The Justin-Siena High School girls basketball team, which went 29-7, winning a Northern California title and finishing as the state Division IV runner-up, is ranked in three polls to end the season.
Coach Mike Boles’ Braves are No. 12 in the final Cal-Hi Sports Bay Area Top 20 rankings for the 2013-14 season.
They are No. 13 in the San Francisco Chronicle’s final Bay Area rankings.
They are also No. 7 in the CalHiSports.com final state Division IV rankings.
“It’s been five months of treasured moments. These ladies have created memories that are going to last them a lifetime,” said Boles.
Justin-Siena won Marin County Athletic League regular season and tournament titles, but played its best basketball in the postseason, going 6-2.
The Braves lost in the state finals to Sierra Canyon-Chatsworth on March 29 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, 64-37.
“Early on, when a statement had to be made about whether or not Justin came to play a game, the Brave girls made the Trailblazers take notice,” CalHiSports.com correspondent Harold Abend wrote.
“I want to credit Sierra Canyon. They played an outstanding basketball game. They earned the state title,” said Boles.
“Our kids are resilient. It’s a wonderful group. We played hard. We played to the final horn. We just needed to knock down a few more shots and get a few more stops.”
Souza continues track and field season
Competing unattached, UCLA senior Tatum Souza placed in four events at the 2014 Cal Poly ShareSlo.com Invitational on March 29 in San Luis Obispo.
The Napa High graduate set a personal record of 43-8 1/4 in taking second in the women’s shot put.
She was sixth in the long jump (18-6 3/4), fifth in the high jump (5-5 1/4), and second in Heat 1 of the 100-meter hurdles (13.91).
Crowder finishes season for Salesian
Taylor Crowder of American Canyon played 20 minutes for Salesian-Richmond in the Pride’s 70-52 loss to Long Beach Poly in the Open Division title game of the CIF State girls basketball championships on March 29 at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento.
Long Beach Poly won its sixth state title in seven appearances.
Ballantine pitching for Michigan
Ben Ballantine is 2-1 with a 3.00 earned run average in seven appearances (all starts) for the University of Michigan baseball team.
The Napa High graduate has 33 strikeouts and 12 walks in 36 innings pitched.
Justin-Siena baseball ranked
Justin-Siena (7-2-1 overall, 3-2-1 Marin County Athletic League) is No. 4 in the NorCalPreps.com Division IV rankings.
CIF honors 2013-14 Model Coach Award winners
The CIF State office last week announced the 2013-14 Model Coach Award winners. Now in its 13th year, the CIF Model Coach Award program is designed to recognize coaches who have served as positive role models in their schools and communities.
The 11 winners, nominated through their local CIF Section office, will receive an award and be honored at their sport’s state championship or at an event of the recipient’s choosing.
“There is more to education-based athletics than just winning and losing. We honor and recognize those coaches who teach student-athletes not only the skills needed to excel, but also those who are dedicated to teaching them the values of ‘Pursuing Victory with Honor’ and the ‘Six Pillars of Character,’” CIF Executive Director Roger L. Blake said in a news release.
The winners are:
• Tony Corley, San Pasqual-Escondido, football.
• Cathy Elgas, Granite Hills-El Cajon, swimming.
• Michael Gimenez, Whitney-Rocklin, football.
• Bob Hall, Corning Union, football/track and field.
• Maria Hill, Valley Christian Academy-Roseville, volleyball.
• Juan Jimenez, Porterville, cross country/wrestling.
• Bob Kustel, Tamalpais-Mill Valley, water polo/swimming.
• Jeff Lamb, Milpitas, volleyball.
• Mike Milstead, New Designs University Park-Los Angeles, softball/baseball/volleyball.
• Matt Oliphant, James Monroe-North Hills, tennis.
• Jeff Wilson, Sacred Heart Cathedral Preparatory-San Francisco, soccer.