Page 9 - Dinuba Sentinel 1-31-19 E-edition

Sports
“I think we have the pieces in place to make a run at Valley.”
DHS softball coach Bryan Patterson
The Dinuba Sentinel
B1
After a 17-year stint
at Dinuba High,
Kevin Scharton
heads back to his
alma mater
Thursday, January 31, 2019
Scharton returning to coach Redwood
By George M. Villagrana
seven times and compiled a record of 143-59.
In an email to the Dinuba Sentinel, Dinuba High School principal Mike Roberts stated the school is grateful for the 17 years that coach Scharton has successfully led the football program.
Redwood principal Matt Shin, a Dinuba High graduate, said he had a prior connection with Scharton. Shin was the varsity head football coach before taking over as the school’s athletic director in 2002. One of the candidates for the school’s coaching position was Scharton, according to Shin.
“I was only there for a few months before I became an administrator here,” Shin said. “It’s been nice to watch his success. He stood out from the rest of the candidates and we’re really excited to have him.”
Shin went on to add, “I think he will bring us back to a level of success we’ve had here in the past. He brings that credibility and leadership to our program.”
Last season, Dinuba reached the Division III section semifinals and ended the year with an 11-3 record.
Roberts stated Dinuba will begin an immediate search for new head coach and will look at internal and external candidates.
“We will also have a process that involves our community as well as staff. We hope to hire a coach by [Feb.] 27.”
Sports@thedinubasentinel.com
There are some opportunities that are tough to turn down.
Kevin Scharton encountered one of those and it was made official on Friday as he was announced as Redwood High’s new football coach.
Redwood is home for Scharton. It’s his alma mater where he played for legendary coach Roger Kelly.
The Rangers had fired their head coach Shaun Ball in December after the team went 3-7 overall. Under Ball, Redwood shared the West Yosemite League title in 2016 and he compiled a record of 49-41.
Scharton, who is scheduled to begin his new position with Visalia Unified on July 1, has been at the helm of Dinuba for 17 years. During that span, the Emperors have made the playoffs 15 times, capturing nine league championships and won two section championships in 2009 and 2013. He has been named Coach of the Year
Senintel file photo
Kevin Scharton, pictured here after the Emperors won the Valley title in 2013, will return to his alma mater Redwood High as their head football coach. Scharton coached at Dinuba for 17 years compiling a record of 143-59 and was 15-8 in postseason play.
OHS Boys Soccer
Cardinals’ win streak grows to seven games
Sentinel staff report
The Orosi High Cardinals boys soccer team continued their winning ways as they shutout host Orange Cove on Thursday night, 2-0.
The win over the Titans keeps Orosi within striking distance of West Sequoia League leader Riverdale. The Cardinals are 12-6-3 overall and 7-1 in the WSL, while the Cowboys are 14-4-2 and 6-0-1.
DHS Boys Basketball
Emperors
tripped
up by the
Vikings
Sentinel staff report
The Dinuba High basketball team suffered a 62-55 loss at Kingsburg as the Emperors fall to 19-7 overall and 5-5 in Central Sequoia League play.
Josh Magaña was the leading score with 12 points.
On Thursday, Dinuba played Immanuel tough before the Eagles prevailed 60-53.
Down 47-39 in the fourth, the Emperors drew within a point on a made free throw by Jacob Rodriguez,
See Emperors, Page B8
“The game against Riverdale will After their match against Riverdale, problem is we have been letting teams at half with goals from Ezequiel Zapien,
be the biggest one,” said coach Jose Quevedo. “We really have to win that game.”
The two teams played Wednesday night.
A win will at least give the Cardinals a share of the league crown with a game remaining.
In their first match back in December, Riverdale pulled out a 3-2 win.
Orosi will travel to face Minarets before closing out the season at home against Fowler.
“I told the team we have to play to win the games.”
The Cardinals have pieced together a seven-game win streak that included their 11th shutout against the Titans.
“Defensively we are good,” Quevedo said. “Our goalkeeper is good, but our
DHS Girls Basketball
hang around. We’re missing some early shots.”
Against Orange Cove, David Pina and Victor Hernandez each scored a goal while Aidan Rodriguez and Eliseo Pina each had an assist.
“We had a chance to put them away in the first half,” Quevedo said.
On Jan. 22 against Parlier at home, the Cardinals broke open a scoreless tie
Luis Corona and Antonio Lupian for a 3-1 win.
Lupian and E. Pina also had assists.
In a match on Jan. 16 at Fowler, the Redcats led 2-0 at the half before the Cardinals rallied for a thrilling come from behind 4-3 victory.
Pina and Corona each scored a goal and had an assist while Rodriguez and Zapien also scored.
DHS Softball Dinuba primed
for a big season
George M. Villagrana | The Dinuba Sentinel Josh Magaña is closely guarded by
On one possession during the early moments of the third quarter, Dinuba guard Ashley Flores missed a 3-point attempt and the rebound was grabbed by Kingsburg, who then worked the ball in and out against Dinuba’s zone. The end result was a 3-pointer.
That about summed up the evening DHS endured as the Vikings went on to a 33-29 Central Sequoia League win Monday night.
Kingsburg came very close to letting it slip away as the Vikings were called for a technical foul with 20 seconds remaining. Ashley Flores made 1 of 2 free throws and her 3-pointer was off-target.
See Season, Page B8
Immanuel’s Jordan Yamada.
Krysta Casas dribbles through a double team during the third quarter of Dinuba’s game against Kingsburg.
Rollercoaster week for Dinuba
O ensive struggles haunt Emperors in a home loss to Kingsburg
“We did everything we needed to do to win the game except finish at the rim,” said coach Benny Prado. “We missed a lot of open shots.”
The Vikings length also proved to be a problem as the frontcourt altered shots in the paint or were blocked.
By night’s end the Emperors made two 3-pointers.
“When you give up 33 points you expect to win and we just didn’t capitalize on our great effort on defense,” Prado said.
Down 20-19 with under 1:40 in the third, freshman point guard Kailey Lopez drained a 3-pointer giving the Emperors a 22-20 lead. Kingsburg answered with a basket by Mandy Reed and a fastbreak layup by Makayla Oreteaga to end the quarter.
Down 24-22 in the fourth, Reed made a pair of free throws
See Week, Page B8
By George M. Villagrana
Sports@thedinubasentinel.com
George M. Villagrana | The Dinuba Sentinel
There is some unfinished business for the Dinuba High softball team.
Last season saw the Emperors drop their final game of the season, which was the Central Section Division III championship against rival Selma.
But as Dinuba prepares for what should be another special season, no one is looking ahead to May.
“After what happened last year, they know the importance of getting back after it,” said coach Bryan Patterson.
Dinuba may have graduated three players from a team that went 23-6 overall and 8-2 in the Central Sequoia League, but they will field a veteran squad.
“We lost three seniors last year, but our core group is returning,” said coach Bryan Patterson. “The experience is there.”
The Emperors return their ace in the circle and plenty of offense to go around. Senior Kirsten Martinez had a 19-6 record and an earned run average of 1.61. She also excelled at the plate batting .397 with 24 runs batted in, seven doubles and
three home runs.
“She pitched all the big games for us
last year,” Patterson said. “She’ll get a majority of the innings.”
Patterson noted that Julianna and Erika Flores could see action in the circle as well.
By George M. Villagrana
Sports@thedinubasentinel.com