B3 SPORTS

Thursday, March 18, 2021 >> MORE AT FACEBOOK.COM/SCSENTINEL AND TWITTER.COM/SCSENTINEL » santacruzsentinel.com SiGIRLS VOdeLLEYBALL PROuEVIEW t(side):Locals WARRIORS ANALYSIS

NAM Y. HUH — THE ASSOCIATED PRESS willtaketothesand Warriors center , right, battles for a loose ball against Chicago Bulls guard Zach LaVine during a game in December. Targets to watch at trade deadline

By Wes Goldberg Bay Area News Group The Warriors’ offseason has already begun. Between now and the start of next season, when the organization hopes to vault back to title contention, general manager Bob Myers is tasked with completing the two- year rebuild through trades, the draft and free agency. With the March 25 trade deadline approaching, the War- riors should be shopping, and Myers’ recent comments to 95.7 The Game claiming they will be aggressive indicate they will. Already, several players are on the trade : Houston’s P. J. Tucker, San Antonio’s LaMarcus Aldridge and Cleveland’s An- dre Drummond. Stars such as Washington’s Bradley Beal, Or- lando’s Nikola Vucevic and Chi- cago’s Zach LaVine are more sought after than available, but DAN COYRO — SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL FILE stable veterans such as Toronto’s Instead of playing indoor during the pandemic, the high school volleyball season will be waged on the beach. In 2021-22, beach volleyball Kyle Lowry, Sacramento’s Har- will be a CIF-sanctioned sport and feature a postseason. rison Barnes and New Orleans’ Lonzo Ball are capable of help- Season serves as warmup for 2021-22, ing a playoff contender. Here’s where the Warriors when CIF begins beach championships stand days before the deadline, and some players they could tar- By Gordon Kass COMING UP get: The last touch on a vol- FRIDAY, 4 P.M. Team needs leyball by a local player in a Scotts Valley at Harbor Barring an All-Star scorer be- high school game came back Soquel at Santa Cruz coming available, the Warriors on Nov. 23, 2019, when Aptos’ (Main Beach) should try to find bonafide sixth Peyton Dueck smashed the ti- Mount Madonna at Aptos and seventh men who are un- tle-winner against Nordhoff to (Rio Del Mar) der contract through next sea- give the Mariners the CIF State son to round out the core rota- Division IV championship. tion. More immediately, they Nearly 16 months later, lo- Cruz Coast Athletic League could seek to make improve- cal prep athletes will finally squads and other county ments on the fringes. A backup be hitting and digging volley- teams will play a short sea- WARRIORS >> PAGE 4 balls again. Fittingly in this son in March and April, with beach community, those balls matches involving five pairs THE SCORE will touch beach sand rather per team. SHMUEL THALER — SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL FILE than the usual hardcourt sur- Aptos and Soquel are the Soquel High setter Ava Adamsen defends the net for the Knights WARRIORS-ROCKETS, LATE face during Friday’s initial co-favorites in a six-team up- as Aptos outside hitter Peyton Dueck hits for the Mariners in the Up next: Warriors at Memphis contests. per division, with Harbor CCS D-III semifinals last season. This season, local volleyball When: Friday, 5p.m. teams will compete on the beach during the pandemic. That’s because beach volley- and Mount Madonna right in TV: NBCBA ball, and its two-player games, the mix, and Santa Cruz and Online: For a report on Warriors and serves as a safer alternative to Scotts Valley lurking nearby. Sharks’ games, go to: indoor volleyball during the Matches will be held at Har- Inside: NFL teams are busy as business season begins. COVID-19 pandemic. Santa VOLLEYBALL >> PAGE 4 News+Notes, B5 santacruzsentinel.com/sports

49ERS COMMENTARY SCCAL GIRLS TENNIS ROUNDUP NCAA TOURNAMENT Soquel’s Maya Madness trip There’s still Van Ness returns the ball to Tallia leads to life one glaring Harper during the Knights on lockdown hole on roster tennis match against host By Eddie Pells Good NFL teams don’t build Santa Cruz on The Associated Press through free-agent splashes. Tuesday. No, big free-agent spending INDIANAPOLIS >> At Victory Field sprees are typically in downtown Indianapolis on the domain of the Wednesday, a couple of coaches Jets, Raiders, and running laps around the warn- Jaguars. ing track passed different diver- The goal is to ac- sions scattered across the minor quire good players, league ballpark. mainly through the In one section, a badminton Dieter Kurtenbach NFL Draft, and to SHMUEL THALER net. In others, a soccer ball and a keep them around – SANTA CRUZ football. No sign of a . when their con- SENTINEL When the 1,500 or so play- tracts are set to expire. Then you ers, coaches and staff members can augment in free agency. in town for the NCAA Tourna- That’s what the 49ers did dur- SC’s Harper rolls in final rematch; ment want to get a breath of fresh ing this free-agent period. They air and a glimpse of some green deserve plaudits for keeping left grass, this is their option. Their tackle , corner- Knights top Cardinals in opener only option. backs and Emman- This is life at a basketball uel Moseley, and fullback Kyle championship, Harper earned been working a lot on my sec- NCAA >> PAGE 5 By Jim Seimas Juszczyk and adding pass rusher a 6-0, 6-0 win over Soquel’s ond serve.” [email protected] as a Maya Van Ness in the teams’ Van Ness said she has im- replacement (even though Ford Santa Cruz High junior league opener. The Knights proved her service game and TUNE IN remains on the roster) as well as tennis star Tallia Harper — made a statement, too. That groundstrokes. THURSDAY’S GAMES upgrading the center position by the two-time defending Santa was their lone loss as Soquel The abbreviated regular- Texas Southern vs. Mount St. reportedly agreeing to a deal with Cruz Coast Athletic League rolled to a 6-1 win. season schedule concludes in Mary’s: 2:10 p.m., TruTV former Cal Bear . champion — sent a memo to “Overall, I feel like I’ve a little more than one month. The 49ers did what good teams the rest of Santa Cruz Coun- been playing more consistent, The SCCAL Championships Drake vs. Wichita State: do. ty’s No. 1 singles players Tues- not making as many unforced are slated to take place April 3:27p.m., TBS Everything the 49ers have done day: She’s gotten better in the errors as I would’ve last sea- 22 at Cabrillo College. Appalachian State vs. Norfolk in free agency has been solid. But offseason. Significantly. son,” Harper said. “My serve, “It is so weird,” Van Ness State: 5:40p.m., TruTV it’s the move they have not made In a rematch of last year’s for sure, it got a lot better said. “I can’t believe it’s hap- UCLA vs. Michigan State: KURTENBACH >> PAGE 5 SCCAL Tournament singles than it was last season. I’ve TENNIS >> PAGE 4 6:57p.m., TBS 4 | B SPORTS | SANTACRUZSENTINEL.COM THURSDAY, MARCH 18, 2021

On the air Thursday ONESTO WATCH Volleyball Peyton Dueck, Aptos, SPRING BASEBALL Sr.: Mariners’ star will play 10 a.m. Nationals vs. Mets MLB FROM PAGE 3 indoor and beach volleyball 1p.m. Cubs vs. Indians MLB bor High, Main Beach and at Cal Poly 7p.m. Giants vs. Mariners NBCBA 680 Rio Del Mar. Emma Yeaman, Aptos, 11 p.m. A’s vs. Padres (delay) MLB There won’t be SCCAL or Jr.: Solid defensive player MEN’S BASKETBALL Central Coast Section tour- on Aptos’ state title team 2p.m. First Four: Texas Sth-Mt. St. Mary’s TruTV naments won’t be held this Ciara Cantlen, Soquel, 3:20p.m. First Four: Drake vs. Wichita State TBS year. In 2021-22, beach vol- Jr.: A front-court force who 4p.m. NIT: N.C. State vs. Davidson ESPN leyball will be a CIF-sanc- can play in all six rotations 5:30p.m. First Four: App. St. vs. Norfolk St. TruTV tioned sport and feature a indoors, a dangerous com- postseason. bination on the beach 6p.m. NIT: SMU vs. Boise State ESPN Another group of county Ava Adamsen, Soquel, 6:50p.m. First Four: UCLA vs. Michigan State TBS schools will play in a sec- Sr.: Best setter in the area BOXING ond division. That contin- and that touch translates 6p.m. Lightweight: Machado vs. Fierro NBCSN gent includes San Lorenzo well on the beach GOLF Valley, Watsonville, Monte Kylee Eze, Soquel, So.: 11 a.m. PGA Tour: Honda Classic GOLF Vista Christian, St. Fran- Tall, agile, 6-foot-2middle cis, Kirby, Pacific Collegiate NBA blocker is dominant at the and Pajaro Valley. net 4p.m. Jazz at Wizards NBA “COVID has been a 7:30p.m. Hornets at Lakers NBA tough year on sports, and Marilu Pally, Santa Cruz, Jr.: Cardinals’ ace is com- NHL these student-athletes 4p.m. Flyers at Islanders NBCCA have been aching for com- mitted to playing beach petition,” Aptos’ new head volleyball at Cal SOCCER Hannah Fleming, Scotts 2:30p.m. Olympic Qualifying: U.S.-Costa Rica FS1 coach Madison Dueck said. “We’re lucky to have Valley, So.: A potential D-I 5p.m. Olympic Qualifying: Mexico-D. Republic FS1 a league that has been so beach volleyball talent, she 7p.m. Women’s USC at UCLA PAC12 patient and willing to get DAN COYRO – SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL FILE has been organizing beach TENNIS these girls playing and Ciara Cantlen will take to the beach this season for tournaments during the 5p.m. ATP Acapulco; WTA Monterrey TENNIS competing in some capac- Soquel High’s volleyball team. pandemic WRESTLING ity.” Svea Anderson, Scotts 8a.m. NCAA D1: Championships ESPNU Madi, the older sister of CAL title in 2019 and won ter with a host of young Valley, Sr.: Falcons’ star 11 a.m. NCAA D1: Championships ESPNU current Mariners’ star Pey- the SCCAL Tournament players, including Kaitlin will play at D-III North Park ton, played collegiate beach with sweeps of Aptos and Lawrence, Holly Pender- University in Chicago 3p.m. NCAA D1: Championships ESPN2 volleyball for Cal and took the Pirates. In the CCS graft and Gwen Grigsby. Liana Kitchell, Mount Ma- 6p.m. NCAA D1: Championships ESPN2 over at Aptos in February. playoffs, the Knights were “Bibi has been one of our donna, Jr.: Strong front- NOTE: Due to COVID-19cancellations or postponements, listed The Mariners couldn’t ask upset by Aptos in a tight most committed athletes court player who can also game times and dates may change. for a more qualified coach match in which Soquel since the fall conditioning sparkle defensively for a beach season: Madi setter Ava Adamsen was sessions,” Harbor coach Olive Hess, Harbor, Jr.: compiled 50 wins during injured during the contest. Matthew Schutz said. “She Experienced Pirate brings but it doesn’t seem right 2017-2020 at Cal, seventh- Soquel returns two su- has improved dramatically package of offense and Warriors now that either team is in most in school history. perb players in Adamsen in the time we have been defense to the beach a place to make that deal. “I love the beach game and junior Ciara Cantlen, working out on the beach.” FROM PAGE 3 BARNES >> However inter- and am fortunate enough who broke out in 2019 and Santa Cruz is led by ju- esting this reunion would to have four years of D-I ex- should be on everyone’s nior Marilu Pally, who will opportunity to play. They point guard to run the sec- be, it’s unlikely. The Min- perience in it to share with radar. The athletic 6-foot play beach volleyball for just want to get out there ond unit in place of rookie nesota pick is too valuable my players,” Dueck said. Cantlen showed her all- Cal. The Cardinals were and have some fun.” Nico Mannion would help to move for Barnes, and The Mariners gradu- around skills in that SC- hit heavily by graduation, Scotts Valley is a dark lift some of those minutes other teams (Boston, Mi- ated a large portion of CAL title match against losing SCCAL first-team horse that should not be when and ami) seem like more likely their 2019-2020 team but Harbor with 16 kills and libero Chloe Drysdale and overlooked. The Falcons are on landing spots. have three stellar defensive 12 digs in just three sets, two big hitters in Mar- have six players with ex- the bench. Plus, the War- JOHN COLLINS >> The War- players leading the way, a and earlier in the year with lena Diego and Rashonda tensive beach experience, riors are always on the riors could probably get particular advantage in the a 16-kill, 21-dig four-set ef- Rhodes. including Hannah Flem- lookout for two-way wings Collins for the Minnesota two-player beach game. fort against powerful Saint “The girls are happy to ing, Svea Anderson, li- and floor-spacing big men. pick, but where would he The younger Dueck, a Francis of Mountain View. be together and practicing bero Joelle Andrews, mid- play? Collins can space the senior bound for Cal Poly “Ciara is an exceptional in some form as a school dle blocker Kylie O’Connor, Trade assets floor from either the power San Luis Obispo to play all-around player, team- team, and we are looking Sydney Inman and Elise Golden State’s best as- forward or center posi- both indoor and beach, is mate, and, as important forward to some friendly Bullard. Scotts Valley has set is the Timberwolves’ tion, is young and athletic, the region’s top player. She as anything, has a true love competition against depth beyond that, led by first-round pick (protected but Green and Wiseman has been on USA Beach for the game,” Soquel coach the other schools in the four-year varsity indoor for selections 1-3 in 2021, are entrenched as the War- “High Performance” teams Al Adamsen said. “She has county,” Santa Cruz coach starter and team captain unprotected in 2022) ac- riors’ frontcourt of the fu- since 2013 and her list of all the shots in the book, Lina Manley-Diaz said. Kate Shilling. quired in last season’s deal ture — or at least the near accomplishments includes yet is still eager to learn The Mount Madonna Fleming, whose par- that sent D’Angelo Rus- future in Green’s case. many top placings in USA and improve.” Hawks, as usual, sharp- ents were both competi- sell to Minnesota in ex- AARON GORDON >> The Volleyball and AAU tour- Indoor setters are often ened their talons on fierce tive beach volleyball play- change for Andrew Wig- Magic forward is among naments. However, recent great beach players and SCCAL competition in ers, will play beach volley- gins. As the Timberwolves the hottest names go- appendectomy surgery that applies to Ava Adam- 2019, and that aided them ball in college next year. toil through the season ing into the deadline but, will sideline her for a ma- sen. in their charge to the CIF Her 12-kill, 15-dig perfor- with the NBA’s worst re- like Collins, it’s unclear jority of the season. Emma “Ava has exceptional all- State Division V title. mance led the Falcons in cord, this is one of the where he would fit in with Yeaman and Leilani Valdez around skills,” her coach Erin Mitchell, who a big upset of Harbor last most valuable trade chips Golden State. Even if they played back-row on Aptos’ said. “Indoor, she was the played on Mt. Madonna’s season. Anderson is an in the league, and not one moved Wiggins in the deal state championship team floor leader as the setter first state title team in 2007 outstanding outside hitter the Warriors will part with to clear space at small for- and will be major contrib- and occasional right-side and coached the Hawks to and she will play indoors for anyone short of an All- ward, Gordon is a better fit utors. hitter. She also proved her- their second state cham- at the D-III level in college Star. at power forward. Plus, his “One of our biggest self to be a talented blocker. pionship last year, has de- next season. Andrews has Same goes for rookie spotty injury history could strengths as a team this All these skills are already parted to get her teaching been playing beach volley- center James Wiseman, be cause for trepidation. season is our ball control, present on the beach.” credential at Humboldt ball tournaments since the who the Warriors selected KYLE LOWRY >> Finals ex- which gives us a huge ad- The Soquel lineup also State. Junior varsity coach sixth grade. O’Connor is a with the No. 2 pick in No- perience, hard-nosed de- vantage when transition- features two sophomores: P.K. McDonald has moved punishing middle blocker vember’s draft and has fender, can play on and off ing to the sand,” Dueck 6-foot-2 Kylee Eze and up to take the helm of the in the indoor game and shown flashes of a skill set the ball. But his $30 mil- said. “Having good ball Maddie Petersen. Hawks. will bring her power game that should be enticing for lion contract is tough to control is one of the best Harbor, with three “We’re going to be led by to the beach. any rebuilding team. Ac- match with salary and he skills to have as a beach beach courts on cam- Liana Kitchell,” McDonald “With beach volleyball cording to league sources, will be a free agent after player.” pus, shouldn’t be over- said. “She grew up playing being added as an official Golden State is commit- the season, at which time Other top Mariners in- looked. The top of the Pi- beach volleyball and knows sport next spring, this sea- ted to Wiseman, and won’t he may prefer to return clude Jordyn Waite-Ward, rates’ lineup will be strong the beach game really son will draw lots of in- move him unless part of a home and sign with the Isabel Pfeiffer and Mikayla with seniors Bibi Bartlett well. She provides leader- terest from athletes about package that nets a peren- Philadelphia 76ers. Santaella. Incoming fresh- and Natalie Schipper as ship. We also have Savanna how it will look in the fu- nial All-Star talent. VICTOR OLADIPO >> Theoret- men Peyton Westjohn, Avi one duo and juniors Tay- Cambell and she is going ture,” Schutz said. “While The Warriors can’t trade ically, Oladipo makes sense Boyd and Haley Curutan lan Johnson and Cassan- to play D-III volleyball next there will not be CCS play- a pick between now and as a playmaker and de- will bolster the lineup. dra Kemos as another. Se- year. But we lost a strong offs this year, we are so 2027, and have three other fender, but his injury his- Soquel should be solid. nior captain Kylie Mundell senior class. I think we’ll be happy to be able to prac- second-round picks to use tory is problematic and he The Knights tied Harbor will be a major contributor. in the middle of the pack. tice, compete and bond as as sweetener. will be a free agent this for the regular-season SC- The Pirates fill out the ros- Everyone is excited for the a group.” Then there’s Kelly Ou- summer. bre Jr., who has been a key LONZO BALL >> The War- part of the Warriors’ de- riors and Pelicans have al- per and Stella Cheney fense and, at times, an ex- ready discussed a deal cen- Tennis beat Claire Croghan and plosive scoring threat. tered around Ball for Ou- Alexa Garcia, 6-0, 6-1, in Since he’ll be a free agent bre. With the deadline FROM PAGE 3 the No. 2 spot, and Sydney this summer, the Warriors approaching, could they Young and Liat Weinstein could move him for a rota- kick the tires again? Ball is pening because of COVID. defeated Christina Flynn tion-caliber player under a restricted free agent but, But if we get through it, I’m & Ava Meschi, 6-0, 6-1, at contract next season. The if re-signed, could provide glad. I’m just glad it’s hap- No. 3. Warriors could also try to Golden State with play- pening still.” Scotts Valley hosts deal point guard Brad Wa- making, shooting and ver- More than a dozen so- Monte Vista Christian on namaker, who has recently satile defense. He could cially distanced and Thursday at 3 p.m. fallen out of the rotation. come off the bench or masked parents lined the APTOS 7, AT MVC 0 >> Mar- Other young players in- play alongside Curry, Klay cyclone fence at Santa iners freshman Rebecca clude , Jordan Thompson and Green. Cruz to take in the action Fuller won her first match Poole and , ERIC BLEDSOE >> Multiple during the COVID-19 pan- at No. 1 singles, beating but they would more likely reports indicate that New demic. Kayleigh Bajarin 6-4, 6-4 be moved in a larger pack- Orleans has made Bled- No. 2 singles player Isla on the road in the teams’ age to make salaries work. soe available. His playmak- Garcia-McDougall (6-3, SCCAL opener. ing and defensive acumen 6-0), No. 3 Hana Blaus- No. 2 Juliet Sweet (6- Trade targets would be helpful off the tein (6-4, 6-1), and No. 4 1, 6-2), No. 3 Autumn Za- BEAL >> There are no in- bench, but he could be too Ella Summerville (6-2, retsky (6-2, 6-4) and No. 4 dications that Beal is go- expensive. Bledsoe is under 6-4) earned straight-sets Madison James (6-0, 6-1) ing anywhere, but if Wash- contract for $18.1 million wins for the Knights. also earned singles wins. ington were to make him next season — a steep price Soquel also swept the Annika Lee and Holly available, few teams could for a reserve. Though it’s double competition be- Hegna, Santana Rigor offer a package as strong worth noting that his $19.3 hind the teams of No. 1 and Madison Phillips, and as Golden State’s. Min- million salary in 2022-23 is Bridget Baskerville and Chloe Chausse and Ashley nesota’s top-three pro- only partially guaranteed. Mariah Montanez (6-1, Lavender earned doubles tected pick and Wiseman JJ REDICK >> The Pelicans 6-1), No. 2 Alana Riling wins. would give the Wizards the shooting guard could be and Mia Tomaino (6-0, SLV 2, AT WATSONVILLE means to rebuild on the helpful, but he seems mo- 6-3), and No. 3 Ruby Stor- 1 >> Shorthanded as pro- fly with a young big three tivated to find his way to rey and Dani Marlatt (6- spective players get their consisting of Wiseman, the the Northeast when he hits 1, 6-0). physicals and paperwork Minnesota pick and their free agency this summer. SCOTTS VALLEY 7, AT ST. cleared, the Cougars won own 2021 first-round pick. GEORGE HILL >> Hill is a re- FRANCIS 0 >> Senior Helen two singles matches to se- Only a player of at least liable 3-point shooter, ball- Elmer defeated Aracely cure the win. Beal’s caliber would war- handler and defender with Lehman 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 Kendall Fournier beat rant the Warriors unload- deep postseason experi- singles, and the Falcons Brooklyn llamas, 6-2, 6-3, ing all of their assets. ence. He’s also under con- swept the Sharks in the in the No. 1 spot and Tessa LAVINE AND VUCEVIC >> tract for next season for SCCAL opener for both SHMUEL THALER – SANTA CRUZ SENTINEL Jacquerot prevailed 6-3, Both players could help the a manageable $10 million teams at Pajaro Dunes. Two-time defending individual SCCAL champion Tallia 7-5 at No. 2 over Erin De Warriors — LaVine with that is only partially guar- A trio of sophomores Harper of Santa Cruz High began the 2021with a La Torre. his scoring and perimeter anteed. Because the War- helped the Falcons dom- convincing victory over Soquel’s Maya Van Ness on Watsonville’s Haley shooting, and Vucevic with riors cannot trade Ou- inate the remainder of Tuesday. Koda and Angelina Urabe his playmaking, - bre back to Oklahoma City the singles matches: No. won at No. 1 doubles, 6-3, ing and shooting from the during the same season, 2 Veronica Farquhar beat 6-0, 6-0, and No. 4. Livia Liz Bahr defeated Pey- 6-1. center position. Golden per league rules, they’d Aidan Croghan 6-4, 6-3, Johnston silenced Viviana ton Croghan & Makena State could offer the Min- likely have to get a third No. 3. Emma Dyc-O’Neil Moreno 6-0,6-0. Bedolla, 6-3, 6-4, at No. Contact reporter Jim nesota pick and contracts, team involved. blanked Claudia Kehoe Miranda Larson and 1 doubles, Cheyenne Coo- Seimas at 831-706-3256.