Athletic News
Softball Scrimmages Canceled for Saturday
SACRAMAENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis softball scrimmages for both the varsity and junior varsity teams scheduled for Saturday at Vista del Lago and Oak Ridge, respectively, have been canceled. Both teams open the regular season on Tuesday March 4 at Franklin at 4 p.m.
Swimming Preps for Season with Red-Gold Meet
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis swimming team opened the 2014 season with the Red-Gold meet on Tuesday. The Troubadours competed in five events including the 50-yard freestyle, 100y butterfly, 100y freestyle and 100y backstroke and 100y breaststroke.
“Our main goal is to get the team out together and get them swimming as a group,” said Head Coach Richard Levin. “It is important to have a good first experience before the Jesuit Invitational and have fun as a group.”
Basketball Ends Season with Section Playoff Loss to McClatchy
SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Fifth-seeded McClatchy jumped out to a 11-0 lead and never looked back to post a 57-33 victory over No. 12 seed St. Francis Tuesday night in Sac-Joaquin Section playoff action.
“I was hoping we could catch them off balance early on,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “But that did not happen and they took us off balance. We had a lot of adjustments we tried to make for their personnel because they have a very good team and there were some matchup issues.”
St. Francis Track Student-Athletes Collect Shoes for One World Running
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior track and field student-athletes Ellie Linn and Madison Rawson recently organized a campaign to collect used running shoes for the One World Running organization.
“I realized I had a ton of shoes in my closet that I did not need or use,” said Linn. “I searched for a place to donate them and found the organization (One World Running). I suggested it to Madison and we got the team involved.”
Softball Plays Three Scrimmages in Preparation for the Season
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis softball team played three controlled scrimmages Saturday in preparation for the start of the regular season in two weeks.
“My philosophy is to build a very strong defensive team with good pitching,” said Co-Head Coach Al LaGiudice. “To me that is what wins championships. But we still need to hit the ball to win ball games. I have put in the defense over the last couple weeks. After today I realized it time to switch gears and work on our offense.”
St. Francis Sinks Edison Vikings to Advance in Section Playoffs
Junior Susie Rogers Scores a Game-High 21 Points
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Junior Susie Rogers scored a game-high 21 points to lead No. 12 seed St. Francis to a 51-32 victory over No. 21 seed Edison in a first round matchup in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section/Les Schwab Tires Playoffs.
“I am very proud of them for all the hard work that they have put in,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton.
Rogers scored 17 of her 21 points in the first half, helping the host Troubadours lead for the majority of the half and take a three-point lead (25-21) at the break. Rogers made six baskets from the field, including three triples and two free throws.
Freshmen Win Three Tournaments en Route to 21-Win Season
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Legendary college basketball coach Al McGuire once said, “The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores”. His quote referred to the growth progress of his youngest players and the St. Francis freshmen were a perfect example of the growth McGuire sought with his players.
Head Coach Tom Beam led his team to a 21-6 overall record that culminated with a 44-35 win at Folsom Tuesday night.
Basketball Given No. 12 Seed in Section Playoffs
Troubadours Will Host Edison Friday, Feb. 21 at 7 p.m.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis basketball team earned a No. 12 seed in the CIF Sac-Joaquin Section Championships, the section office announced Wednesday. The Troubadours will host No. 21 Edison out of Stockton Friday night at 7 p.m. at St. Francis.
“I am pumped and super excited to be playing at home one more time,” said senior guard Abby Dow. “It should be an exciting game and we have a chance to keep playing (with a win).”
The winner of the St. Francis-Edison game will play at No. 5 seed McClatchy Tuesday, Feb. 25.
St. Francis Golfer Emily Laskin Named First Tee Scholar
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. – Senior golfer Emily Laskin has been named a 2014 First Tee Scholar as announced by The First Tee. Laskin is one of three local golfers recognized and 102 across the country to garner the distinction.
“It is really special because I have seen so many of my friends get it,” said Laskin. “I have had a lot of older friends go through The First Tee. It is a special honor to be one selected.”
JV Basketball Squad Posts Impressive Season
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Based on the success of the St. Francis Junior Varsity team this season, the future is bright for the Troubadour basketball program.
“I think we are the foundation and the base,” said Head Coach Gary Ender.
The Troubadours finished off a 21-6 season Tuesday night with a convincing 59-34 win over Folsom. The team out-scored its opponents by almost 500 points on the season, recording an 18.0 point per game average margin of victory.
Bailey, Balbierz Lead Basketball Victory over Folsom
Troubadours Close Regular Season with a Win
FOLSOM, Calif. – St. Francis held off Folsom in the fourth quarter with a strong performance at the line to post a 52-44 victory in the regular season finale Tuesday night. The Troubadours finished third in the Delta River League with a 6-4 mark, earning a playoff berth with pairings announced Wednesday.
“We had taken three tough losses so it was nice to take a win to change the momentum back in our favor,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton.
The Troubadours improved to 16-11 overall, snapping a three-game losing streak before the playoffs.
Basketball Loses Presidents Day Matinee to Clovis West
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Clovis West posted a 76-41 victory over St. Francis Monday afternoon in a Presidents Day non-league matinee.
“We played an outstanding team that will have a chance to compete for the state title,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “They showed where we have some deficiencies and were able to exploit them. We competed hard and did not give up.”
Cross Country’s Moreno a Great Example of Spirit of Sport
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Senior cross country runner Macee Moreno was nominated for the CIF Spirit of Sport award. This award recognizes student-athletes based on exemplary sportsmanship, school/community service and leadership.
While she was not selected, she was recognized with a certificate from the CIF recognizing her nomination in a presentation at the Feb. 13 basketball game by Athletic Director Mark McGreevy. She will have a chance at a $1,000 scholarship among the other nominees for the award.
Pleasant Grove Spoils Senior Night for Basketball
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis managed just eight points in the first half and 15 over the first three quarters as Pleasant Grove posted a 47-33 victory to spoil the Senior Night festivities at the game.
“I wish I had an explanation for it,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “The first half we were not ready to play again. They were so excited about Senior Night and were really going to come out and be energized. It just didn’t happen. It falls on the coach to have his team ready to play and we were not ready to play.”
Basketball Loses at League-Leading Oak Ridge
Senior Abby Dow Scores a Season-High 19 Points in Loss
EL DORADO, Calif. – Oak Ridge improved to 8-0 in Delta River League action with a 68-50 win over St. Francis Tuesday night. The Troubadours dropped to 5-3 in league action and 15-9 overall.
“We really had some break downs defensively in the half court,” said Head Coach Vic Pitton. “We worked on it yesterday and I thought we improved in the second half against Sheldon. Today we were not quite with it in the first half.”
St. Francis fell behind 46-26 at the break. Senior Amanda Davenport scored eight of her nine points in the first half to lead the team.
Basketball Wins Third in a Row, Clinches Playoff Berth
Rogers Records Double-Double and Lau Hits Three Three-Pointers in Win
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – The St. Francis basketball team posted a 52-46 win over Sheldon, clinching a postseason berth and improving to 15-8 and 5-2 in Delta River League play.
“They really stepped up and met the challenge I put on them,” said Pitton. “We held them to three points in the third quarter and it allowed us to get a lead and bring it home.”
Softball Tryout Information
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis softball tryouts start Monday, Feb. 10 for both varsity and JV players. They will take place on the varsity field on M Street from 3:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. All students are welcome to tryout.
All participants should bring their glove, cleats and appropriate softball attire. The 2013-14 physical form must be on file with the Athletics Department to participate.
Six St. Francis Seniors Make Commitments
Troubies Sign Offers with Pacific, Georgia Southern, Portland, UC Santa Barbara, Ole Miss and Bellarmine (Ky.)
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – Six St. Francis High School seniors signed a National Letter-of-Intent or made a commitment to play collegiate sports next year at schools across the country Wednesday.
They were recognized on campus after school and will be part of the school’s formal spring signing day recognition. Overall, 24 Troubadours have made commitments this year to continue their athletic careers next year at the collegiate level.
Basketball Escapes with Win at Ponderosa
Three Players Record Double-Digit Rebounds
SHINGLE SPRINGS, Calif. – Susie Rogers recorded a double-double as St. Francis held on late to post a 45-43 victory over Ponderosa Tuesday night in Delta Rover League action.
“Anytime you go into somebody’s house, they are going to be hungry,” said Pitton. “They were ready from the opening tip. We played a roller-coaster game. We played great at times while others we looked completely out of sync.”
Standout LaRocco Commits to Portland
SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis senior Lauren LaRocco has committed to run for the University of Portland this fall. She will officially sign her National Letter-of-Intent on Wednesday.
“I am really excited,” said LaRocco. “There are so many benefits to running in college. It is going to be a really fun experience. I have been told on my visits how great it is to be part of a team. It sounds like a blast.”
Portland is coached by Ian Solof. The Pilot cross country team finished ninth at the NCAA West Regionals and second at the West Coast Conference meet.