April 10, 2008

SPORTS

Almaden Swish crowned Silicon Valley NJB All-Star champs

Almaden Swish, the National Junior Basketball Division 1 Girls’ All-Star Team, which includes seventh and eighth grade members, won all five of its games in the Silicon Valley NJB Divisional All-Star Tournament, capturing the championship and advancing to the national NJB All-Star Tournament in Los Angeles this weekend.

The Swish was seeded number two in its pool and swept the three games of pool play the opening weekend of the tournament.

The Almaden Swish

In the semi-final, they faced a tough Los Gatos team and were tied 14-14 at halftime. In the second half the girls deployed a full-court press leading to several turnovers that they converted into easy baskets.

The relentless pressure by the defense led by Stephanie Magniglia, Melaina Delcarlo, and Savannah Trudeau along with the all-around play of Krisanne Keiser and the intimidating post play and rebounding by Vivian Blain and Katie Short combined to shut down Los Gatos. Ashley Smith made two key baskets down the stretch to help Almaden advance to the championship game. The Swish then took on West San Jose, the number-one ranked team in their pool at the beginning of the tournament.

"The girls were a little bit miffed that they were ranked behind West San Jose coming into the tournament because they had beat them in an earlier tournament with a better record," said Coach Ken Keiser. He advised the team to prove this was a mistake on the court, motivating the team to play its best. After defeating WSJ by 2 points in the first game of pool play, the Swish had the chance to finish proving their point by winning the championship game over the same team.

The Swish trailed at the half 8-6 as both teams played hard-nosed defense. In the second half Almaden put on their powerful full-court press and slowly turned the tide to their favor.

This time Mary Hall and Katie Foreman led on defense and were relentless on the press and in half-court defense. Once again the all-around play by Maniglia, the leading scorer in both games, Keiser and Lauren O'Hanneson as well as steady point guard play from Trudeau and Hall was instrumental in getting the lead. With outstanding post play by Blain, Short and Smith and ferocious play by Delcarlo all over the floor, the Swish pulled away to win 34-22.

"This is a special group of girls and families," said assistant coach Dave Keiser, "who deserve everything they have worked for since November."

The Swish is also coached by Mike Magniglia.

High School Sports Schedule April 11 – April 17

Leland

Friday—Baseball vs. Leigh at 3:30 at Leigh (JV on opposite field)
Friday—Softball vs. Evergreen at 3:30 at Evergreen (JV on opposite field)

Monday—Division S/D Tennis Tournament 2:30 at Leland

Tuesday—Badminton vs. Piedmont Hills at 3:30 at Piedmont Hills
Tuesday—Tennis vs. Branham at 3:15 at Leland
Tuesday—Volleyball vs. Willow Glen at 7 at Leland

Wednesday—Baseball vs. Piedmont Hills at 3:30 at Piedmont Hills (JV at opposite field)
Wednesday—Softball vs. Piedmont Hills at 3:30 at Leland (JV on opposite field)
Wednesday—Track vs. Live Oak at 3:30 at Live Oak

Thursday—Badminton vs. Santa Teresa at 3:30 at Santa Teresa
Thursday—Tennis vs. Evergreen at 3:15 at Evergreen
Thursday—Volleyball vs. Pioneer at 7 at Pioneer

Pioneer

Friday—Baseball vs. PAL with JV at 4, varsity at 7 at PAL
Friday—Softball vs. Live Oak at 3:30 at Live Oak (JV on opposite field)
Friday—Swimming vs. Santa Teresa at 3 at Pioneer

Monday—Badminton vs. Sobrato at 3:30 at Sobrato

Tuesday—Tennis vs. Sobrato at 3:15 at Pioneer
Tuesday—Volleyball vs. Westmont at 7 at Westmont

Wednesday—Softball vs. Leigh at 3:30 at Pioneer (JV on opposite field)
Wednesday—Baseball vs. Branham at 3:30 at Pioneer (JV on opposite field)
Wednesday—Division S/D Tennis Tournament at 2:30 at Del Mar
Wednesday—Badminton vs. Live Oak at 3:30 at Pioneer

Thursday—Tennis vs. Del Mar—at 3:15 at Pioneer
Thursday—Track vs. Westmont at 3:30 at Westmont
Thursday—Volleyball vs. Leland 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

San Jose Fit training program begins session in April
San Jose Fit, a marathon and half marathon training program will begin its training session this month. Sessions run from April through October, and start with a 2-mile run, working up to a 26.2 mile marathon. SJF meets each Saturday morning at Los Gatos High School, and on Wednesday evenings at the Campbell Community Center track. The SJF program not only focuses on marathon training but also aids the “couch-potato” who is doing little or no exercise at all.  We tend to look at our group as a “social group” with a running or walking problem.

Registration is Apr. 12 and 19 at the Los Gatos High School baseball field, starting at 7:30 a.m.  Sessions begin on Apr. 26.

Throughout the season we bring in guest lecturers to speak on safety, injury prevention and the basics on how to train and successfully complete goals.  Our target marathon is the Silicon Valley Marathon in October. For further questions, contact Head Coach Lew Cramer at 358-2007.

Presentation High School’s 23rd Annual Golf Tournament
This annual fundraising event is scheduled for May 9 at the Cinnabar Hills Golf Club. Lunch is set for 11:30 a.m. followed by a 12:30 p.m. Tee Off. The $225 cost includes golf fee, tee prize, lunch, course refreshments and the awards dinner. All proceeds benefit academic programs at Presentation High School. For additional information, contact Jane Jeziorski at 264-5110 x2428 or jjeziorski@pres-net.com.

Walk For Life / Charged Up For Life 5K Run
Community Pregnancy Centers will hold its annual fundraising “Walk For Life & Charged Up For Life” 5K Run at Almaden Lake Park, Arroyo Picnic Site in San Jose on Saturday, April 26.  Take a beautiful walk around Almaden Lake or Run on the Los Alamitos Creek Trail. This year’s event will offer exciting activities for the whole family, including a light continental breakfast, kid’s zone, bingo, and a raffle. The event is being sponsored by C28 and KLOVE.

All proceeds from this event benefit the Community Pregnancy Centers, and will help to make the community aware of the many important services offered at CPC’s throughout Silicon Valley. All services are available to the community without charge and are confidential. You may register, or download a registration brochure on-line at www.mycpc.org or you may register on site at 8:30 a.m. The walk/run begins at 9 a.m. For additional information please contact Paula at 229-9836 or at paula@mycpc.org.

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