LadyDragonBasketball: My Site News

Sonoma rallies past Casa in SCL girls basketball

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

By HOWARD SENZELL FOR THE PRESS DEMOCRAT SONOMA —

In a remarkable comeback, Sonoma Valley took the lead for the first time with 27 seconds remaining while defeating Casa Grande, 30-27, in an SCL girls basketball game Thursday night. The Press Democrat Coach Sil Coccia used a different kind of motivation while urging his team to come back from a nine-point halftime deficit. “Coach told us if we win this game, we don’t have to practice on Saturday,” leading scorer Annie Studdert said with a laugh. “That wasn’t our primary motivation, but it’s a bonus.” Studdert finished with 12 points and her final basket completed the Dragons’ improbable comeback. The junior took the ball at the foul line, faked left and then made her way unguarded to the basket, where she made an easy layup. Brittney Rachuy clinched the game with two free throws with three seconds remaining. Coccia said prior to tip-off it was a statement game between the two best teams in the SCL. For the first 30 minutes, Casa looked superior. The Gauchos led 22-12 with 3:25 left in the third quarter and were coasting. In the fourth quarter, however, the Gauchos scored only three points while Sonoma tossed in 11. “We knew Sonoma would play hard all the way no matter what the score,” Casa coach Dan Sack said. “That’s their reputation. We had good looks in the second half, but the shots didn’t fall.” Only three Casa players scored. Lindsay Murnin had 19 while Stephanie Sack and Kiana Davis finished with four each. “We are defined by our defense,” Coccia said. “We locked them down in the second half, pushed the tempo on offense and finally got some shots to fall in the fourth quarter. “We never really got into an offensive rhythm, so it was good to win a game when we didn’t play our best.” One reason Sonoma was able to come back was the rebounding of 5-foot-7 forward Ellie Ceja. The junior pulled down 19 rebounds, a majority of those on the offensive end. She also scored five points. “Sonoma just killed us rebounding,” Sack said. “That’s something we’re going to have to work on.” Coccia also said Sonoma has a few kinks to iron out in order to challenge for the SCL crown. “Our foul shooting isn’t very good,” he said. “In the first half, we hit one of 11. That was one of the things I talked to the girls about at halftime. We played about as poorly as we could play and still were only down three possessions. I told them we can come back.” And the promise of no Saturday practice helped. The Dragons improved to 10-4 and 2-0 in league. They’ve won four straight. Casa, who started five underclassmen, are 8-6 and 1-1.

From Tom Nordald's Swish Newsletter May 24, 2010

To learn more about Coach Nordland's "Swish" method go to http://www.swish22.com/

Practice Distinctions (different “aspects” of a shot)! When you have some extra time, make your practice shooting sessions more productive by spending a few minutes playing with -- examining, testing, having fun with -- different aspects of this fascinating sports skill. Things you could study include power (where does it come from, how big is it, etc.?), how you set the ball, alignment, spin, height, etc. With your developing sense of awareness, shoot around and focus on one or a couple new things each time. Don’t be so serious. Miss on purpose, aim to hit the back rim, the front rim, the right rim, etc. Add time to play and go crazy, too, but pay attention so you learn. In the goofing off and the fun stuff can be found learning. Just don’t goof off all the time as you won’t learn as much.

When I go to practice shooting (something I really love), I often decide to work/play with one of the list of distinctions in this article (or some new ones).

A Distinction is a “quality or feature that differentiates, that makes distinct.” It’s a way of defining something. With shooting, the above are a few distinctions, and here are some more. In your examining you will come to know what they mean. Some ideas for you to play with:

Catching the UpForce (connecting to and using the leg energy)

Percent of UpForce caught (from zero to 100%)

Inertia (creating and “catching” it)

The Constant Release (the relaxed wrist, “Push & Flop” motion)

Arch (and varying it to control distance)

Shots with Movement & Dribbling Catch & Shoot Shots Runners & Floaters

Full Extension of the arm (elbow locking) “Full Out,” meaning about 70% of max. speed and force

Dipping

Direction/Accuracy

Opposite Hand Shooting

Chain Reaction -- what the leg action (UpForce) starts in the shot motion

Letting It Fly!

No Fear!

No holding back!

(Feel free to add some of your own -- things that matter!) This kind of practice can be revolutionary, opening doors to more and more awareness. You’ll come to know better why you make and why you miss shots.

CIF PROPOSES NEW CONCUSSION REQUIREMENT- California Interscholastic Federation Coaches Newsletter

Nationwide data continues to show many catastrophic head injuries are a direct result of injured athletes returning to play too soon, not having fully recovered from the first head injury. The CIF presently does NOT have a bylaw governing this issue. As a result, it has been left up to schools/districts to have a local policy. Many schools have a guideline that requires a medical clearance following a suspected concussion, while some schools/districts are looking to the CIF for direction and governance on this important topic. The CIF Sports Medicine Advisory Committee (SMAC) has discussed this issue numerous times and strongly supports a CIF policy that would require a written medical clearance before "Return to Play" is permitted.

Proposed New Bylaw 313 A student-athlete who is suspected of sustaining a concussion or head injury in a practice or game shall be removed from competition at that time for the remainder of the day. A student-athlete who has been removed from play may not return to action until the athlete is evaluated by a licensed health care provider trained in the evaluation and management of concussion and receives written clearance to return to play from that health care provider. This proposal was discussed at the February 4, 2010 meeting of the Federated Council and a vote is scheduled for May 2010.

CONGRATULATIONS

to the LADY DRAGON VARSITY

SCL Co-Champions 2008

Sarah Semenero SCL MVP, 1st Team All Empire 

Steph Sevilla SCL  All League, 2nd Team All Empire

Sheila Brady SCL  All League, All Empire Honorable Mention 

Sil Coccia SCL Coach Of The Year, All Empire Coach

By LAURAN NEERGAARD
ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 4:30 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, August 12, 2008 at 9:19 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Your brain needs more of a time-out than just missing the next game to recover from a concussion. New research suggests student athletes who are too active -- not just on the field, but at home and school -- may hinder their recovery.

CHAD SURMICK / The Press Democrat, 1997

49ers quarterback Steve Young grimaces as he lands on his head after being dumped by Vikings Jason Fisk and Dwayne Rudd on Dec. 7, 1997. Young retired before the 2000 season after suffering at least four concussions in three years.

More puzzling, female athletes may take longer to recover than males.

It's part of growing evidence that healing from this common sports injury is more complicated than once thought, an important message for parents and coaches as school sports programs gear up for fall.

"No two concussions are the same," said Kevin Guskiewicz, an athletic trainer who is chairman of the sports science department at the University of North Carolina. "We need to be cautious with what we're allowing someone to do, and at what point in their recovery they're allowed to do it."

Concussions are brain injuries and among the most difficult of sports injuries, starting with even identifying who's had one. Many athletes never lose consciousness, the most obvious symptom. Brain scans can't diagnose a concussion. Nor are other symptoms always apparent right away, and players can sometimes hide or minimize them: "Nope, no headaches, coach; put me back in."

Doing so has grave risks. A second concussion before recovering can cause brain swelling that can trigger permanent damage, even death.

And there's mounting concern from studies of retired professional athletes that those who suffered multiple concussions over the years may be at increased risk for depression, memory problems and other neurological problems.

The latest U.S. estimates suggest there are 1.6 million to 3.8 million sports- and recreation-related concussions each year.

But it's still not clear how much time is needed to heal. The worry isn't just another bump. An injured brain undergoes metabolic changes that affect its energy levels, meaning physical and mental exertion might add more strain.

So researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and one of Guskiewicz's UNC colleagues tracked 95 high school athletes evaluated in a university-based program that gave a battery of memory, reaction time and other cognitive tests up to a month after the concussion. The researchers grouped patients by activities recorded in their medical records: No school; some schoolwork but no other activity; moderate activity described as schoolwork and some routine home chores; that plus sports practice; or schoolwork and playing some sports.

Those with moderate activity showed the best recovery, scoring better on brain tests than even the less active patients, researchers reported in the Journal of Athletic Training. The more active patients scored much worse -- and although their allowed activity suggested they were thought to have a mild concussion, they ultimately performed as poorly as athletes initially diagnosed with a more serious concussion.

Another study of 234 soccer players found that two weeks after a concussion, female players scored worse on some brain-function tests than similarly injured males. Researchers couldn't find an explanation, and urge coaches and athletes to be aware that female players may need extra time to recover.

Increasingly, professional and college athletes are given preseason tests of memory and other cognitive skills. After a concussion, retesting can help athletic trainers determine when athletes are ready to return to play.

That's far less common in high school sports. Are young athletes returning too soon? The only national study of high school injuries, run by Ohio State University, is analyzing that question now.

Meanwhile, what's the advice? A government campaign and concussion specialists urge that: --Parents, players and coaches know the symptoms -- from immediate signs, such as being dazed, amnesia, moving slowly or clumsily, to later symptoms such as dizziness, sleep problems, irritability and concentration problems.

--Athletes don't return to play until cleared by a health professional.

--Appropriate health officials be on site to assess concussion "whether it's Pop Warner football or soccer or high school teams," Guskiewisz says.

Teaching young players the seriousness is the big challenge, says Ohio State injury specialist Dawn Comstock: "It's difficult for them to realize this one game Friday night is not as important as my cognitive ability the rest of my life."

Hoops Hhonors

By Steven Serafini INDEX-TRIBUNE SPORTS EDITOR

Published: Mon 5/4/09

After displaying talent, depth and determination that turned the 2008-09 season into a success, while painting a bright picture for the future, Sonoma Valley High School's girls' basketball program recently held its annual awards banquet.

Presenting the awards were head varsity coach Sil Coccia and assistant coaches Steve Semenero and Jann Thorpe; junior varsity head coach Dino Minatta and assistant coach Mark Burningham; and freshman head coach Tom Sours and assistant coach Danielle Siler.

The young varsity Lady Dragons, with only three seniors on the roster, turned in another exciting and hard-played campaign that included a Sonoma County League third-place finish, a spot in the SCL postseason tournament's title game and returning to the North Coast Section playoffs. Sonoma's varsity girls' award recipients were junior Shirley Morovich - most valuable player; seniors Ashley Meyers, Daryn Kelley and Olivia Phelan - captains awards; Meyers - offensive player of the year; Kelley - defensive player of the year; sophomore Ellie Ceja - most improved player; juniors Keeley Ray and Emma McNeilly - most inspirational players; junior Andie Nibler - coach's award; and Morovich, Meyers and Kelley - all-league.

Kelley also received the annual, and coveted, Meghan Sullivan Award - named after Meghan Sullivan, who is a 2002 Sonoma graduate and four-year varsity hoops' standout for the Lady Dragons. The perpetual award is presented to the Lady Dragon basketball player who embodies and exemplifies unyielding competitive drive, tireless work ethic, passionate team spirit, a steadfast positive attitude, unconditional commitment to the program, a love for the game and the heart of a champion.

Along with her top offensive player honor, Meyers was given a special award for her impressive three-point shooting during the season, which led to three school records for most treys in a game, six; in a season, 61; and in a career, 120.

••• Receiving awards for the jayvee Lady Dragons were: freshmen Karly Burningham and Lindsay Stewart - offensive players of the year; sophomore Emily Edwards - defensive player of the year; sophomore Lauren Leveroni - most improved player; sophomore Natalia Minatta - most inspirational player; and sophomore Krysta Young - coach's award.

••• LADY DRAGON FROSH award recipients: Anna Stewart - offensive player of the year; Alissa Thomas - defensive player of the year; Chloe Davis - most improved player; Britnay Salsman - most inspirational player; and Bekah Luce - coach's award.

Mon 12/7/09

Jayvee Sonoma girl cagers claim Castlemont crown By Steven Serafini INDEX-TRIBUNE SPORTS EDITOR

Earning some early holiday cheer, Sonoma Valley High School's junior varsity basketball girls' team turned in three outstanding performances over the weekend in Oakland and brought home the championship trophy from the Castlemont Jayvee Tournament. The jayvee Lady Dragons opened the tourney by overwhelming Fairfield 63-3, then beat Heritage 42-33 in the semifinals, and in the title game they posted a 28-22 victory over Monte Vista. Comprising the Sonoma jayvee girls' hoops team - coached by Jann Thorpe - are Karly Burningham, Chloe Davis, Karissa Hess, Bekah Luce, Britnay Salsman, Ari Schill, Anna Stewart, Lindsay Stewart, Alissa Thomas and Jersey Witous. Sonoma's Schill was named the tournament's most valuable player, while Witous, Burningham and Anna Stewart received all-tourney honors, and coach Thorpe gave special recognition to point-guard Edwards, who played all but 10 minutes of the entire tournament and was the team's leader on the court. Leading the Lady Dragon jayvees in their rout of Fairfield were Schill's 16 points and five rebounds; Anna Stewart's 12 points and four rebounds; Edwards' 11 points and four steals; Burningham's eight points, six rebounds and four steals; Witous' eight steals, six points and three rebounds; and Lindsay Stewart's four points; Luce's four rebounds and two points; and Davis' two points. Sonoma was led past Heritage by Schill's 10 points and five rebounds; Witous' nine points, four rebounds and four steals; Anna Stewart's seven points, six steals and three rebounds; Burningham's eight rebounds, six points and three steals; Edwards' four points and three rebounds; and Thomas' four points and Luce's two. In the championship game, the Lady Dragons topped Monte Vista behind Witous' 11 points, 11 steals and seven rebounds; Schill's seven rebounds, five points and three steals; Burningham's seven rebounds and three points; Edwards' five steals, four rebounds and two points; Anna Stewart's five points and three rebounds; Hess' four rebounds; and Thomas' two points. *