Alvarez-Notre Dame basketball

 Too soon to call it a big game in the first week of the season?
 Not when you're two programs with title aspirations.
 The Eagles, who host Notre Dame tonight, made a statement in their Pacific Division opener by going across town and knocking off Alisal.
 Since enduring a stretch in which it went 1-71 in league play, Alvarez has put together back-to-back winning seasons.
 Yet, it's been 15 years since the Eagles hung the programs first and last league banner.
 Having already surpassed last year's entire win total, Notre Dame is trying to recapture the magic that propelled them to a league title in 2012.
 Two Division I scholarship bound softball players have made an impact on the hardwood for the resurgent Spirits in Marisa Given and Sarah Muzik.
 Given, who has knocked down 69 3-point goals in each of her last two years, is No. 2 all-time on the Spirits career list with 166 and counting.
 More big games from the likes of 6-foot center Sarah Nino give Notre Dame other options besides the perimeter.
 Alvarez has yet to taste defeat in 2015, having rattled off four straight wins. Different players seem to ignite this team with Angelina Ruiz and Deaysia Gamble stepping forward of late.