The Ebbetts Pass—Gold Under-19 boys traveling soccer team finished their season on Jan. 31 — and finished it in style with a record of 8-0-2.

By RUTH ABREO
For The Union Democrat

Meagan Humphrey (Gold Country Youth/Adult) bowled some 39 pins over her average and Jared Ford (Black Oak Adult/Jr) continues to bowl in the 200 game area with a 211.

Reaching the 700 mark for this report is Derek Gregory, Jokers Wild 258/718. High for the women this week are Elaine Simmons (High Rollers) 227 and Jeannie Philbin (Morning Rollers) 202/580.

The Sonora Wildcat boys’ basketball team escaped Lathrop Friday night with a 57-45 victory over the Spartans.

The Wildcats (15-9, 9-4 Valley Oak League) now have a four-game winning streak, but it wasn’t easy against the Spartans.
   

Zack Weldon (223) leads the pack off the starting line followed by eventual mens’ winner Brian Forbes (248) and womens’ winner Samantha Smith (over Weldon’s right shoulder). MAGGIE BECK/UNION DEMOCRAT

“We were pretty amazed with the turnout,” said Robin Phillips, of the Sonora Sunrise Rotary Club, which hosted the event. “It was a great turnout and we had a good time.”

Brian Forbes, 35, won the overall 4-mile title with a time of 24:14.8, almost 37 seconds in front of the next competitor, Zack Weldon, who also finished in second place last year.
   

With under 10 seconds to play on Friday night in Angels Camp, Summerville forward Tommy Pierce leaped as high as his 6-foot frame could take him, and clutched the basketball. The score was Bret Harte 46, Summerville 45.

Of his defensive rebound, Pierce said, “It hit off a couple of people’s heads, but I followed it.”

Meanwhile, the clock ticked: 9 seconds, 8 seconds ...
   

Wildcat Aren Forster drains a 3-pointer against Weston Ranch. AMY ALONZO ROZAK/UNION DEMOCRAT

“I looked at the scoreboard and it wasn’t looking too good,” said the 5-foot-10 senior, who has been nursing an illness and didn’t even practice on Tuesday. “I mean we were winning, but against a quick and athletic team like Weston Ranch you don’t want a little cushion — you want a big one.”

Martin responded with a long-distance firework show.

Josh Martin hit four 3-pointers in the third quarter Wednesday night to lead a 16-4 run and help lift the Sonora Wildcats boys' basketball team to a 61-45 victory over Valley Oak League co-leader Weston Ranch.

Martin finished with five 3-pointers and 17 points.

Also for Sonora, Alex Kiriluk had 15 points, Zach Gorgas had 14 points, Vicente Navarro had 10 points and Aren Forster had five points.   

The Mi-Wuk/Sugar Pine Fire Protection District will host a special autograph session with 2009 World Series champion Phil Coke on Saturday.

Coke will sign 60 official New York Yankee World Series’ baseballs from 11 a.m to 3 p.m. at Station 77 Mi-Wuk/Sugar Pine FPD.
   

By RUTH ABREO
For The Union Democrat

Jarred Ford, a youth bowler (Black Oak Adult/Jr) was finding the strike zone with ease.

He bowled a 266/631, which is his highest game ever and his first 600 series. He bowled 100 pins over his average in the game and 133 pins over in his series.

The Columbia Claim Jumpers continued their trend of playing close games on Saturday night.

Columbia defeated West Hills on the road 57-56.

“It was a wild, wild comeback,” said Columbia coach Nathan Rien. “It’s one of the most fun games I’ve ever coached.”