December 7, 2006

SPORTS

BOYS’ BASKETBALL ROUNDUP

Mustangs fall one game shy of championship in Los Gatos Lions
Club Wildcat Shootout; Leland goes 1-2 in tournament play

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Pioneer boys’ basketball team went 2-1 during non-league play in the Los Gatos Lions Club Wildcat Shootout last week, taking the tournament’s first two games before coming up short in a 54-47 loss to Willow Glen in the championship round on Dec. 8.

Pioneer’s T.J. Watson led the Mustangs with 20 points in a 63-61 overtime win over Saratoga during the second round of play at the Los Gatos Lions Club Wildcat Shootout last week. Photos by Dan Miranda

The Mustangs took a 62-36 win over Live Oak in the tournament’s opening round on Dec. 6, and followed up with a close 63-61 overtime win over Saratoga the following day. In spite of a tough loss to the Rams to close out the tournament, Pioneer head coach Joe Berticevich said he was pleased with his team’s effort during the three-day stretch.

“Overall, I’m happy that we’re competing,” Berticevich said. “I think that’s the biggest thing. If you watch our games, and you’re a fan, you’ll see that the Mustangs are competing out there. We’re not the biggest team and we’re out there playing just as hard as the opposing team, which is a good foundation.”

Still, Berticevich said there’s plenty of improvement needed, especially in the way the Mustangs have been closing out games. After claiming a 40-36 lead at the end of the third quarter against Saratoga, the Mustangs allowed its opponent to battle back for a 56-56 tie at the end of regulation, Berticevich said. The Mustangs eventually took a 63-61 win in overtime, getting five free throws from point guard Matt Montelongo in the overtime period to help seal the win.

Likewise, Berticevich said his team lost some of its composure in the fourth quarter of the championship game against Willow Glen. Up two points with 35 seconds left, Pioneer was called for a shooting foul during a three-point attempt by Willow Glen. That was followed by a technical foul called against Pioneer, for arguing the call. Forced to foul after the five free throws, Willow Glen went to the line twice more. All told, the Rams hit five of seven free throw attempts in one second to take the lead, and the game.

“We’re not finishing games like we should be, and that’s a growing process,” Berticevich said. “We have a young team, so hopefully we can overcome that.”

However, Berticevich said there was plenty to be positive about during tournament play. The Mustangs continue to improve on preventing turnovers, a problem that cropped up earlier during non-league play. Still, Berticevich said his team needs more improvement in that area, particularly late in games.

“When the game gets tight and the other team needs to get the ball back quickly, it seems like we have a tendency to give it right back to them on unforced errors,” Berticevich said. “…That’s something we have to work on.”

Another positive development was the continued effort in distributing the scoring. Senior Gilbert Mendoza led with 20 points against Live Oak, while three players reached double digits in scoring in the overtime win against Saratoga, led by T.J. Watson’s 20 points.

Montelongo added 15 points in the overtime win, while Mendoza chipped in 17 points.

Berticevich said injuries have hit key players for the Mustangs as well, but haven’t dampened the spirits of his squad. Forward Pierre Woods missed the tournament with a knee sprain, sustained the week before in Aptos, while Mike Collins, who is averaging just over 10 points per game this season, missed the final two games of the Wildcat Shootout with a sprained ankle. Collins is expected to be out two weeks.

“We competed and we were there, right in the championship, and that’s without two of our key players in Pierre and Mike,” Berticevich said.

Leland goes 1-2 in Wildcat shootout
The Leland boys’ basketball team dropped to 2-5 in the preseason, following a 1-2 showing at the Los Gatos Lions Club Wildcat Shootout last week.

The Chargers dropped their tournament opener 59-43 to Saratoga on Dec. 6, before bouncing back the following day with a 45-40 win over Live Oak. The Chargers then went on to drop a 64-41 loss to Leigh in the consolation championship on Dec. 8.

Leland head coach Ed Campbell said Drew Marino, shown here during Leland’s 59-43 loss to Saratoga, has become the team’s most consistent scoring option. Marino scored 22 points in the loss to Saratoga, followed by a 19-point effort in a 45-40 win over Live Oak.

Despite the two losses in tournament play, Leland head coach Ed Campbell said there’s plenty to be positive about with the young Chargers, namely in the way the team handled pressure defense. Still, turnovers plagued the Chargers throughout the tournament.

“The two teams we lost to, Saratoga and Leigh, are good teams, so it was a good experience to play them,” Campbell said. “They exposed right now, what is still a weakness for us, and that is our ball handling. They forced us into too many turnovers. But, I saw that there were segments during the game where we actually executed real well against their pressure defenses.”

Leland’s lone win of the tournament came against the Acorns, a team the Chargers defeated for their first season win last week at the Westmont Invitational. The Chargers went into halftime tied 23-23, before holding Live Oak to just three points in the third quarter to take a 35-25 lead. Campbell said while some coaches prefer to see as many different teams as possible during preseason play, in order to expose their teams to different schemes, the second win over Live Oak accomplished that same goal.

“They played a zone defense the entire game, whereas in the first game, they mainly played man-to-man defense against us. So, we got a chance to see a team make an adjustment to what they may do the first time around,” Campbell said. “I think we got a little lesson on expecting some changeups, particularly if you are successful against them the first time around. In that regard, it probably was good for us to play them.”

One key component of the Chargers’ play in the Wildcat Shootout was the continued development of Drew Marino, who led the team in scoring twice in tournament play. Marino led the Chargers with 22 points against Saratoga, and followed up with a 19-point game, which included four three-pointers, in the win over Live Oak.

“He’s been our rock so far,” Campbell said of Marino. “I can’t say anything negative about his play. He’s doing this despite other teams obviously knowing what he’s able to do and they’re trying to stop him. I’m very impressed with that.”

All told, Campbell said he saw spurts of solid play from his squad in all three games of the tournament. Consistency in that solid play, however, is the next step in the Chargers growth, he added.

“We’re still far from putting a whole game together,” Campbell said. “…There are segments of games where we do some really good things, but we just have to get more consistent and more confident in what we’re doing.”

Pioneer girls’ basketball goes 2-1 at Monta Vista Tournament

Pioneer’s Haley Schorr goes up for a layup during a 48-17 win over Sequoia in the first round of the Monta Vista Matadors Varsity Tournament, held Dec. 7 – 9.

The Pioneer girls’ basketball team improved to 4-3 in non-league play following a 2-1 record at the Monta Vista Matadors Varsity Tournament, held Dec. 7 through Dec. 9.

The Mustangs, who went 2-2 as hosts of the Glenn Ventura-Pioneer Classic to start the 2006-07 season, began the opening round of the Monta Vista Tournament with a robust 48-17 win over Sequoia on Dec. 7. The game featured a strong defensive effort by the Mustangs, holding Sequoia to just two points in both the first and fourth quarters. Senior standout Michelle Rebozzi led all scorers with 24 points, including two three-pointers. Returning sophomore starter Mercedes Pardo chipped in 14 points in the win as well.

The Mustangs followed the win over Sequoia with a tough 60-48 loss to Valley Christian the next day in the tournament’s championship semifinals. The Mustangs trailed from the early going, heading to the half down 37-23, despite a team-leading 15 points from senior Steffi Mattern, who knocked down a trio of three-pointers in the loss. Pardo also contributed offensively with 13 points, while Rebozzi dropped in 12 points in the defeat.

In spite of the tough loss, the Mustangs bounced back on the final day of tournament play, defeating Monterey 57-39 on Dec. 9, outscoring the Toreadores 25-10 in the third quarter alone for Pioneer’s fourth win this season.

—By Diego Abeloos

High School Scoreboard

Dec. 5
Leland boys’ soccer 2-1 win vs. Soquel at Homestead Christmas Cup

Dec. 6
Leland girls’ soccer 4-0 win vs. Alisal
Leland girls’ basketball 61-47 loss vs. Sacred Heart at Notre Dame-Belmont Holiday Classic

Dec. 7
Leland boys’ soccer 3-0 win vs. Leigh

Pioneer boys’ soccer 7-1 loss at Oak Grove

Dec. 8
Leland girls’ soccer 0-0 tie vs. Leigh
Leland girls’ basketball 43-40 win vs. Mercy at Notre Dame-Belmont Holiday Classic

Sports Briefs

REACH Youth Scholarship nomination forms available online from San Jose Sports Authority
Nomination forms for the San Jose Sports Authority’s 2006 REACH Youth Scholarship Program, sponsored by Bridge Bank, which has provided college funds to 50 high school students over the past 10 years, are now available for downloading from the Sports Authority’s Web site at www.sjsa.org.

Last year, 31 Santa Clara County high school seniors were nominated, and six who overcame adversity through participation in sports were awarded scholarships through the REACH program, an acronym for Recognizing Excellence, Adversity, Courage and Hard Work. Scholarships are awarded based on an essay competition in which nominees explain how sports helped them overcome adversity.

The nominees and scholarship winners for 2006 will be honored at the REACH Awards Breakfast, chaired by former San Francisco 49er Ronnie Lott, on Thursday, May 3, 2007.

Only Santa Clara County high schools may nominate students for the award, with a maximum of five nominees per school. Nominees must then complete an essay and student information form.

Nominees must:

Be high school seniors,

Maintain a 2.5 GPA,

Participate in at least one sanctioned high school athletic activity,

Demonstrate community involvement,

Show the ability to overcome adversity or obstacles to reach his or her goals.

Each nominee is required to write an essay of one to three pages based on his or her experiences. The essay should focus on the obstacles they have overcome and how sports have helped them achieve their goals. Essays will be judged on content.

Nominations must be postmarked by Friday, March 31.

Visit the San Jose Sports Authority Web site at www.sjsa.org for more information.

NFL FLAG Football signups
NFL FLAG Football will be offered by the South Bay Football League at De Anza Park on Sundays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., starting Dec. 10. For kids 5-17, this non-contact 5-on-5 game has seven age brackets, and everyone plays! The League is convenient for parents too, with just a one day per week commitment. The cost is $75 per child, which includes 10 games, jamboree and championship series as well as an NFL LOGO Jersey and flag belt that each player keeps at the end of the season. Go to www.southbayfootball.com to register online or for more information.

Girls’ Lacrosse of San Jose now registering players
Girls’ Lacrosse of San Jose is now registering players for its spring 2007 season. The club, which plays under the name San Jose Extreme, has openings remaining for its new developmental team for third and fourth graders (second graders by permission), and for its fifth and sixth grade team. In addition, it has a short wait list for its 7th and 8th grade team and a second high school team.

Girls’ lacrosse is a fast-growing, non-contact field sport played with a webbed stick and ball that combines elements of basketball and field hockey. Girls Lacrosse of San Jose started five years ago with one team. In 2007, it will have five teams for girls of all ages.

The club practices at Kirk Community Center on Foxworthy Avenue and is part of the Northern California Junior Lacrosse Association. The season will run from February through mid-May.

For information, go to www.sjextreme.org or contact club President John Fensterwald by email at john@sjextreme.org or call (408) 265-2224

South San Jose Hotshots seek experienced girls’ soccer players
The South San Jose Hotshots, a girls U11 comp soccer team, is looking for experienced players for its 2007 indoor and outdoor seasons.  The Hotshots play in the Delgado competitive league and finished as one of the top U10 girls’ teams in the 2006 fall season.  The team has a positive coaching environment, with a focus on teamwork and player development.  Interested players should contact head coach Mike Bunge at awalt80@yahoo.com.

San Jose Strikkers 18U tryouts
The San Jose Strikkers, a youth girls fast-pitch softball team based in San Jose, will hold tryouts for its’ 18U summer ball team. Summer ball tryouts are Dec. 17, Jan. 7 and Jan. 14 at Oak Grove High School. Tryouts for pitchers and catchers are at 9 a.m. and all position player tryouts start at 10:30 a.m. For more information, call Frank King (408) 406-8191 or Richard Fangonilo (408) 274-9301, or e-mail fgking25@aol.com or rfangonilo@sjm.com

Bret Harte seeks boys’ junior lacrosse coaches
Bret Harte Middle School in San Jose is looking for boys' junior lacrosse coaches for the 2006-2007 season. Multiple positions are available for both head coaches and assistants. Previous lacrosse coaching experience recommended. 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 with 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 Wayne Schatz at (408) 623-4691 or email wayne_schatz@sbcglobal.net

Valley Flag Football now accepting Spring 2007 registration
Valley Flag Football is the premier youth football league for boys and girls ages 5-14. The program provides young players a fun and exciting opportunity to engage in continuous action while learning lessons in teamwork. It’s an excellent way to introduce players before playing tackle and keeping tackle players active in the off-season.

Launched in 1996, the FLAG Football program is designed to educate young people about football while emphasizing participation and sportsmanship. Players learn skills and lessons that help them succeed both on and off the field.

NFL FLAG Football is played across the United States and is a fun and exciting sport that teaches great life lessons, such as sportsmanship, dedication and discipline.

This five-on-five game is recognizable to football fans everywhere. Participants learn about formations, pass patterns and different types of offense and defense. All teams are actual NFL team names. Players keep their team logo jerseys. Sign up today and be part of the Valley Flag Football Family. The first 100 players to register online receive a free league T-shirt. The season starts March 25, 2007

Visit our website for more information and registration: www.valleyflagfootball.com or contact us at (408) 531-0417 or via email at tmorgan_valleyflag@hotmail.com

Superstar Basketball League signups
Superstar Basketball is a fundamental basketball league for boys and girls from grades 1-6. Instruction in this league is intended to improve the fundamental skills in shooting, dribbling, passing, rebounding, defense, and teamwork. Instruction begins on Jan. 6, 2007 and ends on Feb. 24, 2007, and is held at Santa Teresa High School. Cost is $99 if postmarked before Dec. 1, 2006 and $110 after Dec. 1. If you have any questions, please contact Camp Director Dan Walker at (408) 268-7634 or e-mail at dwalker@apr.com

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity girls’ soccer at Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – JV girls’ soccer vs. Pioneer, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Pinewood Tournament, time TBA

Saturday – Varsity boys’ basketball vs. Half Moon Bay, 6 p.m.
Saturday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Pinewood Tournament, time TBA

Tuesday – Varsity and JV girls’ basketball vs. Los Gatos, JV 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.

Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball vs. Los Gatos, 4 p.m.

Thursday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Bellarmine Tournament, time TBA

Pioneer High School
Friday – Varsity girls’ soccer vs. Leland, 3:15 p.m.
Friday – JV girls’ soccer at Leland, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday – Varsity boys’ basketball vs. Homestead at Fremont Tournament, 4 p.m.

Monday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Fremont Tournament, time TBA

Tuesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball vs. Santa Teresa at Homestead Tournament, 11 a.m.
Tuesday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Fremont Tournament, time TBA

Wednesday – Varsity and JV girls’ basketball vs. Santa Clara, JV 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Fremont Tournament, time TBA
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Homestead Tournament, time TBA

Thursday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Homestead Tournament, time TBA
Thursday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Fremont Tournament, time TBA

For more information about Leland and Pioneer sporting events, go to:

Pioneer Athletics: http://www.phsathletics.com/
Leland Athletics: http://www.lelandathletics.com/
Blossom Valley Athletic League: http://www.bval.org/

Guadalupe Elementary School fifth grader Nichole Osugi placed first with an all-around score of 37.825 in the 10-year-old age group session at the 2006 Northern California Level 4 State Championship in Brentwood on Dec. 2-3.

Almaden’s Nichole Osugi gains first place finish at
Northern California Level 4 State Championship

Guadalupe Elementary School fifth grader Nichole Osugi, along with her Level 4 West Valley Gymnastics teammates, recently concluded a highly successful season of competitive gymnastics with a strong finish at the 2006 Northern California Level 4 State Championship, held in Brentwood Dec. 2-3.

Osugi finished in first place in three of the four individual events, beam, vault and uneven bars, while also placing first with an all-around score of 37.825 in the 10-year-old age group session. Her individual all-around score of 37.825 and the 9.6 score she received on the uneven bars were also the highest scores received among all of the Level 4 gymnasts competing at the two-day Nor-Cal State Championship.

Osugi, who started with gymnastics in January of 2004, has been training at West Valley Gymnastics, located in Campbell, at least 12 hours per week. This is the first year of competition for Level 4 gymnasts at the Nor-Cal State Championship.

San Jose Jr. Sharks hockey team sports some NHL hardware

The San Jose Jr. Sharks youth hockey team got a pleasant surprise recently when the team was treated to an up-close view of the National Hockey League’s Stanley Cup trophy.

The team, which consists of local 12-year-old players, is shown here with the NHL Stanley Cup and is coached by Almaden real estate agent Andy Buchanan (back row, at right). The Jr. Sharks have enjoyed a successful 2006 season, spending the better part of the year ranked No. 1 nationally in their age division.

Pioneer girls’ soccer starts league play with 2-1 win over Pirates

New season sees mix of familiar and new faces for young Mustang squad

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Pioneer girls’ soccer team started league play on a positive note, taking a 2-1 come-from-behind win at home over Piedmont Hills on Dec. 8.

The win, which improved the Mustangs’ record to 2-2-3 overall, was a good start to league play in the Mt. Hamilton Division, said Pioneer head coach Randy Worthington.

Pioneer’s Brittney Rivas (in white) attempts to stop a pass during a 2-1 league-opening win over Piedmont Hills on Dec. 8. Photos by Diego Abeloos

The Mustangs got their game-winning goal in the game’s 78th minute, when junior Sami Vega, after receiving a pass from midfielder Bianca Springer, deposited the ball in the opposite corner of the net for the 2-1 win. The play came after the Pioneer team made one last strong push on offense “to go for the win,” said Worthington.

“She doubled in behind the defender and just got the shot off,” he said. “…It was just a picture perfect shot.”

Worthington also noted his team’s determination in the win against a solid Pirates soccer team.

“It’s just persistence on their part,” Worthington said of his team’s effort. “They didn’t let down and kept the pressure on. They condition real hard, so in the last five minutes of the game, we can pick it up instead of falling back.”

Trailing 1-0 after a Piedmont Hills goal in the game’s 24th minute, the Mustangs wasted little time striking back, getting a goal from sophomore Shannon Righetti just before halftime, in the game’s 39th minute, to tie things up at 1-1. The penalty kick was set up after Laura Spanko was fouled hard in the box during a goal attempt, coming away from the play with a noticeable limp. Shannon Righetti, the younger sister of Pioneer senior mid/forward Stephanie Righetti, then stepped up for the penalty shot and delivered a goal in the corner of net for a 1-1 tie.

Worthington said the 2006-07 season will feature some new and familiar faces on the roster, after losing six seniors to graduation from last year’s squad, including first-team all-league forward Lauren West, who went on to receive a soccer scholarship from Fresno State University.

This year, Worthington said he will count on a host of players to lead the young team, including Vega and Springer.

“Sami and Bianca have been on the team since they were freshmen and have started every minute of every game,” he said. “…(Springer) is the anchor in the middle. She’s pretty much the iron woman of our team. She definitely gets stronger as the game goes on. I do hold them highly responsible for our success and they deserve all the credit they get for that success.”

Among the other key players is Stephanie Righetti, who Worthington said has the leadership skills on the field to help guide some of the younger players on the roster and has the uncanny ability of taking advantage of her opponents’ weaknesses. Stephanie Righetti will attend San Jose State University next season to continue her soccer career.

“We always count heavily on Stephanie,” Worthington said. “…She’s a playmaker who makes things happen for everyone else. If you’re in the game and you’re focused, she’ll make you look outstanding, but if you’re not, she can make you look foolish.”

One key change for the Mustangs this season is at the goalkeeper position, which was held down the past four years by all-leaguer Kiki Demarquez. This season, senior Brittany Davidson has taken over that position, with promising freshman Allison Land waiting in the wings. So far, the results have been good, Worthington added.

“Kiki did an outstanding job of working with Brittany last year,” he said. “As we all know, that’s a hard position to play. You’re either a hero or a goat. She (Davidson) has done very well this year. …She’s done an excellent job. The apprentice to her, Allison, will definitely be Pioneer’s future in that spot after this year.”

Chargers drop Leigh in league opener

Leland boys’ soccer looks toward Mt. Hamilton Division crown repeat

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

Reigning Mount Hamilton Division champion Leland defeated Leigh 3-0 in its boys’ soccer league opener Dec. 12.

Leland defenders swarm to the ball during practice Tuesday. Charger coach Rich Kubic called defense a major strength in the club's attack this season. Photos by Justin Petersen

The win signified the Chargers’ situation, entering the 2006-2007 campaign, with key leaders who returned as upperclassmen, including Adonis Levine and Dean Crosbie.

Leland (4-2, 1-0) also welcomed a missing link in Bellarmine transfer Cam Jung.

The 6-foot, 5-inch, Jung scored two goals, one of which was assisted on by Levine, versus the Longhorns.
Leland’s only other score came courtesy of Levine, who drilled a penalty kick past the Leigh goalkeeper in the first half.

“It was a case where we put away opportunities on set plays,” said Coach Rich Kubic.

Kubic said the Chargers scored as opportunities presented themselves in the flow of the game. Following Levine’s score, Jung converted on a cross from the corner.

“A good team puts away set plays and set pieces, and we did that, versus Leigh,” said Kubic. “We were able to close it out.”

The Chargers’ goal this season is to move beyond the Central Coast Section quarterfinals, where Gunn High eliminated them a year ago. Kubic called the loss to Gunn unfortunate, based on the talent he fielded.

“It was a game we should have won, but that’s how soccer goes,” he said.

Based on the pace set this season, however, Kubic said that Leland has already applied a lesson learned from last season.

“As far as fitness goes and the way that these guys work together as a team, we are way ahead of where we were last year,” he said.

The club’s strengths include versatility.

“We have a lot of guys who we can interchange,” said Kubic. “We can move different individuals all over the field and that can cause headaches for other teams.”

On the offensive side, Leland will rely on an aggressive attack as usual, according to Kubic.

“We are still figuring out who will be our go-to guys up front,” he said. “We like to score a lot of goals, playing attack and trap soccer. We are still tinkering with the lineup to figure out what works best in going forward.”

Currently Levine is the one shoe-in at forward. The Mount Hamilton Division Sophomore of the Year runner-up from a year ago returns as a junior and top playmaker for Leland.

“He is quick, fast, and very good with the ball and feet,” said Kubic. “The best thing about him, however, is that he has all this skill and talent, but he is also very aggressive.”

Kubic called Levine, who participated in the regional Olympic Developmental League during the off-season, a fighter.

“He is an outstanding player and he has that fighter quality about him,” Kubic said.

While Jung bore most scoring duties in the league opener, Kubic said he is unsure where to best utilize the newcomer.

“Right now he is playing defensive center midfield and doing a great job,” said Kubic. “But he is an excellent player. He is very fast, and is really, really good on his feet. You don’t really see that very often with guys his size.”

Defensively, Kubic described the Chargers’ as bottom heavy.

“We like to shut everything down in the back,” he said. “We have a group of experienced, tough guys who are solid defenders this year. We like to push out of the back, condense some space in the middle and not give the other team any time on the ball to settle and possess.”

Senior sweeper Hector Limon-Salceda has been the Chargers’ top performer to this point.

“Hector again can play anywhere on the field,” said Kubic. “We are even considering putting him up front, but he has done well for us controlling the defense.”

The Chargers will also rely on senior captain Dean Crosbie, perhaps as much or more than the rest, according to Kubic, in the backfield.

“He brings toughness and a sense of calm that is necessary,” he said.

Adel Arabi is also expected to make in impact his year.

“Adel is extraordinarily quick,” said Kubic. “He is one of, if not the, fastest defenders in our league. He is fearless.”

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