December 6, 2007

SPORTS

Leland wins consolation at Westmont basketball tournament

By Gary van den Heuvel
Sports Writer

The Leland High School basketball team emerged from the 41st annual Westmont Invita-tional basketball tournament on a high note with a win over Willow Glen and a 3-1 won-loss record on the young season.

Leland's Bentit Bejan goes up for the lay up during their first round game with Saratoga at the Westmont basketball tournament on Nov. 28 in Campbell. Photos by Daniel Miranda

However, their win was in a consolation round after the Chargers’ first-round 56-51 loss to the Saratoga Falcons on Nov. 28.

The loss to Saratoga was a heart-wrenching defeat in which Leland’s offense went flat in the last few minutes, giving up seven unanswered points and the game to the Falcons.

“We didn’t play very well in the second half,” said Leland senior Drew Marino. “They wanted it more than we did.”
Marino’s lights-out shooting was certainly not to blame for Leland’s end-of-game collapse. The 5-foot-7 guard scored 25 points, including six 3-pointers.

One of Marino’s three-pointers helped Leland build an early 5-0 lead, but Saratoga quickly tied the game on a three-pointer by Keon Ghafouri and a layup by Steven Walker. The first half went mostly Leland’s way as Marino hit five three-pointers. Ghafouri, who finished with 17 points, led the Falcons’ offense.

Leland’s Adam Mackey goes up for the lay up during their first round game with Saratoga.

Leland came on strong toward the end of the first half, overcoming a 15-3 scoring run by the Falcons with a 10-0 run of their own and a 31-26 halftime lead.

“I was disappointed with our effort big time in the first half,” said Saratoga coach Mike Davey. “We talked about Marino on our scouting report--don’t let him get open, he’s a great shooter. He really understands the game, he can see what he’s trying to do.”

Halftime was a welcome respite for Saratoga, which put the clamps down defensively and by the start of the fourth quarter, led 41-35. The Chargers came back to life and outscored Saratoga 16-8 on baskets by Marino, Adam Mackey, Cody Tyson, Spencer Hilura and Bentli Bijan. Unfortunately Leland went scoreless in the last four minutes, the final go-ahead basket coming on Ryan Pak’s three-pointer with two minutes left.

Leland coach Steve Seandel’s squad came back strong in their final two tournament games, beating Prospect 47-42 in the consolation semifinal despite spotting the Panthers a 10-0 lead. Gregg Hipwell led the Chargers with 16 points. In the consolation final held last Friday, Hipwell again led Leland with 17 points in the 48-36 win over
Willow Glen. Marino, who was named to the all-tournament team, contributed 14 points and Mackey was a heavy presence under the boards with nine rebounds.

Pioneer finishes fourth at Aptos Tourney

Pioneer’s Shawn Bundle fakes out a San Benito's Kevin Burley during their first round at the Aptos Seascape basketball tournament in Aptos on Thursday night. Photos by Daniel Miranda

By Gary van den Heuvel
Sports Writer

The Pioneer High School boys’ basketball team opened its 2007-08 season at Aptos High School in the Seascape Resort Invitational tournament. After an opening victory Nov. 29 over the San Benito Haybalers and a semifinal loss to host Aptos, the Mustangs finished the tournament with a 59-50 loss to Gilroy in the third-place game on Saturday.

The Mustangs bolted out of the gate quickly in the first-round matchup with San Benito (formerly Hollister High School), opening up an early 10-4 lead that grew to 18-12 by the end of the first quarter.

The Haybalers were able to keep up with Pioneer’s fast-paced full-court offense in the second quarter, but at the half the Mustangs maintained a 37-31 lead.

Pioneer’s Andrew Springer dribbles the ball between his legs during their first round game with San Benito at the Aptos Seascape basketball tournament in Aptos on Thursday night.

The third quarter was much like the first. The Mustangs--led by the spot-on shooting of senior guards Mike Beltramo, who scored 25 points in the game, and Nick Maggipinto with 13 points--outscored San Benito 23-15 in the quarter and coasted into the fourth quarter leading 60-46.

San Benito, which was led by forward Kevin Burley’s 19 points and Brian Haggett’s 15 points, ultimately wasn’t able to cut into the Mustang lead, and lost 76-62.

Pioneer’s tournament title hopes were shut down in the Friday semifinal against the host Aptos Mariners. That team took an early lead and never looked back. Juniors Ryan Rocha and Daniel Johnston, 23 points each, scored 46 Aptos points.

The Saturday third-place game pitted Pioneer against another group of Mustangs, this time from Gilroy High School. Those Mustangs feature the twin towers of 6-foot-8 senior Lorenzo Dobson and 6-foot-10 junior Jason Conrad. After a virtually even first half, Gilroy took control in the third quarter, with a 17-6 lead. Pioneer stepped up the pace in the fourth quarter, outscoring the other Mustangs 21-18 but falling short 59-50.

Conrad led Gilroy with 18 points and Dobson scored 15.

High School Sports Schedule Dec. 7 – Dec. 13

Leland

Friday - Boys’ basketball at Los Gatos tournament, TBA
Friday – Girls’ basketball at Monta Vista tournament, TBA
Friday – Boys’ soccer vs. Live Oak, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday- Girls basketball at Monta Vista tournament, TBA

Monday – Boys’ soccer Christmas cup vs. Monta Vista, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Girls basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA
Wednesday – Boys’ soccer vs. Mt. Pleasant at TBA, 3:15 p.m.

Thursday – Boys’ basketball at Yerba Buena, 5:30 p.m. F/S and 7 p.m. varsity
Thursday – Girls’ basketball vs. Gilroy, 5:30 JV and 7 p.m. varsity

Pioneer

Friday – Varsity basketball at Wildcat Shootout in Los Gatos, TBA
Friday – Frosh/soph basketball at Fremont Tournament, TBA
Friday - Boys’ soccer vs. Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday - Varsity basketball at Wildcat Shootout in Los Gatos, TBA
Saturday – Frosh/soph basketball vs. Lincoln at Del Mar tournament, 12 p.m.
Saturday – Boys frosh/soph soccer vs. Pajaro Valley at X-mas cup at Willow Glen, 10:15 p.m.

Tuesday – Frosh/soph basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA
Tuesday – Girls’ varsity soccer at Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – Varsity basketball at Milpitas, 7 p.m.
Wednesday – Boys’ soccer vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday - Frosh/soph basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA

Thursday - Frosh/soph basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA
Thursday – Girls’ 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

Sports Briefs

Bret Harte Lacrosse is now forming teams for spring 2008
We still have room for 6-8 grade boys to play Lacrosse in the Almaden valley. Enrollment at Bret Harte Middle School is not required, but does ensure first priority for registration. Act quickly, space is limited. Registration and info at www.brethartelax.com.

For questions, contact Wayne Schatz at 623-4691

U10 Girls’ Select Soccer Tryouts
Santa Clara Sporting is looking for girls who love to play soccer in a competitive and fun environment. We focus on individual player development in a team setting. Your daughter will be coached and trained by experienced coaches who have special training and licenses for coaching young players. Neither team charges any coaching or training fees of any kind. We have two teams playing Class 1 select and both are expanding their rosters. Your daughter must be born on or after August 1, 1997. We’re looking for 4 – 5 girls for each team. Both teams have a track record of success including 2nd place at last year and this year’s Norcal State Cup. If you are ready to have your daughter step up to a challenging and FUN soccer environment, please contact either Jim Lawrence at 408-204-7020, sjlaw@aol.com or Dave Ballard at 408-600-4531, dballard12@sbcglobal.net. Tryouts are Dec. 11 and 12 from 5 -7 p.m. Location: Central Park in Santa Clara at the grass field adjacent to the International Swim Center at 2625 Patricia Dr., Santa Clara 95051 (behind the Santa Clara City Library). For more information, visit www.scsc97.com.

Pride of Morgan Hill hosts A Ball tryouts for 14U Girls’ fastpitch team 
Pride of Morgan Hill will field a 14U ASA – A team for the Spring 2008 season.  Former Pride, Live Oak High School, and collegiate (Eastern Kentucky University) player, Suzie Schaefer, has been named as Head Coach for the 14U team.  Pride will be hosting December tryouts at Community Park for girls who are 14U as of Jan. 1, 2008.  Try out times are:
 
December 1st:  Pitcher/Catcher 9 -10 a.m., Positions 10 a.m.-12 p.m.
 
December 9th: Pitcher/Catcher 11 a.m.-12 p.m., Positions 12 -2 p.m.

To speed up registration, download and complete a registration form off of the Pride website and bring it to tryouts. Girls are encouraged to come to both tryouts for the maximum exposure. For more detailed information about Pride please visit our website @ www.prideofmorganhill.com.

Almaden Valley Girls’ Softball League holds Sign-ups
The Almaden Valley Girls’ Softball League is holding sign-ups. Our league is a Santa Clara County-wide League and available to all Santa Clara County girls which means we are not restricted by territory. The age range is 5 to 16 years.  We welcome all applicable ages and every skill level.  We will be holding sign-ups on the following dates at Greystone Elementary School, 6982 Shearwater Drive in San Jose.:

Saturday, Dec. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m,.

Wednesday, Dec.12, from 6 to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Jan. 5, 2008, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Wednesday, Jan. 9, from 6 to 9 p.m.

For more information, please visit our website at www.avgsl.org.


San Jose Strikkers 18u – 2008 Summer Tryouts
The San Jose Strikkers 18u will be holding their 2008 summer tryouts on the dates listed below.  Just in case you have not heard we have already qualified for the 2008 ASA Nationals in Moline, Ill.!  Our main objective is to develop softball excellence and to assist each young lady in the achieving their goals on the softball field and assist them with their dreams of obtaining college scholarships.  Come and be part of our exciting team!  To learn more about our team philosophy and goals please visit our website. http://eteamz.active.com/sanjosestrikkers18u

Dates;  Sundays, 11/18, 12/2, 12/16, and (if needed) 1/6/08

Place:  Oak Grove High School

Times:  9 a.m. Pitchers & Catchers / 10:30 a.m. Position Players

If you have any questions, please contact Richard Fangonilo (408) 439-7383 or Frank King (408) 406-8191.

E-mail:  Richard Fangonilo rfangonilo@sjm.com  or Frank King fgking25@aol.com


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