Sonora linebacker Brandon Camara (6) drops back in pass coverage for the North Saturday night in the Lions All-Star Classic at Modesto Junior College. Gary Taylor / Union Democrat

Wildcats, Redskins and Bears alike swatted down passes, recovered fumbles and made clutch plays that kept the North team battling to the bitter end of a 17-14 loss to the South in the 40th annual Lions International All-Star Football Classic at Modesto Junior College.

“We both played hard,” said Wildcat linebacker Brandon Camara, who played for the North. “Both teams had a ton of talent on the field and I think we showed that off pretty well.”

Calaveras pitcher Megan Walters (right) and third baseman Jennifer Scantlen are the 2013 All-Area co-Most Valuable Players. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

After falling to the Lions 7-1 two days earlier at home, Walters, the Redskins’ ace hurler, was perfect through six innings and the game was scoreless heading into the seventh.

Scantlen, a third baseman, stepped up to the plate in the top of that final inning and blasted a ball thrown by one of the MLL’s top hurlers, Lauren Watanabe, over the fence for a solo homer that gave Calaveras the lead.

STOCKTON — The largest class of local gridders selected to play in the annual Central California Lions All-Star Football Classic in recent memory practiced Wednesday at Stagg High in preparation for the 40th edition of the big game this weekend at Modesto Junior College.

“I haven’t done this for awhile so it feels really good to put on the pads again,” said Summerville’s Darren Vallelunga, who helped the Bears reach the first round of the Sac-Joaquin Section Division IV Championships last year.

Calaveras Redskins Zack Johnson, Joe Elliott and Brian Golston; Sonora Wildcats Brandon Camara, Walter Leyva and Jessey Ahrenholtz; and 2012 Union Democrat All-Area MVP Tanner Krieg, of Summerville, will join Vallelunga on the North team, which includes another 23 players from high schools throughout District 4A-1 of Lions International.

Around 40 veterans are expected Saturday for the Purple Heart Anglers fishing event at New Melones Reservoir.

The vets will be treated to a day on the lake with local volunteers hosting the servicemen and women on their boats.

“There’s been a great outpour of support from the community,” said Melanie Lewis, of Glory Hole Sports, and event helper. “We’ve got more boats than we do veterans.”

Bret Harte’s Allie Steele (middle) celebrates her goal with Schultz (right) and Bullfrog Lauran Redding (3, left), Tuesday, in the Foothill Finale, North versus South All-Star Game in Angels Camp. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

However, the soccer gods were kind to the South team, comprised of All-League selections from Calaveras, Bret Harte and Summerville, and the referee gave them another opportunity due to a blown call on an earlier penalty kick.

With only about six minutes remaining in regulation time, Nicole Schultz placed a penalty kick into the left corner of the net that would have tied the game, 2-2, but was nullified due to a South player encroaching the goalie box.

Calaveras forward Tiffany Souza (above) is the 2013 All-Area Most Valuable Player. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

Souza, a senior, is quick, aggressive and almost always has a smile on her face as she attacks the ball and swiftly breaks through defenses on her frequent marches to the goal.

“I just love playing soccer,” Souza said. “The breakaways, whether I can make the cross in time, going up against the goalie one-on-one — it’s all a rush for me. When I’m playing, it’s like I become a whole new person.”

Sonora High 2011 graduate Teri Wells, 19, (above) will attempt to swim the English Channel in July. She worked out for 3 1/2 hours Wednesday at Sonora Sports and Fitness Center. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat

Teri Wells, 19, has been preparing to swim more than 18 nautical miles (about 21 land miles) across the English Channel, motivated by her longtime swim coach, Erica Waelty, who tackled the challenge herself years ago and suggested the 2011 Sonora High graduate give it a shot. 

“I’m at a point in my life where I can take the time to do it and thought it would be cool if I could inspire the kids I coach the same way she inspired me,” Wells said.

Imagine feeling like a perfect game is within reach after rolling 10 strikes in-a-row, but then the 3-pin stubbornly doesn’t go down on the 11th ball.

No doubt that would be very disappointing, which might express Darvis Lee’s feeling last week after he just missed 300 with a 289 in the High Rollers league for the men’s high game at Black Oak Lanes.

Lee also claimed the men’s high series for the week — a 686 in three games.

Mother Lode League Goalkeeper of the Year Larissa Barrett, of Summerville, makes a diving stop Tuesday at practice for an All-League game being played June 11 at Bret Harte High. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

A “North” team comprised of the MLL’s All-League MVP, First Team, Second Team and Honorable Mention selections from the Amador Buffaloes, Argonaut Mustangs and Linden Lions is set to face a “South” team made up of the corresponding picks from the Calaveras Redskins, Bret Harte Bullfrogs and Summerville Bears in the first-of-its-kind game that coaches are looking to make an annual tradition.

“Every athlete wants to play that one more game and they deserve it,” said Bret Harte head coach Rosie Sundell during an interview while “South” team players practiced Tuesday at Calaveras High’s Frank Meyer Field. “All-star games exist for other sports, so why not girls’ soccer? I know they’re going to have a good time and there’s going to be some great soccer on display with this level of talent on the field.”

Calaveras junior Megan Walters was named the Mother Lode League’s Most Valuable Player and Redskin boss Mike Koepp its top coach for the 2013 softball season.

The Redskins claimed the 2013 MLL title with a 12-3 record behind Walters’ solid pitching. She won 16 of Calaveras’ 18 total wins on the season and finished the year with a 1.36 ERA and 130 strikeouts in 134 innings.