SPORTS

Leland girls’ basketball returns with
new look, same expectations

Trio of seasoned guards returns;
new post players looking to contribute

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

With a vastly different roster than a year ago, the new-look 2005-06 Leland girls’ basketball team is ready for a new set of challenges in the Mt. Hamilton Division.

The 2005-06 Chargers will look for scoring and leadership out of twin guards Kristen, left, and Meggie Yoshioka this season. The Yoshioka twins return to the lineup this year along with fellow guard Mika Yanai. Photos courtesy www.mikejanes.com

The Chargers, who last year won a division co-championship with Leigh, are missing a key element to their success in 2004-05 in forward Jackie George, who graduated and is now attending Chico State on a basketball scholarship. George averaged a double-double throughout last season and was the team’s main low post threat.

Still, Leland Head Coach Wade Nakamura isn’t worried. With seasoned players in twin guards Meggie and Kristen Yoshioka, as well as Mika Yanai, returning to the fold for 2005-06, the Chargers are looking for big things to happen in 2005-06.

“We’re always the underdogs,” said Leland forward Amber Barbieri, “so it’ll be good to prove ourselves again.”
Still, with George gone, Nakamura said the focus on offense will shift slightly to the team’s biggest strength—outside shooting. With the Yoshioka twins and Yanai set as starters at the three guard positions, Nakamura is expecting more scoring out of his trio to help make up for the points missing without George in the lineup.

“We’re definitely going to need Mika and Meggie to score more points consistently for us this year,” Nakamura said. “Kristen, she’s going to score like she did last year, hopefully more consistently also. All three of those girls know that they need to play pretty big if we’re going to be successful.”

As for low post presence, Nakamura will turn to returning players in Pam Wolfe and Barbieri to help fill the void.
Both players saw significant minutes off the bench for Nakamura last year, with Barbieri getting more playing time—including starts—as the season wore on. Barbieri said she’s looking forward to her chance as a starting forward.

“I just want to step up, because we’re obviously missing Jackie George, and she was a big part of our team last year,” said Barbieri. “Every little bit counts. Whatever scoring I can do, as well as rebounding, that’s my main focus.”

Nakamura said despite the loss of his best scoring post player in George, he’s not worried too much about how his forwards will play throughout the season.

“We’re definitely looking for big things out of Pam,” Nakamura said. “She’s worked extremely hard and has gotten a lot better. Amber, she’s our most experienced post player. She got about 10 starts last year toward the end of the year, so she’s worked extremely hard too.”

Nakamura said he will still incorporate a good mix of inside and outside play on offense, touting his program’s ability to develop low post players. It’s a philosophy as well as a necessity that is shared by his players.

“We’re going to try and look for outside shots, but at the same time, we’ve been working on passing the ball in the post and posting up,” Yanai said. “Other teams are going to focus on our outside shooters. They know.”

Players haven’t been the only addition for Nakamura. Joining his coaching staff is Assistant Coach Tanya Green, a standout for Nakamura at Homestead four years ago and a former University of the Pacific basketball player.

The Chargers will go into the new season without one of their more experienced post players in Hillary Barnes (shown here in a game last season). Barnes tore her ACL during the off-season and is expected to miss her entire senior year of basketball.

Nakamura said Green will specifically work with the team’s post players on improving their games throughout the season.

“I think the addition of Tanya to our coaching staff has really helped our post development,” Nakamura said of Green. “I’ve given her the responsibility of working with our post players throughout (last) summer and through this season. They’ve improved a ton because Tanya has given them some really good things that she’s learned in her time as a player.”

Despite the positive outlook for 2005-06, the roster has already been hit with injury bugs. Forward Hillary Barnes and shooting guard Amanda Do both suffered ACL tears in off-season basketball activity, leaving Nakamura without two experienced varsity players for the entire season. Barbieri said she and Wolfe are looking to step up in the wake of Barnes’ injury.

“I puts added pressure on everyone, because we all have to rebound,” said Barbieri of losing Barnes for the season. “Hillary, she worked her butt off everyday at practice and she got a lot better at rebounding. She was a big part of this team.”

With only one game under their collective belts—a 47-43 win over Milpitas on Nov. 29—the Chargers will get their first true test this weekend, with the team taking part in the Monta Vista Tournament, which runs Dec. 8 through Dec. 10. The Chargers will face a top flight CCS opponent in Burlingame during the opening round on Dec. 8.

“It’s going to be a tough match-up, but hopefully, we’ll pull it out,” Barbieri said of the opening round game against Burlingame. “We just have to work together.”

For more information on the Leland girls’ basketball team’s 2005-06 schedule, go to http://lelandathletics.olinesports.com/ or www.bval.org

Leland boys’ hoops handed first loss of the season 65-59 by Fremont

Fourth quarter run by Fremont sinks Chargers in opening round of Westmont Tournament

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

The Leland boys’ basketball team suffered its’ first loss of the young season with a 65-59 loss to Fremont in the team’s opening round match-up of the Westmont Tournament on Nov. 30.

Leland’s Nav Deep Rai, Scott Lucas and David Farsai contributed the bulk of the offense for the Chargers in the loss, combining for 48 points. Farsai led the Chargers with 17 points.

Leland’s Philip Petro (shown here in a game earlier this season) and his teammates had trouble stopping Fremont on Nov. 30, dropping a 65-59 loss in the opening round of the Westmont Tournament. Photo courtesy www.mikejanes.com

“They’re a good shooting team,” Leland Assistant Coach Dan Walker said of Fremont. “They lost a lot of guys from last year, but they finished second in CCS (in 2004-05). … So they’ve practiced with guys that have been there before.”

The Chargers, who entered the tournament having won their only game of the season just five days earlier, saw an early 9-point third quarter advantage slip away throughout the second half in the loss.

Up 43-34 with 4:47 left in the third quarter, the Chargers saw Fremont jump back into things with a 12-3 run to tie the game up at 46-46 with 1:04 left. Seconds later, Fremont took a brief 48-46 lead before Rai nailed a 3-pointer from the right wing with 24 seconds left, giving the Chargers a 49-48 edge heading into the fourth quarter.

The fourth quarter started much in the same way things ended in the third for the Chargers.

Fremont took a 53-48 lead in the first two minutes of play, countered by a jumper from Leland guard Mike Higashioka and two free throws from Lucas to tie things up once more at 53-53 with 4:22 left in the game.

From that point on however, the momentum changed on a dime again, as Fremont put together an 8-0 run in less than two minutes, taking a 61-53 lead with 2:22 left.

“After pressing the whole time, all of a sudden, they were able to get a few steals off the press,” Walker said of Fremont. “We kind of rushed things down at the other end. There were some turnovers that were kind of really instrumental … Maybe shot selection might have been a little questionable at times, but you know, it’s early in the season and we’re looking to get better each game.”

The Chargers countered with free throws from Rai and Lucas in a 20-second span, only to see Fremont bounce back with a pair of layups in the final minute to take a 65-57 lead with 41 seconds left to play.

Farsai then scored the final two points in the loss with 14 seconds left, sinking two free throw shots to make things closer at 65-59.

Walker said rebounding, or a lack thereof, was one of several problems he identified in the loss to Fremont.

“Blocking out was a real issue for us today,” said Walker. “From a rebounding perspective, we could’ve done better. We had too many turnovers. They probably got some key performances out of some key guys that our guys are probably capable of playing and shooting a little better than.”

Sports Briefs

Sports Briefs Lacrosse coaches needed for local club
South Valley Lacrosse Club is looking for two coaches for its fifth through eighth grade teams. Minimal lacrosse experience is acceptable as our club has a training program.  South Valley Lacrosse Club is in its second year and has a lot of positive parent support.  Fun activities are planned for the season, including turf time during the San Jose Stealth home game. Have fun with a wonderful sport, work with a great group of kids, and even get paid for it!

Please contact Joy Bender at joy.bender@prodigy.net or 408-679-1297.

San Jose Strikkers softball tryouts
The San Jose Strikkers, a 18U Youth Girls Fast-Pitch softball team, will hold summer tryouts on Dec. 11, Jan. 8 and 15 at Oak Grove High School. Tryouts for pitchers and catchers begin at 9 a.m.; tryouts for all position players begin at 10:30 a.m.

For more information, call Frank King (408) 406-8191 or Richard Fangonilo (408) 274-9301, or email fgking25@aol.com or rfangonilo@sjm.com.

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Los Gatos tournament, time and opponent TBA
Friday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Monta Vista Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Friday – Varsity boys’ soccer vs. Mt. Pleasant, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer vs. Mt. Pleasant, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Los Gatos tournament, time and opponent TBA
Saturday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Monta Vista Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Saturday – Varsity boys’ soccer at Homestead Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Saturday – Frosh/soph Wrestling tournament at Overfelt, all day

Tuesday – Varsity girls’ basketball vs. Soquel, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ basketball vs. Soquel, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Scotts Valley, 7 p.m.
Tuesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Scotts Valley, 5:30 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ soccer at Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ soccer at Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.

Wednesday – JV girls’ basketball at Burlingame Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ soccer at Independence, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer at Independence, 3:15 p.m.

Thursday – Varsity girls’ soccer at Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Pinewood Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Thursday – JV girls’ basketball at Burlingame Tournament, time and opponent TBA

Pioneer High School
Friday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Los Gatos Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Friday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Fremont Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Friday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Monta Vista Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Friday – Varsity boys’ soccer vs. Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer vs. Overfelt, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Los Gatos Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Saturday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Monta Vista Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Saturday – Varsity boys’ soccer vs. Homestead at Christmas Cup, 1:45 p.m.

Tuesday – Varsity girls’ soccer vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday – JV girls’ soccer vs. Piedmont Hills, 3:15 p.m.
Tuesday - Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Saratoga, 6 p.m.
Tuesday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Oak Grove Tournament, time and opponent TBA

Wednesday – JV girls’ basketball at Independence, 5:15 p.m.
Wednesday – Wrestling vs. Del Mar, 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ soccer vs. Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ soccer vs. Yerba Buena, 3:15 p.m.

Thursday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Oak Grove Tournament, time and opponent TBA
Thursday – Varsity girls’ soccer at Santa Teresa, 3:15 p.m.
Thursday – JV girls’ soccer vs. Santa Teresa, 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

For more complete and up to date schedules on CCS playoffs, go to:
www.cifccs.org

High School Scoreboard

Nov. 29
Pioneer girls’ soccer 1-0 loss at Valley Christian.

Nov. 30
Pioneer girls’ soccer 4-0 win vs. Evergreen Valley.

Dec. 1
Pioneer boys’ soccer 2-1 win vs. Lincoln.

Dec. 2
Pioneer girls’ soccer 2-2 tie at Burlingame.

Dec. 3
Pioneer boys’ soccer 6-0 win vs. Cupertino in Homestead Christmas Cup.

Mustangs drop 63-57 loss to Aptos in Seascape Invitational Dec. 2

Pioneer bounces back next day with 66-44 win over Gilroy to claim third place

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

The Pioneer boys’ basketball team took its first loss of the season, a 63-57 decision to Aptos on Dec. 2 in the Seascape Resort Invitational.

The following day, the Mustangs (4-1) bounced back from the loss, taking a 66-44 win over Gilroy to claim third place in the tournament.

The loss to Aptos however, was a disheartening one for Pioneer Head Coach Joe Berticevich. The Mustangs held 3-point leads during three different spans in the third quarter of the game, only to see the Mariners take over midway into the fourth quarter on a 10-3 run. Turnovers were an issue for the Mustangs, who committed 14 in the first half and 22 overall in the game.

Pioneer’s Kevin Denardi (with ball) looks for some help on offense during the Mustangs’ 63-57 loss to Aptos on Dec. 2. Photo by Diego Abeloos

“It was just a game that I thought we could’ve won,” said Berticevich. “That’s what is really disappointing. You play a team that you think you match up well against, a game that was in our hands …We want no more than 12 (turnovers) a game, so you lose 10 opportunities to score with 22. That’s not going to get it done.”

Down 44-41 in the early portion of the fourth quarter, Pioneer saw Aptos embark on a 10-3 run, getting four points each from Justin Victory and Andrew Biancardi during that span to go up 54-44 with 3:02 left in the game.

With both teams in foul trouble, the remaining three minutes featured seven trips to the free throw line from Aptos, while Pioneer reached the line only once. Aptos held the Mustangs at bay with free throws, sinking nine of 14 shots to seal the 63-57 win.

Meanwhile, Pioneer’s Kevin Denardi and Andrew Lerma tried in vain to keep their team in the game, as the duo combined for 13 points in the final 2:50. Lerma led the Mustangs with 16 points and eight rebounds, while Denardi did most of his damage in the final minutes of the fourth quarter, contributing 7 of his game-total 12 points with a layup, jumper and 3-pointer.

Berticevich said foul trouble plagued Lerma, the team’s most effective scorer throughout the game, in the second half.

“He played not even a quarter (combined) in the second half and that hurt us because he can score down in the low post and he’s getting better every game,” Berticevich said of Lerma.

As far as turnovers go, Berticevich went into the game without his top backup point guard, Matt Montelongo, who pulled a groin muscle the day before in a 65-46 win over San Benito during the invitational’s opening round. The injury forced some players into unfamiliar roles in the loss to Aptos, but Berticevich refused to use that element of the game as a reason for the loss.

“Not having Matt hurt us, but you know what, these are high school varsity basketball players, and we shouldn’t be turning the ball over more than 20 times a game,” Berticevich said.

Pioneer took its’ first lead of the second half on an 8-2 run in the early going, getting a layup and two free throws from Ryan LaCorte, along with two free throws from Andrew Lerma and a layup from Denardi to go up 29-26 with 4:38 left in the third quarter.

Aptos battled back however, going on a 7-0 run to recapture the lead at 33-29.

Following Aptos’ run, the Mustangs jumped ahead once more with a 9-2 run, getting a 3-pointer from T.J. Watson with 1:41 left as part of the scoring effort.

The quarter then finished with a 39-39 tie as Aptos countered with a small 4-1 run, getting a jumper from Biancardi and a layup from Joseph Lese.

Despite the loss, Berticevich said he hopes his team can learn from the experience and use it to better prepare for the upcoming Mt. Hamilton Division season.

“Our goal is to go into league ready to play and compete for a league championship,” said Berticevich. “If we can learn from this game and it makes us better to get to that point, then I’ll take it. I’d rather lose now than when we get into league.”

New coach, new faces make up Lady Mustangs’ 2005-06 campaign

Team winless in Glenn Ventura Tournament

By Ken Lotich
Staff Writer

Despite dropping the first three games of the season, new Lady Mustangs’ varsity basketball Coach Kim Yanda says she expects great things from her team this year.

Kim Yanda is in her first year as the new Pioneer girls’ varsity basketball coach. Photos by Ken Lotich

Yanda comes from Santa Teresa High School, where she was at the helm for two years.

In her team’s endeavor in the Glenn Ventura Tournament, held Nov. 30 through Dec. 2 at Pioneer High School, the Lady Mustangs came up empty handed, dropping all three of its contests. The team lost 60-43 to Gunderson, 47-42 to Piedmont and 58-49 to Westmont.

The seven-team tournament featured seven high schools, including Monta Vista, Westmont, Piedmont Hills, Soquel, Oak Grove, Scotts Valley and Pioneer.

Pioneer originally was slated to take on Leigh High School in its first game, but due to Leigh dropping out of the tournament, the Lady Mustangs were given a first-round bye.

In the game against Westmont on Dec. 2, the Lady Mustangs hung in until near the end of the third quarter, when the Warriors held on to a 48-43 lead.

In the fourth period, the Warriors dominated, with guard Lynley Takaki nailing a clutch 3-pointer late in the quarter, giving Westmont a 52-45 lead. Westmont would take its time on ensuing possessions, eating up the clock en route to a 58-49 victory.

Takaki proved to be a problem for the Mustangs, as she nailed four 3-pointers, collectively putting up 23 points for the Warriors.

Pioneer was led by guard Michele Rebozzi, who had 11 points, including a 3-pointer from the top of the key to start off the third quarter. Rebozzi went perfect from the free-throw line, hitting all eight of her attempts.

Freshman Mercedes Pardo had 7 points with a strong defensive effort for the Lady Mustangs.

In regard to coming up winless in the tourney, Yanda said the team put forth a strong effort.

“We have a good group of girls, all with positive attitudes on the team this year,” Yanda said. “Although we lost all of our games, I think we have learned a lot from this experience.”

Small squad, big hearts
The girls’ team this year is small. With only seven girls’ on the roster, the team has had to put a lot of effort into conditioning in order to be successful in the Mt. Hamilton Division.

“We are very small this year,” Yanda said. “We’re going to have to press on and work with what we’ve got.”
Last year, Pioneer was only able to win one game in league. The team finished the 2004-05 season with a 1-11 record.

Two freshmen start for the team—guard Haley Schorr and forward Mercedes Pardo. Yanda said Schorr and Pardo have picked up the varsity pace quickly, and she expects the two to excel at their positions.

Rebozzi returns after being named first-team all-league last year. Look for Rebozzi to put up some big numbers this year, Yanda said.

“I’m really trying to improve my overall game,” Rebozzi said. “I’m also working with my teammates so we can play more together as a team.”

As a senior, Rebozzi realizes she will have to take control of the wheel, which is something she’s embraced.

“I want to be an effective team leader,” Rebozzi said. “It won’t be that hard though—the freshmen on the team are incredible, and they’ve been helping us out a lot.”

Rebozzi said the team has been rejuvenated with Yanda’s mentoring.

“She helps us out a lot,” Rebozzi said. “She helps us bond, and created a unity between all of us.”

Guard Steffi Mattern is also back, and on pace to break the school record for 3-pointers. Currently she has 33 3-pointers, with the school record sitting at 36.

Senior forward Renee Cummings returns as well, after leading the division in rebounds last year.
Rounding out the squad are juniors Emily Mather and Nancy Neal.

The Lady Mustangs will be participating in the Oak Grove Holiday Classic, held Dec. 12 to Dec. 17. Pioneer will play an away game against Willow Glen High School on Dec. 22 at 2 p.m.

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