March 21, 2008

Evergreen Sports

Lady Raiders capture CCS glory

Varsity records second all-time record for girls’ basketball and
the first C.C.S win for Silver Creek in over 18 years

By Catherine Nguyen
Reprinted with permission of SCHS Raider Review

With an overwhelming season finish of 19-8, the girls’ basketball team stands as co-league champions right next to Sobrato. The team can rejoice due to their outstanding record, which surpassed last year’s record of 6-8.

Lady Raider Monica Erezo (’08) makes a stellar shot after a pass from fellow teammate Kathleen DelaCruz. Photo courtesy of Garrett McKenzie

They finished off their season with three C.C.S games played, winning two and losing only one. Their win on Tuesday, Feb. 19 was the program’s second all-time record for ladies’ basketball and the first C.C.S win for Silver Creek in over 18 years. “I knew our team would do well, but winning league and playing until the third round C.C.S surprised me!” said Monica Erezo, ‘08.

Their first win for the playoffs was against Andrew Hill with a score of 70-36. The other win on Thursday, Feb. 21, ended with a close game of 62-50 against Monta Vista. “Winning the first two games was exciting because it marked the first C.C.S win since 1990,” said Head Coach Garrett McKenzie

However, their loss on Saturday to Carlmont in the quarterfinals was devastating, but the team still felt that they tried their best. “The loss was depressing for the whole team. We worked together and tried our best, but Carlmont just wanted it more,” said Athena Luong, ’08.

Overall, the season was victorious, and proved to be a valuable experience. The ladies were able to transform a simply good season, into a great one. “This season was the greatest of all my four years playing at Silver Creek,” said Erezo.

The team gives great admiration to head coach McKenzie. All the players agreed that he motivated and pushed them from the beginning to the end. “I tried to make practice harder than the actual games. I yell at them mostly, if that’s what you call motivation,” said Coach McKenzie.

Next year the team will be filled with familiar faces, including juniors Victoria Pham, Betty Tran and Leilani Dunton, as well as sophomore Tina Dang. Next year these Raiders hope to lead their team to another victorious season. “I think next year will be good. It might be kind of hard because we are going to lose our three starting seniors, but overall I think we can do well as a team,” said Pham.

The tremendous season the girls played was all centered around the word TEAM. They played together, practiced together, cried together and rejoiced together. As girls’ basketball carries on, so does the team motto: Play Together, with Effort, with Attitude, with Motivation.

Boys’ Basketball team wins league championship

Senior Harry Flores, Cal-Hi Sports Player of the week, hussles to get the ball and keep it away from his Evergreen opponent. Photo by Krystyne Ha

By Juan Castillo
Reprinted with permission of SCHS Raider Review

A hard-working season definitely paid off as the boys’ basketball team finished off their season with a record of 17-8. Not only did they surpass last year’s record with five more wins, but this year they also won League Championship.

The race for first-in-league was a close one as the Raiders played their final game at home against Evergreen on Feb. 15th, 2008. Playing the game at home was a huge advantage. “It felt great to play at home, and we were confident because we had beat them before,” said Harry Flores, senior guard.

The game started off at a good pace, as the Raiders were able to put together quick points and take an early lead in the first quarter 21-10. The Raiders held the lead until the beginning of the second quarter, until the Cougars came back from behind and tied things up by halftime, making the score 31-31. After the halftime break, the Raiders came out fresh and rejuvenated and had their minds set on winning the game.

Junior Varsity player #55 James Miles goes up for a lay up after outsmarting the Cougar defense. Photo by Krystyne Ha

In the second quarter the Raiders stepped up their game to score big points, leading them to victory. Harry Flores had the hot hand scoring a total of 24 points. He made an outstanding six consecutive three-point shots, and was one of the key players on both offense and defense. He was later named Cal-Hi Sports Player of the Week for his efforts. Other key players from the Evergreen game include Chijoke Nwuzi with 19 points, and senior J.C. Holts with various assists.

After dominating the second half, the Raiders won the game 72-58. With this win the Raiders affirmed themselves number one in the Santa Teresa Division.

“The team played outstandingly and performed to their highest ability,” said head coach Cliff Warren.

On Feb. 19, the boys hosted Monta Vista High School at home in their first CCS game. The Raiders went out to play a tough game, but in the end fell short of victory. Although the team lost, they were happy with what they had accomplished. “We had a great season and really grew together as a team,” said J.C. Holtz.

Next season hopes are set high and the team will be back to try and match this year’s performance. “This is the best team I’ve ever coached,” added Coach Warren. “Even though we’re losing players this year, I know the team will only continue to get better.”

EVERGREEN SPORTS SCHEDULES 3/22 - 4/4

Evergreen Valley High
4-01 – Badminton at Santa Teresa
4-01 – Boys’ tennis at Branham

4-02 – Baseball v. Del Mar
4-02 – Softball v. Pioneer

4-03 – Badminton v. Independence
4-03 – Track meet v. Leigh

4-04 – Baseball at Del Mar
4-04 – Softball at Westmont
4-04 – Swimming v. Santa Teresa
4-04 – Boys’ tennis tournament at Leland 1 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant High
4-01 – Badminton v. Overfelt
4-01 – Boys’ tennis v. Oak Grove

4-02 – Baseball at Sobrato
4-02 – Softball v. Oak Grove

4-03 – Boys’ tennis at Live Oak
4-03 – Swimming at Independence
4-03 – Track meet at Piedmont Hills

4-04 – Baseball v. Sobrato
4-04 – Softball at Branham

Silver Creek High
4-01 – Badminton v. Leland
4-01 – Baseball at Andrew Hill

4-02 – Softball at Prospect

4-03 – Badminton v. Piedmont Hills
4-03 – Baseball v. James Lick
4-03 – Boys’ tennis at Leigh
4-03 – Swimming at Sobrato
4-03 – Track meet v. Santa Teresa

4-04 – Softball at Del Mar

For more information on local games, log on to the BVAL web site at www.bval.org.

—Helen Hong

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