No doubt, Carmel basketball coach Ryan Sanchez was right when he called Thursday's win over Stevenson the biggest in nearly two years.
However, for the win to have a real impact on Carmel's season, the Padres have to find a way to beat undefeated Pacific Grove Wednesday.
The objective is the MTAL title. You don't want to play for second place.
While Carmel showed great composure down the stretch in sinking its free throws to beat Stevenson, at some point playing with just seven healthy players is going to catch up with them.
It nearly did against Stevenson when three players played the final three minutes with four fouls. But what I like about Carmel is it is not afraid to take risks.
1/25/2008
1/22/2008
palma hoops
If Palma ends up defending its Tri-County Athletic League title, it can look back to Jan. 22 as a turning point.
I wouldn't say bouncing back from a 21-point second half deficit to defeat North Salinas salvaged their season. But had Palma dropped a second straight home game, defending its title would have been difficult.
Of course, the win will mean little if Palma doesn't open the second half of the TCAL season Thursday by beating Salinas.
What impressed me about Palma was their poise under pressure. And the fact that the comeback began when two of its best players, Clark Fox and John Bonano, were on the bench.
Ironically, it was Fox who hit the basket to give them the lead and Bonano, who got two offensive rebounds off missed free throws to keep the ball from North Salinas in the final 14 seconds. Oh, and he also sank 10-of-12 from the free throw line.
I wouldn't say bouncing back from a 21-point second half deficit to defeat North Salinas salvaged their season. But had Palma dropped a second straight home game, defending its title would have been difficult.
Of course, the win will mean little if Palma doesn't open the second half of the TCAL season Thursday by beating Salinas.
What impressed me about Palma was their poise under pressure. And the fact that the comeback began when two of its best players, Clark Fox and John Bonano, were on the bench.
Ironically, it was Fox who hit the basket to give them the lead and Bonano, who got two offensive rebounds off missed free throws to keep the ball from North Salinas in the final 14 seconds. Oh, and he also sank 10-of-12 from the free throw line.
1/20/2008
Davis to Davis
Chad Davis has verbally committed to play football next fall at UC Davis.
The Palma linebacker will make it official on Feb. 6. This is a good spot for Davis, who at 6-feet and a shad under 200 pounds, will be allowed to develop.
In some ways, Davis reminds me of former Salinas High standout and UCLA linebacker Christian Taylor, who despite being undersized at 210 pounds, became a valuable member of the Bruins defense the past two seasons.
Davis, the Herald's Defensive Player of the Year last fall, is the second player from Monterey County to receive a football scholarship.
Seaside's Deionte Gordon is headed to Sacramento State as a defensive back-receiver.
Last year Davis led the Chieftains in tackles, helping them to the postseason for the 23rd straight year.
Davis is the second athlete from Monterey County to receive an athletic scholarship to UC Davis this year.
Salinas senior shortstop Michael Aldrete signed with Davis to play baseball in the spring of 2009.
The Palma linebacker will make it official on Feb. 6. This is a good spot for Davis, who at 6-feet and a shad under 200 pounds, will be allowed to develop.
In some ways, Davis reminds me of former Salinas High standout and UCLA linebacker Christian Taylor, who despite being undersized at 210 pounds, became a valuable member of the Bruins defense the past two seasons.
Davis, the Herald's Defensive Player of the Year last fall, is the second player from Monterey County to receive a football scholarship.
Seaside's Deionte Gordon is headed to Sacramento State as a defensive back-receiver.
Last year Davis led the Chieftains in tackles, helping them to the postseason for the 23rd straight year.
Davis is the second athlete from Monterey County to receive an athletic scholarship to UC Davis this year.
Salinas senior shortstop Michael Aldrete signed with Davis to play baseball in the spring of 2009.
palma drops de la salle
Palma's decision to stop playing De La Salle in football this coming fall made perfect sense.
Over the last two years, the Chieftains did not belong on the same field with the national powers from Concord, having been outscored 83-3.
As much as Palma wanted to gain national status, the size of the school will not allow it. And it's not getting any bigger enrollment wise.
This doesn't change Palma's long-term goal, which is a shot at a state championship in Division III.
But when you suffer a loss early in the season, it makes the rest of your games must wins if you truly have state title aspirations. Two losses and you're done.
Hey, playing Cardinal-Newman this preseason is no cream puff. It went to the state title game in Division III in 2006. But at least Palma is now facing a team that's similar in size. It'll know where it stacks up.
And before you even ask, Palma will remain in the Open Division for the Central Coast Section playoffs.
Over the last two years, the Chieftains did not belong on the same field with the national powers from Concord, having been outscored 83-3.
As much as Palma wanted to gain national status, the size of the school will not allow it. And it's not getting any bigger enrollment wise.
This doesn't change Palma's long-term goal, which is a shot at a state championship in Division III.
But when you suffer a loss early in the season, it makes the rest of your games must wins if you truly have state title aspirations. Two losses and you're done.
Hey, playing Cardinal-Newman this preseason is no cream puff. It went to the state title game in Division III in 2006. But at least Palma is now facing a team that's similar in size. It'll know where it stacks up.
And before you even ask, Palma will remain in the Open Division for the Central Coast Section playoffs.
1/18/2008
log jam at top of TCAL
So what did we really learn this week about the Tri-County Athletic League in boys basketball.
Well, Palma is beatable. Alisal is inconsistent. North Salinas is the real deal. And San Benito just might be the team to beat.
Alisal's win over Palma last Tuesday was its biggest of the year, maybe in three years. But 48 hours later, it fell to San Benito --- after opening the game with a 10-0 run.
No question, Alisal has the best starting five. Depth and discipline, however, are open for debate.
North Salinas didn't flinch after being humbled by Gilroy on Tuesday, regrouping to pound cross town rival Salinas on Thursday.
Palma, meanwhile will have to stew over its loss to Alisal for eight days before facing North Salinas in an early season TCAL showdown on Jan. 22.
No one saw this coming back in December.
At 15-2, the Vikings are erasing doubts and turning heads. Remember, this is the same group that won just two games last year. Well, that's not quite true. Their best player is on the bench with a wrist injury.
Well, Palma is beatable. Alisal is inconsistent. North Salinas is the real deal. And San Benito just might be the team to beat.
Alisal's win over Palma last Tuesday was its biggest of the year, maybe in three years. But 48 hours later, it fell to San Benito --- after opening the game with a 10-0 run.
No question, Alisal has the best starting five. Depth and discipline, however, are open for debate.
North Salinas didn't flinch after being humbled by Gilroy on Tuesday, regrouping to pound cross town rival Salinas on Thursday.
Palma, meanwhile will have to stew over its loss to Alisal for eight days before facing North Salinas in an early season TCAL showdown on Jan. 22.
No one saw this coming back in December.
At 15-2, the Vikings are erasing doubts and turning heads. Remember, this is the same group that won just two games last year. Well, that's not quite true. Their best player is on the bench with a wrist injury.
1/15/2008
Kennifer to Harvard
The most prolific girls scorer in the water in Monterey County is headed to Harvard University to pursue a water polo career.
Devan Kennifer had chooses. Stanford, Princeton and Santa Clara all expressed interest. But the USA Water Polo High School All-American liked the atmosphere along the St. Charles River just outside Boston.
During a four-year career at Santa Catalina, Kennifer broke the single-season school record three times, finishing her senior year with 111 goals.
Over the course of four years, Kennifer compiled a school and county record 411 goals for the Cougars, leading them to the programs first league title in 2006.
Named to the all-Central Coast Section water polo team all four years, she was the Tri-County Athletic League Most Valuable Player three straight years. She was also an academic All-American.
Kennifer will be in the lineup Wednesday when the Santa Catalina basketball team hosts Carmel.
Devan Kennifer had chooses. Stanford, Princeton and Santa Clara all expressed interest. But the USA Water Polo High School All-American liked the atmosphere along the St. Charles River just outside Boston.
During a four-year career at Santa Catalina, Kennifer broke the single-season school record three times, finishing her senior year with 111 goals.
Over the course of four years, Kennifer compiled a school and county record 411 goals for the Cougars, leading them to the programs first league title in 2006.
Named to the all-Central Coast Section water polo team all four years, she was the Tri-County Athletic League Most Valuable Player three straight years. She was also an academic All-American.
Kennifer will be in the lineup Wednesday when the Santa Catalina basketball team hosts Carmel.
reader returns
Apparently walking on to a major college football program isn't as easy as tossing a pass.
Quarterback Brian Reader has left the University of Arkanas program after spending a fall on the sidelines.
Reader never received a scholarship, never stepped on the field.
To a degree, it's a wasted year.
Sure, he didn't lose any eligiblity. But Reader needed to play this year -- somewhere.
Had he enrolled at a junior college this year and put up similar numbers to what he did at Palma in 2006, Reader likely would have a scholarship today.
Instead, the 6-foot-4 gunslinger will start all over, either enrolling at Monterey Peninsula College or Hartnell. The good thing is Reader understood his situation instead of laboring in Arkansas.
Remember, Reader only started his senior year at Palma. He's a hidden gem that has a big upside in the right situation.
Quarterback Brian Reader has left the University of Arkanas program after spending a fall on the sidelines.
Reader never received a scholarship, never stepped on the field.
To a degree, it's a wasted year.
Sure, he didn't lose any eligiblity. But Reader needed to play this year -- somewhere.
Had he enrolled at a junior college this year and put up similar numbers to what he did at Palma in 2006, Reader likely would have a scholarship today.
Instead, the 6-foot-4 gunslinger will start all over, either enrolling at Monterey Peninsula College or Hartnell. The good thing is Reader understood his situation instead of laboring in Arkansas.
Remember, Reader only started his senior year at Palma. He's a hidden gem that has a big upside in the right situation.
early season showdowns
Too early to call it a big game?
Depends on your prospective.
One thing is certain. There is probably more pressure on Stevenson Wednesday when it entertains Pacific Grove in a battle of unbeatens in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
Why?
Well for Stevenson to take that next step, it has to get past the defending champion Breakers. Sometimes a rival can be in an opponents head mentally.
I'm not suggesting that. But don't think for a minute that there aren't a few stomachs turning tonight.
Plus the game is at Stevenson. The rematch will be in Pacific Grove. You do not want to go into a rivals den needing a win.
On the girls side of things, Carmel will take its five-game winning streak into Santa Catalina Wednesday. If the Padres want to truely make the MTAL a three-team battle, this is a good start.
Carmel is catching the Cougars after they were beaten Saturday at Stevenson. As a result, Carmel and Stevenson are the only unbeaten teams left in the MTAL. And we're just three games into the season.
If the Cougars don't find a way to slow down 6-foot-3 Pauline Ferrall, she could drop in 30. Of course, if someone else on the Padres doesn't provide some points, it could be a long night for Carmel.
Depends on your prospective.
One thing is certain. There is probably more pressure on Stevenson Wednesday when it entertains Pacific Grove in a battle of unbeatens in the Mission Trail Athletic League.
Why?
Well for Stevenson to take that next step, it has to get past the defending champion Breakers. Sometimes a rival can be in an opponents head mentally.
I'm not suggesting that. But don't think for a minute that there aren't a few stomachs turning tonight.
Plus the game is at Stevenson. The rematch will be in Pacific Grove. You do not want to go into a rivals den needing a win.
On the girls side of things, Carmel will take its five-game winning streak into Santa Catalina Wednesday. If the Padres want to truely make the MTAL a three-team battle, this is a good start.
Carmel is catching the Cougars after they were beaten Saturday at Stevenson. As a result, Carmel and Stevenson are the only unbeaten teams left in the MTAL. And we're just three games into the season.
If the Cougars don't find a way to slow down 6-foot-3 Pauline Ferrall, she could drop in 30. Of course, if someone else on the Padres doesn't provide some points, it could be a long night for Carmel.
1/09/2008
local flavor in NFL playoffs
Keep an eye on your televison screens Sunday as two former local standouts will be playing in the NFL playoffs.
Two-time Pro Bowl special teams standout Kassim Osgood is a backup receiver for the Chargers, who visit Indianapolis Sunday. Osgood was a three-sport athlete at North Salinas, reaching the state meet in track in the triple jump.
The Herald's 2001 Male Athlete of the Year, Tony Curtis, is a backup tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, who host the New York Giants Sunday.
After two years of laboring on the Cowboys practice squad, the 6-foot-6 Curtis has played in all 16 games for Dallas, catching three touchdown passes. He also recovered an onside kick that led to a Dallas win over Buffalo.
Curtis prepped at Seaside High.
In addition, former Seaside product Ron Rivera is a linebackers coach for the Chargers. Rivera won a Super Bowl ring in 1985 as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
Two-time Pro Bowl special teams standout Kassim Osgood is a backup receiver for the Chargers, who visit Indianapolis Sunday. Osgood was a three-sport athlete at North Salinas, reaching the state meet in track in the triple jump.
The Herald's 2001 Male Athlete of the Year, Tony Curtis, is a backup tight end for the Dallas Cowboys, who host the New York Giants Sunday.
After two years of laboring on the Cowboys practice squad, the 6-foot-6 Curtis has played in all 16 games for Dallas, catching three touchdown passes. He also recovered an onside kick that led to a Dallas win over Buffalo.
Curtis prepped at Seaside High.
In addition, former Seaside product Ron Rivera is a linebackers coach for the Chargers. Rivera won a Super Bowl ring in 1985 as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears.
1/08/2008
return to the court
Thirty-one days between games????
When Santa Catalina returns to the basketball court today to face Greenfield, it will have been a full month since it last played a game.
To put it in perspective, Santa Catalina had only been together as a team for 23 days before the break. Its season is now down to 39 days before the playoffs.
Wow.
But they're not alone. The Stevenson boys have not played a game since Dec. 15. And the Pirates may have to wait another 48 hours if power is not restored at Stevenson in time for today's MTAL opener with Soledad.
But if you think that's bad, some soccer teams will go six weeks without their entire team intact because of extended holiday vacations.
Look for Prep Nation to reappear Thursday on video, where we will break down some of the bigger games in basketball.
When Santa Catalina returns to the basketball court today to face Greenfield, it will have been a full month since it last played a game.
To put it in perspective, Santa Catalina had only been together as a team for 23 days before the break. Its season is now down to 39 days before the playoffs.
Wow.
But they're not alone. The Stevenson boys have not played a game since Dec. 15. And the Pirates may have to wait another 48 hours if power is not restored at Stevenson in time for today's MTAL opener with Soledad.
But if you think that's bad, some soccer teams will go six weeks without their entire team intact because of extended holiday vacations.
Look for Prep Nation to reappear Thursday on video, where we will break down some of the bigger games in basketball.
1/02/2008
girls hoops
The MTAL girls basketball season kicks off Friday.
Don't expect any changes at the top as Stevenson will run off with its third straight girls title in likely Heather Stewart's final season as coach.
In four years under Stewart, the Pirates have improved in each season, posting a playoff win last year.
Here is a quick rundown of the projected finishes in the MTAL.
1. Stevenson: No team has a better starting five, or for that matter, a bench that is nine deep.
2. Santa Catalina: Having shared the title last year with Stevenson, the Cougars have taken a step forward. It's just not as big of a leap as their rivals.
3. Greenfield: No one's talking about the south county school. But they should. The Bruins will be a playoff team.
4. Carmel: At some point, someone other than Eastern Washington University bound Pauline Ferrall has to step up.
5. King City: Don't let the loss of Carolyn Madson fool you. The Mustangs are still a threat in the MTAL in their bid for a 26th straight playoff spot.
6. Pacific Grove: For as athletic as the Breakers are, none of them make basketball their sport of choice.
7. Gonzales: When you're trying to resurrect a program, every win is big.
8. Soledad: It's a road of obstacles for head coach Tito Velasco to get over.
Don't expect any changes at the top as Stevenson will run off with its third straight girls title in likely Heather Stewart's final season as coach.
In four years under Stewart, the Pirates have improved in each season, posting a playoff win last year.
Here is a quick rundown of the projected finishes in the MTAL.
1. Stevenson: No team has a better starting five, or for that matter, a bench that is nine deep.
2. Santa Catalina: Having shared the title last year with Stevenson, the Cougars have taken a step forward. It's just not as big of a leap as their rivals.
3. Greenfield: No one's talking about the south county school. But they should. The Bruins will be a playoff team.
4. Carmel: At some point, someone other than Eastern Washington University bound Pauline Ferrall has to step up.
5. King City: Don't let the loss of Carolyn Madson fool you. The Mustangs are still a threat in the MTAL in their bid for a 26th straight playoff spot.
6. Pacific Grove: For as athletic as the Breakers are, none of them make basketball their sport of choice.
7. Gonzales: When you're trying to resurrect a program, every win is big.
8. Soledad: It's a road of obstacles for head coach Tito Velasco to get over.
1/01/2008
girls hoops
Check out the Tri-County Athletic League.
1. North Salinas: Yes, I know they lost their two best players. But with three six-footers inside, this team can still protect its title.
2. San Benito: The Balers are not a sleeper. This will be North Salinas' biggest threat.
3. Notre Dame: Defense will set the tempo. The offense will catapult them to the playoffs.
4. Salinas: The loss of Mia Musones could be crippling to a team that had CCS title hopes.
5. Gilroy: Inconsistent in the preseason leaves a lot of questions marks heading into league play.
6. Alisal: Defense alone will keep the Trojans in the TCAL title chase. Clutch scoring is an issue.
7. Alvarez: Rebuilding a program starts with baby steps.
1. North Salinas: Yes, I know they lost their two best players. But with three six-footers inside, this team can still protect its title.
2. San Benito: The Balers are not a sleeper. This will be North Salinas' biggest threat.
3. Notre Dame: Defense will set the tempo. The offense will catapult them to the playoffs.
4. Salinas: The loss of Mia Musones could be crippling to a team that had CCS title hopes.
5. Gilroy: Inconsistent in the preseason leaves a lot of questions marks heading into league play.
6. Alisal: Defense alone will keep the Trojans in the TCAL title chase. Clutch scoring is an issue.
7. Alvarez: Rebuilding a program starts with baby steps.
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