Stephen Curry to host postgame Chalk Talk with fans following matinee game versus Clippers

OAKLAND, CA – The Golden State Warriors are hosting Nothing But Nets Day on Sunday, March 8, against the Los Angeles Clippers at Oracle Arena (12:30 p.m.), the team announced today. For every special event ticket purchased for this game, the Warriors will donate a life-saving insecticide-treated bednet to the United Nations Foundation’s Nothing But Nets campaign. Fans interested in purchasing the special event tickets can do so by visiting warriors.com/nothingbutnets.

Warriors guard and Nothing But Nets Champion Stephen Curry will host a unique postgame chalk talk with fans who purchased a special event ticket. For the third season in a row, Curry is holding his Three for Three Challenge and donating three life-saving bednets to Nothing But Nets for every three-pointer he makes during the 2014-15 season. The Warriors are once again matching Curry’s donation up to $5,000. Over the past two seasons, Curry and the Warriors have donated a combined 2,382 nets to help protect families in Africa from malaria.

Before the game, Nothing But Nets Director Chris Helfrich will be on hand to present an award to Union City resident Aniruddh Mandalapu, a Nothing But Nets Champion and local high school student, who started the martial arts-inspired organization The Fight Against Malaria, raising thousands of dollars for the cause.  A second award will go to the United Nations Association East Bay Chapter, represented by President Herb Behrstock, for their efforts to mobilize members and successfully meet their goal to send 2,014 nets by the end of 2014.

Nothing But Nets is the largest global, grassroots campaign to fight malaria, a disease that kills a child every 60 seconds. Malaria, a disease caused by a single mosquito bite, is preventable. Since 2006, Nothing But Nets has raised more than $56 million, and together with its UN partners, has delivered more than nine million insecticide-treated bed nets to protect families in sub-Saharan Africa from malaria. It only costs $10 to purchase and deliver a bednet and educate the recipient on its proper use.  Over the last decade, millions of lives have been saved thanks to coordinated global efforts to fight the disease.

Special event tickets for Nothing But Nets Day against the Clippers and the exclusive postgame event with Stephen Curry are still available, and can be purchased at warriors.com/nothingbutnets. 

The only place to purchase guaranteed resale tickets to all Warrior home games is at warriors.com, or by calling 1-888-GSW-HOOP. The Warriors have sold out 108 consecutive games at Oracle Arena and currently have a Season Ticket Priority Wait List of over 8,500 members. Please be advised that tickets purchased through other third party sites are not verified by the Warriors. Resale tickets are currently available through warriors.com, and offer a safe and convenient way for fans to access all levels of tickets throughout the regular season and playoffs. 

For more information on Nothing But Nets, please visit  warriors.com/nothingbutnets.

Visa is a proud sponsor and preferred payment partner of the Golden State Warriors.

For more information on the Golden State Warriors 2014-15 season, presented by Kaiser Permanente, visit warriors.com.

About Nothing But Nets

Nothing But Nets is a global, grassroots campaign to save lives by preventing malaria, a leading killer of children in sub-Saharan Africa. Inspired by sports columnist Rick Reilly, hundreds of thousands of people have joined the campaign that was created by the United Nations Foundation in 2006. Since then, Nothing But Nets has raised more than $56 million to help deliver more than 9 million bednets to families in need. Campaign partners include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the National Basketball Association’s NBA Cares, Junior Chamber International, and Major League Soccer’s MLS W.O.R.K.S. It costs $10 to purchase and deliver an insecticide-treated bednet, provide education on its proper use, and provide other malaria reduction interventions that can prevent this deadly disease. Visit www.NothingButNets.net to send a net and save a life.

About the United Nations Foundation

The United Nations Foundation builds public-private partnerships to address the world’s most pressing problems, and broadens support for the United Nations through advocacy and public outreach. Through innovative campaigns and initiatives, the Foundation connects people, ideas, and resources to help the UN solve global problems. The Foundation was created in 1998 as a U.S. public charity by entrepreneur and philanthropist Ted Turner and now is supported by global corporations, foundations, governments, and individuals. For more information, visit www.unfoundation.org.

By Allen Payton

The Antioch Planning Commission, on Wednesday, February 18, on a minimally required 4-0 vote, gave the green light for a new indoor soccer business in a building on West 10^th Street that was the former location of an auto painting business.

Ruben Herrera of East Bay Indoor Soccer, requested approval of a Use Permit to establish and operate an indoor soccer facility, including soccer fields, seating area, offices, and a reception area in the 16,000 square foot building. There will be no exterior modifications to the building, other than painting and front landscaping. The project site is located at 1825 W. 10th Street, across from Hazel’s Drive-In.

Commissioners addressed a few issues. There will be no on-site preparation or sale of food, other than snacks.

For proper traffic flow into and out of the parking lot, one of the two driveways will be used as

But, the main issue was parking. The site contains 41 parking spaces.

So, although there will be two soccer fields inside, only one game will be played at a time and the games will be 45 minutes apart so there will be no overcrowding of the parking lot.

Antioch resident Karl Dietzel spoke at the meeting and suggested they do advertising through the schools. Dietzel later said that the business owner liked his idea.

The commission determined that the use fits within the business park designation for the site.

The hours of operation of the facility will be from 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM.

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper with the 2015 Mayor’s Cup Boys Varsity Soccer Champs from Deer Valley High. Front Row: 21Oscar Arteaga, 3 Humberto Ceras, 11 Omar Navarro, 10 Nathan Parada, 6 Allan Garcia, 7 Edgar Contreras, 14 Armando Fajardo, 1 Rodolfo Saucedo and 18 Fabian Wence Back Row: Head Coach Juan Tannus, 01/16 Goalie Christian Montoya, 22 Anthony Garcia, 8 Marcelo Salvador, 24 Mark Ibarra, Mayor Wade Harper, 2 Eduardo Archaga, 12 Arnie Maravillas, 25 Jonathan Amavisca, 23 Christian Rodriguez, 0 Goalie Ryan Santos, 9 Jorge Alvarado and Goalie Corey Alford, who was out on injury.

By Allen Payton

The Mayor’s Cup for varsity boys soccer has returned to Deer Valley High School, thanks to the Wolverines’ victory over the Antioch High Panthers, last week.

A proud Juan Tannus, Deer Valley High Head Soccer Coach, shared the news.
The game is played every year at the end of the soccer season between the Boys Varsity teams from both schools.

This year, the Deer Valley Wolverines won by a score of 1-0, with Forward, striker Nathan Parada scoring the winning goal.

“We have been playing the Mayor’s Cup game since 1998,” Tannus said. “Deer Valley won the cup originally.

But, for the last six years, the cup was in the hands of the Antioch High Panthers, until now.

“We won the cup,” he said firmly.

Deer Valley had a tough season having played against some of the best teams in the East Bay.

“We lost seven games by 1-0, or 2-1 and tied others,” he shared “The boys never gave up. The boys played hard in every game, whether we were winning or losing.”

“We had a very well disciplined and very respectful team,” he added.

The teams competed at the turf soccer fields at the complex on James Donlon Blvd. in Antioch.

“It was a beautiful game,” Tannus shared. “Both teams were playing magnificent. But, we scored.”

Antioch Mayor Wade Harper was on hand to award the cup to the Wolverines’ team.

Following is the record of the Mayor’s Cup:

1998-2003 Deer Valley

2004 Antioch

2005-06 Deer Valley

2007 Antioch

2008 Deer Valley

2009-14 Antioch

2015 Deer Valley

Tannus has been the Head Coach at Deer Valley for four years. So, this is the first time the team has won the cup, since he took the helm.

“As long as I’m the Head Coach I’m going to keep the cup with us,” he said with a laugh.

Black Diamond Middle School Miners 2015 girls volleyball championship team are all smiles with their trophies after winning it back during the 2015 tournament. By Michael Pohl

By Luke Johnson

After last year’s upset, Black Diamond Middle School won first place once again and regained bragging rights in the Antioch Unified School District Eighth Grade Girls’ Volleyball Tournament Saturday, Jan 24. at its own gym.

The Miners had earned first place for five straight seasons, spanning from 2009 through 2013, but lost last year to Dallas Ranch Middle School, who took home second place those previous five season.

Tia Zaiser tips the ball over the net, scoring a point for the Miners. By Michael Pohl

‘It feels awesome to bring a trophy back to where it belongs,” first-year head coach and Vice Principal Denise Pesmark said. “I’m happy to be a Miner this year, and glad we could do this for our school.”

In the round robin portion of the tournament, the Aviators had gone undefeated (Black Diamond 2-1, Park Middle School 2-0 and Orchard Park Middle School 2-0) and looked as though they were going to become champions for a consecutive year. But in the championship match, Black Diamond was victorious, 2-0 (25-10, 25-19)

“With good spirit and a little bit of good coaching, we were able to pull it together for the second round,” Pesmark said. “We put a lot of hard work into our season, and it’s nice to have it finally pay off.”

The Miners’ win was boosted by a huge rally sparked in the first set that consisted of a 15-point streak, led by server Priscilla Self.

“I’m just amazed that we pulled through and we won,” Self said. “I feel really excited. We are bringing back a trophy to our home.”

Seventeen-year-old Katrina Nahe posing with her wide collection of championship belts she started earning in 2007.

By Luke Johnson

Katrina Nahe is no ordinary senior walking the halls of Deer Valley High School. The 17-year-old has a kickboxing resume containing five world titles along with three international titles.

She began training in martial arts at the age of five in Grandmaster Dennis Guila’s garage in Antioch, who is a ninth degree black belt in Kajukenbo. She then started competing in tournaments at seven years old, and won her first championship via TKO when she was nine at the International Kickboxing Federation World Classic in Florida.

“I felt very motivated after winning my first title,” Nahe said. “I wanted to keep fighting and win more titles.”

On top of being an accomplished fighter, Nahe is also the captain of the Deer Valley girls’ tennis team, and participateed in the Bay Valley Athletic League Tournament, a two-day event, last Oct. 30th and 31st.

For the past couple years she has been training with University of San Francisco boxing coach Angelo Merino, and wants to transition into that form of combat so she can contend in the Olympics. She won a bronze medal in the 2013 Junior Olympics, and has also been offered a full-ride scholarship to Michigan State University for boxing.

“I plan to take [my boxing career] to the 2016 Olympics in Brazil and win gold, and be on a cereal box, and make my own clothing designs,” Nahe said.

Delta Valley Wolfpack Cheerleading squad.

By John Crowder

Delta Valley Wolfpack, an Antioch nonprofit group that provides an opportunity for local youth from ages six to fourteen to participate in high-level football and cheerleading, is once again sending four teams to the Youth National Championships. About 50 cheerleaders from the Wolfpack will compete in the event, which is to be held from January 23 through 26 at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Wolfpack Cheer squad has won the national championship four times since their founding in 2009.

The all-volunteer organization, which sees over 200 young people participate in their programs, each year, was founded by Kim and Lee Scott. Today, Lee serves as President of the organization, and Kim is head of Varsity Cheer. About 60 volunteers work throughout the year to guide their young charges to success.

The program is not just focused on athletics, however. Academic and life skills are a large part of the training that the young people who participate in Wolfpack programs receive.

Tony Carter, Coaches Commissioner with the Wolfpack, created a student scholar program within the group. Students are required to turn in their report cards, and the Wolfpack has tutors on hand to help students who might struggle academically. At the end of the year, students are recognized for their academic performance, and several students on the team have attained 4.0 grade point averages.

Wolfpack volunteers also mentor their young charges in citizenship. Respect is a major focus. According to Kim, “You’ve got to have self-control, self respect, and respect for others if you are going to be successful in life.” Lee concurred, saying that he does not allow any poor sportsmanship from the members of his football teams. “There is no trash talking, no arguing, no bullying,” he said. Lee emphasized that the coaches maintained discipline, and expected the young scholar-athletes to learn and practice self-discipline. “We run it like a household,” he said.

Indeed, the entire program is very family oriented. There are no tryouts, no weight limits imposed, and nobody is cut from the team because of a lack of physical ability. “The first forty kids who apply will make a squad,” Lee said. He emphasized that he wanted any child who was interested to have a chance to compete, and by allowing all students to play, even those who might not have an innate athletic ability, it put the onus on the coaches to work hard to help each team member succeed, regardless of incoming skill level.

The Wolfpack is mostly financed through parent participation fees, with additional revenue generated by entry sales to view games, revenue from their concession stand, participant fund-raisers, and a small group of sponsors, including Mountain Mike’s Pizza, One Work Place, and Sign O Rama.

For more information about the Wolfpack, contact Kim Scott at 925-754-8668 or by email at deltavalleywolfpack@yahoo.com.

Richard Pagano, right, owner of a State Farm Insurance agency in Antioch, and his office staff Yolanda Larios, Elisa Tavera, Serena Xavier, enjoy viewing the Giants’ three World Series trophies, during their tour stop in Antioch, on Tuesday, January 27. Richard, with his best “fear the beard” smile, is unfortunately a Dodgers fan. His staff has it right.

By Allen Payton

The San Francisco Giants baseball team’s three World Series trophies from their championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014 were in Antioch on Tuesday, January 27, as part of a tour to Northern California cities.

Antioch was included because it has a Junior Giants program. Hundreds of residents lined up to take photos with the trophies, which were on display at the Antioch Community Center at Prewett Park.

The tour lasts through April 13. For more information click here.

Antioch High point guard Demauriaye Smith leaping over 6-foot-7 teammate Shane Landon in a dunk contest at a school rally. by Michael Pohl

By Luke Johnson

After three embarrassing years, Antioch High School boys’ basketball is back on track to success with an 11-6 record midway through the season.

On Friday, Jan. 16, point guard Demauriaye Smith drained a game-winning three-pointer against rivaled Pittsburg, and the Panthers won their first game against a Bay Valley Athletic League opponent since Feb. 18, 2011, which calculates to a 30-game losing streak and a 1,428-day dry spell.

“When the shot left my hand it looked good, and I had all the confidence in the world it was going it,” Smith said.

After winning the BVAL Championship in 2011, Antioch had a vacant varsity head coaching position, and hired Kevin Moffett over alum and long time JV and freshman coach Andrew Riva.

In two seasons, Moffett dug the program into the ground. He posted an atrocious 2-43 record, including going winless in his final campaign. He was fired after the 2012-13 season, and Antioch approached Riva with the position again.

“It really hurt. I thought I was ready,” Riva said about being denied the head coaching job. “But I told myself, ‘If it became open again, I wouldn’t hold a grudge.’”

The Panthers went through a rebuilding process last season, and finished with a 3-23 record. But this year, they have more victories than the previous three combined. The team is led by two seniors, JT Branch, who scored 30 points, and Smith, who scored 20, in the 60-57 win against Pittsburg.

“The players have taken a big step from wanting to win to expecting to win,” Riva said. “This has been a dream job for me.”