San Ramon Valley’s big win noted for its sportsmanship
Last week’s girls basketball matchup between thirdranked San Ramon ValleyDanville at one-win Livermore didn’t figure to draw much attention, let alone an email to North Coast Section Commissioner Pat Cruickshank. But the predictable 68-20 SRV victory delivered a startling response. Many of them, in fact.
All were positive. Longtime Tri-Valley coach Ed Blake, who coached 34 of his 37 seasons at San Ramon Valley, where he played, is in his first season at Livermore and had not met SRV coach John Cristiano.
After the 48-point defeat, he sent an unsolicited message to two SRV school administrators and district people, who sent it to retired SRV boys basketball coach and athletic director John Raynor, who forwarded it to Cruickshank.
In part, Blake’s email read: “In all (my) years at SRV, we were very careful not to ‘pour it on,’ when playing less talented teams. … John Cristiano far exceeded any and all expectations of quality character and care when playing a less talented team. He and his team were awesome. They represented SRV with nothing but class. … From the moment (the SRV) JV team walked into the gym to the time the varsity walked out of the gym, they showed nothing but integrity. You have no idea what it means to me. I’m most thankful.”
So was Cruickshank, who thanked Raynor for passing on the e-mail — “Your legacy continues to live on at SRV” and to Blake “For sharing the experience. It is refreshing to hear the positive stories that are taking place.”
Most of Cruickshank’s response was to Cristiano, who — according to Blake — showed an “honest concern (that) the game would not hurt the spirit of my girls. If you saw our postgame posture, this was accomplished in spades.”
Cruickshank to Cristiano: “Thank you for the lessons that you are teaching your team. These lessons transcend the game and show everyone involved that it is more than just the wins and losses. … Congratulations to your team on their integrity and kindness.”
The Wolves, winners of 20 straight, are awfully good at basketball, too. Sierra Chambers had 20 points, reigning Metro Player of the Year Natalie Pascoe added 19 and Sadie Carter contributed 11 in the team’s 71-63 win over then-12th-ranked Monte Vista-Danville last week.
Cristiano, in his sixth season after replacing former Cal guard Randy Duck, led the Wolves to a NCS title in 2020. They’ve gone 113-8 since 201617.
Lincoln on a roll: The Mustangs’ boys basketball team (14-3, 5-0) has won nine straight, including 50-42 at Lowell last week for the lead of San Francisco’s Academic Athletic Association. Jeremyah Aquino had 16 points and six assists. Jordan Aquino chipped in 15. Theodore McCarty had 10 points for Lowell (16-6, 6-1). Photo/Campo finish: Cade Bennett, the second-leading scorer for No. 1 Campolindo-Moraga boys, had an off night Saturday, with just four points. But people are still talking about his spectacular follow shot at the buzzer, giving the Cougars a heartstopping 56-54 win over Lincoln-Stockton at Venture-Stockton.
St. Mary’s College-bound Aidan Mahaney (20 points) rebounded a Lincoln miss with six seconds, threw a beautiful three-quarter-court pass to a streaking Clay Naffzige (16 points), who sped in for what looked like the gamewinning layup from the right side. But the ball trickled off the left side where Bennett, who hadnt’t given up on the play, quickly tapped in the
ball with 0.1 of a second left to give the Cougars (21-1) their 15th straight win and 40th in 41 tries over three seasons. Lincoln, with wins over Northgate-Walnut Creek, Clayton Valley Charter-Concord and Sacred Heart PrepAtherton, dropped to 21-4.
Briefly: Since a 70-55 loss in December to SRV, No. 11 Palo Alto’s girls have won 15 straight, the latest a 65-40 win over Gunn while hitting a school-record 18 3-pointers, six by Kaella Peters (20 points). … Washingtonbound Elle Ladine had 36 points, 23 rebounds and five assists to lead No. 2 Pinewood-Los Altos Hills (16-1) to its 14th straight win, 58-43 over then-No. 14 San Leandro (17-5). … Top-ranked Mitty girls were impressive in wins over No. 16 Moreau CatholicHayward (74-34) and host Bishop O’Dowd-Oakland (63-44) in the fourth annual Martin Luther King Classic on Saturday and Sunday. Mitty rolled to an 18-0 lead
over Moreau behind 12 points from Makayla Moore and got 20 points apiece from Siena Guttadauro and Morgan Cheli against O’Dowd.