Time Out with Chuck Matto (2005 Justin-Siena High graduate)

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

Chuck Matto: What I enjoyed most about competing in athletics was the sense of family and commitment, particularly when playing high school football. It didn't matter who you were or where you were from. All we cared about was are you committed to the team and working hard? And I'm still proud to say that as a team, I think we truly did some great things. To this day, I hope all my brothers know I'd be there for them in a second... the former teammates I'm not currently in contact with for whatever reason. But that sense of family and brotherhood is unparalleled.

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

Matto: I went to SRJC to play ball and then I tore my rotator cuff. Then I realized I was done with football in the sense that, I didn't want to do the grind anymore. From there, I eventually transferred so Sonoma State and I studied psychology. I worked with troubled youth and families in need at the Hanna Boys Center in Sonoma and then at the Valley of The Moon residential center for the County of Sonoma. Now, I'm working in the family business helping people protect themselves from everyday risk in Sonoma. I got married about a year and a half ago and my wife and I purchased a house in Vallejo. I also enjoy cooking and have been trying to pursue that as well as feeding the homeless. Now I'm just trying to live everyday to the fullest, enjoy my time and not waste any opportunities.

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

Matto: My favorite class at Justin-Siena was English with Mr. Morrish. I had always done well in English and enjoyed it... but with him, it was more than that. He taught me so much about life. His classroom wasn't just a classroom, at lunch it was the spot to hangout at. He didn't care who you were or judge anybody. He just wanted you to be safe, have fun and learn something. He was diagnosed with a rare cancer my senior year. I remember visiting him at his home shortly before he passed and I remember him looking me in my eyes while he barely had the strength to speak and him telling me "I'm not afraid to die. I'm not sad about it. I'm sad that I'm not going to have the opportunity to meet anymore young people. It's the teaching moments with young people that I'm not going to have that I am sad about." Teaching was his passion through and through but he did it in a way that made you feel alive. He was an example of a what a thunderous force the human spirit can be and I'll never forget that. I'm confident that if you asked any student that had the privilege of being in his class that they would say the same.

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

Matto: My favorite athletic moment was a comeback win against Novato. It was a rainy Saturday morning and we were down 0-17 at the half if I recall correctly. I remember our D-line coach, Coach Shanks told me that he was going to lay into me at halftime and he needed me to respond. I don't remember what he said to me or what I said to the team in my speech. I just remember feeling out of my body. Everyone was making huge plays, hitting key blocks and coming up big. We ended up coming back for what I think was a 21-17 victory. I'm not sure. Coach (Rich) Cotruvo had such an ability to inspire and I just know everyone was so committed we were a force that wouldn't be stopped. Outside of that, I think just the run the entire group of guys went of from 2002 to 2005 was amazing.

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?

Matto: Since high school I've grown tremendously and I continue to grow daily. I attribute that a large amount to athletics but more specifically to Coach Cotruvo. He taught me about accountability, being a self-start and motivator, about caring for those around you before yourself and about believing in a goal. I frequently think about the lessons he taught my teammates and I. And I often find myself thinking, Coach would be proud. Having said that, Coach always said to stay hungry, and I've got bigger dreams and goals and I still want to accomplish and it is only a matter of time!

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

Matto: I'm truly a product of the community and my family goes beyond those that I am biologically related to. First and foremost though, my parents are my greatest inspiration. They are so loving and so giving. They adopted me and have given me every opportunity I could ever have hoped for. I hope that I can change half the amount of people that they have for the positive. And if I can make my wife Erica look at me, like my mom and dad still look at one another after all this time, I'd say I did something right. Outside of them, my siblings all inspire me in their own ways. I also have several other Moms, Dads and siblings and I am so inspired and influenced by all of them. I was taught to love your neighbors, have an open heart, be yourself and just try to be a decent person. I know it sounds so simple and seems like it might be overused but I can't say it enough. And last but certainly not least, my wife Erica. She is my rock and my foundation. She loves me for who I am and has never asked me to change. She motivates me to be better. She supports my dreams and goals and I'm honestly not sure where I would be today without her.

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

Matto: I'm not sure if this counts as historical for you, but for me she does. My biological mom, Vanessa Briggs. I was adopted at 8 months old and I never had the chance to meet her. Sadly, the only time I ever remember seeing her in person was at her funeral. I know my parents have shaped me, but I want to see what I inherited from her. In addition, I want her to see the man that she brought in to the world.

Napa schools move to NCS strongly possible

Elvis Presley made the song “All Shook Up” famous.

Fast forward to February 2017 and the CIF Sac Joaquin and North Coast Sections won’t need a stage at the Grand Ole Opry to be all shook up but such a sentiment could resonate in Northern California.

The Napa Valley Unified School District has requested for Napa, Vintage and American Canyon high Schools to move from the SJS to the NCS. The news has become public-like official -- as in for three news organizations (Vacaville Reporter, Napa Valley Register and Santa Rosa Press Democrat).

The Register reported that the move is pending approval from the SJS Board of Managers and would not take effect until the 2018-2019 school year. While the move is speculative, I would lay odds that it will happen. The SJS’s realignment committee voted 9-0 in favor of the move. Realignment cycles come every four years and the current one ends after the 2017-2018 school year. The Register also added that the SJS Board of Managers could vote on the NVUSD request as early as April. Will DeBoard, who is the director of Communications for the SJS, offered his assessment to Register senior sports reporter Marty James:

DeBoard said: “From the Napa standpoint, nothing groundbreaking happened (Thursday). It’s the fact that they are trying to leave in the middle of our realignment process. It means that they have to plan as though they could potentially be leaving. We have to plan on the chance that they are not there. This is just strictly our realignment committee trying to move forward as though they are not there. I think eventually they’ll be leaving. It just didn’t happen (Thursday).”

Napa and Vintage play in the Monticello Empire League while American Canyon competes in the Solano County athletic Conference.

The vote on Thursday was to remove NVUSD schools from any of the SJS leagues for 2018-19. Napa and Vintage currently play in the Monticello Empire League. American Canyon plays in the Solano County Athletic Conference.

The move would return Napa and Vintage to its roots in the NCS, which both vacated following the 1975-1976 school year. Both schools played in the North Bay League. The SJS has been all American Canyon has known since opening its doors in 2010.

The back story to this news is that American Canyon, specifically former principal Mark Brewer and former football head coach Ian MacMillan, expressed desire to go to the NCS not long after the school opened.

Where the move to the NCS makes the most sense is travel and competitive balance. In my former career as a sports reporter, I covered mostly St. Helena and Calistoga but also had a taste of covering the aforementioned Napa schools, including Justin-Siena. Though the Upvalley schools make long and arduous drives to Lake and Mendocino Counties and Sonoma County on occasion, traffic is seldom an issue. However, driving to Sacramento, Elk Grove, Grass Valley or anywhere in the Central Valley, traffic is a crapshoot. You could either get smooth sailing on Interstate 80 or traffic could be a hot mess.

On the flip side, however, travelling to play league opponents has been significantly shorter but a move to the NCS would involve longer trips to Sonoma County for league contests, which would mean an increase in travel budgets.

As far as competitive equity, the challenge that Napa, Vintage and American Canyon face is that the Sacramento and Central Valley schools continue to grow. American Canyon (whose enrollment is about 1,400 plus or minus a few) is projected to grow to about 1,600 or so but will have its limits. Napa and Vintage, however, are projected to see their enrollments of about 2,000 decline.

To add further perspective, Napa and Vintage have combined to win just 18 SJS titles (12 for Vintage and six for Napa). However, only four have come in the two revenue generating sports of football and basketball. By no means is that meant as a slight against the other sports. I am all about celebrating success of section titles whether it is football or badminton. However, let’s be honest, section titles in football move the needle and to some extent so do ones in basketball and volleyball.

The move would be a win-win, the aforementioned Napa schools would add competition on the field and money at the gate. Napa, Vintage and American Canyon fans have demonstrated that they will travel.

The only questions remaining would be, which league the Napa schools fit? And would all three go to one league? The three possibilities: North Bay League, Sonoma County League or Marin County Athletic League.

The last time Napa County schools moved to out of the SJS and into the NCS was 2000. Justin went to the MCAL and St. Helena returned to the North Central League I. The former won six NCS titles in football since moving to there. The latter has benefited from much more competitive equity in the NCL I. Both teams competed in the since disbanded Superior California Athletic League, where St. Helena was like goldfish swimming in the ocean most of the time.

The other remaining layer is what happens to the MEL and the SCAC? Vallejo and Bethel reportedly desire a move to the NCS but would likely play in a league with West Contra Costa County Schools. Vacaville could potentially move to the Delta League. The remaining MEL and SCAC teams would be Benicia, Vanden, Wood, Armijo and Fairfield with the sixth team potentially being Dixon.

Confused yet? That makes two of us. I’ll take sifting through this kind of rubble over the August 2014 version.

Time Out with Joe Madigan (Napa High swimming/little league coach)

Vince D’Adamo: What is the No. 1 thing that keeps you coming back to coaching every season?

Joe Madigan: My boys. Our kids grow up so fast.  It’s a great way for me to spend time with my boys, and help them and other kids get better at baseball.

D’Adamo: Having coached both Little League baseball and Napa High swimming, what are the unique differences between coaching individual and team sports?

Madigan: To me, there’s really not much of a difference.  Whether it’s individual or team, coaches are trying to teach and motivate athletes to perform their best.  Even though there are individual events in swimming, it’s still a team sport, with swimmers trying to swim their best to get points for the team to win.

D’Adamo: You hear the term “culture” being uttered in sports, what does that term mean to you and your program?

Madigan: For years I’ve stressed the fact that teams will perform at a higher level as soon as they start playing the game “for” each other, instead of just “with” each other.  If you can get a young athlete to be selfless and care just as much about how their teammates do as they care about how they do...you’re going to have success.  Not always wins, but success.  Also extremely important to culture is to make sure the kids are having fun.

D’Adamo: Besides the Xs and Os of coaching, how important is it to be able to relate to youngsters as people?

Madigan: I think this is of the utmost importance.  We’ve all seen coaches that have a ton of knowledge in their sport, but can’t relate to kids, which leads to difficulty being successful. On the other hand, if you’re relatable to your kids, and provide a positive, fun experience, it will motivate kids, and you’ll see improvement. Just like in my classroom, I try to provide an environment that kids “want” to come to.

D’Adamo: Beyond athletics, what do you most hope that any youngster gets from being a student-athlete in your program?

Madigan: Perseverance.  Hustle.  Understanding the concept of delayed gratification, that something great worth achieving is definitely worth working for.  Having a growth mindset, knowing that whatever your level, there’s always something that you could work on to improve. Understand the concept of being a good teammate: play any role that helps the team, love practice as much as games because that’s where the most learning happens, and have respect for teammates, coaches, opponents, officials, the game itself, and parents.

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

Madigan: That’s a difficult question and I don’t want to leave anybody out, but with relation to athletics in my life, I would have to say because my dad coached me in multiple sports growing up, he would be one of my most influential family members.  I have to say my older brother, PJ, as well.  When I saw him swimming in college, I wanted to follow in his footsteps.

D’Adamo: Name a historical figure, dead or alive, in or out of sports you would most like to meet and what would intrigue you about meeting that person.

Madigan: I’d have to go with Jackie Robinson, that man had some kind of courage.  Not only was he obviously an extremely talented baseball player, but to break through the barrier into MLB at the time he did was an incredible achievement.  I’m sure he’d have some amazing stories to tell.

If you don't want a player to keep scoring -- stop them

When high school basketball draws national headlines, you know something is monumental. Yes, the whole country is fixated on the New England Patriots’ 34-28 overtime win over the Atlanta Falcons in Super Bowl LI. Atlanta led 28-3 with 2:03 left in the third quarter. Depending on your viewpoint, it is either the greatest comeback or greatest collapse but that is another story.

The story of this blog entry is -- 92 points? By one single player? You’re kidding, right? There are Eastern Conference NBA teams that don’t score that much in a 48 minute game. Yet, LaMelo Ball of Chino Hills (California) did exactly that in a 146-123 win over Los Osos. Are you kidding me? That point total is modern day Golden State Warriors/Showtime Los Angeles Lakers level. High school games in California are 32 minutes (four eight minute quarters) compared to NBA games being 48 minutes (four 12 minute quarters).

Ball, whose older brother (Lonzo) is a freshman on the UCLA men’s basketball team, is a sophomore and has drawn jaw-dropping praise as well as consternation. Ball was 37-for-61 from the field (7 of 22 from 3-point territory) and 11 of 14 free throw attempts.

There is a backstory is Ball’s performance.

Ball told ESPN's Myron Medcalf that his performance was dedicated to a classmate, Lexi, who is in the hospital. His teammates, aware of the situation, encouraged him to keep shooting as the points piled up, Ball said. Ball is ranked the No. 19 recruit in the 2019 ESPN 100 poll and committed to UCLA in August 2015.

Ball scored 41 of his 92 points in the fourth quarter. Ball’s performance, however, drew the ire of  Los Osos coach Dave Smith, who called Ball’s performance "a joke," according to the Los Angeles Times. According to the Times, Smith said Chino Hills players fouled on purpose to prevent his team from running out the clock and stopping Ball from scoring more.

"That's wrong," Smith said, according to the newspaper. "It goes against everything CIF [California Interscholastic Federation] stands for. The Ball boys are very talented and great players, but it's embarrassing to high school athletics.”

Besides dedicating the game to his classmate, there are two other layers to the story. For openers, the Ball family's middle brother, LiAngelo, is sitting out the next couple of weeks for Chino Hills to rest for the playoffs, giving LaMelo more freedom in the offense. LiAngelo scored 72 points in a game earlier this season. Both LiAngelo, a senior, and LaMelo are committed to UCLA.

The other layer is that Bell scored several points as a result of cherry picking. By definition in basketball terms, cherry picking refers to play where one player does not play defense with the rest of the team but remains near the opponents’ basket. The price the opposition pays for not defending said player is creating a 5-on-4 advantage as they try to score, but if the defense steals the ball, it could make a long pass to the cherry picker for an uncontested basket.

Disapproval of cherry picking stems from the fact that the cherry picker is not playing the complete game and accumulates statistics for points scored that exaggerate the player's prowess.

As I look at this game and Ball’s achievement from afar, I can’t help but be amazed. My goodness, you could lock me in a gym for an hour with no one guarding me and I doubt I would score 92 points. However, there are more salient reasons I have no issue with the team and individual achievements. Los Osos scored 123 points, which means Chino Hills needed all 146 of their points to seal the win and of that meant Ball scoring 92, so be it.

Let’s also look at the quarterly breakdown, Chino Hills led 40-24 after one quarter, 71-45 at halftime and 103-79 after three quarters. The game might not be signed, sealed and delivered but it’s close enough to keep the starters in the game.

While I get the basketball purist side of not liking the concept of cherry picking, there are two things equally true. For openers, it is not illegal. It is within the rules of the game. Secondly, if you don’t like the player doing it, stop it. Period. There is nothing stopping your team from putting a defender on him. It’s simple, you say, “Billy, follow that Ball kid wherever he goes. If he goes to the water fountain, follow him. If he goes to his English class, follow him.” You get the idea. If he goes to the bathroom, follow his ass in the stall if you have to stop him from scoring.

It comes down to the basic idea of this, Ball’s achievement came within the framework of winning the game. It’s not like he scored 92 points in a 165-17 win over a vocational school.

Time Out with Kyle Shouse (1999 Napa High graduate)

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

Kyle Shouse: The thing I enjoyed the most about competing in athletics throughout my life was the actual competition between teammates, opponents and within myself to try and get better. It was extremely challenging, but that’s what made sports fun. You learn some very valuable lessons when you compete in athletics, lessons I still use to this day.

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

Shouse: After high school I attended the University of California at Santa Barbara and graduated with a degree in History in 2003. While at UCSB I earned an R.O.T.C scholarship, and upon graduating college I was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army Aviation Branch. After my commissioning, I attended flight school where I flew Close Air Support for 11 years in the AH-64D Apache Longbow Helicopter. In 2014 I transitioned out of the Active Army as a Major, and went back to school and earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration. Currently, I live in Colorado Springs with my wife Lisa, working as a strategic planning/ Business Development fellow for a company that helps small to medium size defense firms and Technology companies grow and compete for defense contracts in the aerospace/ cybersecurity industry.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite class at Napa High?

Shouse: I had numerous classes I enjoyed going to while in high school, but my favorite by far was Mr. Michalski’s History class. He inspired us to really learn the importance of understanding history, and the consequences of societies who fail in doing that. He was one of the major reasons why I pursued a History degree in college.

D’Adamo: What was your favorite athletic moment at Napa High?

Shouse: My favorite athletic moment at Napa High came when coach Mike Brown called me into his office my freshmen year and told me I had made the varsity baseball team. I think I slept in my uniform the first night they passed out our jerseys. I was so excited to have made the team.

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?

Shouse: I think I have grown leaps and bounds since graduating high school. If you would have told me at 19 that I would be mature enough to lead an aviation platoon of four Apache Helicopter, eight pilots and 15 crew chiefs in combat by the age of 24, I probably would have laughed at you. But many of the same traits and habits I learned while playing sports at Napa High, helped guide me throughout my career. Hard work, dedication, mental toughness, resiliency and preparation are all traits I learned while playing baseball and football for the Indians and still use today.

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

Shouse: The most influential person in my life growing up would have to be my mother. When I was eight years old she was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer, which she battled for 20 years. But growing up watching her lose her hair, but at the same time put on different color wigs to cheer up her students and make them laugh, continuing to pursue her love for teaching, all the while knowing how much pain she was in and never let on, was extremely influential. It changed my perspective at an early age of what “hard” was. It reinforced in me the belief that no matter how bad things get, if you keep moving forward you will eventually succeed. I truly admired the way she always put on a good face and attacked life the way she did.

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

Shouse: If I could meet a historical figure from any era, it would have to be Abraham Lincoln I love his writings and admire his courage. I would want to know how he was able to handle being the President, while at the same time managing a war that could have changed the look of the United States forever. How was he able to keep the Northern states focused on preserving the Union after a few military setbacks during the war, and how was he able to heal the divide after the war to keep the country together? In my opinion, Abraham Lincoln was the greatest president to have ever held office.

Kate Shipp-Roberts (St. Helena High JV girls basketball head coach)

Vince D’Adamo: What is the No. 1 thing that keeps you coming back to coaching every season?

Kate Shipp-Roberts: I can't pinpoint one thing to why I continue to coach, but two major factors are fun and family. Coaching is fun, it’s also a lot of hard work, but that is what makes it fun. And family because for as long as I can remember (as a player and a coach) sports have been about family. Not just my own family being involved, but all of the moms, dads, siblings, cousins, grandparents who are involved in the team. All of a sudden you become a part of this new family and suddenly your family has expanded.

D’Adamo: Beyond wins and losses, what is your vision for the St. Helena High girls basketball program?

Shipp-Roberts: My vision(s) for the St Helena High girls basketball program is to get the community excited about girls basketball again. Not just the school community, but the town of St. Helena. It's great to see students in the stands cheering for their peers, it's great to see admin, teachers, parents, and community members supporting the student-athletes.

Wins and losses will come, that is part of the game. But one major vision I have for the St. Helena girls basketball team is implementing an off season program- skill work in the spring, practices and games during the summer.  This way they are better prepared for the upcoming season.

D’Adamo: You had a chance to play for Darci (Lewis) Ward at Napa High and your parents were coaches, what common denominator did you learn from both?

Shipp-Roberts: One constant I learned from my parents and Darci is maintain the expectations you have for your players or your program. Jill Stewart (American Canyon High athletic director) and my assistant (former JV coach) Darol Smith are also mentors and examples to look up to as far as maintaining high expectations for your players and program.

D’Adamo:  Besides the Xs and Os of coaching, how important is it to be able to relate to kids?

Shipp-Roberts: It's not necessarily about being able to relate to the kids, but rather how to reach each player I coach. Each player is different, some can handle a more aggressive style of coaching and need tough love, while others you have to take a more detailed, calm approach. Part of growing as a coach is learning how to adapt your coaching style for each player, but at the same time maintaining high expectations for each player.

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

Shipp-Roberts: That’s a tough one. Each family member has been influential in their own way. I wanted to be a teacher because of my mom, on the flip side I wanted to be a coach because of my dad. I met my husband through both teaching and coaching and he has been the biggest supporter of girl's basketball ever since. Just having the family support regardless of the record is a huge influence in itself.

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

Shipp-Roberts: Pat Summitt, hands down. I remember as a young girl watching her coach she was very intimidating, her stare was deadly and you couldn't help but feel bad for the player she was about to rip. To be a female coach where predominantly men are coaches and to have the success she had was amazing.

 

My family and I were in Knoxville the day before Pat Summitt's celebration of life and we were able to walk around Thompson-Boling Arena (University of Tennessee basketball arena) and to see the impact she had on women's basketball at the University of Tennessee was somewhat of a religious experience knowing she was the best of the best. Besides the national championships and coaching MVPs, all of the players she coached went on to graduate and earn a degree. Now that is something to celebrate and be in awe of.  

Time Out with Olivia Perata (2017 Justin-Siena High senior)

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

Olivia Perata: What I've always loved about sports is how it provides an outlet for any stress or problems I deal with daily, because I can drop them as soon as I step on the court or field. Every year that I've competed in different sports I've met a variety of amazing people that I may never have met otherwise, and some have even become my closest friends. Ultimately, the best part of sports is becoming so wrapped up in the camaraderie and the competition that it becomes an escape. It's a feeling that I have yet to find in any other activity I've participated in.

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

Perata: I plan to attend a four year university after high school, and although I haven't made my decision yet, it looks like I'll be heading out of state.

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

Perata: I intend to major in psychology, which is something I've been fascinated by my whole life. I'm extremely interested in how people's minds work, what motivates them, and how they see others and themselves.

D’Adamo: What has been your favorite class here at Justin-Siena High?

Perata: My favorite class at Justin-Siena has psychology, which is fitting considering my major. It has given me an entirely different perspective on people, and shown me how unique each person truly is. Most notably, it taught me what I want from life and who I want to be as a person, and how to achieve those goals through positivity.

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

Perata: My family as a whole has been a driving force in everything good in my life, but my parents and brother are easily the most influential. My parents have been the best role models for me since the day I was born, and they are at the core of all of my values and beliefs. My brother taught me how to be patient and understanding, and motivates me to be a better person every day so that I can set a good example for him. Both my parents and my little brother have been an unshakable support system through everything, shown me the power of love, hard work, and sacrifice, and are the best people I know and strive to be more like in all that I do.

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?

Perata: A historical figure that I would love to meet would be Michelle Obama. I was incredibly impressed with everything she stood for, and worked toward, in her former position as the First Lady of the United States. As a young woman in modern society, I would love to hear her advice on having a voice and sharing opinions and goals in a way that is as impactful as hers.