedmont Hills—F/S at 5:30 and varsity at 7 p.m. at Piedmont Hills
Wednesday—Boys soccer vs. Evergreen—JV at 3:15 followed by varsity at Pioneer

For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics: www.phsathletics.com
Leland Athletics: www.lelandathletics.com
Blossom Valley Athletic League: www.bval.org

Sports Briefs

U-14 Boys Class 3 Division 1 soccer team looking for players/goalie
We are seeking players who can compete at a high level and have the desire to improve their soccer skills.

Our goal is to build a competitive team with dedicated and hard-working players.  Our experienced coaching staff will provide a structured and fun environment, emphasizing player development.  This is a Class 3, Division 1 team, and is part of the Central Valley Youth Soccer League. 

Your son must be born after 7/31/94 to be eligible.  For more information, please contact John at jshikash@eea.epson.com or (408)930-8748. 

Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League spring recreational 4v4 microsoccer registration now open
Spring Recreational 4v4 Micro-Soccer is a 4 v 4 small-sided game with no goalies. This format allows players to be creative and build confidence on the ball. This season offers a great opportunity for players to have fun while strengthening their skills.

We are also pleased to announce that the AVYSL will be providing Professional Trainers for the 2008 Spring Recreational 4v4 MicroSoccer Program. This is an excellent opportunity for players to train with their coaches under the expert guidance of Professional Trainers.

Want to play with your friends?  Form your own team and play together!  This is unique to the Spring Program only.  Go ahead and register then send your Roster directly to the Spring Director (no more than 8 per team).
We need coaches to make this 4v4 microsoccer session a success - please volunteer to be a coach for Spring Soccer.

Please visit www.almadensoccer. org to register your player and for additional information about this program.
 
Girls U12 Comp (Class 3) and Select (Class 1) open tryout
Tryouts for Girls soccer Class 3 and Class 1 teams will be held on the following dates:

Friday, Feb. 1, from 4 – 6 p.m. at De Anza Park (across from Mervyns)
Saturday, Feb. 2, from 9 – 11 a.m. at De Anza Park
Sunday, Feb. 3, from 1 – 3 p.m. at Steinbeck Middle School

All girls born after July 31, 1996 who would like to play competitive soccer are eligible and should be at the Friday and Saturday tryouts.  Sunday tryouts will occur only if we are rained out or the trainers need further evaluation of the players.  For additional information, please contact Kathy Wesolowski at 408-323-9236.

Almaden Stealth Boys U12, Class 3 soccer Tryouts
The Almaden Stealth Boys U-12 soccer team in Almaden Valley will be holding tryouts for the upcoming season for boys born after 8/1/96.

Jan. 26 (11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) at Steinbeck Middle School

Feb. 2 (10 a.m. to 12 p.m.) at Steinbeck Middle School

In order to obtain more information, please contact Robert Cerone (408)268-9547 (ncerone@sbcglobal.net) or Tom Geraghty at (408) 204-7475.

Boys U12 Class 1 Select tryouts
The Almaden Venom - Boys U12 Class 1 Select - are looking for highly competitive soccer players with birthdates between Aug. 1, 1996 and July 31, 1997. The Venom are part of Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League and CYSA North -Abronzino District II .

We are a Select team that plays and practices in Almaden Valley and attend numerous tournaments, District Cup and State Cup. We are holding tryouts at the following time and date:

Saturday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Gunderson High School.

Please send an e-mail to sabra.underwood@sbcglobal.net for more information and get on the list. See you then!

The De Anza Force Soccer Club tryouts for the 92 Girls age group
De Anza Force announces tryouts for the 92 Girls group. The dates are:

Saturday, March 1 and 8 from 10 a.m. - noon at Garden Gate Elementary in Cupertino.

Both teams will be Division 1 Abronzino in the fall. All positions will be looked at - for State Cup and beyond. Both teams will play Y-League and attend top tournaments, including Las Vegas Showcase March 14-16, and the Texas Shootout, May 30 - June 1st.

Force Black is coached by Owen Flannery, head Women's coach at Foothill College, and by Colin Corstorphine. Force Blue is coached by former MLS Player Shawn Medved. For more information, contact either Shawn at shawnmedved@hotmail.com, Owen at owenflannery@hotmail.com, or Colin at colin.corstorphine@gmail.com.

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