Home
  • Home
  • Fitness Studio
    • BORP Online Fitness Studio
    • Online Fitness Options
  • Programs
    • Access Northern CA
    • Adaptive Cycling Center
    • Adventures & Outings
    • Adult Wheelchair Basketball
    • Goalball
    • Power Soccer
    • Youth Sports Program
      • Youth Adaptive Cycling
      • Sled Hockey
      • Youth Power Soccer
      • Wheelchair Basketball
    • Veterans Outreach
    • Transportation
  • All Program Calendar
    • Adaptive Cycling Calendar
    • Adult Wheelchair Basketball Calendar
    • Adventures and Outings Calendar
    • Goalball Calendar
    • Power Soccer Calendar
    • Sled Hockey Calendar
    • Youth Wheelchair Basketball Calendar
  • News
  • About
    • Mission
    • People
    • BORP Brochure (PDF)
    • 2019 Annual Report
      • Annual Report Pamphlet
      • Annual Report Text
    • Our Funders
    • Get Involved
    • Impact
    • Resources
    • Contact Us
  • Donate
    • Donation FAQs
    • Donate Your Car
    • BORP Legacy Fund

Author Archive for Jonathan Newman

BORP’s Inaugural Kathryn Black Invitational Power Soccer Tournament was a Huge Success

By Jonathan Newman on May 16, 2019 No Comments
Group photo of all the teams, referees, volunteers at the Kathryn Black Invitational

The Kathryn Black Invitational, held on May 5 & 6, was an truly awesome event!! The competition was fierce and friendly with teams battling to win and at the same time showing respect and appreciation for their opponents’ efforts. The first day initiated and sealed many friendships as all the athletes became invested in each other’s success. 

Action shot of two players

The generosity of our sponsors ensured that we had first class meals, awards, souvenirs and amenities. Thanks to USPSA, Power Soccer Shop.com, Dominic and Karen Russo, BORP and all our donors for supporting the event and the vision of the KBI and perpetuating Kathryn Black’s legacy! 

Thanks to volunteers, families, friends, attendants, and staff for their donations of time, resources, talents, patience and good humor. A few of the many exemplars: Josh Burger and his family, Dindzans family, Shemaria family, the announcing crew, St. Theresa students, Delta Gammas, Scot Goodman, Dawn Nakashima, Mike Wolford, Betsy Dorsett and BORPees back to the beginning of time (1975). 

Thanks to the coaches for their leadership and commitment to the athletes: Julie Fuller, Alberta Cunningham, Pam Richerson, Tony Paradis, Margo Roeckl, Paul Navazio, Julian Perez.

Thanks to our awesome officials: Head Referee Dan Chafey, Bill Cain, Lauren Candia, Mark Jones, Paul Navazio, Phil Weaver.

Power Soccer Referees

Veteran Warriors took the Championship over the Sac Valley Flames, with a Golden Goal in the 2nd overtime period to win 1-0. BORP Bombers led by Tournament MVP, Edana Contreras, were in synch from start to finish of the 3rd Place game and overcame the SLO Dragons 5-1.

Power Soccer players shaking hands

Golden Guard winner: Lady Villegas, Sac Valley Flames

Top Defender: Julian Perez, Veteran Warriors

MVP: Edana Contreras, BORP Bombers

Spirit of the KBI: Mohan “Mr. V.” Vallbhapurapu (actual award was lost in the shuffle, it’s on it’s way).

All Tournament selections

SLO Dragons: Matt “Mad Dog” Green, Megan Costenze

Sac Valley Flames: Lady Villegas, Hunter Horkheimer

Veteran Warriors: Julian “Big Daddy”  Perez, “Wheelchair Willie” Hendrickson, Al “Sharpshooter” Marconi (quote in the subject line is from Al)

BORP Bombers: Edana Contreras, Brooklynn Watson, Chanelle Stallmeyer, Charlie Cleberg

Power Soccer Rocks!

Categories : Uncategorized
Tags : Kathryn Black Invitational, Power Soccer

BORP’s Jonathan Newman Attends International Goalball Referee Training Clinic and Competition

By Jonathan Newman on April 9, 2019 No Comments
Goalball referees including BORP's Jonathan Newman
Goalball referees including BORP’s Jonathan Newman

BASC Jonathan Newman participated in an international referee training clinic and tournament at Turnstone Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. from March 29-April 4. The “War on the Floor” combined two days of clinic with three days of high-level competition between the United States, Australia, Great Britain and Israel.

USA Red took 1st, Israel 2nd, and USA Blue 3rd. Jonathan was selected to work the 3rd Place game between USA Blue and Australia. It was an exciting match that the USA won by scoring a “Golden Goal” in overtime to prevail 3-2.

After the clinic, Jonathan was promoted to IBSA Level 2 and is now eligible to referee at all international tournaments, except Paralympics and World Championships.

Categories : Uncategorized

16th BORP Hoops Classic Recap

By Jonathan Newman on April 8, 2019 No Comments
BORP All Stars and Junior Road Warriors
16th BORP Hoops Classic, March 24, 2019, Coast Guard Island, Alameda, Ca
Photos Copyright Scot Goodman/BORP.

The 16th BORP Hoops Classic was its usual full schedule of hooping heaven enhanced by the start to finish play-by-play of Steve Harwood and Bill Brobeck.

BORP All Stars went 4-2 and played with energy and commitment throughout the weekend. Standout offensive performances were turned in by Kenny Johnson, Sam Craven, Steve Lau and Troy Plunkett with the whole team contributing to the stingy defense. Coach Lai is to be commended for effectively juggling our huge roster, maintaining his positive leadership and relentlessly picking/screening to get our shooters good looks!

THANKS: In addition to the wonderful work of the announcers, we were supported by a stellar cast of volunteers and the generous hospitality of the Coast Guard. The excellent refereeing of Mario, Myles and Li keeps the games and schedule moving and their commitment to this event is greatly appreciated.

All Stars Individual scoring totals:
Craven: 49
Harrison: 9
Johnson: 57
Lau: 37
Marks: 10
Osorio: 2
Plunkett: 24
Hassan: 2
Rodriguez: 7

Thanks to Scot Goodman for the photo above of the BORP All Stars, the BORP Junior Road Warriors and announcers Steve and Bill.

Categories : Uncategorized
Tags : BORP All Stars, BORP basketball, BORP Jr. Road Warriors, wheelchair basketball

CAL/BORP Goalball take on CSB Goalball

By Jonathan Newman on February 15, 2018 No Comments

Group picture of CAL/BORP and CSB Goalball players

Group picture of CAL/BORP and CSB Goalball players

On Tuesday, February 13, the UCB Goalball Team in collaboration with BORP Goalball went to the California School for the Blind (CSB) in Fremont to play the CSB Goalball Team.

The CSB staff and students showed tremendous support for their team with a pep rally and 100% attendance for the rally and game. Spectators crowded the gym and the game was broadcast into the CSB multi-purpose room for those who couldn’t make it to the gym.

The CSB players showed big improvement since games at BORP on December 13, 2017, and fired up by their home court crowd kept the game close into the 2nd half. At that point, the CAL players asserted themselves and used their superior defensive teamwork and offensive firepower to pull away from the young CSB-ers.

Thanks to CSB Coach Caiti O’Mallor and all the players, students and staff at CSB for a great day of goalball!

Thanks to the CAL/BORP team for making the trip so successful and to BORP for the transportation.

Categories : BORP Adult Sports, BORP General Interest, goalball

Top Ten Highlights from BORP Adult Sports in 2017

By Jonathan Newman on January 19, 2018 No Comments

Here are the top ten moments from BORP’s Adult Sports Program in 2017:

1.  2017 BORP Poker Slam raises nearly $7,000 for BORP Power Soccer

Playing Poker at the 2017 BORP Poker Slam

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

 

BORP Poker Fundraiser, Saturday Feb 24, Ed Roberts Campus, 5-11pm

BORP Poker Fundraiser, Saturday, Feb 24, Ed Roberts Campus, 5-11pm

Click here to register to play in this year’s BORP Poker Fundraiser!


 

2.  BORP hosted our annual adult tournament on Coast Guard Island for the first time. The 14th BORP Hoops Classic was held on March 11-12, 2017 with 7 adult teams plus BORP Junior Road Warriors competing.

Group picture of the BORP All Stars and the BORP Jr. Road Warriors

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

BORP All Starts player prepared to take shot

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Player attempts to block a pass, wheelchair basketball

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Click here to view more photos from Scot Goodman


3.  CAL Goalball team wins gold at the Portland tournament!

Cal Goalball Player throws the ball at the BORP Goalball Invitational

Courtesy of Scot Goodman


4.  BORP Shockers and Crushers Power Soccer teams went to Indianapolis for Nationals on June 16-18. Crushers took 1st and Shockers took 5th in the Presidents Conference (D3). Crushers will move up to Champions Conference (D2) next season.

BORP Crushers group photo after winning 1st place in their division

BORP Crushers


5.  World Cup July 3-10: USA came in 2nd!

USA Power Soccer at the World cup

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Click here for more photos from Scot Goodman


6.  CAL Goalball welcomed students and staff from Cal School for the Blind on October 30, 2017.

CAL Goalball welcomed students and staff from Cal School for the Blind

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Goalball player defends the goal

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Click here to view more photos from Scot Goodman


7.  BORP All Stars supported and participated in Wheelchair Basketball Awareness Games at Laney College on October 28, 2017

Road Warriors and Sacramento Kings

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Road Warriors and Sacramento Kings

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Click here for more photos from Scot Goodman


8.  BORP athletes Bryanna Stubbert, Mandy Gargano and Joe Hamilton compete in Americas Championships in Sao Paolo, BRA. USA women take 3rd in their division and USA men take 2nd in theirs. First international competition for Mandy and Bryanna.

US Women's Goalball Team - Photo via USA Women's Goalball

US Women’s Goalball Team – Photo via USA Women’s Goalball


9.  BORP hosted a Power Soccer Tournament at James Kenney Recreation Center, November 11-12, 2017

BORP hosts Power Soccer Tournament, Nov 2017

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

BORP hosts Power Soccer Tournament, Nov 2017

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Click here for more photos from Scot Goodman


10.  BORP Goalball Invitational XXIII was held on December 9. CAL WINS!

Goalball players diving to defend their goal

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Cal Goalball players embrace, celebrating their win

Courtesy of Scot Goodman

Click here for more photos from Scot Goodman


Don’t miss these upcoming BORP Adult Sports events:

January 20-21: BORP Power Soccer will host games at James Kenney.

February 24: BORP Poker Fundraiser for Power Soccer at ERC.

May 19-20: BORP Power Soccer will host games at James Kenney.

June 2-3: BORP Power Soccer will host games at James Kenney.

Categories : Uncategorized
Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, BORP All Stars, BORP basketball, BORP Hoops Classic, BORP Jr. Road Warriors, BORP Power Soccer, Chuck Gill, Disability, goalball, Golden State Road Warriors, Poker Slam, Power Soccer, wheelchair basketball

BORP Goalball Invitational XXIII Recap

By Jonathan Newman on December 14, 2017 No Comments

In my various roles during the BORP Goalball Invitational, I am generally too busy to reflect on the events and tenor of the day while it is happening.  And year XXIII was no different as we crammed 12 exciting games into an 8-hour period. However, in immediate contemplation post-competition (and with the help of a cold beer(s)), I was most struck by the camaraderie among the athletes and teams and the support the veteran players provide to the less experienced. So, while this event is very much a competition, for me it also embodies the sports experience at its best for the athletes, spectators, and volunteers! It wouldn’t be possible without all of you!

Scot Goodman Galleries:

Gallery on Smugmug
Gallery on Facebook
Please contact Scot for purchase or permission to use his photos: sgoodman@lmi.net

Bryanna Stubbert throws the ball

Bryanna Stubbert throws the ball

GAME 1: Honey Badgers versus Seriously! Seriously! was not able to field a full squad for this game and played with only 2 players: Bryanna Stubbert and Brandon Young. The Seriously! 2 put up a valiant fight but Honey Badgers were able to find the gaps and hold off Seriously!’s late surge and won 7-4. Chris Lucero had 4 goals for the Honey Badgers and Brandon Young had 4 on the losing side. The Badgers other 3 goals came from Michelle Yoo.

GAME 2: Replicas versus Walking Dead. Two powerhouse teams took the court and both came out firing bombs! Replicas took an early 3-0 lead behind Joe Hamilton’s 3 goals but that lead was gone in a jiffy as Grej Pesjaka scored 5 unanswered goals in a minute and a half to put the Dead up 5-3 at halftime. In the 2nd half the Hamilton/Pesjaka duel continued but the Replicas slowly crept ahead as Replicas’ Roger Acuna found the net for 2 critical goals. The Replicas again fashioned a lead late in the 2nd half and their defense steadied just enough in the final 3 minutes to capture a 10-8 victory. Joe Hamilton had 8 goals for Replicas and Grej Pesjaka had 8 for the Walking Dead.

GAME 3: Seriously! versus Cal Bears. Early nerves put Cal in a 4-1 halftime hole as the defense was slow to get into gear. Seriously!’s goals in the 1st half came from Mandy Gargano (3) and Brandon Young (1). The second half was more of the same as Young (2) and Gargano (1) led Seriously! to a 7-2 triumph over the Bears. Sergio Lopez and Tiffany Zhao each had a goal for Cal.

Christella Garcia throws the ball

Christella Garcia throws the ball

GAME 4: Honey Badgers versus Replicas. An early goal by Replicas’ Christella Garcia was the only score in the 1st half as both teams played superlative defense. In the 2nd half the Replicas built their lead to 3-0 with goals coming from Garcia and Casimir Werda. Starting at the 3:22 mark the Honey Badgers offense came alive and goals from Lucero (2), Jeshua Aveno (1) and Yoo (1) put the Badgers ahead 4-3 with 14 seconds left. This only left time for one more throw from the Replicas’s and Garcia made it count with a goal and a 4-4 tie.

GAME 5: Cal Bears versus Walking Dead. A re-grouped Bears team shed their first game jitters and took a 3-0 lead in the 1st half with goals from Lopez (2) and Jessica Adams (1). Walking Dead’s Pesjaka led a 2nd half surge with 5 goals but the Bears kept up their scoring as Lopez tallied 3 and Adams 1 to earn a 7-5 win.

GAME 6: Seriously! versus Replicas. Replicas blistered the nets throughout the 1st half and took a 6-3 lead with goals from Hamilton (3), Acuna (2) and Garcia (1). Both teams came out with a defensive mindset in the 2nd half and shot after shot was blocked with each team getting only one more goal and Replicas eventually taking the 7-4 win.  Replicas final goal tallies were: Hamilton 3, Acuna 3 and Garcia 1 while Seriously! had 2 from Khemnesuel Fisher, 1 from Bryanna Stubbert and 1 from Young.

GAME 7: Walking Dead versus Honey Badgers. Walking Dead got an early goal and never took their foot off the gas pedal against the Honey Badgers. Badgers got 2 late goals in the 2nd half but no answer for the Dead onslaught and lost 9-2. Dead goals came from Pesjaka (5), Victor Hakopian (2), Jon Marcotte (1) and Elena Hodges (1). Honey Badgers’ Aveno and Lucero had 1 goal each.

GAME 8: Replicas versus CAL Bears. Team defense was the story of this game with Replicas Building a 3-1 lead behind goals from Acuna (2) and Micah Aveno (1). In the 2nd half Cal scored an early goal to pull within 1 but could not break through and lost the nail-biter 3-2. Sergio Lopez scored both Cal goals.

GAME 9: Walking Dead versus Seriously!. Young and Fisher led the offense for Seriously! while Pesjaka was in top form for Walking Dead. When the dust had settled Dead had an 8-6 win with all 8 goals coming from Pesjaka. Fisher (4) and Young (2) had the Seriously! goals.

Jeshua Aveno dives to block the ball.

Jeshua Aveno dives to block the ball.

GAME 10: Cal Bears versus Honey Badgers. Brilliant defense characterized the first half of this match. At halftime, the score was 1-1 with Lopez scoring the Bears goal and Aveno the Badgers lone tally. The 2nd half was similar through the first 2 minutes but then the Bears went on a goal-a-minute spree, with 2 goals each from Lopez and Adams, and rolled to a 5-1 triumph.

With Pool Play complete the matchups for the playoffs were set with Walking Dead facing Honey Badgers in the 3rd Place game and Replicas and Cal Bears in the title match.

GAME 11: 3rd Place: Walking Dead versus Honey Badgers. In pool play Walking Dead had made quick work of Honey Badgers but the 3rd Place game was a different story. Both teams were in good defensive form and half #1 ended in a 2-2 tie. Dead’s 2 goals came from Hakopian while Badgers got 1 apiece from Aveno and Lucero. In the 2nd half the Badgers crept ahead 4-2 with goals from Aveno and Lucero, but that lead evaporated quickly as the Dead’s Pesjaka blasted 3 quick goals through the Badgers defense. The Badgers got a tying goal (5-5) from Yoo with 1:35 left but Pesjaka found the net one more time with 40 second left and secured the 6-5 3rd Place victory for the Walking Dead.

Cal Bears embrace after winning the tournament

Cal Bears embrace after winning the tournament

GAME 12: 1st Place: Cal Bears versus Replicas. The Bears who started the day with a shaky defense, re-found their mojo to get in the title game while the Replicas used their all-around game play throughout the day to earn their spot. Cal owned the first half and the first 6 minutes of the 2nd half and had a 4-0 lead with 1 minute left behind 4 goals from Lopez. Quick back-to-back goals from the Replicas’ Hamilton put the result in doubt with 32 looong seconds left. However, with the game on the line, Cal tightened up their defense and won the title of BORP Goalball Invitational XXIII, 4-2. Go Bears!

billEnd of an Era

Bill Johnson, BORP goalball volunteer, for almost 3 decades is moving to Grant’s Pass Oregon.  BORP Goalball commissioned a tribute book for Bill from Scot Goodman including photos from his career at BORP and the following text.

“Bill Johnson Loves Goalball!

And the BORP Goalball Program and all our participants benefited from that love for almost 30 years. Bill wore every hat the program has, including: player, coach, referee, driver. floor taper, fundraiser, team sponsor (Autopsychic.com) and ambassador. Nearly every week (thanks, Teresa) Bill showed up early to help set up the court, coach early arrivals and rookies, play, referee, shag balls, clean up and ferry people to BART or Lane Splitters for post-practice “analysis”. Known in his playing days as InvinciBill (or InvisiBill) he is definitely IrreplaceaBill and his contributions to the long term success of BORP Goalball will never be eclipsed.”

Individual scoring totals for BGI XXIII (1st number) and career  (2nd number)

Cal Bears
Lopez: 15, 70
Adams: 4, 19
Zhao: 1, 2
Cabrera: 0, 3

Replicas
Hamilton: 13, 114
Acuna: 7, 121
Garcia: 4, 34
Aveno: 1, 1
Werda: 1, 1

Walking Dead
Pesjaka: 30, 47
Hakopian: 4, 127
Hodges: 1, 1
Marcotte: 1, 21

Honey Badgers
Lucero: 9, 14
Aveno: 5, 5
Yoo: 5, 13
Salazar: 0, 0

Seriously!
Young: 10, 180
Fisher: 6, 94
Gargano: 4, 10
Stubbert: 1, 10

Brother versus sister: Jeshua Aveno scored 5 goals for Honey Badgers and finished in 4th Place while Micah Aveno had 1 goal for Replicas but finished in 2nd Place.

THANKS

Group shot of players and volunteers at the BORP Goalball Invitational XXIII

Group shot of players and volunteers at the BORP Goalball Invitational XXIII

As with every tournament, there are numerous people and businesses that contribute to the success.

SPONSORS

BORP – 23 years – www.borp.org

Nakashima Fine Arts – 23 years – www.nakfinearts.com

Sue Johnson, Custom Lamps and Shades – 22 years – https://www.suejohnsonlamps.com/

Scot Goodman Photography – 22 years – https://scotgoodman.smugmug.com/

Vision Faire Optometry – 18 years – https://www.visionfaire.com/

Zander Associates, Environmental Consultants – 17 years – http://www.zanderassociates.com/

Ikeda/Greenwood Family – 8 years

Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue – 5 years – http://www.labrescue.org/index.html

Special thanks to Delta Gamma, Gamma Chapter for billions of hours of volunteer support (tournament, BORP and Cal Programs) and Kate Simonds DG for coordinating volunteers for the last year

And a note of appreciation for event support to James Kenney Community Center staff, Kim’s Sandwiches, Alliance Graphics, UC Berkeley Goalball.

All Day volunteers! Scot Goodman, Leslie Zander, Victoria Cabello DG

VOLUNTEERS – morning and afternoon
Bill Wyatt
Mariah Gasch DG
Maeve Hanafin DG
Loring Barker
Susan Adams
Johnetta Kollie
Leslie Zander
Janet Ziegle – 20 years
Larry Joe
Don Misumi
Phil “Wheats” Wiegand – 20 years
Nicole Lipe DG
Amanda Wiley DG
Bre Bianchi DG
Chasiri Sherron DG
Emma Sims DG
Jesse Grove DG
Claire Jilbert DG
Andy Jokelson – 20 years
Madison Javier

Categories : BORP Adult Sports, BORP General Interest, goalball
Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, BORP Goalball, Disability, goalball

2017 FIPFA World Cup

By Jonathan Newman on July 17, 2017 No Comments

The 2017 FIPFA World Cup in Kissimmee, FL was a world class competition with thrilling play, heart-rending controversy, and great sportsmanship!

10 countries qualified for the competition and the big target was on TEAM USA, who was going for an unprecedented 3rd consecutive championship.

Captained by 3 time USA team member, Michael Archer and 2 time USA team member, Jordan Dickey, the USA steamrolled through Pool A and finished 4-0, giving up only 1 goal. In Pool B France and England dominated the competition and France finished on top of Pool A by virtue of their 2-1 win over England.

In the semi-finals, France made quick work of Australia while the USA edged England (2-1). This game featured a big controversy over a disallowed England goal which would have tied the game late. The call held up and the finals matchup was USA v France (as it was in World Cup #1 in Tokyo in 2007 which the USA won on sudden death kicks-from-the-mark).

In the final, the USA came out strong and just missed scoring in the first minute. The French were on their heels throughout the opening 5 minutes but weathered the relentless USA attack and started putting pressure on the USA. That pressure created a French scoring opportunity about 1/2 way through the first half and the French capitalized to take a 1-0 lead. The USA came back on a penalty kick and a set play and went up 2-1, but France got to 2-2 on a brilliant counter-attack. The half ended 2-2.

In the 2nd half the play was end to end but France dominated possession and neutralized the USA’s potent passing game. A late score by the French put them up 3-2 but did not end the drama as the USA pressed the attack. However, the French were equal to the defensive challenge and scored another goal on a penalty to win the title 4-2.

After 3 years it seems very strange for the journey to be over. As I look back I am very grateful to have been a part of this team and thankful for all the generous love and support I/we received on the way. Don’t know where the 2021 World Cup will be but I’m ready to go!

United, Strong, Able, TEAM USA!!!

US versus Uruguay at the FIPFA World Cup

Photo by Scot Goodman. Click here to go to his gallery.

Final Standings

  1. France
  2. USA
  3. England
  4. Australia
  5. Japan
  6. Ireland
  7. Argentina
  8. Uruguay
  9. Denmark
  10. Canada
Categories : BORP Adult Sports, BORP Fitness, BORP General Interest, power-soccer
Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, BORP Power Soccer, Disability, FIPFA World Cup, Power Soccer, Team USA, US Power Soccer, USPSA

BORP Goalball Invitational XXII

By Jonathan Newman on December 13, 2016 No Comments

Another great tournament is in the books! BORP Goalball Invitational XXII, on Saturday, December 10, was a wonderful day of spirited competition, skillful play and community engagement!

BORP Goalball Invitational

Group shot of all the Goalball players and volunteers after the BORP Goalball Invitational XXII. Photo courtesy of Scot Goodman.

Joe Hamilton, Jonathan Newman and Christella Garcia

Joe Hamilton (left) who won silver with the men’s Goalball team and Christella Garcia (right), bronze medalist in Judo, with BORP’s Adult Sports Programs Coordinator, Jonathan Newman (center).

We were honored to have two 2016 Rio Paralympic medalists join us for the day: Joe Hamilton won Silver with the USA Men’s Goalball Team and Christella Garcia won a Bronze in Judo.

BORP Goalball Invitational Report

Five teams took the court to determine BORP Goalball supremacy and the ultimate champions went undefeated to claim the crown.

CAL Bears and ZaZa’s All Stars got the tournament started with a run-away that turned into a nail-biter. CAL took a 3-0 lead into the final 3 minutes behind 2 Will Slason goals and 1 from Jessica Adams. With 2:21 left Shen Kuan scored for the All Stars and that’s when the game got really interesting. A 4th goal for CAL from Adams at 1:26 seemed like it would salt the game but the All Stars Sergio Lopez scored with 34 seconds and Mandy Gargano with 15 and the score was 4-3. CAL’s defense held for the last All Stars’ throw (Yow!) and the game ended 4-3 as CAL Coach Newman had a heart attack :-).

Game 2 paired Roll City against Tequila Poppers and was a heavyweight shoot-out with each team owning a half. Tequila Poppers used 4 Abel Del Toro goals and 1 from Victor Hakopian to take a 5-3 lead at halftime. Joe Hamilton accounted for all Roll City’s first half goals. In the second half an early flurry of 3 goals in a minute from Grej Presjaka put Roll City on top 6-5. The goals kept coming for Roll City with 2 from Hamilton, 1 from Presjaka and 1 from Jon Marcotte to take a 10-7 victory. Del Toro and Bryanna Stubbert has a goal apiece for the Poppers in the 2nd half.

Game 3 was another offensive thriller with a twist. 2 month old goalball rookie fan Zyona “ZaZa” Gargano Young was treated to a match-up between her parents (Mandy Gargano and Brandon Young) as ZaZa’s All Stars (Gargano) took on PKRB (Young). Young’s PKRB squad jumped out to an early lead behind 2 goals apiece from Young and Khemnesuel Fisher. The All Star’s used goals from Kuan and Lopez to stay close  and the score was 4-2 at half. The All Stars ratcheted up the offense in the second half as Lopez and Kuan scored 2 more goals each to put the outcome in doubt. However PKRB maintained their lead with 4 goals of their own (Young 3, Fisher 1) and held on for the 8-6 win and family bragging rights for Young.

Tequila Poppers and CAL Bears squared off in Game 4 and Poppers, as they say, came loaded for Bear. The Poppers could do no wrong in the first half and took a 6-2 halftime lead behind 4 goals from Del Toro and 2 from Hakopian. The Bears were not without fight and their revitalized second half defense held the Poppers to 1 Del Toro goal while the Bears added 2 to theirs. Final was 7-4 and both teams had much to be proud of. CAL had 2 goals each from Slason and Adams.

PKRB and Roll City was a Game 5 shoot-out as each team sent rocket after rocket cross court and into the opposing defense. A 3-3 halftime score was the prelude for an explosion of goals from Roll City that PKRB could not match. The final was 11-6 Roll City. Young tallied all 6 PKRB goals while Presjaka 5, Christella Garcia 3, Hamilton 2 and Marcotte 1 all scored for Roll City.

ZaZa’s All Stars and Tequila Poppers showed their defensive mettle in Game 6 and it wasn’t until late in the first half that either team scored. The All Stars got a goal from Lopez to take the lead but Del Toro and Stubbert answered and had the Poppers up 2-1 at half. The second half saw Poppers adding on a goal per Popper (Del Toro, Hakopian, Stubbert) to go up 5-1. The All Stars tightened up their defense and used goals from Kuan and Lopez to draw within 2 but ran out of time and succumbed 5-3.

The 7th game of the day was a brilliant defensive “clinic” between the CAL Bears and Roll City. CAL’s Tiffany Zhao made her debut in the middle and anchored a first half shut-out for the Bear while CAL’s Slason provided the only first half goal for either team. The excellent defense continued for both teams through the 2nd half as players for both teams blocked ball after ball. The teams hammered away at each other relentlessly and finally with 3 minutes left Roll City’s Presjaka found a crack in the CAL defense for City’s first goal. With the outcome still in doubt, Garcia blasted in City’s game winner 1 minute later for the 2-1 win.

Game 8 offered no relief from the tension of the previous game, only a difference in styles as PKRB and Tequila Poppers staged an offensive fireworks show for 10 minutes that flipped to a defensive struggle at the end. PKRB’s Young was in top form in the first half and his 6 goals led his team to a 6-4 halftime lead while Poppers’ had 3 from Del Toro and 1 from Hakopian to stay within striking distance. In the second half the Poppers’ defense stiffened and relinquished only 1 PKRB goal from Fisher. With 2 minutes left the Poppers had forged a tie behind 2 goals by Del Toro and 1 by Stubbert. Defensive artistry from both teams kept the score unchanged and the game ended 7-7.

Roll City and ZAZa’s All Stars matched up for Game 9 and City’s Presjaka was on form early leading his team to a 5-2 halftime lead scoring all 5 City goals. Lopez had the All Stars 2 goals and in position for a 2nd half run. An early 2nd half City goal by Hamilton pushed the lead to 4 and while the All Stars played great 2nd half defense they were matched in that regard by City and absorbed a 6-2 loss.

Game 10 was the final game of Group Play and would determine who was in 2nd and 3rd in the group. PKRB needed a 4 goal win over CAL to make the title game as Tequila Poppers held the goal differential advantage. PKRB showed they were ready for the challenge early and used 3 Fisher goals and 1 from Young to take a 4-2 lead over CAL at halftime. CAL had goals from Julie Cabrera and Slason to stay in touch and set up an exciting finish. In the 2nd half PKRB jumped their lead to 3 as Fisher notched another goal but then the Bears put a wall in front of their goal and started chipping away at the PKRB advantage. 2 goals from CAL’s Adams sandwiched around a Slason rocket evened the score 5-5 with a minute left. And after a  loooong minute that’s the way it ended.

With Group Play finished the match-ups were set for the the play-offs. The 3rd Place game had PKRB and  CAL while Roll City and Tequila Poppers were set for the 1st Place game.

After a 20 minute break PKRB and CAL took the court and picked up where they left off from Group Play. PKRB had the early advantage behind 2 goals from Fisher and 1 from Young but CAL’s Slason got one back for CAL and burnished hopes for a 2nd half comeback. CAL’s Adams fed those hopes with a quick goal to get CAL to 3-2 and 6 minutes of courageous goalball followed. With both teams blasting away and both defenses in lock-down mode the tension rose with every throw until ultimately PKRB prevailed 3-2.

Christella Garcia BORP Goalball Invitational

Christella Garcia taking a shot at the BORP Goalball Invitational XXII. Photo Courtesy of Scot Goodman.

The Championship between Roll City and Tequila Poppers had a similar script in the first half to the 3rd Place game. City took a 3-1 lead with 2 goals from Hamilton and 1 from Garcia while the Poppers’ Del Toro punched 1 in right before the buzzer. The Poppers closed to 3-2 with an early goal from Del Toro and a quick exchange of goals from City’s Hamilton followed almost immediately by a Del Toro strike had the score at 4-3 with 5 minutes left. From there it was all City as they settled their defense and used 2 more Presjaka goals and 1 from Hamilton to secure the BORP Invitational title.

Thanks to all the volunteers, teams, families, friends and sponsors for their generous donations of money, time, goods and services. It is an honor to be associated with all of you and share this wonderful event (that started as my senior project at New College in 1995).

Thanks to Delta Gamma (DG) for their enthusiastic support of goalball and BORP throughout the year and especially to Sierra Westhem for her leadership in expanding the collaboration between BORP and DG.

More thanks to all day volunteers: Leslie Zander, Stephanie Spenny, Bill Johnson, Scot Goodman and end of day helpers: Jessica Adams and Matt Grigorieff

Thanks to our sponsors:

Nakashima Fine Arts, Ikeda/Greenwood Family, Sue Johnson Custom Lamps & Shades, Vision Faire Optometry, Scot Goodman Photography, Zander Associates Environmental Consultants, Golden Gate Labrador Retriever Rescue

Click here to see the photos from Scot Goodman Photography

Categories : BORP Adult Sports, BORP General Interest, goalball, Uncategorized
Tags : Adaptive Sports, borp, goalball, paralympics

Donate Now


or Text
“BORP”
to 243-725
to make a donation

Upcoming Events

Recent News

  • News from Adventures & Outings: Explore the Life of Frida Kahlo
  • BORP’s Birding Program Takes Flight
  • New Fitness Classes
  • From Rick Smith, Executive Director – February 2021
  • Mark Your Calendar!

Get the BORP E-News

Sign up to receive the quartely BORP E-newsletter and occasional program and event announcements.
*
*
*
Home
3075 Adeline Street, Suite 200
Berkeley, CA 94703-2578
info@borp.org
Phone: 510-849-4663
BORP is a Paralympic Sports Club of the Bay Area
Created by PH144 Ventures LLC
with help from iThemes
Powered by WordPress
Bay Area Outreach and Recreation Program (BORP)
Copyright © 2021 All Rights Reserved

Facebook

Twitter

Tweets by @twitter

{title}

{fc-start} 
{fc-end} 
{venue}
{organizer}
{description}
[TITLE]
[DATE] [TIME]
[DESCRIPTION]
dddd MMMM d, yyyy
title