SACRAMENTO, Calif. – St. Francis Head Basketball Coach Vic Pitton has been selected to coach the South team at the Optimist All-Star game on Saturday, April 11 at Center High School in Antelope. The 38th annual Optimist game features many of the area’s top graduating seniors, including St. Francis senior Susie Rogers.

“It certainly is an honor to have the opportunity to coach these fantastic graduating seniors in their final performance,” said Pitton. “I am very blessed to have that opportunity.”

Pitton recently completed his 15th season directing the Troubadour program. He led the team to 20-8 record and the second round of the Sac-Joaquin Section playoffs. He has led the team to over 250 wins in his career, including eight league titles and three section crowns.

“Susie gets to have her last fanfare here with the Optimist game, a distinction she certainly deserved and earned with all her hard work throughout her four years,” said Pitton.

Rogers averaged 7.6 points, 5.0 rebounds and 5.2 assists, tying for the league-lead. She also ranked third in the Delta League with 3.0 steals per game.

The South team includes 15 players including representatives from Davis, McClatchy, Oak Ridge, Sheldon, Pleasant Grove, River City, Florin, Vanden and Bradshaw Christian.

“The only coaching I should be doing is the substitutions,” said Pitton. “Hopefully, we will keep the tempo up, get a lot of shots, score a lot of points and play a little defense in the process.”

St. Francis assistants Ron Blanchette and Sole Montemayor, a former Optimist All-Star game MVP, will join Pitton on the bench among a staff that includes Jennifer Kunisaki of McClatchy and Larry Price of Florin.

The team will have two practices next week at St. Francis in preparation for the game on Saturday.

Optimist All-Star Game South Team

Susie Rogers – St. Francis

Emma Stenz – Davis

Katie Grahn – Davis

Caitlin Mazzeloni – Davis

Lauren Nubla – McClatchy

Destiny Lee – McClatchy

Shelby Peters – Oak Ridge

Janae Hair – Sheldon

Kim Schmelz – Pleasant Grove

Aliyah Brantley – River City

Rhianna Jackson – Florin

Desiree` Dedrick – Florin

Kayla Blair – Vanden

Erika Bean – Bradshaw Christian

Jordyn Bell – Bradshaw Christian

Head Coach – Vic Pitton – St. Francis

Asst. Coach – Ron Blanchette – St. Francis

Asst. Coach – Sole Montemayor – St. Francis

Asst. Coach – Jennifer Kunisaki – McClatchy

Asst. Coach – Larry Price – Florin