February 26, 2009

SPORTS

Chargers corral Mustangs

Last Friday marked the end of the regular season for MHAL basketball, but continued an exciting rivalry between Leland and Pioneer’s varsity teams. This season the Chargers got the best of their neighborhood rivals by sweeping both games—one by a lot and another by a little.

Greg Hipwell goes in for the layup uncontested after stealing a pass. Photo by Kevin Jones

With a higher seeding for the CCS tournament at stake, the game started pretty much like it did when the Chargers blew out Pioneer back in January. They jumped out to a nine-point lead in the first period. But the Mustangs were having no part of getting smoked in their own gym. They applied full and half court pressure to the Chargers and forced many turnovers for baskets that narrowed the margin to just two points at halftime, 23-21.

The second half was about as exciting a basketball game as you will ever see. With every possession the crowd was either on its feet or screaming at the top of their lungs. Down the stretch, the game was never more than four points apart. Clutch baskets, turnovers, rebounds and free throws were the difference in the end.

With the Chargers leading by two points and with the ball out of bounds on the end line, Greg Hipwell launched an inbounds pass for Trevor Marino that hit the backboard. Ball to Pioneer. They failed to score and Leland got the ball back, unable to increase their lead. Pioneer got the ball back with 8.5 seconds left, ran the ball down the court and threw up a desperation shot that missed.

Leland was left with a 42-40 victory and a packed gym of frazzled fans having seen a great basketball game, contested by a group of fine young men in a very sportsmanlike manner.

The seeding for the CCS tournament was held on Sunday and Leland received the number eight seed in Division 2. They received a first-round bye and will host a CCS against the winner of the Pajaro Valley-Los Altos game.

Almaden Relay For Life holds Feb. 22 kickoff

Committee members for Almaden’s third annual Relay For Life held this year’s kickoff on Feb. 22 at Unwined. About 50 people attended despite the rain and the Academy Awards show.

Participants begin walking at the first Almaden Valley Relay For Life.

The committee is hard at work to make this year’s event, scheduled for June 27-28 at the Pat Tillman Stadium at Leland High School, better than the two previous years. This year also is special because it’s the American Cancer Association’s 25th anniversary year for Relay.

So far 17 teams have registered, most participated last year, but three new teams signed up on Sunday. As of Feb. 22, the committee had raised $1,000; well on it’s way toward its goal of $200,000.

ACS has made giant strides toward its fight against cancer during the society’s 25 years of Relay. When Dr. Gordy Klatt set out on that first Relay, few people envisioned that – in just 20 years – smoking would be banned in many public places including public parks in San Jose; that the human genome would be sequenced, giving hope that a cure can be found; or that groundbreaking Society-funded research would yield remarkable breakthroughs in cancer treatment. These milestones in the fight against cancer were made possible in large part due to funds raised through Relay For Life events all over the world.

But there is still much to be done. The fight against cancer can’t wait or slow down even for one moment. Last year more than 1.5 million people heard the words “you have cancer, ”and nearly 600,000 died from the disease.

However, the ACS is making progress. The five-year survival rate for all cancers today is 66 percent, up from 51 percent 30 years ago. For the second year in a row, the absolute number of cancer deaths has declined.

Within the next seven years the American Cancer Society hopes to reduce by 50 percent, the age-adjusted cancer mortality rate and hopes to reduce the age-adjusted cancer incidence rate 25 percent. If those goals are achieved, it is estimated there may be 5.7 million fewer cancer cases and 4.9 million fewer cancer deaths.

To find out more about Almaden’s Relay For Life, visit relayforlife.org/almadenca or e-mail AlmadenRelayForLife@yahoo.com.

Pioneer women undefeated in 2009 league play

The lady Mustangs proved themselves this year—they were undefeated in league play—quite a difference from last year when they didn’t win a league game.

This year’s varsity team was 19-4 overall and 14-0 in league play. The JV followed suit winning all of its league games and losing only six games during the season.

The Lady Mustang varsity players got together with their coaches for a team photo. Included in the pictures are, front row from the left, Marie Barlann, JoAnn Yong, Chelsea Smith, Stefanie Gindi, Jessy Marshall and Theresa Adame; middle row Haley Schorr, Mandy Swearingen, Laura Munoz, Tiffany Lee, Colleen Bush, Ashley Pardo and Mercedes Pardo; and back row, coaches Rob Zaccheo, Mike Burrell and Bryan LaCaille. Photo courtesy of Jim Bush

Their play took them up a notch from the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s West Valley division to the Santa Teresa. “We’ve been approved to move up to Santa Teresa division, and hopefully within a couple of years we’ll be back in the Mount Hamilton division,” said head coach Bryan LaCaille.

He cited two things that worked for the girls this year over last year. First the girls played like a team with each filling a role allowing them to play excellent defense, really taking advantage of the other team’s mistakes, LaCaille said. In fact, he noted that throughout the season, opponents’ points were dropping down. Another factor was senior Mercedes Pardo, who did not play as a junior.

In her final league game, Pardo scored a record 35 points, 27 of them in the first half. Second top scorer was Haley Schorr who scored 14 points, three of them three-pointers. Schorr also won the community spirit award.

Besides honoring the team’s seniors, Pardo, Schorr, Stefanie Gindi, Tiffany Lee and Laura Munoz, at last Thursday’s night’s game against Lincoln, the girls were invited to be on Cal Hi Sports, a local television show featuring local high school teams that are doing well.

Joining the seniors on varsity were outstanding juniors Marie Barlaan and Ashley Pardo (who is not related to Mercedes) as well as sophomore Colleen Bush and freshman Jessy Marshall.

LaCaille and JV coach Mike Burrell work together with both teams, said LaCaille. Coach Rob Zaccheo helps them out.

Sporting girls place second at Norcal State Cup

The Sporting U11 girls’ soccer team placed second in the top division at the Norcal State Cup tournament. The final game was held at the Mustang Soccer Complex in Danville on Feb. 21. The team took second place losing only one game out of six during the tournament to the Danville Explosion in the final game with a score of 3-2.

Front row: Stephanie Magellan, Meghan Wheelock, Sierra Painter*, Erica Nakano*, Regan Heslop*, Lauren Craft*, Fiona Sequeira, Lauren Plesse, Maddie Cavanna*. Second Row: Assistant Coach Chris Stack, Michelle Stack, Reese Gonzalez, Cecelia Hinz*, Erin McCoy*, Hanna Gratny*, Shaelan Murison, Ashley Lawrence* and Head Coach Jim Lawrence*. (*Denotes Almaden resident).

Qualifying for the tournament began in January with the Sporting playing three qualifying games for seeding and assignment to one of three levels. A total of 16 teams throughout northern California qualified to play for the championship. This was the third year in a row that the Sporting and Mustang teams advanced to the finals in the top tier.

The Sporting girls’ coach, Jim Lawrence, was elated with the team’s success throughout the tournament. “Our team has just completed an amazing accomplishment by playing in the top division of the Norcal State Cup finals three years in a row with the best of the best in northern California,” he said. “These girls have consistently proven themselves to be champions and I am so proud of them.”

Both teams have played each other so many times that they know each other’s names. At the end of the game, the teams exchanged gift bags and ran through a line of both teams’ parents congratulating all of the girls.

Sports Briefs

South Valley Lacrosse Club needs Players
Registration is now open for the Spring 2009 Season!

Space is limited due to our high rate of player return so act now to register!

We are looking for players ages 7-8 and 13-14. Our season runs from Feb 2 - May 29.  Practices are in the Cambrian area and games are on Saturdays or Sundays.  Questions?  E-mail Joy Bender at joy@joybender.com To register or for more information about our club: www.svlax.com.

Almaden Arsenal Boys’ U16 Class 3 “Comp” soccer team holds tryouts
Almaden Arsenal BU16 Class 3 soccer team is looking for highly competitive players with birthdates between Aug. 1, 1993 and July 31, 1994.  We are a year round soccer team (excluding the high school season) that play for the Almaden Valley Soccer League.

Tryouts will be held Saturday, Feb. 21, from 1-3:00 pm and Sunday, Feb. 22, from 3-5:00 pm at DeAnza Park (5500 Marquette Dr, San Jose, CA 95118 (off Meridian Ave across from Meryvns) For more information please contact Tim Steinkopf at 408-930-8102 or by email at tim.steinkopf@gmail.com.

Girls’ U-13 Comp Soccer Tryouts
The South San Jose Hot Shots, a girls’ Class 3 “comp” soccer team, is holding tryouts for experienced players born between 8/1/96 and 7/31/97. The team is comprised of players from the Almaden and Santa Teresa valleys, and has played in the Delgado comp league for the past several years. Please contact the coaching staff at ssj.hotshots@gmail.com for further details.

Santa Clara Sporting Girls U9 “Comp” Soccer Tryouts
Try outs are currently being held every Monday and Wednesday through the month of February from 4 p.m. till dark at Curtis Field in Santa Clara (890 Pomeroy Ave, Santa Clara, CA 95050)

Your daughter must be born on or after 8/01/2000 to play U9 in the Fall Season.

Two new teams are currently being formed.  For information on the Santa Clara Sporting Soccer Club, please visit their web page at www.santaclarasporting.com. Contact Coach Jeff Jenkins at 650-714-2873 or e-mail at: saprissafc@gmail.com regarding try outs

Kiwanis Club of Almaden Valley invites you to the Races
Join the Kiwanis Club of Almaden Valley at Golden Gate Fields on Saturday, Mar. 7, 2009 for our sixth annual fundraising event.  Gates open at 11 a.m. with the first race running at approximately 12:45 p.m..   General ticket cost is $37 (kids 5-17 are $15) and includes valet parking, seating in the Turf Club and a buffet prepared with wonderful foods of the season.  Proceeds from this event benefit the following Kiwanis community outreach programs: Turn Around Scholarships, Key Clubs and K Kids leadership programs as well as other community service needs.  For tickets and information please email us at info@almadenvalleykiwanis.org or give us a call at (408) 997-6520 or 408-386-7410.

Get listed!
Sports Briefs listings are subject to the following fee structure: $25 per month, per publication for the Evergreen and Almaden Times; $10 per month, per publication for the monthly newspapers. Indicate publication placement at the time the listing/payment is submitted. Sports Briefs accepts checks – payable to Times Media, Inc – VISA or MC.
To charge your payments call Sonia Pineda at 494-7000 x205. Be sure to reference your team/organization with your payment. Listings appear once payments are received. TMI sponsored events and full-proceed charity fundraisers
exempted. Email, fax or mail listing text to: candy@timesmediainc.com 1310 Tully Road, Suite 107, San Jose, CA 95122. 408-494-7078 (fax) Limit 200 words. Questions? Call 494-7000 x225