SPORTS

Double trouble on the court and in the huddle

Walker twins slowly but surely making presence felt at Leland in basketball, football

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

For the Walker twins, proving their worth in sports is starting to become a thing of the past.

Undersized at 5 feet, 9 inches, Brennan and Kyle Walker have spent a great deal of time proving to coaches and teammates alike in basketball and football that it’s not the size of the person, but rather the size of their heart and desire that make the player.

Brennan Walker, part of a 3-point shooting tandem with twin brother Kyle, proved why he’s considered an offensive threat during an April 7 win against Mt. Pleasant in summer league action when he nailed three 3-pointers and a layup in less than seven minutes. Photos courtesy www.mikejanes.com

“I love it,” Brennan said of playing the underdog role with his brother. “No one expects anything of you and then you deliver. You gain respect that way.”

In basketball, the Walker twins have been able to carve out roles as long-range sharpshooters for the Leland Chargers’ varsity squad. During their junior season, their first on the varsity squad, both Brennan and Kyle earned head coach Dave Frandsen’s trust with their ability to hit 3-point shots with great frequency, and seemingly, when the game mattered most as well.

“Not only do they hit threes, they spread the court for everyone else,” said teammate David Farsai of the twins’ role on the basketball squad, which ended the 2004-05 season with a 9-5 record in the Santa Teresa Division and a playoff berth in the CCS playoffs. “Having them on the court opens everything up for everyone else. …They’re a threat, even five feet behind the arc.”

Case in point: During a summer league basketball match against Mt. Pleasant on April 7, the Chargers saw their 13-point halftime lead fizzle into a small 5-point advantage through the first four minutes of the fourth quarter.

Brennan Walker entered the fray and immediately made his presence felt, sinking a 3-pointer from the left wing with 7:20 left for a 43-35 lead. Less than two minutes later, with the Cardinals once again closing the game to 45-40, Brennan nailed another 3-pointer, again from the left wing, bumping Leland’s lead to eight points.

Just when things seemed to be under control, the Cardinals kept at it, closing in on Leland’s lead with another short run to make it 50-45. Once more, Brennan stepped up, sinking a 3-pointer from the right corner to give his team an 8-point lead with 3:11 to go.

As the game began to wind down, Brennan added a running layup with 58 seconds left to put the Chargers up 57-47 and sealing the win, while giving the incoming senior 11 points in a little more than six minutes.
Brennan’s performance came one week after seeing his brother Kyle hit back-to-back 3-pointers in the fourth quarter to seal a win for the Chargers.

“As a two-year starter heading into my third year, I’ve never had anyone step in and be as clutch as these guys,” Farsai said of the Walkers. “I really appreciate this because when you’re out there working your butt off and someone comes in there and seals a game like that, it’s such a fulfilling feeling. You just feel like you can always rely on them.”

For both Brennan and Kyle, the love of basketball runs deep. Their father, Dan Walker, once played a prominent role as a guard for San Jose State University from 1968-72. After his collegiate career ended, Dan spent more than 10 years as a head coach at James Lick before beginning his current role as an assistant coach for Leland’s varsity squad.

Yet the Walkers have had to work at their games. Dan Walker said his sons spend almost all their free time at home shooting hoops or tossing around a football, practicing their techniques in both sports in the hopes of staying one step ahead of everyone else.

“By virtue of having each other, they’re able to get a lot of shooting in,” Dan Walker said. “There’s no secret, it’s practice. Just a lot of practice.”

The result of that hard work was evident when both Brennan and Kyle ended the basketball season having shot near 50 percent from 3-point range.

“You’re never going to be able to shoot 50 percent unless you put in hours and hours in,” said Kyle. “I know that I’m only 5-6 and 135 pounds. I knew coming into high school that I’d never be able to play if I didn’t shoot well. …You have to put in the hours before you can reap the benefits.”

The same holds true in football for the twins. During their junior seasons for Leland football, both Brennan and Kyle started the year relegated to the bench, with Kyle as the third-string quarterback and Brennan as a reserve wide receiver. Lo and behold, Kyle found himself calling out plays as quarterback for a handful of games after slow start offensively by the Chargers. Now with his senior year fast approaching, Kyle Walker is at the top of the depth chart at quarterback, with a chance to snag the starting job. Likewise, Brennan has a chance during is senior season to make his impression felt at receiver.

“He throws a great ball,” Brennan said of Kyle’s quarterbacking skills. “He puts it (the ball) in place with a good spiral and you know, as a receiver, I couldn’t ask for anything better. He’s a good quarterback.”

Yet when push comes to shove, the one thing both brothers have in common aside from their similar interests in sports and their identical looks is a desire to be the best, even during friendly pick-up games between the pair.

“It gets pretty intense,” Kyle said. “Even when we play one-on-one, it’s so competitive. You don’t want to lose to your twin brother. So we play until it’s dark outside—best of five, best of seven or best of nine. You never want to lose.”

Sports Briefs

Central Valley Edge holds youth soccer tryouts
Central Valley Edge, a Class 3, U17 girls’ soccer team, is offering Monday/Wednesday tryouts to girls born after 7/31/88 for the fall season for all positions. Contact Patty Rashid (408) 267-2740 or Afsari at (650) 771-6213 for more information.

South Valley Lacrosse Chiefs offer free clinics July 23 and Aug. 20
South Valley Lacrosse Chiefs are offering free clinics during the summer for kids in grades three to eight. The dates are July 23 and Aug. 20 from 10 a.m. to noon at Williams Elementary School in San Jose. 
The Chiefs added a seventh/eighth grade team in the spring. Free summer clinics give newcomers a chance to try the sport before they purchase equipment. (Loaner sticks available on first-come, first-served basis.) So bring a friend and come have some fun with lacrosse. Please RSVP to joy.bender@prodigy.net.  The Web site is www.svlax.com.

Almaden Metro holds soccer tryouts
Almaden Metro Class 3, U17 boys, is holding tryouts for the fall season most Sundays. For boys born after 7/31/88. Contact Jeff Earl at (408) 268-5125 or jesvo11@yahoo.com.

Bret Harte seeks boys’ junior lacrosse coaches
Bret Harte Middle School in San Jose is looking for boys’ junior lacrosse coaches for the 2005-06 season. Multiple positions are available for both head coaches and assistants. Previous lacrosse coaching experience is strongly recommended. A competitive salary is offered. If you are skilled in lacrosse, kid-oriented and motivated to create a winning team from the ground floor up, we would love to talk to you! This is an exciting, and rapidly growing sport in California, and these Bret Harte boys are ready to go!

For more information, please contact Mike Garcia at (408) 590-6949 or emailmgarcia@gmail.com.

Splish, splash

Three local clubs offer plenty of swimming, tennis and other summer activities

By Ken Lotich
Times Intern

Almaden families looking for some fun in the sun this summer don’t have to travel far to find it. In addition to the plethora of neighborhood cabana clubs, other facilities offering warm weather sports include the Almaden Swim & Racquet Club, Almaden Valley Athletic Club and the South Valley Family YMCA.

Here is a synopsis of what each club has to offer this summer:

Almaden Swim & Racquet Club
The private Almaden Swim & Racquet Club, nestled in a corner at 6604 Northridge Drive, features a swimming pool, a kids’ wading pool, a spa and six tennis courts.

The heated swimming pool has a diving board with its shallowest end at 3 feet, 6 inches, with the diving end at 12 feet deep.

Swimming and tennis lessons are offered throughout the summer, and the prices differ with the number of lessons requested and the age of the student.

A master’s swim program is also offered, as well a competitive swim team program, headed by recently retired club manager Jerry Macedo.

Since ASRC is a private club, a proprietary membership can vary in cost. Currently a membership costs approximately $2,000, said club manager Dan Chapman. Dues are $121 a month.

A membership entitles the holder to vote in decisions pertaining to the club.

Chapman explained that most members are “lifetime members,” and that ASRC becomes a safe place where children grow up with their friends.

The Almaden Swim & Racquet Club is open for recreational swim from noon to 8 p.m. and the tennis courts are open from sunrise to sunset.

For more information of the Almaden Swim & Racquet Club, visit www.asrc.org or call (408) 268-9555.

Almaden Valley Athletic Club
Almaden Valley Athletic Club, located at 5400 Camden Ave., boasts two swimming pools, one indoor and one outside. The indoor pool features a retractable roof, allowing the sun’s rays to come in, while the 25-yard outdoor pool can guarantee sun lovers a suntan. The indoor pool also features gallery seating, so parents can watch their kids swim without fear of getting soaked.

AVAC, located at 5400 Camden Ave., is one of many local facilities where families can take their children to go swimming. AVAC features an indoor swimming pool with a retractable roof as well as an outdoor pool. Photo courtesy AVAC

Swimming lessons are also available at the club, with prices depending on the number of classes and the age of the participant. Swimmers are grouped by age and ability.

Childcare is also available at $5 per hour per child.

The club also features a state-of-the-art 6,000-square-foot fitness center, which features the AVAC exclusive Stott-Pilates studio.

Those aspiring to be the next Serena Williams or Andy Roddick can pick up a racket and head over to one of 11 tennis courts featured at the club. Tennis lessons are available for all ages.

The club offers many different pricing options for families. The cost of enrollment and membership dues vary depending on the ages of the children and number of adults.

AVAC offers a month-to-month or annual fitness package, which allows use of the swimming pools and the fitness center. Tennis can be added for an additional cost.

Membership dues can be as low as $50 a month. Currently AVAC is offering a special of 50 percent off enrollment fees. AVAC also offers discounts for one-year commitments.

The clubs hours are Monday through Friday from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For more information on AVAC, visit www.avac.us or call membership services at (408) 445-4910.

South Valley Family YMCA
The South Valley Family YMCA is located at 5632 Santa Teresa Blvd., and features a 25-yard outdoor heated pool.
The 20,000-square-foot YMCA also offers exercise classes as well as aqua fitness classes. The facility also offers a strength-training center with free weights.

Enrollment fees are $150 for a family (two parents and kids under 18) with membership fees at $74 a month. For a single parent, the enrollment costs only $100, with a membership fee of $49 per month. Kids under 18 are included in the single-parent fee at no additional cost.

One huge benefit of obtaining a facility membership is the ability to have access to all six YMCAs in the Santa Clara Valley. The YMCAs in the Santa Clara Valley feature different amenities, such as the racquetball courts featured at the Central YMCA.

The YMCA is open Monday through Friday from 5:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.

For more information on the South Valley Family YMCA, visit www.scvymca.org or call (408) 226-9622.

Grand Prix rolling into San Jose July 29-31 

With the Taylor Woodrow Grand Prix of San Jose nearing the starting line, here is some helpful information for those who wish to attend the events. 

The wheels will be in motion as early as Tuesday, July 26, when team motor homes roll in to set up shop for scheduled qualifying and racing events from July 29 through July 31. On July 28, after a daylong list of technical inspections and drivers meetings for the various races throughout the weekend, the Grand Prix will host a fan festival from 5 p.m. until 7 p.m. 

Race practices and qualifying rounds will be held throughout both Friday, July 29 and Saturday, July 30, beginning with the U.S. touring car practice at 7:45 a.m. on Friday.

Saturday also marks the beginning of the various races being held, beginning with the Trans-Am race at 4 p.m. 

The main event, the Taylor Woodrow Grand Prix of San Jose, will be held on Sunday, July 31, at 2 p.m. Prior to the Grand Prix race, there will be a stock car race benefiting the Canary Fund at 10:45 a.m., followed by the Atlantic race at 11:15 a.m. At 4 p.m. on Sunday, the last event will kick off with the historic stock car race. 

For more information on the various events, including times and locations, or to order tickets, log on to www.sanjosegrandprix.com.

Movin’ on up: Frandsen called up to AA Norwich, plays in Futures Game in Detroit

Former San Jose State University second baseman Kevin Frandsen has been living out of his suitcase for the past week. That’s because Frandsen, who is the son of Leland boys’ basketball coach Dave Frandsen, received some pleasant news when he learned that he would be moving up the San Francisco Giants’ minor league chain to the AA Norwich Navigators on July 4.

Shortly after, Frandsen received some more good news when he was named as a replacement for Giants’ prospect Marcus Sanders at the Futures Game, an all-star exhibition game for Major League Baseball prospects played prior to the MLB All-Star Game in Detroit.

Frandsen, who hit .351 with two home runs and 40 RBIs through the first half of the baseball season with the San Jose Giants, made a brief appearance in the Futures Game on July 10, coming up as a pinch hitter and grounding into a game-ending double play for the U.S. team in a 4-0 loss to the World team.

Inaugural season of South Valley Lacrosse ends successfully

Nonprofit organization plans to add teams for middle school and high school players in 2006

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

The South Valley Lacrosse Club finished its inaugural season in mid May and despite the club’s struggle to put together a winning record, the season was widely considered a success by coaches and parents alike.

“A (season) highlight for me was seeing the enjoyment that the players and parents got out of participating in this new sport,” said SVLC team parent Joy Bender.

The club, dubbed the Chiefs, is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization that is split into three different teams with mostly boys from third through seventh grade. The Pee Wee team consisted of about 20 third and fourth graders, while the Pups’ roster is filled with fifth- and sixth-graders. A third team—a junior league squad—consisted of about 25 players.

Overall, the SVLC saw 65 kids from all areas of the South Bay, including many from Almaden, signed up for its inaugural year, with registration costs ranging $185 to $250 for the season, depending on the age group. The SVLC is an affiliate of U.S. Lacrosse of Northern California and is also a member of the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association.

Throughout the season, the SVLC squads competed against various teams from not only San Jose, but also Morgan Hill and teams from the Peninsula. SVLC teams played most of their home games at Lone Hill Park, with Bret Harte Middle School and Williams Elementary School serving as alternate sites for games.

For volunteer coach Tom Fedyna, a coach with the Pups, the season was a fun experience for not just the players, but also for those teaching the game of lacrosse.

“I think the season went great,” Fedyna said. “Our teams were all new to lacrosse and we could see improvement each week. I think the kids had fun and I know I did. I really enjoyed my time with the team.”

For the upcoming 2006 season, SVLC will be expanding to accommodate more kids who want to play lacrosse. Plans are in the works for a juniors squad for seventh and eighth graders, and a junior varsity team will also take the field in 2006, consisting of high school players.

Before that, the SVLC is offering free clinics for kids in grades three through eight from 10 a.m. to noon on July 23 and Aug. 20 at Williams Elementary.

For more information about South Valley Lacrosse visit www.svlax.com.

Share your news

Do you have a sports story to share? Contact the sports department at 494-7000 x 217 or by e-mail at diego@timesmediainc.com or fax to Almaden Times Sports at 494-7078.