February 28, 2008

SPORTS

The Bret Harte Lady Broncos go undefeated

The Bret Harte Lady Broncos eighth-grade girls basketball team completed an undefeated league season Feb. 16 defeating Hoover Middle School and John Muir in the San Jose Unified School District playoffs at San Jose State University.

The undefeated Bret Harte Lady Broncos relax after a hard day’s work.

The Lady Broncos (15-2, 12-0) were challenged in the opening round of the playoffs by Hoover in a game that was tied 24-24 at the half.

Bret Harte switched to man-to-man defense in the second half, which effectively shut down the Hawk's hot shooting and the scoring. Savae Harper with 20 points, Ashley Cancilla with 12 points and Krisanne Keiser with 11 points helped the Lady Broncos pull away to a 54-43 victory.

In the championship game, the Lady Broncos faced the John Muir Falcons, who finished second in league during the regular season.

Bret Harte got off to a fast start behind a suffocating full-court press defense led by Lauren Kuechle, Leann Nakamura, Kendall Jung and Katie Foreman. When those girls tired, Nisha Parmeshvar, Kristen Chin and Rachel Kabel came off the bench to keep up the unrelenting pressure on the Falcons that resulted in a 23-4 lead at the half.

When the Falcons did manage to set up on offense and get off a shot, they were limited to one shot due to outstanding rebounding by Harper, Keiser, Kristalynn Todd, Alayna Stuck and Rayna Sanchez.

Cancilla led the Lady Broncos in scoring in the championship game b, 10 points, and Foreman had 8 points, including two key three-pointers. The game was extremely physical in nature as Cancilla, Foreman and Nakamura all left with injuries at some point.

Bret Harte's superior depth kept them in control of the game, however, as the lead never got below 9 points in the second half. Nakamura and Kuechle combined to provide outstanding point play offensively and defensively and helped keep the Falcons’ sharp-shooting guards from doing their usual damage.

Coach Ken Keiser said, " these girls, besides being very talented, are a hardworking, dedicated, and intelligent group that played hard from the opening tip to the final buzzer every game. They all contributed every game and progressed well as the season wore on."

Keiser told the girls’ parents that he found it “a real privilege working with such hard-working, dedicated, and intelligent young ladies. I know all the girls sacrificed a lot to be out there all season long. They all improved greatly as the season progressed and learned a lot about basketball and what it meant to play on this team.”

“One of the most impressive things I found about these girls is that there were no cliques, no backbiting, and no petty jealousies amongst them and this point cannot be overrated in their success this season,” Keiser added. “They all rooted for each other in practice and in games. Whenever I sent the girls off into groups of two or three to work on something there were never the same combos. They always switched around on their own and spent time with a different teammate. It was a real pleasure to be around that type of camaraderie.”

Almaden Relay For Life holds kickoff

By Carol Rosen
Editor

At least 60 people braved rainy, cold weather to join the kick off celebration for the Almaden Relay For Life on Saturday, Feb. 23.

This year’s Relay will be held June 28-29 from 10 a.m. to 10 a.m. on the track at Leland High School’s Pat Tillman Stadium. A "celebration" of life, Relay brings the Almaden community together in a unified effort to fight cancer.

This Relay kickoff included acknowledgment of survivors as well as getting together with last year’s teams and volunteers encouraging new people to volunteer and help build new teams.

Last year’s event was a success and bodes well for this year’s Relay, the group’s second annual fundraising event. Each year, in communities across the country, American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life allows people to celebrate survivors, remember those that have been lost and to fight against a disease that touches too many lives. Relay and the ACS have a goal toward eliminating cancer as a major health issue. Money raised at the event is used for services within the Almaden and San Jose communities.

Relay For Life is the American Cancer Society's version of an athletic relay, but with a new twist. Relay For Life is a family-oriented event where participants enjoy the camaraderie of a team and also raise funds to support the activities of the American Cancer Society, which includes support for survivors, who sometimes get related illnesses—such as lymph edema--that researchers are working on.

Participants camp out at the Relay site, and when they are not taking their turn walking, they take part in fun activities and enjoy local entertainment.

Last year, the Almaden Relay had 35 teams and netted more than $152,000 with an expense ratio of less than 11 percent, according to Chair Patti Gahagan. After such an excellent first year, this year’s volunteers are striving for 50 teams with a goal of $200,000, she added.

The event is open to former and current cancer patients, their families, businesses, civic organizations, and the public are invited to take part in this exciting team event. Teams from companies, churches, organizations, hospitals and schools collect donations and can win individual and team prizes for their efforts.

"Relay For Life brings progress against cancer to the forefront," said Gahagan. "Many participants are out family, friends and neighbors who have dealt with cancer themselves. Their involvement is proof of the progress that has been not only reducing death rates, but also in the quality of life following cancer treatment.

"The funds raised enable us to continue our investment in the fight against cancer through research, education, advocacy and patient services," Gahagan said. "Thanks to the generosity of corporate sponsors like PaperShouts.com, Ventura Barnett Properties and Optimum Results, the money raised by participants goes directly to the American Cancer Society's lifesaving programs."

Information about how to form or register a team or become involved in Relay For Life is available on the Almaden Relay Web site at www.events.cancer.org/rflALMADENca, or by e-mailing AlmadenRelayForLife@yahoo.com.

For more information on cancer, call the American Cancer Society at 1-800-ACS-2345, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, or visit www.cancer.org.

Leland baseball off to a fast start

With Tim Thompson taking over the head coaching position with the Chargers, the Leland baseball squad began its 2008 campaign in style last week.

The Chargers won the championship of the Michael DeJesus Memorial tournament Feb. 18-20 at Milpitas High School, giving up only five runs to their opponents and scoring 20 runs while racking up wins over Woodside, Branham and Santa Teresa.

Senior centerfielder Nate Jones was named the tournament most valuable player, going 6-10 at the plate with a double, three RBIs, one stolen base, three runs and a two-run homerun in the championship game.

Cam O’Halleran earned pitcher of the tournament. His line for the tournament was six innings pitched, one win, one save, seven strikeouts and four walks. Wes Deimling also performed well coming in to pitch in relief and shutting opponents down. The pitching staff as a whole had a 1.00 ERA for the tournament.

Sophomore Vinnie Gemette was 4-7 with two RBIs, a double and five runs. Sophomore Taylor Ronsvalle was 4-11 with two doubles and four RBIs plus a win on the mound. Senior Kevin Krail was 4-11 with two stolen bases, two RBIs and two runs.

League play opened up on Feb. 27 at Santa Teresa.

High School Sports Schedule Feb. 29 – March 6

Leland

Friday—Boys baseball vs. Santa Teresa, varsity 3:30 at Santa Teresa (JV on opposite field)

Monday—Boys tennis vs. Prospect, 3:15 at Prospect

Tuesday—Swimming vs. Leigh, 3 p.m. at Leland
Tuesday—Boys tennis vs. Westmont at 3:15 at Westmont

Wednesday—Boys baseball vs. Branham, varsity 3:30 at Branham (JV on opposite field)

Thursday—Track vs. Andrew Hill, 3:30 at Leland

Pioneer

Friday—Boys baseball vs. Westmont, varsity 3:30 at Pioneer (JV on opposite field)

Tuesday—Swimming vs. Evergreen Valley at 3 p.m. at Evergreen
Tuesday—Boys tennis vs. James Lick at 3:15 at James Lick

Wednesday—Boys baseball vs. Live Oak, varsity at 3:30 at Pioneer (JV at opposite field)

Thursday—Boys tennis vs. Overfelt at 3:15 at Overfelt
Thursday—Track vs. Lincoln at 3:30 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

Youth Baseball League registrations now open
YBL, sponsored by Venture Christian Church (formally Los Gatos and South Valley Christian Churches) is accepting registrations until Feb. 23. The season runs from April 12 through June 7, and is for both boys and girls with birthdates falling between 8/1/99 and 7/31/03 and for boys only with birthdates between 8/1/97 and 7/31/99. For additional information, call our Sports Office at 997-4642 or visit www.Venturechristian.org.


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. 


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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