As we near the end of another year it’s only fitting that we look back and pay tribute to some of the best moments in local sports.
Although there were too many stories to list, we’ve tried to capture some of the best moments from the first half of 2017 in words and pictures.
We’d also like to take time to thank the many contributors that help make our sports pages a true product of the community each week. Your continuing help and support are greatly appreciated.
The following is part one of a two-part series.
(1) Hoops veteran – Senior basketball star Jayson McMillan focused on a foul shot during the annual John McMillan Holiday Invitational Tournament last winter. Under veteran coach Steve Bernardi, the Eagles made a strong bid for the league title before settling for second place at 12-2. Cloverdale returned to the NCS playoffs in March, scoring a first round win over St. Vincent and finished the season at 22-7. Other team leaders included seniors Luke Pope and Gage Hoover and juniors Jordan Persons, Eli Arreola, Marcos Jimenez and Christian Chavez. Photo Greg Clementi
(2) Tourney champs – The Lady Eagles varsity basketball squad celebrated championship in the Opal Division at the West Coast Jamboree Tournament in Walnut Creek to start the 2016-17 season, a harbinger of a winning season ahead. Under coach Rick Berry, the Eagles sent 8-6 in league before moving on to the NCS playoff. The team advanced to the quarterfinals before ending the year at 19-11. Cloverdale was led by seniors Ruby Stone, Katie Edwards and Paloma Santos, juniors Camryn Figueroa, Jaedyn Jenkins and Shaye Stewart, sophomores Heather Sterling, Julie Edwards, Marina Lopez, Mikayla Crosby and freshmen Tehya Bird and Maci Hernandez. Photo provided
(3) Flashing Leather – Cloverdale shortstop James Wirt applied the tag on a Sonoma Valley base runner in a preseason baseball clash in March. The Eagles enjoyed a competitive spring campaign under veteran coach Keith Warner, compiling an overall record of 5-13. The squad was led by seniors Patrick Ojeda,Mason Kostoff, Nick Menzell, juniors Wirt, Kamrin Mitchell, BJ Grady, sophomores Keller Siebert, Drew Edens and freshmen Dylan Scaramella and Jake Sullivan. Photo Greg Clementi
(4) Play at third – Sophomore softballer Heather Sterling slid into third base in an April visit to Kelseyville. Under veteran head coach Margaret Fitzgerald, the Eagles battled for the league crown before settling for second place at 12-2. Cloverdale went on to land a berth in the NCS playoff tournament before finishing with an outstanding record of 19-5. Standouts included seniors Josie Marrufo, Emily Harris, juniors Hannah Bireschi, Alma Beltran, Jaedyn Jenkins, sophomores Sterling, Angelina Cordova, Emma Adams, Nicky Martinez and Aly Bernal and talented freshmen Tehya Bird and Lane Hughes. Photo Brian Sumpter
(5) Court champs – The Cloverdale High School tennis team captured the NCL 1 championship in April, finishing league play with a record of 7-1. Led by coaches Jonni Conway and Egon Teodorson, the team featured senior number one singles player Luke Pope, with juniors Everett Conway and Derick Rilea posting 7-1 records at number two and three singles respectively. Top doubles teams included Jordan Persons and Javier Hernandez, with a combination of Emily Krummer, Mikayla Crosby, Kayli Persons and Marina Lopez also playing key roles on the team. Photo provided
(6) Play ball – Little Leaguers ran the bases during opening day festivities for the Cloverdale Little League at Daly Park in April. Under the watch-ful eye of CLL President Justin Jackson, the 2017 CLL featured 182 participating players, filling out 16 teams in five divisions from T-Ball to Juniors. Regular season games ran from April to the end of May, followed by the Tournament of Champions and ending with the District-35 All Star tournaments in July. Photo Michael Lucid
(7) Historic campaign – Cloverdale freshman phenom Tehya Bird capped a remarkable 2017 softball season in May by being named to the Cal Hi Sports All State team as a multi-purpose player. Putting up numbers that were off the charts, Bird compiled a .727 batting average (48 for 66), including nine doubles, five triples, 11 homers and 53 runs batted in. In addition, she had an on-base percentage of .814, a slugging percentage of 1.515 and an OPS (on base plus slugging percentage) of 2.329. She was walked 29 times and struck out only once all season. As her team’s ace pitcher, Bird logged an overall record of 19-5 with a 2.09 earned run average, striking out 220 batters in 151 innings pitched. Photo Greg Clementi
(8) Boys of summer – The Cloverdale Little League Majors squad was the lone representative in District 35 all star competition this year, completing their season in July. The CLL Major all star team was led by manager Ian Jones and coaches Nick Beeson and Jason Jenkins. Players included TJ Beeson, Joseph Lincoln, Jimmy Pope, Travis Wedge, Emilio Diaz, Rylee Reasoner, Kolby Jenkins, Jamon Henkel, Audie Hanes, Corbin Drake, Jaedon Torinato and Dylan Jones. Photo provided
(9) Pioneers of baseball – The Cloverdale Little League paid special tribute to several men who were responsible for the building of Daly Field as part of the opening day ceremonies on April 4. On hand to throw out the ceremonial first pitch were Mario Michelon, Don Goodman, Steve Pellegrini, David “Rookie” Lemley and Wil Brutout. Others who were honored were Ron Agnew, Pierre Giovanatto, John Santana and Dale Spellbring. Photo Michael Lucid
