Basketball league play begins Basketball league play begins (January 07, 2005)

Dons soccer wins second Winter Classic title
by Heidi Massie

As classes resumed this week, so did winter sports with the start of league games for basketball. Until now, tournament play has kept the teams busy. Foothill completed its non-conference schedule with a 61-53 victory over East Bay Athletic League rival California to win the consolation championship in the 19th annual Tim Cole Memorial Tournament. Brandon Ralph, Bryce Alvari and Tyler Galbraith led the team scoring. Amador ended preseason play with a 9-2 record after a 38-34 win over Northgate. Mike Batty led the Dons with 18 points, Dan Vernon contributed six, Brian Johnson scored four and Nick Guillory had three.

In Tuesday's openers, both Amador and Foothill boys teams prevailed, improving their identical records to 11-4 overall, 1-0 in league. Foothill once again defeated California 55-49 after a close battle. Leading the scoring was sophomore forward K.C. Woods with 14 points. Alvari and Galbraith again contributed with nine points each. Amador's senior Eric Pang led the Dons with 23 points in its win over Granada 58-52. Batty shot for 14 points and sophomore Shannon Riddell scored 10.
Boys JV Basketball

Amador JV boys basketball team enjoyed its holidays after its fourth straight win when they defeated Northgate 52-48. It was a game of back-and-forth scoring until the final quarter when Pat Nelson made clutch free throws to ice the game. Mark Warren and Kyle Carbine each had six rebounds. Jay Alberts and Kevin Reese played excellent defense with Alberts' steal and a block, and Reese's three steals. Pat Nelson led the scoring with 16 points.
Boys Frosh Basketball

Foothill boys frosh basketball team concluded its 2004-05 pre-season with a road win against Bellarmine 46-28, and an undefeated preseason record of 13-0. Scott Clark and Kyle O'Connor led the Foothill scoring with 11 points each. Amador frosh cruised to a 49-33 victory over Liberty to post 11-3 record going into EBAL play.
Boys Soccer

Amador and San Ramon Valley boys soccer teams entered the championship match of the Winter Classic as the only unbeaten teams in the tournament. The Dons were determined to bring the Winter Classic crown back to the Amador campus for a second year in a row and did with a 3-0 win over the Wolves. Playing the best soccer of the tournament, goals from Ross Smith, Matt Norlander and Luis Rocha, and defense led by Andrew Gangnuss kept the Wolves from scoring. With the win, the Dons became the first team to win back-to-back titles in the tough Winter Classic.
Boys Frosh Soccer

Foothill freshman soccer team got its fourth shutout of the season as it defeated San Ramon Valley 1-0 this week. Mark Gusha scored the lone goal for the Falcons, improving the team's overall record to 6-3-1 and its fourth straight win. Through the first half and into the second, David Harlind had a solid game, thwarting San Ramon Valley attacks and transitioning the ball back to the offense.
Girls Soccer

Amador varsity girls soccer team lost Tuesday evening to the powerful San Ramon Valley Wolves 3-0. In facing a favorite to win the league this season, Amador (8-4-2, 1-1-1) got four unsuccessful shots on goal against the Wolves. Goalie Laura Burton had four saves and Kelsey Baxter seven.
Amador/Foothill Coaches:

We need your team's game results for all levels. E-mail results and highlights to hrmassie@yahoo.com by Tuesday at midnight for that Friday's issue.

Schedule
Friday Boys Soccer Foothill at San Ramon Valley; 4 p.m.
Boys Basketball Foothill at Livermore; 7 p.m. Amador at Monte Vista; 7 p.m.
Girls Basketball Amador vs. Monte Vista; 7 p.m. Foothill vs. Livermore; 7 p.m.
Girls Wrestling Amador at Hanford Invitational; all day
Saturday Girls Wrestling Amador at Hanford Invitational; all day
Boys Wrestling Amador at San Ramon Valley Invitational; all day Foothill at Granada Mat Classic; all day
Girls Basketball Foothill vs. Antioch; 7 p.m.
Girls Soccer Amador vs. Alameda; 5 p.m.
Tuesday Girls Soccer Foothill vs. Monte Vista; 4 p.m. Amador at Livermore; 5 p.m.
Wednesday Boys Soccer Amador vs. Livermore; 4 p.m. Foothill at San Ramon Valley; 4 p.m.
Girls Basketball Amador at San Ramon Valley; 7 p.m.
Thursday Girls Soccer Foothill at Granada; 4 p.m. Amador at California; 5 p.m.
Girls Wrestling Amador at Monte Vista; 6 p.m.
Boys Wrestling Amador at Monte Vista; 7 p.m. Foothill at Livermore; 7 p.m.

E-mail a friend a link to this story.