December 20, 2007

SPORTS

Sporting Girls sweep the Central California Invitational Cup

The weekend of Dec. 8-9 turned out to be top notch for the 12 team members of the Sporting Girls’ U10 soccer team, who placed first in the Central California Invitational Cup in Clovis, Calif.

The Sporting Girls pose with their trophy. First row, from left, Danielle Hadfield*, Megan Wheelock, Maddie Cavanna*, Erica Nakano* and Ashley Lawrence*; second row, Regan Heslop*, Hanna Gratny*. Erin McCoy*, Shaelan Murison-Brown, Julia Houk*, Sierra Painter*and Kayla Silveira. Head coach Jim Lawrence*and assistant coach Jamie Berg*are in the back row. (* Denotes Almaden resident).

Nine of the team members hail from Almaden as do the team’s two coaches, head coach Jim Lawrence and assistant coach Jamie Berg.

The tournament hosted eight Class 1 Select teams in their age division from all over northern California. The Sporting Girls rolled over their opponents in three games leading up to the finals with 16 goals scored offensively while allowing no goals on defense.

Their 5-0 victory against the CVSA Cyclones set the tone early Saturday morning, proving to be a warmup for their second game against the Modesto Ajax Premier. They won that game 7-0.

“The girls played tough and really stepped up their game this weekend” said coach Jim Lawrence. “They came to play,” and that’s exactly what they did with their third win against the Elk Grove Blue, scoring a 4-0 finish. With great representation in the finals, the Sporting Girls went up against the East Diablo KonFusion. With a final score of 7-0 the girls played hard and furious till the last whistle blew. The shut-out weekend earned them 23 goals.

Both coaches and girls are proud of their first-place victory. “This is a wonderful end to another successful season,” said assistant coach Jamie Berg, referring to the Sporting Girls’ first-place win and undefeated season in the U10 Class 1 Abronzino League. All fall they played tough with eight wins and two ties in the highly competitive Select CYSA Soccer League. They led the league with the most goals scored offensively and “earned their success through hard work and fierce dedication” said Lawrence.

Santa Clara Sporting Girls will be holding tryouts to add four to five new players to the roster for the Spring 11 v 11 format. Contact Coach Jim Lawrence at (408) 204-7020 or by e-mail: sjlaw4@aol.com for information.

San Jose Sharks’ holiday practice sweaters to be auctioned to benefit
team foundation

All San Jose Sharks players wore special holiday jerseys during the morning skate Tuesday, Dec. 18 at HP Pavilion, which will auctioned off for charity.

The jerseys were autographed by the respective players and will be sold via blind auction at The Sharks Foundation booth, located on the Concourse level adjacent to the section 124 entrance, during the Sharks versus Phoenix Coyotes game on Thursday, Dec. 20, and the Sharks versus Anaheim Ducks game on Saturday, Dec. 22.

The jerseys will only be sold via the in-game auction, so fans must be present in order to participate. Information about blind auctions can be found at: http://sharks.nhl.com/team/app/?service=page&page=NHLPage&id=18067

All proceeds will benefit The Sharks Foundation in assisting local nonprofit organizations in the San Jose area.

Charger lead evaporates, but still beats Willow Glen

By Gary van den Heuvel
Sports Writer

Leland's Drew Marino drives to the basket during their game with host Willow Glen on Tuesday in San Jose. Photos by Daniel Miranda

The Leland High School boys’ basketball team opened up a huge lead early, watched it evaporate in the second half, but finished strong to defeat the Willow Glen Rams 55-45 on Tuesday at Willow Glen High School.

The Rams’ Matt Ward nailed a three-pointer to give Willow Glen an early 3-2 lead, but that lead was short-lived as the Chargers scored 14 unanswered points, including three-pointers from Cody Tyson and Drew Marino. Two free throws by Willow Glen’s 6-5 sophomore Jimmy Renneke ended the Leland spree, but the Chargers finished the first quarter with a commanding 16-5 lead.

From that point, Willow Glen began a long, slow gradual rally. The Rams were able to shake off their offensive doldrums on the shooting of Renneke and speedy point guard Ricky Huyhn, whose ability to run the floor jumpstarted Willow Glen’s attack.

“They’re our one-two punch,” said Willow Glen coach Todd Meeker about Renneke, who scored 13 points, and Huyhn, who led all scorers with 18. In reference to Huyhn, Meeker said, “he always plays really hard. He hit some threes to get us back into the game.”

At halftime Leland’s lead had shrunk to three points, and with four-and-a-half minutes left in the third quarter, Huyhn’s two free throws gave the Rams a 32-31 lead, Willow Glen’s first since early in the first quarter.

Leland's Drew Marino shoots the ball during their game with host Willow Glen on Tuesday in San Jose.

“They were really physical with us in the third quarter and pushed us around all over the place,” said Leland coach Steve Seandel. “After the first quarter I knew we were going to have to play pretty well – they were starting to play awfully well.”

Leland retook the lead on baskets by Cody Tyson and Greg Hipwell, and a free throw by Bentli Bejan put the Chargers up 36-34 as the third quarter ended.

“I thought we played well in the middle,” said Meeker. “We didn’t start out very good and we didn’t end very good.”

The Rams actually led 41-38 after a Renneke lay-up following an offensive rebound, but Marino, who was one of three Chargers to score 12 points (Tyson and Hipwell were the others), tied the game with a three-pointer.

From that point, both teams reverted to their first quarter personas: Leland’s offense, particularly clutch free throw shooting by Tyson, Hipwell and Drew and Trevor Marino, dominated the action and gave Leland the 10-point win. It was their second victory over Willow Glen, their first in the Westmont tournament in late November. Leland is now 6-3 on the season, while Willow Glen is 3-7.

“I’m really pleased,” said Seandel. “We’re getting a lot better. Being on the road, taking our opponents’ best and getting a win, we’ll take that as a positive and move on.”

Local baseball team to hold clinics for children 9-16

The San Jose Giants will hold their second annual Winter Baseball Clinics Jan. 12 and 13 at Municipal Stadium in San Jose. The clinics focus on preparing boys and girls ages 9 through 16 for the 2008 spring baseball or softball season and Little League tryouts, which take place in late January.

The San Jose Giants recognize the importance of individual instruction and are committed to having numerous instructors on hand for the most personal interaction and focused attention possible. Coaches will include San Jose Giants players Mike Mooney and Anthony Contreras, and the 2008 San Jose Giants hitting coach, Gary Davenport* (although coaches are confirmed, they are subject to change without notice).

“The San Jose Giants clinics and camps have significantly helped prepare our players for the season,” said Lance Motch Moreland, Little League president. “They focus a great deal on individual skills and development.”

Participants are welcome to attend the entire weekend at a discounted price of $135, or a one-day session at $75. During the one- or two-day session, camp participants will work on all fundamentals of the game with a focus on spring baseball tryout skills, including base-running, hitting, throwing, catching and fielding. Both clinic sessions will take place at Municipal Stadium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Participants will receive a San Jose Giants T-shirt, included in the registration price.

To find out more about the San Jose Giants Winter Clinics, visit www. sjgiants.com, call (408) 297-1435 ext. 29, or e-mail camiyuasa@sjgiants.com.

The San Jose Giants open their defense of the California League title on Thursday, April 3 at Bakersfield. The home opener at Municipal Stadium is scheduled for Thursday, April 10 against the Blaze. The opening night extravaganza will include a post-game fireworks display, 2008 magnet schedule giveaway, KRTY broadcasting live, the return of Gigante and much more.

For more information on tickets for the 2008 season, call (408) 297-1435 or visit www.sjgiants.com.
About the San Jose Giants

The San Jose Giants are a Minor League professional baseball team in the Class A Advanced California League. The team has been affiliated with the San Francisco Giants since 1988, which is the longest current working agreement in the league. The San Jose Giants are the 2007 California League Champions and have called San Jose home for the past 60 years. The San Jose Giants play in historic Municipal Stadium. The team is owned and operated by a group of local investors living in the Bay Area. The Giants afford thousands of San Jose residents the opportunity to bring their families to watch America’s national pastime at a fraction of the cost of a major league game.

For tickets, contact the San Jose Giants box office at (408) 297-1435 or visit www.sjgiants.com.

Smith Barney provides grant to Pat Tillman Foundation

The San Jose office of Smith Barney recently presented the Pat Tillman Foundation a $10,000 grant. The grant was made possible by the Citigroup Foundation as a part of its local contributions program, in which Smith Barney offices across the country participate. Alex Garwood, active founding board member of the Pat Tillman Foundation, said that the foundation is pleased that global businesses like Citigroup and Smith Barney recognizes Pat Tillman’s passionate legacy especially in his hometown San Jose. The grant will be used to fund the foundation’s High School Program, Youth Re:Action, in the six San Jose Unified High Schools. Garwood accepted the check from Allan Walsworth and Kurt Carrasquilla from Smith Barney.

“We are pleased to strengthen our commitment to help make communities where we do business better places through our support of organizations like the Pat Tillman Foundation and know this grant will have a meaningful impact here in San Jose,” said branch manager Alexandra Moysov. Walsworth and Carrasquilla, both financial advisors at the firm, headed the initiative and selection process on behalf of Smith Barney.

Smith Barney’s Lo-cal Contributions Program was designed to enable the firm’s branches to forge partnerships with the communities they serve through a combination of financial contributions and hands-on employee involvement.

High School Sports Schedule Dec. 21 – Dec. 27

Leland

Friday – Boys’ varsity basketball at DJ Frandsen Tournament at Bellarmine Prep, TBA
Friday – Girls’ basketball at Los Gatos, 5 p.m. JV and 7 p.m. varsity
Friday – Boys’ soccer at Oak Grove, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday- Girls’ varsity basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA

Sunday - Girls’ varsity basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA

Monday - Girls’ varsity basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA

Tuesday - Girls’ varsity basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA

Wednesday - Girls’ varsity basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA
Wednesday – Girls’ JV basketball at Monta Vista tournament, TBA

Thursday – Boys’ varsity basketball vs. Harbor, 5:30 p.m. JV and 7 p.m. varsity
Thursday - Girls’ varsity basketball at Del Mar tournament, TBA
Thursday – Girls’ JV basketball at Monta Vista tournament, TBA

Pioneer

Friday – Boys’ varsity basketball at Fremont Sunnyvale tournament, TBA
Friday – Boys’ soccer at Willow Glen, 3:15 p.m.

Saturday – Boys’ varsity basketball at Fremont Sunnyvale tournament, TBA

Thursday – Boys’ frosh/soph basketball vs. Live Oak, 12:30 p.m.
Thursday – Boys’ varsity basketball Pioneer Holiday Classic, TBA

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

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, 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.


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