December 7, 2006

SPORTS

Leland girls’ hoops drop first league loss

Chargers lose 57-47 at Piedmont Hills; still have two-game
edge atop Mt. Hamilton Division standings

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The first-place Chargers recorded their first loss in league play this season, losing a 57-47 decision in girls’ basketball action at Piedmont Hills on Jan. 26.

Leland’s Amanda Do dribbles past a defender during a 57-47 loss at Piedmont Hills on Jan. 26. Photo by Kevin Jones at www.johub.com

The loss dropped Leland’s record to 7-1 in league play and snapped an eight-game winning streak that began just days before the start of Mt. Hamilton Division play.

Despite the loss, the Chargers still hold a two-game lead over second place Santa Teresa, with four other teams tied for third place, each with identical 4-4 records.

“We beat ourselves, I feel,” Leland head coach Wade Nakamura said. “I told the girls that the only way we were going to lose the game is if we beat ourselves and tonight, we beat ourselves. We allowed them to take the game. …We just didn’t get it done tonight.”

Nakamura said that while his team collectively struggled on offense, it was team defense, or a lack thereof, that allowed Piedmont Hills to go ahead in the second half. After allowing just 16 points in the first half, the Chargers gave up 41 points to the Pirates the rest of the way.

“We just did not play 32 minutes of basketball,” Nakamura said. “…Sixteen points for them in the first half and 41 points in the second half, that tells the story right there. We just didn’t play consistent on either end of the floor, but really the defensive end is where we didn’t play.”

Nakamura added that the game’s officiating changed from the first half to the second half, allowing the Pirates’ bigger lineup to be more physical in the third and fourth quarters.

“If the referees allow Piedmont to play the way the played in the second half—aggressive and push—and not blow whistles on them, like they did in the first half, then Piedmont has a huge advantage over us and every other team in our league,” Nakamura said.

“Every team in the league knows that. They know if the officials allow them to play that way, and get away with the pushing and shoving … it’s difficult to play against that.”

Back-to-back scoring runs by the Pirates—one to end the third quarter and one to start the fourth quarter—turned the tide on the Chargers, who went into halftime leading 22-16.

Leading 33-24 with 2:49 left in the third quarter, the Chargers endured an 11-2 scoring run by the Pirates to end the quarter and tie the game at 35-35.

The Chargers then fell behind the Pirates quickly to start the fourth quarter, as Piedmont Hills put together a 12-2 scoring run in the quarter’s first three minutes of play to go up 47-37.

Still, Leland managed to battle back, going on a modest 8-3 scoring stretch to get within five points of the Pirates at 50-45 with 2:26 remaining in the game. Leland received four points from Ana Farrington, as well as two points each from Ana Castillo and Kristen Yoshioka during that stretch. Castillo led the Chargers with 16 points while Yoshioka added 13 points.

That, however, was not enough to quell the Pirates’ momentum in the second half, as Piedmont Hills finished up the game with a 7-2 scoring stretch in the final two minutes of play. Leland’s lone basket during the final two minutes came on a Castillo layup with 54 seconds remaining in the contest.

With Leland past the halfway mark in league play, Nakamura said the only thing the Chargers need to be concerned about is approaching, and playing, every game the same way they did throughout the first half of league competition.

“We just take care of ourselves. I’m not worried about any other team in our league,” Nakamura said. “We’re worried about Leland. If we take care of our business and play how we’ve been playing, we’ll be fine. Tonight, it wasn’t our night.”

Leland, Pioneer girls’ soccer teams battle for playoff spot in MHAL

Leland bests Pioneer 2-1, gives ground versus Branham

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Leland junior Sarah Chehresha scored two goals as the host Chargers edged out Pioneer 2-1 with a playoff slot on the line on Jan. 24.

Pioneer (6-6-3, 5-4-1) and the Chargers (7-4-6, 3-3-5) met with fourth place in the Mount Hamilton Division unsettled. The top four teams in the A-league pool are automatically granted CCS playoff berths in February.

Leland senior Allison Huffman challenges a Live Oak opponent for the ball Wednesday. Photo by Justin Petersen

“We’re still fighting for that playoff spot between us, Piedmont and Leland,” said Pioneer head coach Randy Worthington. “Leland happened to capitalize on our mistakes in this match.”

The two Almaden teams are tangled up with Piedmont Hills and Evergreen Valley, with each squad hovering around the .500 mark this year. Santa Teresa and Leigh sit atop the division.

Leland brought extra focus and preparation into the game, according to Leland head coach David Blutrich, considering that two-time reigning league champion Pioneer, notorious for playing up in big games, had outlasted the Chargers 1-0 in the teams’ first meeting on Dec. 12. The Leland girls were not to be denied this time around, said Blutrich.

“It was a very important match because, one, they are our rival, and, two, they beat us in the first game,” said Blutrich. “We concentrated on our preparation for the game and played exceptionally well.”

Chehresha opened the scoring in the game when she chipped in a shot over the outstretched arms of Pioneer’s goalkeeper approximately 15 minutes into the match. Chehresha converted a through ball offered by Leland senior Allison Huffman.

“Chehresha is an excellent little player for Leland,” said Worthington. “She is one of the best natural scorers in the league, and our main concern was stopping her, but we didn’t do it.”

Yet, Pioneer evened the score at one goal apiece 10 minutes into the second half when junior Sami Vega knocked one in from her midfield position.

Blutrich never strayed from his plan however, which was getting the ball to the capable feet of Chehresha, and when the Pioneer defense stumbled Mount Hamilton Division’s leading scorer, currently with 10 goals and six assists on the season, a scoring opportunity was there for the taking.

Upon receiving the ball near the box on a Pioneer scoring attempt, Chehresha punched a through ball to sophomore Neekoo Delrooz who finished the play off nicely, according to Blutrich.

“We got too far up-field on a counter attack,” said Worthington. “And they countered really quickly and put one in the net.”

“Neekoo gives us a lot of speed up front, and Sarah simply impacts every game,” added Blutrich. “No player in our league demands as much double and triple team coverage. To me that signifies an MVP-caliber player.”

Later in the week, however, Leland and Pioneer swapped places again. The Chargers tied Branham 1-1, while Pioneer stopped Evergreen Valley, 4-2.

“We had lost the first time out against Evergreen, and we wanted to prove that we were a better team than they were,” said Worthington. “We scored two goals in the first five minutes.”

Worthington said that Vega, senior Stephanie Righetti and senior Caitlynn Steinberg have performed well of late. Meanwhile, Righetti’s sophomore sibling, Shannon, scored two goals versus Evergreen.

All settled, Pioneer finished the week in third place, while Leland occupied fourth, one game behind the Mustangs.

Sports Briefs

14U/16U "A" Ball softball program seeks players
The 4U/16U "A" Ball softball program, Bay Area Starters, is looking for a few additional players to add to its competitive spring team. For more information, visit http://www.bayareastarters.com or call (408) 315-2704

South Valley Pop Warner youth football and cheer signups
South Valley Pop Warner is holding signups for youth football and cheer. Participant ages 5-15 as of 7/31. Signups are from 12-3 p.m. at Round Table on Thornwood Avenue on Feb. 3, Feb.17, March 3, March 17 and March 31. From more information, visit http://www.stpopwarner.org/ or call Bill Vines at (408) 808-1473.

Almaden Arsenal tryouts
The Arsenal, a boys under-14 (for fall 2007, born after 7/31/1993) Class 3 team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, will be holding tryouts on Feb. 3, 10 a.m. - noon, and Feb. 4, 2 - 4 p.m., at Allen at Steinbeck School. For more information, contact Jeff Earl at jsearl@pacbell.net or call (408) 268-5125.

Boys U15 Almaden Newcastle United Select (Division 1) tryouts
The Delgado champions and Association Cup semifinalists are holding tryouts on the dates listed below. Please contact christina_redondo@yahoo.com if interested in trying out.

Tryout dates:
- Feb. 3, 2 - 4 p.m. at Steinbeck Middle School
- Feb. 10, 9 – 11 a.m. at Steinbeck Middle School
- Feb. 11, 2 – 4 p.m. at Steinbeck Middle School

Almaden Aftershock boys U14 tryouts
The Almaden Aftershock boys’ U14 soccer team will hold tryouts on Feb. 3, 1 p.m.-4 p.m. and Feb. 4, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. at Steinbeck School Field 1, 820 Steinbeck Dr., San Jose.

The Almaden Aftershock is a competitive team (class 3) for boys under 14 born between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1994. The team is looking for competitive players who want to be a part of a winning tradition.

For more information, go to www.almadenaftershocks.org. or contact coach Mark Schrick at schrick@pacbell.net or (408) 391-6664.

Almaden Valley Strikers boys U12 soccer tryouts
The Almaden Valley Strikers, a boys’ under-12 Class 3 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between August 1, 1995 and July 31 1996. Tryouts will be held Feb. 7, 14, and 28 from 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at Steinbeck Middle School. Call Coach Lela Huenergardt at (408) 997-8903 for more details.

Almaden Valley Strikers Goalie Needed
The Almaden Valley Strikers, a boys’ under-12 Class 3 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for goalies born between August 1, 1995 and July 31 1996. Call Coach Lela Huenergardt at (408) 997-8903 for more details.

Go 4 Gold soccer camp Feb. 19-23
Go 4 Gold Soccer Schools has an upcoming Presidents’ Week soccer camp, taking place Feb. 19-23. The camp will be held at Oak Grove High School, located on Blossom Hill Rd in San Jose. The camp runs daily from 9 a.m.- 4 p.m., and is designed for boys and girls ages 5 -16. Cost per person is $250. There are also team discounts available. To register for the camp, go to www.go4goldsoccer.com or call (408) 997-7775.

Storm boys U10 soccer tryout
Storm soccer team is conducting a tryout for boys under 10 (Class 1 - select) on Feb. 10 and 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on both days at Almaden School. Almaden School is located on 1295 Dentwood Dr., San Jose, CA, 95118. Boys born between Aug. 1, 1997 and July 31, 1998 are welcome to try out.  For more information, contact Mike Bergstrom at (408) 768-2266.

Almaden Ice girls’ U13 soccer tryouts
Almaden Ice, a girls’ U13 (fall) class I soccer team, will be holding tryouts for the spring and fall 2007 seasons. Girls born between 8/1/1994 and 7/31/1995 are welcome to attend. Tryouts will be at Simonds Elementary School in San Jose on:

Feb. 9:  4-5:30 p.m.
Feb. 10: 1-3 p.m.
Feb. 11: 10 a.m.-noon

For more information about trying out for the Ice, contact coach George Karabatsos at (408) 677-6756, or e-mail gak1021@yahoo.com.

South San Jose Youth Soccer League tryouts
South San Jose Youth Soccer League tryouts for class 1 & class 3 teams will be held on Feb. 3, Feb. 10, and Feb. 11.

Age Group:
- U9 (born Aug. 1998 to July 1999)
- U10 (born Aug. 1997 to July 1998)

Location: Oakridge Elementary School; Time: Girls - 10 a.m.-12 noon; Boys - 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Age Group:
- U11 (born Aug. 1996 to July 1997)
- U12 (born Aug. 1995 to July 1996)

Location: Herman Intermediate School; Time: Girls - 10 a.m.-12 noon, Boys - 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

Age Group:
- U13 (born Aug. 1994 to July 1995)
- U14 (born Aug. 1993 to July 1994)

Location: Bernal Intermediate School; Time: Girls - 10 a.m.-12 noon, Boys - 1 p.m.-3 p.m.

For more information, contact Anh Nguyen at (408) 578-6537 or e-mail anh.dina@sbcglobal.net or see the Web site at www.ssjysl.org.

Bret Harte Middle School needs track coaches
Bret Harte Middle School is in need of track coaches for sprint/relay, long/triple jump and hurdles/high jump. Season begins last week of March and runs to mid May. Time commitments for coaches are approximately from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. three days a week (Monday / Wednesday / Friday). Coach will also need to be fingerprinted and have TB test completed through San Jose Unified School District. Bret Harte Boosters will reimburse the coach for the expense. The coach is to report to the track and field head coach and is under the direction of the school administration and Bret Harte Boosters.
 
If interested, call Amy Yorkey at (408) 535-6270.

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Boys’ basketball vs. Sobrato, F/S 5 p.m. and varsity 8 p.m.
Friday – Girls’ basketball vs. Evergreen, JV 3:30 p.m. and varsity 6:30 p.m.

Saturday – Boys’ soccer at Overfelt, noon

Friday – Girls’ soccer vs. Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.*

Tuesday – Boys’ basketball at Live Oak, F/S 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Wrestling at Pioneer, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ soccer at Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.*

Wednesday – Girls’ basketball at Pioneer, JV 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Wednesday – Girls’ soccer at Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Friday – Boys’ basketball vs. Leigh, F/S 6 p.m. and varsity 7:30 p.m.
Friday – Girls’ basketball at Leigh, JV 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Friday – Girls’ soccer at Live Oak, 3:15 p.m.

Tuesday – Wrestling vs. Leland, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Boys’ soccer vs. Lincoln, 3:15 p.m.*

Wednesday –Boys’ basketball at Oak Grove, F/S 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Wednesday –Girls’ basketball vs. Leland, JV 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Wednesday – Girls’ soccer vs. Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.*

*Note: Game site listed is for varsity only. JV and/or frosh/soph soccer team plays at the opposite site of varsity, at the same time, unless otherwise noted.

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

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

High School Scoreboard

Jan. 23
Leland boys’ basketball 52-36 loss vs. Willow Glen
Leland boys’ soccer 0-0 tie vs. Live Oak

Pioneer boys’ soccer 11-0 loss at Overfelt

Jan. 24
Leland girls’ basketball 73-39 win vs. Gunderson
Leland girls’ soccer 2-1 win vs. Pioneer

Pioneer girls’ basketball 58-45 loss at Piedmont Hills

Jan. 25
Leland boys’ soccer 3-0 win at Pioneer
Leland wrestling 65-12 win vs. Yerba Buena

Jan. 26
Leland boys’ basketball 63-53 win at Branham
Leland girls’ soccer 1-1 tie at Branham

Pioneer girls’ basketball 59-55 loss vs. Santa Teresa
Pioneer boys’ basketball 62-58 loss at Santa Teresa
Pioneer girls’ soccer 4-2 vs. Evergreen

Local rugby ruffians expand base

Mike Annab (center, in USA Rugby shirt) of Santa Teresa, coach of the South Bay Exiles Rugby Club, is a former San Jose State University rugby captain (1997) who has been leading the charge on behalf of youth rugby in South San Jose since forming the Valley Christian High School Rugby Club five years ago.

He still is the director of technology at Valley Christian, but now the club has been renamed as the Exiles to include rugby aspirants from other area high schools. The players in the photo, left to right, are Chris Hamm, Boris Taratutin, Daniel DeVilliers, Daniel Young, Scott Cody, Coach Annab, Alex Nihinu, Matt Narlesky, Joe Reuther, Christopher Beach and Karl Schmahl.

This year, the Exiles have players from Santa Teresa High and Pioneer High in the program. Rugby, said Mike, is “the greatest sport on earth. The combination of the skills and the camaraderie is better than any other sport I am aware of.”

The Exiles are well into their season, but still have a full slate of games and tournaments remaining, including Feb. 17 versus Peninsula Green at Valley Christian and March 3 versus Silicon Valley at Cubberley Field in Palo Alto. Annab is open to accepting new players, no experience necessary. For more information, e-mail Mike at rugbymike@sbcglobal.net or call (408) 639-5068.

–By Karl Laucher

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