The Los Altos softball team was missing first baseman Amanda Jones for a while, but it was for a worthy cause.
Jones coached a National Junior Basketball team in a tournament in Anaheim. Her Radioactive Falcons of the Foothill League won the national title.
"We had a fantastic season," Jones said. "We went down to L.A. and the girls were fifth and sixth grade and they placed first nationally."
Jones doesn't play basketball in school anymore, but she did when she was younger and now she's conveying the lessons she learned to the younger generation.
"I love being able to pass on what I learned from my dad," she said after a recent softball victory. "I think it's a different dynamic when you have a teen-age girl teaching the younger girls. You build a relationship that's more of a friendship and more of a mentoring situation than just a coach trying to pass on 'Here, do this. Do this.'
Jones - whose sister Audrey also plays softball for Los Altos - also experienced an earthquake while in Southern California. It registered 5.5 on the Richter scale.
"I was in my motel room and it was pretty strong," she said. "You could actually feel the building swaying."
Had his back: There was a poignant moment at the end of the Mitty vs. St. Francis baseball game on Friday. The Monarchs defeated the Lancers 2-1 in the 11th when a single to left field went under the glove of the St. Francis outfielder, allowing a runner to score from first base.
Anybody who plays baseball for any length of time knows the feeling - making a key error that costs your team. Well, a couple of St. Francis players rushed to the aid of the Lancer outfielder who was on his knees in despair. They got him to his feet and lifted his spirits.
Yeah, Mitty won the game, but they were not the only winners on the field on this day.
Lynbrook picks football coach: Alan Vinciguerra is the new football coach at Lynbrook, said Lynbrook track and field coach Ray Wright.
Vinciguerra coached the Lynbrook frosh-soph team until two years ago. He is replacing Jim Grassi, who resigned after last season. The Vikings went 7-3 in 2013.
Vik Waghray, a receiver/cornerback on last year’s Lynbrook team who is graduating this year, said he dropped by the meeting Vinciguerra had for returning players recently to say hello to the Vikings’ new coach.
“One of his (strengths) is discipline,” said Waghray who had Vinciguerra as a coach on the frosh-soph level. “He applies that very well to the football field. And also play-calling. He makes sure everyone is on task and focused every practice and every game.”
Bokamper the pick to succeed Gray: Michelle Bokamper will be Terra Nova’s next athletic director, replacing Bill Gray who is retiring, Gray said.
“She’ll bring youth and enthusiasm,” Gray said. “She’s very organized, energetic and is dedicated. She’ll do a great job.”
Said principal Dorene Basuino: “Mr. Gray has been working with Ms. Bokamper to guide her during this transitional time. Ms. Bokamper is very organized, has been involved in sports her whole life and we know she will do an excellent job working with the students, staff, parents and community to ensure that Terra Nova student athletes and coaches remain honorable and competitive.”
Bokamper has been a physical education teacher at Terra Nova for more than three years and also is the cross country and track coach.
eantime, a dinner will be held Friday, May 2 at the Irish Cultural Center in San Francisco to honor Gray, the long-time Terra Nova football coach and athletic director who is retiring after 42 years in the district. Tickets are $60 for dinner and gift and may be made payable to TN Bill Gray Dinner. More information: Perrin Belway at pbelwa@juhsd.net or 650-550-7615.
Woodside seeking basketball coaches: Woodside is looking for coaches for both its boys varsity and girls varsity basketball teams.
Last season the teams were coached by Jason Llantero and Steven Diaz, respectively.
“Jason Llantero was interim and Steven Diaz is no longer with us,” Woodside athletic director Wendy Porter said by e-mail. “We are in the process of hiring new coaches for both programs.”
The boys team went 8-16 last season and the girls 4-19.
Farhad resigns at Carlmont: Marcus Farhad has resigned as the Carlmont High football coach, said Scots athletic director Patrick Smith by e-mail.
“We are currently accepting applications for a new coach,” Smith said.
Farhad’s team went 3-7 in 2013, his only season with the Scot varsity. That was actually an improvement over its 1-9 season in 2012.
The program is not without talent, though, as its 2012 frosh-soph team – coached by Farhad – went 9-1.
Bellarmine A.D. West departing: Bellarmine College Prep athletic director Mike West is leaving Bellarmine at the end of the school year to take a similar job at a school in Connecticut.
“It’s been a pleasure to work at Bellarmine,” West said. “It has a proud tradition, and I feel good about what’s transpired.”
West, a Cal graduate, has been a teacher, coach and A.D. at Bellarmine during the past six-plus years.
Bellarmine is now in the process of hiring a new athletic director.
Simon to oversee athletics at Sacred Heart Schools: Bret Simon is the new director of athletics at Sacred Heart Schools in Atherton for pre-school through high school, said Director of Schools Richard Dioli.
Simon coached the Stanford soccer team for 10 years and is affiliated with the Positive Coaching Alliance.
“He brings a wealth of knowledge about coaching and he’ll help us pick the right coaches and his work with the Positive Coaching Alliance will be a positive,” Dioli said.
Frank Rodriguez is still the SHP high school athletic director.
Johnson new TKA football coach: Mike Johnson, a former NFL assistant coach, is the new football coach at The King's Academy, said TKA athletic director Joe Maemone.
Johnson served for 11 years in the NFL as a quarterbacks and wide receivers coach for the Chargers, Falcons, Raven and 49ers. He also coached under Mike Riley at Oregon State in the 1990s.
"He has already brought a wonderful sense of excitement to our campus," Maemone said. "Obviously, his wealth of football knowledge is unique to the high school game, and having that will be a huge asset. Also, he wants to 'coach up' our assistant coaches. This will have a lasting impact. Mike will bring discipline, organization and passion to our program."
Johnson will also be TKA's Director of Development.
