Sportstars
Competitive Cheer: Aiming For New Heights Under CIF
Traditional Competitive Cheer And Its Acrobatic Form, Stunt, Both Gain Boosts From CIF Recognition — Woodcreek High Eyes Second State Stunt Crown • Her arms outstretched, Woodcreek High competitive cheer athlete Alyssa Guillen bent her knees and dropped to the bottom of the pyramid, bracing for a millisecond against... Read more
Treven Crowley: Hilmar’s Double Impact Star
Born At Half The Size Of His Twin Brother, Hilmar Junior Treven Crowley Has Grown Up To Become A Star On Both Football And Baseball Field • As with any athlete, digging into statistics can reveal a lot of reasons why Hilmar High’s Treven Crowley is one of the... Read more
Kyle Harrison: De La Salle Baseball’s Kyle Cool
With Unshakeable Poise, Hard-Throwing Kyle Harrison Is Dominating Opposing Batters And A Big Part Of The Spartans’ 9-1 Start To 2019 • It’s no stretch to say Kyle Harrison was businesslike from the day he was born. OK … maybe the day after. “He was born in San Jose... Read more
Ripon Christian’s Madison de Graaf: Refusing To Bend
Born Without An Elbow In Her Right Arm, Madison de Graaf Has Defied Any Limitations To Become A Standout Two-Way Softball Player For The Knights • Softball coach Lenny Rizzuto marvels at her consistency and excellence. Assistant coach Steve de Graaf, her father, is most proud of her emotional... Read more
Max Nyrop: Nothing But Zeroes
Alameda Senior Max Nyrop Finishes Just Two Innings Shy Of State Record For Consecutive Scoreless Innings Pitched • When a pitcher in baseball doesn’t give up a run and posts a shutout, the manager or coach is never questioned about poor sportsmanship. A run is a run and any... Read more
Sheldon Boys Basketball: Huskies Hunker Down
Using Depth, Experience To Overcome Key Injuries, Sheldon Won Its First Sac-Joaquin Section Title Since 2013 — Can Huskies Repeat As NorCal Champs? Sheldon has earned its standing as a Northern California boys’ basketball powerhouse — perhaps the best public school program in the region over the last 20... Read more
Lexi Webb: Oakdale Softball’s Ultimate Weapon
Oakdale’s Lexi Webb Might Just Be One Of The Best High School Softball Hitters In The Country — And She Can Pitch, Too • Lexi Webb, the embodiment of power and potential on the diamond, blushes when the conversation turns to her.  These days, the Oakdale High senior has... Read more
Kari Geissberger: Day In The Life
Sunny With A Chance Of Spikes: Marin Catholic Volleyball Star, Kari Geissberger, Is A Ray Of Positive Energy — And A Devastating Hitter • Kari Geissberger doesn’t really walk across the Marin Catholic High campus. It’s more of a glide.  That’s how quickly she and her 6-foot-5 frame seem... Read more
NCVA Power League: Girls Season Hits Full Swing
Several Loaded Squads Gear Up For Club Power League Opening • As February arrives, so does the heart of the girls volleyball club season. The Northern California Volleyball Association Power League kicked off the 18U Division in December. Divisions 11U through 17U all get underway on Feb. 2-3 with... Read more
James Logan Basketball: Colt Fusion
With Quickness, Shooting Prowess, Depth And A Defense-First Mentality, James Logan Basketball Is Aiming To Reach Its Second State Final In Three Years • You might think a team would be nervous. James Logan High’s boys basketball had been in control for most of its late December home game... Read more
Central Catholic Football: Raiders’ Rematch Rush
Central Catholic Football comes from behind to outlast Inderkum in down-to-the-wire semifinals and punch ticket to face Del Oro in section finals • Mud can be washed away. Pain fades. And rain doesn’t erase the past. But mixed together — that’s a recipe for redemption for the 2018 Central... Read more
Modesto Christian Basketball: Bring It On
Owning Perhaps The Strongest Schedule Of Any NorCal Boys Basketball Program, The Supremely Talented Modesto Christian Crusaders Hope It Paves The Road To A State Title • There are a lot of intriguing sub-plots to the 2018-19 boys basketball season at Modesto Christian. Can the Crusaders emerge as the... Read more