December 7, 2006

SPORTS

Pair of close games see Pioneer boys’ hoops win one, drop one

Mustangs drop 50-48 loss to Homestead in closing seconds after 53-50 win earlier in the week over Milpitas

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

The Pioneer boys’ basketball team walked away with a 1-1 record last week, following two close games against Milpitas and Homestead, respectively.

Pioneer’s Nick Maggipinto scored nine points in a 53-50 win at home over Milpitas on Dec. 14.

The Mustangs started the week on a positive note, posting a 53-50 win at home on Dec. 14 that saw Pioneer take the lead for good midway through the fourth quarter. During the opening round of the 49th Annual Fremont-Sunnyvale Holiday Basketball Tournament on Dec. 16 however, it was the Mustangs who were on the losing end of another close game, dropping a 50-48 loss to Homestead after giving up the lead with just 40 seconds left in the game. The loss to Homestead dropped Pioneer’s record in non-league play to 5-3.

“To be leading the whole game until the last (40) seconds, it’s disappointing,” Pioneer head coach Joe Berticevich said.

Up 48-47 over Homestead, the Mustangs saw their lead disappear with 40 seconds to go in the fourth quarter on a Homestead jumper. The late lead change, which eventually gave Homestead a 50-48 win, was part of a 7-3 run by Homestead in the game’s final three minutes of play. Pioneer, entering the fourth quarter, held a 40-34 lead but was ineffective at the free throw line throughout the final quarter of play, sinking just one of seven shots from the line. Overall, Pioneer scored just eight points in the final quarter of play, all of which came from T.J. Watson, who led the Mustangs with 15 points in the loss.

“When you miss free throws, it takes a toll mentally on the guy that misses it,” Berticevich said of the team’s woes at the free-throw line. “We’re not getting the job done on the defensive end then, and it showed out there. It showed that missing those free throws took a toll on us. It was disappointing.”

The fourth quarter performance by the Mustangs was a departure from the team’s performance earlier in the game, as Pioneer held the lead throughout the game, beginning with a 19-12 first quarter performance. Things got closer by halftime however, with Pioneer clinging to a 31-26 lead after two quarters of play.

In the third quarter, The Mustangs managed to hold Homestead to just eight points, including a desperation three-pointer at half court as time expired, cutting what was a nine-point lead to just six at 40-34. Berticevich said the half-court shot by Homestead started the momentum swing that eventually led to the loss.

Pioneer point guard Matt Montelongo drives to the basket during a 50-48 loss to Homestead at the 49th Annual Fremont-Sunnyvale Holiday Basketball Tournament. Photos by Dan Miranda

“We had the game in control and the turn started when they made that half-court shot going into the fourth quarter,” Berticevich said. “…But give Homestead credit. They fought and they were the more aggressive team out there in the fourth quarter. Obviously, we didn’t hit free throws again in the fourth quarter.”

Earlier in the week, however, it was Pioneer on the winning end of a close game, as the Mustangs put together a solid fourth quarter stretch to defeat Milpitas 53-50 on Dec. 14.

Tied 37-37 at the end of three quarters of play, the Mustangs started the fourth quarter with a 9-4 scoring run to take a 46-41 lead with 4:55 to go. Milpitas then closed in on Pioneer’s lead with a small 6-2 stretch, before the Mustangs ended the game with a 5-3 advantage, getting a pair of free throws from Gilbert Mendoza with six seconds to go to seal the win. Mendoza led the Mustangs with 16 points in the win.

And while Berticevich said having his team in close games during non-league play could prove to be a beneficial learning experience, he’s still concerned about the pace of his squad’s learning curve in those situations.

“We’re not learning quick enough,” Berticevich said of his team gaining experience in close games. “We’re still having problems with guys not being on the same page. We’ve got to fix that.”

Leland officially re-opens remodeled mini gym on Dec. 14

Leland Booster Club funds project; new gym to serve as additional practice facility for Leland athletic programs

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Editor

Leland athletics had reason to celebrate early the holiday season as the Leland Booster Club along with Leland Athletic Director Chris Hansen officially re-opened the newly renovated mini gym on Dec. 14.

Leland Athletic Director Chris Hansen presents Booster Club President Mike Janes with the dedication plaque that will commemorate the mini-gym remodeling project funded by the Leland Booster Club this fall. Pictured, from left: Amy Consul, Vice Principal Mike Martinez, Chris Hansen, Leland Booster Club Membership Vice President Bobbi Janes, Secretary Julie Herbert, Mike Janes, Gretchen Jung, and Treasurer Sheryl Hydorn. Not pictured: VP Joe Consul. Photo courtesy Mike Janes

The mini gym, located next to the school’s main gym, will serve as a second practice space for Leland athletic programs such as basketball, volleyball, badminton and wrestling, according to Leland Booster Club President Mike Janes. Remodeling for the mini gym was funded by the booster club, which also funds several other projects each year at the school, including stipends for several coaches, an athletic trainer and five annual athletic scholarship awards. The booster club and Hansen celebrated the official re-opening of the mini gym with a plaque dedication ceremony on Dec. 14.

“We are proud to continue our support of the sports programs at Leland,” said Janes. “We are having another very successful year, proving that it is indeed possible to do things the right way—excelling in athletics and academics simultaneously.”

The mini gym, which previously served as the school’s weight training room, was made available for remodeling as part of the latest Measure F construction project, according to Janes. The weight training room has since been relocated to another area of the overall Leland gym complex.

Leland varsity girls’ basketball coach Wade Nakamura said having a second gym for practice is crucial for a school like Leland, which last year received the Blossom Valley Athletic League’s inaugural Best of the Best Award, given to the school with the best overall program in the BVAL. The award is based on overall league standings for each varsity sport, as well as other factors, such as sportsmanship.

“It definitely beneficial to have a second gym,” Nakamura said. “…To have another gym is a must at any high school this size. You need to have two indoor court facilities where the boys and girls can utilize it.”

Overall, Leland teams and individual athletes have won more than 160 Central Coast Section Championships in the school’s history, while also winning the Scholarship Championship Team Award—based on a team’s cumulative GPA each year—45 times. In addition, Leland coaches have won the CCS Honor Coach Award 13 times.

Those interested in supporting the Leland Booster Club can do so by joining the Leland eScrip program, where a percentage of purchases at participating merchants is rebated to Leland at no cost to the consumer. For more information, go to www.escrip.com. Leland’s eScrip group ID is 6660623.

For more information about Leland Athletics, go to www.lelandathletics.com

High School Scoreboard

Dec. 12
Pioneer boys’ soccer 6-3 loss at Leigh

Dec. 13
Leland girls’ soccer 3-2 win vs. Evergreen

Pioneer girls’ soccer 0-0 tie v. Leigh

Dec. 14
Leland girls’ basketball 56-42 loss vs. Palo Alto at Pinewood Classic
Leland wrestling 48-22 win at Live Oak
Leland boys’ soccer 0-0 tie at Live Oak

Pioneer boys’ soccer 3-0 loss vs. Overfelt

Dec. 15
Leland girls’ basketball 60-50 loss vs. Westmoor at Pinewood Classic

Pioneer girls’ soccer 1-0 win vs. Leland

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

Almaden Valley Rebels U17 girls’ soccer tryouts
The U17 girls’ Division 3 (comp.) Almaden Valley Rebels soccer team is looking for players for both spring and fall. Players must be born after 8-1-90. The Rebels have several players on the team that are “playing up,” so even if you are 14 or 15 years old, do not be afraid to try out for the team. Please contact Scott Hoyt at shoyt@cinnabarhills.com for complete details and tryout dates.
 
Almaden Valley Girls Softball League 2007 signups
The Almaden Valley Girls Softball League will be holding signups on:

- Saturday, Jan. 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
- Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Saturday, Jan. 13, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

All signups will take place at Graystone Elementary School, 6982 Shearwater Drive, Almaden.

First-time applicants, please bring a copy of your birth certificate. Parents, please bring your child for uniform sizing as well.

High School Sports Schedule

Leland High School
Friday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Bellarmine Tournament, time TBA
Friday – JV girls’ basketball vs. Fremont, 7 p.m.

Wednesday – Varsity girls’ basketball at WCJ Tournament in Antioch, time TBA

Thursday – Boys’ basketball at Harbor, JV 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity girls’ basketball at WCJ Tournament in Antioch, time TBA

Pioneer High School
Friday – Girls’ basketball vs. Live Oak, JV 5:30 p.m. and varsity 7 p.m.
Friday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Fremont Tournament, time TBA

Wednesday –JV girls’ basketball at Monta Vista JV Tournament, time TBA
Wednesday – Varsity girls’ soccer Annual Alumni game, time TBA

Thursday – Varsity boys’ basketball vs. Branham at Pioneer Tournament, 7:30 p.m.

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/

Pioneer outlasts Leland 1-0 in Mount Hamilton girls’ soccer showdown

Mustangs take upper hand in cross-town classic

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

The Pioneer girls’ soccer team defeated Leland 1-0 on Dec. 15 in the first round of a match-up between Mount Hamilton Division contenders this season.

Leland (5-2-2, 1-1-1) fell to third place with the loss behind second-place Pioneer (3-2-2, 2-0-1) and league-leading Santa Teresa (4-3-1, 3-0), who has yet to face either the Chargers or Mustangs.

Fourth-place Leigh (3-0-4, 0-0-3) also figures to challenge in league.

“We figure it will be between us, Pioneer and Leigh,” said Leland coach David Blutrich.

Yet, the reigning champion Mustangs prevailed in a defensive battle versus the Chargers in the first of two games between the teams this year.

“It’s always a big game between both of us,” said Pioneer Coach Randy Worthington. “Most of the girls play with each other on club teams, and they really want to win.”

Pioneer junior Toni Sarge tapped in the game’s sole goal with approximately five minutes to play in the first half. Senior captain and 2005-2006 Mount Hamilton Junior of the Year Stephanie Righetti assisted on the play, along with her sophomore sister, Shannon Righetti, who crossed the ball into the box to set up the opportunity.

The elder Righetti received the pass in traffic and tapped it to Sarge between her mark’s feet.

“I had no idea that the goal would be the game winner at the time,” said Righetti. “It was going both ways throughout the game.”

Highly touted Leland, under first-year coach David Blutrich, could not convert on several scoring opportunities.

“It was a frustrating game versus Pioneer,” said Blutrich. “They played well, but we just didn’t finish our chances.”
The Chargers, in fact, bounced three shots off the goal post in the game. Blutrich said one shot fired by junior captain Karina Cavanna, especially, shifted the momentum, never to be retrieved by Leland.

“Karina barely missed from about 30 yards out on a shot,” said Blutrich.

Pioneer countered on the following play to score.

Leland junior and 2005-2006 MHAL Sophomore of the Year Sarah Chehrehsa also bounced two attempts off the goal post.

“Sarah is an impact player,” said Blutrich. “She can change the complexion of the game. They had her pretty well marked, but she still managed a couple of scoring opportunities.”

Worthington assigned Pioneer senior Julia Setnicker the task of corralling Chehrehsa defensively.

“It was an even match,” he said of the defensive assignment.

But it was freshman goalkeeper Allison Land that preserved the victory after Pioneer’s score, according to Worthington.

“She’s going to be good,” said Worthington, noting that Land is currently sharing time at the position with senior Britney Davidson.

Davidson rested versus Leland, but Worthington applauded her work this year as well. Davidson shut out 2005 Central Coast Section Division II finalist Leigh, preserving a 0-0 tie on Dec. 13.

Blutrich explained that the Chargers will only learn from the early setback and that there is still plenty of time to recover. He still expects the team to be amidst the Mercury News’ top 15 ranked clubs in the section when the poll prints next month.

The Chargers are currently on a break from league play because of the holiday season, an opportune time for Leland players to heal from bumps and bruises accrued during the early portion of the season, according to Blutrich.

“We are a little banged up right now,” he said. “We have played nine games over the past three weeks or so. A little rest and recovery time will be very important for the girls right now.”

Leland boys’ hoops takes 67-41 win over Half Moon Bay

Senior Adam Munoz drives past a Half Moon Bay defender during the Chargers’ 67-41 win on Dec. 16. The win improved Leland’s record to 3-5. Photo courtesy www.mikejanes.com

The Leland boys’ basketball team improved to 3-5 in non-league play, following a 67-41 home win over Half Moon Bay on Dec. 16.

The Chargers led the entire game, going up 31-18 at halftime before a robust 19-7 scoring edge in the third quarter extended the lead to 50-25. The Chargers then closed out the game with a small 17-16 advantage in the fourth quarter to seal the 67-41 win. Leland’s Drew Marino led all scorers with 26 points, including three three-pointers. Sophomore Greg Hipwell also contributed on offense, scoring 10 points in the win, including a pair of three-pointers.

The Chargers will continue their non-league play this week by taking part in the Bellarmine Tournament on Dec. 21 and 22.

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