Pioneer Sports Shorts, Jan. 20, 2024

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Jan. 20, 2024) — When Ali Bamberger scored her 1,000th point for Saint Mary’s in a December game she made history. The Gaels redshirt senior joined her father, Eric Bamberger, as the only father-daughter duo to score 1,000 points at the same school in NCAA D1 history.

Dad was a two-time all-WCC player for the Gaels from 1988-92 before going on to a successful high school coaching career. He is currently athletic director at Clayton Valley Charter. Daughter Ali is leading the Moraga school in scoring average, rebounding and blocks as she seeks her third straight all-WCC first team selection.

The duo were also the first father-daughter to be named all-State basketball, dad at Ygnacio Valley High and daughter at Carondelet where she was a four-time North Coast Section champion and all-Metro player of the year as a senior.

Concord American Little League registration for spring ball still open

Concord American Little League player evaluations are this month for its spring baseball season. The league’s website has complete registration information for t-ball (ages 4-6) through junior baseball (14). Practice begins next month. Visit concordamericanlittleleague.org for details and to register.

Diablo Valley FC hosts inaugural Marathon Cup Feb. 24-25

Diablo Valley FC is hosting the inaugural Marathon Cup youth soccer tournament for boys and girl teams in the U7-U12 age groups on the Feb. 24-25 weekend. The tournament will feature 7v7 and 9v9 games for bronze through premier level team brackets. Among the sites used for the tournament will be the club’s newly refurbished fields at sponsor Marathon Petroleum. Visit the club website at diablovalleyfc.com to apply before the Feb. 9 entry deadline.

Clayton sharpshooter once again aiming for another Elks Hoop Shoot National title

Jackson Ramirez won his fourth straight local Elks Hoop Shoot title last month in Walnut Creek with a perfect 25 for 25 effort and moves on to the District event Jan. 27 in Modesto. Now competing in the oldest 13-year-old division Ramirez has his eyes on a second National Championship before aging out of the competition. He also was recently 40 for 40 in the Knights of Columbus local and district competitions. He’ll be competing next in the February Regionals.

Junior Optimist spring baseball signups continue

Junior Optimist Baseball League is still taking registration for boys and girls 4-11 for its spring season. There are two weekly games for teams, one a weeknight and the other on Saturday. JOBL started in 1963 and plays all its games at the JOBL Complex in North Concord. Visit joblconcord.com or email info@joblconcord.com for more information and to register.

First Tee Crab Feed Jan. 26 at Centre Concord

First Tee of Contra Costa is hosting a fund-raising crab feed on Friday, Jan. 26, at Centre Concord. The evening, which benefits the youth golf program, is from 5-9 p.m. with a delicious menu catered by Zandonella’s including marinated crab, salad, pasta with pesto, garlic bread and dessert. A silent auction will benefit the program. For more information on tickets visit firstteecontracosta.org/crabfeed.

Pleasant Hill Baseball Association Accepting baseball, softball registrations

The all-volunteer Pleasant Hill Baseball Association, which was founded in 1958, is accepting signups for its spring baseball and softball season for girls and boys ages 4-18. For more information visit the PHBA website phba.org.

Clayton Valley Charter flag football program kicks off this month

Clayton Valley Charter High School hosts its third season of Be Elite Flag Football season on 10 consecutive weekends starting Jan 21. The co-ed program is open to kindergarten through eighth grade students. There are no tryouts or draft, and everyone plays offense and defense. No football experience is necessary. One-hour weekend practices are followed by 5v5 non-contact environment games the same day from Jan. 21 – Mar. 24. Coaching is by student athlete mentors. For registration info contact CVCHS football coach Nick Tisa at nick.tisa@claytonvalley.org or visit BeEliteAthlete.com.

Mt. Diablo High Hall of Fame Crab Feed this Saturday

The annual Mt. Diablo High School Hall of Fame crab feed is this Saturday, Jan. 20, at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleasant Hill. The evening, which benefits the school’s Sports Hall of Fame, includes music, dancing, 50/50 raffle and lots of raffle prizes. For more information on last-minute tickets call Lou Adamo at 212-9332 or email louadamo@gmail.com.

Newest Ygnacio Valley High School Athletic Hall of Fame class honored Mar. 23

The Ygnacio Valley High Athletic Hall of Fame dinner for the Class of 2024 will be Mar. 23 at Zio Fraedo’s in Pleaasant Hill. The distinguished group of six athletes and baseball coach Lou Adamo features Bill Piona (Class of 1971, football, baseball), Perry Lange (74, swimming), Doug Swallow (74, tennis), Ryan Carey (91, baseball, basketball, football), Andy Hanf (90, soccer, track, football) and Shauna Adkins Bennett (98, basketball, softball). Visit yvathletichof.com for more details and to reserve tickets.

Concord Cup soccer registration open

Registration is now open for Concord Cup XXIX youth soccer tournament on May 18-19 for girls and boys 10U through 19U teams from AYSO, US Club Soccer and US Youth Soccer programs. Teams in bronze through silver divisions are invited to participate in the 29th edition of the area’s largest tournament. Team applications are open at concordcup.com.

Pioneer wants to publish your sports news

Please let us know about your sports news, special events, fund raisers, tryouts, signups and accomplishments. Include all the necessary details and your contact information. It is as simple as sending an email to sports@pioneerpublishers.com.