sj issue 62, march 7, 2013

48
MARCH 7, 2013 VOL. 4. ISSUE 62 FREE SAC-JOAQUIN ENHANCE MY SSM EXPERIENCE! Get Digital. Get Connected. Get Started On Page 6 LEVEL UP IMPULSE CAMPS + CLINICS AND MORE!

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Sac-Joaquin Issue 62, March 7, 2013

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

March 7 2013vol 4 issue 62

Freesac-joaquin

enhance my ssm experienceGet Digital Get Connected Get Started On Page 6

LeveL Up impULse camps + cLinics and more

4 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

focusedpg26

franklin baseball

you

sportslikeWe

sportslike

us onfacebook

like

rsaquorsaquorsaquo

IMPULSE As yoursquove probably figured out we like shiny things Those are right here

33

fIrSt PItch Itrsquos state basketball time Whoo What could possibly go wrong I mean unless they bungle the new Open Division everything will be fine Wait What They did Really Crsquomon guys

6Youth sports are great But sometimes they can do better

Concussion prevention Get on it

34

35

warrIor Dylan Walsh of Las Lomas left showed he belonged at state

14

LockEr rooM As yoursquove proba-bly figured out Wersquore pretty smart Next we fix the NFL Combine

8

SPortStarS of thE wEEk Jeramy Sweany Vacaville wrestling

10

thE fEncE Tryouts sign-ups fundraisers and more

41advErtISErS IndEx44

cLIPboard Sports teaches life lessons like you canrsquot please all the people all the time

12

on thE covEr (L TO R) Franklin-Elk Grove baseball seniors Taylor Waters

Tyler Blake and Ryan Sarginson Photo by James K Leash

Get digital with layar scan

pages 1 6 9 29 30 33 41 42PowEr tIMES two Johanna

Grauer and RaeAnn Garza own the circle

30

Ryan Sarginson fires to first

6 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

The phrase ldquocompetitive equityrdquo gets bandied about a lot by the Califor-nia Interscholastic Federation and its 10 governing sections

It seems to be THE most important piece of criteria each time a sec-tion re-aligns its leagues

And yet it doesnrsquot appear it commanded the same importance on March 3 mdash when the 10 section commissioners gathered to draw up the state championship basketball tournament

Why involve competitive equity in THATThis is the first year of the CIFrsquos new Open Division of the state basketball

tournament The theory behind its creation was to pull out the eight best Nor-Cal teams and eight best SoCal teams regardless of division and place them in an elite tournament while the other five divisions played out as normal All eight spots in the bracket did not have to be filled in the invitation-only field Byes could be awarded to the top two seeds

The plan was muddled with confusing criteria to determine Open Division eligi-bility mdash so much so that some programs werenrsquot entirely sure if they would be con-sidered for the elite field or not mdash and the execution of it seemed worse

Just ask the Brookside Christian-Stock-ton girls

The defending Division V state cham-pions are a very respectable 27-4 and won their Sac-Joaquin Section final with extreme ease on March 1 However they are not ranked among the Top 20 girls teams in the state by CalHiSportscom But on March 8 the Knights will play their first state tournament game against Bishop OrsquoDowd-Oakland the No 12 team in the nation according to MaxPrepscom

This is the same Bishop OrsquoDowd team which defeated Brookside Christian by 31 points (70-39) at a showcase event on Jan 19 And it couldrsquove been worse had the Dragons not sat their stars late in the game

Brookside Christian played two other teams which made the Open Division draw St Maryrsquos-Berkeley which beat the Knights by 19 (71-52) on Jan 26 and Sacramento which topped them by 16 (58-42) in early December Itrsquos hard for us to look at those scores mdash along with Brooksidersquos fourth loss of the season a 66-38 defeat to a St Ignatius-San Francisco team which is a top seed in Div II mdash and say the Knights belong in this field They do not

And maybe they donrsquot belong in Div V either as several eyesore-like blow-outs during the regular season suggest But we still wouldrsquove liked to hear the rationale for their inclusion in the Open Division

There was plenty more outcry about how the Open Division altered the state tournament as a whole It wasnrsquot just in Northern California There were boys and girls programs in the bottom half of the state left confused and frustrated as well

ldquoIt is a jokerdquo St John Bosco-Bellflower boys coach Derrick Taylor told Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times after his team was selected for the Open Division ldquoCriteria means nothing They originally said we didnrsquot meet the cri-teria to be in the Open Division They had no idea how to do this They should have scrapped the whole thingrdquo

The CIF didnrsquot necessarily help itself by choosing not to have a post-selection press conference something itrsquos done in the past after choosing state champi-onship bowl game participants in football

Herersquos what I find funny Wersquove been headed in this direction with the state basketball tournament since 2004 That was the first year the CIF stopped al-lowing teams to petition-up in divisions for state championship sports

Why not rescind that rule Let Brookside Christian play up to Division IV or III where they would be challenged but not over-matched Let the Bishop OrsquoDowd girls mdash who won their Div III state championship last year 62-24 mdash to petition up to Division I

Put a rule in place that necessitates a one-year one-division bump for any school winning back-to-back regional titles

This doesnrsquot seem hard

March 7 2013

join our teamPHone 9255668500 FaX 9255668507editorial EditorSportStarsOnlinecomeditor Chace Bryson bull ChaceSportStarsOnlinecomStaff Writers Erik Stordahl Jim McCue Contributors Bill Kolb Mitch Stephens Matt Smith Clay Kallam Bryant West Dave Kiefer Liz Elliott Tim Rudd Jonathan Okanes Hunter Hewitt Joe StiglichPhotography Butch Noble Bob Larson Jonathan Hawthorne James K Leash Norbert von der Groeben Phillip Walton Doug Gulerintern Ryan Arter

Creative dePartment ArtSportStarsOnlinecomProduction manager Mike DeCicco bull MikeDSportStarsOnlinecom

PubliSHerPreSidentMike Calamusa bull MikeSportStarsOnlinecom

advertiSing amp Calendar ClaSSiFied SaleSSalesSportStarsOnlinecom 9255668500account executives Erik Stordahl bull ErikSportStarsOnlinecom Phillip Walton bull PWaltonSportStarsOnlinecom Sac joaqin edition Dave Rosales bull DaveRosales64gmailcom

reader reSourCeSadminiStrationAd Traffic Subscription Calendar amp Classified Listings infoSportStarsOnlinecom

diStributiondelivery MagsSportStarsOnlinecom

inFormation teCHnology John Bonilla

CFo Sharon Calamusa bull SharonSportStarsOnlinecom

Community SPortStarStrade magazineA division of Caliente Communications LLC5356 Clayton Rd Ste 222 bull Concord CA 94521 bullinfoSportStarsOnlinecomwwwSportStarsOnlinecom

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER IN USA

your ticket to california sportsadmit one rain or shine

Read Me Recycle Me

This Vol 4 March 2013 Whole No 62 is published by Caliente Communications LLC 5356 Clayton Rd Ste 222 Concord CA 94521 SportStarstradecopy 2010 by Caliente Communications LLC All rights reserved Subscription rates 24 issues US 3rd class $42 (allow 3 weeks for delivery) 1st class $55 To receive sample issues please send $3 to cover postage Back issues are $4 each Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Publisher is strictly prohibited The staff and management including Board of Directors of SportStarstradecopy does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes Editorial contributions photos and letters to the editor are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor All material should be typed double-spaced on disk or email and will be handled with reasonable care For materials return please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope SportStarstradecopy and STARStradecopy Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente Communications LLC

CalienteLLC

CIFrsquos new state hoops tourney has Open wounds

8 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

WhAtsay

March 7 2013

rapidFIREPretty Little Liars

Your clumsiest injury

Sport you wish you could play better

Imagine Dragons New Girl

Favorite weekend activity

Favorite sports movie

Who tops your concert bucket list

What TV show would you want to guest on

Johanna Grauer Amador Valley-Pleasanton softball

Nikki Bridges California-San Ramon softball

Relax watch movies E40

Sleeping

Dislocated shoulder falling off a ski lift

Sprained ankle while skipping

ldquoWe just lost the section final by 29 points If wersquore going in the Open Division

we are going to have to get a lot better in 72 hoursrdquo

Miramonte girls basketball coach Kelly Sopak as quoted in the Bay Area News Group story following the NCS Div III girls basketball championship won by Bishop

OrsquoDowd Both teams were indeed placed in the CIF Northern Regional Open Division OrsquoDowd is the No 1 seed and Miramonte is the No 7

SoFtball victory PreSeason Tournament March 7-9 various sites mdash 42 teams spread out in three round-robin fields including regional power Woodcreek BASEBALL De La Salle at Campolindo March 9 3 pm mdash Matchup of defending NCS Div I and II champions Nuff said

girlS HooPS CiF open division State final March 23 Sleep Train Arena 6 pm mdash Itrsquos likely an SJS team wonrsquot be involved but the Bishop OrsquoDowd team expected to represent NorCal is a once-in-a-generation team for this region Whichever power emerges from the South should provide a matchup for the ages Any hoops fan should be there

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 9SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

layarEXtRA

countlsquoEM

THE PRESSURE COOKERDr Doug Gardner a friend and contributor to SportStarsrsquo

health and mental training coverage over the past three years spent a week at the NFL Combine and shared his thoughts Herersquos a few tidbits For the whole article go to SportStarsOn-linecom or scan this page with your Layar App

ldquoIf you think school is difficult the SAT is tough and the recruiting process daunting imagine having your future employment potential dissected under a microscope both physically and mentally over a four day period of time After spending a week at the NFL Combine I came away with a greater appreciation for athletic per-formance under the most stressful of situations From a mental standpoint I have not witnessed a more pressurized environment for athletesrdquo

Sure the vertical leap broad jump and 40-yard dash are helpful evalu-ation tools We guess But here are five other things wersquod add to the NFL Scouting Combine if we really wanted to test a playerrsquos NFL-readiness1 media StiFF arm mdash Therersquos nothing trickier than holding a slaver-

ing pack of reporters at bay after a rough game without inadvertently throw-

ing a teammate or coach under the bus or dropping an accidental homophobic slur

(wersquore looking at you Chris Culliver) Wanna impress us Show us how quick you are with a quip with fourteen handheld recorders in your face Simply saying ldquoNo Commentrdquo will result in an im-mediate disqualification ldquoGobble gobble turkeyrdquo is also frowned upon2 ChECkBook BALAnCing ACT mdash Something like 70-percent of former NFL athletes end up blow-ing through their bazillion-dollar bonuses and con-tracts long before theyrsquore able to tap into the Social Security network Show us a little financial acumen gentlemen Thatrsquos right Now carry the onehellip3 BRAin gAME mdash Forget the Wonderlic (and yeah wersquore pretty sure some of you already have) Wersquod like to see if you actually know anything about well ANYTHING Herersquos last Sundayrsquos New York Times crossword puzzle See you next week Oh No 27 down You got that wrong4 SeParation drill mdash No no Not how well you can separate from a defensive back How well you can separate yourself from your former posse And that bottle of Cristal And that gaggle of lovely ladies over there And focus on your job5 Caber toSS mdash Oh come on You knew that was coming

mdash Bill ldquoI want winnersrdquo Kolb

TOP 5 NFL COmbINE SUGGESTIONS

6March 7 2013

Number of victories by pin for Clovis High state champion wrestler Nick Nevills Hersquos not a NorCal athlete but he still gets a major tip of the cap from SportStars after his dominant run through the heavyweight bracket in Bakersfield March 22-23 Nevills won each of his matches by pin with none go-ing longer than 342 It was the second state title for the junior who will have a chance in 2014 to become just the 18th wrestler ever to win three

boyS HooPS CiF open Division norCal final March 16 Sleep Train Arena Sacramento 8 pm Can Salesian Bish-op OrsquoDowd or Archbishop Mitty run the table for a shot at the state title Itrsquoll be worth going to find out

BoYS LACRoSSE Marin Catholic at De La Salle March 19 7 pm mdash These programs have four NCS titles between them since 2009TRACk AnD FiELD Stanford invitational March 29-30 Stanford University Stanford mdash The first of the statersquos BIG track and field events of the spring

BoYS goLF De La Salle golf invi-tational March 11 Diablo Country Club 10 am shotgun The most loaded of any NorCal tourney 23 of the statersquos top programs attendSoFtball Queen of the mountain Tournament March 14-16 Willow Pass Park Concord Field will feature national No 1 Amador Valley

BoYS VoLLEYBALL Deer Valley Tournament March 16 Deer Valley hS all day First chance to gauge the top NCS contenders for 2013BASEBALL St ignatius-SF at St Francis-Mountain View March 19 various sites A key early-season WCAL matchup for two highly-ranked programs

Terrelle Pryor works out prior to the draft in 2011 Scott TernaCal Sport Media

ZUMAPRESScom

10 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

honorablemention

keith heyer

Del Ororsquos senior right-hander pitched a no-hitter in his first

start of the season a 2-0 win over Colfax on Feb 28 Heyer struck out nine and walked two

dalayna tyler-scott

The Kennedy-Sacramento senior played big in a pair of play-

off wins In a victory over Burbank she scored 11 points and hauled in 9 rebounds before posting 16 points 5 rebounds in a semifinal win over Oak Ridge

Jeramy Sweany

vacaville wrestling junior

Sweany captured the CIF State Championship at 195 pounds with a pin of Elk Groversquos Scott Votino under the spotlight at Rabobank Arena in Bakers-field on March 3 Sweanyrsquos state title was an impressive follow-up to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters championship he won the previous week at Stockton Arena Over the grueling two-day schedule at the state tournament Sweany recorded two decisions and three pins including the title-winning pin at the 400 mark in the final The win not only gave the storied Vacaville program its 11th state champion (and second in as many years) but also lifted the Bulldogs to a third-place team finish in California

SportStars What was the at-mosphere like at state especially under the spotlight for the final match

Jeramy Sweany I was just re-ally excited I felt that I had trained hard to get there and itrsquos every wrestlerrsquos dream to win a state championship

SSM What was going through your mind during the champion-ship match

JS The match was real excit-ing to me because we would have dropped to fourth place in the team standings if I did not get the points for first place I wanted to win the title to help the team ldquoplaquerdquo at state

SSM Did you have a large contingent down in Bakersfield

Powered by

Like us onFacebook

chaya durr

The Sacramento junior guard scored a game-high 27 points

for the Dragons in their 48-37 win over Florin in the SJS Div II final on March 2 She also scored 16 in the semifinal

especially for the final matchJS It was huge to have my whole family there to support me but

I also had all of my teammates there It was a great feeling to win in front of so many people that have helped me get to where I am now

James K Leash

12 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

My coach doesnrsquot like me and itrsquos just not fair I work hard and do what Irsquom supposed to do but the coach isnrsquot fair What can I do

GE Livermore

Irsquove answered this before but it comes up all the time so Irsquoll address it again

First coaches are human beings hard as that may seem to imagine That means they have likes and dislikes just like any other hu-man being and itrsquos certainly possible that the coach doesnrsquot like you in particular for whatever reason

But good coaches rise above their likes and dislikes and do whatrsquos best for the team because thatrsquos what theyrsquore hired to do mdash and thatrsquos what they want to do Whatrsquos best for the team usually is measured in wins and losses but thatrsquos not always the case Sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to teach talented players that their individual skills arenrsquot as important as they think sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to devise a system that allows that talent to shine even at the expense of the some other players

Of course not all coaches are good coaches Some coaches do give in to their biases and play players they like instead of players who give the team a better chance to win Those coaches donrsquot last long naturally or they soon learn that they must put aside their feelings if they want to be successful

Herersquos whatrsquos really important though Your coach is your coach and therersquos nothing you can do to change that If you want to play you have to do a couple things

rsaquorsaquo Do what the coach asks you to do and do it with a positive attitude mdash and donrsquot do it because you expect to be

rewarded Do it because yoursquore part of a team and success-ful teams do what their coaches tell them to do even if they disagree

rsaquorsaquo Get better Listen to what the coach says to you and to what he says to other players Try to improve every day try to be a little bit better after every practice than you were when you started You may think no one will notice but the coaches will

It may make a difference it may not And you know you might not be quite as good as you think It may be that the coach doesnrsquot play you because another player gives the team a better chance to win not because he doesnrsquot like your haircut

And finally itrsquos important to remember that your coach is just the first of many bosses yoursquoll

have in your life and some of those bosses are going to be very hard to work for They will treat you unfairly they will make your life miserable but in the end you have to figure out how to deal with them

So do the best you can to learn from this situation and to understand that even though life isnrsquot always fair you still have to live it Maybe itrsquos true that the coach doesnrsquot like you and therersquos not much you can do about that mdash but one thing you canrsquot do is quit trying In the long run if you learn that lesson itrsquos more important than wins or losses or worrying about whether someone likes you or not

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard email Coach Kallam at claykfullcourtcom

NOt sure yOur COaCh lIkes yOuchange

mindthEIR

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

18 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

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When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

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senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 2: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

4 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

focusedpg26

franklin baseball

you

sportslikeWe

sportslike

us onfacebook

like

rsaquorsaquorsaquo

IMPULSE As yoursquove probably figured out we like shiny things Those are right here

33

fIrSt PItch Itrsquos state basketball time Whoo What could possibly go wrong I mean unless they bungle the new Open Division everything will be fine Wait What They did Really Crsquomon guys

6Youth sports are great But sometimes they can do better

Concussion prevention Get on it

34

35

warrIor Dylan Walsh of Las Lomas left showed he belonged at state

14

LockEr rooM As yoursquove proba-bly figured out Wersquore pretty smart Next we fix the NFL Combine

8

SPortStarS of thE wEEk Jeramy Sweany Vacaville wrestling

10

thE fEncE Tryouts sign-ups fundraisers and more

41advErtISErS IndEx44

cLIPboard Sports teaches life lessons like you canrsquot please all the people all the time

12

on thE covEr (L TO R) Franklin-Elk Grove baseball seniors Taylor Waters

Tyler Blake and Ryan Sarginson Photo by James K Leash

Get digital with layar scan

pages 1 6 9 29 30 33 41 42PowEr tIMES two Johanna

Grauer and RaeAnn Garza own the circle

30

Ryan Sarginson fires to first

6 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

The phrase ldquocompetitive equityrdquo gets bandied about a lot by the Califor-nia Interscholastic Federation and its 10 governing sections

It seems to be THE most important piece of criteria each time a sec-tion re-aligns its leagues

And yet it doesnrsquot appear it commanded the same importance on March 3 mdash when the 10 section commissioners gathered to draw up the state championship basketball tournament

Why involve competitive equity in THATThis is the first year of the CIFrsquos new Open Division of the state basketball

tournament The theory behind its creation was to pull out the eight best Nor-Cal teams and eight best SoCal teams regardless of division and place them in an elite tournament while the other five divisions played out as normal All eight spots in the bracket did not have to be filled in the invitation-only field Byes could be awarded to the top two seeds

The plan was muddled with confusing criteria to determine Open Division eligi-bility mdash so much so that some programs werenrsquot entirely sure if they would be con-sidered for the elite field or not mdash and the execution of it seemed worse

Just ask the Brookside Christian-Stock-ton girls

The defending Division V state cham-pions are a very respectable 27-4 and won their Sac-Joaquin Section final with extreme ease on March 1 However they are not ranked among the Top 20 girls teams in the state by CalHiSportscom But on March 8 the Knights will play their first state tournament game against Bishop OrsquoDowd-Oakland the No 12 team in the nation according to MaxPrepscom

This is the same Bishop OrsquoDowd team which defeated Brookside Christian by 31 points (70-39) at a showcase event on Jan 19 And it couldrsquove been worse had the Dragons not sat their stars late in the game

Brookside Christian played two other teams which made the Open Division draw St Maryrsquos-Berkeley which beat the Knights by 19 (71-52) on Jan 26 and Sacramento which topped them by 16 (58-42) in early December Itrsquos hard for us to look at those scores mdash along with Brooksidersquos fourth loss of the season a 66-38 defeat to a St Ignatius-San Francisco team which is a top seed in Div II mdash and say the Knights belong in this field They do not

And maybe they donrsquot belong in Div V either as several eyesore-like blow-outs during the regular season suggest But we still wouldrsquove liked to hear the rationale for their inclusion in the Open Division

There was plenty more outcry about how the Open Division altered the state tournament as a whole It wasnrsquot just in Northern California There were boys and girls programs in the bottom half of the state left confused and frustrated as well

ldquoIt is a jokerdquo St John Bosco-Bellflower boys coach Derrick Taylor told Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times after his team was selected for the Open Division ldquoCriteria means nothing They originally said we didnrsquot meet the cri-teria to be in the Open Division They had no idea how to do this They should have scrapped the whole thingrdquo

The CIF didnrsquot necessarily help itself by choosing not to have a post-selection press conference something itrsquos done in the past after choosing state champi-onship bowl game participants in football

Herersquos what I find funny Wersquove been headed in this direction with the state basketball tournament since 2004 That was the first year the CIF stopped al-lowing teams to petition-up in divisions for state championship sports

Why not rescind that rule Let Brookside Christian play up to Division IV or III where they would be challenged but not over-matched Let the Bishop OrsquoDowd girls mdash who won their Div III state championship last year 62-24 mdash to petition up to Division I

Put a rule in place that necessitates a one-year one-division bump for any school winning back-to-back regional titles

This doesnrsquot seem hard

March 7 2013

join our teamPHone 9255668500 FaX 9255668507editorial EditorSportStarsOnlinecomeditor Chace Bryson bull ChaceSportStarsOnlinecomStaff Writers Erik Stordahl Jim McCue Contributors Bill Kolb Mitch Stephens Matt Smith Clay Kallam Bryant West Dave Kiefer Liz Elliott Tim Rudd Jonathan Okanes Hunter Hewitt Joe StiglichPhotography Butch Noble Bob Larson Jonathan Hawthorne James K Leash Norbert von der Groeben Phillip Walton Doug Gulerintern Ryan Arter

Creative dePartment ArtSportStarsOnlinecomProduction manager Mike DeCicco bull MikeDSportStarsOnlinecom

PubliSHerPreSidentMike Calamusa bull MikeSportStarsOnlinecom

advertiSing amp Calendar ClaSSiFied SaleSSalesSportStarsOnlinecom 9255668500account executives Erik Stordahl bull ErikSportStarsOnlinecom Phillip Walton bull PWaltonSportStarsOnlinecom Sac joaqin edition Dave Rosales bull DaveRosales64gmailcom

reader reSourCeSadminiStrationAd Traffic Subscription Calendar amp Classified Listings infoSportStarsOnlinecom

diStributiondelivery MagsSportStarsOnlinecom

inFormation teCHnology John Bonilla

CFo Sharon Calamusa bull SharonSportStarsOnlinecom

Community SPortStarStrade magazineA division of Caliente Communications LLC5356 Clayton Rd Ste 222 bull Concord CA 94521 bullinfoSportStarsOnlinecomwwwSportStarsOnlinecom

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER IN USA

your ticket to california sportsadmit one rain or shine

Read Me Recycle Me

This Vol 4 March 2013 Whole No 62 is published by Caliente Communications LLC 5356 Clayton Rd Ste 222 Concord CA 94521 SportStarstradecopy 2010 by Caliente Communications LLC All rights reserved Subscription rates 24 issues US 3rd class $42 (allow 3 weeks for delivery) 1st class $55 To receive sample issues please send $3 to cover postage Back issues are $4 each Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Publisher is strictly prohibited The staff and management including Board of Directors of SportStarstradecopy does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes Editorial contributions photos and letters to the editor are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor All material should be typed double-spaced on disk or email and will be handled with reasonable care For materials return please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope SportStarstradecopy and STARStradecopy Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente Communications LLC

CalienteLLC

CIFrsquos new state hoops tourney has Open wounds

8 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

WhAtsay

March 7 2013

rapidFIREPretty Little Liars

Your clumsiest injury

Sport you wish you could play better

Imagine Dragons New Girl

Favorite weekend activity

Favorite sports movie

Who tops your concert bucket list

What TV show would you want to guest on

Johanna Grauer Amador Valley-Pleasanton softball

Nikki Bridges California-San Ramon softball

Relax watch movies E40

Sleeping

Dislocated shoulder falling off a ski lift

Sprained ankle while skipping

ldquoWe just lost the section final by 29 points If wersquore going in the Open Division

we are going to have to get a lot better in 72 hoursrdquo

Miramonte girls basketball coach Kelly Sopak as quoted in the Bay Area News Group story following the NCS Div III girls basketball championship won by Bishop

OrsquoDowd Both teams were indeed placed in the CIF Northern Regional Open Division OrsquoDowd is the No 1 seed and Miramonte is the No 7

SoFtball victory PreSeason Tournament March 7-9 various sites mdash 42 teams spread out in three round-robin fields including regional power Woodcreek BASEBALL De La Salle at Campolindo March 9 3 pm mdash Matchup of defending NCS Div I and II champions Nuff said

girlS HooPS CiF open division State final March 23 Sleep Train Arena 6 pm mdash Itrsquos likely an SJS team wonrsquot be involved but the Bishop OrsquoDowd team expected to represent NorCal is a once-in-a-generation team for this region Whichever power emerges from the South should provide a matchup for the ages Any hoops fan should be there

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 9SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

layarEXtRA

countlsquoEM

THE PRESSURE COOKERDr Doug Gardner a friend and contributor to SportStarsrsquo

health and mental training coverage over the past three years spent a week at the NFL Combine and shared his thoughts Herersquos a few tidbits For the whole article go to SportStarsOn-linecom or scan this page with your Layar App

ldquoIf you think school is difficult the SAT is tough and the recruiting process daunting imagine having your future employment potential dissected under a microscope both physically and mentally over a four day period of time After spending a week at the NFL Combine I came away with a greater appreciation for athletic per-formance under the most stressful of situations From a mental standpoint I have not witnessed a more pressurized environment for athletesrdquo

Sure the vertical leap broad jump and 40-yard dash are helpful evalu-ation tools We guess But here are five other things wersquod add to the NFL Scouting Combine if we really wanted to test a playerrsquos NFL-readiness1 media StiFF arm mdash Therersquos nothing trickier than holding a slaver-

ing pack of reporters at bay after a rough game without inadvertently throw-

ing a teammate or coach under the bus or dropping an accidental homophobic slur

(wersquore looking at you Chris Culliver) Wanna impress us Show us how quick you are with a quip with fourteen handheld recorders in your face Simply saying ldquoNo Commentrdquo will result in an im-mediate disqualification ldquoGobble gobble turkeyrdquo is also frowned upon2 ChECkBook BALAnCing ACT mdash Something like 70-percent of former NFL athletes end up blow-ing through their bazillion-dollar bonuses and con-tracts long before theyrsquore able to tap into the Social Security network Show us a little financial acumen gentlemen Thatrsquos right Now carry the onehellip3 BRAin gAME mdash Forget the Wonderlic (and yeah wersquore pretty sure some of you already have) Wersquod like to see if you actually know anything about well ANYTHING Herersquos last Sundayrsquos New York Times crossword puzzle See you next week Oh No 27 down You got that wrong4 SeParation drill mdash No no Not how well you can separate from a defensive back How well you can separate yourself from your former posse And that bottle of Cristal And that gaggle of lovely ladies over there And focus on your job5 Caber toSS mdash Oh come on You knew that was coming

mdash Bill ldquoI want winnersrdquo Kolb

TOP 5 NFL COmbINE SUGGESTIONS

6March 7 2013

Number of victories by pin for Clovis High state champion wrestler Nick Nevills Hersquos not a NorCal athlete but he still gets a major tip of the cap from SportStars after his dominant run through the heavyweight bracket in Bakersfield March 22-23 Nevills won each of his matches by pin with none go-ing longer than 342 It was the second state title for the junior who will have a chance in 2014 to become just the 18th wrestler ever to win three

boyS HooPS CiF open Division norCal final March 16 Sleep Train Arena Sacramento 8 pm Can Salesian Bish-op OrsquoDowd or Archbishop Mitty run the table for a shot at the state title Itrsquoll be worth going to find out

BoYS LACRoSSE Marin Catholic at De La Salle March 19 7 pm mdash These programs have four NCS titles between them since 2009TRACk AnD FiELD Stanford invitational March 29-30 Stanford University Stanford mdash The first of the statersquos BIG track and field events of the spring

BoYS goLF De La Salle golf invi-tational March 11 Diablo Country Club 10 am shotgun The most loaded of any NorCal tourney 23 of the statersquos top programs attendSoFtball Queen of the mountain Tournament March 14-16 Willow Pass Park Concord Field will feature national No 1 Amador Valley

BoYS VoLLEYBALL Deer Valley Tournament March 16 Deer Valley hS all day First chance to gauge the top NCS contenders for 2013BASEBALL St ignatius-SF at St Francis-Mountain View March 19 various sites A key early-season WCAL matchup for two highly-ranked programs

Terrelle Pryor works out prior to the draft in 2011 Scott TernaCal Sport Media

ZUMAPRESScom

10 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

honorablemention

keith heyer

Del Ororsquos senior right-hander pitched a no-hitter in his first

start of the season a 2-0 win over Colfax on Feb 28 Heyer struck out nine and walked two

dalayna tyler-scott

The Kennedy-Sacramento senior played big in a pair of play-

off wins In a victory over Burbank she scored 11 points and hauled in 9 rebounds before posting 16 points 5 rebounds in a semifinal win over Oak Ridge

Jeramy Sweany

vacaville wrestling junior

Sweany captured the CIF State Championship at 195 pounds with a pin of Elk Groversquos Scott Votino under the spotlight at Rabobank Arena in Bakers-field on March 3 Sweanyrsquos state title was an impressive follow-up to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters championship he won the previous week at Stockton Arena Over the grueling two-day schedule at the state tournament Sweany recorded two decisions and three pins including the title-winning pin at the 400 mark in the final The win not only gave the storied Vacaville program its 11th state champion (and second in as many years) but also lifted the Bulldogs to a third-place team finish in California

SportStars What was the at-mosphere like at state especially under the spotlight for the final match

Jeramy Sweany I was just re-ally excited I felt that I had trained hard to get there and itrsquos every wrestlerrsquos dream to win a state championship

SSM What was going through your mind during the champion-ship match

JS The match was real excit-ing to me because we would have dropped to fourth place in the team standings if I did not get the points for first place I wanted to win the title to help the team ldquoplaquerdquo at state

SSM Did you have a large contingent down in Bakersfield

Powered by

Like us onFacebook

chaya durr

The Sacramento junior guard scored a game-high 27 points

for the Dragons in their 48-37 win over Florin in the SJS Div II final on March 2 She also scored 16 in the semifinal

especially for the final matchJS It was huge to have my whole family there to support me but

I also had all of my teammates there It was a great feeling to win in front of so many people that have helped me get to where I am now

James K Leash

12 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

My coach doesnrsquot like me and itrsquos just not fair I work hard and do what Irsquom supposed to do but the coach isnrsquot fair What can I do

GE Livermore

Irsquove answered this before but it comes up all the time so Irsquoll address it again

First coaches are human beings hard as that may seem to imagine That means they have likes and dislikes just like any other hu-man being and itrsquos certainly possible that the coach doesnrsquot like you in particular for whatever reason

But good coaches rise above their likes and dislikes and do whatrsquos best for the team because thatrsquos what theyrsquore hired to do mdash and thatrsquos what they want to do Whatrsquos best for the team usually is measured in wins and losses but thatrsquos not always the case Sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to teach talented players that their individual skills arenrsquot as important as they think sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to devise a system that allows that talent to shine even at the expense of the some other players

Of course not all coaches are good coaches Some coaches do give in to their biases and play players they like instead of players who give the team a better chance to win Those coaches donrsquot last long naturally or they soon learn that they must put aside their feelings if they want to be successful

Herersquos whatrsquos really important though Your coach is your coach and therersquos nothing you can do to change that If you want to play you have to do a couple things

rsaquorsaquo Do what the coach asks you to do and do it with a positive attitude mdash and donrsquot do it because you expect to be

rewarded Do it because yoursquore part of a team and success-ful teams do what their coaches tell them to do even if they disagree

rsaquorsaquo Get better Listen to what the coach says to you and to what he says to other players Try to improve every day try to be a little bit better after every practice than you were when you started You may think no one will notice but the coaches will

It may make a difference it may not And you know you might not be quite as good as you think It may be that the coach doesnrsquot play you because another player gives the team a better chance to win not because he doesnrsquot like your haircut

And finally itrsquos important to remember that your coach is just the first of many bosses yoursquoll

have in your life and some of those bosses are going to be very hard to work for They will treat you unfairly they will make your life miserable but in the end you have to figure out how to deal with them

So do the best you can to learn from this situation and to understand that even though life isnrsquot always fair you still have to live it Maybe itrsquos true that the coach doesnrsquot like you and therersquos not much you can do about that mdash but one thing you canrsquot do is quit trying In the long run if you learn that lesson itrsquos more important than wins or losses or worrying about whether someone likes you or not

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard email Coach Kallam at claykfullcourtcom

NOt sure yOur COaCh lIkes yOuchange

mindthEIR

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

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Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

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team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

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When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 3: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

6 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

The phrase ldquocompetitive equityrdquo gets bandied about a lot by the Califor-nia Interscholastic Federation and its 10 governing sections

It seems to be THE most important piece of criteria each time a sec-tion re-aligns its leagues

And yet it doesnrsquot appear it commanded the same importance on March 3 mdash when the 10 section commissioners gathered to draw up the state championship basketball tournament

Why involve competitive equity in THATThis is the first year of the CIFrsquos new Open Division of the state basketball

tournament The theory behind its creation was to pull out the eight best Nor-Cal teams and eight best SoCal teams regardless of division and place them in an elite tournament while the other five divisions played out as normal All eight spots in the bracket did not have to be filled in the invitation-only field Byes could be awarded to the top two seeds

The plan was muddled with confusing criteria to determine Open Division eligi-bility mdash so much so that some programs werenrsquot entirely sure if they would be con-sidered for the elite field or not mdash and the execution of it seemed worse

Just ask the Brookside Christian-Stock-ton girls

The defending Division V state cham-pions are a very respectable 27-4 and won their Sac-Joaquin Section final with extreme ease on March 1 However they are not ranked among the Top 20 girls teams in the state by CalHiSportscom But on March 8 the Knights will play their first state tournament game against Bishop OrsquoDowd-Oakland the No 12 team in the nation according to MaxPrepscom

This is the same Bishop OrsquoDowd team which defeated Brookside Christian by 31 points (70-39) at a showcase event on Jan 19 And it couldrsquove been worse had the Dragons not sat their stars late in the game

Brookside Christian played two other teams which made the Open Division draw St Maryrsquos-Berkeley which beat the Knights by 19 (71-52) on Jan 26 and Sacramento which topped them by 16 (58-42) in early December Itrsquos hard for us to look at those scores mdash along with Brooksidersquos fourth loss of the season a 66-38 defeat to a St Ignatius-San Francisco team which is a top seed in Div II mdash and say the Knights belong in this field They do not

And maybe they donrsquot belong in Div V either as several eyesore-like blow-outs during the regular season suggest But we still wouldrsquove liked to hear the rationale for their inclusion in the Open Division

There was plenty more outcry about how the Open Division altered the state tournament as a whole It wasnrsquot just in Northern California There were boys and girls programs in the bottom half of the state left confused and frustrated as well

ldquoIt is a jokerdquo St John Bosco-Bellflower boys coach Derrick Taylor told Eric Sondheimer of the Los Angeles Times after his team was selected for the Open Division ldquoCriteria means nothing They originally said we didnrsquot meet the cri-teria to be in the Open Division They had no idea how to do this They should have scrapped the whole thingrdquo

The CIF didnrsquot necessarily help itself by choosing not to have a post-selection press conference something itrsquos done in the past after choosing state champi-onship bowl game participants in football

Herersquos what I find funny Wersquove been headed in this direction with the state basketball tournament since 2004 That was the first year the CIF stopped al-lowing teams to petition-up in divisions for state championship sports

Why not rescind that rule Let Brookside Christian play up to Division IV or III where they would be challenged but not over-matched Let the Bishop OrsquoDowd girls mdash who won their Div III state championship last year 62-24 mdash to petition up to Division I

Put a rule in place that necessitates a one-year one-division bump for any school winning back-to-back regional titles

This doesnrsquot seem hard

March 7 2013

join our teamPHone 9255668500 FaX 9255668507editorial EditorSportStarsOnlinecomeditor Chace Bryson bull ChaceSportStarsOnlinecomStaff Writers Erik Stordahl Jim McCue Contributors Bill Kolb Mitch Stephens Matt Smith Clay Kallam Bryant West Dave Kiefer Liz Elliott Tim Rudd Jonathan Okanes Hunter Hewitt Joe StiglichPhotography Butch Noble Bob Larson Jonathan Hawthorne James K Leash Norbert von der Groeben Phillip Walton Doug Gulerintern Ryan Arter

Creative dePartment ArtSportStarsOnlinecomProduction manager Mike DeCicco bull MikeDSportStarsOnlinecom

PubliSHerPreSidentMike Calamusa bull MikeSportStarsOnlinecom

advertiSing amp Calendar ClaSSiFied SaleSSalesSportStarsOnlinecom 9255668500account executives Erik Stordahl bull ErikSportStarsOnlinecom Phillip Walton bull PWaltonSportStarsOnlinecom Sac joaqin edition Dave Rosales bull DaveRosales64gmailcom

reader reSourCeSadminiStrationAd Traffic Subscription Calendar amp Classified Listings infoSportStarsOnlinecom

diStributiondelivery MagsSportStarsOnlinecom

inFormation teCHnology John Bonilla

CFo Sharon Calamusa bull SharonSportStarsOnlinecom

Community SPortStarStrade magazineA division of Caliente Communications LLC5356 Clayton Rd Ste 222 bull Concord CA 94521 bullinfoSportStarsOnlinecomwwwSportStarsOnlinecom

PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER IN USA

your ticket to california sportsadmit one rain or shine

Read Me Recycle Me

This Vol 4 March 2013 Whole No 62 is published by Caliente Communications LLC 5356 Clayton Rd Ste 222 Concord CA 94521 SportStarstradecopy 2010 by Caliente Communications LLC All rights reserved Subscription rates 24 issues US 3rd class $42 (allow 3 weeks for delivery) 1st class $55 To receive sample issues please send $3 to cover postage Back issues are $4 each Reproduction in whole or in part without permission of Publisher is strictly prohibited The staff and management including Board of Directors of SportStarstradecopy does not advocate or encourage the use of any product or service advertised herein for illegal purposes Editorial contributions photos and letters to the editor are welcome and should be addressed to the Editor All material should be typed double-spaced on disk or email and will be handled with reasonable care For materials return please enclose a stamped self-addressed envelope SportStarstradecopy and STARStradecopy Clinics are registered trademarks of Caliente Communications LLC

CalienteLLC

CIFrsquos new state hoops tourney has Open wounds

8 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

WhAtsay

March 7 2013

rapidFIREPretty Little Liars

Your clumsiest injury

Sport you wish you could play better

Imagine Dragons New Girl

Favorite weekend activity

Favorite sports movie

Who tops your concert bucket list

What TV show would you want to guest on

Johanna Grauer Amador Valley-Pleasanton softball

Nikki Bridges California-San Ramon softball

Relax watch movies E40

Sleeping

Dislocated shoulder falling off a ski lift

Sprained ankle while skipping

ldquoWe just lost the section final by 29 points If wersquore going in the Open Division

we are going to have to get a lot better in 72 hoursrdquo

Miramonte girls basketball coach Kelly Sopak as quoted in the Bay Area News Group story following the NCS Div III girls basketball championship won by Bishop

OrsquoDowd Both teams were indeed placed in the CIF Northern Regional Open Division OrsquoDowd is the No 1 seed and Miramonte is the No 7

SoFtball victory PreSeason Tournament March 7-9 various sites mdash 42 teams spread out in three round-robin fields including regional power Woodcreek BASEBALL De La Salle at Campolindo March 9 3 pm mdash Matchup of defending NCS Div I and II champions Nuff said

girlS HooPS CiF open division State final March 23 Sleep Train Arena 6 pm mdash Itrsquos likely an SJS team wonrsquot be involved but the Bishop OrsquoDowd team expected to represent NorCal is a once-in-a-generation team for this region Whichever power emerges from the South should provide a matchup for the ages Any hoops fan should be there

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 9SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

layarEXtRA

countlsquoEM

THE PRESSURE COOKERDr Doug Gardner a friend and contributor to SportStarsrsquo

health and mental training coverage over the past three years spent a week at the NFL Combine and shared his thoughts Herersquos a few tidbits For the whole article go to SportStarsOn-linecom or scan this page with your Layar App

ldquoIf you think school is difficult the SAT is tough and the recruiting process daunting imagine having your future employment potential dissected under a microscope both physically and mentally over a four day period of time After spending a week at the NFL Combine I came away with a greater appreciation for athletic per-formance under the most stressful of situations From a mental standpoint I have not witnessed a more pressurized environment for athletesrdquo

Sure the vertical leap broad jump and 40-yard dash are helpful evalu-ation tools We guess But here are five other things wersquod add to the NFL Scouting Combine if we really wanted to test a playerrsquos NFL-readiness1 media StiFF arm mdash Therersquos nothing trickier than holding a slaver-

ing pack of reporters at bay after a rough game without inadvertently throw-

ing a teammate or coach under the bus or dropping an accidental homophobic slur

(wersquore looking at you Chris Culliver) Wanna impress us Show us how quick you are with a quip with fourteen handheld recorders in your face Simply saying ldquoNo Commentrdquo will result in an im-mediate disqualification ldquoGobble gobble turkeyrdquo is also frowned upon2 ChECkBook BALAnCing ACT mdash Something like 70-percent of former NFL athletes end up blow-ing through their bazillion-dollar bonuses and con-tracts long before theyrsquore able to tap into the Social Security network Show us a little financial acumen gentlemen Thatrsquos right Now carry the onehellip3 BRAin gAME mdash Forget the Wonderlic (and yeah wersquore pretty sure some of you already have) Wersquod like to see if you actually know anything about well ANYTHING Herersquos last Sundayrsquos New York Times crossword puzzle See you next week Oh No 27 down You got that wrong4 SeParation drill mdash No no Not how well you can separate from a defensive back How well you can separate yourself from your former posse And that bottle of Cristal And that gaggle of lovely ladies over there And focus on your job5 Caber toSS mdash Oh come on You knew that was coming

mdash Bill ldquoI want winnersrdquo Kolb

TOP 5 NFL COmbINE SUGGESTIONS

6March 7 2013

Number of victories by pin for Clovis High state champion wrestler Nick Nevills Hersquos not a NorCal athlete but he still gets a major tip of the cap from SportStars after his dominant run through the heavyweight bracket in Bakersfield March 22-23 Nevills won each of his matches by pin with none go-ing longer than 342 It was the second state title for the junior who will have a chance in 2014 to become just the 18th wrestler ever to win three

boyS HooPS CiF open Division norCal final March 16 Sleep Train Arena Sacramento 8 pm Can Salesian Bish-op OrsquoDowd or Archbishop Mitty run the table for a shot at the state title Itrsquoll be worth going to find out

BoYS LACRoSSE Marin Catholic at De La Salle March 19 7 pm mdash These programs have four NCS titles between them since 2009TRACk AnD FiELD Stanford invitational March 29-30 Stanford University Stanford mdash The first of the statersquos BIG track and field events of the spring

BoYS goLF De La Salle golf invi-tational March 11 Diablo Country Club 10 am shotgun The most loaded of any NorCal tourney 23 of the statersquos top programs attendSoFtball Queen of the mountain Tournament March 14-16 Willow Pass Park Concord Field will feature national No 1 Amador Valley

BoYS VoLLEYBALL Deer Valley Tournament March 16 Deer Valley hS all day First chance to gauge the top NCS contenders for 2013BASEBALL St ignatius-SF at St Francis-Mountain View March 19 various sites A key early-season WCAL matchup for two highly-ranked programs

Terrelle Pryor works out prior to the draft in 2011 Scott TernaCal Sport Media

ZUMAPRESScom

10 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

honorablemention

keith heyer

Del Ororsquos senior right-hander pitched a no-hitter in his first

start of the season a 2-0 win over Colfax on Feb 28 Heyer struck out nine and walked two

dalayna tyler-scott

The Kennedy-Sacramento senior played big in a pair of play-

off wins In a victory over Burbank she scored 11 points and hauled in 9 rebounds before posting 16 points 5 rebounds in a semifinal win over Oak Ridge

Jeramy Sweany

vacaville wrestling junior

Sweany captured the CIF State Championship at 195 pounds with a pin of Elk Groversquos Scott Votino under the spotlight at Rabobank Arena in Bakers-field on March 3 Sweanyrsquos state title was an impressive follow-up to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters championship he won the previous week at Stockton Arena Over the grueling two-day schedule at the state tournament Sweany recorded two decisions and three pins including the title-winning pin at the 400 mark in the final The win not only gave the storied Vacaville program its 11th state champion (and second in as many years) but also lifted the Bulldogs to a third-place team finish in California

SportStars What was the at-mosphere like at state especially under the spotlight for the final match

Jeramy Sweany I was just re-ally excited I felt that I had trained hard to get there and itrsquos every wrestlerrsquos dream to win a state championship

SSM What was going through your mind during the champion-ship match

JS The match was real excit-ing to me because we would have dropped to fourth place in the team standings if I did not get the points for first place I wanted to win the title to help the team ldquoplaquerdquo at state

SSM Did you have a large contingent down in Bakersfield

Powered by

Like us onFacebook

chaya durr

The Sacramento junior guard scored a game-high 27 points

for the Dragons in their 48-37 win over Florin in the SJS Div II final on March 2 She also scored 16 in the semifinal

especially for the final matchJS It was huge to have my whole family there to support me but

I also had all of my teammates there It was a great feeling to win in front of so many people that have helped me get to where I am now

James K Leash

12 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

My coach doesnrsquot like me and itrsquos just not fair I work hard and do what Irsquom supposed to do but the coach isnrsquot fair What can I do

GE Livermore

Irsquove answered this before but it comes up all the time so Irsquoll address it again

First coaches are human beings hard as that may seem to imagine That means they have likes and dislikes just like any other hu-man being and itrsquos certainly possible that the coach doesnrsquot like you in particular for whatever reason

But good coaches rise above their likes and dislikes and do whatrsquos best for the team because thatrsquos what theyrsquore hired to do mdash and thatrsquos what they want to do Whatrsquos best for the team usually is measured in wins and losses but thatrsquos not always the case Sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to teach talented players that their individual skills arenrsquot as important as they think sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to devise a system that allows that talent to shine even at the expense of the some other players

Of course not all coaches are good coaches Some coaches do give in to their biases and play players they like instead of players who give the team a better chance to win Those coaches donrsquot last long naturally or they soon learn that they must put aside their feelings if they want to be successful

Herersquos whatrsquos really important though Your coach is your coach and therersquos nothing you can do to change that If you want to play you have to do a couple things

rsaquorsaquo Do what the coach asks you to do and do it with a positive attitude mdash and donrsquot do it because you expect to be

rewarded Do it because yoursquore part of a team and success-ful teams do what their coaches tell them to do even if they disagree

rsaquorsaquo Get better Listen to what the coach says to you and to what he says to other players Try to improve every day try to be a little bit better after every practice than you were when you started You may think no one will notice but the coaches will

It may make a difference it may not And you know you might not be quite as good as you think It may be that the coach doesnrsquot play you because another player gives the team a better chance to win not because he doesnrsquot like your haircut

And finally itrsquos important to remember that your coach is just the first of many bosses yoursquoll

have in your life and some of those bosses are going to be very hard to work for They will treat you unfairly they will make your life miserable but in the end you have to figure out how to deal with them

So do the best you can to learn from this situation and to understand that even though life isnrsquot always fair you still have to live it Maybe itrsquos true that the coach doesnrsquot like you and therersquos not much you can do about that mdash but one thing you canrsquot do is quit trying In the long run if you learn that lesson itrsquos more important than wins or losses or worrying about whether someone likes you or not

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard email Coach Kallam at claykfullcourtcom

NOt sure yOur COaCh lIkes yOuchange

mindthEIR

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

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sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

18 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

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Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 4: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

8 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

WhAtsay

March 7 2013

rapidFIREPretty Little Liars

Your clumsiest injury

Sport you wish you could play better

Imagine Dragons New Girl

Favorite weekend activity

Favorite sports movie

Who tops your concert bucket list

What TV show would you want to guest on

Johanna Grauer Amador Valley-Pleasanton softball

Nikki Bridges California-San Ramon softball

Relax watch movies E40

Sleeping

Dislocated shoulder falling off a ski lift

Sprained ankle while skipping

ldquoWe just lost the section final by 29 points If wersquore going in the Open Division

we are going to have to get a lot better in 72 hoursrdquo

Miramonte girls basketball coach Kelly Sopak as quoted in the Bay Area News Group story following the NCS Div III girls basketball championship won by Bishop

OrsquoDowd Both teams were indeed placed in the CIF Northern Regional Open Division OrsquoDowd is the No 1 seed and Miramonte is the No 7

SoFtball victory PreSeason Tournament March 7-9 various sites mdash 42 teams spread out in three round-robin fields including regional power Woodcreek BASEBALL De La Salle at Campolindo March 9 3 pm mdash Matchup of defending NCS Div I and II champions Nuff said

girlS HooPS CiF open division State final March 23 Sleep Train Arena 6 pm mdash Itrsquos likely an SJS team wonrsquot be involved but the Bishop OrsquoDowd team expected to represent NorCal is a once-in-a-generation team for this region Whichever power emerges from the South should provide a matchup for the ages Any hoops fan should be there

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 9SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

layarEXtRA

countlsquoEM

THE PRESSURE COOKERDr Doug Gardner a friend and contributor to SportStarsrsquo

health and mental training coverage over the past three years spent a week at the NFL Combine and shared his thoughts Herersquos a few tidbits For the whole article go to SportStarsOn-linecom or scan this page with your Layar App

ldquoIf you think school is difficult the SAT is tough and the recruiting process daunting imagine having your future employment potential dissected under a microscope both physically and mentally over a four day period of time After spending a week at the NFL Combine I came away with a greater appreciation for athletic per-formance under the most stressful of situations From a mental standpoint I have not witnessed a more pressurized environment for athletesrdquo

Sure the vertical leap broad jump and 40-yard dash are helpful evalu-ation tools We guess But here are five other things wersquod add to the NFL Scouting Combine if we really wanted to test a playerrsquos NFL-readiness1 media StiFF arm mdash Therersquos nothing trickier than holding a slaver-

ing pack of reporters at bay after a rough game without inadvertently throw-

ing a teammate or coach under the bus or dropping an accidental homophobic slur

(wersquore looking at you Chris Culliver) Wanna impress us Show us how quick you are with a quip with fourteen handheld recorders in your face Simply saying ldquoNo Commentrdquo will result in an im-mediate disqualification ldquoGobble gobble turkeyrdquo is also frowned upon2 ChECkBook BALAnCing ACT mdash Something like 70-percent of former NFL athletes end up blow-ing through their bazillion-dollar bonuses and con-tracts long before theyrsquore able to tap into the Social Security network Show us a little financial acumen gentlemen Thatrsquos right Now carry the onehellip3 BRAin gAME mdash Forget the Wonderlic (and yeah wersquore pretty sure some of you already have) Wersquod like to see if you actually know anything about well ANYTHING Herersquos last Sundayrsquos New York Times crossword puzzle See you next week Oh No 27 down You got that wrong4 SeParation drill mdash No no Not how well you can separate from a defensive back How well you can separate yourself from your former posse And that bottle of Cristal And that gaggle of lovely ladies over there And focus on your job5 Caber toSS mdash Oh come on You knew that was coming

mdash Bill ldquoI want winnersrdquo Kolb

TOP 5 NFL COmbINE SUGGESTIONS

6March 7 2013

Number of victories by pin for Clovis High state champion wrestler Nick Nevills Hersquos not a NorCal athlete but he still gets a major tip of the cap from SportStars after his dominant run through the heavyweight bracket in Bakersfield March 22-23 Nevills won each of his matches by pin with none go-ing longer than 342 It was the second state title for the junior who will have a chance in 2014 to become just the 18th wrestler ever to win three

boyS HooPS CiF open Division norCal final March 16 Sleep Train Arena Sacramento 8 pm Can Salesian Bish-op OrsquoDowd or Archbishop Mitty run the table for a shot at the state title Itrsquoll be worth going to find out

BoYS LACRoSSE Marin Catholic at De La Salle March 19 7 pm mdash These programs have four NCS titles between them since 2009TRACk AnD FiELD Stanford invitational March 29-30 Stanford University Stanford mdash The first of the statersquos BIG track and field events of the spring

BoYS goLF De La Salle golf invi-tational March 11 Diablo Country Club 10 am shotgun The most loaded of any NorCal tourney 23 of the statersquos top programs attendSoFtball Queen of the mountain Tournament March 14-16 Willow Pass Park Concord Field will feature national No 1 Amador Valley

BoYS VoLLEYBALL Deer Valley Tournament March 16 Deer Valley hS all day First chance to gauge the top NCS contenders for 2013BASEBALL St ignatius-SF at St Francis-Mountain View March 19 various sites A key early-season WCAL matchup for two highly-ranked programs

Terrelle Pryor works out prior to the draft in 2011 Scott TernaCal Sport Media

ZUMAPRESScom

10 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

honorablemention

keith heyer

Del Ororsquos senior right-hander pitched a no-hitter in his first

start of the season a 2-0 win over Colfax on Feb 28 Heyer struck out nine and walked two

dalayna tyler-scott

The Kennedy-Sacramento senior played big in a pair of play-

off wins In a victory over Burbank she scored 11 points and hauled in 9 rebounds before posting 16 points 5 rebounds in a semifinal win over Oak Ridge

Jeramy Sweany

vacaville wrestling junior

Sweany captured the CIF State Championship at 195 pounds with a pin of Elk Groversquos Scott Votino under the spotlight at Rabobank Arena in Bakers-field on March 3 Sweanyrsquos state title was an impressive follow-up to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters championship he won the previous week at Stockton Arena Over the grueling two-day schedule at the state tournament Sweany recorded two decisions and three pins including the title-winning pin at the 400 mark in the final The win not only gave the storied Vacaville program its 11th state champion (and second in as many years) but also lifted the Bulldogs to a third-place team finish in California

SportStars What was the at-mosphere like at state especially under the spotlight for the final match

Jeramy Sweany I was just re-ally excited I felt that I had trained hard to get there and itrsquos every wrestlerrsquos dream to win a state championship

SSM What was going through your mind during the champion-ship match

JS The match was real excit-ing to me because we would have dropped to fourth place in the team standings if I did not get the points for first place I wanted to win the title to help the team ldquoplaquerdquo at state

SSM Did you have a large contingent down in Bakersfield

Powered by

Like us onFacebook

chaya durr

The Sacramento junior guard scored a game-high 27 points

for the Dragons in their 48-37 win over Florin in the SJS Div II final on March 2 She also scored 16 in the semifinal

especially for the final matchJS It was huge to have my whole family there to support me but

I also had all of my teammates there It was a great feeling to win in front of so many people that have helped me get to where I am now

James K Leash

12 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

My coach doesnrsquot like me and itrsquos just not fair I work hard and do what Irsquom supposed to do but the coach isnrsquot fair What can I do

GE Livermore

Irsquove answered this before but it comes up all the time so Irsquoll address it again

First coaches are human beings hard as that may seem to imagine That means they have likes and dislikes just like any other hu-man being and itrsquos certainly possible that the coach doesnrsquot like you in particular for whatever reason

But good coaches rise above their likes and dislikes and do whatrsquos best for the team because thatrsquos what theyrsquore hired to do mdash and thatrsquos what they want to do Whatrsquos best for the team usually is measured in wins and losses but thatrsquos not always the case Sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to teach talented players that their individual skills arenrsquot as important as they think sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to devise a system that allows that talent to shine even at the expense of the some other players

Of course not all coaches are good coaches Some coaches do give in to their biases and play players they like instead of players who give the team a better chance to win Those coaches donrsquot last long naturally or they soon learn that they must put aside their feelings if they want to be successful

Herersquos whatrsquos really important though Your coach is your coach and therersquos nothing you can do to change that If you want to play you have to do a couple things

rsaquorsaquo Do what the coach asks you to do and do it with a positive attitude mdash and donrsquot do it because you expect to be

rewarded Do it because yoursquore part of a team and success-ful teams do what their coaches tell them to do even if they disagree

rsaquorsaquo Get better Listen to what the coach says to you and to what he says to other players Try to improve every day try to be a little bit better after every practice than you were when you started You may think no one will notice but the coaches will

It may make a difference it may not And you know you might not be quite as good as you think It may be that the coach doesnrsquot play you because another player gives the team a better chance to win not because he doesnrsquot like your haircut

And finally itrsquos important to remember that your coach is just the first of many bosses yoursquoll

have in your life and some of those bosses are going to be very hard to work for They will treat you unfairly they will make your life miserable but in the end you have to figure out how to deal with them

So do the best you can to learn from this situation and to understand that even though life isnrsquot always fair you still have to live it Maybe itrsquos true that the coach doesnrsquot like you and therersquos not much you can do about that mdash but one thing you canrsquot do is quit trying In the long run if you learn that lesson itrsquos more important than wins or losses or worrying about whether someone likes you or not

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard email Coach Kallam at claykfullcourtcom

NOt sure yOur COaCh lIkes yOuchange

mindthEIR

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

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sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

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Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 5: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 9SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

layarEXtRA

countlsquoEM

THE PRESSURE COOKERDr Doug Gardner a friend and contributor to SportStarsrsquo

health and mental training coverage over the past three years spent a week at the NFL Combine and shared his thoughts Herersquos a few tidbits For the whole article go to SportStarsOn-linecom or scan this page with your Layar App

ldquoIf you think school is difficult the SAT is tough and the recruiting process daunting imagine having your future employment potential dissected under a microscope both physically and mentally over a four day period of time After spending a week at the NFL Combine I came away with a greater appreciation for athletic per-formance under the most stressful of situations From a mental standpoint I have not witnessed a more pressurized environment for athletesrdquo

Sure the vertical leap broad jump and 40-yard dash are helpful evalu-ation tools We guess But here are five other things wersquod add to the NFL Scouting Combine if we really wanted to test a playerrsquos NFL-readiness1 media StiFF arm mdash Therersquos nothing trickier than holding a slaver-

ing pack of reporters at bay after a rough game without inadvertently throw-

ing a teammate or coach under the bus or dropping an accidental homophobic slur

(wersquore looking at you Chris Culliver) Wanna impress us Show us how quick you are with a quip with fourteen handheld recorders in your face Simply saying ldquoNo Commentrdquo will result in an im-mediate disqualification ldquoGobble gobble turkeyrdquo is also frowned upon2 ChECkBook BALAnCing ACT mdash Something like 70-percent of former NFL athletes end up blow-ing through their bazillion-dollar bonuses and con-tracts long before theyrsquore able to tap into the Social Security network Show us a little financial acumen gentlemen Thatrsquos right Now carry the onehellip3 BRAin gAME mdash Forget the Wonderlic (and yeah wersquore pretty sure some of you already have) Wersquod like to see if you actually know anything about well ANYTHING Herersquos last Sundayrsquos New York Times crossword puzzle See you next week Oh No 27 down You got that wrong4 SeParation drill mdash No no Not how well you can separate from a defensive back How well you can separate yourself from your former posse And that bottle of Cristal And that gaggle of lovely ladies over there And focus on your job5 Caber toSS mdash Oh come on You knew that was coming

mdash Bill ldquoI want winnersrdquo Kolb

TOP 5 NFL COmbINE SUGGESTIONS

6March 7 2013

Number of victories by pin for Clovis High state champion wrestler Nick Nevills Hersquos not a NorCal athlete but he still gets a major tip of the cap from SportStars after his dominant run through the heavyweight bracket in Bakersfield March 22-23 Nevills won each of his matches by pin with none go-ing longer than 342 It was the second state title for the junior who will have a chance in 2014 to become just the 18th wrestler ever to win three

boyS HooPS CiF open Division norCal final March 16 Sleep Train Arena Sacramento 8 pm Can Salesian Bish-op OrsquoDowd or Archbishop Mitty run the table for a shot at the state title Itrsquoll be worth going to find out

BoYS LACRoSSE Marin Catholic at De La Salle March 19 7 pm mdash These programs have four NCS titles between them since 2009TRACk AnD FiELD Stanford invitational March 29-30 Stanford University Stanford mdash The first of the statersquos BIG track and field events of the spring

BoYS goLF De La Salle golf invi-tational March 11 Diablo Country Club 10 am shotgun The most loaded of any NorCal tourney 23 of the statersquos top programs attendSoFtball Queen of the mountain Tournament March 14-16 Willow Pass Park Concord Field will feature national No 1 Amador Valley

BoYS VoLLEYBALL Deer Valley Tournament March 16 Deer Valley hS all day First chance to gauge the top NCS contenders for 2013BASEBALL St ignatius-SF at St Francis-Mountain View March 19 various sites A key early-season WCAL matchup for two highly-ranked programs

Terrelle Pryor works out prior to the draft in 2011 Scott TernaCal Sport Media

ZUMAPRESScom

10 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

honorablemention

keith heyer

Del Ororsquos senior right-hander pitched a no-hitter in his first

start of the season a 2-0 win over Colfax on Feb 28 Heyer struck out nine and walked two

dalayna tyler-scott

The Kennedy-Sacramento senior played big in a pair of play-

off wins In a victory over Burbank she scored 11 points and hauled in 9 rebounds before posting 16 points 5 rebounds in a semifinal win over Oak Ridge

Jeramy Sweany

vacaville wrestling junior

Sweany captured the CIF State Championship at 195 pounds with a pin of Elk Groversquos Scott Votino under the spotlight at Rabobank Arena in Bakers-field on March 3 Sweanyrsquos state title was an impressive follow-up to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters championship he won the previous week at Stockton Arena Over the grueling two-day schedule at the state tournament Sweany recorded two decisions and three pins including the title-winning pin at the 400 mark in the final The win not only gave the storied Vacaville program its 11th state champion (and second in as many years) but also lifted the Bulldogs to a third-place team finish in California

SportStars What was the at-mosphere like at state especially under the spotlight for the final match

Jeramy Sweany I was just re-ally excited I felt that I had trained hard to get there and itrsquos every wrestlerrsquos dream to win a state championship

SSM What was going through your mind during the champion-ship match

JS The match was real excit-ing to me because we would have dropped to fourth place in the team standings if I did not get the points for first place I wanted to win the title to help the team ldquoplaquerdquo at state

SSM Did you have a large contingent down in Bakersfield

Powered by

Like us onFacebook

chaya durr

The Sacramento junior guard scored a game-high 27 points

for the Dragons in their 48-37 win over Florin in the SJS Div II final on March 2 She also scored 16 in the semifinal

especially for the final matchJS It was huge to have my whole family there to support me but

I also had all of my teammates there It was a great feeling to win in front of so many people that have helped me get to where I am now

James K Leash

12 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

My coach doesnrsquot like me and itrsquos just not fair I work hard and do what Irsquom supposed to do but the coach isnrsquot fair What can I do

GE Livermore

Irsquove answered this before but it comes up all the time so Irsquoll address it again

First coaches are human beings hard as that may seem to imagine That means they have likes and dislikes just like any other hu-man being and itrsquos certainly possible that the coach doesnrsquot like you in particular for whatever reason

But good coaches rise above their likes and dislikes and do whatrsquos best for the team because thatrsquos what theyrsquore hired to do mdash and thatrsquos what they want to do Whatrsquos best for the team usually is measured in wins and losses but thatrsquos not always the case Sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to teach talented players that their individual skills arenrsquot as important as they think sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to devise a system that allows that talent to shine even at the expense of the some other players

Of course not all coaches are good coaches Some coaches do give in to their biases and play players they like instead of players who give the team a better chance to win Those coaches donrsquot last long naturally or they soon learn that they must put aside their feelings if they want to be successful

Herersquos whatrsquos really important though Your coach is your coach and therersquos nothing you can do to change that If you want to play you have to do a couple things

rsaquorsaquo Do what the coach asks you to do and do it with a positive attitude mdash and donrsquot do it because you expect to be

rewarded Do it because yoursquore part of a team and success-ful teams do what their coaches tell them to do even if they disagree

rsaquorsaquo Get better Listen to what the coach says to you and to what he says to other players Try to improve every day try to be a little bit better after every practice than you were when you started You may think no one will notice but the coaches will

It may make a difference it may not And you know you might not be quite as good as you think It may be that the coach doesnrsquot play you because another player gives the team a better chance to win not because he doesnrsquot like your haircut

And finally itrsquos important to remember that your coach is just the first of many bosses yoursquoll

have in your life and some of those bosses are going to be very hard to work for They will treat you unfairly they will make your life miserable but in the end you have to figure out how to deal with them

So do the best you can to learn from this situation and to understand that even though life isnrsquot always fair you still have to live it Maybe itrsquos true that the coach doesnrsquot like you and therersquos not much you can do about that mdash but one thing you canrsquot do is quit trying In the long run if you learn that lesson itrsquos more important than wins or losses or worrying about whether someone likes you or not

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard email Coach Kallam at claykfullcourtcom

NOt sure yOur COaCh lIkes yOuchange

mindthEIR

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

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Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

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team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

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When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 6: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

10 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

honorablemention

keith heyer

Del Ororsquos senior right-hander pitched a no-hitter in his first

start of the season a 2-0 win over Colfax on Feb 28 Heyer struck out nine and walked two

dalayna tyler-scott

The Kennedy-Sacramento senior played big in a pair of play-

off wins In a victory over Burbank she scored 11 points and hauled in 9 rebounds before posting 16 points 5 rebounds in a semifinal win over Oak Ridge

Jeramy Sweany

vacaville wrestling junior

Sweany captured the CIF State Championship at 195 pounds with a pin of Elk Groversquos Scott Votino under the spotlight at Rabobank Arena in Bakers-field on March 3 Sweanyrsquos state title was an impressive follow-up to the Sac-Joaquin Section Masters championship he won the previous week at Stockton Arena Over the grueling two-day schedule at the state tournament Sweany recorded two decisions and three pins including the title-winning pin at the 400 mark in the final The win not only gave the storied Vacaville program its 11th state champion (and second in as many years) but also lifted the Bulldogs to a third-place team finish in California

SportStars What was the at-mosphere like at state especially under the spotlight for the final match

Jeramy Sweany I was just re-ally excited I felt that I had trained hard to get there and itrsquos every wrestlerrsquos dream to win a state championship

SSM What was going through your mind during the champion-ship match

JS The match was real excit-ing to me because we would have dropped to fourth place in the team standings if I did not get the points for first place I wanted to win the title to help the team ldquoplaquerdquo at state

SSM Did you have a large contingent down in Bakersfield

Powered by

Like us onFacebook

chaya durr

The Sacramento junior guard scored a game-high 27 points

for the Dragons in their 48-37 win over Florin in the SJS Div II final on March 2 She also scored 16 in the semifinal

especially for the final matchJS It was huge to have my whole family there to support me but

I also had all of my teammates there It was a great feeling to win in front of so many people that have helped me get to where I am now

James K Leash

12 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

My coach doesnrsquot like me and itrsquos just not fair I work hard and do what Irsquom supposed to do but the coach isnrsquot fair What can I do

GE Livermore

Irsquove answered this before but it comes up all the time so Irsquoll address it again

First coaches are human beings hard as that may seem to imagine That means they have likes and dislikes just like any other hu-man being and itrsquos certainly possible that the coach doesnrsquot like you in particular for whatever reason

But good coaches rise above their likes and dislikes and do whatrsquos best for the team because thatrsquos what theyrsquore hired to do mdash and thatrsquos what they want to do Whatrsquos best for the team usually is measured in wins and losses but thatrsquos not always the case Sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to teach talented players that their individual skills arenrsquot as important as they think sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to devise a system that allows that talent to shine even at the expense of the some other players

Of course not all coaches are good coaches Some coaches do give in to their biases and play players they like instead of players who give the team a better chance to win Those coaches donrsquot last long naturally or they soon learn that they must put aside their feelings if they want to be successful

Herersquos whatrsquos really important though Your coach is your coach and therersquos nothing you can do to change that If you want to play you have to do a couple things

rsaquorsaquo Do what the coach asks you to do and do it with a positive attitude mdash and donrsquot do it because you expect to be

rewarded Do it because yoursquore part of a team and success-ful teams do what their coaches tell them to do even if they disagree

rsaquorsaquo Get better Listen to what the coach says to you and to what he says to other players Try to improve every day try to be a little bit better after every practice than you were when you started You may think no one will notice but the coaches will

It may make a difference it may not And you know you might not be quite as good as you think It may be that the coach doesnrsquot play you because another player gives the team a better chance to win not because he doesnrsquot like your haircut

And finally itrsquos important to remember that your coach is just the first of many bosses yoursquoll

have in your life and some of those bosses are going to be very hard to work for They will treat you unfairly they will make your life miserable but in the end you have to figure out how to deal with them

So do the best you can to learn from this situation and to understand that even though life isnrsquot always fair you still have to live it Maybe itrsquos true that the coach doesnrsquot like you and therersquos not much you can do about that mdash but one thing you canrsquot do is quit trying In the long run if you learn that lesson itrsquos more important than wins or losses or worrying about whether someone likes you or not

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard email Coach Kallam at claykfullcourtcom

NOt sure yOur COaCh lIkes yOuchange

mindthEIR

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

18 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

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senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

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Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

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Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

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tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

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The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

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baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

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Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

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FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 7: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

12 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

My coach doesnrsquot like me and itrsquos just not fair I work hard and do what Irsquom supposed to do but the coach isnrsquot fair What can I do

GE Livermore

Irsquove answered this before but it comes up all the time so Irsquoll address it again

First coaches are human beings hard as that may seem to imagine That means they have likes and dislikes just like any other hu-man being and itrsquos certainly possible that the coach doesnrsquot like you in particular for whatever reason

But good coaches rise above their likes and dislikes and do whatrsquos best for the team because thatrsquos what theyrsquore hired to do mdash and thatrsquos what they want to do Whatrsquos best for the team usually is measured in wins and losses but thatrsquos not always the case Sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to teach talented players that their individual skills arenrsquot as important as they think sometimes whatrsquos best for the team is to devise a system that allows that talent to shine even at the expense of the some other players

Of course not all coaches are good coaches Some coaches do give in to their biases and play players they like instead of players who give the team a better chance to win Those coaches donrsquot last long naturally or they soon learn that they must put aside their feelings if they want to be successful

Herersquos whatrsquos really important though Your coach is your coach and therersquos nothing you can do to change that If you want to play you have to do a couple things

rsaquorsaquo Do what the coach asks you to do and do it with a positive attitude mdash and donrsquot do it because you expect to be

rewarded Do it because yoursquore part of a team and success-ful teams do what their coaches tell them to do even if they disagree

rsaquorsaquo Get better Listen to what the coach says to you and to what he says to other players Try to improve every day try to be a little bit better after every practice than you were when you started You may think no one will notice but the coaches will

It may make a difference it may not And you know you might not be quite as good as you think It may be that the coach doesnrsquot play you because another player gives the team a better chance to win not because he doesnrsquot like your haircut

And finally itrsquos important to remember that your coach is just the first of many bosses yoursquoll

have in your life and some of those bosses are going to be very hard to work for They will treat you unfairly they will make your life miserable but in the end you have to figure out how to deal with them

So do the best you can to learn from this situation and to understand that even though life isnrsquot always fair you still have to live it Maybe itrsquos true that the coach doesnrsquot like you and therersquos not much you can do about that mdash but one thing you canrsquot do is quit trying In the long run if you learn that lesson itrsquos more important than wins or losses or worrying about whether someone likes you or not

Clay Kallam is an assistant athletic director and girls varsity basketball coach at Bentley High in Lafayette To submit a question for Behind the Clipboard email Coach Kallam at claykfullcourtcom

NOt sure yOur COaCh lIkes yOuchange

mindthEIR

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

18 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

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When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 8: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

14 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

What painDylan Walsh had no business being on

the floor at the California Interscholas-tic Federation wrestling championships

at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank ArenaNot because he was undeserving of the honor

mind you but because no one in his condition should be able to compete at that level

Walsh the Las Lomas heavyweight wrestled the final month-plus of his senior season with a broken dislocated rib and torn cartilage in his chest

And at 250 pounds the undersized Walsh was surely taking a pounding on that injury from the 285-pounders he was up against

ldquoIt was not pleasantrdquo Walsh deadpanned ldquoI had to put it out of my head for the time being and deal with it the next dayrdquo

ldquoI didnrsquot know if hersquod make it through leaguerdquo Knights coach John Welch said ldquoAnd at (the North Coast Section tournament) I knew his ability to compete but I didnrsquot know if he could get through getting slammed What he did blew me awayhellip He really impressed merdquo

All Walsh did was obliterate the NCS field eventually topping Newark Memorialrsquos Jacob Claussen 3-1 in a final that wasnrsquot that close

His only loss against a section opponent this season came in the match where he injured his rib He tangled with Eurekarsquos Josh Hanson in the final of the Puma Classic at Maria Carillo-Santa Rosa on January 26 The two came down hard out of bounds and Walsh felt a pain in his chest He wrestled on mdash because that is what he does mdash but Hanson pulled out a 6-3 victory

Welch said that between the rib and Walshrsquos chronic migraine struggles the big Knight was only able to practice two days a week for most of the season

For his part Welch was probably glad that Walsh was limited in his practice time

ldquoHersquos so strongrdquo Welch said ldquoHe kept hurting

Las Lomasrsquo Dylan Walshrsquos state appearance was brief That he even got there was

impressive enough

By BiLL koLB | Contributor

Las Lomas wrestler Dylan Walsh top Photos by Bob Larson

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

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Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

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team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

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When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

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West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

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senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

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BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

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sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

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After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

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Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 9: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 15SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

What painother kids Nobody could compete with him So I ended up being his training partner And I am beat uprdquo

Welch brandished a badly swollen right hand courtesy of his senior grappler and laughed

ldquoI told him lsquoI love having you in the program but Irsquom kind of glad yoursquore leavingrsquordquo Welch said

Despite the pain in his head or in his chest Walsh refused to tap out at any pointldquoI had to kick him out of the roomrdquo Welch said ldquoHe wouldnrsquot leave even when he

had a migraine He never excused himself Any other kid I would have kicked him off the team for missing so much time But Dylan Irsquom just so impressed that he could do what he did Hersquos a very very tough kidrdquo

ldquoHe rises up when the chips are downrdquo co-coach Dave Yi said ldquoThe best of Dylan comes out when there is an obstacle in front of him When he is challenged mdash when something is not going his way mdash thatrsquos when you see the Great Dylan Walshrdquo

That Dylan Walsh appeared to be on display at state Despite the pain in his chest Walsh topped Reedleyrsquos Christian Garcia 3-2 in his 2013 state opener Then disaster struck

AgainWalsh was trailing Ponderosarsquos Jeff Camilli in the second round when Camilli shot

in and drove Walsh off the mat Walsh landed awkwardly on his right foot and went down ldquoHe couldnrsquot get uprdquo Yi said ldquoWe had to help him He tried to finish the second round but he couldnrsquot go on He couldnrsquot even walk to the trainer hellip Having it end on an injury like that itrsquos tough His whole career hersquos kind of had the injury bug It must have been pretty frustrating But hersquos such a tough kid mentally hersquos just pushed through the pain hellip Winning the section as a senior after being in the finals the year before thatrsquos a big accomplishment A lot of kids his age probably would have quit He won the sectionrdquo

ldquoI try not to make excuses for myselfrdquo Walsh said ldquoYou have to play the cards yoursquore dealtrdquo

Walsh was forced to injury default out of the match and the tournament and of-ficially finished with a 1-2 mark Camilli went on to place seventh in the tournament

Walsh learned on Sunday that the fifth metatarsal was broken in what is known as a Jones fracture It is the same injury that hampered him for much of the 2011-12 season

Even so he wasnrsquot going to let a little foot pain end his seasonldquoI tried to keep goingrdquo he said ldquoI didnrsquot know it was broken The coaches had to

pull merdquoWith the indignity of the abrupt end of his high school career still so fresh and raw

Walsh struggled to accept the impressiveness of his overall body of work in 2012-13 ldquoIrsquom pretty happy with myself to a degreerdquo he said ldquoI just wish it had gone a little

better in the end Right now itrsquos just kind of bitter I was definitely not expecting it to end that wayrdquo

Walsh was already home on Saturday afternoon before the tournament had con-cluded having departed Bakersfield shortly after sustaining the injury on Friday And after all he has endured in pursuit of his sport maybe itrsquos more accurate to say that he had no business not being on the competition floor when all was said and done

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

18 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 10: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

16 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

sTung NCs wrestlers come up short at state finals

The California Interscholastic Federation championship wres-tling tournament has been characterized as a meat-grinder

And on Saturday at Bakersfieldrsquos Rabobank Arena most of the representatives from the North Coast Section got a pretty good idea what sausage making looks like From the inside

Seven NCS grapplers made it to the quarterfinal round on Friday night Only one of them James Logan 126-pounder Artemio Flores won that crucial match

But even Flores the NCS champ could not escape the rending and tearing that takes place on the competition floor in one of the nationrsquos top-five high school championship tourna-ments He lost 5-3 to eventual champ Johnny Parada (San Fernando) in Saturday morningrsquos semifinal then lost two more tough matches to finish sixth overall

Flores was one of three NCS champs from Logan who advanced to the quarterfinals

Clayton Hartwell (195) went pin pin pin to reach the quar-terfinals where he himself was pinned by Vacavillersquos Jeramy Sweany the eventual champion Hartwell rallied early on Satur-day winning two overtime matches in consolations before losing 5-2 to eventual third-place medallist Trevor Smith of Ripon 5-2 and then getting pinned in first round of the fifth-place match

Colts 138-pounder Jacob Macalolooy went 3-1 from his outbracket start on Friday dropped his quarterfinal match

and then lost his first tilt on Saturday to miss medalling by one match The fourth musketeer 120-pounder Jacob Donato went 0-2 as the Colts scored 57 team points to place 22nd overall and lead the charge for the NCS

Section champion De La Salle placed 32nd with 34 points but failed to put a wrestler into medal contention It is the first time that the Spartans have not medalled since Erik Sandie (285s) placed seventh in 2003 to earn the schoolrsquos first state medal

Libertyrsquos Austin Solari (132) placed sixth He dropped two tough matches to Powayrsquos Ralph Tovar Tovar topped Solari in the quarterfinal round forcing him to win a couple of consola-tion matches to earn his medal Tovar nipped him again in the fifth place match

Heritagersquos Joey Vigil (113) also managed to make a space for himself on the podium pinning his first two opponents on Friday before getting pinned by Saint John Boscorsquos Zahid Valencia in the quarterfinals Vigil rallied to win a consolation match and guarantee himself a medal but dropped a tough 5-4 seventh-place match and finished eighth

Eight NCS wrestlers reached the podium including Wind-sorrsquos Perez Perez (106 sixth) and Oscar Rios (195 eighth) El Molinorsquos Taryn Christiansen (182 eighth) and Terra Lindarsquos Nate Keeve (220 fourth)

mdash Bill Kolb

Jacob Macalolooy was one of three James Logan-Union City wrestlers to reach the quarterfinals but missed medaling by

one match at 138 pounds Teammates Artemio Flores and Clayton Hartwell could do

no better than sixth place

18 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

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team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

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When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

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senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 11: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

18 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 12: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 19SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

The Capital Christian boys basketball didnrsquot even need to wait for the opening tip of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division V boys final to make a statement

The Cougars sprinted out onto the Sleep Train Arena floor for pregame warmups donning bright pink high tops as a change of pace and a show of team unity in support of breast cancer survivors

ldquoIt was kind of one of our motivational thingsrdquo Capital Christian junior center and fashion leader Nifae Lealao said ldquoWith the way our season went you know new accessories could maybe helprdquo

Capital Christian ended up needing all the help they could get in a second half that saw the Cougars make just four field goals while committing 15 turnovers

But despite their struggles after the intermission the Cou-gars held off Brookside Christian 40-39 to claim their second consecutive section title

Early on Capital Christian was as hot as the pink on their shoes They raced out to leads of 8-0 and 15-4 with fast break baskets that were rarely launched from farther than 8 feet from the rim The game was going according to plan for the Cougars mdash a plan the coaches devised to slow down the Knightsrsquo fast-paced offense which averaged more than 86 points per game

ldquoWe watched them play and they are electricrdquo Jones said of scouting Brookside Christian ldquoWe worked all practice long to work on slowing them down Our goal all year has been to hold teams to single digits quarter-by-quarter and we did thatrdquo

Brookside Christian could not find a rhythm and appeared flustered as each minute passed without its potent offense firing on even a single cylinder let alone all of them In compiling a 27-1 record en route to the section championship game five Knights averaged double digit scoring but Brook-side Christianrsquos starting five had only 10 points combined at halftime of the section final

While the scoring failed to pick up significantly for the Knights in the second half their defense came alive to force turnovers and get the offense untracked enough to turn a 32-18 deficit into a tight contest down the stretch Brookside Christian had a chance to take its first lead of the contest with less than a minute remaining in the game when Kenyon Wil-liams stepped to the line to shoot a pair of free throws

The sophomore guard made the first but missed the second to set up an intense final 25 seconds Tied at 39-39 players from both teams were wildly diving for loose balls and scrambling for a shot before Capital Christianrsquos Tyler Jennings corralled a missed shot near the top of the arc and quickly attempted to bring the ball up for one final shot

A foul was called with 07 seconds left on the clock setting the stage for Jennings to play hero after missing a pair of free throws one minute previously This time the junior guard buried the first before purposely missing the second in an attempt to run out the clock The Knights grabbed the rebound and were awarded a timeout with 05 second left but the desperation three-quarter court heave by Nick Payne missed to seal the game for the Cougars

ldquoThere was a little nervesrdquo Jennings admitted ldquoI wasnrsquot exactly having a great game but I told myself that I canrsquot let my

there was a lot more to the Cougars than the bright colored shoes they wore to the sJs Div V final

capital christian

Photos by James K LeashleFt Capital Christian celebrates its SJS final victory as the buzzer sounds above Cougars junior center Nifae Lealao calls for the ball during

the second half of the championship game

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

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Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

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k

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

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tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

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The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 13: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

20 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

team downrdquoThe finish while uncharacteristically wild to spectators inside the

arena had less of a crazed effect on the Cougars playersldquoWersquove been in that situation many timesrdquo said Trey Belton who

led the Cougars with 8 points ldquoItrsquos kind of fun because it makes things interestingrdquo

The game may not have been as interesting or close down the stretch had Brown not been without the services of junior forward DJ Wilson who suffered a season-ending back injury the day before the championship Wilson who averaged 10 points per game during the season would have provided more size for the Cougars to stifle the smaller Knights But adversity has been a common theme for Capital Christian especially toward the end of the regular season The Cou-gars dropped their final two Golden Empire League contests before the playoffs began

ldquoWersquove been through just about anything you can imagine mdash wersquove had flus broken bones torn ACLs You name it theyrsquove been through itrdquo Brown said ldquoNow I think they are ready to move forward and use all of the things that went wrong as passion for the next upcoming gamesrdquo

Next for the Cougars (24-4) will be a run in the California Interscho-lastic Federation Northern Regional Playoffs where they advanced to the second round last year before dropping a narrow 44-42 decision to Branson Brown thinks that the teamrsquos ability to overcome adversity and use past trials as motivation will carry his players father than they have been mdash perhaps to the state championship they set as a goal at the beginning of this season

ldquoThey want morerdquo Brown said ldquoI believe in them I have no doubt in my mind that they can do itrdquo

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Capital Christianrsquos 6-foot-6 sophomore forward Trey Belton center battles a pair of Brookside Christian players for rebounding position Belton led the Cougars with eight points in the final

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

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senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

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Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

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tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

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FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 14: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 21SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

When the going got tough in the Sac-Joaquin Section Division III girls final the Christian Brothers Falcons got going Led by 18 points from junior Alicia Gonzalez and 15 from senior Niel Valmores including a pair of game-clinching free throws with 55 seconds remaining head coach Ron Gullyrsquos team showed grit in earning a 61-56 decision over Vanden-Fairfield at Sleep Train Arena

ldquoThey were a bigger stronger team than usrdquo Gully said of the Vikings ldquobut tonight I think that we had the bigger heart and we wanted to finish the game off maybe a little bit morerdquo

The Falconsrsquo desire was built through a rigorous nonleague schedule that included high-level competition at the Oak Ridge Tournament and

Tough

eNOuGhGritty defense mental strength in the clutch paid off for the Falcons

christian brothers

Christian Brothers players and coaches erupt from the bench as the final horn sounds on their SJS title win Photos by James K Leash

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 15: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

22 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

West Coast Jamboree in the Bay Area They also faced the adversity of preparing for league play without the services of Valmores the teamrsquos point guard She was out for a seven-game stretch against perennial powers like Sacred Heart Cathedral-San Francisco Nevada Union-Grass Valley and Miramonte-Orinda

ldquoAt the beginning of the season we didnrsquot say that we wanted to win section We didnrsquot even say that we wanted to win leaguerdquo Gully said ldquoWe just said that we wanted to be the toughest team every game

ldquoThat was our goal and I think that helped us finish this tonightrdquo

Vanden took its first lead at 35-34 late in the third quarter and also led 39-38 in the fourth quarter but Christian Brothers dug deep each time and found a way to regain the lead and eventually hold off the Vikings Gonzalez scored eight of her game-high 18 points in the final quarter using exceptional ball-handling skill and athleticism to find openings to the basket

ldquoEverybody knows about Ana (Burch) and Niel but (Gon-zalez) really came on at the end of the season and showed what she could do tonightrdquo Gully said

While Gonzalez ran the floor and sank a number of clutch shots to maintain the Falconsrsquo lead in the fourth quarter

Seniors Sarina Munoz top and Niel Valmores each hit a pair of game-clinching free throws inside the

final 30 seconds of the teamrsquos championship victory

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 16: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 23SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

senior captains Sarina Munoz and Valmores sealed the victory by hitting 4 of 4 free throws in the final 30 seconds (Christian Brothers converted only 18-of-34 attempts from the foul line for the game)

Gully pointed to a daily practice drill mdash the ldquoMonarchrdquo drill in which the players are forced to make free throws or watch their teammates suffer with wind sprints for each miss mdash as instrumental in keeping his team sharp dur-ing the league season

ldquoOur free throw shooting is not as good as I think we can be but when it mattered tonight at the end of the game I think that (preparation and practice) paid offrdquo

Prior to the championship game the Falcons had not been tested since a 72-58 nonleague loss at Oakland Tech on Jan 19 Christian Brothers rolled through the Capital Valley League beating their league foes by an aver-age of 35 points per game and won its first three postseason games by an average of 45 points forcing the players to reach way back in time for the experience of a tight game

ldquoIn the preseason we stuck together even without our quarterback (Valmores)rdquo Gully said ldquoThis team held together then and believed in them-selves and I think that definitely helped us tonightrdquo

The Cougars (24-7) advanced to the CIF Norther Regional playoffs where they are confident that they can improve on last yearrsquos run that ended in the second round on the road With the section championship Christian Brothersrsquo seeding will be improved giving the Falcons more opportunity to fight their battles on their home court

ldquoI know that we got beat pretty bad by (NorCal power) Miramonte earlier in the season but that was without our point guardrdquo said Gully ldquoI think the state championship is a total possibilityrdquo

ldquoThis is my favorite team Irsquove ever coachedrdquo he added ldquoTheyrsquore my girlsrdquoAnd tough ones at that

mdash Jim McCue Senior Contributor

Junior guard Alicia Gonzalez scored a team-high 18 points in the final

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 17: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

24 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

BaseBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 CAMPoLinDo-MoRAgA (23-4-1)Three-time defending NCS Div II champion is STILL loaded with talent across the diamond

2 ST FRAnCiS-MoUnTAin ViEW (26-5-1)Senior OFs Kort Peterson and Hunter Simmons lead one of the deepest rosters in the state

3 ELk gRoVE (20-9)This isnrsquot just the Ryan Tellez Show but his presence sure wonrsquot hurt

4 SERRA-SAn MATEo (19-13)Orlando Razo and Blake Peters both return to the mound for the defending WCAL champs

5 DE LA SALLE-ConCoRD (20-7)Spartans will be favorites to repeat as NCS Div I champs behind pitchers Andrew Buckley AJ Puckett

6 ST MARYrsquoS-SToCkTon (27-6)All the Rams do is win championships it seems Can senior Joey Caffese help deliver a fourth straight SJS Div I title

7 FRAnkLin-ELk gRoVE (22-12)The Wildcats proved to be legit contenders last postseason and their returning talent should put them in the mix once more

8 VALLEY ChRiSTiAn-SAn JoSE (25-8)The Warriors are still young and still very talented Junior shortstop Bryson Brigman leads the charge

9 DAViS (25-8)If new faces on the mound can keep the Blue Devils in games their offense should take care of the rest

10 ST ignATiUS-SF (23-8-1)Jack Klien and Matthew Krook will be a 1-2 pitchinghitting punch for the defending CCS Div II champs

11 Granada-Livermore (17-10)12 Casa Grande-Petaluma (20-7)13 Jesuit-Sacramento (20-8)14 James Logan-Union City (15-10)15 Foothill-Pleasanton (16-9)16 Pioneer-Woodland (16-13)17 Pleasant Grove-Elk Grove (23-6)18 Granite Bay (23-9)19 St Maryrsquos-Berkeley (23-6-1)20 Amador Valley-Pleasanton (11-12)

Ryan Tellez Elk GroveJames K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 18: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 25SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

sOFtBall PreseasON tOP 20RECoRDS ARE FRoM 2012

1 AMADoR VALLEY-PLEASAnTon (26-1)Began the season as MaxPrepscomrsquos No 1 team in the nation have won 38 of last 39 games since April 2011

2 JAMES LogAn-Union CiTY (24-1)Open the season as No 5 in the nation after closing 2012 with 21 straight wins mdash beating Amador Valley in NCS Div I final

3 WooDCREEk-RoSEViLLE (26-4)Timberwolves return several key starters including pitcher Amanda Hor-basch and slugging 1B Lexi Wilkerson

4 ARChBiShoP MiTTY-SAn JoSE (28-2)Last yearrsquos CCS Div II champs need to replace key starters but have plenty of talent to do so

5 ELk gRoVE (20-7-1)Thundering Herd graduated just three seniors from its 20-win team opened at No 15 in CalHiSportscomrsquos state rankings

6 ALhAMBRA-MARTinEz (22-5)All-State Shortstop Kylee Perez leads talented returning class bent on returning to the NCS final after a Div II semifinal exit a year ago

7 SAn BEniTo-hoLLiSTER (23-3)CCS Div I champions graduated just two seniors from last yearrsquos squad Program has 52 wins last two seasons

8 hERiTAgE-BREnTWooD (22-3)All the pieces are in place for a deep postseason run from the Patriots who feature power speed and pitching

9 PonDERoSA (22-9)Bruins return 11 of 14 from its 2012 SJS Div I runner-up including all four pitchers who combined for a 197 team ERA

10 ShELDon-SACRAMEnTo (21-9)Several seniors have moved on but sophomore Zamari Hinton will lead a punishing offense if the Huskies pitching can keep up

11 California-San Ramon (16-10)12 Carlmont-Belmont (24-4)13 Casa Roble-Orangevale (18-6)14 Sierra-Manteca (18-6-1)15 Freedom-Oakley (13-8-1)16 Petaluma (24-4)aring17 Concord (24-4)18 Leigh-San Jose (19-10)19 Johansen-Modesto (10-13-1)20 Livermore (14-12)

RaeAnn Garza James LoganJames K Leash

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 19: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

26 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

After breaking through for its first SJS title in 2012 Franklin-

Elk Grove is hoping to get

back by staying groundedStory by

Jim McCuephotos by

james k leashFranklinrsquos towering 6-foot-6 pitcher and first baseman Tyler Blake

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 20: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 27SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Championships bring a lot of things mdash experience accolades notoriety high expecta-tions and a target for others to aim for What they do not bring is any assurance of future success

ldquoWe learned that (winning the Sac-Joaquin Section Division I North championship) is not out of our reach or only for the teams that we hear aboutrdquo Franklin High senior out-fielder Kyle Zanzi said of the Wildcatsrsquo underdog run to the city championship in 2012 ldquoWe are more ready for game situations and all that comes with being in the playoffs but itrsquos not a guarantee that we will get back thererdquo

Franklin earned the city title by defying the odds and defeating higher seeds during a memorable playoff run The underdog Wildcats finished third in the Delta Valley League and had to win a play-in game on the road at Vintage-Napa just to earn the right to face league foes like Elk Grove and Davis as well as Division-I powers like Pleasant Grove and Jesuit

Coach Bryan Kilbyrsquos squad exceeded everyonersquos expectations except their own last year to set the bar even higher for the 2013 Wildcats While that might be intimidating or over-whelming to some teams Franklin seems to have the proper perspective facing even greater odds to repeat

In 2013 the Div I playoff field has been expanded and will include Div II-champion Woodcreek and numerous other powerful area programs Returning to the Div I section championship series will be a challenging task for Franklin but Kilby and his players know that they cannot look that far forward if they want to succeed this season

ldquoWersquoll go out and take the same approach that we did all year long (in 2012) and just take it one game at a timerdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquore not going to catch anybody by surprise this year Every game is going to be a battlerdquo

The battles begin immediately in defense of the title as the Wildcats opened their non-league schedule March 4 with a loss to local rival and Div I-contender Pleasant Grove Franklin will also face playoff contenders Vacaville Granite Bay and Rocklin before con-cluding a challenging nonleague slate at the 43rd Annual Easter Classic in Fresno That tournament will feature Central Section heavyweights such as Clovis West and Bullard-Fresno

The Wildcats struggled to a 1-5 start last season before finally beginning to jell at the Fresno tournament They hope to enter league play this year with more wins than losses team chemistry established and player roles defined

ldquoOur long-term goal is to repeat what we did last season and play a couple more gamesrdquo senior third baseman Ryan Sarginson said ldquoIn the short term though we need to use the early season to find the nine and see where they all fitrdquo

Kilby has a pretty good idea about ldquothe ninerdquo that will be relied upon most on a game-to-game basis but every Wildcat mdash from the head coach down to the last player on the roster mdash knows championships are not possible without the contributions of role players

ldquoEvery kid has a strength or they would not be on the teamrdquo Kilby said ldquoEveryone has their role and we need to make sure they know what their role is and donrsquot try to do too much

ldquoIf we can get guys to do what they are comfortable doing we can be successful mdash just keep the game simple go out there and have funrdquo

The Wildcatsrsquo strength lies in a potent offense that will put the ball in play and force opponents to make plays The batting order mdash from top to bottom mdash does not feature any-one who will strike fear in opponents with the threat of a tape measure home run Rather

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 21: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

28 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Franklinrsquos lineup has players capable or manufac-turing runs when needed

ldquoIn this day and age with the new technology es-pecially the BB core bats you have to manufacture runsrdquo Kilby said ldquoWersquoll try to play for a run every inning That will be our goalrdquo

That goal is achievable if the lineup understands its roles and plays to its strengths Sophomore short-stop Hank LoForte who will lead off for the second consecutive season is a contact hitter with excep-tional speed The second slot is owned by Sarginson who is excellent at putting the ball in play and mov-ing runners like LoForte into scoring position

That sets the table for the heart of the order start-ing with senior Tyler Blake a powerful 6-foot-6 slugger with a sweet left-handed swing Zanzi fol-lows Blake with great plate discipline and speed that will test opposing infielders and outfielders Seniors Riley Simmons and Nick Frei also provide consis-tent contact to keep the Wildcats moving around the bases

The offense is complemented by a solid defense that rarely beats itself with errors LoForte and Sarginson anchor the left side of the infield while Zanzi and Simmons lead an outfield that covers a lot of area beyond the dirt The biggest question mark for Kilby lies in the pitching staff

The 2012 squad featured three seniors mdash Kyle Von Ruden Josh Pigg and Brandon Keup mdash that pitched nearly 60 percent of the innings for Frank-lin en route to the title

ldquoOffensively and defensively we are pretty strongrdquo Kilby said ldquoOn the mound replacing three

of our seniors who ate up a lot of our innings is go-ing to be a big ingredient of the key to our successrdquo

Blake a towering lefty will be the teamrsquos ace while Connor Adams steps up to the role of the No 2 starter Both pitchers posted 3-2 records and sub-300 ERAs last season but neither will likely make headlines by mowing down hitters with double-digit strikeouts Cameron Keup a crafty sophomore hurler and younger brother of Brandon will round out the starting rotation but the Wildcatsrsquo bullpen will be filled with seniors eager to record outs when needed

ldquoWe need to pitch for contact and let the defense do what they dordquo said Frei a senior catcher who has received the majority of Wildcats pitchers since Little League ldquoWe have a solid top three and some great pitchers coming in from the bullpenrdquo

Regardless of the Wildcatsrsquo strengths and chal-lenges Kilby understands that the bar has been raised with the programrsquos first championship and expectations are high for Franklin

ldquoOur kids know that our expectations are highrdquo the coach said ldquoWe just want to get better every day and try to improve as the season progressesrdquo

Through the progression though Sarginson one of the teamrsquos three captains will try to make sure his teammates enjoy every day that they are working to get better

ldquoWe donrsquot want to get the mentality that we have to go out and win every gamerdquo Sarginson said ldquoWe have to make sure that we remember to have fun out there because wersquore playing the greatest gamerdquo

And nothing is guaranteed

Franklin senior catcher Nick Frei

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 22: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 29SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

INFIELDJoe Caffesersaquo SCHool St Maryrsquos-Stocktonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal Poly-bound senior pitcherinfielder played a big role in the Ramsrsquo run to the SJS Division I title in 2012 with a 6-1 record 101 ERA and 59 strikeouts in 481 innings pitched He also contributed at the plate with a 322 average and 22 RBI

mauricio Dubonrsaquo SCHool Capital Christian-Sacramentorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The speedy short-stop was a tough out at the plate and on the basepaths Dubon hit 543 with 45 runs scored and 48 RBI and swiped 22 bases in 23 attempts Half of his 44 hits went for extra bases including five homers

Korey Hallrsaquo SCHool Dixonrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hall led all SJS batters in 2012 with a 612 average and had 24 extra-base hits Hall helped the Rams to the Div V semifinals with his big bat and solid play at the third base

Dom Nunezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Thundering Herdrsquos jack-of-all-trades played every position in the infield including toeing the slab as the teamrsquos closer in 2012 The UCLA-bound Nunez hit 429 with 44 runs scored and 29 RBI and added a pair of saves in the closer role

Ryan Tellezrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort ldquoRowdyrdquo racked up a 568 batting average despite opposing teamsrsquo attempts to pitch around the 6-foot-4 first baseman He belted 7 home runs and drove in 47 while adding 11 stolen bases He spent his offseason playing in the Area Code Games and PG All-American Games

OUTFIELDJalen brownrsaquo SCHool Rosemont-Sacrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Brown proved his worth to the Wolverines with a 451 batting average and 557 on-base percentage in 2012 He had 32 hits scored 26 runs and was successful in 15-of-16 stolen base attempts

Derek Hillrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hill was a newcomer to Elk Grove in 2012 and fit in just fine He hit 451 with 32 hits 20 runs and 19 RBI In the field he was solid making just one error from his center field position

Aaron Knapp SCHool Granite Bayyear SeniorSCouting rePort The Cal baseball signee hopes to add an SJS baseball title Knapp played outfield and catcher last season and posted a 434 batting average and 536 on-base percentage while scoring 32 runs

PITCHERSDaulton Jefferiesrsaquo SCHool Buhach Colony-Atwaterrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The Cal commit is a two-way star with a po-tent bat in addition to his live arm He was a perfect 8-0 with a 126 ERA in 2012 and struck out 101 batters in just 611 innings pitched

Stephen Nogosek rsaquo SCHool Woodcreek-Rosevillersaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Nogosek was especially dominant in the postseason where he pitched a pair of complete-game wins (including Div II final) and added a save in the semifinal For the season the Oregon-commit was 8-0 with a 102 ERA and struck out 100 batters in 752 innings

Ryan Stevensonrsaquo SCHool Sonorarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Steven-son pitches much bigger than his 5-foot-7 155-pound frame He had 119 strikeouts (in 771 IP) in 2012 and was 12-3 and 109 ERA Sonora should challenge for the Div IV sec-tion title

UTILITYGrant HeisingerSCHool Bradshaw Christian-Sacyear JuniorSCouting rePort As a sopho-more Heisinger did it all The short-stoppitcher batted a whopping 575 with a section-best 50 hits to go along with 43 runs and 29 RBI and he was 21-for-21 on steals On the mound Heisinger went 5-0 with a 135 ERA and struck out 36 batters in 361 innings

ben Ritchey (above)SCHool Capital Christian-Sacyear SeniorSCouting rePort The tal-ented Mr Ritchey posted a 9-3 re-cord with a 114 ERA and fanned 86 batters in just 611 innings At the plate he batted 506 with 41 runs scored and 34 driven in With a solid senior class that includes Mauricio Dubon the Cougars could be a favorite in Div V

Contributed

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 23: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

30 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

RaeAnn GarzaJohanna Grauer

Phot

o by

Jon

atha

n H

awth

orne

grauer

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 24: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 31SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

This is only a scrimmage But whatrsquos happening between the James Logan and Amador Val-ley High softball teams at Oak Grove Middle

School on March 2 doesnrsquot quite have the same look or feel as the scrimmage happening on the neighbor-ing field

It wouldrsquove been foolish for anyone to have expect-ed it to

This is the first time the full rosters of both teams have competed against one another since last June when James Logan won an epic North Coast Section Division I final 1-0 over Amador Valley mdash a win that denied the Dons a perfect season and a mythical na-tional championship

Softball in the East Bay has seen its share of dynas-ties over the years but the concurrent dominance of the Colts and Dons has a once-in-a-generation feel to it Amador Valley opened the season ranked No 1 in MaxPrepscomrsquos Xcellent 25 National Rankings James Logan sat at No 5

At the hearts of these two clubs are two pitchers who have yet to play a high school season without starting in an NCS final James Logan senior RaeAnn Garza has pitched in three winning twice In 2011 her sophomore year she lost to an Amador Valley fresh-man named Johanna Grauer

As pitchers they could not be more different if they tried Garza is a finesse pitcher who forces ground balls and relies on a fundamentally strong defense behind her Grauer trusts her defense too but doesnrsquot need it nearly as often mdash as evidenced by her 17-strikeout performance in last yearrsquos championship loss

Below is an interwoven transcript of separate con-versations with both pitchers during their respective breaks between games during the March 2 scrimmage jamboree

Is this the first time you two have seen each other since last yearrsquos final

GARzA I believe we actually saw each other the weekend after the championship game We both had a (club) tournament in Huntington Beach so we saw each other then But itrsquos always friendly Itrsquos always lsquohellorsquo Wersquore friends

GRAuER We played on the same 14U team a few years ago Itrsquos not like therersquos a personal rivalry where we dislike each other Well therersquos a competitiveness there but itrsquos not like therersquos tension Itrsquos relaxed

What are the first thoughts that come to mind when you think of last yearrsquos final

GARzA It was a fight till the end They almost came back in that last inning They never gave up We never gave up And it was just a great game Two good teams

GRAuER It was heartbreaking In terms of as a pitcher The first thing I think of is throwing a rise in-stead of a drop ball (to Garza who hit an RBI double in the top of the seventh for the gamersquos only run) because I had her on the drop ball and I decided to switch it up and thatrsquos what she hit Personally thatrsquos something I always think of

GARzA I hit a deep fly ball Jazmine Reed was on first base She took it upon herself to steal on that pitch She was already going If we didnrsquot have her speed at first base she probably wouldrsquove ended up third So most of that I would say was Jazmine Reed

How much do you remember about the pregame I was taken aback at how stark the contrast was between the two teams One team (Amador Valley) appeared extremely loose and the other seemed to be quiet and exceedingly focused

GARzA We knew we wanted to win We knew Johan-na was a great pitcher We knew theyrsquore a good team We just wanted it so bad There was no goofing around before the game Everybody was serious Not tight but SO focused

Did you look over and think Amador Valley might be too loose

GARzA Uhh Irsquom not sure No comment

GRAuER I felt like the looseness was good I donrsquot think itrsquos good to go into a game all tense To me when the team is really quiet itrsquos like theyrsquore nervous Versus a team who is really relaxed and loose It can come off as cocky but it was more like we were confident and trying to stay relaxed

Is this definitely a rivalry now

GRAuER It does feel like it definitely When I was a freshman we beat them twice that year and last year we beat them the first time A lot of people at our school know about it now and if they find out wersquore playing them they are like lsquoOh you gotta beat lsquoemrsquo

This scrimmage was really the first chance to officially turn the page from how last year ended How easy will that be for your team

GARzA We know that we have to (Amador Valley) is a very good team and the final couldrsquove gone either way Wersquove been keeping up our hard work and we hope to be in the championship game with them again this season

GRAuER Wersquore off to a good start with that We had a coaching change which sort of accelerated (turning the page) But our chemistry is still really good and we are ready to move forward

You both have been pitching in pressure-packed games since your freshmen season What have you learned in the time since that has made you a better pitcher

GRAuER Irsquom a lot more confident in what Irsquom do-ing I know what to expect I know what the feeling going into the championship game is like now I kind of know how to control the emotions and stay really focused

GARzA I feel like Irsquove learned a lot from playing teams (like Amador Valley) You realize how good of hitters they are and what you need to do Facing those teams have helped me grow My coach has helped me grow My teammates they have my back Irsquom not a high strikeout pitcher If I produce a ground ball my defense is going to get that out Knowing theyrsquore there for me is a really big deal

What will it take for your teams to do it all over again this June

GRAuER Almost all of us are returners We know what wersquore doing Wersquove done it before so itrsquos really re-laxed We just need to work on staying into the game all seven innings And hitting consistently

GARzA We need to trust each other and work hard Wersquove been there so many times why canrsquot we do it again If we put in the hard work we can do it

and

By CHaCe brySon | Editor

grauersitting down with the two pitchers of nationally-ranked amador Valley and James logan

garza

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

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Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

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k

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Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

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tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

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The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 25: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomMarch 7 201332 SportStarstrade Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

amanda HorbaSCHrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Horbasch sparkled as the Timeberwolvesrsquo ace a year ago posting a record of 13-4 with a 096 ERA and a 158 Ks through 117 innings

jenna Curtanrsaquo SCHool Woodcreekrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The versatile Curtan was the ultimate table-setter for the Woodcreek lineup in 2012 She hit 404 with 38 hits 28 runs scored and 18 SB

allie WalljaSPerrsaquo SCHool Sierrarsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort A true double-threat the LSU-bound talent went 13-4 with a 048 ERA and 226 Ks in the circle At the plate she hit 368 with 5 HR

kRYSTAL AUBERTrsaquo SCHool Casa Roblersaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Absolutely mashed at the plate a year ago The infielder led the Rams in nearly every offensive category including average (508) runs (31) RBI (27) and extra-base hits (16)

PariS HallumSrsaquo SCHool Ponderosarsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hallums re-turns as the Bruins ace after posting a 13-3 with seven shutouts a season ago She held a 197 ERA with 124 Ks

zamari Hintonrsaquo SCHool Sheldonrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Hinton blos-somed into an offensive force for the Huskies a year ago hitting 522 with 19 RBI and 27 runs scored Expect those numbers to go up as she migrates toward the heart of the lineup in 2013

morgan lambrsaquo SCHool Elk Groversaquo year Sophomorersaquo SCouting rePort When a freshman hits 410 and leads her team with 26 runs scored itrsquos hard not to take notice The infielder also led the team with 34 hits two triples and a HR

taylor martinezrsaquo SCHool El Caminorsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort The tal-ented 1BOF was not easy to pitch to in 2012 She lead her team in several offensive categories includ-ing average (560) hits (42) RBI (26) and HR (3)

breonna bejaranrsaquo SCHool Modesto Christianrsaquo year Seniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Last season was a tough one for the Crusaders but not for Bejaran who batted 653 with 23 RBI 9 doubles 2 triples and 8 HR

kATELYn hARDEnrsaquo SCHool Hughsonrsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort The pitcher was a force in the circle and at the plate Her pitching numbers included a 25-1 record with 285 Ks and just 29 walks in 155 IP On offense she hit 518 with 37 RBI

gabrielle mauriCersaquo SCHool Johansen-Modestorsaquo year Senior rsaquo SCouting rePort Named CalHiSportscomrsquos Junior Player of the Year Maurice batted 614 with 36 runs 27 RBI and 9 HR Of her 35 hits 23 went for extra bases

koBiE PETTiSrsaquo SCHool Argonautrsaquo year Juniorrsaquo SCouting rePort Pettis was named a Sophomore All-American after a season in which she hit 659 with 58 hits 53 runs 31 RBI and 18 SB

Our preview coverage will continue with Jim McCuersquos exclusive online feature on Ponderosa at SportStarsOnlinecom on March 11 Herersquos a teaser

Paris Hallums and the Ponderosa softball team were rolling in the 2012 Sac Joaquin Section Division I play-offs before the offensive juggernaut of Sheldon derailed the Bruinsrsquo title hopes

But a new season brings new hope for Ponderosa The Bruins who finished with a 22-9 overall record and won the Delta River League with an 8-2 mark last year return Hallums their ace pitcher and a host of promis-ing young bats to challenge Sheldonrsquos dynasty

Ponderosa won a Division II title back in 1980 well before any of this yearrsquos players were born but a new chapter is being written for the program that has finished three times as section runner-up in the last 11 years

Itrsquos time to flip the script

WaNt MOre

Ponderosa senior Missy Silveira Photo by James K Leash

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 26: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 33SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Welcome to Impulse your one-stop shop for gadgets gizmos and gear Compiled by staff writer Erik Stordahl Impulse provides you with the latest and greatest of whatrsquos currently hot on the market Should you like any of the products show-cased here you can easily use the Layar App on your smart phone to pull-up a direct link to the companyrsquos website Scan Click Buy Simple

KIND HEALTHY SNACKS

Donrsquot be fooled by other health bars With KIND you can actually pronounce

all of the ingredients of what yoursquore eating which makes for a shocking twist these days

They have a library of flavors to choose from which makes it tough for us to choose our favorite You should definitely try Madagascar Vanilla Almond

Peanut Butter Dark Chocolate + Protein and Fruit amp Nut Delight The best part is it tastes good

AND itrsquos healthy Like for reals healthy We can get behind that Go to

wwwkindsnackscom to learn more

XX2I OPTICS SUNGLASSESThese babies just won the Gear Institute Best Value Award for sports sunglasses under $150 The package comes with two sunglasses five lenses pouches for frames and lenses and a hard case The five lenses are all different colors and shades so you can customize for any conditions yoursquore facing on the trail We dare you to find a bigger bang for your buck Visit wwwxx2icom for more info

UNDER ARmOURIf yoursquore anything like us then yoursquove been glued to your TV watching hour upon hour of the NFL Combine We geek out watching how fast 300-pound linemen can run the 40 how nimble quarterbacks are running the shuttle drill and how much tiny running backs can bench 225 pounds You probably noticed the colorful spandex these dudes were wearing And yup itrsquos another sports apparel signature of Under Armour UA is ideal for working out so we suggest you royally hook yourself up and ace that tryout Hit up wwwunderarmourcom

PRO HAmmER bATWe know yoursquore smart and know this is the BaseballSoft-ball Preview issue so therersquos no need for us to hit you over the head with one of these The Pro Hammer bat helps you locate the sweet spot every time Yoursquoll be turning weak groundouts and popouts into dingers in no time Go to wwwprohammerbatcom to get yours now

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 27: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

34 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

3Ways yOuth sPOrts Culture Is kIllING selF MOtIVatION

Todayrsquos ldquoprofessional modelrdquo of competitive youth sports has tremendous advantages over the former recreational sport model that most of us parents grew up with

In regards to development young athletes are learning more faster and sooner than ever before My 10-year old daughter already knows more about soccer than I did when I was 25 This model is excellent for identifying the best talent and helping to build the competitiveness of our clubs colleges national and professional teams It also helps drive coaching education with licensing by national governing bodies giving our kids better coaching and better sport experiences All great news for our elite youth athletes

However there is a downside to this training model Deficient self-motivation Herersquos why

Erika CarlsonGet Mental

1HigHly organized SPortS From a young age mdash Prior to this hyper-competitive era we live in athletes could be seasonal and try a number of sports They could choose to not play one year and play the next Athletes often played multiple sports usually one per season This approach allowed athletes to pause and take time to recover mentally and physically reducing the chance of injury and burnout Unlike todayrsquos sport world they could step away and decide what they really wanted to do If they were in they were IN In other words they were much more likely to be self-motivated

2autHoritative CoaCH-ing StyleS ndash Authoritative coaches (think ldquoMy way or the highwayrdquo) have been around forever There are some athletes who thrive under the tutelage of a hard-nosed coach There are many who donrsquot So why do authoritative coaches kill self-motivation Because their motivator is fear Fear of the being yelled at Fear of being singled out Fear of making a mistake Itrsquos true fear IS the best motivator (this generally helps us survive as humans) The problem is that once fear is removed there is often a complete lack of motivation In other words motivation becomes dependent on the presence of fear This is one explanation for why former athletes who once thrived in a strict highly disciplined authoritative program could not transfer what they learned from sport to life in general This also explains athletes who are highly moti-vated during practice but not outside of it The true test of motivation is if an athlete can work hard on their own

3no Free time mdash Anyone who is a youth athlete or a parent of a youth athlete lacks free time That was not the case 25 years ago There was down time There was time to reflect on last weekendrsquos game and time to dream about next weekend So what does that have to do with motiva-

tion My 15 years as a Mental Skills Coach has taught me first hand that when an athlete knows their ldquowhyrdquo (ldquoWhy do I playrdquo ldquoWhy am I out herehellipagainrdquo ldquoWhy am I not home hanging out with my friendsrdquo) motivation is stronger and more resilient Finding your ldquowhyrdquo requires reflective thinking self-awareness and adversity challenges Ironically in todayrsquos culture the best opportunity some athletes get for free time is when they are injured Free time can be any time away from the court or field with friends hiking biking going to the beach mdash anything that allows for time to ponder possibilities and figure out your ldquowhyrdquo

WHY DOES bEING SELF-mOTIVATED mATTERrsaquo iTrsquoS UP To YoU To gET iT DonE ndash At the end of the day itrsquos your

sport experience You will put in the sweat and you will reap the benefits and satisfaction Blaming others for failures will get you nowhere Being proactive and responsible will

rsaquo YoUR PRoFESSion (PRoBABLY noT SPoRTS) WiLL REqUiRE iT mdash Sports are a great training ground for life Working in a system with others learning to be disciplined and work through conflict even learning how to win are skills you will need for the rest of your life Chances are you will not be a professional athlete (donrsquot let me stop you) but if therersquos any chance of it being self-motivated will be KEY for making that happen

rsaquo iF YoU Do ThE WoRk YoU gET ThE CREDiT mdash Irsquove talked to a lot of athletes over the years Not one person has ever told me that they regret-ted working really hard towards a goal I know itrsquos clicheacute to say but many athletes have told me the journey towards a goal matters It often matters more than the goal itself

Erika Carlson is a certified mental trainer and owner of Excellence In Sport Performance in Pleasanton

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 28: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 35SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Concussion prevention through neck strengtheninghealth watch lauren small

Concussion prevention has become a hot topic amongst everyone associated with athletics especially parents coaches and medical professionals who treat adoles-cent and young athletes While there are many devices on the market that claim to prevent concussions there is a much less expensive yet very effective way to

reduce the risk of a concussion and it works for all sports

According to Dr Cantu a leading concussion expert daily neck strengthening exercises if done properly can help prevent concussions more than any product on the market today

The exercises are easy to do and do not require any special equipment They can be done at home by using your hand to resist head flexion exten-

sion lateral flexion and rotation You can also use a partner or a resistance band instead if you choose the important thing is that there is some form of resistance in order to strengthen the muscles Several sets of 10 repetitions in each direction every day will decrease head acceleration that is a leading cause of concussion

It is important to note that neck strengthening is something that should be done in addition to practicing proper techniques for your sport and utilizing appropriate protec-tive equipment While there is no way to completely prevent a concussion during physical activity playing smart will go a long way

Lauren Small is a certified athletic trainer at the Sports Medicine Center for Young Athletes of Childrenrsquos Hospital Oakland

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 29: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

36 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

Do you ever notice the big buff guys walking around the gym with their huge chests shoulders and arms and it looks like their shoulders are squeezing to-gether in the front Well thatrsquos not a good thing

Whatrsquos happening is their front pressing muscles are so much stronger in comparison to their back pulling muscles that they are in fact tightening their chest and shoulder muscles which actually damages their back and pulling muscles mdash which can inadvertently lead to a rounded back This rounded back is also present in individuals who spend lots of time sitting in front of a computer and not working out So whether you work out or not you need to strengthen your back so you can keep your back posture and strength

The simple point is that 90 percent of people who train and 100 percent of those who donrsquot neglect the need to build a strong back If you are a person who works out studies show that simply building your pulling muscles will in fact increase the ability for you to presspush more weight

If you are a person who spends no time in the weight room but a lot of time sitting with your hands in front of your body then doing some simple exercises to build your back strength will help your posture to ward off pain later in life and that old person hunch that looks so sexy

Anthony Trucks is the owner of Trucks Training facility in Brentwood and covers weight training for SportStars

Be sure to pull not just presspowered by Trucks anthony trucks

WaTc

h you

r bac

k

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 30: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 37SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Maximizing effectiveness of inverted rowTraining time Tim rudd

The row is a pulling exercise that is great for acceleration throwing pushing pulling per-forming other exercises posture shoulder health anti-extension core stabiliz-ers scapular stabilitymobil-ity grip lats rhomboids and mid and lower traps mdash all things that are important for increasing athletic performance in any sport But of course only if itrsquos done right

Here are four ways to increase the effective-ness of the exercise

Start in the top position Ensure that the athletersquos body is in a neutral position (head shoulder hips knees and ankles aligned and core stabilized)

The athletersquos shoulder blades should be retracted shoulders relaxed and wrists remain neutral This prevents anterior tilt of the shoulder blades preventing shear forces on the cuff and tendons of the shoulders and elbows

The elbows barely pass the midline of the body ensuring that we keep scapular stability as well as ball socket integrity of the shoulder joint

At the bottom the body line should still be neutral (plank position) shoulders relaxed and shoulder blades protracted

The athletes should descend out of the top with control and pull back up slowly for beginners and faster as the athlete advances and masters this movement There are many ways to advance this movement by decreasing the angle adding resistance decreasing stability by using only one arm changing grips and adding rotation The possibilities are limitless but it is important to follow the proper progressions and stress quality over quantity especially if the goal is to improve performance on the field or court

Tim Rudd is an IYCA specialist in youth conditioning and owner of Fit2TheCore

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 31: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

38 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

tri steps liz elliott

Spring is almost here and itrsquos time to make sure you have all the gear needed for training and your upcoming races While there are always more and better items you can buy many items are ldquonice to havesrdquo Here is a short list of ldquomust havesrdquo

rsaquo Working bike with at least 2 water bottle cages Get fit Get it tuned

rsaquo Working newer helmet rsaquo Run shoes right for your feet and gait Go get fit rsaquo Non-cotton wicking sport clothes rsaquo At least one pair of bike shortsrsaquo At least one pair of tri shortsrsaquo Wetsuit if doing open water swimming rsaquo Swim gear - swim suit goggles right for your face swim cap rsaquo Sun glasses rsaquo Sun block rsaquo Water bottles Again this is by no means everything you will want or need but this will

get you startedGear also includes nutritional items for before during and after work-

outs You need gels bars and electrolytes for during your workouts and re-covery for after your workout While I always recommend real unprocessed food as your regular diet packaged ldquosportrdquo foods specifically designed for optimal nutrition absorption and time-released (not the granola or other types of bars) are not only designed for your body while working out but also packaged perfectly for use during a run or ride Since last season your tastes may have changed Go to a sports store and pick up an array of products to sample and begin to try in your early season workouts

Liz Elliott was an All-American collegiate swimmer and is the head coach at Tri-Valley Triathlon Clubget

upgeared

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 32: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

40 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

The Donovin Darius Next Level Football Camp is quickly becoming a staple in the Bay Area

A 10-year NFL veteran (nine seasons with the Jaguars one with the Dolphins) Darius has made his home in Jacksonville FL but is passing on his knowledge of the game of football to youngsters and high schoolers locally For those ready to take on the college level itrsquos advised they take part in his Spring Combine and Football Camp in Dublin on April 6

Just like the NFL Scouting Combine this one tests high school athletesrsquo speed agility footwork endurance flexibility and more Scouting combines have been popping up in recent years and most high schoolers show up to these events unprepared

Darius has been running his own combine for more than five years and will coach these athletes on events like the 40-yard dash shuttle run and others Hersquoll also give them tips on how to improve in each area so they can make stronger impressions in front of college coaches and scouts down the line

ldquoThis is a more hands-on approachrdquo said Sta-cey Harris who helps run the Combine ldquoEvery kid leaves a better football player because of the way (Donovin) runs the camprdquo

But itrsquos not just for elite high school players itrsquos

also for younger kids who simply want to get their feet wet

ldquoItrsquos a great intro to the sportrdquo Harris said ldquoTheyrsquoll learn footwork technique endurance flexibility mdash the basics And we measure those thingsrdquo

ldquoThey learn how to be students of the gamerdquo Dar-ius said

Hersquos also big on developing the character of these athletes and shaping them to become role models amongst their peers

ldquoAthletes have great opportunities to be leadersrdquo Darius said ldquoThe problem Irsquom trying to help solve is an identity problem and help turn these athletes into a generation of leadersrdquo

In addition to running a series of drills high school athletes will get the chance to sit down one-on-one with Darius where he can go in-depth on how they can improve positionally whether theyrsquore a linebacker or wide receiver

The Spring Combine and Football Camp will be held at Emerald Glenn Park in Dublin on April 6 Itrsquos $75 for youth athletes and $99 for high schoolers Prizes will be given to Fastest Man Most Improve-ment Most Coachable Offensive MVP and Defen-sive MVP Prizes include autograph footballs trad-ing cards gift certificates training gear and more

For more info on the Combine check out wwwdariusnextleveltrainingcom

10-year NFl veteran brings his multi-level combine to DublinBy ERik SToRDAhL | SportStars

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 33: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 41SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

baSeballSoFtballAll Star Academy of BaseballAll-Star Academy in Santa Clara features a 17000-square foot indoor and outdoor training facility that is home to a variety of instructional programs de-signed to develop the total player ASA offers All Skills Camps for ages 7-12 and Summer Boot Camps for 12 amp under middle school high school com-petitive athletes Info 650-961-2255 wwwasabaseballcomBlankenship BaseballWe are a year-round competitive program based in Danville The camp focuses on team-work hustle sportsman-ship We also offer small group training and one-on-one training Info lancer-blankenshipsbcglobalnet or 925-708-3173Cabernet Baseball ClubThe Livermore-based club not only hosts The Pitching Centerrsquos Spring Break Baseball Skills Camp 2013 it also is home to training and rec-reational leagues in other sports mdash including foot-ball soccer futsal softball and lacrosse Lilrsquo Baseball offered for ages 3-7 Info 925-416-1600 wwwcab-ernetindoorsportscomej SportsEJ Sports provides positive instructive base-ball programs that includes camps teams

conditioning clinics for ages 7-18 We provide an exciting bully-free en-vironment to help play-ers improve athletically and build confidence Our instructors possess the capability to teach concepts and relate to youth based on their comprehension level and athletic ability Our staff consists of qualified coaches dedicated to improving and continu-ally learning newest techniques in baseball Info 925-866-7199 wwwejsportscomthe Pitching CenterIn an effort to develop baseball players to their full potential The Pitching Center has become the Total Player Center (TPC) a full-service baseballsoftball training academy We provide comprehensive fully-integrated programs that evolve based on the best research and information in areas from healthsafety peak performance education techniques and more Age- and skill-specific programs available for ages 8-18 Info 925-416-1600 wwwthepitchingcentercomnorCal grizzlies BaseballCamps and classes offered at various loca-tions NorCal Grizzlies Baseball has programs to help accelerate baseball development for players of all ages 925-606-1605 wwwnorcalgrizzliesorg

BASkETBALLAll out Sports LeagueOur camps are geared toward teaching fundamentals Every aspect is covered drib-bling shooting layups passing cross-overs defense help defense boxing out and more Camps open to boys girls ages 6-16 We hold a multi-week Spring Academy in Clayton four-day Summer Academy in Antioch Info 925-203-5636 or wwwalloutsportsleaguecomBald Eagle Basketball CampCampers get improved skills passion for becoming their best Our unique format gives camp-ers a choice period each day to play more basketball go swimming play sports camp games have fun in our activity arcade mdash whatever summer fun they choose This year wersquove ramped up our staff with more coaches who have high level playing andor coaching experience not to mention their PCA Certification like every staff member at Bald Eagle Sports Camps Info 888-505-2253CalStarsThe Stars Basketball Academy offers youth and high school summer camps The SBA is a fundamental based skills de-velopment camp for kids in third grade-high school We offer three youth (3rd-8th) sessions and two high school sessions Camps are conducted by Clay Kallam (Bent-ley HS) Kelly Sopak (Miramonte HS) Dan

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 34: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

42 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Middleton (Northgate HS) Raul Reyes (Mira-monte HS) and Elgin Leslie (Campolindo HS) Camps also assisted by former high school college players Info wwwcalstarsorgFastBreak BasketballMargaret Gartner highly-decorated girls bas-ketball coach for Carondelet leads this girls camp focused on fundamentals Three week-long sessions Session I June 24-28 Grades 4-10 Session II July 15-19 Grades 1-6 and Session III July 22-26 Grades 4-10 Learn improve basketball fundamentals skills while having fun Info wwwFastBreakBballcom or email Fastbreak_clubyahoocomgolden State WarriorsThe Golden State Warriors will be conducting camps this spring sum-mer for boys and girls ages 7-15 In addition to high quality instruction each camper receives a reversible Warriors jersey headband certificate two tickets to a Warriors home game and more Info 510-986-5310 or go to httpwarriorscomcamps hawk Basketball AcademyWe focus on skill development challenging the individual to push themselves to become the very best Focusing on footwork drib-bling proper shooting technique reaching your highest level of performance improving your mental game preparing for CYO high school and AAU Info 510-943-9252 face-bookcom hawkbasketballacademyirsquom Possible Training (Mike Allen)Whether yoursquore beginner or on varsity this

program will help you excel Improve ball-handling footwork shoot-ing overall fitness Irsquom Possible is a world-renowned basketball program authored by NBA skills coach Micah Lancaster Mike Allen head trainer for the Bay Area located in Los Gatos runs clinics for athletes of all levels from pros to AAU and high school By register-ing you can download the program which lists a library of drills Info 408-224-8503 or email mikeallenpossibletrainingcom wwwpossibletrainingcommikeallennorCal Courts Basketball CampsNorcal Courts in Martinez covers all major fundamentals dribbling passing shoot-ing defense rebounding The Spring Break Camp is April 1-5 5th graders (9-11 am) 6th-8th graders (noon-2 pm) high schoolers (3-5 pm) Ses-sions have fun exciting drills that will help them become better players Camps run by qualified high school coaches from Cal Stars and Cagers Basketball Info 925-457-5081 wwwnorcalcourtscom

CHeerCheergymscomCustomize our clinics to fit your needs Cheer-gymscom runs the best overnight residential camps We offer practical fun material and profes-sional knowledgeable staff Camps do not exceed 375 cheerleaders

with one staff member for every 15 cheerlead-ers Two-day camps also available Private camps allow you to pick the hours decide what they will learn Camps also available for coaches Intense Training Camps let you can pick one specific thing to work on for just $10 per student per hour Info mortoncheergymscom 925-685-8176 wwwcheergymscom

enriCHmentBald Eagle Jr high Leadership CampGiving your child a road map to create suc-cess is extremely powerful Our Jr High Leader-ship Camp includes tangible experiences working cooperatively with peers leading groups public speaking making friends un-derstanding community service living an ac-tive lifestyle through fun camp activities Info 888-505-2253dianne adair ProgramsCome join any of our eight summer sites for our fun and exciting summer program Each week campers choose from several camps including sports fashion drama CSI science and more In addition to weekly camps we have weekly field trips to places like an Arsquos or Gi-ants game museums the Jelly Belly Factory Six Flags the pool the movies parks and the zoo Field trips and camps vary by site Offers rates may vary at any of our nine locations Info wwwdianneadairorg

March 7 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 35: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 43SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade

FitneSSChildrenrsquos hospitalldquoLearn What Itrsquos Like To Be An Athletic Trainerrdquo Workshop exclusively for high school students March 1-2 Includes Overview of careers in sports medicine ankle injuries and taping tech-niques wrist hand thumb injuries and taping knee injuries and RICE therapy stretching techniques low back injuries and CORE Training sports con-cussions shoulder injuries rehabilitation Class credit certificate of completion and reference ma-terials Run by Childrenrsquos Hospital Sports Medicine staff held in Oakland Also available yoga athletic development speed camps circuit training Info 510-428-3558Fit 2 The Core As a Youth Conditioning SpeedAgility and Nutrition Specialist with the In-ternational Youth Con-ditioning Association Fit-2 The Core Training Systems offers innovative approach to getting ath-letes back on the field We work on a solid athletic foundation while focusing on individual progress Instruction in movement training injury reduction linearlateral speed development foot speed and agility power development proper weight training techniques and functional strength training Athletes are closely supervised with attention on proper technique safety We offer 2 daysweek or 3 daysweek program options Free two-week free pass Info wwwfasteryoungathletescom 925-639-0907Renaissance ClubSport We offer sports speciality camps for kids 5-12 during school breaks Partici-pants have fun-filled active breaks as they receive in-struction in a variety of sports activities and projects Work-ing parents can take advan-tage of our extended hours for both morning and afternoon sessions Families with multiple children receive 10 percent discount for each additional sibling regis-tered for the same week Info 925-942-6344trucks trainingTrucks Training was started by people who grew up in the area experienced the world and came back to provide a service that we feel our community lacks We have proven records and know what it takes to achieve the next level of sports amp fitness safely and effectively Hometown feel from true hometown people We offer 1-on-1 group and small group training for both fitness and sport-specific needs Info truckstrainingcom 925-756-7321Walnut Creek Sports amp FitnessWe offer more than 70 group classes per week WCSF raised money for Walnut Creek Schools through our annual Turkey Trot 5K 10K amp Kidsrsquo Fun Runs We thank the community for helping raise over $25000 Free one week pass Info 925-932-6400 wwwwcsfnet

FootballAll out Sports LeagueCamps held in Antioch and Clayton Our four day non-contact camp teaches every position on the football field and are geared toward the fundamen-tals Every aspect is covered blocking tackling running defense offense special teams and more Camps are open to boys girls ages 6-16 Info 925-203-5636 wwwalloutsportsleaguecom Diablo Football CampsWe offer contact and non-contact camps for players

ages 6-14 which take place at Laural Ball Field and Shady Oaks Park in Oakley Inforegistration 925-625-2222 wwwDiabloFootballcomFootball UniversityFrom the creators of the US Army All-American Bowl Exclusively for nationrsquos most elite youth high school players For many younger players this level of coaching is simply not available so the Football University experience focuses on intense position-specific technique taught by our expert faculty The 2013 Bay Area camp will be held at Dublin High from April 26-28 Info footballuniversityorglinemeninc CampsUtilizing top college coaches and former NFL line-men LinemenInc has produced a nationally-recognized camp and coachrsquos clinic LinemenInc blends a fast paced techni-cally skill-oriented curriculum with a level of competition not found in other camps Tuition is reasonably priced and includes camp room meals and jersey In 2012 LinebackerInc was added Info wwwline-meninccom next Level Training CombineThis spring combine and football camp is April 6 at Emerald Park in Dublin for football players ages 7-18 The camp will feature 10-year NFL defensive back Donovin Darius Youth camp are 9 am-noon high school camp is 1-4 pm Focuses of the combine will include speed agility strength quickness and conditioning Info DariusNextLevelTrainingcom 904-290-3320norCal Football CampsLed by Ken Peralta Norcal Football Camps are focused on serving youth ages 7-14 Norcal Flag Football Leagues serve kids entering grades 2-6 Info Ken 650-245-3608 norcalyouthfoot-ballcampyahoocom wwwnorcalfootballcampscom

golFThe First Tee-Contra CostaThe First Tee Summer Camp is a youth develop-ment program for boys girls ages 7-18 Participants will learn about golf and life skills and values inherent to the game We have offerings at courses in Antioch Concord Martinez and Walnut Creek Fee assistance available Info

March 7 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 36: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

44 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYARMarch 7 2013

All Out Baseball amp Softball In Season 28

All- Star Academy41

Army National Guard Recruiter 7

Bear Valley Mountain Camps 13

Big O Tires Northern California Nevada 2

Cabernet Indoor Sports 40

Cal Athletic Camps46

Cal Stars Girls Basketball 44

Championship Athletic Fundraising 12

CheergymsCom 18

Childrenrsquos Hospital And Research Center 38

Club Sport 35

Club Sport Renaissance 22

Community Youth Center 45

Core Volleyball Club 41

Diablo Rock Gym 44

Diablo Trophies amp Awards 44

Dianne Adair Enrichment Programs 3

Donovin Darius Next Level Football Combine 39 45

E J Sports Elite Baseball Services 42

East Bay Sports Academy 16

Excellence In Sport Performance 34

Fit 2 The Core 37

Golden Key Realty amp Mortgage Bankers Inc46

Hawk Basketball Academy 41

Head First Baseball 27

Heritage Soccer Club 23

Home Team Sports Photography 43

Image Imprint 41

Impact Soccer 23

Jump Highway 41

Linemeninc 44

Mike Allen Sports L L C 47

Mountain Mikersquos Pizza 11

Muir Orthopedic Specialists 37

National Scouting Report 42

Passthaball 45

Pro Hammer Bat 43

Roccorsquos Pizza 44

Rockin Jump 32

Saint Maryrsquos Athletic Summer Camps 42

Sky High Sports 44

Sport Clips 21

State Farm Jimmy Harrington Agent 15

Stevens Creek Toyota 17

Sutter Delta 5

The First Tee Of Contra Costa 4546

Tpc The Pitching Center 27

Trucks Training 34

U S Cryotherapy 36

United States Youth Volleyball League 48

Velocity Sports Performance 43

Velocity Sports Baseball 42

Walnut Creek Soccer Club 21

West Coast Soccer Club 42

Advertiser index

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 37: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

Score Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR 45SportStarstradeSupport Your Local Business bull Say You Found Them In SportStarstrade March 7 2013

Angela Paradise 925-686-6262 Ext 0 wwwthefirstteecontracostaorg The First Tee-oaklandParticipants receive a minimum of 12 hours of instruction over an eight-week period Instruction is conducted at three City of Oakland affiliate courses We introduce the game of golf in a way that allows participants to progress with the me-chanics required Offered at little or no cost Info 510-352-2002 wwwthefirstteeoaklandorgThe First Tee-Silicon ValleySpring classes begin in early March and seasonal classes are offered at Rancho del Pueblo Golf Course (San Jose) and Palo Alto Golf Course We welcome participants ranging from 2nd to 12th grade Scholarships available Info wwwthefirst-teesiliconvalleyorgThe First Tee-Tri-ValleyWe offer seasonal camps for youth ages 7-17 held at the Pleasanton Golf Center Life Skills Experience Classes begin in early March Once-a-week summer slasses also available Info 925-462-7201 wwwTheFirstTeeTriValleyorgLPgA-USgA girls golf CampAll-girls golf camp at Boundary Oak Golf Course taught by highly skilled LPGA and PGA member Teaching Pro-fessionals Improve your short game irons woods and trick shots Practice on the range and short game area where we will play a lot of games while building on the fundamentals Etiquette and character built into the curriculum Finish by playing nine holes Info LPGAKatiegmailcom bull (925) 482-4547

gymnaStiCSeast bay Sports academySummer day camps offer the best in gymnastics cheerleading and tumbling Half-day and full-day camps for girls boys ages 5 and up for both recre-ational and competitive athletes Our 13000 square foot facility has the newest equip-ment including the brand new super-boun-cy safety-rated Weller Spring Floor which is the largest in the world Gymnastics amp cheerleading camps July 15-18 July 22-25 August 5-8 August 12-15 Competitive gymnastics camp (Levels 4 amp up) July 8-12 East Bay All-Stars Cheerleading also private minicamps and clinics for all kinds of cheerleading Info wwweastbaysportsacademycom 925-680-9999

hoRSEBACk RiDingearthquake arabiansOur skilled staff and individual instruction gives each rider an opportunity to advance at his or her own pace while creating individual goals for success If a competitive riding program is what yoursquore looking for Earthquake Arabians has been continuously successful in the Ara-bian show ring Spring and summer camps are around the corner Info wwwearthquakearabi-anscom 925-360-7454

laCroSSeatherton lacrosseJoin Atherton Lacrosse and learn the basics of the game in their spring summer and fall camps Every camper receives access to the best high school college and professional lacrosse coaches in the Bay Area in a setting with an extremely low coach-to-camper ratio Every camper receives a free t-shirt Dates and Info wwwathertonlacrossecom

martial artSUSkSAdult and childrenrsquos programs kick box fitness mixed martial arts Providing excellence in mar-tial arts instruction and services for the entire family 925-682-9517 wwwusksmartialartscom

outdooradventureBear Valley Mountain Outdoor adventures including kayaking tennis cycling hiking camp fires and more Soccer (ages 9-16) archery (9-adult) teen climbing and Bear Val-leyrsquos Day Camps for ages 3-18 provide mountain fun Eight-week weeklong and day camps Every camper will have the opportunity to enjoy a selec-tion of mountain activities including rock climbing sailing canoeing hiking swimming disc golf art and crafts kayaking biking wilderness adventures and more Info wwwbearvalleycom

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 38: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013

March 7 201346 SportStarstrade Upload photos and team stats wwwSportStarsOnlinecomScore Digital Content Scan SSM With LAYAR

Diablo Rock gymOffering kids summer camps every week June-August Ages 6-17 multiple kid andor week discounts Info 925-602-1000epic indoor SkateparkSkateboard and scooter camps available in June July and November Only $250 for a week or $50 per day Skateboard deck or scooter grips in-cluded with a full week of camp Lunch and snack provided Info wwwepicindoorskatecom

rugbyDiablo RugbyYouth rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the US Based in Clayton our club is dedicated to providing a positive rugby experience for boys at high school jr high and youth levels Info 925-381-5143 httpdiabloyouthrugbyclubspacescom

SoCCerginorsquos Soccer AcademyThe official camp of the Walnut Creek Soccer Club run by WCSC Director of Coaching Tom Ginocchio and staffed with WCSC club coaches amp players Five one-week programs for ages 4-17 in July and August Along with regular full- and half-day soc-cer programs GSA runs the following spe-cialty programs team camps (recreational competitive) advanced player academies high school player academy goalkeeper academies all boysall girls academies Info wwwginossocceracademycom 925-937-4466heritage Soccer ClubTwo fun-filled sessions June 24-28 July 22-25 Camp runs from 9 am-2 pm Cost for Heritage members is $150 for one session $250 for both Non Heritage players $225$325 Sibling dis-counts $50 each Heritage camp focuses on learning new skills and honing existing ones Compete in small-sided games and camp tournaments Camp also includes keeper and striker training conditioning nutrition and developing your mental game Registration is open to boys and girls ages 7-14 Info wwwHeritageSCcomWest Coast Soccer Programs designed to bring professional experience and guidance to youth players across North-ern California The WCS coaching staff has created a curriculum to build the neces-sary foundation for your child to continue to grow WCS camps clinics and training programs create an environ-ment that encourages experimentation and a passion for the game Info wwwwestcoast-soccerclubcomWest Contra Costa youth Soccer leagueOur program caters to competitive youth players ages 8-9 The main focus is not winning but on development of total player within framework of a team We also offer spe-cialized training for strikers and goalkeepers Younger ages focus on foot skills We desire to promote personal responsibility

fitness sportsmanship and teamwork Info 510-758-5288 httpwccyslcom

SWiMMing-DiVingSherman Swim SchoolOur year-round schedule allows children and adults to learn retain and improve their swim skills We teach from age 9 months to adults from non-swimmers to competitive Our private or semi-private lessons allow you to progress at your pace We also offer be-ginning and competitive diving classes Info 925-283-2100 wwwShermanSwimcom

tenniSClubSport Valley VistaOur camps are designed so that we touch on every major aspect of the game stroke production conditioning strategy footwork and psy-chology Our low prices help make summer camp more affordable than ever Eight sessions offered between June 17 and Aug 16 geared toward players ages 7ndash16 from beginner to intermediate lev-els ClubSport Valley Vista members receive discounted rates Info 925-934-4050

volleyballBay Area Blast Summer ClinicsOffering summer skills clinics for players of all ages skill levels at NorCal Courts in Martinez Morning clinics for 6th-8th grade girls and boys or players who are beginnerintermediate level Evening clinics for 9th-12th grade girls and boys or players who are intermediateadvanced level Info wwwbayareablastcomsummerclinicshtmlCity beach The City Beach volleyball club is based out of Santa Clara and has achieved a vast amount of national success while sending an array of athletes to the college level The club offers summer camps and clinics Info CityBeachClubSpacescomPacific Rim VolleyballThrough private lessons and opportunity for year-round skills class-es athletes of any age or level can learn and improve the skills to gain a competitive edge For athletes with limited experience we help develop solid fundamentals Our advanced training for junior levels (12th grade amp below) will provide athletes opportunity to excel at becoming elite players in preparation for high school andor collegiate volleyball Info wwwpacificrimvolleyballcomUS Youth Volleyball LeagueCamps are for beginner intermediate ad-vanced players for boys girls We have a player-to-coach ratio of 81 Focus on spiking serving setting passing blocking defense of-fense and game strategy Six- four- and two-person formats allow kids to play in every position Registration fee includes a T-shirt completion certificate snacks and water Info 888-988-7985 wwwUSYVLorg

WreStlingCommunity youth CenterOffers young athletes opportunity to partici-pate and excel in one of the worldrsquos oldest sports The program trains challenges wrestlers at all age groups

from kindergarten through high school and all experience levels The program is nationally recognized under the guidance of coach Mark Halvorson Info 925-671-7070 Ext 229 wwwcommunityyouthcentercom

MULTi-SPoRTBald Eagle Sports CampsA great blend of non-traditional ldquoultimaterdquo games along with traditional summer activi-ties especially the soft-sword ldquoZaber Gamesrdquo that no other camp in the Bay has Every activity is inclusive of any level athlete and our message creates encouragement from coaches and teammates Even the non-sports child will feel motivated to play and love our camp and the highly competitive athlete will feel challenged Itrsquos the perfect mix of fun activity message and culture Ages K-8th grades Info 888-505-2253Cal CampsCamps are offered in variety of sports for girls boys ages 5-19 with week-long half-day full-day and overnight options Most camps on campus in Berke-ley and are held from June through August The 2013 Cal Athletics Camps include the following sports baseball boys and girls basketball boys and girls rowingcrew field hockey football boys and girls golf girls gym-nastics rugby boys and girls soccer softball boys and girls swimming boys and girls ten-nis boys and girls volleyball and girls water polo Info CalBearscomcampsCity Beach kids CampCamps in Fremont for ages 6-15 and are chock-full of activities including rock climbing interactive games free play at the entertain-ment hub and courts (based upon availability) Camps are offered in 1- 3- and 5-day session (w full- and half-day options) and run from June 20-Aug30 Spring camps March 29 April 1-5 Info CityBeachcom 510-651-2500 x105De La Salle CampsOur athletic summer camps provide a fun skill-building week for kids Camps appeal to local youth with a variety of athletic in-terests De La Salle will offer the following sessions foot-ball track amp field lacrosse wrestling quarterback amp wide receiver lineman volleyball baseball soccer water polo and strength amp conditioning Week-long sessions run June 8-June 27 Info summer-campsdlshsorg 925-288-8100 Ext 7090east bay youth Sports associationWe are a year-round full-service youth sports organization dedicated to the growth and de-velopment of character sportsmanship confi-dence teamwork ability and fun We offer fam-ily friendly schedules and a relaxed enjoyment of sports in a less-than-competitive atmosphere that offers both the player and their families the best that youth sports can offer Our camps schedule includes spring break camps for ages 5-12 and summer camps for ages 5-14 Info wwweastbaysummercampscomSaint Maryrsquos College CampsWe offer boys and girls over-night day team and specialty athletic camps for ages 4-18 Camps include multi-sport (badminton basketball flag football handball paddleball soccer softball street hockey swimming tennis volleyball) individual sport camps (baseball boys basketball girls basketball golf rugby lacrosse boys soccer girls soccer softball tennis volleyball) Each clinic features the head coach of the respective Gaelsrsquo pro-gram Info wwwsmcgaelscom smccampsstmarys-caedu 925-631-4386

Page 39: SJ Issue 62, March 7, 2013