Time Out with Steve Maloney (1990 Justin-Siena High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life? Steve Maloney: I enjoyed the shared experience with my teammates the most. When I was at Justin-Siena, I think a lot about how fun it was but also about how our teams underperformed. We could have done better if we had a better program and guidance. It was very frustrating to see the misguided efforts of our team to practice to win, yet we were not ready to do that. We had enough talent to do well but our three varsity coaches in four years did not instill the confidence and bond that a football team needs to learn life lessons like confidence, responding when you are down or intimidated, committing to others, resolving to work hard for a team cause, and focusing on moments. This is what a football team is about, helping the players with these core life skills. This is directly related to how well a corporation runs; How well its team delivers on its objectives. This is that part of team performance that I love; Competing with your teammates to win, giving your all, always improving and to do your best. A great organization has this same environment. D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school? Maloney: Since leaving Justin-Siena, I have been a software sales leader for over 21 years. I enjoyed selling solutions that drive revenue, cut costs, find competitive advantage, predict outcomes, help to find/hire great people, etc. D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High? Maloney: I enjoyed English with Bob Morrish the most. Even though I was terrible at it back then, he was such a great and challenging teacher. This quote sums him up very well; Principal Greg Schmitz characterized Morrish as “a wonderful man, a great friend, teacher, colleague, mentor, confidante, coach and director and a wonderful Christian.” D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High? Maloney: Starting at Linebacker in the 1990 East-West All Star Game was a highlight for me. I appreciated very much winning the 500 Club Award and the Defense Award as a Senior when I made 103 tackles. But being able to represent the Braves who did not get much respect from other area schools was fun; I got in about 7-10 fights in practice trying to make a strong presence for the Braves brand while hitting people hard and going all-out in practice. I hope it earned a little JSHS respect at that brief interval in time. I had four tackles and a sack in the game and I truly enjoyed representing our school. Overall I loved my JSHS teammates and long-term friendships that were formed there. “Sempre Avanti” to all Braves. D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics? Maloney: I trace a lot of my personal growth maps to football. I struggled at times with confidence and resilience and I have it anchored in me now and the sport helped with this; Primarily driven by great teammates who helped me commit to myself and to them. Playing also at DVC (Diablo Valley College) for Ed Hall, who founded De La Salle's Football program before leaving to go to Coach JC Football at DVC for more than 35 years was a life-changing experience. I worked so hard and believed so much that I could contribute that I found a way to start and contribute, when I thought I could not just due to the sheer number of guys that were bigger and faster than me. In my second year on the team I received an award I will always cherish; Most Improved Player - Defense; 1992 at Inside Linebacker; 124 tackles/89 solo/5.5 Sacks/7 forced fumbles, and Player of the Game vs. College of San Mateo w/16 tackles and one sack. Personal growth comes from challenges and football has certainly helped me to be a better teammate now in business, a better husband, and friend, and person. D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people? Maloney: Most influential to me are my family and my dear friends who I consider as family. Life is hard and we have to rely on each other for feedback, ideas, love and to get through life to make the most positive impact as possible. Friends that I count as family include these people that I still am extremely grateful for. These friendships formed initially by playing sports at Justin with these great people. I still have strong friendships with ex-teammates Bill Waggoner (funniest guy ever wow), Philip Antoniadis, Andy Berry, Kerry Egan, Matt Buoncristiani...and others. D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet. Maloney: I would have to say Jesus. Since this is not realistic I will keep focused on meeting and conversing with as many interesting people as possible, there are so many in all our lives if we just engage.

Time Out with Matt Buoncristiani (1990 Justin-Siena High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Matt Buoncristiani: I enjoyed the preparation, challenge, teamwork, enjoying victory, coping with losses and moving on.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Buoncristiani: I have become the Co-Founder and Managing Partner of Buoncristiani Winery in Napa.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High?

Buoncristiani: Bob Morrish and his English class. There was never a dull moment.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High?

Buoncristiani: A 67 yard run in fourth quarter for a touchdown against Lower Lake my junior year. It was a game we dedicated to a friend who had passed and I felt like he was there with us to celebrate a late comeback win.

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Buoncristiani: I think I have grown leaps and bounds, partially due to my immediate family (wife and kids) and I like to think the sports experiences mentioned in question one from high school and collegiate teams have attributed as well.

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Buoncristiani: My wife and kids, they inspire me to improve, succeed, and enjoy life in both personal and business situations.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Buoncristiani: I would like to have met Walter Payton.

Time Out with James "Mickey" Lippitt (1991 Justin Siena High graduate)

Vince D’Adamo: What did you enjoy most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Mickey Lippitt: It was always my escape and protection. It did not matter what was going on in life, when I was at practice I was on an oasis.

D’Adamo: What have you been doing since graduating from high school?

Lippitt: I work in San Rafael at Morgan Stanley and live here as well.     

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Justin-Siena High?

Lippitt: I took a summer school class from Mr Schmitz in Algebra going into freshman year. It was a good time, I made new friends, and I enjoyed having Mr. Schmitz as my teacher. He liked me and was fair and I wanted to do well for him.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Justin-Siena High?

Lippitt: Tough question but probably getting a big hit against St. Patricks’ at Dan Foley Park in a night game, Friday night, late in the season. I was a sophomore and happy to be able to be a big contributor that particular year. Our team went to the playoffs which was a first in a long time for Justin. It was a great season for my confidence as a baseball player. I also appreciated playing with all of those guys.  

D’Adamo: How much do you feel you have grown personally since graduating from high school and how much of that do you trace to athletics?

Lippitt: I have grown up a ton since high school just like all of us I am sure. Sports and baseball in particular were always my go to place so I lean on that experience I'm sure. I basically value the time that I had playing, and remembering my teammates and friends. The key value baseball teaches is that of learning to lose. That's what most people would tell you.    

D’Adamo: Within your family, who have been the most influential people?

Lippitt: Within my family it would be my grandfathers, both of them.  

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet.

Lippitt: Mother Theresa. Hard not to pick Bruce Lee, but I can't.  

Time Machine: St. Helena volleyball/basketball (2007-2011)

You often do not appreciate what you see in person until you reflect a handful of years later. For St. Helena High (St. Helena, CA) sports fans, the late 2000s to early 2010s were a special time for female athletics -- specifically volleyball and girls basketball.

The reasons for the significance of their achievements are different. For volleyball, the Saints have a rich history from Donna McCornack to Ouvidio Gomes to Herschel Sandler to Benny Rabanal. McCornack is a member of the first class of the St. Helena High Athletic Hall of Fame, established in 2013 -- and for good reason.

She coached St. Helena volleyball to two CIF State championships (1982 and 1984), seven league titles, five section championships and two more state runner-ups. McCornack retired after 39 years of teaching at St. Helena High after the 2010-2011 school year. McCornack’s impact, however, goes far beyond the fact that she led St. Helena volleyball to a 252-55 overall record in her 17 seasons.

Besides her successful coaching career, McCornack was instrumental in leading the charge for equality in girls’ sports. She fought vigorously for the inclusion of all-girls teams in the North Central League I.

Besides various brief spikes thereafter, most Saints volleyball seasons with the exception of 1994 and 2003 were very similar -- reach the postseason and possibly win a league title followed by winning a postseason game as a mid-level bracket seed only to lose to a high-end seed thereafter.

For girls basketball, with the exception the mid 1990s under Gomes and Frank Bozzini as co-coaches, St. Helena was mostly terrible until 2007 when St. Helena High 1977 graduate Will Densberger returned to his hometown by way of Oregon.

To set the stage, Adrianna “Missy” Particelli, Maddy Densberger, Jamie Marshall and Shelby Zumwalt each made significant impacts for the Saints at both sports. Densberger scored over 1,500 career points in basketball and over 1,000 career kills in volleyball before going on to have an accomplished volleyball career at Sonoma State. I could do a Time Machine post on Densberger alone, which may come at some point for now we focus on the team’s achievements. Particelli played for Pacific Union College and Marshall briefly at UC Santa Cruz.

The volleyball team enjoyed supporting cast contributions from Sydney Jacobs, Mia Barnett, Jenn Strunk, Kendall Shifflett, Diane Meyer and Callie Flood. In 2008, the Saints went 19-13 and as the No. 9 seed in the CIF North Coast Section Div. IV playoffs beat No. 8 Kelseyville in four sets before losing to top-seed and eventual champion Marin Catholic.

The next two seasons, the Saints ran roughshod over competition. In 2009, St. Helena went 27-6 and as the No. 6 seed beat No. 11 Kelseyville and No. 3 St. Patrick’s (Vallejo) at home before losing to No. 2 seeded Salesian (Richmond) on the road. Salesian beat Marin Catholic for the NCS Div. IV title.

The 2010 season, however, was truly a crowning jewel as they went 29-5, reaching the NorCal playoffs for the first time since 2003. In the NCS Div. IV playoffs as the No. 7 seed, the Saints beat No. 10 Healdsburg, No. 2 Berean Christian (Walnut Creek), and No. 3 Salesian before falling to Marin Catholic in the finals. However, by virtue of reaching the section championship match, the Saints earned a spot in the NorCal tournament. St. Helena would shock the world by beating top-seeded Ripon before losing to Notre Dame (Belmont).

The basketball team’s supporting cast contributions came from Kate Wignall, Holle DePina, Noemi Sanchez, and Zumwalt to go along with the lead efforts of Densberger, Marshall and Particelli. From 2007-2011, the Saints amassed a 76-34 with three NCS Div. IV playoff appearances despite not having a player to speak of that called basketball her No. 1 sport. While the postseason victory eluded the Saints (losing to St. Pat’s, Ursuline and Marin Catholic), they established a legacy in school history that will long be remembered.

In 2007-2008, the Saints went 14-14 for their first non-losing season since 1997-1998, which was a significant improvement over the 8-18 season the year prior, which was Ron Menegon’s last after eight seasons as head coach before giving way to Will Densberger the following year.

If I had to point to a game that represented a moment that a new day had donned, it was a 49-46 loss to eventual North Central League I champion Cloverdale, which needed a Lorraine Villa 3-pointer with 7.5 seconds remaining to subdue St. Helena. Though I would never use the term moral victory, this game was a turning point because the Eagles had beaten St. Helena like a rug in several years prior.

The following two seasons would bring back-to-back 20-win seasons for the first time since 1995-1996 and 1996-1997. The 2008-2009 Saints went 23-3, recording 21 wins in a row, which established a school-record to win their first league title in school history. The Saints went 21-8 in 2009-2010 and 18-9 in 2010-2011.

I could fill enough space for a novel in rattling off the team and individual accomplishments. As reporters, we are told to be impartial but covering sports at the high school level is different. You can’t cover the St. Helena Saints like you cover the New Orleans Saints.

I strived to report on bad teams with sensitivity but don’t unprofessionally gush over the very good teams. However, when you see a team work diligently to achieve so much, you can’t help but celebrate their success.

What I enjoyed most about covering these teams, and this is part of doing it in a small town of under 6,000 people, was getting to know their families. Though I have changed careers and my life takes me to Contra Costa County rather than the Northern part of Napa Valley, I still have semi-regular contact with the Rabanal, Particelli, Densberger and Marshall families.

Upvalley sports historian and 1962 St. Helena High graduate Jim Hunt was instrumental in establishing the St. Helena High Athletic Hall of Fame. I have no doubt Maddy Densberger will there if not possibly a couple other aforementioned Saints.

Time Out with Austin Cia: 2017 St. Helena High senior

Vince D’Adamo: What have you enjoyed most about competing in athletics throughout your life?

Austin Cia: Throughout my life, sports have brought out my competitive side. They have taught me to be a team player, as well as a team leader when needed. What I have enjoyed most is building a bond with my friends who I have played with since the 4th grade.

D’Adamo: What are your plans after high school?

Cia: After high school, I hope to attend a 4-year university. My first choice is the United States Naval Academy.

D’Adamo: What might you choose as a major? What intrigues you about going that direction?

Cia: I plan on majoring in some sort of engineering, or a major related to agriculture. I enjoy being a problem-solver, and I think these majors would allow me to do that.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at St. Helena High?

Cia: My favorite class in high school is my zero period, BioDiesel, with Mr. O’Connor. In this class we run a biodiesel project as well as a steelhead research program in the Napa Valley Watershed.

D’Adamo: Within your family who have been the most influential people?

Cia: My whole family lives in this town, so it is hard to narrow it down to one person. I think my dad has had the most influence on me. He has taught me to put my full effort into anything that I do and above all, never quit.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports, that you would most like to meet. What would intrigue you about meeting him or her?

Cia: I would like to meet Pat Tillman. I believe he was a man of character and I would love to talk to him.

Time machine: 2010 softball playoffs: Calistoga at University

Though the difference between a No. 10 seed and a No. 7 seed is numerically minimal, winning as the lower seed on the road is always a very good feeling.

The 2010 Calistoga High softball team enjoyed such a feeling with a 5-1 win over University (San Francisco) in the first round of the CIF North Coast Section Div. V playoffs.

Though a softball team needs to score runs, this game was a prime example example of having a stout pitcher and defense will give a team a puncher’s chance to win on any day.

Setting the stage: The Wildcats entered the postseason with a 14-4 record with three of those defeats coming against the North Central League II South champion Tomales Braves, which had a dominant pitcher in its own right, Nicole Nygard. Calistoga had Nicole Taylor.

This contest also represented a rematch from earlier in the season. Calistoga defeated University 12-4 on March 20, 2010, in the Calistoga Invitational. In that game, the Wildcats pounded out 12 hits with Megan Hunt and Rosa DeJesus each logging five RBIs. University scored four unearned runs against Taylor, who gave up five hits, two walks and struck out 11 batters.

Hunt was in the process of finishing a stellar career as a Wildcat, having starred at soccer, basketball and softball.

Thumbnail sketch of the game: Taylor pitched a five-hitter and Hunt was 2 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored to lead the Calistoga.

Matea Alvarado was 2 for 4 with two stolen bases and a run scored, Taylor and Lucie Stanbor each went 1 for 3, Erin Lilly had a stolen base, and Jenna Reynolds had a stolen base and RBI for Calistoga.

Taylor went the distance for the Wildcats, striking out 11, walking three and allowing one earned run. University scored its only run in the bottom of the first inning. Calistoga came right back in the second inning. Reynolds, who walked, and Betsy Avila, who reached on a bunt single, both scored on a wild pitch.

Hunt delivered a two-run single and Reynolds drew a bases-loaded walk in the seventh inning.

The defensive gem of the day took place in the fifth inning. Samantha Hernandez, who is University’s No. 2  hitter, started the inning with a single. The next batter, Serena Lowe, hit a foul pop-up that Hunt caught and initially threw wildly to first base in an effort to double off Hernandez, who took off for second after having dove back to first.

Right fielder Stambor picked the ball up and threw to Lilly at shortstop. Lilly tagged out Hernandez to complete the double play. Erin Reid then lined out to Lilly to end the threat.

“There are not many players that can make that play other than Megan Hunt,” Calistoga head coach Jake Blakeley said. “That’s quick to come out of your stance to catch the ball and be in a position to throw it. We have one in Megan Hunt. On top of that, the other players decided to play hard.”

The win meant very little in the short term. Calistoga travelled to four hours to Eureka three days later only to lose 9-0 to No. 2 seeded St. Bernard. The Wildcats’ win over University, however, was a very good example of how pitching, clutch defense and timely hitting give team’s a puncher’s chance whether the game is in Calistoga, San Francisco or Saskatchewan.

Sager's courage and positivity are qualities we can all apply

You hear the following phrases uttered so many times when a person dies as a result of illness: “It’s for the best” or “At least he/she is not suffering any longer.”

Mentally and emotionally, no one was surprised to hear about the news of sports broadcaster Craig Sager dying on Thursday, December 15, 2016. Most people were bracing for the outcome, plus or minus a few days, weeks, months, etc. However, knowing the outcome was inevitable does not make the news any more digestible.

With the passing of the 65-year old Sager, I feel like another part of my childhood is gone. I identify Sager with the NBA as much as I do any player or coach.

Sager was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia and missed the entire 2014 NBA Playoffs. His son, Craig Jr., was deemed a match for bone marrow transplant, and the elder Sager underwent the treatment, pushing his cancer into remission.

On April 20, 2014, Sager's son Craig Jr. did the sideline interview with San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich between the 3rd and 4th quarters of the 2014 NBA playoffs 1st round against the Dallas Mavericks to air a special get well message to Sager. The NBA on TNT crew did a special tribute to Sager as well, wearing suits similar to Sager from the past.

On the same day during the between quarters interview segments all coaches gave get well messages to Sager.

In late March 2016 Sager announced his leukemia had returned. It was also announced that doctors had told him that he had 3–6 months to live without treatment. Sager ultimately endured the process for a third time through the gift of marrow from an anonymous donor.

Sager is best known for his work as a sideline reporter for Turner Sports, specifically covering the NBA. He was also widely known for his psychedelic wardrobe of suits. The colors ranged from lilac, orange, yellow, black and lime green. The patterns would include an array of stripes, plaid or swirls.

Through Sager was sartorially unique, he was an accomplished broadcaster. Most will remember his work doing NBA games but he also broadcast football (college and NFL), baseball, golf and the Belmont Stakes.

In an era where the media often has a contentious relationship with athletes, coaches and fans to a lesser extent, Sager was a favorite to all of them because he nurtured his relationships. Having been a sports reporter for 18 years before changing careers two years ago, I can tell you that ability is vital. The mantra is simple, take care of them and they will return the favor. Though Sager had a great relationship with players and coaches, he was not a shill. Sager was not afraid to ask difficult questions. When he was put in a such a position though, he exercised class, dignity and empathy.

Sager’s courage and class were not unnoticed. Those qualities won him the Jimmy V Perseverance Award — named for Jim Valvano, the former North Carolina State coach and ESPN commentator who died of bone cancer in 1993 — at the ESPY Awards show in July.

Sager said in his acceptance speech: “Whatever I might have imagined a terminal diagnosis would do to my spirit, it summoned quite the opposite — the greatest appreciation for life itself. So I will never give up, and I will never give in.”

Sager’s courage and positivity are qualities we can all learn to apply in our lives. For openers, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website (www.cdc.gov), 19.3 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed each year by 2025. Most every American, I have had multiple family members (immediate and extended) become afflicted with this dastardly disease. The courage one must show to combat the disease is real. Their courage was similar to the one Sager showed. The only difference is, they were not public figures.

As for Sager’s general positivity, in a society that has become increasingly anger and negative, Sager was refreshing. He even brought out the soft side of the aforementioned Popovich, who is known for his gruff answers during interviews. Before the Spurs game at Phoenix, Popovich did not take any basketball related questions. Instead, he spoke only on Sager for two minutes.

With the NBA season in full-tilt mode, a sideline in the sky awaits Sager, eccentric wardrobe and all.