Notebook: Local volleyball players play final match; Escalon football season ends in NorCal Bowl Game
After a year off due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the annual Stanislaus District Volleyball All-Star Game presented by Denair Lumber Co. made its return Sunday at Pitman High School.
A total of 25 Stanislaus District schools were represented as athletes were organized into teams that played in two games – North Small School vs South Small School and North Large School vs South Large School.
The North All-Stars won both events. The North’s small-school team swept the South, 25-13, 25-7, 25-13 led by MVP Kate Cover (Central Catholic) and the North All-Stars large school team came back from down 2-0 to win 17-25, 23-25, 25-23, 25-17, 16-14.
The South’s Abby Cogburn (Turlock) finished with a team high 19 kills and added two aces and 10 digs, winning the MVP award despite her team’s loss.
Ripon’s Bella Chapin and Oakdale’s Breelie Gibson earned Defensive Player of the Game honors in the small and large school games, respectively.
The event was not only a great way to give local volleyball players one final game, but helped raise over $3,300 in scholarships dispersed among 11 players.
Felicity Sill (Hughson), Abigail Glenn (Turlock Christian), McKinley King (Central Catholic), Cierra Thibodeau (Orestimba), Sophia Alamo (Hilmar) and Leityn Romero (Waterford) received $300 scholarships after the small-schools match and large-school players McKenna Alderman (Sonora), Taylor Hemiller (Enochs), Skyler Dietz (Buhach Colony), Celilna Henn (Buhach Colony) and Taylor Vannest (Pitman) were given scholarships.
Escalon football season ends: The Cougars’ season came to an end Friday night in the 2021 CIF State Northern California Regional Bowl Game in a 21-14 road loss to Marin Catholic.
“Nothing was easy,” head coach Andrew Beam said. “Marin Catholic was the best team we’ve seen in a long time.”
Escalon went into the game with running backs Matthew Baptista and Logan Anderson dealing with ankle injuries. Baptista suffered a high ankle sprain in the Sac-Joaquin Section semifinal against Ripon and Anderson hurt his ankle in the section championship against Hilmar.
“They played hard,” Beam said. “They fought all night long.”
After going down 21-0 in the third quarter, the Cougars clawed their way back into the game. Ryker Peters scored on a three-yard run with one minute left in the third quarter.
Tight end EJ Lewis caught a 16-yard touchdown from Donovan Rozevink to cut the Wildcats’ lead to 21-14 with under six minutes left. Lewis finished with eight catches for 122 yards.
“He was our x-factor,” said Beam. “Every time we faced a down and distance, he came through and made a play for us.”
The Cougars had one final chance to force overtime. The defense forced a turnover on downs, giving them possession on the Marin Catholic 46 yard-line but their final drive ended with an interception.
“Our guys never backed down from the challenge ... they earned a lot of respect from everyone, including Marin Catholic.” Beam said.
2021 Modesto City Classic champion crowned: The Modesto City Classic returned last week with a host of great games including an overtime thriller between Downey and Gregori and a competitive championship game on Saturday night.
Beyer High came out on top, winning 58-50 over Enochs. The Patriots went an undefeated 4-0 in the tournament, improving their record to 4-1.
2021 Modesto City Classic Champions
Self belief and hard work on display. Patriots take down Enochs in the title game.
Joseph Richmond tournament MVP. So proud of this kid! #pats pic.twitter.com/YRJdncdi5b— Kyle McKim (@beyerbball) December 5, 2021
Stan State women’s basketball off to historic start: The Warriors are off to their best start in the program’s 24-year history as a member of the California Collegiate Athletic Association.
The Warriors (7-1, 3-0 CCAA) have won seven straight games, matching their longest streak since the 2015-16 season. This is the second season in a row they’ve started conference play 3-0.
The Warriors most recently beat Cal State San Bernardino, 61-48, led by reigning CCAA player of the week Kyanna Davis’ 21-point, nine-rebound performance. Taylor Pilot added 13 points and seven rebounds off the bench and Joia Armstrong led the team’s rebounding effort with 12.
Stan State hosts Seattle Pacific Thursday and Humboldt State Saturday at Ed and Bertha Fitzpatrick Arena at 5:30 p.m. Both games will be available on CCAA Network.
Central Catholic boys basketball tournament returns next week: The third edition of the Mark Gallo Invitational starts next Monday, Dec. 13, on the campus of Central Catholic High School.
The 16-team tournament lasts the entire week, ending with the championship on Dec. 18 at 8 p.m.
The field includes Stanislaus District teams Central Catholic, Downey, Ripon Christian, Turlock and Sonora.
The schedule for the first three days is:
Dec. 13: Downey at Manteca (6 p.m.)
Dec. 14: Sonora at Edison (5 p.m.), Atwater at Lincoln (6:30 p.m.), McNair at Turlock (8 p.m.)
Dec. 15: Central Catholic at Lathrop (3:30 p.m.), El Capitan at Liberty Ranch (5 p.m.), Luther Burbank at Chavez (6:30), Ripon Christian at Santa Cruz (8 p.m.)
