Walnut Creek Journal Around the Horn

Spartans earn NorCal Open crown

The De La Salle High football team adds a Northern California Regional Open Division title to its long list of accomplishments. The Spartans crushed Folsom 49-15 on Dec. 8 in the first year of regional games to earn a chance at another state championship. Tiapepe Vitale rushed for 117 yards and three touchdowns, and the Spartan defense dominated the best passing team in the state.

-- Stephanie Hammon

Broncos soccer on hot streak

The Northgate High boys soccer team is off to an undefeated start to the season. The Broncos are 5-0-3 overall after victories over Irvington, Pacific Grove and Stevenson-Pebble Beach from Dec. 5-8. Allan Foster, Brandon Bolender and Noah Smith all contributed multiple goals during the strong run.

-- Stephanie Hammon

'Dogs capture tournament win

The Alhambra High boys basketball team won the Bret Harte Tournament championship on Dec. 8 behind co-MVPs Cory Lozow and Monte Cabrera. The Bulldogs beat Union Mine-El Dorado 57-39 in the title game with Dylan DeHope scoring 15 points. Alhambra also beat host Bret Harte-Angel's Camp and Wallenberg-San Francisco at the tournament to improve to 5-1 overall.

-- Stephanie Hammon

On deck

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Miramonte Holiday Classic, girls basketball, Dec. 14, 3:30 p.m. -- The schedule is as follows with games starting every hour and a half: Dublin vs. Casa Grande, Alameda vs. Clayton Valley, Maria Carillo vs. Miramonte and Campolindo vs. Sonoma Valley.

Bill Martell Invitational, wrestling, Dec. 15, 9 a..m. -- The Broncos will kick off the season by hosting their annual tournament. Newark Memorial will be one of the top teams in attendance.

Carondelet vs. St. Mary's-Berkeley, girls basketball, Dec. 15, 7:30 p.m. -- Two of the East Bay's best girls basketball teams will square off at the Presentation Shootout in San Jose.

De La Salle vs. Centennial-Corona, football, Dec. 15, 8 p.m. -- The Spartans will go for their fourth conscutive Open Division state bowl title against a Centennial program that denied De La Salle a Division I state championship in 2008. All state title games are at the Home Depot Center.

Stars of the week

Linnea Wikander, Las Lomas girls soccer -- The senior captain scored twice to lift the Knights to a 3-0 victory over Acalanes in a Dec. 7 DFAL contest.

Ashley Allen, Clayton Valley girls basketball -- Allen scored 26 points and added 11 rebounds, six steals and three assists to spark a 58-50 victory over Maria Carrillo-Santa Rosa on Dec. 4.

Dylan DeHope, Alhambra boys basketball -- DeHope scored a team-high 15 points in the championship game to lift the Bulldogs to the Bret Harte Tournament title on Dec. 8.

Nate Ellis, Bentley boys basketball -- Ellis was named MVP of the Valley Christian tournament after helping the Phoenix win the title 51-46 over the host Vikings on Dec. 8. Ellis had seven points, seven assists and four steals in the final.

Allan Foster, Northgate boys soccer -- Foster scored twice to help the Broncos net a 3-1 comeback win over Irvington on Dec. 5 and stay unbeaten on the season.

Austin Hooper, De La Salle football -- The senior defensive end/tight end had three sacks and caught two passes for 99 yards as the Spartans topped Folsom 49-15 for the Northern Regional Open Division championship on Dec. 8.

Walnut Creek Journal Around the Horn

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