Rick Francis applauds his team's effort on Jan. 30, 2009, the day of his 600th victory. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat File Photo

Wildcat legendary basketball coach Rick Francis stepped down Tuesday after guiding the boys’ program for the last 37 years.

“It’s that time,” said Francis, who coached at Sonora for 42 years. “It wasn’t an overnight decision. I’ve been thinking about this for awhile and I discussed it with my lovely family and decided it’s time to let someone else take over.”

Summerville's Teska Hapig-Ward (above, left) dribbles with Bret Harte's Sam Crabtree defending. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat

Her score gave the Bears a 2-0 lead they would hold onto for their first Mother Lode League victory of the 2013 girls’ soccer season.

The Bret Harte Bullfrog golfers shot a season low on Tuesday to remain unbeaten in the Mother Lode League.

The Bullfrogs shot a 202 to defeat Argonaut (231) at Castle Oaks.

The youth bowlers are back on the lanes and youngsters Ruby James, 6, and Dallas Lattin, 4, were shooting their best. They bowled 80 and 88 pins over their averages with series scores of 191 and 184, respectively. That’s great bowling!   

An oddity occurred recently when two members of the same team both bowled a clean game with the same score — a 193.  That was Jerry Bruce’s and Suzanne McGee’s claim to fame from the Umchu Full House league.

Twain Harte Elementary reclaimed the team championship at the 42 annual Pinecrest Invitational held Friday at Dodge Ridge.

Sixty-seven skiers and snowboarders competed in the long-running event.

“It was a huge success this year,” said Bret Rimmer, event director. “We had 10 schools participate, including Sonora High for the first time in many years. We had over 60 competitors and we had a good showing for snowboard girls. I was really happy to see the two biggest high schools in the county participate. Overall, it was really successful and we had a lot of fun.”

Soulsbyville 4th-grader Evan Lear (above) screams down the slopes Friday during the Pinecrest Invitational. Amy Alonzo Rozak / Union Democrat

Over 60 skiers and snowboarders competed Friday in the 42nd annual Pinecrest Invitational held at Dodge Ridge. Twain Harte Elementary School reclaimed the championship trophy won last year by Pinecrest.

The Sonora Wildcats defeated the Bret Harte Bullfrogs 10-7 on Saturday at Bev Barron Field in a non-league clash.

The Wildcats scored two runs in the first, but the Bullfrogs answered with two in the fourth to tie the game.

Sonora took the lead for good in the bottom of the fourth off a Gino Balestrieri double that brought home Ryan Stevenson from first.

The Wildcats broke open the game with five runs in the fifth inning to make it 8-2.

With some families and student athletes getting an early start on their spring break, the Sonora Wildcat track team battled in small numbers at the Jaguar Invitational Saturday at Kimball High School.

Several Wildcats brought home medals, which were awarded to the top five in each event.

“It was a fun meet and great experience for our team to compete against 15 schools,” said Wildcat head coach Frank Garcia. “Many of our athletes came home with medals.”

Summerville's Joey Brocchini (above) deals on Friday against Bret Harte in Angels Camp. Maggie Beck / Union Democrat

“I was really impressed by him (Brocchini),” said Bears head coach Larry Gold. “He started off without the control he probably wanted but was able to battle back.”

Brocchini also hit well against the Bullfrogs going 3 for 3 with two doubles and an RBI.

Sonora senior Cody Hansten helped power the Wildcat boys swimmers to a victory over host Kimball on Friday while the girls suffered a narrow defeat.

Hansten won two individual events and anchored the first-place relay team for a come from behind victory. He won the 50 free (23.96), the 100 free (54.20) and the 400 free relay (3:43.97).

“The boys did great,” said Wildcat head coach John-Jay Verhuel. “Cody had another great meet, Matt Scanlin had a great swim in the 100 back and Owen Ragland had good swims in the 50 free and two relay swims. The boys  are really starting to swim fast. We had a tough workout yesterday (Thursday), and all the boys did great today (Friday). They are on track for a great season.”