 | | | Cal Stars AAU girls' basketball team Photo provided | | | | | | Football
MaxPreps recently released its preseason high school football rankings, naming Campolindo the No. 17 small-school team heading into the 2015 season. The Cougars will return seven players from last year's state-champion team, including senior wide receiver Max Flower and lineman Sterling Strother. However, the team graduated three of its biggest stars in quarterback Jack Stephens, running back Nick Fadelli, and tight end Tyler Petite. Head Coach Kevin Macy has mixed feelings about the early-season attention. "The pressure is going to be tough," he explained. "Last year we were the Cinderella team, and now everyone wants to beat us." Macy feels the team is behind schedule compared to previous years because of the recently implemented Cooley Bill, which limits contact during summer practice with the aim of preventing concussions.
Basketball
The Orinda-based Cal Stars AAU girls' basketball team won the Nike Invitational July 30, making them the No. 1 club basketball team in the country. Miramonte head coach Kelly Sopak runs the program, and the championship team featured two of his best Matadors - senior shooting guard Sabrina Ionescu, an All-American, and junior Elle Louie. Ionescu forwent an opportunity to play with the 19-and-under US National Team to play for the Stars, deciding a Nike National Title was more important. The Matadors, who lost in the NorCal championship game to St. Mary's (Stockton, Calif.) last season, are expected to be among the best basketball teams in the country this winter.
- S. Silva
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Lamorinda Weekly, Moraga CA