Acalanes’ Trevor Rogers (5) and Sully Bailey (9) increase the CIF NorCal 3-AA championship soccer trophy after the Dons defeated Escalon 49-14 on Dec. 1, 2023, in Lafayette. (Karl Mondon/Bay Space Information Group)
Properly, that was fairly a experience.
The 2023-24 highschool sports activities 12 months has come to a detailed, and what a nine-plus months it was.
Beginning within the fall with Acalanes’ run to a state soccer championship and ending this month with Amador Valley’s gorgeous NorCal Division I softball title and Granada ending an all-time nice baseball season, the varsity 12 months had a bit of little bit of every thing.
As we shut the guide on the varsity 12 months, let’s check out a number of the moments that made it so unbelievable to cowl:
A SPECIAL DAY AT KEZAR
After I visited my mother and father final summer time, my dad and I watched a basic San Francisco film, “Soiled Harry.” In case you’ve seen the film, that Clint Eastwood chases down Scorpio in Golden Gate Park and ends the sequence by arresting the villain on the then house of the 49ers, Kezar Stadium. Quick-forward a number of months, and I JUMPED on the alternative to cowl Pittsburg vs. Sacred Coronary heart Cathedral at a smaller however nonetheless historic Kezar within the coronary heart of The Metropolis. I didn’t see inspector “Soiled” Harry Callahan fixing a case for SFPD, however I did get to observe Pittsburg’s Marley Alcantara and Jadyn Hudson ball out on actual grass. A memorable expertise. – Joseph Dycus
San Ramon Valley’s Kevin Spears takes a second and watches his teammate rejoice after the Wolves outlasted Campolindo 38-31 in an NCS playoff recreation on Nov. 10, 2023, in Danville. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
FOOTBALL: TWO CLASSICS ON SRV’S FIELD
One of many storylines going into final soccer season was about De La Salle. Would this lastly be the 12 months the Spartans lose to a group from their very own part? San Ramon Valley gave it an incredible shot on Oct. 13, overcoming a 15-point deficit at house within the closing 4 minutes to tie the rating after which lacking a field-goal try on the finish of the regulation that will have received it. De La Salle survived 33-27 in extra time on its approach to extending its unbeaten run towards North Coast Part groups to 33 years. On the identical subject a month later, SRV constructed a 21-0 first-quarter lead over Campolindo within the opening spherical of the NCS playoffs however watched it utterly dissolve because the guests took a late seven-point benefit. After SRV pulled even, Campo missed a field-goal strive that will have received it in regulation. SRV prevailed in OT 38-31. – Darren Sabedra
MOUNTAIN VIEW: UPLIFTING SUPPORT AFTER TRAGEDY
Reporting on highschool sports activities isn’t all enjoyable. When information broke that Mountain View soccer mum or dad Lucinda Daniels was not anticipated to dwell after collapsing throughout a recreation, the BANG sports activities division labored to cowl the heartbreaking story. Lucinda died lower than per week after struggling a stroke, forsaking a household that included two soccer gamers within the Mountain View program. Dillon Daniels, a senior working again, had damaged his leg the identical evening his mom collapsed. He was honored final month with a REACH Youth scholarship as a part of the San Jose Sports activities Authority’s long-running program that acknowledges highschool athletes in Santa Clara County who’ve overcome adversity by sports activities. The $7,500 scholarship that Dillon acquired was from the Intero Basis as a Dwight Clark Achievement Award winner. If there’s any child who deserved a scholarship, it was Dillon. – Joseph Dycus
Dillon Daniels is hugged by Reside Oak’s Raymond Ramirez (15) following a soccer recreation on Friday, Sept. 1, 2023, in Mountain View. (Karl Mondon/Bay Space Information Group)
MY WILDEST SATURDAY EVER
So that you need to be a highschool sports activities reporter? Right here’s how Saturday, Nov. 25 went for me: I spent a number of hours at Oakland’s Bishop O’Dowd within the afternoon to cowl a season-opening basketball showcase and after which drove crosstown to McClymonds because the solar set to speak to soccer coaches Michael Peters and John Beam earlier than Mack received yet one more Silver Bowl. From there, a fast journey by the Caldecott Tunnel to Lafayette, the place I took pictures and watched a few of Miramonte’s North Coast Part Division V soccer championship victory. I may solely keep for a fast minute, although, as a result of I needed to boogie right down to Dublin to assist cowl De La Salle’s basketball showcase victory over Centennial-Corona. As soon as I obtained again to the condo at 10 p.m., I helped write three tales and uploaded pictures properly previous midnight. It was hectic, traumatic and an entire lot of enjoyable. – Joseph Dycus
FOOTBALL: ACALANES RISES FROM CRUSHING DEFEAT
Acalanes was a half-quarter from its first outright league championship in 42 years. The victory would come at its rival’s expense. Campolindo trailed the regular-season finale at Acalanes by 14 factors. However the celebration that evening would belong to Campo because the Cougars staged a late rally, scoring 15 unanswered factors to win 25-24. Campo claimed a share of the league crown with Acalanes and Las Lomas and certified for the playoffs. Acalanes was surprised, sure, however not out. The Dons went on to win part, regional and state championships, finishing the trifecta with a rally of their very own. Acalanes overcame a two-touchdown deficit to beat Birmingham of Lake Balboa 35-23 within the CIF Division 3-AA championship recreation at Saddleback Faculty in Mission Viejo. Paul Kuhner scored the ultimate TD on a move from Sully Bailey. “That is what we needed to do since Day 1,” Kuhner mentioned that day. “By way of the ups and downs, simply catching that ball, it meant the world.” – Darren Sabedra
Acalanes coach Floyd Burnsed, entrance proper, poses for a photograph together with his gamers after the Dons defeated Birmingham 35-23 within the Division 3-AA state title recreation at Saddleback Faculty in Mission Viejo on Dec. 9, 2023. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
GUNN BOYS STUN PALY IN EPIC HOOPS BATTLE
Data don’t matter in rivalry video games, and Gunn’s 65-63 extra time victory over host Palo Alto on Feb. 3 was the right instance of that. The Titans had each proper to fold down the stretch after main scorer Ethan Kitch fouled out, however the guests stored it collectively after which received on a last-second tip-in by Advaith Krishnan. Gunn’s gamers minimize free within the locker room postgame, after which lingered lengthy after the ultimate buzzer to soak within the victory. It was an incredible reminder that typically, one of the best video games aren’t at all times those between powerhouse packages. – Joseph Dycus
The Gunn locker room is jubilant after the visiting Titans defeated crosstown rival Palo Alto in boys basketball on Feb. 3, 2024. (Joseph Dycus/Bay Space Information Group)
NIGHT LOS GATOS, SANTA TERESA PUT ON A HOOPS SHOW
There are quite a few thrilling video games throughout the faculty 12 months. For me, this one was proper close to the highest of my record. It was a Central Coast Part Division I boys semifinal between Los Gatos and Santa Teresa at Fremont-Sunnyvale. There have been ebbs and flows all recreation, factors piling up quick and livid. Los Gatos received 82-80 in OT behind 31 factors from Scotty Brennan, son of former San Jose State and now Arizona soccer coach Brent Brennan, who was in attendance. “These had been two very high-level highschool basketball groups, public-school groups enjoying for a shot to play for a CCS championship,” ST coach Patrick Decide mentioned afterward. “I couldn’t be prouder of my guys.” – Darren Sabedra
Los Gatos’ Scotty Brennan (10) celebrates a giant play late in extra time of his group’s 82-80 victory over Santa Teresa within the CCS Division I semifinals at Fremont-Sunnyvale on Feb. 22, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
HOOPS: PIEDMONT’S NATALIA MARTINEZ DOES IT ALL
There was by no means a boring second watching Piedmont’s Natalia Martinez mild up the scoreboard. The San Diego State commit averaged 30 factors per recreation this previous season and dropped 52 on San Diego’s Scripps Ranch in a event in December. Martinez’s potential to shoot from virtually wherever on the ground made her particular, however that wasn’t her solely high-level skillset. A gifted passer, Martinez reveled in getting her teammates concerned simply as a lot as she did placing the ball within the hoop. Piedmont completed 20-8 and reached the NCS Open Division and CIF NorCal Division I playoffs. – Nathan Canilao
San Ramon Valley guard Sierra Chambers drives towards Carondelet within the East Bay Athletic League event closing on Feb. 10, 2024, in Danville. (Joseph Dycus/Bay Space Information Group)
SRV GIRLS HOOPS SURVIVE CARONDELET’S CHALLENGE
Generally, one of the best basketball video games aren’t those with gaudy level totals or flashy offensive highlights. San Ramon Valley beat Carondelet 46-39 in an uber-physical regular-season recreation, after which captured the NCS Division I title a bit of over per week later when the Cougars missed a number of pictures on the buzzer to finish the rematch. Each shot, dribble and move needed to be earned. It was an incredible basketball to observe, even when neither group lit up the scoreboard. – Joseph Dycus
HOOPS: OAKLAND VS. OAKLAND TECH, THE SEQUEL
If we’d written this recap final season, the 2023 NorCal Division III barnburner at Laney Faculty would’ve been on the high of the record of favourite reminiscences. The Division II sequel between Oakland’s greatest groups had so much to dwell as much as … and it did. With Damian Lillard cheering on his Oakland Wildcats, ArDarius Grayson helped host Oakland Tech get the final snort. In entrance of a standing-room-only crowd, there have been loopy layups, terrific shotmaking, defensive stops and a memorable fourth-quarter comeback. Tech received 73-66 after which accomplished the season with a Division II state championship. – Joseph Dycus
Salesian coach Invoice Mellis fingers the first-place plaque to De’Undrae Perteete (0) after the Pleasure defeated Archbishop Riordan 49-44 for the CIF NorCal Open Division championship at Contra Costa Faculty in San Pablo on March 5, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
HOOPS: SALESIAN VS. RIORDAN LIVES UP TO HYPE
The road outdoors Contra Costa Faculty’s gymnasium stretched across the block two hours earlier than tip-off of the NorCal Open Division regional closing between Archbishop Riordan and Salesian. With Division I expertise all around the flooring that evening in San Pablo, and a spot within the stare closing on the road, the sport exceeded expectations. Riordan took a double-digit benefit within the third quarter behind dominant play from heart Nes Emeneke, however Salesian got here storming again late. The Pleasure held the San Francisco faculty to simply six factors within the closing eight minutes and received the crown 49-44 – the varsity’s first Open Division title for the reason that premier division was added in 2013. Salesian went on to fall to Harvard-Westlake in an epic state closing, 50-45. — Nathan Canilao
Supporters of former Branham athletic director Landon Jacobs, together with varsity baseball participant Ryan Subject, second from proper, and junior varsity baseball participant Riley Rhoades, far proper, pay attention throughout a Campbell Union Excessive College District board assembly in San Jose on April 4, 2024. (Nhat V. Meyer/Bay Space Information Group)
BRANHAM SAGA SHOWS PASSION BEHIND PREP SPORTS
Reporting on the Branham athletics saga stored going and going – and nonetheless may not be over. When Landon Jacobs was informed by the varsity’s administration in March that he can be relieved from his place as athletic director, there was a collective outrage inside the San Jose’s faculty’s sports activities neighborhood. A petition calling for Jacobs’ reinstatement acquired greater than 1,500 signatures and a whole bunch of Branham athletes, coaches and oldsters attended a number of Campbell Union Excessive College District faculty board conferences to induce the district to provide the administrator his job again. The general public would possibly by no means know the complete story why Jacobs was let go, however the struggle to retain a person who led Branham’s athletics program to eight Central Coast Part championships and 57 league titles confirmed simply how a lot individuals worth highschool sports activities of their neighborhood and the lengths they may go to defend somebody who has given athletes an avenue to succeed. – Nathan Canilao
Granada’s A.J. Martinez celebrates after hitting the game-winning walk-off single towards De La Salle within the 14th inning of the NCS Division I championship recreation on Could 25, 2024, in Livermore. Granada received 1-0. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
The scoreboard at Granada on Could 25, 2024, tells the story. The Matadors beat De La Salle 1-0 for the NCS Division I title. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Space Information Group)
BASEBALL: AN NCS FINAL FOR THE AGES
After protecting the epic NCS Division I title recreation between Granada and De La Salle, I needed to ponder whether or not I witnessed the East Bay powerhouses enjoying cricket as a substitute of baseball. Two of the highest groups within the Bay Space battled it out in a recreation that lasted 14 innings and stretched throughout two fields, two counties and two days. Ultimately, A.J. Martinez’s walk-off hit captured the crown for the Livermore faculty 1-0 – its first part title in class historical past – and snapped De La Salle’s 33-game postseason successful streak. Granada went on to beat De La Salle once more within the CIF NorCal Division I regionals and in the end received that championship, too, beating St. Mary’s-Stockton 6-4. — Nathan Canilao
AMADOR VALLEY SOFTBALL GOES ALL THE WAY
I lined dozens of sporting occasions throughout the 2023-24 faculty 12 months, however none – and I imply none – had been as dramatic because the final recreation I did. Amador Valley traveled from Pleasanton to El Dorado Hills within the Sierra foothills to finish its storybook run from eighth seed to NorCal Division I champions with a 13-11 victory that I’ll always remember. The nine-inning marathon featured 9 lead adjustments, 29 hits and 4 extra-inning house runs. Each time I assumed the sport – and the varsity 12 months – was over, Amador Valley or Oak Ridge would discover a approach to improbably prolong the sport. There was no higher approach to finish an incredible faculty 12 months. – Joseph Dycus
Amador Valley pitcher Kaylee Davis hoists the NorCal Division I championship trophy whereas surrounded by teammates after the Dons defeated host Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills 13-11 in 9 innings for title on June 1, 2024. (Joseph Dycus/Bay Space Information Group)
Amador Valley’s Mai Falcone (23) is mobbed by teammates after hitting a house run within the eighth inning of the CIF NorCal Division I closing at Oak Ridge-El Dorado Hills on June 1, 2024. Amador Valley received 13-11 in 9 innings. (Joseph Dycus/Bay Space Information Group)
