SPORTS

Tough fourth quarter sinks Chargers

Leland drops 70-66 loss to Evergreen after
leading for first three quarters of the game

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Despite a 9-point lead at halftime, a frustrating second half left the Leland boys’ basketball team with a 70-66 loss on the road to the Evergreen Valley Cougars on Jan. 27.

Leland’s David Farsai attacked the basket with frequency, but it wasn’t enough as the Chargers dropped a 70-66 loss at Evergreen on Jan. 27. Farsai led all scorers with 19 points. Photos by Jeff Frazee

For Leland, the loss dropped the team’s Santa Teresa Division record to 4-4, along with a 6-12 overall record. The Chargers were led by David Farsai, who scored a game-high 19 points, and Nav Deep Rai, who chipped in 18 points.

Leland started the game out strong, posting a 20-10 lead at the end of the first quarter, before heading into the locker room at the half with a solid 42-33 lead.

Thing began to change in the second half however, as the Cougars began to cut into Leland’s lead in the third quarter before taking the lead for good with just three minutes left in the fourth quarter.

“We can practice with eight guys on the floor trying to get used to it, but we still have to make decisions on the court that are better than what we did tonight,” said Leland Head Coach Dave Frandsen of the loss.

For Evergreen, the comeback win allowed the team to stay on pace with Willow Glen for first place in the division. Both teams lead the division with 7-1 records.

Evergreen saw four players reach double figures in points scored, led by Steve Yasutake’s 15 points.

“I’m ecstatic,” said Evergreen Head Coach Dennis Fernandez of the win. “I congratulated the kids. We had a talk at halftime and there were things that I asked them to do that they weren’t doing (in the first half) obviously ...

The games we’ve won this season are because we’ve played great defense, not because we’re great offensively. We’ve had our moments, but a lot of those (scoring opportunities) are created from defense.”

Leading 55-48 at the start of the fourth quarter, the Chargers quickly found the score tied at 57-57 after a 9-2 scoring run in less than two minutes of play.

The Chargers bounced back with two quick baskets from Mike Higashi-oka and Rai to regain the lead at 61-57 with just 5:47 left to play, if only temporarily.

Following those two baskets, the Cougars embarked on an 11-2 run spanning more than four minutes, getting four points from Billy Miller on back-to-back Leland turnovers. Miller’s second basket, a layup with 3:23 left, tied the game once more at 63-63. Miller finished the game with 10 points off the bench for Evergreen.

Leland’s Jimi Kogura tries to dribble past Evergreen’s Tinh Nguyen during a 70-66 loss on Jan. 27.

“He’s one of the harder-working kids I have in practice,” Fernandez said of Miller. “He’s had a difficult time transitioning a hard practice into a hard game because he’s so nervous all the time. I keep telling him, ‘relax, relax, relax.’ Tonight he looked at me and he said, ‘relax,’ and he did, and my God, he was all over the court.”

“We scored 42 points in the first half and we could not play any better offensively,” added Leland Assistant Coach Dan Walker. “What we did was handle their pressure, we shot extremely well in the first half, but we didn’t turn the ball over. And then, we had a couple of key possessions in the third and fourth quarters, where a shot or two may have kept the lead up. They came down and scored and we had the turnovers. It was those crucial turnovers that really kind of turned the switch in their favor.”

Following Miller, the Cougars took the lead for good when center Derek Pauli dropped in a pair of free throws with three minutes left, before Gurchet Sanghera nailed a 3-pointer from the left side of the arc with 1:14 left to give the Cougars a 68-63 lead.

Leland managed just four points the rest of the way, getting a free throw and a tip-in from Farsai in the final 31 seconds of play.

“Every game is a big game for us right now,” said Walker. “Beating these guys, who are in first place, would’ve been a really big win for us.”

Sports Briefs

Bret Harte Middle School needs track coaches
Coaches are needed for the following events:
- Long and triple jump
- Discus and shot put throwing
- Hurdles and high jump

The season begins in the last week of March, 2006 runs to mid May, 2006

Time commitment for interested coaches: approximately 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., two to three days a week at Bret Harte Middle or Leland High School.

There is a $1,000 stipend for the qualified coach.

The coach will also need to be fingerprinted and have a TB test completed through San Jose Unified School District. The Bret Harte Booster Club will reimburse the coach for the expense. Coaches report to the head coach and are under the direction of the school administration and Bret Harte Booster Club. Those interested may call Addison Jones at (408) 535-6270

SSJYSL Girls U12 Soccer Tryouts
Girls born between 8/1/94-7/31/95 are invited to come and tryout for our 2006 spring and fall soccer team. Tryout dates are Feb. 6, 4-5:30 p.m. and Feb. 11 and 12, 10 am–noon. Tryouts are at Herman Middle School, 5559 Blossom Ave. at Santa Teresa Boulevard. All practices and home games are in Blossom Valley. For more information, call Nicole at (408) 410-7622 or Bruce at (408) 629-8295.

Almaden Valley Strikers U11 holds soccer tryouts
Almaden Valley Strikers, a boys’ U11 Class 3 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between Aug. 1, 1995 and July 31, 1996. Tryouts will be held Feb. 11 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Almaden Elementary School. Call Lela Huenergardt at 408-997-8903 for more details.

Los Gatos Christian Church Youth Baseball League registration runs through Feb. 6
The Los Gatos Christian Church-sponsored Youth Baseball League is currently accepting registration for the upcoming season through Feb. 6. The season runs from April 1 through June 10 and is open to both boys and girls. Girls must be born between 8/1/97 and 7/31/01, while boys must be born between 8/1/95 and 7/31/97. For registration information, call the sports office at (408) 997-4642.

Almaden Valley Storm Class 1, U11 holds soccer tryouts
Almaden Valley Storm, a boys’ U11 Class 1 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between Aug. 1, 1995 and July 31 1996. Tryouts will be held Feb. 4 from 10 a.m. to noon, and Feb 5 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. at Castillero Middle School. Call Mike Reickerd at (408) 268-7576 for more details.
Almaden Storm boys U9 Comp. soccer tryouts

The Almaden Storm, a boys’ U9 soccer team, is holding tryouts for players born between 8/1/97 and 7/31/98 on Feb. 11 from 1-4 p.m. at Almaden School. For more information, contact Mike at (408) 997-8543 or John at (408) 323-1405.

Almaden Girls U9 comp. soccer tryouts
An AVYSL girls’ soccer team is looking for players. Players should be born between Aug. 1, 1997 and July 31, 1998. This is a competitive Class-3 team. The team is coached by Lisa Scudero, who is a longtime soccer player and successful coach in Almaden. The tryouts will be held on Feb. 4 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Almaden Elementary School. If interested, call Lisa Scudero at (408) 268-8620.

Almaden X-treme soccer players needed
Almaden X-treme soccer team, a girls U15 Class 1 team, is looking for players. The team took second place in league last year and is looking for players in all positions. Birth dates need to be Aug. 1, 1991 through July 31, 1992. If interested, contact Bob Spaletta 371-8687 or taxhound@aol.com.

San Jose Strikkers softball seeks pitchers, infielders
The San Jose Strikkers, an 18U girls’ fast-pitch softball traveling team, is looking for pitchers and infielders to add to the team. Tryouts are by appointment only. For more information, call Frank King at (408) 406-8191 or Richard Fangonilo at (408) 274-9301. Frank King can also be reached via e-mail at fgking25@aol.com, while Richard Fangonilo can be reached at rfangonilo@sjm.com.

For more information on the Strikkers, go to http://www.eteamz.com/sanjosestrikkers18u.

Almaden Valley Red Devils hold soccer tryouts
The Almaden Valley Red Devils, a new boys’ U13 Class 3 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31 1994. Tryouts will be held Saturday Feb 4 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Feb 11 from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m.  For more information, call David Silva at (408) 316-8760.

U16 girls’ holds soccer tryouts
A U16 girls’ Almaden Valley League Comp/Class 3 team that plays in both spring and fall is holding tryouts for interested players Saturday, Feb. 11 from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday, Feb. 18 from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at Steinbeck Middle School.

For more information, call Scott Hoyt at (408) 323-7803.

Almaden Celtic BU9 Comp (Class 3) holds soccer tryouts
The Almaden Celtic BU9 Comp Class 3 soccer team will hold tryouts at Almaden Elementary School on Feb. 4 from 1-4 p.m. and Feb. 12 from 1-4 p.m. for boys born on or between 8/1/97 and 7/31/98. Please arrive 15 minutes early to check in.  For more information, contact Mike Hackett at jmh94@pacbell.net or (408) 997-2004.

Almaden Valley Rockets girls U9 soccer tryouts
The Almaden Valley Rockets are having open tryouts on Feb. 4 from 10–12 p.m. at Almaden Elementary. The school is located at 1295 Dentwood Dr. (at Ayershire Drive), San Jose, 95118. We will be playing in the U9 Class 3 Division (comp) this spring and fall. 

All coaches are licensed and have experience working with and developing young players. We are looking for athletic girls who love to play soccer. So, if your daughter is looking for a more competitive environment and wants to take her playing ability to the next level, then come out to our tryout on the 4th. You must have been born on or after 8/1/1997.  Please contact Jim Lawrence if you have any questions at  (408) 204-7020 or sjlaw4@aol.com.

Almaden Falcons boys U13 soccer tryouts
The Falcons, a boys’ U13 (for fall 2006, born after 7/31/1993) Class 3 team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, will be holding tryouts on Feb.

12, 2-4 p.m., and Feb. 18, noon-2 p.m., at Steinbeck Middle School. For more information, contact Jeff Earl at jsearl@pacbell.net or (408) 268-5125.

Pepsi Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run Competition provides opportunity to compete at a Major League ballpark
This spring, youngsters ages 7-14 will have the opportunity to showcase three fundamental baseball skills—pitching, hitting and running—for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to compete on-field at the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game.

Pepsi Major League Baseball Pitch, Hit & Run (PHR) is the official skills competition of Major League Baseball.

This free grassroots program is in its 10th year of existence and is designed to provide youth across North America with an integrated competition that recognizes individual excellence in core baseball skills. Children compete in four age groups: 7/8, 9/10, 11/12, 13/14, and have the chance to advance through four levels of competition, including the local, sectional, team championship and national finals.

Once advancing to the MLB Team Championship, participants will compete at a Major League ballpark. From there, the top four competitors nationwide from each of the four age groups will win a trip to the national finals to compete for the national championship during All-Star Week in Pittsburgh, Pa.

PHR is a great way for youth organizations nationwide to put their town on the map and allow children in their community the opportunity to compete at a Major League ballpark. Organizations interested in hosting a local competition may visit www.mlb.com/phr or call (770) 641-7415.

Almaden Valley Storm Class 1, U16 soccer tryouts
Almaden Valley Storm, a boys’ under-16 Class 1 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between Aug. 1, 1990 and July 31, 1991. Tryouts will be held after the high school season ends. Call Jay Vyas at (408) 997-0812 or Dave Gold (408) 997-7775 for details

Almaden Valley Storm Class 1, U13 soccer tryouts
Almaden Valley Storm, a boys’ under-13 Class 1 soccer team in the Almaden Valley Youth Soccer League, is holding tryouts for players born between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1994. Tryouts will be held at normal practices, Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. at Steinbeck Middle School. Call Mike Reickerd at (408) 268-7576 or Dave Gold 408-997-7775 for details.

High School Scoreboard

Jan. 24
Leland girls’ soccer 7-1 win vs. Piedmont Hills
Leland boys’ basketball 67-61 loss vs. Willow Glen
Pioneer girls’ soccer 0-0 tie vs. Santa Teresa

Jan. 25
Leland boys’ soccer 2-0 win at Oak Grove
Pioneer boys’ basketball 61-46 win at Branham
Pioneer boys’ soccer 1-0 loss vs. Leigh

Jan. 26
Leland girls’ soccer 1-1 tie at Santa Teresa

Jan. 27
Leland boys’ soccer 6-0 win vs. Leigh
Pioneer boys’ basketball 51-46 loss vs. Oak Grove
Pioneer girls’ basketball 58-52 win at Oak Grove

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity boys’ basketball vs. Prospect, 7:30 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball vs. Prospect, 6 p.m.
Friday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Santa Teresa, 7 p.m.
Friday – JV girls’ basketball at Santa Teresa, 5:30 p.m.
Friday – Varsity boys’ soccer at Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer at Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday – Varsity wrestling tournament at Wilcox, all day
Saturday – JV wrestling finals at Pioneer, time TBA

Tuesday – Wrestling vs. Del Mar, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity boys’ basketball vs. Silver Creek, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball vs. Silver Creek, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ soccer vs. Leigh, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ soccer vs. Leigh, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Varsity girls’ basketball vs. Westmont, 7 p.m.
Wednesday – JV girls’ basketball vs. Westmont, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ soccer at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Friday – Varsity boys’ soccer at Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer at Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – Varsity girls’ basketball vs. Westmont, 7 p.m.
Friday – JV girls’ basketball vs. Westmont, 5:30 p.m.
Friday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Westmont, 7:30 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Westmont, 6 p.m.

Saturday – JV wrestling finals at Pioneer, time TBA

Tuesday – Wrestling vs. Gunderson, 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ soccer at Branham, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ soccer at Branham, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Varsity boys’ basketball vs. Leigh, 7 p.m.
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball vs. Leigh, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Leigh, 7 p.m.
Wednesday – JV girls’ basketball at Leigh, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ soccer vs. Leland, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer vs. Leland, 3:15 p.m.


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

For more complete and up to date schedules on CCS playoffs, go to:
www.cifccs.org

Leland girls’ hoops takes 53-34 road win at rival Pioneer

Four Chargers reach double figures in points; freshman
Mercedes Pardo leads Mustangs with 14

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

With four starters reaching double figures in points scored, the Leland Chargers took a convincing 53-34 road win over neighborhood rival Pioneer on Jan. 25.

Leland, which improved its record to 5-1 in Mt. Hamilton Division play with the win, saw an evenly spread scoring effort from its starting lineup, led by guard Kristen Yoshioka, who scored a game-high 15 points. Twin sister Meggie also got in on the act, scoring 10 points in the win.

Leland Head Coach Wade Nakamura said he was also pleased with the play of his starting low posts, Pam Wolfe and Ana Farrington. Both players contributed often on offense, chipping in 10 points each in the win.

Leland’s Ana Farrington takes it to the hoop during a 53-34 win at Pioneer on Jan. 25. Farrington finished the game with 10 points. Photos by Jeff Frazee

Nakamura said the spirited play of Wolfe was a pleasing sight in the win.

“Pam’s been playing good basketball the last three or four games for us,” said Nakamura.

“First, it was JoVanna (Cobos) playing really well for three or four games, when Pam wasn’t playing so well. Now, they’ve flip-flopped. Now JoVanna isn’t playing so well and Pam is playing well. If we can get them both playing well, where one will come and spell the other one and eventually at times play together, we’ll be even that much better.”

Nakamura also praised the effort of Farrington at the small forward position, considering the fact that the junior drew the tough assignment of guarding freshman standout Mercedes Pardo.

“I think that Ana is coming into her own,” said Nakamura. “She lacks the varsity experience and she was a great JV player last year …When she’s in shape and she’s playing hard, she’s hard to handle because she’s a very good athlete.”

Meanwhile, the Mustangs’ league record stood at 3-4 at the end of the week, following a 58-52 win at Oak Grove two days after losing to Leland at home. Pioneer was led by Pardo, who scored a team-high 14 points in the loss.

Leland stormed out of the gate quickly, starting out the game on an 11-0 run before settling for a 16-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. The Chargers continued their torrid pace in the second quarter, taking a 10-point lead at the half by a score of 33-23, in part on a pair of 6-2 scoring runs in the quarter.

Despite the 10-point edge, Pardo proved to be hard to stop for the Leland defense. The freshman forward chipped in 12 of her 14 points in the first half, while also pulling down 13 rebounds.

“She’s been great,” Pioneer Head Coach Kim Yanda said of Pardo. “She somehow always manages to come up with the ball. I don’t know how, but she’s very aggressive and she has a real big heart. She really wants it.”

Pardo’s effort in the first half didn’t stop the Chargers from coming out and holding the Mustangs to just 13 points in the entire second half.

After two quick Pioneer baskets cut the lead to 33-27 at the start of the third quarter, the Chargers bounced back with an 11-4 run to take a 13-point lead at the end of the quarter.

The fourth quarter saw much of the same from both teams, with Leland holding pioneer scoreless for the first three minutes of play. Overall, the Chargers outscored the Mustangs 9-3 in the fourth quarter to set the final outcome at 53-34.

“Our defense was obviously much better in the second half,” said Nakamura. “We focused on blocking out and rebounding. Our defense was much better because we changed up a few things by going to a 2-3 zone press.”

For Yanda, the loss was a frustrating one, considering the lack of players on the roster (Pioneer has only seven girls on the team).

“It’s been really hard with seven girls this year to try and regroup and get things done,” Yanda said of the loss.

“They’re not used to playing five-on-five. Their practice with five-on-five is every game, and that’s the hard part. We do try to regroup, but it’s really hard when you don’t have the studs to come in to bring a spark off the bench.”

Local players honored at 22nd annual Santa Clara
County Hot Stove Baseball Banquet

Former Leland players Kyle Woodruff and Stephen Akerson among honorees;
Kevin Frandsen named Minor League Player of the Year

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

A trio of players with Almaden ties were honored on Jan. 30 at the 22nd Annual Santa Clara County Hot Stove Baseball Banquet, held at the Scottish Rite Center in Willow Glen.

Former Leland player Stephen Akerson, far left, shares a moment with friends at the 22nd Santa Clara County Hot Stove Baseball Banquet on Jan. 30. From left: Akerson, Leland’s Kevin Battipede, Steve Henry and Andy Micko. Photo by Diego Abeloos

Former Leland players Kyle Woodruff and Stephen Akerson each received awards, with Woodruff picking up the Community College Pitcher of the Year award and Akerson receiving the Frank Bettencourt High School Academic Achievement Award.

Kevin Frandsen, son of Leland varsity boys’ basketball Head Coach Dave Frandsen, also walked away from the banquet with an award after being named Minor League Player of the Year.

The banquet, held in coordination with the Police Athletic League, also served as a fund-raiser benefiting PAL and local high school teams with a silent sports memorabilia auction.

For those on the banquet committee, the annual award ceremony is a chance to catch up with players they have seen progress through all levels of baseball.

“There have been a lot of repeat winners,” said banquet committee chairman John Oldham, whose grandson is Leigh three-sport athlete Blake McFarland. “Some of them are people that members on our committee have coached, so that is nice for them. We honor local county kids, so it does tend to give those kids an opportunity that as they progress, we can progress with them and honor them at a higher level. They may start as a high school honoree and end up being our Major League honoree.”

Woodruff, a 2004 Leland graduate, was honored after finishing up a stellar season pitching for the College of San Mateo in which the right-hander posted an undefeated record and an ERA under 1.60 in 11 total appearances during his freshman year.

“I was kind of shocked,” Woodruff said of being named a recipient of the award. “I couldn’t believe it. I figured there was someone else who put up better numbers, but I was happy to see that I got recognized for having a good year.”

Woodruff’s parents, Glenn and Joyce, said seeing their son receive the award was a proud moment for them. Joyce said her son’s passion in life has always been baseball, something that started at age 5 in tee-ball.

Former Leland standout Kyle Woodruff was named Community College Pitcher of the Year at the 22nd Annual Santa Clara County Hot Stove Baseball Banquet on Jan. 30.

Glenn added that while the award was a nice tribute, his son’s foremost thought in baseball has always been based on the team itself.

“It’s never been about him, it’s always been about the team,” said Glenn. “We’ve really been proud about that.

He’s all about winning and, that’s good stuff.”

Frandsen, a San Francisco Giants minor leaguer drafted in the 12th round in 2004, quickly rose through the ranks in his first full season of professional baseball. The 23-year-old infielder spent the 2005 season going through three progressive levels of the Giants’ minor league chain, beginning the season at Class-A San Jose, before moving on to Double-A Norwich and Triple-A Fresno to complete the season.

The season proved to be successful in the statistics department as well for Frandsen, who hit for a combined average of .335 with 40 doubles, 76 runs batted in and 21 stolen bases, earning the former San Jose State University standout a non-roster invitation to Major League spring training with the Giants.

“It’s one of those individual awards that I’ve never really gotten, so it is a special award, but it’s nothing you can really hang your hat on because there’s a lot more to go,” said Frandsen, who holds the record for most career hits at SJSU. “Being the Minor League Player of the Year is great, I’m appreciative of it all, but the ultimate goal is to be in the big leagues. An award is just an award if you don’t get there.”

Coming off his successful season, Frandsen said he is itching to get going. Frandsen spent much of his off-season working out for several hours a day, making weekly trips up to SBC Park to train with Giants personnel. Frandsen said his goal this season is to impress the Giants’ brass enough to eventually earn a trip north with the parent club.

“I’m ready,” said Frandsen, who earned a trip to the All-Star Futures Game in Detroit last season. “It was crazy, but there’s a light at the end of the tunnel where you know you just want to get after it. Hopefully this year, I’m not being greedy at all when I say I want to get there. It might be my second (full) year, I want to get there and I have a lot of fire in me to do that.”

Kevin Frandsen, shown here during the 2005 season as a member of the San Jose Giants, was named Minor League Player of the Year after posting a .335 batting average in three stops through the San Francisco Giants’ minor league chain. Frandsen is the son of Leland varsity boys’ basketball Head Coach Dave Frandsen. Photo courtesy www.mikejanes.com.

For parents Dave and Tracie, the time home with their son during the off-season has been well spent, helping dad out with basketball practice during free times.

“We don’t see each other much during the year, and this is our only time to get together and do stuff,” said Dave Frandsen. “It happens to be on the basketball court, but I’d rather it’d be on the golf course. But that’s where it is right now.”

“I take a lot of pride in what my dad does,” added Kevin Frandsen. “He’s a great coach and he’s got great kids on the team. I love being around those guys and hanging out, trying to do whatever I can to help out.”

Akerson, a 2005 Leland graduate, was honored for his academic achievement throughout his tenure in high school, maintaining a GPA above 3.5. Now a freshman at UC Berkeley, Akerson is not playing baseball for the first time since his childhood.

“It’s been weird not playing,” said Akerson, who hit .294 during his senior season at Leland. “But this summer, I look forward to getting on a team. I miss the game a lot.”

For parents Gary and Fabienne, like many of the parents at the banquet, seeing their son accept an award was a gratifying feeling.

“As usual, I’m proud, very proud of him,” Gary Akerson said of his son. “It took us by surprise. We didn’t know he was going to be getting this award. He did a lot of hard work throughout those years and it’s just nice to see him get recognized for him. We’re proud as heck …Watching him play ball was one of the funnest things for me and I’m sure for his mom too. I loved it and I miss it.”

Other notable honorees at the banquet included San Francisco Giants outfielder and former Santa Clara University standout Randy Winn (Major League Player of the Year) and former SJSU infielder Anthony Contreras (College Co-player of the Year), to name a few.

Almaden frosh-soph basketball sizzles

Leland, Pioneer boys eye division crowns

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

While their varsity counterparts scrap for accolades, junior varsity basketball outfits at Pioneer and Leland are also primed to collect league titles.

The frosh-soph Chargers (15-4, 6-1) and Mustangs (18-4, 6-1) will vie for shares of the Santa Teresa Division and Mount Hamilton Division championship, respectively, over the next three weeks, assuming they recall the intensity summoned throughout the top half of their league schedules.

“Varsity is obviously the real focal point in high school sports,” said Pioneer Coach Kevin Mack. “But most people consider the Mount Hamilton Division one of the toughest public school leagues in CCS. As a result, it’s a big deal to contend for a championship at any level.”

Leland sophomore Drew Marino soars en route to a bucket versus Independence early this season. Marino leads the chargers averaging 20 points per game. Photo courtesy of www.mikejanes.com

Both teams remained undefeated until last week, when rival contenders Oak Grove slighted Pioneer and Evergreen Valley snubbed Leland.

Pioneer’s loss, a 52-46 heartbreaker, occurred Jan. 27. The Mustangs had previously handled the Eagles 56-48 at home; however, forging ahead without the ball-handling skills of standout freshman and starting point guard Nick Sarabia, who was out sick with bronchitis, Pioneer struggled to produce much offense.

“Nick doesn’t turn the ball over,” said Mack.

However, the Mustangs and Sarabia vowed a quick recovery.

“I’ll play even tougher when I return,” said Sarabia, who is reportedly averaging 5.5 assists per game since entering league play. “I’m mad that I didn’t get to play and we lost. I’m going to put more effort into my defense.”

Sophomore Andrew Springer, a 6-foot, 2-inch forward and Mt. Hamilton Division Most Valuable Player candidate, leads Pioneer in scoring with 16.8 points per game. Springer dominates, creating high percentage shots near the basket, utilizing his strength and speed to manipulate contending post players. He can dribble too.

Springer filled in for Sarabia at point guard in certain sets, versus Oak Grove.

“Andrew can get a shot off against anyone,” said Mack. “He can shoot from the outside, but he can also take the ball to the basket. He’s versatile.”

Mustang standouts also include sophomores Nick Maggipinto and Mike Beltramo, along with freshman forward Daniel Montesano. Maggipinto is a defensive specialist, assigned to the opponents’ most explosive offensive threat, while marksman Beltramo is currently shooting a staggering 72 percent from the field on 21 of 29 shooting. Montesano is predominately known for rebounding and defense. The 6-foot freshman has recorded 10 rebounds in a game four times this season.

“It’s a good mix of guys,” said Mack. “I know Coach Berticevich is really looking forward to getting Springer, Maggipinto and Beltramo up on varsity next season. It’s not too hard to motivate them. The intensity is there every night.”

Leland, meanwhile, has overachieved in some regards, according to Coach Ed Campbell. The Chargers rely on just three sophomores on the roster in Drew Marino, Cody Tyson, and Ryan Selmeff, to lead an energetic freshman corps, which struggles at times to comprehend the intricacies of Campbell’s Princeton-style offense.

“No other area high schools use this offense,” said Campbell. “It requires a lot of spacing, a lot of cutting and very good passing. In essence, we really let the defense tell us what to do, and that means it’s difficult to prepare for us the day before a game.”

Leland edged out Evergreen 72-69 in the duo’s first meeting last month. However, on Jan. 26, the Cougars won over the Chargers 75-57, cinching tension while the league’s remaining games expire.

“We didn’t have the intensity to match our opponent the second time we faced Evergreen,” said Campbell. “We were flat. They came out and wanted to avenge their loss from earlier in the year, and we couldn’t dig ourselves out of that hole. If we lose, we had better lose where our intensity level is at least equal with the other team’s.”

Sophomores Marino, who leads the Chargers by averaging 20 points per game, and Tyson, currently second on the team in scoring at 12 points per game, are responsible for more than 50 percent of offensive production, while Selmeff is known as a defensive master and ruling force on the boards.

“I guess their greatest attribute is to just keep playing,” said Campbell. “I’ve been very impressed with their resiliency that way.”

Perhaps most endearing to fans and varsity coaches monitoring the young Chargers is that Leland plays together. They average 60 to 65 percent assists to field goals converted each game, indicating that nearly two-thirds of the time Leland scores a basket, one player makes a pass that allows a teammate an improved angle to shoot from.

“It’s a tribute to the kids,” said Campbell. “We realized back in the summer that if we wanted to compete against good teams, we had to pass. We’ve been able to do that so far.”

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