Jonesin’ In July

   If you’re a die-hard high school sports fan, July can be a tough month. 

   In June, you can coast off the adrenaline of the section and state championships that wrap up at the beginning of the month. In August, you can start reading football season previews at the beginning of the month and be watching games by the end of it. 

   But July holds the waiting game. 

   We know. We get it. We’ve been there. 

   However, you, fine reader of SportStars, have a couple of things going for you. For one, you have us. We keep an eye out for the stories and events that should help tide you over for the next four weeks. Secondly, more than likely, you live in Northern California. And there’s an awful lot to do here, and some pretty amazing weather to do it in. 

   But if we were going to make a list of some of the things we plan on using to help us navigate July, it might look something like this. 

   >> Little League — Livermore remains the host of the Little League Intermediate 50/70 World Series and Sacramento’s American River College has become the host site for the Little League Senior Western Regionals All-Star Tournament. Both of these events are fun, and feature some of America’s best young baseball talent. And, for the most part, the competition is pure. Go watch a game and enjoy the hustle, fundamentals and sportsmanship. You won’t be disappointed. 

   >> Swimming — There are plenty of competitive swim meets you could go watch. But we’re actually advocating submerging yourself. (Please, put the magazine down first.) Chalk this up to the spoils of NorCal, where if you don’t have a swimming pool, there’s undoubtedly a natural body of water within driving distance that can cool you off. 

   >> Hoops — Not 100 percent sold on jumping in some water? Cool off in an air-conditioned gym by watching some of the best boys and girls basketball players compete in their AAU tournaments and showcases. The next one of these events comes July 9-10 as the NorCal Summer Tip-Off comes to San Francisco City College. As many as 50 boys teams will be participate in NorCal’s only NCAA-certified boys event of the summer. Games run up until 11 p.m. on Saturday night and until 5 p.m. on Sunday. 

   >> Research Team USA — Get pumped for Rio! The Summer Games take place in August and several Northern California natives will be going for gold. Find out who they are — you just may find that you followed their high school career — and get ready to follow the drama. 

   And by the time the Olympics are over, you’ll be opening the pages to our Football Preview.