SPORTS

Edwards resigns as Leland’s head football coach

Former athletic director, parents call his departure a
loss to football program

By Sheila Sanchez
Staff Writer

Kelly Edwards, shown here walking off the field at Pat Tillman Stadium, resigned as Leland’s head football coach last week, following a 3-7 season for the Chargers. Edwards cited a desire to pursue other career opportunities as a reason for his resignation. Photo courtesy www.mikejanes.com.

Leland High School’s football coach Kelly Edwards has decided to step down after four years with the Chargers, citing a desire to pursue other career opportunities.

“I just thought it was time for me to go in a different route in terms of my profession as a football coach,” Edwards said this week. “My time at Leland was great. I enjoyed it a lot, but it’s time to move on and let somebody else take over the football program.”

The 30-year-old coach, who replaced Randy Zimmer in January 2001, notified school officials Dec. 9 by turning in his letter of resignation to Leland High School Principal Bob Setterlund. The resignation was effective immediately.

Edwards said he had enjoyed four “wonderful years” as Leland’s head football coach and that his staff had worked hard and had been tremendously successful in turning the school’s football program around.

“We have our administration and staff to thank for your support. I could not think of a better place to start my head-coaching career. You and Susan (Votaw) have been very supportive and helpful through everything,” Edwards wrote in his letter.

He added that Setterlund’s biggest example of support was his backing of the school’s first night game in the history of the San Jose Unified School District. Because of lack of lights, all high schools in the district have their games on Saturday afternoons. The Chargers played against the Pioneer Mustangs with Jack Galante, an assistant coach who resigned last year, bringing lights to the football field to host the game
Edwards also thanked Leland High School’s former athletic director Jerry Rose for helping him during the beginning of his career. “I know that being an athletic director is most of the time a thankless job. I admire what you (Rose) have done and what Chris Hansen has done,” he said in the letter.

Edwards said he hoped the strong relationship he had built with Hansen would continue in the future. He said Hansen and Trish Moore had become great colleagues and friends.

“I know that this program will have continued success in the future and will hire a head coach that will keep the program at a level that it needs to be,” he said.

Rose called Edwards’ resignation a loss to Leland High School. “He’s done an excellent job as a coach,” said Rose. “We’re going to miss him.”

The former athletic director, who now coaches track and field and cross-country and teaches special education, also said Edwards’ young age and “strong football mind” is perfect for coaching at a higher level.

“When we got him he was pretty much in line to become the coach at Foothill. We were lucky enough to get him for four years and he’s been a great asset to our football program,” Rose said. “The kids really like him and really perform for him. He took a struggling team, pulling everything he could out of the players and their performance proved it.”

One example of Edwards’ remarkable coaching ability was the teams’ performance during the Leigh High School game in which the Chargers were praised for their ability to push the highly rated Longhorns in the Central Coast Section to the limit. “They would have won the game. They barely missed. They pushed Leigh to the brink. Kelly got a lot out of the kids. He loved the kids. He was understanding and taught them techniques, showing them how to win games. He made believers out of those kids. We’re going to sorely miss him.”

For their part, many parents like Arthur King, whose son is a wide receiver, were shocked and saddened by Edwards’ resignation. “He was more than just a coach. He was an extension of me on the football field and in the classroom.”

King said Leland High School will sorely miss Edwards and wished him well in his future endeavors. “He always had control of the team and he handled the hazing situation extremely well. Football is an aggressive sport, but Kelly was always in control. He always did the right thing.”

The Leland Chargers had a difficult season with an overall record of three wins and seven losses. In the Blossom Valley Athletic League the team’s record was two wins and five losses.

“The team had a very difficult year,” admitted King, “but despite all of this the players remained positive and they didn’t quit.”

Edwards, who played football at Monta Vista High School in Cupertino, also played football at Foothill Junior College and at California Polytechnic University as a wide receiver.

Edwards started his coaching career when he was 22, returning to Foothill Junior College to coach and learn under Marshall Sperbeck, who was his head coach. At the college, Edwards coached running backs and receivers for four years.

When Edwards first took the coaching job he embraced the challenge of coaching in the Almaden community, notorious for its strong support and commitment to athletic programs. “I have nothing but great respect for the parents,” he noted. “It has been a great four years. I’m going to miss Almaden. The kids were great.”

On Jan. 3, the school will have its annual football banquet in the cafeteria and Hansen will start accepting applications for Edward’s old job.

The team is off until the second week in January.

The resignation came as a shock as Edwards had built such strong relationships with the school’s athletic officials and Almaden’s athletic community.

He said he hinted to his coaching staff at the beginning of December that he was considering a change in his career. He said he’s considering two job opportunities in coaching.

As Leland’s head coach he worked with assistant coaches Bob Gustafson, Jason Tenner, Heath Clark, Jack, John and Tom Galante and Tim Foley. “They were instrumental in my success at Leland. They were extremely valuable to me,” Edwards said.

The team had a particularly challenging season, conceded Edwards, who mentioned a hazing incident in August during an early training session, which resulted in one senior football player having his hair forcibly cut by two teammates in the locker room and a volunteer assistant coach, Brian Tenner, being fired.

The students involved were suspended for three school days. They also sat out two football games after the athletic review board heard the case. The students apologized to their teammate who transferred to a private San Jose school.

The season was also plagued by injuries with star running back Kirk Andre breaking a leg in the first game. The team’s star wide receiver, Art King, also received a one-and-a-half game suspension for unsportsmanlike conduct.

Edwards said King didn’t deserve it. Star quarterback Corey Williams was also out four games for having a grade point average below 2.0.

“It was difficult. We lost a lot of kids last year. Our last four games of the year were the only ones in which we had everyone together. It made it for a tough year, but it has nothing to do with me resigning. That’s football and that’s sports,” he said.

High School Sports Schedule Dec. 24 - Dec. 30

Leland High School
Monday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Antioch Christmas Tournament, time TBD

Tuesday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Antioch Christmas Tournament, time TBD

Wednesday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Santa Teresa, 7 p.m.
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Santa Teresa, 5:30 p.m.
Wednesday –Varsity girls’ basketball at Antioch Christmas Tournament, time TBD

Thursday - Varsity girls’ soccer at Las Lomas Tournament, time TBD
Thursday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball at Harbor, 5:30 p.m.
Thursday – Varsity boys’ basketball at Harbor, 7 p.m.

Pioneer High School
Monday – JV girls’ basketball at Presentation Holiday Classic, Time TBD

Tuesday –Varsity boys’ basketball at Soquel Tournament, Time TBD
Tuesday – JV girls’ basketball at Presentation Holiday Classic, Time TBD

Wednesday –Varsity boys’ basketball at Soquel Tournament, Time TBD
Wednesday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball vs. Saratoga, 6 p.m.
Wednesday – JV girls’ basketball at Presentation Holiday Classic, Time TBD
Wednesday – Varsity boys’ soccer annual alumni game at Pioneer, noon

Thursday – Varsity girls’ basketball at Santa Teresa, 7 p.m.
Thursday –Varsity boys’ basketball at Soquel Tournament, Time TBD
Thursday – Frosh/soph boys’ basketball vs. Lincoln, 6 p.m.

High School Sports Roundup

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

Leland High School

Girls’ hoops splits four, gets offense from Yoshioka and Yanai
The Chargers won two of four games for the week, including a 1-2 record at the Rob Vares Jr. Memorial Tournament, setting the team’s record at 4-2.

The Chargers began their week with a 48-40 win over Menlo-Atherton on Dec. 14, getting scoring contributions from Kristen Yoshioka, who led the team with 19 points and grabbed six rebounds, and Hillary Barnes, who chipped in eight points and three rebounds.

The team then went to the Rob Vares Jr. Memorial Tournament on Dec. 16 and dropped a 41-29 decision to Casa Grande High in the opening round. Mika Yanai led the Chargers in scoring, dropping in 15 points, while snagging six rebounds and five steals.

On the second day of the Rob Vares Memorial Tournament, the Chargers took a 61-18 blowout win over Freedom High, with Kristen Yoshioka leading the chargers on offense with 13 points and four rebounds. Also helping the offense were Barnes and Amanda Do, who scored nine points each in the victory.

The Chargers then ended their week with a 49-31 loss to Hayward on Dec. 18, the final day of the tournament. Yanai led the Chargers in scoring once more, chipping in eight points. Barnes added seven points and led the team with eight rebounds in the loss.

“I wanted to get at least two games (wins) out of the week and we were able to accomplish that,” said Leland Head Coach Wade Nakamura. “…Right now we’re living and dying on the perimeter because our inside players aren’t as experienced.”

Beitashour scores perfect hat trick, team heads to Xmas Cup semis
It was a good week for the Chargers, who managed to secure one win and two ties, including one tie in the quarterfinal round of the Homestead Christmas Cup.

The Chargers played to a 2-2 tie in a match-up against Independence on Dec. 14, giving Leland a 5-2-1 overall record. In the tie, the Chargers received goals from Roheet Sen (assisted by Steven Beitashour) and Grant Robson (assisted by Beitashour and Mike Dally).

Two days later, the Chargers got a 6-0 blowout win over Overfelt as Beitashour scored four goals to lead the way. Assisting Beitashour on his four goals were Danny Jones, Ryan Villalpando, Peter Rodriguez and Grant Robson, among others. Also scoring goals for the Chargers were Stevie Munoz and Adonis Levine. The win was the Chargers’ first in league, setting their Mt. Hamilton Division record at 1-1-1.

In the win, Beitashour had the perfect hat trick, scoring with his left foot, right foot and on a header for three of his four goals.

“What makes him special is that he’s got pro speed,” said Charger Head Coach Dave Gold of Beitashour. “He has that acceleration you need at that level.”

To top off the week, the Chargers played to a 1-1 tie against Mountain View in the quarterfinal round of the Homestead Christmas Cup. Leland was awarded a win in the match by going 4-3 on penalty kicks. Ben Meade scored the lone goal for the Chargers, getting an assist from Rodriguez to set the Chargers’ record at 7-2-1.

Wrestling gets first league win, 18-12, over Yerba Buena
The Chargers got an 18-12 win over Yerba Buena in their first league match of the year, despite double forfeits in all but three weight categories.

Leland got a key victory out of Brian Herz, who wrestled in the 145-pound category and pinned his opponent in a mere 43 seconds. Also winning his match was Jon Friedman, who pinned his opponent in one minute and 27 seconds in the 275-pound category.

Losing his match for the Chargers was Ryan Hong, who was pinned by his opponent after a lengthy five-minute and 20-second match-up.

Pioneer High School

Girls’ hoops goes 2-2 at Oak Grove Holiday Classic
It was an even week for the Mustangs, who went 2-2 in a six-day span at the Oak Grove Holiday Classic.
After dropping a 52-31 loss to Wilcox on Dec. 13 at the Classic, the Mustangs took a 57-52 win over North Monterey County on Dec. 15 and a 50-38 victory over Fremont on Dec. 17.

In the loss to Wilcox, the Mustangs were led on offense by Renee Cummings, who had eight points.
Against North Monterey County, the Mustangs got offensive contributions from Cummings, who led Pioneer with 16 points and grabbed seven rebounds, and Michele Rebozzi, who chipped in 15 points and six rebounds.

Against Fremont on Dec. 17, the Mustangs were led once more on offense by Cummings, who scored 13 points and snagged six rebounds, while Rebozzi added 11 points in the win.

On the final day of the tournament, the Mustangs dropped a 60-48 decision to Santa Clara, evening the team’s overall record to 6-6. In the loss, the Mustangs were led on offense by Angelica Woods, who dropped in 13 points. In addition, Rebozzi was named to the all-tournament team for her effort throughout the week.

Boys’ soccer loses 3-0 to Leigh, rebounds for 3-1 win at Oak Grove
The Mustangs split both their games this week, dropping a 3-0 loss to Leigh on Dec. 14 before picking up a 3-1 win over Oak Grove on Dec. 16.

In the win over Oak Grove, the Mustangs received goals from Tyler Winslow (on a penalty kick), senior Mani Noroozi (assisted by junior Flavio Huato), and freshman Marcus Gomez (on an assist from senior Salvador Tlazola. The win set the Mustangs record at 2-1.

“Oak Grove is an excellent team,” said Pioneer Head Coach Pedro Fuentez. “They have height, skill and are aggressive. We were underdogs in the game and to win at their home is a super plus. Also, for us to score three goals was a super plus.”

Girls’ soccer ties Leigh, wins 2-1 over Prospect
In their first two Mt. Hamilton Division games of the year, the Mustangs tied at 0-0 with Leigh before getting a 2-1 win over Prospect.

Pioneer Head Coach Randy Worthington said the tie score with Leigh was merely small example of the type of game that really took place.

“It was two evenly-matched teams going at it,” Worthington said. “It was a hard-fought game. Leigh is a good team that is very organized.”

In the Dec. 17 win over Prospect, the Mustangs received goals from Stephanie Righetti (on an assist from Caitlynn Steinberg) and freshman Bianca Springer (assisted by Sammie Vega).

“I knew the girls would come out pumped,” said Pioneer’s Lauren West, on of the Mustangs’ team captains, of the win against Prospect. “We went out and played good soccer. We just went out and did what we had to do.”

The Mustangs’ record now stands at 5-2-1 overall and 1-0-1 in league play.

Wrestling notches first win of the season, 42-33, over San Jose High Academy
The Mustangs began their season with a 42-33 win over San Jose High Academy on Dec. 16. Pioneer picked up four wins on forfeits in the 112-pound, 119-pound, 130-pound and 140-pound categories.

The Mustangs also picked up a win from Tuan Nguyen, who pinned his opponent in 39 seconds in the 135-pound match-up. The Mustangs record now stands at 1-0.

Tough start, tough finish as Chargers drop 56-47 loss to San Lorenzo Valley

Charger forward David Farsai led Leland with 18 points

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

It was a rough night for the Leland boys’ basketball team, as the Chargers lost a 56-47 decision to San Lorenzo Valley on Dec. 15, sinking their record to 1-6.

For the Chargers, forward David Farsai led the team with 18 points, including four three-pointers.

“We didn’t come out with any energy,” said Farsai. “At some points we did, but we let the little things get to us and we let them get little shots, open shots, at the last second. We worked hard until the very last second, but we didn’t finish. We didn’t finish on defense and we didn’t finish on offense. Finish is the key word.”

Down by 10 at the half, the Chargers came out and made a run at the San Lorenzo Valley Cougars, opening the third quarter with an 8-2 scoring stretch to close the gap within four points at 36-32.

After a lay-up and three-pointer put the Cougars up by nine, the Chargers ended the third quarter by going on a 7-0 run, getting key free throws from Art King Jr. and Danny Hamouie as well as a three-pointer from Farsai, closing in on the Cougars’ lead at 41-38.

“We just came out focused,” said Hamouie of the third quarter. “We didn’t come out focused in the first quarter, when they really took it to us. We started to get back into it, but it was too little, too late I guess.”

The fourth quarter however, turned out to be a different story, as the Cougars opened the 12-minute period on a 9-2 run, hitting five of six free throws in the process, to go up 50-41.

Toward the end of the quarter, the Cougars put the finishing touches on their win, sinking two free throws and getting a three-pointer from Cougar forward Kevin Krueger, who finished with a game-high 23 points, before Leland’s Nav Deep Rai hit four consecutive free throws with 40.8 seconds left to set the final score at 56-47.

“We were right there. We just made some stupid mistakes, some key turnovers, that just lost us the game,” Hamouie said.

The game started out quickly in San Lorenzo’s favor, as the Cougars jumped out to a 22-12 first-quarter lead, including a 10-0 run to close out the period. San Lorenzo’s Krueger was a crucial factor in the run, hitting two three-pointers for six of his eight first-quarter points.

The Chargers found their deficit getting increasingly larger to start the second quarter, as the Cougars opened the quarter with a 7-0 run, stretching their lead to 29-12 before Leland went on a 9-2 run to close the gap. During the Charger scoring stretch, Farsai nailed two three-pointers, including one that brought the Chargers within 10 points at 31-21 with 1:57 left.

After a Krueger three-pointer with less than a minute left, the Chargers closed out the first half by hitting three of four free throws, two by Hamouie and one by King Jr., setting the halftime score at 34-24.

In the end, Charger players were left wondering how the game might have turned out if things went differently in the fourth quarter.

“They came out hot in the first quarter, with (Krueger) hitting those three-pointers,” said Charger guard Kyle Walker. “We had it in the fourth quarter but made too many turnovers and made too many stupid mistakes. We can’t win ballgames making those mistakes.”

Sports Briefs

Pioneer boys’ soccer seeks former players for Dec. 29 alumni game
The Pioneer boys’ soccer team is looking for former Pioneer soccer players to participate in its annual alumni game. The game will be held at Pioneer High on Dec. 29 at noon.

If you are interested in participating, please call Pioneer Head Coach Pedro Fuentez at simon_o_chale@yahoo.com.

Almaden Valley Girls Softball League registration for spring 2005
The Almaden Valley Girls Softball League will be holding registration for its spring 2005 season. Signups take place at Graystone Elementary school on Saturday, Jan. 10 from 9-2 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 14 from 6-9 p.m., and on Saturday, Jan. 17 from 9-2 p.m. New players must bring a copy of their birth certificate. 

The cost is $60 plus fundraising for the 6U and 8U divisions and $80 plus fundraising for the 10U, 12U and 14U divisions. Discounts for multiple children are available.

The Almaden Valley Girls Softball League (AVGSL) insures that the players are in a fun, positive environment while learning and expanding their softball skills. AVGSL promotes a sense of belonging for everyone. We emphasize teamwork and the sense of individual success that contribute to team sports.

For more information see our Web site at www.avgsl.org, or call the league hotline at (408) 808-1405.

10U, 12U and 14U Strikkers Fastpitch Club needs players
10U, 12U, & 14U Strikkers Fastpitch Club Travel team looking to pick up one or two players for next summer, please contact Ernie Garcia for more information at (408) 281-7855. www.strikkers.org.

18U Strikkers Softball tryouts at Oak Grove High Dec. 19 and Jan. 9
18U Strikkers will hold tryouts for the 2005 summer travel team at Oak Grove High School, 285 Blossom Hill Road, San Jose, CA 95123. Jan. 9, 2005: pitchers and catchers, 9 a.m. and position players at 10:30 a.m. (Oak Grove High School).

Please contact Frank King (408) 227-8191 or Richard Fangonilo (408) 274-9301.

All they want for Christmas

Leland girls’ soccer wishes for teamwork and another playoff run

By Justin Petersen
Staff Writer

At 2-1-3, the CCS defending co-champion Leland girls’ soccer team wished for restored camaraderie this Christmas. The package is there, according to Head Coach John Vasquez. Next he must decide how to open it.

“We are ahead of where we were at this juncture last season,” assured Vasquez, whose 2003-2004 Chargers relied on a cool demeanor in picking apart competitors throughout the league pool and CCS playoffs.

“But we’re younger this season,” he continued. “A big key for us will be getting the girls to be as one.”

After sharing a Blossom Valley Athletic League, Mount Hamilton Division title with Pioneer High School last season, Leland stole the show in opening playoff rounds. Winning by a combined score of 2-0, opponents were stifled by Charger composure. In the championship, Leland eked out one goal versus Live Oak High School and dug in their heels while the Acorns mounted a counterattack. However, Charger grit proved insurmountable. The game ended a 1-1 tie, securing the school’s first-ever CCS championship trophy for girls’ soccer.

The victory set the stage for this season—and expectations. Yet, Vasquez, for one, feels that team chemistry is the only trait separating this season from last.

“We play an attack, counterattack sort of strategy,” he said. “We didn’t blow anybody out last season. We relied on good defense, working together.”

In building championship rapport, Vasquez has turned to dinner and a microphone. The Chargers meet regularly for pre-game meals. Affable Coach Vasquez has also planned a night of karaoke and a scavenger hunt.

“Just get the girls together to feel comfortable and to trust one another,” said Vasquez. “That goes a long way.”
“It’s no failure if we don’t win CCS again,” he continued. “In the same regard, we have 14 returning players and our speed this season is much better than last year.”

One game over .500, skeptics are convinced Leland fell from last year’s fairy tale and will struggle to compete in league, let alone playoffs. Vasquez offered one fact in response: “People forget it took a while to get hold of the system last year. We were losing early in the season. I think we started 2-6-2. But we feel much better now. The girls are playing within the system. They understand it a lot better.”

Last week, the Chargers faced Prospect and Santa Teresa High Schools on the road.

Versus Prospect Wednesday, Leland cruised to a 2-1 victory. Senior captains Alexandra Sturgeon and Valerie Huffman led the way scoring a goal apiece, with junior Evelyn Powery assisting twice.

“I Felt good about the victory overall,” said Vasquez. “We’re not finishing on a lot of our chances. We missed a couple of one v one, player versus goalie opportunities.”

On Friday, the girls battled to a 2-2 tie with the Saints—a 2003-2004 CCS semifinalists team. The game pit two MHAL contenders in a league showdown with nothing decided this night.

Junior captain Stephanie Cato scored the first goal on an assist from Huffman while senior forward Kelly Carter scored late, freshman Claire Thompson assisting.

“Any victory’s a good victory,” commented Vasquez. “We went out and knocked the ball around pretty well. However, we didn’t mark up tight enough.”

Despite giving up two goals at Santa Teresa, freshman goal keeper Tiffany McCurdy continued to impress Vasquez.

“She’s fearless,” he said. “She’s learning and getting better every game, understanding the positioning, where you need to be. A couple of balls came off her hands, but you live and learn. She’ll remember how this feels, that she doesn’t like this feeling and the next time she’ll know.”

The Chargers’ next test comes Thursday at 3 p.m. on Leland premises. The girls face perhaps their toughest challenge lacing up versus alumni including several members of last year’s championship team. Look for Anne Guina and Megan Finney, both De Anza Junior College athletes, Stephanie VanDyke and Andrea Jones—of West Valley—and Jen Domenici, who red-shirted this season at San Jose State University to stretch the limits of high school defenders.

Following the inaugural Leland High Alumni Game, the Chargers rest for the holiday before heading to Danville Dec. 30, where they will participate in the Las Lomas Tournament.

“They’re playing hard,” concluded Vasquez. “We’re finishing some, but not a lot and that’s something we need to work on. We can’t give up the big mistakes. I tell players, ‘it’s a game of mistakes. Whoever makes less wins.’ As long as we keep developing, come together by the end of the season, and are going strong by CCS everything is going to be just fine.”

New coach brings vastly different attitude to the game of soccer

Pioneer boys’ soccer coach Pedro Fuentez stresses good grades and respect

By Carl Ponzio
Times Intern

The boys’ soccer team at Pioneer has had to endure a couple of big changes this season; nevertheless they are determined to show the rest of the league that the Mustangs haven’t lost a step.

Contrary to seasons past, the Mustangs did not go galloping into this year. Instead they were caught taking steps. However, those steps have given this team the confidence they need to overcome the changes that they had to face when stepping back onto the grass this season.

Stepping onto the field this season as Pioneer’s new head coach is Pedro Fuentez. Coaching four years prior to his start at Pioneer, Coach Fuentez knows that with the Pioneer name comes a certain responsibility to perform.

“Pioneer is supposed to be good,” said Fuentez. “And sometimes there is pressure.”

Regardless of the pressure that coaching the Pioneer Mustangs can occasionally bring, Fuentez is determined to start the season off on the right foot. He didn’t want to lose any of his players due to grades, and with the help of Big Brothers and a set number of study hours, not one player was dropped from the team because of their GPA.

While grades are important to Fuentez, there is something that he may emphasize even more than homework—respect.

Fuentez doesn’t settle for anything but above average when it comes to his team giving respect to their peers and their parents. He reflects his respect for his players and Pioneer by having his players dress appropriately on game days. He knows that it is easy for a group of young men to share some foul language, but stresses to his players that cursing isn’t needed on the field or in the halls.

Fuentez is also stressing to his players that every parent “needs to be respected for coming out.”

Fuentez’s style can be seen on the field as well.

“He [Fuentez] plays a different style,” said defensive captain Josh Lichtenstein. “But it seems to be working well.”

Fuentez is stressing defense this year. He feels that he is coaching the best defense in the league and is doing all he can to bring out his players. He is making his crew go through drills that has other teams caught offside more than any other squad in their division.

And while Pioneer is catching everyone else with their hand in the cookie jar, they haven’t been caught offside since their first game of the season. No matter how this team is being perceived, they are viewed as a team, which is exactly the way they want it.

“It is time for the whole team to break out,” said Fuentez. “I can see it in their eyes, they want it.”

As an example to the concept of a team-first attitude, Fuentez has a tough time talking about just one of the players on his team. It is because he feels so strongly about all the boys on his team. With the spirited atmosphere at practice, it is no wonder there is little room to talk about just one player.

His drills consist of players strapped to each other with bicycle inner tubes and mini-games that improve the skills of the team as a whole unit. The team is more of a family than a group of individuals. With that said, however, there are a couple of players that can’t go without being noticed.

Freshman Marcus Gomez is excited to be on varsity this year. He feels that being around the older players is improving his game. While Gomez has been playing soccer almost his whole life, there is another new face to the team that may not have the experience of the other boys, but has his heart in the right place.

Sixteen-year-old Serafin Arreguin almost didn’t make varsity, but showed the effort to do what it takes to be a Mustang. His will has become the inspiration for the entire team.

“Pioneer is here,” explained Assistant Coach Michael Cunningham. “We believe in the concept of a team.”

Pioneer has started to work out the kinks of having a new coach and altered approach to their play. The team is now coming together as a unit and is looking more promising as the season continues.

The Mustangs are currently 3-4-1 with a 2-1 league record. They are now looking toward their annual alumni game, set for noon on Dec. 29 at Pioneer.

Mustangs drop 58-53 loss in overtime to Evergreen

Evergreen three-pointer with 34 seconds to go sends game into extra period

By Diego Abeloos
Sports Writer

Despite coming back from an early 10-point deficit, the Pioneer Mustangs dropped a 58-53 overtime loss to the Evergreen Cougars on Dec. 14 in a non-league match-up.

Tied at 48 after four quarters, the Mustangs were outscored 10-5 in the four-minute overtime period, as Cougar forward Jeff Brass scored six of his game-total 10 points during that span.

“We just couldn’t get it done,” said Pioneer Head Coach Joe Berticevich. “We didn’t do the little things to get a (win), there’s no doubt about it.”

The Cougars came out aggressive in the overtime period, quickly scoring four points on a lay-up and two free throws from Brass in the first minute and 20 seconds. Later in the overtime session, the Mustangs drew within three points at 56-53, with Joe Montelongo hitting one of two free throws and forward Mike Kaufmann (16 points overall) dropping in a lay-up with 20 seconds left.

But the Cougars kept going to the free throw line and hitting their shots, sealing the game on free throws during the closing seconds of the game from Gurchet Sanghera and Morgan Blakely. Sanghera finished the night with 14 points, including nine points in the first quarter. Blakely finished with 10 points on the night.

“They came down a little bit more focused than they have in previous games,” Evergreen head coach Dennis Fernandez said of his squad. “I thought they set up better and played off each other better … tonight they set up and got some good shots off.”

Things started out rough for the Mustangs, getting outscored by the Cougars 21-11 in the first quarter. The game started to change for Pioneer in the second quarter however, as the Mustangs went on a 10-4 run, getting five points during that span from point guard Mark Bundlie (16 points for the game), to draw within four at 25-21 with 2:32 left. The second quarter finished with a 28-23 Evergreen advantage, as the Mustangs cut the Cougars’ first-quarter score in half.

The third quarter saw the Mustangs take their first lead of the night, as Pioneer went on a 10-2 run to go up 36-34 with 3:52 left. During the run, the Mustangs got some much-needed offense from Kaufmann, who scored five points, including a three-pointer.

After a tip-in from Brass tied the score at 36 with 2:22 left, Bundlie put his Mustangs up once more at 38-36, nailing a lay-up with five seconds left to end the third quarter.

“We just realized we’re not good enough to come out and walk through the motions,” Bundlie said of his team’s offensive surge in the third quarter. “We have to play each play like we know how to play.”

The fourth quarter proved to be the Mustangs’ Achilles heel, however, as Pioneer lost its lead, regained it, only to end regulation with a tie.

With the Mustangs up 44-41 during the fourth quarter, the Cougars made a modest run at Pioneer, getting a Cody Coppernoll lay-up and a Roman Nahal jumper with 2:20 to go to take the lead at 45-44.

The Mustangs answered back with four points from Bundlie on a lay-up with 1:21 to go and two successful free throws with 55.7 seconds to go, giving Pioneer a 48-45 lead. But with 34 seconds to go, Coppernoll drilled a three-pointer from the left side, setting the score at 48-48 and forcing the Mustangs into a timeout.

“In these close games, you have to play a little (defense),” said Berticevich. “… But the effort was there in the second half.”

In the closing moments of the fourth quarter, Pioneer’s Kaufmann attempted a turn-around jumper but missed, with Montelongo getting the rebound. Montelongo proceeded to put up a shot that nearly rattled through the rim before spilling out at the buzzer.

“We came out flat and we lacked mental toughness,” Bundlie said of the loss. “We came back strong but we didn’t take care of it down the stretch.”

After the loss, the Mustangs boarded a plane in the early morning hours of Dec. 16 and headed to Maui to take part in the Maui Classic, a tournament featuring high school teams from all corners of the country.

During the first two days of the tournament, the Mustangs were still searching for a win, losing a 69-36 decision to Cleveland High on Dec. 17 and dropping a close 67-61 loss to South Carolina’s Wilson High School the following day.

Bundlie led the Mustangs with eight points in the loss to Cleveland and scored 14 more points against Wilson, tying Kaufmann for the team-high in points during the Dec. 18 loss. Following the losses, the Mustangs’ record was set at 4-5 overall.

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