Softball strikes back
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Caller 1: I’d like to respond to the person who blasted the Gilroy High softball program over the new fence. But first I want to express my respect for Coach Wheeler and the entire baseball program and their players. With much hard work and sacrifice, the baseball program has built a great facility that the entire school can be proud of. But nothing is more dangerous than an uninformed person with a green telephone. As long as I have been a member of the Gilroy High softball program – and for many years before that – there has been fundraising. We have done everything from selling doughnuts, pepper steaks, french bread, car-washing and collecting garbage at the Garlic Festival. Two years ago we raised enough funds to replace old uniforms and equipment that cost thousands of dollars, at no expense to the school district. Our coaches, players and parents have worked their BUTTS off to improve the facility that we are proud to play in today. Never have we, quote “sat on our butts” unquote, waiting for the school district to bale us out. We have in fact raised some money intended to build the fence we will now use to improve our field. And to answer the third question, yes we do intend to fundraise to improve the field. And if I knew your name, I’d ask you to help support us by placing an advertising sign on our new fence. My name is Sarah Villar and I’m proud to be both a Gilroy softball player and a fan of the Gilroy baseball team.
Green Phone: If there’s been a more thought-out, articulate Green Phone call, we’d like to hear it.
Caller 2: As far as Gilroy boys’ basketball, I thought it’d be a great idea to put something in the paper about our league season starting Thursday. I noticed this morning that there was something in the paper, but maybe even farther than that … maybe a schedule of our next 10 games or something. Maybe even mention the JV record is 15-3 and the freshmen are 17-1. It’s a great future for the varsity program. Maybe put those records out there in front of the people and hopefully they’ll come out and support the program.
Green Phone: What a time to be GHS varsity coach Bud Ogden. It’s almost an embarassment of riches with the basketball program right now. Not only is his varsity team much improved, but the other two squads are just ridiculously good. We’ve documented much of the JV team’s success, but would be remissed if we left out the freshman squad, which now stands at 18-1 after Thursday’s 45-40 victory over Hollister. Like they have been for much of the season, the Mustangs were led center Marshad “Shoddy” Johnson, who poured in 20 points. The team’s strength is rebounding, and head coach Eddie Pollack said Johnson and frontcourt mates Christian Lamb and Steve Galtman “have been just monsters on the boards.” Point guard Ryan Costa and defensive specialist Travis Reyes have also played key roles to Gilroy’s success. “They’ve just played so well as a team,” Pollack said. “The future of this program looks really, really exciting.”
Caller 3: I don’t know if this is the right number to call but I’m just calling to let you know the owner over at Planet Fitness on Monterey came in second in the state Sunday in a racquetball tournament … I think it was the over-35 group. Thought maybe the sports editor would want to go talk to him. I think he would be happy to share it with him. Thank you.
Green Phone: In fact, the sports editor did talk with him a few days ago and detailed his accomplishments in Thursday’s paper. But it’s worth mentioning again. Ricardo Espinoza, a 35-year-old Gilroy resident competing in the first racquetball tournament of his life, made a remarkable run to the finals of the Greater Sacramento Open before falling to California’s No. 2-ranked player. So again, hats off to Ricardo.
Caller 4: Happy New Year! This is John with (sorry, maybe next time). I’m calling regarding the refinancing of your existing mortgages. If you’d like to lower your existing mortgage payment, consolidate credit card debt, put more cash in your pocket every single month, call us as soon as possible!
Green Phone: No.
Caller 5: My name is Curtis and I’m with the 10-Star All-Star basketball camp and we’re currently taking applications for our basketball camp. I was just calling hoping you could help me get something in the Dispatch about it. Thank you very much.
Green Phone: Will do, Curtis. The 10-Star is a national camp based in Charlotte, NC. Applications for the invitational-only camp are now being evaluated, with boys and girls ages 10-19 eligible to apply. Players from 50 states and 17 foreign countries attended the 2004 version of the camp, which is considered a proving grounds for college scholarships. The list of alumni, a practical who’s who of basketball, includes Tim Duncan, Vince Carter, Grant Hill, Antawn Jamison and some guy named Michael Jordan. Camp locations are at 22 sites around the country – the closest to here being Belmont and Thousands Oaks. For a free brochure, you can call (704) 373-0873.
